Family Worship (May 04)
Shepherd Leaders
Follow the Shepherd
Have you ever seen a shepherd taking care of sheep? Maybe not in real life, but think about what it would be like. The shepherd leads the sheep to food, watches out for danger, and even knows each one by name. If a sheep runs away or gets hurt, the shepherd doesn’t say, “Oh well.” He goes after it because he loves it.
In the Bible, Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd, and He calls pastors and leaders in the church to be like shepherds too. In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul tells the church leaders in Ephesus how to take care of God’s people—just like shepherds care for sheep.
God wants His leaders to know the people, teach them, lead them, and protect them. But guess what? Every Christian can learn to care for others too. So, let’s read what Paul says and think about how we can follow the Shepherd together.
Acts 20:28, NIV
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Discussion Questions
Activity: “Shepherd for a Day”
What You’ll Need: A blanket, stuffed animals (or paper cutouts), and a Bible.
What To Do:
Choose one person in the family to be the “Shepherd.” Everyone else is a “sheep.” Place the “sheep” around the room. The Shepherd’s job is to bring the sheep safely back to the blanket (the “pen”) one by one—but here’s the twist: there are pretend “dangers” in the way. Family members can take turns being wind, rocks, or wolves that the Shepherd has to get around.
After the game, talk about what was hard or fun. Then read the verse again and talk about how Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and how we can help care for others in our church and home.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank You for being our Good Shepherd. You know us, lead us, feed us with Your Word, and protect us every day. Help us follow You and learn how to care for others like You do. Please bless our pastors and church leaders and give them strength to do their job well. Teach us to love like You. Amen.
Memory Work
New City Catechism
18. Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished?
No, every sin is against the sovereignty, holiness, and goodness of God, and against his righteous law, and God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them in his just judgment both in this life, and in the life to come.
Memory Verse
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Have you ever seen a shepherd taking care of sheep? Maybe not in real life, but think about what it would be like. The shepherd leads the sheep to food, watches out for danger, and even knows each one by name. If a sheep runs away or gets hurt, the shepherd doesn’t say, “Oh well.” He goes after it because he loves it.
In the Bible, Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd, and He calls pastors and leaders in the church to be like shepherds too. In Acts 20, the Apostle Paul tells the church leaders in Ephesus how to take care of God’s people—just like shepherds care for sheep.
God wants His leaders to know the people, teach them, lead them, and protect them. But guess what? Every Christian can learn to care for others too. So, let’s read what Paul says and think about how we can follow the Shepherd together.
Acts 20:28, NIV
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Paul tells the church leaders to “keep watch” over God’s people like shepherds?
- What does it mean that God “bought” the church with Jesus’ blood?
- How can we show love and care to people around us like a shepherd does with their sheep?
Activity: “Shepherd for a Day”
What You’ll Need: A blanket, stuffed animals (or paper cutouts), and a Bible.
What To Do:
Choose one person in the family to be the “Shepherd.” Everyone else is a “sheep.” Place the “sheep” around the room. The Shepherd’s job is to bring the sheep safely back to the blanket (the “pen”) one by one—but here’s the twist: there are pretend “dangers” in the way. Family members can take turns being wind, rocks, or wolves that the Shepherd has to get around.
After the game, talk about what was hard or fun. Then read the verse again and talk about how Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and how we can help care for others in our church and home.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank You for being our Good Shepherd. You know us, lead us, feed us with Your Word, and protect us every day. Help us follow You and learn how to care for others like You do. Please bless our pastors and church leaders and give them strength to do their job well. Teach us to love like You. Amen.
Memory Work
New City Catechism
18. Will God allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished?
No, every sin is against the sovereignty, holiness, and goodness of God, and against his righteous law, and God is righteously angry with our sins and will punish them in his just judgment both in this life, and in the life to come.
Memory Verse
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
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