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December 02, 2018 God Is a Promise Keeper Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in

perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things

planned long ago.

Isaiah 25:1

DATE PONDER POINT

THE BIG GOD STORY REMEMBER VERSE

Welcome & Rules (4 minutes): Begins class creating an inviting atmosphere for kids to feel wel-come and to worship in song.

Worship & Connect (12 minutes): Establishes community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God’s word.

The Big God Story Pt 1 (6 minutes): Creates space for children to hear God’s word.

Mail Time & Worship (7 minutes): Breaks up the Big God Story to keep kids engaged and teaches the importance of memorizing scripture.

The Big God Story Pt 2 (6 minutes): Children continue to hear God’s word.

Small Groups (20 minutes): Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story.

Remember Verse & Bless (3 minutes): Allows children to practice their memory verse and be sent out with a sense of peace so they can be a blessing to others.

(See page 8 for 10:15 schedule and rotations.)

Luke 1:26–38, 46–55 Mary and the Angel

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GOAL: Worship & welcome is all about engaging kids and helping them enter into worship, letting

them know that class has begun preparing their minds for what they are going to hear. Establishes

community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God’s word.

WELCOME & RULES - 4 minutes (Host) IMAGE: Welcome

We are so glad you are here at Critter Land today. Personalize your welcome. Relate to what’s happening such as holidays, school year, church camp, etc. Pique the curiosity about today’s Ponder Point/Story, tell a joke, do something to draw in the attending of the kids and mention any announcements!

RULES VIDEO: Sheriff Hawk

WORSHIP - 3 minutes (Worship Leader/Host) If you brought offering, go put it in the squirrel feeder while we worship!

WORSHIP VIDEO: It’s Christmas Time

(Direct kids to get with their groups and circle up with their small group leader before sitting down)

SMALL GROUP CONNECT QUESTIONS - 4 minutes (Host) VIDEO: 4 minute countdown

• What is your favorite thing to do in the snow?

• What is your favorite thing about the Christmas Season?

• What are you going to do for someone this Christmas Season?

WARDROBE OF WONDER - 5 minutes (Host) What’sIt: 9:00 - Baby Bottle

VIDEO: Wardrobe of Wonder Intro

Choose 1 volunteer. Volunteer picks two hats from wardrobe one for himself, one for host. Tell other kids to put on their “imaginary thinking caps”. Volunteer peeks in the What’s It box. Host gives 3 clues, kids get to vote on what they think it is.

Then as host you say….

If you think our clue is a , raise your hand.

If you think our clue is a , raise your hand.

If you think our clue is a , raise your hand.

Let the child volunteer tell which answer is correct!

ASK: 9:00

Who can tell us what this is? Pause for children to answer. A baby bottle, that’s right! How is a baby bottle used? Interact with children and their answers. How do you think this baby bottle might have something to do with The Big God Story? Encourage answers. Well, let’s get going! Let’s find out how the What’sIt fits into this part of The Big God Story. Do you know what time it is?

Video: The Big Story Intro

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Point out that what kids are about to hear is true and is recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to

the passage and leave it open and visible throughout The Big God Story. Invite kids to open their

Bibles and follow along as you storytell. Children respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching them

as they reflect on the day’s portion of The Big God Story.

STORYTELLING - PART 1 - 6 minutes (Storyteller)

Welcome children and lead them in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to qui-et their hearts and minds. Open the Bible. Friends, do you know what a prophet is? Pause for kids to answer. Good thinking. A prophet is a person who listens to God’s words and shares His mes-sage with His people. God sent prophets to speak to His people for many years. They reminded the people of God’s promise to send the Savior to earth, and after many years, God’s promise came true. Why? Because God is a promise keeper, He always does what He says He will do.

Did you know there was an important announcement about a baby in The Big God Story?

Mary lived in a town called Nazareth. She was a young woman who was getting ready to marry a man named Joseph.

Six months after the angel Gabriel told Zechariah and Elizabeth they would have a baby boy named John, God sent Gabriel to give Mary an important message. Act out following section as if angel is there. Respond to narrative and audio cues. Tech: Cue Gabriel sound effect 1: “The Lord has given you special favor. He is with you.”

I wonder what it must have been like seeing and talking to an angel … I would probably be scared, and maybe a little confused. Gabriel was not finished with his message for Mary so he told her: Tech: Cue Gabriel sound effect 2: “Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make Him a king like His father David of long ago. He will rule forever over His people, who came from Jacob’s family. His

kingdom will never end.”

The Big God Story:

The Prayer of Release allows children and

leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to

quiet their hearts and minds. Before you

pray, you might ask the kids to hold out

their hands, palms up, in a spirit of releas-

ing their worries and distractions in order

to better receive what the Holy Spirit might

have for them today. Then encourage the

kids to quiet their voices, take a seat, and

pray with you.

