The shepherd who knows my name
Family worship guide · theme: I am · the good shepherd · ages 3–12 · 20 min
Opening
Blindfolded sheep: move chairs and objects out of the way so no one gets hurt. One child is the sheep and wears a scarf as a blindfold; an adult is the shepherd and stands on the other side of the room. Everyone else becomes a strange voice and calls the sheep all at once, in funny voices. The sheep has to walk only toward the shepherd's voice. Switch roles a few times. Ask: how did you recognize the right voice in all that noise?
Reading
Recall verses 3 and 4: the shepherd calls each sheep by name, and they know his voice. An adult reads verses 11 to 16. Whenever the word shepherd comes up, the kids softly say baa; when the word wolf comes up, everyone huddles together in a flock hug. With little ones, read verses 11 and 14 and tell the rest in your own words.
11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. 13The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Teaching
In Israel, the shepherd was a familiar and weighty image. David was a shepherd before he was king, and he sang “The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalms 23:1). Later, through the prophet Ezekiel, God denounced the leaders who exploited the people as bad shepherds and promised: “I will tend My flock” (Ezekiel 34:15). When Jesus says I am the good shepherd, He is saying that this promise is fulfilled in Him.
Two marks set the good shepherd apart. He knows His sheep, and they know Him (v. 14): He is not a distant boss, but someone who calls each one by name. And He does not run when the wolf comes, like the hired hand who works only for the pay: He lays down His own life for the sheep, of His own free will (v. 18). That is what Jesus did on the cross. The flock, by the way, is bigger than we imagine: there are other sheep, from other peoples, who will also listen to His voice (v. 16). Anyone who uses faith or authority to control, humiliate or abuse is acting like a wolf, not a shepherd. If this is happening to someone in your family, get help: Dial 100 (Brazil), or 190 in an emergency (Brazil).
Conversation
For little ones
- How does the shepherd call the sheep?
- Jesus knows your name! Shall we say everyone's name here really loud?
For kids
- What does the hired hand do when the wolf shows up? And the good shepherd?
- Jesus knows you by name. How does it feel to know that? When do you most need to hear His voice?
For teens
- Lots of voices compete for your attention: influencers, friends, your own head. How can you recognize Jesus' voice among them?
- The good shepherd gave His life for the sheep by choice. What changes for you knowing that Jesus didn't die by accident, but out of love for you?
For adults
- I also care for a small flock at home. Where have I acted like a shepherd, and where like a hired hand, present only when it's easy?
- Who are the other sheep near us that Jesus wants to bring close to Him? How can our family help?
Activity
Family flock: make a little sheep for each person in the house, with cotton balls glued onto paper or a clothespin, and write each person's name. Also make an extra sheep for someone who is far away or doesn't know Jesus yet. Put them all together in a corner of the house, around a drawing of the shepherd.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, good shepherd, thank You for knowing me by name and for giving Your life for us. When many voices call us, teach us to recognize Yours. Keep our flock safe from every wolf. Today I pray for [each person names someone who is far away or needs care]. Bring that person close to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Blessing
Hebrews 13:20–21
During the week
Shepherd's voice week: each morning, read together one verse of Psalm 23 (there are six; on the seventh day read the whole psalm) and ask: what does the shepherd do here? At some point during the week, each person calls someone else in the house by name and says something good that only someone who knows them up close would know.