Reference: Luke 2:1-7
Story Summary:
Caesar Augustus made a law requiring everyone to return to their hometown. They had to sign their name on a list so that they could be taxed.
So Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem, Joseph's hometown. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born. Mary gave birth to a son. She named him Jesus, the name the angel had told her to give him.
Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling cloths. Since there was no room for them to stay at the inn, she laid him in a manger, a box normally used to hold food for animals.
Jesus is God's Son. He came to earth as a human being because he had a special mission. He came to save us from our sins.
When Jesus grew up, he finished his mission by dying on the cross. He died to pay the punishment for the sins of others.
Big Idea and Motions: God sent his Son, Jesus, to save us from sin
God - point up
Son - pretend to cradle a baby
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Save - make the baseball “safe” sign
Sin - two thumbs down
Verse and Motions: Matthew 20:28, ESV - ...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Son - pretend to cradle a baby
Man - flex your muscles like a manly man
Not - wag your finger "no"
Be served - pretend to take an object from someone else
To serve - pretend to give an object to someone else
Give his life - hold your arms out like Jesus on the cross
Ransom - pretend to swipe a credit card
Many - gesture your arms in a wide circle
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What did Caesar Augustus make everyone do? (Go and sign a list so they could be taxed.)
What town did Mary and Joseph need to travel to? (Bethlehem.)
What happened to Mary while they were in Bethlehem? (Time for the baby to be born.)
What did they place Jesus in when he was born? (A manger.)
Why did they have to place Jesus in a manger? (Because there was no room in the inn.)
What does Jesus’ name mean? (Savior.)
What did Jesus come to save us from? (Sin.)
How did Jesus pay the price to save us from sin? (By dying on a cross.)
What is today’s big idea? (God sent his Son, Jesus, to save us from sin.)
What is today’s Bible verse? (Matthew 20:28 - ...even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. ESV)
Google Docs Links
Lesson - http://goo.gl/y5AB86
Resources - http://goo.gl/W6UQE3
November 29, 2015
November 22, 2015
OT 59 God Gives Solomon Wisdom
Reference: 1 Kings 3
Story Summary:
After David died, his son, Solomon, became the king of Israel. Solomon showed his love for the Lord by obeying the laws his father David taught him. But he was not perfect; he offered sacrifices at the high places, instead of at the tabernacle where God told him.
One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. He said, “Ask for anything you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “God, you’ve made me king over Israel, but I’m so young. So, give me a heart that understands. Then I can rule over your people and know the difference between right and wrong.”
Because Solomon didn’t ask for riches or to love a long time or to defeat his enemies, God promised to give Solomon the wisdom he asked for. God made Solomon the wisest made on the planet. He knew lots about all sorts of different things. God also gave Solomon the things he didn’t ask for. God gave Solomon riches and made him the greatest king on the earth.
Big Idea and Motions: Wisdom is knowing what God says is right and wrong.
Wisdom - form the letter “W” with your index fingers and thumbs (touch thumbs together)
Knowing - tap your brain
God - point up
Right - two thumbs up
Wrong - two thumbs down
Verse / Motions: Proverbs 2:6, ESV - For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...
Lord - point up
Gives - cup your hands together and gesture away from you
Wisdom - form the letter “W” with your index fingers and thumbs (touch thumbs together)
Mouth - cup your hands around your mouth
Knowledge - knock on the right side of your head
Understanding - knock on the left side of your head
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who became king after David died? // Solomon
Who was Solomon’s dad? // David.
Who appeared to Solomon? // God
How did God appear to Solomon? // In a dream
What did God say to Solomon? // Ask me for anything.
What did Solomon ask for? // A wise heart.
What other things did God give to Solomon? // Riches, Long Life, Great King
What is wisdom? // Knowing what God says is right and wrong.
What kinds of things did Solomon know about? // Plants, Animals, Songs,
Where can we find what God says is right and wrong? // The Bible.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/XWJN4L
Resources - https://goo.gl/NnRddH
Story Summary:
After David died, his son, Solomon, became the king of Israel. Solomon showed his love for the Lord by obeying the laws his father David taught him. But he was not perfect; he offered sacrifices at the high places, instead of at the tabernacle where God told him.
One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream. He said, “Ask for anything you want me to give you.” Solomon answered, “God, you’ve made me king over Israel, but I’m so young. So, give me a heart that understands. Then I can rule over your people and know the difference between right and wrong.”
Because Solomon didn’t ask for riches or to love a long time or to defeat his enemies, God promised to give Solomon the wisdom he asked for. God made Solomon the wisest made on the planet. He knew lots about all sorts of different things. God also gave Solomon the things he didn’t ask for. God gave Solomon riches and made him the greatest king on the earth.
