Bible Studies

I AM The Gate (or The Door) - John 10.1-10

1. In these verses the imagery Jesus uses becomes less easy for us. He is the Shepherd of the sheep (we deal with that next week) and He is also the gate or door to the sheepfold. Chrysostom (c. 350 AD) says Jesus ‘when talking of our coming to the Father, speaks of Himself as the Door and when talking of God’s care for us, He speaks of Himself as The Good Shepherd’.
See also John 14.6. How would you interpret the image of the sheepfold and Jesus as the Gate?

2. The picture of people as sheep is common in the Bible (See Matthew 9.36, Isaiah 53.6, Psalm 119.176, Acts 20.28-30, 1 Peter 5.1-3).
Do you think it is a good picture? Why? or why not?

3. At night the sheep were kept in an enclosure (a fold). It had only opening or entrance and the shepherd would sleep in it at night. He would in his own person be the gate and nothing could get at the sheep without passing him first. He controlled their coming in and going out and personally led them out to find pasture and water, the supply of all their needs.
What do these thoughts say to you about Jesus being The Gate?

4. What other references can you think of where Jesus is spoken of as the Gate, the Door or the Way into God’s presence and safekeeping? (e.g. Hebrews 10.19-22., Matthew 7.21).
What do these say to you?

5. In verse 1 Jesus refers to those who try to get in some other way.
What thoughts or experience have you of this? Share.

6. In what way do you think John 10 is a continuation of a theme in chapter 9? In chapter 9 the man born and healed by Jesus was thrown out (excommunicated) by the Pharisees but taken into the flock of Jesus. Is that fair to say?
Today there are people who have to choose between Jesus and their family or Jesus and their particular religious tradition.
Have you any knowledge or stories about people who have done this? Share.

7. The illustration of Jesus as the Gate or Door of a sheepfold would be a very familiar one to those listening to Him.
Can you think of or suggest a form in which Jesus might teach the same things to people today in our community?

8. The words of Jesus caused division as they always did (see v.19 and 31-39). A door or gate shuts some people in but shuts other people out! And Jesus separates the sheep from the goats (Matthew 25).
If God is a God of love, how and why are some people excluded from His presence?

9. Are there any other thoughts that have come to you through the picture of Jesus as the Gate or Door of the sheepfold:
for ourselves individually?
For us as a church?

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