15/5/11 Easter 4

Theme: All about Doors

Bible Reading

John chapter 10 verses 1-10

Preparation

Read the passage carefully so that you are familiar with the story and its message. Make three very simple paper 'doors'(a large sheet of folded paper would do); two that open and simply reveal a blank sheet of paper and a third that has a hole to reveal the face of the child holding it. Prime a member of staff beforehand to make sure a door into the room where the worship is taking place is left open.

Introduction

Ask a pupil to close the open door and then ask them why it is a good idea to shut a door (eg people can't get out , people who are not wanted can't get in, safety,warmth, comfort etc)

The Message

Outline the background to Jesus' teaching by explaining that in Jesus' time, sheep were kept in enclosures that had no doors and that the shepherd himself lay across the entrance to the sheepfold to keep the sheep in and any predators out. This could be dramatically presented by several children joining hands to be the walls of the sheepfold and some others to act as the sheep and one as the shepherd.

Ask the children what the shepherd was acting as (the door) and how this showed he cared for his sheep. Explain that Jesus taught that he is like the door of the sheepfold and we are like his sheep; that is, he cares for us and looks after us.

But also, doors can open. Ask three pupils to hold the paper doors and choose three pupils to open them in turn. (Make sure that you end with the right one!) Point out that only one door leads to the place that they should be. Jesus taught that he is the door because he leads us to the place where we should all be; that is, with God.

Prayer

Perhaps begin with some quiet reflection about the times when we have been like a closed door to those who have needed our time, our care and our friendship.

Good Shepherd, thank you for caring for us.
Help us to follow you and be open to all that is good and loving
and closed to all that is unkind and selfish. Amen.

Taking the theme further this week you could:

• think of other stories of caring people e.g. Ruth and her support of Naomi; Moses being saved as a baby by his family Exodus 1.8 -2.10; prayer and God caring for you Mtt 7.7-12; parable of the lost sheep Lk 15.3-7