THE GOOD SHEPHERD CARES FOR HIS SHEEP

Matthew 18:10-14

Preparation: The storyteller should dress like a shepherd, if possible. Act out the story as much as your situation allows.

Bible Story: (Pointing at pretend sheep.) 85-86-87-88-89-90-91-92-93-94-95-96-97-98-99 . . .
OH, NO! I’m supposed to have 100 sheep. I’ve only counted 99. That means one sheep wandered off somewhere today and got lost. I am so sad. The sheep won’t be able to find his way back home alone.

I must go quickly! I’m going to leave these 99 sheep here all together and go looking for the one which is lost until I find it. I’m going to search and search and search.

Little sheep, where are you? Little sheep, little sheep! Where ARE you?

I’m going to look down there at the bottom of the hill. Little sheep, little sheep — are you there? NO! I’m going to keep looking and looking until I find the lost sheep.

I’m going to look over there behind that tree. Little sheep, little sheep — are you there? NO! I’m going to keep looking and looking until I find the lost sheep.

I’m going to look way over there behind the bush. Little sheep, little sheep — are you there? NO! I’m going to keep looking and looking until I find the lost sheep.

I’m going to look inside that log. Maybe the sheep crawled inside and got stuck. (Get down on floor and pretend to look into log.) Little sheep, little sheep are you there? YES! I see you! You got stuck and can’t get out. I will help you. I will gently pull you toward me. It’s okay. You’re about out. Oh, my lost sheep, I found you! I knew you were missing so I came to find you. I am going to carry you home on my shoulders (pretend to put sheep around neck). I am so happy I found you! I love you so much!

Look everyone! I have found my lost sheep! This sheep was lost and now it’s found! Rejoice with me by standing and saying, “Hurrah – hurrah!”

(Hold open your Bible.) This story is found in Matthew 18:10-14.

Just like this Good Shepherd, Jesus is always there for us. He likes for us to stay near to Him. What are some ways we can stay near to Jesus? (Pray, read our Bible, sing songs of praise to Him, be in church to learn about Jesus.)
Song: “Farmer and the Sheep” from Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart DVD.

The farmer is looking for his sheep
He can’t find him and he can’t sleep
He looks high, he looks low
And he looks to the mountains
And the rivers below

Chorus 1:
Oh no, he can’t sleep
Until he finds his little lost sheep
Oh no, he can’t sleep
Until he finds his sheep
The sheep could be the only one
Through the briars, through the meadows
He calls him to come
He looks up, he looks down
And he keeps on looking until he is found

He can’t sleep a wink
No, he can’t eat
‘Cause he missed
His little lost sheep

(Repeat Chorus 1)

When he comes back to the fold
The farmer celebrates
With the young and old
He thanks God for he’s found
And he has a big party and invites the town

Chorus 2:
Oh yeah, now he can sleep
But he wants to stay awake
And party with the sheep
Oh yeah, now he can sleep
But he wants to party with the sheep

Celebrating with the sheep
He wants to party with the sheep

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