News
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
“Good news travels fast.” Have you ever heard that saying before? Do you believe it? Does good news also travel far? Maybe our good news doesn’t travel very far outside our family and friends, but there was news so great that it has traveled around the world! Yes, the Good News of Jesus is not just ordinary good news but the Gospel. This week we will see how this Good News was a part of God’s plan and meant to be shared around the world.
BIBLE STORY
When you have good news how do you like to share it? Do you write a note, shout it out loud, dance around the room or tell it to a friend? There are lots of ways to celebrate good news. This morning let’s have a dance party as if we were celebrating some good news. I’m going to share news, and if you think its good news, dance, if you hear something that is not good news, stop dancing.
It’s my birthday
I lost my pet
I won an award
I got second place in the contest
I stepped on an ant pile
I had a cookie for dessert
I watched my favorite movie
I got soap in my eyes
When we have good news we like to share it and hopefully the person we share it with is happy to hear it. Jesus brought good news to the world when he was born. The good news was hope for salvation. God wanted to prepare the hearts of Israel before Jesus began His ministry and he planned for John to do this. God sent an angel to tell the parents of John they would have a baby and that baby would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. That is great news! Let’s read or listen to find out how God told these parents the good news.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: Luke 1:5-20; 57-66
Who was Zechariah? (A Jewish priest)
What was his wife’s name? (Elizabeth)
Why didn’t they have any children? (Elizabeth couldn’t conceive)
Why was Zechariah in the sanctuary? (He was chosen by lots to go in and burn incense)
What did the angel who appeared to Zechariah say to him? (Don’t be afraid, your wife will have a son, John)
What did the angel tell Zechariah, John would do someday? (Great in the sight of thee Lord and turn many Israelites to the Lord, and prepare the way for the coming of the Lord)
Why did Zechariah have a hard time believing this would happen? (He and Elizabeth were older in age)
Why did Gabriel thee angel tell Zechariah he should believe his words? (The angel stands in thee presence of God, he was sent by God)
What did the angel Gabriel say would happen to Zechariah because of his unbelief? (He would not speak until the child was born)
After John was born, what happened to Zechariah? (People came to see the baby and wanted them to name him Zechariah, but then Zechariah spoke John’s name)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
The good news that was shared long ago of Jesus birth was not just for a small group of people, but for the whole world. Everyone can know that Jesus came so that he could die to save them from their sins. If your family has a child they sponsor from another country, take time to write them a letter telling them about the reason you celebrate Jesus’ birth. If your family does not sponsor a child, find a local donation group to write and send care packages to children in other countries. Place cards and notes along with the care package.
Materials: paper, pencil/crayons
Alternate
Play a game of charades. Use details from the story of the birth of Jesus to create scenes for thee audience to guess. I wonder if Zechariah had to mime his actions when he could not speak for so many months. It is easier to share our good news when we have a voice!
Materials: charades cards
Independent activity:
Long ago to send good news to someone around the world, it would take months for it to arrive. Today we can send an email, call on the phone, or send a letter that arrives in days! Think of a way someone from another country around the world may celebrate Christmas or their birthday. Draw a picture of what they do during their celebrations.
Materials: sheet of drawing paper, crayons/colored pencils
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, scissors
Craft 2
Complete one of the following crafts about John the Baptist.
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons, various materials
FOLLOW-UP
Did Zechariah believe the message from the angel?
How would you react if an angel showed up at your door?
What was John to be for Jesus?
What was Johns message to the people?
What was Jesus’ message to the people?
What message does the Bible have for us today?
How can we trust that the Bible is true?
Practical Application at Home
Just as John paved the way for Jesus, he spread the message of a need to repent for sins. Wee too need to be sure we remember our need for a Savior. We can acknowledge our sin and then confess it. God says He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins. Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection make the cleansing of our sins possible. We can have a direct relationship with God because of Jesus. That is good news worth sharing with the world!
Collect several rocks and design them using paint and markers. Write messages of hope on each rock and then create a path. You can create a path in your own backyard or alongside a walking trail on your next family nature hike.
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?