Jesus Calls the Disciples

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following passages:

Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9; 10:1-4; Mark 1:16; Luke 5

One day, after Jesus returned from his time in the desert, he was walking along the sea of Galilee. While walking he came across some brothers, Simon (who he would later call Peter) and his brother Andrew who were in their fishing boats mending their nests. He cried out to them “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!” Simon and Andrew left everything in their boat and followed Jesus. Soon after Jesus saw another set of brothers, James and John. They were also in their fishing boats with their father. Jesus made them the same offer. The brothers left everything they were doing with their father and followed after Jesus. Jesus called a total of 12 men to be his disciples: Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas. To these men Jesus gave power against unclean spirits and to heal illnesses and disease.

Object Lesson

Directions:
1. Select 2 or 3 children to be your special helpers for the day. Have these children help you pass out craft supplies, help clean up messes, or even be leaders for the games.
2. At the end of class ask the helpers how it made them feel to be selected as special helpers for the day. Tell them that the men Jesus chose to be his disciples must have felt just as special, because many of them left their jobs and homes to follow Jesus!

Memory Verse

Matthew 4:19
And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”

Jesus Connection

Just as Jesus called these 12 men to be his disciples, he also calls each of us to follow him. He wants us to be like Christ and to teach others to be like him as well (Matthew 28:19-20)

Songs

Fishers of Men

I will make you fishers of men,
Fishers of men, fishers of men.
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow Me.

If you follow Me,
If you follow Me,
I will make you fishers of men,
If you follow Me.

Hear Christ calling "Come unto Me
Come unto Me, Come unto Me."
Hear Christ calling "Come unto Me
I will give you rest."

"I will give you rest.
I will give you rest.
Hear Christ calling "Come unto Me
I will give you rest."

Games/Activities

Red Rover, Red Rover

Directions:
1. Create two teams of equal size. Line up the teams opposite each other, no more than 30 feet apart. Have each line of children form a chain by holding hands with the person next to them.
2. The first team agrees to call one player from the opposite team, and chants, “Red rover, red rover, sent (child’s name) right over!”
3. The person called runs to the other line and attempts to break the chain.
4. If the person called fails to break the chain, he/she joins that team.
5. If the person is successful in breaking the chain, he/she may bring back to his/her team one of the two children whose link was broken.
6. Teams take turns calling out red rover and challenging a child from the opposite team until one team has only one child left, or the teacher calls an end to the game.

Crafts

Fishing Poles

Supplies Needed:
• Sticks or thin dowel rod poles
• String
• Foam sheets
• Sharpies
• Scissors
• Hole punch
Directions:
1. Allow the children to choose one color foam. Using a sharpie, draw an outline of a fish on the foam. Cut out the fish with scissors.
2. Use a sharpie to write today’s bible verse on the fish.
3. Punch a hole in the mouth side of the fish and tie one end of a string in the hole.
4. Tie the other end of the string to one end of the stick/pole. You now have a fishing pole!

Coloring Page

Boy Jesus

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

Luke 2:41-52

Every year Mary and Joseph made a trip to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. When Jesus was 12 years old, it was no exception. After the celebrations were over, Mary and Joseph left Jerusalem to return to their home in Nazareth. They were traveling with family and friends, and they assumed that Jesus was there with the family. The group traveled for an entire day before Mary and Joseph started to look for Jesus. When they realized that he was not with their group, they returned to Jerusalem and began searching for Jesus. After 3 days they found the young boy in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening and asking questions. When questioned about his behavior, Jesus told his parents that he had to be in the Father’s house. Jesus obediently returned to Nazareth with his parents where he grew in favor with both God and man.

Object Lesson

Supplies Needed:
• A ‘Where’s Waldo’ type collage of Bible times looking characters
• A legend with several of the collage characters (Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Zechariah, Elizabeth…)
Directions:
1. Display the collage for all to see. Pass around the legend for everyone to take a close look at so they know who they will be looking for.
2. Explain to the children that Jesus and his family were traveling with many people. Mary and Joseph did not know that Jesus was not with them. Tell the children that they will help look for Jesus, as well as some of his family members who may have been traveling with them.
3. Ask the children how they think Mary and Joseph must have felt when they were not able to find Jesus right away. How would they feel if they got separated from their mom and dad? Where is a safe place they can go if they get separated from their mom and dad?

Memory Verse

Luke 2:52
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and man.

