Lesson Overview for ADULTS
In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus shares a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep. When one sheep wandered away and became lost, the shepherd left the 99 safe sheep to search for the one that was missing. This parable teaches us about God’s incredible love for each person and His desire for everyone to have a relationship with Him. Just as the shepherd celebrated when he found his lost sheep, there is great joy in heaven when someone comes to know God.
This passage reveals four important truths that children need to understand: God wants everyone to know Him personally, people who know God should help others come to know Him, the Bible helps people learn about God, and the Holy Spirit guides people to God. The story demonstrates that no one is too small or unimportant to God. He loves each child individually and wants them to be part of His family forever.
Opening Activity: Fluffy Sheep Craft 10:15-10:30 a.m.
Items Needed:
- Paper plate
- Cotton balls
- Glue
- Sheep Face & Legs (Printed on Cardstock/Cutout)
- Googly eyes
Children glue black paper legs and head to paper plate. Then add googly eyes to the face. Finally, add cotton balls with glue to make fluffy sheep.
Note: The sheep can be brought to the Bible Story time if they’re finished drying by then.
Bible Verse Game: Lost Sheep Hunt (10:30-10:40 a.m.)
Materials Needed:
- Sheep pictures (print on cardstock)
- Small stuffed sheep (alternative)
Hide sheep around the classroom. Children search to find all the “lost sheep” and bring them back to the “shepherd” (teacher). Count together to make sure all are found.
Song and Movement (10:40-10:50 a.m.)
TBD
Bible Lesson (10:50-11:00 a.m.)
Question 1: Where is this found in the Bible? (Luke) Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? (New Testament)
Object Lesson: Use 10 cotton balls as sheep and remove one to show it’s missing.
Jesus told a special story about a shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep – he feeds them, keeps them safe, and loves them very much.
One day, a shepherd was counting his sheep. He had 100 sheep, but one was missing when he finished counting. It had wandered away and was lost! The shepherd could have said, “Oh well, I still have 99 sheep.” But he didn’t do that. He loved that one little sheep so much that he left the 99 safe sheep and went looking for the lost one.
The shepherd looked behind rocks, in tall grass, and everywhere he could think of. He called, “Little sheep, where are you?” Finally, he heard a soft “baa, baa” and found his little sheep. The shepherd was so happy! He gently picked up the sheep and carried it home safely.
When he got home, the shepherd called all his friends and said, “Come celebrate with me! I found my lost sheep!” Everyone was so happy and had a big party.
Jesus told this story to teach us that God is like that good shepherd, and we are like His sheep. God loves each one of us so much. When someone is lost and doesn’t know God, He looks for them because He wants everyone to know how much He loves them.
Theological Questions:
- Who is like the good shepherd in this story? (God/Jesus)
- Who are like the sheep? (We are/people)
Life Application Questions:
- How do you think the little sheep felt when the shepherd found him? (Happy, safe, loved)
- How can we help other people know that God loves them? (Be kind, tell them about Jesus)
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving us like the good shepherd loves his sheep. Help us remember that You will always take care of us and find us when we need You. Amen.
Craft: Pool Noodle Shepherd’s Staff (11:00-11:15 a.m.)
- Pool noodles (pre-cut and pre-bent)
Note: Teachers can pre-paint all pool noodles brain to make them look more realistic. - Artificial leaves & small fake flowers
- Coloring Page
- Crayons
Children attach artificial leaves and small flowers along the length of the pool noodle, creating a staff that looks like it was made from a living branch found in nature. Applying the Shepherd’s Staff Craft to the Lesson
As children create their shepherd’s staffs, explain that shepherds used these special walking sticks to help take care of their sheep. The curved hook at the top helped shepherds gently guide sheep back to safety and could even be used to carefully pull a sheep out of danger – just like the shepherd in our story used his staff to rescue the lost sheep from the bushes.
Children who finish the craft early can color on their coloring page.
If all children finish before the end of class, encourage them to hid the sheep they made and then go get them with the Shepherd’s Staff.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Luke 15:1-7 (KJV) “Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”