The Way of the Transformed Life
READING
John 10:1-18
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
SEE IT (What is God saying?)
Where in your life are you feeling like a sheep? (lost easily, dependent, anxious, driven by voices, panicked when found, lacking direction)
What voices in your life (cultural, internal, relational, religious) promise life but actually steal, kill, or destroy your joy, peace, identity, or calling?
How does seeing Jesus as the Good Shepherd who knows you and values everything about you, names you, and lays down His life for you, transform what you think God is actually like?
BE IT (What are you going to do about it?)
Where do you need to stop self-shepherding and instead bring areas of disorientation, anxiety, or helplessness under God’s guidance?
What would it look like this week to receive your identity and worth from the Shepherd who names you, rather than from spouses, parents, kids, work, ministry, or achievement?
What other voices do you need to say “no” to right now—because it leads toward destruction even if it promises short-term pleasure, validation, escape, or control?
If Jesus is not giving you a map but giving you Himself, how can you practice this week staying close in proximity and following his voice?