Lost but Loved: The Good Shepherd Kids Bible Lesson, Crafts, Story & Family Handout (Luke 15:3–7)
LESSON OVERVIEW
Theme: Jesus Finds, Loves, and Celebrates Every One of Us
Big Truth: No one is forgotten by God—Jesus the Good Shepherd searches for, finds, and lovingly brings home every lost sheep.
Key Scripture: Luke 15:3–7
Pillar Focus: Power — Celebrating Jesus' power to pursue and rescue us no matter where we wander.
1) INTRODUCTION
Did you know sheep often wander away—sometimes without even noticing they're lost? Jesus used the story of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep to show how deeply God loves us. We all sometimes feel left out or make mistakes. But the Good Shepherd never gives up. He cares for you so much that He'll search until He finds you and brings you home!
2) GAME: “Sheep Hunt”
Introduction: Who likes playing hide-and-seek? In today’s game, you’ll be looking for lost sheep—just like the Good Shepherd in our story! Some of the sheep are hiding around the room, and it’s your job to find every single one and bring them home. Remember, every sheep is important, just like every person is important to God!
Materials:
Cotton balls (to be the “sheep”)—you can glue tiny eyes or faces on them for fun!
Baskets or boxes to collect the sheep
Instructions:
Before class, hide the “sheep” cotton balls around the room.
When the game begins, say, “Go!” Kids search all over to find the sheep and bring them back to the big Shepherd's basket.
Keep counting until every sheep is found together.
Celebrate: Clap, cheer, and say together: “Everyone matters to God!” and talk about how happy the shepherd was to find his lost sheep.
Preschool tip: Use larger sheep and help little ones find them as a team—make a BIG celebration with clapping and cheers for every sheep found!
3) PRAISE & WORSHIP
Introduction: Kids, tt’s time to sing and celebrate how Jesus is our Good Shepherd! He loves us, leads us, and even finds us when we’re lost. As we sing these songs, let’s do our best sheep hops, pretend to walk with the Shepherd, and jump for joy when it’s time to come 'home' to God’s love! Are you ready? Let’s go!
Song List:
"Good Shepherd" — Yancy
"Reckless Love" — Kids Worship Remix
"He Knows My Name" — Lifetree Kids
"You Are My Shepherd" — Listener Kids
"He’s Got the Whole World" — Group Publishing Kids
How to Worship:
Hop like sheep during choruses.
Pretend to hear the Shepherd’s call and come running back "home."
Clap, spin, or make heart shapes with your hands whenever the song says “love” or “shepherd.”
Remind everyone: “No matter where we go, Jesus always finds us and brings us home!”
4) BIBLE STORY SERMON: Lost but Loved — The Good Shepherd’s Pursuit
Leader/Narrator: Everyone, close your eyes for just a moment and imagine you are a sheep in the biggest, greenest field you’ve ever seen. What does the grass feel like? Can you hear the birds? Are your friends nearby, or do you feel a little bit alone? (Pause for a few children to answer.)
Now open your eyes! Let’s listen closely, because this story isn’t just about sheep; it’s about what it’s like to be lost, and what it means to be loved by Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Part 1: The Flock and the Shepherd
Leader: “A long time ago, Jesus saw people who felt left out, made mistakes, or wondered if they mattered. So He told this story…”
Imagine a shepherd with 100 sheep! How many is that? (Let several kids guess. Count to ten together and laugh at how long it’d take to count all the way to 100.)
The shepherd knows every sheep by name. Maybe he calls one Fluffy, another Spot, and one Little Lamb. (Let a few kids pick silly sheep names. Repeat some together: “Come here, Fluffy!”)
Every night before sleep, the shepherd counts them: “95, 96, 97, 98, 99…wait, where is number 100?”
He calls out, “Little Lamb! Where are you?”
Let’s all say it together: “Little Lamb! Where are you?” (Kids join in, calling out!)
Part 2: The Lost Sheep
But Little Lamb is nowhere to be found. Maybe Little Lamb wandered off while chasing a butterfly or nibbling on sweet clover…
(Let one child pretend to be the lost sheep, moving away from the group and ‘hiding.’)
The Good Shepherd could stay with the 99, but he is not willing to lose even one. He leaves the big group and starts searching. He climbs hills, crawls through bushes, and listens for the tiniest “baa.”
Everybody make the quietest “baa” you can! (Let everyone whisper “baa…”)
The shepherd hears something! He cups a hand to his ear, follows the sound, and spots the lost sheep, stuck and scared.
He doesn’t yell, “How could you run away?” He kneels down, says the sheep’s name softly, then gently lifts Little Lamb onto his strong shoulders.
Let’s all gently pat our shoulders, just like the shepherd carrying his sheep.
He turns to go home, stroking Little Lamb’s head, whispering, “You’re safe, I found you. I love you.”
Let’s say that together: “You’re safe. I found you. I love you.”
Part 3: Celebration and Jesus’ Explanation
When the shepherd returns, he’s SO happy. He doesn’t keep it to himself—he calls all his friends and neighbors: “Come party with me! My lost sheep is back! Let’s celebrate!”
