Leader Guide
| Site: | Superbook Academy |
| Course: | The Promise of a Child |
| Book: | Leader Guide |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Friday, 22 November 2024, 12:34 PM |
Description
The Promise of a Child
SuperTruth:
Jesus fulfilled God's promise of salvation.
SuperVerse:
For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
2 Corinthians 1:20 NLT
Video Leader Guide
Select a video to have playing as children enter the Large Group room. Videos are found in the Video Player section of each lesson.
Have Small Group leaders greet the children as they enter the Large Group room and engage them in a game or conversation until time for Large Group to begin.
Welcome (1 min)
Welcome, and Merry Christmas to all! Whose birthday do we celebrate on Christmas? Jesus’ birthday!
Today, our Superbook adventure called “The Promise of a Child” is about God’s plan that unfolded to bring about this wondrous event! In the video, we will see characters from several Bible stories that Chris, Joy, and Gizmo have witnessed. All of these events point to the greatest promise ever made! First, let’s watch to see what problem Chris is facing today!
Play Video 2: Chris and Joy's Dilemma(3 mins)
Chris has promised to write a new song for the church’s Christmas program, but he’s out of ideas. Where can he get some inspiration?
Chris and Joy's Dilemma
SuperTruth and Discussion (2 mins)
Why was Chris having difficulty writing a new Christmas song? He had writer’s block. There are so many songs already written telling the Christmas story.
Name some songs that talk about Jesus’ birth. Chris named a few in the video, and there are many more. We Three Kings; Silent Night; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Joy to the World; Away in a Manger; O Holy Night; O Little Town of Bethlehem; The Little Drummer Boy; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; The First Noel; O Come, All Ye Faithful; Go Tell It on the Mountain; What Child Is This?; etc. (If children mention songs such as “Jingle Bells,” explain that while these songs celebrate the season, they don’t mention Jesus, who is the entire reason that we have Christmas.)
So many songs have been written about Jesus! Today’s SuperTruth is “Jesus fulfilled God's promise of salvation.” Let’s say that together: “Jesus fulfilled God's promise of salvation.”
To fulfill a promise means to keep it. If your mom promises to take you to the zoo, that’s wonderful; and you can be happy about her promise! When is her promise actually fulfilled? When she keeps her promise and takes you to the zoo.
God always keeps His promises. So when God promised to send a Savior into the world, He fulfilled His promise. Let’s watch the second part of our Superbook adventure to see if Chris is able to keep his promise to write a new Christmas song.
Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution (21mins)
Superbook takes Chris, Joy, and Gizmo on a trip back in time to relive some of their past adventures. Why are they seeing what God promises Adam and Eve, then Abraham and Sarah? What does this have to do with Moses, David, and Mary? The children trace an ancient promise down through the ages and discover the amazing ways Jesus fulfills it. With that, Chris is inspired to write a new Christmas song—“Promise of a Child.”
Bible Story and Resolution
Video Discussion (1 min)
Let’s see how many of the Bible story characters you can name from today’s video. Allow children to answer and fill in any they miss.
Adam and Eve; Abraham and Sarah; Isaac and Rebekah; Moses; Ruth; David and Goliath; Gabriel, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus.
What did Chris realize about these stories? They were all connected. They all played a part in fulfilling God’s promise for salvation through Jesus.
Play Video 10: SuperVerse Graphic
Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.
10 SuperVerse
SuperVerse Discussion (1 min)
Let’s say today’s SuperVerse together, 2 Corinthians 1:20:
Jesus came to earth as a helpless, little baby, lived a perfect and sinless life, died on the cross, then rose again to defeat sin and death! God kept His promise of a Savior through Jesus; there is no other way to be saved and receive eternal life! Because of what Jesus has done, we receive all of God’s promises: forgiveness, joy, protection, provision, healing, guidance, power, and many other blessings! Through Jesus, we are God’s children, and God is our Heavenly Father forever!
Join me to say amen to that! AMEN!
