3rd Week of Easter, Wednesday

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

"The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord;
I know them and they follow me."

(Gospel Acclamation)

(Read the quote, then each line slowly, with pauses to allow the children (and us!) to reflect on the questions.)

Today we hear again about sheep. 

Whose voice do the sheep listen to? Who do they follow?

Yes, Jesus the Good Shepherd. His sheep know His voice, He knows them, and they follow Him.

How wonderful it must be to be a sheep of the Good Shepherd!

How do you think the sheep of the Good Shepherd feel? 

How would you feel if you were one of the sheep of the Good Shepherd?

Who do you think the sheep of the Good Shepherd are?

Thank you, Jesus, for being such a Good Shepherd.

(Allow any spontaneous prayers, perhaps leading by example. 3-6 year olds relate most naturally to God through prayers of praise and thanksgiving; 6+ will have started thinking about their needs and the needs of those around them in prayers of intercession. Some children may also just want quiet time to speak with God in their hearts.)

(Sing a simple hymn or chant if your children like singing. Or even if they don't ;) This can also be done at the beginning. )

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."