The Good Shepherd - Twenty-Third Psalm - Psalm 23

The Good Shepherd
A five day lesson series for K-5th Grade
By S. A. Keith

Includes, crafts, games and song time suggestions!

Before you begin

To make the "Psalm 23 Keepsake Wall Hanging" that accompanies this lesson series you will need to print out the pattern. You may print out as many patterns as needed for a small, one-time download fee. This fee helps to defray the cost of the five lessons freely provided below. (There is enough material in these five lessons to cover 10-12 one hour sessions.)

Click here to purchase the pattern from our Easy Make N' Take Downloads

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Psalm 23 Keepsake Wall Hanging

Psalm 23 is printed in the King James Version.
Jesus is depicted with three sheep, one is carried on his shoulder.)
Copyright 2005 - S.A. Keith - All Rights Reserved

Contents

Lesson 1: The Lord Is My Shepherd Overview
Lesson 2: My Sheep Know My Voice
Lesson 3: The Lost Sheep
Lesson 4: The Shepherd and the Gate
Lesson 5: The Sheep and Goats

Introduction To Teacher

Some people think having young children memorize Scripture is too difficult for them. But the fact of the matter is children can memorize just about anything without even trying. When my children were very young they loved to watch the same video programs over and over again. Before long they knew most of the dialogue word for word. The same can be done with Scripture memorization.

One of my earliest childhood memories is of the Twenty-Third Psalm. When my mom would tuck me in at night she would say the Twenty-Third Psalm, then pray with me. Eventually I could say it with her. I was only four years old at the time, yet I had memorized the entire passage! If God's Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, then Scripture memorization should be at the forefront of children's ministry. After all we are instructed to hide God's Word in our hearts so that we don't sin against him.

Over the next several days (or weeks if you teach the series once a week) we will learn about Jesus, our Good Shepherd. We will also attempt to memorize the Twenty-third Psalm. I hope you find this series to be a blessing to you and the children you teach!

Your webservant,
Sarah A. Keith <><

P.S. Two great resources to read before presenting this lesson series are: "A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23" and "A Child's Look At the Twenty-third Psalm", written by W. Phillip Keller. You can find them listed in our bookstore by typing the titles into the search engine at:
THE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE.

Suggested Letter To Parents

Print out the following note for children to take home the first day with their
"Psalm 23 Keepsake Wall Hanging":

Dear Parents,

During the next five days (or weeks if you teach the series once a week) we will be learning about Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and memorizing the 23rd Psalm. Our goal is to memorize the Psalm by the end of this short series. This is where you come in, because children learn and memorize by repetition we need your help. We ask that each day, before one meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner), you simply read the Psalm or have your child read it and do the same before bedtime. If you want to read it more often, that is great!

At the end of the five weeks the children who have memorized Psalm 23 will receive a reward for their efforts. Please help us to hide God's Word into the heart of your child!

Blessings,
Children's Ministry Team

LESSON ONE: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Introduction To Students

In the Old Testament, the part of the Bible written before Jesus came to earth, there is a collection of 150 prayer and praise poems called "Psalms". The Psalms were, and still are, used to worship and sing to God. The Twenty-Third Psalm is probably one of the most loved and read passages of the Psalms. It was written a long time ago by a man named David when he was a shepherd. Do you know what a shepherd is? (A shepherd is someone who takes care of sheep.) David eventually grew up to become one of the greatest kings in Israel.

Over the next several days (or weeks depending on the length of your program) we are going to learn about, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, and memorize the Twenty-Third Psalm. During each session we will do some fun activities to help us learn about this great Psalm and how we can follow our Shepherd.

Song Time Suggestions
"Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us" (first verse of this classic hymn);
"The Lord Is My Shepherd", click here for the words.
(For a fun variation, sing just the first six lines in rounds a cappella. Begin singing it softly, then gradually get louder with each additional round.)
"The Good Shepherd", click here for the words and tune.
"I Just Wanna Be A Sheep", click here for the tune.
"We Like Sheep" songs from the musical.

Begin Memorizing Psalm 23 (Copy the text below to your word processor, then print it out to make an overhead projector sheet. Present the Psalm to the class on the overhead. To help children memorize more quickly make up hand motions to coincide with one or two words from each line. Say the Psalm with the class. I have chosen the King James Version because of its classic, poetic sound.)

