JESUS WAS BORN LIFE POINT: G od

sent

Jesus.

LEADER BIBLE STUDY

JESUS

LEVEL OF BIBLICAL LEARNING God sent Jesus to earth.

BIBLE PASSAGE Luke 2:1-20

WEEKLY VERSE

Around 6 B.C., the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered a census to be taken of everyone in his empire. The census was to determine how much he could make in taxes. For that reason, Joseph and Mary left Nazareth to travel to his familial home in Bethlehem. While there, Mary gave birth to Jesus. Since they were not staying at a regular inn, they used a feeding trough as Jesus’ bed. The scene shifts to the Judean hills where shepherds tended their flocks. Suddenly,

Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11

an angel appeared and terrified them. The angel comforted them and heralded the

UNIT VERSE

good news of the birth of the Messiah. Have you ever wondered why God chose to

Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11

announce the Savior’s birth first to lowly shepherds? Why didn’t He initially inform the high priests, kings, or philosophers? Those would be the most natural audiences to address, wouldn’t they? Perhaps God told the shepherds first because of the type of king Jesus was going to become. Jesus did not come to be a political or military ruler. Possibly, because of the type of people the shepherds represented, the shepherds were the first to hear. The shepherds were common people for whom Jesus came to give His life. Shepherds were despised as morally and ritually unclean. Despite their social standing, Jesus’ birth and kingdom was not only for them but for all people. The shepherds visited Jesus after multitudes of angels announced, “Glory to God in the highest!” What does Mary’s being in Bethlehem at Jesus’ birth teach about the providence of God? ������������������������������������������������������������ What did the shepherds do after they returned from seeing Jesus? Why? ����������������������������������������������������������������

SUGGESTED DATE: week of December 18

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U n i t 1, S e ss i o n 3

NOTE: Downloadable versions of items identified as CD are available in the Music and Print Extras Bundle. Items identified as DVD are available in the Digital Video Bundle. Additional training for Bible Studies For Life: Kids available at ministrygrid.com/web/biblestudiesforlife © 2016 LifeWay

GROUP TIME FOR 3s–5s ►Move to music. Play “Celebrate (Ring the Bells)” (track 3) as preschoolers hold hands

CHOOSE Your Own

and walk in a circle. Lead them to raise their hands as they move into the circle and then lower their hands as they move back out and begin to walk around again.

►Tell the Bible story. Open your Bible to the Book of Luke. Comment that Isaiah told the people that a special child would be born many years before that happened.

Two angels told Mary and Joseph about Jesus’ birth. Today we will hear about Jesus’

SCHEDULE Decide when to have group time; then select learning activities to use before and/ or after group time.

birth!

JESUS WAS BORN —Based on Luke 2:1-20 The leader of the country where Joseph and Mary lived called for a count of all the people in the land. He told the people to go to their hometowns. Joseph’s hometown was Bethlehem, so Mary traveled to Bethlehem with him. Bethlehem was crowded, and they could not find a place to stay. Finally Joseph and Mary found a place to stay, a place where animals were kept. That night Baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him in soft cloths and laid Him in a manger, a feeding box for animals. An angel appeared to the shepherds as they watched their sheep nearby. The angel told the shepherds to not be afraid. The angel told about the special birth in Bethlehem. Many angels then appeared and praised God together. The angels left and the shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the baby. They found Mary, Joseph, and the baby. The shepherds thanked (praised) God for Baby Jesus.

►Review the Bible story. Give children the Manger Scene Pieces. Briefly retell the

Bible story as the children add the figures to the Manger Scene. Show the Teaching Picture and ask about the Bible story: “What might we see in a stable (cave, manger scene)? What might we hear? How might it smell?“ State that Baby Jesus was born in a place where animals were kept. Say there was no special celebration or people waiting on Him to be born like when babies are born today.

►Learn the Bible Verse and pray. Display and read aloud the Weekly and Unit

Verses. Say that today our verses are the same. Lead children in repeating the verse

Use the words in bold to tell the Bible story to babies–2s. Use all words for 3s–5s. Consider telling the Bible story as 1s and 2s snack.

