Session 3 PRESCHOOL UNIT 19 1 UNIT 19 // SESSION 3 // CYCLE 1 PRESCHOOL 3-5 YEAR OLDS

Transcription

1 BIBLE STUDY Do you think it was just by chance that Caesar Augustus called for a census? Did it just so happen that Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem the very place the Messiah was prophesied to be born? (Micah 5:2) God is in control of all things, which He showed by using a pagan emperor to bring about His plan. After Jesus was born, Mary laid Him in a manger. A king in a manger! It was so unlikely. But Jesus was no ordinary baby. He was God s Son, sent in the most humble of positions, not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). Imagine the shepherds surprise when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. The Bible says that they were terrified! But the angel brought them good news of great joy. (See Luke 2:10-11.) The people of Israel were well aware of their need for a Savior. They made sacrifices daily to atone for their sin. Finally, a Savior had come who would be the perfect sacrifice for sin, once and for all. Not only did Jesus come into the world as the Savior, He came as our King. Some time after Jesus birth, wise men came to worship Jesus. They brought Him gifts suitable for a king gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Jesus is the King who will rule forever, just as God promised King David. (See 2 Sam. 7.) When you share this story with preschoolers, remind them that Jesus came because we needed Him. The purpose of Jesus birth was twofold: to bring glory to God and to make peace between God and those who trust in Jesus death and resurrection. Celebrating the birth of Jesus is about rejoicing over the greatest gift we could ever receive. God s own Son came to earth to be our Savior and our King. SUGGESTED THEME DECORATING IDEAS: Decorate your space to look like a family den or living room. Place a large easy chair or rocker at the front and hang family pictures on the walls. Consider creating a hearth using foam board and paint. You may also project the theme background slide. 1 // SESSION 3 // CYCLE YEAR OLDS

2 Key Passage song Into the World KEY PASSAGE SONG Play the Key Passage song as your kids arrive. WORSHIP Worship leaders sing two songs with the children and collect offering. Theme Slide PROPS wig sweater glasses catalog Bible Story Video Jesus Was Born video Bible Story Picture Slide Bible INTRODUCE THE SESSION (3 MINUTES) [Large Group Leader enters wearing a cardigan, gray wig, and thick glasses. He or she sits in the chair on stage, holding a catalog from a department store.] LEADER Welcome back to my home, children. Last week I told you that I will have a new grandbaby soon. Today I was just browsing through this catalog, hoping to find the perfect gift for the baby shower coming up. What kind of gifts would you all get for a new baby? [Allow responses.] Those are some good ideas! What do you think about giving gold or special perfume used to prepare bodies for burial? That would be strange, wouldn t it? In today s story, WATCH THE BIBLE STORY (10 MINUTES) Say What happens in today s Bible story sounds impossible, but it really happened. God s words are in the Bible, and all God s words are true. Show the video or tell the Bible story using the provided storytelling helps. Use the bolded version of the Bible story for young preschoolers. OPTIONAL BIBLE STORY SCRIPT Jesus Was Born Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-20 When Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus, a man named Caesar Augustus sent out an order to all the people in the land: Everyone must go to his hometown to be counted! Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome, and he wanted a list of all the people who were living in the land. Since Joseph was part of King David s family, he and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David. While they were there, Mary was ready to have her baby. Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place to stay, but every place was full. So Mary and Joseph found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby, Jesus. She wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a manger. Nearby, some shepherds were in the fields watching after their sheep. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood in front of them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and they were scared! But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid! I have good news for you: Today a Savior, 2 // SESSION 3 // CYCLE YEAR OLDS

3 Bible Storytelling Tips Use props: Keep a set of props out of sight and pull them out as you tell the Bible story. Suggested props: flashlight (bright light), shepherd s staff (shepherds), plastic crown (king), gifts (wise men). Use a nativity set: Use the pieces of the nativity set to tell the story. Add nativity figures as you come to the Bible person in the Bible story. who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Then the angel said, Go find the baby. He will be wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Then many angels appeared! They praised God and said, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus. They found Him, and they told others about Him. Everyone who heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed. The shepherds returned to their fields. They praised God because everything had happened just as the angel had said. Some time later, wise men came to visit Jesus. They asked King Herod, Where is the king of the Jews? We want to worship Him. King Herod was angry. A new king? Herod was king! Herod told the wise men to find Jesus. Tell me where He is so I can worship Him, too, Herod said. But Herod was lying. Herod did not want to worship the new king; he wanted to kill Him! The wise men followed a star in the sky and found Jesus. They fell to their knees and worshiped Jesus. Then they gave Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time for the wise men to go home, God warned them in a dream not to tell Herod where Jesus was. So they took a different way home. Christ Connection: Jesus was born! This was very good news! Jesus was not like other babies. Jesus is God s Son. God sent Jesus to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King forever. Timeline Poster Main Point Slide Big Picture question slides TALK ABOUT THE BIBLE STORY (1 MINUTE) Say Jesus mother was Mary. God sent His angel to tell Mary that she was going to be the mother of His One and Only Son. Mary wanted to do God s plan. Being Jesus mother would be hard, but she wanted God to be praised. Jesus also brought praise to His Father. He gave up His life and died on the cross to rescue people from sin. Have the kids answer with either a thumbs up or thumbs down for each question. Point to the Bible story picture as you ask the following review questions: 1. When Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem, did they find a safe place to stay with other people (thumbs up) or did they stay where the animals were kept (thumbs down)? 2. When the angel came to the shepherds, were they scared? Yes (up) or no (down)? 3. Was King Herod telling the truth about wanting to worship the new king? Yes (up) or no (down)? 4. Was Jesus just like other babies (up) or not, because he was God s son (down)? BIG PICTURE QUESTION (1 MINUTE) Say Jesus mother was Mary, but His Father is God. This made Him special, different than anyone who has ever been born. Our big picture question asks, What makes Jesus different? Jesus is God s One and Only Son. Key passage Key Passage song Into the World KEY PASSAGE (5 MINUTES) Open your Bible to 1 Timothy 1:15. Read the key passage aloud several times. Sing together the key passage song, Into the World. Say Our key passage tells us that God used Mary to bring Jesus into the world so that He could save sinners. God s plan was for Jesus to die on the cross and come back to life to rescue people from sin. PRAYER (2 MINUTES) Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups. DISMISS TO SMALL GROUP 3 // SESSION 3 // CYCLE YEAR OLDS

