Peace
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
What do you think of when someone says the word peace? Do you think of chaos? Crazy things flying all around? Peace probably makes you think of something or someone that is calm. When Jesus was born, He brought peace to the world.
BIBLE STORY
Let’s play a few or all of the following hand games briefly.
Thumb wars
Rock paper scissors
Staring contest
Hand slap (moving hands away before the partner flips their hands around to slap them)
All of these games require you to concentrate in order to win. Although we may sometimes call these games war, they are not real war games. In real war people are afraid for their lives. We do not think of the word peace during times of war, it is actually the opposite. Peace describes a feeling of satisfaction and calm. We would much rather have peace than war, right? This week we will see how Jesus brings peace to the world. When the angels announced his birth to nearby shepherds, their message was of peace. Let’s read or listen to the next part of our bible story.
Read or listen to Luke 2:1-14
What did Augustus, the Roman emperor, decree? (That a censes be taken throughout the Roman Empire)
Where did everyone have to return to? (Their ancestral towns to register)
Why did Joseph have to go back to the town of Bethlehem? (He was a descendant of King David, who was from Bethlehem in Judea)
Where did Joseph and Mary travel from?(Nazareth)
When the baby came while they were in Bethlehem, where did they lay the baby? (She wrapped Him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger)
Who did the angel appear to later that night? (Shepherds in the field with their flock)
What did the angels say to the shepherds? (Don’t be afraid, I bring you good news, the Savior, Messiah was born today in Bethlehem )
Where did the angel tell the Shepherds they could find the baby? (Wrapped in strips of cloth laying in a manger)
Who joined the angel? (A host of angels who sang praises to God)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
The world’s idea of peace is different than God’s peace. The world tries to tell us how to get peace and although it may be calming for a time, it is never long-lasting. The peace God offers is lasting. Play this version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Listen to the scenario given and decide if it is the way the world describes peace or if it is God’s peace. Then try to pin the word ‘peace’ on the correct picture. Place the picture of the world and Bible in 2 different places. Read the scenario and have the child decide which peace is being described, then blindfold and spin the child before sending them to pin the peace in the correct place. After they take off the blindfold, they can see if they were close to the correct spot.
Materials: printed activities cut, tape
Alternate
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, because He brought peace to earth. Think of Jesus’ life on earth and the stories we read about Him in the Bible. Make a list of the stories that are examples of when Jesus brought peace to a chaotic situation. Here are a few to get you started: Jesus calms the storm, calms the feud between Mary and Martha, calms the fighting disciples
Materials: sheet of paper, pen/pencil
Independent activity:
Many people have slogans about peace. When they are protesting war or writing a song, they created peace slogans that are easy to say and remember. Such as: Love and peace; Love, peace and hair grease; Peace in the Middle East; peace out man! They hope their slogan inspires others to be peaceful or have peace in a tough situation. Write a slogan that helps others remember that Jesus is our peace.
Materials: sheet of paper, pen/pencil
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Micah 5:2-5a
In this Scripture Micah is professing that there will be someone who comes to bring peace to Israel. He describes the ruler coming from a small town of Bethlehem. He also states that the people will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman is in labor. We can see how these things were fulfilled at the time of Jesus birth, but at that time some of these things were not clear. God choose a small town to bring the King of the World to, and used a humble stables and manger for his shelter. Those are not things we consider proper for a king.
What did Micah say about the town of Bethlehem?
What would this ruler do with his flock?
What did Micah say this ruler would be a source of?
Where was Jesus born?
What about His birth was kingly?
Were Jesus’ parents of a high statute?
Why do you think God used such humble beginnings for Jesus birth?
Practical Application at Home
When we consider how humble Jesus’ life began, we might not consider this proper for a king. When we think of kings we might think of thick, elegant purple robes, crowns made of gold and jewels, and a gold thrown. Their children are born into the same lavish environment and they want for nothing. But Jesus was not born at a palace with people attending His every need. God sent Jesus as a baby and He was born with animals. Jesus did not come to only save the wealthy but to show everyone that He came to save them. It doesn’t matter where you come from, how much money you have or who your parents are, Jesus came to save each one of us. That can give us peace, knowing we do not have to look a certain way, dress a certain way or come from a prestigious family for God to want me. God wants us just the way we are, we can rest and have peace in His love and acceptance of us.
The world offers temporary peace but God offers peace that does not end, because His love never ends. Make a list of things you do to bring peace or to calm down during stressful times or days. Then decide which activities are from God and which are the world’s way of creating peace. Pray over your list and decide to lean on God’s peace first when faced with troubling times.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?