Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: toy sheep, other animals, people figures, blocks (for hills or a sheep pen).
- Table: coloring page of a boy with sheep (David) and crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear about David, a shepherd boy.”
- “Shepherds take care of sheep.”
- “God helped David take care of the sheep. Jesus takes care of us.”
Opening Prayer (echo prayer)
Children repeat after you:
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Songs (5–10 minutes)
Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.
Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions:
Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”
Repeat 2–3 times.
Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:
- Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
- Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
- Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.
Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions:
- point to self on “me,”
- hug on “loves,”
- hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”
Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”
Repeat 2–3 times.
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Have a boy figure for David and several toy sheep.
a) David the shepherd
Place David among the sheep.
b) God chooses David
Lift David up a little.
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
a) David the shepherd
Place David among the sheep.
- “The Bible tells us about a boy named David. David was a shepherd. A shepherd’s job is to take care of sheep. David led the sheep to grass to eat and water to drink. He kept them safe.”
- “If a sheep wandered off, David would go find it. If a wild animal came, David would protect his sheep. David loved his sheep and took good care of them.”
b) God chooses David
Lift David up a little.
- “David was just a boy, but God saw his heart. David trusted God and sang songs to God. Later, God chose David to be the king over His people. God loved David and helped him.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “David was a shepherd. Jesus is my Good Shepherd.”
Motions:
- Pretend to hold a staff on “shepherd.”
- Point up (Jesus) then to self on “my Good Shepherd.”
c) Jesus connection
Hold David and then place your hand on the Bible.
“The Bible tells us that many years later, Someone even greater than David came—Jesus. Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd.’ That means Jesus takes care of us like a shepherd takes care of sheep. Jesus knows our names, leads us, protects us, and loves us very much.”
Hold David and then place your hand on the Bible.
“The Bible tells us that many years later, Someone even greater than David came—Jesus. Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd.’ That means Jesus takes care of us like a shepherd takes care of sheep. Jesus knows our names, leads us, protects us, and loves us very much.”
Craft – “Jesus Is My Shepherd”
Goal:
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- Simple picture of a shepherd and sheep with a clear Jesus line.
Steps
- Give each child a paper.
- Help them glue a shepherd shape on the hill/field (or draw a shepherd with a staff).
- Let them glue 2–3 sheep shapes around the shepherd.
- Option: Glue cotton balls on each sheep body to make them fluffy.
- Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “David was a shepherd. Jesus is my Good Shepherd.”
- Kids can add sun, grass, or flowers.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your picture shows a shepherd and his sheep. David was a shepherd who took care of his sheep. Jesus is our Good Shepherd. He takes care of us, loves us, and keeps us safe. When you look at this picture, remember: ‘David was a shepherd. Jesus is my Good Shepherd.’”
- When they’re finished, have them hold up their picture and say:
- “David was a shepherd. Jesus is my Good Shepherd.”
Supplies
- Paper with a simple hill/field outline, or blank paper.
- Pre-cut shepherd shape (or kids can draw a simple person).
- Pre-cut sheep shapes, cotton balls, or simple sheep outline to color.
- Glue sticks.
- Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “David was a shepherd. Jesus is my Good Shepherd.”
