January 4, 2026

UNIT 1: THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

LESSON: 5

Study Text: John 10:1-30

Central Truth: As the Good Shepherd, Jesus leads and provides for us.

KEY Verse-John 10:11 I [Jesus] am the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep (KJV).

"I [Jesus] am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep" (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Leadership is something we all encounter every day--whether we're employees, students, volunteers, church members, or even just citizens of a certain city or nation.

DISCUSSION STARTER-Excellence of excellent leaders?

What are some characteristics of excellent leaders?

Jesus' description of himself as the Good Shepherd is set within a context of contrasting leadership models. In John 9, Jesus healed a man who had been born blind. The Jewish religious leaders raised objections about Jesus' method, since making mud violated their traditional understanding about working on the Sabbath. when the healed man questioned their logic, the religious leaders threw him out of the synagogue. Jesus revealed His identity to the man, who believed and worshipped Jesus. Some of the religious leaders heard their conversation and began to question Jesus. His discourse in John 10 about true and false shepherds was part of His response to them. He called out of their lack of care for God's people, including the man who had been healed, contrasting their indifference with His own sacrificial love.

PART 1-The Shepherd's Voice

Jesus, the Good Shepherd              John 10:1-6

In John 9 and 10, Jesus was in Jerusalem, having just attended the Feast of tabernacles with His disciples. Because of the special sacrifices offered during the festival, there may have been pens of sheep nearby. The sheepfolds were enclosed where sheep were kept for safety at night. During the day, their shepherds would lead them to fields where they could graze and streams where they could drink. Jesus used the familiar imagery of shepherding and sheepfolds to teach His listeners a powerful lesson about himself, the Good Shepherd. A good Shepherd calls his sheep by name and leads them out of the pen. Recognizing his voice, the sheep follow him to safe pastures and streams where they can eat and drink. If someone besides their shepherd calls the sheep, they refuse to follow; Instead, they run from any stranger whose voice they do not recognize. It is natural for sheep to follow the shepherd. They have learned to know his voice and his watchfulness on their behalf." Jesus, our Good Shepherd, calls each of us by name. we can trust Him and follow wherever He leads us, knowing He will provide everything we need.

? How would you explain the process of recognizing Jesus' voice?

Jesus, the Door            John 10:7-10

As the door or gate of the sheepfold, Jesus is the only way to enter God's flock. Entering the sheepfold through the gate would ensure the flock's safety and rest; likewise, entering God's kingdom through Jesus brings salvation and abundant, rich, satisfying life--the eternal life only Jesus can give. This is why Jesus came to earth. What a contrast to the Jewish religious leaders, described again as thieves and robbers (John 10:8-10). Like the man who had been healed, disciples of Jesus are the "true sheep" who "did not listen to them." Just as in that time, many voices call out Jesus' followers today. Our souls' well-being depends on how well we discern and obey Jesus' voice above all the others. He is the Goos shepherd, the One who leads us to life, and He is the door, the only way to enter that life. As Jesus would later tell His disciples, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the father except through me."

? Why do you think Jesus described himself as both the Good Shepherd and the gate of the sheepfold rather than choosing just one of those analogies?

PART 2-The Shepherd's Self-Sacrifice

Shepherd vs. Hired Hand           John 10:11-15

Jesus next describes the qualities of the good shepherd by contrasting him with another negative character: the lured hand. The imagery may be different, but the point is the same: not everyone is willing to put the sheep first, Only the good shepherd, the true owner of the sheep, would sacrifice his life to protect them (John 10:11). in Jesus' case, this was not hypothetical: he did, in fact, lay down His life for the sheep. A hired hand would not show the same degree of care. Instead of being motivated by love, he would be motivated by a paycheck. S when the wolf came, he would abandon the sheep, protecting his own life instead (verses 12-13). John 10:14-15 echoes the relationship between sheep and their shepherd described in verses in verses 3-4. They know each other so well that when the shepherd calls them by name, the sheep recognize and respond to his voice.

? In what ways do modern-day false teachers behave like hired hands?

One Flock, One Shepherd            John 10:16-21

What a beautiful picture of God's reconciling work through Jesus: "one flock with one shepherd" (John 10:16). Jesus' victory over death and ascension to the right hand of the Father authenticated His redeeming sacrifice. The crucifixion--and all the conflict that led to it--were entirely under Jesus' control (verse 18). He triumphantly proclaimed from the cross: "It is finished!" (19:30). Reactions were divided among the people who heard Jesus' declarations (10:19). Some were scandalized, attributing His words to insanity or demonic influence (verse 20). Others pointed out that jesus had just healed a man who was blind from birth, which "doesn't sound like a man possessed by a demon!" (verse 21).

? Why do you think unity is such an important factor in following Jesus?

PART 3-The Shepherd Knows His Sheep

Not Jesus' Sheep           John 10:22-27

The setting now shifts from the Festival of Tabernacles to the Festival of Dedication, which we know as Hanukkah. The controversy and questions about Jesus remained. The people at this time asked Jesus to tell them plainly if He was the Messiah (John 10:22-24). This was a loaded question. Most Jews expected the messiah to be a political and military figure whose top priority would be overthrowing the romans. But Jesus knew His true messianic destiny: overthrowing humanity's greatest enemy by way of the Cross. Although the people wanted a "plain" answer, Jesus did not yet provide it. his words and actions at the Festival of Tabernacles had pointed the way. His straightforward "I Am" statements had already answered their questions.

? Many people today do not believe in Jesus despite the testimony of God's Word and Christians throughout the ages. How do these unbelievers resemble the crowd in John 10?

Following the Good Shepherd              JOHN 10:27-30

John 10:27 continues the sheep-and-shepherd imagery and echoes the themes of intimacy and discipleship. No one can snatch the sheep from the father's hand. But we must always remember that this security only lasts if we remain in His loving care. If we willfully desert the Good Shepherd, walking away from the safety of His sheepfold, we remove ourselves from His protection. In verse 30, Jesus provides another clear answer to the question from verse 24. "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly," the people had asked. Jesus answered, "The Father and I are one." Not only is Jesus the Messiah, but He is God.

? Why do you think people remove themselves from Jesus' flock?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

We are immeasurably blessed to be part of Jesus' flock. We can walk in abundant life because the Good Shepherd gave His life for us. We can have full confidence that no one  can destroy that eternal, abundant life or remove us from the Father's hand. We are secure in the Shepherd's protection and His faithful care. Let us make every effort to guide others toward the shelter of this sheepfold. and let us ask the Shepherd to give us a clear vision of the "one flock" He desires.

LIVING IT OUT

Practice listening to the Good Shepherd's voice.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

Monday: The Shepherd of Israel.   Psalm 80:1-3

  Tuesday: The Shepherd's Flock.  Isaiah 40:9-11

             Wednesday: The Shepherd Is Smitten.  Zechariah 13:7-9

                        Thursday: Compassion of the Good Shepherd.   Matt. 18:10-14

     Friday: Imitate the Chief Shepherd. 1 Peter 5:1-4

                Saturday: The Shepherd's Comfort. Revelation 7:13-17

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 2 Dec. Jan. Feb 2025-26

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