God seeks out his lost children! That’s the powerful message in the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-10) Download this children’s sermon and watch the video teaching example below. May God bless your ministry!
Video Example & Object Lesson “The Lost Sheep”
Children’s Message: Lost and Found – God’s Pursuit of His Children
Main Objective: The parable of the lost sheep can be a fun story to share with children, but it is about much more than a wandering animal. This message communicates to kids that God cares greatly for each and every individual, and that He loves us enough to seek us out and even pay the ultimate price to redeem us.
Law/Gospel Theme: It might seem like a prodigal deserves punishment. A child may think of running away as being naughty, and might especially imagine that leaving faith or running from God would have ill effects. The great news of the Gospel is that God does not give up on us or punish us. He will always love us, pursue us, and welcome us with open arms.
Optional Materials: Collection of some sort (coins, toys, crafts, etc.)
Bible Passage: Luke 15:1-10
Lectionary Reference: PROPER 19 (24) Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Year C – September 15, 2019
Bonus Ideas: More free help for teaching this lesson
- video teaching example of this message on YouTube
- craft ideas on the lost sheep
- creative sermons for kids
- Luke 15:1-32 called Lost Things Get Found (by God)
- Lost Sheep message on Sermons 4 Kids
- Download our free “Jesus is the Good Shepherd” Coloring Pages
- Bible game about the Sheep and Good Shepherd
Children’s Message: The Lost Sheep and Lost Coin
(As always, adapt the lesson to your best needs. You can use a collection of coins, stamps, stuffed animals, toys, whatever works. It is best if you have several of the item being used.)
Greet students, with a sizeable collection of something in hand.
Hello, children of God!
I have something here that I would love to show you. It’s my special collection! See, all of these items are quite important to me. There’s this one, and this one, ooh and that one…(hold up several items, perhaps offering a brief explanation for one or two)
Now let me share with you one that is particularly wonderful…(look through items, growing concerned)
It’s….well…hmm, where did it go? Hang on. I know it was here. It has to be here. Where could it be?? (If it adds to impact, dump out items and search through.)
Can you guys help me find it? Where could it be? I have to find it!!! (Uncover the missing item, either within the collection or in another spot, maybe a pocket or floor)
Here it is!! This is the one! Phew! I was getting so worried. I’m so glad I found this one. Take a look, it is pretty incredible, isn’t it?
Now, you might think that it is a little over the top to be so concerned for one tiny item, especially when I have so many other ones right here…but you know what? That is how God feels about us.
Think about it: there are millions of people all over the world, more than we can even understand. Yet God cares about YOU as an individual and He knows how many hairs are on your head. He made you, every one of you! Because He made you, He thinks you are important and special and valuable, and He loves you. Jesus told a story about a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. He lost one of them, and went searching high and low until he found it. What’s one little lamb when there are 99 others?
Yet the shepherd knew it was missing and sought it out. Jesus wanted us to know that God cares for us as people, and He will not let us wander and stray away. Sometimes we might do things that go against God’s laws. Sometimes we make mistakes, or even turn our backs on God and His love. But He will never leave us.
Nothing we can do will ever separate us from God’s love, and He’s always waiting with open arms to welcome us back into His family, if we should walk away. In fact, God loves us so much that, even though we do sinful things, He sent Jesus to pay the ultimate price and give His life for us! He didn’t just come for good people, but for all people. That is something to be thankful for.
You know
what else? Since we know God made us all special and loves each one of us, it
is important to love and care for one another, too. If people are valuable to
God, we should value them, too, and treat them that way. Sometimes it isn’t
easy, but we know God will help us if we ask. Should we do that now? Let’s
pray…
Suggested Prayer for Children
(Have kids
repeat each line, if desired)
Dear God,
Thank you for your Word, the Bible
Thank you for making us special
Help us remember to love one another
Just as you love each of us
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
Thank you for Jesus
In His name, Amen!
Luke 15:1-10 NIV – The Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that 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 his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” –Luke 15:1-10
Lost Sheep Coloring Page Actives
Bible Craft Ideas on The Lost Sheep
Try these fun Sunday School crafts when teaching about the Parable of the Lost Sheep
Thank you for the pictures to print
Such a helpful outline and great opening connection point for the children. I’m going to hide a toy sheep as well for the children to go searching for.
Thank you for that. I had an emergency lesson on this passage. A great one for where I live – a sheep farming area of Australia!
Love how this broke down both scriptures of the parable. Really enjoyed it and totally understood it.