Preschool Small-Group Leader Guide

Live Their Faith Where Kids Dare to

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We know you care about kids… We do, too! That’s why we attempt to ensure that all crafts, toys, and gizmos meet or exceed national safety standards—and are produced by manufacturers that don’t use child labor or abuse their labor force. You can order Group resources knowing that in addition to caring for your kids, you’re also caring for children elsewhere. Let’s keep kids safe! We strive to provide products that are mechanically reliable and hold together during normal, intended usage. Items are also checked for flammability, and both paint and surface coatings are checked for heavy metals—including lead. You can help your children stay safe by seeing that toys and gizmos are used as designed, for the purposes designed, and that any broken pieces are disposed of promptly and properly. We value your feedback. If you become aware of a problem affecting the safety of any of our products, please inform us immediately.

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Under the Tree Preschool Small-Group Leader Guide Winter 2015-2016 Copyright © 2012, 2015 Group Publishing, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher, except where noted in the text and in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For information, visit group.com/permissions. Visit our website: group.com Thanks to our talented Living Inside Out curriculum team! Jared Bigham, Kate Elvin, Alan Flinn, Lyndsay Gerwing, Becky Helzer, Illustrated Alaskan Moose, Barbie Murphy, Peggy Naylor, Jessica Sausto, Joani Schultz, Jeff Spencer, Rodney Stewart, Rebecca Swain, Ali Thompson, Christine Yount Jones, Andrea Zimmerman Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Item #: 126076 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 17 16 15 Printed in the United States of America.

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Table of Contents

Welcome!

Page 4

Leader Training

Page 5

Lesson 1 Prophets Foretell Jesus’ Birth Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7

Page 7

Lesson 2 An Angel Appears to Mary and Joseph Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

Page 11

Lesson 3 Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7

Page 15

Lesson 4 Shepherds Learn That Jesus Is Born Luke 2:8-20

Page 19

Lesson 5 Wise Men Visit Jesus Matthew 2:1-12

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Group’s Living Inside Out® The “Can-Do” Large-Group/Small-Group Kit for Children’s Ministry Welcome to Living Inside Out—the curriculum that dares kids to live out their faith 24/7. You’re a Small-Group Leader. You’re the one God has gifted with an ear for lengthy tales about impossible math homework and favorite cereals. You have a patient heart and a knack for bringing kids out of their shells. With your God-given talents, you’re about to help create an unforgettable, personal, God-soaked experience for your kids. As a Small-Group Leader, you’ll:  xperience Small-Group Pow (and Large-Group Wow). The large-group/small-group E format works, especially when you have a diverse age-range in one room. Large group, through music, dramas, and experiences, offers a nonthreatening and low-impact way to get kids talking to other kids about stuff they love and about God. Kids feel the excitement of praise and worship with their friends and have fun interacting through object lessons and experiences. Small group digs deeper, firmly planting the Bible in the soil of children’s hearts while kids build close relationships with peers. Both large- and small-group times get kids excited about what God is saying through Scripture, using thought-provoking questions to help them express what’s happening in their hearts.  einforce the Bible Point. While the large-group experience is multi-age, high-impact, R and interactive, small-group time is age-specific, personal, and conversational. What kids experience broadly with many in large-group time will be brought home and solidified in a group of 5 to 8 kids. Each Bible story, Bible Point, and life-application concept is emphasized, underlined, and highlighted in small group. With fun activities, kids learn God’s Word and make lifelong friends without even realizing that that’s what is happening. Choose Your Activities. Each small group’s activities are in an easy-to-follow format in your Small-Group Leader Guide. A Group Activity recaps the Bible story experienced in large group. The Memory Maker activity helps kids get “hands-on” with the Scripture, creatively using the Bible Memory Maker in a variety of ways. Living Inside Out Every Day challenges kids with easy-to-do daily and weekly activities—a vital component to the Living Inside Out curriculum. These challenges are specifically designed for kids and families to continue the Living Inside Out experience throughout the week. Life application and parental involvement are accomplished over something as simple as a fun dinner conversation or a family walk! Be REAL. Group’s REAL learning philosophy is Relational (kids connect with one another), Experiential (kids make discoveries), Applicable (the Bible connects to kids’ lives), and Learner-Based (kids experience the Bible in ways they learn best). With Group’s REAL learning, kids connect to Jesus—and you get to experience that connection right along with them. Living Inside Out gets kids to dive headfirst into a cool, relevant, loving relationship with God—and we’re asking you to do the same. Above all? Have fun showing these kids Jesus. It’s what you were born to do. Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Leader Training Wow! “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven“ (Matthew 18:3b). • Why do you think we need to change and become like little children? • How does your life reflect this Bible verse?

