Episode 1 · Luke 15:3–7
The Lost Sheep
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About this episode
When curious little Mimi wanders away from the flock, the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to look for her, and a tiny clay lamp called Lumi lights the way. A gentle, faithful retelling of Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Sheep for toddlers and preschoolers.
What children learn
- God loves every single one of us, not just the crowd.
- When we wander away, God comes looking for us.
- Heaven celebrates when someone who was lost is found.
The Bible passage
Luke 15:3–7
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
King James Version (Authorized Version)
Talk about it together
- Why did the shepherd go looking for just one little lamb?
- How do you think Mimi felt when she was lost? And when she was found?
- Who looks after you when you feel scared?
Try this
Hide a toy sheep (or any soft toy) somewhere in the room and look for it together. When you find it, celebrate like the shepherd did!
A little prayer
Dear God, thank you that I matter to you. Thank you for always looking for me and looking after me. Amen.
Free printables
Print these for home, Sunday school or a toddler group. They’re free to copy and share.
Notes for parents and teachers
- In Jesus’ story the lost sheep isn’t named. We call her Mimi so little ones can follow one friend from start to finish.
- At the very end of the episode, Lumi sums up Luke 15:7 in simple words: “There is joy in heaven when one who was lost is found.” The memory verse on this page is Luke 15:6, quoted exactly, so children learn the Bible’s own words.
- In Luke 15:5 the shepherd carries the sheep home on his shoulders. In our episode he scoops Mimi up and holds her close, and you’ll see him carrying her on his shoulders in our artwork.
- Lumi, the little clay lamp, is our storyteller friend. Lamps like Lumi lit homes in Bible times, and the Bible says God’s word is “a lamp to my feet” (Psalm 119:105).
Scenes and artwork
Transcript
Read the whole episode
♪ Little lamb with a curly top, little lamp that will never stop, shining bright in the dark of night, come on, friends, let’s light the way! Mimi and Lumi, light the way! Story time, hip hip hooray! Wool so soft and a flame so bright, Mimi and Lumi, shine your light! Mimi and Lumi! ♪
Narrator: Long ago, on the green hills of Galilee, there lived a shepherd who loved his sheep. Every single one.
Shepherd: Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety… and one hundred! Good morning, little one.
Mimi: [giggles]
Narrator: Mimi was the littlest lamb of all… with the most curious nose. Hop! Over the stream… Skip! Up the hill… further, and further, and further away. Then the sun went down… and Mimi felt scared, and very, very small.
Mimi: Meeh…?
Shepherd: Ninety-seven… ninety-eight… ninety-nine… Ninety-nine? Where is my little one?
Narrator: He still had ninety-nine sheep. He could have said, “Ninety-nine is plenty.” But he didn’t.
Lumi: Ooh! A little lamb is lost? Don’t worry… let’s light the way!
Shepherd: Little one! Where are you?
Mimi: [far away] Meeh!
Lumi: Hello, little one. Somebody’s been looking everywhere for you.
Shepherd: There you are. Shh, shh… you’re safe now.
Narrator: He didn’t scold her. He scooped her up and held her close, full of joy. With Lumi lighting the way, they set off for home. And that is how Mimi met Lumi!
Shepherd: Friends! Come and celebrate with me! I have found my sheep that was lost!
[Friends cheer]
Lumi: Jesus told this story so we would always remember: every single one of us matters to God.
Mimi: Even me?
Lumi: Especially you! And if we ever wander far away, He comes looking for us… and He is so happy when we’re found.
[On screen] “There is joy in heaven when one who was lost is found.” (based on Luke 15:7)