During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide and Student Page, can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
John 10:14
Jesus is your Good Shepherd. He loves you. He cares about every part of your life, the important things and the small details. He wants to lead you beside still waters. He wants to comfort you and refresh your soul. But a sheep cannot follow its shepherd if it does not recognize his voice. And a sheep cannot recognize his voice if it never takes time to listen.
Take time every day this week to listen to your Shepherd’s voice. Pause and ask God, “Is there anything You want to say to me?” Then wait and listen. God may put a Bible verse or a song in your mind. He may give you a picture or a truth about who He is or who you are to Him. If you do not hear anything, simply spend time praising Him for who He is.
Tell your children’s families that their children are learning that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. Encourage the families to share what they know about shepherds. For example, have they ever seen a shepherd? What do shepherds do? What would happen to the shepherd’s sheep or goats without him?
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Ask the children if they have ever seen a shepherd. If some of them have, let them talk about what they noticed. If no one has, ask them if they know what a shepherd does. They probably have some good ideas. You can fill in other ideas, too. Shepherds lead animals, such as sheep or goats, to food and water. They protect the animals and help them if they are sick or injured.
Let’s play a game about sheep and shepherds! A good shepherd takes good care of his sheep. He protects them from other animals. He leads them to food and water. A sheep must know its shepherd’s voice in order to follow him.
Choose 1 child to be the “shepherd.” All the other children are her sheep. Explain that the sheep will stand up and close their eyes. The shepherd will move quietly to a different spot and say the words, “Follow me.” The sheep will keep their eyes closed and turn toward the shepherd’s voice. Then the sheep will open their eyes to see if they are facing the shepherd. They will close their eyes again, and the shepherd will quietly move to another spot. She will whisper, “Follow me.” Play this several times with the shepherd getting more and more quiet each time. If time allows, choose another child to be shepherd and play again.
Optional: If possible, use the Action Bible image.
The Bible describes Jesus as the Good Shepherd and says that we are His sheep. Sheep need someone to care for them. They cannot protect themselves. They cannot even find food and water by themselves. They need their shepherd to lead them and take care of them.
The Bible tells us about the many different ways Jesus takes care us, His sheep. I will read some statements that are based on Bible verses. As you listen to them, think about how much He loves you. Listen to what Jesus says to us in the Bible:
In this world, sometimes you feel out of place, like you do not belong. God wants you to live with Him every single day of your life. He is always with you. Always looking out for you because He loves you. His goodness and love are here for you, always and forever.
Encourage the children to talk about what they just heard.
Remind the children, if needed, that what Jesus says will always agree with the Bible because it is His Word.
Help the children to see that Jesus wants us to talk to Him and listen to Him because He wants to be in relationship with us. He wants to talk with us like a friend.
Even though you cannot see Jesus, He really is with you. He is always watching out for you.
He understands and cares about your feelings. He meets your needs. He protects you. He talks to you.
When you listen to Jesus, it is called listening prayer. It is wonderful to know that we can talk to Jesus about anything, at any time, and anywhere. And it is even more wonderful to know that He will speak to us, too!
To do listening prayer, you will need to develop your spiritual eyes and ears. We are going to do this today by listening to verses from the Bible, which is God’s Word.
First, think about what you just heard about Jesus, the Good Shepherd. How does hearing about your Good Shepherd make you feel? Do you feel safe? Provided for? Loved? Like you belong?
Encourage the children to stand quietly. As you read each verse, the children will use their bodies to show what they hear Jesus say to them in the verse. For example, after hearing Psalm 23:2, they might sit or lie down. Encourage them as needed to get started.
Ask Jesus to help you know Him better. I will read Psalm 23 and pause after each verse so you can respond to what you hear Jesus saying to you. He may comfort you or encourage you. Use your body to respond to what you hear Him saying to you. Let’s try this with the first verse.
Show the student the memory verse poster, if you are using it.
The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.
Psalm 23:1, NIrV
After hearing this verse, you may realize that you have a certain need, and you hear Jesus saying that He will meet your needs. So you might open your hands to receive what He wants to give you.
Pause for a minute so the children can respond. Continue to read Psalm 23, pausing for a minute after each verse so the children can respond to them.
He lets me lie down in fields of green grass. He leads me beside quiet waters. (Pause) He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name. (Pause) Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff comfort me. (Pause) You prepare a feast for me right in front of my enemies. You pour oil on my head. My cup runs over. (Pause) I am sure that your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. And I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (Pause)
Psalm 23, NIrV
Optional Supplies:
You can draw a picture or write what you think He is saying to you.
Provide crayons and paper. Let the children draw pictures of what Jesus is saying to them as you read Psalm 23. Allow time for a few children to share what they drew. If some children have not heard God say anything to them, suggest they draw pictures of themselves doing things that they believe would please God.
If you are using Student Pages, there is space for the children to respond to Psalm 23 and what they hear as they listen to God in prayer.
End of Option
Congratulate the children for their listening prayer and response. Tell them that they can talk to God like this anytime they want. Close by praying this blessing based on John 10:27 over the children:
Blessing: Jesus is your Good Shepherd. May you hear His voice and know how much He loves you.
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song, if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
