| LESSON OBJECTIVE |
Topics:
Angels, Birth
of Christ, Christmas,
Pleasing God
After completing this lesson, children will learn that God has great
things in store for all of us as we live lives that are pleasing to
Him.
Bulletin Board Idea: Angels
Singing!
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| AS KIDS ARRIVE (15 minutes) |
Give an index card and pencil to each child as they arrive. Ask
them to write down at least four things about themselves that make
them likeable. When everyone has at least four things, collect all
the cards. Then read them one by one to the class and have the kids
try to guess who it is. After everyone has guessed, let the owner
of the card speak up. How many did each child guess correctly?
This activity will prepare the kids to think about characteristics
that are pleasing to God. They will also use this information as a
reference during the scripture reading discussion questions.
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| OPENING PRAYER AND PRAISES
(5 minutes) Further info? Click here |
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| MEMORY WORK (6 minutes) |
Missing Vowels (Memory Verse Puzzle)
Click here
"Therefore, as God's chosen
people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" Colossians 3:12.
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| SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION (15 minutes) |
Introduction:
Many years ago in Galilee, in a town called Nazareth, there lived
a young woman named Mary. She was about to be married. During those
days, it was customary for girls to be promised to be given away as
young brides as soon as they reached puberty, which is about twelve years old.
This custom was called betrothal, or engagement. The girl's parents
had a lot to do with these decisions, not like today where the man
and woman decide if they want to get married. A betrothal is
not a practice in our culture today, but that was not the only unusual
thing about Mary's engagement. She also had a strange visitor
just before she was married. This visitor gave her news that
was not only surprising, but it turned out to be Good News for all
ages to come. Our story today is found in Luke 1:26-38.
Luke 1:26-38 (Jesus' Birth Foretold)
Have the kids find this story in their Bibles. Ask for volunteers
to read the passage, or if you prefer you can read it to the children.
Discussion Questions:
1. Does anyone know the significance of Gabriel's visit being on
the 6th month?
(Refer to Luke 1:5-25 for background information.
Gabriel also visited Zechariah before the birth of John the Baptist,
who was to be a prophet of the most high, and a forerunner of Jesus.
Zechariah's wife was named Elizabeth, who was also Mary's cousin.
John needed to be born before Jesus so he could tell the people
to get prepared for the arrival of Jesus. The angel visited Mary
about six months after John the Baptist was conceived.)
2. How did Mary react when Gabriel greeted her? (She was troubled
at the greeting.)
3. After telling Mary not to be afraid, what was the Good News
that Mary received? (She will give birth to a son named Jesus. He would be great,
and called the Son of the Most High.)
4. Why was Mary chosen to be the mother of Jesus? (She found
favor with God. See Luke 1:28.)
5. God was pleased when Mary surrendered to His Will and became obedient to Him. What other characteristics do you think Mary may have had that were pleasing to God? (The kids may want to refer to the list they created when they
arrived.)
6. How about you? In what ways can you be pleasing to God, your parents,
or your friends? Will others see you as a good person with these characteristics?
(Allow for discussion.)
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| CLASS EXERCISE (20 minutes) |
Knock-Knock (Game) Click here
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| APPLICATION (2 minutes) |
There are many words in the English language that mean "pleasing
to God". Virtue, goodness, holiness, righteousness, honor, uprightness,
integrity, and morality are a few. When these characteristics are missing,
the person is not complete. Just like a memory verse with missing
vowels. But a person who is pleasing to God and pleasing
to others can be used in a mighty way. That's how God used Mary above all the other virgins to
be the mother of His only Son. How wonderful! Who knows what great
things are in store for all of us as we live lives that are pleasing
to God.
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| NEXT WEEK |
Do you know who your grandfather is? How about your great-grandfather?
How about your great-great-grandfather? Next week, we will discover
who the great-grandfather of Jesus was, with great said 38 times.
Any guesses?
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| CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Further info? Click here |
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| TAKE HOME PAGE |
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home.
Click here for NIV or KJV
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