In this special “1, 2, 3 STORY TIME” series for children and parents, we tell stories from the Bible and focus upon important questions that each and everyone of us may ask.
For example: What is God like?
Can we know him? Can I talk to him? Does heaven exist? Who is Jesus?
Today, our theme is: Who is God? … What does He represent for you? …
Perhaps you do not know the answer because it is difficult to describe God in a few words. To help us find out, we are going to spend a day with a shepherd named David.
This show has its own podcast in French.
Catégories
- English (82)
- Español (82)
- Français (82)
- Livres (5)
- Podcast en Français (80)
- Tables des matières (3)
- Русский (1)
- اردو (1)
Full text of this story :
IS GOD LIKE A SHEPHERD?
Early in the morning, David prepares all the bare essentials he needs to go about his day-to-day work as a shepherd… his game bag, bread, cheese, his drinking flask and his harp. He puts on his sandals, takes his shepherd’s staff and he is ready to go! The sheep are already waiting for him and on all sides you can hear them bleating!
-Spot, Capricious, Stubborn, Happy, Timid, Snowy, are all good to go! These are his father’s flock, but he knows them all by name.
-Come on here, Lamb chop, you are still too small, but you will have a great time once we arrive!
David walks ahead of the flock. He knows the best pastures out there on the green hills. He will stay with his animals, day and night. There are always wolves and wild dogs that roam around the herds at night.
Sometimes the howl of a hyena can be heard and the sheep are afraid.
-Calm down, don’t panic! I’m here, you can all sleep peacefully!
While the flock grazes peacefully, he takes up his harp and sings the songs that he composed. Even though no-one can hear him he sings to God. He thanks Him for the beauty of nature, for His protection, and for His help. He tells Him how much he loves him, how much he trusts in Him.
He is always looking out for his flock. Over there a few sheep are wandering off.
Just where are those silly sheep going? They keep on walking with their heads bowed, not seeing beyond the tip of their nose. If they continue, they will be lost and will not be able to find their way back.
-Clever, Black foot! But… are they stubborn or deaf?
David picks up a little soil with his staff, and throws it on their backs. Amazing… all of a sudden! They come scampering back. Danger… they haven’t a clue what that is! How could they defend themselves against a lion or a bear? Several times David had to fight to pull them out of their jaws.
– Come on, come on, now the sun is too hot, let’s go under the trees near the stream, you can drink quietly and rest! Come on, follow me!
The whole herd sets off again. A plaintive bleating reaches David’s ears. Is it a call for help? -But, that‘s Fearless over there, right on the cliff edge! What is she doing here? In the middle of this thorn bush, the rocks are slippery. What a stupid idea!
Leaning on his staff, David walks cautiously; he gently takes the sheep and places her on his shoulders.
-Stubborn intrepid! he said whilst stroking her. Why on earth did you go there, instead of following me?
The sun has set, everything is calm, and you can only hear the voice of David who is standing at the entrance to the enclosure.
– 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… 65 … 70…
Each sheep enters one by one and David counts. If one is missing, what will he do? He will take care of the wounded, the sick, the little ones, the weak, for each sheep is very important to him.
So, now, you have just seen a typical day in the life of David the Shepherd.
You may ask yourself why?
Well, simply because in one of his songs David said: “The Lord is my Shepherd, and I am his sheep.” Do you know this Psalm 23?
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
1, 2 3, 4 AND YOU AND ME!
In this psalm, David compares himself to a sheep who has God as a shepherd. And you, do you have a shepherd to protect you, guide you, love you, encourage you?
In each of our programs, we will tell you about this Shepherd, this great God and you will come to know Him more and more.
4, 3, 2, 1 AND WE PARENTS!
Like David we too are like sheep with our weaknesses but we can choose the Great Shepherd to guide us in our lives.
As parents, we are also shepherds, the shepherds of our children. We have a responsibility to watch out for them, take care of them, protect them, guide them and accompany them.
By sowing the Word of God in their hearts, we enable them to discover God, who wants to be the good shepherd of our lives, of their life. In order for them to make this choice, they need to know Him personally. Our objective in making these programs 1, 2, 3 STORY TIME is precisely to provide you with an additional tool to help your children discover this great God who loves them.