Parable of the Lost Sheep Video Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Children will watch a short video clip portraying the parable of the lost sheep. They will recreate the story using an overhead projector and foam and cardstock shapes.

Re: "Overhead projector"
You can use an old-fashioned one with the bulb inside it, or a newer style "overhead camera" overhead projector to have students dramatize the story.

For scripture, objectives, and background - see above.

Preparation and Room Set Up:

• Read the background information and lesson plan.
• Preview the video clips.
• Prepare the popcorn before the children arrive and have it bagged and ready to distribute so your attention can be given to the children.
• Gather Overhead Projector storytelling supplies – see list below.

Supplies List:

• Overhead Projector
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Pencils
• Variety of foamie shapes and letters (hearts, stars, sheep, etc.)
• White screen
• Small shepherd action figure (or cut one from cardstock)
• Transparency sheets – one for each scene for K-2, once can be reused for 3-5 (If using the older "lightbulb" style of projector.
• Markers that will write on transparencies (wipe off markers will allow you to reuse the sheets)

Important Note for Video Workshop Leaders:

Children love this workshop!  Often the video is a direct correlation with the Bible story and creates a concrete, visual image in the children’s minds.  They refer to this image over and over throughout the rotation as they visit other workshops.  Some videos may take some liberties with the story-you may need to point out these discrepancies.  As much as possible sit down with the children and watch the video together.  Feel free to pause the video to discuss something that you especially want them to note.  Please ensure that the children treat the room with respect-no standing, jumping, or otherwise abusing the seats.

LESSON

Early Arrival Activity – Matching Game

Supplies:

• Match Game handout
• Cardstock or 3 X 5 index cards

Advanced Preparations:

• Copy the handout onto labels and affix to index cards or cardstock.
• Separate the cards into two stacks – one for the word and one for the definition/explanation.

Directions:

• As children arrive, encourage them to work together to match the word cards with the correct meaning cards.

Opening :

Welcome the children as they arrive. Please wear a nametag and help the shepherds distribute nametags to the children. Begin each class with introductions.

Opening Prayer

Please open each session with a prayer.  Loving and merciful God, Thank you for this day and for our time together. Give us open hearts and minds as we learn more about you from this story. Amen.

Story:

Bible Study: Scripture: Luke 15:1-10, Matthew 18:10-14

Introduce the Story

This month we begin a series of studies about Jesus’ parables. What is a parable?  (a story that uses everyday images to explain something about God or God’s kingdom). Jesus told parables to answer questions or to explain things to his followers. Jesus used everyday objects and common situations in the parables he told.  This helped the listeners better understand what Jesus was trying to show them. The images that Jesus used were very familiar to the people who lived then, but they may not be so familiar to us today. We are not out herding sheep very often these days. So, what images might Jesus use today to convey the same truths?

Parables require us to think deeply about the story and its meaning. Parables help us understand the message on different levels depending on where we are on our faith journeys. Jesus often said that the unwilling and those without faith would not understand the deeper meanings of the parables told. To these people, a parable was simply a story. But for those who listened with willing, open hearts and faith, the message could be life transforming! This is true for us today as well!

Bible Study – Grades K-2

The Picture Bible

This story is not included in The Picture Bible. Have the children turn to page 600 where it discusses parables. Review this information with the children. Then use the handout attached from the Children’s Bible in 365 Stories to tell the story.

Bible Study – Grades 3-5

NIV Adventure Bible: Luke 15:1-10, Matthew 18:10-14.

Where in the Bible would we find a story about Jesus? (New Testament) This parable is found in two gospels: Matthew and Luke.

Have children find Luke 15:1-10. Call on children randomly to read the scripture as the other children follow along. (calling on children randomly, rather than going around the circle increases their attentiveness.)

Read and discuss the following Bible notes:

Life in Bible Times:  The Shepherd’s Staff page 1147

Life in Bible Times: The Sheep Pen, page 1179

Let’s Live It:  God’s Not Mad at Me! Page 1075

Memory Verse

Each rotation we encourage the children to memorize the Rotation Memory Verse. Review it with the children at this time.

“Rejoice with me. I have found my lost sheep.”  Luke 15:6b.

• What happened once the lost sheep was found?  (the Shepherd rejoiced, he called all his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him)
• Why would the shepherd leave 99 of his sheep to look for just one sheep?  (because he loved ALL his sheep – every single one was important to him!)

• How does it feel to know that God will never stop “looking for you?”
• What happened once the lost sheep was found? (the Shepherd rejoiced, he called all his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him)
  
  

Video Clips:  The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Running Time:  total = 5 mins

Show the following three video clips with the children:

1) Animated retelling of the Parable of the Lost Sheep (3.5 mins)
https://youtu.be/VYMk96DwZKQ?si=T9qRngzY2s3DM71w

2) Jesus tells the parable in the live-actor series, THE CHOSEN
https://youtu.be/koTyshm0a7M?si=FiSgWT6mJcOeH9Dp

2)

Have children season their popcorn according to taste BEFORE the movie starts. Hand out popcorn and a drink. Have the children move to the theatre seats. Once the movie begins, children should remain in their seats until it is finished. Getting up and down out of seats is distracting to everyone!