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Pack Items 14, 15, 18, 19: “Unit Verses,” “Weekly Verses,” “Manger Scene,” “Manger Scene Pieces”

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Teaching Picture 3 CD DVD Scissors, tape Place the Bible Verses in the Bible at the references. Prepare the Manger Scene and Manger Scene Pieces. Tape the individual pieces to blocks.

after you. Pray, thanking God for sending Baby Jesus.

►Wrap it up. Comment that people had waited a long time for Jesus. Mention that we celebrate His birth at Christmastime. Option: Show the video “Jesus Was Born: Life Action.”

© 2016 LifeWay

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E B A B I E S – 5s

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BIBLE-LEARNING ACTIVITIES PLAY OUT MARY AND JOSEPH’S TRIP (Dramatic Play)

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Teaching Picture 3

••Assist each child to complete a Kids Activity Page.

Kids Activity Page

••Help the children to dress up in Bible times clothing and play out the Bible story.

Markers; Bible dressup robes, sashes, and headpieces; doll wrapped in a blanket; digital camera

••Travel to different parts of room as you tell the Bible story. Ask questions that help children understand the way Mary and Joseph felt. You might mention that they walked many miles on a dusty, rocky road. ••Repeat playing out the story giving children opportunities to play different roles. ••Take pictures of the children as they play out the story. Show the pictures to the children or email to parents after the session. ••Adapt for Babies–2s: Let children play with dolls and headpieces.

BUILD A MANGER SCENE (Blocks)

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Pack Items 16, 19, 42: “Book: Jesus Was Born,” “Manger Scene Pieces,” “Alerts”

Post the Allergy Alert for straw. Tape the Manger Scene Pieces to blocks to use if not using toy manger scene pieces.

Blocks, handful of straw (or raffia, shredded paper) in bottom of box, toy manger scene pieces, blocks, tape

••Encourage children to build a manger scene (stable, cave) around the box of straw.

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••Read aloud the book Jesus Was Born. Say that Mary and Joseph could not find a place to stay so they stayed in a place where animals lived. ••Encourage the children to bring the shepherd figures to visit the family in the stable. Emphasize that Jesus’ birth was good news to the shepherds. Say that God planned Jesus’ birth because He loves us. ••Adapt for Babies–2s: Let children play with toy manger scene pieces.

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Paper plates, hole punch, ribbon, markers, scissors, self-adhesive file folder labels, polaroid camera

MAKE BABY ORNAMENTS (Art) Cut each paper plate in half (1 half per child). Punch a hole in the top of the rounded part on each paper plate half. Cut a circle for a baby’s head for each child. Print the Unit Verse on the folder labels (1 per child). ••Invite each child to add facial features to his circle. ••Guide children to glue the baby head to their plates, just below the hole. ••Help children fold the sides to meet in the middle and place a Unit Verse label across the sides to keep them closed. Add a ribbon hanger. ••Print each child’s name and the year 2016 on the back of the ornament. ••Talk about Mary and Joseph’s care of Baby Jesus as you make the ornaments. Comment that they held and cared for Him, wrapped Him in soft cloths, and fed Him. Adapt for Babies–2s: Take and print a picture of each child’s face. Cut out each face and use it as the baby’s head in each ornament.

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U n i t 1, S e ss i o n 3

© 2016 LifeWay

LIFE POINT

G od

sent

Jesus.

MATCH CHRISTMAS PICTURES (Puzzles, Books) ••Help the children work together to match the Christmas card pieces. ••Ask what the angels told Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds. Review the first two Bible stories in the unit to help children understand the importance of Jesus’ birth. ••Comment as children work the puzzles that people remembered what Isaiah said and waited for Jesus’ birth.

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Pack Item 17: “Book: It’s Christmas! Let’s Celebrate!” Christmas card fronts with pictures of manger scenes or Baby Jesus, puzzles about Jesus’ birth

••Read aloud the book It’s Christmas! Let’s Celebrate! ••Adapt for Babies–2s: Look at Christmas card manger scenes as you talk about the Bible story.

