Big Idea: Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, so we can prepare our hearts for Him.
Bible Basis: Luke 1:39-80
Key Verse: “God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.” Psalm 51:10 (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 baby John jumped for joy in his mom’s belly?
For older kids:
Why do you think God sent John to help people get ready for the coming of Jesus?
What did John do to help people get ready for Jesus?
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 tell Him why you think Christmas is so awesome.
Journal Station prompt: Tell God what you’re going to do to remember and celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Luke 1:57–80. 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: If you were going to throw a birthday party for Jesus, what would it look like? Draw a picture of it.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Light It Up Connection Question
- Say: Are you kids ready for another week of “Light it Up?” Just like last week, we’re going to use some light-up presents to tell the Christmas story. Before we get started, though, I want to ask you a question.
- Question: What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Tell us about it.
+ Shot to the Heart (Application Activity)
- Say: Today we learned that getting ready for Christmas isn’t so much about wrapping presents and putting up decorations. The best way to get ready is to prepare your heart. We’re going to play a game right now that will help us think of ways to get our heart ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
- Directions: Place a small dry erase marker board in the middle of the group. With a red dry erase marker, draw a large heart on the board. Ask the kids what kind of things they do to make their hearts unclean. As the kids share, write short-hand versions of their answers with a dark washable marker in the middle of the heart. When the heart is filled with darkness from the writing, choose a kid to stand and hold the marker board up with the heart facing the group. Ask the kids what they can do this week to make or keep their heart clean. Examples might include forgiving someone, asking God for forgiveness, avoiding sin, changing their attitude, being more thankful, etc. After a kid answers, have them stand about 6–8 feet from the marker board, give them a small squirt gun or squirt bottle and allow them to take 3 shots at the dirty heart in an attempt to clean it up. After taking their shots, have the shooter hold the board while another kid answers the question and takes 3 shots. The water will wash away the dark washable marker while the dry erase heart remains. Continue until everyone has had a turn. Have a towel on hand just in case.
+ The Great Bible Skate (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Set-Up: Use tape to create a starting line on the floor. Print the “Bible Verse” cards on 8½ x 11 cardstock paper and cut apart. (See Resource Folder.) Each card contains a portion of the Bible verse. Place the Bible cards in order in the middle of the group and read them carefully with your kids several times so they can begin to memorize it. Today’s Bible verse says: “God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.” Psalm 51:10.
- Directions: Once the kids have memorized the verse, place the “Bible Verse” cards on the floor about 15 feet (4.5 meters) from the starting line. Have the kids in your group line up behind the starting line. Tell the first kid in line to place one piece of wax paper beneath each of their feet. When you say “go,” instruct that kid to “skate” to the Bible Verse cards, pick one up and “skate” back. When they return, they can set their card on the floor and pass their “skates” (the wax paper) to the next kid in line. Have the kids continue taking turns “skating” until each card has been retrieved. When all of the cards have been retrieved, the kids must race to assemble the cards in the order of today’s verse. Use a stopwatch or smartphone to time them. Stop the timer as soon as they have assembled the verse in the right order. For younger kids, assist them as needed in assembling the cards in the right order. Once the verse is in the right order, read it together several times until the kids have it memorized. Then, flip the cards over and have your group recite it from memory. Repeat the activity several times to see if the group can beat their previous time.
- Question: What do you think it means to have a pure heart?
+ Faithful Chain (Prayer Activity)
- Set-Up: Cut sheets of red, green, and white colored paper into 4 long strips. There should be enough strips of paper so that every kid has at least one.
- Directions: Give each kid in your group a strip of colored paper. Tell the kids to think of one way they can be faithful to God that week. (Examples could be: tell someone about Jesus, invite someone to church, do something nice for someone, or give someone a gift they weren’t expecting.) Next, have them write their answer on the strip of paper in the most fun, colorful, and imaginative way they can. When finished, ask the kids to share what they wrote down. Next, lead your group in a closing prayer. Encourage the kids to pray that God would help them to be faithful. Finally, when the prayer is over, link the strips of paper together in the form of a chain using tape or staples to connect each link. If applicable, consider linking your group’s chain together with the other group’s chains and display on a Christmas tree or around the room.
(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 1:39-80
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!