Chasing after God’s word
Spring Quarter, Week 4
The Sheep Follow the Shepherd
[
Your Children Will Learn:
o Jesus knows your name
o Jesus is your shepherd
MEMORY VERSE
FOR UNIT 7
“Jesus said,
‘I am the good
shepherd.
I know my
sheep, and
my sheep
know me.’”
JOHN 10:14
Turn to Page 42 for
Memory Verse Center tips and
suggestions.
PAG E 4 1
]
Truth for Your Children
Today’s Bible Passage: John 10:1-16
“What I’m about to tell you is true. What if someone does not enter the
sheep pen through the gate but climbs in another way? That person is a
thief and a robber. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of
the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him. The sheep listen to his
voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has
brought all of his own sheep out, he goes on ahead of them. His sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger.
In fact, they will run away from him. They don’t recognize a stranger’s
voice.” Jesus used this story. But the Jews who were there didn’t understand what he was telling them. So Jesus said again, “What I’m about to
tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep. All those who ever came
before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them.
I’m like a gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. He will come
in and go out. And he will find plenty of food. The thief comes only to
[continued on page 42 sidebarj]
steal and kill and destroy.
Truth for You...A Meditation for Leaders
When Jesus established Himself as the Good Shepherd, He laid out the
role He is to play in our lives. We are Jesus’ sheep. He loves His sheep
individually and cares for each one of them as if they were the only sheep
in the flock. He knows each one of their names. Do you find it hard to
believe that Jesus knows your name? The One who created everything
keeps your name in His heart and on His hand. Do you realize that your
name is written on the hand of God? It is! Listen to what the Bible says in
Isaiah 49:16a, “I have written your names on the palms of my hands.”
God actually knows you by name! This week, as you prepare for your class,
ponder the fact that the God of the universe has your name written on the
palms of His hands. Such knowledge is wonderful and life changing!
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC HE RS
[
]
Leaders: Pray
Ten minutes before the children arrive, gather together to pray for your
class time. Invite the Holy Spirit’s presence and ask Him to fill you up.
Greet the Children and Parents
Truth for Your children
Today’s Bible Passage
John 10:1-16
continued from page 41
I have come so they can have life.
I want them to have it in the
fullest possible way. I am the good
shepherd. The good shepherd gives
his life for the sheep. The hired
man is not the shepherd who owns
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. The man runs away because he
is a hired man. He does not care
about the sheep. I am the good
shepherd. I know my sheep, and
my sheep know me. They know
me just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father. And I give
my life for the sheep. I have other
sheep that do not belong to this
sheep pen. I must bring them in
too. They also will listen to my
voice. Then there will be one flock
and one shepherd.”
7
Greet each child by name as they arrive. Learn the names of their
parents, too.
Greet one
another with
a kiss of love.
Romans 16:16
Give children visiting for the first time a small gift such as a
special sticker or a colorful bookmark. Welcome the children
to your classroom and introduce yourself to their parents.
Creative Activity Centers
........
40 min.
Choose two or three activities from the Table-Top Activity Guide. The Activity
Guide on page 43 has everything you need to provide hands-on, creative activities
that directly reinforce the lesson. Make open-ended play centers (such as blocks,
housekeeping and imaginative dress-up) available as well.
Memory Verse Center . . . 3-5 min.
Practice the verse together every week
during activity center time, small group
time or before worship time.
Here is a tip: This is the week the children
will each try to say the verse for you.
Have them say it together as a class or
individually. Reward them with a prize from
a treasure box or with a special sticker.
8
“Jesus said, ‘I am the
good shepherd. I
know my sheep, and
my sheep
know me.’”
John 10:14
Clean Up and Prepare for Worship
...
5 min.
[ ]
Time to Worship! (10 min.)
o If you have a worship team to lead the children,
gather everyone together to praise Jesus!
o If you lead worship, learn one or two simple songs.
Allow time for children to share praises and prayers.
Dance, sing, worship!
J
o Model worship for the
PAG E 4 2
children by being
an active
participant!
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC H E R S
Table-Top Activity Guide
Week 4: The Sheep Follow the Shepherd
1. Memory Verse Booster:
Copy the Memory Verse Booster in the
Pattern Pages. Cut it out along the dotted outline. The children can glue wispy,
shredded cotton balls on the sheep
around the circle. Talk with the children
about sheep: what they do, what they
sound like and what they eat. Tell them
that sheep would get lost all the time
without a shepherd. Read the memory
verse to each child as they work.
What’s the Point?: As the children
are coloring and gluing, say, “Jesus
knows your name. Jesus is your shepherd.” Take a minute to read the memory
verse to each child, too. Say to the children: “Jesus said, ‘I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep
know me.’” (John 10:14)
Note To
Leaders:
Please choose 2 or 3
table-top activities.
