Northside Christian Church

1. The thief sneaks in.

2. The good shepherd.

3. The gate.

4. Whose voice are you following?

Opening Question:
1. What’s a sports team you loyally support — even when they consistently test your emotional stability? How did you end up choosing them: family tradition, college allegiance, regional pride… or a decision you now question annually?

SOAP Bible Study Guide:
Many of our community groups are currently participating in the Rooted Discipleship experience. Others may not be able to do so right now due to scheduling constraints. For groups not going through Rooted, we encourage you to use the SOAP Bible study method outlined below.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer, and it offers a simple, intentional way to engage God’s Word together. Use the following guide to help you get started.:

Scripture
Read the passage slowly. If possible, read it twice—once silently and once out loud.

Prompt (do not answer yet):
• Which word, phrase, or image stands out to you on this reading?
• Where does the language surprise or unsettle you?

Circle any verses that caught your attention, underline ideas that stood out to you, or write questions in the margin.

Observation
This section focuses on what the text says, not what it means for you yet.

Use the questions below to guide your observations:
• What different characters or figures does Jesus describe (thief, shepherd, hired hand, gate, sheep)?

• What distinguishes the thief from the shepherd? List specific contrasts from the text.

• What verbs describe the shepherd’s relationship to the sheep (calls, leads, knows, lays down, gives)?

• What is repeated or emphasized in the passage (e.g., voice, life, laying down life, knowing)?

Resist the urge to jump to application. Wrestle with what the text is saying first.

Application
This section asks: How does this intersect with real life right now?:

1. Identifying the Dominant Voice
Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice.” What voice currently has the most influence in shaping how you see yourself — achievement, approval, control, fear, comparison, something else? How can you tell?

2. Extraction vs. Sacrifice
The thief steals; the hired hand abandons; the good shepherd lays down His life. Where have you experienced voices or systems that extracted from you rather than protected you? How does Jesus’ self-giving posture challenge your assumptions about authority?

3. The Gate and Realignment
Jesus says, “I am the gate.” What “gates” do you most naturally try to walk through to find life (success, security, validation, autonomy)? What would realignment — walking through Christ as the gate — look like in one concrete area of your life this week?

Prayer:
Close by praying based on what you’ve learned from this passage.

Closing Thought for the Group:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we must remain alert to deceptive voices that quietly assume authority in our lives.