What is this? Well. It comes under many names: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Godly Play, or just Good Shepherd. It is a wonderful Christian education program that brings the stories from the Bible (Old and New Testament) alive in a child friendly manner, using manipulatives to tell a story or parable. This program seeks to instill a natural wondering about the stories of the Bible in children in a very age appropriate manner. Each lesson is designed to tell the story for children aged 3-6, then to ask some questions, such as “I wonder how the Good Samaritan felt when he helped the man?” “I wonder what other seeds can grow like a mustard seed?” It helps to deepen the children’s understanding of the mysteries of God and the parables. These presentations work across the borders of most religions making it applicable for all forms of Christianity. The children enjoy hearing the story told by the adult, then they have materials (or a work) that they use back at school to re-tell the story and strengthen their awareness and interest.
At FM, the children go next door to St. Patrick’s Church where Jill Lane and Mary Lasher (who have taught a formal Good Shepherd program for years) tell the story in the sanctuary. We start with a simple song called, “Be Still and Know that I Am God”. Then the story is told to the children. The children will interact asking questions afterward.
Good Shepherd was first brought to St. Patrick’s Church by my mother, Eugenie Campbell, who was a Montessori teacher for years. Because Good Shepherd aligns so well with Montessori, she was able to blend her skills of teaching and Christian education. That program was well received and for about 15 years ran out of the church. We feel very lucky to be able to instill the Good Shepherd program into our curriculum at FM, and we thank Jill and Mary for making that happen for us!
