Lesson Outline for Jul 2, 2026
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Goal – Understand that when we walk and are led by our “Good Shepherd” we receive protection and provision
- Does God offer a course of life providing protection and provision?
- What does protection and provision look like?
- If you did a forensic analysis of your phone, your habits, etc – who would your shepherd look like?
- What does a thief, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing look like today – in your life, your family’s life?
- Who is your gatekeeper and your shepherd?
Hebrew and Greek Terms / Definitions
- shepherd #G4166 “poimen” herdsman, presiding officer, overseer of Christian assemblies political and church leaders, kings and princes
- steal #G2813 “klepto” take away by stealth; thief “kleptes” embezzler, pilferer, false teacher
- destroy #G622 “apollymi” give over to eternal misery, declare one to be put to death, render useless, to perish, be lost, ruined,
- wolf #G3074 “lykos” wolf (animal); metaphorically cruel, greedy, destructive men
The green is the author’s notations in the verses below. Bold text added for emphasis
Following our Shepherd Brings Protection and Provision
“in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight”
John 10:1-3, 9-10 ESV – “1 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. … 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life (zoe) and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life (psyshe) for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.”
- Sheepfold gate – Gatekeeper let in authorized shepherds
- Be watchful of what you let in your “gates” – what are the gates in your life, your family’s life?
- Who are the bad shepherds, and do they “look bad”?
- Thieves use stealth – what and who are you following? Political and religious leaders; social media – leaders by education, ambition, personal connections, appearance, manipulation and corruption
- Are you tuned into the Shepherd’s frequency – Story of WW I soldiers stealing sheep near Jerusalem
- Shepherds lead, not drive or prod. Jesus leads, we submit and follow, Jesus calls us by name – shepherds would name their sheep
- Our “True Shepherd” protects and promotes life – out in the field shepherds built pens from terrain and natural foliage – and laid across the opening to protect and led them to “green pastures”
- Wolves come in sheep’s clothing (Matt 7:15)
- The settled and satisfied life is provided by our Good Shepherd – “going in and out” are the actions in a man’s life – one’s at liberty to follow the Good Shepherd or the thief – you choose
- When I am on my coordinated “patrol route” I have support – protection and provision – my radio calls (prayers) bring support and response forces
A few case studies
Josh 7:1-3 ESV – “1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel. 2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.”
- Joshua didn’t go to God for direction – he acted on his own accord
- Joshua and those advising him were confident in their own abilities; not trusting in God only sent ~300 men; 36 killed, followed by a panicked retreat and fear
- Then Joshua seeks the LORD; the LORD gave the victory after cleansing
- Achan took Babylonian items – he coveted items offered to false gods
Josh 9:14-16 ESV – “14 So the men took some of their provisions but did not ask counsel from the LORD. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. 16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them.”
- Again, Joshua did not ask the LORD before making the covenant and was deceived
- Joshua learned to GO to the LORD for all things; he desired to follow the LORD
- Anyone is susceptible to “trusting ourselves” – what / who have you made covenants with?
Luke 22:31-34 ESV – “31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.“
- Pride, fear, self-preservation, self-reliance allowed Peter to be attacked and go through soulish anguish and pain – and after repentance Peter was restored
3 John 1:9-11 ESV – “9 I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”
- Diotrephes – self-serving, desired social status / position, ungodly control and ambition, rebelled against righteous authority, gossiped, unkind and mean spirited, rejected those who disagreed w/ him and followed the truth,
- Diotrephes’ preeminence and pride was just like Satan’s – a lesson for all
Discussion topics for you this week at home regarding God’s will: 1) Why should we go to God before making life decisions; 2) What areas of your life are you running and managing, and why? 3) When have you been deceived like Joshua by the Gibeonites, and what tactic was used? 4) Are you tuned into the “Good Shepherd’s voice, do you hear Him call your name?
Last thoughts and considerations
- Jesus Christ calls His sheep by name – follow our “Good Shepherd” He does not drive us
- When WE FOLLOW Jesus Christ, He provides protection & provision
- Men lead like Jesus Christ everywhere you go – be ready to TESTIFY
- Abundant life does not mean materialism, position and power
- Be watchful for thieves – they are very cunning
- Be watchful for wolves – they can dress as sheep
- Men talk and lead your wives and kids about knowing God’s word and knowing God – intimately
- Political and religious leaders are NOT our Savior – Jesus Christ is – follow HIM
Additional verses for self-study
2 Tim 4:9-12 ESV – “9 Do your best to come to me soon. 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. 12 Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.”
- The others besides Demas left on godly assignments
- Demas previously worked closely w/ Paul (Colossians 4:14 and Philemon 1:24)
- Demas deserted Paul and following Jesus Christ for the things of this world – his previous relationship w/ Paul must have added to Paul’s pain
1 Tim 1:1, 17-20 ESV – “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, … 17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
- Paul used v1 to show who his allegiance was with Jesus Christ, not Rome or any other figure
- Like Timothy, we are to fight the good fight, wage the good war
- When one is shipwrecked, he is on the water without protection or provision
- Paul handed Hymenaeus and Alexander “over to Satan” – meaning not allowed in relationship w/ the assembly, Satanic spirits given access as a tool to bring both into repentance
- God’s word demonstrates in the Old and New Testaments – God permits the evil spirits (demons) in a person to bring them into repentance and back to Him – yes, Christian too
