TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The Lord spoke to Moses: Consecrate every firstborn male to Me, the firstborn from every womb among the Israelites, both man and domestic animal; it is Mine (Exodus 13:2). Consecrate means to dedicate to a sacred purpose. God s people were to set apart their firstborn as belonging to the Lord. The firstborn of livestock were sacrificed to God, and the firstborn of humans and donkeys were redeemed a lamb was sacrificed instead. God s law for the consecration of the firstborn had a purpose: to remind the people that the Lord brought them out of Egypt by the strength of His hand. (See Exodus 13:14-16.) After a woman gave birth, she was unclean, and she would observe a period of purification a reminder that we are all born in sin. Then she would bring to the priest a young lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or turtledove for a sin offering. (See Leviticus 12:1-6.) If a woman could not afford a sheep for the sacrifice, the law allowed her to take two pigeons or two turtledoves instead. (Leviticus 12:8) This is what Mary did. When Mary s days of purification were complete, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem, where they presented Him to the Lord and offered a sacrifice. Though Jesus was not born in sin, He identified with sinners even as a baby. This initial act introduced Jesus perfect life of obedience to the law. While Mary and Joseph were at the temple, God graciously revealed to a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna that Jesus was the One the promised Messiah they had been waiting for. Imagine their joy. At last! Today, we can have faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross for our salvation. When God opens our eyes to the good news of the gospel, we can live and die in peace, for our eyes have seen His salvation. LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Jesus Was Dedicated Bible Passage: Luke 2:21-40 Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Key Passage: Luke 2:30-32 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born. Transition Time Welcome time Activity sheet/table Centers 1
Session starter (10 minutes) Lesson 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) Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes) Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes) THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW Jesus Was Dedicated Luke 2:21-40 Mary and Joseph s baby God s Son was a few days old when Mary and Joseph named Him Jesus, just like the angel had told them to do before the baby was even born. One day, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem. Mary and Joseph wanted to obey God and His law. Part of the law that God gave Moses said, When a woman s first son is born, his parents must dedicate him to the Lord. The law also said that the child s parents should sacrifice two turtledoves or two young pigeons for the child. At the temple, Mary and Joseph presented Jesus to the Lord and offered two birds as a sacrifice. Another man was at the temple. His name was Simeon, and he lived in Jerusalem. Simeon loved God, and He trusted in God s promise to send a Messiah to save people from sin. God s Spirit was with Simeon, and God had told Simeon that he would not die until he saw the One who would rescue people from their sin. That day, God s Spirit had led Simeon to the temple. Simeon saw Jesus and picked Him up in his arms. God s Spirit showed Simeon that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Simeon was so 2
happy. He praised God and said, Lord, you can let me die now. You kept Your promise, and I have seen the One who will save people from sin. Simeon said that Jesus would save God s people, the Israelites, and Jesus would also save people from other nations. Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said about Jesus. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph. He told Mary that being Jesus mother would be a very good thing, but it would also be very hard. Some people would love Jesus, but others would hate Him. Things were going to happen that would make Mary very sad. A woman named Anna was also at the temple. Anna was a prophetess, a female prophet. Anna s husband had died, and Anna was very old. She stayed at the temple and worshiped God all the time. She prayed and fasted. Anna came up to Simeon, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and she began to thank God. Anna talked about Jesus to people who were waiting for God to keep His promise to send a Savior. She told them the good news: the Savior was here! Mary and Joseph finished dedicating Jesus and making sacrifices to God. They obeyed God s law. Then they went back home to Nazareth. Jesus grew up and was strong and healthy. He was wise, and God was happy with Him. Christ Connection: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem God s people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah. Today, we have faith that Jesus is God s Son. We can trust Jesus for our salvation. TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Jesus Was Dedicated Bible Passage: Luke 2:21-40 Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Key Passage: Luke 2:30-32 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born. Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Arriving Activity: Important People As kids arrive, ask them to think of someone they consider important or famous. Allow them to share one important person they would like to meet and why they would like to meet this person. Say If Jesus were still here on earth, would you like to meet Him? In today s Bible story, we ll see what two people did when they met Jesus. 3
Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) Color Code activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say The missing letters helped you uncover several words you will hear in today s Bible story. Listen and see if you can find them. If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Wait and Go tape Tape a start line and a finish line several feet apart. Form two or more groups. Invite all the groups to line up single file. Explain that when you say go, the first kid in each group s line can run toward the finish line. However, if you say wait, he must freeze where he is. If he moves while waiting, he must go back and begin again. Once one kid reaches the finish line, the next kid in line goes. The first group to get each member across the finish line wins. Say Waiting is not easy. Can you imagine waiting for something you had no idea how long would take? A man named Simeon did just that. Option 2: Whose Shoes? tape Tape a start line, and form two or more groups. Each group will line up single file. Explain that each kid should look at the shoes of the kid behind her. Each group of kids will take off their shoes and pile them at an equal distance from their group. Mix up the shoes. When you signal to start, the first kid in line should race to his group s pile and find the shoes of the kid behind him. If he brings the wrong shoes, he must go back and try again. If correct, the next kid in line must put her shoes on and go find the shoes of the kid behind her. The last kid in line retrieves the shoes that belong to the first kid. The game continues until everyone puts his or her shoes back on. The first group to do so wins. Say You had to be able to recognize or pick the right shoes. Two people recognized something much more important in today s Bible story. Transition to large group 4
