God s Unfolding Story - PDF Free Download

Bible Story: Shepherds Told About Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) Bible Phrase: Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1). Bible Truth: God sent His Son, Jesus, to the world. New Testament Unit 4: Jesus Birth Lesson 4: Shepherds Told About Jesus 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. 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. 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 B Unfolding God s Story for Teachers The story of Jesus birth is one we never tire of hearing. Each time we hear it, something stirs inside us. This story marks the moment when Almighty God Yahweh entered human history, swaddled in a blanket and laid in a tiny manger. He made His decent to Earth from absolute greatness to tiny helplessness. Our hearts should be awed and humbled to consider that kind of love. God wanted us to know the extent of His love, so He came to us. Please read Luke 2:1-20. Around the time of Jesus birth, Caesar Augustus was ruler of much of the world. Interestingly, the world was enjoying a time of peace. Augustus was honored for this fact. Yet peace from war did not mean people s hearts knew peace. The world was pagan and self-gratifying. It was to this world the Prince of Peace came, offering a peace unlike a powerful ruler, but an eternal spiritual peace. God used the orders of Caesar to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem to fulfill the prophecy that the child would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). God used then as He uses now the events of the world to bring about His divine plan. Joseph searched for a room but found only an animal shelter for him and Mary to rest. They made the best out of what would seem the worst place in the world for the Kings of kings to be born. Soon, the precious infant entered the world. One can only imagine what was going on in the heavenly sphere. For the first time, an announcement was made to the world about the little King, but not to the dignitaries and royalty. The sky shone brightly with a holy light, and an angel heralded the pronouncement to some lowly shepherds, who were watching their sheep outside the city on a hillside. The shepherds were overcome with excitement and ran to the city to find the baby just as the angel said. The lowest on the economic ladder were the first to worship the Most High God in person. Being the first to see, they were the first to tell. It is recorded, After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (Luke 2:17-18). This proclamation that a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was made to all people. Jews and Gentiles understood Savior meant healer or benefactor. Christ meant Messiah, whom the Jews expected would rule as an earthly king. The title Lord used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to represent Yahweh gave divinity to the One born. The long-awaited Messiah had come! Tell your preschoolers this wonderful story of the birth of our Savior. Proclaim it with the enthusiasm of the shepherds. Help them get a glimpse of the awesomeness and wonder of this baby King s birth. 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 NT04 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 1

Block Center Build with Blocks Wooden blocks Copy of block figures, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus; Shepherds, Cow, Chicken (Reproducible) 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. Cut out block figures and tape each figure to a block so figures will stand. Invite children to build a stable or barn to use with the block figures. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, use the block figures to tell today s Bible story. Express that one night in the town of Bethlehem, baby Jesus was born. There was no room for Mary and Joseph to stay at the inn, so they had to stay in a stable, where animals were kept. After Jesus was born, the shepherds came to visit Him. Art Center Make a Nativity Scene Picture Copies of Nativity Scene (Reproducible) Black construction paper, self-adhesive stars Craft sticks, 5 per child; crayons or washable markers What to Do: Cut apart Nativity Scenes. Invite preschoolers to glue their Nativity Scene pictures to the construction paper. Next, have children form a stable with the craft sticks around the scene. Give each child several stars to place around for a nighttime sky. Link to the Bible Story: Express to children that our Bible story today is about the night Jesus was born. Because there was no place for Mary and Joseph to stay in the city, they had to stay in a stable, where animals were kept. Jesus was born that night. Center Time Home Living Center Picture Pose the Bible Story Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans; doll items such as doll bed, doll bag, blanket, clothes, bottles and diapers. Optional: Biblical costumes for Mary, Joseph and shepherds (see instructions below), teaching picture, box, baby doll and blanket What to Do: Choose a Sunday or two this month to provide biblical costumes and props for children to picture pose different parts of the Christmas story. A few costumes will work for multiple characters. Picture posing is dressing up as the character(s) and posing as the characters in the teaching picture. Some children will enjoy dressing up and pretending while others may not be interested. Accept each child s choice. Help interested children put the costumes on over their clothes. Show the teaching picture to the children. Explain this week the biblical costume represents Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. Help children pose as the characters in the picture. Link to the Bible Story: As children pose, express that because there was no place for Mary and Joseph to stay in the city, an inn keeper let them stay in his animal stable or barn. That night, baby Jesus was born. The angels told the shepherds about His birth. The shepherds hurried to find the baby Jesus. Simple Biblical Costume Two yards of fabric are needed for each costume. Fold one and a half yards of the fabric in half widthwise; selvages will be on each side. Cut a hole in the center on the fold large enough for a child s head to fit through. Cut two 2-inch strips from the half yard of fabric for a waistband and headband. The remaining fabric can be used as a head covering secured by a headband. Bible Learning Center Find Hidden Pictures Copies of Activity Page, Find the Hidden Pictures (Reproducible) Washable markers, crayons What to Do: Ask children to search the Bible story picture for the hidden picture at the bottom of the page. Link to the Bible Story: Express to children that when Jesus was born, the angels told the shepherds about His birth. The shepherds told everyone they saw about the baby Jesus. Comment that we can tell about Jesus, too. Puzzle Center Work Puzzles Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. Copy of Puzzle, Shepherds Told About Jesus (Reproducible) Construction paper, glue, scissors, clear plastic adhesive paper Bible story puzzles from previous lessons What to Do: Glue the puzzle Shepherds Told About Jesus to a piece of construction paper. Cover the puzzle with a sheet of clear plastic adhesive paper. Cut along the cutting lines. Invite preschoolers to work the Bible story puzzle along with other puzzles. Encourage children to finish a puzzle before leaving the center. Give guidance rather than doing the puzzle for the child. (Save the puzzle to use during the month.) Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible Phrase or briefly tell the Bible story. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT04 Lesson 4 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 Shepherds Told About 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. (Refer to page 1.) Encourage children to say the story with you. Comment to boys and girls today s story is from the segment Jesus came to help us. (Point to that symbol on the cube.) Express the following in your own words: Last week we heard the story of the angel who told the good news to Joseph that God was sending His Son to him and Mary. Our story today is about the night Jesus was born! Listen to this special story. Bible Story Shepherds Told About Jesus (Luke 2:1-20) Around the time baby Jesus was to be born, the king ordered everyone to return to their hometowns to be counted. So, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, where Joseph was from. When they arrived, the streets were crowded with people. Everyone was coming home to be counted in the census. Joseph went from inn to inn asking, Do you have a room for me and wife? (An inn is similar to a hotel.) Each time, an innkeeper said, No, we are full. Finally, one innkeeper looked at Mary. He saw how tired she was and that she really needed a warm place to sleep. So, the innkeeper said, I don t have a room, but I have a warm place where I keep my animals. You can stay there. So, Joseph took Mary to the stable. There was clean hay, and it was warm. Joseph made Mary a bed on the hay. He probably covered her with a warm blanket. Soon, baby Jesus was born! Mary and Joseph took care of baby Jesus. Mary wrapped Jesus in a warm blanket and laid Him in a type of food container for animals called a manger. Out on the hillside away from town, there were some shepherds taking care of their sheep. Suddenly, an angel appeared in the sky and a great light shone all around them. The shepherds were afraid, but the angel said, Don t be afraid! I have news of great joy. Today, a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, has been born in Bethlehem. You will find the baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger. Then a large group of angels came and begin to praise God and say, Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to all whom God favors. After the angels left, the shepherds decided to hurry to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus. When they got to the city, they found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus just as the angel said. The shepherds praised God for baby Jesus and told everyone they saw that God had sent His Son, Jesus. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Ask the following: Where did Mary and Joseph find a place to stay? What happened that soon after? Who told the shepherds about baby Jesus? Did the shepherds tell others about baby Jesus? 2. Read the Bible Phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together. Express to children that God sent His Son just as He had promised. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in prayer. Thank God for keeping His promise and sending His Son, Jesus. Ask Him to help us tell others about Jesus. 4. Direct children to Craft Time. God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT04 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 3