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Gabriel had a wonderful announcement for Mary. He told her she was going to have a baby. That baby was going to be Jesus! Now we know why there was a baby bottle in the What’s it. The baby bottle can help us to remember that God kept His promise to the world. He came to earth as a baby—baby Jesus! When Mary heard all of this, she had a question. What do you think she asked the angel? Well you are going to have to wait to find out because now it is time for our Mail.

MAIL TIME & WORSHIP - 7 minutes (Host/Worship Leader) VIDEO: Mail Time Intro

IMAGE: Remember Verse

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things,

things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1

Remember Verse Definitions Exalt: worship, honor Faithfulness: God always does what He says He will do.

Remember Verse Motions Lord: Point up with both index fingers. you are my God: Point to self. I will exalt you: Hold both hands straight up overhead with all fingers extend-

ed. and praise your name: With arms extended, wiggle fingers as arms come down to

sides. for in perfect faithfulness: Place open palms together in front of your chest. you have done wonderful things: Face open palms outward and extend hands out from your

body. things planned long ago: Point both thumbs back over shoulders.

Host: Way to say your verse! Now let’s all keep standing and sing a song!

WORSHIP VIDEO: Celebrate

Host: Let’s sit down criss cross applesauce spoon in the bowl, and listen to the next part

of our Big God Story.

STORYTELLING - PART 2 - 6 minutes (Storyteller)

When Mary heard all of this, she had a question. What do you think she asked the angel? “How will this be?” she wanted to know. The angel Gabriel told her that God would keep His promise and make sure everything happened just as God planned. He said: Tech: Cue Gabri-el sound effect 3: “Your relative Elizabeth is old. And even she is going to have a child. People thought she could not have children. But she has been pregnant for six months now. Nothing is im-possible with God.”

Mary trusted in God and believed He is a promise keeper. She rushed over to see Elizabeth and tell her everything. When Elizabeth saw Mary, the Holy Spirit caused the baby inside her

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to jump for joy. Elizabeth told Mary, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have. You have believed that what the Lord has said to you will be done!” Then Mary worshipped God with a song, praising Him for keeping His promises.

God always keeps His promises. He is a promise keeper. God promised that He would al-ways be with His people, bless them, and make them into a great nation. But what hap-pened? Over and over again, God’s people chose to ignore God’s words and disobey Him. How did God respond to the people? Did He forget His promises? Encourage responses. No way! God’s love is big. His love is strong. Nothing can stop God’s love! He kept His promis-es then, and He keeps His promises today. He never left His people. He was making the way for all people to be with Him forever and ever. God is a promise keeper!

DISMISS TO SMALL GROUPS (Host)

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God loves His people so much that He promised to send a Savior who would heal our broken world. God fulfilled His promise by sending His Son, Jesus. Out of His perfect love and grace, God chose Mary to carry His Son. Everything God promised happened, just as He said it would!

I wonder ... What would it be like to see an angel? I wonder ... What promises has God made to me? I wonder ... Who can I tell about God’s promises this week?

GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story.

KEEPING PROMISES SUPPLIES • Strips of colored paper • Sticker promises • Markers • Tape SET UP Scatter the strips down the center of the table. Place the markers on the table.

RELATE

God’s promises are strong, like a chain that can never be broken. Today we heard how God sent Jesus and fulfilled His promise to make the way for us to be with Him forever. We also saw how Mary trusted in God’s promises. Today we’re going to make a chain as a reminder that God’s promises will never be broken; He is a promise keeper. Help the children select a strip, then a promise sticker from the labels. Have them put their promise stickers on their strips of paper. Give them a few moments to decorate or color their strip with the markers. Then help them make a chain of all the promises God kept by looping the strips of paper into a circle and taping or gluing them together. Hang the chain up in your room as a visual reminder that God keeps His promises.

As you make the chain from the strips talk about the promises God gives us. I.e: God is our place of safety. God gives us strength. God helps me. Nothing can separate me from God. Jesus forgives me. Jesus Loves Me. Jesus gives me life.

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Review the Remember Verse:

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

Isaiah 25:1

Remember Verse Definitions Exalt: worship, honor Faithfulness: God always does what He says He will do.

Remember Verse Motions Lord: Point up with both index fingers. you are my God: Point to self. I will exalt you: Hold both hands straight up overhead with all fingers ex-

tended. and praise your name: With arms extended, wiggle fingers as arms come down to

sides. for in perfect faithfulness: Place open palms together in front of your chest. you have done wonderful things: Face open palms outward and extend hands out from your

body. things planned long ago: Point both thumbs back over shoulders.

BLESSING

Today, we heard how Mary worshipped God with a song when Elizabeth called her blessed for believing God’s promises. Let’s take some time to bless the other friends in our small group. Begin by singing this blessing over your kids to the tune of a familiar song. Preschoolers are usually familiar with “The Alphabet Song” or “Jesus Loves Me.” This might feel uncomfortable, but preschoolers are very forgiving. Once you’ve blessed the children with a song, encourage him to turn to his neighbor and sing the same blessing over her/him. Go around your small group singing blessings over one another until everyone has been blessed.

