Parable of The Lost Sheep Activity
This “Finding the Lost Sheep” activity will help children understand why the Lord would be so happy at finding one lost sheep and still hold dear to his heart the other 99. In Luke, 15 Christ introduces us to this wonderful parable with many layers of meaning. Here is our Shepherd. He loves and cares for his flock. And there are his sheep.
The lord prepares green pastures for his little flock and tells them to “fear not” for he is with them. When he calls, they know his voice and follow him to safe places for rest. He watches over them, and guards them against wolves, steep ravines, illness and starvation. In the parable, one of the 99 sheep is lost, and the good shepherd goes to find him. When he finds him, his joy is full. Does he love the 99 less? Of course not. But upon finding something that once was lost, a lot of joy is felt.
To illustrate this, tell your children or class that you have hidden 10 sheep around the room/class/home/building/yard. See if they can find all of them. The first few are easily found, the next take some effort, and the last one, number 10 is no where in sight. Pretend that you are looking too and that you feel sad that it is lost. After an “exhaustive” search, just give up and determine to do the lesson without that last sheep.
Ask one of your children to open their scriptures (or yours) to Luke 15. There, tucked in the pages is that last sheep, number 10. Everyone in the family will probably feel relief and joy that they found the last one. Does that mean the other 9 are less wanted, less cared for? No, it’s just that finding the last one makes everyone feel complete, finished, whole and perfect. Thus it is with the Savior. When he finds the lost sheep of His fold, he rejoices, and so do we! Not because we love anyone more than anyone else, but because we are closer to feeling complete, finished, and whole. Remember, that Christ is our finisher, he heals our broken parts, makes us whole and perfect. And we rejoice to be among those being found by him.