The parable of the lost sheep is a well-known story from the Bible that teaches children about God’s love and compassion. In this parable, a shepherd has 100 sheep,s but one goes missing. He leaves the 99 and goes in search of the lost sheep until he finds it. This collection of 18 activities includes fluffy sheep crafts, fun games, catchy songs, challenging puzzles, and engaging books to connect children with the importance of caring for others and the joy of finding something that was lost.
1. Sequencing Words from the Scripture
Each of these sheep features a word of the original scripture of the parable. Why not hide them around the classroom and have students hunt for them before putting them in order?
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2. Slideshow Presentation
This colorful and animated slideshow presentation includes images and graphics to help illustrate the parable and make it more engaging and memorable for students. It can easily be combined with comprehension questions to encourage participation and demonstrate understanding.
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3. Sequencing Activity
This challenging sequencing activity is an excellent way to develop critical thinking skills while enhancing memory retention. It also makes a great choice for a group activity to encourage collaboration and develop oral communication skills.
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4. Watch an Educational Video
This animated video features a simplified langue that is easy to understand and plenty of captivating visuals to capture students’ attention. It is a great choice for visual learners, which make up the majority of the population, and combines easily with a class discussion to summarize student learning.
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5. Play a Parable Game
After printing this template, invite kids to color and cut out the bushes before hiding the sheep behind one of them. They can then challenge a partner to find where they have hidden their lost sheep!
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6. Try a Word Search
This word search puzzle can enhance familiarity, improve vocabulary, boost cognitive skills, and encourage meditation on the significance of the parable.
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7. Try a Crossword
Apart from improving spelling and problem-solving skills, crosswords are a great way to build persistence as kids have to try out different words to find the correct answers.
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8. Sing an Inspiring Song
This catchy and fun song highlights the love and care of the shepherd for each of the sheep in his flock. It’s a great choice for building community in a musical choir and helping kids connect with the deeper message of love and care behind the lyrics.
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9. Read a Book as a Bible School Lesson
This beautifully illustrated picture book takes readers on the memorable journey of a loving shepherd as he searches for his lost sheep. With captivating imagery and a compelling storyline, it is sure to capture the imagination of young minds. The key themes of the power of love, the importance of forgiveness, and the joy of being found weave together to create a timeless classic that kids will enjoy reading again and again.
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10. Try a Coloring Sheet
Coloring pages are calming and meditative activities that can help kids relax and focus on the present moment while reflecting on the deeper themes of this classic parable.
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11. Try a Maze Search
This fun and engaging maze can improve problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination while developing patience, focus, and concentration. Why not turn it into a fun competitive game by offering a prize for the first student to find the lost sheep?
Learn More: True Way Kids
12. Cotton Ball Sheep Craft
This adorable and meaningful craft can be created by gluing cotton balls onto the construction to create a flubbed sheep body, before adding a felt head and feet and finishing off with some google eyes. It’s a fantastic way to develop creativity, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination while reviewing the meaning of the lost sheep parable.
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13. Craft for Kids
This inventive quilt pattern features writing prompt questions encouraging students to reflect on the deeper meaning of the story and the concept of being lost and found.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
14. Cute Craft
This foldable mini-book allows kids to read and retell the story in their own words, helping to build their comprehension skills. It also makes a great discussion starter about how to apply the message of the parable in their own lives.
Learn More: Teachers Pay Teachers
15. Play a Sheep Game
This simple and educational game features sheep printed with the numbers 1 to 10 that is placed around a green hill. To play the game, players spin the spinner and find the matching sheep number. Next, they have to move the sheep to the pen with the matching number. It’s a great way to develop number correspondence skills while enjoying a fun game!
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16. Lost Sheep Craft Activity
After coloring this template featuring a shepherd and his flock of sheep, students can cut out and glue the bush to cover the lost sheep. This interactive craft provides a memorable visual anchor that makes for a fun game of peek-a-boo!
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17. Read the Story
This simplified, kid-friendly version of the original parable can be combined with class discussion questions as well as a journaling prompt to reflect on the core themes of the story.
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18. Drawing Activity
Apart from developing drawing skills, this simple drawing activity helps build artistic confidence and makes a cute keepsake for kids to connect with their faith.
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