IN THE WORD BIBLE STUDY

Below you will find questions and notes for this week's IN THE WORD BIBLE STUDY.

Students please read pages 60-65, in your study guide; answering questions 6,7,8 and 10. Read TRUTH FOR TODAY on the bottom of page 64.

John 10:1-21....Jesus is the Good Shepherd. While Jesus declares himself the good shepherd, in a sense he is warning us that there are “others” parading as ..good shepherds. He is the good shepherd of humanity, to as many as will receive and accept him as their shepherd. This is one of the most beautiful metaphors cherished by Christians the world over of Jesus' tender, devoted, loving care of his people. It also indirectly supports Jesus's claim to deity because the Old Testament's image of the Shepherd is used of God (Genesis 48:15: 15; 49: 24; Psalms 23;1; 80:1). Jesus said “ I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full”. John 10:10.

This chapter begins with an illustration or figure of speech( 10:6) similar like a parable, about sheep and shepherds. John gives two parts of the illustration, “the gate” (10:1-13 and the s(hepherd”( 10:3-5). The 'gatea' is explained in 10: 1-10, and the “shepherd” is interpreted in 10:11-18.

Comparing leaders and shepherds and their people with sheep was common in the Bible and the Middle East (some examples are 11 Sam. 5:2; 1 Kings 22:17; Zechariah 10:2). Shepherding was a common occupation;, several of the OT leaders were shepherds, most of the entire nation of Israel also (Gen. 46:32; 47:3). God is called a shepherd or his people sheep in many places in the Bible (Gen. 48:15; 49:24; Psalm 1; Ec.12:11; Is. 40:11; 53:6; jer. 31:10; 1 Peter 2:25). Some of the elements in 10: 1-18 can be given a symbolic meaning..as

.The “good Shepherd” is Christ

.The 'sheep” are the Jewish believers

.The “Sheepfold” is Judaism

.The “gate” is Jesus as the only way to life

.The “other sheep” are Gentile believers

.The “gatekeeper” is probably God

Chapter 10 here calls to mind the words God gave Ezekiel the prophet in chapter 34 of the book that bears his name. The prophet castigated the the false shepherds (representing Israel's wicked leaders), and predicted the true shepherd would come and would, love and care and provide for the sheep (God's people).

The healed man in chapter 9 represented all believers who would come out of Judaism and follow Jesus, as sheep follows their shepherd. Oh Hallelujah! (Some insights taken from Life Application Bible Commentary).

Below are questions and study notes for Thursday night.

1. Research the physical sheepfold of that day. How was it constructed?
2. Who is the “the door”?
3. In verse 8, who do you think Jesus was calling in the metaphor, thieves and robbers?
4. Did the sheep become confused when they were called out? Why not?
5. In verse 5 Jesus speaks of “the stranger”, run the reference there and tell where it leads. What group pf people represent “the stranger”?
6. What 2 great things in verse 10 did Jesus come to give his believers? Find the scripture where god says “ I have set before you life and death..choose life.”.(paraphrasing).
7. Do you think the religious leaders had made themselves “gatekeepers”? Explain your answer yes or no.
8. The Shepherd says he gives his life for the sheep..what is Jesus eluding to?
9. Why is the hireling called an hireling? What does hireling mean?
10. Relate some differences between the Good Shepherd, the thief and the hireling?
11. The Good Shepherd came to gather together God's people into one flock. (read Ez. 34: 11-14, 23). Praise God! The new Gentile believers and the Jewish believers who came out of Judaism will form one flock, this flock will have one shepherd! Jesus prays about this in his High Priestly prayer in John 17: 20-21).
12. The Father loved the Son because he laid down his life and took it up again to secure salvation for all the believers. (10:17-18).
13. The Jews (religious leaders) were mad and divided again, in john 7:20; 8:48 they had accused him of being demon possessed. The take another step and say he's raving mad or insane 10:19-20. Who were the “others' in verse 21...and what did they say?

Join in Thursday night 7:30 est, call 518-530-1840, Access code 367405204.