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John 10:1-10 is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, we have the broken and empty promises of the "thief"—Satan—whose "purpose is to steal and kill and destroy." And on the other hand, we have the life-giving and unshakable promises of the shepherd—Jesus—whose "purpose is to give [us] a rich and satisfying life."

Key Study Passage:

John 10:1-10

1. The Bible tells us that "Satan disguises himself as an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). How have you seen people taken in by this counterfeit angel?
2. How can we keep ourselves from being fooled by Satan's lies? (See Eph. 6:10-18; 1 Pet. 5:8; Heb. 10:25.)
3. Read the study passage, noting specific ways the thief differs from the shepherd.
4. What do you believe Jesus meant when he said his "purpose is to give [us] a rich and satisfying life"?
5. How is it possible to live a "rich and satisfying life" amid difficulties and trails? (See John 16:33; Phil. 4:12-13; 2 Tim. 3:12; James 1:2-4.)
6. Verse 3 teaches that Christ's followers hear his voice and follow. Listen for Jesus' voice speaking into your heart this coming week and commit to following where he leads.

Spend Time in Prayer: Thank God for his promises and name specific blessings for which you're grateful; confess times when you've followed Satan's voice rather than Christ's; express your desire to listen for and more consistently follow Jesus' voice.

John 10:1-10

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 "I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2 But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5 They won't follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Copyright © 2013 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for all of your powerful and life-changing promises; forgive me when I fail to believe your promises are true for my life; show me how to experience your promises more fully and consistently.

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