The lost sheep Bible story teaches children that God loves each person so much that He goes looking for anyone who wanders away, and He is full of joy when they come home. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, using Luke 15 as the main passage.
Big Idea
God never stops looking for us, and when we come back to Him, He is very happy. Everyone is precious to Him, even when they feel lost or far away.
Memory Verse
Luke 15:7
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
(WEB)
Hold your hands out in front of you, then slowly bring them together and hug yourself as you say the verse. The hug helps children picture a happy welcome home.
The Story: Luke 15 for Kids
One day, tax collectors and sinners came close to Jesus to listen to Him. Some of the religious leaders grumbled about it. Jesus told them a story to help them see what God is like.
A shepherd had one hundred sheep. One day he counted them and found that one was missing. He left the other ninety-nine safe in the field and went out to search for the lost sheep. He kept looking until he found it.
When he found the sheep, he lifted it onto his shoulders and carried it home, full of joy. He called his friends and neighbors together and said, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” Jesus said that heaven feels even more joy over one person who turns back to God.
Jesus told a second story about a son who asked his father for his share of the money and went far away. He spent everything on wild living. When a great hunger came, he had nothing left and had to take care of pigs, even though he was very hungry himself. He thought about his father’s servants, who had plenty to eat.
So he went home, practicing what he would say. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, ran to him, and hugged him. The son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.” The father told his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and shoes, and they had a great party because his son was alive again.
The older brother was working in the field and became angry when he heard the celebration. His father came out and talked with him. The story ends with the father reminding him that the lost one had been found, and it was right to be glad.
Read It Together
Luke 15:4-5
4 “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 5 When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
(WEB)
Point out that the shepherd did not give up on the one lost sheep. Ask children to notice the words “carries it on his shoulders,” and talk about how safe it feels to be carried.
Luke 15:20
“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
(WEB)
Show children that the father saw his son from far away and ran to meet him. Explain that this is a picture of how God welcomes people who come back to Him.
Luke 15:31-32
31 “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”
(WEB)
Help children see that the father tells the older brother that he is always with him. Point out the words “was lost, and is found,” and ask why the father wanted everyone to celebrate.
Talk About It
- Why do you think the shepherd went looking for just one sheep?
- How do you think the lost sheep felt when it was picked up and carried home?
- What do you think the younger son was thinking about on the long walk home?
- How did the father show that he was happy to see his son?
- Why is it good to know that God is always looking for us?
Activity Ideas
Cotton Ball Sheep Craft
You will need paper plates, cotton balls, glue, black construction paper, and markers. Have each child glue cotton balls onto a paper plate to make a fluffy sheep, then draw a face and legs from the black paper. As children work, remind them that the shepherd cared enough to find every single sheep, and let them take their sheep home as a reminder.
Hide and Find Game
Choose one child to be the shepherd and have the others sit with their eyes closed. The shepherd quietly hides a small stuffed animal or toy somewhere in the room. When it is found, have the finder carry it back to the group on their shoulders while everyone cheers “Rejoice with me!” Repeat so every child gets a turn.
Lost and Found Take-Home Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small sticker for each child. Write “God looks for me and I am found” on the card, and let children decorate the edges with drawings. Encourage them to read it at bedtime and tell a family member what the shepherd did for the lost sheep.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God takes the initiative to seek people out. Jesus told these parables to answer people who criticized Him for welcoming sinners, and the message is that heaven rejoices over every person who returns to God. Adults can also see how the older brother reflects a temptation to measure faithfulness by comparison rather than by the father’s heart.
Avoid overstating the details of the parables to children, such as trying to assign exact meanings to every item in the stories. Keep the focus on the central truth that God searches, welcomes, and rejoices, rather than turning the lesson into a complicated allegory.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for looking for us when we wander away. Help us remember that You are always glad when we come back to You. Thank You for welcoming us home with love. Amen.
