The SourceSample

What does Jesus being "the door of the sheep" mean?

Jesus makes this claim during a conversation with religious leaders. He had recently restored the sight of a blind man, and this miracle caused a considerable amount of controversy. The religious leaders made the man leave the Jewish house of worship because he gave credit to Jesus. They were also offended that he, a man who was far less familiar with God's law, was trying to share truth with them. In response to their anger, Jesus tells the religious leaders that they are the ones who are truly blind. They thought they had a special understanding of God because of their impressive knowledge, but Jesus tells them that He is the only door to truth in this life.

What does Jesus being "the good shepherd" mean?

It is the job of a shepherd to lead, guide, and protect their sheep. As "the good shepherd," Jesus takes this a step further by being willing to give His life for His flock (you and I). As we follow Jesus, we have the opportunity to be trained (shepherded) by Him. This requires us to surrender our own understanding and trust in His wisdom.

How To Connect With The Source Through Prayer:

When we talk to God, He is faithful to respond. He often does this through an internal "nudge" rather than His audible voice. Similar to the S.O.A.P. method of studying the Bible, the acronym A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) can be a helpful tool to strengthen your prayer life. This approach is inspired by Jesus' instructions on prayer in Matthew 6:

Adoration: Start your prayer by praising God for who He is (read the Bible to learn more about who He is).

Confession: Proceed to share about your sins and weaknesses to God (He already knows), and thank Him for already forgiving you through Jesus' finished work on the cross.

Thanksgiving: Express your gratitude to God for specific blessings in your life.

Supplication: Ask God for provision in areas where you (and others you are praying for) have need.

Big Idea:

Jesus is the only source of truth, and He promises to train us in the process of being formed in His image. One way to grow closer to Him is through praying in a way that gives Him glory, communicates vulnerability, expresses gratitude, and considers the needs of others.