Overview of the Good Shepherd Q-A study
The shepherd figure is common for the Old Testament, expressing the relationship between God and His people.
Additionally, this term is used for spiritual leaders.
For example in the books of Psalms and Ezekiel, we read:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1.
As I live, saith the Lord God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field,
because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock,
but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock. Ezekiel 34:8.
Furthermore, it is appropriated by Christ Himself in the New Testament.
For instance, the text in Hebrews 13:20 reads:
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,
that Great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.
The shepherd’s figure in the Book of John
Under the figure of the true shepherd Jesus presents His claims as the claims of:
- Love and care.
- Authority and ownership.
He was the Chief Shepherd, the divinely appointed One.
At the time He spoke to people, the sheep were His very own in His relation to their creation.
Additionally, later at His atoning sacrifice, it became true about their redemption.
For example:
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity; Titus 2:13, 14.
This study is based on Bible passages taken from John 10:1-21.
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Question: What are the characteristics of a shepherd?
Answer:
- The shepherd enters into the sheepfold by the door.
- The porter opens the door and the sheep hear his voice. And he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
- And the sheep follow him. For they know his voice.
Question: How is the robber of the sheepfold to be distinguished?
Answer:
- He enters not by the door, but climbs up some other way.
- And he is a stranger to the sheep.
- They will not follow a stranger, but will flee from him. For they know not the voice of strangers.
- The thief comes not, but to steal, kill, and destroy.
Question: What did Jesus declare Himself to be?
Answer:
- I am the door: One that enters will be saved, and will go in and out, finding pasture. I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.
- I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. I know my sheep, and they know me.
- Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice.
Question: What will be the result of Christ’s work?
Answer:
- There shall be one fold and one shepherd. All who hear the voice of the shepherd will be saved.
- They all will have abundant life, even eternal life.
Question: How does the hireling treat the flock in times of danger?
Answer:
- He doesn’t own the sheep.
- He sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.
- The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep.
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Question: How does Jesus describe the Father and Son relationship?
Answer:
- As the Father knows me, even so I know the Father.
- My Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Question: What does Christ say about His sacrifice. Is it a voluntary one?
Answer:
- No man takes it from me, but I lay it down on myself.
- I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
Question: What did Christ say about His sacrifice. Is it a voluntary one?
Answer:
- No man takes it from me, but I lay it down on myself.
- I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
Question: Was it in harmony with the will of God?
Answer:
- This commandment I received of my Father.
Question: What effect was produced by this parable?
Answer:
- There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
Question: What did one party say?
Answer:
- And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
Question: How did the other party refute their claim?
Answer:
These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
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Key concepts of good shepherd – sheep relationship
- He goes before them. Example from the Old Testament:
He makes me lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2.
He permits none of His own to go along a path which He has not walked. And in which He has not had previous experience.
- The sheep follow him. There are numerals examples of the utter dependence of the
sheep on the Master shepherd.
I am the door. By me if any man enters, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9.
- Shepherd’s life of diligence and care for the sheep. After the fall, Christ saw His sheep doomed to perish in sin.
He said:
I will seek that which was lost, and will bring again that which was driven away;
I will save My flock, and they shall be no more a prey. Ezekiel 34:16, 22.
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