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Summit Church
Hear The Claims Pt 1 | The Good Shepherd | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 10:45 AM
The Big Idea: Jesus is Leader you need.
Bible Study Tip
Always read a New Testament metaphor against its Old Testament background.
Always read a New Testament metaphor against its Old Testament background.
Three Things You Must Focus On:
1: With Jesus, you lack nothing.
He is the Gate, the Gatekeeper, and the Shepherd - all in One
(vv. 7–10)
1: With Jesus, you lack nothing.
He is the Gate, the Gatekeeper, and the Shepherd - all in One
(vv. 7–10)
2: The Church World is Full of thieves and robbers
False Shepherds who are thieves and robbers. (their motives and ignorance are irrelevant)
(vv. 1, 8, 10, 12–13, with Ezekiel 34 background)
False Shepherds who are thieves and robbers. (their motives and ignorance are irrelevant)
(vv. 1, 8, 10, 12–13, with Ezekiel 34 background)
Modern “fence climbers”
1. Celebrity Christianity
“Don’t belong to me. Follow Christ.”
2. Political Christianity
Tribal allegiance for allegiance to the Shepherd.
3. Prosperity and transactional faith — Jesus becomes the gate to something else rather than Jesus himself being the treasure (John 10:9; Luke 9:23).
4. Self-help Christianity
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
5. Algorithmic discipleship — Another voice becomes more familiar than the Shepherd’s voice. Compare John 10:4–5.
6. Spiritual manipulation —Feeding themselves from the flock rather than feeding the flock.
7. Deconstructed Christianity — “I alone determine what is true and good.”
8. Comfort Christianity
Yet the Shepherd’s path includes taking up the cross (Luke 9:23).
9. Consumer Christianity
10. Moralistic Christianity
Jesus says, “I am the gate” (John 10:9).
There is one test underneath all ten
John 10 gives us three questions:
Whose voice am I hearing?
Through what gate am I entering?
Whom am I actually following?
1. Celebrity Christianity
“Don’t belong to me. Follow Christ.”
2. Political Christianity
Tribal allegiance for allegiance to the Shepherd.
3. Prosperity and transactional faith — Jesus becomes the gate to something else rather than Jesus himself being the treasure (John 10:9; Luke 9:23).
4. Self-help Christianity
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).
5. Algorithmic discipleship — Another voice becomes more familiar than the Shepherd’s voice. Compare John 10:4–5.
6. Spiritual manipulation —Feeding themselves from the flock rather than feeding the flock.
7. Deconstructed Christianity — “I alone determine what is true and good.”
8. Comfort Christianity
Yet the Shepherd’s path includes taking up the cross (Luke 9:23).
9. Consumer Christianity
10. Moralistic Christianity
Jesus says, “I am the gate” (John 10:9).
There is one test underneath all ten
John 10 gives us three questions:
Whose voice am I hearing?
Through what gate am I entering?
Whom am I actually following?
3: You Have a Secret Weapon
to Know His Voice and to Follow Him
(vv. 3–5, 14, 16, 27–30)
"The sheep listen to his voice... they know his voice... My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."
to Know His Voice and to Follow Him
(vv. 3–5, 14, 16, 27–30)
"The sheep listen to his voice... they know his voice... My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."
Response:
- Become obsessed with Knowing Jesus
- Ruthlessly Follow Him into the life you were made for
- Become obsessed with Knowing Jesus
- Ruthlessly Follow Him into the life you were made for
Discussion Guide
Week 9: The Good Shepherd
John 10:1–30
Tonight we're looking at one of Jesus' most famous claims: "I am the Good Shepherd." Even if you're new to the Bible or still exploring who Jesus is, this passage invites you to ask an important question: Can Jesus really be trusted to lead my life?
Icebreakers
1. Who has been one of the best guides, coaches, teachers, or mentors in your life? What made them trustworthy?
2. Have you ever taken bad advice that didn't turn out well? (It can be funny or serious.) What did you learn from it?
Discussion Questions
1. When you hear Jesus describe Himself as a shepherd, what thoughts or emotions come to mind? Does that picture feel comforting, confusing, or something else?
2. Jesus says He came so people could "have life...to the full" (John 10:10). What do you think a "full life" actually looks like? How is that different from what our culture usually promises?
