Easter – Discussion Questions
Main Point
Jesus is the Good Shepherd; He calls us all to live an abundant life and freely offers eternal security.
Start the Conversation
What part of the Easter celebration at Faith Promise did you love the most?
Introduction
This week, Pastor Chris concluded our Wild Love Series with a beautiful presentation of the Gospel. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He calls each of us, regardless of our looks, our nationality, our money, our position, our power, and our politics to live the abundant life. He alone gives purpose, meaning, and direction in His presence and strength! Easter is the moment heaven, satisfaction, and joy became obtainable to everyone. When sin entered humanity on that fateful day in the garden, we became separated from our holy God. Jesus came to pay the price for our sins and reconcile us to God. He promises that if you turn to God, you’ll have more-not less. You can have life eternal! The Good Shepherd is calling you, and He wants to protect you. He died for you, and His wild love is seeking you out!
Encountering God through Bible Study
Read John 10:1-6.
1. Discuss who the thieves and robbers are today. Who is the true shepherd? Who are the true shepherd’s sheep?
2. What characteristics distinguish the sheep who belong to the true shepherd?
3. How have you heard the true shepherd’s voice this year and followed Him?
Read Romans 3:23.
4. What sins lead to death? Can all sin be forgiven?
Read Romans 6:23.
5. What does the “wages of sin is death” mean? Can you work your way to “life”? How does one gain eternal life?
Read John 10:11-18.
6. What did Jesus say He would do as the Good Shepherd? To what event does this refer? What is your response to this?
7. In verse 16, Jesus talks about “other sheep that are not of this sheep pen”. To whom is He referring? How could you apply this to your family, workplace or community?
8. Was Jesus a victim of the cross?
Embrace others in Biblical Community
Ask God to make His voice clear to you this week so that you can hear Him over the distracting voices of the world. Pray that God will embolden and equip you to speak of the truth in love that Jesus Christ alone is the only gate to life with God. Pray that you will live in peace and joy knowing Jesus laid down His life in His Father’s will, He took it up again in the resurrection Easter morning, and this guarantees eternal life with Him.
Expand God’s Kingdom
Who in your life is a lost sheep and needs to hear the truth of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection? Will you plan to take time to listen to them and share the Good News?
Leader Notes
We encourage groups to try the Discovery Bible Method as an alternative to these discussion questions. You will find details for this Bible study method here. For this week, please study John 10:1-18.
1. False teachers- those that do not profess the true gospel; anyone who tries to pull people away from Jesus. Jesus is the true shepherd, and His followers are the sheep.
2. They hear His voice (v.3), they are called by name and are led by the true shepherd (v.3), they follow Him and know His voice (v.4), they do not follow strangers/false teachers (v.5), and they flee from strangers (v.6).
3. Answers may vary.
4. All of them. Some seem bigger than others to us (murder > hatred, for example), but the truth is they ALL separate us from God. Yes, all sin can be forgiven.
5. When we rebel against God’s rule in our lives, we rebel against the Life, and therefore experience “death” (a spiritual brokenness resulting in pain). No work can accomplish a right relationship with God. We all fall short, and our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Is 64:6) in the eyes of a holy God. Eternity is a free gift from God; all we have to do is believe. (See John 6:28-29)
6. He would lay down His life for the sheep when He died on the cross and took the punishment we deserve. On the 3rd day, He rose again in the Resurrection. Personal responses may vary.
7. Jesus was talking about the Gentiles, as opposed to the Jewish people. Personal answers may vary, but we are all called to “make disciples” and share the gospel. These verses give us insight into Jesus’ global mission. He came for the Jew and the Gentile. He refuses to be limited by the fences we build! Read Ephesians 2:11-20 for encouragement and to see how we are one in Christ.
8. No! He is the Victor! He willingly laid down His life in accordance with the Father’s sovereign plan to take the punishment of sin for the whole world and make a path for salvation. No one could kill Jesus without His consent.
