Scripture: Luke 15: 1-10
Memory Verse: And God said, “I
will look for those that are lost and bring back the ones that wander off.”
Ezekiel 34:16 (CEV)
Concepts:
Objectives:
1. After hearing the parables
of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin the class will act out “the lost coin”.
2. Children will use their
patience as a sheep herder to gather up lost sheep in the sheep herding game.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1.
Greet the
children and introduce yourself. 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.
2.
Explain the
purpose of this workshop. Today we will hear the stories/parable of a lost coin
and a lost sheep. (You may want to refresh the class of what a parable is-a
teaching story that Jesus told his disciples.) We will all act out the
story of the lost coin, and then we will all be shepherds and gather our lost
sheep in a fun game.
Scripture/Bible Story:
Read the scripture
(Luke 15: 1-10) to the class or review the Bible story if the class is very
familiar with it (later in the rotation). Encourage the children to use their Bibles in looking up verses. Extra
Bibles are located on the stage for children who don’t have one. When
reading try to add interest and excitement to your interpretation. Some
suggestions to add interest are to pre-record the scripture using different
voices, dress in character or have props (some coins, a stuffed sheep, etc.).
Application:
The lesson is in
two parts. The first activity is acting out the story of the lost coin
(instructions below). The second part is a sheep herding game.
Activity #1 The Play
During this activity the class will pantomime (act out silently) the
story of the lost coin. Everyone will act out the actions as the workshop
leader reads them. Try to think about the actions and add details to actions to
make it seem real. Take time to work on actions the first reading. Then read
the story a second time including actions. Narrator’s words are in bold,
actions in italics. Allow children to dress in costumes before beginning. May also
choose to use pennies as props.
Once upon a time there was a person who lived in
Pantomime getting box down from shelf,
opening it, counting coins, polishing them, etc., then put box back on shelf.
Help children with actions, praise efforts.
One day she got his box down and one coin was missing! She looked all over but couldn’t find the
coin any where.
Repeat above actions but count only to nine.
Show shock and surprise! Look around for coins, on floor, table, under pillows
etc.
She couldn’t find the coin anywhere so decided to light her oil lamp
and sweep the floor carefully to find the coin.
Pantomime pouring oil in the lamp, lighting
it, and holding the lamp up to find coin. Then put the lamp down and sweep the
floor.
Finally the floor was clean and the room bright with light so she got
on her hands and knees to look around on the floor for the coin.
Move around slowly on hands and knees looking
for the coin.
At last, she found the coin on the floor in a corner! What good luck!
She was so happy she jumped in the air!
Act out finding the coin and act out great
surprise and happiness. Jump for joy, etc.
She was so happy she called her friends to come celebrate with her.
Open the window/door and yell to friends
urging them to come to you. Pretend to celebrate, have a party include actions
such as greeting guests, serving food, laughing, dancing etc.
Reflection
Gather class in circle, praise class for acting (point out specific
examples. Use questions to stimulate discussion.
1. When Jesus told
this story who do you think the Israelite who owns the coins represented? A
hard question! God.
2. Who are the coins
that God takes care of? Us.
3. Who is the lost
coin? People that don’t know God or God’s love.
4. Why does God care
about one lost coin? God loves all people and wants all to be
close to God and know God’s love.
Activity #2 The Game
In this game we will all be shepherds to herd our sheep to safety.
Remember to be gentle with the sheep and get them all back in their pen. First
we’ll dress as shepherds. (Have costume box from stage available so children
can dress in costume if desired.)
Supplies: Two boxes turned on sides for sheep pens, about 10 blown up
white balloons (can be obtained at a party store), staffs for herding (broom
handles or dowels, etc.)
Allow two shepherds to herd at a time, although remind them it is not a
race. Scatter sheep around room and have each shepherd gently herd his/her
sheep using a dowel/broom into the box/pen. When shepherd is done herding he
gives his staff to the next shepherd and releases sheep for herding by the next
shepherd. Allow the class to repeat the game if desired and time allows.
Reflection
Gather class in circle for discussion. Praise good team work and
effort.
1. Was it easy to
herd your sheep? Accept
answers.
2. How did you feel
when you finally got the last sheep in? Happy.
3. If we are sheep,
who is our shepherd? God. God loves us and wants us to be close to
him.
4. The shepherd uses
a staff to guide his sheep, what does God use to guide us? The
Bible, church, our parents.
5. How do we get lost
or separated from God? We don’t listen to God, our parents etc.
6. How can we help
people who are lost? Pray for them, talk to our parents about problems/solution,
offer kindness, etc.
7. Have you ever been
or felt lost? Accept answers.
8. How where you
“found” again? Accept answers.
Reflection Time:
At 10:35 a.m. ask the
shepherds to pass out the journal sheets and pencils/markers. Provide easy word
search and maze to follow up searching for the lost and not giving up.
Remind the children that their pennies are going to
the
At 10:45 ask the students to
close their journals and sit quietly for prayer.
Prayer: Thank you God for being our kind shepherd, for
taking care of us, keeping us safe and for never ever giving up on us when we
are lost. Amen
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Place costumes and props back in box on
stage.
Teacher preparation in advance:
1.
Read the
scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2.
Prepare
a closing prayer.
3.
Check
out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where
everything is located. The bin with supplies is located in on the stage.
Supply List
Supplies: two boxes turned on sides for sheep pens, about 10-20 blown
up white balloons (can be obtained at a party store), staffs for herding (broom
handles or dowels etc.)
Costumes (in box
on stage)
Pennies or coins
References
·
Lesson written by Jan Hanson, Children’s
Ministry Director, First Presbyterian Church
·
Curriculum writers’ notes provided by Lori
Houck on May 2, 2004