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Identity

The Good Shepherd

Week: Who is Jesus?

  • P.R.A.Y
  • Pause
  • Rejoice
  • Reflect
  • Ask
  • Yes
Unathi Eli
With Unathi and Eli
Welcome to Lectio for Families. This week we are continuing our ‘Identity’ series by reflecting on the different names of Jesus in the Bible, and on what they tell us about who Jesus is.

Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.


Pause

We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:

In and out.

In and out.

We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.

Pause

Prayer of Welcome

Lord Jesus, thank you for the many ways you make yourself known. Our minds are open to learning more about You, and our hearts are open to knowing You better. We’re ready for You to speak to us.


Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.


Reflect

Bible Reading

In today’s Bible passage, we are REFLECTING on one of the most famous ways that Jesus described Himself.

Read by Eli
John 10:11-15
[Jesus said] ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. When the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. The man runs away because he is only a paid worker and does not really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep.’
John 10:11-15 (NCV)

This part of the Bible – the New Testament – would have been written and read in two languages, Greek and Aramaic. The Greek word for good is ‘kalos’, which means excellent. But the Aramaic word for good is ‘tawa’, which describes a relationship that is harmonious and connected. So when Jesus says, ‘I am the good shepherd’, it isn’t just because his behaviour is excellent, but because He has a connection with every person. He knows us, and we can know Him.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we could have any animal (other than a sheep!) as a pet, what would it be, and why?

  • PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus said that the ‘good shepherd gives his life for the sheep’.

Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us remember that You loved and cared for us so much that You gave Your life for us.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

In Lectio for Families, we often pray for our friends who don’t yet know Jesus. Let’s do it again today.

Lord Jesus, as we quietly whisper the names of a few friends who don’t yet know You, we ASK that they would realise how much You love and care for them.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.

John 10:11-15
[Jesus said] ‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. When the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. The man runs away because he is only a paid worker and does not really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep.’
John 10:11-15 (NCV)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Lord Jesus, You are the good shepherd. Thank You for giving Your life for us. We give our lives to you too, whether it’s the first time we’ve done this, or the 101st time. YES, Jesus, You are our good shepherd and we trust You with everything.

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.

Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.

Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.

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Your Memory Verse

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Unathi

Unathi

Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.

Eli

Eli

Eli is 11 and lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.

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