R G A O€¦ · Christmas Banners Birthday Cake Stack Silly Celebrations Birthday Bash Hats Journal...

©2018 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

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CEOReggie Joiner

DIRECTOR OF MESSAGINGKristen Ivy

DIRECTOR OFPRESCHOOL STRATEGYBrittany Compton Robertson

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUMKathy Hill

DESIGN AND BRAND MANAGERSharon van Rossum

CREATIVE TEAMBrittany Compton RobertsonKathy HillAutumn WardAshley HiersDonna HighSharon van Rossum Deb Springer McKenzie Causey

WRITERSDonna HighEmily MeredithAutumn Ward

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D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 8

FOURY E A R - O L D S

3-5

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Bible, Second Edition, Today’s English Version, Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2018 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. First Look® and the First Look® logo are trademarks of The reThink Group.

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JESUS WANTS TO BEMY FRIEND FOREVER

S M A L L G R O U P

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3-5S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y

Happy Birthday Jesus!

THE CHRISTMAS STORY LUKE 1:26-33, 38,

46; 2:1-18

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.”

JOHN 3:16, GNT

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

Why is Jesus special?

B O T T O M L I N E

Jesus is God’s Son.

B A S I C T R U T H

Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

©2018 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com 2

PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME

PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experienceFor Leaders OnlyMonthly OverviewCreate the Environment

SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interactionOffer one or more of these activities as preschoolers arrive. Little People SearchLight a CandleBirthday Bash

WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to GodChristmas PartySpecial Delivery

STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging waysIntroductory SketchBible StoryPrayer

GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connectOffer as many of these activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. Memory Verse GiftingChristmas Banners Birthday Cake StackSilly CelebrationsBirthday Bash HatsJournal and Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experienceGoing HomeParent Cue

15M I N

10M I N

10M I N

25M I N

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



1. LITTLE PEOPLE SEARCH W H AT Y O U N E E D : Little People® Nativity Set

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place the stable in the middle of the activity area. Scatter the people and animals around the room in plain sight.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Direct the children to find all of the pieces of the nativity set. Ask them to work together to bring the pieces back to the stable.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to play with the nativity set.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We get to play with the nativity playset today! (Point to stable.) OH, NO! The pieces are everywhere!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s work together to find all of the pieces. I see some over there. (Point.) Let’s be sure to find all of them!” (Do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “WOW! That was close! I am so glad that you found all of the pieces. Now we can play with the nativity set together. (Finish activity.) We are going to hear the ENTIRE Christmas story from the Bible today. I am so excited!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by chanting, “God gave us Jesus,” as you move to the story area.

M O V Ean activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move

to help them learn

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



2. LIGHT A CANDLE W H AT Y O U N E E D : Paper towel tubes (one per child) and a clear plastic ball ornament

W H AT Y O U D O : D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a paper towel tube. Have the children circle up holding their “candles” (paper towel tubes). Explain that they will pass the ornament around the circle, place it on top of their paper towel tube to light their candle, and celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

Another option is to line up the children with their paper towel tube candles. Instruct the first child in line to place the ornament (flame) on top of his tube and walk to one side of the classroom and then back to the line to pass the “flame” to the next child. Repeat until every child has had a turn.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “When you celebrate a birthday, what do you light on the cake so you can blow them out? (Pause for responses.) Yes, candles. Let’s pretend that these paper towel tubes are candles, and we can use this ornament as our flame.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was fun, wasn’t it? I love to celebrate birthdays. But Jesus’ birth is the biggest, most important Birthday Bash ever! I LOVE celebrating Jesus’ birthday with you. We’ll hear all about the night Jesus was born in our Bible story today. I can’t wait!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by singing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus and then blowing out the candles.

