Lesson 2: The magi visit Jesus.
Passage: Matthew 2:1-12 - After Jesus was born, the wise men, also known as Magi, came searching for “the one who has been born king of the Jews.” They had seen a star in the sky which alerted them to his birth, and wanting to find him to worship him. But when King Herod of Judea heard about it, he was disturbed by the news. He found out from the chief priests and religious teachers that the Messiah (anointed one) was to be born in Bethlehem. So Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem to search for the child, and asked them to bring him news as well. When the Magi found Jesus, they were overjoyed, bowed down and worshipped him, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, but to go by a different route.
Big Idea: A sign in the stars
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader and Bible Story Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome the kids to class and introduce yourself and the other leaders.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Join the Big Kids in the grades 1-3 classroom to practice the advent song Born is the King. Return to the pre-K classroom once this is over.
Animal Match Game - Find your animal pair: have the kids stand in a spaced out circle and count how many pairs there are. Hand out the equivalent amount of animal pairs to the kids (so there aren't any without a pair) and tell them to hide it/keep it a secret! Then get them to mix up their circle and start making animal sounds/movements to try and find their match.
Preliminary Discussion
Have you guys ever looked at the sky when it was really really dark outside? Could you see all the different stars? Do you know how many stars there are up there?
Today we’re going to be continuing to learn about the Christmas story. Last week we learned about how Jesus was born in a little town called Bethlehem, and how an angel spoke to Mary and Joseph to tell them the news!
In the next part of the story, Jesus is already born and he gets some surprise visitors!
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember the two different ways that God spoke to the wise men in the story?
Do you think God speaks to people in a lot of different ways? Like what?
If God was talking to you, what do you think God would say?
What’s something Christmassy that can help remind you of this story?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you that we could learn more about the story of Christmas today. How you sent Jesus into the world as a special gift for us. Thank you for the story of the wise men and how you spoke to them through a star and brought them to Jesus. Please help us to listen for the ways you can speak to us too, and to hear what you are saying to us through the Bible and through prayer and even in nature. Thank you for how much you love and care about us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: - Activity Leader
Star ornament craft. Using the supplies provided create star ornaments.
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Make sure each child is checked out using the iPad and leaves with their parent/guardian.
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Welcome — Bible Story and Activity Leaders
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Practice the Advent Song with the Pre-K and Kindergarten class with help from the action leaders. Have the students face away from the TV to see if they can do the actions. Have them follow the action leaders instead.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Find your animal pair: Give each kid a card with an animal picture, tell them not to show anyone! Leader will need to pass the pairs out according to how many students there are, to ensure everyone has a pair. Then get the kids to spread out (or send them to a corner of the room based on categories ie: everyone with brown eyes go to that corner, blue eyes to this corner, etc) Then they have to find their counterpart by making that animal's sound or movements until everyone in a pair has found each other.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Have you guys ever looked at the sky when it was really really dark outside? Could you see all the different stars? Do you know how many stars there are up there?
Today we’re going to be continuing to learn about the Christmas story. Last week we learned about how Jesus was born in a little town called Bethlehem, and how an angel spoke to Mary and Joseph to tell them the news!
In the next part of the story, Jesus is already born and he gets some surprise visitors!
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember the two different ways that God spoke to the wise men in the story?
Do you think God speaks to people in a lot of different ways? Like what?
If God was talking to you, what do you think God would say?
What’s something Christmassy that can help remind you of this story?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you that we could learn more about the story of Christmas today. How you sent Jesus into the world as a special gift for us. Thank you for the story of the wise men and how you spoke to them through a star and brought them to Jesus. Please help us to listen for the ways you can speak to us too, and to hear what you are saying to us through the Bible and through prayer and even in nature. Thank you for how much you love and care about us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity — Activity Leader
Christmas ornament craft
Dismissal: Check out each child using the roster iPad make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Blindfold drawing - Sit at the tables for this. Each kid gets papers, pen, blindfold. Then the leader gives the group different challenges to draw blindfolded (start simple and get harder). Kids can share their drawings with each other for a good laugh!
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week two of our Advent series, all about the story leading up to the very first Christmas.
What is Christmas all about to you?
Last week we learned about how the angel appeared to Mary and Joseph to tell them the news that Mary was going to become pregnant with baby Jesus, who would be the savior of the world. Today we’ll be continuing the story and learning about some interesting people who came to visit Jesus.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
In the story, what were the two ways that God spoke to the wise men? What are some different ways that God can speak to us today?
Why do you think King Herod was so angry when he heard about Jesus?
Who was the other character in the Bible who was in danger from a powerful king as a baby?
What do you think is the connection between the story of Moses and the story of Jesus? (Moses was called by God to save God’s people from Egypt; Jesus came to bring salvation to the whole world)
In what ways do you think Jesus is the savior of the world? (Ie. being the light of the world through his teachings and example; pointing people to God; bringing God’s kingdom to earth; sacrificing himself on the cross, and showing us God’s love for us)
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you so much for the story behind Christmas and how it can teach us so much about you. Thank you that you can speak to us in all kinds of ways, just like you spoke to the wise men through the stars and through a dream. Thank you for sending Jesus to be our savior, just like Moses was sent to rescue the people from hardship in Egypt. And that Jesus shows us who you are, how much you love us, and how you forgive and accept us. Please help us to remember the story of Jesus as we celebrate Christmas. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Star ornament Decorating
Create an ornament with the supplies provided.
Dismissal: Using the roster iPad manually check out each child.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who were the people who came to visit Jesus as a baby?
How did the wise men know how to find Jesus?
What do you think are some other ways that God talks to people?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who were the people who came to visit Jesus as a baby?
How did the wise men know how to find Jesus?
Do you think God can speak to us in lots of different ways? How?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who were the people who visited Jesus as a baby?
How did they discover where to find him? Do you think it’s surprising that God chose to speak to them through the stars? Why or why not?
Do you think that God still speaks to people today? In what ways?
