By Richard Woelmer

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter 4C Gospel.

Text: John 10:22-30 for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Series C

OBJECTIVES

Participants will see that the voice of the Good Shepherd, that leads them from all harm and danger to eternal life, comes to us through the Word and the Sacraments.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Two folding chairs

Blindfold

Wet sponge

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Put two chairs at least ten feet apart, facing each other. Ask a volunteer to stand between the chairs. Explain that after he/she is blindfolded, a wet sponge will be placed on the seat of one of the chairs. The other one will be dry. He will have to choose which chair to move to and sit down on, while being coached by someone standing behind each chair. Both can say anything to convince the one blindfolded to sit in their chair, until he sits on either one. After game is over, ask participants:

  1. What was it like for the one blindfolded?
  2. What were the strategies used by those doing the persuading?
  3. What was it that caused you to follow one voice over another?

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

  1. Have someone read John 10:22-30. Earlier in chapter 10:11,14 Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. What is the message of the Good Shepherd in verses 28-30?
  2. Have someone read Ephesians 4:14 and Acts 20; 29-30. Make a list of all the false doctrine you can think of. What voices promote this false doctrine in today’s society? From where have you heard them? How do they attempt to draw away the disciples?
  3. How can we recognize the Shepherd’s voice (John 5:23; 7:37,38; John 8:12)?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

  1. Get into small groups of four, and list the different things we can be spiritual slaves to.
  2. Read John 8:31, 32. Come up with an acronym using the word TRUTH to describe how God’s truth sets us free from the things that enslave us. Share with the large group.

Example: T – Training in the Word

R – Regular worship

U – Undeserved forgiveness

T – Tomb that was empty

H – Heaven bound

CLOSING

Lead the group in singing the Alleluia Verse from Divine Service II, page 173 in Lutheran Service Book; “Alleluia, Lord to whom shall we go, you have the Words of eternal life. Alleluia, Alleluia!”

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies.

Updated for youthESource in March 2016