P L A Yan activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines

while having fun and learning new concepts

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



3. BIRTHDAY BASH W H AT Y O U N E E D : Streamers, birthday decorations, and wall tape

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Lay all of the decorations and streamers in the activity area.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Encourage the children to use the decorations to decorate the activity area. Be sure to have an adult nearby to help with tape and any other frustrations. Be sure every child has a turn to help decorate.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Christmas is Jesus’ birthday! Let’s celebrate!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We have really cool decorations for our Birthday Bash. (Point.) Let’s work together to decorate for the celebration!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Nice work! It looks great! We are ready for our BIRTHDAY BASH. We are going to hear the Christmas story from the Bible today. Merry Christmas!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by telling everyone that they see, “Merry Christmas!” as they walk to the story area.

E X P L O R Ean activity that channels a preschooler’s innate curiosity into a discussion

of the week’s crucial concepts

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES

C R E A T Ean activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story,

bottom line, or memory verse by creating a craft to take home



1. MEMORY VERSE GIFTING W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Memory Verse Strips” Activity Page, white cardstock, small gift bags (one per child), washable markers, and stickers

(Optional: “Happy Birthday Jesus” tattoos or other small preschool-safe party favors)

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Memory Verse Strips” onto cardstock and cut on dotted lines. Provide one strip per child. Place a gift bag at each child’s spot at the table. Set the markers and stickers in the center of the table.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a memory verse strip to color or decorate with stickers. Encourage the children to decorate their gift bag as well. Point out the words on the strips of paper and read the verse aloud for review. Instruct the children to place their memory verse strips inside their gift bags. If providing tattoos or other party favors, pass those out for the children to add to their bags as well.

W H AT Y O U S AY:D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Everyone hold up your strip of paper. (Pause.) This is our memory verse, which says: God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, John 3:16. Use the markers and stickers to decorate your bags and your memory verse strips any way you choose.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Your bags are beautiful. Take these strips home as a reminder that God showed His love for you by sending Jesus. It’s our BIG BIRTHDAY BASH! Happy birthday, Jesus! Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

H E A R FROM GOD

M E M O R Y V E R S E R E V I E W

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES





2. CHRISTMAS BANNERS W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Big Banner” and “Little Banner” Activity Pages, white cardstock, scissors, yarn, hole punch, and wall tape

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy the “Big Banner” Activity Page onto the cardstock and cut on the dotted lines. You will only need one copy of this Activity Page per class. Copy the “Little Banner” Activity Page onto the cardstock and cut on the dotted lines. You will need a copy of this Activity Page for each child. Use the hole punch to punch two holes on the bold dots at the top of each piece in both Activity Pages. Cut one five-foot section of yarn. Cut a three-foot section of yarn for each child.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Lay the pennants from the “Big Banner” Activity Page on the floor face up in the activity area. Identify each picture. Ask the children to choose the picture that came first in the Bible story. When the children identify the first picture, string that picture onto the yarn and move it all the way to the left side of the yarn. Ask the children to choose the picture that comes next in the Bible story. String that picture next to the first one. Continue the activity until all of the pieces are on the banner. Retell the Bible story as you make the banner. Hang the finished banner on a wall in the activity area.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a set of “Little Banner” pieces and a small section of yarn. Help the children string their banners in the correct order just like the big one. Send the small banners home with the children.

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We are going to make a BIG banner of our Bible story to hang for our Birthday Bash! We are also going to make a small banner that you can take home and hang at your house for Christmas.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: (Point to the “Big Banner” pictures.) “These are pictures of the Christmas story from the Bible. We are going to string them on our banner. Let’s work together to make sure they are in the correct order. The pictures are the angel and Mary (point), Jesus born in a stable (point), the angel and shepherds (point), and our Birthday Bash sign (point). Which picture came first in our Bible story? (Pause.) Yes! The angel and Mary! The angel

