LESSON INTRODUCTION

Unit Essential Questions:

  • What can animals in the Bible teach us about God?

  • What animals are mentioned in the Bible? Why are they mentioned?

  • What are the context characters and who are they?

Lesson Essential Questions:

  • What can a lamb teach us about God?

  • How are we like a lamb?

Bible Text:

  • Psalm 23:1, Isaiah 40:11, John 10:14, Matthew 4:19

Contextual Lenses:

Learning Goals:

  • Learners will be able to identify a lamb, and name its qualities.

  • Learners will be able to describe how God leads them like a shepherd.

Teaching Points:

  • God takes care of us.

LESSON INFORMATION

What you should prepare . . .

  • Either cut out the context character and glue it to a popsicle stick or use the context character plush toy.

  • Print off the included coloring page for each student in your class. Set out crayons and markers that learners can use to decorate their paper. 

  • To keep track of the different characteristics of God embodied by the six animals, create an anchor chart that includes their names. As you’re introduced to each character, add what you’ve learned about the animal, and what the animal teaches us about God to your chart.

What you should know . . .

The Bible uses “pictures” to help us better understand who God is and what God is like. In order to better understand the meaning of God’s words we have to know and understand these “pictures.” As responsible readers of the Bible, noticing the metaphors helps us to read the Bible in its proper context.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

Ask learners to think about these two questions before you play the video. Spend some time letting them share their answers. 

Wonder Questions: (slides 1,2,3)

  1. Do you know what kind of animal this is? (There are three powerpoint slides that each pull back and show more of the animal. See how quickly learners can guess the animal.)

  2. Why is this such an important animal in the Bible?

 

ENGAGING WITH CONTEXT

Play the Video. (Slide 4) You can also show pictures and teach the content of the video if you would rather do that.

Video Script:

If you look on the dry, rocky hills of Israel, you might spot some surprising animals—sheep. And baby sheep are called lambs. When a lamb turns one year old, it becomes an adult sheep. Girl sheep are called ewes, and boy sheep are called rams. Sheep like to stay together in groups called flocks, and every flock needs someone to guide them—that's where a shepherd comes in. A shepherd helps the flock find food, water, and safety. Often, shepherds were young boys and girls.

Sheep know their shepherd's voice, and they follow when the shepherd calls. The Bible talks about sheep more than any other animal. In fact, the very first animals to see the angels announcing Jesus’ birth were sheep. That’s because sheep were super important to the people in the Bible. They provided wool for clothing, milk, and meat. People also used their skins to make paper called parchment.

The Bible often uses sheep to help us understand God better. It tells us that God is like a shepherd, and we are like sheep. Just as sheep need a shepherd to care for them, we need God to guide and protect us, providing what we need.

Introduce Lilly the Lamb. (Slide 5)

Use either the context character cut out on a stick or a plush toy.

Tell learners that Lilly will be helping us learn more about God and the Bible.

 

Video Block
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EXPLORE THE STORY

Read Scripture (Slide 6):

Psalm 23:1 - “The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need. He gives me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water.”

If God is like a shepherd, then what are we? (We are His sheep!)

Isaiah 40:11 - “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.”

What do you think a hug from God feels like?

If we are God’s flock, God promises to take care of us. For sheep, a shepherd helps them find food, water, and keeps them safe. Jesus calls Himself the "Good Shepherd."

John 10:14 - “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me.”

Just like sheep listen to their shepherd and follow him, we need to listen to Jesus and follow Him. Jesus said something really important:

Matthew 4:19 - “Come, follow me," Jesus said. 

Should we follow Him? (Yes!)

 

RESPOND TO THE STORY

Reflection Questions:

  1. What are some ways that God takes care of you?

  2. How can we hear God’s voice? (the Bible, through our parents, through our teachers)

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being our shepherd. Thank you for watching over us and taking care of us. Help us to listen to your words and follow your ways. We love you. Amen.

 

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

  1. Color Lilly the Lamb. Bring Lilly the Lamb to life with this fun and engaging coloring page!

  2. Make a mask. Get creative by designing your own lamb mask or using the ready-made template provided!

  3. We Are His Sheep Art Activity. Learners will create sheep that represent themselves, reflecting on their identity as part of God's flock.

  • Materials Needed:

    • Paper or card stock

    • Markers, crayons, or colored pencils

    • Cotton balls, googly eyes, glue, scissors (optional for added creativity)

    • Bible verse printouts or a large display of Psalm 100

  • Introduction:
    Begin by reading Psalm 100 or a chosen verse that emphasizes the imagery of God’s people as His flock. Discuss what it means to be part of "His flock" and how this applies to our lives.

  • Create Your Sheep:

    • Give each learner a template of Lilly the Lamb or let them draw their own.

    • Encourage them to personalize their sheep to reflect who they are (e.g., their favorite colors, symbols that represent their personality, or words that describe them).

    • Optional: Use cotton balls, googly eyes, and other craft supplies to make the sheep more tactile and fun.

  • Display the Flock:

    • When the sheep are finished, invite learners to place them on a designated wall space or bulletin board.

    • Include a sign with the chosen verse, such as Psalm 100:3, "We are His people, the sheep of His pasture," as the centerpiece of the display.

  • Reflection and Connection (5 minutes):
    Gather around the display and invite a few learners to share about their sheep and how they see themselves as part of God's flock.

  1. Shepherd and Sheep Game.Learn to recognize and follow the unique “voice” of your shepherd, avoiding obstacles and other "sheep."

  • Introduction:
    Explain to the group that every shepherd has a unique way of calling their flock. Sheep learn to recognize their shepherd’s voice and follow it, even in a noisy or confusing environment.

  • Set-Up:

    • Divide the learners into pairs or small groups.

    • In each pair/group:

      • One person will be the shepherd.

      • The others will be the sheep.

  • Create the Call:

    • Each shepherd creates a unique call or sound to guide their sheep. (For example, they might clap, hum, whistle, or say a specific phrase.)

      Playing the Game:

    • Option 1: Partner Play

      • Blindfold the sheep or have them close their eyes.

      • The shepherd uses their unique call to guide the sheep through the play area without bumping into obstacles or other sheep.

    • Option 2: Group Play

      • Add multiple sheep to each shepherd. The sheep must follow only their shepherd's call while ignoring others.

    • Option 3: Add Obstacles

      • Scatter soft obstacles (like cones, cushions, or chairs) in the play area. The shepherd must help their sheep navigate around them using only their call.

    • Safety Tips:

      • Ensure the area is free from sharp objects or hard surfaces.

      • Have a facilitator ready to assist if a sheep gets too close to another.

    • Winning the Game:

      • The goal is for the sheep to successfully navigate the area by listening to their shepherd’s call while avoiding collisions and obstacles.

    • Reflection (Optional):

      • After playing, discuss how it felt to listen closely for the shepherd’s voice.

      • Relate this experience to listening for God’s voice and that God desires to guide them through difficult times.

 

Lesson Files Include:

  • Lesson PDF

  • Presentations Files (Keynote, Power Point, Google Slides)

  • Videos

  • Coloring Pages

  • Mask Cut Outs

  • Character Cut Out

  • Sample Anchor Chart

Context character plush toys and sticker sheets coming soon!

Contact info@lovegodloveothers.com if you are interested in trying out this unit with your students!