Read John 10:1-10

Learning to recognize the voice of God is critical not only to living a life pleasing to Him, but also to developing a personal relationship with Him. Yet how can we be sure the voice we hear is His? Jesus uses the illustration of the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep to answer that question.

I. THE AUTHENTIC VOICE IS BIBLICAL

• What had just ocurred in John 9 that revealed that the shepherds, or
  religious leaders of Israel, were false?
• From verses 1-5, what are some of the criteria that Jesus gave for
  determining a false shepherd? A true shepherd? Give a practicalapplication
  for each criteria.

II. THE AUTHENTIC VOICE IS PERSONAL

• From verses 3-4, on what was the relationship between the shepherd and
  hissheep based?
• In the parable Jesus gave, who is the shepherd? Who are the sheep? What
  istheShepherd’s voice today? How do the sheep hear His voice today?
  Giveanexample of hearing the Shepherd’s voice from your own life.
• According to verse 5, why do the sheep run from the false shepherd? Give
  anexample from your own life.
• What is absolutely necessary if you and I are to discern between the voices
  of the true shepherds and the false?
• How does the reaction of the religious leaders in verse 6 reveal their
  identityas shepherds?

III. THE AUTHENTIC VOICE IS POWERFUL

• What three things is the Good Shepherd able to do that the false shepherd
  cannot? See verses 7-10.
• How does Jesus’ claim disqualify the pluralism of our day? See verse 7.
• Give phrases from the following verses that confirm the uniqueness of
  Jesus’claim: John 1:9; 1:1-3, 14; 1:18; 3:3, 15-18; 14:6; Acts 4:12.

What practical steps will you take to make sure you hear more of His voice in your ear?

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