God s Unfolding Story - PDF Free Download

Bible Story: The Wise Men s Story (Matthew 2:1-12) Bible Phrase: The wise men worshiped Jesus. (Matthew 2:11) Bible Truth: I can worship Jesus. Old Testament Unit 4: Christmas Lesson 5: The Wise Men s Story God s Unfolding Story 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. Suggested Schedule: 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 A 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Unfolding God s Story for Teachers Please read our story found in Matthew 2:1-12. At this time of the year, holiday decorations abound in businesses and homes. Most depict the commercial side of Christmas, but some yards are adorned with beautiful figurines circling a figurine of the Christ Child. Our family traditionally displays a nativity set along with a few sheep, a shepherd, and three wise men. Despite a missing hand, a chunk off one head, and only two gifts from the Magi, it still offers joy and comfort to those who take the time to ponder its significance. While our display is beautiful despite its imperfections, its portrayal isn t fully accurate. Scripture indicates the wise men or Magi did not visit the Christ Child the same night as the shepherds. This strange caravan of astrologers arrived weeks or months after Jesus was born. They probably were from a land east of Palestine, most likely from the Mesopotamian valley. Magi were well educated in philosophy, medicine, and natural science. They studied astrology, and it was in this context they discovered the unusual phenomenon in the heavens. A new star had appeared, and they believed it heralded a special birth. The Magi may have studied the Hebrew Scriptures or heard of the prophecy of a coming Messiah from the exiled Jews among them. Thus, with their knowledge of the star and the Scripture, they had reason to journey to Judea, the center of the prophecy. They arrived in Jerusalem where Herod the Great ruled. Herod was a cruel, suspicious, and unpredictable king who was notorious for executing many, including his wife and other relatives. When the wise men came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? (Matt. 2:2), Herod raged with jealousy and anger. He called on the priests and scribes to answer the question. They revealed the child would be born in Bethlehem. Only a few miles away, the Christ Child, Immanuel and the fulfillment of the prophecy, was born and those who should have been watching were unaware. Yet, a group of foreigners from miles away in the East came seeking the King of kings and Lord of lords. The visitors left a deceitful king and followed the star that led them to the home of Jesus and His family. When they found the Child, they were overcome with joy and fell down and worshiped Him. Their gifts were remarkable and significant. Gold was a gift for a king. Frankincense was for worship and sacrifice, the gift for a priest. Myrrh was a gift for one who would die. He came to be King, High Priest, and Savior. Even in its historical inaccuracy, my crèche symbolizes an important truth. Christ was born for all people broken and torn, simple and educated, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile. All of us can gather around Him and find answers to our questions, healing for our souls, and hope for a joyful eternity. 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. OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 1

Puzzle Center: Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. Optional: Peg boards, geo boards, or other manipulatives What to Do: Invite preschoolers to work puzzles. Encourage children to finish puzzles before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than working a puzzle for a child. Peg boards and geo boards offer additional opportunities for problem solving and small motor development. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities to say the Bible phrase or briefly tell the Bible story. Home Living Center: Play with Playdough Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans; doll items such as doll, doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers. Playdough and accessories What to Do: Preschoolers will naturally be drawn to the materials found in the Home Living Center. Encourage children to take turns with the items. Give affirmation when children display positive actions. Link to the Bible Story: As children play, use teachable moments to say the Bible Phrase or to share a portion of the Bible story or the Bible truth. Center Time Art Center: Star Mural Large sheet of white paper Several sheets of cardstock Crayons, pencils, washable markers What to Do: Cut out four or five different sizes of star shapes from the cardstock paper. Print today s Bible Phrase, The wise men worshiped Jesus (Matthew 2:11), at the top of the mural paper. Invite preschoolers to trace the star shapes with pencils on the mural paper and color. Preschoolers could use a dark color such as blue or black when they color the spaces in between the stars. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers work, express that in today s Bible story, they will learn about a special star that God placed in the sky. God used the star to guide a group of men called wise men to find Jesus and His family in the town of Bethlehem. When the wise men found Jesus, they bowed and worshiped Him. Bible Learning Center: Counting Activity Copies of Activity Page: Counting: How Many Gifts Did the Wise Men Bring? (Reproducible) Washable markers or crayons What to Do: Ask each child to use a crayon or marker to trace the numbers under each gift. Read the instruction on what color to color the gifts. Link to the Bible Story: Express to boys and girls that a group of men known as wise men followed a star to the place where Jesus lived in Bethlehem. When they found Jesus, they bowed down and worshiped Him; they also brought gifts for Jesus. Block Center: Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Child-friendly nativity set 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 using the nativity figures. Link to the Bible Story: As children play in the Block Center, use the nativity set as a tool to share about the wise men s visit to Jesus. OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A 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 The Wise Men s Story (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to the boys and girls that even though we find many stories in the Bible, the Bible actually tells one big story we can call God s Unfolding Story. Tell children that each picture represents a part of God s Unfolding Story. Turn the cube and talk about each point of the story. (Refer to page 1.) Today s story is from the fourth part; God Sent Jesus to Help Us. Express the following in your own words. Would anyone like to share about a gift he or she got at Christmas? (Allow each child to share one gift item.) Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus birthday, and one way we celebrate is to give gifts to one another. Today our Bible story is about some men who brought gifts to Jesus. Listen to hear how they knew where to find Jesus. Bible Story The Wise Men s Story (Matthew 2:1-12) Jesus had been born in Bethlehem. For the time being, Mary and Joseph decided to make the little town their home. God wanted other people to know about Jesus birth, so He placed a special star in the sky. A group of men called wise men lived far away from Bethlehem. These wise men studied the stars and the Holy Scriptures. One night they were looking up at the sky and saw a star that was shining oh-so-bright! They learned that the star meant a very special King had been born. Let s go and find this King! the wise men said. So they packed their camels and went on a long trip across the desert. They followed the star in the direction it seemed to be going until they reached a city called Jerusalem where King Herod lived. They began asking, Where is the newborn King? We want to worship Him. This made King Herod mad. He wanted to be the only King! King Herod asked the temple leaders if they had read about a new king. The men told Herod the Scriptures said a special baby would be born in Bethlehem, and He would be a King. Herod told the wise men to go to Bethlehem and to report back to him so he, too, could go and worship the new King. But Herod did not want to worship Baby Jesus, and He did not want Jesus to become King. The wise men left Jerusalem and followed the star until it rested over the place in Bethlehem where Jesus and His family lived. The wise men were overjoyed at finding Mary, Joseph, and the special Child, Jesus. They bowed down and thanked God for sending Jesus. They also brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then the wise men returned to their home far away, but they did not return to King Herod to tell him where to find the new King, Jesus. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story and ask these questions. What did the wise men see in the sky? What did the star mean? How did the wise men find Jesus? What did they do when they found Him? 2. Open your Bible and read the Bible Phrase to the children. Say the phrase together, The wise men worshiped Jesus (Matthew 2:11). Talk to preschoolers about ways that we can worship Jesus such as by singing songs about and to Jesus, thanking God for Jesus in our prayers, and living and acting as Jesus would act. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in prayer. Thank God for sending Jesus. 4. Direct children to Craft Time. OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 3

