LIFE POINT God chose Mary to be Jesus mother. Mary Told Elizabeth LEADER BIBLE STUDY BIBLE PASSAGE Luke 1:26-38 CHRIST FOCUS Mary was Jesus mother. LIFE ACTION 1s and 2s will identify Mary as Jesus mother. LIFE PHRASE Mary was Jesus' mother. Matthew 1:16 LOBL Jesus DATE OF USE God chose Mary to be Jesus mother. Mary did what God told her to do. Those sound like simple Bible truths. But these statements also reflect the great love of God and the obedience of a young woman. Read Luke 1:26-56. God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary. How did Mary react when she saw the angel? Gabriel declared mind-boggling news, telling Mary she would be the mother of the Messiah. Gabriel told her that the baby s name would be Jesus. Why this name? Read Matthew 1:21. The name Jesus means Yahweh is salvation. Jesus is God s plan of salvation, saving people from their sins. Isaiah gave other names for the Messiah. Read Isaiah 7:14. Isaiah proclaimed the coming of Immanuel, meaning God with us. Read Isaiah 9:6 for other names for the coming Messiah. Gabriel also told Mary that Jesus would be called Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32). Thank God for His Son and worship Jesus by calling on these names. Mary had a question after she heard Gabriel s announcement: How? (v. 34). Mary asked a serious question, seeking to understand what was happening. The angel s news did not make sense to her because she was a virgin. The angel gave a clear answer God s Holy Spirit would conceive the child within her. Write Mary s response (v. 38) on an index card. Mary voluntarily submitted to God s will. Does God s call to teach preschoolers sometimes seem overwhelming? Place the card with Mary s words in your Bible or on your desk. As you pray this week, read these words aloud. Ask God to help you submit to His will in your life. Mary worshiped God with her relative Elizabeth. Read Mary s praise (vv. 46-55). Her song expressed her joy, adoration of a loving God, and sense of humility. As you think about Christmas, ask God to show you how to communicate His love to the preschoolers you teach. Thank God for Mary s obedience and ask Him to help you obey as you teach children about His love and His plan for sending Jesus. CONNECT TO FAMILY Send the December Parent E-mail Message (CD) to parents to let them know this month s biblical emphasis and spiritual concepts. 1
BIBLE STORY MARY TOLD ElizABETh Luke 1:26-38 BIBLE STORY FOR 1s A messenger (an angel) told Mary some exciting news. Mary was going to have a special baby. The baby s name would be Jesus. Mary was surprised, but she was happy. Mary said: I am God s helper. I will do whatever He says. Mary hurried to see her cousin Elizabeth to tell her the happy news. Notes LEARNING ACTIvITIES Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. BIBLE STORY FOR 2s Mary was a young girl who lived in Nazareth. God sent a messenger (an angel) to tell Mary some special and exciting news. You are going to have a baby. The baby s name will be Jesus. Mary was surprised, but she was happy. A baby! Mary hurried to tell her cousin Elizabeth the happy news. Elizabeth was happy, too. God loves you, Mary, Elizabeth said. He has chosen you to be Jesus mother. What wonderful news! Mary said: I am God s helper. I will do whatever He says. Mary sang, God has done great things. GETTING READY TO TEACH Review the biblical content and practice the suggested songs. Gather materials and basic resources and place them in learning centers before preschoolers arrive. Early in the week invite a new mother and baby to visit your class on Sunday. Cut out pictures of baby items from magazines. SONGS Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. See Song Lyrics file on the Enhanced CD. Track 1. Who Tells About Jesus? Track 3. Bible Stories Track 16. Christmas Lullaby Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 2
