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Kidzone KG and 1st Grade Small Group

Unit 28 Session 1 – Younger Elementary

Sunday, Dec 7, 2014

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY Prophets Told About Jesus’ Birth

Isaiah 7:1-‐14; 9:1-‐7; 11:1-‐5; Micah 5:2 When Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world, all of creation fell under a curse. (See Gen. 3:17-‐19.) We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We’ve inherited the curse of death from Adam. (See Rom. 3:23; 5:12.) Throughout the Old Testament, the consequences of sin are obvious. God’s people were separated from Him; they did not enjoy the intimate relationship with their Creator for which He had created them. God’s people were affected by sickness and pain. Corruption spread quickly throughout the earth. The situation seemed hopeless, yet God did not leave His people without hope.

It was into this hopelessness that God spoke. Hundreds of messages came through the prophets concerning a coming Messiah—One who would rescue people from their sins. But when would this Promised One come? How would He come? Would the people recognize Him?

The prophets Isaiah and Micah—who both lived hundreds of years before Jesus was born—spoke specifically of the Messiah’s birth. Isaiah told King Ahaz what the Lord would do. “The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isa. 7:14). He described the birth of a Prince of Peace—a Son of David who will reign forever. (Isa. 9:6-‐7) Isaiah said that He would be a King! (Isa. 11:1-‐5) The prophet Micah named the specific town—Bethlehem—in which Jesus would be born. (Mic. 5:2)

As you teach kids about the prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth, help them understand that everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true. Hundreds of years later, Jesus was born into the world.

God’s plan to rescue people from sin was not a secret plan. God gave His people hope: A Savior is coming. Though death came through Adam, life comes through Christ. (1 Cor. 15:22) Through His death on the cross, Jesus finished the work for our salvation. In Him lies our hope of forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus reconciles to God those who trust in Him.

YOUNGER KIDS BIBLE STUDY OVERVIEW Session Title: Prophets Told About Jesus’ Birth Bible Passage: Isaiah 7:1-‐14; 9:1-‐7; 11:1-‐5; Micah 5:2 Big Picture Question: How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true. Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born.



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Small Group Time Welcome time Activity page (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Bible story review (10 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal (5 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY

Prophets Told About Jesus’ Birth Isaiah 7:1-‐14; 9:1-‐7; 11:1-‐5; Micah 5:2

Long before Jesus was born, some of God’s prophets told people that Jesus would come. The prophets’ words are written in the Old Testament. Two of the men who told about Jesus’ birth were the prophet Isaiah and the prophet Micah. Isaiah the prophet lived hundreds of years before Jesus was born on earth. The first message about Jesus was about who Jesus’ mother would be and who Jesus would be.

Isaiah said, “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.” Isaiah said that God would choose a woman who was not yet married, and she would be Jesus’ mother. He said too that one of Jesus’ names would be Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Some time later, Isaiah talked about Jesus again. He said, “A child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

Even more names for Jesus! All these names tell us who Jesus is and the great things He would do. Jesus was coming to earth to help people and protect people. Jesus would be a king who cares about His people, and He would bring peace to the whole world. Isaiah’s third message was about Jesus’ family and His power.

Isaiah said that Jesus would be part of Jesse’s family. Jesse was King David’s father. Isaiah said that God’s Spirit would be with Jesus, and Jesus would be wise and strong. Jesus would do the right thing, and He would be a fair ruler.

Finally, the prophet Micah told about where Jesus would be born. Micah said that Jesus would be born in a town called Bethlehem. Micah also said that Jesus would be ruler over Israel. Hundreds of years later, everything the prophets Isaiah and Micah said about Jesus came true.

Christ Connection: God’s plan to save people from sin and death was not a secret plan. God used the prophets to give hope to His people. They said God would send a Messiah—born into the world as a baby—to live the perfect life people fail to live and die the guilty death we deserve.



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SMALL GROUP OPENING Session Title: Prophets Told About Jesus’ Birth Bible Passage: Isaiah 7:1-‐14; 9:1-‐7; 11:1-‐5; Micah 5:2 Big Picture Question: How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true. Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born. Welcome time:

Arriving Activity: Matching game

• household items that are best together

• paper sacks, 1 per kid

Bring in household items that go together, for example: toothpaste and a toothbrush, cheese and crackers, washcloth and soap, fork and spoon, shoe and sock, and so forth. Put each item in a paper sack and mix up the bags. Invite a volunteer to choose two bags. If the two items go together, set them aside and let another volunteer pick. If not, put the items back in the bag. Play until the items are matched.

Say • The Old Testament and New Testament may seem like separate things, but they have a great connection that we’ll discover in today’s Bible story.

Activity page (5 minutes) • “Christmas Card” activity page, 1 per kid

• pencils

Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say •When we get a Christmas card, we know that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is coming. But those in the Old Testament got much more than a card telling of Jesus’ birth. We’ll explain in a moment.



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Session starter (10 minutes)

Option 1: Promise chairs • index cards, 1 per kid

• music

• marker

• tape (optional)

Before the session, place enough chairs in a circle for each kid to have one. Write promises a kid could keep on index cards and place one card facedown in each chair. Some should be easy: I promise not to eat chocolate today, I promise to eat my lunch, or I promise to tell my family I love them. Some should be harder: I promise to pray an hour every day this week, I promise to never eat chocolate again, or I promise to pick up my room every day. Invite the kids

to walk clockwise inside the circle of chairs while music plays. Once the music stops, kids sit down and read the card in their seat. Ask if the promise would be hard or easy to keep. Play again as time allows. For non-‐readers, tape a card under two or three chairs. Read the cards aloud. Ask the kids whether the promise would be hard or easy to keep. Say •We don’t always keep our promises, but God does. Today, we will learn about one great promise.

