Jesus the Good Shepherd - Bible Lessons for Kids
Jesus described Himself as the Good Shepherd who cares for, guides, and protects His sheep. Teaching kids this meaningful Bible truth can help them understand how much Jesus loves and watches over them. I have a handful of great ideas for teaching kids about Jesus the Good Shepherd from John 10, including YouTube videos, printable lesson plans, hands-on crafts, and fun activities that make this important lesson engaging and memorable for children in Sunday school and faith-based schools.
STORY OF JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:11-18 tells us how Jesus is the Good Shepherd. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus details how He is the Good Shepherd. He says a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A shepherd knows their sheep, and the sheep know their shepherd. Jesus says that He is the Good Shepherd because He will lay down His life for His sheep.
Jesus the Good Shepherd Bible Lessons for Kids
Looking for a simple and effective way to teach kids about Jesus as their Good Shepherd? Our scripted lesson plans, printable lessons, and simple activities are perfect for ages 3 to 8.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Jesus used the analogy of sheep and a shepherd to teach that He loves people and cares for them. Sheep cannot take care of themselves and easily get lost. They have poor hearing and eyesight. They have no means of protecting themselves. They need a shepherd to guide them and protect them.
Sheep will recognize their shepherd’s voice and follow him. During the day, a shepherd would lead his herd to safe places to eat and drink. At night, he would guide his sheep into a special pen and lie in the gate to ensure no sheep wandered away at night.
We wander away from God and His teachings, as sheep wander away. Jesus is a loving shepherd who guides, protects, and cares for us. Jesus wants us to learn to follow Him, just like the sheep follow their Shepherd.
Good Shepherd Mobile CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS
Kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades will assemble a fun hanging mobile craft to remind them of what our Good Shepherd promises.
The mobile craft in Jesus the Good Shepherd for Older Kids is a great way for kids to remember the story. Kids will color and cut out the pieces. Then they will tie pieces of string to the smaller pieces to create a hanging mobile.
Remind kids that Jesus is our Good Shepherd who knows us, loves us, and cares for us. Encourage them to hang their mobile somewhere they will see it and remember to follow Jesus.
I am a sheep CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL KIDS
Little kids in preschool and kindergarten will make a fun sheep picture frame craft.
Younger kids will enjoy creating a sheep picture frame to remind them that they are like sheep and Jesus is their shepherd. Give each child a sheep template, found in Jesus the Good Shepherd for Preschool, and have them color.
Carefully cut out the circle where the face will go, and have kids glue in a picture of themselves (or draw a self-portrait if photos aren’t available). Every time they look at their little sheep frame, they will be reminded that Jesus is their shepherd.
OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE STORY “JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD”
Doily Sheep Craft: For a super simple craft, check out this cute doily sheep from Easy Peasy and Fun.
Q-Tip Sheep Craft: Use clay, paper, and Q-tips to create a cute sheep by following these instructions from Kids Kubby.
Follow the Shepherd Obstacle Course: Set up a simple obstacle course and designate one child to be the shepherd. The rest of the kids are sheep, and they have to follow the shepherd through the obstacle course.
For more craft and activity ideas, check out The Parable of the Lost Sheep Bible Lessons for Kids
YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Below are some suggestions for YouTube videos about Jesus being the Good Shepherd. Please preview any videos you show your kids to ensure they are age-appropriate and match what you want to teach.
The next two videos explain what it means that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and present Bible verses about Jesus being the Good Shepherd, rather than depicting a specific story.
WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE LIFE OF JESUS?
This lesson is part of an eight-week series on the life of Jesus. Other lessons in this series include Jesus Calls His Disciples, Jesus Tempted in the Desert, Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet, Let the Little Children Come to Me, The Great Commission, Zacchaeus, and The Transfiguration.
For more Life of Jesus Bible Lessons, check out: