Are you ready to learn about God’s great love for us through the parable of the Lost Sheep? Whether you're a Sunday school teacher, homeschooling parent, or work in a faith-based school, there are many engaging activities, crafts, videos, and printable lesson plans to bring this powerful parable of Jesus to life! Keep reading for easy-to-use resources to make teaching about The Lost Sheep meaningful and fun for kids in preschool through third grade.

THE parable of the lost sheep

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is found in Luke 15:3-7 and Matthew 18:12-14. A man had 100 sheep, and one was missing. He left the 99 sheep and searched for the one lost sheep. When he found the sheep, he rejoiced and invited all his friends to celebrate with him.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach the Parable of the Lost Sheep? Our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts are perfect for children aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version)

Click here for the preschool/kindergarten version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

In this parable, God is the Shepherd, and we are the sheep. The Shepherd rejoices more over the lost sheep being found than the 99 sheep who never strayed. This parable teaches us that God rejoices when a sinner returns to Him.

The Pharisees would have seen themselves as part of the 99 who didn’t stray. It would have been shocking for them to hear that God rejoices more over sinners than over them. The Pharisees had a big problem with pride and thought they were better than others. 

SHEPHERD OR SHEEP? - ACTIVITY FOR OLDER KIDS

A shepherd cares for the sheep and fights off danger. To protect the sheep, shepherds sleep in the pen entrance at night. They build dams to slow the water in streams and rivers so it is easier for the sheep to drink. 

On the other hand, sheep cannot protect themselves, can’t hear very well, have bad eyesight, and get easily confused. They need a shepherd.

Turn these facts (and others) into a sorting activity. Have kids sort out cards with facts about shepherds and sheep into the appropriate categories. Then, discuss how we are like sheep and God is like the Shepherd. Check out The Parable of the Lost Sheep for Older Kids for sorting cards with facts about sheep and shepherds.

HOW TO DRAW A SHEEP ACTIVITY FOR OLDER KIDS

‘How to Draw a Sheep’ activity for kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades.

Learning to draw a sheep is a great way to make an artistic connection to this parable.

There are some adorable animated sheep out there. So why not teach your kids some step-by-step sheep drawings? Art Hub for Kids has a couple: How to Draw a Sheep for Preschool and How to Draw a Cartoon Sheep.

Or, if you prefer printable instructions, use the step-by-step printable instructions in The Parable of the Lost Sheep for Older Kids.

After drawing one sheep, challenge kids to draw more. After all, there are technically 100 sheep in this story!

Sheep and Shepherd Craft for Younger Kids

Cotton balls are a great way to give a sheep craft extra texture. Grab a bag or two from the store and let kids add them to their sheep crafts. This fun addition makes their creations look and feel more like real sheep.

Using the template pieces in The Parable of the Lost Sheep for Preschool, have kids color and cut out their shepherd and sheep pieces. Then use glue and cotton balls to give their sheep fluffy wool. They will love this simple, soft craft! As they create, encourage them to imagine how happy the shepherd must have been to find his lost sheep.

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO TEACH THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

• Find the Lost Sheep: Either print out pictures of sheep or get little sheep figurines or stuffed animals. Then, hide them around the room for kids to find. 

• Paper Plate Sheep Craft: Use a paper plate, cotton balls, googly eyes, and glue to create the cutest sheep craft! Check out This Craft Family for step-by-step instructions to make a paper plate sheep.

• “Shepherd Says”: This game is similar to “Simon Says,” but uses the phrase “Shepherd says” instead. The leader is the shepherd, and the other kids are the sheep. The ‘shepherd’ will give simple instructions for the ‘sheep’, such as “Shepherd says walk to the walk” or “Shepherd says jump on your foot.”

• Shepherd Mazes: Create an obstacle course using objects like tables, chairs, blankets, pillows, etc. Then, have kids do a “Follow the Leader” style game in which they follow the “shepherd” through the maze. The kid who is the shepherd gets to choose how the “sheep” maneuver around each object. For instance, they might go under the table and over the chairs.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

YouTube is a great resource! But be sure to preview any videos you intend to show your kids for age-appropriateness and content. Here are some video suggestions:

• Parable of the Lost Sheep by Douglas Talks

• Saddleback Kids’ The Lost Sheep

• One Lost Sheep by Crossroad Kids’ Club

• Superbook’s The Parable of the Lost Sheep

• This parable is part of a three-parable lesson that Jesus taught. This video by LifeKids teaches about all three parables: a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. 

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the parables Jesus told. The other stories include The Wise and Foolish Builders, The Lost Coin, The Parable of the Sower, and The Prodigal Son.

These lessons about the Parables of Jesus are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for little kids in preschool/kindergarten and bigger kids in first, second, and third grades.

