The Good Shepherd – Biblical Beasts: Silly Sheep See the Bible Crafts for this lesson plan.
Main Objective: Jesus tells us that He is the good shepherd, which makes us His sheep. That may not seem like a great compliment, since sheep are not the brightest creatures and tend to wander astray. But as people, we recognize that we make mistakes and wander, without the guidance of the Good Shepherd. This message considers sheep and describes what it means to listen for the voice of Jesus and follow Him.
Law/Gospel Theme: When we consider Jesus as our Good Shepherd, we consider how He leads us and wants what is best for us. Left to our own devices, we don’t always do as we should, and we need to rely on a leader (shepherd) to guide us. Jesus proved Himself as a loving shepherd when He sacrificed His life to protect us and save us.
Note: This lesson is the sixth and final in a series on “Biblical Beasts,” remarkable stories of animals that God used in various ways. This passage focuses on how Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows and cares for us, His sheep.
Optional Materials: Representations of sheep (pictures, toys, etc.)
Bible Passage: John 10:1-18
True freedom in Christ — a Bible lesson with printable activities. Kids and PreK tracks in one download.
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Greet children, and sheep…
Hello, children of God!
What do I have with me today? These are sheep! Well, they aren’t real sheep, but you can see that they look like sheep. Do you know anything about sheep? Allow students to make suggestions, and offer some of your own. Sometimes we call them lambs…we know that sheep have fluffy wool that we use to make clothing. They say “baa.” They often live on farms or out in pastures. They eat grass. But did you know that sheep are actually not that smart? Left on their own, without any guidance, sheep easily wander away and get lost. If they don’t have anyone to lead them, they can quickly get into trouble. Actually, if a sheep falls over, it can’t even get itself up by itself!
Sheep need someone to help and lead them, and that’s why shepherds are important. A shepherd’s job is to take care of the sheep. Shepherds make sure to lead their flocks to places where they can have food and water. They watch to make sure sheep don’t go astray by themselves. They protect the sheep from animals that might want to harm them. It’s an important job, and it’s important for sheep to have a good shepherd. The sheep know to stay close to the shepherd for help, and can recognize his voice.
The Bible talks about sheep in several places, and describes the best shepherd of all. Jesus said that He was the Good Shepherd. He knows His sheep and takes care of them. He provides for them and takes them where they need to go. He is willing to protect the sheep and keep them safe, and we know that He was willing to lay down His life. If a sheep wanders away, He does whatever it takes to find it.
So who are the sheep in this case? We are! Of course, if you heard the earlier description of how sheep aren’t too smart, being referred to as a sheep might not sound like a compliment. When we think about it, though, there is a lot of truth to this. Left to our own devices, we make a lot of mistakes. We sin. We wander away and get lost. We can’t help ourselves sometimes. We need a good leader, or shepherd, to help us find our way and understand right from wrong. We know that the Lord is our Shepherd and helps us with whatever we need.
So how do we do it? How do we listen to and recognize our Good Shepherd? We read His word to understand what He says and how He wants us to live. We go to church to listen to pastors and others teach us. We talk to others who know the Lord and the Bible. And we pray! We can ask God for help and for understanding. We might not hear His voice out loud, but we can listen for it and know that He responds to us and guides us. He wants the best for us. He will always guide us to the things we need and lead us in the way we should go.
Let’s pray now and thank God for guiding us as our Good Shepherd.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for being our shepherd.
Help us to follow where you lead
And to trust in your guidance and protection.
Help us listen for and hear your voice.
Thank you for your love.
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” -John 10:1-18
Biblical Beasts: Silly Sheep – Sunday School Lesson on Jesus the Good Shepherd
It is a blessing and comfort to consider how the Lord is our Shepherd. He guides us, protects us, and cares for us, leading us where we need to go and keeping us from harm. The activities and ideas within this lesson are geared primarily to John 10, where Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. However, similar things could be used to study Psalm 23 or Luke 15, where Jesus gives the parable of the lost sheep.
This lesson is the sixth in a series on “Biblical Beasts,” remarkable stories of animals that God used in various ways. This passage reminds us that Jesus is our Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep, depending on Him for guidance and protection.
Passage: John 10:1-18
True freedom in Christ — a Bible lesson with printable activities. Kids and PreK tracks in one download.
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Cotton balls, sheep toys, sheep pictures
Lesson Opening: There are many fun sheep activities for students. Since this lesson focuses on the Lord as a good shepherd, and our role in listening for his voice, highlight those elements in particular.
