1Lesson Goals
I will be able to:
- retell the main events.
- use the story’s vocabulary.
- practise the language focus.
- explain an idea with evidence.
Start here: Look at the picture. How does the shepherd feel?
Home › Bible Stories & English › The Lost Sheep
The Lost Sheep
A shepherd searches for one sheep; practise numbers, feelings and simple questions.
Teacher note: Explain shepherd, heaven and turns back to God in simple language. In the Bible passage, turning back to God refers to repentance. Assess English understanding, not a learner’s beliefs. Learners can discuss the story without sharing personal beliefs.
2Read the Story
Jesus told a story about a shepherd. The shepherd had one hundred sheep. One sheep was lost. Ninety-nine sheep were still together.
The shepherd left the ninety-nine and went to look for the lost sheep. He kept looking until he found it. He was very happy. He put the sheep on his shoulders and carried it home.
At home, he asked his friends and neighbours to share his happiness. His lost sheep was back! Jesus explained that there is joy in heaven when one person turns back to God. The story shows that the one who is lost matters.
Simplified retelling for English learners; not a direct Bible quotation. Based on Luke 15:3–7. AI illustration.
3Vocabulary
Match 1–6 with A–F.
- shepherd
- lost
- shoulders
- neighbour
- joy
- search
A. great happiness
B. the parts of your body beside your neck
C. a person who looks after sheep
D. look carefully for something
E. a person who lives near you
F. unable to find the way or be found
Use two words in your own sentences.
4Check Your Understanding
- How many sheep did the shepherd have?
- How many sheep were lost?
- How many sheep were still together?
- When did the shepherd stop looking?
- Where did he put the sheep?
- Who shared his happiness?
- What brought joy in heaven in Jesus’ explanation?
Answer in sentences where you can. Point to evidence in the reading.
5Language Focus
Question words: Who asks about a person; Where asks about a place; How many asks about a number.
- ___ sheep were lost? One.
- ___ carried the sheep? The shepherd.
- ___ did he carry it? Home.
- ___ sheep were still together? Ninety-nine.
6Think & Speak
Discuss in pairs. Give a reason for each answer.
- How does the shepherd feel before and after finding the sheep?
- What can you say when someone finds a lost item?
- How can we help someone who is new to a group?
Useful language: He feels… / I can help by… / I am happy because…
You may use imagined examples.
The Lost Sheep — Continued
7Use Your English
Write 4–6 sentences about finding something lost. Use the words lost, found and happy. You can invent the story.
Plan: Who? What happened? What was the result?
Check capitals, verbs, spelling and punctuation.
8Puzzle or Game
Number challenge: write 1, 10, 90, 99 and 100 in words. Then take turns saying a number for your partner to write.
Extra challenge: Explain your answers to a partner using complete sentences.
9Success Criteria ✓
- I can retell the main events.
- I can use three new words.
- I can complete the language task.
- I can support an answer with evidence.
Exit reflection: One thing I learned…
One thing I want to practise…
10Show What You Can Do
Tell the story in 4 short sentences. Include the numbers one hundred, ninety-nine and one.
Write below or prepare a 45-second spoken response. Use your own words.