STORY CHAPTER · JOHN 10 KJV
OH NO! A SHEEP IS MISSING!
Alice counted once. Then twice. Mr. Fluffernutter counted with one paw in the air and looked extremely official. The answer was still the same: one sheep was missing.
“If we are going to find her,” Alice said, “we need to understand what Jesus meant when He called Himself the Good Shepherd.”
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 (KJV)
CHAPTER 1 · THE SHEPHERD'S VOICE
How can sheep know whom to follow?
Fluffernutter: “I vote that sheep carry tiny maps.”
Alice: “Cute idea. Jesus gave us a better one: they know their shepherd.”
In Jesus' picture, different sheep could be near one another, but a shepherd could call his own flock and lead them out. The sheep followed because the voice was familiar and belonged to the one who cared for them.
“...the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” John 10:3–4 (KJV)
Now practice what you learned: Which clue best matches Jesus' shepherd picture?
CHAPTER 2 · JESUS IS THE DOOR
Why would Jesus call Himself a door?
A sheepfold was a place where sheep could be gathered. Its entrance mattered because that was the way into the fold. Jesus takes that everyday shepherd picture and points it directly to Himself.
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9 (KJV)
Fluffernutter: “So... Jesus is not saying He has hinges?”
Alice: “Right. It is a picture. Jesus Himself is the way into salvation and life with God.”
Find the meaning: Which answer explains the picture?
CHAPTER 3 · SHEPHERD OR HIRELING?
Care is easiest to see when it costs something.
Jesus compares the Good Shepherd with a hireling—a worker who is being paid but does not own the sheep. When danger comes, the difference becomes obvious.
“But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth...” John 10:12 (KJV)
Sort the evidence: Tap each behavior to place it with the Good Shepherd or the hireling.
Select a behavior card, then choose where it belongs.
CHAPTER 4 · THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVES HIS LIFE
This is bigger than a sheep-rescue story.
Jesus does not stop at saying that a shepherd stays with the flock. He says something astonishing: the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” John 10:14–15 (KJV)
Jesus' shepherd picture points forward to the cross. His love is sacrificial. He does not merely shout directions toward rescue from far away—He gives Himself for His people.
“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself...” John 10:18 (KJV)
Wolf Alert: Which statement matches what Jesus teaches?
CHAPTER 5 · ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD
The Shepherd's flock reaches farther than one field.
Jesus speaks about “other sheep” who would also hear His voice and be brought into His flock. His people would not be limited to one village, one family, or one group.
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John 10:16 (KJV)
Rescue mission: Gather all five wandering sheep. Each tap represents one more member brought toward the flock.
MASTERY · FINAL SHEPHERD CHALLENGE
Show what you learned—not what you guessed.
- His sheep know and follow His voice.
- Jesus is the door—the way of salvation and life.
- The Good Shepherd is different from the hireling.
- Jesus willingly lays down His life for His sheep.
- Jesus gathers one flock under one Shepherd.
Flock rescued. John 10 trail mastered!
Mr. Fluffernutter's official report: “Zero sheep left behind. Maximum fluff achieved.”
Listen — read five verses from John 10.
Trust — bring one worry to Jesus in prayer with a trusted grown-up.
Care — do one quiet act of kindness for someone in your flock.
Story + Mission Map
Jump back to any chapter whenever you want to reread or replay it.
KEEP LEARNING TOGETHER
Family Bible Lab
This part is not hidden homework. Use it after the adventure, or jump here when your family wants to slow down and talk.
Safe Shepherd's Voice Game
Everyone stays seated or standing in one safe spot. Choose one short shepherd call and mix it with silly decoys. Raise a hand only when the correct call is heard. Then discuss how Scripture helps Christians test what they hear.
Build a Sheepfold
Use blocks, craft sticks, cardboard, or pillows. Make one clear entrance, put paper sheep inside, and reread John 10:9. Ask what the “door” picture teaches about Jesus.
Vocabulary
Shepherd: one who tends, guides, and protects sheep.
Sheepfold: an enclosure where sheep are gathered.
Hireling: a hired worker; in Jesus' picture, one whose care does not match the shepherd's.
Talk About It
Which picture helped you understand Jesus most: His voice, the door, the Good Shepherd, or the one flock? Why?
Love,
Alice (and Mr. Fluffernutter!)
NEW · PRINT · FLIP · LEARN
Take the Good Shepherd Adventure Home
Color quietly, then tap a book cover to open a flippable family resource. Every book also has a normal PDF link, so the lesson never depends on the flipbook layer.
Jesus the Good Shepherd
A clean, straight full-page coloring scene built around John 10:11 and John 10:14.
Download / open coloring page image →Printable PDF fallback →
Family Bible Study Guide
7 pages
Read, talk, pray, and practice through John 10 together.
Open PDF directly →Kids Activity Book
12 pages
Big writable spaces, Bible puzzles, drawing missions, sorting, and a Trail Keeper certificate.
Open PDF directly →Parent Devotional & Discussion Guide
6 pages
Clear teaching notes, discussion starters, prayer prompts, and a simple weekly rhythm.
Open PDF directly →Original Good Shepherd resources
The earlier seven-page family PDF and original coloring page are still preserved.

[…] Holy Spirit helps us become more like Jesus—kind, strong, forgiving, and full of joy. (Read more about how Jesus cares for us like the Good Shepherd!) He gives us strength when we’re tired, joy when we’re sad, and hope when we’re stuck in […]
[…] We’re going to visit a little village called Bethany, where something amazing happened. A man named Lazarus had gotten very sick and died… but that’s not where the story ends! Jesus, full of love and power, came to show everyone that even in our saddest, darkest moments, He brings life, light, and hope. 💖 (Jesus is our Good Shepherd) […]
[…] And guess what? That same peace is for you and me and everyone! 💖🌍 Jesus’ peace means we don’t have to be afraid, even when things are confusing or hard. His presence brings calm to our storms, just like He did in that locked room long ago. (Read more about how Jesus lovingly cares for us in “Jesus the Good Shepherd.”) […]
[…] to hear more about how Jesus gently cares for us, even like a Good Shepherd? Read our Jesus the Good Shepherd blog […]
[…] he’s right. Jesus didn’t just forgive her. He believed in her. (Just like a good shepherd believes in every sheep in His care.) He reminded her—and all of us—that mercy doesn’t ignore mistakes… it offers a hand to […]