Current Series: “I AM: changes who I am”
Title: Week 3 – “The Good Shepherd”
Main Thought: Security is found in a relationship with Jesus.
Scripture: John 10:11-18, 27-29, Psalm 23.
Message explanation: In England, shepherds were debating methods in how to protect their sheep. They created a cattle guard to protect them. Animals pass over it and can slip into it. Rarely does a sheep outsmart its shepherd. This time they did! One sheep approached the cattle guard and simply laid down and rolled across the bars. Stop, Drop and ROLL! In a matter of minutes all of the sheep, one by one rolled out of the fence. They wanted the greener pastures. As people, we are perfectly compared to sheep.
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6).
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
What does Jesus mean when He says, “I AM the good shepherd”
1. Jesus lays down His life for his sheep.
- We must lay down our life for others to know Him. (John 10:12-18)
2. His followers know His voice and follow Him. (John 10:16-18)
How do we know God’s voice? If we are faithful to open up His Word and LISTEN.
We have eternal security in salvation. (John 10:27-29).
We are inundated with many voices calling out for our attention. We must learn to discover God’s voice through His Word.
- You are secure in Christ (no more fear, unshakable faith, God pursued you, He died for you, He is FOR you.) 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me...”
Listen to God’s Voice through T.A.G time. (Time Alone with God)
Have a specific time.
Have a specific place
Scripture Do not just skim it but meditate and think about each word of the verse(s).
Observe: Ask questions about the background of the scripture
Apply: How do you live out what the verse(s) in your personal life? Be specific. Memorize specific verses that stick out to you!
Pray: Write down specific prayer requests about your personal needs. Keep your prayer requests written down in a journal to go back to in the future. Prayer is aligning your heart with God’s heart.
The best question to ask at the end of your TAG time:
“How will I be different today because of what I have just read?”
Psalm 23 (David writes about the security He has in God)
The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
As followers of Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a relationship with Jesus, who leads us and lays down his life for us.
Parable of the lost sheep: In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus explained how much he cares for the sheep, when one sheep out of a 100 was lost he went and searched and searched for the sheep until he found it. He brought the sheep back and celebrated. Jesus says, “And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
At one point in your life perhaps you were lost yourself, and yet Jesus cared about you enough to come after you.
Do you know God’s voice? If not, you can respond to His calling to be His follower.
If you know His voice, how much are you listening and pursuing His Word?
Element of Fun: We showed the Decrease highlight video!
Music: Go, Give me Faith, Lead me to the Cross, Revelation Song
Favorite Moment: Students committing to a T.A.G. (time alone with God) time each day for at least 5 minutes.
What’s Next: We continue the “I AM” series into John 11. We will discover the next statement of Jesus’ identity as the resurrection and the life. We will be talking about how Jesus overcame death and the grave.
What do you get when you have over 200 people excited about learning how to decrease and Christ increase in their lives over a weekend? An awesome move of God!
We saw 15 students being a relationship with Christ. We had more wanting to follow in baptism in a few weeks. I have heard story after story of adult leaders sharing about how they are growing personally. I absolutely love our church and its passion to reach this generation with Christ.
Decrease weekend helped me realize these truths:
- Team is important in student ministry. Without a healthy group of adult leaders, there would be no student ministry to all of the students.
- The overall church vision is most important. Church @ The Springs understands the importance of pouring into this generation. The support I have from my pastor, staff and members has been overwhelming.
- Students are hungry for God. I enjoy students asking for devotionals and telling me that they responded to the gospel for the first time and want to be baptized!
- Parents are investing in their student's eternity. It was great hearing the excitement in parent's voices as they celebrated life change in their children.
- Equipping is a leader's main pursuit. When I hear a student excited about their small group leader (instead of me), I am thankful. If parents, college students and adults are equipped and become champions for discipling students, then we are making a dent in this generation for Christ.
- We are hardly scratching the surface. As I look at the overall picture of central Florida, I see an abundance of families who desperately need the hope that only Jesus can provide.
All the stories of life change always reflect the heart of God. I'm grateful He allows me to be a part of what He is doing in people's lives.
