The Lost Sheep for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply
Ages 5+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated April 16, 2026
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The Lost Sheep
Read the lesson transcript
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 8
"The Lost Sheep"
Based on Luke 15:1-7
Alright, I need to set the scene for you because this one has some drama.
So there I was, eating dinner with tax collectors and sinners — people that most religious folks wanted NOTHING to do with. And the Pharisees and teachers of the law? They were standing off to the side, whispering and grumbling. "This man welcomes sinners and actually EATS with them!" They said it like it was the worst thing in the world.
And that is when I hit them with this story.
"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep." Now a hundred sheep was a BIG deal — that was a shepherd's whole livelihood, everything he owned. "And one of them wanders off and gets lost. What do you do? Do you shrug and say, 'Well, I still have ninety-nine. That is good enough'?"
NO! You leave the ninety-nine in the open field and you GO after the one that is lost. You search the hills. You look behind every rock and through every valley. You call out in the dark. You do NOT stop until you find it.
And when you FINALLY find that one lost sheep — maybe it is stuck in a thorn bush, scared and bleating, completely helpless — you do not scold it. You do not yell at it. You lift it up, put it on your shoulders, and you CARRY it home.
And then — this is the best part — you call all your friends and neighbors together and you throw a PARTY. "Celebrate with me! I found my lost sheep!"
Then I looked right at those grumbling Pharisees and said: "I tell you, there is MORE joy in heaven over ONE sinner who turns back to God than over ninety-nine people who think they never wandered off."
Here is what I need you to understand. You are not just a number to God. You are not one face in a crowd that He would never miss. If you were the ONLY person on this entire planet, my Father would still come looking for you. I would still come looking for you.
Maybe you feel lost right now. Maybe you have wandered away from God — a little or a lot. Maybe you think you have gone too far for anyone to bother coming after you.
You haven't. I promise you — you haven't.
I am the Good Shepherd. And I will leave the ninety-nine to come find YOU. Not because you are perfect. Because you are MINE. And when I find you, all of heaven throws a party.
You matter THAT much.
Word count: ~390
Scripture: Luke 15:1-7
Series: The Teachings of Jesus, Episode 8
This retelling is one of our 200 Bible stories for kids — the whole Bible, free, from Genesis to Revelation.
Series: Teachings of Jesus (Episode 08 of 10) | Scripture: Matthew/Luke | Ages 5+
The Lost Sheep is a Bible story from Matthew/Luke in the New Testament. This retelling is designed for kids ages 5 and up, using simple language they can understand and lessons they will remember.
What Is the Story of The Lost Sheep for Kids?
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 8 "The Lost Sheep" Based on Luke 15:1-7
Alright, I need to set the scene for you because this one has some drama.
So there I was, eating dinner with tax collectors and sinners — people that most religious folks wanted NOTHING to do with. And the Pharisees and teachers of the law? They were standing off to the side, whispering and grumbling. "This man welcomes sinners and actually EATS with them!" They said it like it was the worst thing in the world.
And that is when I hit them with this story.
This story comes from Matthew/Luke and is part of the New Testament.
What Does the Story of The Lost Sheep Teach Children?
The story of The Lost Sheep teaches children important lessons about love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom:
This story teaches children about love in a way they can understand
God's love and faithfulness are visible throughout this story
Every Bible story connects to the bigger picture of God's plan for the world
Key Bible Verse
"There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents." — Luke 15:7
We drew a printable Good Shepherd coloring page to go with this story — free, and the printed sheet includes the answer to where it came from.
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
Every Bible story is an opportunity to talk with your child about faith in a natural, low-pressure way. After watching, ask an open-ended question like 'What was your favorite part?' or 'What do you think God was trying to teach us?' These conversations do not need to be long or perfect. The goal is simply to make the Bible feel like a living, relevant part of your family's life, not something dusty on a shelf.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
Why were the Pharisees grumbling about Jesus?
The Pharisees were upset because Jesus was spending time with tax collectors and sinners — people they considered unworthy. They could not understand why a teacher would welcome people like that and even share a meal with them.
In the parable, what does the shepherd do when he finds the lost sheep?
The shepherd does not punish the lost sheep. He joyfully lifts it onto his shoulders, carries it home, and then calls his friends and neighbors together to celebrate. That is a picture of how God responds when someone who was lost comes back to Him.
What did Jesus say causes the MOST joy in heaven?
Jesus said there is more joy in heaven over ONE sinner who turns back to God than over ninety-nine who think they never wandered off. Every single person matters that much to God.
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of The Lost Sheep?
What do you think God was teaching us through this story?
How can we be more like The in our own lives?
If you were in this story, what would you have done differently?
What does this story teach us about trusting God?
More Episodes in the Teachings of Jesus Series
This story is episode 08 of 10 in the Teachings of Jesus series:
Faithful Kids has 300+ Bible story videos covering the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Every story is a short video lesson, designed for kids Ages 5+, with a quiz after each lesson. No ads, ever.
For quiet time afterwards, print the lost sheep coloring page and let them color while you talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of The Lost Sheep about for kids?
The Lost Sheep is a story from Matthew/Luke. THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS — Episode 8 "The Lost Sheep" Based on Luke 15:1-7
What age is the story of The Lost Sheep appropriate for?
This retelling of The Lost Sheep is designed for children Ages 5+. The language is simple and age-appropriate, and the video is just a few minutes long, perfect for young attention spans.
Where is The Lost Sheep found in the Bible?
The Lost Sheep is found in Matthew/Luke in the New Testament. It is part of the Teachings of Jesus series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of The Lost Sheep for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of The Lost Sheep designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use The Lost Sheep for Sunday School or homeschool?
Play the short Faithful Kids video as an introduction, then use the discussion questions above for group conversation. The built-in quiz checks comprehension. Many Sunday school teachers and homeschool parents use Faithful Kids as weekly curriculum.
What does The Lost Sheep teach kids?
The story of The Lost Sheep teaches children about love, kindness, forgiveness, prayer, wisdom. This story teaches children about love in a way they can understand.
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