Jesus is our good shepherd, and from our memory verse today we have discovered that He knows us.
So would you like to write your name or draw a picture of yourself in the middle of your sheep.
We have also discovered that in the same way that a shepherd looks after their sheep, so Jesus looks after us. Let’s remind ourselves of four of the ways that Jesus looks after us.
One of the ways that a shepherd looked after His sheep was by:
1) Giving them what they needed.
Sheep need grass and water. I wonder what you and I need. Has anyone got any suggestions? (Receive answers from congregation)
Jesus provides everything that we need doesn’t He? Not only does He provide food and water for our physical bodies, but He also gives us love, forgiveness, joy, hope, peace and many other good things that our spirits need.
So would you like to write in the bottom right hand corner of your paper: “He gives me all I need” or draw a picture of some grass.
Another way that a shepherd looked after His sheep was by:
2) Guiding them on a safe path so that they wouldn’t fall into danger.
Like sheep, it is easy for us to wander off and get into all sorts of trouble. Jesus knows the safe path for us to walk through life and He promises to lead us on that path.
So would you like to write in the bottom left hand corner of your paper: “He guides me on a safe path” or draw a picture of a path.
Another way that a shepherd looked after His sheep was by:
3) Always being with them.
The shepherd often spent all day and all night with His sheep. Do you remember that even when the sheep couldn’t see the shepherd, the shepherd would reassure them that He was with them, by banging His rod against the stones, so that they wouldn’t feel afraid?
Jesus has promised to always be with us. He said: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) We can trust Jesus to keep His promise.
Even when we can’t feel Jesus near us, He is still with us, looking after us.
So would you like to write in the top right hand corner of your paper: “He is always with me” or draw a picture of Jesus.
And finally one of the biggest ways that a shepherd looked after His sheep was by:
4) Protecting them from harm.
We have heard how the shepherd would lie in the entrance of an outdoor sheepfold to protect His sheep from wolves and thieves at night-time, and how He would use His rod during the day to scare off wild animals.
A good shepherd would sometimes be willing to lay down His life for His sheep. Jesus, our good shepherd was willing to lay down His life for us, so that we can have eternal life.
He said: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)
In this life, we may have to cope with all sorts of troubles, but Jesus has made it possible for us to be kept safe for all eternity.
So would you like to write in the top left hand corner of your paper: “He protects me from harm eternally” or draw a picture of a cross.
Four wonderful ways that Jesus, our good shepherd looks after us.
He gives us all that we need.
He guides us on a safe path.
He is always with us
and
He protects us from harm eternally.
As you look at your sheep, in a moment of quiet, thank Jesus for being your Good Shepherd.
Service: Revd Lex Bradley-Stow 31st August 2025. (St John the Baptist Church Peterborough UK)
Readings: Ecclesiasticus 10.12-18 or Psalm 112; Hebrews 13.1-8, 15-16; Luke 14.1, 7-14