4 Welcome children and set out a few favorite theme-related toys, such as puzzles and blocks. Activity Page pencils or markers ACTIVITY PAGE (10 MINUTES) Direct preschoolers to mark the animals as indicated in the instructions. Say Today we are going to hear the story from the Bible about Jesus birth. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem to be counted. While they were there, Mary was ready to have her baby. Every place was full, so they found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had Baby Jesus. She wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a manger. 10 minutes after the start of service Break into groups of 10 or less children for Small group yellow construction paper scissors ACTIVITY (10 MINUTES) Follow the star Cut out a star shape from yellow construction paper. Play a game of follow the leader where the leader holds the star. Choose a child to hold the star. Lead the rest of the group to line up single file behind him. The child holding the star will move about the room performing movements of his choosing, such as skipping, hopping, waving his hands, and so forth. The rest of the children should mimic his actions. Choose another child to hold the star and play again. Continue to play until each child has a chance to hold the star. Say The wise men followed a star in the sky and found King Jesus. They fell to their knees and worshiped Him. Jesus was born as God promised. Jesus was not like other babies. Jesus is God s One and Only Son. God sent Jesus to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King forever. SNACK TIME Gather preschoolers for snack time. Thank God for the snack. Remind preschoolers that Jesus was born in a place where animals were kept. Jesus was born as God promised. The shepherds and the wise men came to visit Jesus, and they praised Him because they knew He was their Savior King. 4 // SESSION 3 // CYCLE YEAR OLDS

5 TRANSITION When a child finishes his snack, guide him to throw away any trash. He may select a book or puzzle to examine, play quietly with toys, or color the Journal coloring page. crayons Journal Page While preschoolers might not be ready to respond to the gospel, use this guide to help little minds begin to grasp big truths about Jesus and the kingdom of God. GOD IS KING. Ask: Who is in charge at home? Who is in charge over the whole world? Explain that God made everything! He is King over everything, and He is in charge. WE SINNED. Ask: Have you ever done something wrong? Tell preschoolers that everyone sins, or disobeys God. Our sin makes God sad. GOD SENT JESUS. Explain that God must punish sin. He loves us and He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth. Jesus came to take away the punishment for sin. JESUS LOVES. Ask: Do you like presents? Explain that Jesus gives us the best present. He never did anything wrong, but He was punished in our place. Jesus wants to take away our sin because He loves us. Pray that God will save your preschoolers. As you faithfully teach the Bible, you are planting gospel seeds in children s hearts. Ask God to grow the preschoolers into children who love and trust in Jesus. JOURNAL PAGE AND PRAYER Offer the journal page and invite preschoolers to draw a line down the center of the page. On one side, invite preschoolers to draw a picture of Jesus as a baby sleeping in a manger. On the other side, they may draw Jesus after He rose from the dead to rescue people from sin. Remind preschoolers that Jesus is different from anyone else because Jesus is God s One and Only Son. Pray for the children. Say God, thank You for keeping Your promises. You promised to send Your One and Only Son to save people from sin. Help us to turn from our sin and trust in Jesus. God, we love You and praise You. Amen. THE GOSPEL: GOD S PLAN FOR ME Use Scripture and the guide provided in the classroom to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, leader, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian Jesus Was Born Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:1-20 When Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus, a man named Caesar Augustus sent out an order to all the people in the land: Everyone must go to his hometown to be counted! Caesar Augustus was the emperor of Rome, and he wanted a list of all the people who were living in the land. Since Joseph was part of King David s family, he and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David. While they were there, Mary was ready to have her baby. Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place to stay, but every place was full. So Mary and Joseph found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby, Jesus. She wrapped Him in cloth and laid Him in a manger. Nearby, some shepherds were in the fields watching after their sheep. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood in front of them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and they were scared! But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid! I have good news for you: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Then the angel said, Go find the baby. He will be wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Then many angels appeared! They praised God and said, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors! The shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus. They found Him, and they told others about Him. Everyone who heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed. The shepherds returned to their fields. They praised God because everything had happened just as the angel had said. Some time later, wise men came to visit Jesus. They asked King Herod, Where is the king of the Jews? We want to worship Him. King Herod was angry. A new king? Herod was king! Herod told the wise men to find Jesus. Tell me where He is so I can worship Him, too, Herod said. But Herod was lying. Herod did not want to worship the new king; he wanted to kill Him! The wise men followed a star in the sky and found Jesus. They fell to their knees and worshiped Jesus. Then they gave Him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time for the wise men to go home, God warned them in a dream not to tell Herod where Jesus was. So they took a different way home. Christ Connection: Jesus was born! This was very good news! Jesus was not like other babies. Jesus is God s Son. God sent Jesus to earth from heaven. Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King forever. 5 // SESSION 3 // CYCLE YEAR OLDS