Introduction & ice breaker
How do you feel about the imminent opening of NYC?
Stay away from a judgement / opinion debate; keep all emotions acknowledged and expressed; and hear your neighbor and what they are feeling.
Themes to Consider
Israel’s Leaders and Kings were often depicted as Shepherds.
About shepherds in Ezekiel 34:
So the Shepherds are dropping the ball
Gods gonna replace them and do the job himself
God’s gonna put a shepherd in place and its gonna be David
A King in the line of David
Jesus as shepherd
In union with Him we get:
The Speaking Voice of God
Abundant Life
Loving Protection
Beautiful Diverse Family
In Christ:
The speaking voice of God is our spiritual birthright
The abundant life of Christ is unrivaled fullness
Christ is with us as protector and guide
Jesus is making a diverse family from across the ages
Discussion Questions
How do you usually hear his voice?
Where do you need to hear his voice?
What is he saying to you?
What false guide do you need to let go of take the invitation to abundant life?
Where are you need protection from Jesus right now?
Guided Prayer
Read Psalm 23 in the Message translation. Medidate on it and respond to God in an overflow of gratitude for his role as Great Shepherd. Ask your Shepherd for what you need in this moment.
God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.
Supplemental Content
Unlike Western shepherds who drive the sheep, often using a sheep dog, the shepherds of the Near East, both now and in Jesus’ day, lead their flocks, their voice calling them on. That such a shepherd goes ahead of his sheep and draws them constitutes an admirable picture of the master / disciple relationship. The sheep follow simply because they know his voice. —D.A. CARSON
Now he declares that violent death is not just a dangerous possibility; it’s his vocation. And the best explanation of why this might be so is found, not in heavy volumes of abstract theology, but in this very parable, this very down-to-earth picture of the shepherd and the sheep. The sheep are facing danger; the shepherd will go to meet it, and, if necessary, he will take upon himself the fate that would otherwise befall the sheep. In Jesus’ case, it was necessary, and he did. —NT WRIGHT
