Bible Study “My Sheep Hear My Voice”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
"Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again." An astounding discovery! The Easter news was spread to all who would listen. The disciples told people, who in turn, told people, and to this day, we hear the message — a message of weeping and then of joy that comes with the morning of a new day. We, like the disciples, weep AND then delight in the joy bursting forth in us. We too are called to bring this message with our lives, and, if necessary, with words, to those who have not yet heard it.
The voice of Jesus can be hard to hear in the halls of institutions and in the noise of our hectic lives. When we listen attentively we may hear his voice. Then we discover to our awe and delight that he knows each of us by name. He has chosen us and will not give us up. Jesus waits to see if we will choose to follow him.
Have you ever seen sheep grazing in a field and a shepherd caring for the sheep? If you are fortunate enough to see a shepherd caring for their sheep, think about what you noticed. If you haven’t seen a shepherd caring for their sheep look for times we act like sheep and who are the people who "shepherd," take care of, us. At Easter all this happened before the crucifixion, when Jesus was walking with and teaching his disciples.
Opening Prayer: Loving God, help us to hear your voice and to follow you. Be with us as we listen to your word that we might know you better. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to John 10:22-30 and read or read the scriptures below.
John 10:22-30
Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Reflection Questions:
- Why do you think the Jewish leaders did not recognize that Jesus was the Messiah? (Some were afraid they would lose their powerful positions. Jesus had not come the way they understood the Bible to say he would come.)
- How else could we say, "The works I do in my Father's name testify to me?" (Actions speak louder than words, watch what I do to see what I mean, etc.)
- Why do you think Jesus refers to his followers as "sheep?" (They are being pulled in different directions by different leaders, but they trust Jesus.)
- What is Jesus declaring to the leaders in verse 29? (Those who follow Jesus will always belong to Jesus.)
- Why do you think the leaders were so threatened by Jesus saying: "The Father and I are one?" (If you do not believe Jesus is who he says he is, how could he be "one" with the Father?)
Additional questions:
- How do you hear this story?
- What do you think the person that wrote this would say to us today?
- What word or phrase stands out to you when you read this?
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on the words or url)
Easter 4C John 20: 22-30 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR9dng3Cha8
Word of the Day – John 10:22-30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJEAY4J83YY
Lectionary Study On John 10:22-30 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWqwRFNJydY
Song
I Know Whom I Have Believed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D_WlSbrkxM
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcrEgSKs-lM
Activities:
Choose which words to translate into your icon for the day. It could be something like actions speak louder than words, a parallel for sheep that follow, or Jesus and God working together. After you have thought about a word or words, think about what your icon would look like.
Design an icon: for your word (click on ICON for examples) and draw or copy and paste the icon on the blank bookmarks (click on BOOKMARKS for examples)
Palm Holding: Put a small toy or some other small item in the palm of your hand. Take a piece of paper and a marker and draw a picture or write words representing today’s lesson without allowing the small item in your hand to fall out while doing your art project.
Crossword Puzzle: https://sermons4kids.com/palm_of_his_hand_crossword.htm?fromSermonId=608
Word Search: https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/3629170/my-sheep-hear-my-voice/
Maze: My Sheep Hear My Voice
Prayer: Thank you, God, for choosing us and not giving up on us. Help us to hear you as you call our name. Amen.
