John 10:1-18
Key Verse 10:11

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

1. Read verses 1-2. Why does Jesus talk about false and true shepherds in this chapter? (9:24) How are their motives different? What was Jesus’ hope—and God’s greater hope—for the Jewish leaders? (16; 17:20-24)

2. Read verses 3-5. How do the watchman and the sheep respond to the true shepherd? (Note the contrast.) How does Jesus describe the relationship between sheep and shepherds? What does it mean that the shepherd knows his sheep’s names? (Ps 139:2,3)

3. Read verse 4 again. What characterizes the true shepherd’s leadership? What is the spiritual meaning of “go on ahead”?

4. What is the basic obligation of a sheep? What does a sheep know about his shepherd? (4,5) Why must all men acknowledge God as their true shepherd? (Ro 1:18-21; Ps 53:1) Why did Jesus’ listeners not understand him? (6; 8:44,47)

5. Read verses 7-10. What did Jesus mean by saying “I am the gate?” (14:6) What does he promise to those who enter through him? (7,9,10b)

6. Read verses 11-18. Why is Jesus the good shepherd? What contrast does he draw between the good shepherd and false shepherds? What can we learn from David’s example? (1Sa 17:34-36; 45-47; Ps 23:1-2)

7. Read verses 14,15,17,18. In what respect is Jesus a good sheep to God? Why must a good shepherd first of all be a good sheep to God? How did Jesus prove himself to be a shepherd who cares for his sheep? (Jn 9; Mk 3:1-6; 11,17,18)

8. How did the Good Shepherd Jesus show that he cared about all people? (16) How does this reflect the will and purpose of God? (Isa 42:6; 49:6; 56:6; Isa 11:6) How does verse 10b epitomize the good shepherd?