The Gospel of John: The Good Shepherd
Welcome to Inscribe the Word, the Gospel of John. This year, we are slowly and intentionally writing through John’s Gospel, and we invite you to join us.
Inscribe the Word is a spiritual practice rooted in the discipline of Scripture writing—taking time to handwrite passages of the Bible as a way to slow down, reflect, and meditate on God’s Word. By writing Scripture, we engage our minds and hearts in a deeper way, noticing the richness of each word and allowing the truths of the Bible to sink more deeply into our souls. It’s not about how much we write but how intentionally we engage, creating space for the Holy Spirit to speak, teach, and transform us through the living Word of God.
This year, we invite you to slow down and savor the Gospel of John. The Gospel was written to reveal Jesus in a way that invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. John doesn’t just tell us what Jesus did—he shows us who Jesus is: the Word made flesh, the Light of the world, and the Bread of life. By inscribing this Gospel, we’re creating space to meditate on each verse, letting its truths settle in our hearts and minds.
We’re not rushing.
From January to November, we’ll focus on one section of John each month, with a new theme that highlights the richness of this Gospel. December will be a time of reflection, journaling through how these Scriptures have spoken to us.
If you prefer to Inscribe another topic or theme this year, CLICK HERE for our ITW Collection.
This January, we inscribed John 1:1-John 2:11, and we saw Jesus as The Light of the World.
This February, we inscribed John 2:12-4:6, and we went from the cleansing waters of baptism to new creation and being born again.
This March, we inscribed John 4:7-5:14, and we went from broken to whole in the hands of Jesus.
This April, we inscribed John 5:15-6:27, and we saw Jesus as the Bread of Life and our total sustenance.
This May, we inscribed John 6:48-7:46, and we saw Jesus as the giver of Living Water and having the words of life.
This June, we inscribed John 7:47-9:24, and we saw Jesus as the Light of the World
Now, we come to the beauty of July, as we experience The Good Shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” – John 10:11
In the Scriptures we are inscribing this month, we continue to witness the growing tension between those who believe and those who refuse to see, between the voice of the Good Shepherd and the noise of opposition:
The Man Born Blind (Continued from last month) – As the healed man testifies to what Jesus has done, the religious leaders remain blind to the truth. He is cast out, but Jesus seeks him, and reveals Himself as the Son of Man.
The Good Shepherd – Jesus declares Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He knows His own, and His own know His voice. Unlike hired hands who run at the first sign of danger, Jesus is faithful and sacrificial in His care.
Unbelief at the Festival of Dedication – At the temple, Jesus is confronted again. The people demand a clear statement: Are you the Messiah? Jesus answers, but their hardened hearts cannot hear. His sheep, He says, listen to His voice. They trust and follow.
The Death of Lazarus – In a powerful demonstration of His love and authority, Jesus waits before going to His dear friend. What appears to be a delay is actually a divine purpose. As Jesus arrives, Martha rushes to Him, filled with grief and questions, but also a spark of belief. He assures her: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
Each passage draws us deeper into the heart of Jesus. He is the Light of the world and the Shepherd who leads, the Door that opens to safety, and the Resurrection who defeats death. Once again, we are called to trust, not just in what Jesus can do, but in who He is.
Do We Recognize Jesus?
This section of John’s Gospel keeps drawing a dividing line between trust and doubt, between those who recognize Jesus and follow His voice, and those who remain blind, hardened, or resistant.
It's about spiritual sight.
It's about hearing and knowing His voice.
It's about recognizing His identity and responding with belief, love, and surrender.
This month, as you Inscribe the Word, ask yourself:
Do I recognize His voice?
Am I His sheep, or am I still unsure who He is to me?
Do I see Him clearly, or am I missing who He truly is?
Will I recognize Jesus as The Good Shepherd, The Door, The Way, and Resurrection Life, and will I follow?
As we inscribe these words this month, may we let the Shepherd lead.
His voice is calling.
His love is sure.
His presence is near.
Let’s walk in trust.
Join the Conversation
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this daily study, grow in your understanding of Scripture, and access exclusive weekly teachings and resources, join our Substack community for just $7 a month. You will receive:
Inscribe the Word Resources: Each week, we will provide you with a full list of resources to accompany your daily Inscribe the Word Scripture writing passages. Resources can include videos, articles, commentaries, maps, and charts.
A Weekly Post: Each week, we will bring together all of the Inscribe the Wordthemes for the week ahead in a simple and straightforward post.
Exclusive Community Conversations: Join Steven, Erika, and fellow subscribers in a weekly “Group Text” thread, where we share thoughts on culture and practical tips on building a life of worship.
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We hope to see you there!