LIFE PHRASE Mary was Jesus mother. Matthew 1:16 YOU will need: Bible; religious Christmas cards, curling ribbon, masking tape Teaching Picture Bible, books featuring babies and things they do Kids Activity Page Bible, manger figures, cardboard blocks CD Bible, baby doll, baby blanket, other doll items bible-learning ACTIVITIES LACE ChRISTMAS CARDS Bible Focus: God told Mary she would have the baby Jesus. Punch holes in the cards about 1 inch apart and 1 inch from the edge of the card. Wrap tape around one end of the ribbon and tie the other end to a hole in the card. As preschoolers lace the cards, tell them the Bible story. READ BOOks About BABIES Bible Focus: Mary was Jesus mother. Look at today s Teaching Picture with a child. Mention that Mary was going to have a baby and the baby s name was Jesus. Read a book to the child. Mention that God planned for children to have mothers. God chose Mary to be Jesus mother. PLAY with MANGER FIGURES Bible Focus: Jesus had a family. Place the manger figures in the blocks center. As children play with the figures, tell the Bible story. Show children the Kids Activity Page. Guide each child to point to the pictures of ways we hear good news. Mention that Mary went to Elizabeth s house to tell her the good news about Jesus. ROCk the DOLL Bible Focus: Mary loved Jesus and took care of Him. Wrap the doll in the blanket. Play Christmas Lullaby (track 16) and Who Tells About Jesus? (track 1). While a child rocks the doll, open the Bible and tell the Bible story. Invite the children to use the other doll items to care for the doll. Comment that Mary cared for Baby Jesus. 3
LIFE POINT God chose Mary to be Jesus mother. Make a COLLAGE Bible Focus: Mary made preparations to care for Jesus. Tape the pieces of plastic to the tabletop, sticky side up. Place the pictures in a basket. Invite a child to choose a few pictures to stick on her piece of plastic. Explain that the pictures are things mothers use to take care of babies. PLAY with BABY Items Bible Focus: Mary was Jesus mother and took care of Him. As a child plays with the items, talk about the way each item is used to take care of a baby. Open your Bible and tell the Bible story. Explain that God said Mary would have the baby Jesus. Comment that God gave Jesus a family. Note that God gives each child a family. Sing the song Who Tells About Jesus? (track 1). Notes Bible, pictures of baby items (rattle, bottle, bib, stroller, car seat, crib, sippy cup), basket, clear contact plastic (1 piece per child, approx. 8 by 11 in.), tape Bible, diaper bag, a few baby items (clothing, diapers, bottles, toys) BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Invite a mother and her young baby to visit your room. Provide a comfortable place for the mother to sit. Play lullaby music and invite 2s to sit on the floor. Introduce the guests and ask the mother to tell children about taking care of her baby. You might ask her questions about how she cares for and loves her baby. Open the Bible to tell the Bible story. Then show 2s the Teaching Picture. Play Bible Stories (track 3) from the CD. Thank God for Mary, the mother of Baby Jesus. Then sing the song Who Tells About Jesus? Bible Teaching Picture Mother and baby guests CD with lullaby music Music and More CD bonus ideas! talk on telephones play with blocks wash doll with baby wipes Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 4
Bible Story Picture: Mary and Elizabeth Rejoice Artist: Jim Noble
Mary Told Elizabeth Hearing Good News LIFE PHRASE Mary was Jesus mother. Matthew 1:16 Look at the pictures. Point to a way we hear good news. Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s
Mary Told Elizabeth Based on Luke 1:26-38 Mary was a young girl who lived in Nazareth. God sent a messenger (an angel) to tell Mary some special and exciting news. You are going to have a baby. The baby s name will be Jesus. Mary was surprised, but she was happy. A baby! Mary hurried to tell her cousin Elizabeth the happy news. Elizabeth was happy, too. God loves you, Mary, Elizabeth said. He has chosen you to be Jesus mother. What wonderful news! Mary said, I am God s helper. I will do whatever He says. Mary sang, God has done great things. Let s Talk about the Story Who told Mary good news? What was the news? Jesus had a mother, and you have a mother. Talk to your child about ways we receive good news. Call a relative or friend and let your child say: Merry Christmas or I love you. Make cards or pictures to give to friends. Tell your child about a time you received good news. Say a prayer thanking God for Jesus.