Curriculum
The Good Shepherd's Voice
Memory Verse:
“His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” John 10:4
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Jesus compared Himself to a shepherd caring for His sheep or His people. Just like sheep, we can listen for His voice, and just His voice, to know our true identity and what to do each day.
Scripture Summary
Owning and caring for a flock of sheep was a common line of work for the Jewish people. A shepherd was solely responsible for his sheep. It was up to the shepherd to ensure the sheep were safe and had enough food to eat and water to drink. A shepherd might delegate some of the sheep’s care to his children.
During the day, sheep were able to graze around the pasture. At night, the shepherd would gather his sheep into a pen for protection. There were various kinds of pens: caves, outdoor structures, or open areas bordered with stones or branches. All pens, regardless of pen type, had one gate in which sheep could enter and exit. The shepherd often slept at the gate to keep the sheep in and thieves out.
When Jesus taught his followers, He spoke in ways they could understand. Some of Jesus’ teachings were abstract, so He started with words or concepts that were familiar in the Jewish culture. He compared Himself to a shepherd just as the prophet Ezekiel had done (Ezekiel 34:23). The Jewish people were often shepherds and quickly understood the level of intentional care shepherds provided for their sheep.
The Jewish people also understood how sheep follow the shepherd’s voice. Sheep are loyal animals and quickly learn to decipher and respond to only their shepherd’s voice. They know who provides food, water, and care. And they faithfully follow their shepherd. When Jesus calls Himself a shepherd, He communicates just how well He cares for His sheep, His people. He will provide everything they need. And His people listen for and follow His voice.
Why Is This Important
There are lots of noises and voices in the world telling us to do this or seek after that. But Jesus’ voice, the voice of the Good Shepherd, is the only voice of consistent truth and consistent love for us.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
What Are You Listening To?
“‘Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.’” (Matthew 7:24)
I love Spotify. There are literally millions of music and podcast tracks at my fingertips. While I’m running, driving, or hanging out at the house, I can listen to something I love. I can choose a specific song or album, and I can create a playlist containing all of my favorites.
Or I can let Spotify surprise me. Through engineering and programming masterminds, Spotify can develop a playlist for me based on what I’ve listened to already. If I like artist A, then surely I’ll like artist B. Spotify doesn’t always get it right. While I enjoy artist A, artist B is just not for me
The same is true when we listen to things further and further removed from God’s Word. Jesus’ voice can be heard throughout Scripture. When we feast on His Word, we can better know His voice. He wants to encourage us, show us the right path, and warn us of potential harm. Jesus desires such a close relationship with us that we easily recognize His voice.
Jesus wants what’s best for us, and His way is best. We can listen to Him and His teachings and follow what He says. This is a for-sure thing–as sure as a building foundation.
You may know that Spotify’s tagline is, “Listening is everything.” How true. Listening is the first step before doing. The question is, “What are you listening to?”
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for speaking clearly through Your Word. Please help me listen more and more to You, so that I can recognize Your voice in the midst of this world’s chaos. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” John 10:4
SAY: Today we are learning that the sheep know the shepherd’s voice. As we learn our Bible memory verse, I am going to say phrases of it in different ways and you have to repeat back the phrase sounding just like the way I say it.
Be creative with how you say each phrase and make sure the children repeat the phrase back to you sounding just like you did. Here are some suggestions:
- His sheep follow Him - in a whisper
- because they know his voice. - slow motion
- John 10:4 - loud
If time allows, ask for a few children to call the verse in creative ways as the other children echo back.
Interactive Bible Experience
John 10:1-10
Explain that as you read today’s Scripture, each one of the children will be called out by name. (Make sure you call every child’s name before you’re finished reading the Scripture.) Tell children to listen for their name and when they hear their name, they are to “BAA” like a sheep.
Read the following from your open Bible.
SAY: Today we are reading from John 10 about how sheep know their shepherd’s voice.
Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.
Jesus says, “Child’s name is my sheep.
The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
Jesus says, “[Child’s name] is my sheep.”
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.
Jesus says, “[Child’s name] is my sheep.”
Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what He was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.”
Jesus says, “[Child’s name] is my sheep.”
All who have come before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved.
Jesus says, “[Child’s name] is my sheep.”
They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
(At the end say all of their names so they can let out a collective “BAA”.)
ASK:
- What do you know about sheep?
SAY: Sheep need a shepherd to take care of them or they can get lost or hurt. Just as sheep in real life know their master’s voice, those of us that belong to Jesus know His voice, too. Jesus is the Good Shepherd.
Snack
Sheep Sculpture Treat
You'll need: Pretzel sticks, Large marshmallows, Small marshmallows, Paper plates
Without any instructions, have children complete this challenge to make a Sheep Sculpture Treat.
The Challenge: Use the supplies to make a sheep. When you’re finished, “baa” three times before you eat your snack.
Game
The Enemy Steals Game
You’ll Need: A small object/ball, “The Good Shepherd’s Voice How-to Video”
Get Ready: Have children sit in a large circle on the floor. Place a ball in the middle of the circle.
Play the game as follows:
- Call out two children’s names.
- Both children race to get the ball first.
- The child who does not get the ball, says, “I was robbed!”
- Set the ball in the center again and have both children return to their seats.
- Repeat.
Play several rounds so each child has a turn.
Afterward, SAY: In this game, you were trying to be the first to get the ball, but sometimes the other person got it first. And then the person who did not get the ball said, “I was robbed!”
ASK: How did it feel to be robbed?
SAY: The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. But the very opposite of the Good Shepherd is the thief, and the thief is the devil. We learn in John 10:10 that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The Good Shepherd comes that we may have life and have it to the full.
Craft
Little Sheep
You’ll Need: “The Good Shepherd’s Voice” handout, Crayons, Cotton balls, Glue
Have children follow these steps to make their little sheep.
- Color the sheep’s legs and the grass.
- Cover the sheep in glue.
- Place cotton balls on the sheep.
SAY: Your sheep are so cute. The Bible says that we are like sheep and Jesus is our shepherd. Jesus loves us, takes care of us, and rescues us when we are in trouble. And when we follow Him closely, we get to know Him really well and we know His voice. When I call your name, I want you to hold up your sheep and “Baaa” at me.
Call children’s names and have them respond.
Prayer
Fallen Sheep Prayers
SAY: Sheep are known to fall over and they need the Shepherd to help them up. Find a spot in the room and fall over like a sheep in need of help. I am going to walk around the room and pray for each of you by name. As I pray for you, I’m going to help you get up, like a shepherd would help one of their sheep.
As you pray for the children, pray specifically that they would come to an understanding that Jesus alone is the Good Shepherd and through Him alone can we be rescued from our sin.
