February: Little Lambs
Look It Up
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for 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?and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John:10:11-15).
Get Ready
Collect one large cotton ball for each family member. Write each person?s first initial on their cotton ball "lamb" with a marker. You?ll also need a picture of a shepherd. Use any picture of Jesus, a shepherd from your Nativity set or have your children draw a shepherd and cut out the picture.
Talk It Over
Week 1: The Sheep
Place each cotton ball lamb in front of its family member. Place the picture of the shepherd in the middle of your group. Talk together about what it means to you that the Good Shepherd knows you by name. As you talk, have each person put his or her lamb next to the shepherd. End your time by thanking God for loving each of you so much.
Week 2: The Shepherd
Place the shepherd and sheep together in the center of your group. Describe any "wolves" that came after you this week?temptations at school or work, family conflicts. Were there times where you felt afraid? What does it mean to you that the shepherd "lays down his life for the sheep?" As each person talks, have one parent move the shepherd next to that person?s lamb. End your time by asking Jesus to show you his protection in new ways.
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