RELIGION / Christian Education / Children & Youth ISBN ... · CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE CLASSROOM ... “If you want to be purposeful about making this December more Christ-centered

*Optional music CD can be purchased at sovereigngracemusic.com

Cover designed by Faceout Studio, Tim Green

RELIGION / Christian Education / Children & Youth

CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS

IN THE CLASSROOM

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SARAH BLAND -HALULKO

Marty Machowski

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CELEBRATE THE BEST GIFT— GOD WITH US ,

EMMANUEL

Share God’s best gift with your church this year with this gospel-focused, promise-filled, four-

week Advent Sunday school curriculum with lessons for Preschool, Lower Elementary, and

Upper Elementary. Also included is a sample copy of the corresponding family devotional.*

“If you want to be purposeful about making this December more Christ-centered for the

children and families in your church, then look carefully at this Advent curriculum. Marty

Machowski provides the ideas, the plans, and the details: all you have to do is follow his lead.

He will help your families have a more gospel-filled Christmas season.”

—DONALD S. WHITNEY, Professor of Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological

Seminary, Louisville, KY; author of Family Worship: In the Bible, in History, and in Your Home

“The Prepare Him Room curriculum is a tool to help churches help families focus on Jesus

during the Christmas season. Tying together the whole Christmas story from the prophecies

concerning Jesus; to his birth, death, and resurrection; culminating in the return of Jesus,

Marty Machowski challenges families to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.”

—SALLY MICHAEL, Cofounder of Children Desiring God; author

“Prepare Him Room is one of the best resources I’ve seen to counter the commercialism,

materialism, and sentimentalism that our culture serves up each Christmas. Through Scrip-

ture, creative stories, crafts, songs, prayers, and activities, families will be able to reflect on

Christ’s birth and the gospel with wonder, gratefulness, and joy. It was a privilege to collaborate

with Marty on this project, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

—BOB KAUFLIN, Director of Sovereign Grace Music

MARTY MACHOWSKI is a Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glen Mills, PA,

where he has served on the pastoral staff for over twenty years. He is the author of the Gospel Story for

Kids series including The Gospel Story Bible, Long Story Short, Old Story New, and the Gospel Story Curricu-lum. He and his wife Lois and their six children reside in West Chester, PA.

ISBN: 978-1-939946-66-9

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“If you want to be purposeful about making this December more Christ-centered for the children and families in your church, then look carefully at this Advent curriculum. Marty Machowski provides the ideas, the plans, and the details: all you have to do is follow his lead. He will help your families have a more gospel-filled Christmas season.”

— Donald S. Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY; author of Family Worship: In the Bible, in History, and in Your Home

“Prepare Him Room Advent Curriculum is a tool to help churches help families focus on Jesus during the Christmas season. Tying together the whole Christmas story from the prophecies concerning Jesus; to his birth, death, and resurrection; culminating in the return of Jesus, Marty Machowski challenges families to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.”

— Sally Michael, Cofounder of Children Desiring God; author

“Prepare Him Room is one of the best resources I’ve seen to counter the commercialism, materialism, and sentimentalism that our culture serves up each Christmas. Through Scripture, creative stories, crafts, songs, prayers, and activities, families and churches will be able to reflect on Christ’s birth and the gospel with wonder, gratefulness, and joy. It was a privilege to collaborate with Marty on this project, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.”

— Bob Kauflin, Director of Sovereign Grace Music

“Prepare Him Room is an endearing, well-conceived, and memory-making resource for the Advent season. The devotional guide is certain to help shape the Christmas traditions of families in your church. More importantly, both the devotional guide and the curriculum link the birth of Christ to Easter and the gospel story in a way that will deepen the children’s biblical understanding and bid your church prepare him room in your hearts and homes this Christmas.”

—Debra Bell, PhD, Author of the Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling

“I have twelve grandchildren who need the gospel, just like their Pop-Pop. That’s why I’m so grateful my friend Marty has written Prepare Him Room. This Advent curriculum will help you make the most of the Christmas season as you work to transfer the gospel to the next generation at church and home. May every heart prepare him room, as every home proclaims him as Lord!”

