Lenten Devotion for Friday, March 21

By Paul Easterday

Read John 10:1-10

Jesus knows us by name and calls us to live safely in His arms.

We Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you know me by name. Amen.

Activity

Strike up a conversation with your family or ask certain members to do or help with something, but instead of using their name, make up a different name. If you’ve read this in advance then you might try going through an entire meal calling everyone by the wrong name. Alternatively, if you have a dog you might try calling the dog using different names and see if the dog comes. The goal of the activity is to illustrate the power of knowing someone by name.

When you’re done, ask some questions like:

  • How did it feel to be called a different name?
  • Did it make it more difficult to know when someone was trying to talk to you?
  • How does it make you feel when someone you meet remembers your name?
  • What about when someone forgets your name?

Reading: Say something like “In our reading today Jesus tells a story about sheep. He says that sheep only come to their shepherd’s voice and that the shepherd knows each one by name. Listen carefully for different ways that shepherds take care of their sheep as we read today’s lesson.”

Read: John 10:1-10

Ask

  • Did you hear anything in the reading that sounded dangerous to the sheep?
  • How did the shepherd protect the sheep?
  • (for older kids) How does knowing someones name bring us comfort or protection?

Challenge Say something like “In our lives Jesus is our good shepherd and we are his sheep! Sometimes there are people that try to hurt us, make fun of us, or lead us away from Jesus. But Jesus knows us by name and calls us to him. He keeps us safe from danger and, because of his resurrection on Easter, will one day call us to live with him in heaven!”

  • What are some ways that Jesus has kept you safe from danger?
  • Is there anything that you need Jesus to keep you safe from this week?
  • Where do you need to hear Jesus calling your name this week?

We Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for knowing my name and keeping me safe from danger. Help me to always remember that you are the good shepherd and are always there to protect and forgive me. Amen.