SLIDE 1
One day Jesus told a story to show just how much God loves you and me. The story had to do with sheep and one very silly lamb who had lost his way.

A shepherd who looks after sheep, had a flock of a hundred sheep. After a day out in the fields grazing on the grass, the shepherd gathered the sheep together and led them back to their fold, which is a safe place to stay for the night. As he usually did, he counted the sheep as they entered the fold, he knew his sheep very well and made sure each evening that none were missing.

SLIDE 2
But something was wrong that evening. As the shepherd finished his count there was only ninety nine sheep. One was missing!

SLIDE 3
The shepherd went in among the sheep looking for the lamb, in case it had slipped by without him noticing but no, there was a lamb missing and he knew exactly which one.

SLIDE 4
The shepherd told his friend that he had to go and find the lamb before dark and so he quickly set off.

SLIDE 5
His friend watched as the shepherd made for the hills where the sheep had been grazing that day. How had the lamb wondered off? Why hadn’t the lamb followed along with all of the others?

SLIDE 6
Into the hills he went calling out as he walked along. The sheep all knew the shepherd’s voice and he hoped the lamb would hear him.

SLIDE 7
Where had the lamb got to, oh dear, had he been attacked by a lion or bear or a wolf? The shepherd stood on a hill looking across the valley hoping to spot the missing lamb.

SLIDE 8
He looked this way and that, up and down the valley and over the hills. All the time calling out in the voice that the sheep knew.

SLIDE 9
Suddenly he spotted the little lamb, high up on the side of a hill. How did he ever get there, how had he wandered off so far away?

SLIDE 10
The shepherd wasted no time in getting across the valley to the lamb, which had managed to become stranded. At last help was on its way.

SLIDE 11
No doubt the lamb felt relieved to see the shepherd coming towards him.

SLIDE 12
Finally, the shepherd clambered up onto the top of the hill and rescued the lamb.

SLIDE 13
The lamb was no longer lost and now felt quite safe in the shepherd’s arms, as they headed back to the sheep fold.

SLIDE 14
It was a long walk back to the fold and with each step the little lamb felt heavier and heavier. But the shepherd didn’t mind. He was just so glad that the lost sheep had been found safe and sound.

SLIDE 15
Not far now, the shepherd couldn’t wait to get back to the fold and show his friend the rescued lamb.

SLIDE 16
His friend was so excited to see the shepherd return before dark with the lamb safely in his arms.

SLIDE 17
Into the fold went the little lamb to join the other sheep. Now he would be safe for the night.

SLIDE 18
The two friends were overjoyed that the lost sheep was safely returned to the fold.
Do you know, Jesus said that God His Father feels exactly the same way about you and me. We can wonder off away from God and it’s like being lost. But when we come back to God and become part of His family, there is great celebration and rejoicing in heaven. Jesus loves each and everyone of us so much, He just wants us to stay close to Him all of the time.

SLIDE 19