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Forgiveness > Hands-on options > All we like sheep

All we like sheep

Getting into nature

Observe some sheep, and try to find the most perfect one.

Discussion point: Jesus was called the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

Find some sheep in a farmer’s field, at the zoo or at an agricultural fair and spend some time observing them.

Questions for discussion

Encourage dialogue on Jesus’ role as a sacrificial lamb by asking these questions:

  • What colour is the sheep or lamb’s wool?
  • Does it look clean?
  • Which do you think is the most perfectly formed sheep?

Explain that in Jesus’ day, the people would out pick the best lamb to give to God. They would kill it and offer if to God as a sacrifice. Because they offered the required sacrifice, God would forgive them for the bad things they had done.

When Jesus came, He was called the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Like the lamb, He was sacrificed so that God would forgive us for all the wrong that we have done and will do. Because Jesus chose to be the lamb who died on the cross, we don’t have to sacrifice lambs as the Israelites did.

Relevant Scripture

John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ ”

More questions for discussion

Use this series of questions to help your children understand the concept of Jesus as our shepherd:

  • Who takes care of the sheep?
  • When the sheep wander away, who brings them back?
  • What keeps the sheep from wandering off?

During your discussion, share these key points with your children:

In the Bible, people are often referred to as sheep because we often wander away from God and His truths. We want to do things our own way. Jesus is the shepherd who can bring us back to God. We need to believe and accept that Jesus died on the cross to forgive us for the bad things that we have done.

If we believe in Jesus, then Jesus will bring us back to God. God will be pleased with us again because of what Jesus has done for our sake. So Jesus is like a shepherd – our shepherd! The fence that God has given us to remind us not to wander away from God’s plan for our lives is the Bible (Psalm 119:9-11).

Relevant Scripture

Psalm 119:9-11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word. I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

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