The Twenty-Third Psalm

(The underlined words are for the "Memory Muscle Word Hunt Game" from Lesson One, described below.)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 was written as if a sheep were telling his friends about his great and loving shepherd and how he faithfully cares for him. The Bible often refers to God's people as sheep. This is not usually a compliment because sheep can be quite dumb. But a smart sheep knows the voice of its shepherd and follows him. The Bible says that Jesus is the Good Shepherd of those that follow him. He knows his sheep and the sheep know him. A good shepherd cares for his sheep and will even risk his own life to protect them. In the same way, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, gave up his life to protect us from eternal death (John 10:11-18).

Craft: Psalm 23 Wall Hanging

Make a sample before class (see close up). Before beginning the craft time have the children look at the "Psalm 23 Wall Hanging" and discuss the following:

1) The picture depicts Jesus with three special sheep. Pretend you are one of them, which one are you? Allow children to explain their reasons. ( The sheep that is being carried by Jesus reminds us that during difficult times we need to be carried through it by Jesus. At other times we need a bit of reminding that he cares for us in a personal or special way, as in the picture where the shepherd is petting the sheep. And at other times we just need to keep looking to Jesus for our help and wait patiently for him to answer us, as pictured by the third sheep.)

Place Psalm 23 on the overhead and read it again, then ask:
2) What part of this Psalm-poem do you like? Explain.
3) Have you ever lain down in a green pasture or field? How did it feel?
4) Is there a part of the Psalm that scares you? Why? (writer's note, the phrase "the valley of the shadow of death", sounded scary when I was young, but at the same time I found it comforting because it sounded like a promise from Jesus that he would be with me even in death.)
5) Is there a part that you find comforting? Why?

What You Need: Pattern purchased from the Curriculum section and printed onto light brown cardstock paper*, Coloring pencils, scissors, burlap (9" x 12"), stick or branch (1/4" D x 14" L), jute, Tacky glue, yarn, stapler. * When you order the pattern make sure you remove blocks on your email program so it gets through to you.

What You Do: Color the pattern of Jesus with his sheep. Cut out the picture along the dotted lines. Staple the top of the burlap to the stick. Glue pattern to the center of the burlap. Decorate the burlap with yarn (you can draw on the sides of the burlap using the tip of the glue bottle, then lay the yarn into the glue). Tie ends of stick with jute to hang.

Game: Memory Muscle Word Hunt

What You Need: Print out Psalm 23, above. White out (erase) the words that are underlined. Enlarge the Psalm to poster size on a copy machine or handwrite it. Each team will need a poster. Write each of the missing words onto colored cards. Each team will need a set of missing words and should have their own color of cards. There should be 13 cards for each team.

What You Do: Hide the colored cards. Divide players into teams. Place the posters of Psalm 23 at the start line. Tell the teams which color of cards they are to find. At the go tell the teams to find their colored cards. Once they've found all 13 cards they must come back to the start line to place them onto the poster in the correct position. The first team to place them correctly wins! (You may want to give a roll of tape to each team so the cards will stay in place.) Say the Psalm with the class.

Save the posters and cards to be used again.

Game: The Amazing "Psalm 23" Race

"The Amazing Psalm 23 Race" is found in another portion of the site. Click here.

Pray "Dear Jesus, thank you for being our Good Shepherd. Thank you for taking such good care of us. Help us to learn to be smart sheep that follow and obey you. Amen."

Lesson Two: My Sheep Know My Voice

Song Time
"The Lord Is My Shepherd"; "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"
Memory Muscle Activity: Fill In The Blanks

You will need one of the posters and sets of cards from the "Memory Muscle Word Hunt Game" from Lesson One. Place the 23rd Psalm on the overhead projector. Say it with class. Turn off the overhead. Distribute the cards to the children. If you have less than 13 children, give more than one card to a child. Have children come up and tape the cards to the poster to fill in the blanks. If cards are placed incorrectly have them try again. Once completed, shuffle the cards and redistribute them. You might decide to do this several times. (If you have children in your class that cannot read, pair them up with a child that can read.)

READ:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;

The sheep in Psalm 23 is well-cared for by its shepherd. He lacks no good thing. He lives in green pastures and drinks from calm, still waters. A good shepherd spends a lot of time and money making sure his sheep live healthy and strong lives. He cares deeply for his sheep. They are important to him and he is important to the sheep. Sheep are easily frightened by loud noises and other animals. The only way sheep can defend themselves is by running away. Therefore, it is important for them to see their shepherd and hear his voice to know they are safe. Only then are sheep able to lie down and rest, restoring themselves, because they know their shepherd will protect them from danger and care for them.

Discussion:

1) Why do you suppose it is important for sheep to be in green pastures and drink from still waters?

