John 10:7 So Yeshua said to them again, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who have come before me have been thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate; if someone enters through me, he will be safe and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he isn’t a shepherd and the sheep aren’t his own, sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf drags them off and scatters them. 13 The hired worker behaves like this because that’s all he is, a hired worker; so it doesn’t matter to him what happens to the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me — 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father — and I lay down my life on behalf of the sheep.
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Shepherds occupied one of the lowest social rungs in Jesus’ day. So Jesus chose a rather
daring metaphor when he called himself “the good shepherd.” But his words strongly echoed
those of the prophet Ezekiel (cf. Ezekiel 34:1-16) in which God promised Israel that he would shepherd them himself. Jesus came as “the good shepherd” who would safely guide and protect all who trusted him. He offered them life to the fullest. And, as a good shepherd, he found the deepest meaning and joy for his own life by leading his flock safely and well.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I choose to trust you to be my shepherd. Shelter me, care for me and
guide me to the truly good life—a life lived by your direction and in your love. Amen.
Family Activity: Create a family giving chain. Cut several sheets of colored construction paper into strips. Every week, give each family member one strip of paper. Have each person write his or her name on the paper strip and one way he or she served or gave to others that week. In addition to giving time or energy, also include ways your family is giving money to church and others. Form the first slip into a circle and staple or tape the ends together, then add to that circle by connecting the strips together to create a chain. At the end of each month, review the acts of giving your family has shared in. Thank God for the privilege of giving to God and to others.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand, since he isn’t a shepherd and the sheep aren’t his own, sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf drags them off and scatters them. 13 The hired worker behaves like this because that’s all he is, a hired worker; so it doesn’t matter to him what happens to the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me — 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father — and I lay down my life on behalf of the sheep.
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Shepherds occupied one of the lowest social rungs in Jesus’ day. So Jesus chose a rather
daring metaphor when he called himself “the good shepherd.” But his words strongly echoed
those of the prophet Ezekiel (cf. Ezekiel 34:1-16) in which God promised Israel that he would shepherd them himself. Jesus came as “the good shepherd” who would safely guide and protect all who trusted him. He offered them life to the fullest. And, as a good shepherd, he found the deepest meaning and joy for his own life by leading his flock safely and well.
- “I am the good shepherd” is, of course, a metaphor. Based on what you know about shepherds, in what ways is Jesus most like a shepherd? Sheep aren’t capable of caring for themselves—they have to trust their shepherd for well-being and safety. But humans aren’t sheep—we have to choose to trust. What influences and experiences have moved you toward trusting Jesus to be your shepherd? When have you experienced Jesus as your shepherd? In what ways do you most need him to shepherd you today?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I choose to trust you to be my shepherd. Shelter me, care for me and
guide me to the truly good life—a life lived by your direction and in your love. Amen.
Family Activity: Create a family giving chain. Cut several sheets of colored construction paper into strips. Every week, give each family member one strip of paper. Have each person write his or her name on the paper strip and one way he or she served or gave to others that week. In addition to giving time or energy, also include ways your family is giving money to church and others. Form the first slip into a circle and staple or tape the ends together, then add to that circle by connecting the strips together to create a chain. At the end of each month, review the acts of giving your family has shared in. Thank God for the privilege of giving to God and to others.
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Insight From Michelle Kirby
Michelle Kirby is Resurrection’s Associate Director of Discipleship Ministries. She is co-author of the Journey 101 Course, provides shared leadership in the Adult Discipleship ministry and has been a member of Resurrection since 1998.
“It doesn’t matter.” We hear this common phrase used every day. “Would you like the red one or the green one?”–“It doesn’t matter.” “Do you want to meet at 9 or 10?”–”It doesn’t matter.”
This response isn’t a big deal when we’re referring to inconsequential things. However, in today’s reading I was struck by how this phrase is of ultimate consequence when applied to people. People matter. And people especially matter to God.
I’ve been in a number of conversations recently where people have shared with me some really painful things from their lives. Accounts of abuse, betrayal, financial challenges, and more.
