WELCOME TO WEEK 4

This month we’ve learned that a prophet tells God’s people His message. God’s messages were for His people to come closer to Him and be in relation with Him. We can learn this week that when we are lost or unsure of what to do next, God will guid us the direction we should go.

Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

BIBLE STORY

Let’s play a game of Hot/cold. I have placed an item somewhere in this room, that you have to find. I will say hot, if you are walking closer to the item, and I will say cold if you are moving farther away from the item.  Switch rolls and give each person a chance hide the item and call out hot/cold.

We had to find the lost item and try to figure out where it was located. Sometimes it was easy to find the item and other times it was hard. Sometimes we are lost as well. Who finds us or guides us from being lost? God shares a message to his people through his prophet Ezekiel that describes God as their shepherd. Read and listen to how God describes his leading to His people as a shepherd leads his sheep.

Read or listen to Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24

What will God do for his scattered sheep? (He will look after them)

Where will He gather his people from? (From all nations and bring them into their own land)

Where will God tend them? (In good pasture in the mountain heights of Israel)

Where will God’s people eat? (They will lie down in good grazing land and feed in rich pasture on the mountains.)

What will the Lord do for the lost? (He will search for them and bring back the strays)

Who will the Lord judge between (between the fat sheep and the lean sheep)

Who is driving the weak sheep away? (The fat sheep by butting the weak sheep with their horns and shoving with their shoulder)

Who will God put over the sheep to tend them? (A shepherd, David, who will be a prince among them)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

Activity

Hide cotton balls around the room and have your child gather them from all over. Hide cotton balls in places high and low. The Lord God said he would gather his people from all over and bring them to their own place. God didn’t want His people to be lost in other places but to be gathered together, worshipping Him. Sometimes we may be in a place God has not intended for us to be, but God does not leave us there, He wants us to be with Him. When we are lost, God will guide us in the direction He wants us to go.

Materials: cotton balls

Alternate

God says He is our Shepherd. What does a shepherd do for their sheep? Let’s pretend you are sheep and see how a shepherd cares for their sheep’s every need. Role play being a shepherd as your child/children are sheep. Help lead them to water, to grass, care for their wounds, and gather them when they stray or get lost. As you play, talk about how God cares for us in similar ways. How God is our Shepherd and cares for us when we are hungry, thirsty, and lost.

Materials:

Independent activity:

Complete the following activity sheet. Color all of the things sheep need from their shepherd and the things a shepherd may use to help care for them.

Materials: printed activity sheet, crayons

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Coloring page

Materials:printed coloring sheet, crayons or other coloring utensils

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

How is God like a shepherd toward us? 

How does a shepherd care for his sheep?

How has God cared for you?

Have you ever lost a pet or something special to you?

How long did you search for that item?

Do you think God would ever give up on us?

What does it mean for us to be lost?

How can we let God guide us?

Practical Application at Home

We can allow God to guide us by listening to His voice. There may be times when we feel lost and unsure of what to do next. Being lost could mean being unsure of what decision to make. Or perhaps you are having a hard time knowing what to do with a friendship that is difficult. When we feel lost in this way, we can ask God to guide us. Instead of trying to figure out what to do on our own or hastily make decisions, we can ask God and listen to His voice.

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?