Jesus Connection

In this story we can clearly see that Jesus is aware that he is both fully God and fully man. He was able to discuss the scriptures with the teachers (who were amazed at his understanding), and yet He was still obedient to his earthly parents and submitted himself to their parental authority. We can learn from Jesus’ example by spending time in the Bible and learning from our pastors and teachers, while also being obedient to our parents. God looks favorably on this kind of behavior and so do the people around us. (Luke 2:52)

Songs

O-B-E-Y (from the Donut Man)

O-B-E-Y obey your mom and dad
O-B-E-Y makes them very glad
Listen to the words they say
Obey your parents every day
O-B-E-Y obey your mom and dad

Games/Activities

Hide and Seek

*Use this game if you have the space available, or if you can be in a contained, outside environment.
Directions:
1. Choose one person to be it.
2. The person who is it has to close their eyes and count to 20.
3. All other students must hide themselves while the it person is counting.
4. The person who is it must search out all the other students until they are all found.

Find Jesus

Supplies Needed:
• A small toy that can represent Jesus (LEGO, Little People, Action Figure…)
Directions:
1. Before the children arrive, hide the small toy someplace in the room (so that the kids who arrive early cannot find it!)
2. Explain to the children that Jesus is someplace in the room and they must find him. (Also tell them what kind of toy it is that is representing Jesus.)
3. Allow the children to work together, or to race against each other in order to find Jesus.

Crafts

Scrolls

Supplies Needed:
• White paper, cut in half the long way
• Popsicle sticks
• Glue
• Colors
• Rubber bands
• The memory verse
Directions:
1. Explain to the children that people in Jesus time read their bible from scrolls. Today you will be making scrolls.
2. Give each child a half sheet of white paper that has been cut in half the long way.
3. Using colors, allow each child to write the memory verse on the paper, and draw any addition decorations they choose.
4. If the children are older, you can give them the suggestion to tear the edges of the paper and crumble it up to give it a more old look.
5. Give each child two popsicle sticks to glue to the short sides of their paper.
6. Roll up the scroll from both ends at the same time, until the popsicle sticks meet in the center.
7. Hold the scroll together using a rubber band.

Coloring Page

Sermon on the Mount: Salt and Light

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

Matthew 5:13-16

Jesus continues his teaching of the Sermon on the Mount by making two comparisons. First he says that we are like salt. Salt is used to flavor and preserve food. If salt loses its taste, then it is no longer good for anything. As Christians, we are to function the same way in the world, but if we do not continue to function in this manner, we are good for nothing. In the second comparison, Jesus says we are like light. When we light a candle, we do not put a bowl on top of it. This hides, or even puts out the light. Instead, we put it on a table or a shelf where everybody can see it. Just as you cannot hide a city on a hill, you want to place the light where it is seen by all. As Christians, we are to function the same way in the world as light does in a house. When we are light salt and light in the world, it brings glory to God.

Object Lessons:

Object lesson #1: Salt

Supplies Needed:
• Salt
Directions:
1. Invite the children to taste some salt. Ask them what salt is used for.
2. Explain that salt is very useful for flavoring and preserving food. If salt does not taste salty any more, then we can no longer use it in food. All we can do with it is throw it away.

Object Lesson #2: Light

Supplies Needed:
• A small candle (tea light)
• A cup or a bowl (big enough to put the candle under)
• A lighter/matches
Directions:
1. Light the candle and set it in front of the children. Explain to the children that we light candles to people can see. It would be pointless to light a candle and then hide it. (Take the bowl/cup and cover the candle.) We can no longer see the light. In fact, if the bowl is left on the candle long enough, the fire will go out. (Pick up the bowl and reveal no more flame.) God wants to use us like the candle. He wants to put us in places around the world where we can let our lights shine brightly for Him. This kind of living makes Him happy.

Memory Verse:

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Jesus Connection:

In this passage, Jesus tells us that we are all lights in the world. What does our light reveal? Our light reveals the purest, brightest light of them all, Jesus himself. In John 8:12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus declares that he is lighting the way to God. If we walk in his light, then we have his light in us. With his light in us, we can show the world the glory of God so that it is clear and easy to see.

Songs

This Little Light of Mine

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
All around the neighborhood, I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Don’t let Satan [blow] it out! I’m going to let it shine.
Let it shine, let it shin, let it shine.

