The Shepherds for Kids: Bible Story Explained Simply
Ages 5+·5 min read·New Testament·By Faithful Kids Team·Updated April 16, 2026
hopefaithGod's planChristmasmiracles
The Shepherds
Series: Birth of Jesus (Episode 05 of 10) | Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 | Ages 5+
The Shepherds is a Bible story from Luke 2:8-20 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 Shepherds for Kids?
Welcome back! Okay — I was just born in a manger. The King of the universe, lying in an animal's feeding trough. Now my Father had an announcement to make. The biggest announcement in history. And the question is — who does God tell first?
Not the emperor. Not the religious leaders. Not the wealthy or the famous. God chose shepherds.
Picture these guys. It's the middle of the night. They're out in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks. Shepherds in those days were as low on the social ladder as you could get. They were dirty. They smelled like sheep. They couldn't even testify in court because people didn't consider them trustworthy. The overlooked. The nobodies.
And God handpicked THEM for the front-row seat.
This story comes from Luke 2:8-20 and is part of the New Testament.
What Does the Story of The Shepherds Teach Children?
The story of The Shepherds teaches children important lessons about hope, faith, God's plan, Christmas, miracles:
This story teaches children about hope 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
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people." — Luke 2:10
For quiet time afterwards, print the free Good Shepherd coloring page and let them color while you talk it through.
Parent's Guide: Why This Story Matters
The birth of Jesus is the story your child will hear every Christmas for the rest of their life. Giving them the real version now, not just the cultural one, matters. Jesus was not born in a palace. He was born in the humblest place imaginable, to an ordinary young woman, announced first to shepherds (the lowest status people in society). Every detail of this story says: God is for everyone, especially the overlooked.
Quiz: Test What Your Child Learned
After watching the video, see if your child can answer these questions:
Why is it significant that God chose shepherds to hear the announcement first?
Shepherds were considered lowly and unimportant in that society. By choosing them first, God made it clear from the very beginning that the good news of Jesus was for ALL people — especially the overlooked and ordinary.
What did the angel say to the shepherds?
The angel's announcement was filled with joy and hope — a Savior had been born for ALL people. The word "all" is key — God's good news wasn't for a select few, it was for everyone.
What happened after the first angel made the announcement?
After the announcement, a huge heavenly army of angels appeared, lighting up the night sky and praising God — "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!"
Discussion Questions for Families
Use these questions at the dinner table or during bedtime:
What was your favorite part of the story of The Shepherds?
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 Birth of Jesus Series
This story is episode 05 of 10 in the Birth 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.
What is the story of The Shepherds about for kids?
The Shepherds is a story from Luke 2:8-20. Welcome back! Okay — I was just born in a manger. The King of the universe, lying in an animal's feeding trough. Now my Father had an announcement to make. The biggest announcement in history. And ...
What age is the story of The Shepherds appropriate for?
This retelling of The Shepherds 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 Shepherds found in the Bible?
The Shepherds is found in Luke 2:8-20 in the New Testament. It is part of the Birth of Jesus series on Faithful Kids.
Is there a video of The Shepherds for kids?
Yes. Faithful Kids has a short video retelling of The Shepherds designed for children, with narration, visuals, and a comprehension quiz. Watch it here.
How can I use The Shepherds 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 Shepherds teach kids?
The story of The Shepherds teaches children about hope, faith, God's plan, Christmas, miracles. This story teaches children about hope in a way they can understand.
🌙 Free: The Bedtime Bible Kit
Seven nights of five-minute stories — a story, a prayer, and one question to whisper about.
Free printable + a few helpful emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