T A L K A B O U T G O D

B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES





came to Mary and told her that she would have a baby and He would be God’s Son. (String the picture of the angel and Mary.) Awesome! Now which picture do you think should come next? (Pause.) Yes! Jesus being born in the stable is next. Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem and Mary had Jesus in a stable where the animals lived. (String the second picture onto the yarn.) Who knows what is next? (Pause.) Way to go! The picture of the angels in the sky above the shepherds is next. The shepherds did not know that Jesus was God’s Son. The angels told the shepherds the wonderful news that Jesus was born. (String third picture onto the yarn.) Now we can add the BIRTHDAY BASH picture. (String fourth picture onto the yarn.) Now we have our banner to hang for our BIRTHDAY BASH.” (Hang the banner.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Now we can make a banner to take home and hang at your house. (Finish activity.) Great job! Now let’s have a BIRTHDAY BASH! Let’s celebrate that God gave us Jesus. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

T A L K A B O U T G O D

B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


T H I N Kan advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers

25 MINUTES



3. BIRTHDAY CAKE STACK W H AT Y O U N E E D : Several boxes of varying sizes and widths, paint or solid wrapping paper, crepe paper, tape, dot markers, crayons, and pom-poms or other craft items

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather several boxes and stack them up from largest in width to the smallest like a birthday cake. Paint or wrap each box with gift wrap. Stack the boxes and secure them in place with tape between each box.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Gather the children around the “cake” with the materials provided to decorate the cake. They can decorate each layer with different items. For instance, they could tape strips of crepe paper along the sides to mimic icing or create a garland pattern across the side of the cake with the dot markers, etc. Encourage the children to be creative but careful with the items provided. Once finished, gather the children around the decorated cake to sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

W H AT Y O U S AY:D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “What do these boxes look like? (Pause for responses.) Right now they might look like a tower, but I want us to decorate them to look like a birthday cake. I have lots of different things you can use to decorate our cake. Let’s decorate!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “This cake is too pretty to eat! Well, I guess that wouldn’t be a good idea anyway. Let’s all gather around the cake. Whose birthday are we celebrating? (Pause for responses.) Jesus! Let’s sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus. (Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.) Beautiful singing, friends. I love Christmas because Christmas is about the best gift ever: Jesus. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son. Happy birthday, Jesus!”

L I V E F O R G O D

A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y

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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


M O V Ean activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move

to help them learn

25 MINUTES



4. SILLY CELEBRATIONS W H AT Y O U N E E D : Music player, the monthly song, and Christmas tissue paper (one piece per child)

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Turn the music on.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a piece of tissue paper, and encourage them to place it on their heads. Challenge the children to dance with the paper on their heads and try to keep it from falling off. Repeat several times.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s be SILLY!”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We are going to celebrate and dance. Let’s dance with tissue paper on our heads. (Demonstrate.) See if you can dance without the paper falling off!” (Do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was so much fun! Sometimes it is good to be SILLY. Dancing is a great way to celebrate that God gave us Jesus. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

L I V E F O R G O D


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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES





5. BIRTHDAY BASH HATS W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Birthday Bash Party Hat” and “Party Hat Labels” Activity Pages, white cardstock, Avery® #5160 labels or equivalent, sentence strips (one per child), stickers, washable markers, a stapler, and glue sticks

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy the “Birthday Bash Party Hat” onto cardstock and cut out one per child. Copy the “Party Hat Labels” onto the labels so each child will have one label. Staple each hat to the middle of a sentence strip. Set out the supplies so the children can reach them.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Pass out a sentence strip hat to each child to decorate. Encourage the children to add a label to the sentence strip.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Help each child wrap the sentence strip around his/her head so you can size it appropriately. Then staple the ends of the sentence strip together and hand the hat back to the child.

W H AT Y O U S AY: D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We’re going to create a special birthday hat to help us celebrate Jesus’ birthday.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s all put on our special party hats and say, ‘Happy birthday, Jesus!’ (Pause as children follow directions.) What a fun Birthday Bash. I’ve had so much fun celebrating Jesus’ birthday with you. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son.”

L I V E F O R G O D


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B I B L E S T O R Y



46; 2:1-18



JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


R E F L E C Tan activity that encourages personal application and prayer

25 MINUTES



6. JOURNAL AND PRAYER W H AT Y O U N E E D : Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at John 3:16. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each Small Group. You will also need the following stickers for the month: heart, baby, sheep, balloon, and star (two of each per child) as well as your reward stickers or hand stamp.

