Lamb and Shepherd in One (A Reflection on John 1:29 and John 10:11)

Psalm 23 is one of the most beloved passages in the Bible, offering a beautiful picture of God as our loving Shepherd who guides us, cares for us, and stays close to us. Children may not understand every word or image in Psalm 23, but they can begin to understand its most important truth: God loves them, takes care of them, and is always with them. Teaching Psalm 23 doesn't have to mean sitting down for a formal Bible lesson. Through simple conversations, repetition, stories, prayer, and everyday moments, you can help your child understand what it means to have the Lord as their Shepherd. Here are a few simple ways to begin. 1. Help Your Child Understand What a Shepherd Is Before teaching the words of Psalm 23, explain what a shepherd actually does. A shepherd leads his sheep to food and water, protects them from danger, searches for them when they wander away, and stays close to them. For a young child, you might simply say: “A shepherd takes care of his sheep. He leads them, protects them, and stays with them. The Bible tells us that God is like a shepherd to us. We are His sheep, and He loves and cares for us.” If your child has a toy sheep or stuffed lamb, use it to make the idea more tangible. Ask what the little lamb might need from its shepherd—food, water, protection, help finding its way, or somewhere safe to sleep. If you don't already have a little lamb to use, our Iam the Lamb® Lovey and Iam the Lamb® Plush Lamb were created to give children their own little lamb to hold and care for as they learn what it means to be one of the Good Shepherd's sheep. You can use your child's lamb during these conversations, while reading Psalm 23 together, or as a comforting reminder that just as they care for their little lamb, their Good Shepherd cares for them.  Then connect it to the opening words of Psalm 23:  “The Lord is my shepherd.” (Psalm 23:1) This is the central truth you want your child to understand: God is their Shepherd, and they can trust Him to care for them. 2. Teach Psalm 23 a Little at a Time Psalm 23 is short enough for children to eventually memorize, but there's no need to teach the entire passage at once. Start with: “The Lord is my shepherd.” Repeat it during something you already do each day—at breakfast, in the car, before nap time, or at bedtime. Once those words become familiar, gradually add more of the verse. Don't worry about perfect memorization. The goal isn't simply for your child to recite Psalm 23. It's for the words to become familiar and for your child to begin understanding the truth behind them. Even a toddler who can finish the word “shepherd” when you begin the verse is taking a meaningful first step toward writing God's Word on their heart. 3. Explain the Verses in Words They Understand As you learn the Psalm together, pause to explain its imagery in simple language. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.”“God knows what we need. Just like a shepherd brings his sheep somewhere safe to rest, God takes care of us.” “He leads me beside still waters.”“Sheep need water, and their shepherd leads them to a safe place to drink. God knows what we need too, and we can trust Him to lead us.” “He restores my soul.”“God comforts us and helps us when we're sad, tired, or afraid.” “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”“Sometimes things feel scary or hard, but we never have to go through them alone. God is always with us.” Keep returning to the simple message woven throughout the Psalm: God provides for us, guides us, comforts us, and stays with us. 4. Look for Psalm 23 in Everyday Life Help your child connect Scripture to things they can actually see and experience. When you pass a grassy field, you might say, “That reminds me of the green pastures in Psalm 23. Who takes the sheep there?” When your child feels afraid, remind them of the words, “You are with me.” At dinner, talk about how God provides what your family needs. When your child needs comfort, remind them that their Shepherd stays close. These don't need to become formal lessons. Small conversations throughout ordinary life can help your child discover that the God they learn about in Scripture is the same God who is present in their everyday life. 5. Bring Psalm 23 to Life Through Stories and Pictures Young children often understand an idea more easily when they can see it represented in a story. As you read books about shepherds and sheep, talk about what the shepherd is doing. Is he leading the sheep? Protecting them? Bringing them somewhere safe? Staying close when the path becomes difficult? Then connect it back to Scripture: “That's what Psalm 23 tells us about God. He is our Shepherd, and He takes care of us.” This is why we created Iam the Lamb and The Good Shepherd – A Psalm 23 Book. The story allows children to experience Psalm 23 from the perspective of a little lamb being cared for by the Good Shepherd, helping the imagery of the Psalm become tangible and personal. 6. Make Psalm 23 Part of Bedtime Bedtime is a natural opportunity to make Scripture part of your child's routine. You might read a few verses, recite part of the Psalm together, or use one verse as the focus of your bedtime prayer. For example: “Thank You, God, for being our Shepherd. Thank You for taking care of us today. Help us remember that You are with us while we sleep. Amen.” If your child is afraid of the dark, has a bad dream, or needs reassurance, remind them of the words “You are with me.” It doesn't need to be long or elaborate. A few quiet minutes spent reading, repeating, or praying Scripture can help God's Word become a familiar and peaceful part of your child's day. Planting God's Word in Little Hearts You don't have to teach Psalm 23 perfectly or all at once. Start small. Repeat it often. Talk about it when opportunities naturally arise, and let your child's understanding grow alongside them. The words they begin learning today may become the words they return to for comfort and reassurance throughout their lives. If you're looking for a way to help bring Psalm 23 to life for your child, Iam the Lamb and The Good Shepherd – A Psalm 23 Book follows a little lamb as he learns to trust, follow, and find comfort in the care of the Good Shepherd.