UNIT 1. CELEBRATE JESUS / PRESCHOOL SESSION 3 - JESUS WAS BORN BIBLE PASSAGE: Luke 2:1-20 LIFE POINT: Jesus was sent to earth by God. CHRIST FOCUS: Jesus was born to save the world. BIBLE VERSE: Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Luke 2:11 (Paraphrase) Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:11 (HCSB) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (KJV) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (ESV) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NKJV) Production Notes p From simple to involved, you can tailor Worship for Life to your kids and leaders: Short on supplies and leaders? For an easy prep, enlist a host, a music leader, and prepare the Connection Point game. Then show the videos for the worship songs and other segments. Do you have musicians who would like to lead worship songs? Check out the lead sheets on the DVD-ROM or substitute your songs! v This symbol denotes that the segment or song is available on video. h This symbol indicates props that will be needed for today s session. 1
Schedule and Props v This symbol indicates that a video is provided on the DVD-ROM. p This symbol indicates that the activity is host or leader-led no video for this activity. Ups (Optional) p Huddle People: Small Group Leaders Supplies: Jesus Was Born Coloring Sheet (DVD-ROM), crayons or washable markers Intro v Backstage 1-2 minutes People: Stage Manager Props: Christmas garland and ornaments, headset (doesn t have to work; hide end of cord in pocket) and Welcome v Countdown 1-5 minutes People: Host Props: bicycle helmet Song v Worship 3 minutes People: Worship Leader and/or Worship Team Point Game p Connection 5-10 minutes People: Host, 2 kids Props: 2 wrapped gift boxes filled with paper/packing peanuts/etc. with one small prize hidden inside each box Story v Bible 5-6 minutes People: Storyteller Props: football, wooden handheld cross that can fit in gift box, wrapped gift box (wrap lid and bottom separately so they can easily be opened during the story) Song v Worship 3 minutes People: Worship Leader and/or Worship Team Set-up, v Host Briana and Friends Video 2 minutes People: Host p Closing 2 minutes People: Host Props: bicycle helmet Outro v Backstage 1-2 minutes People: Stage Manager Props: clipboard, pencil, headset off ears and around neck Ups (Optional) p Huddle People: Small Group Leaders Supplies: plates; napkins; samples of various tropical fruits such as bananas or plantains, pineapple, oranges, mangoes, coconut, cherries FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 2
t TECH Video and/or audio capabilities Microphones for singers Lights (optional) Optional sound effects available (see sound effects file) m music Angel s Lullaby Born in Bethlehem Let Us Adore Him Do Do Do The Right Thing The Right Thing Listen and Obey FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 3
p HUDDLE UPS (OPTIONAL) Huddle ups are for churches that have a drop-off time before the session begins. There are multiple ideas for interaction during this time, such as simple games that preschoolers can play on the floor or within whatever arrangements you gather your kids. This time can continue for a few seconds even after the stage manager addresses the crowd. (Print the following for your small group leaders.) Choose Between Two: Christmas Version! Leader, as you say each thing, hold up 1 finger or 2 fingers and have the kids put their hands behind their back indicating the one they choose from each pair. When you say go, everyone should hold up the fingers they ve chosen. Then, compare to see how many there are for each pair. For preschoolers, change the rules as necessary for the capabilities of the age group. Does your family do wrapped presents under the tree (1) or unwrapped presents (2)? Do you like white lights (1) or colored lights (2)? Do you like red (1) or green (2)? Do you do Christmas morning at home (1) or at someone else s house (2)? Do you like candy canes (1) or chocolate candy (2)? Would you rather have a snowball fight (1) or build a snowman (2)? Color Jesus Was Born Coloring Sheets Tell preschoolers that today they will have the opportunity to learn the story of Jesus being born in Bethlehem. Provide coloring supplies and coloring sheets to the preschoolers. Allow them to color on their pages while they wait for the session to begin. If the kids prefer to use blank paper, they can color on the back of the page. FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 4
