Welcome (5–10 minutes)
Set out:
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- Free play: toy sheep, shepherd figure, fences/blocks for a sheep pen, green cloth for “grass.”
- Table: coloring page of Jesus with sheep and crayons.
As kids arrive, say simple lines:
- “Today we will hear that Jesus is the Good Shepherd.”
- “Shepherds take care of their sheep.”
- “Jesus takes care of us like a shepherd.”
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)
Song 1 – B-I-B-L-E
Song 2 – This Little Light Of Mine
Song 3 – “The Lord Is My Shepherd” chant
(Tune: “Are You Sleeping?”)
“Jesus is my Shepherd,
Jesus is my Shepherd,
I am His sheep,
I am His sheep.
He will always love me,
He will always love me,
Day and night,
Day and night.”
Motions: pretend to hold a staff, wiggle fingers like sheep, hug self on “love me.”
- Bible hands, hug the “book,” step on “I stand alone.”
Song 2 – This Little Light Of Mine
Song 3 – “The Lord Is My Shepherd” chant
(Tune: “Are You Sleeping?”)
“Jesus is my Shepherd,
Jesus is my Shepherd,
I am His sheep,
I am His sheep.
He will always love me,
He will always love me,
Day and night,
Day and night.”
Motions: pretend to hold a staff, wiggle fingers like sheep, hug self on “love me.”
Lesson
Sit kids in a circle. Use: Jesus figure as shepherd, several sheep.
a) What a shepherd does
Place sheep on “grass” and Jesus nearby.
b) Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd”
Hold up “Jesus the shepherd.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
Motions:
Point up (Jesus) then to self on “my.”
Pretend to hold a staff on “Good Shepherd.”
Wiggle fingers like little ears/horns on “sheep” and point to self on “His.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
a) What a shepherd does
Place sheep on “grass” and Jesus nearby.
- “The Bible tells us that a shepherd takes care of sheep. The shepherd leads the sheep to good grass and fresh water. The shepherd keeps them safe from danger.”
- “If a sheep gets lost, the shepherd goes to find it. The shepherd loves the sheep and knows each one.”
b) Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd”
Hold up “Jesus the shepherd.”
- “Jesus said, ‘I am the Good Shepherd.’ That means Jesus is like a shepherd and we are like His sheep. He knows us by name. He loves us and leads us.”
- “Jesus said His sheep listen to His voice and follow Him. He also said He would give His life for the sheep. Jesus loved us so much that He died on the cross and came back to life to save us from sin.”
d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:
- “Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I am His sheep.”
Motions:
Point up (Jesus) then to self on “my.”
Pretend to hold a staff on “Good Shepherd.”
Wiggle fingers like little ears/horns on “sheep” and point to self on “His.”
Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.
c) Jesus connection (personal care)
Point gently to the children.
“Jesus takes care of you like a Good Shepherd. He watches over you at home, at church, and everywhere you go. When you are scared or sad, He is with you. You can talk to Him and follow Him.”
Point gently to the children.
“Jesus takes care of you like a Good Shepherd. He watches over you at home, at church, and everywhere you go. When you are scared or sad, He is with you. You can talk to Him and follow Him.”
Craft – “Jesus and His Sheep”
Goal:
Picture of Jesus as shepherd with sheep and the key phrase.
Steps
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
When finished, have children hold up their pictures and say:
Picture of Jesus as shepherd with sheep and the key phrase.
Steps
- Give each child a paper.
- Help them glue or draw Jesus the shepherd on the hill/field, with a staff.
- Help them glue 2–3 sheep around Jesus.
- Optional: add cotton balls to sheep bodies to make them fluffy.
- Add the phrase at the bottom:
- “Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I am His sheep.”
- Children can add sun, grass, flowers.
Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)
- “Your picture shows Jesus the shepherd with His sheep. Jesus cares for His sheep, keeps them safe, and leads them. Jesus is your Good Shepherd. You are one of His sheep. When you look at this picture, remember: ‘Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I am His sheep.’”
When finished, have children hold up their pictures and say:
- “Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I am His sheep.”
Supplies
- Paper with a simple hill or field outline.
- Pre-cut shepherd shape (or kids draw Jesus with a staff).
- Pre-cut sheep shapes or simple sheep outlines, cotton balls optional.
Glue sticks. - Crayons/markers.
- Label/space to write: “Jesus is my Good Shepherd. I am His sheep.”
Pierre's Activity Box
Children repeat after you:
