The Lost Sheep: A Lesson in God's Love
In a sunny field, filled with flowers and trees, Jesus told a story to people who were gathered around him, listening closely. They were all ears, like bunnies waiting for a tale. This story was about a shepherd and his sheep.
The shepherd had a hundred fluffy sheep. He loved each one, from the bounciest lamb to the oldest sheep with its curly, woolly coat. Every day, he made sure they had fresh grass to munch on and cool, clear water to drink.
But one day, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, the shepherd counted his sheep and found only 99. Oh no! One little sheep was missing. It had wandered away, lost somewhere in the vast, open land.
The shepherd was very worried. He thought about the lost sheep, all alone, with no one to protect it from the scary, dark night. "Oh, my little sheep, where are you?" he wondered, his heart heavy with concern.
Without wasting a moment, the shepherd decided to go find the lost sheep. He left the 99 sheep safely in a fenced area and set off into the night. He searched high and low, under the twinkling stars. Over hills, through valleys, and across streams, he looked everywhere.
Finally, after a long search, he heard a soft "baa" from a bush. There, caught in the thorns, was the lost little sheep. It looked scared and was so happy to see the shepherd. The shepherd felt a burst of joy in his heart. He gently freed the sheep from the thorns and lifted it onto his shoulders, carrying it back home.
As they walked back, the shepherd was so happy he couldn't help but sing a little tune. "I found my lost sheep! I found my lost sheep!" he sang to the stars.
When they arrived back, the shepherd called all his friends and neighbors to share the good news. "Come, celebrate with me!" he said with a big smile. "I found my sheep that was lost. Let's have a party!" And they all celebrated together, happy and full of joy.
Jesus then looked at the people listening and said, "Just like the shepherd was happy to find his one lost sheep, God is even happier when one person who has made mistakes decides to do right. God loves each of us that much!"
The people listening nodded and smiled, understanding a bit more about how much God loves them, just like the shepherd loved his sheep.
Memory Verse
"Luke 15:7 (WEB): 'I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.'"
Discussion Questions
What does the parable of the lost sheep teach us about God's character?
Have you ever felt lost or distant from God? How does knowing God seeks you out personally affect your feelings?
How can you demonstrate God's love and pursuit of those who are lost in your own life?
Coloring Pages
🐑 The Lost Sheep Adventure 🐑
Characters:
- NARRATOR: Sets the scene and guides the story.
- SHEPHERD: Caring and kind, looks after the sheep.
- SHEEP 1, SHEEP 2, and SHEEP 3: Happy little sheep, part of the shepherd's flock.
- LOST SHEEP: Curious and a bit careless, gets lost.
- FRIENDLY BIRD: A cheerful bird that helps out.
📖 Introduction (Narrator):
(In a warm and inviting tone) Hello, boys and girls! Today, we have a special story about a shepherd and his sheep. It’s a sunny day in a big, green field where all the sheep are playing and having fun. But, oh no! One little sheep goes missing. Let’s see what happens next in our adventure!
🌟 Scene 1: A Sheep Goes Missing
NARRATOR: (Cheerfully) In a big, green field, the shepherd watches his sheep. They jump and play. But one sheep gets curious and wanders off.
SHEPHERD: (Counts the sheep, then looks worried) One, two, three… Oh no! Where is my fourth little sheep?
SHEEP 1: (Looks around) I don’t see her anywhere!
SHEEP 2: (Nods) She was here a minute ago.
SHEPHERD: (Determined) I must find her. She is important to me!
🌟 Scene 2: The Search Begins
NARRATOR: The shepherd starts his search. He looks high and low for his lost sheep.
SHEPHERD: (Calling out) Little sheep, where are you?
LOST SHEEP: (From a distance) Baa! I’m lost!
FRIENDLY BIRD: (Flies in) I heard your little sheep. She’s over the hill, near the big oak tree!
SHEPHERD: (Excited) Thank you, friendly bird! I’ll go find her right now.
🌟 Scene 3: A Joyful Reunion
NARRATOR: The shepherd climbs over the hill and finds the lost sheep by the big oak tree.
SHEPHERD: (Hugging the LOST SHEEP) I found you! I’m so happy!
LOST SHEEP: (A bit shy) I’m sorry I wandered off. I won’t do it again.
SHEPHERD: (Smiling) I’m just glad you’re safe. Let’s go back to the others.
NARRATOR: (Happily) And so, the shepherd and the lost sheep return to the field. The flock is together again, and everyone is happy.
SHEEP 1, SHEEP 2, and SHEEP 3: (Jumping joyfully) Hooray! Our friend is back!
