The Lost Sheep Sunday School Lesson for Kids
A free Lost Sheep Sunday school lesson (Luke 15:1–7) in four age levels, preschool to preteen, with a game, Bible story, questions, memory verse and take-home.
Preschool–Grade 6
Download
- ⬇ Teacher lesson, kindergarten to 2nd grade (PDF) · 3 pages
- ⬇ Take-home sheet (PDF) · 1 page
- ⬇ Teacher lesson, preschool ages 3–5 (PDF) · 2 pages
- ⬇ Teacher lesson, 3rd to 5th grade (PDF) · 3 pages
- ⬇ Teacher lesson, preteens ages 11–12 (PDF) · 3 pages
Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.
- Ages
- Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
- Time
- 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
- Scripture
- Luke 15:1–7
- Bible story
- The Lost Sheep
What you need
- A Bible (mark Luke 15:1–2 and Luke 15:7)
- Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
- A paper sheep, cotton-ball sheep or stuffed toy sheep (opening game)
- 10 small paper sheep (preschool counting game)
- 6 index cards and a marker (memory verse game)
- A tray and 10 small objects (3rd to 5th grade opening game)
- Paper and pencils (3rd grade and up)
- Printed take-home sheets, one per child
- Printed Lost Sheep word search and crayons for early finishers
This free Lost Sheep Sunday school lesson teaches kids that every person matters to God, and He is full of joy when one lost person comes back to Him. It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.
Choose your age level
- Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a counting game with ten paper sheep, a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("to seek and to save that which was lost") with motions, and a sheep drawing activity.
- Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: the Find the Lost Sheep game, the story in simple words, five recall questions with answers, and the Seek and Find memory verse game with six hidden cards.
- 3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a What's Missing? game, kids look up every verse of Luke 15:1–7 in their own Bibles during a fuller story, five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
- Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: students read Luke 15:1–7 out loud themselves, with every old word explained, then discuss who Jesus was answering, why the man kept looking and what it means to welcome people the way Jesus did. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Luke 19:10 and Luke 15:7).
Lesson at a glance
- Bible passage: Luke 15:1–7
- Main point: Every person matters to God, and He is full of joy when one lost person comes back to Him.
- Memory verse: Luke 19:10 (KJV), with Luke 15:7 added for preteens
- Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions
Lesson outline (the same in every version)
- Opening game: a short game about losing and finding, like "Find the Lost Sheep."
- Bible story: why Jesus told the parable (the publicans and sinners came near, and the Pharisees and scribes grumbled), the hundred sheep, the one that was lost, the man who looked until he found it, his joy, and joy in heaven over one sinner that repents. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
- Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
- Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Luke 19:10.
- What this means for us: Jesus came looking for us, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
- Activity: the Lost Sheep word search, a coloring page or craft, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
- Prayer.
Tips for teaching the Lost Sheep
- Start with Luke 15:1–2. Jesus told this story to leaders who complained that He welcomed sinners, so the setting is the point.
- The Bible doesn't say how the sheep got lost. Keep the focus on the man who searched until he found it.
- When the man got home, he called together his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him (Luke 15:6). That is what the Bible says; there's no need to add more.
- The memory verse, Luke 19:10, comes from the Zacchaeus story a few chapters later. It pairs well with this lesson.
- Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.
Frequently asked questions
How long does this Lost Sheep lesson take?
It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.
What age is this lesson for?
All ages from preschool to preteen. The lesson comes in four separate teacher PDFs: preschool (ages 3 to 5), kindergarten to 2nd grade, 3rd to 5th grade, and preteens (ages 11 to 12). Each one tells the same Bible story at the right length and reading level, with its own questions and activity.
What is the meaning of the parable of the lost sheep for kids?
God cares about every single person, and He is full of joy when one lost person turns back to Him. Jesus said there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repents (Luke 15:7).
Who was Jesus talking to when He told the parable of the lost sheep?
Tax collectors and sinners came to hear Jesus, and the Pharisees and scribes complained, "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." Jesus told this parable to them (Luke 15:1–3).
Is this Sunday school lesson really free?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your church, school or home. Please don't resell it.
