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3/5/09 EASTER 4
Theme: A good shepherd
Bible Reading
John 10.11-18
Preparation:
Have available pictures of sheep in a Biblical setting. Arrange to have two readers for the story, one for Baabaara and one for Rameses.
Introduction:
There are a great many stories in the Bible about sheep and shepherds. The reason being that sheep were very important to people who lived in Bible times. Sheep were kept for their wool, for their meat and for their milk. Jesus told his stories in the open air and people could actually see sheep around them on the hills. (Develop the importance of sheep in Palestine and the care a good shepherd would give.) The story that follows is a conversation between two sheep - one called Baabaara and one called Rameses.
The Message
B: |
Those lambs were making a lot of noise last night - I couldn't get a wink of sleep. I think my wool is going grey! |
R: |
You're right Baabaara some lambs today have no thought about us older sheep. But I heard a bleat that something dreadful happened in the night. I think that's what disturbed the lambs. |
B: |
So what was it? Do tell me. |
R: |
Well, you know Baabie… |
B: |
Yes, of course I do. Everyone knows Baabie. She's always getting into trouble. |
R: |
Well, she won't anymore. I'm afraid something very nasty happened last night - something quite baabaaric! |
B: |
Not; surely not, the wolf? I heard those dreadful howls again yesterday. They sounded very close. |
R: |
Yes, I'm afraid you're right. As soon as Benjamin saw the wolf coming he ran off down the mountain. Benjamin will never make a shepherd. The minute he saw danger he ran off. |
B: |
That's awful! So with a wolf howling close by the whole flock were left alone without a shepherd. And poor Baabie she ended up… |
R: |
…as wolf Baabie-Q! That's what happens when we don't have a good shepherd. But there is some good ewes, 'er news. I hear that Joshua is coming back to be our shepherd again. |
B: |
Joshua, now he's the best shepherd we sheep have ever had. Joshua would do anything for us. He knows our names. He knows where the best grass grows. He knows where to find the sweetest water. |
R: |
Do you remember how he saved us from that lion? He was amazingly brave. He fought it even though he was hurt. He never gave up and none of us sheep were killed. |
B: |
What a difference a good shepherd makes. We feel safe and we feel loved. I think Joshua would even die to save us if he had to. |
R: |
Humans, I've heard, have their own Good Shepherd - his name is Jesus. |
Jesus is called the Good Shepherd because he looks after his people and loves them in exactly the same way as Joshua the shepherd looked after his sheep in the story, even although that meant giving his life for them on the cross. Christians know they are safe for ever with Jesus the Shepherd.
Prayer
Loving God,
Thank you for sending Jesus to be our Good Shepherd. Thank you that he loved us so much that he gave his life for us. Help us to follow him. Amen