NT-03

"The Birth of Jesus”

Big Idea

God's Son, Jesus, came to live with us.

 

Schedule

1. Small Groups: Shopping List activity (5 min)

2. Big Group: Lesson (20 min)

3. Verse Activity: Playdough man activity (5 min)

3. Small Groups: Fly swatter activity (10-15 min)

Materials Needed

Piece of paper,   Marker,   Two index cards (Write "True" on one and "False" on the other)
Two fly swatters

Before Big Group

1. Explain the following, writing the big idea below on the chalk/wipe board:

    The big idea for today is "God's Son, Jesus, came to live with us." We'll find out more about what this means in big group time.

2. Write "Baby Shopping List" across the top of the paper. Ask, "If you were about to be the mom or dad of a brand new baby, what are some things you'd need to buy to get ready?" As the children respond, record their answers on the piece of paper. Bring this paper with you to big group time.

After Big Group

1. Explain the following:

    Our big idea for today is "God's Son, Jesus, came to live with us." God knew that the people on earth needed his help. We just couldn't stop doing the wrong thing and disobeying God. So, he decided to come and help us. And to help us, he became one of us. He came as the person of Jesus. And just like every other person, he started life out as a little baby.

2. Divide the children into two groups. Have them sit by each other. Place the "True" and "False" cards face up on the table. Inform the children that you'll be playing a game and explain the following rules: Each round, one player from each group will hold a fly swatter. You will then read a statement about today's story (see below). If what you read is true, they are to swat the "True" card. If it is false, they are to swat the "False" card. Hitting the correct card will earn one point for his/her team. Hitting the correct card first will earn two points.
    Play the above game, rotating through different team members each round. If a statement is false, have one child indicate what about the statement is false.
a. Jesus' parents were named Gerry and Moseph. (FALSE)
b. The ruler of the land wanted people to travel to their hometowns so he could count them. (TRUE)
c. Mary had the baby before they left on their journey. (FALSE)
d. Mary and Joseph didn't have to travel very far to be counted by the ruler of the land. (FALSE)
e. Mary and Joseph lived in the town of Nazareth. (TRUE)
f. Mary and Joseph had to travel to Joseph's hometown, Bethlehem. (TRUE)
g. Mary and Joseph stayed in an expensive hotel room when they reached Bethlehem. (FALSE)
h. Mary and Joseph stayed in a cheap motel room when they reached Bethlehem. (FALSE)
i. Mary and Joseph stayed in a stable because Joseph really liked barnyard animals. (FALSE)
j. Mary wrapped the newborn baby in a blanket. (TRUE)
k. Mary laid the baby in a manger. (TRUE)
l. Mary named the baby Joseph after her husband. (FALSE)
m. Joseph was the baby's real father. (FALSE)
n. Jesus was God inside of a human body. (TRUE)

3. Hand each child a journal page. Have them fill it out, writing down the big idea "God's Son, Jesus, came to live with us.'” and how they can use it in their life (Examples: I can trust that God loves me enough to live with me.) Place the page in their journal binder.