This week we are learning about The Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:3-7) in the free Online Preschool. Below you will find the story to read to children with some questions and then a prayer following that. You can read the story first, then ask the questions and then have them repeat the prayer after you. I have put periods throughout the prayer for you to pause and let the children repeat after you.
Bible Story:
Some people wondered who was most important to God. So Jesus told them a parable. “Think about a shepherd. What does he do? He watches over his sheep. He gives them plenty of food, and he gives them plenty of water.” “He counts them up to make sure they are all there. If one is lost, he looks for it. He looks in the barn. He looks near the stream. He looks in the hills. He looks everywhere.” “The shepherd does not give up. At last, he finds the little lost sheep.” “He carries the sheep back. He calls his friends together and says, ‘Let’s celebrate! My lost sheep has been found!” Then Jesus said, “God loves every one of his children like a shepherd loves his sheep. When one of them sins, it is like a sheep that has gone astray, and God is very sad. But when the person turns away from sin and comes back to God, he is very, very happy. He celebrates like a shepherd who has found his lost sheep.”
Questions from Ministry-to-Children
- What kind of animal does God say we are like sometimes? (Sheep)
- Do you remember what a Shepherd does? (He takes care of his sheep.)
- Who is our Good Shepherd? Who takes care of us? (Jesus)
- Whose voice should we learn to listen to? (The Good Shepherd or Jesus)
- How do we hear His voice? (God’s word.)
Prayer:
Dear God. Thank you for this day. Thank you for teaching me. about how much you love me. that you watch over me. just like a shepherd watches over his sheep. I love you. Amen.
Now let’s sing together Jesus Loves Me! I love how this song reminds us of how much Jesus loves us.