3. Jesus also says there are "thieves," "robbers," and "false shepherds" who steal, kill, and destroy. What voices or influences today promise happiness but often leave people empty or hurt?
4. Jim compared knowing Jesus to how bank tellers learn to spot counterfeit money—they know the real thing so well that the fake becomes obvious. How could getting to know the real Jesus help someone avoid being misled in life?
5. Read verses 14-15. Jesus says, "I know my sheep." How does it change your view of God to think that He wants a personal relationship with people instead of simply asking them to follow a list of rules?
6. Jesus says His sheep know His voice and follow Him. If someone asked, "How do I begin learning to recognize Jesus' voice?" what practical advice would you give them?
7. Have you ever experienced a time when following Jesus—or biblical wisdom—led to a better outcome than following your own instincts? Where are you hoping God might give you direction currently?
8. Jesus promises that no one can snatch His followers out of His hand (verses 28-29). Why do you think people struggle to believe they are deeply loved and secure? What difference could this promise make in everyday life?
9. At the end of the chapter, people respond very differently to Jesus. Some reject Him, while others believe because of what they've seen. Why do you think intelligent and sincere people can look at the same evidence about Jesus and reach different conclusions?
10. The Big Idea of this message is: Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the perfect guide to the life you were made for. What's one practical step you could take this week to get to know Jesus better or follow Him more closely?
This Week's Challenge
Choose one of these practices for the next seven days:
* Read John 10 once each day and notice something new about Jesus.
* Spend five quiet minutes each day asking, "Jesus, what are You trying to teach me today?"
* Read Psalm 23 and thank God for one way He has cared for you.
* Ask yourself before making one important decision this week: "Is this leading me closer to Jesus or farther away from Him?"
Close in Prayer
John 10:1–30
Tonight we're looking at one of Jesus' most famous claims: "I am the Good Shepherd." Even if you're new to the Bible or still exploring who Jesus is, this passage invites you to ask an important question: Can Jesus really be trusted to lead my life?
Icebreakers
1. Who has been one of the best guides, coaches, teachers, or mentors in your life? What made them trustworthy?
2. Have you ever taken bad advice that didn't turn out well? (It can be funny or serious.) What did you learn from it?
Discussion Questions
1. When you hear Jesus describe Himself as a shepherd, what thoughts or emotions come to mind? Does that picture feel comforting, confusing, or something else?
2. Jesus says He came so people could "have life...to the full" (John 10:10). What do you think a "full life" actually looks like? How is that different from what our culture usually promises?
3. Jesus also says there are "thieves," "robbers," and "false shepherds" who steal, kill, and destroy. What voices or influences today promise happiness but often leave people empty or hurt?
4. Jim compared knowing Jesus to how bank tellers learn to spot counterfeit money—they know the real thing so well that the fake becomes obvious. How could getting to know the real Jesus help someone avoid being misled in life?
5. Read verses 14-15. Jesus says, "I know my sheep." How does it change your view of God to think that He wants a personal relationship with people instead of simply asking them to follow a list of rules?
6. Jesus says His sheep know His voice and follow Him. If someone asked, "How do I begin learning to recognize Jesus' voice?" what practical advice would you give them?
7. Have you ever experienced a time when following Jesus—or biblical wisdom—led to a better outcome than following your own instincts? Where are you hoping God might give you direction currently?
8. Jesus promises that no one can snatch His followers out of His hand (verses 28-29). Why do you think people struggle to believe they are deeply loved and secure? What difference could this promise make in everyday life?
9. At the end of the chapter, people respond very differently to Jesus. Some reject Him, while others believe because of what they've seen. Why do you think intelligent and sincere people can look at the same evidence about Jesus and reach different conclusions?
10. The Big Idea of this message is: Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the perfect guide to the life you were made for. What's one practical step you could take this week to get to know Jesus better or follow Him more closely?
This Week's Challenge
Choose one of these practices for the next seven days:
* Read John 10 once each day and notice something new about Jesus.
* Spend five quiet minutes each day asking, "Jesus, what are You trying to teach me today?"
* Read Psalm 23 and thank God for one way He has cared for you.
* Ask yourself before making one important decision this week: "Is this leading me closer to Jesus or farther away from Him?"
Close in Prayer