Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Authority and Identity Found in Jesus’ Name
Bible ReadingJohn 10:1-18 (NKJV)> “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
> Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.
> Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear 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 does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
> “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
> “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”
John 11:17-27 (NKJV)> So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
> Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”
> Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
> Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
> She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 15:1-8 (NKJV)> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
> “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.”
Observation Questions- In John 10, what are the differences between the good shepherd and the hireling, and how does Jesus describe His relationship with the sheep?
- According to John 11, how does Martha respond to Jesus when He says, “Your brother will rise again”? What does this reveal about her understanding of Jesus’ power?
- In John 15, what does Jesus say is necessary for a branch to bear fruit?
- The sermon mentions that Jesus made seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. Can you list as many as you remember? ([57:07])
Interpretation Questions- Why does Jesus emphasize that He is the only door for the sheep, and what does this mean for people seeking salvation today? ([01:04:06])
- The sermon compares missing out on the benefits of salvation to not knowing what comes with a class ring. What are some “benefits” of salvation that believers might overlook or not use? ([56:31])
- Jesus asks Martha, “Do you believe this?” after declaring He is the resurrection and the life. Why is this question important for believers, and how does it challenge passive faith? ([01:23:01])
- What does it mean to “abide” in Jesus, and how is this different from simply believing in Him? ([01:43:02])
Application Questions- The sermon says, “When we speak His name over our circumstances, we are invoking the power that conquered sin, death, and every force of darkness.” Is there a specific area in your life where you need to start speaking the name of Jesus with authority? What would that look like this week? ([49:33])
- Jesus is described as the Good Shepherd who never abandons His sheep. Have you ever felt abandoned or alone in a difficult season? How does knowing Jesus’ commitment to you change the way you face those moments? ([01:13:31])
- The message challenges us to move from “mere intellectual agreement” to “bold, childlike faith.” Can you identify an area where you have been hesitant to trust Jesus fully? What step of faith could you take this week? ([01:27:18])
- The sermon talks about “speaking life over dead dreams, relationships, and situations.” Is there something in your life that feels dead or hopeless? How can you invite Jesus’ resurrection power into that area? ([01:36:36])
- Jesus says, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” Are there areas where you have been striving in your own strength instead of abiding in Him? What practical change can you make to stay connected to Jesus daily? ([01:43:02])
- The sermon mentions that many Christians miss out on the fullness of their salvation because they don’t realize what Jesus has made available. Is there a promise or aspect of your identity in Christ that you have not been living in? What would it look like to step into that this month? ([56:31])
- Jesus’ claim to be the only way is described as both exclusive and liberating. How does this truth shape the way you interact with friends or family who believe differently? What does it look like to lovingly and boldly declare this truth? ([01:04:06])
Closing Thought: Jesus asked Martha, “Do you believe this?” As you reflect on the authority and identity found in Jesus, what is your answer today? How will you live differently because of what He has declared and provided for you?
