May 7th, 2006 Fourth Sunday of Easter

“The Perfect Babysitter”
(The Good Shepherd)

Text (John 10:14-16) “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them in also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (New International Version)

Do you have a babysitter sometimes? What does she or he do? Does she or he have rules or guidelines?

The number one rule of a babysitter is “Never leave children alone.” That means you pay attention to them, feed them, clean them up (change their diaper), protect them and keep them safe.

What if Jesus was your babysitter? Would he be a good one? Would he pay attention to you? Feed you? Change your diaper? Protect you and keep you safe?

Today is The Good Shepherd Sunday, remember Jesus saying “I am the Good Shepherd?” I would like to take the words of Jesus that John wrote down and change them a little bit to help you understand them, “I am the good babysitter, I know my children and my children know me—just as the Father—and I lay down my life for the children. I have other children who are not of this household. I must bring them in also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one family and one babysitter.

Jesus is the Perfect Babysitter. We are reminded by Jesus telling us he is The Good Shepherd. He pays attention to you, feeds you (what you hear in church today), and protects you and keeps you safe each day.

Jesus is your parents and grandparents babysitter too. He never leaves his children alone.

Prayer-Dear Jesus, thanks for paying attention to us. Continue to feed and protect us each day. Amen

Prop-The number one rule of babysitting on a sheet of paper in bold letters, “Never leave the children alone.” 

Video/Computer Screen-same as prop, also had the changed words from John on screen.