—C. J. Mahaney, Senior Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville

“Yet again, Marty Machowski gives us a solid, gospel-centered resource in his new curriculum. In addi-tion, new songs by Bob Kauflin and activities for the children all make this a wonderful resource for every Advent season. Our family will treasure this for years to come.”

—Deepak Reju, Pastor of Biblical Counseling and Families, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washing-ton, DC; president, Biblical Counseling Coalition; author of The Pastor and Counseling and On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church

W W W. N E W G R O W T H P R E S S . C O M

Marty MachowskiIllustrated by Sarah Bland-Halulko

PREPARE HIM ROOM: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus in the Classroom

New Growth Press, Greensboro, NC 27404

Text Copyright © 2014 by Covenant Fellowship Church

Illustration Copyright © 2014 by New Growth Press

All rights reserved. Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus in the Classroom is for purchasers to use at home or at church. Each purchaser may print out lessons and coloring pages for the use of their family or church members. These materials may not be copied or downloaded for any other use without express written permission from New Growth Press.

Published 2014.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.® Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Cover Design: Faceout Books, faceoutstudio.com

Cover Illustration: Sarah Bland-Halulko

Curriculum Design and Typesetting: Faceout Books, faceoutstudio.com

Coloring Sheet Art Work: Ramona Doyle

ISBN 13: 978-1-939946-55-3

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Teacher's Helps-Using the Prepare Him Room Curriculum-Quick Start Guide-A Step-by-Step Preschool Lesson Guide-A Step-by-Step Lower Elementary Lesson Guide-A Step-by-Step Lower Elementary Lesson Guide-Four Key Ingredients of a Well-Taught Lesson

Preschool LessonsWeek 1: Gabriel Visits MaryWeek 2: God Speaks to Joseph in a DreamWeek 3: The Angels Visit the ShepherdsWeek 4: Three Wise Men and a Star

Lower Elementary LessonsWeek 1: Gabriel Visits MaryWeek 2: God Speaks to Joseph in a DreamWeek 3: The Angels Visit the ShepherdsWeek 4: Three Wise Men and a Star

Upper Elementary LessonsWeek 1: Gabriel Visits MaryWeek 2: God Speaks to Joseph in a DreamWeek 3: The Angels Visit the ShepherdsWeek 4: Three Wise Men and a Star

P A G E i v • W W W. N E W G R O W T H P R E S S . C O MP A G E i v • W W W. G O S P E L S T O R Y F O R K i D S . C O M

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P A G E i v • W W W. N E W G R O W T H P R E S S . C O M

P A G E 1 • W W W. G O S P E L S T O R Y F O R K I D S . C O M

P R E S C H O O L - W E E K O N E

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B I B L E T R U T H

G A B R I E L’ S A N N O U N C E M E N T T O M A R Y F U L F I L L S T H E P R O M I S E

G O D M A D E T O S E N D A S AV I O R F O R H I S P E O P L E .

P R E P A R E H I M R O O M - P R E S C H O O L

W E E K 1

GABRIEL VISITS MARY L U K E 1 : 2 6 – 3 8




1. OPENING ACTIVITY AND INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

SUPPLIES:

✓✓ paper (six sheets), Christmas gift wrap

2. BIBLE STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:

✓✓ Bible (ESV preferred)

3. BIBLE STORY DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MINReview “Connecting This Story to the Gospel” to prepare

4. SNACK QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

5. MEMORY VERSE: ISAIAH 9:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

6. CHRISTMAS HYMN: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

7. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECT LESSONS (CHOOSE ONE OR MORE) . . . . . 20–30 MIN

Puppet Skit✓✓ Supplies: puppet

Christ in Christmas✓✓ Supplies: two large sheets of paper prepared as described in body of lesson; red and

black markers

Coloring Activity ✓✓ Supplies: coloring page for Week 1—one copy for each child; markers or crayons

8. CLOSING PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

L E S S O N S N A P S H OT

TOTAL 70–80 MIN




1. OPENING ACTIVITY AND INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

SUPPLIES:

✓✓ paper (six sheets), Christmas gift wrap

Before class, write each of the following six clues (without the answers, which are in parentheses) on a separate sheet of paper, fold them up, and wrap them in Christmas gift wrap:

1. “The child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.” (Gabriel’s words to Mary [Luke 1:35])2. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” (Isaiah’s prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 9:6)3. Mary (Jesus’s mother)4. Gabriel (the angel that visited Mary)5. Joseph (the name of Jesus’s earthly father)6. “You will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.” (the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary about what God was going to do in her [Luke 1:31])

Before the children arrive, hide the wrapped “gifts” around the classroom.