May you be filled with God’s love! Remember that God will keep His promises and always be with you.

Song VIDEO: In This Life

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Host will welcome kids to Critter Land. Worship Leader will lead kids in a time of worship and allow kids to give offering. Song1: Emmanuel Song2: Joy to the World

Play Station (Play)—Kids

will have time to play and en-

joy each others company.

Different play options will be

provided.

Big God Story (BGS)—The

storyteller will present the Bi-

ble lesson and point to pon-

der.

Memory Work (MW)—

1. Practice Memory Verse

2. Use Color Activity Sheet

( In 10:15 Bin)

3. Bathroom Break

Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful

things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1

Remember Verse Definitions Exalt: worship, honor Faithfulness: God always does what He says He will do.

Remember Verse Motions Lord: Point up with both index fingers. you are my God: Point to self. I will exalt you: Hold both hands straight up

overhead with all fingers extended. and praise your name: With arms extended, wiggle fingers

as arms come down to sides. for in perfect faithfulness: Place open palms together in

front of your chest. you have done wonderful things: Face open palms outward

and extend hands out from your body.

things planned long ago: Point both thumbs back over shoulders.

11:15 Host will pray a blessing over the kids before parents pick up. If time allows worship leader will lead the closing song. Transition DVD/Video:

10:30 - 10:43 10:45 - 10:58 11:00 - 11:15

Owls Play (113) BGS (114) MW (115)

Bunnies MW (116)

Turtles MW (115) Play (113) BGS (114)

Frogs MW (116)

Snails BGS (114) MW (115) Play (113)

Squirrels MW (117)

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I promised to take my sister out on a Friday for a “sister date.” Throughout the week, I reminded her of the time we’d planned together and asked her what she wanted to do. I was thinking about taking her to my favorite tea lounge or maybe getting some ice cream. We were looking forward to it, especially since she went to school on the east coast, and we rarely got time together.

Friday came, and I was exhausted; it had been a long week with some late nights. On top of that, my family was going camping that weekend, and my mom needed help with preparations. I drove across town to pick up some camping gear for her. When I got back, I passed out and took a nap on the couch. A few hours later, I woke up and went to help my sister, who was doing dishes in the kitchen. “Guess we aren’t going out tonight,” she said. “No, I think I need to stay home and help Mom. Sorry. Let’s do it another time,” I said casually.

The following day, my sister told me how much she had been looking forward to spending time with me. My nonchalant request to reschedule had hurt her. Of course, I felt horrible and apologized. God used this situation to remind me that broken promises bring pain, but keeping them honors others—showing the love and respect I hold for that person.

God is the ultimate promise keeper. When I reflect on how many promises I have made and later broken, both to others and myself, I have a new appreciation for God. None of His promises has ever fallen to the ground. Praise be to God, who loves us and keeps His promises.

Asriel Medina ROCKHARBOR Church

God is a promise keeper. From the beginning, He promised to send a Savior to restore peace and conquer sin. After the fall, God told the serpent that one day an offspring of a woman would “crush [its] head” (Genesis 3:15). In Scripture, this is the first prophecy showing God’s plan to send a Redeemer. He promised David that the Redeemer would come through his line and would reign forever (2 Samuel 7:8–16). Isaiah describes the Messiah as a child who would be the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and says that God’s Spirit would be with Him in a unique way (11:2).

Fast-forward many years later to a little town called Nazareth, where there lived a young woman named Mary. She was from the line of David and was a virgin. God sent the angel Gabriel to

declare that she had been chosen to bear a son who would fulfill the promises and prophesies God made to Israel, for all people. Gabriel told her that He would be the Son of God, that He would reign on the throne of David and have an everlasting kingdom of peace (Luke 1:31–33).

Mary asked one question: “How will this be?” Gabriel’s response: “Through the power of the Holy Spirit.” This explanation was enough for Mary. In faith, she believed that God would keep His promise to her. When Mary went to Elizabeth to share her news, she heard of Elizabeth’s

miraculous pregnancy. Elizabeth declared, “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her.”

All along, God was keeping His promise to redeem and save His people. God had a plan from the very beginning to pour out His grace and love upon His people. Through Jesus, God fulfilled His promises, both to Israel and to us.

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God kept the promise He made. The way He kept it, however, was not the way we would have expected.

In His loving grace, God chose Mary to bear the Messiah. She found favor with God. In fact, Scripture tells us that she was highly favored. The favor God poured out over Mary’s life became a blessing for all mankind. Her life and her love for God directly impacted our lives. God’s love and grace fill us so that we can share His love with others.

This week, take some time to meditate on Romans 8:38–39 and 1 John 4:10.