Jesus Is the Good Shepherd • Lesson 10

Jesus loves us and knows our names.

Bible Verse“The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1a).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n discover that their names are important,

n experience being called by their names to play a game, andn learn that Jesus knows their names.

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn Jesus is the good shepherd.

Have you ever looked at a flock of sheep? I mean really looked at a flock of sheep? They pretty much look alike, don’t they? Do you think you could spend an hour with a hundred sheep and learn to recognize each one and call them by name? Do you think they’d listen to you even if you were able to tell them apart and call them by name? No way.

But that’s what today’s passage says about Jesus and us. He’s like our shepherd. He knows us by name. And if we’re his—that is, if we trust in him, follow him, and obey him—then we’ll recognize his voice when he calls to us. Sheep are animals that need a leader. They need a shepherd who will protect them from wild animals at night. And they respond best to someone who calls them and leads them rather than to someone who tries to drive them by force. That’s the way Jesus leads us. He calls us by name and leads us along.

In Isaiah 43:1 we’re reminded of how important we are to God. He created us, he sent Jesus to die for us, he calls us each one of us by name, and he claims us as his own. What a wonderful blessing for sheep like us who tend to go our own way!

Prayer• Read Isaiah 53:6.• What was the ultimate price the good shepherd paid for his sheep?• Pray: Lord, thank you for being the ultimate good shepherd. Help me to be a

faithful follower as I…

Bible Point

John 10:3-4, 14-15;

Isaiah 43:1

143Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Preschool, Ages 3 & 4

This Lesson at a GlanceWhat Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

WelcomeTime

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Sheep Name Tags” (p. 153), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape

Let’s GetStarted

Direct children to one or more of the

optional activities until everyone

arrives.

Option 1: Jesus’ Little Lambs—Dress up with sheep ears and tails.

Black construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, cotton balls, hair clips, fiberfill, tape

Option 2: My Little Lambs—Build a sheepfold with blocks, and play with cotton ball sheep.

Blocks, cotton balls

Option 3: Sheep Name Tags—Make name tags on sheep shapes.

“Sheep Name Tags” (p. 153), markers, various art supplies, tape, scissors

Pick-Up Time—Sing a song as they pick up toys and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Follow a shepherd-leader around the room.

Stop-and-go sign from Lesson 1

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, CD player

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Hear a story from John 10 about sheep and a shepherd.

Bible

Do the Bible Story—Play a singing action game about shepherds and sheep.

Closing What’s Your Name?—Help Whiskers learn everyone’s name.

Share Jesus’ Love—Tell others that Jesus loves them.

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use, referring to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab

Supplies listed on the chart.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction as you teach the lesson.

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Lesson 10

Welcome TimeSUPPLIES: “Sheep Name Tags” (p. 153), scissors, marker, safety pins or tape• Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them how they put last week’s lesson into practice. Use

questions such as “What did you tell others about the 10 lepers?” and “How did you show Jesus’ love last week?”

• Say: Today we’ll learn that Jesus loves us and knows our names.• Give each child a photocopy of a sheep name tag. Write children’s names on their

name tags, and pin or tape the name tags to their clothing. Children can decorate their name tags if they choose Option 3.

• Direct children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate between the activities to offer help as needed and direct children’s

conversation toward the point of today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “What do sheep feel like?” or “What does a shepherd do?”

n Option 1: Jesus’ Little LambsSUPPLIES: black construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, cotton balls, hair clips, fiberfill, tape

Before class, cut 4-inch triangles out of black construction paper. These will be sheep ears. You’ll need two triangles for each child.

Set out the sheep ears, glue sticks, and cotton balls. Help each child glue two or three cotton balls to the sheep ears. Then help them fold down one edge of each ear, as shown in the margin. Use hair clips to attach the folded edges of the sheep ears to children’s hair.

Set out fiberfill stuffing. Have each child pull off a clump of fiberfill to use as a tail. Tape the tails to the back of children’s clothing.

As you work, tell children that today’s Bible story is about a shepherd and his sheep. Explain that Jesus takes care of us like a good shepherd. Remind them that Jesus loves us and knows our names.

You may want to laminate the name tags with clear adhesive plastic after this lesson so they’ll last through the module.

It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point again and again will help children remember it and apply it to their lives.

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Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

n Option 2: My Little LambsSUPPLIES: blocks, cotton balls

Set out cotton balls and blocks, and have children pretend to be shepherds. Have them use the blocks to build a “sheepfold” for their cotton ball sheep. Explain that a sheepfold is a place where sheep are kept safe at night.

