April 26th Good Shepherd

 ) talk time -  what did we do this week

2)   Before EASTER we were learning about Jesus.  We learned that He came as a baby,  He had a family and He went to school and grew up just like we do.  We learned that Jesus came to show us what God is like.  As a grown up Jesus did lots of wonderful things.  He looked after people and was kind.  He made sick people better and even made dead people come alive again.   Today we are going to look at one of the things Jesus said.  He said some very interesting things which are important.

Who knows what this is.  ( Show picture of shepherd) 

Talk about the things a shepherd does.   

1) He looks after the sheep and takes them to wherever there is good grass to eat and where there is water.  he finds them a safe place to sleep at night and keeps watch while they rest

2) He helps the mother sheep when they are giving birth

3) He looks after any sick sheep and helps them to get better

4) If any sheep get lost He goes and finds them

5) He frightens away any predators like dogs or wolves

6) he gets to know each of the sheep and the sheep get to know him really well.

Jesus says He is our shepherd and we are His sheep.  That doesnt mean we eat grass and go Baaaaaa  !  But it does mean that Jesus looks after us just like a shepherd looks after his sheep.  He will always make sure we have food and shelter.  He will help us get better when we are sick and protect us when we are in danger.   The most important thing to know is that Jesus knows each one of us and we can know Him.  We can hear His voice.

What does Jesus's voice sound like?  Most times it is the first thought that comes into our mind when we get still and ask Him to speak to us.  Sometimes its a picture in our head.  Let's stop and listen to Jesus now and see what He wants to say to us.   Listen.   Feedback.

Lets watch a video about Jesus being our good shepherd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qPP0SgxAvw  3.5 min cartoon - nice one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGPQX3vQtU8  Song to watch or listen to while doing craft?

Craft

print out and then use cotton wool balls to make it fluffy.

Game: before the session hide either toy sheep ( if you have any) or cotton wool balls around the room. Tell the children how many sheep are lost and that they are the shepherds who have to find them all.

Use building blocks to build a house or sheep pen to put the ' sheep' in.

If theres time for a snack you could maybe use fruit to make this