Curriculum
The Good Shepherd
Memory Verse:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Just like sheep need a good, loving shepherd, we need a good, loving Savior and friend. Jesus is the good shepherd who loves us and cares for us.
Scripture Summary
Raising livestock was a common livelihood in Jesus’ time. His disciples and followers understood this practice and the key roles: shepherd, hired hands, sheep, and wolves. Jesus compares Himself to a shepherd several times in Scripture.
While a hired hand cares for sheep in order to get paid, a shepherd cares much more deeply for the sheep. The sheep know the shepherd above all others. And the shepherd knows each of his sheep—the wanderers, those who are compliant, the troublemakers, and those who are hurting. The shepherd owns the sheep and leads them to water and back to the pen, protects them from predators, and ensures they’re all together in a group.
The sheep in the pen referred to Jewish people—Jesus’ own people—whom He came to save. Jesus, however, extended this salvation to all people and the “other sheep” ( referring to Gentiles).
The culmination of Jesus’ ministry was His persecution, death, and resurrection. Jesus often spoke of this end, but His disciples had trouble understanding His predictions. Jesus wanted to make it clear that no one would kill Him without God allowing it. Jesus freely gave up His life for each of His followers, then and now.
Why Is This Important
Jesus loves and cares for each of us like no other. He knows us inside and out—and still loves us. And we’re not to keep this to ourselves. Jesus came to save the entire world—His plan is for everyone.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
“For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:5)
The sandwich generation refers to the stage of life when people are caring for their parents while also caring for their own children. They’re “sandwiched” between two generations. While those in the sandwich generation can feel like this time of life is a season of great demands, fatigue, and greater decisions, I’m pondering with a new light.
I love to hear my parents speak of God’s faithfulness. Through long seasons of unemployment, celebrations, pain management, moves, unexpected diagnoses, and exciting milestones, God’s love and presence have been constant.
And, as they gain independence, our children are embracing God’s call on their lives—already learning to look for His fingerprints. Their own journeys, much like mine, include setbacks, accomplishments, and lots of learning.
God’s faithfulness continues to each generation. He is the good shepherd, and His love continues forever. I’m learning from and inspired by the generations before and behind me.
The generations before and behind us often include biological family members. They can also include close friends and neighbors in community. God intentionally places people in our lives (and us in their lives) for His purposes.
Take some time today to think how you’d answer these questions:
- Who has gone before you (whether a family member or friend) and spoken of God’s faithfulness?
- How can you share God’s love with the next generation this week?
- In what ways has God been faithful to you this year?
Prayer
Dear God, I’m so thankful that You didn’t intend for me to walk my journey alone. I have friends and family who have shared Your goodness with me. Please help me do the same for the next generation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
You’ll Need: Bibles, “Sheep Puppet” handouts, Scissors, Wiggly eyes, Glue, Large craft sticks, Markers, Cotton balls
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
Lead kids in these steps:
- Give each child a “Sheep Puppet” handout and a pair of scissors.
- Have kids cut out their sheep.
- Give each child two wiggly eyes to glue on the sheep head.
- Glue the sheep to the top of the craft stick.
- While the sheep dries to the craft stick, invite kids to open their Bibles to John 10:11.
- Help kids write the Bible memory verse on the back side of their sheep.
- Now have kids glue cotton balls onto the front side of the sheep.
- Encourage kids to practice saying the verse as they play with their sheep puppets.
SAY: Your sheep can help serve as a great reminder of the good shepherd, who we are going to learn more about today.
Interactive Bible Experience
You’ll Need: Bibles, Poster board, Markers, Scissors
Get Ready: Before class, cut one large sheep shape out of each of the five poster boards. You may use the picture on the “Sheep Puppet” handout as a guide for drawing the large sheep.
- Divide the class into five groups.
- Give each group a sheep poster board shape and a Bible.
- Invite each group to turn in their Bibles to Psalm 23.
