Published 6/3/19
By: Michael and Tiffany Ross
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Family Quest
Find a quiet place to lie down and read today’s scripture passage. Then grab some colored pencils and draw what you pictured when you read these verses. Have your child do the same. Compare your pictures.
Talk It Out
· How does this passage make you feel?
· Discuss what “green pastures,” “quiet waters” and “right paths” mean to you.
· In what ways does a shepherd care for his sheep? How is God your shepherd?
Parent-Child Connection
Scripture beautifully depicts Christ’s deep love and total commitment to us through the depictions of Him as our shepherd. Read John 10:1–21, emphasizing verses 14–15: “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.” Explain that the life of a dedicated shepherd means total devotion to his flock—a devotion that includes putting the lives of the sheep above his own. First of all, there are thieves and robbers—dishonest men who try to lure stray lambs away from the flock and steal them. Second, there are plenty of wild animals—mostly wolves. Whenever they close in, fierce and ravenous from hunger, the hired hands usually split. Why should they risk their lives for somebody else’s property? But the committed shepherd never looks upon his flock as “property.” He’s grown to know and love each of the sheep as individuals. In fact, his love and dedication to them are so intense that he would actually fight to the death to protect them. Jesus is the Good Shepherd for us.
Talk to God
As you pray, encourage your child to (1) thank Jesus for taking care of him and (2) ask the Lord to help him live for Jesus.
© 2015 by Back to the Bible