Teaching children that Jesus is our Shepherd provides them with comfort and understanding of His loving care. This page offers a collection of Bible verses and hands-on activities to help preschoolers learn Psalm 23 and the concept of Jesus as their Shepherd. These resources are designed to make learning meaningful and memorable for young hearts.
Scripture: Psalm 23, John 10:1-18
Through the Bible in Felt: pg 103
Are you ready to embark on an incredible journey of faith and discovery with your child or students? Look no further! Our Old and New Testament Curriculum Bundle is the perfect companion for home, preschool, or church Sunday School or mid-week meeting Bible learning. It's time to immerse your little ones in the enriching world of biblical stories and truth.
Shorten the verses as appropriate for the child's developmental level.
John 10:11 (NIV)
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
John 10:27 (ESV)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
Isaiah 40:11 (NASB)
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.
Psalm 23 (NIV)
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his nameâs sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Ezekiel 34:31 (NIV)
You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign Lord.
John 10:14 (NIV)
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.
Psalm 100:3 (NIV)
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Sheet available in the Bible Activity Workbook
Glue thinned cotton balls to the sheep.
Glue a pipe cleaner to Jesus' staff.
Easter is a special holiday, but explaining its true meaning to young children can be a delightful challenge. That's why we've created the Easter Treasure Hunt, a fun and educational activity designed for children ages 3-12. Dive into the heart of Easter and discover its significance through an engaging scavenger hunt adventure.
All Printables Free for Immediate Family Use or with a Current License Only
For Family or License Use: Cut out the pieces on the Lamb Puppet template. Glue the head to the bottom of a white paper sack. Glue legs to the sides and opening (be sure to glue the legs so that the hand will not cover them up). Glue the tongue inside the fold. Roll thin strips of white paper around a pencil to curl. Glue as wool on the lambâs head.
Paint the palm and fingers of the hand black. Press down on a piece of paper with the fingers parallel and the thumb outstretched. Glue cotton balls on the palm and part of the fingers. Add eyes, a mouth, and ears on the thumb for the lamb's face. Add the title "The Lord is My Shepherd."
For Family or Licenses Use: Print the Psalm 23 template. Color with broken crayons or short colored pencils. Then glue on pulled-apart cotton balls.
For Family or Licenses Use: Color the Jesus the Shepherd coloring sheet. Using a white or black ink pad, stamp thumbprint lambs on the poster. Add a head, legs and a tail to the lambs. Glue to a piece of construction paper. Add the title "My Shepherd is Always with Me."
Play a "Follow the Leader" game where one child is the shepherd, and others follow them, learning to listen to and trust their âshepherd.â
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Set up a pretend play area with a shepherdâs staff and sheep stuffed animals to act out being a shepherd and sheep. For further fun, hide the sheep and let the child find it.
Use or make an Etch-a-Sketch to demonstrate how God erases our sins when we ask for forgiveness. In a ziptop bag, place 1/2 cup hair gel and 2 tablespoons of tempera paint (you may also add glitter). Seal the seams with clear packing tape. Mix together. With the bag sitting on a solid surface, use a craft stick to "draw" on the bag. Simply flatten to erase.
Using breadstick dough or sugar cookie dough, roll the dough into a "snake" and bend the end to make a staff.
For Family or Licenses Use: Cut out the pieces on the Paper Bag Lamb template. Open up the paper bag and fill with newspaper. Fold over the end and tape to close. On the bottom of the sack, glue the lamb face. Glue the legs to the sides of the bag. Add a cotton ball tail on the folded top of the bag.
For Family or Licenses Use: Cut out the lamb from the template and glue to a paper plate. Glue popped popcorn on the âwoolâ part of the picture between the ears. Tape or glue on a large popsicle stick to the back of the paper plate.
Use a counting game with toy sheep or cutouts, reinforcing the concept of how the shepherd watches over and cares for every single sheep.
For Family or Licenses Use: Print the My Shepherd Loves Me Forever coloring sheet on cardstock. With a hold punch, punch holes around the heart. Using pipe cleaners, make two staffs. Place the staffs over the heart. Lace the pipe cleaners down onto the heart. Discuss how the Shepherd loves His sheep.
Make a list of all the attributes of Jesus as our Shepherd listed in Psalm 23 and Isaiah 40:11. Here are some examples:
Psalm 23:1 - Jesus is my shepherd and provides everything that I need.
Psalm 23:2 - Keeps me safe.
Psalm 23:3-4 - His rod and staff gentle guide and discipline me to help me make good choices.
Isaiah 40:11 - He carries His lambs close to His heart, gentle.
For Family or License Use: Jesus and the Lamb Coloring Sheet
Available in the Old Testament Curriculum, New Testament Curriculum, 2 Year Interactive Bible Stories, and 4 Year Interactive Bible Stories
