Kids · Teens · Family

The Lord Is My Shepherd: a Bible story for kids

Today's Bible story is Psalm 23. Find it with a grown-up and read it together. 0:58

A long time ago, before he was a king, David took care of sheep. Sheep need a lot of help! They need food, water, and someone to keep them safe. 4:05

First: David said, "The LORD is my shepherd." God takes care of us like a good shepherd takes care of his sheep. 4:05

Next: The shepherd leads the sheep to green grass and quiet water so they can rest. God gives us rest, too. 6:30

Then: Even when the path goes through a dark valley, the sheep are not alone. God is with us when we are scared. 14:45

Last: Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd." He loves His sheep so much that He gave His life for them. 25:50

Remember: God is not just a shepherd. He is my shepherd! 4:05

1. What job did David have before he was a king? 4:05

   • ✓ Shepherd
   • Baker
   • Sailor

2. Where does the shepherd lead his sheep to rest? 6:30

   • A busy road
   • ✓ Green pastures and still waters
   • The top of a tall tree

3. When the sheep walk through the dark valley, who is with them? 14:45

   • Nobody
   • A lion
   • ✓ The Shepherd

4. Who said, "I am the good shepherd"? 25:50

   • ✓ Jesus
   • A king
   • A farmer

5. What little word did Pastor Sam say makes Psalm 23 personal? 4:05

   • Big
   • ✓ My
   • Fast

Color a shepherd leading his sheep beside still waters, with green grass all around, just like Psalm 23 says: "He leadeth me beside the still waters." 6:30

Line art is a placeholder frame for now; the caption above prints with it.

Daily 2-minute challenge

• Tue: Read Psalm 23:1 and say it out loud with the word my emphasized. 4:05
• Wed: Put your phone away for 15 minutes and just rest. The Shepherd gives rest as a gift. 6:30
• Thu: Write down one place you've wandered, and ask God to bring you back. 12:20
• Fri: Text one friend who is going through something hard. Remind them they are not alone. 28:30
• Sat: List three ways God's goodness and mercy "chased you down" this week. 22:40

Discuss

• Pastor Sam said, "Not just a shepherd. My shepherd." Is your faith personal, or mostly borrowed from your parents? 4:05
• In verse 4, David stops talking about God and starts talking to Him. Why do hard times make that shift happen? 17:30
• What does it mean that you are walking through the valley, not staying in it? 14:45

Dinner-table devotional (10 minutes): The Lord Is My Shepherd

Read (2 min): Read Psalm 23 out loud together. Let a different family member read each verse. 0:58

Talk (5 min):

• For kids: What does a shepherd do for his sheep? For grown-ups: Pastor Sam said "the Shepherd does not drive his sheep. He leads them." Where do you need His leading? 9:10
• For kids: Why is it good that the shepherd stays with the sheep in the dark valley? For grown-ups: What valley has our family walked through, and how was God with us? 14:45
• For everyone: Jesus said He is the good shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. How does that show His love? 25:50

Do (2 min): Think of one person in a valley right now. Make a card, call, or plan a visit as a family. 28:30

Pray (1 min): Lord, thank you for being our shepherd. Walk with us through every valley, and bring us home to your house for ever. 33:00