Have children count their sheep as they play. Tell them that today’s Bible story is about a shepherd who had 100 sheep. Encourage them to name each sheep. Remind them that Jesus loves us and knows our names, just as they know the names of their “sheep.”

n Option 3: Sheep Name TagsSUPPLIES: “Sheep Name Tags” (p. 153), markers, various art supplies, tape, scissors

Before class, photocopy the “Sheep Name Tags.” Cut out the name tags, and write the children’s names on them with a bright-colored permanent marker. Set out art supplies, such as crayons, glitter glue, and stickers. Have children decorate their name tags. As children work, tell them that their names are special. Encourage them to decorate around the letters of their names so they don’t cover them up. Attach the name tags to children’s clothing with pins or tape. Remind them that Jesus loves us and knows our names.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to Bible Story Time, encourage children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick-Up TimeSUPPLIES: CD player

Lead children in singing “Come Along With Me” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Come and Go With Me.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

Come along with me and pick up all our things,Pick up all our things,Pick up all our things.Come along with me and pick up all our thingsSo our room will be clean.(Repeat 2x.)

track 2

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Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: stop-and-go sign (from Lesson 1)

Tell the children you’ll hold up the stop-and-go sign to get their attention. Explain that when you show the red side, the children are to stop what they’re doing and listen for your directions. When you show the green side, you’ll stop talking and listen to them. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Ask: • What did you make or do when you came to our class today? (Made sheep ears and tails; played with pretend sheep; made a sheep name tag.)

Hold up the stuffed lamb, and say: This stuffed lamb reminds us of real farm animals, like sheep. Our Bible story today is about a shepherd and his (make sheep sounds) sheep. Let’s get ready for that story by playing a game called Follow the Shepherd. I’ll be the Shepherd, and you be the (make sheep sounds) Sheep. Follow me and do what I do.

Lead children in walking around the room. Then lead them in jumping, crawling, rolling, or other motions. When children are comfortable with the game, let them take turns being the Shepherd. Encourage the Shepherds to watch and make sure everyone is following them. Use the stop-and-go sign as necessary to regain kids’ attention. After everyone’s had a turn, take another turn yourself, and lead children back to the story area.

Ask: • What did you like best about that game? (Jumping; rolling; when it was my turn to be the Shepherd.)

• In our game, we pretended to be shepherds. What does a real shepherd do? (Takes care of sheep; carries a big stick.)

Say: Good shepherds take care of their sheep. You were good shepherds as you led each other around the room. None of our sheep got lost or hurt. Jesus is like a good shepherd, too. He takes care of each one of us. Jesus loves us and knows our names. Let’s hear a Bible story about that now.

n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, CD player

Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, we’ll pass around our special Bible. The person who’s holding the Bible when the music stops will be our Bible person today. Remember that everyone will get a chance to hold the Bible one week.

Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad for the Bible” (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.” As you sing, pass around the special Bible.

Draw a simple sheep on poster board, and let children glue cotton balls to it. Hang this where children can see and touch it often during the lessons on sheep.

If the ink pad is dry, moisten it with three to five drops of water.

tracks 3 & 4

Include more children each week by asking others to be the Bible Replacer (to put the Bible away) and the Cheerleader. Just be sure to keep track of who fills your roles each week so each child gets a chance to feel special.

person who’s holding the Bible when the music stops will be our Bible person today. Remember that everyone will get a chance to hold the Bible one week.

with the sing, pass around the special Bible.

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Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

I’m so glad for the Bible.Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.I’m so glad for God’s book today.I’m so glad for the Bible.Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’—Keep me learnin’ all about his way.

(Repeat first verse.)

When the music stops, invite the child who’s holding the Bible to bring it to you. Lead the class in clapping for the Bible person, cheering, and making fun applause sound effects by slapping your thighs with your palms. Stamp the child’s hand with the shepherd stamp, and thank the child for bringing you the Bible. Then stamp the other children’s hands. Return the shepherd stamp and ink pad to the Learning Lab.

Say: I’m thankful for [name of child who brought the Bible], and I’m thankful for everyone in our class today. Each of you is a special part of our class! Let’s thank God together for all our friends in this class.

Lead children in singing “I’m So Glad We’re Together” (track 4) with the CD to the tune of “Give Me Oil in My Lamp.” Lead children in folding their hands and bowing their heads as you sing the second verse.

I’m so glad we’re together.Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’.I’m so glad we’re all here today.I’m so glad we’re together.Keep us prayin’, prayin’, prayin’—Prayin’ for each other every day.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySUPPLIES: Bible

Open the Bible to John 10, and show it to the children. Say: Our Bible story comes from the book of John in the Bible. Our Bible Big Book shows us pictures of our Bible story.

