Fourth Sunday of Easter
Opening Prayer
Shepherd
You give me what I need each day
May I be grateful and have my fill.
You lead me on the path of goodness
May I accept your mercy and follow.
You call my name to come to you
May I listen to only Your voice in my life.
Amen
Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
- What emotions do you feel as you read these words? Imagine being there. How do your emotions change?
- Peter’s advice is to repent. Knowing Peter’s story, how do these words impact you coming from him?
- Peter is calling everyone to action. What do you feel called to do after hearing his words?
- Define conversion. How does conversion work? Is it a onetime thing or a lifelong thing? What does it mean when applied to your life? Have you undergone a conversion of some kind? What was the result of it? Do you need to undergo another conversion? Why or why not?
1Peter 2:20b-25
- How does this reading remind you to seek God’s grace instead of revenge? How can this be applied to a situation in your life right now?
- What do you learn about God’s love in this passage? How does it make you feel? How can you help others see this type of love in your life?
- Jesus had no sin but suffered death to take sin away; write a prayer of thanksgiving to Jesus that your sin is wiped away through his death.
- Jesus already suffered for your sin, what sin(s) do you hold onto because you think you still need to suffer guilt and shame?
John 10:1-10
- Who in your life provides the shelter and protection the Shepherd shows to the sheep in this passage? Who do you provide this depth of security for in your life?
- Are there people you know who need some type of shelter (physical, emotional, spiritual) which you can help lead them to the shepherd?
- When you see Jesus face to face, do you think you’d have the patience to wait for the gate to be opened or would you want to jump the fence?
- If Jesus is the gate which you must enter, how does a person pass through? Give examples.
General Questions for Journaling
- What “cuts you to the heart”? Are there things that hurt so deeply you are called to do something? When was the last time you were called to action because you were “cut to the heart”?
- Where in your community do you see a need for a change? Is there something you can do to help make a change?
- Where do you see corruption in the world? In your community? Within yourself?
- Share a time when you felt convicted of a wrongdoing.
- Think of a time when you tried to do the right/just thing and your efforts were not rewarded in a positive way. Why do you think good people suffer? Consider some of the reasons a person might have to go through suffering in order to bring about good.
- Describe a suffering Christian. Do you know anyone who fits the description?
- When confronted with violence, is violence ever the right response? How does your anger get in the way of following Jesus’ example not to retaliate?
- Who are the people in your life whom you go to for shelter? Advice? Counsel? Do they know the Shepherd?
- What changes in the language when one says they “were” baptized and they “are” baptized? Which are you?
- When did you last testify to your faith? How did you? Explain how you felt and how others reacted.
- What qualities does a shepherd have which you want? How will you develop these qualities?
Closing Prayer
Leader: Lord, you refresh my soul
ALL: and give me all that I need.
Leader: Lord, you guide my path
ALL: and give me all that I need.
Leader: Lord, you walk beside me
ALL: and give me all that I need.
Leader: Lord, you protect me from harm
ALL: and give me all that I need.
Leader: Lord, you wrap me in mercy
ALL: and give me all that I need.
Leader: Lord, you are my Shepherd
ALL: and you give me all that I need.
Challenge for the Week: I invite you to go into deep meditation with the words and phrases of this Gospel. Take time, perhaps one per day, to take the phrase and sit with it; carry it with you as your daily mantra to mull over. How do these words affect you, what do they tell you, where can they help you make a conversion in your life? The Good Shepherd: Calling by Name; Recognition of Voice; Following the Shepherd; Not Following Strangers; Shepherd as Gate. God’s Word can change your life!
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