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FIND MANGER FIGURES (Games) Hide the manger pieces or nonbreakable ornaments in the shredded paper. ••Encourage the children to dig in the “straw” and find the hidden objects. Say: “You found a sheep. The shepherds were watching their sheep when the angels told them

Plastic box filled with shredded paper, plastic manger pieces (or nonbreakable ornaments), small broom and dustpan

about Jesus being born in Bethlehem.” ••Guide the children to keep the “straw” in the box and to gently shake off each manger piece before removing it from the box. Sweep up fallen paper. ••Adapt for Babies–2s: Place the manger pieces in a container without the paper.

TALK ABOUT MISSIONS

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CD: “Missions Pictures”

Place all items on the table. ••Say that we are using the letter m to make designs. Instruct children to trace around the magnetic letters and inside the stencils.

Paper, color pencils, letter m (paper, tile, magnetic, stencil)

••Show children how to add feet, faces, flowers, and other marks to the letters. ••State that m is for missions and Madagascar. ••Display and talk about the Missions Pictures. ••Say sentence prayers about missions in Madagascar.

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CD: “Jesus Was Born” Coloring Page

REVIEW AND PRAY ••Listen to Christmas songs (tracks 3, 13) as children color their Coloring Pages. ••Suggest that they give their pictures to family members and tell them the Bible story. ••Pray, thanking God for sending Baby Jesus.

CLEAN UP Play “Together” (track 19) as the children clean up.

© 2016 LifeWay

Crayons

Suggestion: Encourage parents to use the Bethlehem card of the Bible Studies For Life: Preschool Take-Home Cards (005786493) this week.

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E B A B I E S – 5s

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UNIT 1. SESSION 3

Jesus Was Born

UNIT VERSE

Match and Draw

Good news! Jesus was born. — L U K E 2 : 1 0 - 11

Image Credit: istock, shutterstock

Mary and Joseph stayed in a place when Baby Jesus was born where animals were kept. Draw lines to match the animals.

Angels visited shepherds as they watched their sheep. Draw 4 legs on the sheep. Draw 2 legs on each shepherd. The shepherds went to see Baby Jesus.

2016 LifeWay

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E B A B I E S –5s

7

TM

®

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Your child learned that Jesus was born. Angels announced the birth to the shepherds who then went to see the special child. They knew He had been sent by God. JESUS

Preschool

LEVEL OF BIBLICAL LEARNING God sent Jesus to earth.

JESUS WAS BORN SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-20 WEEKLY VERSE: Good news ! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11 LIFE POINT: God sent Jesus. Use the words in bold to tell the Bible story to younger presch oolers. Use all sentences for older pre schoolers.

LIVE IT OUT: Emphasize that God sent Jesus. Keep the focus of Christmas on Jesus. Read the account of Jesus’ birth from Luke 2. Provide other books that focus on the birth of Jesus for your child to read and enjoy.

BIBLE AND ME: Read aloud these verses each day with your child. Sunday: Luke 2:11 Monday: Joshua 1:7 Tuesday: Luke 1:50 Wednesday: Galatians 4:4 Thursday: Matthew 21:9 Friday: Luke 2:7 Saturday: Isaiah 7:14

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The leader of the country wh ere Joseph and Mary lived cal led for a count of all the people in the land. He told the people to go to their hometowns. Joseph’s hometown was Be thlehem, so Mary traveled to Bethlehem with him. Bethl ehem was crowded, and they cou ld not find a place to stay. Finally Joseph and Mary fou nd a place to stay, a place wh ere animals were kept. That nig ht Baby Jesus was born. Ma ry wrapped Him in soft cloths and laid Him in a manger, a feeding bo x for animals. An angel appeared to the she pherds as they watched their sheep nearby. The angel told the shephe rds to not be afraid. The an gel told about the special birth in Bethleh em. Many angels then appe ared and praised God together. The angels left and the shep herds went to Bethlehem to see the baby. They found Mary, Joseph, an d the baby. The shepherds th anked (praised) God for Baby Jesus. TAKE IT FURTHER Check out the Jesus Was Born section of the Bible Studies For Life: Kids Family App.

