God's Sheep (Theme Overview; updated, 2013)

Sheep are all over the place in the Bible, used as examples and illustrations for a variety of things in both testaments. They're also cute and make for easy decorations, so naturally we had to use them for a Bible School theme. The lessons we take from this theme talk about sin, salvation, obedience, security, and the church. In Galion this was our theme in 2007 and again in 2013.

This theme is mostly complete.

	Elementary		Preschool		Teens
Monday	Bible Lesson:	Going Astray: Moses and the Rock	Bible Lesson:	Moses and the Rock: Obey God	Bible Lesson:	Going Astray: Moses and the Rock
	Visuals:	Available 2013
			Sheep Lesson:	We All Sin*	Discussion:	6 Questions 2013
	Memory Verse:	Isaiah 53:6 (Follow the Shepherd)	Memory Verse (all week):	John 10:14 (Explanation)	Memory Verse:	Isaiah 53:6
	Missions:	Feeding the Sheep 2013			Missions Discussion:	7 Questions 2013
	Craft:	Shadow Box	Craft:	Sheep Bank	Craft:	Vase Candle
	Game: Pass the Sheep
	Snack: Popcorn: Sheep Going Astray 2013
Tuesday	Bible Lesson:	Lamb of God (Isaac and the Ram)	Bible Lesson:	Praising God (David the Shepherd)	Bible Lesson:	Isaac and the Lamb (teen version)
	Visuals:	Available 2013
			Sheep Lesson:	Thanking the Creator*	Discussion:	6 Questions 2013
	Memory Verse:	Romans 4:25 (Every Other Word)	Memory Game:	Follow the Shepherd	Memory Verse:	Romans 4:25
	Missions:	Where the People Are 2013			Missions Discussion:	7 Questions 2013
	Craft:	Ram in the Thicket	Craft:	Watercolor (David playing the harp for his sheep)	Craft:	Cloth Painting (ram in the thicket, or Abraham and Isaac)
	Game:	Sheep Gate Tag	Game:	Sheep Gate Tag	Game:	Marshmallow Ram 2013
	Snack: Sheep and Cross Cookies: Taking Our Place 2013
Wednesday	Bible Lesson:	Stolen Sheep: Saul and the Spoils regular version or skit version	Bible Lesson:	Baa, baa, baa! (Saul and the Sheep)	Bible Lesson:	Stolen Sheep (teen version)
			Sheep Lesson:	Obey the Shepherd*	Discussion:	6 Questions 2013
	Memory Verse:	1st Samuel 15:22 (Divide and Conquer)	Memory Game:	Clapping	Memory Verse:	1st Samuel 15:22
	Missions:	Lost Sheep of Israel 2013			Missions Discussion:	7 Questions 2013
	Craft:	Obedience Bookmark	Craft:	Pull-Through Filmstrip	Craft:	Obedience Bookmark
	Game: Sheep Golf
	Snack: Donuts: Obey God 2013
Thursday	Bible Lesson:	Sheep Security: The Good Shepherd	Bible Lesson:	Jesus Loves Children (Let the children come)	Bible Lesson:	Good Shepherd (teen version)
	Visuals:	Available 2013
			Sheep Lesson:	The Shepherd Knows His Sheep*	Discussion:	6 Questions 2013
	Memory Verse:	1st John 10:28 (Show Your Card)	Memory Game:	Hot Potato	Memory Verse:	John 10:28
	Missions:	Unwatched Flocks 2013			Missions Discussion:	7 Questions 2013
	Craft:	Plate Masks* (sheep, bear, or lion)	Craft:	Sheep Plate Masks	Craft:	Soap Molding
	Game: Sheep Maze
	Snack: Jell-O Jigglers: The Good Shepherd 2013
Friday	Bible Lesson:	Shepherded Sheep: Leading and Following	Bible Lesson:	God Loves Us: The 99 and the 1*	Bible Lesson:	Shepherded Sheep (teen version)
	Visuals:	Available 2013
			Sheep Lesson:	Jesus Wants to Be Your Shepherd*	Discussion:	6 Questions 2013
	Memory Verse:	Ephesians 2:10 (Simon)	Memory Game:	Simon	Memory Verse:	Ephesians 2:10
	Missions:	A Shepherd's Priorities 2013			Missions Discussion:	6 Questions 2013
	Craft:	Noodle Mosaic (Follow God)	Craft:	Chalk Drawing (sheep)	Craft:	[needed]
	Game:	Sheep Chin Relay	Game:	Sheep Relay	Game:	Sheep Chin Relay
	Snack: Salad: Feed My Sheep 2013

* - Items marked with an asterisk are incomplete or otherwise need work.

