Big Idea
Jesus is the good shepherd who knows us by name and keeps us safe.
Memory Verse
“I am the good shepherd. I know my own.” — John 10:14
Object Lesson
Blindfold-free listening game: one leader is the “shepherd” and calls each child by name; children come when they hear their own name. Jesus knows every one of our names.
Craft
Cotton Ball Sheep: Glue cotton balls onto a sheep shape and write the child’s name on the sheep’s collar.
Materials
Cotton balls, Sheep templates, Glue, Markers, Black paper hooves
Full passage
Scripture Reading
11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. 13The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; 15even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep, which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. 17Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. 18No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
John 10:11–18 · World English Bible (public domain). Read this passage in the NIV
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