Games/Activities

Cup Stacking

Supplies Needed:
• Plastic cups (10 per child)
• Blind folds
Directions:
1. Give each child 10 plastic cups. Keep them stacked together. When you say ‘go’, all the children race to stack their cups in the shape of a pyramid (4 on bottom, the three, and then two, then one on top). Restack cups together and repeat the race as many times as you wish.
2. Have the children stack their cups in front of them. Blindfold each child and repeat the cup stacking race. Repeat the blindfolded race as many times as you wish.
3. Ask the children which race was more difficult. Explain that when we have the light of Jesus in our lives, he helps us see the path in front of us that God wants us to walk in.

Crafts

Lantern

Supplies Needed:
• Small glass jars (pint sized)
• Crepe paper in various colors
• Glue sticks
• Tea light candles
• A lighter
Directions:
1. Give each child a glass jar and a glue stick.
2. Cut out and glue colored crepe paper to the outside of the glass jar. (I had small 1 inch squares already cut from various colors.)
3. Place a tea light candle in the bottom of the jar and light it. Enjoy the colorful glow.

Coloring Page

Jesus and the Woman at the Well

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

John 4:1-43

Jesus and his disciples were on their way to Galilee from Judah. Most Jews would take the long way, to avoid Samaria because they did not like the Samaritan people, but Jesus wanted to go straight through this land. They stopped at a well on the outskirts of a little village. Jesus was hungry, so the disciples all went into the village to buy some food. While Jesus was waiting for them to return, a woman from the village came to get water. Jesus asked her for some water to drink. This request surprised the woman, because not only was she a woman (men and women did not speak very often in public), but she was also a Samaritan and Jesus was a Jew.  Jesus began to speak to the woman about living water. The woman wanted this living water of which Jesus spoke. Jesus told her to go back to the village and get her husband. When the woman admitted that she had no husband, Jesus commended her for her honesty, saying in fact that she was also currently living in sin with a man.  At this the woman realized that Jesus was a prophet and asked questions about the proper place to worship. She revealed that she knew the Messiah was coming and would explain these things to them. Jesus then told her that he was that man they were waiting for. At this the woman left Jesus and ran back to the village to tell everyone what had happened. They all came out to see the man she had told them about.
As the woman was leaving, the disciples came back with food. Jesus told them that he had food they did not know about, that his food was to do the will of God. As the villagers were coming out to see him, Jesus told his disciples to look up, for the fields are ready for harvest. Many people believed in Jesus that day because of the testimony of the woman. Jesus stayed with them for two more days. Many more believed in him during that time. After this, Jesus left for Galilee.

Object Lesson

Supplies Needed:
• A glass of water
Directions:
1. Before you share the story, hold up the glass of water. Ask the children:
a. What is this?
b. When do you like to drink water?
c. After you drink, are you ever thirsty again?
i. Why?
2. Explain to the children that science says we are thirsty again because water escapes our body in many ways and has to be replenished if we are to live. In this story Jesus defies logical science and says that he can give us water that will make us never thirst again!

Memory Verse

John 4:42
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

Jesus Connection

From the time of Adam and Eve, when God pronounce the curse over mankind, to the time of Noah, to the time when Jesus was born, people had been waiting for the arrival of their Messiah. The woman in this story revealed that people knew he was coming (vs.25). Jesus not only confirmed that they should be waiting, but also revealed to her that he was the one they had been waiting for. The long awaited Messiah had finally arrived!
God loves the whole world. We saw that in the story of Nicodemus. (John 3:16) While most Jews found it difficult to interact with Samaritans and with women, Jesus casts aside social barriers and accepts the Samaritan woman as she was; a sinner who needs the love of God. God extends this same love to us today. He still reaches past social barriers with the love of Christ. Jesus is ‘not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ (2 Peter 3:9)

Songs

Deep and Wide

Deep and wide,
Deep and wide,
There’s a fountain flowing
Deep and wide.
Deep and wide,
Deep and wide,
There’s a fountain flowing
Deep and wide.

Wide and deep,
Wide and deep,
There’s a fountain flowing
Wide and deep.
Wide and deep,
Wide and deep,
There’s a fountain flowing
Wide and deep.

