The Good Shepherd

OBJECTIVE

The objective for the Morality module is to have the children focus on foundational Christian values and how to incorporate them into their lives. In first grade, the children will discuss the Golden Rule, respect for everyone, the parable of the Good Shepherd, and forgiveness. This week's objective is to read them the story of the lost sheep and learn about the characteristics of our Lord Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

Watch either of the following videos: "The Parable of the Lost Sheep" video, 1 min or "Lost and Found" video, 6 min.

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Memory Verse: 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost' Saint Luke 15:6

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

Read Luke 15:3-7 aloud to the students

3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost' 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

After reading the Bible passage ask the children: "What did you hear?" Just listen to their responses. Encourage their answers. Ask each child to say just one word that they remembered from the passage. Read it again if they ask you to, or if you noticed they didn't pay attention. Read it again and encourage them to listen so that they can tell you what they heard. After they have said what they heard. Take out your visual.

Visual: Show the children an icon of the story (attached below). Walk around with it so that they can see it. Ask them what they see in the icon. Listen for them to describe the icon. If you are able to bring to class a diorama of the scene with the characters. The diorama should be very simple. It should be made out of simple materials, and should be made to last. Wooden peg people are great for this. Have a simple backdrop for this diorama. Reread the passage to the children moving the pieces of the diorama. If you don't have a diorama spend more time with the icon.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 15 Minutes

Wonder questions: Ask these questions and wait for the children to respond. It may take time for them to answer, be patient and offer lots of encouragement.

I wonder how a good shepherd takes care of his sheep?
What did you like hearing in this parable?
Do you think the sheep trust the shepherd?
I wonder why that one sheep wandered away?
How do you think the sheep felt, when it realized it was lost? Have you ever been lost?
How did the shepherd react when he found the lost sheep?
How did the lost sheep feel to be found again?
I wonder if the lost sheep was heavy? Did the shepherd carry him all the way home?
If you were the found sheep what would you say? Do you think the lost sheep would try harder next time to not get lost again?
Why does the shepherd work so hard for his sheep? Why does one sheep matter so much when he has so many?

LIFE APPLICATION - 10 Minutes

Listen to the children's responses about how they describe the shepherd. Try not to tell them that the shepherd is Jesus and that they are the sheep. Try to steer them to get to that point on their own. Encourage their answers with lots of praise. This parable helps deepen the understanding of God's forgiving love as they learn about the Loving Shepherd. They have Him as an example of how to treat others as well. If the shepherd is loving towards his sheep, then we should be loving towards others. If God loves each sheep so much, we must also look at each other with His eyes of love.

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

Option 1: This activity time is a quiet time that the kids can ponder the Bible story and the wonder questions. Give them a quiet environment to think about these things while doing the activity. They can work with the diorama independently or you can leave it in the front of the class and the children can draw the parable.

Option 2: Print and distribute the coloring page attachment to the first graders. Allow them to color their page. Encourage the children to share any stories they have of being lost and how it felt to be found again. Remind them that our Heavenly Father is always looking to bring us close to Him. Have them write their names on it and take it home to review the memory verse with their parents.

SERVANT RESOURCES

The Religious Potential of the Child Age 3-6 by Sofia Cavellitti.

Sample image of a diorama: Is there someone in your church with artistic capabilities, or someone that is good with woodwork? You can do these kinds of dioramas for most of your sunday school lessons and keep them for the children in the classroom to "work" with.

The Christian in the Parables of Christ, essay on LACopts.org

The Lost Kid, Meditation on FreedomInChristianity.com

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

Ask your child to repeat the parable of the lost sheep for you. Encourage your child to be an example of God's love to everyone in their community. Continue discussing our Lord as the Good Shepherd and how He takes care of His sheep.