v BACKSTAGE INTRO c Estimated time: 1-2 minutes Tech: Video option available, Jesus t Was Born slide p People: Stage Manager Props: Christmas garland and h ornaments, headset (doesn t have to work; hide end of cord in pocket) (Show video or act out the following.) STAGE MANAGER (Show Jesus Was Born slide.) Hello, everybody! Wow I am SO excited. I m pretty pumped for this season. I just want to decorate everything I see! (decorates part of the stage with garland and ornaments, fluffing and tweaking it to make sure it is just perfect) And what season would that be? YES!! Christmas!! Is anyone else excited? Whoo! I ve literally been waiting ALL year for this. I can t wait for these next few weeks. In fact, today we re going to get to hear my FAVORITE Bible story the one we ve been building up to. The one that God got ready for by sending prophets and angels to tell everyone it was happening. And now it s finally happened! But, I ll let you guys wait a little longer to hear the whole thing. I don t want to spoil it all! (speaks into headset) OK, team, I ve got an excited group of people out here. How are you guys doing back there? (motions to kids with thumbs-up) They say everything is ready to go, so let s not wait any longer! Ready? PLACES!! (runs offstage) FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 5
v COUNTDOWN AND WELCOME c Estimated time: 1-5 minutes Tech: Countdown video, Life Point t slide, Bible Verse slide p People: Host h Props: bicycle helmet HOST (Play Countdown video. Host walks out at around 30 seconds wearing a bicycle helmet.) Hey guys! You all are looking great today! Let s stand up do our countdown together! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!! Wow you guys don t even need my help. You re so good at that countdown! (still wearing bicycle helmet) I bet you guys think I look funny in this helmet, huh? Well, guess what? I THINK this year that I m finally getting a BICYCLE for Christmas! I ve waited and waited and waited and I even got this helmet just to be sure I m ready. When Christmas morning comes, I will finally get my bicycle! How many of you LOVE opening presents on Christmas? Isn t it exciting? I think so, too. I m so glad that we are together today. We are going to learn that Jesus was sent to earth by God. (Show Life Point slide.) Let s say that together. (Repeat with slide.) Jesus was sent to earth by God. Who was sent by God? Jesus! That s right! (Show Bible Verse slide select preferred version.) Our Bible verse today is from Luke 2:11 and it says: Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Luke 2:11 (Paraphrase) Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:11 (HCSB) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (KJV) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (ESV) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NKJV) The reason this story is so important is because Jesus was sent to earth by God. God had a BIG plan for Jesus! Before we hear about that, let s stand and sing together and worship God for sending Jesus to earth. (Host leaves as worship team gets in place.) FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 6
v SONG c Estimated time: 3 minutes Tech: Music or lyric video, mics for t singers, lights (optional) People: Worship Leader and/or p Worship Team h Props: none Music: Born in Bethlehem (lead m sheet available on DVD-ROM) or download Joy to the World LEADER Let s sing together to tell God that we love Him and thank Him for sending Jesus! (Show the music or lyric video.) (Lead kids to sit as song ends.) Now, it s time for Connection Point! FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 7
p CONNECTION POINT GAME c Estimated time: 5-10 minutes Tech: Connection Point slide, t Connection Point theme music p People: Host, 2 kids Props: 2 wrapped gift boxes filled h with paper/packing peanuts/etc. with one small prize hidden inside each box Game Instructions: This game is designed for 2 competing players (boys vs. girls), on stage with the Host. The object of the game is for the players to unwrap a gift and find the prize hidden inside. We suggest larger size boxes filled with paper/packing-peanuts/etc. with one small prize hidden inside. The first one to find their prize wins. Host (Play Connection Point theme music and show Connection Point slide.) (enters after theme music plays) Hey, boys and girls! It s time for Connection Point! I ll explain the rules in just a minute, but before I do, I need a couple of volunteers. (Introduce kids creatively. This is another way to engage kids.) How many of you like to get gifts? Well, today we re hearing a Bible story about the best gift ever! Right now, we have two friends that are going see who can unwrap their gift the fastest! Inside the wrapped boxes is a tiny prize that we want them to find. So, when I say Go, I want you to cheer our friends along, OK? Great! Do you have your unwrapping fingers ready? OK on your marks, get set, go! (Play for a few minutes.) You guys did a great job unwrapping the presents! Today, we get to hear about the greatest gift God ever gave us! I m so excited about this real story from the Bible that we ll hear. We heard about prophets a couple of weeks ago who told that Jesus was coming, then we heard about angels last week who came to talk to Mary and Joseph and tell them He was coming. Now this week, we get to actually hear about the night He came! I can t wait! Let s use our listening ears and be very quiet while we learn about Jesus. (Theme music/slide to transition. Host leads into next segment.) FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 8
