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
Play this version of red light, green light. Every time I give you a fact about the story of Jesus’ birth, you run like the light is red. If I name a character from the story of Jesus’ birth, stop as if you’ve come to a stop light. Set a designated goal of where they should end. Be lenient about how fast they stop since you are using statements and not just the words red light/green light.
Jesus was born
Gabriel
Mary’s miraculous pregnancy
Joseph
John kicks at Mary voice
Elizabeth
Zephaniah is mute
Born in a stable
Was it easy or hard to stop quickly or move quick as you tried to make it to the finished line? We moved quickly trying to get to the finished line, as we continue reading in our story we will see the Mary and Joseph moved to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. After they arrived, Mary had baby Jesus, but not in a room where you would expect. Mary had Jesus while in a stable for animals, and had to place him in a manger. The angels announced Jesus’ birth to some nearby shepherds. Listen in the story to see what message the angels gave the shepherds that night.
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 scenarios, tape
Alternate
Jesus called for Peace when he was standing in the boat in the middle of a storm with his disciples. When he said “peace be still” the wind and the waves obeyed him and the storm settled down and there was calm. Sometimes our lives can feel like a big storm that is raging around us, but Jesus can bring peace to our stormy lives. It doesn’t mean the difficult problem instantly goes away, but that God can give us assurance that He is beside us through it. Using a laundry basket, pretend with your child that they are in a storm. Move the boat basket all around while they are in it after you tell them a storm they might face in their life. Then, stop the boat and tell them God can bring peace to their problem. Continue saying a problem they might face while rocking them in their boat, and stopping to tell them how God can bring them peace.
Materials: laundry basket
Independent activity:
Create your own peace banner. There are peace rallies that people attend trying to bring peace and order to a crazy situation. They often have signs they use to promote their message. Create a peace banner. Use a peace symbol or create your own symbol of peace, then write your message to let others know Jesus bring us peace.
Materials: large sheet of construction paper, crayons/markers
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Where was Jesus born?
What about His birth was kingly?
Were Jesus’ parents from humble beginnings?
Why do you think God used such humble beginnings for Jesus birth?
What gives you peace?
How is the peace from God different than the peace we might get from things or people?
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?