GOOD SHEPHERD 2 (KNOW HIS VOICE)

MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE

BIBLE REFERENCES: Jn 10:14,27

PRAISE GOD IN THE GATES (BEFORE ENTERING THE CLASSROOM DOOR):

  • We have been learning about JESUS, THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The Good Shepherd talks to His sheep. They learn to recognize and listen to His voice.
  • Teach ASL for VOICE
  • Let’s declare together, MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE! (Jn 10:27)

 

WORKTABLE: blank worksheet / step-by-step lesson

  • Printing: MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE
  • Coloring: SHEPHERD’S VOICE

 

 

SONGS AT CIRCLE:

 

ICE BREAKER: Audio record the children, one at a time in random order, saying, “Baa.” Play back the recordings and let the children guess whose voice they hear. SAMPLE

BIBLE STORY PUPPET SHOW:  Relate characteristics of sheep with John 10.

  • Props
  • Discuss a couple of sheep characteristics relevant to today’s lesson pdf
  • We are like sheep. We need a Shepherd (use a carpet mat as the PEN for the sheep; put a Lamp in the pen).
  • JESUS is the GOOD SHEPHERD (Jesus doll). He LOVES His sheep! He comes to His sheep through the GATE (place the Popsicle Stick Gate beside the PEN; walk Jesus through the gate and into the pen; “Good morning sheep… Breakfast time… Follow Me… I know where there is some fresh green grass to eat”; Jesus and the sheep exit the pen together).
  • The sheep follows Jesus to a grassy area (painting of green grass from the easel). The sheep eats. Jesus watches over it. He leads it to quiet waters (painting of blue water from the easel). The sheep drinks. When the day is done, JESUS leads it home to safety inside the pen.
  • The sheep learn to recognize the Shepherd’s voice. They know the Shepherd ALWAYS come to them through the Gate. He never sneaks around.
  • Sometimes a wild animal like a wolf comes around! The wolf wants to eat the sheep. The wolf sneaks up to the fence. He does NOT go through the gate. He calls to the sheep, “Oh, little SHEEPIE! Here I am, your good shepherd! Come to me, over here. I will take you to a BEAUTIFUL grassy place!”
  • But the sheep have learned to recognize the Shepherd’s voice. “Baaaa! That is not the Shepherd’s voice. That is not the way the Shepherd comes to lead us. No, no, no. We are not listening to that voice!”  The sheep do not listen. They stay safe in the pen.
  • JESUS LOVES His sheep SO MUCH. He wants them to ALWAYS be safe. So He leads them out through the gate and teaches them to follow His voice.

 

PRAYER: pdf

Lead them in prayer in ONE OR MORE of several ways, as the Spirit leads you. Here are a couple of suggestions:

  • Class Prayer Invitation: Who wants to learn to recognize the voice of JESUS, the One and Only GOOD SHEPHERD? Stand up. While we pray, hold the lobes of your ears. Ready: “Dear Jesus… Thank You for being my Good Shepherd…I love You… I trust You… I want to hear Your voice… TEACH ME HOW to hear Your voice… Your voice is SO GOOD.”
  • Individual Prayer Invitation: Now, sit down and quietly listen.  What do you hear Jesus saying to YOU?
  • Individual responses: Ask the children to give thanks to God for their favorite part of the story. Example: Thank You, Jesus, for coming to us through the gate and talking with us.
  • Intercession for others: eg. The JEWISH nation, that they would recognize the voice of their True Good Shepherd.

 

TRUTH VS LIE CHALLENGE: pdf

 

 

FREE PLAY IN CENTERS: (APRIL THEMES)

Release the children one at a time, with their play cards, to choose a center.

  • DRESS-UP: Shepherd Garment, Stuffed Animals (sheep, wolf)
  •    
  • DRY TABLE: Soil, Pots, Flowers, Insects (Gardening)
  • TRAIN TABLE: Roadway and Cars / Trucks
  • KITCHEN: Standard Foods / Specialty Food:
  • INSTRUMENTS:  RussianHarp (Shepherd)
  • EASEL / CRAYONS: Shepherd and Sheep coloring sheet pdf
  • EASEL / PAINT: Green Grass (straight tool) /  Quiet Waters (wavy tool)
  • PLAY DOUGH: Assorted Colors / Lamb Cookie Cutters
  • CRAFT PROJECT: Popsicle Stick GATE (materials/supplies)
CLEAN-UP OF CENTERS (IN PREPARATION FOR DISMISSAL):

Students must tidy up the centers where they were playing when the timer rang. Teachers/Helpers oversee this activity.  Students learn to sort and return items to their proper place.  In so doing, they are learning to take care of the classroom.  It also helps them be prepared for dismissal.  Once the centers are tidy, students move to the BOOK NOOK and quietly look at books.

FEATURED GAME: Counting Sheep

DISMISSAL:

Assign an adult to greet parents/guardians.

Call students ONE AT A TIME when families arrive.  Prompt the remaining student to call out, “GOODBYE (student’s name).”

Families check mailboxes. TAKEHOME: Worksheet / DO NOT SEND HOME SHEPHERD CRAFTS TILL THE SHEPHERD UNIT IS COMPLETE

EXTRAS:

Science Project: Pinterest Green Grass Heads