2016 LifeWay

JESUS WAS BORN LUKE 2:1-20 • TEACHING PICTURE 3

© 2016 LifeWay

JESUS WAS BORN —Based on Luke 2:1-20

preschoolers. Use the words in bold to tell the Bible story to younger Use all sentences for older preschoolers

The leader of the country where Joseph and Mary lived the called for a count of all the people in the land. He told people to go to their hometowns. Joseph’s hometown was Bethlehem, so Mary traveled to Bethlehem with him. Bethlehem was crowded, and they could not find a place to stay. e Finally Joseph and Mary found a place to stay, a plac was s Jesu where animals were kept. That night Baby in a born. Mary wrapped Him in soft cloths and laid Him manger, a feeding box for animals. An angel appeared to the shepherds as they watched not their sheep nearby. The angel told the shepherds to be afraid. The angel told about the special birth in ed Bethlehem. Many angels then appeared and prais God together. to The angels left and the shepherds went to Bethlehem The . baby the see the baby. They found Mary, Joseph, and shepherds thanked (praised) God for Baby Jesus.

GROUP TIME Move to music. Play “Celebrate (Ring the Bells)” (track 3) as preschoolers hold hands and walk around in a circle. Lead them to raise their hands as they move into the circle and then lower their hands as they move back out and begin to walk around again. Tell the Bible story. Open your Bible to the Book of Luke. Comment that Isaiah told the people that a special child would be born many years before that happened. Two angels told Mary and Joseph about Jesus’ birth. Today we will hear about Jesus’ birth! Review the Bible story. Give children the Manger Scene Pieces. Briefly retell the Bible story as the children add the figures to the Manger Scene. Show the Teaching Picture and ask about the Bible story: “What might we see in a stable (cave, manger scene)? What might we hear? How might it smell?“ State that Baby Jesus was born in a place where animals were kept. Say there was no special celebration or people waiting on Him to be born like when babies are born today. Learn the Bible Verse and pray. Display and read aloud the Weekly and Unit Verses. Say that today our verses are the same. Lead children in repeating the verse after you. Pray, thanking God for sending Baby Jesus. Wrap it up. Comment that people had waited a long time for Jesus. Mention that we celebrate His birth at Christmastime. Option: Show the video “Jesus Was Born: Life Action.”

UNIT VERSE: Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11 WEEKLY VERSE: Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11 LIFE POINT: God sent Jesus.

© 2016 LifeWay

Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11

Give thanks to God for He is good. 1 Chronicles 16:34

God will teach us how to live. Micah 4:2

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UNIT VERSES Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

Instructions: Cut apart the Unit Verses. Use as directed in the Leader Guide. © 2016 LifeWay

God will send a child to be born. Isaiah 7:14

You will give birth to a son and call Him Jesus. Luke 1:31

Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11

The wise men worshiped Jesus. Matthew 2:11

Give thanks to God for He is good. 1 Chronicles 16:34

We will obey God. Joshua 24:24

God helps me. I will not be afraid. Hebrews 13:6

Show family love to one another. Romans 12:10

I pray to God, and He hears me. Psalm 77:1

God always helps us. Psalm 46:1

Be strong and have courage. Psalm 31:24

God will teach us how to live. Micah 4:2

Always do what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

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WEEKLY VERSE Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

Instructions: Separate the Weekly Verses and use as directed in the Leader Guide. © 2016 LifeWay

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MANGER SCENE Unit 1, Session 3 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

© 2016 LifeWay

Instructions: Cut out the manger scene along the dotted lines. Use with “Manger Scene Pieces” (Item 19). See the Leader Guide for suggested uses.