When was the last time you said, “Wow”? What are some “wow” moments in your life?

On-The-Go Training

Surprise moments come in big moments—and small ones, too. The “wow” in your lesson comes from changing your students’ perspectives. It comes from reminding them of biblical truths in new and unexpected ways, just as Jesus did. Think about how Jesus taught. He compared things that seemed unrelated, like mustard seeds and faith. He used surprise endings in his parables and sayings—no one expected the prodigal son to be welcomed home or the meek to inherit the earth. He also used common points of reference such as farming to illustrate how faith grows in “good soil.” “Wow” moments don’t have to be big, just a diversion from the expected. Jesus calls us to become like children—wondering like children. If we can wonder like a child, we’ll be able to reach and teach children. Here are some practical ways to become childlike and add “wow” to your lesson: • Go to a toy store and find the most unusual items available for your age group. Then speculate what Bible story or truth the object could illustrate. • Read the most popular children’s stories and watch kids’ movies. Think about how they can help you tell Bible stories. Perhaps you could discuss Joseph’s “Series of Unfortunate Events,” try Joseph’s brothers on “The People’s Court,” or act out the Cinderella tale to compare Jacob and Esau. • Invite some people the kids admire to share a Bible story or share their faith. • Give a real party during Pentecost or have your class act out the Good Samaritan in a real-life mission project, making “wows” by doing the unexpected.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Living Inside Out   Preschool

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Take It Home Take this training deeper as you think over these questions:

1

What “wow” activities can you list now that you might be able to use in future lessons?

2

Who can serve as a resource to help you come up with “wow” ideas?

Application Assignment Become a student, taking a class or studying something you know little about so that you can relate to what it feels like to learn something new. Write down the ways your teacher brings “wow” experiences to the classroom. Evaluate your new knowledge from this class and from the teaching methods used to see how it can inspire new “wows” in your class, too.

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Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Lesson

1

Prophets Foretell Jesus’ Birth Preschool

OPENING

Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7 Allow 5 minutes

• Welcome each child, and help children get acquainted in your group. • Ask what kids remember about today’s large-group lesson. • Let kids share important news or prayer newsrequests, or prayerand requests, pray with andthem. pray with them. • SHARE

• Say: INTRODUCTION People talked about Jesus before he was born—they hoped Say: We and prayed know forthat Jesus. GodTell wants a partner us to obey something our parents. you’reLet’s hoping play to a game get in the to future. practiceAllow obeying time.and to discover how fun it can be when we obey God by obeying our parents.

Hope for the Best  

YOU’LL NEED

We put our hope in Jesus.

Key Verse “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

poster board • tape • children’s magazines and toy catalogs

1. INTRODUCE Say: During this time of year, with Christmas right around the corner, people hope for all kinds of things. Let’s see what you might be hoping for.

Group Activity

t The Point u

Allow 10 minutes

2. SEARCH Let children look through the magazines and catalogs. Ask them to tear out pictures of things children their age might be hoping for. Have children tape the pictures to the poster board to create a poster. 3. DISCUSS Have children gather around the finished poster. Ask: • Pick one picture and talk about why kids hope for that. • Why is Jesus the greatest gift we can hope for? 4. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: We may want some things at Christmas, but what we can hope for most is Jesus. uWe put our hope in Jesus because Jesus will do exactly what he’s promised us. He’s the only one who can help us live with him in heaven forever. When we believe in Jesus, he’ll be with us every minute of every day— here and in heaven. I’m so glad God sent Jesus!

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Memory Maker

Allow 510minutes minutes

YOU’LL NEED Bible Memory Makers® 1. PAIR UP Have kids form pairs, and distribute the Bible Memory Maker Angel Seed Ornaments. 2. SAY THE VERSE Say: Jesus’ birth was something to announce! Let’s say our Key “The Savior…has been born Verse from Luke 2:11 together: today in Bethlehem!” 3. SHARE Say: We learned that prophets, people who hear what God says and then tell other people, knew Jesus was coming before he was born. They hoped for Jesus to come for a long, long time. Have kids hold up their angels one at a time and “announce” something they hope for. 4. DISCUSS • Talk about the thing you announced and why you hope for it. • What things would you say if you announced Jesus’ birth? 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION “The Say: When the angels announced Jesus’ birth by saying Savior…has been born this day in Bethlehem,” the people knew the prophets had been right. Because Jesus was born, we know God kept his promise the prophets told the people about. Collect the Bible Memory Makers to use in next week’s lesson.