When the children are settled, announce that there are six gifts hidden in the room for them to find, and that each one contains a clue to what today’s lesson is about. Release them to find the presents, but tell them not to open them. When all six have been found, open them up one by one and read the clues. Then see if the children can tell you what the clues mean. Ask them,

■■ What are we celebrating at this time of year? (Christmas)

■■ What will we be learning about for the next four weeks? (Jesus’s birth)

2. BIBLE STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Read Luke 1:26–38 from the Scriptures (ESV preferred).

T H E L E S S O N




3. BIBLE STORY DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

After reading the story, use the following questions to involve the children in a discussion:

■■ Who are the two characters in this story? (The two characters are Gabriel the angel and Mary, a young woman.)

■■ Who sent the angel to Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby? (God sent the angel to Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby.)

■■ What was special about Mary’s baby? (Mary’s baby wasn’t going to be an ordinary baby; Mary’s baby was going to be both man and God [verse 35].)

Connecting This Story to the GospelThe angel Gabriel told Mary that her son Jesus was going to be a king and sit on David’s throne. But Jesus was not going to be like the kings of old who died and gave up their throne. Jesus was going to reign on the throne of David forever; his kingdom would never end!

We all know that Jesus did die—he died on the cross in our place, taking the punishment for our sin. But he didn’t stay dead; Jesus rose again on the third day. So you see, the angel’s words about Jesus having a kingdom that will never end point to Jesus’s victory over death and his reign as King forever in heaven.

4. SNACK QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

While the children are eating their snack, engage them by asking:

The Christmas Story is a wonderful fulfillment of so many biblical prophecies. Use the following questions to help the children understand what a prophecy is. The next activity will be for the children to memorize one of the Bible’s most familiar prophecies, Isaiah 9:6. To prepare the children for their memory verse, ask them the following questions:

■■ Can anyone tell me what a prophet is or what he does? (A prophet spoke for God to the people. When God wanted to give instructions to Israel, he would send them a prophet to deliver God’s message to them.)




■■ The Old Testament prophets told the people of Israel that God would one day send a Savior. What town did they say he would be born in? (Bethlehem)

■■ How did the prophets know that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, hundreds of years before it happened? (God spoke to the prophets to tell them what they should say. They did not speak their own guesses; they spoke the truth God gave to the people.)

5. CHRISTMAS BIBLE MEMORY: ISAIAH 9:6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

Tell the children you are going to learn a very special verse this month. Long ago way before Jesus was born, God sent a prophet named Isaiah to tell his people about Jesus. Isaiah prophesied that one day a baby boy would be born and be called Mighty God.

Explain to the children that you are going to memorize Isaiah’s promise using motions. (The motions will help the children remember the parts of the prophecy. Read one part at a time and teach the children the corresponding motion. Then review it a few times in class to help them remember.)

Here is the verse (Isaiah 9:6) along with the motions:

PHRASE MOTION

ISAIAH 9:6

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

Have the children pretend to cradle a baby in their arms and rock it back and forth.

“and the government shall be upon his shoulder, Have the children touch their fingers to their shoulders.

“and his name shall be called Have the children cup their hands around their mouths like a megaphone.

“Wonderful Counselor, Have the children raise their hands above their heads and spread their fingers as they quickly move their arms to their side.

“Mighty God, Have the children make a muscle with their right arm.

“Everlasting Father, Have the children wave their right hand in a circle above their head and then do the same with their left.

“Prince of Peace.” Have the children form a crown with their two hands, fingers spread and rest it on their heads.




7. ACTIVITIES AND OBJECT LESSONS (CHOOSE ONE OR MORE) . . . . 20–30 MIN

Christmas Is a Special Holiday Puppet SkitSUPPLIES:

✓✓ a puppet (a puppet made from a brown lunch bag with a simple face drawn on

Use this skit as a way to talk about how stores and shopping malls decorate for Christmas but don’t talk about Jesus. Help the children understand that we should not forget the reason behind our celebration.

