JESUS WAS BORN. The Bible Story BIBLE STORY FOR TODDLERS BABIES GOSPEL GEMS. Luke 2:1-20

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1 UNIT 5 SESSION 2 Use Week of: JESUS WAS BORN BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 2:1-20 KEY PASSAGE: Galatians 4:4 MAIN POINT: Jesus was born. The Bible Story Luke 2:1-20 BIBLE STORY FOR TODDLERS While Mary and Joseph were waiting for Jesus to be born, they went to Bethlehem to be counted. Joseph was part of David s family. Bethlehem was very crowded. Mary and Joseph had to stay where animals slept. Jesus was born, and Mary placed Him in a box filled with soft hay. That night, shepherds were taking care of their sheep when an angel appeared. He told them good news: Jesus was born in Bethlehem! The angel told them where to find Baby Jesus. Then the sky was filled with angels praising God. When the angels disappeared, the shepherds ran to Bethlehem and found Baby Jesus. They praised God and told everyone about what they had seen. BABIES GOSPEL GEMS *Jesus * was born in Bethlehem. *Jesus * is God s Son. *God * sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit 30 Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 5 Session 2

2 Babies Activities LOOK IN THE BIBLE Provide hand-size Bibles for babies to hold and turn the pages. Open your Bible to Luke 2. Show the Bible story picture and say the Gospel Gems in a soothing voice. Read the key passage card. SAY: The Bible is God s words. The Bible tells us that Jesus is God s Son! JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. [Pray for the babies.] SING A SONG Sing to the chorus of Jingle Bells : Jesus is, Jesus is, Jesus is God s Son! God sent Jesus to be born Because He loves us so! SAY: God promised to send Jesus to earth. JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem just as God promised. Jesus is God s Son! LOOK AT LIGHTS Place a string of multi-colored Christmas lights or an LED star under a clear bin. Turn on the lights and invite babies to explore. SAY: Jesus is God s Son! When JESUS WAS BORN, a bright light shone in the sky. An angel told shepherds that JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. SNUGGLE A BABY Provide a shoe box, soft blanket, and a baby doll. Invite babies to snuggle the doll and place it in the shoe box. SAY: Jesus is God s Son! JESUS WAS BORN. Mary wrapped Him in a blanket and put Him in a box filled with soft hay. Check diapers, serve bottles if needed, and release babies to parents according to your church s security guidelines. Give parents today s big picture card. Repeat the Gospel Gems and Bible-learning activities for babies who stay a second hour. Christmas 31

3 Toddler Activities CIRCLE TIME (5 MINUTES) Provide small Bibles for toddlers to handle. Say the Bible is God s words. Read the key passage card and guide toddlers to say it. Open your Bible to Luke 2. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the Bible story. Say the Main Point. Pray for the toddlers. HERD SHEEP Make sock sheep by balling up white socks. Create a pen by turning a plastic bin on one side. Invite toddlers to roll or gently toss the sheep into the pen. SAY: Shepherds take care of sheep. The angel told the shepherds JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. Jesus is God s Son! FOLLOW THE PATH Provide the Nativity printable. Tape the nativity at toddler s height in a corner of the room. Use yarn to make a path through the room leading to the nativity. Help toddlers follow the path. SAY: God sent Jesus because He loves us! JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. SING A SONG Sing Away in a Manger. Pretend to rock a baby and invite toddlers to perform the action with you as you sing. SAY: Jesus is God s Son! JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. SHEAR SHEEP Tape contact paper, sticky side out, to the sides and top of a box or plastic bin. Attach strips of white felt, quilt batting, or large cotton balls to the contact paper. Invite toddlers to remove the wool. SAY: Sheep have thick fur called wool. Shepherds give sheep a haircut. An angel told shepherds JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. 32 Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 5 Session 2

4 Bonus Teaching Hour JESUS WAS BORN BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 2:1-20 KEY PASSAGE: Galatians 4:4 MAIN POINT: Jesus was born. TRANSITION ACTIVITY: GO TO THE MANGER Place a box filled with strips of yellow cloth to represent hay under a table. Place a baby doll on top of the hay. Invite toddlers to go in the stable and see Baby Jesus in the hay. SAY: God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem. Jesus is God s Son! PRAISE WITH MUSIC Provide rhythm instruments or small, sealed containers filled with jingle bells. You may also thread jingle bells through chenille stems. Invite toddlers to make music to thank God for sending Jesus. SAY: Jesus is God s Son! God sent Jesus to earth because He loves us. JESUS WAS BORN in Bethlehem as God promised. WORK PUZZLES Provide nativity floor puzzles or similar wooden puzzles about Jesus. If you do not have puzzles, you may print the preschool Bible story picture and cut it into four to six pieces. Invite toddlers to help you put the picture together. SAY: People waited a long time for Jesus just like we waited to see the picture of our puzzle. Jesus is God s Son! JESUS WAS BORN! Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release toddlers to parents according to your church s security procedures. Give parents today s big picture card to reinforce today s Bible story, Main Point, or Gospel Gems throughout the week. Christmas 33

5 God sent His Son. (HCSB) God sent forth his Son. (KJV) God sent forth his Son. (ESV) God sent his Son. (NIV) Christmas Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit LifeWay OK to Print Key Passage Cards Instructions: Print these cards on colorful paper and cut them out. You may want to laminate the cards.

6 Christmas Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide Unit 5 Sessions 1 & LifeWay OK to Print Nativity Instructions: Print and use as directed in the Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide.