Portraits of the Christ

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Study Five: Good Shepherd

Although the camera had not yet been invented, the Bible gives us a number of word pictures to portray Jesus, the Christ. Each captures a different facet of His character, His life and His mission. In this study, we turn our attention to "the good Shepherd," Jesus Christ. Join us as we consider this description found in John 10.

  1. Why would sheep benefit from a shepherd? What do they need from a shepherd?
  2. What characterizes the hirelings? How do they respond to the needs of the sheep? In the face of personal danger, how does the hired hand respond?
  3. In John 10, Jesus says He is the good Shepherd. He knows His own sheep, and they know Him. What does He mean?
  4. What does it mean that He will lay down His life for His sheep? What do you think it means that He will take it up again?
  5. Who challenged Jesus in verse 24, and how? How did Jesus respond?
  6. What are the dangers of following another shepherd?
  7. The people to whom Jesus spoke would have been very familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. Turn back to Ezekiel 34 where God speaks of Himself as Shepherd. Briefly, God turns against those who were to shepherd His people, because they were not caring for the flock as He intended. His Words are clear in verse 10. How does God say He will shepherd the people, in Ezekiel 34:11 and following?
  8. Imagine you were one of the men or women listening to Jesus as He taught the people. In light of Ezekiel 34, Psalm 23 and other Old Testament passages, how will you respond to this Jesus who proclaims, "I am the Good Shepherd"?
  9. In the last study, we looked briefly at this Shepherd who is also the Door. In John chapter one, He is also called the Lamb of God. As Lamb, He is the Sacrifice for our sins. As Shepherd He is the one who protects, cares for, feeds and leads His sheep. Revelation 7:15b-17 combines both the image of a Lamb and a Shepherd in a single passage. Take time today to consider this Lamb and Shepherd; why not take time now to thank God for who He is. What additional thoughts or questions do you have about this study?
  10. Please pray for me in these areas:
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Next »  Study Six: The Resurrection and the Life

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