The Good Shepherd and the Bad Shepherd:

A shepherd is a person who herds/ guides sheep or groups of animals.

The good shepherd is trustworthy and takes care of his sheep. He leads his flock to green pastures and beautiful, peaceful meadows. The good shepherd keeps his sheep well nourished, and they never go hungry. The good shepherd protects his sheep from wolves that attempt to tear his sheep apart. He protects them and makes the wolves scatter, even destroying them for his sheep. He guards them and keeps them safe from harm. The good shepherd laid down his life for his flock to save his flock from the bad shepherd. The good shepherd's sheep recognize his voice, and now his sheep will dwell with him in peaceful green meadows forever.

The bad shepherd is evil; only wicked lies spew from his mouth. He leads his flock to wastelands filled with weeds and death. The bad shepherd's flock remains malnourished and blind. The bad shepherd deceives his flocks and sends out his vicious wolves to attack the innocent sheep. He leads them to the slaughterhouse like pigs, and some of his flocks unknowingly follow him. Some that were once a part of his flocks run from the bad shepherd and into the arms of the good shepherd. Others choose to follow the bad shepherd rather than the good shepherd. In the end, all his evil herds are slaughtered and punished forever for following the deceiver.

Lesson explained:

Jesus is the good shepherd, and his sheep are his righteous followers. We recognize him for who he is- our Lord; He's trustworthy. Wherever we go, his goodness follows. We have been promised his inheritance. We will never die spiritually because we have the gift of eternal life found through Jesus. We will never grow hungry or thirsty because he keeps our souls well nourished with his Word. Jesus sacrificed his life for the human race and ultimately saved us from sin and death. Jesus protects and delivers us from the evil one.

The bad shepherd is the devil. He aims to kill, steal, and destroy. His flocks are the wicked wolves, vipers, goats, pigs, flocks of evil (the sinners). The devil leads people into his traps. He leads them to the slaughterhouse like pigs, which is eternal punishment (Hell). The sinners/ the world follow his lies and obey his voice. They sow evil deeds and attempt to destroy the innocent. Some unbelievers run from evil when they discover the truth. They abandon their old worldly ways and repent. They accept Jesus as Lord, and they inherit eternal life. Meanwhile, other unbelievers still choose to follow the devil even though they know the outcome of their transgressions. Some do not care and still choose sin over righteousness. And because of their wicked choice, the sinners will be guilty of God's judgement. They will be thrown into the lake of fire, into hell, to be punished forever.

Jesus is our Shepherd Bible verses:

Psalms 23: 1-6, Matthew 25: 31-46, John 10:1-21, 1 Peter 2:25, Hebrews 13:20-21