Introduction: Set up a small obstacle course in your room. (a chair, a book, another chair, a trashcan, etc.) Blindfold one student and ask him or her to get from one side of the room to the other without touching any of the obstacles. (You can even move them into their path.)

Then, allow the same student to have a sighted guide to lead them through the course.

Although it’s obvious, answer the following questions:
Was it easier to do the course alone or with a guide? What made it easier with a guide? Was it important that you could trust the guide? Did you feel any differently (like less scared, more confident) when you were being led as opposed to doing it on your own?

Study
1. Read John 10:11. What is the “I Am” statement Jesus is making here?

2. Read John 10:12-13. What do you learn about the hired hand?

3. Read John 10:14-15. What do you learn about the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep? (They know one another.) What do you learn about how much the shepherd cares for the sheep? (He lays down his life for the sheep.) For what reasons might a shepherd have to lay down his life for his sheep? (To protect against wild animals; descending steep cliffs to rescue them, etc.) How does Jesus literally do this for each one of us? (He died for us on the cross!)

4. We see how Jesus ultimately cares for us as our Shepherd. Let’s look closely at this Shepherd/sheep relationship. Read Psalms 23. Make a list of all the things the psalmist says God can do for him (and us) as our shepherd:
• He provides for us.
• Lead us to a place where all of our needs can be met.
• Restore our souls/He knows exactly how and why we’re hurting and can heal our very private hurts.
• He shows us exactly the best places to walk and the best decisions we can make to keep us from harm, as well as bring Him glory.
• He will help us walk through all the difficulties of life (including death) without fear.
• We can receive comfort from Him.
• Although life may be difficult around us, we can be blessed by God.
• His goodness and love will pursue us at all times.
• We can live in His presence.

Challenge
Think back to the beginning of our time together. How do you think that exercise illustrates our relationship with the Lord as our Shepherd? (Life has obstacles for us to avoid. We can’t see them, because we don’t know everything. If we trust in the Lord to lead us, He can help us avoid them, encourage us along the way and lead us safely to where we want to go.)

Lesson 7: John 11:25: “I Am the Resurrection and the Life“