Elf on the Shelf Jesus Style Biblical Virtues: Gentleness

Discussion:

The bible compares Jesus to a gentle shepherd.  Explain to your children what a shepherd is and how they care for their sheep.

Read John 10: 10-18

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

Just like shepherds care for and lead their sheep, Jesus cares for and leads us.  We are His sheep.  He knows us, inside and out and better than we know ourselves.   He laid down His life for us, making the ultimate sacrifice for us because He CHOSE us.  He is a gentle and loving shepherd to his flock- to us.  When we allow Him to lead us, He will guide us down a path of righteousness.

Scripture

Do to others as you would have them do to you.  Luke 6:31

Activity

For this activity, you will need:

• A picture of a lamb  <– click that for a really cute lamb printable!
• Glue
• Cottonballs

Print off the picture of the lamb.  Tell your children to glue the cotton balls on the lamb.  Ask them to tell you how the cotton balls feel.  Do they feel soft and gentle?  On the picture of the lamb, write (or have your child write) the following prayer:

Dear God, Jesus was so gentle! Please help me to be like Him. Amen.

Hang it in your home where you and your child will see it.  Let it be a reminder that we are to be gentle like Jesus and that He is our shepherd.