Bring out the Bible Big Book: The Little Lost Sheep. Ask: • Did you know the Bible says we are like sheep? • Have you ever seen a sheep or a baby lamb? Let

children respond. • What do sheep look like? (White; fuzzy; woolly.)• Do you think we look like sheep? Why or why not? (No, we only have two

legs instead of four; we’re not fuzzy; we don’t have tails.)Say: No, we don’t look like sheep! Maybe we sound like sheep. Let’s make

sheep sounds.Lead children in saying, “Baa.”Say: We don’t look or sound like sheep. I wonder what the Bible means by

saying we’re like sheep. Let’s read our Bible story and find out.

Let me hear ’bout God’s love—Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.Let me hear ’bout God’s love for me.Let me hear ’bout God’s love—Keep me learnin’, learnin’, learnin’.Let’s shine the light for all to see.

Thank you, Lord, for each one.Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful.Thank you for everyone who’s here.Thank you, Lord, for each one.Keep me thankful, thankful, thankful—Thankful for our friends both far and

near.

This Bible story is featured in My First Hands-On Bible™. Order several now for your ministry at group.com.

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Lesson 10

Read the story from the Bible Big Book. Turn the pages as directed. After you finish the story, put the Bible Big Book away and out of sight.

Ask: • What did the sheep in our story need? (Food to eat; grass; water; a safe place to sleep.)

• Who took care of the sheep? (The shepherd; Jesus.)• Who takes care of us? (Our moms and dads; grandparents; Jesus.)Say: Jesus takes care of us just as the shepherd took care of his sheep.

In fact, our verse from the Bible, Psalm 23:1, says, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Let’s all say that together, and baa after the verse.

Lead children in saying Psalm 23:1a, and have them baa like sheep. Say: We need our shepherd, Jesus, to love us and take care of us. No

matter what we’re doing, Jesus is always watching over us. Jesus loves us and knows our names.

Say: It’s wonderful to have a friend like Jesus who loves and cares for each one of us. Point to each child as you say: Jesus knows you, and you, and you, and he wants to be our friend. Let’s thank Jesus for loving us.

Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us. We’re glad that you know each of our names. We’re thankful that you’re our best friend. Amen.

n Do the Bible StorySUPPLIES: none

Teach the children “Where Is Little Lamb?” to the tune of “Where Is Thumbkin?” This song is not on the CD. Say: Let’s sing a song and pretend we’re the little lamb in our story.

Where is Little Lamb? (Hands behind back.)Where is Little Lamb?Here I am. (Make a fist, and bring one hand to the front with thumb up.)Here I am. (Bring out other fist with thumb up.)How are you today, Lamb? (Wiggle one thumb as if talking to the other.)Very well, I thank you. (Wiggle other thumb as if talking to the other.)Run back home. (Put one hand behind back.)Run back home. (Put other hand behind back.)

Sing the song several times so children become familiar with the words and actions. Then tell the children you’re going to play a game with the song. Have them all stand in a group across the room from you.

Say: Now, I’m going to pretend to be the good shepherd. When I call your name in the song, come to me.

Where is [name]?Where is [name]?Here I am.Here I am. (If the child is willing, have him or her sing this. You’ll probably need to

sing it with the children at first.)

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Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

Come and run to me. (Child runs to you.)Come and run to me.Come, [name], come!Come, [name], come!

After you’ve called all the children, have them follow you back to the story area and sit down.

Ask: • How did you feel when I sang your name? (Happy; glad it was my turn; I didn’t want to sing.)

Say: It makes us feel good when people know our names and call us to join in the fun. Jesus loves us and knows our names.

Closingn What’s Your Name?SUPPLIES: none

Bring out Whiskers the Mouse, and go through the following puppet script. When you finish the script, put Whiskers away and out of sight.

Whiskers: I heard someone singing and calling everyone’s name. What were you playing?

Teacher: Children, let’s tell Whiskers about the game we played. (Let children explain the game to Whiskers.) Whiskers, we’re learning that Jesus loves us and knows our names. Isn’t that great?

Whiskers: I guess so. But knowing names isn’t so hard. I know lots of names. Let’s see…(pointing to a child) your name is…hmm, I’m not sure. Well, let me try someone else. (Pointing to another child) Hmm…oh, I don’t know your name either! (Looking around the group) I don’t know anyone’s name! I guess it’s not so easy after all. (Hangs head.)

Teacher: That’s OK, Whiskers. Jesus is the only one who knows everyone’s name. We need to learn people’s names. Why don’t you ask the children what their names are?

