Lesson: Matthew 18:13 (Ages 3-5)

📖 Matthew 18:13 – Ages 3-5

Explanation

In this Bible verse, Jesus is telling a story about a shepherd who had 100 sheep. One day, one of the sheep wandered off and got lost. The shepherd left the other 99 sheep in a safe place and went to look for the lost sheep.

When the shepherd found the lost sheep, he was so happy! He felt even more joy finding that one sheep than he did having all the other 99 safe with him. This story shows us how much God loves each one of us.

Imagine you have a special toy that you love so much, but one day it goes missing. You look everywhere and finally find it under your bed. That feeling of joy and relief you have when you find your special toy is like how God feels when He finds us and brings us back to Him.

God loves each of us so much that He will always look for us if we ever feel lost or stray away from Him. Just like the shepherd in the story, He will never give up on finding us because we are all so special to Him.

Kid's Story

Once upon a time, there was a little lamb named Lily who loved to explore. One sunny day, while playing with her friends, Lily wandered off into the forest and got lost. Her shepherd, a kind man named David, noticed she was missing and went searching for her.

After a long search, David found Lily stuck in a thicket, scared and alone. He gently picked her up and carried her back to the flock. All the other sheep cheered when they saw Lily safe and sound. David hugged Lily tight and said, "I am so happy I found you, my little lamb. I love you so much!"

Just like in the Bible verse Matthew 18:13, David rejoiced more over finding Lily than over all the other sheep who didn't get lost. Lily learned that she was special and loved, no matter what.

Prayer Prompt

Dear God, thank you for loving us so much that you never give up on us, even when we wander away. Help us to remember how much joy there is when we are found by you, just like the lost sheep in the Bible. Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think the shepherd was so happy when he found the lost sheep?
2. How do you think the sheep felt when it was lost and then found by the shepherd?
3. Do you think God is like the shepherd in the story, always looking for us when we feel lost?
4. How can we show gratitude to God for always looking out for us like the shepherd did for the lost sheep?
5. Can you think of a time when you felt lost or scared, and God helped you feel safe again?

Life Application

This Bible verse teaches us that God cares deeply for each and every one of us. Children can apply this message by showing love and kindness to others who may feel left out, lonely, or lost. They can be a good friend by including someone who is alone, comforting a friend who is sad, or helping someone who is struggling. By doing so, they are living out the message of Matthew 18:13 and sharing God's love with those around them.

Craft or Activity

One fun activity to help children understand this Bible verse is to create a "Lost Sheep Scavenger Hunt." You can hide small toy sheep or pictures of sheep around a designated area, and encourage the children to search for the lost sheep just like the shepherd in the verse. When a child finds a lost sheep, you can talk about how happy the shepherd was to find that one sheep, just like God rejoices when one person comes back to Him. This activity helps children visualize the message of the verse and reinforces the idea of God's love and care for each one of us.

Memory Verse or Rhyme

When the shepherd finds the one lost sheep,
He's filled with joy, so full and deep!
He cares for each one, big and small,
God's love for us is the greatest of all!

Songs or Videos

There is a beautiful Christian song called "The Shepherd Song" by Seeds Family Worship that captures the message of Matthew 18:13. Another great song is "The Lost Sheep" by Listener Kids. Both of these songs help children understand the parable of the lost sheep and the joy that comes with finding what was lost.

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