Amen means yes! It is so! And it is true! I am so thankful God is faithful and keeps all His promises in the Bible through Jesus! Raise your hand if you are thankful, too. Children respond.
Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. If any children are not able to memorize the entire verse, be sure they understand its meaning.
Prayer and Send-Off (1 min)
Heavenly Father, thank You for being forever faithful to fulfill all of Your promises. You kept Your Word to give us a Savior by sending Your only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to save us. Help us to remember the true meaning of Christmas as we celebrate this exciting holiday season. In Jesus’ saving name, we pray, Amen.
Have you ever been told not to play with a ball in the house? Why? It could hit something and knock it over and maybe even break it.
Well, in this game, it’s okay to knock things over with a ball. In fact, knocking things over is your goal! That’s how we’re going to roll today! Let’s go find out how to play.
Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.
Rolling Game
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
- Twelve large, non-transparent, plastic, foam, or paper cups—large disposable cups are ideal.
- Coins—enough to fill two cups or substitute other items such as gravel, marbles, metal washers, or small screws—any item that adds weight to the cup so it cannot be knocked over.
- Clear tape
- Two poster boards
- Permanent marker
- Four small bouncy balls
- Sixth-grade helpers or other volunteers to retrieve and return balls
- See The Promise of a Child Rolling Game Illustration
Inside two cups, write “God’s Promises” with the marker. Fill the cups to the top with coins. Place tape across the top of the cups to keep the coins inside when the cup is turned upside down.
Using the marker, write “EARTH” in large letters on one side of both poster boards.
Place the poster boards, “EARTH” side down, near one end of the room. Leave several feet of space between them.
Place one “Promise Cup” and five empty cups upside down on each poster board, nearer to the middle than the edges. Leave several inches of space between the cups.
Firm and True: Play a game about God’s sure promises.
God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ. They are immovable, firm, sure, and true. We can rest knowing Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (See Hebrews 13:8.) We can put our complete trust in God’s promise of salvation—plus every other promise God makes in the Bible!
You are going to play a game about these promises. You will roll the balls to knock the cups off of the poster board. The first team to do this wins! Then we’ll discuss the game and how it relates to God’s promises when you finish!
Divide the children into two teams. Each team will form a line at opposite ends of the room, about 10–12 feet from the cups. The first player for each team will roll two balls, one at a time, toward the cups. The goal is to knock the cups completely off the poster board. Once the player has rolled the balls, they will quickly walk to the back of the line.
Sixth-grade helpers or other volunteers should gather the two balls and give them to the next player to take a turn. Play will continue until all the cups are knocked off the poster boards except the “Promise Cups,” which will not move.
Children will quickly realize that it is impossible to knock the Promise Cups over. At that point, turn the two cups over, remove the tape, and pour the coins out. Have a child read the writing in the cup.
Hold the two “Promise Cups.” Oh, now we know why you could not move these cups—they contain God’s promises!
Read Psalm 119:89:
Just as these Promise Cups could not be moved, God’s promise of salvation through Jesus stands firm and is immovable.
Every promise made thousands of years ago still stands firm today, and those promises will still be standing tomorrow and forever! Eternal means that there is no end!
Now, Psalm 119:89 says that God’s word stands firm where? In heaven.
Turn over the poster board and hold it up so children can read “EARTH.” That means that even though the promises are given to us on earth, their source is God. They remain in heaven! There is not an event on earth that can affect His promises to us! They stand firm forever, unstoppable and immovable!
Play a second round of this game with the poster's EARTH side turned up for all to see. Set up the game again, except for the “Promise Cups,” and play to see which team can knock over all of the cups first! For more fun, add more cups in a variety of sizes to each side.
Teaching
- Promise Cards Sheet #2 (text only) from The Promise of a Child Ordering Game Cards— cut out one set of seven cards
- One sheet of cardstock
- Red yarn cut to a 3-foot length
- Scissors
- Medium size kitchen funnel (#3 or #4)
- Water bottle (full) or pitcher of water
- Large, unbreakable bowl or container
- Duct tape
- Towel or cloth for spills
- A wrapped Christmas present (empty box)
- Whiteboard and markers or chalkboard and chalk
- Bible or device with the Superbook Bible App
- Gizmonote (optional take-home note)
Copy and cut apart the Promise Cards (set #2) from The Promise of a Child Ordering Game Cards.