Substitute Indoor Games:

• Tangled Wool
• Sheep Soccer

Decorations:

• God's Sheep Decoration Plans
• Comic strip for teen room walls 2013
• Bulletin Boards 2013
• Sheep on the Walls 2013
• Three-Panel Scene: Isaac and the Ram 2013
• Stage: Sheepfold 2013

Updated: Little Lamb Lessons, God's Sheep Snacks

The Little Lamb auxiliary lessons for preschool have been significantly improved and updated:

• Day 1: We All Sin
• Day 2: Thanking the Creator
• Day 3: Obey the Shepherd
• Day 4: The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
• Day 5: Jesus Wants to Be Your Shepherd

We've also enhanced and updated the God's Sheep snacks. All five days now have a scripted lesson tie-in:

• Day 1: Popcorn
• Day 2: Cross/Sheep Cookies
• Day 3: Donuts
• Day 4: Jell-O Jigglers
• Day 5: Salad

Jesus Wants to Be Your Shepherd

Friday:	Jesus Wants to be Your Shepherd
Objective:	Jesus wants to be my shepherd.
Prop:	Picture of Jesus with a lamb.
Bible Passages:	John 10, Romans 3-6, 1st John 1

Introduction: Little Lamb

Boys and girls, (show puppet). This is Little Lamb. He's been coming to Bible School every night with us. He's helping us learn more about sheep. He doesn't talk out loud, but sometimes he whispers to me, and I'll tell you what he says, OK?

Story: Lost Little Lamb

(Little Lamb shows a picture of Jesus holding a lamb and whispers to the teacher). Little Lamb says that once he didn't come when the shepherd called. He wandered off, got lost, and fell down a hill and he couldn't get back up. The hill was too steep. But his shepherd came and got him, just like in our Bible lesson today.

Application: Jesus Wants to Be Your Shepherd

(L L whispers again). Little Lamb says that all of you are like sheep and Jesus wants to be your shepherd. All of us, like sheep, have wandered off. All of us have disobeyed God. Maybe we have disobeyed our parents or maybe we have told a lie. Maybe we have said mean things or hit someone. All these things are disobeying God. The Bible calls it sin. God wants us to be sorry for our sin. Not pretend sorry, but real sorry. He wants us to ask him to forgive our sin. If we ask him, he will forgive us.

Copyright © 2004—2013, Jill Eady, Nathan Eady, and the Grace Brethren Church. See licensing for information about rights and permissions.

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep

Thursday:	The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
Objective:	God Loves Me
Prop:	either a horn of oil (empty) or a picture of one
Bible Passages:	Psalm 23, Psalm 71, Psalm 139, Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:15

Introduction: Little Lamb

Boys and girls, (show puppet). This is Little Lamb. He's been coming to Bible School every night with us. He's helping us learn more about sheep. He doesn't talk out loud, but sometimes he whispers to me, and I'll tell you what he says, OK?

Story: The Shepherd's Care

Well, Little Lamb, what's this? (He whispers). A horn of oil? What's it for? (He whispers again.). Oh, it has oil in it that is like medicine. So if you get a cut or scratch your shepherd puts in on the hurt and it feels better? (nods yes). I think your shepherd does a lot for you. He helps you find water and grass. If there's not enough, he leads you to a new place where there is more. He keeps you safe, and helps you when you get hurt. (Nods yes).

You know, Little Lamb, I can tell that your shepherd loves you a lot. He even knows each one of you by name, doesn't he. (nods yes).

Application: The Good Shepherd

Did you know that the Bible says that God knows each one of us by name too? He does. It even says he knows our name and all about us before we are even born. Yes, God loves each one of us very, very much. Little Lamb, do you love your shepherd? (Nods yes vigorously). Good.

Boys and girls, since God loves us so much, we should love him too, shouldn't we. (yes).

Copyright © 2004—2013, Jill Eady, Nathan Eady, and the Grace Brethren Church. See licensing for information about rights and permissions.

Obey the Shepherd

Wednesday:	Obey the Shepherd
Objective:	God protects us too, but we need to obey him. One way to obey is to tell the truth.
Props:	Sling shot, shepherd's crook/staff, picture of sheepfold
Bible Passages:	Psalm 23, 1st Samuel 17, John 10

Introduction: Little Lamb

Boys and girls, (show puppet). This is Little Lamb. He's been coming to Bible School every night with us. He's helping us learn more about sheep. He doesn't talk out loud, but sometimes he whispers to me, and I'll tell you what he says, OK?

