Zechariah 11 teaches children that God’s people had bad leaders who hurt the flock, but God Himself always cares for His sheep and will send a true Shepherd. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Bad shepherds let God’s sheep down, but God is a good Shepherd who never stops caring for His people.
Memory Verse
Zechariah 11:7
So I fed the flock of slaughter, especially the oppressed of the flock. I took for myself two staffs. The one I called “Favor”, and the other I called “Union”, and I fed the flock.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out in front of you, cupped like a shepherd’s crook. Slowly bring them together, then open them wide. Say “Shepherd” each time your hands come together, to help children remember that God’s flock needs a shepherd who cares.
The Story: Zechariah 11 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people were like a flock of sheep, and they had shepherds to look after them. But many of those shepherds were selfish. They did not care about the sheep. Some of the shepherds only wanted money for themselves, and they treated the sheep badly. The trees and forests in the land were even wailing, because things had gone so wrong.
God told the prophet Zechariah to take care of the flock. Zechariah took two staffs, one named Favor and one named Union. He cared for the sheep as best he could. But the shepherds did not like him, and the people did not listen well. Zechariah grew tired of the bad shepherds, and he said that he would not keep feeding those who refused to care for the flock.
Zechariah asked the people to pay him his wages. They gave him thirty pieces of silver. God told him to throw that silver to the potter in God’s house. It was a sad moment, because the people valued their own shepherd so little.
Then God said something important. He would raise up a new shepherd in the land. This shepherd would search for the lost sheep and take care of the ones who were hurt. God’s words were a promise that the flock would not be forgotten. God would make sure His sheep were looked after.
The chapter also warns about a worthless shepherd who leaves the flock. God is clear that those who hurt His people will not be left unpunished. God Himself is the one who keeps His people safe, and He tells us the truth about who we can trust.
Read It Together
Zechariah 11:4
The LORD my God says: “Feed the flock of slaughter.
(WEB)
Point out that God gives Zechariah a job of caring for the flock. God’s sheep were in danger because of the bad shepherds, so God gave a clear command to care for them. Ask children what it looks like to care for someone who is weak.
Zechariah 11:16
For, behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who will not visit those who are cut off, neither will seek those who are scattered, nor heal that which is broken, nor feed that which is sound; but he will eat the meat of the fat sheep, and will tear their hoofs in pieces.
(WEB)
Show children that God promises to send a shepherd who will search for those who are lost, heal what is broken, and feed what is weak. Explain that this promise points forward to God’s kind care for His people, which we see most fully in Jesus.
Zechariah 11:12-13
12 I said to them, “If you think it best, give me my wages; and if not, keep them.” So they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 The LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter, the handsome price that I was valued at by them!” I took the thirty pieces of silver, and threw them to the potter, in the LORD’s house.
(WEB)
Explain that the people valued Zechariah’s work at thirty pieces of silver, a small price. Help children see that people sometimes do not value good leaders, but God always values His people deeply.
Talk About It
- What did God’s sheep need from their shepherds in this story?
- Why do you think the bad shepherds did not care about the flock?
- How does it feel to know that God is always watching over you?
- What is one way you can take care of someone who feels lost or hurt?
- Why is it good to have a shepherd who truly loves the sheep?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Sheep Craft
You will need a paper plate, cotton balls, glue, black paper, and markers. Glue cotton balls around the edge of the plate to make wool. Cut out a small black face and ears from the paper and glue them on. As children work, talk about how the sheep is safe in the care of its shepherd, and let them name who takes care of them.
Shepherd and Sheep Movement Game
Choose one child to be the shepherd and the rest to be sheep. Have the sheep wander off while the shepherd calls them back, or hide a few sheep for the shepherd to find. Stop the game to remind children that a good shepherd searches for those who are lost and cares for those who are hurt. Switch roles so everyone has a turn.
Take-Home Shepherd Reminder Card
You will need an index card, a pencil, and a small picture of a sheep or a drawing crayon. Ask each child to draw a sheep and write the words “God is my Shepherd” on the card. Encourage them to show the card to their family at home and tell them what the lesson taught about God’s care.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Zechariah 11 shows that God holds leaders accountable for how they care for His people. The bad shepherds exploited the flock for their own gain, and God declares that He will not overlook their wrongs. The chapter also points forward to a coming shepherd who will truly care for God’s people, a hope that Christians see fulfilled in Jesus.
Avoid overstating the chapter’s more difficult details to children, such as the sword and the broken staffs. Keep the focus on God’s faithful care and the promise of a good shepherd. Children need to hear that God loves His sheep, rather than being frightened by the harsher images.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Jesus, thank You for being our good Shepherd. We are glad that You never leave us alone or forget us. Help us to be kind and caring to others, just as You are kind to us. Thank You for loving us always. Amen.