Place the cups, water, bowl, funnel, marker, and cards on the table.
Use the scissors to cut a three-foot piece of red yarn.
Place the yarn in a pocket or somewhere out of sight.
Place a piece of duct tape across the opening at the bottom of the funnel.
Pour some water into the funnel and test to make sure no water comes out.
Use enough to trap the water but make it easy to remove during the demonstration.
It is recommended to practice the demonstration before class, so it goes smoothly.
Optional: Print the GizmoNote, one per child, to take home after class.
Fulfilled! Discuss God’s faithfulness to keep His Word through Christ.
Have you ever made a promise that you didn’t keep? Has someone ever made a promise to you that they didn’t keep? How did you feel when a promise was broken? Disappointed, sad, surprised, frustrated, angry.
Often, promises are difficult to keep, even when someone really intends to keep it. But sometimes a promise is forgotten soon after it is made!
The chances are that we have all prayed something like this in a difficult time or when we really wanted something badly: “If You do this or if You give me this, I will always _____, or I will never for the rest of my life do ____ again!” Does that sound familiar?
The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:5 (NLT):
Promises are important and should not be made too quickly or without thought—especially promises made to God!
God’s promises to us are a very big deal to Him—in fact, nothing can stop Him from keeping them! In Jeremiah 1:12 (CEV), God told His prophet, Jeremiah:
Another version of that Bible verse (HCSB) says God watches over His Word to accomplish it.
God remembers His promises and actively watches over His Word—isn’t that exciting?
As you present the lesson, lay out the Promise Cards in order, left to right or top to bottom on the table or floor—anywhere that children can see them. As an option, they can be taped to a board or wall. (1. Adam/Eve 2. Abraham/Sarah 3. Isaac/Rebekah 4. Jochebed/Moses 5. Ruth 6. David 7. Mary)
God made a promise to Adam and Eve to save them after they had sinned. In doing so, He also made the promise to all generations to come—that means to us and everyone born after us! His promise is true as long as the earth exists!
Now that is something to shout about! Together, let’s stand and shout: “Yes, and Amen!” Children respond.
Only God can keep a promise from the beginning of the world until the end. His promises have NO expiration date; they are forever fresh and alive; they never weaken or fade!
As Chris said in the Superbook adventure, all the Bible stories are connected! Lay (or tape) the red yarn across each card.
Nothing God does is random. Jesus is the common thread that connects them all and fulfills God’s promise to us!
Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: Jesus fulfilled God’s promise of salvation.
Today’s SuperVerse says that we receive ALL of God’s promises through Jesus. This demonstration will help us understand how important and vital Jesus is to us.
Hold the taped funnel over the bowl, leaving several inches between the two. For this demonstration, this funnel represents Jesus, and the bowl represents us. Uncap the bottle of water. This bottle of water represents God and His promises. God wants everyone to receive His promise of salvation.
Pour a small amount of water into the funnel. It should be trapped in the funnel and not flow into the bowl because of the tape. Did you see any water go into the bowl? No!
That’s because the tape prevents the water from flowing into the bowl. The tape represents unbelief or indecision. God’s promise to save us is real and true. It has been in effect since He made it to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. However, we must do something. We must say, “Yes and Amen,” to His promise and choose to trust in Jesus.
As you hold the funnel over the bowl, carefully remove the tape. The water will pour into the bowl. Where did the water flow? Into the bowl!
Yes! The water is now free to flow into the bowl! In other words, God’s promise is forever present; the only thing that can stop it is us! Now, there’s more!
Begin to slowly pour the entire bottle of water through the funnel into the bowl. When we choose to believe in Jesus, ALL of God’s promises are released to us!
Read Titus 3:4–7 (NLT):
Please repeat this after me: Jesus fulfilled… Jesus fulfilled!
