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This is 3rd lesson in the series of lessons on the 23rd Psalm. To view a list of all the lessons in this series go to the 23rd Psalm Bible Themes Page.

He Leads Me -Psalm 23:3
Written by Carolyn Warvel

Bible Reference: Psalm 23:3

Printable Bible Verse Cards - Print out onto card stock, write the Bible verse on the cards and make copies.

Teaching Concept:  Children learn that God leads us through his word, through prayer, and the Holy Spirit. He tells us how to live so that we will be happy and successful.

Early Arrivals Activity

1. Work on a coloring sheet - Before class print out the pattern and make copies. (Large file or small file)

2. Make "Sheep Following a Shepherd" display -

1. Before class print out the Bible Characters TP Doll Patterns from Crafts Page 19 and make copies. Cut the patterns out. (Or you can use the shepherd holding a sheep standup figure from Crafts Page 6.) Make at least two pompom sheep for each student. Print out the sheep's head pattern onto cardstock and cut them out. Cut green pieces of felt into 3" x 2 1/2" pieces. Cut your pipe cleaners into one inch pieces and fold them in half. Glue them onto the sheep's body with the pointy ends of the pipe cleaners sticking into the body.

2. In class give each child a pattern and a TP roll. Have them color the patterns and show them how to glue the patterns onto the TP roll to make a shepherd. Give each child a piece of card stock and have them color a picture with green pastures and a path. Have them place the sheep and shepherd on their pictures.

3. Also see the crafts in the Crafts and Activities Section below.

The Lesson

Preparation: Place a bandage on your sheep puppet. Put him in a duffel bag or sack. You will also need this map or you can draw your own.

Woolie Learns a Lesson about Following

Teacher: I've invited our special guest back again today. I wonder where she is. (Look around and call for Woolie and then look in the duffel bag.)

Teacher: Woolie what are you doing in here? Are you hiding? (Have Woolie peek out shyly.) Woolie why are you hiding? I'm sure all the children would like to see you this morning. (Woolie comes out slowly.) Woolie, why do you have a Band-Aid on your nose? Did you get hurt?

Sheep: (Woolie shakes her head yes.)

Teacher: I hope it doesn't hurt too bad.

Sheep: (Woolie shakes her head no.)

Teacher: What happened? How did you get hurt?

Sheep: (Woolie pulls out a map and points to a place on the map.)

Teacher: Oh, you took that shortcut. You thought that would get you to the green pastures quicker, didn't you?

Sheep: (Woolie shakes her head yes.)

Teacher: But Woolie, didn't you see that there were also a lot of dangerous things along the shortcut path?

Sheep: (Woolie shakes her head no.)

Teacher: Don't you know that the good shepherd knows all the right paths. He knows the best ways for you to go. He would never lead you in a way that was bad for you. It may seem like it is the hard way or the long way, but he knows the best way for you.

Teacher: Do you remember that time you had a fight with your friend Sammy and you didn't know what to do about it? (Woolie shakes her head yes.) We talked about it and read some scriptures in the Bible, and they helped you to know what was the right thing to do. You guys made up, and now you are best of friends. God told you through his words that the right thing to do would be to forgive Sammy. God leads us through his words helping us to make the right choices just like your good shepherd leads you on the right paths.

Sheep: (Woolie shakes her head yes.)

Teacher: Woolie I hope you feel better soon. Will you come back and visit us next week?

Sheep: (Woolie shakes his head yes and waves bye.)

The last two weeks we have been talking about how God is our shepherd. He takes cares of us and gives us everything we need. Does anyone remember where we find the 23rd Psalm in the Bible? (Let a child come up and try to find Psalm 23.)

Today we are going to read the third verse in this Psalm. (Open the Bible and read the verse.) "He leads us in the paths of righteousness" means that he shows us what is right and how to live our life, and make the right choices. He shows you the right things to do just like Woolie's shepherd shows his sheep the right paths to follow. Following God's words seems hard sometimes and not very fun. But when we follow God, we will be truly happy.

Prayer

Have your children repeat after you this prayer from Psalm 25:4-5:

"Shew me thy ways, O LORD;
teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth,
and teach me." Amen

Crafts

1. Make a "Jesus is the Way" Paper Bag Sheep holding a Sign -

What you will need: White lunch bags, card stock (heavy paper), fiberfill (stuffing), glue and tape.