Most of the activities
can be adapted for
any age.
Have fun!
Let the children do it!
Don’t forget
to copy...
the
Home
page
Supplies:
• Memory Verse Booster from the Pattern
Pages copied on white cardstock
• Cotton balls
• Glue sticks
2. Build a Fence and Gate:
Cut strips of brown construction paper, approximately
1/2” x 4 1/2.” The children can glue the strips on a
sheet of light blue construction paper so they look like a
fence for a sheep pen. Then they can glue two or three
cotton balls in front of the fence. The cotton balls will
look like they are little sheep in their pen.
What’s the Point?: Jesus said, “I am like a gate for
the sheep.” (John 10:7) This activity will help the children imagine little sheep being protected inside their
sheep pen. Say to the children: “Jesus knows your
name; Jesus is your shepherd.”
Supplies:
• Brown and light blue construction paper
• Glue
• Cotton balls
PAG E 4 3
3. Little Hand Lambs:
Using white chalk, trace each child’s
hand on a half sheet of black construction paper. Cut them out. The children
can glue cotton balls to the palm of the
hand. Add self-stick wiggle eyes on the
thumb. Please see the Pattern Pages for
complete directions.
What’s the Point?: You may choose
to display your little flock of lambs on a
bulletin board in your classroom. Mount
each cut out lamb on a half sheet of
green construction paper. Write the
name of the child who made it on the
green paper. Encourage all the children
in your group to make a lamb. Say to
the children: “Jesus knows your name;
Jesus is your shepherd.”
Supplies:
•
•
•
•
Black and green construction paper
White chalk
• Cotton balls
Glue sticks
• Scissors
Self-stick wiggle eyes
4. Sponge-Painted Black Sheep:
Copy the drawing of the sheep in the Pattern Pages.
Place a small damp sponge in a pinch-type clothes pin.
Swirl black and brown paint on a paper plate. Dip the
sponge lightly in the paint and dab the paint on the
sheep.
What’s the Point?: This quiet activity will provide
a good time to practice the memory verse with the
children. The verse is printed on the picture. Say to
the children: “Jesus knows your name; Jesus is your
shepherd.”
Supplies:
• Sheep from the Pattern Pages copied on white
paper
• Pinch-type clothes pins
• Small sponges
• Black and brown tempera paint
• Paper plates
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC HE RS
Story Time Introduction
Well, boys and girls, I am going to tell you another story that Jesus told. We
have been talking about stories Jesus told and things He taught people. Last
week we learned the story about the runaway son and the father who forgave
him. We also learned the story about the Samaritan man who was kind.
“I Can Do that!”
EASY IDEAS FOR
CREATIVE STORYTELLING:
John 10:1-16
10 minutes (Age 3)
15 minutes (Ages 4 & 5)
The Shepherd and
the Sheep Pen
BEFORE STORY TIME
• Arrange chairs, or any other
room dividers you have available
in your classroom, to make a
sheep pen.
• Before you begin telling the
story, dress up like a shepherd.
Wear a costume such as a robe
and use a towel for a head wrap.
• The children can enter only
through the opening of the
sheep pen where the “guard at
the gate” is standing. (Choose a
child to be the guard)
• Walk around and touch the
children on their heads one at a
time while you say the child’s
name. The children can answer
with a sheep sound.
• Lead the children out of the
sheep pen and back to the
storytelling area.
PAG E 4 4
Well, today we are going to hear another story Jesus told. It’s in the Bible.
It’s a story about sheep. Have you ever seen sheep before? (Let the children
answer.) Sheep are sweet and gentle animals. But sheep need someone to
take care of them. So they have a shepherd. The shepherd takes care of them.
Bible Story
Storyteller: The lesson from the Bible starts
here. See the “I Can Do That” sidebar on this
page for storytelling ideas.
JESUS
KNOWS YOUR
NAME
Boys and girls, today I’m pretending that I am a shepJESUS
herd. (Wear a costume such as a robe and head
IS YOUR
wrap to look like a shepherd.) My job is to take
SHEPHERD
good care of sheep. I know a lot about each one of
my sheep. I know which one is the smallest. I know
which sheep runs in front of the others to eat up all
the sheep food. I know which sheep is the cutest; and, I know
which sheep is the biggest bully. I know that each of my sheep
has curly toes and black noses. I’ve counted all their teeth! I know what
kinds of food they like. And I know what they are afraid of!
I know each one of my sheep. And I know all their names. Boys and girls, do
you know who knows your name? Jesus knows your name! Every single one
of you.
