LESSON OVERVIEW FOR ADULTS
In Luke 2:8-20, we discover how God chose humble shepherds to be the first people to hear about Jesus’ birth. During this time in history, shepherds were considered among the lowest members of society. They spent their days and nights in fields caring for sheep, protecting them from danger, and ensuring none wandered away. Though others looked down on them, God saw their hearts and chose them for a special honor. An angel appeared to these ordinary men with extraordinary news: a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. The shepherds responded with faith, hurrying to find the baby lying in a manger just as the angel had said.
After meeting Jesus, the shepherds couldn’t keep the good news to themselves. They immediately began telling everyone they encountered about the wonderful things they had seen and heard. Their excitement reminds us that no one is too young, too old, or too ordinary to share the message of Jesus. Just as the shepherds brought what they had (their testimony and their joy) we can bring what we have to Jesus and share His love with others. This lesson, adapted from Trueway Kids, helps young children understand that Jesus came for everyone and that we all have the privilege of telling others about Him.
OPENING ACTIVITY 6:00-6:15 | Shepherds Sky
Items Needed:
- Dark blue or black construction paper
- Star stickers
- Glow in the dark paint (optional)
- Paint Brushes (optional)
- Glue
- Cotton balls
- Memory Verse Frame
Children create a nighttime scene by placing star stickers on dark paper and gluing cotton balls at the bottom to represent sheep. Explain that the shepherds were watching their sheep at night when something amazing happened. This craft connects the setting of the story with a creative activity. Optional: Give children Glow in the Dark Paint to dot stickers on the page.
SONG 6:20-6:30
PRAYER 6:30-6:40 p.m.
Transition kids to the floor for prayer time. Sing “Whisper a Prayer” as you gather in a circle. Pray for courage to tell others about Jesus, just like the shepherds did. Thank God that He loves everyone and sent Jesus for all people, not just important people.
BIBLE VERSE GAME 6:40-6:50 | Luke 2:11
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
Items Needed:
- Memory Verse Stones (spread out on the floor)
- Candy Canes
Use these motions while saying the verse to introduce it. Repeat this 3 times.
- “For unto you” – Point to the children
- “is born this day” – Rock arms like holding baby
- “in the city of David” – Make roof shape with hands over head
- “a Saviour” – Point up to heaven
- “which is Christ the Lord” – Make crown on head with hands
- “Luke 2:11” – Hold up two fingers, then one finger, then one finger (2-1-1)
Then hop the stones saying the verse one part at a time. After the kids have hopped the verse, give them a candy cane. Let them know that in today’s Bible Story, we are going to learn about shepherds who went around telling everyone that Jesus was born. One of the things a Candy Cane symbolizes at Christmas is the staff the shepherds used.
BIBLE STORY 6:50-7:00
Question 1: Where is this story found in the Bible? Luke
Question 2: Is this in the Old Testament or New Testament? New Testament
THE SHEPHERDS VISIT BABY JESUS (Interactive Story)
Before telling the story, give each child a candy cane to hold. Explain that we’ll learn what the candy cane reminds us about as we hear the story.
One night some shepherds were outside in a field near the town of Bethlehem. Can everyone say “Bethlehem”? (Wait for response) Good!
These shepherds had an important job. They were watching over their sheep. What sounds do sheep make? (Let children make “baa” sounds) That’s right! The shepherds made sure all the sheep were safe. They counted them, protected them from wild animals, and made sure none wandered away.
Can you pretend to look around for sheep? Look left… look right… look all around! (Do motions together)
Now, some people thought shepherds weren’t very important. Shepherds didn’t have fancy jobs or fancy clothes. But do you know what? God thought they were VERY important! God loves everyone—not just people who seem important to others.
It was dark outside. Can you close your eyes and pretend it’s nighttime? (Give children a moment with eyes closed) It’s dark, isn’t it?
Then suddenly—everyone open your eyes WIDE!—there was the brightest light the shepherds had ever seen! An angel appeared to them! The shepherds were so scared! Show me your scared face!
But the angel said, “Do not be afraid!” Everyone repeat after me: “Do not be afraid!” Good job!
The angel said, “I bring you GOOD NEWS! Good news for ALL people! Today in Bethlehem, a baby has been born. He is your Savior! You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
Do you know what a manger is? It’s a feeding box for animals! Baby Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room anywhere else.
Then suddenly, the sky was filled with more angels! Can you count to ten? Let’s count angels: 1, 2, 3… (Count to 10 together) There were even MORE angels than that! They were all praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest!”
