week of december 18, 2011 lessons for the leader … consider how our sounds, our greetings, and ......

OK to copy.

Lessons for the Leader

1a Application Activities Format: Follow the numbers with arrows for a 30-minute, large group plus

20-minute Application Activities format. 1 Follow all the numbers for a 45- to 60-minute large group

only format.

What do these symbols mean?

Session at a Glance

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Focus Passage: Luke 1:39-56

Key Bible Verse: Psalm 29:2

Life ApplicationI can worship God for sending Jesus.

Level of Biblical Learning (Jesus)Jesus is the only Son of God, and He was sent to be my Savior.

Think back on the presents from last Christmas. Do you remember the gifts given and received or has Christmas become a free-for-all? How often do we stop to remember and worship the ultimate gift of Jesus? •Read Luke 1:39-41. How encouraging would it

be to know that our presence caused such joy in people's lives? What impact could we have on others if we changed our perspective to have a more willing spirit, like Mary?

•Read verses 42-45. At this time in history, it was very shameful to have a child outside of marriage. Yet notice the family support Mary had. Without being told, Elizabeth realized the awesomeness of the baby Mary was carrying and was honored by Mary's visit. How often is our family "honored" by our presence? Notice in verse 44, it was the sound of the greeting that made the baby in Elizabeth's womb leap for joy. Consider the worship we lead. How often do we consider how our sounds, our greetings, and even our music affects children?

•Read verses 46-56. Mary could have been socially scarred by having a child out of wedlock. Notice her response of pure obedience, also known as "Mary's Praise" or the "Magnificat." Mary's humble worship shows her willing heart to do whatever God had her do. Mary must have been torn between knowing the stigma of having a child and being unmarried, and the excitement in knowing who her child was.

•Consider the feelings of Mary and Joseph. Do you think they felt inadequate? Realize that though we may feel inadequate, if God calls us, we should be willing and ready to do whatever He wants. Pray today to see leading children in worship as a gift and a calling God has placed on your life.

Introduction to Worship (6-8 minutes)

Welcome the ChildrenPlay "I've Been There"

Worship (30 minutes/45 minutes)

Sing "Praise Him! Praise Him!"Sing "Rejoice"Call to Worship/Key Bible VerseSing "Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)"/Receive

Offering/PrayShow "Backyard Explorers" Video #1Introduce the Bible StoryTell the Bible StorySing "God of Every Generation"Review the Bible StoryMake Life ApplicationPraySing "This Is Our God"

Application Activities (20 minutes)

Wrap-Up (10 minutes)

Week of December 18, 2011

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Introduction to Worship

Mary Visits Elizabeth

1aWelcome the Children

2aPlay "I've Been There"•Guide the children to form a large circle. •Ask: "Do you like to visit different places?

Let's think about some places people go on vacation. I'll call out someone's name. You tell us a place you would like to go. If you have ever visited the place, stay standing. If you have never been to the place, kneel down."

•Explain: "For example, I may say, 'I've been to the ocean/beach.' If you have ever been to the ocean/beach stay standing. If not, kneel down."

•Call on various children to state places to visit.•Say: "We've named a lot of different places.

Today we will learn about Mary traveling to visit her relative."

Worship 3 Sing "Praise Him! Praise Him!"

(DVD, 3 minutes)

4aSing "Rejoice" (DVD, 3 minutes)

5aCall to Worship/Key Bible Verse (5 minutes)

Pull It TogetherCopy paper, markers

•Distribute paper and markers.•Read aloud Psalm 29:2. •Say: "On your paper, draw a picture of how you

worship God."•Pause as children draw.•Encourage the children to show their drawings

to their neighbors.•Say: "It is a privilege to worship God. Let's

worship Him by singing, giving our offerings, and praying."

6a Sing "Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)" (DVD, 3 minutes)/Receive Offering/Pray

7a Show "Backyard Explorers" Video #1 (DVD, 7 minutes)

•Ask: "Does your family have special Christmas ornaments that remind you of the real reason for Christmas?"

•Show video.•Continue: "How would you feel if the Baby

Jesus figurine was missing from your Nativity scene? Jacob did not think it was a big deal for the Jesus figurine to be missing. Do you know of people who feel the same way?"

•Say: "There are many people who forget the real reason for Christmas. These individuals like the celebrations, giving and getting gifts, and all of the decorating, but they do not focus on why we celebrate Christmas."

