Leader Guide
Teaching
- A nativity set—preferably with unbreakable pieces; or you may find and print a picture of one from the Internet
- Optional: Bibles or the Superbook Bible App
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Optional: stickers, candy canes, and/or ribbon to decorate invitations
- Invitation Pattern
Use the Invitation Pattern to create invitations that children can give away, inviting children to attend the third lesson of this module, or inviting people to a special event at your church. Simply click on each form field in the interactive PDF to personalize the invitation with information about your church and the event.
Make copies and fold the invitations, two per child, plus some extras.
Place the nativity stable on the table or floor and randomly lay out the individual pieces of the nativity set around it. Point to the nativity set. What is this called? Manger scene, nativity.
Let’s think about how each of the people represented here reacted to Jesus coming as a baby to fulfill God’s promise.
Hold up each piece as you discuss its significance. If the pieces are unbreakable, you may pass them around as you discuss them and then have a child position it in the manger scene. You can look up the scriptures if you have time.
How did Mary feel when the Angel Gabriel appeared? Frightened at first, but then she was very joyful. See Luke 1:46–55 for her song of praise.
How did Joseph feel? Upset at first because he and Mary were not yet married, but he trusted God’s plan.See Matthew 1:18–24.
How did the shepherds feel? Terrified to see angels, then amazed and excited. See Luke 2:8–18.
The angels did not proclaim Jesus birth to religious leaders or to wealthy, important people. God brought the news to shepherds. What significance is there in that do you think? Jesus came to save everyone, even the most common or lowly. God is not a respecter of persons.
What do you think the angels thought? Excited to see God’s promise fulfilled; wanted to give God glory. See Luke 2:13–14.
How did the Wise Men feel about God’s promise? Excited that a prophecy a promise of God was being fulfilled, and determined to find out for themselves. See Matthew 2:1–12.
There is one very important man mentioned in the Christmas story who is never shown in a manger scene. Can you guess who? King Herod.
Herod felt his position was threatened by Jesus. Why? He was afraid that he would lose his kingdom to the baby, called “King of the Jews.” He was so jealous that he ordered all the baby boys born around the time of Jesus’ birth to be killed. See Matthew 2:1–16.
What do you think it was like for God to become a tiny baby?
When Jesus was first born, could He feed Himself or go places by Himself? No, just like us, He needed His parents to take care of Him.
Jesus loves us so much that He gave up His place in heaven to come down to Earth and live among us!
Many people don’t know that Jesus came into the world as a little baby, and that He grew up to bring us forgiveness and salvation. For the next two lessons, let’s pray about friends and neighbors we can invite to church so they can hear about Him. Today, we are going to make special invitations to give these people.
Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application
Hand out two invitations to each child along with the decorating supplies. Have the children sign their names on the invitations and decorate them with markers and optional stickers, candy canes, etc.
As they are working, ask: Do you know why most people come to church for the first time?
You may think it’s because of a fancy sign or a beautiful building—but the biggest reason people come to church is because someone invites them! So, who should we invite to church?
Encourage the children to pray about who they wish to invite and give their invitations to in the next few days.