Living Inside Out Every Day! DISTRIBUTE Give a copy of today’s “Living Inside Out Every Day!” handout to each child. Say: This paper has ideas for how you can live inside out this week. Let’s choose our Live It Challenges.

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Live It CHALLENGES™ Read the Live It Challenges aloud. Help children circle the one they’ll do this week.

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MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: People hoped and prayed for Jesus before he was born. Just as they did, uwe put our hope in Jesus.

Allow 5 minutes PRAY Pray: Thank you, God, for sending Jesus just as you promised. Help us put our hope in Jesus during this special Christmas season. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Living Inside Out Every Day! Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7

The Inside Truth Your child learned that prophets, people who tell others what God says, talked about Jesus coming before he was even born. Just as the people of that time put their hope in a Savior they heard the prophets talk about, we put our hope in Jesus, too.

Do You Remember? Talk about these questions with your child: • Why did God send Jesus? • What things do you hope that Jesus will do for you?

Live It Challenges Choose a Challenge! Your child chose the marked challenge for the week. Help your child remember to follow through and live out his or her faith. Challenge 1 Ask other people what they hope for at Christmas. Then tell them about Jesus and that you put your hope in him. Challenge 2 Have your parents help you create a Christmas card with a picture of Jesus. When you give it to someone, say that you’re putting your hope in Jesus this year. Challenge 3 Bake special Christmas cookies with your family. While you’re mixing and baking, talk about how you hope the cookies turn out—and what things you’re hoping Jesus will do for your family.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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t The Point u We put our hope in Jesus.

Key Verse “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 1

Preschool

Living Inside Out at Home Parents, choose “Hope Unwrapped” or “Hopeful Hearts” to help reinforce what your child learned.

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 1

Hope Unwrapped

You’ll Need

1. Set up a Nativity set with your child, but don’t add the baby Jesus yet. 2. Wrap the baby Jesus in Christmas wrapping paper, and set the package near the set.

Nativity set

3. Talk with your child about how people hoped that God would send Jesus. 4. Have your child unwrap the baby Jesus as you thank God for keeping his promise to send Jesus.

Hopeful Hearts

You’ll Need

1. Give your child a piece of red construction paper and markers or crayons.

red construction paper • scissors • markers or crayons

2. Have your child draw a large heart shape on his or her paper. 3. Tell your child to write or draw “hopeful” things inside his or her heart shape. For example, good health or safe travel for out-of-town friends. 4. Cut out the heart and fold it so the writing or drawing is on the inside. 5. Place the heart by the family Christmas tree, and pray for what’s on the heart as a family. 6. Open the heart on Christmas morning, and praise God for Jesus with your family.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Lesson

2

An Angel Appears to Mary and Joseph Preschool

Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

OPENING

Allow 5 minutes

t The Point u

• Welcome each child, and help children get acquainted in your group.

We believe Jesus is God’s Son.

• Ask what kids remember about today’s large-group lesson. • Let kids share news or prayer requests, and pray with them.

Key Verse

• BELIEVE Say: We believe Jesus is God’s Son. With a partner, talk about why you believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Allow time.

Do You Believe?  

YOU’LL NEED

“The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

antibacterial gel or wet wipes • stick pretzels • mustard • paper plates • napkins

Group Activity

1. DISTRIBUTE Have kids clean their hands. Give each child a handful of pretzels, a plate, and a napkin.

Allow 10 minutes

2. EXPLAIN Say: When Jesus was born, Mary placed him in a manger. His parents believed he was God’s Son even before they saw him and even though he was born in such a strange place. A manger is a feeding box for animals and would probably have hay in it. Use the pretzels to make what you think a manger would look like. Give the children a few minutes to build their mangers.