TEACHER: Hey, Puppet. How are you today?PUPPET: I’m fine. How are you, Teacher?

6. CHRISTMAS HYMN: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:

✓✓ music accompaniment (optional)

Review the lyrics with the children and then sing the song as a class.

What Child Is This? Words: Will iam C. Dix (1865). Music: Green sleeves, 16th Cen tu ry Eng lish mel o dy

VERSE 1What Child is this who, laid to restOn Mary’s lap is sleeping?Whom angels greet with anthems sweetWhile shepherds watch are keeping?This, this is Christ the KingWhom shepherds guard and angels singHaste, haste, to bring Him laudThe Babe, the Son of Mary

VERSE 2Why lies He in such mean estateWhere ox and lamb are feeding?Good Christians, fear, for sinners hereThe silent Word is pleading

Nails, spear shall pierce Him throughThe cross be borne for me, for youHail, hail the Word made fleshThe Babe, the Son of Mary

VERSE 3So bring Him incense, gold and myrrhCome peasant, king to own HimThe King of kings salvation bringsLet loving hearts enthrone HimRaise, raise a song on highThe virgin sings her lullabyJoy, joy for Christ is bornThe Babe, the Son of Mary




TEACHER: Oh, I’m doing great, Puppet. I am so excited for this special season.PUPPET: What special season are you talking about?TEACHER: Oh, Puppet, I can’t believe you don’t know what special season we are

entering. Let me give you a clue. We just finished Thanksgiving so what do you think comes next?

PUPPET: Ah, let me think. I remember seeing this on TV . . . (increasingly excited) I know. After Thanksgiving is Black Friday and shopping. Wow—we get to go shopping and buy things. I need to get some money out of the bank!

TEACHER: (interrupting) Hold on, Puppet. Black Friday is already over.PUPPET: (dramatically sad) It is? You mean I missed it?TEACHER: No, Puppet, you can still go shopping. The stores have plenty of stuff

to buy. But why do we buy presents now? What are we celebrating this season?

PUPPET: I don’t know.TEACHER: (to the class) Can any of you help Puppet out? Let’s give him some clues

to tell him what season this is. (Students raise their hands and give Puppet clues.)PUPPET: I know, I know. It’s Christmas. That’s the season we’re in.TEACHER: That’s right, Puppet. It is Christmas. Now can you tell me why we

celebrate Christmas? PUPPET: Because it is the day we get presents under a tree!TEACHER: Puppet, giving presents is HOW we celebrate but not WHY we

celebrate. (to students) Kids, can any of you tell Puppet what the reason for the season is? Why do we give presents?

(Gather the correct answer from children.)PUPPET: So the reason we celebrate Christmas is because we are celebrating

Jesus’s birthday. Wow, I need to learn more about this.TEACHER: Well, Puppet, if you listen real carefully to our class you will learn all

about Jesus’s birth.PUPPET: OK, I’ll keep my ears wide open. Goodbye, kids.TEACHER: Goodbye, Puppet.

Christ in ChristmasSUPPLIES:

✓✓ two large sheets of paper✓✓ red and black markers




To prepare, write the word Christmas in large letters on a sheet of paper. The first six letters, C-h-r-i-s-t, should be in red. The rest of the word, m-a-s, in black. On a second sheet of paper write the word Christ in large red letters.

Show the word Christmas to the children and have them call out the letters one by one to spell the word as you point to them. Then show them the word Christ and have them call out the letters one by one to spell the word. Finally put both words up and ask them what they see that is the same about both words. (They should be able to see they both start with the same six letters.)

Use this to show the children that the word Christ is in the word Christmas. Tell them to point this out to their family whenever they see the word Christmas. Tell them this should be a reminder that we cannot take Christ out of Christmas. Talk about how it is easy to think about other things, like presents and decorations, during the Christmas season, but we should never forget that the whole reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate Jesus’s birthday.

Coloring Activity SUPPLIES:

✓✓ coloring page for Week 1—one copy for each child✓✓ markers or crayons

After using the “Christ in Christmas” object lesson, pass out the coloring sheets and markers or crayons to the children and have them color their sheet. While they work, ask them the following questions:

■■ Can anyone tell me what special word is in the word Christmas? (Christ is the special word.)