Big Idea and Motions: Wisdom is knowing what God says is right and wrong.
Wisdom - form the letter “W” with your index fingers and thumbs (touch thumbs together)
Knowing - tap your brain
God - point up
Right - two thumbs up
Wrong - two thumbs down
Verse / Motions: Proverbs 2:6, ESV - For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...
Lord - point up
Gives - cup your hands together and gesture away from you
Wisdom - form the letter “W” with your index fingers and thumbs (touch thumbs together)
Mouth - cup your hands around your mouth
Knowledge - knock on the right side of your head
Understanding - knock on the left side of your head
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who became king after David died? // Solomon
Who was Solomon’s dad? // David.
Who appeared to Solomon? // God
How did God appear to Solomon? // In a dream
What did God say to Solomon? // Ask me for anything.
What did Solomon ask for? // A wise heart.
What other things did God give to Solomon? // Riches, Long Life, Great King
What is wisdom? // Knowing what God says is right and wrong.
What kinds of things did Solomon know about? // Plants, Animals, Songs,
Where can we find what God says is right and wrong? // The Bible.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/XWJN4L
Resources - https://goo.gl/NnRddH
November 15, 2015
OT 58 David and Bathsheba
Reference: 2 Samuel 11-12
Story Summary:
When the army of Israel was away at battle, David went for a walk on the roof of his palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba. He sent for her to be brought to the palace. This was a sin because Bathsheba had a husband and David had a wife.
To have his sin of adultery hidden, David made a plan to get rid of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, who was a soldier in the army. David sent a message to Joab, the leader of his army. He told Joab to send Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, into the heaviest part of the battle and then, have all the other soldiers leave him all alone. Joab’s men followed David’s command and Uriah died. David thought his hidden sin was secret.
But God knew. He gave a message to the prophet Nathan. Nathan told David that God knew of his sin and would bring trouble on him. David was sad. He said, “I’ve sinned against the Lord.” Nathan said, “The Lord has taken away your sin.”
Big Idea and Motions: God took away our sin and gave it to Jesus.
God - point up
Took - pretend to reach out and snatch something away
Sin - two thumbs down
Gave - cup your hands and gesture away from you
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Verse / Motions: Psalm 32:1, ESV - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed - point to your cheeks and smile
One - hold up one finger
Transgression - form a “T” with your hands
Forgiven - Forgive - hold left palm up, brush it off twice with the fingertips of your other hand*
Sin - two thumbs down
Covered - form a roof over your head with your arms
* This is the ASL sign for “forgive.” See a demonstration.
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the name of the beautiful woman King David saw? // Bathsheba.
What was the name of Bathsheba’s husband? // Uriah.
Why was it wrong for David to make Bathsheba his wife? // Both he and she were already married.
What did David do to Uriah? // Left him alone in a battle to die.
What was David’s first big sin? // Adultery
What was David’s second big sin? // Murder
David thought no one knew his secret. But who did know about it? // God
Who did God send to David to tell him that he sinned? // The prophet Nathan.
After hearing Nathan’s message from God, what did David say? // I’ve sinned against God
God took David’s sin away. Who did he give it to? // Jesus.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/Nh57BR
Resources - https://goo.gl/0pSGWX
Story Summary:
When the army of Israel was away at battle, David went for a walk on the roof of his palace. From there, he saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba. He sent for her to be brought to the palace. This was a sin because Bathsheba had a husband and David had a wife.
To have his sin of adultery hidden, David made a plan to get rid of Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, who was a soldier in the army. David sent a message to Joab, the leader of his army. He told Joab to send Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, into the heaviest part of the battle and then, have all the other soldiers leave him all alone. Joab’s men followed David’s command and Uriah died. David thought his hidden sin was secret.
But God knew. He gave a message to the prophet Nathan. Nathan told David that God knew of his sin and would bring trouble on him. David was sad. He said, “I’ve sinned against the Lord.” Nathan said, “The Lord has taken away your sin.”
Big Idea and Motions: God took away our sin and gave it to Jesus.
God - point up
Took - pretend to reach out and snatch something away
Sin - two thumbs down
Gave - cup your hands and gesture away from you
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Verse / Motions: Psalm 32:1, ESV - Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed - point to your cheeks and smile
One - hold up one finger
Transgression - form a “T” with your hands
Forgiven - Forgive - hold left palm up, brush it off twice with the fingertips of your other hand*
Sin - two thumbs down
Covered - form a roof over your head with your arms
* This is the ASL sign for “forgive.” See a demonstration.
