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The I AM Study: “I am the Good Shepherd”

Activity

Set up a small obstacle course in an open room. (Use a chair, a book, another chair, a trashcan, etc.) Blindfold one family member and ask him or her to get from one side of the room to the other without touching any of the obstacles, without any help from other family members. (You can even move things into their path to safely block their way.) Then, allow the same family member (still blindfolded) to have a sighted guide to lead them through the course. Take turns with different family members (parents too!)

Although it may be obvious, answer the following questions:

  • Was it easier to do the course alone or with a guide?
  • What made it easier with a guide?
  • Was it important that you could trust the guide?
  • Did you feel any differently (like less scared, more confident) when you were being led as opposed to doing it on your own?

Read - John 10:11-15

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep."

Study

  1. In John 10:11, what is the “I Am” statement Jesus is making here?
  2. In John 10:12-13, what do you learn about the hired hand?
  3. In John 10:14-15, what do you learn about the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep? (They know one another.) What do you learn about how much the shepherd cares for the sheep? (He lays down his life for the sheep.) For what reasons might a shepherd have to lay down his life for his sheep? (To protect against wild animals; descending steep cliffs to rescue them, etc.) How does Jesus literally do this for each one of us? (He died for us on the cross!)

Create

We see how Jesus ultimately cares for us as our Shepherd. Let’s look closely at this Shepherd/sheep relationship by reading Psalms 23 (our 3rd-6th memory work). Then, make a list of all the things the psalmist says God can do for him (and us) as our shepherd:

  • He provides for us.
  • Lead us to a place where all of our needs can be met.
  • Restore our souls/He knows exactly how and why we’re hurting and can heal our very private hurts.
  • He shows us exactly the best places to walk and the best decisions we can make to keep us from harm, as well as bring Him glory.
  • He will help us walk through all the difficulties of life (including death) without fear.
  • We can receive comfort from Him.
  • Although life may be difficult around us, we can be blessed by God.
  • His goodness and love will pursue us at all times.
  • We can live in His presence.

Challenge

Think back to the activity we first did together. How do you think that exercise illustrates our relationship with the Lord as our Shepherd? (Life has obstacles for us to avoid. We can’t see them, because we don’t know everything. If we trust in the Lord to lead us, He can help us avoid them, encourage us along the way and lead us safely to where we want to go.)

Pray

Take this time as a family to pray together. Ask your child if they have anything they would like to pray about. If you have a child who would like to pray, this is a great time to do so!