The Shepherd Who Finds His Sheep

Leader Notes

Duration: 5 minutes

Tone: Warm, gentle, reassuring. Use a calm storytelling voice. This age group responds well to repetition and simple emotions (sad/happy).

If a child gets restless: Invite them to stand and do the sheep motion with you. Keep the story moving — don't pause for long explanations.

Key idea: Jesus loves each one of us so much that He comes looking for us when we wander away.

Anchor Scripture

'What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the 99 on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the 99 that never went astray.' — Matthew 18:12-13

Story Time: The Lost Little Sheep

Read aloud slowly:

Once there was a shepherd who loved all his sheep. He had 100 sheep! One day, one little sheep wandered away and got lost. The shepherd left the other 99 sheep safe on the mountain and went looking for the one lost sheep. When he found the little sheep, he was SO happy! He picked it up and carried it home.

Motion Activity

Say to the children:

Let's pretend we are the little sheep! Put your hands up by your head like sheep ears. Now let's wander around the room — oh no, we're lost! (Walk slowly in a circle.) Now the shepherd finds us! Let's all jump up and down because we're so happy!

(Lead the motions with them. Repeat once if they're engaged.)

Yes/No Question

Ask the children:

Does Jesus love you and come looking for you?

Expected answer: Yes!

Leader note: If a child says 'no' or looks uncertain, gently say: 'Yes! Jesus loves you so much. He always comes to find you.'

Coloring Page

Say to the children:

Now let's draw a picture! Draw a shepherd holding a little sheep. You can color the sheep white or any color you like!

Leader note: Provide crayons and blank paper. Circulate and affirm their drawings. This quiet activity helps them settle after the motion time.