True North – I am the Good Shepherd

1. I Am the Bread of Life
2. I Am the Light of the World
3. I Am the Gate for the Sheep
4. I Am the Good Shepherd
5. I Am the Resurrection and the Life
6. I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life
7. I Am the True Vine

Are His claims true or false?

“Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord.” (C.S. Lewis)

If Heaven is true north, Jesus Christ is the only compass that will get you there.

You will find God through Jesus or you won’t find Him at all.

The Truth about Sheep:

1. Sheep are defenseless animals
2. Sheep are prone to go astray
3. Sheep have poor eyesight
4. Sheep tend to follow other sheep without thinking
5. Sheep are stubborn

Sheep know the voice of their Shepherd!

How do we hear the voice of God?

• Scripture
• Godly Counsel
• Holy Spirit
• Listening

Barriers to hearing God’s voice:

• Unconfessed Sin
• Pride
• Bitterness & Resentment
• Not Setting Aside Time

The Truth about Shepherds:

1. Shepherds protect
2. Shepherds provide
3. Shepherds sacrifice
4. Shepherds smell like sheep

“I AM WHO I AM” > Ehyeh asher Ehyeh

• Ehyeh = Yahweh
  (in third person)

“I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE” > “I AM WHO I WILL BE”

“All we have to do is find out if He is a lunatic or a liar. If He is neither, He must be the Son of God.” – Watchman Nee

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Key Scripture:

Exodus 3:14 (NLT)

14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.”

John 10:1–10 (NLT)

“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.

Leviticus 17:11 (NLT)

John 10:11–18 (NLT)

1 Samuel 17:32-37 (NLT)

Psalm 23:1-6 (NLT)

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• Share a time when you felt lost or uncertain about a decision in your life. How did you navigate that situation, and how did your faith play a role?

Start sharing. These questions are to help get your group thinking and to create openness.

• What was the significance of God’s name that He gave to Moses in Exodus 3:14?
• Read John 10:1–10. What did Jesus mean when He said, “I AM the Gate for the sheep?” How does this claim impact your life?
• How can we recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd in our lives? What are some common “thieves” that try to steal our attention and loyalty away from Jesus?
• Clay mentioned 4 barriers to hearing the Shepherd’s voice: unconfessed sin, pride, bitterness/resentment, and not setting aside time.  With which one do you struggle most?  Would you add anything to the list?
• Discuss the significance of the blood sacrifice and Christ’s role as the Good Shepherd as it pertains to that sacrifice. Read Lev 17:11 and John 10:11-18 for reference.
• Clay said “Shepherds smell like sheep.” Referencing Matt 9:10-12, how can we “smell like sheep”?  How can we influence the culture without being influenced by the culture?
• Read Psalm 23 together. How does it illustrate the relationship between the Good Shepherd and His sheep? What aspects of this passage resonate with you personally?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Be intentional and set aside a specific time this week to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd.

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

• Give thanks to Jesus for being our Good Shepherd and for sacrificing Himself to deliver us.  Praise Him for allowing us to know Him and for giving us life.  Ask for His help in discerning His voice and following Him.

Start digging. For further study.

• Read this Got Questions article, “What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the good Shepherd?””

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