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"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).

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.

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.

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.

Place the shepherd and the sheep together in the middle of your group. Ask everyone to talk about a time when they trusted someone who turned out not to be trustworthy. As each person talks, have him or her move his or her lamb away from the shepherd. Then, have another family member softly call that person by name as you move the shepherd to that sheep and bring it back to the fold. End your time by thanking God for always seeking you out and bringing you back to him.

Place the shepherd and sheep where they were for Week 2. What do you think God knows about you? Are there things you don’t want God to know about you? Ask each person to close his or her eyes as he or she silently gives those things to God. While everyone’s eyes are closed, have one parent take the shepherd figure and put it next to each person’s sheep, saying, "I am the good shepherd; and I know you (name), and (name), you know me." When you’re finished, thank God for knowing you and loving you so deeply.

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