Day 29—Monday, March 23

Brave Like a Shepherd by the God Alive 4th and 5th Graders

1 Samuel 17:34-36 - International Children’s Bible

But David said to Saul, “I, your servant, have been keeping my father’s sheep. When a lion or bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I would chase it. I would attack it and save the sheep from its mouth. When it attacked me, I caught it by its fur. I, your servant, have killed both a lion and a bear! Goliath, the giant Philistine will be like the lion or bear I killed, because he has stood against the armies of the living God.

 

David wasn’t famous yet. He wasn’t a warrior. He was just a shepherd boy taking care of sheep.

But David told King Saul something important. When a lion or a bear tried to take one of his sheep, he didn’t run away. He chased the animal. He fought for the sheep. He rescued them.

Why?

Because, as some wise 4th and 5th graders said: “David protected the sheep because he loves like God loves, and the sheep need him.”

The sheep were vulnerable. They were dependent. They couldn’t save themselves. The 4^th and 5^th graders said, “That’s a lot like us. We need God the way sheep need a shepherd.”

And here is what they said about why David didn’t just head for the hills when he was faced with scary challenges … the young people of your church said, “Being brave is the right thing to do.”

God is alive in these young people!!!!

David didn’t wait until he felt fearless. He practiced bravery in small ways first, like protecting sheep. The kids shared how they practice being brave:

· Standing up for someone being teased

· Speaking up for themselves

· Telling the truth

· Doing hard things even when they feel nervous

Three of the kids bravely shared about having dyslexia and how people sometimes make fun of them. They said they are learning to stand up for themselves. That is real shepherd bravery — protecting the sheep when the “lion” is unkind words.

The 4^th and 5^th graders have a book club that is a part of God Alive. We have been reading the book, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. We discussed how the faithful dog, Winn Dixie, is like a shepherd because he never leaves Opal, his owner’s side, and he is encouraging of others with his doggie joy and acceptance of all creatures (except mice).

We all have many shepherds in our lives … they may be a parent, a best friend, a sibling, a teacher, people in our church family, or a doggie like Winn Dixie!

A shepherd stays close. A shepherd helps us feel safe. A shepherd brings the lonely into a flock.

The 4^th and 5^th graders discussed - who are the “sheep” today that need us as shepherds?

They said,

· New kids at school

· Kids with special needs

· Elderly neighbors

· People without homes

· Pets and animals

· People who need others to stand up for them

Then we pondered how best we can be shepherds?

Their first four answers were, “We can be shepherds by standing up for others, caring for others, showing the love of Jesus, and trusting God like David.”

I think the kids of our church got this shepherding thing down!

We learned that David trusted God before he ever faced Goliath. He learned courage while caring for sheep. We learn courage while caring for people. During this season of Lent, we remember that Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He protects us, stays close, and loves us through the times when we feel small or scared. And he teaches us to do the same for others.

Not just us grown-ups but kids too.

Especially kids.

Because shepherd bravery doesn’t start with giants.

It starts with love … and the RCPC kids have a lot of love to share!

Lord Jesus, our Good Shepherd, help us trust you like David did and make us brave enough to stand up for the vulnerable, stay close to the lonely, and love others the way you love us. Amen.