(Sheep eat grass. If left to themselves they will graze in the same place until all the grass is gone. A good shepherd leads them to the best places to graze to keep them healthy. It is also important for sheep to drink from still, clean water. If sheep drink from dirty water or water that is turbulent and muddy, the sheep can become ill. Furthermore, because sheep scare so easily, calm waters put them at ease.)

2) How is Jesus like our Good Shepherd from this part of Psalm 23?

(He takes care of us. He leads us to the best places in life. It is in our best interest to stay close to Jesus, because he loves and protects us. The Bible says, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand." John 10:27-28. And, Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." John 15:9)

3) How has Jesus, Our Good Shepherd, protected us from danger?

(Many things in life are scary for us. When we look to Jesus and realize he gave his life for us, we can know he has our best interest at heart. He died on the cross to save us from the punishment of going to hell for sinning. He gives us eternal life in Heaven. Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep...I know my sheep and my sheep know me." John 10:11-14)

4) Are you one of Jesus' sheep? If you're not sure, you can repeat this short prayer with me and ask him to be your Good Shepherd: "Dear Jesus, thank you for loving and caring for me. Thank you for laying down your life to give me eternal life in Heaven. Thank you for being my Good Shepherd. Help me to be a smart sheep that always follows you. Amen."

Game: Shepherd's Voice

Set Up: Establish a wide obstacle course. Divide players into teams of two. Each team needs a blindfold*. Designate one player from each team to begin as the shepherd, the other as the sheep. The sheep begins with the blindfold on. (* 2"-3" wide elastic headbands make great blindfolds.)

How To Play: Teams line up at the start position. The shepherds walk. The sheep crawl. At the go the shepherds must call their sheep to follow them. The sheep must listen to the voice of his or her shepherd to go in the right direction. The shepherd cannot touch his or her sheep. Once the shepherd and sheep reach the opposite end of the course, players switch positions and head back to the start line. The first team to make it back to the start line wins.

Craft: Green Pastures

This craft serves to remind us that our Good Shepherd provides all we need.

What You Need: Small clay pots (2"-3"), good potting soil, quick sprouting grass seed, Tacky glue, cotton balls and the following part of Psalm 23 printed onto strips of paper (fit to size of pot):

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures..." Psalm 23:1-2

What You Do: Fill pot with soil to within one inch from the top. Evenly spread grass seed over top of soil. Place a half inch of soil over seeds. Water thoroughly. Glue Bible verse to outside of pot. Glue cotton balls to the rim of the pot (sheep in the pasture, you might want to glue small wiggle eyes onto cotton balls). Over the next several days or weeks keep soil moist so the grass will sprout for kids to take home at the end of the series.

Lesson Three: The Lost Sheep

Song Time
"The Lord Is My Shepherd"; "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"
Memory Muscle Go-Round

Place the 23rd Psalm on the overhead projector. Say it with the class. Turn off the overhead. Divide class into 3-4 sections. Number off the sections. If possible have an adult* in each section with the words to Psalm 23. Teacher begins by saying the first word (or line) in the Psalm, first section says the next word (or line), the next section says the next and so on until the entire Psalm is spoken. * If an adult has to help his or her section that is OK.

READ:
He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

This Psalm speaks of being led in paths of righteousness. What do you think this means? Listen to the root word when I say it (say righteousness again, emphasizing "RIGHT" when you say it.) This means the Good Shepherd leads his flock in the RIGHT paths. He knows the best way to go. A good shepherd leads his flock along paths that are safe to travel. He takes them to the richest pastures and leads them to the best places to drink. But sometimes a sheep will wander away from the flock. I mentioned before that sheep are known for being dumb. It's hard to understand how a sheep that is well-cared for would want to leave its shepherd, but they do from time to time. When a sheep wanders away from the protection of the shepherd it can be very dangerous for it. God's children sometimes behave the same way. They can decide not to follow God, to do what they want to do and not what God wants them to do, then find themselves in trouble. The Bible says, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way..." Isaiah 53:6. And because we go astray, we wander away from God, he gave his only Son, Jesus, our Good Shepherd, to die for us, so that we could be saved from God's punishment.

How do we learn what God wants us to do? (By reading or listening to his Word)

Read Matthew 18:12-14 from a child-friendly Bible.

This is a wonderful story! Jesus loves us even when we wander away. But don't wander away from our Loving Shepherd. Jesus loves you and wants you to follow him, because if you wander away, you can get hurt.

Game: Lost Sheep

Played like hide and seek. Players divide into teams with one player from each team being the "Lost Sheep". All the "Lost Sheep" must hide together in the same place. At the go, teams look for their "Lost Sheep". Once found, the "Lost Sheep" switches with a player on his or her team. Play continues like this until all the players have had a chance being the "Lost Sheep".