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
What was the name of the beautiful woman King David saw? // Bathsheba.
What was the name of Bathsheba’s husband? // Uriah.
Why was it wrong for David to make Bathsheba his wife? // Both he and she were already married.
What did David do to Uriah? // Left him alone in a battle to die.
What was David’s first big sin? // Adultery
What was David’s second big sin? // Murder
David thought no one knew his secret. But who did know about it? // God
Who did God send to David to tell him that he sinned? // The prophet Nathan.
After hearing Nathan’s message from God, what did David say? // I’ve sinned against God
God took David’s sin away. Who did he give it to? // Jesus.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/Nh57BR
Resources - https://goo.gl/0pSGWX
November 8, 2015
OT 57 God’s Covenant With David
Reference: 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 7, Luke 1
Story Summary:
After King Saul died, the people made a covenant with David to be their new king. Later, the prophet Nathan came to David with a message from the Lord. In the message, God reminded David how he had taken David from being a lowly shepherd to be the king of Israel. He reminded David that he had helped him win battles against all of his enemies.
God made a covenant with David. He promised to give David a famous name and his people a place to live. He promised peace and victory over their enemies. And he told David that his family would be on the throne forever.
God kept his promise by sending his Son, Jesus. Jesus was born to Mary, who was married to Joseph, one of David’s great-great-great-grandsons. The angel said that Jesus would be king like his grandfather David of long ago. And the Bible tells us that, after Jesus died and rose again, God gave him the name above all other names. At Jesus’ name, everyone who will ever live will bow down before him as king.
Big Idea and Motions: Jesus is king of everyone everywhere forever
Jesus - make a cross with your forearms
King - pretend to put a crown on your head
Everyone - gesture your arms in a wide circle
Everywhere - place a hand above your eyes and look around the room
Verse / Motions: Philippians 2:10, ESV - so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Name - pretend to write your name on your palm
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Knee - grab your knees
Heaven - point up
Earth - tap the floor
Under the earth - pretend to dig with a shovel
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who was the second king of Israel? // David
What is a covenant? // A super special promise.
Who did God make a covenant with in today’s story? // David.
What big thing did God promise David in his covenant with him? // His family would be kings forever
Did David live forever as king? // No.
Did David’s sons live forever as king? // No.
After the people of Israel sinned and sinned and were attacked, were David’s sons kings anymore? // No
Who was David’s great-great-great-great-great-grandson? // Jesus
Did David’s great-great-great grandson Jesus stay dead after he died, like David did? // No, he rose
How many people will bow down to Jesus as king? // Everyone
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/eL33Jx
Resources - https://goo.gl/lZaNN6
Story Summary:
After King Saul died, the people made a covenant with David to be their new king. Later, the prophet Nathan came to David with a message from the Lord. In the message, God reminded David how he had taken David from being a lowly shepherd to be the king of Israel. He reminded David that he had helped him win battles against all of his enemies.
God made a covenant with David. He promised to give David a famous name and his people a place to live. He promised peace and victory over their enemies. And he told David that his family would be on the throne forever.
God kept his promise by sending his Son, Jesus. Jesus was born to Mary, who was married to Joseph, one of David’s great-great-great-grandsons. The angel said that Jesus would be king like his grandfather David of long ago. And the Bible tells us that, after Jesus died and rose again, God gave him the name above all other names. At Jesus’ name, everyone who will ever live will bow down before him as king.
Big Idea and Motions: Jesus is king of everyone everywhere forever
Jesus - make a cross with your forearms
King - pretend to put a crown on your head
Everyone - gesture your arms in a wide circle
Everywhere - place a hand above your eyes and look around the room
Verse / Motions: Philippians 2:10, ESV - so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.
Name - pretend to write your name on your palm
Jesus - form a cross with your forearms
Knee - grab your knees
Heaven - point up
Earth - tap the floor
Under the earth - pretend to dig with a shovel
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who was the second king of Israel? // David
What is a covenant? // A super special promise.
Who did God make a covenant with in today’s story? // David.
What big thing did God promise David in his covenant with him? // His family would be kings forever
Did David live forever as king? // No.
Did David’s sons live forever as king? // No.
After the people of Israel sinned and sinned and were attacked, were David’s sons kings anymore? // No
Who was David’s great-great-great-great-great-grandson? // Jesus
Did David’s great-great-great grandson Jesus stay dead after he died, like David did? // No, he rose
How many people will bow down to Jesus as king? // Everyone
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/eL33Jx
Resources - https://goo.gl/lZaNN6
November 1, 2015
OT 56 David Spares Saul's LIfe
Reference: 1 Samuel 22, 24, and 26
Story Summary:
Saul was so jealous of David that he hunted him down to kill him. Some men told Saul where David was hiding, so he went to the area with his soldiers.
