Session 12 John 10:7-14,25-30
Before you read aloud John 10:25-30,
point out that these verses are in response to the Jews asking Jesus if He was the Messiah.
After you have read the verses, call attention to Pack Item 4 (Poster: First-Century Jewish Factions) and
point out why leaders would have been concerned about His claim to be the Messiah.
Focus on how Jesus’s response answered their question.
25 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in my Father’s name testify about me. 26 But you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
This is essentially Jesus’s last public teaching in John’s Gospel.
That makes this an important passage that wraps up three-plus years of public ministry.
Invite the group to discuss these questions with a partner:
Direct the group to scan verses 28-30,
underlining the promises Jesus made.
Talk about why believers can be confident that Jesus can keep those promises.
Encourage the group to offer one word that summarizes how they feel
when they consider Jesus’s promises here.
Read verse 29 again and
highlight Jesus’s promise to hold believers.
Emphasize the security of salvation and God’s power to protect those who follow Him.
Remind the group of the lesson summary statement on page 100:
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who takes care of His sheep.
Respond to the questions in the Apply the Text section on page 103:
Discuss as a group the dangers faced by believers today.
How does Jesus’s offer of protection apply to those dangers?
What might your Bible study group do to offer support for those who are threatened today?
Remind the group of the value of daily Bible study.
Encourage them to complete the Daily Explorations to build their individual Bible skills.
Close in prayer,
thanking God for the security He provides
and asking Him to help each person recognize His voice.
Reinforce the session by following up with anyone who has expressed doubts or anxiety about the security of their salvation or lack of peace. Pray with this person, encouraging them to place their trust in Jesus for the first time or to rest in a state of ongoing trust.