•Challenge: "Let's never forget the real reason for Christmas. We can worship God for sending Jesus."

8aIntroduce the Bible Story (4 minutes)

Pull It Together•Print several copies of "Mary and Elizabeth"

Teaching Picture (CD).

•Begin passing the picture around the group. •Explain: "Look at the picture and pass it to the

person beside you. Examine the picture closely. Who are these women? What are they doing? Why?"

•Allow the children to discuss the answers.•Say: "The women in this picture are Mary and

Elizabeth. Let's discover why Mary traveled to visit Elizabeth."

9aTell the Bible Story (5 minutes)

Pull It TogetherScissors•Print "Bible Story Cards" (CD). Cut apart.

Teacher TipPrint enough "Bible Story Cards" (CD) for each child to receive a card.

•Distribute "Bible Story Cards."•Instruct the children with the cards to stand at

the front of the group. •Say: "When you hear me say the word or name

on your card, quickly lift the card above your head and then put the card back down."

•Guide the children to open their Bibles to Luke 1:39-52.

•Open your Bible to Luke 1. •Tell the Bible story in your own words. Include

the bold words as indicated.

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Mary Visits ElizabethBased on Luke 1:39-56

An angel told Mary she was to be the mother of God's son. The angel instructed Mary to name the baby, Jesus. After the angel left, Mary traveled to an area of Judea to the home of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Mary greeted her relative, Elizabeth as she entered the home. When Elizabeth heard Mary's voice, the baby in Elizabeth's womb jumped and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Elizabeth exclaimed, "You are very blessed Mary, the most blessed of all women. Your child will be blessed as well." Elizabeth asked, "How is it that the mother of my Lord has come to me?" Elizabeth told Mary how her own baby leaped inside her when she heard her voice. Elizabeth said, "What God said will come true." Mary sang a song of praise to God. Mary sang, "My soul proclaims how great God is. I rejoice in Him as my Savior. God has found favor with me. For generations to come, people will know I was obedient to God because He has done great things for me. God's name is holy. His mercy continues from generation to generation. God has done great things."

10a Sing "God of Every Generation" (DVD, 3 minutes)

•Conclude: "Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, then traveled back to her home in Nazareth."

11 Review the Bible Story (2 minutes)

Pull It TogetherWorship Guides, "Bible Story Cards" from step 9, pencils

•Display the cards.•Review each name and how the name relates to

the Bible story. •Ask: "Why did Elizabeth and Mary praise God?

How were Elizabeth and Mary blessed by God? What great things did God do in their lives?"

•Say: "Elizabeth and Mary praised God. Both women were pregnant with baby boys. The women praised God because their sons were special. Elizabeth's son (John the Baptist) would grow up to call people back to God. Mary's son

(Jesus) would grow up as the Son of the Most High God."

•Distribute Worship Guides and pencils.•Encourage the children to complete "An

Amazing Visit" on their Worship Guides.•Read aloud and discuss the statements.

12aMake Life Application (4 minutes)•Call attention to "Worship Through Signs" on

the Worship Guides.•Guide the children to practice the signs.•Sign the life application statement.•Ask: "How does it make you feel to know you

can worship God? Why do we worship God? In what ways do we worship?"

•Discuss various ways people worship God (singing, reading the Bible, attending worship services, giving offerings, obedience, and so forth).

13aPray (3 minutes)•Say: "Another way we worship is through

prayer."•Call attention to "Prayer of Praise" on the

Worship Guides.•Say: "Elizabeth and Mary praised God for the

great things He had done in their lives. God gave them the opportunities to have very special babies. We can praise God for what He does in our lives, too. Think of something good God has done in your life recently. Write a prayer praising God for what He has done."

•Direct the children to use some of the words in a prayer to God. Complete "Prayer of Praise."

•Pray.