- Assign each group one of these passages:
- Psalm 23:1-2
- Psalm 23:3
- Psalm 23:4
- Psalm 23:5
- Psalm 23:6
- Instruct each group to read their verses and draw things on their sheep that describe what they learned in their Bible passages about the good shepherd.
- Once they have finished, invite each group to share their passage. Then have them explain how they decorated their sheep shape and why.
ASK:
- What’s something new you learned about the good shepherd from Psalm 23?
- What does it mean to you for the good shepherd to lead you beside quiet waters?
- What does it mean to you for the good shepherd to guide you along the right path?
SAY: Psalm 23 is a very popular psalm, and it helps us to better understand the great love and protection of the good shepherd.
Snack
Square-Shaped Sheep Snack
You’ll Need: Paper plates, Napkins, Plastic knives, Graham crackers, Black candy melts, Marshmallow creme, Mini marshmallows
Get Ready: Have kids clean their hands.
Follow these steps to make the “Square-Shaped Sheep” snacks:
- Give each child a paper plate, a napkin, a plastic knife, two graham crackers, and two black candy melts.
- Instruct kids to ice their graham crackers with marshmallow creme.
- Have kids place a black candy melt in the middle of each graham cracker.
- Have kids use marshmallow creme to make two small dots on each black candy melt for the sheep eyes.
- Invite kids to cover their graham crackers with mini marshmallows.
- Enjoy!
SAY: Sheep are very vulnerable animals, and shepherds have an important job to take great care of them. Just like a shepherd protects and cares for his sheep, our good shepherd protects and cares for us.
Game
Move the Sheep
You’ll Need: Inflated white balloons
Follow these steps to play “Move the Sheep”:
- Explain that in “Move the Sheep,” the kids will work together to be shepherds and get their “sheep” balloons from one side of the room to another.
- Ask for a volunteer to be a wolf.
- The shepherds must keep the balloons in the air by hitting them. If a balloon falls on the floor, the wolf comes in and grabs the sheep.
- Play several rounds with different wolves, and see if the shepherds can successfully move the sheep from one side to the other without losing any to the wolves.
ASK:
- What kinds of things did you do to protect the sheep from the wolf?
- What kinds of things does Jesus, our good shepherd, do to take care of us?
SAY: You had to work together to take care of the sheep and protect them from the wolves that were just waiting to get one. We learn in John 10:14 that the good shepherd knows His sheep and they know Him. John 10:11 tells us the good shepherd loves us so much that He lays down His life for His sheep. There is no one who loves us more than Jesus. He loved us enough to die on the cross for our sins. That is the great news of the gospel.
Craft
Shepherd Staff Cross Art
You’ll Need: Air-dry clay in various colors
To make the “Shepherd Staff Cross Art,” follow these steps:
- Allow kids to pick what colors of the air-dry clay they would like to use.
- Invite kids to roll out the clay and then mold it into the shape of a shepherd’s staff.
- Have them choose another color of clay. They’ll roll that into a shorter straight piece and place it across the staff to make the staff look like a cross.
- Allow to dry.
SAY: Shepherds use their staffs as they care for their sheep. They can even use the staff to pick up their sheep if they fall or get stuck in a difficult spot.
ASK:
- When was a time that you were stuck in a difficult spot?
- How did someone help you get “unstuck”?
SAY: We, like sheep, often fall or get stuck in life, and that puts us in a difficult spot. Jesus, the good shepherd, saved us from our sin by dying on the cross for us. Jesus is a good shepherd and our Savior, and He cared for us enough to give up His life.
Prayer
Baaa Prayers
- Invite kids to stand in a circle, facing the center. Instruct adult and teen helpers to stand around the outside of the circle.
- Explain that you are going to say a few statements, and if a child agrees with that statement, he or she can “baaa” aloud.
- After each round, encourage other leaders or kids to pray for the children who “baaa” aloud.
- Statements to use:
- I am worried about something.
- I have someone in my family who is sick.
- Someone I love doesn’t know Jesus.
- I have questions about God.