What to do:

1. Before class print out the sheep head patterns and the sheep leg patterns and the sign pattern and cut them out.

2. If you don't have a lot of time in class for crafts or extra help, you may want to assemble the sheep before class and just have your children glue on the fiberfill and sign.

3. In class have your children stuff the paper bag with wrinkled up pieces of scrap paper. (Newspaper will leave black ink on their hands.) Staple the bag closed at the top. Glue or tape on the legs and head. Glue the sign onto one hoof. Spread glue over the body and stick pieces of fiberfill onto the glue.

1. Make a "Jesus is the Way" Plastic Bag Sheep - This craft is a lot easier than the paper bag sheep because the children don't have to mess with glue.

What you will need: 9" x 4" clear treat bags (I found these bags in the crafts department near the cake and candy making supplies at Wal-Mart), (You can also use sandwich bags), card stock (heavy paper), and white tissue paper cut into 6" squares.

What to do:

1. Before class print out the sheep head patterns and the sheep leg patterns and the sign pattern and cut them out.

2. In class have your children stuff the plastic bags with wrinkled up pieces of tissue paper. Staple the bag closed at the top. Glue or tape on the legs and head. Glue the sign onto one hoof.

Activities

1. Play "He Leads Me" balancing game - Before class place a 2" x 4" piece of lumber or a wide piece of tape on the floor. Have your children line up behind one end of the board. Tape a piece of paper to the opposite wall with the word "God" written on it. Explain to the children that it isn't always easy to know what the right thing to do is, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, follow his example, and listen to God's word, we will know what to do. Have the children each take a turn walking over the 2" x 4" or tape on the floor. Tell them to keep their eyes on the paper with the word "God" (straight ahead) written on it as they walk. Ask each child if it was easy or hard to keep their feet on the board as they come to the end of the board.

Now stand to the side of the board and a little bit behind the half way mark. Tell the children to walk the board again but this time they should keep their eyes on you. As they come to the end of the board ask them if it was easier or harder to stay on the board.

Explain that when we keep our eyes on Jesus and do what it tells us to do in the Bible, we will know what is right. When we start looking at other people and listening to them we can get confused and not always do the right thing. God will lead us through his words to do the right thing.

You can also discuss some things people say that can make it confusing about what is the right thing to do. For example, people say things like: It's okay to do it because everyone is doing it. There's just a little bit of bad language in the movie, so it's okay to go see it. No one will ever know, so it is okay. You won't get caught, so it's okay to do it. It's just a little white lie, etc."

2. Play Follow the Leader - Tell your children that when we follow Jesus' example in the Bible we are taking the right path. Tell them to practice following you and to do exactly what you do.

3. Bible Verse Review Cube Game - Before class print out the cube pattern , cut it out and tape it together. Have your children sit in a circle and take turns throwing the cube. If the cube lands on a picture, they should say the verse or a phrase (depending on how old they are) pertaining to that picture. You may also want to give them a Teddy Graham or something similar. If the cube lands on "Lead a Sheep!". The child should stand up and tap each child on the head and say, "Shepherd" each time he taps a child on the head. Eventually he should pick a sheep and tap that child on the head and say "Sheep". When he picks a sheep, the "Sheep" should stand up and run around the circle following the shepherd back to the "sheep's" place. If the sheep tags the shepherd while running, the shepherd walks around and picks another "Sheep" to follow him. (Play like "Duck, Duck, Goose.")

1. Jesus is Our Shepherd
Sing to the tune to "We're Following the Leader" from Peter Pan
© 2004 Nancy Foss

Jesus is our shepherd,
Our shepherd,
Our shepherd.
Jesus is our shepherd
Wherever we may go.
Ho hum, ho hum, and skittle, a skittle, a dee,
Ho hum, ho hum, and skittle, a skittle, a dee.
(Repeat)
Oh, Jesus is our shepherd.
(Repeat)

Copyright © 2004 Carolyn Warvel
Contributing writer Nancy Foss
Danielle's Place of Crafts and Activities
http://www.daniellesplace.com

All rights reserved.   No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information or storage retrieval system, except for local church or school use only.  You may not copy this lesson or part of this lesson and place it on another web site even if you include the copyright notice. This copyright notice must be included on all printed copies. Requests for permission to copy this material for any other uses should be addressed to Carolyn Warvel, 588 Duran Street, Henderson, NV  89015 or e-mail me at care@daniellesplace.com

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