God s Unfolding Story. Arrival

New Testament Unit 1: Jesus Is God s Son Lesson 2: Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus God s Unfolding Story Suggested Schedule: Bible Story: Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus (Luke 2:21-39) Bible Phrase: Jesus is the Son of God (John 20:31). Bible Truth: God helps me know about Jesus. 1. God created everything 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour B 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Our story today is one of the few stories recorded of Jesus childhood. The story takes place when Jesus was a little more than a month old. Mary and Joseph were devout in their Jewish faith. They wanted to follow the law and honor God. At 8 days old, Jesus was circumcised according to the law and named Yeshua (Joshua) as instructed by the angel. In our language, His name translates to Jesus. About one month later, Mary went to the temple for purification according to the law. While at the temple the young couple presented their child to God in obedience to the law of redemption of the firstborn. Exodus 13:2 and 12-15 gives instruction and reason for the redemption of the firstborn. This law was given as a reminder of God s deliverance from Egypt. Their obedience to these laws would take them to the temple in Jerusalem. Bethlehem, the small village where they lived was only about 5 miles from the city of David. Perhaps they traveled by foot or possibly by riding a donkey. I have difficulty going 2 miles on a treadmill. I can t imagine 5 miles over the dusty terrain walking or riding a donkey, plus carrying the Son of God! Obedience won over convenience. Their dedication to God and their desire to honor Him was worth the effort. What a reminder that our service and ministry to the Son of God may not always be convenient. Nevertheless, we should be willing to do what it takes. The theme of this month s lessons is Jesus Is God s Son. We begin here not only because that is how the story begins in the New Testament, but also for its utmost importance, recognizing that Jesus is the Son of God. Were that identity not made, the stories that followed simply would be stories of a kind man. God revealed His Son s identity to Anna and Simeon. These two seniors had been patiently awaiting the Messiah s arrival. They testified to all those around that this was Jesus, God s Son. To teach preschoolers that Jesus is God s Son, one must have that realization for him or herself. We trust this truth is sealed in your heart. Teaching preschoolers who are concrete thinkers about God, grasping the concept of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is challenging. If Jesus is real to you, He will enable you to make Him real to children. Teach from your overflow. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B Page 1

Block Center Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Chenille sticks (pipe cleaners) What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Encourage preschoolers to work together to build and construct a church. Use chenille sticks to make people to place inside the church. To make chenille stick-people, bend the middle of the wire into a small round loop for the head. Straighten the two ends to form legs. Wrap a shorter wire around the middle for arms. Link to Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible phrase or interject parts of the Bible story. Explain that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to church; their church was called a temple. Home Living Center Role Play Home Activities Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit, small table and chairs, plastic dishes, child pots and pans; doll items such as a doll bed, a doll, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers. What to Do: Arrange furniture in a corner of the room. Organize the dishes and other accessories. Children naturally are drawn to this center. Encourage preschoolers to pretend to get the baby doll ready to go to church. Link to Bible Story: As children play, comment that Mary and Joseph took Baby Jesus to church. We can pretend to get the baby doll ready to go to church. We come to church to learn about Jesus. Center Time Art Center Paint with Chalk Chunky colors of chalk Black construction paper Small cups of water What to Do: Invite children to dip chalk sticks into the water for a second or two and then draw. The procedure works best if children regularly dip the chalk as they draw. The water allows the chalk to go on smoothly and creates less dust and smearing. Link to Bible Story: Talk about today s Bible story as children work. Show the teaching picture. Express that Mary and Joseph took Jesus to church. We learn about God when we come to church. Puzzle Center Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Invite preschoolers to work puzzles. Encourage children to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. Link to Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible phrase or briefly tell the Bible story. Bible Learning Center Work a Bible Story Maze Copies of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus Travel to the Temple (Reproducible) Crayons or washable markers What to Do: Invite children to use a crayon or marker to find the way to the temple in Jerusalem. Link to Bible Story: Talk about the part of the Bible story the picture represents. Mary and Joseph were going to the temple in Jerusalem to dedicate Baby Jesus to God. They walked from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B Page 2

Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Bible Teaching Picture Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Point to each symbol and tell God s Unfolding Story. (See page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. Comment to boys and girls that today s segment of God s Unfolding Story is from the element God sent Jesus to help us. Express the following in your own words: Our story is from Luke, the third book in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the prophets or preachers taught that one day God would send Jesus. For a long time, the world waited for Jesus to come. Then God sent Jesus! Comment, Our story happened not long after Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph were going to take Baby Jesus on a trip. It was a going to be a special day. Listen to hear what made it special. Bible Story Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus (Luke 2:21-39) Baby Jesus had been born in a small town called Bethlehem. His parents, Mary and Joseph, loved God and wanted to follow His laws. One of God s laws said parents should dedicate their firstborn son to God. This was a special time when parents would thank God for their new child and tell God they would help the child know and love God. Mary and Joseph wanted to take Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to honor God s law. So Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus left their home in Bethlehem and walked to Jerusalem. Later that day, they arrived in Jerusalem and went to the temple. When Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus entered the temple, an older man named Simeon was there. Simeon was a kind man who loved God very much. He had been waiting many years for the birth of Jesus. God helped Simeon recognize the baby was God s Son, Jesus. He took Jesus in his arms and said, Thank You, God, for sending Jesus. He told Mary and Joseph that Jesus would grow up and do wonderful things. Anna was also at the temple that day. Anna was an older woman who loved God and had been coming to the temple every day for many years. Anna saw Mary, Joseph and their baby. God helped Anna know the baby was Jesus. She came to them and said, Thank You, God, for sending Jesus. Anna told everyone around her the baby was Jesus, God s Son. Mary and Joseph went back to their home. What a special day it had been! Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Ask the following: Where did Mary and Joseph take Baby Jesus? What name did Simeon and Anna call the baby? Who helped Simeon and Anna know it was Baby Jesus? 2. Read the Bible Phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together. Comment about how the day was a special day because Mary and Joseph dedicated Jesus to God, and Simeon and Anna recognized Jesus was God s Son. 3. Close Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in Prayer Time. Allow any interested preschooler to pray. Conclude Prayer Time by thanking God for sending His Son, Jesus. 4. Direct children to Craft Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B Page 3

Craft Time Make a Bible Story Picture Copies of Simeon and Anna See Jesus at the Temple (Reproducible) Crayons, scissors Glue What to Do: Ask children to cut their picture in half along the dotted lines. Assist if needed. Invite children to color the doors of the temple. Help children to cut the doors of the temple so they will open. Be careful not to cut on the fold lines. Show children how to glue the temple picture over the bottom picture. Glued properly, the open doors will show the picture of Simeon and Anna seeing Jesus in the temple. Link to Bible Story: Use the piece to retell the Bible story. Children may enjoy opening and closing the doors of the temple as you tell the story. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time/Dismissal No supplies needed What to Do: Ask children to sit in a circle. Play a game called Who s at Church? The teacher says something such as, Who s at church wearing a purple shirt? Yes, Millie s at church today! Describe something each child is wearing, and have children identify that child. After all have been guessed, sing the following song to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell : We re all at church today; we re all at church today. Let s clap our hands and shake our heads. We re all at church today. Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B Page 4

Resources and Supplies New Testament Unit 1: Jesus Is God s Son Lesson 2: Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus Hour B Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Activity Page Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus Travel to the Temple, 1 copy per child Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus at the Temple, 1 copy per child Teaching Picture Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus, 1 copy per class God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock) 1 copy per class Parent Page, 1 copy per child Additional Art Materials Chunky colors of chalk Black construction paper Small paper cups Additional Block Materials Chenille Sticks God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B

Glue Glue Glue NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B Craft Time God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com Simeon and Anna See Jesus at the Temple Instructions: Copy one page per child. Cut page in half, cut doors in half and across top. Fold on solid line.

Start Finish NT01 Lesson 2 Hour B Center Time: Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus Travel to the Temple Instructions: Copy one page per child.