Games/Activities

River Tag:

Directions:
1. Explain that Jesus is the living water.
2. This is a game of tag. Choose one child to be it. All other children can run around the playing area as if they are swimming. (You may want to clear away any obstacles that can be tripped over or cause injury.)
3. If someone is tagged by the person who is it, they must sit down.
4. To get a sitting person back in the game, someone must swim in a circle around them.
5. The game is over when everyone has been tagged or when the teacher says stop.
6. Repeat this game as many times as you wish, giving a different child the chance to be it.

Drops of God’s Word

Supplies Needed:
• Rain drops templates
• Marker
• Bible verse
• Paper clips
• Magnet
• Plastic cup
• String
• Hole punch
Directions:
1. Prep this game before class. Print and cut out the rain drops templates (on blue paper if available). On one side of the raid drop write a word from the bible verse. On the reverse side write the number corresponding with that word’s location in the verse. Attach a paper clip to each rain drop.  Punch two holes in the top of the plastic cup. Tie a sting in the holes so that the cup can be raised and lowered like a bucket. Attach a magnet to the bottom of the cup.
2. In a contained area, scatter the rain drops. One at a time, have the children ‘scoop’ up the water drops. Encourage the children to work together to put the rain drops in order to reveal the bible verse for the day.

Crafts

3D Well

Supplies Needed:
• Well templates
• Scissors
• Colors
• Glue
• Tape
Directions:
1. Give each child a well template page to color.
2. Cut out the template along the solid lines.
3. Fold along the dotted lines, gluing/taping the tabs in place.

Coloring Page

The Wise Men

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

Matthew 2

One day, about two years after Jesus was born, King Herod was sitting on his throne when several wise men from faraway places came to him.  They wise men asked King Herod, “Where is the one who is to be born ‘King of the Jews’?  We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” This was very upsetting to King Herod.  King Herod was a very proud man.  He thought he was the best king.  He wanted to be the only king.  So he asked his priest where the bible said the Messiah (or Savior) was to be born.  They told him, Bethlehem.  Next King Herod asked the wise men when the star first appeared that they were following.  They told him two years ago.  King Herod was making a plan to kill the baby so that he would not become king.  Then King Herod sent the wise men on their way and told them to come back when they found the baby.
When the wise men found Jesus, they bowed down and worshipped him.  They also gave him some very expensive gifts; gold, frankincense and myrrh. God was looking after Jesus.  In a dream, God warned the wise men not to go back to King Herod.  So, when the wise men left, they went home in another direction.
When Herod realized he had been tricked by the wise men, he gave orders to have all baby boys two years old and younger killed. God warned Joseph in a dream to escape to Egypt. After Herod died, God told Joseph in another dream that it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus.

Object Lesson

Gifts for a King

Supplies Needed:
• Something gold colored
• Something that smells sweet like incense (potpourri spray)
• A spice (cinnamon or nutmeg)
Directions:
1. As you are telling the story of the wise men, pull out the appropriate representation of the wise men’s gifts.
2. Explain that gold is what Mary and Joseph would have used like money. It would have helped them with their daily living expenses. It is something they needed to live.
3. Explain that frankincense is like sweet smelling incense. It is something that Mary and Joseph would have used to worship God. It was a spiritual gift.
4. Explain that myrrh is like a spice. It was very expensive and smelled very nice. It was often used to prepare a body for burial. While this gift was symbolic, it was also very practical. It was something people wanted to have. Mary and Joseph most likely sold this expensive perfume and used the money to travel to Egypt and escape Kind Herod.

Memory Verse

Matthew 2:6
"But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.”

Jesus Connection

The wise men sought out the Messiah and they found him. Deuteronomy 4:29 says that if you “seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all of your heart.” Jesus wants to be found by us. If we are seeking him with all of our heart, then he will reveal himself to us, just as he did for the wise men by placing a star in the sky to guide them.

Songs

We Three Kings of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star.

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light

Games/Activities

Pin the Wise Men to the City (This is a twist on the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”.)  

Supplies Needed:
• A poster board size paper with a bible time city landscape on it. (This can be hand drawn or made with cut out.  Just be sure it is bigger than A-4!
• A small picture of Mary, Joseph and Jesus
• Small pictures of wise men; enough for each kid to have one
• Tape or sticky tack
• Blindfolds
Directions:
1. Hang your picture on the wall.  Stick the Mary, Joseph and Jesus picture on one of the houses.  This is where Jesus’ family lives, and the wise men must find them.
2. Give each kid a wise man cut out with tape or stick tack on the back.
3. One at a time, blind fold each kid, spin them in a few circles, and then have them walk toward the city and place their wise man on it. The kid whose wise man is the closest to Jesus’ family wins.
4. This game can be repeated as many times as you like by simply moving Jesus’ family to a new house in the city.

