Jesus, the Good Shepherd

Do you like to tell stories? I do! Usually, when you or I tell stories, we describe something we did or saw, or maybe we try to make other people smile or laugh.

Jesus liked to tell stories, too—but he told them for a different reason. Jesus used simple stories called parables to teach his followers important lessons about God. Jesus knew that lessons learned in the form of a story would be easier for people to remember and share with others.
Today’s Bible story is one of Jesus’ best known parables, called the parable of the Good Shepherd. As you listen to the story, think about sheep and the people who take care of them. Why do you think Jesus chose this example?

Hear
The parable of the Good Shepherd comes from John 10:1–11. Find the story in the family Bible or a children’s storybook Bible and read it together.

You can also click here to read the story using an online Bible, or you can watch the video retelling below.

Think
When you’ve finished reading the story, talk about these questions with your family:
  • According to Jesus, who are the sheep in this story? Who is the shepherd?
  • What are some things a good shepherd does to care for his sheep?
  • How do sheep recognize their shepherd?
  • How are we like sheep? How is Jesus like our shepherd?
Then, watch the following short video:

Do
Connect more deeply with the parable of the Good Shepherd by trying one or more of these activities:
Picture
Get the sheep through the gate.
Try out your shepherding skills with an inflatable flock! Blow up some balloons and draw a sheep face on each. Place several obstacles around the room, then use a ruler or yardstick to gently "herd" your sheep past the obstacles and out the door. Take turns to see which member of your family can move their herd through the "gate" most quickly.
Picture
Fill your family's meadow.
Tape together several pieces of paper. Create a grassy meadow using crayons, paints, or whatever art supplies you choose. Then glue several dozen cotton balls around your meadow, adding heads and legs with marker, crayon, or small pieces of black construction paper. Add a good shepherd, if you'd like, to look over your flock, or even a sheepfold with a gate.

Picture
Rock with your flock!
Cue up some Sunday School "sheep" songs on Spotify or YouTube. Then, sing along or have a family dance competition! Get started with "Just Wanna Be A Sheep," "The Baa Baa Song," and "I Am a Good Shepherd." If you'd like, branch out into non-sheep classics like "This Little Light of Mine," "My God Is So Big," and "If I Were a Butterfly."
Share what you've made! Take a picture of your project and send it to sfelde@ctkluth.com so we can include it in our online gallery!

Pray
Thank you, Jesus, for being our good shepherd.
Help us learn your voice so we can follow you always!
Amen.
CHRIST THE KING LUTHERAN CHURCH
17195 CLEVELAND ROAD  +  SOUTH BEND, IN 46635  +  (574) 272-4306