ALLERGY ALERT

3. Discuss • What’s it like to believe in Jesus when you can’t see him? • What are some things you believe about Jesus? 4. EAT Invite the children to eat their pretzels. If they’d like a little more flavor, give them some mustard to dip the pretzels in. 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: Mary and Joseph believed they’d be the parents of God’s Son even before they saw Jesus. uWe believe Jesus is God’s Son, even though we haven’t seen him, because we trust God—and God tells us in the Bible that Jesus is God’s Son.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Memory Maker

Allow 510minutes minutes

YOU’LL NEED Bible Memory Makers® 1. Line Up Have kids line up, and distribute the Bible Memory Maker Angel Seed Ornaments. 2. FLY AWAY Say: We learned today that when Mary and Joseph were each visited by an angel, the angel told them they would have a son called Jesus and he would be the savior! Take your angels and fly them around the room until I say stop. Give kids a minute to fly their angels around the room. Say: Stop! Now one at a time, tell us whose son or daughter you are. Have kids share the names of their parents. 3. SAY THE VERSE Say: Now let’s share the good news about Jesus in our Key “The Savior…has been born today in Verse from Luke 2:11: Bethlehem!” 4. DISCUSS • What good news would you like to share about Jesus? • Why is Jesus’ birth important to you? 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: When the angel announced that a savior would be born, it was a day to celebrate! And just like your family celebrated when “the Savior…has been you were born, we can celebrate that born today in Bethlehem” and that uwe believe Jesus is God’s Son. Collect the Bible Memory Makers to use next week.

Living Inside Out Every Day! DISTRIBUTE Give a copy of today’s “Living Inside Out Every Day!” handout to each child. Say: This paper has ideas for how you can live inside out this week. Let’s choose our Live It Challenges.

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Live It Challenges™ Read the Live It Challenges aloud. Help children circle the one they’ll do this week.

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MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: God put Jesus in Mary’s belly—we know he’s God’s Son. Just like Mary and Joseph believed, uwe believe Jesus is God’s Son.

Allow 5 minutes PRAY Pray: Thank you, God, for sending Jesus to earth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Living Inside Out Every Day! Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38

The Inside Truth Your child learned about the angel’s visit with Mary and Joseph. They were told that Jesus would be the savior. Mary and Joseph believed that Jesus really would be God’s Son, and your child learned that we believe Jesus is God’s Son, too.

Do You Remember?

t The Point u We believe Jesus is God’s Son.

Talk about these questions with your child: • Why do you believe Jesus is God’s Son? • What else do you believe about Jesus?

Key Verse “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

Live It Challenges Choose a Challenge! Your child chose the marked challenge for the week. Help your child remember to follow through and live out his or her faith. Challenge 1 Have a parent read you the story of the angel coming to Mary in Luke 1:26-38 or to Joseph in Matthew 1:1825. Talk about things that help you believe Jesus is God’s Son. Challenge 2 Ask an adult you know at church to tell you what he or she knows or believes about Jesus. Challenge 3 With your family, make a banner to put in your yard that says “Jesus Is God’s Son!”

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 2

Preschool

Living Inside Out at Home Parents, choose “Angel Ornaments” or “Silent Night” to help reinforce what your child learned.

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 2

Angel Ornaments

You’ll Need

1. Gather your family together. 2. Use self-hardening clay to sculpt angels with your family. 3. Have family members each insert an ornament hanger into the top of their angel before it hardens.

self-hardening clay • ornament hangers

4. Think of people who your family could give some of the ornaments to. 5. Give the ornaments away, and tell the recipients about Jesus.

Silent Night 1. Sing “Silent Night” with your family, including the last verse:

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.



Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at thy birth. Jesus, Lord, at thy birth.

2. Have family members each talk about what the words in the last verse mean to them.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Lesson

3

Jesus Is Born in Bethlehem Preschool

Luke 2:1-7

OPENING

t The Point u

Allow 5 minutes

We receive God’s greatest gift.

• Welcome each child, and help children get acquainted in your group. • Ask what kids remember about today’s large-group lesson. • Let kids share news or prayer requests, and pray with them.

Key Verse

• TELL Say: God’s greatest gift to us is Jesus! Tell a partner about the best gift you’ve ever received. Allow time.

Gift Bags  

YOU’LL NEED

“The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

2 gift bags • 1 scrap of paper per child • 1 fun trinket—a colorful eraser, pencil, and so on—per child

Group Activity

1. PASS THE BAG Have kids sit in a circle. Hold up the gift bag that has the scrap paper in it. Say: I have a gift in this bag for each of you. I’m going to pass the bag around, and everyone take one thing out of it. Pass the bag. 2. DISCUSS • What do you like or not like about this gift? • Talk about whether you think this is a great gift or not.

Allow 10 minutes

Leader Tip Prepare Ahead

Put all the paper scraps in one gift bag and all the trinkets in the other gift bag.

