The Lost Sheep Bible Story for Kids.
The Lost Sheep is one of Jesus' most beloved parables. It teaches children that God never gives up on anyone, and that every single person matters deeply to Him.
Retold by Hannah Whitford · Luke 15:3–7 · Updated July 2026
▶ Prefer to watch? The animated version is below the story
The Story of The Lost Sheep Bible Story for Kids
This parable is perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kids because the image of a shepherd searching for one lost sheep is easy to picture and emotionally clear. Families can talk about what it means to be found, loved, and valued.
“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?”
Luke 15:4
“When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’”
Luke 15:6
“I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7
Quotations from the World English Bible (public domain). Read the full passage together in your own family Bible. The reference is Luke 15:3–7.
Dear God, thank You for never giving up on me. Help me remember that even when I feel lost or alone, You are already looking for me. Amen.
The Lost Sheep teaches children that God searches for every person who feels lost or alone. No one is too far away, too small, or too forgotten for God to find and carry home.
- 01The image of a shepherd carrying a sheep is warm and easy for young children to picture.
- 02Children understand the feeling of being lost, and the relief of being found.
- 03The story ends with a celebration, which feels joyful and hopeful.
- 04It opens a natural conversation about how much God loves each child.
Keep the story going.
The story doesn’t have to end at the last page. Print it, memorize it, or read the next one together.
“When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”
Luke 15:5 · WEB
The animated version.
For visual learners, movie night, or the third read-through of the day.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
A toddler-friendly animated retelling from Saddleback Kids.
Video by Saddleback Kids on YouTube · Embedded under YouTube’s standard embed terms
Take this story to the shelf.
A beautifully illustrated Bible storybook that presents every story as part of God's great rescue plan. Perfect for bedtime with its gentle, lyrical storytelling.
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Books that pair with this story.
Hand-picked after careful research, the ones we recommend most alongside this story.
Ages 4-8 yearsThe Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name
by Sally Lloyd-Jones
A beautifully illustrated Bible storybook that presents every story as part of God's great rescue plan. Perfect for bedtime with its gentle, lyrical storytelling.
Ages 2-6 yearsThe Beginner's Bible: Timeless Children's Stories
by Zondervan
Classic Bible stories retold in simple language with bright, engaging illustrations. Short stories perfect for winding down before sleep.
Ages 5-12 yearsThe Biggest Story Bible Storybook
by Kevin DeYoung
A beautifully illustrated storybook that presents the Bible as one continuous story. Rich illustrations and thoughtful storytelling.
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The kind of things parents wonder.
The lesson is that God loves every person individually and searches for anyone who is lost or far away. Children learn that they are never forgotten or unimportant to God.
Conversation starters.
Questions to ask after you read together. No right answers, just good conversation.
Why do you think the shepherd left the 99 sheep to find just one?
If you were the lost sheep, what do you think you would feel when the shepherd found you?
Jesus said each person matters to God like that lost sheep. What does that make you feel?
Have you ever lost something important and felt so relieved when you found it?
Teaching this story.
- 01Let your child do the counting. You don't need all 99. Count ten fingers together, tuck one down, and ask who's missing. The gap where a sheep should be is the whole parable for a three-year-old.
- 02Expect the question 'Was the sheep naughty for wandering off?' The parable never scolds the sheep, so you don't have to either. Keep the spotlight where Jesus put it: on the shepherd who goes looking.
- 03Slow down at the shoulders. The shepherd doesn't drag the sheep home or tell it off. He carries it. Little ones who still love being carried themselves will feel exactly what that means.
- 04With ages 3–5, let it stay a story about being found and carried home. Around 6–8, you can add Jesus' own ending: the joy in heaven over one person who comes back to God.
Cotton-Ball Sheep
Cut a simple cloud shape from a paper plate or cereal-box cardboard and let your child glue on cotton balls until it is properly woolly. Clip a clothespin to each bottom corner for legs so it stands up. This becomes the lost sheep for the game below.
Shepherd Hide-and-Seek
One person hides the cotton-ball sheep somewhere in the house while the shepherd waits. The shepherd searches until the sheep is found, then carries it home on their shoulders while everyone celebrates, just like the friends and neighbors in the story. Take turns; children love both roles.
More stories from the library.
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Bible Stories in Chronological Order for Kids
See where this story fits in the full Genesis-to-Revelation reading plan: 21 stories in order with summaries, ages, and a free printable.
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Browse simple, picture-rich Bible stories recommended for ages 2 to 5.
Browse →These Bible story retellings are based directly on Scripture and written for children ages 3–10. Each page includes its Scripture reference so families can read the original passage together. Content is reviewed by the Childhood Bible Stories editorial team.