Variation of Lost Sheep game, click here.

Game: Follow The Shepherd

Set Up: Establish a large playing area with a start line at one end. Divide players into teams (preferably 3-4 players per team, lined up one behind the other). Choose one player from each team to be the shepherd.

How To Play: Teams line up at the start line behind their shepherds. Tell the sheep they are to follow their shepherd by jumping the fences that are in front of them (the fences are the other players in their team). At the go shepherds begin walking towards the opposite side of the playing field. The sheep must leap over the fences (the backs of the other players in their team, leap frog style) to follow their shepherd. The shepherds may wind and wander around the playing area to get to the other side. When the teams reach the opposite side of the playing area, players rotate giving another player a chance to be the shepherd. Play continues like this until all the players have had a chance being the shepherd.

Variation: Teacher is the shepherd and stands at one end of the playing area. Players are the sheep. The sheep divide into teams of 3-4 players and line up at the opposite side of the playing area. When the shepherd calls the sheep to "come", the sheep-teams must move across the playing area by jumping the "fences" (the backs of the other players in their team, leap frog style) to get to the other side. The first team to reach the other side wins.

Craft: Paths of Righteousness

What You Need: Finger paint, large sturdy paper plates or plastic trays, paper towels, white cardstock paper with the following part of Psalm 23 printed at the bottom:

"He leadeth me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3
What You Do: Pour finger paint into paper plates or trays. Children place their feet into the paint, then print the paper with their feet. Children may need to lightly blot paint from their feet before making their print.

Variation: Have children dip their feet into paint and walk on a long sheet of butcher paper. Write the Bible verse across the bottom. Hang in your room.

Pray "Dear Jesus, Thank you for leading us in right paths. Help us to follow you and never wander away. Amen."

Lesson Four: The Shepherd & The Gate

Song Time
" The Lord Is My Shepherd"; "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"
Memory Muscle Activity

Play the Memory Muscle Activity from Lesson Two. You might also choose one of the memorization techniques such as, "Diminishing Words", found on the following page, click here.

If you choose, make up a new memory activity, then send it in to be added to this page. Send your original memorization technique to: submissions@christiancrafters.com.

Read: (Ask the questions, below, before you read so the children can listen for the answers.)
"Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep...whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture...I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...' " John 10:7-14.

Discussion

1) Jesus called himself two names in this passage. What are they? (A shepherd and a gate)
2) How do you suppose Jesus is both a shepherd and a gate? (In Bible times a shepherd would place his sheep into a pen. These pens were stone walls, open to the sky, with only one way in and one way out. The pen kept the sheep safe. It kept them from wandering away and kept wild animals from attacking them while they slept. The shepherd would lie across the entrance of the pen so that his sheep couldn’t get out, and wild animals, or thieves, couldn’t go in without the shepherd knowing about it. In other words, the shepherd was using his own body as the gate to the pen to protect his sheep. In the same way, Jesus is both our Shepherd and the Gate of our lives. We must go through this Gate for our salvation and protection.
3) What does Jesus say happens when you enter through the Gate? (you are saved)
4) Who doesn't care for the sheep in this story? (the person tending the sheep, the hired hand)
5) Who protects the sheep? (The Good Shepherd)
6) How does he protect the sheep? (He lays down his life for them)

READ:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

A rod was used by shepherds to defend his sheep against wild animal attacks, and the staff was used to gently guide the sheep or to rescue them from danger when they fell. The staff was also used to pull a sheep near to the shepherd to be comforted by him.

Likewise, the Good Shepherd, Jesus, laid down his life to defend his followers against sin and death, and to guide them through the trials and troubles of life.

Our Good Shepherd has given each of us a Rod too. The Bible teaches us how to defend ourselves from Satan's attacks. And the Holy Spirit, is our Staff to guide us and pull us closer to God. When we face the unknown time of our deaths (only God knows this), the Holy Spirit will be there to lead us and guide us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death and into God the Father's presence in Heaven.

When we find ourselves in the midst of our enemies, Jesus will take care of us and provide for all our needs (he prepares a table in the presence of our enemies). If you were invited to someone's home in Bible-time days and the host applied oil to your forehead, that meant you were an honored guest in that home. This part of Psalm 23 tells us we are treated like honored guests by Jesus, our Good Shepherd, when we trust and follow him. Our Good Shepherd protects us and provides for all our needs!