Can you show me your best happy dance? (Let everyone do a “sheep” dance or jump for joy!)
Jesus then looks at everyone listening—the kids, the grownups, the people who thought God had forgotten them, and the ones who thought they didn’t need Him—and says:
“In the same way, there is great joy in heaven over every one person who turns back to God. God never gives up searching. He always, always loves you—no matter how far you go.”
Reflection and Application:
Questions as you go:
Have any of you ever felt a little left out, or made a mistake, or wondered if anyone cared? (Let a few volunteers share.)
What do you think the shepherd felt when he found his lost sheep? (Kids answer: happy, relieved, joyful...)
How do you think the sheep felt? (Kids answer: loved, safe...)
Invite children to all hug themselves (like the shepherd carrying the sheep): "Whenever you feel lost, remember: Jesus never lets you go. He carries you until you’re home."
Say: "Who are some people you know who might feel lost—maybe lonely at recess, new at church, or sad at home? Let’s ask God to help us share the celebrating, searching love of the Good Shepherd with them."
Preschool Tips: Keep the acting simple—have several children pretend to wander/lost, then let the leader or another child gently “find” them and walk them back to the group with big hugs and cheers.
Closing: You are never too lost, too far, or too forgotten for the Good Shepherd. Jesus celebrates every time you come home!
5) HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVATION: “Lost & Found Heart Box”
Introduction: Have you ever felt left out, lonely, or like you didn’t fit in? Today, you’ll make a special heart box to remind you how much Jesus loves you—He always comes to find you! Let's make something we can keep and look at whenever we need to remember we’re never lost to God.
Materials:
Small box or jewelry box for each child
Paper heart cutouts
Markers, stickers, sheep stickers (if you have them
Instructions:
Decorate your box using markers and stickers, making it as colorful and personal as you like.
On a heart cutout, write: “Jesus loves me and finds me!”
Add a sheep sticker or draw a little sheep on your heart too, to remind you of the story.
Place the heart inside the box.
Take turns sharing one time you felt lost, alone, or needed help.
Leader: “Let’s pray: ‘Holy Spirit, help us remember Jesus will always find us and never leave us alone! Amen.’”
Keep your Heart Box in a special place, and open it whenever you need a reminder of Jesus’ love.
6) CRAFT 1: "Sheep on the Shoulders" Magnet or Ornament
Introduction: When the Good Shepherd found his lost sheep, he didn’t scold it—he lifted it up and carried it home with joy! Today you’ll make a craft of a happy sheep on the shepherd’s shoulders so you can remember: Jesus will always bring you home.
Materials:
White felt or cotton balls (for fluffy sheep)
Sturdy paper (for the shepherd and backing)
Markers
Small magnet (for fridge), or string/ribbon (for hanging like an ornament)
Glue
Instructions:
Draw and cut out a shepherd shape from the sturdy paper.
Draw, cut out, and decorate a sheep (about to fit over the shepherd’s shoulders).
Glue the sheep onto the shepherd’s shoulders. Use cotton balls or felt for a soft, fluffy effect.
Write: “The Good Shepherd brings me home!” on the magnet or ornament.
Glue a magnet to the back (for fridge) or tape/string to the top (for a hanging ornament).
Take your craft home or give it to someone who needs to know they’re loved!
7) CRAFT 2: "Good Shepherd’s Field" Scene
Introduction: Imagine a beautiful field where all the sheep are safe and together, and the Good Shepherd watches over every single one! We’re going to make a field scene to show how the shepherd brings every lost sheep back to the flock—because everyone is ‘Lost but Loved!
Materials:
Blue and green construction paper (base and grass)
Green tissue paper for grass
Small sheep figures or cotton balls (for sheep)
Markers or crayons
Brown or gray paper (for rocks/bushes)
Glue or tape
Instructions:
Glue green tissue paper to your base paper for a grassy field.
Add a flock of sheep (cotton balls or paper sheep cutouts). Hide one “lost sheep” somewhere else on the scene at first.
Draw or add rocks, bushes, and even a shepherd.
As you retell the story, “move” the lost sheep back to the flock—show that it’s found and safe.
Add the words: “Lost but Loved!” at the top or bottom.
Hang your scene at home to remind you and your family that Jesus always brings us home!
8) SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Instructions: Gather your kids into small groups with your leaders and discuss these questions. Let the Lord lead you to ask more questions as well. These moments are some of the most intentional, discipleship times that you could have - so lean in!
Why did Jesus call Himself the Good Shepherd?
What does He do when one sheep (or person) is lost?
Have you ever felt left out or away from God?
How can we help others feel "found" and loved by Jesus?
What’s the happiest part of being welcomed home?
9) PRAYER
Jesus, thank You for always loving me, no matter where I go. If I ever feel lost, help me remember You will find me and bring me home. Help me show your love to everyone who needs it. Amen.
10) FINAL THOUGHT FOR PARENTS AND LEADERS
This lesson reassures every child of Jesus’s radical, pursuing love and powerful care. Encourage families to retell the parable at home, use crafts as reminders, and name people in prayers who need to be "found" this week. Remind all: NO sheep is ever forgotten by the Good Shepherd!
