The Good Shepherd Preschool Sunday School Lesson (Free, Ages 3–6)
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “The sheep know the shepherd’s voice.”
Jesus told the people about a shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep. He leads them to green grass and fresh water. He keeps them safe. Sheep are gentle animals. They can not keep themselves safe. They need a shepherd. Baa, baa! Can you make a sheep sound?
At night the sheep stay in a sheep fold. A sheep fold is a safe place with a stone wall and a gate. Sometimes many shepherds kept their sheep in one fold together.
In the morning the shepherd comes to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. Creak! The gate opens. The gatekeeper is the man who watches the gate.
The shepherd calls his sheep. He knows each one! “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Each sheep has its own name. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice.
Out they come, one by one. The shepherd walks in front. The sheep follow him. Step, step, step. He leads them to good grass to eat.
But when a stranger calls, they run away. A stranger is someone you do not know. “They don’t know the voice of strangers.” They know their own shepherd. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice.
The people did not understand what Jesus meant. So he told them more. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” Abundantly means very full, more than enough.
Then Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own.” That means: Jesus knows his people, and they know him. Jesus said it is just like he and God the Father know each other. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice.
A hired helper is paid to watch the sheep. He does not care for the sheep. When a wolf comes, he runs away. A wolf is a wild animal that wants to catch sheep. But the good shepherd stays with his sheep. The good shepherd does not run away.
Jesus said, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” That means he gives everything for them, even his life. Jesus did that for us on the cross.
But that was not the end! Listen to what Jesus said. “I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.” And Jesus came alive again!
Jesus said, “I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice.” So many more people would come to Jesus, from everywhere, from every land!
“They will become one flock with one shepherd.” A flock is a big group of sheep. One big flock, and Jesus is their shepherd. Can you give a big hug, like one big, happy flock?
Jesus knows each one of his sheep by name. He knows your name too. He knows when you wake up and when you go to sleep. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think the sheep feel when they hear their shepherd’s voice?
- How would it sound if Jesus called your name?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw the good shepherd with his sheep following him.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He calls his own sheep by name” — John 10:3 (He calls → hands around your mouth; his own sheep → make little sheep ears; by name → point to yourself and say your name)
Dear Jesus, you are the good shepherd. Thank you that you know my name. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: You are known and loved
Memory verse: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11 · WEB
The Bible story
Jesus tells a warm little story about a shepherd who knows every sheep by name and would do anything to keep them safe and never let them get lost.
Talk about it
- Who did Jesus talk about to show God's love? — A shepherd and his sheep
- How well did the good shepherd know his sheep? — He knew every one by name
- What did the sheep do when they heard the shepherd's voice? — They came to him
- Would the sheep follow a stranger who called them? — No, they run away
- What do the good shepherd's sheep find? — Good pasture
- What wild animal came near the sheep? — A wolf
Where is Jesus in this story?
In this story, Jesus does not just talk about a shepherd, he says that he IS the Good Shepherd. He loves us so much that he was willing to give his own life to keep us safe, just like a shepherd who protects his sheep from every danger. Because Jesus is our shepherd, we are never alone. He knows our name, he hears our voice, and he holds us close in his loving, rescuing care.
What God wants to tell us
Jesus tells us that God is like a good shepherd who knows each one of us by name. You are never just a face in a crowd to God. He sees you, he loves you, and he watches over you day and night. When you feel lost or worried, you can remember that the Good Shepherd is always near, always listening, and always ready to lead you gently home.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for being my Good Shepherd. Thank you that you know my name and love me so much. Help me to hear your kind voice and to follow you every day. When I feel scared or lost, please keep me safe and close to you. I love you. Amen.
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