v BIBLE STORY c Estimated time: 5-6 minutes ech: Christ Focus, Life Point, and t TBible Story slides; Bible Story video p People: Storyteller Props: football, handheld (or h slightly larger) wooden cross, wrapped present that cross can fit into (Wrap the lid and box separately so it can easily be opened during story.) (Play the Bible Story video or tell the following Bible story.) STORYTELLER (Show Bible Story slide.) (carries wrapped present onstage and sets it down) Hey everybody! My name is and I love Christmas! I also love this Bible story we are going to hear. What s the number one present you want for Christmas this year? (Provide time for responses.) Imagine if you really, really wanted a football for Christmas. (shows football) What if you wanted that football REALLY REALLY badly? Would you talk about the football for weeks? Maybe they would be the only item you included on your Christmas list. Do you think anyone else has ever wanted something that much? Remember how we learned that the prophets, Isaiah and Micah, told everyone that Jesus would be born? Then last week, we heard how the angels told Mary and Joseph that Jesus was coming? Well today we are going to find out how Jesus birth happened. It s in the Bible, in Luke, chapter 2. The Bible says that Joseph and his wife, Mary, had to go to a town called Bethlehem to be counted. The man in charge of counting decided that EVERYONE had to get counted. Well, once Joseph and Mary got to Bethlehem, all of the hotels were full. There was nowhere for them to stay! What would they do? Mary was going to have a baby soon! So, one of the people in Bethlehem put them in a barn behind the hotel with the animals. Cows and donkeys and sheep. What do you think the cows would have sounded like? (Children moo, baa and heehaw where appropriate.) What about the sheep? Can you sound like a donkey? Yes! It must have been loud in that barn all night! But this was all part of God s plan. That night in the barn, Mary had a baby. What did they name this baby boy? Right! Jesus. Just like the angel had told them. Did you know there were shepherds out in a field near the town of Bethlehem? They were watching over their sheep in the middle of the night like they always did. What does the sheep say again? Good. Suddenly, there was a HUGE bright light all around them. It was like it was suddenly daytime! Angels were all around them and they told them that Jesus had been born in a barn in Bethlehem. They could find the baby lying in a manger, which was like a feeding trough for the animals. The angels said Glory to God in the highest! Then, they went away and it was dark again. The shepherds got up and ran to find Baby Jesus. When they found Him, they got down on their knees like this (demonstrates) Can you get on your knees with me? This is how the shepherds showed Jesus He was important. FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 9
(Show Christ Focus Slide.) God sent Jesus to save the world. And, remember, everyone had been waiting for Him. (picks up wrapped present) I think waiting for something you really want is hard. But when I listen to the story of Jesus coming to save the world, I realize that waiting so long for a football isn t nearly as neat as waiting for Jesus must have been for all those people! Did you know that God didn t just send Jesus to earth to be a baby? God sent Jesus to be the Savior (opens box and pull out cross) and to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus is the best gift ever. Will you pray with me? Dear God, thank You for your amazing gift. Help us to remember that nothing we get on Christmas morning will ever be as amazing as the gift of Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen. FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 10
v SONG c Estimated time: 3 minutes Tech: Music or lyric video, mics for t singers, lights (optional) People: Worship Leader and/or p Worship Team h Props: none Music: Let Us Adore Him (lead m sheet available on DVD-ROM) or donwload Jesus Messiah LEADER Let s sing to Jesus now and tell Him how thankful we are that He was born to save the world. (Show the music or lyric video.) (Lead kids to sit as song ends.) FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 11
v HOST SET-UP, BRIANA AND FRIENDS VIDEO c Estimated time: 2 minutes t Tech: Briana and Friends video p People: Host h Props: none HOST Today we learned about when Jesus was born. Let s talk to our friend Briana about it. Listen carefully and remember, when she asks you a question, be sure to say your answers aloud! (Play video.) FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 12
