Embracing the Good Shepherd's Love and Guidance
Summary
On this joyful Easter and Good Shepherd Sunday, we celebrate not only the resurrection of Christ but also the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy, praying that he may be a true shepherd for the Church. Today, we are invited to encounter Jesus as the Good Shepherd by surrendering our own ideas and misconceptions about him. Many of us carry images of Jesus as a distant judge or a stern authority, but Scripture reveals a Savior who is far more loving and generous than we often imagine. By consciously and unconsciously holding onto false beliefs about Jesus, we limit our ability to receive his love and guidance. When we surrender these notions and allow Jesus to reveal himself, we discover a Shepherd who delights in caring for us and meeting our needs.
Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, not only cares for us but also speaks to us. He promises that his sheep hear his voice—not occasionally, but as a constant reality. Yet, many struggle to believe they can truly hear God. We are called to renounce the lies that say we are unworthy or incapable of hearing him. Just as a loving parent responds clearly to a child, so too does God desire to communicate with us, not leaving us in confusion or manipulation. Through prayer, we can confidently approach him, trusting that he wants to speak to us personally.
Hearing God’s voice is not reserved for a select few; it is the inheritance of every baptized believer. God communicates in diverse ways: through an inner voice, images, feelings, and knowledge. These are natural faculties he has given us, and he uses them to make his love known. Discernment is key—what we hear or sense in prayer must be weighed against Scripture, ensuring it aligns with the character of Jesus revealed in the Gospels.
At the heart of prayer is not productivity or answers to our pressing questions, but the experience of being loved by God. Sometimes, God’s love is expressed in ways that seem silly or unexpected, but these moments are deeply personal and transformative. Even if none of our specific requests are granted, simply receiving and resting in God’s love is enough. In the end, love is what remains, and it is the greatest gift we can receive.
Key Takeaways
- Surrendering False Images of Jesus
We often carry distorted images of Jesus—seeing him as a harsh judge or distant authority—shaped by our experiences or misunderstandings. True transformation begins when we consciously surrender these false notions and invite Jesus to reveal his true self. Scripture is the lens through which we discern who he really is, discovering a Shepherd who is more loving and generous than we dared to hope. This surrender opens us to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Christ. [00:37]
- The Certainty of Hearing God’s Voice
Jesus promises that his sheep hear his voice, not as a rare privilege but as a daily reality for all who belong to him. Doubt and unworthiness often cloud our ability to listen, but these are lies that must be renounced. God’s communication is clear and loving, never manipulative or confusing, and he delights in making himself known to his children. Trusting this promise transforms our prayer life from striving to confident listening. [05:26]
- The Four Ways God Speaks
God communicates with us through the inner voice of conscience, images, feelings, and direct knowledge. These are not mystical or inaccessible experiences but natural faculties God has given to every person. Discernment is essential: what we receive in prayer must be tested against Scripture and the character of Jesus. Recognizing these diverse ways of hearing God helps us become more attentive and responsive to his presence in our daily lives. [09:38]
- Prayer as an Encounter with Love, Not Productivity
We often approach prayer with an agenda, seeking answers or solutions, but God’s primary desire is to lavish his love upon us. The most fruitful prayer is not always the most productive by worldly standards, but the one in which we allow ourselves to be loved. Even when God’s love is expressed in playful or unexpected ways, it is always deeply personal and transformative. Embracing this truth frees us from performance and opens us to genuine intimacy with God. [16:01]
- Love as the Ultimate Reality
In the end, all our striving, achievements, and even our prayers for specific outcomes fade in comparison to the enduring reality of God’s love. St. Paul reminds us that faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is love—because in eternity, only love endures. Resting in God’s love is not a consolation prize but the very heart of the Christian life, and it is enough to sustain us through every season. [21:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:37] - Surrendering Our Notions of Jesus
[01:24] - Letting Jesus Reveal Himself
[02:14] - Interactive Prayer: Offering Our Beliefs
[03:00] - Receiving from the Generous Shepherd
[04:30] - Learning to Hear the Shepherd’s Voice
[05:26] - Renouncing Lies About Hearing God
[06:33] - God’s Clear and Loving Communication
[08:02] - Declaring the Truth of Our Identity
[08:39] - The Four Ways God Speaks
[09:38] - Understanding the Inner Voice
[11:07] - Discernment and the Fruits of the Spirit
[11:58] - Practicing Hearing God’s Voice
[14:35] - Asking God What He Loves About Us
[16:01] - Prayer as Receiving God’s Love
[16:51] - Experiencing God’s Love in Personal Ways
[18:58] - God’s Playful and Creative Love
[19:59] - The Sufficiency of God’s Love
[21:02] - Closing Blessing and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Encountering Jesus the Good Shepherd
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### Bible Reading
1. John 10:27
*“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”*
2. 1 Corinthians 13:13
*“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”*
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 10:27, what does Jesus say about his relationship with his sheep? What does it mean that his sheep “hear his voice”?