■■ Why is there a baby in a manger on your coloring sheet? (Jesus was born in a manger and it is his birthday that we celebrate at Christmas.)

■■ Why is there a star on your coloring sheet? (God used a star to mark the place where Jesus was born.)

8. CLOSING PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

Take time at the end of class to thank God for all you learned today. Include parts of your Bible lesson in your prayer as another way for the children to remember what aspect of Advent today’s lesson was about.

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P R E P A R E H I M R O O M - L O W E R E L E M E N T A R Y

W E E K 1

GABRIEL VISITS MARY I S A I A H 9 : 6 – 7 ; L U K E 1 : 2 6 – 3 8

B I B L E T R U T H






1. OPENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

2. BIBLE STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MINSUPPLIES:

✓✓ Bibles for the class (ESV preferred)

3. OBJECT LESSON 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MINThe Truly Important Part of Christmas

SUPPLIES: ✓✓ whiteboard and dry-erase markers

4. TEACHING/DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

5. OBJECT LESSON 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MINWhy the Name Jesus?

SUPPLIES: ✓✓ whiteboard and dry-erase markers; several small prizes

6. CHRISTMAS BIBLE MEMORY: ISAIAH 9:6–7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

7. ACTIVITY TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 MINBuild Your Own Nativity: Baby Jesus and the Manger

SUPPLIES: ✓✓ Baby Jesus and the manger cutouts—one pair for each student; crayons, markers, or

colored pencils; scissors and glue sticks for students; one 9 x 12 labeled envelope for each student from last week

8. CHRISTMAS HYMN: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN


10. BONUS OBJECT LESSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN“For Unto Us a Child Is Born”

SUPPLIES: recording of George Frideric Handel’s chorus “For Unto Us a Child Is Born” from Messiah

TOTAL 90 MIN





TEACHING POINTS

Isaiah’s prophecy—The prophet Isaiah lived seven hundred years before Jesus was born, so there is no way he knew Jesus. Yet his prophecies about Jesus are amazingly accurate. Isaiah 9:6 tells us that a child would be born who would be “Mighty God”—both man and God. Isaiah’s prophecy introduces us to the Trinity—God as three in one. Isaiah tells us the baby would be called “Father” (Luke 11:2) and “Counselor” (John 14:26, translated in the ESV as “Helper”), which are the names for God the Father and God the Holy Spirit! Then of course we have the “Prince of Peace” which describes Jesus’s ministry perfectly (John 14:27). The book of Isaiah, and the astounding prophecies it contains, should encourage us and help us to believe that the Bible is truly God’s Word.

The angel’s announcement to Mary—A millennium before the angel Gabriel’s announcement, God had made a promise to David: “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

When Isaiah said God was going to establish the throne of David “from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7), he was pointing forward to Jesus. When Gabriel said, “And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32b–33), he was telling Mary that Jesus was God’s fulfillment of his promise to David.

While Jesus did die, he rose again from the dead and is seated on an everlasting throne in heaven! Just as God kept his promise to David, he keeps his promises to us his people.

The birth of Christ fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy—With the birth of Jesus, the promise to send a baby that would be both man and God was fulfilled. Jesus was both man—born of a woman—and God. By becoming man, Jesus, the second “Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45–46), did what we could not do; he lived a perfectly righteous life. Jesus lived a sinless life for us, and he died on the cross for us, taking the punishment we deserved. If he hadn’t truly been a man, he could not have been punished in our place.

As God, Jesus had the authority to take life up again and rise from the dead (John 10:18). No mere man has that power. Jesus was able to heal the sick, command creation, and raise the dead back to life. Isaiah’s prophecy, announced by Gabriel to Mary, was fulfilled in Jesus.

P R E PA R I N G TO T E AC H




1. OPENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

Ask if anyone can tell you what special season we are entering this Sunday. A lot of the children will tell you the “Christmas” season. Accept that answer, but see if anyone can tell you that this week is the start of “Advent.” See if anyone can tell you what advent means.

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which simply means arrival. In the Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus our Savior.

2. BIBLE STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:


Read together Isaiah 9:6–7 and Luke 1:26–38.

Prior to reading from the book of Isaiah, share a bit about the prophet-writer. See the teaching points for information you can share.



