Scripture Time

The Good Shepherd

By Erin Sanderson

Learn about the New Testament together this year!

One day Jesus told a story (or parable) about a shepherd who loved his sheep so much that he would even give his life to protect them. We are like the sheep in that story. And the shepherd is like our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is sometimes called the Good Shepherd.

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suffer—let or allow

forbid them not—don’t stop them

Jesus showed His love when some parents brought their children to see Him. He said, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16). Then He held them in His arms and blessed them.

Close your eyes and imagine the Savior holding you in His arms and giving you a blessing. You can feel His love when you learn or think about Him. The Holy Ghost helps you feel the love of the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Family Talk

Read John 10:1–5, 11–16. Then make a list of ways Jesus is like a shepherd and tell about times when you have felt the Savior’s love.

Song: “I Think When I Read That Sweet Story” (Children’s Songbook, 56)

Scriptures: Luke 18:15–17

Videos: “Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me” and “Jesus Teaches that We Must Become as Little Children” (Biblevideos.org)

Our Good Shepherd

Remove this picture. Fold it like a fan along the white lines. Then open it up and look at it from the right and from the left. Who is our Good Shepherd? What does His love feel like to you?

Scripture Tip

Look up “Harmony of the Gospels” in the Bible Dictionary for a chart that shows which books tell about each event or teaching. Only the book of John tells about the Good Shepherd. Three books—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—tell about Jesus blessing the children.

Watch or read more scripture stories at children.lds.org.