CHILDREN STS LESSON 48 THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Text: John 10:1-42.
In our last study, the Lord Jesus Christ, corrected the religious leaders for their blindness about spiritual things in spite of their claim to know the law. He made them realise that they lacked the knowledge that leads to salvation. They were blind leaders who led the people astray. Jesus made them realise who they were and showed them that He is the Good Shepherd who was ready to sacrifice His life for the salvation of the sheep (sinners). He used the close relationship that exists between a shepherd and the sheep to explain deep and practical truths about Himself and His friends.
A shepherd is one whose duty is to guide, protect and care for the sheep. Jesus in one of His parables tells of a shepherd who had one hundred sheep and one of them was lost. He left the ninety and nine and went in search of the one that was lost. Jesus speaks of the joy of that shepherd when he found the lost sheep. Sinful boys and girls are like the lost sheep who must be recovered and brought back to Jesus, the Saviour and Shepherd of our soul.
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOOD SHEPHERD:
John 10:1-18; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:1-16; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:1-4.
Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and Ruler of His people. All the boys and girls who have repented, turned from their sins and accepted Him as personal Saviour and Lord are His sheep. Jesus is the good Shepherd because of His tender love and care. The distinguishing mark of Christ as the Good Shepherd is His willingness to die for His sheep. He is unique because His death on the cross saves His sheep from perishing. In the book of Hebrews 13:20, Jesus is called the Great Shepherd and in 1 Peter 5:4, He is referred to as Chief Shepherd. This is to show that His work as the Shepherd is greater than those who care for animals. Jesus is always ready to save, deliver, keep and defend His sheep. There is no one like our good Shepherd, through Him we are saved and made worthy for eternal life in heaven. Jesus has made provision for the salvation of all sinners, therefore, if you are not yet a sheep in the fold of Christ, this is the time to come to Him:
(i) Acknowledge your sinful state.
(ii) Repent of all your sins.
(iii) Confess your sins to God – stealing, lying, fighting, gossiping, cheating, stubbornness, disobedience, etc.
(iv) Ask God to forgive you and wash your heart clean with the blood of Jesus.
(v) Pray that Jesus will come into your heart to reign as your Saviour, Lord, Friend and Shepherd.
(vi) Continue to follow Jesus as you daily read your Bible, meditate on its word, pray it in and obey all that it commands.
As you follow the Good Shepherd, He will not allow you to fall into the hands of the hirelings.
2. DANGER OF FOLLOWING FALSE SHEPHERD: John 10:1-10, 12,13; Matthew 7:15-20
The shepherd watches over the sheep, keeps them from danger and leads them to where they can find green grass and water. He also protects and keeps them from all harm. Whenever the sheep go astray, the shepherd seeks after them until he finds and brings them back to the fold. These and many more are the things Jesus does for us as our Good Shepherd.
One who claims to be a shepherd but neglects his duties to the sheep, allowing them to scatter and suffer want is not a true shepherd. Such are those Jesus referred to as thieves, robbers, strangers and hirelings. They are hired servants who do the work of keeping the sheep for personal gain and not because of their love for the sheep.
Friends of Jesus who steadfastly follow and obey His commandments are His sheep. The robbers, strangers and hirelings are the false prophets, teachers and pastors. They are agents of Satan who are out to deceive friends of Jesus. God is not happy with them and warns of the punishment that will come upon them. The counsel of Christ to all His friends is that we must not at any time listen to their teachings nor follow them. Recognise the voice of Jesus as He calls and follow Him. He will lead us in the path of righteousness for His name’s sake.
3. DIVINE BENEFITS FROM OUR GOOD SHEPHERD: John 10:11-18, 25-29,42; Psalm 23:1-6
There are manifold blessings in Christ our Great and Good Shepherd. He serves as both the Gate and Protector of His sheep. He is the Gateway to salvation and offers access to eternal life in heaven. The true and good Shepherd has made available great benefits for the comfort and safety of His sheep. He:
(i) provides for the sheep (Psalm 23:1).14:36
(ii) feeds the sheep with green pastures (Psalm 23:2).
(iii) leads them beside the still waters – peace of mind (Psalm 23:2).
(iv) restores the soul of the sheep (Psalm 23:3).
(v) leads the sheep in the path of righteousness (Psalm 23:3).
(vi) protects and comforts the sheep (Psalm 23:4).
(vii) promotes the sheep in the presence of enemies (Psalm 23:5).
(viii) avails the sheep with the Spirit of God (Psalm 23:5).
(ix) prepares super-abundant blessings for the sheep (Psalm 23:6).
(x) preserves the sheep in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).
All these provisions through our Good Shepherd should encourage us to abide in Him, seek to hear His voice, be watchful and run away from false shepherds, be involved in the work of helping to bring other sheep outside the fold back to the Saviour and be Christlike as we show care and concern for other sheep.
QUESTIONS:
1. What is the work of a shepherd?
2. Who is our Good Shepherd?
3. Who are those referred to as false shepherds?
4. Mention five blessings from the Good Shepherd to His sheep.
5. What should a sinner do to become a sheep in the sheepfold of Christ?
MEMORY VERSE: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
LESSON:
Jesus, the Good Shepherd loves and cares for all His sheep.
THOUGHT: I will follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
ACTIVITY: Draw a picture of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, with you as His sheep by His side.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 68 – SAVIOUR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US
CHORUSES:
(1) Jesus loves me, He died for me
(2) Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus
(3) I will dig a little deeper.
HOMEWORK: Search the Scriptures and write out two passages that show how God cares for His people as the Good Shepherd.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
1. Shepherd
2. Hirelings
3. Divine
4. Restores
5. Commandment
