Family Worship (Jan 11)

Have you ever seen a group of kids walking on a field trip with a teacher? Some kids stay close, but others get distracted. One wanders to look at a bug. Another heads a different direction because it looks more fun. Before long, the group can end up scattered. The problem isn’t that the kids are weak—it’s that they choose their own way.

The Bible says people are like that. God compares us to sheep. Sheep need a shepherd, but they also tend to wander off. The Bible tells us that we don’t just get lost by accident—we often choose our own way instead of God’s way. That’s called sin.

The good news is that God did not leave us wandering. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He came to rescue lost sheep by giving his life for them. Jesus also gives the church leaders who help teach the Bible and guide God’s people. They don’t replace Jesus. They help us listen to his voice in Scripture and follow him together.

Acts 20:28 (NIV)
“Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

Discussion Questions

• Why does the Bible compare people to sheep? In what ways do sheep wander or get into trouble?
• What does it mean that Jesus “bought” the church with his own blood? What does that tell us about his love?
• How can our family listen to Jesus’s voice by reading and hearing the Bible this week?

Activity: Listening to the Shepherd’s Voice
Have everyone pair up. One person is the shepherd, and the other is the sheep. Set up a simple obstacle course using chairs, pillows, or other household items, or hide a common object (like a large spoon) somewhere in the room. The sheep closes their eyes (or looks down), and the shepherd must guide them using only their voice—no touching, pointing, or hand signals.

The shepherd gives clear directions like: “Take two steps forward.” “Turn left.” “Stop.”

After everyone finishes, switch roles.

When you’re done, talk together about what it was like:
Was it hard to listen?
Was it easy to get distracted?
Did the shepherd have to speak clearly?

Explain that God knows we wander, and that’s why he gives us his Word. Jesus leads us by speaking clearly through the Bible, and he gives pastors and elders to help guide us with God’s Word. We stay safe when we listen carefully to the Shepherd’s voice.

Prayer
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we confess that we often wander and choose our own way. Thank you for loving us and giving your life to save us. Help our family listen to your voice in the Bible, trust your care, and follow you together. Guide us this week and keep us close to you. Amen.

Memory Work

New City Catechism
2. What is God?
God is the creator of everyone and everything.

Memory Verse
Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
"So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”