Weekly Fun Plan: The Good Shepherd

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Welcome to this week’s Weekly Fun Plan: The Good Shepherd! If you haven’t already I recommend you read my introductory blog post “Faith-filled Fun: What Is It? And Why I Started It”. That post will give you some background into this blog and a little more in-depth explanation of my Weekly Fun Plans and how to use them. 

This Week’s Theme: The Good Shepherd

Did you know that sheep are the animal most talked about in the Bible? They are mentioned over 500 times, and for good reason. The Bible often uses the illustration of sheep and shepherds to explain our relationship with God. We have much more in common with sheep than you might think, and God has all the characteristics of a good shepherd.

This week we will learn just how similar we are to sheep and why we call God “The Good Shepherd”. All our craft, snack, and activity ideas will all be sheep-themed. If you try anything in this week’s plan don’t forget to share your experiences on social media! Tag us @faithfilledfun on Instagram or use #faithfilledfun. 

New Weekly Fun Plans drop on Mondays so stay up to date with the blog each week by subscribing to my email list!

Bible Lesson: What to Read or Watch this week

Since this week we are learning about how God is our good shepherd, here are some great resources to read/watch:

If you have young children (ages 0-8): 

• Read the following Bible verses:
  • Psalm 23
  • Psalm 100:3
  • Isaiah 53:6
  • John 10:11
  • John 10:14
• Watch “The Good Shepherd Bible Lesson for Kids” by Kids Enjoying Jesus on YouTube. This is a cute 9-minute family video that does a great job of explaining how we are sheep and God is our good shepherd.

If you have older children/teens (ages 9-18):

• Read the same verses listed above. Then have them answer the discussion questions for this week’s lesson.

Bible Lesson: Questions to Ask Your Kids/Discuss this week

If you read the recommended Bible verses or watched the YouTube video your kids should be able to answer this week’s question:

Who is our “Good Shepherd”? Answer: God

If you have little ones (ages 0-8):

I would focus on that one question first. Ask them the same question every morning or evening and see if they can remember the answer. Once they get that question down, move on to the additional discussion questions listed below.

If you have older children (ages 9-18):

Here are some additional questions you can discuss with them throughout the week:

• What animal is mentioned the most in the Bible? (Sheep)
• What does a good shepherd do? (Protects, Guides/Leads, Cares for/loves)
• How are we like sheep? (We have gone astray, we need guidance/protection/a loving shepherd)

Bible Lesson: Memory Verse

Memorizing scripture is vital to teaching our children at a young age. Recalling and reciting scripture that they’ve memorized will help them as they grow and go through trials in life. It will also encourage them, equip them to go out and be little disciples of Jesus, and strengthen their faith as they age.

This week let’s have your kids work on memorizing Psalm 23:1

Memorizing scripture is so much easier for kids if you can find a way to make it fun. Here are some different ideas to try as a family to help memorize this week’s verse:

• Come up with some simple motions for each word of the verse and make a cheer or dance out of it.
• Come up with your own melody and create a song out of it or search the internet for an existing song on this week’s particular verse.
• Make it a game. Start by saying one word or phrase of the verse at a time and have your kids repeat after you until you’ve gotten through the whole verse. Then repeat the process saying the words differently every time. Examples: slow, fast, in a silly voice, quiet, loud, etc.

Once your child/children have got it, I recommend practicing reciting the verse each morning over breakfast or before they leave for school and maybe even again before bed. Make it a part of your routine and you’ll be amazed at how fast they will begin to pick it up.

Supplies needed for this week’s activities

Here is a quick list of all the supplies that you will need to complete all the suggested crafts, activities, and snacks for this week’s plan. For a list of my most used craft supplies, and things I will be utilizing often in future Weekly Fun Plans be sure to check out my Links page.

• Markers
• Scissors
• Construction Paper
• Clothespin 
• Glue
• Hot Glue Gun (optional)
• White Paint
• Cotton Balls
• Small Paper Cups (3oz)
• White Crayon
• Oreos
• Mini Oreos
• Frosting
• Mini Marshmallows
• Pretzel Sticks

Recipe: Sheep Cookie Snack

This week’s recipe is a fun sweet treat for you and your family. Present them to your kids already put together or make a hands-on activity out of it and let them assemble the sheep themselves. With just a few simple ingredients you can make this adorable Sheep Cookie Snack. Follow the link for the full recipe.

Crafts:

This week, we are making a “Cotton Ball Painting Sheep Craft” and “Cotton Ball Cup Sheep”. Both crafts are simple, cute, and require almost the exact same supplies!

Cotton Ball Painting Sheep Craft:

For our first activity this week we’re going to make this Cotton Ball Painting Sheep Craft. This one is simple to do, a fun new way to paint, and a great way to help memorize this week’s memory verse. Follow the link for easy step-by-step instructions.

Cotton Ball Cup Sheep:

Next up we have these adorable Cotton Ball Cup Sheep. Using just 1 or 2 additional supplies from our previous craft, this craft is also quick, easy, and fun. Follow the link for an easy step-by-step guide.

Activities:

With our theme this week, “The Good Shepherd” here are a few extra ideas for activities to do with your children:

• Visit a petting zoo/local farm to see some real sheep.
• Play hide and seek but pretend the hiders are sheep and the seeker is the shepherd.
• Learn more about sheep and shepherds to see what other parallels you can make with humans and sheep or God and shepherds. (There are more than you think)

Parenting Tip of the Week:

Our identity and our children’s identity should always come from Christ first and foremost. We are who God says we are and not what the world or other people might say we are. As much as we as parents might know it in our hearts, hear about it at church, or read it in our Bibles, it’s so important to remind ourselves and our children daily what our identity is in Christ. 

One of my favorite Christian influencers, Lacy Abercrombie, shared a list of Christian affirmations she reads over herself every morning and it stuck with me. I typed up the list and have been reading it over myself and my kids ever since and I think it could really benefit you and your family too. So I’ve created a free downloadable Christian Affirmations poster for you to print off and use and have also attached it below for you to read. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Prayers:

Lastly, I like to end each Weekly Fun Plan with some example prayers for your week. One is to pray with your kids, maybe before they get on the bus in the morning, before a meal, or before bed, and the other prayer is for you, the parent, to pray over your kids throughout the week.

Prayer to say with your kids this week: 

Dear Lord, Thank You for guiding me, protecting me, caring for me, and loving me like a good shepherd. Amen.

Prayer to pray over your kids this week: 

Dear Heavenly Father, You are our Good Shepherd. Guide and protect us in all that we face today. Thank you for your love, and the comfort and peace that comes with knowing you are with us always. May everything we do today bring glory to you. In Jesus name, amen.

I hope you have a wonderful week and don’t forget to subscribe to my email list and follow me on Instagram @faithfilledfun to stay up to date with the blog!