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MANGER SCENE PIECES Unit 1, Sessions 2, 3 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

© 2016 LifeWay

Instructions: Cut out the figures along the dotted lines. Laminate or cover figures with clear contact plastic. Use with “Manger Scene” (Item 18). Tape to blocks if desired.



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BOOK: JESUS WAS BORN Unit 1 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

for sending Jesus.

They worshiped Jesus and thanked God

and myrrh to Jesus.

They brought gifts of gol d , frankincense,

They foll owed the star and found Jesus.

Wise men from a country in the East saw a star.

© 2016 LifeWay

Born

WAS

Jesus

2 © 2016 LifeWay

They praised God for keeping His promise and sending Baby Jesus.

They went to see Baby Jesus.

Shepherds in the field heard the good news from angels.

Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem and placed in a manger.

Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem.

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6 © 2016 LifeWay

He wrote about God’s plan for Jesus to be born.

Isaiah told people the things God wanted them to know.

He lived a long time before Jesus was born.

Isaiah was a prophet.

3

4

Mary and Joseph obeyed God.

God chose Joseph to love and care for Mary and Jesus.

An angel told Mary, “You will give birth to a son and cal l Him Jesus.”

God chose Mary.

God planned for Jesus to have a family.

© 2016 LifeWay

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ALERTS Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

Items being used today:

Let leaders know of any known allergies.

© 2016 LifeWay

Instructions: Cut apart the signs. Post the Allergy Alert when using any items in the classroom that may cause allergic reactions. Post the We’re Not Here when leaving the room with the children.



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BOOK: IT’S CHRISTMAS! LET’S CELEBRATE! Unit 1, Sessions 1, 3 Bible Studies For Life Babies–5s Leader Pack, Winter 2016–17

© 2016 LifeWay

Image Credit: istock, shutterstock

2 © 2016 LifeWay

Christmas is a happy time!

We celebrate that Jesus was born!

We sing songs and worship.

We go to church.

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10

Christmas - present day art. Pictures of children singing - preschool choir program or small group of children.

© 2016 LifeWay

a family, too!

that Jesus had

We remember

families.

time with our

We spend

3

4

Bethlehem.

was born in

that Jesus

to remind us

manger scene

We have a

birth.

about Jesus’

Bible to hear

We read the

Christmas - present day art. Pictures of manger scene or children setting up manger scene

© 2016 LifeWay

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to Jesus.

wise men gave gifts

We remember that the

to people we love.

We wrap gifts to give

© 2016 LifeWay

5

6

Christmas - present day art. Pictures of star and angel decorations or child decorating tree.

© 2016 LifeWay

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wise men followed to find Jesus.

of the star in the sky that the

Our star ornament reminds us

Joseph and the shepherds.

the angels that visited Mary and

Our angel ornament reminds us of

Christmas tree.

We put ornaments on our

MISSIONS PICTURES

UNIT 1

Missions in Madagascar Missionaries: Grant and Jodie Waller Off the coast of Africa is a large island called Madagascar. Madagascar is known for tropical jungles, beautiful beaches, and lively lemurs. The Mahafaly [mah-hah-fah-lee] people live in the dusty, hot desert of Madagascar. Many are hungry because there is not enough food to eat. Some drink out of mud puddles because there is not enough clean water. The Mahafaly people are farmers. They grow corn, rice, black-eyed peas, and cassava (a woody shrub with a root that is eaten). At the ages of 5 and 6, the children work herding the goats and sheep and planting in the fields. Grant and Jodi Waller live in Madagascar with their two children. The Wallers travel by truck to the villages when the ground is dry. They fly in a helicopter when the rains come. The Wallers teach the Mahafaly people about Jesus by telling Bible stories and leading the people to worship Him. Pray for • The Wallers • The Mahafaly people to learn about Jesus and want to worship Him • Food and clean water

Bible Studies For Life 3s–Pre-K, Winter 2016–17 © 2016 LifeWay. Printed in the United States of America. This item may be reproduced.

Jesus Was Born

Good news! Jesus was born. Luke 2:10-11 © 2016 LifeWay. Printed in the United States of America. This item may be reproduced.