If you do something for one of these helper groups - take a picture and share it in the comments of this post.

Easy-to-Read Version

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. ¹² The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd. The paid worker does not own the sheep. So when he sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. ¹³ The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.

^14-15 “I am the shepherd who cares for the sheep. I know my sheep just as the Father knows me. And my sheep know me just as I know the Father. I give my life for these sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep too. They are not in this flock here. I must lead them also. They will listen to my voice. In the future there will be one flock and one shepherd.^[a]

How is Jesus like a shepherd?

Who are Jesus’ sheep?

What does Jesus protect us from?

Why do you think Jesus told the part about the bad shepherd as well as the good shepherd?

What might cause a bad shepherd to help only themselves?

Where else in the Bible have we heard stories about sheep?

Holy God,

You are the Good Shepherd.

You care for us

and lead us through our lives.

Help us to be good examples for others

and teach others to follow you. Amen.

Easy-to-Read Version

15 Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch^[a] of mine that does not produce fruit.^[b] He also trims every branch that produces fruit to prepare it to produce even more. ³ You have already been prepared to produce more fruit by the teaching I have given you. ⁴ Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me.

⁵ “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. ⁶ If you don’t stay joined to me, you will be like a branch that has been thrown out and has dried up. All the dead branches like that are gathered up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ Stay joined together with me, and follow my teachings. If you do this, you can ask for anything you want, and it will be given to you. ⁸ Show that you are my followers by producing much fruit. This will bring honor^[c] to my Father.

*What did you notice about the plants?

*How did the grapevine and branches grow?

*What surprised you about the branches?

*What has to happen before the grapevines grow?

*Notice the grapes all grow in a bunch together instead of one grape just growing on its own. The different bunches are on a branch with other bunches, and, finally, the branch is connected to the vine.

*Who is in your bunch of people who grow

together?

*What bunches of people do we see in the

Bible?

*How can we encourage people in our bunch and in other bunches connected to the same branch?

*What other things do you see that remind you to stay connected to God? How do these things remind you to stay connected to God?

Share your drawings or photos on this post, email them to Pastor Carolyn, or bring them to our next intergenerational event!

Share pictures of your vine on this post, email to Pastor Carolyn, or bring to our next intergenerational event!

Holy God,

You are the Vine, and we are the branches.

Please help us stay connected to you.

Help us to stay connected to you so that we can show others Your love through the "Fruits of the Spirit".

Help us to remember that we don't have to do things or go through hard times by ourselves.

Allow us to show others love, joy, peace, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Amen.

Let us explore how Jesus is the light of our world and how we can reflect his light.

After listening, ask yourself these questions... Feel free to post your thoughts.

• What did Jesus say about light? What did he say about darkness?

• What do you think about when you hear the word light?

• What did Jesus mean when he said, “I am the light of the world”?

After each song ask yourself these questions...

• What does this song say about Jesus

• What does it say about light?

• What does it say about our world?

• How does the light of the world make a difference, according to this song?

After each song ask yourself these questions...

• What does this song say about Jesus

• What does it say about light?

• What does it say about our world?

• How does the light of the world make a difference, according to this song?

God of light,

you teach us to follow you,

and you tell us

we can be lights in our world.

Hold us close to your heart

so that we shine bright

and illuminate the world

with your love.

Amen.

Pastor Carolyn

We want to keep you up to date when new content and new units are added. Sign up to receive those in the manner you would prefer. Since this is a new way of engaging with Bible content, we may send a quick survey at the end of each unit to ask how you experienced the lessons. This will help us to design future units and gathering events.

If you do not have a Growing in God's Love Story Bible for your child or grandchild, you may request one from Pastor Carolyn at pastor@plumcreekpc.com.

Think about gifting one to a child in your life.

Join us after church!

Join us for an intergenerational Bible study and service project in our Fellowship Hall. We will have a light brunch and lesson using Pastor Carolyn’s table top mats as we learn about Jesus’ statement – I Am the Bread of Life. We will also be mixing and baking some bread to take offer to our home bound and others in need of care and encouragement. Our Deacons will be co-sponsoring this event with Christian Formation.