3. PASS THE TRINKET BAG Take out the second bag. Say: I have another bag to pass around, and each of you take one gift out of the bag. Pass the bag. 4. DISCUSS • What do you like or not like about this gift? • Tell which gift is better. 5. READ Say: There’s a gift that has been given to us that’s better than anything we can ever imagine. Listen while I read about this great gift. Read aloud Luke 2:1-7 to the children. Say: Jesus is God’s greatest gift. God sent his Son to earth to be our forever friend. 6. DISCUSS • What’s it like to know that God loves us so much that he gave us the gift of Jesus? • What are some ways you can thank God for the gift of Jesus? 7. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: Jesus is the greatest gift ever given. God wants us to put our hope in Jesus and believe he’s God’s Son. God wants us to ureceive God’s greatest gift.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Memory Maker

Allow 510minutes minutes

YOU’LL NEED Bible Memory Makers® 1. CIRCLE UP Have kids stand in a circle. Say: Everyone shout out their birthday all at the same time. Ready? Go! After kids shout out their birthday, distribute the Bible Memory Maker Angel Seed Ornaments. 2. SAY THE VERSE Say: Our Key Verse from Luke 2:11 is about our greatest gift, Jesus! “The Savior…has been born today Let’s shout it out together: in Bethlehem!” 3. EXAMINE Say: Look closely at your angels, and see if you can find a “gift” hidden in the paper. Have kids suggest what they think the gift is. If kids can’t find the seeds embedded in the paper, show them. Say: Those are seeds! When you take your angels home, you can plant them right in the ground—and flowers will grow. 4. DISCUSS • What exciting gifts have you received for your birthday? • What exciting gifts would you give to Jesus for his birthday? 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: Birthdays are exciting days filled with celebration and gifts. Just like you found the gift of seeds in your ornaments, uwe receive God’s greatest gift—Jesus! Collect the Bible Memory Makers to use next week.

Living Inside Out Every Day! DISTRIBUTE Give a copy of today’s “Living Inside Out Every Day!” handout to each child. Say: This paper has ideas for how you can live inside out this week. Let’s choose our Live It Challenges.

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Live It Challenges™ Read the Live It Challenges aloud. Help children circle the one they’ll do this week.

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MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: We put our hope in Jesus and we believe Jesus is God’s Son. Just as Mary and Joseph did, uwe receive God’s greatest gift—Jesus!

Allow 5 minutes PRAY Pray: Thank you, God, that you gave Jesus to us. Help us to receive your greatest gift of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Living Inside Out Every Day! Luke 2:1-7

The Inside Truth Your child learned how (and where) baby Jesus was born. Mary and Joseph traveled far to reach a stable near an inn where Jesus was born. Jesus is God’s greatest gift to us, and Mary and Joseph received him into this world with open arms. In the same way, we receive God’s greatest gift—Jesus.

t The Point u We receive God’s greatest gift.

Do You Remember? Talk about these questions with your child: • What are some things about Jesus that make him a great gift? • What are some ways you can thank God for Jesus?

Live It Challenges Choose a Challenge! Your child chose the marked challenge for the week. Help your child remember to follow through and live out his or her faith. Challenge 1 When you tell others about what you want for Christmas, tell someone about God’s greatest gift, Jesus. Challenge 2 Draw a picture of Jesus and wrap it up to give to someone you love. When the person opens the gift, tell that Jesus is God’s greatest gift. Challenge 3 Find a picture of Jesus—maybe from an old Christmas card or print one from the Internet with your parent’s help—and put the picture on your Christmas tree or another place where you’ll see it as a reminder that Jesus is God’s greatest gift. Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Key Verse “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 3

Preschool

Living Inside Out at Home Parents, choose “Thanking God for Jesus” or “God’s Special Characters” to help reinforce what your child learned.

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 3

Thanking God for Jesus 1. Pause for a moment with your family before opening presents on Christmas morning. 2. Thank God for his greatest gift of Jesus by saying a short prayer or singing a song. 3. Open your gifts and remember that Jesus is the greatest gift anyone could ever receive.

God’s Special Characters 1. Give your child a figure from a Nativity set. 2. Read aloud Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-23 with your child.

You’ll Need Nativity set

3. Talk with your child about the Nativity set pieces and how each one represents an important part of the Christmas story. 4. Thank God for his greatest gift—Jesus.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Lesson

4

Shepherds Learn That Jesus Is Born Preschool

OPENING

Luke 2:8-20 t The Point u

Allow 5 minutes

• Welcome each child, and help children get acquainted in your group.

We tell others about Jesus.

• Ask what kids remember about today’s large-group lesson. • Let kids share news or prayer requests, and pray with them.

