Leo and the Good Shepherd: How Can You Help Your Child Trust God’s Presence?

How can you help your child trust God’s presence when life feels scary or uncertain? Start with this simple answer: remind them that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who stays near, speaks peace, rescues with love, and never leaves them alone. That’s the heartbeat of Leo’s story, and it’s why Boundless Online Church keeps leaning into this truth: “24/7 Church When Life Doesn’t Pause.” God’s care doesn’t clock out when your child has a bad dream, a lonely afternoon, or a hard moment they can’t explain.

Question: How can you help your child trust God’s presence?

You help your child trust God’s presence by showing them who Jesus is. Don’t lead with pressure. Lead with the Shepherd. Psalm 23 gives children a picture they can hold onto: green grass, still waters, a guiding voice, and a God who stays close in every valley. Leo’s story turns that truth into something warm, visual, and easy to remember.

Meet Leo: A Lamb Who Knows the Voice

Every great story starts with a character we can see ourselves in. Leo is a fluffy white lamb with big ears and a happy heart. He lives in a world of watercolor pastels and soft light: a visual representation of the peace God intends for us.

In the opening pages of our new children’s book, Leo and the Good Shepherd, we see Leo doing what he does best: following. He doesn’t follow because he’s forced to; he follows because he knows the Shepherd’s voice. This is the first lesson for our families. Discipleship isn't about legalism; it’s about a relationship so sweet that following becomes the most natural thing in the world.

The Provision: Green Grass and Still Waters

Psalm 23 tells us that the Shepherd leads us to green pastures and still waters. For Leo, the grass looks like a soft, green carpet, and the water is quiet and cool. This isn’t just about physical food; it’s about the soul-rest that only Christ provides.

In our busy lives, we often rush past the "still waters" to get to the next appointment or activity. But the Shepherd knows we need the quiet. He leads Leo to places of restoration. As parents, we can model this by creating "still water" moments in our homes: moments of prayer, quiet reading, or simply sitting together in God's creation.

The Wander: When Butterflies Become Distractions

If we’re honest, we all have "butterfly moments." For Leo, it’s a pretty blue butterfly that goes flutter, flutter. It’s innocent enough, but as he chases it, the meadow disappears. The grass gets taller and ticklier. Before he knows it, the flock is gone, and the Shepherd is out of sight.

This is a powerful metaphor for the distractions our children face: and the ones we face as adults. We don't usually plan to wander away from God; we just get caught up in the "butterflies" of life. But notice what happens next: the shadows grow long, and the woods feel big. This is the reality of life outside the Shepherd’s immediate care. It feels isolating.

The Rescue: A Shadow and a Song

Even when Leo is worried, he isn't forgotten. He remembers a song the Shepherd sings: "The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need." This is the power of Scripture memory. When the world gets dark, the Word of God becomes a lamp to our feet.

Leo hears a sound: Step, step, step. A shadow appears on a rock, but it isn't a scary shadow: it’s the shape of a staff. The Shepherd has found him.

This is the heart of the Gospel and the core of our Assemblies of God theology:salvation and redemption. We serve a God who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. He scoops Leo up, and Leo feels safe and warm. The Shepherd whispers, "I am always with you." He doesn’t scold Leo for wandering; He restores him with love.

The Valley: Walking Through the Scary Parts

The story doesn't end with the rescue. The Shepherd and Leo have to walk through a valley to get home. It’s a little bit scary, but the Shepherd’s staff is right there.

We often want to protect our children from every "valley" or difficult situation. But the promise of Psalm 23 isn't that we will avoid the valley; it's that we won't be alone while we're in it. "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." The Shepherd’s presence is the antidote to fear.

The Feast: Goodness and Mercy on the Move

As they emerge from the valley, there is a feast! This is where we see the abundance of God’s grace. He doesn't just give Leo a snack; He prepares a table. He pours sweet oil on Leo’s head: an ancient symbol of healing and choosing.

Leo’s cup doesn't just have enough water; it’s overflowing with joy. As Leo runs back to his friends, he realizes something amazing: goodness and mercy are following him. In the illustrations, these look like two little light-trails. They aren't just things Leo is trying to catch; they are pursuing him.

Life in the Shepherd’s House

The story concludes with Leo back in the big, fluffy pile with his friends, sleeping under the stars. The Shepherd is by the campfire, watching over them while they dream.

This is the "24/7 Church" in action. Whether we are awake or asleep, God is on guard. He is the watchman who never slumbers. For a child, knowing that God is watching over their dreams creates a sense of security that no nightlight can provide.

Takeaways: What matters most in Leo’s story

Leo’s story works because it meets children where they are. Kids know what it feels like to get distracted, feel small, or worry in the dark. They may not use big theology words, but they understand the feeling of needing someone safe.

Here’s what matters. Jesus doesn’t love children only when they stay perfectly on track. He loves them when they wander, when they’re afraid, and when they need help finding their way back. That’s the beauty of the Gospel. Salvation through Christ is rooted in grace, not performance. Scripture shows us a Shepherd who seeks, restores, and leads with tenderness.

Think about the turning point in Leo’s story. He doesn’t rescue himself. He remembers the Shepherd’s song, then hears the Shepherd coming. That’s a gentle picture of how God’s Word and the Holy Spirit work in real life. Truth reminds us. The Spirit draws us. Jesus saves us. Redemption is never cold or mechanical. It’s personal.

Now bring that into your own home. Your child may not need a long lesson. They may need a bedtime prayer, a calm voice, a repeated verse, or a reminder that Jesus is with them right now. Small moments build strong faith.

Top List: Simple ways to bring Leo’s message home

• Read Psalm 23 out loud at bedtime. Keep your voice slow and calm.

• Ask one simple question after the story: “What part made you feel safe?”

• Repeat one anchor line together: “Jesus is my Good Shepherd.”

• Create a still moment in the day. Turn off the noise. Pray for one minute.

• Point out everyday mercy. Name one way God was kind today.

• Remind your child that valleys are real, but they never walk through them alone.

• Keep the focus on Jesus, not on fear, guilt, or perfect behavior.

A Digital Altar Call: Join the Flock

Maybe you feel a little like Leo right now. Maybe life got loud. Maybe you’ve been trying to hold everything together while your heart quietly drifts into tall grass. Here’s the good news: Jesus still comes close. He still saves. He still restores. He still speaks peace.

If you want a place to reconnect, pray, and grow in faith through every part of life, join us at Boundless Online Church. This is “24/7 Church When Life Doesn’t Pause.” Read blogs, listen to music, join live worship, and stay connected to a Christ-centered community that believes hope is still alive.

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