Psalm 23
“I shall not want.” We can be perfectly content in Jesus, our Shepherd. If we have Jesus and nothing else we couldn’t have any more than if we have Jesus and everything else.
Job 6.1-13
For younger children read at least Psalm 23.1 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also talk about how Jesus gives us the green pastures and still waters of his Word and Sacraments. Consider finding some beautiful paintings of the Good Shepherd to share with them or even make some Psalm 23 artwork with your kids.
For older children you could read and discuss this – “Job has not yet yielded to the temptation to ‘curse God and die’ (2.9). If God would end Job’s life at this point, then Job would at least have the comfort of knowing that he died with his integrity in tact.” The Lutheran Study Bible
John 3.1-21
For younger children read at least John 3.16 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also ask, “How did God give his Son? When was Jesus lifted up?”
For older children you could discuss this not on the word “loved” in John 3.16 – It is from the Greek “agapao, used repeatedly in John; God’s sacrificial and faithful love for the entire world alienated from God, that is, all humankind.” The Lutheran Study Bible What is the difference between this ‘sacrificial and faithful love” and our love of, let’s say, hamburgers?
Write it on the heart verses – Psalm 23.1 and John 3.16
Small Catechism for the week: Second Article (Part 1) – I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord.
Small Catechism question for the day: What did the Father say about the Son from the Majestic Glory on the Holy Mountain? Matthew 17.5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the could said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”