1st-2nd Grade (10:15am) October 19, 2014
Leader BIBLE STUDY Use Week of: At the end of the Old Testament, God spoke these words to His people: Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes (Mal. 4:5). Then a period of silence began. For 400 years, God did not speak to the Jewish people as He had done through the prophets. 2 The period between the Old and New Testaments was a time of significant change. The Jews saw Persian rule overtaken by Alexander the Great and the Greeks. They were forbidden to practice religion, and the temple in Jerusalem was turned into a pagan shrine. Then Maccabeus, the son of a priest, led the Jewish people to fight for and win their independence, and the temple was cleansed. But the new leaders became corrupt, and the Jews asked a Roman general to restore order. Rome restored order among the Jews, but also submitted them to Roman rule. In 37 B.C., the Roman senate appointed Herod the Great to be king over Palestine the land of the former kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Herod was king when Jesus was born, and his son Herod Antipas was the Herod whose marriage John the Baptist denounced. (See Matt. 14:3-4.) Zechariah the priest was serving in the temple during the reign of Herod the Great when Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appeared. Gabriel said, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. The name John means the Lord is gracious. He certainly is. The foretelling of John s birth by the angel Gabriel marked the coming of the end of God s silence. Compare Malachi 4:5-6 to Luke 1:16-17. God had big plans for the baby who wasn t even born yet the baby who would bring joy and delight. God would send John as the last prophet, to prepare the way for the promised Messiah. Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 1
Younger Kids Bible study OVERVIEW Session Title: John s Birth Was Predicted Bible Passage: Luke 1:5-25 Big Picture Question: Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Key Passage: Luke 1:76-77 Unit Christ Connection: As prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming Messiah. U N I T 23 2 Small Group Opening Welcome time Activity page (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes) Large Group Leader Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes) Small Group Leader Key passage activity (5 minutes) Bible story review (10 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal and prayer (5 minutes) The Forerunner of the Savior 2
The BIBLE STORY John s Birth Was Predicted Luke 1:5-25 Zechariah (zek uh RIGH uh) the priest lived in the days when Herod was king of Judea. Zechariah s wife was Elizabeth. Zechariah and Elizabeth both loved God, and they obeyed His laws. But Zechariah and Elizabeth were getting old, and they did not have any children. Zechariah took turns with the other priests serving in God s temple. When it was Zechariah s turn to serve, he went to the temple. Zechariah was chosen to go into the sanctuary and burn incense as an offering to God. Zechariah went inside the sanctuary, and a crowd of people stood outside and prayed. Suddenly Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, appeared to Zechariah. Zechariah was surprised and afraid! But the angel said, Don t be afraid, Zechariah, because God has heard your prayer. Your wife Elizabeth will have a son, and you will name him John. The angel told Zechariah that many people would be happy about John s birth. He said that God s Spirit would be with John, and God would do great things in John s lifetime. John would get people ready for the Lord s coming and turn them back to God. He would lead people who disobey God to change how they were living. How can I know that you are telling the truth? Zechariah asked. I am an old man, and my wife is getting old too. Was it even possible for Elizabeth to have a baby? The angel answered, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. God sent me to tell you this good news. Now listen! You will not be able to talk until the day these things happen because you did not believe me. Everything I said will really happen. The crowd that had been praying outside started to wonder what was taking Zechariah so long. When Zechariah finally came out of the sanctuary, he could not speak. The people realized Zechariah had seen a vision. The only way Zechariah could communicate with the people was by motioning with his hands. When Zechariah finished serving at the temple, he went back home. Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 3
After this happened, Zechariah s wife Elizabeth found out she was going to have a baby. She stayed in her house for five months. Elizabeth said, God has done this for me. He has helped me and has given me a baby. Christ Connection: God sent John to be the last prophet before Jesus. John would tell people about the coming Savior. John s job was to remind the people what God had said in the past and to get the people ready to meet Jesus. The Forerunner of the Savior 4
Small Group Opening Session Title: John s Birth Was Predicted Bible Passage: Luke 1:5-25 Big Picture Question: Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Key Passage: Luke 1:76-77 Unit Christ Connection: As prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming Messiah. paper pencils Job Search activity page, 1 per kid pencils Welcome time Arriving Activity: Hands only As kids arrive, encourage them to communicate only with their hands or by writing notes. Provide pencils and small pieces of papers. You may also consider teaching the kids some sign language. Sign language resources are available online and at your local library. Say Imagine not being able to speak for months. Someone in today s Bible story had to do just that. Activity page (5 minutes) Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say These people all have special jobs. Today, we will learn about a baby who would be born with a very special job. Transition to large group Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 5
