Good elders are gentle, hands-on shepherds who smell like sheep

. This quote from Lynn Anderson’s book, They Smell Like Sheep, made me think about the elders here at Mesquite. Isn’t it great that we have such men who are willing to lead our congregation? As the children hear lessons like Steve preaches this morning, they learn about what spiritual leadership is all about. They come to understand how God has chosen to be among his people. Jesus, the “Good Shepherd” smelled like his sheep. The men chosen as elders of this congregation seek to impersonate Jesus in this way. As Anderson also says, “When elders shepherd, they imitate the ways of Jesus and reflect the very heart of God”

Taking It Home
Below is a short devotional you can use based off the lesson this morning that you can do as a family. I would encourage you to talk with your kids about what happens on Sunday mornings. I hope this is one way of assisting with that. Set aside family time for devotionals. Sing! Read! Pray!

1. Read Psalm 23 together and answer the following.
2. What do you think of when you hear the word shepherd?
3. What sorts of things must shepherds do to make sure they take care of the sheep?
4. Can you name all four elders of the Mesquite Church of Christ? Explain that sometimes elders are also referred to as shepherds.
5. In what ways do the elder/shepherds of the Mesquite Church of Christ take care of the sheep? (At this point you may need to explain a little further that the members are the sheep).
6. Ask and encourage your children to think of ways they can show respect and thanks to the Shepherds for what they do.