Introduce the Video Clips:

As you know this is a very short story in the Bible. So we are going to watch a few different video clips that portray the story in different ways. Then we will recreate the story ourselves using an overhead projector and some story shapes.

As you watch the video clips, watch for the some KEY IDEAS in the story. When it’s over we’ll talk about what you noticed. In particular watch for:

• Fear, loneliness, danger
• Wanting to explore, longing for adventure
• Rejoicing, joy, happiness, security
  
  

Pay attention to where in the story these emotions or ideas were expressed and by whom.

Write the key ideas on a flip chart and place in the front of the room.

After the three video clips are finished, discuss what they noticed.

• Who felt fear, loneliness or danger? (sheep, shepherd, maybe other sheep) When?
• Who wanted to explore and wanted adventure? (lost sheep)
• Who rejoiced in the story? (the shepherd, the lost sheep, perhaps the other sheep)

• Why did the sheep get lost? (distracted, following the butterfly)
• How did the shepherd know the sheep was lost? (he counted)
• What did the shepherd do?
• What did the lost sheep feel and experience?
• What did the shepherd do once the sheep was found? (did he punish the sheep for getting lost?)

In the Bible God and Jesus are often referred to as the Good Shepherd. Why do you think that might be a name for them?

In the Bible WE are often referred to as sheep. How might we be like the sheep in this story? We said that a parable has deeper meanings. This is a story about a shepherd and his 100 sheep, but it’s more than that. It’s a story about how much God loves us and how far God will go to find us when we are lost.

So, if this is more than a story about sheep, what might it mean to be “lost?”  (for older children, explore the different levels of meaning – being separated from God, rebelling from God, taking our eyes off the shepherd – Jesus, etc.)

What does it mean to “go after” someone who is lost? How might we do that in our lives? How might YOU do that?

Overhead Projector Storytelling

What we learned note: This was a really novel and effective way to retell the story. It would be a GREAT way to review the Bible story in later weeks of the rotation. We kept the kids who weren't actually creating the scenes engaged by asking them to think of ideas... and then letting them make suggestions to the kids who were making the scenes. Our original idea: to take photos of the older kids' scenes didn't work -- we forgot the camera and it was the first week of the rotation so they ran out of time. Still like the idea though!

Advanced Preparation:

1. Cut out enough small sheep from cardstock to cover the surface of the overhead projector glass (you won’t be able to get 100, but you’ll need numerous sheep)
2. Cut out a simple shepherd silhouette.
3. Set the foamie shapes/letters into paper plates.
4. Set up the screen and overhead projector in the classroom.
   
   

Introduce the Activity:

Say: We’re going to work together to retell the story using transparencies, shapes and the overhead projector. We will take pictures of your scenes and use these to teach the younger kids the story.

Directions:

Grades 3-5

1. Using a flip chart brainstorm with the group the different scenes in the story. Some suggestions:

• The title of the story – a creative name? Include parable.
• Once there was a good shepherd who had 100 sheep.
• He loved and cared for the sheep very much.
• One evening while putting the sheep into their pen he noticed that one sheep was missing.
• The shepherd left the 99 sheep and went to look for the lost sheep.
• He looked and looked and looked for the lost sheep.
• When he found the lost sheep he picked him up and carried him on his shoulders back to the other sheep.
• He was very glad to find his lost sheep and invited all his friends to celebrate with him.

1. Divide children into pairs and assign a scene to each group.
2. Give children about 5 minutes to plan their scene and choose their shapes.
3. Have the children come up to the overhead projector two at a time to create the scene using the cardstock/foamie shapes.
4. Have the children write a simple explanation of the scene using the transparency markers.
5. Other children should be watching as the scene is created. Move quickly… each scene should take just 1 minute or so to create.
6. Encourage children to be creative and add “rocks,” “grass” and other shapes cut from the cardstock.
7. Discuss each scene. What is happening? What are the characters feeling? How can that be shown on the screen?  
8. Repeat with each scene.
9. Photograph each scene as it is shown on the screen.
   
   

Modification for Grades K-2

• Write out the scene titles onto strips of paper and assign these to pairs of children.
• Write the titles onto the transparency sheets before the children assemble their scenes.
• Show the pictures from the 3-5 grade class to the K-2 group.
  
  

Option:

If this workshop is offered late in the month, allow the children to sequence the story as part of the activity.

Journal Reflection

The last five minutes should be reserved for journal time. This is an opportunity for processing and reflection about what the children have learned.

Journal Questions:

Grades K-2:  Draw your favorite part of the story.

Grades 3-5:  What did you learn about God from this story?

Closing:

Gather the children together. Review with them one word or concept that they learned in today’s session.  (Love, acceptance, parable, lost and found). Ask for prayer requests and pray together, ending with the Lord's Prayer.

Clean-up

Have the children throw away their popcorn bags and cups. Clean out popcorn machine and sweep up any stray kernels. Put away Bibles, paper, pencils, videos, etc. Bag up trash and place outside the classroom door. Replace trashcan liner (extras are found on the shelf below the popcorn maker).