The Shepherd: What He Provides
Grades 1-6
Nursery - Kindergarten
Three Parables
LESSON DATE & SCRIPTURE:
June 28| LUKE 15
New city catechism question of the week:
Question #26:
What else does Christ’s death redeem?
Answer:
Every part of fallen creation.
Memory Verse: Mark 6:34
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
Talk about it together
When Jesus taught about God, many people gathered to listen. He often used stories called parables to help people understand God's love and his desire to bring people close to him.
One day, Jesus told three stories about things that were lost and then found. In the first story, a shepherd had 100 sheep, but one wandered away. The shepherd cared so much about that one sheep that he left the rest of the flock and searched until he found it. When he did, he celebrated with great joy.
In the second story, a woman lost a valuable silver coin. She searched her house carefully until she found it. Then she invited her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her.
In the third story, a father had two sons. The younger son took his share of the family’s money, left home, and made many sinful choices. When he realized his mistake, he returned home to ask for forgiveness. Before he even reached the house, his father ran to him, hugged him, and welcomed him home with great joy. Although the older brother was upset, the father reminded him that it was a time to celebrate because his brother had been lost and now was found.
Jesus told these stories to show how much God loves people. Just as the shepherd searched for his sheep, the woman searched for her coin, and the father welcomed his son home, God seeks those who are far from him. Jesus came to seek and save people who are lost in sin. He gave his life so we could be forgiven and have a relationship with God. Whenever someone trusts in Jesus, heaven rejoices because what was lost has been found.
Family discussion
What did the shepherd lose in the first story?
What did the woman lose in the second story?
What did the father lose in the third story?
Who came to seek and save those who are lost?
Family prayer
Dear God, thank you for showing us your great love. Thank you for seeking those who are lost and for saving us through Jesus.
Help us rejoice in your grace and share your love with others. Amen.