2. According to the sermon, what are some common false images or ideas people have about Jesus? [00:37]
3. The sermon describes four ways God speaks to us. What are they? [09:38]
4. In 1 Corinthians 13:13, which virtue does Paul say is the greatest, and why might that be important for our prayer life? [21:02]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that many people see Jesus as a distant judge or stern authority. How might these false images affect someone’s relationship with God? [00:37]
2. Jesus promises that his sheep hear his voice. Why do you think so many Christians struggle to believe they can actually hear God? [05:26]
3. The pastor said that God’s love can be expressed in ways that seem silly or unexpected. Why might God choose to communicate his love in such personal or playful ways? [18:58]
4. The sermon emphasizes that the main purpose of prayer is to receive God’s love, not just to get answers. How does this change the way we approach prayer? [16:01]
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor invited everyone to surrender their own ideas about Jesus and let him reveal who he really is. What is one false or incomplete idea about Jesus that you have struggled with? How could you surrender that to him this week? [00:37]
2. The sermon led the group in renouncing the lie that we can’t hear God’s voice. Are there any lies or doubts you have about hearing God? What would it look like to renounce those and trust Jesus’ promise? [08:02]
3. The four ways God speaks are through inner voice, images, feelings, and knowledge. Which of these have you experienced before, even if you didn’t realize it was God? How can you pay more attention to these in your prayer time? [09:38]
4. The pastor encouraged asking Jesus, “What is one thing you love about me?” and listening for a response. Are you willing to try this in prayer? If so, what did you sense or hear? If not, what holds you back? [14:35]
5. Sometimes God’s love is shown in playful or unexpected ways, like the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile story. Have you ever experienced God’s love in a way that surprised you or seemed silly? How did it affect you? [18:58]
6. The sermon said that even if none of our specific requests are answered, simply receiving God’s love is enough. Is there something you’ve been praying for that you need to surrender, trusting that God’s love is enough? [19:59]
7. St. Paul says that love is the greatest and only thing that remains. What is one practical way you can focus on receiving and sharing God’s love this week, rather than just seeking answers or solutions? [21:02]
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Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering Our Notions of Jesus
To truly know Jesus as the Good Shepherd, we must surrender all our preconceived ideas—both conscious and subconscious—about who He is. Many of us carry images of Jesus as a distant judge or a stern authority, but He invites us to let go of these false beliefs and allow Him to reveal His true nature. When we give Him permission to sift through our thoughts, He replaces what is untrue with the reality of His goodness and care, showing us that He is far better than we could have imagined. [01:24]
John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (ESV)
Reflection: What is one belief about Jesus you need to surrender today so He can show you who He truly is?
Day 2: Receiving from the Generous Heart of God
Whenever we offer something to Jesus, He always gives us something in return, because giving is at the very core of His being. Even when our prayers seem unanswered, God is not withholding out of lack or indifference; rather, He desires to give us what is truly best, sometimes in ways we do not expect. By surrendering our desires and trusting His wisdom, we open ourselves to receive the gifts He longs to give, knowing that He is always generous and attentive to our needs. [04:30]
James 1:17
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (ESV)
Reflection: Where have you doubted God’s generosity, and how can you open your heart to receive what He wants to give you today?
Day 3: Hearing the Voice of the Good Shepherd
As His sheep, we are promised the ability to hear the voice of Jesus—this is not reserved for a select few, but for all who belong to Him. We must renounce the lie that we are unworthy or unable to hear God, and instead embrace the truth that He delights in speaking to us as His beloved children. Just as a loving parent communicates clearly with their child, so too does God desire to make His voice known to us, guiding us with love and clarity. [06:33]
John 10:27
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (ESV)
Reflection: What lie about hearing God’s voice do you need to renounce, and how can you intentionally listen for Him today?
Day 4: Discerning God’s Voice in Prayer
God communicates with us in many ways—through an inner voice, images, feelings, or a deep sense of knowing—and He always speaks in a manner consistent with His character revealed in Scripture. When we pray, we can trust that the first gentle, loving response is often from Him, especially when it aligns with the truth of His Word. If what we hear brings peace, joy, or love, we can receive it as His voice; if it brings fear or condemnation, we can confidently reject it, knowing that God’s voice is always kind and affirming. [11:07]
Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (ESV)
Reflection: When you pray today, pay attention to the way God may be speaking—through thoughts, images, or feelings—and ask, “Does this sound like the Jesus I know in Scripture?”
Day 5: Letting God’s Love Be Enough
The greatest purpose of prayer is not productivity or getting answers, but simply to be loved by God. He delights in showing us His affection in creative and sometimes surprising ways, reminding us that His love is bold, personal, and unending. Even if none of our requests are answered as we hope, being rooted in His love is more than enough, for in the end, only love remains and that is what truly matters. [21:02]
1 Corinthians 13:13
"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." (ESV)
Reflection: How can you let yourself simply receive and rest in God’s love today, without needing anything else from Him?
Quotes
St. Paul says, faith, hope, and love are the greatest virtues. But in the end, there's only love. Because in heaven, you don't need faith or hope. In heaven, it is simply love. Amen? [00:20:53] (16 seconds)
And the Lord says, can I just tell you how much I love you? And it's like, well, I'd rather you tell me the answers to A, B, and C, Jesus. Because it's not productive in our mind for the Lord to just spoil you with his love. And yet when we go into prayer, there's no other purpose to prayer than to be spoiled by God's love. [00:16:01] (24 seconds)
I renounce the lie that I cannot hear your voice. I renounce the lie that I'm not worthy to hear your voice. I renounce the lie that I have to figure out your voice. I renounce the lie that I'm not good enough and that you don't love me enough for me to hear your voice or for you to speak to me. I bind these lies to your cross, Jesus, never to return. [00:07:29] (41 seconds)
And I receive the truth that I am one of his sheep. And by his own words, I can hear his voice because he speaks to me because he loves me. [00:08:20] (17 seconds)
Now we may say, well, I've asked for things and I didn't get it. Well, we may ask wrongly. There's a way to ask wrongly. That is, I can ask from a worldly perspective. Lord, I want you to do this thing for me because then I'll feel better. Well, maybe, but that's a worldly perspective. What if I say, Lord, I surrender to you. I'm asking for this thing, but if you have a better way, then I'll receive that. [00:04:11] (25 seconds)
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