Paths of Righteousness Bible Lesson for Kids
Following the Good Shepherd
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“He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Ask and Discuss
The Good Shepherd leads us, but does that mean we, as Jesus’ followers, always choose the right path and the right way of living?
What do we do when we stray, and what can we do to make things right with God?
(Receive answers.)
(Write 1 John 1:9 on the board. Leave underlined blanks for the bolded words. As
you explain the words, fill in the blank.)
Read 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Let’s talk about this verse.
Confess: To fully agree with God about our sin—to admit that what we did, or failed to do, was wrong.
Can you think of some examples?
(Receive answers.)
Sins: The particular word for sins used here means “missing the mark.”
The mark or goal is to be like God. Our sins separate us from God. Yet, the
Bible tells us to "be perfect" Matthew 5:48. We've got a big problem,
don't we?!
(Create a target, a bull's-eye or trash can, and shoot a suction arrow or wad of
paper toward it.
Make sure the target is far enough away so that children cannot be successful at
hitting it. Give a few children, or all the children if time allows, the
opportunity to hit the target. Some will get closer than others.)
When an archer shoots an arrow, the goal is to hit the center of the target. If the arrow goes anywhere else, it has missed the mark. It might miss by a little or by a lot, but it still misses.
We miss God’s mark when we do something we should not do or when we fail to do something we should do.
Some of you got closer than others at hitting the target, but all missed.
Likewise, some of us obey God better than others, but we all miss being perfect
like God is perfect.
Faithful: Trustworthy and reliable. We can depend on the Good Shepherd’s character to do what is right. Why? Because His reputation—His name—is on the line. He leads us in paths of righteousness “for His name’s sake.”
Just: Holy, righteous, and fair. God does not pretend that sin does not matter. The penalty for our sin was paid by Jesus when He died on the cross. Therefore, God is just to forgive everyone who trusts in Christ.
Forgive: To lay aside or send away. God no longer holds our sins against us.
Cleanse: To make clean and restore—“He restoreth my soul.” Through Christ’s shed blood on the cross, our sins are cleansed and our relationship with God is restored.
Unrighteousness: All the wrong things we do or should have done.
Why did Jesus have to die?
The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord” Romans 6:23.
Sin causes death and separates us from God. Jesus took our sin upon Himself and died in our place so that we would not die eternally separated from Him. Through Jesus, God offers us forgiveness, cleansing, and eternal life.
When we sin against God, and stray from the right path, we do not need to hide from our Good Shepherd. We can come to Him, confess our sins, receive His forgiveness, and follow Him as He
leads us in paths of righteousness.
This lesson coordinates well with our Good
Shepherd-Psalm 23 Bible lessons for kids.
Copyright 2026 S.A. Keith
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