Children's session
The image of Jesus as good shepherd draws on the imagery of Psalm 23 and elsewhere and is a familiar symbol for God/Jesus used in both the Old and New Testaments. Here Jesus makes a contrast between the shepherd and a hired hand, and the ways in which they care for the sheep. He clearly designates himself as the good shepherd, making it no longer a symbol but an opportunity for a relationship as he knows his sheep by name.
This week we explore 'good shepherd' as a model of community.
Share the Word
Read the story and pause at the  to share these points with the children
Stop and share
- Talk about shepherds. What do they do? What is their job? Talk about how everyone in Jesus’ day would have been very familiar with shepherds – a common job.
- Spend a few minutes exploring why there are differences in the way the shepherd and the person paid to look after the sheep react to the wolf.
Good shepherd game
Illustrate the idea of the shepherd knowing the sheep
- Ask one person to be the good shepherd. Invite them to take a good look at the ‘sheep’ (the rest of the group) and then to leave the room for a few moments.
- While they are out of the room, change something about one or two of the ‘sheep’, e.g. put a jumper on back to front, remove a hair band or invite people to cross their legs or arms.
- Ask the ‘shepherd’ to return and see if they can spot the change in the ‘flock’.
- Repeat the activity, and talk about the idea that the good shepherd really knows and cares for his flock.
Caring cakes
You will need: energy cake ingredients (see recipe below), a food processor, refrigeration facilities, paper plates.
- Make the chocolate energy cakes, following the instructions below.
- Decide together who you would like to give the treats to. Talk with the children about how the gifts demonstrate your care for others.
Chocolate energy cake recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup dates
- 1 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 tbsp coconut oil or any mild flavoured oil
- Desiccated coconut
Method
- Put everything except the desiccated coconut into a food processor.
- Blitz. Be patient as it will take around 5 mins for the mixture to form a ball.
- Roll spoonfuls into balls.
- Roll the balls in desiccated coconut.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
Talk to God: Sheep prayers
Use the word ‘sheep’ to organise your prayers
You will need: sheep word template, pens.
- Give each child a template. Explain that, as they colour and decorate the ‘sheep’, they are going to use each letter in that word to think about caring, and then to pray for each other.
- Introduce each letter and category of prayer, and allow time for the children to pray quietly or out loud, as needed.
 
A prayer for children
Response after each bidding:
Help us to follow the ‘good shepherd’.
Lord, when we feel lost and confused…
When we are tired by caring for others…
When we’re tempted by the wolves…
When we’re enjoying good pasture and rest…
Send us out to be faithful sheep and…
Amen.
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