The Good Shepherd and His Sheep
1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own 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. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
The Good Shepherd for Kids:
How Jesus Loves and Leads Us

🌟 Memory Verse to Remember:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
— John 10:11 (NIV)
📖 What Jesus Teaches Us About the Good Shepherd:
Jesus once shared a special story to help us understand how much He loves and cares for us.
He compared Himself to a Good Shepherd — and He called us His sheep!
Here’s what He told us:
🐑 The sheep listen to their shepherd’s voice and follow him.
Just like real sheep know their shepherd’s voice, we can learn to hear and follow Jesus!🚪 Jesus said He is the Gate — the safe door where the sheep go in and out.
When we believe in Jesus, we are safe and protected forever.💔 The thief (the enemy) tries to steal and hurt,
but Jesus came to give us life full of joy, love, and hope!🛡️ The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.
Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life for us on the cross — so we could be saved, forgiven, and part of God’s forever family.💬 The sheep know the Good Shepherd’s voice.
When we stay close to Jesus, we learn to recognize His voice through the Bible, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.
✨ What It Means for Us:
Jesus knows each of us by name — you are not just a face in a crowd!
Jesus leads us — He doesn’t push or scare us. He calls us lovingly and goes ahead to show the way.
Jesus protects us — even when things feel scary, we can trust Him.
Jesus gave His life so we could be safe, loved, and free forever. 🐑💛
🙏 Tiny Closing Prayer for Kids:
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being my Good Shepherd.
Thank You for knowing me, loving me, and keeping me safe.
Help me to listen to Your voice and follow You every day.
I love You so much!
Amen. 🐑

