Big Idea: God is gracious, so we can find joy in the gift of His Son.
Bible Basis: Luke 1:5-25
Key Verse: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8 (NIrV)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of this story? Why?
Why do you think Zechariah had a hard time believing what the angel told him?
For older kids:
What does this story teach you about God?
Why do you think it was such a big deal that Zechariah didn’t believe what the angel told him?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to God and thank Him for giving you the gift of Jesus, even though you don’t deserve it.
Journal Station prompt: Tell God why you think Jesus is the best gift ever.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Luke 1:5-25. Draw a picture of the story or write to God about your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you liked it.
Art Station prompt: Draw a picture of yourself holding Jesus—the best gift ever.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Light It Up Connection Question
- Say: Can you believe it? Christmas is coming really soon! To kick off the Christmas season, we’re starting a brand-new series called “Light it Up!” For the next four weeks, we’re going to be talking about the birth of the most amazing “light” the world has ever seen: Jesus—the “Light of the World.”
- Question: What gift are you most hoping to get this Christmas?
+ Candy Cane Relay (Application Activity)
- Say: (Hold 2 candy canes upside down for the kids to see.) Candy canes are really cool! When you hold a candy cane upside down, it looks like a “J.” That reminds us of the best Christmas gift ever—Jesus. It also reminds us of the word “Joy.” We’re going to practice passing the joy of Jesus to the people around us.
- Directions: Give everyone in your group (including yourself) one candy cane and tell them to put the straight end in their mouth. Hook another candy cane onto the end of the candy cane in your mouth. Time the group to see how fast they can pass the dangling candy cane around the circle using only the candy cane in their mouth. Play several rounds to see if the kids can beat their previous time.
- Say: In the game we just played, the joy of Jesus got passed from person to person. That’s kind of how it is in real life. When you have the joy of knowing Jesus in your life, it’s easy for the people around us to get it too.
- Question: Why should the gift of Jesus make us feel joy or happiness?
- Question: How can you share the joy you have for Jesus with your family and friends during Christmas?
- Question: How can you make sure that the joy of Jesus doesn’t get lost in your excitement for opening presents?
+ Kiss-A-Verse (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Set-Up: Using a Sharpie marker, write a number 1-12 on the bottom of 12 different Hershey’s Kisses®. Print the 12 “Bible Verse Cards” on 8½ x 11 cardstock and cut apart.
- Directions: Place the 12 “Bible Verse Cards” on the floor in the order of the verse. Each card will be numbered in order. Read the verse several times with your group so that they can begin to memorize it. Today’s Bible verse says: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” Psalm 145:8. Next, randomly place the Hershey’s Kisses® in the middle of the group with the numbers facing down. Select a kid to pick up any one of the Kisses®, show the number, unwrap it and eat it. Remove that numbered card from the verse and have the group recite the verse again with the missing words. Continue having kids take turns eating the Kisses®, removing words and reciting the verse. As more of the Kisses® (and words) disappear, the kids will have to recite the verse from memory. Keep playing until all of the Kisses® are gone and the kids have completely memorized the verse.
- Question: How has God been gracious and compassionate in your life? In other words, what has God done for you or given you that was kind?
+ Prayer Ornaments (Prayer Activity)
- Set-Up: Print enough “Christmas Prayer Ornaments” on 8½ x 11 cardstock paper so that every kid gets one ornament. (See Resource Folder.) There are 4 ornaments to a sheet, so cut the ornaments apart.
- Directions: Give each kid an ornament. Place some markers, scissors, 6” pieces of string, and a hole punch in the middle of the group. Encourage the kids to cut their ornament out and color it however they would like. While the kids are working, read the Christmas themed Bible verse printed on the card and ask the question below.
- Bible Verse: “Let us give thanks to God for his gift. It is so great that no one can tell how wonderful it really is!” 2 Corinthians 9:15
- Question: The good news of Jesus is for all people. Do you know anyone who doesn’t know about Jesus? How can you tell them?
- Closing: When finished, tell the kids to punch a hole in the top of the ornament and tie a string loop through the hole so that they can hang the ornament on a Christmas tree. Close the activity with prayer. Ask the kids to pray for the people they know who don’t know or believe the good news of Jesus. Encourage them to pray for the courage to tell their friends about Jesus.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus to forgive all my sins and make me part of your family. That took a lot of work. Help me to work together with my fellow believers so that we can build your kingdom by telling others about all that you have done for them. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Luke 1:5-25
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!