Option 2: Prophecy game • empty gift-‐wrap tube

• candy

• coins

• bouncy balls or other small plastic toys

• strips of paper

• marker

Before the session, gather an empty gift wrap tube, a few pieces of candy, coins, and bouncy balls or small plastic toys. Prepare strips of paper that say: “You will get something sweet,” “You will get something fun,” “You will get something useful.” You need one strip per kid. Place one strip in one end of the tube, tilting the tube so the strip comes out of the bottom into a kid’s hand. Read it aloud and send an item that matches the statement down the tube. Repeat, giving each kid a chance to receive a “prophecy.”

Say • The paper told you what would happen, and then it happened. Today, we will talk about who told about Jesus’ birth before it happened.



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SMALL GROUP LEADER Session Title: Prophets Told About Jesus’ Birth Bible Passage: Isaiah 7:1-‐14; 9:1-‐7; 11:1-‐5; Micah 5:2 Big Picture Question: How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true. Key Passage: Isaiah 9:6 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born.

Key passage activity (5 minutes) • Key Passage Slide or Poster

• dry erase board and markers (optional)

Make sure the key passage, Isaiah 9:6, is visible for each child, either as the slide, printed poster, or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together.

Say • All the names Isaiah gave to the future Savior were echoed at some point throughout the New Testament. That means we see Jesus as all those things in Scripture. Why don’t we play a little echo game of our own?

Form three groups based on where the kids are seated. Choose one group to say the first word of the key passage, followed by the second group, and then the third group. Point to each group when it is their turn to say the first word. Continue until each group completes the verse. Repeat, starting with another group. If you like, invite all the kids to say the verse echoing each word on their own. Demonstrate how to echo with your own voice.

Bible story review (10 minutes) • Bibles, 1 per kid

• Small Group Visual Pack

• Big Picture Question Slide or Poster

Encourage the kids to find the Book of Isaiah in their Bibles and then the Book of Micah. Help them as needed.

Say • Are Isaiah and Micah found in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Old Testament) In which division of the Old Testament is Isaiah found? (Major Prophets) In which division is Micah found? (Minor Prophets) What is the difference between the minor prophets and major prophets? (The Books of the Major Prophets are longer.)



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Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words.

Choose two volunteers, and place them on opposite sides of the room. Explain that the volunteer on the right is going to be “Isaiah” while the volunteer on the left will be “Micah.” Read the following statements. Invite the kids to circle around the volunteer representing the correct prophet. Invite the kids to return to their original spots between each statement.

• I talked about Jesus’ mother. (Isaiah)

• I said Jesus would be part of a family of kings, including King David. (Isaiah)

• I told everyone where Jesus would be born. (Micah)

• I said Jesus would have several names that describe who He is. (Isaiah)

• I said Jesus would be ruler over Israel. (Micah)

• I said Jesus would be “God with us.” (Isaiah)

• I am called a minor prophet. (Micah)

Say • Was God trying to keep Jesus’ birth a secret to His people? No! God sent messages to His people describing Jesus many years before He was born. He didn’t just use Isaiah and Micah either. There are prophecies about Jesus’ birth, His life as a child, His miracles, His death, His resurrection, and even His return one day. All of these messages came before He was even born.

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Say • How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true.

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Option 1: Announcement relay • index cards

• marker

• bowls or containers, 2

Tip: For nonreaders, invite an adult helper to stand beside the container. As a kid draws a card, he will “deliver” the message to the helper who will read it with enthusiasm.

Before the session, write on index cards several easy-‐ to-‐read statements children have learned in this session. Prepare two of each statement, and place each set in a separate bowl or other



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container. Here are some examples:

• A Savior is coming. • God made a promise. • God will be with us. • The promised one will be born. • The Savior will be born in Bethlehem. • The Savior will be called Mighty God.

Form two groups and invite each to line up single file. Set a bowl of cards at an equal distance from each team. The first kid in each line should run to his team’s bowl of cards, draw one, and read the announcement with great enthusiasm. That player will then run back and tag the next player who will do the same as the first.

Say • God sent announcements like these to His people many times. Each of these prophesies came true. How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true.

Option 2: Paper ornament • colorful strips of paper, 5 per kid

• markers

• stapler

• hole punch

• string

Provide five colored paper strips for each kid: two 8-‐inch strips, two 6-‐inch strips, and one 5-‐inch strip. Each strip should be 1 inch wide. Encourage the kids to write a name given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 in the middle of each strip.

Follow these instructions to form a Christmas ornament out of the five strips of paper:

1. Layer the strips in this order: longest, medium, shortest, medium, longest.

2. Line up the ends on one side and staple the strips together.

3. Even out the other ends and staple them together.

4. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in one end of the ornament.

5. Run a string through the hole and tie it.

Say • In a prophecy, Isaiah said Jesus would be called each of the names on your ornament. How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true.



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Journal and prayer (5 minutes) • Journal Page, 1 per kid

• markers or crayons

• Bible Story Coloring Page

• Big Picture Cards for Families: Kids

Distribute each child’s journal page provided with this session. Instruct the kids to draw a picture of Jesus’ being born in Bethlehem. Writers can write one of the promises made by Isaiah or Micah.

Say •Who can answer the big picture question one more time? How many prophecies about Jesus’ birth actually happened? Everything God said about Jesus’ birth came true.

If time remains, take prayer requests or allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Pray, thanking God for giving us clear evidence that Jesus is the promised Messiah.

Dismiss to parents – Make sure to check security tags when dismissing children.

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Prophets Told About Jesus’ BirthIsaiah 7:1-14; 9:1-7; 11:1-5; Micah 5:2

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