The Gospel of John
There is no greater love than a man laying down his life for his friends.
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Key words
- Shepherd: a person whose job is to take care of sheep and move them from one place to another
Shepherds in England started using sheep dogs in the 18th century.
- Lay down your life: to die for something you believe in strongly
Remembrance Day is for those who laid down their lives for their country.
- A living sacrifice: a group of sheep, goats, or birds
The shepherd is bringing his flock down from the hills.
- Vine: the climbing plant that produces grapes as its fruit
We have a grape vine growing in our garden.
- Prune: to cut off branches from a tree, bush, or plant, especially so that it will grow better in the future
She spent the afternoon pruning roses.
Read the article to find the answers
- Who do sheep listen to?
- How many flocks does Jesus have?
- Which branches get pruned and which branches get burnt?
- How do Christians glorify God?
Jesus in His own words
The Good Shepherd
Jesus said:
The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by their names, then he goes ahead of them and leads them. The sheep follow him, because they know his voice. But sheep will never follow someone they don’t know. They will run away from him, because they don’t know his voice.
I assure you, I am the gate. If any man enters through me, they will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out, and find everything they need. I came to give life - life that is full and good. I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I lay down my life for these sheep. I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd. The Father loves me because I lay down my life so that I can get it back again. No one takes my life away from me. I lay down my own life freely. I have the power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.
The True Vine
Jesus said:
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch that does not produce fruit and prunes every branch that does produce fruit so that it will produce even more.
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned.
If you live in me and my words live in you, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be done. You will be my disciples and glorify my Father by producing much fruit.
I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Continue in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will live in my love. The same as I have kept my Father's commandments, and live in His love. I have told you these things so that my joy remains in you, and that your joy will be full. This is what I command you: Love each other as I have loved you!
I have chosen you so that you produce fruit, fruit that lasts!
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- Do you know the Bible passage quoted at the top of this article?
- Who do you think Jesus was telling these parables to?
- What do you think Jesus meant when He said:"I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here."?
- Do you know any other Bible stories about sheep?
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