Game: Shepherds & Wolves

Set Up: Establish a goal area on one end of your playing field. You will need various sizes of balls (the sheep) and small brooms (the staffs). Divide players into two teams (the shepherds versus the wolves).

How To Play: Tell the players they are to guide their sheep into the pen by using their brooms (their staffs) to push their balls (the sheep) into the goal area. The wolves must block the balls from getting into the pen using only their feet. Once all the sheep are in the pen, players switch positions. To make sure the shepherds do not accidentally hit the wolves, establish a line for both teams to stay behind.

Sheep Treat

What You Need: Each child will need: 1 T. Marshmallow Fluff; 2-3 T. Plain Rice Crispy cereal; thin pretzel sticks, whipped-cream, shredded coconut lightly coated in green food coloring, small paper plates.

What You Do: In a small bowl, blend Marshmallow Fluff and cereal until cereal is well coated (you may need to add a bit more Marshmallow Fluff, but don't make it too moist). Pour mixture onto a piece of wax paper and press the "dough" into an elongated oval shape to form a sheep. Place pretzels into the sheep for its legs. Top sides of cookie with whipped-cream. Sprinkle green coconut onto paper plate to make green grass. Stand sheep into grass. You can eat your cookie right away. But it is easier to handle if you refrigerate it for a few minutes.

Shepherd's Rod Treat

What You Need: 1/2 of a peeled banana placed on a Popsicle stick then frozen, your choice of Hershey's Shell topping, finely chopped nuts (WARNING: make sure you do not give nuts to anyone with nut allergies).

What You Do: Dip banana into Shell topping, roll in nuts. Allow topping to harden a few seconds. Eat and enjoy! (See application in lesson above)

Lesson Five: The Sheep & Goats

Song Time
" The Lord Is My Shepherd"; "Savior Like A Shepherd Lead Us"
Memory Muscle Go-Round Elimination

Have children and teacher's stand in a circle. A teacher begins by saying the first word in the Psalm. Proceed around the circle with the next person saying the next word, then the next and so on. If someone says the wrong word or forgets a word, he or she must sit in the center of the circle (including teachers).

You might decide to allow players back in when the circle has all had a chance to say a word or continue the elimination until only a few players are left (hopefully all are left standing). If you'd rather not play with an elimination, then skip the elimination and go to the next person in the circle when someone forgets a word.

To play the Bible Four-Square game using Psalm 23, divide class into teams of 4-5 players and click here to read how to play.

Lesson & Game: Sheep & Goats

This portion of the lesson and game is found in another section of ChristianCrafters.com.
Click here to get it. Return here for the rest of the lesson.

READ:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

What do you think it means to have goodness and mercy following you?
(Goodness is God-like character, good and loving actions. Mercy is God's love towards someone even though he or she deserves to be punished. Since God has shown us mercy, we need to show kindness to others even when they don't deserve it. When you live your life following the Good Shepherd and obeying him, a wonderful thing happens to you: you will become more and more like Jesus! Then wherever you go, you too will show the love of God by doing good things for others, spreading goodness and mercy to those you meet.)

In order to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, we must be sure that we are Jesus' sheep. If you are still not sure, you can be. The Bible says, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Ask Jesus to be your Shepherd. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him (trusts and follows him) shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16. Here's a promise from God: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13.

Pray "Dear Jesus, Thank you for not punishing me for my sins, even though I deserve it. Thank you for showing me your goodness and mercy. Thank you for dying in my place to give me eternal life with you. Help me to live a life listening to your voice and obeying you. Help me to show goodness and mercy to everyone I know and meet. Amen."

Art Project

What You Need: Colored pencils, drawing paper, Overhead of Psalm 23.

What You Do: Place Psalm 23 on the overhead projector. Tell the children to draw themselves with the Good Shepherd from their favorite part of the Psalm. Then have them draw a picture of themselves showing goodness and mercy to someone they know (maybe even someone they don't even particularly like). Give children the opportunity to show and tell to the rest of the class.

Craft: Lil' Lamb

What You Need: White nylon hosiery, white polyester fiberfill,
scissors, permanent black marker.

What You Do: Starting at the toe-end of the hosiery, cut off about 7". Stuff fiberfill into stocking to make it puffy. Tie end off into a small, tight knot. Cut off excess nylon material. Mold the fiberfill to form a sheep shape (see picture). Draw eyes, nose, mouth, ears and hooves with the marker. Children write their names on the bottom.

For added fun, hide the Lil' Lambs, then have children find their own sheep. If children find someone else's sheep, they must put it back and continue looking for their own sheep.

Copyright 2005 - S. A. Keith - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
sakeith@SundaySchoolNetwork.Com

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