Teaching the Parable of the Lost Sheep in a creative and engaging way helps children understand God’s deep love and desire to bring everyone back to Him. 

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is a powerful way to illustrate God’s love, forgiveness, and grace. Engaging activities can bring this parable of Jesus to life, whether you're a Sunday school teacher, homeschooling parent, or work in a faith-based school. Explore craft ideas, fun games, YouTube video recommendations, and printable lesson plans to help children understand and connect with this story of a father’s love for his son.

What’s the parable of the prodigal son about?

The Prodigal Son is found in Luke 15:11-32. It’s the story of a man with two sons. The younger son asked his father for his share of the family’s money, then squandered all the money on foolish things.

Now destitute, the younger son asked a farmer if he could work in the field and care for the pigs. At one point, the son looked at the pig slop and considered eating it. Finally, the son returned home, hoping to become a servant in his father’s house. Instead, he was welcomed with an embrace and a party.

The older son, on the other hand, served his father faithfully. But when his younger brother returned home, he became bitter and jealous that a party was thrown for his younger brother.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach the Parable of the Prodigal Son? Our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts are perfect for children aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the Preschool/Kindergarten Version)

Click here for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade version

PRODIGAL SON VS. LOST SON

Different Bible translations use different titles for this parable. Translations like the King James Version, the New King James Version, and the English Standard Version call it The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Other translations like New International Version, New Living Translation, and Christian Standard Bible call it The Parable of the Lost Son. 

“Prodigal” comes from the Latin word prodigus, which means “wasteful” or “extravagant”. “Lost” aligns with the other parables in Luke 15: the lost coin and lost sheep. Both descriptions accurately describe the son and point to different aspects of the story. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRODIGAL SON

In this parable, the father represents God. And the two sons represent people.

We might be like the younger son and try to do things our own way. Or we might be like the older son and do things God’s way but have negative things in our hearts.

God knows we will mess up, and He is patient with us. Like the father in the story, God will always forgive us when we return to him, and welcome us home with open arms.

WELCOME HOME HUG CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

The father welcomed the prodigal son home with a giant hug. So, why not create a simple “hug” craft? First, have kids trace their hands. They might need a partner to trace their non-dominant hand for them. You can also use the hand template pieces in The Prodigal Son for Older Kids. 

Next, have kids cut and color the three pieces of their verse: For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.

Kids will glue these strips together and then glue those between their cut-out hands to show outstretched hands for a hug.

A printable craft to accompany the Parable of the Prodigal son.

COMING HOME CRAFT FOR YOUNGER KIDS

In this printable craft, kids will slide the son back home to the father!

Younger kids will love creating an interactive craft where the prodigal son is glued to a popsicle stick. Using the template pieces in The Prodigal Son for Preschool, have kids color their pieces. You will likely have to help with the cutting aspects of this craft (or enlist older kids to pre-cut the pieces) because some of the cutting is delicate - especially the slit in the middle of the page. 

Once the pieces are all cut and colored, glue the prodigal son to the popsicle stick and insert him into the slit in the scene. Slide the prodigal son along the slit to show him running home to the father.

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO TEACH THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

• Welcome Home Banners: Have kids create welcome home banners or signs as a reminder that God always welcomes and forgives us when we return to him, just like the prodigal son returned to his father.

• Pig Slop Relay: You could create fun relays to recreate life in the pig pen. Create a relay race where kids have to use a spoon to carry objects like pompoms, Cheerios, rice grains, etc., from one bowl to another. Or, if you can be outside, have kids use a sponge to transport water from one bucket to another. This will be messy…kind of like living in a pig pen. 

• Pig Pen Snack: Use chocolate pudding, crushed cookies, and candies to create a fun snack for kids. Kids have great imaginations, and seeing the pudding as mud wouldn’t be a stretch.

• Piggy Banks: Have kids decorate and paint a piggy bank. Then, encourage them to make wise choices with their money, unlike the prodigal son. Dollar stores often have inexpensive piggy banks in their craft sections. 

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

This is a powerful story about God’s great love for us, and many kids would love to see it in video form. Below are some suggestions. Please preview any videos you show for age-appropriateness and content.

• The Prodigal Son by Saddleback Kids

• Two Sons and a Father (Prodigal Son) by Crossroad Kids’ Club

• The Prodigal Son by Gateway Kids  

• Check out The Beginner’s Bible: The Prodigal Son for a longer episode-length video.

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLEs OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the parables Jesus told. The other stories include The Wise and Foolish Builders, The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Parable of the Sower.

These lessons about the Parables of Jesus are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for little kids in preschool/kindergarten and bigger kids in first, second, and third grades.

