In this lesson, children learn that God is a good shepherd who searches for his lost sheep, heals the hurt ones, and takes care of every one of them. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God takes care of his people like a good shepherd takes care of his sheep. He looks for the lost ones, he heals the hurt ones, and he never forgets any of them.
Memory Verse
Ezekiel 34:11
“‘For thus says the Lord the LORD: “Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.
(WEB)
Cup your hands together like a little bowl, then open your arms wide as you say the verse. Your hands show God searching far and wide for his sheep, and your arms show how big his care is.
The Story: Ezekiel 34 for Kids
Long ago, God spoke to a prophet named Ezekiel. God told Ezekiel to speak to the shepherds of Israel. These were the leaders who were supposed to take care of God’s people, who were like sheep in a flock.
But the shepherds were not doing their job. They ate the good food and wore the warm wool, but they did not feed the sheep. They did not heal the sick sheep or bring back the ones that had wandered away. The sheep were scattered all over the mountains and hills, and nobody went out to look for them.
God said, “I am against these shepherds, and I will take my sheep back from them.” God did not want his sheep to be eaten by wild animals or lost forever. So he made a promise to his flock.
God said, “I myself will search for my sheep. I will find the lost ones and bring them home. I will bind up the broken ones and make the weak ones strong.” God wanted his people to rest safely in a good place, with plenty of fresh grass and clean water.
God also promised to send a shepherd from the family of David, who would feed his sheep and care for them. God said, “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Then God told them that they would know he was with them, because he would set them free from the hands of those who had made them slaves.
Read It Together
Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep. I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
(WEB)
Point out the picture of a shepherd going out on a cloudy, dark day to find sheep that are scattered. Explain that God is not afraid of hard or dark times, and he will always come looking for his people.
Ezekiel 34:15-16
15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down,” says the Lord the LORD. 16 “I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong. I will feed them in justice.”’
(WEB)
Show the children how God says he will be the shepherd himself. Ask them to notice the words lost, driven away, broken, and sick, and explain that God cares about each of these kinds of hurt.
Ezekiel 34:23
I will set up one shepherd over them, and he will feed them, even my servant David. He will feed them, and he will be their shepherd.
(WEB)
Tell the children this verse points forward to a shepherd who would come from David’s family. Explain that Christians believe Jesus is that good shepherd, and that he later said he is the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep.
Talk About It
- What did the bad shepherds in this story do with the sheep, and how did the sheep feel about it?
- What are some ways that God searches for us when we feel lost or far from him?
- Why do you think God says he will bind up the broken sheep and make the weak ones strong?
- How does it feel to know that God never forgets any of his children, even the smallest one?
- Who are some people in your life who help take care of you the way a shepherd takes care of sheep?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Sheep Craft
You will need a paper plate, cotton balls, glue, black paper, and markers. Have each child glue cotton balls around the edge of a paper plate to make the wool, then add a black paper face and legs. As the children work, remind them that each sheep is special to God, just as each child is special.
Shepherd Hide and Seek
Choose one child to be the shepherd and have the rest of the children hide around the room or yard, like sheep wandering away. The shepherd searches for each sheep and calls them home. When everyone is found, cheer together and say, “God never stops looking for us!”
Shepherd Promise Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a marker. Write “The Lord is my shepherd. He searches for me.” on the card and let the child decorate it with drawings of sheep or grass. Encourage them to take it home and read it to someone in their family before bedtime.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a strong rebuke of leaders who care for themselves instead of the people they serve. It also reveals God’s own heart as the true Shepherd who searches, gathers, heals, and restores his people, and who promises a faithful shepherd from David’s line to lead them.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the details of end-times prophecy or the exact meaning of the fat and strong sheep in verses 16 and 20. Keep the focus on God’s personal care, since that is the clear and gentle truth children can hold onto.
A Prayer to Close
Good Shepherd, thank you for searching for us when we wander away and for healing us when we are hurt. Help us to trust you like sheep trust their shepherd, and help us to take care of others the way you take care of us. Amen.
