Big Idea: I belong to Jesus.
Bible Basis: John 10:1-16
Key Verse: “At one time (hold up one finger) you were far away from God (march in place). But now you belong (hug yourself) to Christ Jesus (hold arms out like a cross).” Ephesians 2:13 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
What is your favorite part of this Bible lesson?
The Good Shepherd takes care of His sheep. How do you think Jesus takes care of you?
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
Choose one (or more) of these activities to do with your child.
+ Follow the Shepherd
- Supplies: None
- Directions: Tell the children that you are the shepherd and they are the sheep. Wherever the shepherd goes, the sheep must follow. Begin by moving slowly around the area while the sheep follow you. Create variety by moving faster, slower, in zig zag patterns, in tight circles, etc. After a while, allow the children to take turns being the shepherd and continue the game.
- Say: Wow! You all did such a great job following the shepherd. Today’s true Bible story is about a Good Shepherd who loves His sheep so much. The sheep go where the shepherd goes and they do what the shepherd says. In just a little bit, we’re going to learn who the shepherd is.
- Question: Have you ever pet a sheep before? If you have, what was it like? If not, what do you think their wool feels like?
+ Sheep Herders
- Supplies: Cotton balls, marker, shoe box, wolf cards
- Directions: Give each child a cotton ball and a marker. (Tell the children not to remove the cap from their marker.) Next, place the shoebox on its side on the floor against a wall. Tell the children to imagine they are a good shepherd. The marker is their shepherd’s staff, the cotton ball is their sheep, and the shoebox is the sheep’s pen. Have the children place their cotton ball on the floor about 8 feet from the shoe box, then have them begin herding their sheep toward the pen using their shepherd’s staff. As the children get close to the pen, lay some wolf cards on the floor. The children must herd their sheep around the wolves. When all of the sheep are in the pen, celebrate, then play another round.
- Say: That game reminds us of today’s true Bible story. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for His sheep. We’re kind of like the sheep. Jesus leads us in the right direction and keeps us out of trouble.
- Question: How do you think Jesus cares for you and protects you like a Good Shepherd?
+ Shepherd's Voice (Application Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Say: In today’s Bible story, Jesus said He is like a Good Shepherd and we’re like His sheep. We belong to Jesus. But the sheep have to know the Good Shepherd’s voice. Let’s play a game that helps us learn the difference between the Good Shepherd’s voice and the Stranger’s voice.
- Directions: Tell the children to pretend like they are the sheep. Stand near a wall, then read the statements from below one at a time. If the statement is something Jesus would say, the sheep must run to the shepherd and say, “I belong to Jesus!” If the statement is something Jesus would NOT say, the sheep should run away to the opposite wall. Continue until all of the statements have been read.
- Statements:
- You should love God with your whole heart. (Shepherd)
- It’s okay to steal little things. (Stranger)
- Listen to your parents and do what they say. (Shepherd)
- If someone is in your way, you can push them. (Stranger)
- You should treat people the same way you want to be treated. (Shepherd)
- You should be mean to people who are mean to you. (Stranger)
- You should love people even if they are mean to you. (Shepherd)
- Don’t be worried about anything. God will take care of you. (Shepherd)
- Get as much stuff as you can and don’t share with anyone. (Stranger)
- You should love your neighbors as much as you love yourself. (Shepherd)
+ Lava Leapers (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Supplies: Rope or yarn (2 pieces per group)
- Today's Bible Verse: “At one time (hold up one finger) you were far away from God (march in place). But now you belong (hug yourself) to Christ Jesus (hold arms out like a cross).” Ephesians 2:13 (extend hands like you’re holding a book).
- Directions: Practice the Bible verse together until the children can remember it. When ready, lay the two pieces of rope on the floor parallel to one another with about 6 inches in-between. Tell the children to imagine the space between the ropes is a river of hot lava. Have the children line up along one side of the lava. As a group, recite the verse together, then leap over the lava. If the children land in the lava, they can pretend to sink into it. Next, move one of the ropes 6 inches further away so the river is wider, then repeat. Keep moving the rope 6 inches each time until the children can no longer jump across. If time and interest allow, play again from the beginning.
+ Wiggle Freeze (Bible Story Review Activity)
- Supplies: None
- Directions: Tell the children that when you say, “Wiggle,” they can move and wiggle in whatever way they want, but when you say, “Freeze,” they have to stop and remain totally still until someone is caught moving. Begin by repeatedly saying “Wiggle” for as long as you would like, then say “Freeze!” The children will freeze in place. Watch closely to see which child moves first. Whichever child moves first, ask that child what happened first in today’s Bible story. (They don’t have to tell the whole story, just the first part.) If necessary, allow the other children to help. When finished, begin saying “Wiggle” again and repeat the above instructions. For each additional round, ask the child who moves first to tell what happened next in the story. Continue playing until the whole story has been told.
+ My Family (Response to God Activity)
- Supplies: GO! Home Guide (1 per child), markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a GO! Home Guide and some crayons or markers. The sheet will have a space for children to draw. Tell the children to draw a picture of their family or people who care for them. When finished, have the children show their picture and talk about their drawing.
- Say: Today we learned that Jesus is like a Good Shepherd and we are like His sheep. One of the ways Jesus cares for us is by giving us people who care for us. Let’s say a prayer and thank Jesus for our families.
- Prayer: Begin by asking if any of the children would like to pray. Allow any children who want to pray the opportunity to do so. When they’re finished, close the prayer by thanking Jesus for your family and for all the families of the child.
+ Coloring Sheet (GO! Deeper Activity)
- Supplies: Bible story coloring sheet, markers or crayons
- Directions: Give each child a Bible story coloring sheet and some crayons or markers. While the children are coloring, give them a snack to eat and ask the following questions to help them go deeper into the story.
- Question: What was your favorite part of today’s Bible story?
- Question: The Good Shepherd takes care of His sheep. How do you think Jesus takes care of you?
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear Jesus, You are such a good Shepherd. Thank you for taking care of us and loving us so, so much. We love you too, Jesus. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read the account of Jesus being our Good Shepherd in your child’s favorite Bible storybook.
Say this week’s Bible verse every morning with the actions (see above).
Read the account of Jesus being our Good Shepherd from the Bible in John 10:1-16 with your child.
Do more of the activities above!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!