SERIES:  Rethinking Habits

 

2/07/2021: WEEK 1

 

Icebreaker

What two things do you consider yourself to be very bad at?

Recap

The habit of being a shepherd in an impact community is more of what we all do, it’s not just a who the individual is in the community. 

Scripture Reference

Hebrews 3:12-13; James 5:16; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Colossians 3:16

Focus Questions

  1. The function of a shepherd is to watch over, care for, protect, and direct their flock. As Christians, shepherding should be a habit, not a who; in what ways do you shepherd people around you (family, friends, coworkers, etc.)? Who has been a good shepherd in your life? What makes them a good shepherd? 
  2. Have you ever seen someone turn away from God? What made you able or unable to speak into their situation and try to shepherd them back to God?
  3. Is there anyone close enough in your life who would be able to see your heart getting hard and calloused to God? 
  4. Read Hebrews 3:13. How can we encourage others daily when we’re so busy with our own day-to-day life? Do you receive more encouragement than you give? What would daily encouragement look like to you?
  5. Read James 5:16. “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” How do we know if we are considered righteous enough to produce powerful and effective prayer? When you say you’re going to pray for someone, do you stop then and there to pray? How comfortable are you asking for prayer from others? Who would you go to if you needed someone to pray for you? Do people ask you to pray for them? Why or why not?
  6. Who are your 2am friends? Who in your life would drop everything and come to you when you called? And would you call or would you tend to believe you could handle things on your own? What is the difference between being vulnerable and real to let people walk alongside you during difficult times, and “airing your dirty laundry?” Think of your closest friend(s): how much of you do they truly know? How much do you keep hidden?
  7. Read Colossians 3:16. What is your initial reaction to the word “admonish?” The Greek word for admonish is “noutheteo” which means “to put in mind.” What other words can you use to describe what God is calling us to do as we “admonish one another?” (i.e., direct, counsel, instruct). What makes Biblically admonishing one another difficult? Why is it important to learn how to do this in a loving way?

Send Out

Open your Bible to John 10:1-18 and read about The Good Shepherd and His Sheep. Who does Jesus say he is in verse 11? 


How is God described in the Old Testament? Read Psalm 23:1-3; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11. What is Jesus saying about himself when he makes this statement?


What does Jesus say the good shepherd does for the sheep? Read John 10:11-15 & 17-18.


What is Jesus referring to when he says he lays down his life for the sheep? Have there been similar statements in the book of John? John 1:29; 3:14-15; 8:28.


Who is the hired hand that Jesus talks about? What does the hired hand do when the sheep are in danger?


How can you show love and devotion to Jesus because he is your good shepherd? 


Jesus is the good shepherd who knows, cares for, and protects his sheep. As sheep, make it your desire to follow Jesus wherever he may lead you this week. He may lead you into an uncomfortable situation. He may lead you into a difficult conversation. He may lead you into the life of someone you don’t know yet, because you are able to lead them to Jesus. Be a sheep who will follow when it’s not easy and even when it doesn’t make sense, and then shepherd God’s people back to Him.