Craft Time Make a Bible Story Book Copies of The Story of Jesus Birth Crayons, Christmas stickers (non-fantasy; i.e., nativity, stars, angels) Green and red construction paper What to Do: Cut covers for the books from construction paper by folding paper in half lengthwise and cutting on the fold. Invite children to color the pages of their books. Demonstrate to children how to cut along the cutting lines. Instruct children to put the pages in order. Fold the construction paper covers around each book and staple on the sides. Children can decorate the covers of their books with the stickers. Link to Bible Story: Read the book with the children. Encourage them to share the book with a friend or relative. 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 What s Missing Game Nativity Block Figures (used during Center Time in the Block Center) What to Do: Bring the Nativity Block Figures to the Game Time area. Have children sit in a circle around the figures. Identify each figure. Ask children to close their eyes. While their eyes are closed, remove one of the figures. Say the Bible Phrase, Jesus was born to signal children to open their eyes. Children can guess which figure is missing. At the close of the game, ask children to tell their favorite part of the Christmas story. 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 NT04 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 4

Resources and Supplies New Testament Unit 4: Jesus Birth Lesson 4: Shepherds Told About Jesus Hour B Standard Art Supplies Standard Equipment (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 (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) Nativity Scene, 1 copy per child Activity Page Find the Hidden Pictures, 1 copy per child Puzzle Shepherds Told About Jesus, 1 copy per class Block Figures Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus; Shepherds, Cow, Chicken 1 copy per class The Story of Jesus Birth, 1 copy per child Teaching Picture Shepherds Told About Jesus, 1 copy per class God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock), 1 copy per class Parent Page, 1 copy per child Additional Art Materials Black construction paper, 1 sheet per child Self-adhesive stars Craft sticks, 5 per child Construction paper, 1 sheet Clear plastic adhesive paper 12 inches x 15 inches Christmas stickers (non-fantasy, i.e., nativity, stars, angels) Additional Home Living Materials Optional: box to serve as manger, blanket God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com NT04 Lesson 4 Hour B

Nativity Scene Nativity Scene Nativity Scene Instructions: One copy for every 2 children. Children glue the nativity scene picture to black construction paper. Children glue craft sticks around the picture to form a stable. Provide self adhesive stars to place around the picture to make a nighttime sky. NT04 Lesson 4 Hour B Center Time: Art Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Find the Hidden Pictures Find the Hidden Pictures Instructions: One copy per child. Children search the Bible story picture for the hidden pictures shown at the bottom of the page and then circle the hidden pictures. NT04 Lesson 4 Hour B Center Time: Bible Learning Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com

Shepherds Told About Jesus Puzzle Instructions: Copy 1 per class. Glue puzzle to construction paper, cardstock or light cardboard. Cover in clear adhesive plastic and cut on indicated lines. NT04 Lesson 4 Hours A & B Center Time: Puzzle Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com

NT04 Lesson 4 Hours A & B Center Time: Block Center God s Unfolding Story for Older Preschoolers, Copyright 2012 - SundaySchoolZone.com Block Figures Instructions: Copy 1 per sheet per class on cardstock. Cut apart the figures and tape each figure to a wooden block or paper tube.