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Imagine reading a scripture passage to children as young as three, then posing thoughtful questions about the passage. Could three-year olds be expected to respond with answers which reflect depth, demonstrating that God's spiritual riches are available even to the very, very young child? Could three-year olds really be expected to catch the essence of what is being said and apply it to their own lives? From our experience, we can joyfully proclaim the answer is a resounding "Yes"! Using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd method of Christian formation for the three to twelve year old children, The Shepherd's Call is an organization committed to helping children to engage with The Good Shepherd and scripture, and provides the context for many such meaningful interactions.
We take joy in sharing with you an example. One core lesson introduces the child to the beautful hand made materials of the sheep, shepherd, sheepfold as in the picture below, followed by reading Luke 15:4-6 from the Bible with the child: |
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What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!"
Luke 15:4-6 (NASB) |
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With our three to six year old children, we follow the presentation of materials and scripture passage with searching questions like these:
I wonder why the Good Shepherd searches so long for his lost sheep?
Who are these sheep? Why does he leave the 99 to search until he finds his one lost sheep? What is so special about the lost sheep?1
Responses from children with whom we've shared this presentation:
- Mac, age 5, "Jesus misses His sheep when they are away from Him. He loves them."
- Ally, age 3, hugs the Good Shepherd figure tightly to her chest as she prays.
- Rachel, age 7, "These sheep are all of the people of the world. That's why there are 100 of them and he leaves to look for the one that is lost."
- Shelby, age 4, lines the sheep up, counts them, and says, "If they were all lost, he would look for all of them."
Being a tool in the Holy Spirit's hands as He engages children with His Word is exciting and deeply satisfying. Furthermore, the adult sits alongside the children as a recipient of the ministering work of the Holy Spirit. Would you like your children’s program to be as fulfilling for the adults as the children?
How does your children’s ministry curriculum compare? Test it HERE.
Want to know more about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? CLICK HERE
Want to know more about The Shepherd's Call? CLICK HERE
Keep exploring our website and contact us at info@theshepherdscall.net.
1The Religious Potential of the Child by Sofia Cavalletti
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I
took a little child’s hand in mine. We were to walk together for
awhile. I was to lead him to the Father. It was a task that
overcame me, so awful was the responsibility. And so I talked to the
child only of the Father. |
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I
pointed to the sternness of His face were the child to displease
Him. I spoke of the child’s goodness as something that would
appease the Father’s wrath. We walked under the tall trees.
I said the Father had the power to bring them crashing down with
His thunderbolts. We walked in the sunshine. I told him of
the greatness of the Father who made the burning, blazing sun.
And one twilight we met the Father. The child hid behind
me. He was afraid. He would not take the Father’s hand.
I was between the child and the Father. I wondered.
I had been so conscientious, so serious.
I
took a little child’s hand in mine. I was to lead him to the
Father. I felt burdened with a multiplicity of things I had to
teach him. We did not ramble. We hastened from spot to
spot. At one moment we compared the leaves of different
trees. The next moment we were examining a bird’s nest. While the
child questioned me about it, I hurried him away to chase a
butterfly. Did he chance to fall asleep, I wakened him, lest he
miss something I wished him to see. We spoke of the Father.
Oh, yes, often and rapidly, I poured into his little ear all the
stories I thought he ought to know. But we were often interrupted
by the wind blowing, of which we must trace its source. And then
in the twilight we met the Father. The child merely glanced at Him and
then his gaze wandered in a dozen directions. The Father stretched out
His hand. The child was not interested enough to take it. Feverish
spots burned in his cheeks. He dropped exhausted to the ground
and fell asleep. Again I was between the child and the
Father. I wondered. I had taught him so many things. I
took a little child’s hand to lead him to the Father. My heart
full of gratitude for the privilege. We walked slowly. I suited
my steps to the short ones of the child. We spoke of many things
the child noticed. Sometimes we picked the Father’s flowers and
stroked their soft petals and loved their bright colors.
Sometimes we watched one of the Father’s birds. We watched it
build its nest and lay its eggs. We wondered, elated a the care
it gave its young. Often we told stories of the Father. I
told them to the child and the child told them again to me. We
told them, the child and I over and over again. Sometimes we
stopped to rest, leaning against one of the Father’s trees and letting
His cool breeze cool our brows, never speaking. And then in the
twilight we met the Father. The child’s eyes shone. He
looked lovingly, trustingly into the Father’s face. He put his
hand into the Father’s hand. I was for the moment
forgotten. I was content.
Journals of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd 1984-1997, page 16 |
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