The Parable of the Lost Sheep

We enjoyed learning about the story of the shepherd who looks after the sheep and cares so much for all of them. And even when he lost one sheep, he went looking for it high and low and threw a party when he found it.

Here's how we made this story come to life for us this week:

Day 1: Reading the story for the first time
        I used 3 cotton balls to play the role of our lost sheep :) We talked about what they sound like and feel like and then we hid one to play a hide and seek game! And then afterward, like each night, we hold hands and pray a VERY simple prayer such as "God, thank you for finding the sheep."

Day 2: The Lost Sheep

       I found a picture some sheep and printed a few off and played hide and seek again. Can you find the 3 sheep? :) 





 Day 3: Coloring
       Coloring is a favorite thing in our house... we do a lot of it! So we colored a picture of a sheep after we read the story.

Day 4: Sheep hiding behind the bushes
        We used one of the sheep from the previous night and I cut out 3 bushes that were bigger than the sheep. She would close her eyes (which was precious) while we put the sheep behind one of the bushes and she had to try to find out where it was hiding.

Day 5: We played the hide the sheep behind the bush again because she liked that :)

 

Day 6: Time to turn off the lights!

        We hid the cotton ball sheep around the room and she had to find them with the flashlight!

Day 7: Sheep handprint

       We ended our week of the Lost Sheep by tracing her hand print on black paper and cutting it out. The thumb is meant to be the head and the fingers the legs. Then we glued cotton balls on the sheep! 

Another idea would be throwing a party at the end of the week :)


So that's what we did this week! Very easy, quick and simple prep and the kids can't wait for family time every night! We know they won't remember all the activities we did but they will remember us making the time to love God together every day and how much fun it was.

If you look back to our weeks of Adam and Eve and Jonah, we made them all out of pre-made cut outs and she uses them to play with in her play house and when I ask her who they are, she can tell me!

Soap box: I'm a children's pastor and know how important it is for these young minds to be shaped well and that children's ministry (specifically the nursery) is not babysitting.. it's a foundation. Worship, prayer, relationships and learning through play ---like our family time--- makes a difference. If you are looking for a church or are plugged in, be sure that your kids--no matter the age--are in a quality ministry. Off soap box. :)