Now, I am filled full… Now, I am filled full!
On the whiteboard, draw eight empty boxes in a column.
Have you heard someone say that something “checks all of the boxes”? It means that every feature or quality desired is fulfilled. If we had a list of things we need in life, Jesus checks all of the boxes. In Jesus, our Savior, we have everything we need.
Every promise God gives us is fulfilled or checked off through Him.
Say each promise, one at a time, and write it next to a box. Then, have the children shout, “CHECK!” as you place a checkmark in the box: Salvation, Peace, Healing, Mercy, Forgiveness, Power, Inheritance, Joy. Add or substitute other promises such as protection, wisdom, direction, righteousness, boldness, etc., as desired.
God made the biggest promise of all time when He promised the world a Savior. In fact, no one else could have made such a bold promise. This amazing promise covered generations of people from Adam to Abraham until now and into the future until the world ends.
Who fulfilled that promise? Jesus.
That bold and powerful promise is a free gift to us.
Hold up the Christmas package and extend the gift toward the children. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like to receive a free gift, do you?
God offers this amazing, free gift to all people. He is still holding this gift out to be taken today. All we need to do is receive it! How do we receive it? By faith, we say, “Yes and Amen,” to His promise and choose to trust in Jesus.
Conclusion: Where can we find God’s promises? In His Word—the Bible!
As we give and receive gifts this holiday season, let us always remember the greatest gift we will ever receive is the promise of a child that God fulfilled in Jesus!
Even if we can’t trust others, we can always trust God and His Word! He won’t let us down or forget His promise of eternal life through Jesus. There is nothing that can stop Him. If God says it, we can believe it and say, “Yes, and Amen!”
SuperVerse
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
- Eraser
- Marker
- Bibles of the Superbook Bible App
Write the SuperVerse on the board as follows:
1. For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding
2. “Yes!”
3. And through Christ, our
4. Amen!
5. which means
6. Yes!
7. ascends to God for His glory.
8. 2 Corinthians 1:20
Superbook Amen! Memorize the SuperVerse with a group activity.
Let’s look at the board and say the SuperVerse, 2 Corinthians 1:20, together:
God is forever faithful through time. From the beginning of the world until today and for all eternity, His promises remain in effect and true. He has never broken a promise, and He never will.
Every promise is sure and firm because He is faithful and true. It does not matter how much time has passed since God spoke the promises that we read in our Bibles. Through Jesus, they are established forever, and we receive every promise through Him. Knowing this, we can say without a doubt, "Yes and Amen!" In addition to this, our actions speak a loud AMEN and give glory to God as we live for Jesus, according to His Word.
Divide the class by asking the girls to stand on one side and the boys on the other. Have the two groups face each other with several feet between the two groups.
This activity will help us to learn the SuperVerse and affirm God’s promises at the same time!
Girls read Line #1.
Boys raise their hands and shout Line #2.
Girls read Line #3
Boys raise their hands and shout Line #4.
Girls read Line #5.
Boys raise their hands and shout Line #6.
Girls read Line #7.
Girls and boys say line #8 together.
Do the activity one more time with the girls and boys switching lines and responses. Finish by reading the SuperVerse from the board together
Note: Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times, while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.
Prayer
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
Yes Prayers: Communicate with God.
Have children stand in a large circle as you speak.
The SuperTruth today tells us the wonderful news that Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of salvation. The well-known Bible verse of John 3:16 (NKJV) declares:
In the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve sinned, God promised that He would send a Savior to save us from Satan and sin. Jesus came to earth to show us God’s love, to die on the cross, and to offer us God’s gift of salvation. He fulfilled the promise that God made so long ago. So, if that is completed, what is our part? Is there anything we must do?
Did you hear something that we must do in John 3:16 that we just read? We must believe in Jesus.
Yes, AMEN! According to John 3:16, our part in God’s plan of salvation is simply to believe in what Jesus already did so long ago. This shows that we accept God’s wonderful gift. In other words, we say YES or AMEN to Him. We believe His plan is secure and true!