The Prodigal Son is a beautiful story about God’s love and forgiveness. People love this story and can often picture themselves as one of the sons. There are many ways to help engage kids in this story and make it memorable.

Look no further for creative ways to teach the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders! This powerful Bible story about two builders teaches kids the importance of building their lives on a strong foundation—God’s Word. There are many great ways to teach this parable, including engaging crafts, hands-on activities, and fun YouTube videos that bring the lesson to life. Plus, you’ll find printable lesson plans to make your teaching even easier. Whether you're a Sunday school teacher, homeschooling parent, or work in a faith-based school, these ideas will help kids understand and remember this important parable.

THE parable of the two builders

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders is found in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:46-49.  Jesus tells the story of two men who each build a house. One man builds on rock, and when a storm comes, the house stands firm. The other man builds on sand, and when a storm comes, the house collapses.  

The Parable of the Two Builders Bible Lessons for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders? Our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts are perfect for children aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade version!)

Click here for the preschool/kindergarten version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE WISE AND FOOLISH builders

A parable is a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because Jesus connected the stories to people’s everyday lives. Parables are also easier to remember than long speeches. 

This parable isn’t really about building a strong home. It’s about building a strong relationship with Jesus and listening to his teachings. While it’s great to go to church, sing worship songs, pray, and read the Bible, we must also follow what Jesus instructs us to do - love God and love others. Our actions need to match what Jesus instructs. 

BUILDING CHALLENGES FOR KIDS

This building challenge worksheet will help bigger kids to plan their toothpick and marshmallow structures.

Kids of all ages love a good building challenge. In this Parable of the Two Builders challenge, you’ll ask the younger kids in your class to build a small house that stands on its own. Keep the challenge open-ended and allow them to build with whatever materials you might have on hand. These could be materials like paper, tape, pipe cleaners, cardboard, popsicle sticks, etc. You could keep it even simpler and have them build something using blocks or magnetic tiles.

Make the challenge a little trickier for older kids in first, second, or third grades. These tiny builders can use toothpicks and marshmallows to create a sturdy structure! Have kids use the planning sheet in The Wise and Foolish Builders for Older Kids to get their ideas on paper. Then, they can revisit the planning sheet as they create.

PRINTABLE CRAFTS FOR KIDS

A printable craft to accompany the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders

Printable crafts are great because kids can bring them home to help them retell the story to their families and caregivers. They are also an excellent way for students to visualize the story.

Preschoolers will love gluing a printable house onto solid ground (Find the template pieces in The Wise and Foolish Builder for Preschool).

This simple craft reminds young kids that their home needs to be built on solid ground. Encourage young learners to understand that their faith should be placed in Jesus, the true and lasting Rock, who provides strength, security, and guidance in every season of life!

Older kids will appreciate a slightly more complex lift-the-flap booklet from The Wise and Foolish Builder for Older Kids. Kids will cut and fold the template pieces on the appropriate lines to construct their booklets. Once completed, the front of the craft shows the house built by the foolish man, and kids lift the flaps to see the one built by the wise man. This interactive craft helps reinforce the lesson by providing a hands-on way to visualize the parable’s key message: Listening to God’s Word is wise!

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO TEACH THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDER

•  Building Relays: Kids love a good relay race, so why not combine relay races with building challenges? Have kids run blocks to the end of the relay course, then stack the blocks into a house formation. The fastest team wins, but they must be careful not to knock the tower down. You could also use plastic cups or Legos for this relay.

• Jenga is a classic game that many families love. Have kids play several rounds of this game and discuss the story as they do. This will reinforce the point that we need a firm foundation in Jesus.

• Sensory Bins of Sand and Rock: Fill bins with rocks and sand. Add small figurines, shovels, buckets, etc. Then, let the kids play with the materials in the bins. 

• House Building Snack: Looking for a building challenge that will satisfy your sweet tooth? Have kids construct houses using graham crackers and icing. Then eat the houses!  

• ‘The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock’ Song: Do you remember singing a simple song that retells this parable as a kid? Here’s a version by Faith Baptist Church Lapaz and another by Cedarmont Kids.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE WISE AND FOOLISH BUILDER

Watching YouTube videos is a great way to have kids visualize the story. Visual learners will especially love seeing the story on screen. As always, preview the videos to ensure they fit your teaching context. Here are some suggestions:

• Parable of the Two Builders by Saddleback Kids

• God’s Story: Parable of the Two Builders by Crossroad Kids’ Club

• The Wise and Foolish Builders by LifeKids - This creative video tells the story in the form of a news report of two people preparing their houses for a storm!

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the parables Jesus told. The other stories include The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, The Parable of the Sower, and The Prodigal Son.

These lessons about the Parables of Jesus are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for little kids in preschool/kindergarten and bigger kids in first, second, and third grades.