Well, now let’s pretend that you are all my sheep. I know all of your names.
(Say to the children, “When I touch you on the head and say your name,
you can answer with a sheep sound.” Walk around and touch the children
on their heads one at a time while you say the child’s name. Once the
child has made their sheep sound, have them stand up and lead them
into the sheep pen where the “guard at the gate” is standing. The guard
will let them in.)
I am a shepherd. I take extra special care of my sheep. I love my sheep! And
my sheep love me! I am very important to my sheep. Even Jesus thinks
shepherds are important.
One day Jesus had a large crowd of people around Him. So He told a story
about a shepherd and his sheep. Do you want to hear the story Jesus told
them? (Lead the children out of the sheep pen and back to storytelling
area.)
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC H E R S
Well, here’s the story Jesus told everyone. He said, “One man goes into a
sheep pen through the gate. He is the shepherd. He loves the sheep and
takes good care of them. The guard at the gate will open the gate for him.
He knows that he is the shepherd. He knows the shepherd loves his sheep.
The sheep listen to the shepherd’s voice. He calls his sheep by their
names.
The shepherd leads them out of the sheep pen. All the sheep come out.
Then the shepherd walks in front of the sheep. The sheep follow the shepherd. They know his voice. But the sheep will never follow a stranger.
They don’t know the stranger’s voice.”
Boys and girls, Jesus told this story because He wanted to teach the people about how much He loved them. But the people didn’t understand
what He was talking about. So Jesus explained the story to the people.
Jesus said, “I am like the gate for the sheep. People are like the sheep.
Anyone who goes into the sheep pen through Me will be saved. These
people can come in and go out. But there’s another man who is a robber.
He climbs over the fence and sneaks into the sheep pen. He’s a bad, bad
guy. He doesn’t care about the sheep. He is only there to steal them! He
is only there to kill them. He is a robber!”
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd. I know and love My sheep. The bad
robber comes only to steal My sheep away from Me. He wants to hurt My
sheep. But I want My sheep to have a full life.
I am the Good Shepherd! I know My people. I know their names. They are
My sheep. I will do anything to save My sheep.
There are some people who are not in the sheep pen. I’m going to find
them and bring them in the sheep pen, too! We will be one big happy
family of sheep! And I will be your Shepherd.”
Boys and girls, Jesus is your shepherd, too. We are His sheep. And Jesus
knows your name. And when He calls you by your name, you can follow
Him because you know who Jesus is. You can follow Jesus anywhere! Jesus
is your shepherd.
Go to “Wrap It Up!” in the sidebar.
Great Big
Holy Bible
The text and pictures in the
Great Big Holy Bible follow your
Bible lesson closely.
You may choose to use it during
the Bible lesson segment of
your class, or use it at the end
to reinforce your dramatic
storytelling.
Wrap It Up!
ooo
Storyteller:
If you are
teaching 3’s,
simply repeat
the points to
them one more
time. If you
are teaching 4’s and 5’s, repeat
the points AND use these
questions to help the children
relate the story to their own
lives.
Today we learned that:
o Jesus knows Your name.
(Does He know everyone’s name?)
o Jesus is your shepherd.
(Like a shepherd takes care of his
sheep, how does Jesus take care
of you?)
PAG E 4 5
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEE K 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N CATC HE RS
Snack Time.............................................10 min.
Small Groups......................................5-10 min.
How to Make it Happen:
GAMES
“ANIMAL ANTICS”
Young children love to imitate
animal sounds and actions. Try to
remember some of the animals in
the stories Jesus told, such as
sheep and pigs. Have fun with
this game!
o Invite one child at a time to
imitate the action of an animal.
The rest of the children can try to
guess what kind of animal it is.
Divide the children into small
groups.
The Purpose of
Small Groups:
1. Say: Today we learned that Jesus
knows your name and that Jesus is your
shepherd.
TO BUILD
RELATIONSHIPS WITH
THE CHILDREN
2. Ask: Who knows the names of sheep?
Who knows your name? How is Jesus like
a shepherd?
TO RECAP THE LESSON
OR POINTS
TO REVIEW THE
MEMORY VERSE
TOGETHER
3. Pray: Dear God, thank You that You
know our names. Thank You that You take
care of us like a shepherd cares for his
sheep. Amen.
o
Then, invite one child at a time
to imitate an animal sound. The
rest of the children can try to
name the animal.
Time To Go!
o End with an “animal antics”
concert, with everyone imitating
his favorite animal at the same
time.
o
Continue to play as long as the
children are interested.
JESUS
KNOWS
YOUR NAME
Dismiss the children to parents or
guardians only! Keep our children
safe!
