The children will have the opportunity to:

• Learn that one way Jesus taught was through the use of parables, or stories.
• Hear the stories of the found sheep and coin. (Fill-in-the-blank participation story)
• Consider the idea that God desires for all people to be continually in relationship with God.
• Explore the emotions of loss and restoration through an art experience. ("Found art collage or Lost and Found Art)

The Audiovisual Workshop explores Luke 15:1-10 through audiovisual media that is heard, viewed or made. Objectives of the workshop:

The children will have the opportunity to:

• Learn what a parable is and how Jesus used parables in his teaching.
• Find the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin in the Bible. (Recommended videos: Jesus Stories and Finding Nemo)
• Think about things that might be lost and found. (Make a video with the children responding to questions.)
• Learn that God rejoices when that which was lost is found.

The Computer Workshop explores Luke 15:1-10 using computers. Sometimes computers are used to tell the story, and sometimes they are used to respond to it. Objectives of the workshop:

The children will have the opportunity to:

• Hear two stories about seeking for something that is lost and rejoicing when it is found.
• Make a connection between the people in the parables seeking something valuable and God's seeking and valuing us.
• Explore the parables with computer software (younger children). (Recommended software: Play and Learn and Charlie the Church Mouse #1)
• Tell the story in their own words through a slide show they have created (older children). (Recommended software: KidPix 3)
• Create a word search puzzle with words from the Bible story (optional).

The Drama/Storytelling Workshop explores Luke 15:1-10 by retelling the story in ways that help children remember it. Objectives of the workshop:

The children will have the opportunity to:

• Put themselves in the story, as Jesus invited people to engage in the parables. (Acting out the story and responsive or choral reading)
• Think about who God is in these parables.
• Make connections between the parables and God's love for them.

The Games and Puzzles Workshop explores Luke 15:1-10 by having children play biblically related games or puzzles. Objectives of the workshop:

The children will have the opportunity to:

• Find Luke 15:1-10 in their Bibles.
• Retell the parables of the lost sheep and coin. (Story panels)
• Consider God's amazing love for us.
• Play a game to reinforce the story and its main idea. (Circle game, running game, hide and seek game)

The Music and Worship Workshop explores Luke 15:1-10 through music and makes the connection to worship in PC(USA) congregations. Objectives of the workshop:

The children will have the opportunity to:

• Sing and/or write a song retelling Jesus' parables about the found coin and the found sheep. (Sing the story: "Our Old Shepherd")
• Explore the hymnal your congregation uses in worship. (Hymnal education/scavenger hunt)
• Learn to find a particular hymn.
• Sing a hymn they have "found."

The Bonus: Creative Movement Workshop explores Luke 15:1-10 through the use of expressive physical movement. Objectives of the workshop:

The children will have the opportunity to:

• Express joy. (Coloring with pastels and music)
• Use their hands and their bodies to interpret the Bible story. ("Body Sox" or fabric movement)
• Know that God rejoices that they are God's own precious children.