NARRATOR: (Concluding) Boys and girls, this story teaches us that everyone is important, and it’s always good to look out for each other. Just like the shepherd found his lost sheep, we should always help and care for our friends.
(The puppets all wave goodbye to the audience.)
ALL: Bye-bye, everyone! Remember to always care for your friends!
(The end)
Lost Sheep Relay
Materials Needed: Two large stuffed sheep (or sheep figures), two sets of shepherd's staffs (or sticks), and a marked relay course.
How to Play:
- Divide players into two teams, each team with their sheep and a shepherd's staff.
- Mark a start line and a turnaround point for the relay course.
- On 'go', the first player from each team must carry their sheep using the shepherd's staff around the turnaround point and back to the start line.
- Once the player returns to the start line, they pass the sheep and staff to the next team member.
- The game continues until all team members have completed the relay.
- The first team to finish the relay wins.
Connection to Story: This game represents the shepherd's effort to find and bring back the lost sheep, highlighting the theme of God's relentless pursuit of us, as depicted in Luke 15:1-7.
Quiet Quest for the Lost Sheep
Materials Needed: Pictures of sheep with numbers on them, tape, and blindfolds.
How to Play:
- Before the game, hide the sheep pictures around the room.
- Divide players into small teams or have them play individually.
- Blindfold one player at a time, spin them around gently, and then guide them in the direction of a hidden sheep using only verbal instructions from their teammates.
- Once a player finds a sheep, they remove their blindfold, reveal the number on the sheep, and collect it.
- The game continues until all sheep are found. The team or individual with the most sheep found wins.
Connection to Story: This game mimics the shepherd's search for the lost sheep, emphasizing listening and guidance, much like how we should listen for God's direction in our lives.
Sheep Pen Group Challenge
Materials Needed: Rope or tape to mark boundaries, small balls or balloons (sheep), and baskets or boxes (sheep pens).
How to Play:
- Use the rope or tape to mark a large area as the 'field' and place baskets or boxes at one end of the field as 'sheep pens.'
- Scatter the balls or balloons across the field to represent the sheep.
- Divide players into teams, assigning each team a sheep pen.
- On 'go', teams must gather as many sheep as possible and place them in their pen using only their feet to push or kick the balls/balloons.
- After a set time limit, the team with the most sheep in their pen wins.
Connection to Story: This challenge represents the communal effort of bringing the lost sheep back to the fold, illustrating the joy of God and the community when someone is brought back into God's love.
Shepherd's Call
Materials Needed: Blindfolds and a spacious area with obstacles (like chairs or cones).
How to Play:
- One player is chosen as the 'shepherd' and the others are 'sheep.'
- All 'sheep' are blindfolded and scattered throughout the playing area filled with obstacles.
- The 'shepherd' calls out to the 'sheep' without entering the playing area.
- 'Sheep' must listen to the shepherd's voice and navigate through the obstacles to reach them.
- The first sheep to reach the shepherd wins and becomes the next shepherd.
Connection to Story: This game emphasizes the importance of listening for God's voice amidst life's obstacles and distractions, mirroring the shepherd's call to the lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7.
Teacher's Note: Biblical Background
Teacher's Note
Context
The passage of Luke 15:1–7 is part of a series of parables Jesus tells about lost things being found, which includes the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. This context is set in the ministry of Jesus where he is often criticized by the Pharisees and scribes for his associations with sinners. The setting reflects the tension between Jesus’ inclusive ministry and the religious leaders’ exclusivist views. These parables are directed primarily at the Pharisees and scribes, urging them to reconsider their understanding of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Word Study
A key term in this passage is 'repentance' (Greek: μετάνοια, metanoia), which signifies a profound change of mind or heart, leading to a full turning away from sin and towards God. In the context of the parable, it highlights the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents—underlining the transformative power of repentance in the Christian faith.
Character Study
1. Jesus - The storyteller, illustrating God’s unconditional love and the joy in the redemption of the lost. 2. The Pharisees and Scribes - Critics of Jesus’ teachings and associations, representing a strict adherence to the law without understanding the depth of God's mercy. 3. The lost sheep - Symbolizes those who have strayed from God but whom God seeks to bring back into the fold.
Core Verse Interpretation
The central verse of this passage emphasizes the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. This highlights the immense value God places on each individual's repentance and return to Him, teaching children about the boundless grace and mercy of God toward all, regardless of past mistakes.
Full Scripture Reading (Luke 15:1–7)
Lesson Info
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Time
6-10 Minutes
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Ages
6-9 Years
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Theme
God’s Love
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