Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 February 2024 || Jesus Christ Is The Good Shepherd
Daily Guide Devotional For Today 17 February 2024 (Saturday)
Do You Know That? Daily Guide Reading is published by Scripture Union Press & Books Ltd, an arm of Scripture Union Nigeria. Daily Guide is a true nondenominational, interdenominational Christian Bible engagement/reading aid – meditate on the Bible without denominational colorations. May the Lord bless you as you study!
TODAY’S TOPIC: JESUS CHRIST IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that you order my steps today through your word as I meditate on it.
SCRIPTURE: JOHN 10:11-21
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh 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 commandment have I received of my Father.
19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
Question(s) for Reflection
• Q 1: What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit?
• Q8: Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?
Outline For Scripture Union Daily Guide 17th February 2024
Jesus declares that He is the Good Shepherd. He compares Himself as a shepherd with a hired hand who would run away and leave the sheep to be destroyed if his life was threatened. He also looks at a thief who comes to steal and kill. Notice the main characteristic of the good shepherd in vs.11&14a. The Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name and the sheep know Him.
Can you be sure Jesus knows you by name or can you confidently say you know Him? Jesus loved us so much that He died for us so that we could have eternal life. He has the power to decide to die and get back His life again (v.18). Jesus does not keep only to current sheep alone. He loves even those outside, so He goes all out to win them to Him and brings them into the sheepfold (v.16).
That is why He sends His children into the world to bring those outside into the sheepfold (Matthew 28:19). Are you in the business of inviting non–believers into the Kingdom? Can you point to anyone who is in the church because of your witness?
Practice/Word Application
And so? For how Christian leaders, as shepherds, are to relate with the Lord’s flock under their care, see 1 Peter 5:1-4.
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
My Lord Jesus Christ, fill me with the desire and strength to bring the lost into your Kingdom.
Prayer for the week
• Pray that church leaders will lead in the fear of the Lord. • Ask that they will preach the truth and never give in to heretic and false teachings • Pray that the Lord will keep them blameless as they lead the church of Christ.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Isaiah 49:16
“Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.”
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 48 – Leviticus 14-15
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN FEBRUARY 17, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
UYO REGION
“This God is our God for ever and ever; he will lead us for all time to come.”
Psalm 48:14
THANK GOD FOR:
• His blessings upon all in the Region.
• Helping us to keep step with Him from day to day
PRAY FOR:
• Renewed commitment of the leaders in every regard
• Spiritual discernment and vision.
• All our programs will be implemented as planned – from the Region down to the grassroot with effective time management
PRAY AGAINST:
• Weariness and backsliding.