p CLOSING c Estimated time: 2 minutes Tech: Jesus Was Born slide, Bible t Verse slide p People: Host h Props: bicycle helmet HOST (Show the Jesus Was Born slide. Host enters carrying bicycle helmet.) Can you believe God sent such an amazing gift? (looking at helmet) It kind of makes this bicycle seem like not such a big deal. I mean, I still want it, for sure but I really want to remember that Jesus is the greatest gift that I ve ever been given. No matter what I get at Christmas. After all, Jesus was sent to earth by God. That s a really important truth for us to learn. Optional Giving Segment: Did you know that God doesn t NEED anything from us? But one of the ways that we tell Him how thankful we are for what and who He s given to us is to give back to Him. If you d like to give to God today, (Give your own directions for how the kids can give to God. Perhaps you have buckets in the back of the room, a chest up front, or an envelope that each small group leader passes.) (Show Bible Verse slide select preferred version.) Today, our verse tells us exactly what the angels told the shepherds out in that field. Let s say it together: Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Luke 2:11 (Paraphrase) Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. Luke 2:11 (HCSB) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (KJV) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (ESV) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NKJV) I can t wait to see you next week! FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 13
v BACKSTAGE OUTRO c Estimated time: 1-2 minutes Tech: Video option available, Jesus t Was Born slide p People: Stage Manager clipboard, pencil, headset h offprops: ears and around neck (Show video or act out the following.) STAGE MANAGER (Show Jesus Was Born slide.) (checks things off clipboard) And that s a wrap! What a great day! I love the story of Jesus being born in Bethlehem. God gave us the greatest gift of all when He gave us Jesus. I m going to remember that as I m looking forward to Christmas this year, and I hope you do, too! Be sure to grab your One Conversation pages on your way out. It will help you talk with your family about what you ve learned. See you next week! FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 14
p HUDDLE UPS (OPTIONAL) This time is designed for churches that have a pick-up time from a large room as parents arrive. It s a great time for follow-up conversations and questions from small group leaders about the session s content. You also can use the missions emphasis (below). (Print the following for your small group leaders.) Why did Joseph and Mary need to go to Bethlehem? (to register and be counted) Where were they staying when Jesus was born? Why? (A stable. The inn was full.) Who did the angels appear to when they announced Jesus had been born? (the shepherds) Who was the greatest gift ever given? (JESUS!) MISSIONS EMPHASIS (OPTIONAL) Remind the kids: The Shirey family serve God in the jungles of Suriname. There are many tropical fruits in the jungle, such as a wild cherry called the Suriname Cherry. Provide each child with a plate, napkin, and sample of various fruits, such as tropical fruits (bananas or plantains, pineapple, oranges, mangoes, coconut, cherries). Discuss which fruits the kids liked or disliked. Tell kids that one of the challenges missionaries sometimes face is eating new foods. The Shireys even had to learn to find clean water to drink! Pray for the Shirey family and the everyday challenges they face. Missions Story: Shireys in Suriname More than 300 years ago, a group of people known as the Aukans traveled down big rivers to live in the rainforest of South America. They settled in the country of Suriname. Now more than 15,000 Aukaners live there in grass huts next to the rivers. Many of them have never heard about Jesus. Charles and Brittany Shirey are missionaries. They have three kids named Ethan, Caleb, and Abigail. Their family rides on motorboats on those same rivers. They are far away from the big cities and neighborhoods. There are no roads or cars or other conveniences that you and I know. They walk on dirt paths to visit people in the villages. Their life is very different and exciting, but it also can be dangerous and frustrating. So why are the Shireys in Suriname? They believe that God wants them to live among the Aukan people and tell them about Jesus. It is not easy living there, but the people need to hear the gospel. There are dangers in being close to the river, such as poisonous snakes, fish, and spiders. But, the Shireys are used to the challenges of living in a jungle. Ethan, Caleb, and Abigail are growing up in the jungle. They love telling people about Jesus. Their dad, Charles, visits Aukaners in the villages during the day, and he leads Bible studies for them at night. The people do not know how to read, but they like hearing and telling stories. It is exciting to see the people learn about God and the truth of the Bible stories. Charles and Brittany Shirey are trusting God in their missions work in Suriname. They trust God for needs such as water to drink. They trust God to help Ethan, Caleb, and Abigail learn and grow, and they trust God with the work they do in reaching the Aukan people with the gospel of Jesus. FOR LIFE PRESCHOOL 15