LESSON Session Title: Jesus Was Dedicated Bible Passage: Luke 2:21-40 Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Key Passage: Luke 2:30-32 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born. Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for the lesson and set it to end as large group time begins. Introduce the session (1 minute) gift tags or stickers [Large group leader enters with several gift tags.] Leader How many of you put a sticker or tag on a present that has the name of the person receiving the gift? Why do you do that? You do it so you will know who the gift is for, and the person receiving the gift will know it is from you. That s how you identify a gift. Baby Jesus didn t have a sticker or tag that said Messiah, Immanuel, or even Jesus. However, a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna knew He was a very special gift for them and everyone else. Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader We have been celebrating Jesus birth the last few weeks. This time of year, we remember how God sent Jesus as a gift to us. Let s review what we know so far. First, Mary and Joseph found out they were a special part of God s plan. What part did Mary and Joseph have in God s plan? God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of Jesus. Next, we found out where Jesus was born and how others, including angels, celebrated His birth. Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God s promised Savior. Today we will discover two people who met Baby Jesus. Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? - 11x17 poster provided Leader Who can tell me something you know about Baby Jesus? Where would you find out more about Baby Jesus? You would find out more in your Bible. Do you have one? I hope so because we will be using it in a few minutes. 5
Right now, let s look at our big picture question for today. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: Shout for Joy (on provided DVD) Leader Is it easy to wait? No! It s hard to wait, but sometimes things are worth waiting for. Simeon and Anna were waiting for the chance to see a baby, but it wasn t just any baby. They were waiting to see Jesus. This was a wait with a happy ending. Sing together Shout for Joy. Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Luke 2:30-32 (provided) Worship Song: Glory to Your People (on provided DVD) Leader We have been learning what Simeon said about Jesus for the last few weeks. His words are our key passage. Would anyone like to say the key passage from memory? Let s all say it together. Show the slide or poster of the unit s key passage, Luke 2:30-32. Lead the boys and girls to read the verse together. Sing together Glory to Your People. Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) Jesus Was Dedicated video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader The traditional Christmas story is found in Luke 2, and so is today s Bible story. Let s focus on the verses right after Jesus birth. Turn to Luke 2:21-40. Don t forget to search for the answer to the big picture question, Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Show the Jesus Was Dedicated video, or 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 According to the laws God gave His people, if a couple s first baby was a boy, he was to be dedicated to God. That means the parents understood that this child would have a special role in serving God. Two other people at the temple realized that Mary and Joseph s baby was very different from the other sons who were dedicated. Simeon had been waiting to see the Messiah or Savior promised in the Old Testament. God had promised Simeon that he would get to see Jesus. Simeon blessed Mary and Joseph and warned Mary that being Jesus mom would have some sad times. Meanwhile, a woman named Anna spent all her time worshiping God at the temple. She, too, understood who Jesus was and told those around her that the Savior had come. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. We don t have to wait to know Jesus. Like Simeon and Anna, we can also trust that Jesus is the Savior of the world. 6
Ask the following review questions: Why did Mary and Joseph take Jesus to the temple? (to be dedicated, Luke 2:22-24) Whom did God promise Simeon would get to see before he died? (Jesus, Luke 2:25-26) What did Simeon say about Jesus? (that He would be the Savior of the world, Luke 2:30-32) While the baby Jesus was still at the temple, what widow thanked God and told others about Jesus? (Anna; Luke 2:36,38) Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 16, Session 3 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? - 11x17 poster provided Leader Waiting for anything can be very hard. Here s a good example. Show the Unit 16 Session 3 video. Leader How many of you have ever had to wait for something good? Does anyone have an example? We generally wait because we believe whatever we are waiting for is worth it. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Simeon and Anna knew seeing Jesus was worth waiting for. In the Old Testament, God promised a forever king. Simeon and Anna got to see that King. For now, we serve Jesus without seeing Him. However, we have the promise of forgiveness because of His life, death, and resurrection. 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. Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader Let s see who can remember the big picture question. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Choose a few kids and see who can say the answer the fastest after you ask the big picture question. Explain that they must wait until you finish the question to start. After a couple of rounds, invite other kids to play as time allows. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that the kids will also recognize Jesus as Savior. 7
Dismiss to small groups for Table Time 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. TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: Jesus Was Dedicated Bible Passage: Luke 2:21-40 Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Key Passage: Luke 2:30-32 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born. 8
Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table. Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) wrapped box or gift bag Encourage the kids to find Luke 2:21-40 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say In what books of the Bible do we find the Christmas story? (Matthew, Luke) Are these books found in the Old Testament or New Testament? (New Testament) Luke is part of which division of the Bible? (the Gospels) What are the four books that make up the Gospels? (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today s Bible story is on the timeline. Encourage the kids to sit in a circle. Distribute a wrapped box or gift bag to a volunteer. Explain that you are going to review the Bible story. As you review, the kids must pass the gift around the circle. Every time they hear the name Jesus, they must change directions and pass the gift the other way. After a portion of the review, say wait. Whoever has the gift wins. Play again until the review is finished. Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words. Say The shepherds and wise men were not the only ones who recognized Jesus as King and Messiah while Jesus was young. Simeon and Anna knew Jesus was no ordinary baby when He was brought to the temple. They had been waiting for the moment to see Jesus. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say That reminds me of our answer to the big picture question and answer. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES Key passage activity (5 minutes) Gift Tag Relay Instructions dry erase board and markers (optional) Key Passage Poster: Luke 2:30-32 (provided) gift tags or stickers bags, 1 per group (x4 per classroom) tape Make sure the key passage, Luke 2:30-32, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say Who said the key passage? That s right. It was Simeon! Simeon knew Jesus wasn t just 9
coming to save the Israelites, who were also called the Jews. He was coming to save people from every nation. That includes you and me. Jesus was worth waiting for. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. The key passage has been provided on gift tags, with two to three words on each tag. Four sets are provided in each classroom. Form groups based on the number of gift tag sets. Tape a start line, and invite the kids to line up single file behind the line. Place a gift bag an equal distance from the start line for each group. Place a set of the key passage gift tags in each bag. When you give a start signal, the first kid in each line will race to the bag, choose a tag, and race back. The next kid will do the same. The first group to collect the tags and put them in order wins. Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Good Wait Choose two volunteers and encourage the rest of the kids to form a circle. One volunteer will stand outside the circle across from the other volunteer inside the circle. The two volunteers will join hands, creating a bridge. Explain that the kids in the circle will go under and around the bridge. The two volunteers will close their eyes, and a leader will say wait, wait, wait, drop. When the leader says drop, the bridge comes down to capture a kid. If the bridge comes down between two kids, the next kid in line is captured. That kid must sit down outside the circle. Play two more rounds. Choose new volunteers to be the bridge each round. After three rounds, ask kids still in the circle to sit, and allow the three captured kids to play. Choose two volunteers from the seated kids to form the bridge. This time, whoever is captured wins. Say How many of you thought the captured kid would be eliminated? You didn t expect that kid to be the winner. A lot of people didn t expect Jesus to be the Savior of the world either, but Simeon and Anna did even though He was just a baby. They were waiting to see Jesus. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Option 2: Paper Bag Pinata small paper bags, 1 per kid crepe paper or tissue strips individually wrapped candy or small prizes tape or glue scissors, 1 per kid hole punch string or yarn stapler Distribute a small paper bag to each kid, along with a variety of colors of crepe paper or strips of tissue paper. Invite the kids to add a handful of candy or small prizes to the bags. Fold the tops over a couple of inches and staple them. Demonstrate how to shred the bottom of the paper strips by making an inch-long cut about every inch on each piece of paper. Glue or tape the top of the paper pieces to the front and back of the bag lengthwise from the fold at the top to the bottom. Overlap the pieces slightly. Hang a few long pieces from the bottom. Punch two holes in the top 10
fold, thread string or yarn through the holes, and tie it. Say A piñata is a lot of fun, but you have to wait until it finally breaks open to get the prizes inside. Simeon and Anna had to wait for the greatest prize ever. Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say Would anyone like to answer the big picture question? Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for keeping His promise of sending Jesus to Simeon, Anna, and us. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help kids understand how to wait and trust in all of God s promises. Clean-Up Room 11
Instructions: Count each ornament with the same color and shape. Search for that number in the box on the right. Place the letter beside that number in the blank with the matching ornament to complete the words listed. emple Si eon sa ior res ue ne s azareth UNIT 16 Session 3 Younger Kids Activity Pages Christmas 2013 Lifeway
Jesus Was Dedicated Luke 2:21-40 2013 Lifeway
Family Journal Page Christmas If your church celebrates baby dedications and gives a memento such as a Bible or certificate, look at those with your child(ren) and talk about the promises you made on that day. Bless your children with words such as Be wise; be strong; be pure. Or pray over them that they, like Jesus (Luke 2:52), would grow wise and strong and in favor with God and with people. Write your blessing or prayer below. Jesus Was Dedicated Luke 2:21-40 Preschool Key Passage: Luke 2:30,32 Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to send Jesus. Christ Connection: God had promised His people that a Savior was coming. When Simeon and Anna saw Jesus, they knew He was the Savior. Jesus came to save people from sin. We can trust Jesus to save us from our sin. Kids Key Passage: Luke 2:30-32 Big Picture Question: Why were Simeon and Anna waiting? Simeon and Anna were waiting for God to keep His promise to send Jesus to save them from their sins. Christ Connection: Throughout the Old Testament, God promised the arrival of a king who would redeem God s people. When Jesus arrived, Simeon and Anna knew He was the promised Messiah. Today, we have faith that Jesus is God s Son. We can trust Jesus for our salvation. UNIT 16 Session 3 2013 LifeWay OK TO PRINT
For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:30-32 UNIT 16 Key Passage Poster (ESV) 2013 LifeWay OK TO PRINT Christmas