Shepherds Visit Jesus
Embedded Files
10:00-10:15 - Get to know new kids, entertain early arrivals until lesson begins
Lesson Introduction
Recommended Start Time: 10:15AM - 10:35AMLesson Introduction
Luke 1-2:21
The shepherds were considered to be among the lowest levels of society, so why did God choose them to be the first to know of the birth of the messiah?
Memory VerseToday in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11
For more on the lesson click here!
For more on the lesson click here!
Lesson cont...
Lesson cont...
There are approximately 1,500 years between the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and the establishment of the Passover to the time when Jesus Christ was born. So for 1,500 years, shepherds played a key role in God’s plan to provide enough lambs, year-old males, without defect, so that all Israelite families could remember the Passover and worship God according to His will.
There would be no more need to slaughter lambs from the flock year after year to secure God’s favor and forgiveness of sin. The once-for-all Lamb of God has arrived.
The shepherds were visited by an angel of the Lord and were the first to see and worship the Lamb of God. The significance of the Lamb of God being born would not be lost on the shepherds.
Once again, angels are prominent in this story. A single angel appeared to them at first, and once again, they were terrified at first. After the angel calms them down and gives them the message that the savior had been born, a large crowd of angels appeared, praising God. What a sight that must have been!
The story also points out the effect this event had on Mary. The shepherds relayed this whole story to Mary, and after they left, she was greatly effected by it. She "kept all these things like a secret treasure in her heart. She thought about them over and over." What must it have been like to be Mary, trying to process through everything that was happening to her?
When did the angels appear to the shepherds? (at night)
How did the shepherds respond when the angel appeared? (they were terrified)
What did the angel say in response to their fears? (do not be afraid)
What did the angels tell the shepherds? (a savior had been born in the town of David)
Where did the shepherds go after the angels went back to heaven? (Bethlehem)
What did they find when they got to Bethlehem? (Mary and Joseph with Jesus)
What is a manger? (feeding trough for animals)
The shepherds were some of the first people to be told that Jesus was the messiah, the Son of God.
Now, over 2000 years ago, do you know that Jesus is that messiah, the Son of God, the lamb who came to take away our sins?
Activities
Activities
Craft 1 - Make a Sheep
Craft 1 - Make a Sheep
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
white paper
black construction paper
White construction paper
glue sticks
googly eyes
cotton balls.
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
Have children draw the body of their sheep. Then fluff cotton balls (by gently pulling apart) and glue them to the body. Then, help children draw and cut a head shape. Children will then glue googly eyes to their sheep!
Craft 2 - Sheep Sandwich
Craft 2 - Sheep Sandwich
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Paper plates
Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
Icing
Hershey Kisses
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
Place a graham cracker on a plate
Use icing to secure marshmallows to the graham cracker. After filling the cracker, use a hershey kiss for the head. Lastly, add two dots of icing for eyes!
Game 1 - Shepherds Game
Game 1 - Shepherds Game
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Masking Tape
Cotton balls
shepherd’s staffs
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
Place tape on the floor to represent corrals. Form two teams and use staffs like fans to blow white cotton balls into the corrals. The team who has corralled all of their sheep first wins.
Game 2 - Paper Airplane Landing
Game 2 - Paper Airplane Landing
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials needed from the cart:
Masking Tape
Paper
Get the details by clicking here!
Directions
Directions
Make a landing strip out of making tape on the floor.
Make paper planes, have the kids throw them and see who can throw theirs the farthest and straightest.
Activity 1 - Dance It Out
Activity 1 - Dance It Out
Once you're through the lesson/games use these to fill any remaining time, or the ideas listed below
Materials needed from the cart (varies based on the game you choose):
Christian just dance videos below
If they don't want to play the Christian Just Dance game they can play follow the leader.
Wrap It Up!
**Snacks can be given at this time, if needed**Wrap It Up!
- Come together and sit in a circle to talk about what they learned today. Ask them the same questions that you asked at the beginning of the day. How are their answers different now that they know more? Talk about what they can go home and tell their family. This is also a time they can update their journals (big kids only) or color the pictures (littles).
- Ask if anyone has a prayer request/praise report. Pray over requests.
- Worship time - Have the kids go find a spot to themselves and have some time with God (play the song below for around 3/5 minutes).
Worship
Worship
Energy Release!
Energy Release!
Last Minute Filler Ideas
Last Minute Filler Ideas
- Have them gather around the table and draw a picture or write a letter to their families about what they learned today.
- Play a game of some sort. (If you have the hula hoops, have them join hands in a circle and pass the hula hoop around the circle without breaking their hands)
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