Large Group LEADER Session Title: John s Birth Was Predicted Bible Passage: Luke 1:5-25 Big Picture Question: Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Key Passage: Luke 1:76-77 Unit Christ Connection: As prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming Messiah. countdown video Countdown Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins. birthday invitations Introduce the session (1 minute) [Large Group Leader enters from the back of the room with a few birthday invitations. The leader may choose to hand out a few of the invitations.] Leader Hello! Do you remember me? I remember you from last week s birthday party. I saw you all together and decided to make an announcement. I am having a birthday party in a couple of weeks, and you are all invited. Actually, these cards are the invitations because you need to know when the party is, where the party is, and if you need to bring a gift. By the way, feel free to bring a gift. Speaking of announcements and invitations, I know about someone from the Bible whose birthday was announced in a very important way. Do you know who I m talking about? Let s see if you are right. Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 7
Timeline Map Timeline map (1 minute) Leader Last week we talked about Jesus family. We saw how He had a family just like you and me. The Old Testament is full of stories about His family. We also learned that Jesus is different from you and me. How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man. Even though Jesus was born like you and me, He is also God s Son. That makes Him both God and man. This week, we are going to talk about the birth announcement of a baby boy with very special plans for his life. Big picture question (1 minute) Leader As always, we find all our stories in the Bible. Who has a Bible today? Today s story is from the Book of Luke. Here s the big picture question: Who announced John s birth? Ready or Not song Key Passage Slide or Poster You Will Be Called song Sing (5 minutes) Leader The announcement of John s birth would mean the time had almost come for an even more important birth the birth of Jesus! Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, said another prophet was coming to introduce the Messiah. Ready or not, Jesus was on the way. Sing together Ready or Not. Key passage (4 minutes) Leader Our key passage also tells us about John s birth and how he would prepare the way for Jesus. Who remembers it from last time? Show the slide or poster of the unit s key passage, The Forerunner of the Savior 8
Luke 1:76-77. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Sing together You Will Be Called. John s Birth Was Predicted video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Leader It s time to hear about how Zechariah learned he was going to have a very special son. Listen for the answer to the big picture question, Who announced John s birth? Show the John s Birth Was Predicted video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader Zechariah was a priest. That means he served God in the temple. An angel came to him while he was in the temple and told Zechariah that his wife was going to have a baby boy. Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. The angel said this baby would get people ready for the Messiah and teach them how to live holy lives. Even though Zechariah had prayed for a baby, he didn t believe the angel s message. He thought he and his wife were too old to have children. The angel told Zechariah that he wouldn t be able to speak until John was born because he didn t believe the angel s message from God. Zechariah went home and later found out his wife was pregnant. Just like the angel had said, she was going to have a baby! Ask the following questions: 1. What was Zechariah chosen to do? (serve in the temple by burning incense as an offering, Luke 1:9) 2. Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 9
3. What did the angel say about John? (He would turn people back to God and prepare the way for Jesus, Luke 1:16-17) 4. Why didn t Zechariah believe the angel? (He thought he and Elizabeth were too old, Luke 1:18) 5. What did Zechariah lose because he didn t believe the angel s message? (his voice, Luke 1:20) Unit 23 Session 2 discussion starter video Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Leader Have you ever been late for something very important? Watch this. Show the Unit 23 Session 2 video. Leader Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever missed something because you were not ready in time? God tried to get His people ready for the Messiah. He sent people to tell them Jesus was coming. The Old Testament is full of promises and warnings that a Messiah would come to save God s people. One last prophet came to announce that Jesus was coming and to call the people to repent and follow Jesus. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session 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, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. The Forerunner of the Savior 10
Big Picture Question Slide or Poster microphone, megaphone, or piece of paper Prayer (5 minutes) Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader Let s see who knows the big picture question and answer. Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Choose a volunteer to come to the front of the room to announce the big picture question. Encourage the remaining kids to answer. Provide a microphone, megaphone, or rolled up piece of paper in the shape of a megaphone to add extra effect. Before transitioning to small groups, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will use the kids like He used John to tell others about Jesus. Dismiss to small groups Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 11
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. The Forerunner of the Savior 12
