The Good Shepherd

This tool is designed to be a reflection of Jesus to you so that you can be a reflection to those you lead. Let’s get started.

John 10:1-18

1 Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone 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 one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper 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 the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.


7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They 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 and does not own 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. 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.”

The Good Shepherd

  • There is INTIMACY between the Shepherd and the Sheep.

    The sheep hear His voice and He calls His own sheep by name. When you “eat the word” on this verse you will find out what intimacy between the shepherd and the flock looks like:


    • Knowledge of Jesus is moved from the head to the heart of the sheep


    • The sheep are easily led, having come to a knowledge of Jesus


    • The sheep are in fellowship as they understand there is a common origin among them


    • Each sheep is distinguished from all others as Jesus knows their names
  • The Shepherd LEADS them.

    He goes out ahead of them and leads them out. The Good Shepherd leads the sheep.


    • The Shepherd leads the sheep, sometimes to their death.


    • The Shepherd leads them through dangerous times.


    • The Shepherd goes first.
  • The Shepherd leads them to FEED.

    “They will come and go out and find pasture.” This is important that you get this. This text does not mean that the shepherd feeds them but rather the shepherd shows the sheep where to feed. The shepherd takes them to the pasture (of the Lord). Digging into this you will find the following about the pasture:


    • The pasture means active grazing


    • That the sheep will not want for the things the sheep needs


    • It is a picture of growth, increase and spiritual nourishment


    • The pasture is a place of rest and is known as a place flowing with milk and honey.


    • The pasture is the sheep feeding on Jesus Himself
  • The Shepherd BREATHES LIFE.

    “I have come that they may have life and have it to the fullest.” Having life and having it to the fullest is a powerful statement for you and the people you walk with. It means:


    • The sheep are sustained both physically and spiritually by the Lord


    • The sheep’s capacity to physically and spiritually know the things of the Shepherd is increased without limit. It is without a cap; in excess even.
  • The Shepherd LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE for the Sheep.

    “The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” The Good Shepherd is the opposite of the hired hand. He lays down His life because of His love for the Father overflowing onto the sheep.


    • This is a voluntary action.


    • It is an intentional choice to give up our rights, to lay down our lives, so that we may find them again.