They Follow Me

Read

John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”

Think

All week we have been learning how to hear from God. We saw that Jesus is the good shepherd who knows your name. We saw that God speaks through the Bible and through the world he made. We even learned that sometimes we just need to turn down the noise to hear him. Today’s verse pulls it all together in one short sentence.

This is the memory verse for the whole month, so let us really look at it. Jesus says three things about his sheep. They listen to his voice. He knows them. And they follow him. Read it one more time and see if you can spot those three parts.

First, his sheep listen. That means we pay attention. We get quiet. We open the Bible. We notice him in the world around us. Listening is something we choose to do.

Second, he knows them. This part is not about us at all. It is about him. Before you ever listened for God, he already knew you completely. Every hair on your head. Every thought in your mind. The things you worry about and the things that make you laugh. He knows you and loves you all the way.

Third, they follow him. Hearing God is not just about feeling something nice. It leads somewhere. When the shepherd calls, the sheep get up and go where he leads. Following means we actually do what he says, even when it is hard. And a good shepherd never leads his sheep somewhere bad. He leads them to green grass and cool water, to the very best places. So following him is always worth it.

So this week, keep this verse close. Say it until it is stuck in your head like a favorite song. You are one of the shepherd’s sheep. He knows you, he is calling you, and the very best thing you can do is follow.

Apply

Learn the verse – Say this month’s memory verse out loud three times today until you can say it without looking. Then tell one person in your family what it means to you.

Pray

Jesus, you are my good shepherd. Help me listen to your voice, remember that you know me, and follow wherever you lead. Thank you for calling me your own. In Jesus’ name. Amen.