Today, we will say a prayer to accept God’s plan of salvation and the powerful gift of Jesus into our hearts.
If you believe in Jesus and would like to receive salvation through Him, please close your eyes and bow your head. Repeat this prayer after me:
Say each line slowly and allow time for the children to repeat it after you.
Dear Lord Jesus,
I’m so glad God sent You into the world
To keep His promise and show us His love.
Please forgive me for all the things I have done wrong.
Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.
Come into my heart and help me live for You.
Today, I receive Your gift of forgiveness,
I receive Your gift of salvation,
I receive Your gift of eternal life,
And I say, "Yes and Amen," to God’s plan!
Amen.
If you have never said a prayer like this before, please come up to me after class so we can talk more about receiving this special gift from God.
Game Review
- Whiteboard and marker or chalkboard and chalk
- The Promise of a Child Ordering Game Cards, Sheets #1 and #2
- Cardstock—two sheets per team of two to five children, depending on class size
- Red yarn, about 3 feet per team
- Scissors
- Resealable bags or large envelopes to store sets of cards
Make one copy of each of The Promise of a Child Ordering Game Cards (Sheet #1 and Sheet #2) on separate cardstock in color or black and white for each team of two to five children, plus extras.
Cut the individual cards (14) from one Sheet #1 and one Sheet #2. Shuffle them well and place the set of 14 cards in a sealable bag. This will ensure that the sets will not be accidentally intermixed.
Cut one 3-foot piece of yarn for each team and place it in the sealable bag.
Repeat this for each set of two card sheets.
Anything but Random: Play a game about God’s plan to save us.
We have been learning that the stories in the Bible show us God’s plan and purpose to save all people and to bring Him glory. The more people who say, "Yes and Amen," to Jesus’ and God’s promises, the more people will come into God’s kingdom.
Divide the children into teams of two to five children. Have each team find a space on the floor in the room (or at tables). Give each team a bag of 14 cards and a piece of yarn. Have the children pour the bag out in a pile on the floor.
God promised to save His people in the Garden of Eden after sin entered the world by Adam and Eve’s disobedience. God faithfully watched over His promise through many miraculous circumstances, fulfilling them in Jesus.
We discussed these cards in today’s teaching. None of the events in the video or anywhere in the Bible are random. However, the cards in each pile are random; your goal is to fix that! You will work together as a team and place the cards in chronological order—that means to place them in the order that they took place.
There are seven different name cards and seven different image cards with scenes from the Superbook video. You must match each name card with an image card and place them side by side. Arrange seven matches in order from top to bottom. The last and most important step is to place the red yarn across each card to connect them! It represents Jesus and His blood shed on the cross to save us. Remember, the yarn must touch each card! The first team to do this wins, but all teams will continue until finished.
Once all teams have finished, briefly discuss the significance of each scene. If time permits, reshuffle the cards, place them face down this time and play again.
Conclusion: God’s promise of salvation began in the Garden and was fulfilled in Jesus!
Musical Activity
- The Promise of a Child Musical Activity Page
- Scissors
- Optional: paper
- Optional: pencil or pen
Copy The Promise of a Child Musical Activity Page.
Cut the cards apart.
Note: You may choose to use three or four other songs about Jesus that the children know, instead.
Write each song title several times on different paper cards.
Make enough for each child to have one title, with several children having the same one.
Hum—not Ho-hum: Children try to identify Christmas songs.
Name each of the carols on the cards and briefly hum the beginning of each one for a quick review.
Our SuperTruth says, “Jesus fulfilled God's promise of salvation.” In our game today, we’re going to hum some Christmas carols that celebrate the first Christmas and God’s wonderful gift to us!
Pass out paper cards with the song titles. Tell the children not to reveal their song title to anyone else. At your signal, they should begin walking around the room humming—not singing—their song until they find all the other children who are humming the same tune. If any children have hearing disabilities or are very shy, assign them a partner who likes to sing. Have the children with the same song stand together in a group as they find each other. Then have the groups actually sing their songs for the class.