When the angels left, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem right now! Let’s go find this baby!” Can you walk in place really fast like you’re hurrying somewhere? (Walk in place together)
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem. And guess what? They found everything just like the angel said! There was Mary, and Joseph, and baby Jesus lying in a manger. Can you rock your arms like you’re holding a baby? (Rock arms gently)
The shepherds were SO happy! They had met Jesus!
Now, look at your candy cane. Hold it up high! A candy cane can remind us of this story:
- Turn it upside down—what letter does it look like? It looks like a “J” for Jesus!
- Turn it right-side up—what does it look like? It looks like a shepherd’s staff! The shepherds carried staffs to take care of their sheep.
- What color is it? The red stripes remind us that Jesus died for us. The white reminds us that Jesus makes our hearts clean. And the stripes remind us that Jesus heals us!
After the shepherds saw Jesus, they couldn’t keep it a secret! If you had some really exciting news, would you tell people? Of course you would!
The shepherds told EVERYONE they met about Jesus! “We saw the baby! The angels told us about Him! He’s lying in a manger! Come and see!”
Can you tell the person next to you: “Jesus is born!”? (Give children time to share)
Everyone who heard the shepherds’ story was amazed. The shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and glorifying Him for everything they had seen and heard.
Theological Questions:
- Why did God send the angels to tell the shepherds about Jesus? (Because God loves everyone, and He wanted them to know Jesus came to save all people, even people others thought weren’t important)
- Who is Jesus? (Jesus is God’s Son, our Savior who came to save us from our sins; Jesus is also the Good Shepherd who takes care of us like shepherds take care of sheep)
Life Application Questions:
- The shepherds told everyone about Jesus. Who can you tell about Jesus this week? (Accept various answers—friends, family members, neighbors, etc.)
- How can we be like the shepherds and share good news about Jesus? (We can invite friends to church, we can tell people Jesus loves them, we can sing songs about Jesus, we can be kind and tell people why we’re kind)
Closing Prayer:
“Dear Jesus, thank You for coming to earth as a baby. Thank You for loving shepherds and for loving us. Help us tell everyone about You just like the shepherds did. Amen.”
BIBLE CRAFT 7:00-7:10 | Cardboard Tube Shepherd with Sheep
Items Needed:
- Cardboard tubes (toilet paper or paper towel rolls)
- Craft template (printed on regular paper)
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- Glue
- Cotton balls
- Fabric scraps or construction paper for headpiece
- Rubber bands
Children color the shepherd template and cut out the pieces with help. Glue the shepherd figure around the cardboard tube. Add a fabric or paper headpiece secured with rubber band. Glue a cotton ball “sheep” to the front of the tube. This craft creates a three-dimensional reminder of the lesson that children can take home and retell the story.
SNACK TIME & COLORING 7:10-7:25
Items Needed:
- Coloring Page
- Crayons
- Snack
Pass out snacks and allow kids time to eat snacks. A coloring sheet will be available for kids to color while they eat their snack.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Luke 2:8-20 (KJV)
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
PARENT TAKE HOME SHEET
TODAY’S KEY TAKEAWAY
Tell Everyone About Jesus
WHAT I LEARNED TODAY
Today we learned about the shepherds who were watching their sheep at night when angels appeared to them. The angels told the shepherds that Jesus was born, and they hurried to Bethlehem to see Him. After the shepherds met baby Jesus, they told everyone the good news about Him.
QUESTIONS TO ASK ME
Theological Questions:
- Who appeared to the shepherds in the field? (Angels)
- What good news did the angels tell the shepherds? (That Jesus was born and is our Savior)
- Where did the shepherds find baby Jesus? (In a manger in Bethlehem)
- Why is Jesus called the Good Shepherd? (Because He takes care of us and loves us like a shepherd cares for sheep)
- Why did God choose shepherds to be the first to hear about Jesus? (Because God loves everyone, and no one is too unimportant to Him)
Life Application Questions:
- What did the shepherds do after they saw Jesus? (They told everyone about Him)
- How can you be like the shepherds? (By telling others about Jesus)
- What does a candy cane remind us about? (The shepherd’s staff, Jesus’ name, and that Jesus died for us and makes us clean)
- Who can you tell about Jesus this week? (Various answers: friends, family, neighbors)
- What does it mean when we say Jesus is the Good Shepherd? (He takes care of us, protects us, and loves us)