Key Verse

• LEARN Say: Think of some things you’ve learned, like maybe how to tie your shoes. Tell a partner something cool you’ve learned to do. Allow time.

Group Activity

Megaphone Messages  

“The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

1 construction paper triangle per child • crayons • stapler • scissors

YOU’LL NEED

1. DRAW Give each child a paper triangle, and set out the crayons. Say: I have something special in mind for us to do with these triangles. Let’s draw on them. Maybe draw the angels telling the shepherds about Jesus, or maybe draw yourself telling someone about Jesus.

Allow 10 minutes

2. MAKE MEGAPHONES When children finish drawing, help them overlap two sides of the triangle and staple the sides together. To finish off each megaphone, snip off the pointed end to leave a hole kids can talk through. 3. SPEAK Say: Say this through a megaphone: u“We tell others about Jesus.” Pause. Now, in the same voice you just used, say u“We tell others about Jesus” without a megaphone. Don’t say it any louder or softer than you did before. 4. Discuss • What did the megaphone do to your voice? • What can you tell others about Jesus? 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: Telling others about Jesus is important whether we have megaphones or not. It might sound louder through a megaphone, but it’s the same message. No matter how it sounds, it’s still great to utell others about Jesus.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Living Inside Out   Preschool

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Memory Maker

Allow 510minutes minutes

YOU’LL NEED Bible Memory Makers® 1. FORM GROUPS Have kids form three groups. One group will be sheep, one group will be shepherds, and one group will be angels. Give each child in the angel group three Bible Memory Maker Angel Seed Ornaments. 2. GATHER Say: Sheep, wander around making sheep noises. Shepherds, try to get all the sheep into a group. Angels, stand by me. Allow time for shepherds to round up the sheep into one area by forming a circle around them. Then have the angels stand near the shepherds. 3. SHARE Say: Angels, fly your angels high over your heads. Let’s shout out “The Savior…has been born the Key Verse from Luke 2:11: today in Bethlehem!” Fly one of your angels to a shepherd. Each time you share an angel with a shepherd, say the Key Verse. 4. DISCUSS • What’s the most exciting news you’ve ever heard? • Who can you tell the exciting news that Jesus was born? 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: The shepherds were amazed and excited about the news the angels shared with them. We can be excited, too, and utell others about Jesus—because Jesus was born not only for the shepherds, but also for us! Collect the Bible Memory Makers to use next week.

Living Inside Out Every Day! DISTRIBUTE Give a copy of today’s “Living Inside Out Every Day!” handout to each child. Say: This paper has ideas for how you can live inside out this week. Let’s choose our Live It Challenges.

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Live It Challenges™ Read aloud the Live It Challenges. Help children circle the one they’ll do this week.

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MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: We know that Jesus is God’s greatest gift, so uwe tell others about Jesus.

Allow 5 minutes PRAY Pray: Thank you, God, for giving Jesus to us. Help us tell others about him and what he means to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Living Inside Out Every Day! Luke 2:8-20

The Inside Truth Your child learned about how the shepherds, after seeing the angels, told everyone they knew about baby Jesus. Your child learned that we can tell others about Jesus just like the shepherds told others the Savior had been born.

Do You Remember?

t The Point u We tell others about Jesus.

Talk about these questions with your child: • What are some ways to tell others about Jesus?

Key Verse

• Who are some people you can tell about Jesus? “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

Live It Challenges Choose a Challenge! Your child chose the marked challenge for the week. Help your child remember to follow through and live out his or her faith. Challenge 1 Tell your family or friends about Jesus by singing a Christmas song about Jesus, such as “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” or “Joy to the World.” Challenge 2 Do you have a friend who doesn’t go to church? Tell your friend what you know about Jesus. With a parent’s help, invite your friend to come to church with you next week. Challenge 3 With an adult’s help, record yourself telling the story of Jesus’ birth. Send the recording to someone as a way to tell about Jesus.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 4

Preschool

Living Inside Out at Home Parents, choose “Ornament Fest” or “Special Announcement” to help reinforce what your child learned.

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 4

Ornament Fest 1. Create Christmas ornaments together as a family. 2. Use any supplies you may have on hand, such as construction paper, craft foam, fabric scraps, or old Christmas cards, to create unique ornaments.

You’ll Need craft supplies

3. Help your child create gift cards with the verse “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” (Luke 2:11). 4. Take the ornaments to some friends or neighbors and tell them about the birth of Jesus.

