The Lord Is My Shepherd Preschool Lesson
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: “God takes care of his sheep.”
David was a shepherd boy. He was the youngest boy in his family. He took care of his father’s sheep. A shepherd stays with his sheep, day and night. He finds green grass for them to eat. He finds water for them to drink. Baa, baa! Can you say it like a little sheep?
Sometimes a lion or a bear came and took a lamb. Then David went after it. He saved the little lamb right out of its mouth! David kept his sheep safe.
Later David wrote a song to God. It is a psalm – a song in the Bible. In his song, David said that God is like a shepherd. And we are like his sheep. God takes care of his sheep.
David sang, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.” That means: God gives me all I need.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” Pastures are fields full of soft green grass. Can you lie down and rest, like a sleepy sheep?
“He leads me beside still waters.” The water is calm and quiet. The sheep can drink. Slurp, slurp! “He restores my soul.” That means God makes me feel new and strong inside. God takes care of his sheep.
“He guides me in the paths of righteousness.” A good shepherd walks in front. He shows the sheep the right way to go. God shows us the right way too.
Sometimes the way is dark and scary. David knew that too. “Even though I walk through the valley, I will fear no evil. For you are with me.” A valley is a low place between hills. It can be dark there. But the shepherd is there too. God takes care of his sheep.
“Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” The rod is a strong stick to keep wild animals away. The staff is the shepherd’s long stick with a hook at the top. It can pull a little sheep back to the path. Can you hold a pretend staff, like a shepherd?
“You prepare a table before me.” God gives a feast! “You anoint my head with oil.” In Bible times, oil on the head was a sign of welcome and care. “My cup runs over.” There is so much that it spills over the top! God gives more than enough.
“Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life.” Goodness and loving kindness are like two friends who walk behind you, every day. God takes care of his sheep.
“And I will dwell in the LORD’s house forever.” To dwell means to live. David knew he would be with God always.
Another psalm in the Bible says, “We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” That means us too!
At night, the sheep lie down to sleep. The shepherd stays near them. He keeps watch.
The LORD is our shepherd, and he is with us every day and every night. God takes care of his sheep.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think a sheep needs to be happy and safe?
- When do you feel scared, and what helps you feel safe?
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 a sheep lying down in green grass, next to still water.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.” — Psalm 23:1 (The LORD → point up; my shepherd → hold a pretend staff; I shall lack nothing → hug yourself)
Dear God, thank you that you are my shepherd. Thank you that you are with me every day. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Is Our Caring Shepherd
Memory verse: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.” — Psalm 23:1 · WEB
The Bible story
A gentle shepherd-king named David sings about God, the kind Shepherd who leads us to green fields, still water, and safe places where we never need to be afraid.
Talk about it
- What was David's job before he became a king? — A shepherd
- What instrument did David love to play? — A harp
- How does Psalm 23 begin? — The Lord is my shepherd
- Where does the good Shepherd lead his sheep to rest? — Soft green fields
- What kind of water does the Shepherd lead his sheep to? — Calm, still water
- How did David feel walking through the dark valley? — Not afraid
Where is Jesus in this story?
Long after David sang this song, Jesus came and said, "I am the good shepherd." Jesus is the Shepherd David was singing about all along. He knows each of us by name, he leads us safely, and he loves us so much that he gave everything to bring us home to God, so we never have to be afraid.
What God wants to tell us
Just like a good shepherd looks after his sheep, God looks after you. He knows your name, he gives you what you need, and he stays close even when things feel dark or scary. You never have to walk through anything all alone, because your Shepherd is always beside you, leading you gently and loving you more than you can imagine.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for being my kind Shepherd who knows my name. Thank you for giving me what I need and staying close when I feel afraid. Please help me follow your gentle voice and trust that you are always with me. Amen.
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