- “Wolf and sheep”: this variation on freeze tag begins with one student as a “shepherd” and another as “wolf.” The remaining students will scatter across a playing field. If tagged by the wolf, students must “baa” and lie or crouch down. The shepherd will use a long pool noodle “staff” to un-tag the sheep and try to bring them back into the center of the playing field. The goal is to bring all sheep into the center without letting them stray or get caught by the wolf.
- “Which Sheep is this”? Start with a blindfolded “shepherd.” The “sheep will mill about the playing area. When touched by the shepherd, players will make a “baa” sheep sound, and see if the shepherd can identify who he/she is touching.
- Sheep round-up (especially fun for younger students): scatter and/or hide cotton balls or tiny toys around a classroom, and have students gather them up as “sheep.” Count how many sheep are found to make sure that all of them are gathered.
- Herd the Sheep: Divide the group into teams and give each student a pool noodle. Have kids go on either side of a play area, and have a hula hoop on each side. This is the “sheep pen.” Provide balls or balloons to be “sheep.” Students can use their pool noodles to herd the sheep into the pens. The team with the most penned sheep after a certain time is the winner.
- Sheep Snack: Poke pretzel sticks into large marshmallows, placing a smaller marshmallow at the top of one stick for a “head.” Enjoy munching a tasty and sheepish snack!
Explain for students that there are a lot of beautiful descriptions we have in the Bible for who God is and how He loves and takes care of us. One of the ways that God is described is as a shepherd, a good shepherd who watches out for His sheep and even lays down His life for them.
Ask: Do you know what a shepherd does? Do you know any shepherds?
Bible Lesson: The passage from John is spoken by Jesus, describing how He cares for us and lays down His life. This passage is a good one to read out loud for children, pausing to discuss and describe. Older students can take turns reading themselves, if willing. Be sure to point out that Jesus is speaking.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. -John 10:1-3
Jesus was using a metaphor here. He explained that robbers or thieves might try to steal sheep from a flock. Students might need a bit of explanation regarding the roles of shepherds: they were to take care of sheep and make sure wild animals or thieves did not snatch them away. Sheep tend to follow wherever their guard leads them, trusting the shepherd and letting him lead. Jesus said that sheep know the shepherd’s voice, as we should know His voice.
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. -John 10:4-6
Ask: Have your parents ever talked to you about staying close to them in a crowd? What should you do if a stranger tries to talk to you and your parents aren’t close? A shepherd was a guardian for the lambs. They would listen carefully for his voice.
Jesus wanted people to know how much He cared for them, and to understand why He had come. He came to care for us and ultimately to die for us. Sometimes, the shepherd would lie down in front of the gate to protect the flock from danger or escape. Jesus said that He did the same thing. In fact, He said that He would lay down His very life. A great shepherd is willing to go up against enemies in order to keep the sheep safe. Jesus conquered death to give us life.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. -John 10:7-11
Jesus wanted to emphasize that He was the “real thing.” If danger came, a servant or other guardian would be more likely to run away than stay and fight off a foe for the flock. The true shepherd would genuinely care for the lambs. Jesus is that true shepherd. This is a comforting image for us, because we know that Jesus cares for us deeply and knows us.
Ask: Do you have any pets? You probably love and care for your pets, and they know that you do…Jesus loves us so much more than that! And He wants to care for us.
He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
-John 10:11-18
There’s one more thing in these verses that can be tricky to understand. Jesus said that he had “other sheep not of this fold…” but that He would bring them in to be “one flock, one shepherd.” For older students, explain that Jesus was referring to the Gentiles. In the time Jesus was on Earth, Jews thought they were the only chosen people. But Jesus came to show that anyone and everyone can be part of God’s family, if they trust Christ and follow Him as the way, truth, and life.
No one forced Jesus to sacrifice His life for us, but He gave it because He loves us!
Ask: So…at the beginning of the lesson we asked if you knew any shepherds. What do you think? You do know a shepherd. In fact, you know THE Good Shepherd…His name is Jesus!
Review questions about the lesson:
- How can we listen for the voice of Jesus in our lives?
- What does it mean that we are “sheep” and Jesus is the shepherd?
- When do we try to do things on our own? How is this like a sheep wandering away from the fold?
Close with prayer, thanking God for caring for us as a good shepherd. Ask for help in trusting and loving Him over all things.
