Small Grp Disc Guide: The Good Shepherd (Greater Good Series 3/22)

Small Group Discussion Guide
based on a sermon by Tim Bach, 3/22/26

Opening Prayer (3–5 minutes)
Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd who sees us, knows us, and lays down Your life for us. We invite Your presence into this time together. Open our hearts and minds to Your word, help us to see You more clearly, and teach us to follow You more faithfully. Lead our conversation, and let everything we share draw us closer to You and to one another. Amen.

Scripture Readings (10–15 minutes)
Ask different group members to read these passages aloud:
John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”
Matthew 9:2 – Jesus forgives and heals the paralytic.
Matthew 9:9–10 – Jesus calls Matthew and reclines at the table with tax collectors and sinners.
Matthew 9:18-36

Discussion Topics & Questions
The Heart of the Good Shepherd (15–20 minutes)

Key idea: Jesus is “Good” because He sacrifices Himself, forgives, heals, and moves toward the hurting with compassion.

Questions:
When you hear Jesus call Himself the “Good Shepherd,” what comes to mind personally for you?

In John 10:11, Jesus ties His goodness to His willingness to sacrifice His life. How does that shape your understanding of His love for you?

Matthew 9:36 says Jesus felt compassion for the people because they were distressed and dispirited, like sheep without a shepherd. In what ways do you see this same kind of distress and discouragement in our world, your community, or your own heart?

How might remembering that Jesus sees people this way change how you look at others during your week?

Forgiven, Called, and Welcomed (15–20 minutes)

Key idea: The Good Shepherd forgives sins, calls unlikely people, and welcomes “the wrong people” to His table.

Questions:
In Matthew 9:2, Jesus begins with “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven” before healing the paralytic. Why do you think Jesus starts with forgiveness instead of physical healing?

In Matthew 9:9, Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, with simple words: “Follow Me!” What do you notice about Matthew’s response, and what does it show you about Jesus’ authority and invitation?

Matthew 9:10 shows Jesus reclining at the table with tax collectors and sinners. How does Jesus’ view of hospitality challenge our natural attitudes toward people we might consider “the wrong person”?

Where do you see yourself in these stories—more like the paralytic, Matthew, or those at the table—and what might Jesus be saying to you today?

Found, Healed, and Given a Voice (15–20 minutes)

Key idea: Jesus finds the hidden and broken, restores identity, and gives people a voice.

Questions:
The woman with the hemorrhage comes up behind Jesus, hoping to touch Him quietly, but Jesus turns, sees her, and calls her “Daughter” (Matthew 9:20, 22). What does His response tell you about how He treats those who feel ashamed or unseen?

The mute, demon-possessed man is brought to Jesus, and after deliverance, he speaks (Matthew 9:32–33). What does it mean to you that the Good Shepherd “takes broken people and gives them a voice”?

Where in your life do you feel more hidden, voiceless, or in the background? How might Jesus be inviting you to step forward and let Him restore your voice?

How can our small group, church, or community better reflect the Good Shepherd’s heart toward those who feel unseen or silenced?

Faith in the Midst of Grief and Opposition (10–15 minutes)

Key idea: Jesus enters our grief and is not limited by others’ unbelief or mockery.[1]

Questions:
In Matthew 9:18, a synagogue official comes to Jesus in grief, yet in faith: “She will live.” What stands out to you about his courage to approach Jesus in such a hopeless moment?

When Jesus says, “The girl has not died, but is asleep,” the people laugh at Him (Matthew 9:24). Have you ever felt “laughed at” (openly or subtly) for trusting God in a difficult situation? How did that affect you?

Jesus doesn’t need their approval to act; He simply goes in, takes the girl by the hand, and she gets up (Matthew 9:25). What comfort or challenge does that bring to you about trusting Jesus in situations that look impossible?

What might it look like this week to trust Jesus’ word over the “laughter” of fear, doubt, or others’ opinions? Be specific.

Follow-Up Exercise (10–15 minutes)
Individual Reflection (3–5 minutes of silence):
Ask everyone to quietly consider these prompts and write short responses:

Which story in Matthew 9 (paralytic, Matthew, the woman, the grieving father, the blind men, the mute man, or the crowds) do you most connect with right now, and why?

What is one way you sense the Good Shepherd inviting you to trust Him or follow Him more closely this week?

In groups of 2 or 3 (7–10 minutes):
Ask each person to share:
1. The story they connect with
2. The invitation they sense from Jesus for this week
3. One practical step of obedience (a conversation, an act of compassion, a prayer habit, an invitation to someone “at the wrong table,” etc.).

Encourage each group to briefly pray for one another, asking Jesus the Good Shepherd to strengthen their faith and courage to follow through.

Larger Group Closing Time Together (2–3 minutes)
Ask for a few volunteers to share (briefly) one step they plan to take this week.
Invite the group to check in with each other during the week (by text, group chat, or next meeting) about how they saw the Good Shepherd at work as they obeyed.

Closing Prayer (3–5 minutes)
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, thank You for what we have seen of Your heart here during this time together—for Your compassion, Your forgiveness, Your hospitality, and Your power to heal and restore. Thank You for finding those who hide, for giving a voice to the broken, for entering our grief, and for moving toward the distressed and dispirited. Strengthen our faith to follow You, even when others may not understand, and help us to carry Your heart into our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Watch over us as Your sheep this week, and let our lives give You glory. Amen.