Fours and Fives Lesson 2

Year 1

Quarter 2

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Luke 2:1-20

Lesson Aim

To show that Jesus came from heaven to be our Savior.

Memory Verse

Matthew 5:3 - "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Lesson Background

We will be talking about the Trinity in this lesson as we discuss the birth of Jesus. This is a foundational truth of the Christian faith, and therefore needs to be taught to all ages. Thankfully, young children are more likely to simply accept this teaching, while adults often struggle with the concept. Think of the discussion as an introduction to the subject for your students, and don't worry if they don't seem to be "getting" it. Remember, we are laying the groundwork for further teaching and instruction as they grow and mature. We will be discussing the Trinity again in the fourth quarter of this material when we teach the attributes of God.

For many churches, Christmas is a fun but busy time. If your church has special programs involving your students, you may find your class time eaten away by rehearsals or extra practice. Try to stay flexible if this is the case - your circle time or focus activity time may have to be sacrificed, but do try to get in the whole Bible story, as this is the "meat" of the lesson. A quiet song or two may be needed to settle your students down so that they can listen to Christmas story. It shouldn't be too difficult; old or young, we all love to hear about the Savior who came from heaven, and was born as a little baby to be our Savior!

Lesson Procedure

For this lesson you will need the following - white, red and green construction paper, cut in strips; scotch tape (perhaps several dispensers); flannelgraph or pictures to illustrate the story (optional).

Focus Activity

Have your students help you as you make a "sample" paper chain. You will want to have strips of three different colors cut ahead of time - and plenty of them! (If you have a couple of students who are good with scissors, they could cut some more during this time.) Establish a regular pattern for the students to follow, such as red, white, green, red, white, green, etc. Loop each strip into the previous loop, and then tape until you have a chain of some length. If your students want to make their own chains, assure them they will get that chance after the lesson.

"I'm going to use this chain at the end of my lesson to remind you of some things we're going to talk about today. Then we're all going to make chains to take home during our project time. Right now let's head for the story area, so I can share today's story with you."

(Optional Activity: If you are teaching this lesson during a different season of the year, you can still make a paper chain. However, you may wish to use more seasonal colors - red, yellow, and orange for fall, or yellow, green, and blue for spring or summer.)

In the story area, go over your memory verse, and practice the song you have chosen for the Christmas season. Remind your students that Christmas isn't about presents or Santa Claus, but about the birth of Jesus.

Here is an action rhyme you may teach your students for this week and next:

"No Christmas tree, no mistletoe, Shake head "no"

No special box wrapped with a bow. Outline a "box" with hands

What did that first Christmas bring? Show index finger for #1

A baby boy - our Savior and King!" Rock "pretend" baby in arms

Bible Story (from Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20)

The Bible teaches us that there is only one God. But our God is three persons. There is God the Father, who rules from heaven. There is God the Son, who is Jesus. And there is God the Holy Spirit. All three are one God. One God - three persons.

Men and women, boys and girls need a Savior if they are to live with God. God the Father said He would send God the Son - Jesus - to earth to be our Savior. Jesus, God's Son, said He was willing to come. The Holy Spirit said He would make a body for Jesus. All three were agreed - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

When the time was ready an angel came to Mary and said she was going to be the mother of the Savior - Jesus. So the Holy Spirit prepared a body for Jesus inside of Mary's tummy. An angel also appeared in a dream to Joseph saying that he should take Mary as his wife. The angel said that Mary had a baby in her made by the Holy Spirit, and when He was born His name would be called Jesus. So Mary became Joseph's wife.

When it was almost time for the baby to be born, Mary and Joseph had to go on a long trip. They had to pay their taxes in Bethlehem. When they got there they were very tired. They tried to find a room at the inn, but the inn was full. The only place left was the stable where the animals were kept. This is where Mary and Joseph had to stay, and this is where Mary had her baby. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger. They called his name, Jesus.

A little way from Bethlehem some shepherds were watching their sheep. They didn't know that something special was happening that night. They didn't know that the Savior God had promised had been born! But while they were watching the sheep, an angel appeared to them. 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 angel then told the shepherds they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. Then suddenly the sky was filled with many, many angels, and the angels cried, "Glory to God in the highest!" And as suddenly as they came, the angels disappeared. The shepherds left their sheep and looked for the Savior wrapped in swaddling clothes. They looked until they found Him, and then they told many people about what they had seen and heard.

God had come to earth that night - God in the form of a little baby! Jesus came from heaven to be our Savior. He did that because he loves His people so much. That's why Christmas is such a special time. Let's thank Jesus right now for coming to earth to be our Savior. [Lead in prayer.]

Project

Show the sample chain that you and the students made during the Focus Activity. Ask them how many chains you have (just one). Now ask how many colors are in the chain (three). "My one chain is made up of three colors, isn't it? We're going to make Christmas chains today to help us remember that God is one God, but He is three persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All three work together to bring about God's will."

Help your students to make their own paper chains. They can either take these home, or you can connect them together to make a long chain to decorate your room. As you work, review the Bible story, and also the idea that God is one God, but three persons.