In this lesson, children learn that God is a good shepherd who gathers His people back home and keeps His promises, even when leaders let them down. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is our true Shepherd. He cares for His sheep, He keeps His promises, and He always tells us the truth, even when people do not.
Memory Verse
Jeremiah 23:4
I will set up shepherds over them, who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid or dismayed, neither will any be lacking,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Hold both arms out in front of you like you are carrying a bowl. Then slowly bring them in close to your heart, as if you are gathering something you love. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and practice it three times.
The Story: Jeremiah 23 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people lived in the land of Judah. God gave them leaders who were supposed to take care of them like shepherds take care of sheep. But many of these leaders were careless. They scattered the flock, sent the people away, and never came to check on them. God was very sad about this, and He said, “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!”
Some of the leaders went even further. They told the people comforting lies. Some prophets said, “God says you will have peace,” even when the people were walking away from God. Those prophets did not come from God at all. They made up their own messages, and the people were being led into trouble.
But God did not forget His sheep. He said He would gather the flock back together from every place they had been scattered. He promised, “I will set up shepherds over them, who will feed them. They will no longer be afraid.” God also made a promise about a special King who would come from King David’s family. God told the people that this King would do what is right and fair, and His name would be “The LORD our righteousness.”
God’s people had sung about Him bringing them out of Egypt long ago. In the future, they would sing even more about how God brought them back home from faraway countries. God wanted His people to remember that He is near to them and can see them everywhere they go.
Read It Together
Jeremiah 23:1-2
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” says the LORD. 2 Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, says against the shepherds who feed my people: “You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and have not visited them. Behold, I will visit on you the evil of your doings,” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Point out that God called the leaders “shepherds,” and that a shepherd’s job is to take care of the sheep. Ask the children what a good shepherd would do if one sheep wandered away. Remind them that God was upset because the leaders had not done this job well.
Jeremiah 23:5-6
5 “Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and he will reign as king and deal wisely, and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: The LORD our righteousness.
(WEB)
Show the children that God was promising a King who would be good and fair. Explain that the name given to this King means God Himself is our righteousness, which means He makes us right with Him. Point out the word “saved,” because this King would bring safety.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
23 “Am I a God at hand,” says the LORD, “and not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says the LORD. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.
(WEB)
Help the children see that God is not far away. He is close to us and can see everything, even the places we think no one can see. Tell them this is good news, because they are never alone.
Talk About It
- What does a good shepherd do for his sheep, and how is God like that?
- Why do you think God was sad when the leaders told people things that were not true?
- How can you tell when someone is telling you the truth about God?
- What do you think it felt like for God’s people to be scattered far away from home?
- Where is a place you feel safe, and how do you know God is with you there?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Sheep Craft
You will need a paper plate, cotton balls, glue, markers, and scissors. Have each child glue cotton balls onto the plate to make a fluffy sheep, then draw a face and four legs with markers. As they work, talk about how God gathers His sheep and keeps them safe. Let the children take their sheep home as a reminder that God is their Shepherd.
Follow the Shepherd Game
Choose one child to be the Shepherd and the rest to be sheep. The sheep close their eyes while the Shepherd hides somewhere in the room. The sheep open their eyes and try to find the Shepherd by listening for his voice, then gather around him. Explain that sheep know their shepherd’s voice, and God wants us to know His voice too.
Shepherd Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small envelope for each child. Write the memory verse on one side of the card and let each child decorate the other side with a heart or a sheep. Encourage them to put the card in the envelope and keep it on a bedside table or in a backpack. Tell them to read it when they feel scared or alone, as a reminder that God gathers and protects His people.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a sharp warning against leaders who speak comforting words that do not come from God, and a strong promise that God Himself will care for His people. The chapter also points forward to a righteous King who would bring justice and safety, a promise Christians see fulfilled in Jesus. Adults can see that God is concerned with both the people who lead and the people who follow.
With children, avoid overstating how the prophecy about the future King is fulfilled in detail, since young learners may get confused by the timeline. Keep the focus on God being a faithful Shepherd who keeps His word and is always near.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being our good Shepherd. Thank You for keeping Your promises and for always telling us the truth. Help us listen for Your voice and trust You when we feel afraid. Thank You that You are close to us everywhere we go. Amen.
