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Bible Lesson - We're a Lot Like Sheep

I'm sure somewhere in a Bible lesson or sermon you may have heard how "dumb" sheep are; it isn't their intelligence that lacks though, it's more of their stubbornness for independence that is strong.  Even at birth they are able to stand very quickly on their own.

"All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him."  Isaiah 53:6

I believe this may be why God refers to us as sheep in the verse above.  Our human nature and pride cause us to strive for independence - doing things our own way.

When we think we know better than God and choose what we want instead of obeying Him, the Bible calls this sin.  It says we have ALL done this. (Romans 3:10,23)

The focus of the verse is not really on the stubborn sheep though, it is on the Good Shepherd that stands in the gap protecting the sheep.  That is what Jesus did.

Here are a few more Bible lesson facts about sheep:

1. Sheep have poor eyesight but they do have a keen sense of hearing.

The Bible refers to us as blind before knowing Jesus as our shepherd.  Jesus does say however we will hear and know His voice.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."  John 10:27-28

Today take time to listen and hear the voice of Jesus calling and leading.  The circumstances we see around us in this world with our human eyes can cause confusion and fear, but if we will shut our eyes to the world and allow Jesus to open the eyes of our heart and hear His voice, we will be found and be safe.  (Ephesians 1:18-19)

2. Sheep are timid and nervous by nature and for a very good reason - they are pretty much defenseless against predators.

So many times we think of God's Word as a bunch of do's and don'ts to spoil our "fun".  God is our Good Shepherd wanting to protect us like a parent; He desires to be our Heavenly Father and protect us from evil and our own lost way.  A good parent doesn't tell their child to not touch the burner on the stove to steal their fun, but because they know it will harm them.  God's Word gives us truth to protect and lead us to God's best for us.

I love the lyrics of the old hymn - "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."  There is such truth to that; it is a Bible lesson in itself!  When we trust God (become dependent upon Him), there is such freedom found in which we can safely live.

Satan wants us to think that independence and separation from God is freedom, when actually it is the exact opposite.  When we know the boundaries in which we are safe, there is complete freedom.

3. Sheep like to be in a group and have a knack of huddling together and wherever one goes, others follow.

Isn't this true of our human nature too?  We tend to follow the crowd.  We want to be a part and belong, but following the wrong crowd can be dangerous.

Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 15:3 - "Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”

God has provided a place for us in His family - the Church.  


"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,  not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:23-25


It is our choice of where and with whom we "huddle" and follow.  Joy, peace, purpose, grace, mercy, and all of God's other riches are found only when we follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.  In Him, there is freedom and safety.

Sheep can teach us many things; that's why Jesus Himself used them as an important Bible lesson object.  The people saw them around almost everyday and would be reminded of the truth He taught.  We may not have sheep around us every day, but the items made from their wool or really anything soft can remind us of the Bible lesson they teach us.

Fun Class or Family Bible Lesson Activities

Follow My Voice

  1. Version 1 - This is best played in an open area.  Have a blindfold for all but two people.  The blindfolded "sheep" begin behind a boundary together.  One of the other two people represents Jesus and will be trying to get the sheep to follow their voice to the goal.  The other represents the world or Satan and will be trying to mimic the other person's voice and get the sheep to follow them.  The winner is the first person to follow the "Good Shepherd's" voice to safety.
  2. Version 2 - If you have small space use this option.  Give every blindfolded sheep a cotton ball.  The instructions are given by the Good Shepherd for sticking it to a target while the others shout out the wrong directions trying to distract and lead the blindfolded sheep away from the target.


Soft Prayers 

Take time in the Bible lesson to also discuss how we use the soft wool from sheep.  Their wool is used to make many things in many places.  Give each person several cotton balls.  Have them pray for others as they stick the cotton balls to an outline of a sheep reminding them that our prayers can go many places to help others as God uses them to touch other peoples' lives.

Sheep Tag

This is played like a regular game of touch tag with the Good Shepherd as base and the tagger as a predator.  You may have more than one tagger.  The sheep must run from a designated area (out in the field grazing) and try to reach the Good Shepherd who lets them into the safety of the fold before being tagged.


More Bible Lessons from Everyday Objects for Adults & Families


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