S M A L L G R O U P L E A D E R ( S G L ) : “It’s Small Group time. Today we’re going to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Jesus while we walk to our Small Group spot. This is going to be fun! Everyone ready? Here we go!

(Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus while you walk to your spot.)

(Clap) “Yay Jesus! Woo-hoo! Let’s sit down and talk about today’s Bible story now. One, two, three, sit down with me!

(Open the Bible and lay it open in front of the children.)

“Our Bible story today was about God’s Son and our good friend, Jesus.

“The angel told Mary she was going to have God’s Son, Jesus. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem and that’s where Jesus was born in a stable. Angels told shepherds the good news that Jesus was born, and they ran to see Him. Then the shepherds went and told everyone about Jesus.

“Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds knew Jesus is special, because God sent angels to tell them that Jesus is God’s Son. Why is Jesus special?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “Jesus is God’s Son!”

S G L : “And we know Jesus is special because people have told us Jesus is God’s Son and the Bible tells us Jesus is God’s Son. Why is Jesus special?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “Jesus is God’s Son!”

S G L : “AND God gave us Jesus because He loves us and wants Jesus to be our friend forever. Who wants to be your friend forever?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “Jesus wants to be my friend forever.”

P R A Y T O G O D

P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y

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25 MINUTES



S G L : “That’s a lot to celebrate! And that is why we’re having a party today. We want to celebrate Jesus and how much God loves us.

(Turn the pages of your Bible to the Memory Verse Card.)

“The Bible verse we’ve been learning says: God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, John 3:16.

(Close Bible and lay it down.)

“That’s a lot of love!

“Now, we’ve been learning this verse all month. I want us to stand up and say it one time together with the motions. Then anyone who wants to try and say it can have a turn. I have my stickers/hand stamp ready!”

(Hold up your reward stickers or hand stamp.)

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch arms out as far as possible) that he gave (place hands together with palms up in front as if offering something) his only (point up) Son (hold arms as if cradling and rocking a baby), John 3:16.” (Hold hands open like a book.)

S G L : “You sound ready to me! I want everyone to sit back down. When it’s your turn to say the verse you can stand up. Who wants to try and say the verse first?

(Give each child the opportunity to say the verse on his own. Have your stickers/hand stamp ready to give when they say it.)

“Hearing you say that verse is a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus’ birthday! Wow! I am so proud of you!

(Give each child a high five.)

“Let’s sit back down and write in our prayer journal.

(Hold journal and fun-shaped pen.)

P R A Y T O G O D


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25 MINUTES



“I’m looking in our prayer journal, and we have a heart sticker to remind us how much God loves us, a baby sticker to remind us God gave us Jesus, and a sheep sticker to remind us to tell everyone the good news that Jesus is God’s Son.

(Note: Add any new names you may have and give them a heart, baby, and sheep sticker to go by their name.)

“Today we are going to add a balloon sticker by our names. When I say your name, I will give you two balloon stickers—one to put by your name in our journal and one to put on your shirt to wear home. The balloon sticker will remind us that Christmas is all about Jesus’ birthday! So, when you put the balloon sticker by your name, I want you to say, ‘Happy birthday, Jesus!’ Get ready and listen for your name.

(Say, “Happy birthday, Jesus” each time you give a child two balloon stickers—one to put by their name in the journal and one to put on their shirt.)

“It’s fun telling Jesus happy birthday. Now let’s talk to God and ask Him to help us remember that Christmas is all about Jesus’ birthday. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?”

(Give each child who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)

PRAYERS G L : “Dear God, there are so many wonderful things happening this month. There are Christmas lights and yummy food and lots of presents. Please help my friends (name each child) and me remember that Christmas is all about Jesus’ birthday. Help us love others enough to tell them the good news about Jesus. We love You, God! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

P R A Y T O G O D


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