Whiskers: (Brightening) That’s a great idea! (Moves to a child.) What’s your name?

(Prompt children to answer by saying, “My name is [name of child].” Have Whiskers respond by repeating each name and praising each child about something. Have Whiskers say things such as “Hi, Madison. You’ve been a good listener today” or “Hi, Josh. I like the shirt you have on” or “Hi, Paulo. That’s a cool name.” After all the children have introduced themselves to Whiskers, continue with the script.)

Whiskers: That was a lot of work! Jesus must be really great if he knows everyone’s name! He must love us an awful lot, huh?

Teacher: Yes, Whiskers. Jesus loves us and knows our names. He knows your name, too.

Whiskers: He does? Boy, that makes me feel special! I’m going to tell my brother and my cousin Joey. ’Bye, [name each child]. ’Bye, everyone!

Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Preschool granted for local church use.Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Lesson 10

n Share Jesus’ LoveSUPPLIES: none

Say: Jesus loves us and knows our names. We’re all special to Jesus. Hold up one of the finger puppets. When it is your turn to hold this special finger puppet, put it on your finger and tap the shoulder of the person sitting next to you. Say his or her name. Then say “Jesus loves you.” Pass

the finger puppet around and give each child a turn with a finger puppet. Help children repeat the names as the figure is passed around. Then close with a prayer similar to this one: “Thank you, Jesus, for loving us and knowing our names. Help us to follow you just as sheep follow their shepherd. In your name, amen.”

Return the finger puppet to the Learning Lab. Collect name tags and remind children to take home any crafts they made today.

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…” handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with the children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.

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Jesus Is the Good Shepherd

n Lively Learning: Sheep FindChoose one child to be the Lost Sheep. Have everyone else hold hands and form a circle around the Lost

Sheep. Then gently blindfold the Lost Sheep. Have children in the circle say “baa” as they walk around the Lost Sheep. When the Lost Sheep says “stop,” the rest of the children must stand still and continue baaing. Have the Lost Sheep walk toward the circle until he or she touches someone. Let that child be the next Lost Sheep.

Between rounds, explain that sheep are safe in a sheepfold just as the Lost Sheep was safe in the circle. Remind children that Jesus is like the good shepherd and that Jesus loves us and knows our names.

n Make to Take: Name CrownsBefore class, cut sheets of construction paper

in half lengthwise. You’ll need one strip for each child.

Write children’s names in large letters on their strips. Let children transform their strips into crowns by decorating them with crayons, stickers, or other art supplies. As children finish their crowns, staple the ends together. Be sure to check each crown for size before stapling. Tell

children they can wear their name crowns to remind them that Jesus loves us and knows our names.

n Treat to Eat: Sheep FacesHelp children clean their hands with baby wipes or at a nearby sink.Give each child a small paper plate with a small scoop of vanilla pudding or yogurt on it.

Set out chocolate chips, and help children add eyes, noses, and mouths to their pudding sheep. Encourage children to name their sheep. Remind them that Jesus loves us and knows our names.

Then have children eat and enjoy their pudding sheep!

n Story Picture: Jesus Is the Good ShepherdGive each child a copy of the “Today I Learned…” handout. Set out cotton balls and glue sticks. Show

children how to pull apart cotton balls into small pieces. Help them glue the cotton to the sheep in their pictures. Talk with children about how shepherds love their sheep and know each one by name. Remind them that Jesus loves us and knows our names.

You can help children and parents remember this week’s Bible verse by having a helper copy the verse from page 143 onto the children’s crowns as they’re working.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

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Lesson 10

Sheep Name TagsPhotocopy and cut out the name tags.

153Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Preschool, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

“The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1a).

n How did the good shepherd take care of his sheep?

n How does Jesus take care of you?

n Does Jesus know the names of everyone in our family? What else does Jesus know about our family?

n Check out a baby-names book from your local library. Talk with your child about why you chose his or her name and what it means.

n Play a guessing game with your family’s voices. Blindfold one person, and then have everyone else take turns saying that person’s name. Then have the blindfolded person guess who said his or her name. Explain that sheep know their shepherd’s voice just as we know the voices of people we love.

Jesus Is the Good Shepherd (John 10:3-4, 14-15; Isaiah 43:1)

Jesus loves us and

k

nows our names.

Help me learn this:

Ask me:

Family Fun

Lesson 10Today your child learned that JESUS LOVES US AND KNOWS OUR NAMES. The class heard

about a good shepherd who loved his sheep. The children called each other by name and thanked Jesus for knowing their names.

154 Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum®, Preschool, granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com