Scripture: John 10:1-18
- Students will learn about how shepherds care for their sheep.
- Students will learn Jesus is our shepherd and we are his sheep.
- Students will learn some of the things from which Jesus wants to protect us.
- Students will practice descriptive writing through creation of an ad describing sheep they want to sell.
Guiding Question: Why does Jesus refer to us as His sheep and how does He care for us?
Materials: Paper, pencils, crayons, colored pencils, various art supplies
Procedure: Review the story of the Sheep and their Shepherd. Explain that just as shepherds watch over their flock of sheep with great care, Jesus watches over us with the same type of love and care. This is often why Jesus is referred to as our shepherd and we are His sheep. Ask the students to share what they think Jesus wants to protect us from and elaborate on students’ answers. Explain that Jesus wants to protect us from the sin in the world and wants to provide for all of our needs while blessing us along the way.
Explain that sometimes people want to sell something. In the time of Jesus, it might have been an animal like a sheep. Today when people want to sell something, they may write an advertisement so others will know they have the item to sell. Show the students examples of advertisements.
Have students pretend they are trying to sell a sheep. Have them write an advertisement describing the sheep and giving other important information.
Additional Questions: What words are most effective in advertising?
Supplemental Activity: Give students advertisements from a variety of newspapers and magazines. Have them work individually or in small groups to analyze the ads. Which words in advertising are the most convincing? Which ones sound like they may be exaggerations or lies? What are the best words to use in an effective ad. Have students compare their results to see if they can find any patterns.