This lesson teaches children that God is the true Shepherd who cares for His people, even when leaders let them down. It is built for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, questions, and an activity.
Big Idea
God is a good Shepherd who takes care of His flock, and we can trust Him even when the leaders around us fail.
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)
Have children hold both hands out in front of them like they are holding a staff, then gently sway them side to side like a shepherd walking with sheep. Say the verse together slowly while you sway, and repeat it three times.
The Story: Zechariah 11 for Kids
Long ago, God’s people lived in the land of Israel, and their leaders were supposed to be like shepherds who look after sheep. But many of these shepherds were cruel. They did not care for the flock. Instead, they used the people for their own gain, and some of the sheep were sold and harmed without anyone stopping it.
God saw what was happening, and He spoke to the prophet Zechariah. God told Zechariah to act like a shepherd who would care for the flock that was being hurt. Zechariah took two wooden staffs. He named one staff Favor and the other Union. Favor stood for God’s kindness toward His people, and Union stood for the bond between the people of Judah and Israel.
The bad shepherds did not respect Zechariah’s work. When he asked for his wages, they weighed out thirty pieces of silver and handed them over. It was a very small payment, and it showed how little these leaders thought of the work. God said to Zechariah, “Throw it to the potter.” So Zechariah threw the silver into the house of the Lord.
Then Zechariah broke the staff Favor, and the people saw that God’s promises were being broken because of their unfaithfulness. He also broke the staff Union. God then told Zechariah that a foolish shepherd would come to lead the people. This shepherd would not care for those who were lost or hurt, and he would be judged for his wickedness.
The story teaches us that when leaders fail, God is still faithful. He sees every hurt and He will make things right in His own time.
Read It Together
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)
Point out that this verse is not from Zechariah, but it shows the same heart of God. Explain that God says He will personally go looking for His sheep, which helps children see that God cares for each one.
Zechariah 11:4
The LORD my God says: “Feed the flock of slaughter.
(WEB)
Ask children to notice who is speaking here. Explain that the Lord is giving Zechariah a job to do, and that God is still in charge of what happens to His people.
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)
Point out the words about a shepherd who does not visit the lost or heal the broken. Explain that this describes bad leaders, and that it helps us appreciate how much God cares for the ones who are hurting.
Talk About It
- What do you think a good shepherd does for his sheep every day?
- Why do you think the leaders in the story did not care for the people they were supposed to help?
- How did God show that He was still watching over His people?
- What does it feel like when someone we trust lets us down?
- How can we remember that God is always a faithful Shepherd, even when people fail?
Activity Ideas
Draw a Shepherd’s Staff
Give each child a sheet of paper, a pencil, and some crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a tall shepherd’s staff with a curved top, then write the word Favor on one side and Union on the other. Let children decorate their drawing however they like, and talk together about what each word means for God’s people.
Follow the Shepherd Game
Choose one child to be the Shepherd and have the rest of the children be the sheep. The Shepherd walks slowly around the room while the sheep follow closely behind, staying close together. Stop the game now and then to ask the sheep how they feel about having a good shepherd, and remind them that God is always leading us.
Shepherd Reminder Card
Cut small squares from cardstock or thick paper, one for each child. Write the memory verse on one side and have children draw a simple sheep or staff on the other. Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket, backpack, or by their bed, and to read it aloud at bedtime during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter is a sobering picture of leaders who abuse their responsibility and God’s response to that abuse. It shows that God’s people are tied to Him, and that He will hold accountable those who exploit His flock. It also points forward to the good Shepherd who truly cares for His people, which Christians recognize in Jesus.
When teaching children, avoid overstating the image of the thirty pieces of silver or the breaking of the staffs as direct symbols of later events. Keep the focus on the simple truth that God is faithful and cares for His people, and let children ask questions if they want to explore more.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Lord, thank You for being our good Shepherd. When people let us down, help us remember that You never do. Keep us close to You, and help us care for others the way You care for us. Amen.
