Faith Quest

 

Parable of the Lost Sheep and Coin

 

October 10- November 7, 2004

 

Good News – Bread of Life Cafe

 

Scripture:  Luke 15:1-10

 

Memory Verse:  “And God said, “I will look for those that are lost and bring back the ones that wonder off.”  Ezekiel 34:16 (CEV)

 

Offering:   Raleigh Women’s Correctional Center

           

Concepts:

Ø     God and the heavenly host rejoice when we (the lost) return to him

Ø     God calls us to celebrate with him when the lost are found

Ø     God is the shepherd and we are the sheep.

Ø     God doesn’t give up on anyone, so we shouldn’t either.

 

Objectives:

In the Good News Lesson we hope to:

  1. Understand that Jesus used parables to help us all understand the message.
  2. Know that no matter what we do that if we ask forgiveness God will celebrate our return to him.
  3. God loves us all – we are all unique and special in our own way. 

 

Procedure:                

Welcome and Introductions:

Wear your nametag. Make sure the children are wearing nametags. If not, ask the shepherd to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a different group of students each week that may not know you. Remember to that if you need the shepherds to assist you in any way do not be afraid to ask, that is why they are present with the class. 

 

Scripture/Bible Story:

1.     You will meet in the Bread of Life Café (kitchen in Classroom Building off of Great Hall).

2.     Have the Children to stand and say the memory verse.  (You may want to have the verse on poster board.)

3.     Ask them to bow their heads for prayer. [Dear Lord, who is with us everywhere we go, we thank you for your love. We pray this morning you will help us to better understand your word.  Please forgive us when we make fun of others that may be different from us.  Amen.]

4.     Have them open their Bibles to the Scripture. Ask the children to volunteer/assist in reading the scriptures.  It is not necessary to have all children to read.  If you want to read and have them to follow along, that is your choice.  Luke 15:1-10

 

Application:

  1. After the scripture reading you could provide them an overview of the time period using the Children’s Illustrated Bible by Parker and Dyson pages 324-325.  If you do not have this book, let me know and you can borrow mine.  It has a few items to demonstrate how folks often looked down their nose at others who were different.  That is why Jesus shared with them the parable of the lost sheep.
  2. Sheep Treats Time!  See the supply list for details.
  3. After the scripture and story time distribute to each child their square of angel food cake.
  4. They are to use the plastic knife (can be found in the church kitchen) or their hands to create a sheep shape.
  5. Frost the “sheep” and add the legs (pretzels) – You may want to show them how to insert the pretzels without causing the cake to break and that the sheep will be able to stand.
  6. Once they have completed making their sheep they should place the sheep on the pasture.
  7. See if the children can identify their sheep.  You could talk about how since they created their sheep it is easy for them to recognize it among all the others.  In the same way God knows us and can find us when we are lost.  Allow each child to show off their creation before they eat them! 
  8. Share once again that we are all special.  That God loves us each and everyone no matter what we do or what we look like. 

 

Reflection Time:

Distribute the journal page for the students to work on, if there is time.  Make sure there are copies for each child.   By 10:45 close with a prayer.

 

Closing:

Prepare a closing prayer.  Ask the children if they have any concerns they would like to share.

 

Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Ask them to assist in cleaning up the kitchen. 

 

Teacher preparation in advance:

1.     Read the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.

2.     Prepare a closing prayer for your lesson.

 

Suggested Supply List

Ø     Angel Food Cake (does not crumble like other cakes) you will need enough for each child to have a square about 4X4 inches.

Ø     White frosting – at least 2 cans per class

Ø     Flaked coconut and/or a substitute for “sheep” fur – white and a few brown sprinkles (Some children may be allergic to coconut, so please make sure you identify this food as coconut and tell the children that they do not have to use it if they are allergic.)

Ø     Pretzel sticks– four for each child’s sheep legs

Ø     Plastic knives

Ø     Green paper to represent the pasture

Ø     Poster paper with Bible memory verse

Reference:

Lori Houck, Kirk Faith Quest Bible Study Leader

Children’s Illustrated Bible by Parker and Dyson

Bible Stories and Craft Projects – Group Publishing 1995