Small Group LEADER Session Title: John s Birth Was Predicted Bible Passage: Luke 1:5-25 Big Picture Question: Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Key Passage: Luke 1:76-77 Unit Christ Connection: As prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, John the Baptist prepared the people for the coming Messiah. Key Passage Slide or Poster dry erase board and markers (optional) Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack Big Picture Question Slide or Poster special guest (Gabriel) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Make sure the key passage, Luke 1:76-77, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say Who is the child these verses are talking about? That s right! It s John! John the Baptist was the baby the angel promised Zechariah and Elizabeth would have. John was born to prepare the way for Jesus and to tell others to repent and turn back to God. Repeat the key passage a few times. Then direct the kids to say the key passage as you move your hand from low to high. The higher your hand goes, the louder the kids should say the verse. As you lower your hand, they should get softer and softer until they are eventually only moving their lips. Move your hand up and down to control the volume as the kids recite the key passage. Repeat as time allows. Bible story review (10 minutes) Encourage the kids to find Luke 1 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say John the Baptist is mentioned in all four Gospels. Can you name the books called the Gospels? Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 13
(Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) However, the Gospel of Luke is the only one that tells about John s birth. Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today s Bible story is on the timeline. Read the Bible story from the Bible. Before the session, invite someone to play the role of Gabriel. Read Luke 1:5-12. Then the angel should burst into the room and say Luke 1:13-17. The narrator should read Luke 1:18, and the angel should say Luke 1:19-20 before leaving the room. Say Zechariah and Elizabeth followed God. They wanted a baby. They likely prayed for a baby for many years. God had special plans for the baby they would have. He would be named John. John would tell others about Jesus and warn them to repent. Even though Zechariah was a priest, he doubted God s ability to give him and his wife a child because they were old. He didn t believe the angel s announcement. Zechariah was wrong! The angel s announcement did come true. He and his wife had a son, and they named him John. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. The Forerunner of the Savior 14
construction paper scissors double-sided tape markers or pencils glue craft sticks (optional) journals Journal Page, 1 per kid markers or crayons Bible Story Coloring Page Activity: Love sign Demonstrate how to say I love you in sign language by holding your thumb, first finger, and pinky straight out while pulling down your middle two fingers until they touch the palm of your hand. Invite the kids to trace one hand on a piece of construction paper and cut it out. Use double-sided tape to tape the middle two fingers to the middle of the hand. You may choose to glue the cutout onto a craft stick or to another piece of folded construction paper and make it a card. If you choose the latter, encourage the kids to write God loves you! below the cutout. Say Zechariah had to use his hands to communicate for several months because he didn t believe the angel s message. Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Journal and prayer (5 minutes) Distribute each child s journal and the journal page provided with this session. Instruct kids to draw an angel speaking to Zechariah. Writers can write the key passage. Say Let s all say the big picture question and answer one more time. Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son. Make sure each child puts this week s sheet in the journal, and then collect them. Keep the journals in the classroom so they will be available every week or as often as you wish to use them. If time remains, take prayer requests or allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Pray, thanking God for making a way for Jesus to come and save us from sin. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help the kids point others to Jesus. Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 23 Session 2 15
Key Passage: Luke 1:76 Session 1: Genealogy of Christ Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38 Session 2: John s Birth Was Predicted Luke 1:5-25 Session 3: Mary Visited Elizabeth Luke 1:39-56 Session 4: John Was Born Luke 1:57-80 OK TO PRINT Journal Page The Forerunner of the Savior
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins. Unit 23 Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK TO PRINT The Forerunner of the Savior Luke 1:76-77
Who announced John s birth? Unit 23 Session 2 Big Picture Question OK TO PRINT The Forerunner of the Savior
told Zechariah that he would have a son. Unit 23 Session 2 Big Picture Question OK TO PRINT The Forerunner of the Savior Who announced John s birth? The angel Gabriel
Unit 23 Session 2 John s Birth Was Predicted OK TO PRINT The Forerunner of the Savior
Instructions: Circle the doctor, chef, clown, and police officer. Can you name what jobs the others have? UNIT 23 Session 2 Younger Kids Activity Pages OK to print The Forerunner of the Savior
John s Birth Was Predicted Luke 1:5-25 OK to print
Today we will be tasting/ touching/sniffing: Please notify the leader if your child should not participate. Instructions: Print this poster. You may laminate it and reuse it throughout the quarter. Use a dry erase marker to fill in the necessary information. Display the poster where parents and kids can see it before class. Unit 23 Allergy Alert OK TO PRINT 2013 LifeWay The Forerunner of the Savior