Conclusion: When we sing these carols during the Christmas season, remember that God always keeps His promises to us! Jesus is God’s promised child, the Savior who gives us eternal life!
Craft Activity
- Pencils/Pens
- The Promise of a Child Christmas Stationery
- Christmas ribbon, yarn or string
- Scissors to cut the ribbon
Make copies of the Christmas Stationery—one per child, plus extras.
Thank You! Write notes of gratitude to Jesus.
What if everyone was really excited because it was your birthday, so they came to your house for a big party, and they all gave each other lots of gifts—but they ignored you. How would you feel?
Most likely, you would be disappointed, hurt, and sad. Sometimes we forget what Christmas is all about—Jesus’ birthday.
I don’t ever want Jesus to feel left out of this special season, and I know you don’t either! To remember Him today, let’s make birthday cards for Him! What do you think is the best thing that we could give Him? Our thanks and praise; our hearts; our obedience; our promise to live for Him.
Give a sheet of the Christmas Stationery and a pencil or pen to each child. Ask them to write personal notes to God, thanking Him for the gift of Jesus. Suggest they give a gift back to God and write something that they will do to show Him they are thankful.
Have the children roll up their notes into tubes. Help them tie ribbons, yarn, or string around the letters, then put their names on the outside of their tubes. No one but the child and God needs to know what was written inside. If the children have Christmas trees at home, suggest that they can put their letters under their Christmas trees as their gifts to Jesus or maybe hang up a stocking for Jesus and put the letter inside.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for choosing to come from heaven to earth as a child to give Your life for us and save us from our sins! Help us remember that You are the reason for this and every Christmas season! Amen.
Promise Activity
- The Promise of a Child Promise Page
- Markers
- Whiteboard and markers or chalkboard and chalk
- Bibles or the Superbook Bible app
Make a copy of The Promise of a Child Promise Page.
Write the SuperVerse on the board. 2 Corinthians 1:20:
For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
Is It So or No? Children decide if a promise is true.
Have the children sit in chairs or on the floor in rows of five to ten people.
Have you ever been told that something doesn’t include you? Maybe you were told you were too young or too small to do something. That’s disappointing, isn’t it? Yet, we never have to wonder if God’s promises include us; through Christ, they absolutely do—forever! We will never be disappointed! Let’s say the SuperVerse together. 2 Corinthians 1:20:
As we have discussed today, this verse tells us that all of God’s promises are available to us through our relationship with Christ. Because of Jesus, we receive all of God’s blessings and promises—we are His children! Amen means yes, or it is so, or it is true. So, with a thankful heart, we say, “Yes” and “Amen” to God. This gives glory to Him because we trust in His Word and in His power and faithfulness to bring the promise to fulfillment!
In this activity, I will read some real promises from the Bible—but I’m also going to read some things that are not true. After I read each promise, I’ll count to three. If you believe that it’s a real promise from God, shout, “Amen!” which means yes! However, if you believe it is not a real promise, sit down and shout, “NO!” If you’re ready, stand up right now and shout, “Amen!”
Read each promise from the Promise Page and count to three. Children will then respond. If it is a real promise, quickly read the reference and verse. If it is not a real promise, give a brief explanation, then read the reference and verse shown. Children with special needs may stay seated and just say, "no," "Amen," or "yes."
Optional: If it is culturally acceptable, you may have children give a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” sign to show if each promise is true or false.
Conclusion: That was fun learning just a few of God’s promises. The more we read our Bibles, the more promises we will discover to trust God for and say, “Amen!”
Coloring Activity
- The Promise of a Child Coloring Page
- Crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers
Give a coloring page to each child, along with crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers to share.
Lead a discussion using the questions below as children color their pages.
The Savior Is Born: Color a scene from the Superbook video.
1. What promise did God make in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve sinned? He promised to send a child to save us.
2. What is happening in the scene on your coloring page? The angels of heaven and the wise men have come to see Baby Jesus and worship Him.