The Wise and Foolish Builder teaches kids the importance of building their lives on a strong foundation. Through engaging activities, kids can learn to make wise choices. By reinforcing these lessons with creativity and consistency, we can help kids develop faith that stands firm through life’s storms.

Teaching the Parable of the Sower to kids is a wonderful way to help them understand the importance of a heart that is receptive to God’s Word. This timeless story, told by Jesus, uses the simple imagery of seeds and soil to illustrate how people respond differently to the Gospel. There are many ways to teach this story, including kid-friendly videos, printable lesson plans, creative crafts, and hands-on activities. Whether you teach at home, in Sunday school, or in a classroom setting, these resources will bring the parable to life and encourage children to grow in their faith!

What is the parable of the sower about?

The Parable of the Sower is found in Matthew 13:1–23, Mark 4:1–20, and Luke 8:4–15. Jesus tells a parable where a farmer scatters seeds on different types of ground. Some fall on a path and are eaten by birds, some on rocky ground and wither without roots, and some among thorns, which choke them. But seeds that fall on good soil grow and produce a great harvest. This illustrates how people receive God’s word differently—only those with open and faithful hearts truly flourish.

Parable of the Sower - Bible Lesson for Kids

Are you looking for a simple way to teach the Parable of the Sower? Our scripted lesson plans, discussion questions, and printable crafts are perfect for children aged 3 to 8.

(Click HERE for the Preschool/Kindergarten version)

Click Here for 1st, 2nd, 3rd grade version

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

A parable is a short story that Jesus used to teach people about God. These stories helped people understand what Jesus was saying because Jesus connected the stories to people’s everyday lives. Parables are also easier to remember than long speeches. 

The seeds represent the Word of God, and each soil represents different people who hear the Word of God:

• The hard path represents people with hard hearts who refuse to listen to God’s Word.

• The rocky soil represents people who initially had joy when they heard God’s Word, but it faded.

• The thorny soil represents people who worry about things and are distracted by things around them.

• The good soil represents people who hear the Word of God and do what it says.

SOWING THE SEEDS BOOKLET FOR PRESCHOOL

Young kids love to use their senses when learning, so why not bring in some real seeds to interact with? Have kids look at the seeds, feel them, smell them…you could even have them taste them (make sure to get something edible, like sunflower or pumpkin seeds). 

Once the children have observed the seeds, have them make a little booklet that retells the parable. Glue the physical seeds into the booklet. Check out The Parable of the Sower and the Seed for Preschool for template pieces.

STORY CIRCLES CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS

Each type of soil represents a different reaction someone had when they heard the Word of God. Keeping all the representations straight can be tricky, so creating a visual representation of the story is a great way to help kids remember. 

Use the template pieces in the printable lesson The Parable of the Sower for Older Kids. Have kids match each image with the corresponding Bible verse. Glue the verse to the back of the image, punch holes in the images, and then attach them with a binder clip. Once the project is complete, kids can use these to retell the story and help them remember which soil type corresponds to each verse. 

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO TEACH ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

• Plant a Seed: Take time to plant a seed together. This could be done as a whole group, or each kid can plant their own seed. Discuss what plants need to grow and connect it back to what they need to do to grow in their relationship with God. 

• Soil Sensory Bins: Fill four bins with things that represent the different soil types. Use rocks, stones, twigs/thorns, and planting soil so kids can use their senses to observe the soil types. 

• Bean Bag Seed Relay Races: Set up a fun relay race where kids have a pile of beanbags at one end and run the beanbags, one at a time, to a basket at the end. The beanbags represent the seeds, and the basket represents the hole in which you plant a seed. Divide kids into teams and race to see which team can ‘plant’ all their seeds first. 

• Seed Art: Check out this incredible Air Dry Clay Seed Mosaic Craft by Raising Up Wild Things. Use various seeds to create something beautiful to help kids remember the Sower and the Seed parable.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Watching a YouTube video about this parable might help kids visualize what Jesus is talking about. As always, preview videos before showing them to your kids. Here are a few suggestions:

• The Parable of the Farmer and the Seed or Bible Stories for Toddlers by Saddleback Kids  

• God’s Story: Seeds and a Farmer or Storytellers: Seeds and a Farmer by Crossroad Kids’ Club 

WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT THE PARABLES OF JESUS?

This lesson is part of a five-week series on the parables Jesus told. The other stories include The Wise and Foolish Builders, The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son.

These lessons about the Parables of Jesus are also included in the 52-week Bible curriculum for little kids in preschool/kindergarten and bigger kids in first, second, and third grades.

Teaching the Parable of the Sower helps kids understand the importance of a receptive heart and growing in their faith. There are many great ways to help make this story memorable to kids.