JESUS, THE TRUE SHEPHERD AND GATE

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MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.

GROWTH QUESTION #1

Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?

GROWTH QUESTION #2

What did you learn from this week’s sermon?

GROWTH QUESTION #3

What was your most important accomplishment this week?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

John 10:1-10 (NLT) - 1 “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

What did you learn from what we just read?

TRUTH #1

JESUS IS THE TRUE SHEPHERD (VS. 1-5)

“… The sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (v. 3)

  • When Jesus describes Himself as the shepherd, He describes a leadership that is built upon a deeply personal relationship.

  • The shepherd knows each sheep by name and leads them - not by force, but by familiarity and trust. 

This shows the intimacy Jesus offers to each believer.

  • Jesus knows your name and is personally calling you to follow Him. 

“... He walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.” (v. 4)

  • Jesus doesn’t drive us from behind, He walks ahead of us, leading us forward.

  • Our ability to follow Him will be determined by our ability to recognize His voice.

  • The Christian life is rooted in relationship, not religion.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

Do you know what the voice of Jesus sounds like? What are some specific ways that you’ve sensed God guiding you? How can we learn to recognize His voice better?

TRUTH #2

JESUS IS THE GATE TO SALVATION (VS. 6-9)

“Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved…” (v. 9a)

  • Jesus is the only one who can lead us to life, and He is the only way to true life! 

  • People all over the world are looking for the way to true satisfaction and fulfillment, but it can only be found in Christ!

  • Jesus gives us free access to all of God’s goodness.

“…They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” (v. 9b)

  • Salvation and satisfaction are only found in Jesus.

  • Through Him, you’re not only saved, you’re taken care of in “good pastures.”

  • “Good pastures” = spiritual nourishment, peace and purpose

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

Have you ever personally searched for “good pastures” in places other than Jesus? What was the result?

TRUTH #3

JESUS BRINGS ABUNDANT LIFE (V. 10)

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (V. 10)

  • Jesus makes a stark contrast between His mission and the enemy’s. The enemy destroys. Jesus builds.

  • The life Jesus offers is not just about survival or escaping destruction. The life He gives is full of joy and purpose. 
  • The abundant life doesn't mean an easy or prosperous life; it means a spiritually full, purposeful, and joyful life even when things are tough.

  • Jesus invites us to a new way of living, not just a new destination after death.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONS

Is there any area of your life that you are living beneath what Jesus desires for you? What do you think Jesus would advise you to do to change that and fully experience the rich and satisfying life He desires for you?

CLOSING QUESTION

What is one thing from today’s lesson that you will apply this week?

GIVING

God commands us to be generous to the needy.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (NLT)
7 “But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need.

Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

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PRAY

QUESTION #1

Who are you praying for to be saved?

QUESTION #2

Who can you invite to the next meeting?

QUESTION #3

What are your prayer requests?