Crafts

Star Craft Christmas Ornament

Supplies needed:
• Print out of the Christmas Craft Star Ornament template for each child
• Scissors
• Glue
• Cotton swabs for the glue
• Decorations (crayons, markers, glitter, sequins, jewels, ribbon….)
Directions:
1. Print out the template on to very stiff paper.
2. Cut out both stars.
3. Decorate both sides of both stars.  Make sure to keep the dotted line visible.
4. Cut along the dotted line of each star.
5. Slide the two star shapes together along the dotted line cut.

Offering Box

Supplies Needed:
• One small shoe box
• Wrapping paper
• Scissors
• Tape
• Glue
• Decoration items
Directions
1. Wrap a small shoe box in wrapping paper. Make sure you wrap the box and the lid separately so that the box still opens.
2. Cut a hole in the top of the box.
3. Decorate the box however you wish!
4. Place the box in a visible place in the classroom.
5. Remind the children that the wise men gave gifts to Jesus, and we can also give to Jesus. Encourage the children to bring their offering gifts to church and put them in this box. Tell the children how this money can be used for Jesus.

Coloring Page

Jesus' Dedication

Passage

Familiarize yourself with the following:

Luke 2:22-40

Shortly after Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple to have him dedicated to God. This was the custom in Israel according to the law of Moses. While in the temple, a man named Simeon came up to the young family. Simeon had been promised by God that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah with his own eyes. When Simeon saw Jesus, he held him and praised God in a loud voice and prophesied over Jesus that he would change the world. As he was finishing his prophecy, a woman named Anna approached. She was a prophetess, and lived in the temple worshiping God. Anna also prophesied over Jesus to all who were near and listening and looking forward to the redemption of Israel. After this, Mary and Joseph did everything that was required by the law for them to do, and returned to their home in Nazareth of Galilee.  Jesus grew and became strong, and God was with him.

Object Lesson

Supplies Needed:
• Photos of several well-known people (famous, celebrities, church members, etc.)
o A baby photo of each person
o An adult photo of each person
Directions:
1. Display the baby photos of the well-known people. See if they can match up the pictures of the baby photos with the correct pictures of the adult photos.
2. Ask the children if they think the parents of these well-known people had any idea that they would grow up to be special or famous? Did the well-known people have any idea how their life would turn out?
3. Explain to the children that the story today will show us how God has a special plan for everyone’s life.

Memory Verse

Luke 2:30-32
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.

Jesus Connection

From the beginning of the Bible, we see that God had a special plan for Jesus. All Jews anxiously awaited the arrival of the Messiah, because they knew that he would bring salvation to Israel. Even though the arrival of Jesus did not happen when the Jews thought that it would, there were people still waiting, ready for him to come. Through the prophets, Simeon and Anna, God announced that he still had great plans for Jesus. Just has God had plans for Jesus, he also has plans for us. The prophet Jeremiah told us of these plans when he said, “’I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Songs

Take My Life and Let It Be

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Games/Activities

Praising Jesus

Supplies Needed:
• Baby doll
• A list of Jesus’ special qualities (love, kindness, generosity, honesty…)
• A list of ways we can serve God (help the poor, make a present of a friend, bring food to a neighbor…)
Directions:
1. Have the children sit in a circle. Show them the doll and explain to them that for this activity, the baby doll will be Jesus.
2. Pass the baby doll around so that everyone can hold him just as Simeon did. When it is your turn to hold Jesus, say something special about him.
3. Start this activity with you holding the doll and giving the children an example. (When I think of Jesus, I think of someone who loved people.) Then pass the doll to the next person.
4. After the doll has been passed around the circle once, tell the children that you are going to pass the doll again, but this time they should say what they can do to serve God, just as Anna and Simeon did.
5. Once again, start this round with you giving an example. (I can serve God by making a meal for my neighbor.) The pass the doll to the next person.
6. If your children need extra help coming up with ideas, share the lists that you prepared before class.