When Saul went into a cave to use the bathroom, David snuck off and cut off a piece of his robe. Later, he called out Saul and showed him the piece of fabric he had cut off. He did this to prove to Saul that, he didn't want to hurt him. Saul felt guilty that he had been hunting David, yet David let him live. He stopped hunting David, but only for a while.
Yet again, Saul was told were David was hiding. He left with thousands of soldiers to find David. One night, when Saul was sleeping, David and Abishai, one of his men, snuck into the camp and took the spear and water jug that was right next to Saul.
Later, David called out to Saul from a distance. He showed him the spear and water jug he had taken as proof that, although he could have hurt Saul, he didn't want to. Once again, Saul was moved by David's kind-
ness. He promised to not try to harm David again. David went on his way and Saul returned home.
Big Idea and Motions: God loved his enemies and so should we!
God - point up
Loved - place both hands over your heart
Enemies - hold up your fists like you’re ready to fight
We - point to yourself with both thumbs
Verse / Motions: Matthew 5:44, ESV - But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
I say - make your hand talk like a puppet
You - point to another person
Love - place your hands over your heart
Enemies - make a mean face and put up your fists
Pray -fold your hands in prayer
Persecute - punch your palm
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who was trying to hurt David? // King Saul.
What did David do to Saul while Saul was in the cave? // Cut off a piece of his robe.
Why did David sneak and cut off a piece of Saul's robe? // To show that he was close enough to hurt Saul, but he didn't want to hurt him.
Did Saul stop hunting David after this? // No
What did Jesus say we're supposed to do to our enemies? // Love and pray for them.
What did David take from Saul while he was sleeping? // His spear.
Why did David sneak and take Saul's spear? // To show that he could have hurt Saul, but he didn't want to hurt him.
After David let Saul escape two times without hurting him, what did Saul do? // Sent David on his way.
Who were you and I enemies with and why? // God, because we sinned.
How did God love his enemies? // Sent Jesus to die for their sins.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/RnBo57
Resources - https://goo.gl/iRN8fl
Story Summary:
Saul was so jealous of David that he hunted him down to kill him. Some men told Saul where David was hiding, so he went to the area with his soldiers.
When Saul went into a cave to use the bathroom, David snuck off and cut off a piece of his robe. Later, he called out Saul and showed him the piece of fabric he had cut off. He did this to prove to Saul that, he didn't want to hurt him. Saul felt guilty that he had been hunting David, yet David let him live. He stopped hunting David, but only for a while.
Yet again, Saul was told were David was hiding. He left with thousands of soldiers to find David. One night, when Saul was sleeping, David and Abishai, one of his men, snuck into the camp and took the spear and water jug that was right next to Saul.
Later, David called out to Saul from a distance. He showed him the spear and water jug he had taken as proof that, although he could have hurt Saul, he didn't want to. Once again, Saul was moved by David's kind-
ness. He promised to not try to harm David again. David went on his way and Saul returned home.
Big Idea and Motions: God loved his enemies and so should we!
God - point up
Loved - place both hands over your heart
Enemies - hold up your fists like you’re ready to fight
We - point to yourself with both thumbs
Verse / Motions: Matthew 5:44, ESV - But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
I say - make your hand talk like a puppet
You - point to another person
Love - place your hands over your heart
Enemies - make a mean face and put up your fists
Pray -fold your hands in prayer
Persecute - punch your palm
Questions to Ask Throughout the Week
Who was trying to hurt David? // King Saul.
What did David do to Saul while Saul was in the cave? // Cut off a piece of his robe.
Why did David sneak and cut off a piece of Saul's robe? // To show that he was close enough to hurt Saul, but he didn't want to hurt him.
Did Saul stop hunting David after this? // No
What did Jesus say we're supposed to do to our enemies? // Love and pray for them.
What did David take from Saul while he was sleeping? // His spear.
Why did David sneak and take Saul's spear? // To show that he could have hurt Saul, but he didn't want to hurt him.
After David let Saul escape two times without hurting him, what did Saul do? // Sent David on his way.
Who were you and I enemies with and why? // God, because we sinned.
How did God love his enemies? // Sent Jesus to die for their sins.
Google Docs Links:
Lesson - https://goo.gl/RnBo57
Resources - https://goo.gl/iRN8fl
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