As one woman was sharing her painful story with me she said that she felt invisible—that it didn’t matter what happened to her because she didn’t matter. It hurts my heart to hear their stories. She along with others are being robbed of their true identity and worth.
The bad news is that there are broken people in the world who in turn hurt others, attempting to try and break them as well. There are imposters who appear to be a friend or advocate, but are so caught up in their own interests and lives they only have room for themselves. They aren’t invested in anything that doesn’t bring attention to themselves or elevate their own status.
He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.
But this same passage also brings good news. Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd, as one who lays down his life for the sheep. He says that we can know him and that he definitely knows us. He knows the source of our hurts and our brokenness, our feelings of guilt, shame and fear. How far will Jesus go to restore lives that have been shattered by lies and abuse? How do we know we really matter to him? Jesus says, “I give up my life for the sheep.”
In speaking with those who have shared their stories with me, and as I remember my own life’s challenges, it’s important to see the truth. The image of who we are can often be distorted by others or by ourselves, but Jesus re-centers and corrects that vision, enabling and empowering us to live life to the fullest.
You matter to God.
The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.-------
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
Prayer Requests – request cards are in the attendance notebooks or visit cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
Insight From Michelle Kirby
Michelle Kirby is Resurrection’s Associate Director of Discipleship Ministries. She is co-author of the Journey 101 Course, provides shared leadership in the Adult Discipleship ministry and has been a member of Resurrection since 1998.“It doesn’t matter.” We hear this common phrase used every day. “Would you like the red one or the green one?”–“It doesn’t matter.” “Do you want to meet at 9 or 10?”–”It doesn’t matter.”
This response isn’t a big deal when we’re referring to inconsequential things. However, in today’s reading I was struck by how this phrase is of ultimate consequence when applied to people. People matter. And people especially matter to God.
I’ve been in a number of conversations recently where people have shared with me some really painful things from their lives. Accounts of abuse, betrayal, financial challenges, and more.
As one woman was sharing her painful story with me she said that she felt invisible—that it didn’t matter what happened to her because she didn’t matter. It hurts my heart to hear their stories. She along with others are being robbed of their true identity and worth.
The bad news is that there are broken people in the world who in turn hurt others, attempting to try and break them as well. There are imposters who appear to be a friend or advocate, but are so caught up in their own interests and lives they only have room for themselves. They aren’t invested in anything that doesn’t bring attention to themselves or elevate their own status.
He’s only a hired hand and the sheep don’t matter to him.
But this same passage also brings good news. Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd, as one who lays down his life for the sheep. He says that we can know him and that he definitely knows us. He knows the source of our hurts and our brokenness, our feelings of guilt, shame and fear. How far will Jesus go to restore lives that have been shattered by lies and abuse? How do we know we really matter to him? Jesus says, “I give up my life for the sheep.”
In speaking with those who have shared their stories with me, and as I remember my own life’s challenges, it’s important to see the truth. The image of who we are can often be distorted by others or by ourselves, but Jesus re-centers and corrects that vision, enabling and empowering us to live life to the fullest.
You matter to God.
The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.-------
Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
Prayer Requests – request cards are in the attendance notebooks or visit cor.org/prayer
Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
- Caroline Lundberg and family on the death of her husband Tom Lundberg, 10/7
- Linda Metzger and family on the death of her sister Vicki Lambrecht Davis, 10/7
- Janet Roberts and family on the death of her husband Dave Roberts, 10/6
- Terry Jackson and family on the death of her husband Rick Jackson, 10/6
- Steve Foster and family on the death of his brother Michael Foster, 10/6
- Anita Conrad and family on the death of her aunt Marie Marcum, 10/5
- Ann Alexander and family on the death of her father Jay R. Warner, 10/5
- Marc Paulson and family on the death of his grandmother Verna Paulson, 10/4
- Randy Wolverton and family on the death of his father Ed Wolverton, 10/3
- Deb Walz and family on the death of her mother Lisbeth “Becky” Hosfield, 10/2
- Arlene Avery and family on the death of her mother Frances Avery, 9/23
- Tracy Howell and family on the death of his brother Jeff L. Howell, 9/2
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The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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