T H E L E S S O N




3. OBJECT LESSON 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

The Truly Important Part of ChristmasSUPPLIES:

✓✓ whiteboard and dry-erase markers

The goal of this object lesson is to help the children think about what is the truly important part of Christmas.

Ask if anyone can tell you what Christmas is about. Make two columns on the whiteboard. In the left column, list all the things we learn about Christmas from the Bible, e.g., Jesus was born in a manger. In the right column, list all the things that are not in the Bible, e.g., Santa flies on a sleigh to deliver presents to children.

When you have exhausted the children’s answers, ask: “If we had to erase one side of the board and when we erased it all the things listed would disappear and no longer be a part of Christmas, which side of the board should we erase? Why?”

4. TEACHING/DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Using the teaching points and gospel connection, teach through today’s lesson.


Why the Name Jesus?SUPPLIES:

✓✓ whiteboard and dry-erase markers✓✓ several small prizes

Tell the class you are going to have a contest to see who can guess why God, through the angel Gabriel, told Mary to name her son Jesus. Record the children’s distinctly different answers on the whiteboard, with their name next to their guess. If a child guesses similarly to an answer already on the board, put his or her name next to the answer.

After you have about five answers on the whiteboard, judge which is closest to the answer below and award the prize(s).




Answer: The name Jesus in the New Testament is the same as the Old Testament name Joshua and means savior. God told Joseph (Matthew 1:21) that he gave the name “Jesus” to the baby in Mary’s womb because Jesus would “save his people from their sins.” Even before Jesus was born, God knew that his Son was going to save us from our sin by cleansing us with his blood, shed on the cross.

6. CHRISTMAS BIBLE MEMORY: ISAIAH 9:6–7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Start memorizing this Scripture passage, which the class will be working on this week and next:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6–7)

7. ACTIVITY TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 MIN

Build Your Own Nativity: Baby Jesus and the MangerSUPPLIES:

✓✓ Baby Jesus and the manger cutouts—one for each student✓✓ crayons, markers, or colored pencils✓✓ scissors and glue sticks for students✓✓ 9 x 12 envelopes—one for each student (Write the child’s name on their

envelope and use it to store each week’s characters at the end of class. Send finished nativity set home after the fourth week.)

Explain to the class that for the next four weeks they will be working on their own nativity set. Each week they will color and cut out different characters so that when they are done, they will each have a complete set to take home. Give each student a cutout sheet to color. Then have them cut out the forms and guide them in folding and gluing (see directions). At the end of class, place their nativity characters into their personal envelope.




8. CHRISTMAS HYMN: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:








Pick several children to pray prayers based on today’s lesson.

10. BONUS OBJECT LESSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

“For Unto Us a Child Is Born”SUPPLIES:

✓✓ recording of George Frideric Handel’s chorus “For Unto Us a Child Is Born” from Messiah




Explain to the children that in Handel’s well-known oratorio Messiah, there is a chorus about Isaiah’s prophecy called “For Unto Us a Child Is Born.” Play the recording for the children. Then ask them if they can tell you how the chorus and the prophecy are similar. Here are the lyrics:

For unto us a Child is born Unto us a Son is given And the government Shall be upon his shoulder And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace.

George Frideric Handel

W E E K O N E C U TO U T S

W E E K O N E M A N G E R D I R E C T I O N S

1. Fold

2. Fold

3. Glue

4. Fold

5. Glue

6. Fold


U P P E R E L E M E N T A R Y - W E E K O N E


P R E P A R E H I M R O O M - U P P E R E L E M E N T A R Y

W E E K 1

GABRIEL VISITS MARY I S A I A H 9 : 6 – 7 ; L U K E 1 : 2 6 – 3 8

B I B L E T R U T H






1. OPENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

2. BIBLE STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:


3. OBJECT LESSON 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Establish and Uphold✓✓ 7 paper cups; prepared strips of paper as described; marker; tape; chair

4. TEACHING/DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

5. OBJECT LESSON 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

You Can’t Buy a Car with Beans✓✓ one or two cups of dried beans; opaque bag for concealing/carrying beans; scrap

paper and pencil

6. CHRISTMAS BIBLE MEMORY: ISAIAH 9:6–7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES: ✓✓ Scripture passage—one copy for each student; prizes for the team needing the least

prompting

7. CHRISTMAS HYMN: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES: ✓✓ music accompaniment (optional)


9. BONUS OBJECT LESSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Remember the AnnouncementSUPPLIES:

✓✓ paper and pens or pencils for each team; whiteboard and dry-erase markers; prize for the winning team

