This post contains teaching ideas, quotes, and other resources for the CFM reading for April 24-30, 2023.
Out of all the titles Christ is given in the scriptures, "The Good Shepherd" is one of my favorites. It's a name that invokes the thought of a gentle, yet humble leader who leads His followers with love and watchfulness.
See here for the catalog of other Come, Follow Me posts.
PRINTABLE ACTIVITY PAGE: {Christ is the Good Shepherd coloring page, scripture activity from the CFM manual}
These printable activity sheets are designed to be easy to hand out with the sacrament programs. They're also perfect as an attention getter in a Primary, Seminary, or Sunday School class and they also make for great conversation starters about different topics found in this week's CFM reading. If you use them, leave me a comment and let me know how it goes. :)
OBJECT LESSON:
Hold up a picture of a pet (or if you have a pet, just show the real thing). Have your group discuss the effort it takes to take care of a pet. They'll have to feed it, make sure it gets exercise, makes sure it doesn't get lost, etc. Now ask what they would do if their beloved pet ran out into the street. Of course, they would go after it and bring him safely home. Would they be angry? Frustrated, maybe. Worried, yes. But, not angry.
Now relate taking care of a pet to a shepherd taking care of its sheep. The sheep need to go where there is food and water available. They need to be watched over to make sure they don't wander off. They need to to all be gathered safely back in at the end of the day. Etcetera.
Now talk about Christ is our Good Shepherd. Discuss what that means. He wants us all to be spiritually safe. He doesn't judge us for messing up or getting ourselves into dangerous situations. He might be worried and even a little frustrated, but not angry. And never ever not welcoming. He is always there with open, welcoming arms to bring us back to safety.
QUOTES ABOUT CHRIST AS THE GOOD SHEPHERD:
"Our Good Shepherd is unchanging and feels the same way today about sin and sinners as He did when He walked the earth. He does not recoil from us because we sin, even if He on occasion must think, “But what a sheep!” He loves us so much that He provided the way for us to repent and become clean so we can return to Him and our Heavenly Father.32 In doing so, Jesus Christ also set the example for us to follow—to show respect to all and hatred toward none. As His disciples, let us fully mirror His love and love one another so openly and completely that no one feels abandoned, alone, or hopeless. I testify that Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd, who loves and cares for us. He knows us and laid down His life for His sheep.33 He also lives for us and wants us to know Him and exercise faith in Him. I love and adore Him, and I am profoundly grateful for Him..."
"As our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ calls us in His voice and His name. He seeks and gathers us. He teaches us how to minister in love. Let us consider these three themes, beginning with Him calling us in His voice and His name. First, our Good Shepherd “calleth his own sheep by name. … They know his voice.”6 And “in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ.”7 As we seek with real intent to follow Jesus Christ, inspiration comes to do good, to love God, and to serve Him.8 As we study, ponder, and pray; as we regularly renew sacramental and temple covenants; and as we invite all to come to His gospel and ordinances, we are hearkening to His voice."
Gerrit Gong, "Good Shepherd, Lamb of God," April 2019 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/05/53gong?lang=eng
VIDEOS:
The Good Shepherd and Other Sheep I Have: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2011-10-0059-the-good-shepherd-and-other-sheep-i-have?lang=eng
Good Shepherd Children's Story (this isn't a church video, but it's a sweet (very appropriate) video made by a family that owns sheep)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvi5N_y-910
Enjoy learning the gospel together!
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