Story: The Shepherd's Protection

Little Lamb, I see you brought something new to show us tonight. What is this? (He whispers to the teacher.) He says a shepherds crook and a slingshot. Let's see, (Pointing), this must be the shepherd's crook and this the slingshot, right? (L L nods). What does the shepherd use the crook for? ( L L whispers) He says the shepherd uses the crook to remind the sheep to stay on the right path. Or if they fall down into a ditch, he can reach down and pull them back up to safety. (If you use a real "crook" like a cane or something, the teacher can use the crook to demonstrate while she talks.) What about the slingshot? (L L whispers again). He says the shepherd uses that to chase away wild animals like lions or bears that might want to hurt the sheep. That's good.

(Show a picture of a sheepfold). Little Lamb, I've heard that this is called a sheepfold. Do you have one of these where you live? What is it for? (L L whispers). Oh, so at night the shepherd calls and all you sheep come and get inside this stone wall? (nods yes). What if you don't come when you are called? (whispers) Oh, my. Little Lamb says if you don't come, you might get left out or get hurt. Maybe a lion or bear would hurt you. Sounds scary.

Obey the Shepherd

So, the shepherd takes good care of you, but you have to obey him, right? (nods yes). God takes care of boys and girls, but they need to obey God. Monday we talked about obeying God by obeying our parents. In our Bible lesson today, we also learned that God wants us to always tell the truth, and not tell lies.

Copyright © 2004—2013, Jill Eady, Nathan Eady, and the Grace Brethren Church. See licensing for information about rights and permissions.

Thanking the Creator

Tuesday:	Thanking the Creator
Objective:	We should thank God for making everything.
Prop:	Colored picture of a shepherd with sheep, water, grass.
Bible Passages:	Psalm 23, Genesis 1, Psalm 139:13-16

Introduction: Little Lamb

Boys and girls, (show puppet). This is Little Lamb. He's going to come to Bible School every night with us. He's going to help us learn more about sheep. He doesn't talk out loud, but he might whisper to me sometimes, and I'll tell you what he says, OK?

Little Lamb, I see you brought something with you. What is this? Is this a picture you colored? (Little Lamb nods.) Good job, Little Lamb! You've colored this very nicely. A shepherd helps his sheep find grass to eat and water to drink, doesn't he. So, if you and your friends eat up all the grass in one place, does your shepherd lead you to another place where there is more? (Nods yes).

Story: Creation

Did you know, Little Lamb, that God made the world and everything in it? (Nods yes). Oh, I suppose your shepherd sings songs about God just like David did. (Nods yes vigorously.) Well, that's great Little Lamb. I'm glad you know that God made the world and everything in it. That means he made the water and grass for you, Little Lamb.

God also made other plants like apple trees and berry bushes and vegetable plants so that boys and girls can have lots of good things to eat too.

Application: Thanksgiving

We should thank God for our food and things to drink. Let's pray right now. (Perhaps some of the kids would like to thank God for something.)

Copyright © 2004—2013, Jill Eady and the Galion Grace Brethren Church. See licensing for information about rights and permissions.

We All Sin

Monday:	We All Sin
Objective:	We should obey God. When we disobey, that is called sin.
Prop:	Picture of a shepherd.
Bible Passages:	Romans 3, Isaiah 53

Introduction: Little Lamb

Boys and girls, (show puppet). This is Little Lamb. He's going to come to Bible School every night with us. He's going to help us learn more about sheep. He doesn't talk out loud, but he might whisper to me sometimes, and I'll tell you what he says, OK?

Concept: Shepherd

(Speak to lamb), Little Lamb, I see you've brought a picture to show us tonight. Who is this man? (Little Lamb whispers in teacher's ear). Oh, it's your shepherd. A shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep, right? (L.L. nods yes). Do you have to obey your shepherd? (nods yes). So, when he call you, you come. (nods yes). What would happen if you didn't come when he called? (Whispers in ear). Oh, my. Little Lamb says he could get lost or hurt. That wouldn't be good. So, Little Lamb, you try to remember to obey? (nods yes).

Story: Moses and the Rock

(Address children). Did Moses in our Bible lesson remember to obey God? (No) What was he supposed to do? (Speak to the rock). But what DID he do? (Yes, he hit the rock with a stick.) He didn't obey, did he.

The Point: Obedience

Do we always obey God? No, sometimes we don't. One thing that God wants us to do is to obey our parents. We don't always do that. Disobeying our parents is disobeying God. The Bible calls that sin when we disobey God. We have all sinned. We've all disobeyed God sometimes. When we sin, we need to ask God to forgive us.

(Pray with the children. Ask God to help them to remember to obey him by obeying their parents. Ask God to help them to remember to ask him for forgiveness when they sin.)

Copyright © 2004—2013, Jill Eady, Nathan Eady, and the Grace Brethren Church. See licensing for information about rights and permissions.