TOTAL 80 MIN





TEACHING POINTS

Isaiah’s prophecy—The prophet Isaiah lived seven hundred years before Jesus was born, so there is no way he knew Jesus. Yet his prophecies about Jesus are amazingly accurate. Isaiah 9:6 tells us that a child would be born who would be “Mighty God”—both man and God. Isaiah’s prophecy introduces us to the Trinity—God as three in one. Isaiah tells us the baby would be called “Father” (Luke 11:2) and “Counselor” (John 14:26, translated in the ESV as “Helper”), which are the names for God the Father and God the Holy Spirit! Then of course we have the “Prince of Peace” which describes Jesus’s ministry perfectly (John 14:27). The book of Isaiah, and the astounding prophecies it contains, should encourage us and help us to believe that the Bible is truly God’s Word.

The angel’s announcement to Mary—A millennium before the angel Gabriel’s announcement, God had made a promise to David: “Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

When Isaiah said God was going to establish the throne of David “from this time forth and forevermore” (Isaiah 9:7), he was pointing forward to Jesus. When Gabriel said, “And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32b–33), he was telling Mary that Jesus was God’s fulfillment of his promise to David.

While Jesus did die, he rose again from the dead and is seated on an everlasting throne in heaven! Just as God kept his promise to David, he keeps his promises to us his people.

The birth of Christ fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy—With the birth of Jesus, the promise to send a baby that would be both man and God was fulfilled. Jesus was both man—born of a woman—and God. By becoming man, Jesus, the second “Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45–46), did what we could not do; he lived a perfectly righteous life. Jesus lived a sinless life for us, and he died on the cross for us, taking the punishment we deserved. If he hadn’t truly been a man, he could not have been punished in our place.

As God, Jesus had the authority to take life up again and rise from the dead (John 10:18). No mere man has that power. Jesus was able to heal the sick, command creation, and raise the dead back to life. Isaiah’s prophecy, announced by Gabriel to Mary, was fulfilled in Jesus.

P R E PA R I N G TO T E AC H




1. OPENING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MIN

Ask if anyone can tell you what special season we are entering this Sunday. A lot of the children will tell you the “Christmas” season. Accept that answer, but see if anyone can tell you that this week is the start of “Advent.” See if anyone can tell you what advent means.

Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which simply means arrival. In the Advent season, we are celebrating the arrival of Jesus our Savior.

2. BIBLE STORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:


Read together Isaiah 9:6–7 and Luke 1:26–38.

Prior to reading from the book of Isaiah, share a bit about the prophet-writer. See the teaching points for information you can share.



T H E L E S S O N





Establish and UpholdSUPPLIES:

✓✓ 7 paper cups✓✓ prepared strips of paper (see below)✓✓ marker; tape✓✓ chair

To prepare: label the bottoms of the cups with numbers 1 through 7. Print the following sentences on strips of paper and tape them inside the corresponding cup.

Cup #1. Leave blank.Cup #2. “Even though God established his kingship, David himself sinned against God by

stealing another man’s wife.”Cup #3. “David’s son Solomon fell away from the Lord and worshiped idols, so the kingdom

was taken away from him.”Cup #4. “Because of Solomon’s sin, the kingdom was torn from Rehoboam, Solomon’s son

who was arrogant.”Cup #5. “God gave ten tribes to Jeroboam who set up high places and worshiped idols.”Cup #6. “Though the kings of Judah remained, even they fell into idol worship and God

removed them.”Cup #7. Leave blank.

This object lesson illustrates how God established and upheld King David’s throne. This represents God’s plan of salvation through his Son, Jesus.

Place the chair (throne) in the middle of the room, and arrange the paper cups upside down on the seat of the chair. Tell the class that the paper cups represent the kingly line of David.

Have a volunteer walk over to the chair, pick up cup #1, show it to the class, and then crush it. (Everyone will want to do this one.)

Then, have five volunteers pick up the next five cups in order—cup #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6. Have each volunteer pick up the cup, read the phrase in the cup, and then crush the cup.

