Children's Christian Books · Christian Parenting · Faith for families · Good Shepherd · Jesus · Psalm 23 · Sheep ·

Tell Me What You Know About Sheep

Artwork of Iam the Lamb in the Psalm 23 book

This is one of the beautiful pieces of artwork by Jamie that will appear in our upcoming book, Iam The Lamb and the Good Shepherd: A Psalm 23 Book.

I’ll admit it, I’m an Audible addict. I listen to books every chance I get. Driving, doing dishes, folding laundry, exercising — everything feels lighter with a good story in my ears. There’s something soothing about letting my mind go on autopilot while being drawn into another world. Honestly, I don’t even mind being stuck in traffic if I’m caught up in a great book.

On our recent road trips, my husband and I got completely lost (in the best way) in Charles Martin’s Keeper series — The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper, The Record Keeper, and The Keeper. Forty-three hours and forty-seven minutes of edge-of-your-seat, laughter-inducing, tear-jerking, thought-provoking storytelling!

Throughout the series, one line echoes again and again:
 “Tell me what you know about sheep.”

It’s such a simple question — yet it carries incredible depth. It made me pause and think about what the Bible says about sheep and the Good Shepherd.

Here are a few facts about sheep that Martin mentions, and some I’ve learned myself (we once had two pet sheep named Tori and Carly!):

  • They are prone to wander.

  • They get lost easily.

  • They are easy prey because they have no natural defenses — no claws, sharp teeth, or speed to escape predators.

  • They can seldom find their way home.

  • They must be led to food and water because they cannot find clean water or good pasture on their own.

  • They struggle to see clearly beyond a few yards in front of them.

  • They can be easily startled by shadows or moving water.

  • They are instinctively social and will follow the flock, even if it leads them into danger.

  • They need a shepherd.

Studies show sheep can recognize individual faces and voices. They won’t follow a stranger, but they respond immediately to their shepherd’s call, a beautiful reflection of what Jesus said in John 10:27,

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

How We Are Like Sheep

When we look closely, it’s not hard to see ourselves in these same patterns.

Like sheep, we are prone to wander, chasing distractions, following the world’s lead, and drifting from the safety of God’s presence.

We, too, get lost, become fearful, and struggle to see the bigger picture.

Without the guidance of the Good Shepherd, we fall prey to the enemy’s tactics, exhaustion, and confusion.

But when we listen to Jesus’ voice, the voice of our Shepherd, He leads us back to peace, purpose, and home.

The Comfort of Psalm 23

Psalm 23 paints the most tender picture of this relationship:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
 He leads me beside still waters.
 He restores my soul.”

Just as sheep depend on their shepherd for protection, nourishment, and rest, we depend on Jesus, the Good Shepherd, for everything our souls need

He knows each of us by name, leads us to still waters, and restores our weary hearts when life feels heavy.

We are never meant to navigate life alone. The One who made us walks before us, guards behind us, and calls us by name.

So the next time you feel lost, anxious, or uncertain of the path ahead, remember this:
You are one of His sheep.
You have a Shepherd who never stops watching over you, guiding you, and leading you home.

Stephanie Karr

 

 

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Why Memorizing Scripture as a Child Matters: A Psalm 23 Story for Families
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Why Memorizing Scripture as a Child Matters: A Psalm 23 Story for Families There is something uniquely powerful about words learned in childhood.Songs we sang as kids, rhymes we repeated, and stories we heard again and again often stay with us for life. Scripture is no different, except its impact is far deeper. When children memorize God’s Word, they are storing up truth long before they fully understand it. They may not grasp every phrase or picture in the moment, but those words take root. They become familiar. Safe. Known. And one day, often unexpectedly, they bloom into understanding and comfort. Memorizing Scripture as a child is simply easier. Their minds are open, flexible, and naturally wired for repetition. What might take an adult weeks to commit to memory can be absorbed by a child through gentle, consistent exposure. Even if the meaning feels abstract at first, the rhythm and truth of Scripture settle into their hearts. And when life becomes difficult — when fear, pain, or uncertainty appear — those hidden words often surface. I’ve seen this firsthand in our own family. When our kids were little, my husband Ted always enjoyed doing the bedtime routine. He worked all day, so those quiet evening moments were precious to him. He would play games with them, read books with them, and pray with them. He also began choosing passages from the Bible and helping them memorize Scripture — not just single verses, but entire passages. Night after night, line by line, they repeated them together. Before long, they could recite sections of Scripture without missing a beat. Psalm 23 was one of the very first passages they learned by heart. Years later, we saw just how important those early memories really were. When our daughter Kallie was 22, she broke her leg — a complete fracture of the femur — in a wakeboarding accident. That night in the hospital, as we waited for surgery, she asked me to recite Psalm 23 with her again and again. She had memorized those words as a child. They were written on her heart. And on one of the most painful and uncertain nights of her life, those familiar verses became a source of comfort for both of us. They reminded us we were not alone. They steadied our thoughts and gave us peace in a moment we couldn’t control. That experience reinforced something I already believed, but now understood more deeply: when God’s Word is planted early, it stays. Children may not fully understand every word right away — and that’s okay. Understanding grows with time. The important thing is planting the seed. When Scripture is hidden in their hearts, it will be there when they need it most. That is the heart behind our upcoming Psalm 23 book. I wrote it to help families slow down, read together, and gently commit these sacred words to memory. To create simple moments at bedtime, around the table, or before school where Scripture becomes familiar and comforting. To give parents an easy way to help their children carry truth with them wherever they go. Because challenges will come.Uncertainty will visit.Life will have hard days. But when those moments arrive, a child who has hidden Scripture in their heart will not be empty-handed. They will remember. And when they remember, they will know their Shepherd is near.