Wesley Word – May 4, 2022
To go along with service on: Sunday, May 8th
Experiencing Grace
- Contemporary Song: I See the Lord (New Song)
- Traditional Hymn: #138 The King of Love My Shepherd Is
Exploring Truth
Are You His Sheep?
John 10:22-30
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often called Good Shepherd Sunday and the Gospel reading in the lectionary always comes from some part of John chapter 10.
We learn from the beginning of John that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he lays down his life for the sheep. Pastors and other leaders, all believers in fact, have the responsibility to care for their fellow sheep under the leadership of the Chief Shepherd. (We learned that last week.) There are others, thieves and wolves, who pretend to be sheep, or even shepherds, who only come to kill, steal, and destroy the sheep.
However, our question today is not, “Is Jesus the Good Shepherd?”. It is obvious he is. Our question today is, “Are we his sheep?”, “How do we know?”, How can we become his sheep if we are not?”.
In our text for this week, in the later part of John 10, Jesus describes his sheep. First, Jesus says his sheep believe in him. Those that believe in Jesus are his sheep; those who do not, are not. It is as simple as that. But as James 2:19 reminds us, simply believing is not enough. Jesus goes on to say his sheep listen to him and follow him, or obey him. If we are his sheep, Jesus has promised to give us eternal life.
Question for Reflection/Discussion:
- Are you one of Jesus’ sheep? Do you believe in him, love him, listen to him, follow him, and obey him?
New Testament in a Year: https://wesleyonline.org/biblereading/
- May 4 John 3:22-4:3
- May 5 John 4:4-42
- May 6 John 4:43-54
- May 7 John 5:1-23
- May 8 John 5:24-47
- May 9 John 6:1-21
- May 10 John 6:22-42
- May 11 John 6:43-71
Expressing Love: Family/Mission Activity
Are you a sheep?: Play a game of 20 questions. Tell your family you are going to pick an item (person, place, or thing). They will get 20 yes/no questions to try to guess what the item is you have picked. Your “item” is going to be a sheep. They will ask questions (Is it a thing? Is it alive? Does it have 2 legs? Is it an animal? Does it have fur? Does it live in the desert? etc.). Hopefully in 20 questions, they will get to a sheep! Once they have, talk about how you know a sheep is a sheep (4 legs, wool, baa sound, often lives on a farm, etc.). If we are Christians, Jesus calls us his “sheep”. If we are his sheep, how does he know (believe in him, listen to him, obey him, follow him, know his “voice”)? Although he wants us all to be his sheep, we still have a choice to make. If we make the choice to be His sheep, we have the best promise, life eternally with Him.
Announcements
- May 8, 4 pm: Youth, Children’s, Littlest Angels Spring Concert
- May 18, 11 am: Last Early Bird WOW-Porch Pots-Click here for more information!
- Sunday, May 22, 10:00 am in Fellowship Hall: Farewell Reception for Sonia & Chris Baker Family