14 Sing "This Is Our God" (DVD, 3 minutes)

15a Transition to Application Activities or Wrap-Up

Week of December 18, 2011 of 14

Wrap-Up(Large Group Only Format)

Wrap-Up(Application Activities Format)

Week of December 18, 2011 Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

16aSing "This Is Our God" (DVD, 3 minutes)

17aReview Application Activities (5 minutes)•Invite the children to share their Application

Activities experiences. d Arts and Crafts—Worship Bookmarks d Dramatic Play—Christmas Karaoke d Games—"Getting Ready for a Baby" Relay d Exploration and Discovery—Christmas Around the World

18aSing "I Can't Wait" (DVD, 3 minutes)

19aDismiss the Children to Their Parents

"Ornament Review" Questions•Who appeared to Mary, telling her she would be

the mother of Jesus? A: angel; B. shepherd; C. Zechariah

•What did the angel instruct Mary to name her baby? A. Joseph; B. Joshua; C. Jesus

• In what area was the town Mary went to visit Elizabeth? A. Bethlehem; B. Judea; C. Nazareth

•What was Elizabeth's husband's name? A. Zechariah; B. Zephaniah; C. Zedekiah

•What happened when Elizabeth heard Mary's voice? A. she cried; B. the baby in Elizabeth's womb jumped; C. nothing

•To whom did Mary sing a song of praise? A. Joseph; B. Elizabeth; C. God

•How long did Mary stay with Elizabeth? A. 2 months; B. 3 months; C. 4 months

•To what town did Mary return? A. Jerusalem; B. Syria; C. Nazareth

•Zechariah and Elizabeth were the parents of whom? A. Simon Peter; B. John the Baptist; C. Zacchaeus

16 Ornament Review (6 minutes)

Pull It Together3 shoeboxes, 3 large index cards, marker, nonbreakable Christmas ornaments, table, masking tape•Write A, B, and C on individual cards (1 letter per

card).•Tape 1 card to the end of each box.•Remove the box lids. Place the boxes on the table. •Place an identifying mark on each ornament. •Tape a tossing line about 5 feet from the table.

Teacher TipSelect generic Christmas ornaments.

•Form teams.•Say: "I will ask a question (next column). One

person from your group will attempt to toss the Christmas ornament into the correct box. The first person to get the ornament in the correct box earns a point for her team."

•Guide the first player from each team to stand behind the tossing line.

•Read aloud the first question. •Invite the children to toss their ornaments at

the same time. Observe to see which ornament lands in the correct box first.

•Award a point.•Select new tossers and continue as time

permits. •Congratulate the children.

17 Sing "I Can't Wait" (DVD, 3 minutes)

18 Dismiss the Children to Their Parents

Ask YourselfAs a result of this session,H What did the children hear?N What will the children know?D What will the children do?

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Application Activities Select from the following choices. Each choice is designed for 20 minutes of small group time.

Worship Through Dramatic PlayChristmas Karaoke•Ask: "Why do people come to church?"•Continue: "We come to church to worship and learn about God. Mary

worshiped God because of the news He revealed to her."•Review Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46-55).•Ask: "How do we worship?"•Read aloud Psalm 29:2.•Say: "Let's have some fun worshiping God through our own karaoke time.

I have a CD with some Christmas or praise songs on it. Decide which song you would like to sing."

•Lead the children to act as if they were singing "karaoke." Permit children to sing in groups if desired.

•Ask: "How does music help us worship?"•Say: "Worship is more than singing a song. It is focusing on the words

and to whom we sing. Some of the ways we worship God include singing, praying, coming to church, reading our Bibles, and obeying what God says to do."

•Pray, thanking God for the privilege of worshiping Him.

Week of December 18, 2011

Worship Through Arts and CraftsWorship Bookmarks•Ask: "Why do people come to church?"•Continue: "We come to church to worship and to learn about God. Mary

worshiped God because of the news He told her."•Review Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46-55).•Ask: "How do we worship?"•Read aloud Psalm 29:2.•Say: "Let's create bookmarks to give people. These can remind people to

worship God."•Distribute paper strips, markers, and other supplies.•Guide the children to create bookmarks drawing attention to the

importance of worship. •Punch a hole at the top of each bookmark and attach yarn.•Say: "We can distribute our bookmarks to people this week. When you

give someone a bookmark, say, 'We can worship God for sending Jesus.' "•Review the Bible story as the children design their bookmarks.•Pray, thanking God for the privilege of worshiping Him.

Pull It TogetherHeavyweight paper, scissors, ruler, markers, stickers, yarn, hole punch•Cut 8-by-2-inch strips

of paper (several per child).

Teacher TipObtain permission for the children to distribute bookmarks as people leave the worship center.

Pull It TogetherToy microphone, CD player, CDs of religious Christmas carols and praise songs, hymnal or song lyrics

Teacher Tips•Do not allow children

to make negative comments about someone's singing ability.

•Encourage everyone to sing and participate.