Special Announcement 1. Tell the guests at your family Christmas celebration that your child has a special announcement to make. 2. Have your child say the Key Verse through the megaphone he or she made, “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!”

You’ll Need the megaphone from this week’s small-group lesson

3. Encourage your child to tell about Jesus by telling about the shepherds who visited Jesus and then told others about him.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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9581 LIO WI15 LIO SP15 UnderMiracle the Tree Lab PSPS Febuary July 22, 2014 3, 2015

Lesson

5

Wise Men Visit Jesus Preschool

OPENING

Matthew 2:1-12 t The Point u

Allow 5 minutes

• Welcome each child, and help children get acquainted in your group.

We seek Jesus every day.

• Ask what kids remember about today’s large-group lesson. • Let kids share news or prayer requests, and pray with them.

Key Verse

• LEARN Say: Think of some things you’ve learned, like maybe how to tie your shoes. Tell a partner something cool you’ve learned to do. Allow time.

Group Activity

Seeking the Savior  

YOU’LL NEED

“The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

1 Christmas card picture of Jesus per child • 2 books or magazines • 1 piece of construction paper per child • glue sticks • crayons

1. SEEK Have the children help each other look through the books to find the cards.

Allow 10 minutes

2. GLUE Give each child a piece of construction paper, and have children glue the cards to the paper.

Leader Tip Prepare Ahead

3. DECORATE Ask children to use crayons to decorate their “cards.” On each card write “We seek Jesus every day.”

Slip the Christmas card pictures inside the books or magazines.

4. Discuss • Tell whether it was easy or hard to find the pictures of Jesus. • Tell whether it’s easy or hard to seek and find the real Jesus. • What are some ways you can seek Jesus? 5. MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: When we look for Jesus, he’s easy to find! We read about him in the Bible. When we pray, he hears and answers us. We can see Jesus when other people love him and treat us well. The wise men looked for Jesus and found him. We can find him, too, when uwe seek Jesus every day.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Living Inside Out   Preschool

23

Memory Maker

Allow 510minutes minutes

YOU’LL NEED Bible Memory Makers® 1. GATHER Have kids gather around you, and give each child a Bible Memory Maker Angel Seed Ornament. Say: Quickly go hide your angel ornament somewhere in our room, but don’t let anyone see where you put it! Allow time. 2. SAY THE VERSE Say: We’re going to search for the angels in a minute, but first let’s “The Savior…has been born say our Key Verse from Luke 2:11: today in Bethlehem!” Great job! Now let’s find the angels! 3. SEARCH Say: Search for an angel, but not the one you hid. Once you find one, hold it up and shout out the Key Verse. When kids have each found an angel, have them gather back together. 4. DISCUSS • What was it like searching for the angels? • How was searching for the angels like the wise men searching for Jesus? • What do you do to look for Jesus? 5. Make the CONNECTION Say: The wise men knew that the Savior had been born in Bethlehem. Just as we searched for our angels, the wise men searched for Jesus. And just like the wise men, we can useek Jesus every day and worship him, too! 6. SEND HOME Let children take home their Bible Memory Makers.

Living Inside Out Every Day! DISTRIBUTE Give a copy of today’s “Living Inside Out Every Day!” handout to each child. Say: This paper has ideas for how you can live inside out this week. Let’s choose our Live It Challenges.

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Live It Challenges™ Read aloud the Live It Challenges. Help children circle the one they’ll do this week.

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MAKE THE CONNECTION Say: The wise men looked for Jesus and rejoiced when they found him. uWe seek Jesus every day just as the wise men did.

Allow 5 minutes PRAY Pray: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus as our Savior. Help us seek Jesus every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Living Inside Out Every Day! Matthew 2:1-12

The Inside Truth Your child learned about the journey of the wise men to find baby Jesus—a long hike across deserts and dangerous terrain to find a Savior they’d never met. That’s how seriously the wise men took their search for the Messiah, and your child learned we seek Jesus every day in the same way.

t The Point u We seek Jesus every day.

Do You Remember? Talk about these questions with your child: • Why did the wise men seek Jesus? • What are some ways you can seek Jesus every day?

Live It Challenges Choose a Challenge! Your child chose the marked challenge for the week. Help your child remember to follow through and live out his or her faith. Challenge 1 Seek Jesus in the Bible. One night this week, ask a parent to read a favorite story about Jesus to you. Challenge 2 Seek Jesus in prayer. Gather your family together and pray that your family will be the kind of family Jesus wants you to be. Challenge 3 Seek Jesus by asking questions. Ask an adult to tell you why he or she loves Jesus.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Key Verse “The Savior…has been born today in Bethlehem!” ­­­—Luke 2:11

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 5

Preschool

Living Inside Out at Home Parents, choose “Hide and Seek” or “Seek Jesus” to help reinforce what your child learned.