At this point only cup #7 will remain on the chair. Hold it up for the class to see while you say the following: “God promised to uphold the throne of David but the kings of Israel failed




God. There was, however, one king God was going to put on the throne in the line of David who would not sin or turn away. His name is Jesus.”

Put the cup back on the chair and ask for a volunteer to crush that cup. But before he does, have the rest of the class act out “the mighty power of God and all his angels” and gather around the cup to protect it. They should hold to the throne (the chair) with all their might and press in so that there is no way your volunteer can even get close. Once they gather round, invite your volunteer to try to assault the throne. Stand in his way and do not allow him to come close to the chair.

Let this play out for thirty seconds or so and then gather the children around and read Isaiah 9:6–7 again, and talk about how God was able to preserve the line of David all the way until Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary. Then talk about how Jesus living a perfect life reversed the disobedience of the kings who came before him. Explain that Jesus took our punishment on the cross, and then after rising from the dead and ascending into heaven, took up his place on the heavenly throne as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Just as the volunteer could not even get close to assault the throne; just as the rest of the class held the chair and you as the teacher defeated the attempts to attack it, so God the Father has upheld the throne of David where Jesus now reigns forever, as the perfect King.

4. TEACHING/DISCUSSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Using the teaching points and gospel connection, teach through today’s lesson.


You Can’t Buy a Car with BeansSUPPLIES:

✓✓ one or two cups of dried beans✓✓ opaque bag for concealing/carrying beans✓✓ scrap paper and pencil

The object of this lesson is to show the importance of Jesus being a sinless human in order to purchase our redemption. Not just anyone could die to pay for our sins. Only a sinless life could redeem our sinful ones.




Tell the children that you are rich and would like to buy some of their possessions. Ask them to show you what they have that you could consider buying. (Don’t use the term dollars, or bucks, or money, as you will be purchasing these things with beans. Keep the beans hidden until you are ready to offer the payout.)

Let’s say one of the kids has a watch: you could offer him “75” for the watch. If she hesitates, offer more, up it to “100.” Once you’ve agreed on a price, move on to another object. Keep reminding the kids that you are rich. Record the purchases on a piece of paper. When you have several items recorded, tell the kids you are now going to pay them.

Pull out the beans and begin counting out beans for one of the objects. The kids will object to you paying for their things in beans. Play this up and say something like, “We never agreed to dollars, I said I would give you ‘100’ for the watch.” Let this play out for a bit, then explain that just as you can’t pay for purchases with beans, any average person could not pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus first had to be a human being. In order to pay the penalty for people, Jesus had to become a person. That is why Jesus was born a baby, so he could pay the penalty for our sin.

6. CHRISTMAS BIBLE MEMORY: ISAIAH 9:6–7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:

✓✓ Scripture passage—one copy for each student✓✓ prizes for the team needing the least prompting

Take time in class to work on the memory passage. Distribute copies of the Scripture passage. Break the class into teams of four or five. Tell them they have five minutes to memorize as much of the verse as they can. In five minutes each team will need to choose a spokesperson for their team. Each team can help their representative if they get stuck (without looking at the verse or a Bible). Explain that you will also help them with words, but the team who needs the least amount of prompting by you will get a prize.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:6–7)




7. CHRISTMAS HYMN: “WHAT CHILD IS THIS?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

SUPPLIES:








Pick several children to pray prayers based on today’s lesson.

10. BONUS OBJECT LESSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 MIN

Remember the AnnouncementSUPPLIES:

✓✓ paper and pens or pencils for each team✓✓ whiteboard and dry-erase markers✓✓ prize for the winning team




Break the class into teams of 4 to 5 children. Without looking at their Bibles, have them write down as much as they can remember about Isaiah’s prophecy and Gabriel’s announcement to Mary. Give them three minutes to write down all they can, then have them hand in the papers.

Pick one team’s entry and list their items on the whiteboard. Number the different things they remembered. Pick a second entry and compare it with the first to see what they remembered. Do this for each team’s answers and then judge who the winner is. (This repetition helps the children remember the lesson.)

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RELIGION / Christian Education / Children & Youth ISBN ... · CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN THE CLASSROOM ... “If you want to be purposeful about making this December more Christ-centered