Lesson 3: Jesus is our good shepherd.
Passage: John 10:11-21 - Jesus taught his followers that he is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. The shepherd protects the sheep from the attacks of predators, rather than running away to protect his own life. He spoke about having a close and loving relationship with the sheep, as well as having sheep from different sheep pens that will one day join to become one flock under one shepherd. Jesus also alluded to the fact that he would sacrifice his life of his own accord and return to life again. There was division among those who heard his words, with some calling him demon-possessed and others pointing to his miracles as proof that he is from God.
Big Idea: Jesus takes good care of us.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Follow the Leader — Activity Leader
Kids take turns being the leader and doing actions that everyone else in the room has to copy.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about a time when Jesus taught his followers that he was like a shepherd and they were like sheep.
Does anyone know what a shepherd is? What is their job?
What are some things that you know about sheep? (What do they look like? What do they sound like? What do they do?)
Let’s watch today’s video to find out more about what Jesus had to say about shepherds and sheep…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you ever had a pet that you really loved and cared for? What are some things that people who have pets need to do to take care of them?
When someone has a pet that they love and care for, do they ask the pet do to something for them too? Or do they just love and care for them no matter what?
What are some ways that Jesus is like a shepherd who takes care of sheep?
How do you feel knowing that Jesus loves and cares for you just like a shepherd loves and cares for sheep?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about how Jesus is our Good Shepherd to loves us, cares for us, and watches over us. Thank you that you are always with us even when we feel lonely or scared or sad. That you that you love us so much and don’t want anything back from us, just like we might love and care for a pet without wanting anything from them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Pipe Cleaner Bracelets — Activity Leader
The kids will be making bracelets that represent Jesus (brown bead & heart bead) and the sheep (sheep-shaped beads).
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit near the TV. Welcome them to class. Introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Copycat — Activity Leader
Everyone in the group is to stand in a circle facing inwards (try to give the kids some space). Pick one person (the “guesser”) and send them out of the room (or blindfold).
While they are out of the room, appoint a “leader”. This person is the one who will lead the room in various movements, frequently changing (ie. stamping feet, spinning, standing on one foot, dancing, singing, etc). Everyone else in the circle must mimic the leader, without giving away who the leader is.
Bring the person back into the room and have them stand in the middle of the circle, and commence the game.
The aim of the game is the for person in the middle to guess who the leader is. They get three chances to guess it right. Once their turn is finished, repeat the game for several rounds.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about a time when Jesus taught his followers that he was like a shepherd and they were like sheep
Does anyone know what a shepherd is? What is their job?
What are some things that you know about sheep? (What do they look like? What do they sound like? What do they do?)
Let’s watch today’s video to find out more about what Jesus had to say about shepherds and sheep…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you ever had a pet that you really loved and cared for? What are some things that people who have pets need to do to take care of them?
When someone has a pet that they love and care for, do they ask the pet do to something for them too? Or do they just love and care for them no matter what?
What are some ways that Jesus is like a shepherd who takes care of sheep?
How do you feel knowing that Jesus loves and cares for you just like a shepherd loves and cares for sheep?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we learned today about how Jesus is our Good Shepherd to loves us, cares for us, and watches over us. Thank you that you are always with us even when we feel lonely or scared or sad. That you that you love us so much and don’t want anything back from us, just like we might love and care for a pet without wanting anything from them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Pipe Cleaner Bracelets — Activity Leader
The kids will be making bracelets that represent Jesus (brown bead & heart bead) and the sheep (sheep-shaped beads).
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Copycat — Activity Leader
Everyone in the group is to stand in a circle facing inwards (try to give the kids some space). Pick one person (the “guesser”) and send them out of the room (or blindfold).
While they are out of the room, appoint a “leader”. This person is the one who will lead the room in various movements, frequently changing (ie. stamping feet, spinning, standing on one foot, dancing, singing, etc). Everyone else in the circle must mimic the leader, without giving away who the leader is.
Bring the person back into the room and have them stand in the middle of the circle, and commence the game.
The aim of the game is the for person in the middle to guess who the leader is. They get three chances to guess it right. Once their turn is finished, repeat the game for several rounds.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re going to be learning about what Jesus taught about shepherds and sheep. Can someone tell me what a shepherd is and what they do?
What are some facts that you can think of about sheep? (What are their characteristics? What are some of their behaviors?)
Let’s watch today’s video to find out what Jesus had to say about this shepherds and sheep…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you ever had a pet that you really loved and cared for? What are some things that people who have pets need to do to take care of them?
When someone has a pet that they take care of, do you think they usually expect something from their pet in return, or do they love them unconditionally?
Have you ever felt that kind of unconditional love and that sense of being cared for by someone who doesn’t expect anything in return?
How do you think that might change a person’s life to know that there’s someone who loves them just for who they are, without expecting anything from them, and who is always looking out for them?
Do you think that’s the way God loves us? Why or why not?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story we heard today about how Jesus is a Good Shepherd who loves and cares for us, who protects us from danger, who cares for our needs, and who would even go as far as giving his own life for our sake. Please help us to know deep down how much we are loved and cared for by you, and how there is nothing at all that can change that because your love is unconditional. The only thing for us to do is to accept that love and allow it to naturally change our lives and flow from us to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Pipe Cleaner Bracelets — Activity Leader
The kids will be making bracelets that represent Jesus (brown bead & heart bead) and the sheep (sheep-shaped beads).
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What is a shepherd and what does a shepherd do?
In what ways is Jesus like a shepherd who takes care of sheep?
What are some ways that Jesus takes care of us? Do you think Jesus expects us to do anything for him back?
What does it feel like for you to know that you are loved and cared for my Jesus?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What is the job of a shepherd and what makes a “good” shepherd?
Why do you think Jesus used this example to describe himself? In what ways is Jesus like a shepherd taking care of sheep?
What are some things in your life that show you that Jesus is watching over you and taking care of you?
Do you think Jesus’ love depends on what we do or don’t do for him in return? How would it feel to know that you are loved and cared for by Jesus no matter what?
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What was the Bible story that you learned about in class today?
What is the role of a shepherd and what do you think are some criteria for someone to be a “good” shepherd?
Why do you think Jesus used this example when talking about himself?
What are some ways that Jesus is like a shepherd and we are like sheep? What are some ways that you have seen God’s love and care in your life?
What do you think about the idea that Jesus loves us unconditionally? How does it make you feel to know that you are loved that way?