Living Inside Out Every Day! • Take Home • Preschool • Lesson 5

Hide and Seek 1. Play Hide and Seek with your family. 2. Give each person a turn as the Seeker. 3. Talk about how even though it may’ve been hard to find your family members, it’s easy to find Jesus. We can always find him!

Seek Jesus 1. Walk around your house with your child and find things that remind you of Jesus. It may be Bibles, other books, pictures, things from church, and so on. 2. Talk with your child about ways to find Jesus and how he’s always near.

Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Living Inside Out®: Under the Tree granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

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Don’t forget your Bible Memory Makers®! Bible verses are reinforced with the Bible Memory Makers! Each Bible Memory Maker has the module’s Key Verse on it and is creatively used during small-group time. At the end of the module, every child will want to bring home one of these clever memory makers to share with their friends and live out their faith. Buy one per child for each of the three monthly modules. (Sold in packs of 5.)

Balloon Fest—Air Copter ISBN 978-1-4707-2950-9 (pkg. of 5)

$5.99

In Canada $6.49

ORDER

ONE

for ea c

h child

Order today! Visit group.com or your favorite Christian retailer.

Where Kids Dare to

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e s J u f s o ’ b t i f r i t g h e a h n t d e r o l Exp is love with your preschooler! h My First Hands-On Christmas Bible (Board Book) Explore the gift of Jesus’ birth and his love with your preschooler! Based on the best-selling My First Hands-On Bible, this adorable board book engages your child with hands-on activities. Each Bible story includes a prayer to pray with your child, two follow-up activities that reinforce the passages, a “Jesus Connection” to help your child see Jesus at the center of all Scripture, and so much more. You’ll help your child interact with these Bible stories to remember them for a lifetime. This colorful board book includes these Christmas stories: • Jesus Is Born (from Luke 2:1-7) • Shepherds Hear About Baby Jesus (from Luke 2:8-17) • Wise Men Visit Jesus (from Matthew 2:1-11) Be the first to introduce your 3- to 6-year-old to Jesus and his birth! ISBN 978-0-7644-8565-7 • $9.99

Order today! Visit group.com or your favorite Christian retailer.

Fun for the little ones!

[A] [B] [C]

Preschool Throw & Tell® Ball

[D]

It’s fun. It’s super-easy. It’s bouncy. And it’s GUARANTEED to get your preschoolers to open up and interact! This new Throw & Tell ball is the top teacher’s tool to get preschoolers talking. With 24 age-appropriate picture prompts, it’s perfect for play, connecting kids, and filling extra time. The Preschool Throw & Tell Ball gives you: n An inexpensive, no-prep, flexible time filler. n An easy way to get to know your children better. n An effective way to get even the youngest kids talking about Jesus. n A safe way for kids to have fun and share what’s on their hearts. You’ll want one for each preschool classroom! ISBN 978-0-7644-7613-6 • $9.99 24” Inflated. For age 3+ only.

Order today! Visit group.com or your favorite Christian retailer.

[E]

ALSO AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: [A] Attention-Grabber Throw & Tell Ball [B] Prayer Throw & Tell Ball [C] Life-Application Throw & Tell Ball [D] All About Me Throw & Tell Ball [E] This…or That? Throw & Tell Ball

Your Ultimate “Pick and Choose” Preschool Resources! The Humongous Book of Preschool Ideas Teach 37 popular Bible stories in ways that click with kids. Just select a Bible story, flip to that section of the book… and discover games, crafts, and finger plays to build a lively lesson or boost an existing one. Includes Bible story and Scripture indexes. ISBN 978-0-7644-3601-7 • $29.99

The Humongous Book of Preschool Ideas 2 Even MORE great ideas—all of them wrapped around 45 Bible stories you’ll want to share with your preschoolers! Just pick a story…flip to it in this book…and craft a lesson using games, crafts, finger plays, prayers, and snacks. Create a complete lesson or add extra “wow!” to an existing lesson. ISBN 978-0-7644-3813-4 • $29.99

Order today! Visit group.com or your favorite Christian retailer.

ve Their Faith 24/7

Li Where Kids Dare to

group.com/sunday-school

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ve Their Faith 24/7

Li Where Kids Dare to

group.com/sunday-school

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