Kid's Corner - Parents Guide - The Three Shepherds

The Three Shepherds

Dear Mom and Dad,

We applaud you for following Proverbs 22:6 by helping your child understand the Bible. Below, you will find some Teaching Tools to guide you in showing your child the truths of God’s Word and in helping your child apply them in his life.

Ages 3 to 6
Even if your children are older than six, we encourage you to lead them through this material before moving on to the content for their age group.

Ages 7 to 10

What we will learn
• The best gift you have been given is Jesus Christ.
• You do not need to be afraid of God.
• God loves you very much.

LEARN ABOUT THE SHEPHERDS

In this section, help your child understand why the three shepherds (or men who take care of sheep) are so important in the plan of God. The story of the three shepherds shows that God gave His Son Jesus as a gift to everyone, because He loves everyone.

Teaching Tool #1:
When your child wonders why the shepherds were working at night, explain that . . . they watched their sheep very carefully. They loved them so much that they wanted to protect them from getting lost or hurt. Ask your child if he has a special toy or blanket that he loves so much he protects and holds it close. If the toy or blanket is within reach, ask your child to get it. Compare your child’s toy or blanket to the sheep that the shepherds cared for.

Teaching Tool #2:
Take this opportunity to teach your child that God loves him very much. God always wants to protect (keeps safe from harm or danger) those He loves. Because God loves him so much, He let His Son Jesus leave heaven for a while to be born as a baby on earth. Jesus grew up and died on the cross so that your child could be protected (or saved) from the bad things he did and said (sin). Jesus is a very special gift that God has given to every person on earth.

Your child may be too young to comprehend the deeper significance of Jesus’ birth. That’s okay. Let him know that Jesus’ birthday is special, because Jesus protects those He loves.

Teaching Tool #3:
When your child wonders why the three shepherds were afraid of the angel God sent, explain that . . . the shepherd had probably never seen an angel before. Ask your child if he has ever been afraid of something because he did not know what it was. You can either use the example your child gives, or you can use this example: Sometimes babies are afraid of dogs because they have never seen them before. They do not know if dogs will hurt them or not. In the same way, the shepherds did not know if the angel would hurt them or not.

Teaching Tool #4:
Use this opportunity to talk to your child about God. Even though he cannot see God (like the shepherds could see the angel), he does not need to be afraid of Him. Reinforce to your child that God loves him and wants to be his friend. If your child is ready, lead him through the plan of salvation called "How to Be God’s Friend."

Learning Concepts and Unfamiliar Words

Not only has your child learned a fundamental truth about God’s character (that God loves everyone on earth), but he has also learned the meanings of the following words: shepherds and protect.

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Parents' Guide

Dear Mom and Dad,

If you have children that are older (ages 7 to 10) and may enjoy learning more about the three shepherds, help them understand the following questions. You may want to help your child write his answers in a journal.

What we will learn
• The best gift you have been given is Jesus Christ.
• You do not need to be afraid of God.
• God loves you very much.

HOW TO APPLY WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SHEPHERDS

The shepherds were taking care of the sheep they had been given. God gives your parents, relatives, and friends money to buy you things, or skills to make you things. It is very important to take care of everything you are given.

Journal: What are some toys, clothes, or books you have been given? Write them here. How do you take care of them? Do you clean them, keep them in a safe place, and play gently with them? Write down how you take care of what you have been given.

If you have trouble taking care of what you have been given, write a prayer to God. Ask Him to help you take care of what you have.

Journal: Have you ever colored a picture, made something, or saved money to buy a gift to give to someone? Write about it here.

Journal: Have there been times when you have done the right thing, something you knew God wanted you to do, even though your friends thought it was dumb? Write it down. Now, thank God for helping you obey Him.

Journal: The shepherds, Mary, Joseph, and all the people heard that Jesus was a gift from God. Did you know that Jesus is a gift to you too? God loves you so much that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, so that He can be your friend. Did you know that Jesus is a gift you need to decide you want, and accept?

Journal: Do you talk to God all through the day? Write down things you can talk to him about silently when you’re at school, when you’re playing with friends, or when you’re at home. Do you have a test this week that you need help studying for? Ask God. Has God helped you be nice to someone at school even though that person was mean to you? Thank Him. You can pray to God all through the day.

Journal: Have you ever accepted God’s gift of Jesus? In other words, have you ever asked Jesus to forgive you and come into your heart? If so, how old were you when you accepted Jesus, and who taught you to pray?

If you have not accepted Jesus, He wants you to. Learn how by reading through "How to Be God’s Friend." It is helpful to have a grown-up with you while you read it.

Journal: The shepherds were afraid of the angel. What are you afraid of? Write about it here. The shepherds did not stay afraid, because they trusted God. Now, pray and ask God to help you trust Him and not be afraid.

The following verses from the Bible are good to know when you get scared. Print these, or copy them into your journal, and try to remember them.

Everyone gets scared sometimes, but God doesn’t want you to let your fear control what you do or think:

"They were terrified (or very afraid), but [Jesus] called out to them and told them not to be afraid" (John 6:19-20 tlb, emphasis added).

When we forget that God is with us, we get scared. But all we have to do is remember that God is protects and helps us do what He asks:

"No one will be able to oppose you as long as you live, for I will be with you just as I was with Moses; I will not abandon (or leave) you or fail to help you" (Joshua 1:5 tlb, emphasis added).

Journal: The shepherds went to find Jesus lying in a manger–just like God’s angel told them. The shepherds knew they could trust God to do what He said. Do you trust God to do what He says He will do in the Bible? Write a prayer asking God to help you believe Him, and He will help you.

Journal: When the shepherds understood that Jesus was a wonderful gift, they thanked God. Use this time to write a list of things you want to thank God for. Learning to thank God every day is one of the best things you can learn to do.

Journal: Have you ever thanked God for something that did not seem good? Write about it here.

The Bible says, "No matter what happens, always be thankful" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 tlb). You can thank God even when bad things happen, because God will use bad things to bring about something good in your life or in the life of someone else.

You can always thank God for the gift of Jesus. He is the best gift you will ever get!

Lessons from the three shepherds' life:

God will reassure us (or remind us that He is good) if we turn to Him when we’re afraid.
God wants us to take care of what He gives us.
God wants us to accept the gift of His Son Jesus.
God can be trusted to do what He says.
God wants us to be thankful.

Memory Verse: "The Savior . . . has been born tonight in Bethlehem!" (Luke 2:11 tlb)

Remember Rhyme

Three shepherds in a field,

Were taking care of sheep.

Even though it was night,

The shepherds did not sleep.

Then an angel appeared

With something good to say

He told them, "Do not fear,"

"The Savior is born today!"

The shepherds went to see

Baby Jesus right away

They found Him sleeping

In the manger where He lay.

Jesus’ mother Mary

Heard the shepherds say,

"Jesus is the Savior

Who is born today."

The shepherds thanked God

For all that He had done

In giving them the gift

Of His one and only Son.

Learning Concepts and Unfamiliar Words

Not only has your child learned a fundamental truth about God’s character (that God is trustworthy and generous), but he has also learned the importance of relying on God’s Word. Your child has also had a chance to learn the meanings of terrified, abandon and reassure, and apply biblical truths to his life while remembering the story of the three shepherds through Scripture and song.

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