I AM the Good Shepherd ‘I AM’-series on the claims of Jesus John 10:1-18 Teacher: Ed van Ouwerkerk

What was the first claim of Jesus, we talked about What was the first claim of Jesus, we talked about? And what did you learn? I AM the Bread of Life What was the second claim of Jesus, we talked about? And what did you learn? I AM the Light of the World

John 10:1-18 (NIV 1984)  1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 約 翰 福 音 10:1-18  1 我 实 实 在 在 的 告 诉 你 们 ， 人 进 羊 圈 ， 不 从 门 进 去 ， 倒 从 别 处 爬 进 去 ， 那 人 就 是 贼 ， 就 是 强 盗 。 2 从 门 进 去 的 ， 才 是 羊 的 牧 人 。  3 看 门 的 就 给 他 开 门 ； 羊 也 听 他 的 声 音 。 他 按 着 名 叫 自 己 的 羊 ， 把 羊 领 出 来 。  4 既 放 出 自 己 的 羊 来 ， 就 在 前 头 走 ， 羊 也 跟 着 他 ， 因 为 认 得 他 的 声 音 。 5 羊 不 跟 着 生 人 ； 因 为 不 认 得 他 的 声 音 。 必 要 逃 跑 。  6 耶 稣 将 这 比 喻 告 诉 他 们 ， 但 他 们 不 明 白 所 说 的 是 甚 麽 意 思 。 

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 7 所 以 ， 耶 稣 又 对 他 们 说 ： 我 实 实 在 在 的 告 诉 你 们 ， 我 就 是 羊 的 门 。  8 凡 在 我 以 先 来 的 都 是 贼 ， 是 强 盗 ； 羊 却 不 听 他 们 。 9 我 就 是 门 ； 凡 从 我 进 来 的 ， 必 然 得 救 ， 并 且 出 入 得 草 吃。 10 盗 贼 来 ， 无 非 要 偷 窃 ， 杀 害 ， 毁 坏 ； 我 来 了 ， 是 要 叫 羊 （ 或 作 ： 人 ） 得 生 命 ， 并 且 得 的 更 丰 盛 。  11 我 是 好 牧 人 ； 好 牧 人 为 羊 舍 命 。 12 若 是 雇 工 ， 不 是 牧 人 ， 羊 也 不 是 他 自 己 的 ， 他 看 见 狼 来 ， 就 撇 下 羊 逃 走 ； 狼 抓 住 羊 ， 赶 散 了 羊 群 。

13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”  13 雇 工 逃 走 ， 因 他 是 雇 工 ， 并 不 顾 念 羊 。 14 我 是 好 牧 人 ； 我 认 识 我 的 羊 ， 我 的 羊 也 认 识 我 ， 15 正 如 父 认 识 我 ， 我 也 认 识 父 一 样 ； 并 且 我 为 羊 舍 命 。 16 我 另 外 有 羊 ， 不 是 这 圈 里 的 ； 我 必 须 领 他 们 来 ， 他 们 也 要 听 我 的 声 音 ， 并 且 要 合 成 一 群 ， 归 一 个 牧 人 了 。 17 我 父 爱 我 ； 因 我 将 命 舍 去 ， 好 再 取 回 来 。 18 没 有 人 夺 我 的 命 去 ， 是 我 自 己 舍 的 。 我 有 权 柄 舍 了 ， 也 有 权 柄 取 回 来 。 这 是 我 从 我 父 所 受 的 命 令 。

Today's study involves determining what we know about sheep with what we can learn about Jesus who said, "I AM the Good Shepherd." The purpose of this question is to gain an idea of how much you already know about sheep. Please choose one of the following responses: a. I know almost nothing about sheep. b. I have learned something about sheep from what I have read and seen. c. I have had personal experience with sheep.

How does the Shepherd (God) care for His sheep (us)? Psalm 23:1-6 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (1) He provides all their needs (2) He leads them to food and water, and gives rest (3) He guides them in paths of righteousness (4) He gives them the comfort of His presence during difficult times and protects them from enemies (5) He prepares a table for them with much refreshing water, and He anoints them with oil (a sign of honor and healing) (6) He gives them love and an eternal home Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Observation questions in John 10:1-18 1. What did Jesus call people who try to enter the place of rest in their own ways? Vss. 1, 8 Thieves and robbers 2. What do the people mentioned in Question 1 come to do? Vs. 10. To steal, kill, and destroy 3. What did Jesus come to do? Vs. 10. To give people a full life 4. According to this passage, what does a shepherd do for his sheep? Vs. 3. Speaks and communicates with them Vss. 3, 14. He knows all of them individually Vs. 4. He leads them Vs. 9. Makes a provision for them (pasture) Vs. 11. Keeps them from danger, sacrificing his life if necessary Vs. 16. Keeps the flock together 5. How well does Jesus know His sheep? Vss. 14, 15. He knows them as closely as He knows His Father, close relationship. He understands their needs completely and laid down His life for them when He died on the cross

6. How do the sheep enter the pasture? Vs. 9. Following the shepherd and going through the one opening or gate, Jesus Christ Himself 7. What are some of the privileges and blessings of finding the gate? Vss. 9-11. Salvation; freedom to come in and go out; freedom from worry; peace and contentment; a constructive life; food to eat; protection; constant love; and care. 8. What did Jesus say He would do for His sheep? Vss. 11-14. He would lay down (voluntary give) His life to disarm the one who would otherwise destroy the sheep 9. How is the hired hand different from the shepherd? Vss. 12-13. The hired hand does not care as much for the sheep and runs away when things become difficult or dangerous because he is only doing a job and the sheep are not his own. In easy times it may not be possible to discern the hired hand from the shepherd, but the sheep find it quite easy to see the difference in difficult times 10. Verse 12 says that the shepherd owns the sheep. In what ways does Jesus own us? 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19

Split into groups

Analysis and discussion questions on John 10:1-18 for Discovery group 11. Who was Jesus really talking about when He used the following terms: a. thief, robber, stranger b. sheep c. hired hand False religion teachers or people who try to earn salvation through their own personal efforts True followers of Jesus Christ People in helping positions who do it only as a job or out of obligation rather than true concern 12. In what ways are people like sheep? They are unaware of many dangers, dead to spiritual things (dumb), and many follow each other to destruction. Isaiah 53:6 says, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” 13. What does it mean to “find pasture”? Vs. 9. Finding that God supplies all our basic needs. Also refers to eternal life in heaven (Psalm 23) 14. What is the full life that Jesus offers? Understanding your origin, the meaning of your life, and your ultimate destiny; being loved, accepted and understood unconditionally; having inner peace, joy, hope, patience, love, self-control, gentleness, goodness, and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22-23); being eternally secure (John 10:27-29)

15. What did Jesus mean by “laying down His life and taking up His life”? What does Jesus’ ability to take up His life imply about Himself? Vss. 17-18. He was referring to His resurrection. Only God could restore or take up human life; therefore Jesus was claiming to have the power of God, even over death 16. What does Jesus claim about Himself? Are these claims unique? Why or why not? He indicates that He has seen God, and only He lays down His life and the power to take it up again 17. Does this passage show that Jesus came to save all people? Why or why not? Vs. 9 “Whoever” and vs. 16 “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also.” Indicate that God desires to bring people from all over the world together in Jesus Christ 18. How can you enter the gate? Repent of having gone astray, accept the sacrifice Jesus has made for you, and commit your life to Him