Craft Time: Make a Wise Man s Crown Copies of Wise Man s Crown (1 copy for every child, cardstock recommended) Crayons or washable markers Plastic jewels or foam stick-on shapes Glue, crayons and washable markers What to Do: Cut apart the crown sections and tape together. Invite children to color and decorate their crowns. Assist with fitting and taping the crowns. Link to the Bible Story: Express to the children that the wise men were important people who came to visit Jesus when he was a little boy. Some wise men may have worn a crown to show that they had an important job. Remind boys and girls of the Bible Phrase, The wise men worshiped Jesus (Matthew 2:11). The wise men worshiped Jesus by thanking God for His birth. They also gave gifts to Jesus. 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 Star Search Yellow construction paper What to Do: Cut a star shape from the construction paper. Ask the children to join you in a circle in the Game Time area. Appoint one child to hide the star as others close their eyes. When the star is hidden, say the following rhyme: Where, oh where is the star so bright They bowed before the little King That led the wise men to the sight? And three gifts were their offering. After saying the rhyme, invite the children to search for the star. Play the game as long as children are interested. Remind children that when the wise men found Jesus, they bowed down and worshiped Him. We too can worship Jesus by praying and thanking God for Jesus, singing songs about and to Jesus, and speaking and acting as Jesus would have. Dismiss children as parents arrive. Be sure to follow the security procedures of your church. OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A Page 4

Resources and Supplies Old Testament Unit 4: Christmas Lesson 5: The Wise Men s Story Hour A 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) Bible 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: Counting, How Many Gifts Did the Wise Men Bring? (1 copy per child) Wise Man s Crown (1 copy per child, cardstock recommended) Teaching Picture: The Wise Men s Story (1 copy per class) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock 1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Coloring Page, The Wise Men s Story Additional Art Materials Large sheet of white paper Several sheets of cardstock any color Additional Block Materials Child-friendly nativity set Additional Craft Materials Plastic jewels or foam stick on shapes Additional Game Time Materials Yellow construction paper (1 sheet) OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A

How Many Gifts Did the Wise Men Bring? 1 2 3 Color the gifts: yellow purple orange Activity Page: Counting, How Many Gifts Did the Wise Men Bring? Instructions: Copy one sheet per child. Use a crayon or marker to trace the number under each gift. Color each gift according to the directions. OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A Bible Learning Center

The wise men worshiped Jesus. Matthew 2:11 Craft: Wise Man s Crown Instructions: One copy for every child. Cut apart the crown sections and tape together. Decorate with crayons, markers, plastic jewels or foam stick-on shapes. OT04 Lesson 5 Hour A Craft Time

The wise men worshiped Jesus. Matthew 2:11 Coloring Page The Wise Men s Story OT04 Lesson 5 Optional