Please Remember!
Photocopy “The Home Page” before
church. Hand it to the parents
when they pick up their children.
JESUS IS
YOUR
SHEPHERD
the
Home
page
PAG E 4 6
...see page 47
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC H E R S
spring Quarter, Week 4
The Sheep Follow the Shepherd
Your Children Will Learn:
the
Home
page
Memory Verse
for Unit 7
“Jesus said,
‘I am the good
shepherd.
I know my
sheep, and
my sheep
know me.’”
John 10:14
MONDAY
o Jesus is your shepherd
o Jesus knows your name
Read & Do
Read John 10:1-16. Ask your child: “Who takes care of sheep? Who knows the names of
sheep? Who knows your name? How is Jesus like a shepherd?”
TUESDAY
Play
Make a “sheep pen” by arranging chairs or other furniture in a square. Add a “gate” with
cushions or pillows. Pretend to be sheep going in and out. One person can pretend to be the
robber that Jesus talked about in the Bible story. When that person tries to get into the pen
every way except the gate, say to them, “Get out of our sheep pen—Jesus is our shepherd!”
WEDNESDAY
Art
Make a fluffy sheep cup. Glue cotton balls to a disposable cup. Make eyes, ears and feet out
of paper and glue them on. Talk about sheep while you are working. Ask, “Why do sheep need
a shepherd? Does the shepherd know the names of the sheep? Who knows your name?”
THURSDAY
Snack
Make edible sheep with your child for snack time. Use large-sized marshmallows for the
sheep’s body, and use pretzel sticks for legs. Talk about where sheep live. Ask your child,
“Who takes care of the sheep? Who finds them when they get lost? Who knows their names?
Who knows your name?”
FRIDAY
Pray & Praise!
Say the memory verse together. Praise Jesus for being your Good Shepherd. Tell Jesus you want
to know Him and follow Him more each day. Sing this song, “Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him
in the morning, praise Him in the noontime! Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him when the sun
goes down!”
SATURDAY
Just for Parents
When Jesus established Himself as the Good Shepherd, He laid out the role He is to play in
our lives. We are Jesus’ sheep. He loves His sheep individually and cares for each one of them
as if they were the only sheep in the flock. He knows each one of their names. Do you find it
hard to believe that Jesus knows your name? The One who created everything keeps your
name in His heart and on His hand. Do you realize that your name is written on the hand of
God? It is! Listen to what the Bible says in Isaiah 49:16a, “I have written your names on the
palms of my hands.” God actually knows you by name! This week, ponder the fact that the
God of the universe has your name written on the palms of His hands. Such knowledge is
wonderful and life changing!
CHASING AFTER GOD’S WORD
PAG E 4 7
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC HE RS
[
o]
WEEK 4
PAT T E R N
PAG E
Activity #1
Memory Verse Booster
BEFORE CLASS:
• Copy the Memory Verse Booster on white cardstock. Cut it out along the dotted outline.
DURING CLASS:
• The children can glue shredded, wispy cotton balls on each sheep.
• Read the memory verse to each child as they work.
cut out along dotted line
PAG E 4 8
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC H E R S
[
o]
WEEK 4
PAT T E R N
PAG E
Activity #3
Little Hand Lambs
DURING CLASS:
•Trace each child’s hand on a half sheet of black construction paper using white chalk. Have the child hold his or her
thumb out, and away from the other fingers. (Please see the diagrams.)
Trace the child’s hand with
white chalk on a half sheet
of black construction paper.
Cut out the hand.
Rotate the paper so the
fingers of the hand are
pointing down.
Glue the hand on a half
sheet of green construction
paper.
The children can glue cotton
balls all over the palm area of the
hand. The children can add
self-stick wiggle eyes to the
thumb area.
Write the child’s name on the
green construction paper.
Display the “little hand lambs”
together on a bulletin board.
Add a title that reads “Jesus is
our Shepherd.”
PAG E 4 9
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC HE RS
[
o]
WEEK 4
PAT T E R N
PAG E
Activity #4
Sponge-Painted Black Sheep
BEFORE CLASS:
• Copy the sheep on white paper. Cut it out along the
bold outline.
• Place small damp sponges in pinch-type clothespins.
• Swirl black and brown tempera paint together on a
paper plate.
PAG E 5 0
DURING CLASS:
• The children can paint the sheep using the small
sponges. They can dip the sponge in the swirled mixture
of black and brown tempera paint and dab the paint on
the sheep.
SP R ING QUAR T ER , WEEK 4 | T H E S H E E P F O L L OW T H E S H E P H E R D | © 2 0 0 9 LI TTLE S O N C ATC H E R S