This shepherd’s voice game idea was shared by Bible Games Central. Use it to add a fun element to Sunday School lessons about Jesus being our Good Shepherd. Use the the Bible references below and it could be a standalone lesson for children’s church too!
Be prepared for noise and chaos, with half of the group shouting and the other half trying to listen out for the correct voice to follow! A great way to introduce the topic of discipleship and following the Good Shepherd.
- Bible: John 10:2-5,11-15; 14:15-17,26
- Ages: 6 and above
- Group Size: 6 or more
- Supplies: Blindfolds (1 blindfold for every 2 players)
“Sheep Hear My Voice” Game Directions
Pair everyone up.
Blindfold one person from each pair and have him/her stand in the middle of the room.
These are the sheep.
Scatter up the others and have them stand at the edge of the room. These are the shepherds.
Ask all the sheep to turn 3 rounds on the spot.
On “Go”, the shepherds will call out to their respective sheep, to give them instructions to walk towards them. (No running allowed.)
The first pair of sheep and shepherd to reunite wins.
Switch roles and repeat.
Bible Message – Following Jesus’ Voice
After playing this game, use this section to guide you in your lesson on following Jesus.
Discuss
1. Did you enjoy this game?
2. Was it easy to identify which voice to follow? How did you know?
3. Do you know a Bible passage that talks about following the correct voice?
John 10:2-5 (NIRV)
2 The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own sheep, he goes on ahead of them. His sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from him. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.”
Discuss
4. Whose voice will the sheep follow?
5. Do the sheep know who their shepherd is?
6. Does the shepherd know which are his sheep?
Say
This passage tells us that the shepherd knows his sheep by name. And the sheep recognizes and follows the voice of its shepherd. Let’s read more about the shepherd and the sheep.
John 10:11-13 (NIRV)
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when the hired man sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired man. He does not care about the sheep.
Discuss
7. Who does this passage compare the good shepherd with?
8. What will a good shepherd do for his sheep? Why?
John 10:14-15 (NIRV)
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me. 15 They know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I give my life for the sheep.
Discuss
9. In this passage, who does the good shepherd refer to?
10. Who are the sheep?
Say
In this passage, the good shepherd refers to Jesus and the sheep are his followers.
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the good shepherd who died on the cross for our sins.
If you believe in Jesus, you are a follower of Jesus. Jesus is your shepherd and you are one of Jesus’ sheep.
Discuss
11. Is Jesus your shepherd? Are you one of his sheep?
12. What does this verse tell us?
Conclude
If we are followers of Jesus and one of his sheep, then we must obey his commands.
John 14:15-17,26 tells us that the Holy Spirit who lives inside us will help us follow Jesus.
It is important that you learn to follow Jesus closely. You can do this by reading the Bible and talking to him regularly.
John 14:15-17 (NIRV)
15 “If you love me, obey my commands. 16 I will ask the Father. And he will give you another friend to help you and to be with you forever. 17 That friend is the Spirit of truth. The world can’t accept him. That’s because the world does not see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you.
John 14:26 (NIRV)
26 But the Father will send the Friend in my name to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things. He will remind you of everything I have said to you.
New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
This is so helpful. When I was a teen, I used the blindfold game to explain faith but now that i’m a mom, it’s harder to be so creative on the fly sometimes. This saved me so much time and is the perfect way to teach this concept to my AWANA girls. Thank you so much!