DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
Parables: The Lost Sheep - Part 2
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Lost Sheep Bible lesson plan Section for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
This lesson will expand what the children already know about parables. The lesson is primarily about the Lost Sheep but I've also included the parable of the Lost Coin to show the similarities between the two parables. The key to this lesson is to have a repentant heart. I've tried to explain what the words 'sin', 'repent' and 'forgiveness' mean in the children's story because these can be rather difficult terms for children. If you want to review them before the lesson that might be a good idea too.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: Jesus is glad when we admit we've done something wrong and ask for forgiveness.
Grades 2 and 3: If you have a repentant heart Jesus is ready to forgive you if you ask
Him.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message is simple: Jesus is glad when we admit that we've done something wrong and ask for forgiveness. For the older children, we expand on this message and say: If you have a repentant heart Jesus is ready to forgive if you ask. It's important that they understand that just because God forgives us so easily we need to truly feel sorry for what we've done. After all, God knows what's in our heart and if we are truly sorry.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the The Lost Sheep Take Home Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering the Parable Coloring Pages or the Lamb Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week with the Take Home Sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!
Description |
Time Allotted |
Supplies |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Sheep name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Paper Lamb. This is a simple craft that can be colored or just add cotton balls to fill the lamb. Grade 2 and 3: Make the Simple Origami Lamb. This is extremely basic origami meant for ages 4 thru 7. It teaches them a few of the basic folds but lets them create a project in less than 10 steps. There are a few options to add to this craft if you want. |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: Paper
Lamb paper, printer, cotton balls
or crayons. |
Bible Story Time: Preschool thru Grade 1: Read The Story of The Lost Sheep (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grades 2 and 3: It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes | The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story. |
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Closing: Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they've ever done something wrong. How did they know they did something wrong? (sometimes we have a guilty feeling or our parents told us we did something wrong). What should we do and why should we do it? Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children what they do after they've done something wrong. Do they ever say they're sorry just because their parents told them too and not because they really were? What does the parable teach us about having a repentant heart and what does that mean? All Grades: Read the As the Shepherd Knows His Lamb rhyme. I put this near the end because it should tie the whole lesson together and all the kids should understand that they are compared to the sheep in the story. Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes | Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)
Words to: Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together"
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