TO THE WORLD
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
When you find a secret passage in your game, or discover a new trick, do you ever reveal your secret? Although you may not reveal your secret so that you can continue to win, Jesus revealed something very important to us. It’s great news that Jesus didn’t keep secrets from us, but helped reveal God the Father to us. This week we will see that we can know God better through Jesus.
BIBLE STORY
Our words can reveal a lot about what we think and see. People often use social media to share things they see or the things they think. These birds have tweeted one word. Use your words to reveal the tweeted word to a partner, without actually using the tweeted word. You can use gestures or other words to get your audience to guess the word that the bird has tweeted. Take turns until you have revealed all of the tweeted words. Be sure no one else can see the word tweeted by the bird until someone has guessed the word.
Materials: printed and cut bird tweets, scissors
The only person who knew the tweeted word was the person holding the bird. In order to reveal the word to everyone else, we needed to explain it using other words or actions. This week we will see that Jesus comes to our world. Jesus came to earth for a purpose, to save us. When he became flesh, he spoke love to the people around him and he also used his actions to show them God’s love. He revealed to us who God is because Jesus is God and his actions were a demonstration of His love. We can know God better because of the life Jesus lived on earth.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: John 3:1-21
How did verse 1 describe the Word? (He was in the beginning, He was with God, and He was God)
What was his life for all mankind? (Light that shines in the darkness)
Who did God send to testify about the Light? (John)
What did the Light come into the world to do? (He gave those who believed the right to become children of God)
The law was given through Moses, what came through Jesus Christ? (Grace and truth)
Although no one has ever seen God, what was done for us through Jesus Christ? (Jesus himself is God and is in close relationship with the father, has made God known to us)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Jesus was with God because He is God, and He was able to reveal to us who God is. Jesus became flesh and demonstrated God’s love to us. Through Jesus we can know God because they are one.
Activity
When we have a special guest coming to visit we do lots of things to prepare. If grandma is coming for a visit we might prepare her room and have fresh flowers waiting. When a cousin comes for a visit we might welcome them with a new toy for them to play with. John the Baptist was excited for Jesus to come and He had begun to prepare people’s hearts to accept the coming of their Messiah. Complete the following activity by deciding who you would be most excited to meet if they were coming into town. Read the following cards to determine, Who would you rather meet and how would you prepare for their arrival?
Materials: Who would you rather meet cards (printed or viewed on device)
Alternate
Activity sheet: fill in the blank for the scripture verse this week.
Materials: graph paper or plain paper, pencil, ruler
Create activity:
Hashtags are often used as a quick description or a link. Look at the following hashtags and create a picture to match the description in the hashtag. Choose one or more hashtags to illustrate, then add the hashtag at the bottom of the picture.
#MyFriendJohnTheBaptist. #GodsWordIsTruth. #TheLightOfTheWorld. #JesusRevealsGod. #InTheBeginning
Materials: Construction paper, drawing supplies such as crayons, pencils, colored pencils or markers
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Create a bible poster art. Use the attached images to color and cut, then glue them onto a large sheet of construction paper. Draw additional images and use stickers to add to your bible poster.
Materials: white, yellow and other optional colors construction paper, gold glitter, glue, writing utensil
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
What did John the Baptist do before Jesus’ ministry began?
Why did John the Baptist say, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before him”?
How can know that Jesus reveals who God is?
What are some words you would use to describe Jesus?
What are some words you would use to describe God the Father?
What are some things you can do to get to know Jesus better?
What are some things you can do to get to know God better?
Practical Application at Home
On social media people often want you to subscribe to their channel so that you can receive more videos or information on what they are sharing. There is no button that we need to push to connect with God and get more information from him. We can search the Bible and pray if we want to get to know him better. Looking at the life Jesus lived while on earth can help us get to know God better and understand how much he really loves us. We don’t have to wait for a reply to know how much Jesus loves us, we can read it for ourselves in his Word, and then share it with others.
Create a secret message for a family member or friend to solve. Mix the following solution, then paint your message with a paintbrush. Let the message completely dry before giving your message to be solved. Have your family member or friend use diluted grape juice or other acidic juice, to paint the entire page to then reveal your message. Write the following secret message on your paper: “Find God’s love here, John 3:16”
Secret message solution: 1 Tablespoon water, 1 Tablespoon baking soda. Mix together, then use a Q-tip to write the message with your baking soda solution.
The more we know Jesus the more we will know God. Jesus reveals God to us, and shows us how much He loves us. We can then demonstrate that same love to those around us so they will want to know God and follow the example Jesus gave through his life on earth.
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.