The Lost Sheep
Theme: Jesus never gives up on a lost sheep.
Scripture: Luke 15:1-10
Complete Supply List:
● A bag full of stuffed animals
● A Bible
● “Lost Sheep” handout
● Scissors (for the adult)
● “The Lost Sheep” video
● Something to play the video
● Plates - 1 per child
● Napkins - 1 per child
● Pirate’s Booty puffs
● Pretzel sticks
● OREO Cookies - 1 per child
● Small white plates - 1 per child
● Black construction paper
● Scissors
● Cotton balls
● Glue sticks
● Googly eyes
● Jumbo craft sticks - 1 per child
The Children’s Sermon
You’ll Need:
● A bag full of stuffed animals
Get Ready: Before class, hide one of the stuffed animals somewhere in the
classroom.
Do This:
SAY: I have a very nice collection of stuffed toys. They come in all shapes and
sizes. Today I brought some of them to show to you. (Show the children the stuffed
toys, commenting on each as you show it to them.)
Uh oh! I seem to have lost one of my stuffed toys. I know I had it when I got here
this morning. Would you help me look for it? (Lead the children in a search for the
lost toy. When it is found, continue the lesson.) Thank you so much for helping me
find the lost toy. Even though I have a very large collection, every one of them is
very important to me and I would be very upset if one of them was lost.
That reminds me of a lesson that Jesus taught to a group of religious leaders one
day. The religious leaders were very upset that Jesus was often seen associating
with sinners. He was even sometimes seen eating with them. The religious leaders
didn't like that at all and were very critical of Jesus. Jesus told them this story to
help them understand.
"Suppose one of you had 100 sheep and you lost one of them," Jesus said.
"Wouldn't you leave the 99 who were safe, and go and search for the lost sheep?
And when you found the lost sheep, wouldn't you joyfully put it on your shoulders
and carry it back home? Wouldn't you be so happy that you would tell all of your
friends about finding the lost sheep?" I imagine that all of the religious leaders had
to agree that they would do just as Jesus had suggested. Then Jesus said to
them,"In the same way, there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over 99 righteous persons who do not need to repent."
The Bible teaches us that we are like sheep and sometimes stray away from God.
That makes God very sad, but He never gives up on us. He keeps searching for us
and calling to us. He wants to draw us back into His arms. He even sent Jesus, His
Son, to save those who are lost. Aren't you glad that God doesn't give up on His lost
sheep? I am, because, "I once was lost, but now I'm found!”
PRAY: Dear Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd. We are thankful that You came to
save those who are lost. Amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in
heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous
persons who do not need to repent." Luke 15:10
You’ll Need:
● A Bible
● “Lost Sheep” handout
● Scissors (for the adult)
Get Ready: Before the activity, print the “Lost Sheep” handout. Cut the memory
verse cards and make a stack. Remove one single card and hide it somewhere around
the room.
Do This:
Lead kids in these steps to learn today’s Bible Memory Verse:
● Open your Bible to Luke 15:10.
● Read the Bible memory verse several times and invite kids to repeat phrases
after you.
● Give kids the stack of memory verse cards and invite them to work together to
put together today’s Bible memory verse.
● When they discover there is a missing piece, invite them to spread out and find
the missing part of the verse around the room.
● Disassemble and reassemble the Bible verse as times allow.
SAY: Great job learning today’s Bible verse! Today we’re learning that Jesus never
gives up on a lost sheep. In the same way, He never gives up on us.
The Lost Sheep
You’ll Need:
● “The Lost Sheep” video
● Something to play the video
Do This:
Show the video.
ASK:
● How would you feel if you lost your most valuable possession?
● Would you feel the same way if you lost a penny?
● Who is our Shepherd? Why?
The Lost Sheep Snacks
You’ll Need:
● Plates - 1 per child
● Napkins - 1 per child
● Rice Krispie Treats - 1 per child
● Mini pretzel sticks
● Mini OREO Cookies - 1 per child
Get Ready: Before the snack, have kids clean their hands.
Do This:
Follow these steps for the “Lost Sheep” snacks:
● Give each child a plate, a napkin, one Rice Krispie Treat snack, four mini pretzel
sticks, and one mini OREO cookie.
● Invite kids to arrange their Rice Krispie Treat into a fluffy looking sheep. Then
add the pretzel sticks as legs and the OREO cookie as a head.
● Enjoy!
ASK:
● What does it mean to you that Jesus never gives up on a lost sheep?
● What does this tell you about God’s love for us?
SAY: Sometimes we stray away like lost sheep. But there’s good news! Even when
we’re lost or wandering, Jesus never gives up on us.
Lost Sheep Puppets
You’ll Need:
● Small white plates - 1 per child
● Black construction paper
● Scissors
● Cotton balls
● Glue sticks
● Large googly eyes
● Jumbo craft sticks - 1 per child
Get Ready: Before class, cut the black construction paper to make a small sheep’s
head and four legs for each child.
Do This: Have kids follow these steps to make the “Lost Sheep Puppets” craft:
● Give each child a small white plate, cotton balls, and a glue stick.
● Invite kids to glue cotton balls across the small paper plate.
● Have kids glue the black head and four black legs to the paper plate, before
gluing the googly eyes onto the sheep’s face.
● Finish the puppet by gluing a jumbo craft stick to the back of the plate.
SAY: Great job creating your Lost Sheep Puppets! Keep these puppets as a
reminder that Jesus never gives up on a lost sheep and He’ll never give up on you!
PRAY: Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus to seek and save the lost. We
thank You for the parables He told that remind us You never give up on a lost sheep.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
