Lesson 20 Class Preparation Material: Finding My Place in the Good Shepherd’s Fold
“Lesson 20 Class Preparation Material: Finding My Place in the Good Shepherd’s Fold,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material (2023)
“Lesson 20 Class Preparation Material,” Jesus Christ and His Everlasting Gospel Teacher Material
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The Lord Is My Shepherd, by Simon Dewey
Lesson 20 Class Preparation Material
Finding My Place in the Good Shepherd’s Fold
When you feel alone, lost, sad, or forgotten, where do you turn for comfort? Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “I find abiding peace in knowing that ‘the Lord is my shepherd’ [Psalm 23:1; emphasis added] and that each of us is known by Him and under His care” (“Shepherding Souls,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 111). As you study, consider how you can find “abiding peace” by coming to know that the Good Shepherd has personal and enduring love for you.
Section 1
How can I know that the Good Shepherd cares for me?
In biblical times a true shepherd loved and cared for his sheep. Each sheep was numbered and named. The shepherd would lead his sheep daily to food and water. When his sheep strayed, the shepherd would search for them. At night the sheep were put in a protective enclosure called a sheepfold. The shepherd would lie in the doorway of the sheepfold to protect his sheep from predators.
In contrast, a hireling watched over a flock of sheep only because he was paid to do so. He did not love them. At the sign of danger, a hireling would abandon the sheep (see John 10:12–13).
Drawing on this rich imagery, Jesus taught that He is the Good Shepherd.
When Jesus Christ appeared to the Lamanites and Nephites after His Resurrection, He told them they were the “other sheep” He spoke of to the people in Jerusalem (3 Nephi 15:21). He explained that there were still “other sheep” who would also hear and see Him (see 3 Nephi 16:1–3). The Savior declared, “I know my sheep, and they are numbered” (3 Nephi 18:31).
The Good Shepherd’s love for His sheep is beautifully taught in Psalm 23. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “This beloved psalm reminds us that God is always the God of individuals and that His watchcare is immensely personal” (For Times of Trouble [2012], 206).
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Study in Preparation for Class
Read Psalm 23:1–4, and look for how the Good Shepherd wants to care for you and those you love.
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Ponder in Preparation for Class
What are some ways the Good Shepherd has shown His care and concern for you? As you reflect on His love, consider reading or listening to the hymn “The Lord Is My Shepherd” (Hymns, no. 108) or watching the video “Good Shepherd” (3:04).
Section 2
How can I assist in the work of the Good Shepherd?
Surely the Apostles must have felt alone after their Shepherd had left them and ascended into heaven. You can imagine their surprise and joy at seeing Him again later on the shore as they were fishing. When they arrived on land, they ate a meal with Him. On that occasion, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Each time Peter replied yes. And each time the Lord directed Peter to feed His sheep or lambs (see John 21:15–17). For the full account of Peter’s experience, you could watch “Feed My Sheep” (5:45).
President Bonnie H. Cordon, Young Women General President, said of this experience:
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President Bonnie H. Cordon
Focused on His sheep, the Savior desired Peter to do what He would do if He were there. He asked Peter to become a shepherd.
… President Russell M. Nelson extended a similar invitation to us to feed our Father’s sheep in a holier way and to do so through ministering [see Russell M. Nelson, “Ministering,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 100].
To effectively accept this invitation, we must develop a shepherd’s heart and understand the needs of the Lord’s sheep. So how do we become the shepherds the Lord needs us to become?
As with all questions, we can look to our Savior, Jesus Christ—the Good Shepherd. (“Becoming a Shepherd,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 74–75)
On one occasion during the Savior’s mortal ministry, Jewish religious leaders criticized Jesus for eating with sinners. In response, He shared the parable of the lost sheep.
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Study in Preparation for Class
Read Luke 15:4–7, looking for what this parable can teach you about developing a shepherd’s heart.
Brothers and sisters, our greatest challenges and our greatest rewards may come as we minister to lost sheep. The members of the Church in the Book of Mormon “watch[ed] over their people, and did nourish them with things pertaining to righteousness” [Mosiah 23:18]. We can follow their examples and remember that ministering is to be “led by the Spirit, … flexible, and … customized to the needs of each member” [“Ministering with Strengthened Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies,” ministering.ChurchofJesusChrist.org]. (“Shepherding Souls,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 112)
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Record Your Thoughts
Consider someone you know who may feel injured, alone, or sad or who may have wandered from the Good Shepherd’s fold. What can you do to reach out to this person with a shepherd’s heart?
Section 3
What should I do if I don’t feel like I belong in the Good Shepherd’s fold?
There may be times when someone you know feels they don’t fit the “mold” of a Latter-day Saint or that they don’t belong at church. (You might even see yourself in this category.) Some feel this way because they are new members, feel embarrassed about past choices, dress or appear different from others, struggle economically or with family problems, worry their testimony is faltering, have mental health challenges, experience same-sex attraction, or are shy, less active, or a racial minority.
If you feel marginalized, excluded, judged, or ignored, turn to the Savior for His reassurance that you are precious to Him and that He wants you to be part of His fold (see Doctrine and Covenants 18:10; Alma 31:35; Isaiah 43:4). Nephi taught that the Savior invites “all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female … all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33).
Sister Sharon Eubank, counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, points us to the Savior when “we don’t feel accepted or acceptable”:
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Sister Sharon Eubank
The New Testament shows the great efforts Jesus made to reach out to all kinds of people: lepers, tax collectors, children, Galileans, harlots, women, Pharisees, sinners, Samaritans, widows, Roman soldiers, adulterers, the ritually unclean. In almost every story, He is reaching someone who wasn’t traditionally accepted in society. (“Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness,” Ensign or Liahona May 2019, 74)
As you think about your own place in the Good Shepherd’s fold, read the statement below by Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles or watch the video “Is There a Place for Me?” (3:59) with Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
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Elder Robert D. Hales
We all belong to a community of Saints, we all need each other, and we are all working toward the same goal. Any one of us could isolate ourselves from this ward family on the basis of our differences. But we must not shut ourselves out or isolate ourselves from opportunities because of the differences we perceive in ourselves. Instead, let us share our gifts and talents with others, bringing brightness of hope and joy to them, and in so doing lift our own spirits. (“Belonging to a Ward Family,” Ensign, Mar. 1996, 16)
