Who are "shepherds" in our world today?
An idea for costuming, a skit, making a collage.
Today's shepherds come in many uniforms, shapes, and sizes. Not all of them are involved in sharing the Gospel, but many are doing God's protecting/healing/nurturing work (whether they realize it's God's work or not!).
Synonyms for shepherd include: Protect, guide, heal, show, teach, oversee, steer, lead, usher, keep safe, caretaker, instruct, mentor, nurture.
Some possible connections and discussion starters...
- Who else could be in this picture of shepherds today? How about children protecting/guiding a fellow student? How about children welcoming and sharing the good news in Sunday School?
- How do children "shepherd" each other? (What would that look and sound like?)
- Who shepherds, steers, protects, instructs for YOU? How do you honor them and act like them?
- "First Responders" are people who are prepared to help others. How are you prepared to help others in need? Are you ready to jump in when you see a need at school or do you stand back?
- When a new kid arrives in your class or Sunday School, how to you respond to them, shepherd them? ("Hospitality" is a biblical value, including being hospitable to strangers and those in need).
- Who first responded to you -- by telling YOU the Good News?
- How are you a "responder" to people in need of help and in need of hearing the Good News?
For a Drama Workshop, you could use costumes and take photos of "shepherds today" at the manger, or shepherds guiding friends/children, responding to a person in need. Standing up to a bully, etc.
In a Game Workshop, you could have the kids act out or draw a type of "shepherd today" in pantomime or pictionary-like game and have the other kids guess.
