Cell Notes All Age Service, Sunday 6th May Jesus said: I am the Good Shepherd (Please note:

: Sundays service may not have been recorded, but these cell notes are written in such a way as to allow them to be used nevertheless i.e., even if you were absent and havent heard the sermon. The following sections reflect the structure of the sermon and give a brief synopsis of the points made. Simply look at the scripture passage, and read on!) Read John Ch10: 1-18 In this section of Jesus I am sayings in the gospel of John, Jesus says I am the good shepherd. But who is the good shepherd, and what are His qualities? Jesus says some specific things about the nature of the good shepherd which give a real insight into who He is, and who He is for us. Lets look at four things Jesus says about Himself, the Good Shepherd 1. The Good shepherd knows his sheep and his sheep know him The good shepherd knows each of us by name. But the sheep also know the sound of their shepherds voice. Often non-Christians, or people whose Christian faith has been more cultural than faith-committed, can have a penny-dropping moment because they suddenly get what faith is about that its about more than just doing certain things, but is about walking in the Spirit. q. Is this what it means for the sheep to hear their shepherds voice? q. Where do you hear your good shepherds voice? What does it sound like? q. Christians are called to proclaim the good news of salvation through Christ. How do you yourself take responsibility to help others hear Jesus voice? 2. The good shepherd is not a hired hand The hired hand is paid to look after the sheep. They are not his sheep, he doesnt own them, so when danger comes in the form of a wolf, the hired hand runs away, and the sheep are scattered. But the good shepherd owns the sheep: when danger comes, he does not run away from his flock, but remains to protect them. q. Have you ever felt that God was protecting you in a situation? Or, equally, that He wasnt protecting you? q. What are the wolves in your personal life? q. What are the wolves for the life of the Church? What things try to scatter Christs flock?

3. The good shepherd has sheep that are not of this pen As Jesus ministry developed, it became clear that salvation was not only open to Gods chosen people, the Israelites, but also to Gentiles- non-Jews, to anyone who would accept Christ as their Lord and saviour. Even today, Jesus saying that he has sheep that are not of this sheep-pen is a reminder to us to be cautious about declaring who is in and who is out when it comes to belonging to Christ. q. Where do you find yourself drawing the line of the pen and saying those people are outside the pen? q. How big do you think Gods pen is? And who do you think he wants in it? 4. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep Those listening to Jesus speaking would have been familiar with the concept of a shepherd protecting his sheep: but to be willing to die for the sheep would have been a scandalous thought. Yet Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has died for our sake, His sheep, to protect us from the wolves fear, sin, and death. q. Why is the good shepherd willing to die for the sheep? q. The Good shepherd is called to ultimate commitment. How committed are you to your faith? (e.g. If God called you to up sticks and leave your life as you know it for something unknown, how willing would you be to go?)