City of Angels - Week 1
Why are there so many Christmas songs about angels? Because angels show up all throughout the Christmas story with great news! In this series, our kids will explore the foundational stories of Jesus’ birth with a focus on the angels who were there to witness them! From the city where Jesus was born, to the cities we live in today, the angels’ message is just as important now as it was then! Jesus is God’s plan, calms our fears, makes everything new, and is God’s love for everyone.
BIG IDEA: Jesus is God’s plan.
THE BIBLE: An Angel Appears to Zechariah: Luke 1:5—25; Isaiah 11:1—5
MEMORY VERSE
Elementary: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid . I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people." Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Toddler Twist: "Good news brings great joy!" Luke 2:10
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG: Celebrate, Hark the Herald, Born Is The King
DISCIPLE:
Read Luke 1:4-25, then pass out blank Christmas cards or postcards and have you family write one word that will help them remember today’s Bible story. Encourage them to decorate the card and make it colorful.
Gabriel’s message to Zechariah about what his son, John, would do once he grew up showed that Jesus is God’s plan. Zechariah may not have understood it completely at first — he didn’t even believe it right away — but as time went on, he would come to realize what a big part his son would play in preparing people to receive Jesus and reconnecting them to God.
What one word will help you remember this week’s Bible story?
Keep this word visible throughout the week to remember the angel’s message and what it meant for the whole world.
Pray: God, we thank you for your plan to send your only son, Jesus, to us. You even planned for someone like John the Baptist to come into this world to help people turn to Jesus — and you put people in our lives today who help us do that, too. Help us to trust your plans because they are always good. Amen.
DISCUSS:
What message did the angel have for Zechariah?
How did Zechariah respond?
What did the angel say would happen because Zechariah didn't trust right away?
Read Isaiah 11:1—2. Who is this "branch" from Jesse that the passage is talking about?
Do you like to plan or do you like to be spontaneous? Do you think one is better than the other?
How do you know God planned to send Jesus long before Jesus was born?
What does it mean for us that Jesus is God's plan?