Discussion Questions: December 6

Opening

What stood out to you from Sunday’s message?  

Summary

Read John 10:1-18

In a broken world, those with power will frequently use it to abuse and exploit the very people they are called to protect and provide for. In ancient Israel, king after king failed to be the godly shepherd that the people needed. But God promised that one day he would rescue them from the bad shepherds and would himself come to shepherd his people. Jesus is our Good Shepherd and Christmas celebrates the arrival of the True Shepherd that we desperately need.  

Discussion Questions

1. What does Jesus mean that the sheep know his voice? How can we know the true voice of Jesus?
2. Is there an aspect of your life where you feel unsettled or anxious or fearful and need to be reminded of how Jesus is your shepherd?
3. What are the marks of bad shepherds and what makes Jesus different? How can career, money, control and other things be a bad shepherd in our life?
4. The Bible frequently compares God to a shepherd and calls us his sheep. What does the helplessness of sheep teach us about our need for God? How should this shape our worship and prayer and spiritual growth?
5. In the chaos of Christmas, how can you prioritize knowing Jesus and hearing his voice?