The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd is an excellent story that demonstrates kindness. Jesus looks after his sheep just as he looks after us. 

Objectives: 

The children will be able to:

- retell the story of The Good Shepherd

- identify who is the Good Shepherd

- explain what to do if they lost something

- identify who they are supposed to follow 
  and do what he says

- discuss when kids their age might do to get “lost” and not follow Jesus 

Vocabulary Words: good, shepherd, Jesus, lost, found, sheep, kind

Good Shepherd Word Wall - hang words on the wall to aid children when they are learning or using new vocabulary words.

Introduction to story: Here are questions to open with. Since they might all want to answer at the same time, use a talking stick or a stuffed lamb to pass around to take turns for talking.

Some Questions To Consider:

Think of something you have lost.

Have you ever lost something?

Was it worth very much?

Did you look very hard for it?

Did you ever find it?

What did you do when you found it? 

If you didn’t find it, what did you do?

More Questions To Consider:

Have you ever been lost? How did you feel? How did you get back? How did you feel when you were found?

Have you ever helped someone look for something they lost?

Have you ever found something someone else lost?

What did you do with the item you found?

Follow Up:

Read the story "The Good Shepherd". 

Ask questions such as the following . . .

If a shepherd has lost one of his sheep, what should he/she do? 

Who is the Good Shepherd?

Crafts:

Young children can make a handprint of a lamb.

Another good extension to this lesson is Sheep Decoration 
These are very easy crafts that the youngest child can do and makes a beautiful keepsake.

Sheep Decoration

Christmas, Sheep Decoration

Christmas, Sheep Decoration

Tree Ornaments

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- ornaments that can be on a 

  Christmas tree or used as a decoration

- can also be made when reading or 

  discussing 
  The Good Shepherd (Language, Christian activity)

Materials

- black felt, white felt or a wool type of material
- googly eyes
- ribbon or yarn
- good quality scissors for older children
- white glue
- optional - twine or chenille stem if desired

Construction
- materials should be prepared ahead of time
- cut felt or material into sections if the children are able to 
  cut their own shapes
- it is recommended that they cut their parts in shapes (almost anything can be created 
  using shapes - circular shape for the body, oval for the head, triangular shapes for the 
  ears, thin rectangles for the legs)
- these shapes can be cut ahead of time for young children and for any children with 
  difficulty using scissors
- distribute all the necessary materials
- assemble the shapes to make the sheep
- a shepherd's hook made out of twine or a chenille stem may be included if desired
- attach a loop made out of ribbon or yarn to the back of the sheep

Birth Of Jesus Silhouette

Birth Of Jesus Silhouette

Birth Of Jesus Silhouette

Suitable for Kindergarten to Third Grade

- this art can be modified to suit the 
  age/needs of the children

- the shapes for the silhouettes can be 
  drawn and cut out by older children
- the shapes can be cut out and supplied 
  to younger children
- the color of the shapes can be chosen 
  by the children and placed against a 
  background of contrasting color

- more detail can be added depending on 
  the age and ability of the child (example; 
  a star, sheep, the outline of the stable)

Materials
- construction paper for the shapes
- construction paper for the background
- optional - tracers of the desired shapes
- scissors
- glue

Construction
- shapes for the silhouettes to be distributed or created (tracers could also be beneficial)
- once the shapes are ready, glue onto a paper of a contrasting color
- this could also be created as a Christmas card on card stock