We can worship Jesus. LEADER BIBLE STUDY. searched in Jerusalem, the seat of

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1 LIFE POINT We can worship Jesus. Gifts for Jesus BIBLE PASSAGE Matthew 2:1-12 CHRIST FOCUS People worshiped Jesus. LIFE ACTION Young preschoolers will hear that people knew Jesus was a special boy. LIFE PHRASE People knew Jesus was special. Matthew 2:11 LOBL Jesus DATE OF USE LEADER BIBLE STUDY Man is designed for worship, and all pilgrimage. What was their reaction mankind does worship. The object of that when the star stopped over the place worship becomes the issue. where the child was? What did the men Some time after Jesus was born, do when they saw Jesus? What gifts did perhaps as long as two years, wise men they deliver? Gold, a valuable and prized from the east traveled to worship Him. metal, and frankincense and myrrh, Read Matthew 2:1-12. The wise men fragrant perfumes and spices, reflected searched in Jerusalem, the seat of recognition and adoration of a king. All political power. How did the wise men three gifts recognize and honor the Child describe Jesus? Their inquiry troubled as King. King Herod. However, he concealed The wise men were warned by his true feelings and gathered people God not to return to Herod, so they whom he thought could uncover this returned home by another route. When mystery. Do you think it interesting that we worship God, we give Him access King Herod selected those who searched to our thoughts and hearts. He can the Scriptures for an answer? The chief communicate His desire and design for priests and scribes, very familiar with the our lives in a way that directs our paths teachings of the Scriptures, knew the (Proverbs 3:5-6), just as He did the wise prophet Micah s announcement that the men long ago. Right now worship God Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and thank Him for sending Jesus. Ask Him (Micah 5:2). to show you direction for your own life. Herod relayed the location and asked the wise men to report back to CONNECT TO FAMILY him when they found the child so that, Send the January Parent Message pretentiously, he could worship Jesus. to parents or guardians of preschoolers in Was this Herod s true purpose? Beware your class. of those who pervert the Word and the meaning of worship. The wise men continued their 1

2 BIBLE STORY MEN LOOkED for JESUS Matthew 2:1-12 BIBLE STORY FOR 1s When Jesus was born, God put a big, bright star in the sky. Wise men saw the star from far away. They knew this meant a special child had been born. The wise men hurried to Jesus house to see Him. The men took special gifts to Jesus. The wise men loved Jesus. They knew He was very special. Notes LEARNING ACTIvITIES Children learn as they play, move, and do. Select activities each week that are best suited for the age group you teach. BIBLE STORY FOR 2s When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God placed a beautiful star in the sky to let people know Jesus had been born. Some wise men saw the star. They knew it meant Jesus had been born. The wise men wanted to see the special child. The men followed the star until they found Jesus house. Finally, after their long trip, the wise men arrived at Jesus house. The wise men gave special gifts to Jesus. One, two, three. The wise men were glad to see Jesus. They knew He was the most special child ever born. GETTING READY TO TEACH Review the teaching plan and become familiar with the Bible content. Gather resources and materials needed for Bible-learning activities. Prepare resources for use this week. Plan to arrive early on Sunday to prepare the room. Make it your goal to have all the learning centers set up and activities ready for the first child who arrives. SONGS Songs are recorded on Babies, 1s, & 2s Enhanced CD. See Song Lyrics file on the Enhanced CD. Track 1. Who Tells About Jesus? Track 8. Christmas Is a Happy Time Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 2

3 LIFE PHRASE People knew Jesus was special. Matthew 2:11 YOU will need: Bible, gift bows (solid colors), colored paper, basket; books about families at Christmas Bible, flashlights, paper star shapes Bible, toy vehicles, ridged cardboard, sandpaper, Kids Activity Page Bible, cardboard box, large paper star shapes, tape, puzzle Jesus Is Born bible-learning ACTIVITIES SORT Bows/READ Bible Focus: The wise men loved Jesus and gave Him gifts. Fill the basket with the bows. Place sheets of matching colored paper on the floor. Invite a child to sort the bows by color, placing each bow on a matching piece of colored paper. Name the colors. As the child works, tell about the wise men taking gifts to Jesus. Read one or more books to the child, then sing the song Christmas Is a Happy Time. SHINE FLASHLIGHTS Bible Focus: God placed a special star in the sky when Jesus was born. Tape several star shapes around the room at children s eye level. Lead a child to shine the flashlight on the stars when he sees them. (Remind him not to shine the light in another child s eyes.) While children play with the flashlights, tell them the wise men followed a star to find Jesus. ROLL CARS on Bumpy ROADS Bible Focus: The wise men traveled to find Jesus. Tape pieces of cardboard and sandpaper together to create a road. As children roll cars over the bumpy road, talk about going on trips with families. Suggest that the wise men traveled a long way to find Jesus. Show the picture on the Kids Activity Page and tell the Bible story. CRAwl THROUGH a TUNNEL Bible Focus: The wise men wanted to find Jesus. Open the box ends to create a tunnel. Tape the star shapes inside. Lay the puzzle on the floor outside the box. Encourage a child to crawl through the tunnel. When she reaches the puzzle, open the Bible and tell the story. Mention that the wise men knew Jesus was a special boy. 3

4 LIFE POINT We can worship Jesus. CREATE NIGHTTIME PICTURES Bible Focus: God placed a special star in the sky when Jesus was born. Invite children to make nighttime pictures. While they work, tell about the special star God placed in the sky to help the wise men find Jesus. Mention that the wise men knew Jesus was a special boy. Open the Bible to Matthew 2:11 and read the phrase. Sing the song Christmas Is a Happy Time. Walk an OBSTACLE COURSE Bible Focus: The wise men followed a star to find Jesus. Tape stars on the floor to create a simple path winding around the chair, block, and pillow. Invite a child to follow the stars through the obstacle course. When the child reaches the end, ask him to hold the Bible while you tell the Bible story. Notes Bible, black or dark blue paper, white and yellow crayons, star stickers Bible, paper star shapes, cardboard block, chair, pillow, tape BIBLE STORY PLUS for 2s Tape the paper stars to the floor. Invite 2s to stand on a star while music from the CD plays. (Select tracks 1, 8.) Tell 2s to hop on their star when they hear Jesus name in a song. After a while, direct 2s to be seated on the stars. Open the Bible to Matthew 2 and tell the Bible story. Comment that the wise men knew Jesus was a special boy. They looked for Him by following a bright star, and they finally found Him. Show the picture Wise Men Brought GIfts to Jesus in the Read to Me Bible for Kids. Sing the song Christmas Is a Happy Time. Invite children to clap and sing along. Read to Me Bible for Kids Large colored paper stars bonus ideas! play follow the leader make a gift wrap collage play musical instruments Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 4

5 Bible Story Picture: Men Looked for Jesus Artist: Corbert Gauthier 2001 LifeWay

6 Gifts for Jesus LIFE PHRASE People knew Jesus was special. Matthew 2:11 Match the Gifts Wise men took special gifts to Jesus. Look at the gifts on this page. Which gifts are the same? Who gives you gifts? Bible Studies for Life 1s & 2s 1

7 Men Looked for Jesus Based on Matthew 2:1-12 God placed a brightly shining star in the sky to let people know Jesus had been born. Some wise men saw the star. They knew it meant Jesus had been born. The wise men wanted to see Jesus. They packed special gifts to take to Him. The men traveled a long time. They followed the star until they found Jesus house. The wise men were glad to see Jesus. They gave Him the special gifts. The men knew Jesus was the most special child ever born. Let s talk about the story Who traveled to see Jesus? What did the men take to Jesus? How did the men find Jesus house? 2