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BRIEF ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS
By Mary-Ellen Grisham
JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Scripture: John 10:1-21
Memory Verse: "I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:11 (Jesus speaking)
Warm-ups: Bible enactment - Have the children use chairs to make a square sheep pen, leaving an opening for the gate to the sheep pen. Have one child stand by the gate to be the watchman while most of the other children go into the pen and pretend to be sheep.
Hold out three children for these roles:
The first child who comes to the gate is the hired hand. The watchman tells him that his services are not needed this day.
The second child who comes is really a thief, pretending to want to pet the sheep. Have the watchman turn him away firmly.
The third child who comes must play the part of a wolf. The watchman raises his arm as if holding a club and sends him swiftly away.
Then the teacher comes to the gate; the teacher is playing the part of The Good Shepherd, and ushers the sheep out and back into the pen, where the teacher reads or tells today's story. The sheep, watchman, and outsiders listen carefully to the teacher's voice, sitting on the floor or turning the chairs for sitting.
Simple Story: In Bible times, shepherds carefully watched the flocks of sheep in the fields. They had simple tools--clubs, staffs or crooks, and sometimes slingshots. They would fight off wolves or bears, drive away snakes, free sheep caught in bushes, or search for lost sheep. The sheep knew who their shepherd was and responded to his voice.
In the evening, the sheep were herded back to a pen and counted as they entered the gate. If one was missing, the shepherd would leave a watchman and go to search for that one until it was found. Only those wanting to steal or hurt the sheep would try to climb into the pen rather than going in by the gate. Both the watchman and the shepherd would drive these intruders away.
Jesus told his followers and the Pharisees that He was the Good Shepherd, the one who would bring salvation to men and care for them. He was the "gate" to eternal life, and no one could come to God except through Him. The Good Shepherd would lay down his life for the sheep, just as Jesus died on the Cross so that our sins would be forgiven. Jesus was also able to take up His life again when He rose from the dead. He prepares a place for us in Heaven.
Question: Do you think that the Pharisees or all the Jews believed Jesus?
Love Action: Do the sheep pen enactment with other young children and explain about Jesus. Explain why Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
© by Mary-Ellen Grisham
Editor-in-Chief of Eternal Ink
Author of Grace Notes and Home Songs.
This Bible lesson may be used in its entirety, with
credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.
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