Discipleship Group Questions for April 17, 2005

Scripture:

Psalm 23:

Psa. 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. . . .

John 10:1-11

John 10:1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Discipleship Questions:

Please read Psalm 23 and reflect upon the idea that all of need a Shepherd. Someone who can love us even when we’re not at all lovable. Someone who can gude us and go before us to prepare the way. Someone who can protect us and bring us into green pastures. Someone who will never give up on us.
“As Jesus shepherds us so too now are we being called to shepherd others under the guidance and empowerment of His Holy Spirit and in turn to train them so that they can shepherd others and so it goes on – nobody should be without a Shepherd but Oh how many are.” Please reflect upon this statement.
Please read the following sampling of Scriptures that echo the “shepherd” them and discuss:

Gen. 48:15-16 Then he blessed Joseph and said, “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, 16 the Angel who has delivered me from all harm — may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly upon the earth.”

2Sam. 5:2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”

Psa. 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Is. 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Jer. 31:10 “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’

Please read the Gospel reading above and discuss what our Lord is telling us about who a shepherd is and what a good shepherd does.
The following is a quote from Gregory the Great. Please reflect upon it together:

“Our Lord’s sheep will ultimately reach the grazing ground where all who follow Him in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity. These pastures are the spiritual joys of heaven. There the elect will look upon the face of God with unclouded vision and will feast at the banquet of life forever more. Beloved brothers, let us set out for these patrures where we shall keep joyful festival with so many of our fellow citizens. . . Let us not allow any obstacles we encounter to detour us from sharing in the joy of that heavenly feast.” (Homilies on the Gospels)