3. Who announced to Mary that she would give birth to God’s Son, the promised child and Savior? The angel, Gabriel.
4. Gabriel told Mary that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and make it possible for her to have a baby. Why do you think the promised child couldn’t be just any human baby but must come from God? The baby had to be pure and without sin, which means it could only come from God and not from a man.
God did what humans could not do. He kept His promise through generations of people. God loves us, and all of His promises remain firm and true forever!
Allow the children to share their finished pictures with the class.
Bible Activity
- Bibles—to make the activity fair for all children, do not use tabbed Bibles or electronic devices unless all the children have them.
- Sticky notes, whiteboard and marker, or chalkboard and chalk
- Pencils—one per pair of children
- Timer such as a stopwatch, clock or watch with a second hand, or timer app
Make sure there is a clear path between the children and the whiteboard.
If you would prefer not to use sticky notes, have children raise their hands to answer.
Have the children sit in pairs. Try to pair an experienced Bible user with a child who isn’t as familiar with the Bible. Give each pair a Bible. The experienced Bible user can quickly look up the verse while the other player writes the answer on a sticky note. The notes are then stuck to the board. If both players are experienced Bible users, they can alternate looking up a verse and writing down the answer.
Have children close their Bibles before you announce the next verse.
Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.
Woven Through Time: Race to find verses of how God kept His promise.
I will say a Bible reference from one of the Bible stories we saw in the video. The first seven will be from the Old Testament. The last three will be from the New Testament, and I will announce it at the time. When I write the reference on the board, you may begin to find the verse. As you do this, I will read a fill-in-the-blank question. Try to find the answers in the Bible verse as fast as you can.
I will repeat the question one more time if needed. The player who is not looking up the verse will write the answers on a sticky note and then walk quickly to stick it on the board. You have thirty seconds to do that. The first team scores ten points for the correct answer; all other teams score five points for the correct answer put on the board within the time limit. Every pair will have a chance to finish, so don’t give up!
The team with the most points wins. God watched over His promises and worked many miracles to make sure they came to pass! Are you ready to learn more about God’s amazing work to keep His promise to save us?
Allow spelling errors because of the fast pace of the game. Do as many verses as time allows. Be prepared to help any children with special needs. Read the verse reference, but do not read the actual verse until after the questions are answered. If time permits, have a child read the verse. Do as many questions as time allows.
1. Abraham and Sarah—Genesis 15:5: The Lord told Abraham to look into the sky and _____ the stars. This represented how many _____ he would have. (Count, descendants)
2. Abraham and Sarah—Genesis 18:14: Nothing is too _____ for the Lord. In one year, _____ will have a son. (Hard, Sarah)
3. Isaac and Rebekah—Genesis 25:21: Isaac’s wife Rebekah was _____ to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with _____. (Unable, twins)
4. Isaac and Rebekah—Genesis 25:26: Their twins were named _____ and _____. (Jacob and Esau)
5. Moses—Exodus 2:2: Moses’s mother saw he was a _____ baby from God, so she kept him _____ for 3 months. (Special, hidden)
6. Moses—Exodus 14:21–22: Moses _____ his hand over the sea and the Lord opened up a _____ through the water for the people of _____ to walk on. (Raised, path, Israel)
7. Ruth—Ruth 4:17: Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law. God gave Ruth a son she named _____. He became the _____ of David. (Obed, grandfather)
Announce that the remaining questions will be from the New Testament.
8. David/Jesus—Matthew 21:9: When Jesus was in a _____, the people called Him the Son of _____. (Procession, David)
9. Jesus/Mary—Luke 1:32: The angel Gabriel declared that Mary’s baby from God would be called the Son of the Most _____. He would be given the _____ of His _____ David. (High, throne, ancestor)
10. Jesus/Mary—Luke 2:11: The angels announced to the shepherds that the _____ had been born in Bethlehem, the _____ of David! (Savior, city)
Conclusion: What God promises, we know He will do through Jesus, our Lord and Savior!