Family Worship series No.6 "The Good Shepherd"
Bible:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”
If anyone wishes to hear the voice recording, please click this.
Dad:
Today is the parable of one hundred sheep.
Yoko:
This story is about the lost lamb. The other day during shopping, I got lost too.
Mom:
We were so surprised when we lost you. It was a big shopping mall, so we had no way of finding you. I had to ask the attendant to call you through the mall announcement speakers.
James:
Yoko is always scurrying around and flying wherever she wants to go. You have to stay with us.
Grace:
We should probably tie a rope around her waist.
Sophia:
No way!
Dad:
Let's stop fooling around and get started.
All:
Yes!
Prelude:
Video:
If anyone wishes to hear the voice recording, please click this.
Grace:
Today's video was short. Didn't the Bible go into more detail?
Dad:
Yes, it does. I'll read this story in detail in Matthew 18:10-14 and Luke 15:1-7.
Mom:
Let's also think about the characters.
Sophia:
The shepherd is Jesus, and we're the sheep, right?
James:
That's right. But we have to distinguish between the one sheep that got lost and the other 99. The one sheep are the tax collectors and sinners, while the 99 sheep are the scribes and pharisees, right?
Dad:
Wow! Great answer, James! I'm glad that all those parables we went through are paying off.
James:
Thank you. But I still have a long way to go. You know, there is something about Jesus' expression that I don't understand. In Luke 15:7, Jesus says, "There is greater joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than the ninety-nine righteous who need no repentance." That's the part that says the ninety-nine sheep are the law of the Torah. So the 99 sheep refer to the scribes and pharisees, but they don't have to repent? That's strange.
Mom:
James, that's a good question. What do others think about it?
Grace:
It is not that Jesus thinks that, but that the scribes and Pharisees think they are different from the rest of the people because they keep the law well. I guess Jesus said it sarcastically.
Dad:
Hahaha, you may say it as sarcasm. We can also call it, " paradoxical or satirical."
Sophia:
I have a question. I believe the herdsman who searches for one sheep is very kind and courageous. But I am a little worried about what will happen to the 99 sheep left in the field.
Dad:
That's right. Let's think about that too.
James:
There would have been a fence, even if it was a field. It would be strange if he didn't protect the lives of the 99 sheep. Jesus would take care of the life of all sheep.
Grace:
I agree with James. Jesus is a good shepherd, isn't He?
Mom:
That's right. So what would we do if we were shepherds?
Sophia:
I would immediately go looking for him. Because I had everyone looking for me, too. When mom and dad found me I was so scared and happy that I cried so much.
James:
I don't know about me. It would be too dark to look for the lost sheep, and I would be too scared to go alone. I think I would go to the villagers for help.
Grace:
It depends on the situation. Of course, I would like to look for the lost sheep, but if I get lost too, I will be in more trouble and get people in trouble too. If there were to be a storm, I might give up that day and go out the next day.
Dad:
Three of you have thought a lot about what you would do. Although this is unrelated to the theme, since it came up, I'd like to take the opportunity to talk about it.
What James and Grace said is important for disaster prevention. There is a rule that volunteers should not become victims themselves in an unplanned attempt to help.
It is indeed heartbreaking to think of those who were sacrificed in the attempt to help, but let's keep in mind that the first step is to evacuate ourselves.
Grace:
Here is another thought. Sometimes people say that the rule of the majority is “justice”. It means that one person's opinion is not easily accepted. Not all things are best when we are equal.
Dad:
Wow! Grace talks like a critic. Did you have any problems at school with that kind of thing?
Grace:
I think it happens with bullying. We returned from abroad. I could speak Japanese fine, but I have a hard time with Kanji and written language. And like my mom, I express my opinions clearly, but they don't like it even if I make a good suggestion. People tell me I'm cocky for girl, and they say, “We have never done things that way to say, and we would not try it."
Mom:
Oh my, Grace has the same hardships that I went through. Yes, especially in Japan, we are not good at debates, where we dare to divide ourselves into different opinions.
There is a tendency to make decisions based on something that is not the focus of the issue.I know in the U.S. and Korea debating is part of education since elementary school. People are trained to avoid making a point based on emotions. I hope Japan would be more open about this and would start something like this from a young age.
Dad:
Today we didn't talk so much about the main topic of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and giving His life for the sheep. However, it is good to concentrate on this series of parables to understand Jesus' unwavering heart and to be exposed to some of the misconceptions that may arise from this. Let's not forget how much Jesus loves us with His life.
Mom:
Can Sophia pray for us this time?
Sophia:
Yes, I will. Thank you, Jesus. I listened to today's story with the same feeling as the lost sheep. Jesus searches for us everywhere and I learned how extremely pleased you are when you find us. Please keep us in your prayers. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Postlude:
Dr. Michio will give a lecture titled "How to Increase Healthy Life Expectancy" in Nachi-Katsuura Town on March 27(Mon.)
We have made 500 flyers and handed them out.
The group organizer has distributed all residents.
Please pray that we will have a fruitful time.
Japanese Flyer.