Read: John 10:1-13
As you read and ponder this allegory, what specifically stands out to you and why? (e.g., door, hired hand, etc.)
How does it encourage and/or challenge you? In what way does it highlight the benefits of Christianity for you?
Take some time to pray right now, asking God to show you where you have possibly overlooked these benefits.
Read: John 10:11, 15:13, 1 John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9
In what way is a shepherd who “lays down his life” for his sheep unusual? What is implied about value?
Given that Jesus willingly died on the cross for you, what does this highlight about His value for you?
How is this truth different than most religions today? (i.e., legalism) Take some time and thank Jesus right now.
Read: John 10:11-13, 3:16, Mark 10:45, Romans 5:7-9
Why did Jesus refer to himself as a “good” shepherd? In what way was this different than a “hired hand”?
Why is this important to understand when it comes to a New Testament perspective of God? How is it a benefit?
What typically happens if this isn’t understood? How does this challenge or adjust your perspective about God?
Read: John 10:10, Jeremiah 23:1-2, Matthew 21:13, 23:13, 15, 25
Given a sheepfold door protects the sheep, how might Jesus have been contrasting the Pharisees to Himself?
How were the Pharisees spiritually stealing and destroying? Give an example. Why is this important to recognize?
How can this same thing happen today? What does this highlight about the benefits of becoming a Christian?
Read: John 10:7-10, 14:6, Matthew 7:7-8, Revelation 3:7-8
Explain the function of a door as it relates to a sheepfold. Why is this necessary and what does it provide?
What spiritual truth was Jesus teaching by referring to himself as the door? How does “abundant life” relate?
In what way is this the central truth & benefit of the Gospel? How does this encourage you to walk through the door?
Read: John 10:1-6, Psalm 23, 79:13, 80:1, 100:3
Why would an allegory about sheep and a shepherd have been familiar to those listening to Jesus?
What would have been the spiritual application from an Old Testament perspective? Be specific.
Why would the crowd have not understood the application Jesus intended? (c.f., v. 6). What does this teach you?
Read: John 9:39-41, Matthew 26:57-67, 27:12, Luke 23:9
How did Jesus respond when He knew the conversations weren’t going to be productive? Why?
What does this highlight about how un-redemptive communication can cause even more damage?
In what way can silence actually allow God to work? Be specific. How is God prompting you to be quieter?
Read: John 9:39-41, Titus 3:9-11, Matthew 5:44
In what way did the Pharisees write off the blind man? In what way did Jesus write off the Pharisees?
What does this highlight about conversations always being successful? What can happen if this isn’t understood?
How comfortable are you with disagreements that aren’t resolved? Why? How does today’s devotion adjust you?
Read: John 9:39-41, Romans 12:18-19
Explain how Jesus spiritually compared the blind man to the Pharisees. In what way were the Pharisees “guilty”?
What had happened to the opportunity for redemptive communication to take place? Why?
What does this highlight about thinking conversations can “always work out”? How does this encourage you?
Read: John 9:34-38, Luke 23:32-43
In what way did Jesus experience being written off by local leaders and the general public? What was His response?
What does this teach about staying engaged even when all redemptive communication has shut down?
How can this same response apply in a difficult relationship you are currently facing? Be specific.
Read: John 9:34-38, Galatians 5:16-24
Explain how the fruit of the flesh and fruit of the spirit can relate to the topic of redemptive communication.
In what way do you typically respond to a disagreement when someone has shut down communication?
How will staying focused on Jesus help you display the fruit of the Spirit? How is this practically accomplished?
Read: John 9:34-38, 2 Corinthians 10:5
In what way did the Pharisees mistreat the blind man who had been healed? Why?
How might you have felt if you were the blind man in this conversation? What changed his focus?
What does this highlight about Jesus and redemptive conversations? How does this help you today?
Read: John 9:29-34, 1 Timothy 3:2-3, 7, Jude 17-23
What is implied by today’s reading when it comes to Christians who are always getting into arguments?
In what way should church leadership be modeling redemptive communication? Why?
How can your communication impact your ability to share Jesus with others? Pray about this issue.
Read: John 9:29-34, Ephesians 4:1-3, Hebrews 12:14
How did the conversation ultimately resolve between the blind man and the Pharisees? Why?
What does this highlight about motives and approach? Why should Christians be different?
How can you fall into the “give up” trap? Give an example. What step can you take today to grow in this area?
Read: John 9:29-34, Romans 12:18-21
How did the Pharisees try to discount and make the blind man look stupid? How did the blind man respond?
Explain why this conversation turned a corner and became a tit for tat battle. How can this be avoided?
What does this teach you about today’s approach to disagreement and communication? Be specific.
Read: John 9:26-28, 1 John 4:18-19, Proverbs 15:1-2, 29:22
How did the Pharisees try to instill fear in the blind man and his family? How did it impact communication?
Given that Christians are called to love others, how should you be different than the Pharisee approach? Be specific.
How do you see the Pharisee approach taking place today? Give an example. How can you avoid this trap?
Read: John 9:26-28, Philippians 2:3-7, Colossians 3:12, James 4:6
How did the Pharisees try to challenge and discount the blind man’s testimony? (i.e., “disciples of Moses”)
Why will this approach always shut down redemptive communication? How should Christians be different?
In what way does God get involved when Christians avoid the Pharisee trap? How does this encourage you?
Read: John 9:26-28, Luke 7:33-35, Matthew 23:1-7
Describe the tactics the Pharisees used to communicate to those they disagreed with. Be specific.
In what way was this a lazy and immature approach to communicating? What does it prevent from happening?
How has this happened to you? What did it feel like? What is God teaching you about your approach to conflict?
Read: John 9:24-25, Matthew 5:37, James 5:12
How did the Pharisees try to distract the blind man from the miracle healing that had taken place?
How did the blind man respond? In what way did he deflect the distraction? Be specific.
What does this highlight about sticking to the facts in an argument? What has been your experience with this truth?
Read: John 9:18-23
Why were the blind man’s parents hesitant engaging in a discussion with the Pharisees? How did they lie?
In what way did the Pharisees approach to the conversation epitomize the bases for all arguments? Be specific.
Describe how you’re recently engaged in this type of conversation and how it could be avoided in the future.
Read: John 9:17-18, 7:40, 4:19
What did the blind man and woman at the well have in common when it came to their understanding about Jesus?
How did the Pharisees respond to the blind man’s perspective? What does this reveal about a willingness to learn?
In what way do you think their agenda impacted their ability to listen? What does this teach you about listening?
Read: John 9:13-16, Exodus 20:8-11, Matthew 10:9-13
Using your own words, explain what it entailed in order to obey the Sabbath based on Exodus 20:8-11.
Given the Pharisees had hundreds of rules to obey the Sabbath, what does that imply about opinion vs. fact?
How will confusing the two promote arguments, limiting redemptive conversations? How can you fall into this trap?
Read: John 3:1-2, 7:40-44, 9:13-16
Explain the two different perspectives the Pharisees had regarding the healing of the blind man.
What does this reveal about the two different premises that led the discussion? (i.e., argument vs. learning)
In what way did Nicodemus reflect a “learner”? What was the result? How does this encourage you?
Read: John 9:13-16, 5:1-9, 15-16
Why do you think Jesus chose to perform both healings on the Sabbath? How did the Pharisees respond?
In what way did their perspective impact their ability to acknowledge God and both healings?
How did this ultimately impact their ability to communicate in a redemptive way? What does this teach you?