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OK to copy.Worship KidStyle Children's Edition Leader Guide© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Worship Through Exploration and DiscoveryChristmas Around the World•Review Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46-55).•Ask: "How did Mary celebrate the news of her baby?"•Say: "If we traveled around the world at Christmas, we would see different

types of celebrations. Look at the pictures. How do these pictures compare to our celebrations?"

•Display pictures. •Discuss how the people celebrate Christmas.•Distribute "Christmas" strips.•Invite the children to read aloud the information. •Say: "Many people around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. Through

our celebrations, let's not forget the reason for Christmas. God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the world. We can worship God for sending Jesus."

•Invite the children to share traditions their families use to celebrate Christmas.

•Say: "People celebrate Christmas in different ways. Some people do not know the real reason for Christmas. They do not know Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birth. Let's pray for people who do not know the real reason for Christmas."

•Pray.

"Getting Ready for a Baby" Relay•Ask: "What are some things parents do to get ready for a baby?"•Say: "One thing parents do is to gather things they need."•Call attention to the items.•Form two teams.•Continue: "Your team must prepare for a baby. To do so, one member will

carry the diaper bag to the items. Select an item that is needed for a baby and place it in the diaper bag. Return the bag to your team and hand it to the next person. She will race to the items and select something else to place in the bag. Remember to only gather items babies need."

•Run the race.•Reveal items placed in the bags. Award points for correct items.•Say: "Parents prepare for their babies. Mary was excited about having her

baby. She sang a song of praise to God."•Review Mary's song of praise (Luke 1:46-55).•Explain: "Mary worshiped God. In what ways do we worship God?"•Say: "Worship is more than singing a song. It is focusing on the words

and to whom we sing. Some of the ways we worship God include singing, praying, coming to church, reading our Bibles, and obeying what God says to do."

•Pray, thanking God for the privilege of worshiping Him.

Worship Through GamesPull It Together2 diaper bags, a variety of items needed for a baby (diaper, baby food, bottle, wipes, rattle, pacifier, blanket), variety of "non-baby friendly" items (cell phone, baseball, child's shoes, cookbook, crayons), masking tape•Create a starting line

on the floor.•Place items at the

opposite end of the room.

Pull It TogetherScissors•Print "Christmas"

(CD). Cut apart.

Teacher TipServe traditional Christmas snacks.

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Corbert Gauthier Mary Visits Elizabeth© 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in the USA. Luke 1:39-56

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Bible Story Cards (December 18) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Winter 2011-2012©2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.

Angel

Mary of 14


Jesus

Zechariah of 14


Elizabeth

God of 14

Christmas (December 18) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Winter 2011-2012©2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.

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Christmas (December 18) Worship KidStyle Children’s Edition, Winter 2011-2012©2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Printed in USA. OK to copy.

Fröhliche Weihnachten In Germany, people prepare for Christmas by observing Advent. During Advent, the children receive special calendars or wreaths to count down each day until Christmas. The calendars may have little boxes or doors they can open to find candy or small toys. Some wreaths include items for each day while others have four candles to light for each Sunday before Christmas. Germans were the first to decorate Christmas trees, but they do not decorate their trees until Christmas Eve! After they decorate the trees, they spend time singing Christmas carols and reading the story of Jesus’ birth from the Bible. They also exchange presents on Christmas Eve.

Buon NatalePeople in Italy celebrate Christmas by putting out a handmade Nativity crib scene. They use the figures in the scene to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Most families put out all the pieces of the crib scene except the baby Jesus figure on December 8. They add Jesus to the scene on Christmas Eve! Many families add pieces to their scene each year. Another custom for children is to dress up as shepherds and go caroling. The children play shepherd pipes and visit other houses to sing Christmas carols. Italians celebrate with a church service at midnight on Christmas Eve and then eat a large meal with their families.

Sheng Dan Jie Kuai LeIn China, only 1% of the people are Christians and understand why we celebrate Christmas. These Christians celebrate by going to a midnight church service on Christmas Eve. The Chinese people who are not Christians celebrate by putting up lights, decorating with paper lanterns, paper chains, and flowers. The children hang stockings hoping that Santa will come. Families and friends give each other Christmas presents. For them, the presents represent spreading happiness. We can pray God will help missionaries show the people in China that Christmas is about more than gifts and Santa Claus. We can pray they come to know Jesus and celebrate His birth at Christmas.

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week of december 18, 2011 lessons for the leader … consider how our sounds, our greetings, and ......

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