Crafts

Hand and Footprint Dove

Supplies Needed:
• White paper
• Pencils
• Scissors
• Stick glue
• Grey or black paper
Directions:
1. Trace one of your hands and one of your feet on white paper. Cut them out.
2. Glue the hand to the foot so that the fingers are sticking out like feathers.
3. Using a pencil, draw a dot on the heel of the foot for the eye.
4. Using a pencil, draw a beak on white paper. Color it in with the pencil. Cut it out.
5. Glue the beak to the heel.
6. Glue the entire bird to a piece of black or gray paper.

Coloring Page

Shepherds and Angels

Passage

Familiarize yourself with this passage

Luke 2:8-20
One night, a group of shepherds were outside the town of Bethlehem, in fields, watching their sheep.  It was a quiet night.  The sky was dark and full of stars.  All of the sudden there was a big, bright angel in the sky in front of them!  “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’”  The shepherds were amazed.  Then the angel left, just as quickly as he came.  As soon as the one angel left, a whole group of angels appeared.  They started singing praises to God.
The shepherds ran to town to find the baby the angel had told them about.  The angel said they would find the baby wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger.  After they found the baby, the shepherds ran around town telling everyone the good news that the Savior had been born.  When they finished spreading the news they returned to the baby, Jesus, and worshiped him.

Object Lesson

Supplies Needed:
• A birth announcement
When a new baby is born today, many parents like to send out a birth announcement card. (Show birth announcement.)  It tells when the baby was born, and all about the baby and is something special people can keep reminding them of the new bundle of joy.  God is Jesus’ father. He wanted the whole world to know that His One and Only Son had been born in Bethlehem.  So, God sent out a wonderful birth announcement of His own.  But rather than a paper announcement, God sent angels!

Memory Verse

Luke 2:10-11
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Jesus Connection

The Savior is finally here! The most anticipated arrival in all history has finally happened. Jesus, God’s Son, has come from heaven to earth to save His people. Jesus’ arrival is a great reason to sing praises to God, both at His birth and today. It is also a great reason to tell everyone we can find about His birth. We no longer have to wait. Our Savior is here!

Songs

Angels We Have Heard On High

1. Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Chorus
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
Gloria, in excelsis Deo!
2. Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
What the gladsome tidings be
Which inspire your heav’nly song?
Chorus
3. Come to Bethlehem and see
Christ Whose birth the angels sing;
Come, adore on bended knee,
Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
Chorus
4. See Him in a manger laid,
Whom the choirs of angels praise;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
While our hearts in love we raise.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night,
Behold throughout the heavens,
There shone a holy light:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

The shepherds feared and trembled
When lo above the earth
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed our Saviour’s birth:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

Down in a lowly manger
Our humble Christ was born
And God send us salvation,
That blessed Christmas morn:
Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere;
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

Game/Activity

Find The Angels

Variation #1

Supplies Needed:
• A bunch of small pictures of angels (can all be the same picture) cut down to wallet picture size
Direction:
1. Before the kids arrive to class, hide all your angels around the class. The more kids you typically have, the more angels you should hide.
2. When you give the signal, have the kids find as many angels as they can as fast as they can. The kid with the most angels wins.

Variation #2

Supplies Needed:
• A bunch of small picture of angels in two different colors cut down to wallet picture size (make sure you have equal numbers of both colors of angels)
Direction:
1. Before the kids arrive to class, hide all your angels around the class. The more kids you typically have, the more angels you should hide.  Make sure you know how many angels you have hidden for each team.
2. Divide the kids into two teams.
3. When you give the signal, have the kids find as many angels as fast as they can. The team to find all their angels first wins.

Craft

Angel Tree Toppers

Supplies needed:
• Colored card stock paper
• 30-cm dinner plate for template
• Sequins
• Cotton balls
• Pipe cleaners for wings and halo
• Stapler, if necessary
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Glue with cotton swabs
Directions:
1. Us the 30-cm plate to draw out a semicircle on the card stock.  Cut out with scissors. Glue the sequin as a trim around the curved edge of the semicircle, about 1 cm from the edge using cotton swabs.  Let dry.
2. While glue is drying, form wings out of pipe cleaners.  Also form a small halo.  Glue the halo to the cotton ball with a small amount of glue.
3. Roll the semicircle to form a cone shape.  Glue the edges in place and let dry.  You may want to staple the join as well, to make the cone more secure.
4. Put a dab of clue on the cotton ball and attach it to the top of the cone.  Use clue to attach the wings to the back of the cone.  Allow the glue to dry completely.  You may also staple the wings in place for added security.

Coloring Page