Joy to the World - Week 4 & 5
Week 4: Christmas celebration
Come join us in person - we are so excited for this special Christmas Eve Service. We’ll be talking about the story of the Wise Men and will have a special gift for each kid in attendance.
Week 5: Jesus came so the world could know god!
What are your go-to Christmas traditions? It’s amazing how different all of our Christmas celebrations can be, especially when you take into account how Christmas is celebrated all over the world. This month, we’ll be reminded what a universal gift Jesus is, and how Jesus brought good news, joy, and peace on that very first Christmas so that the whole world could know God!
MEMORY VERSE:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Luke 2:14
Toddler Twist: "Glory to God in the highest!" Luke 2:14
MV COLORING PAGE: Luke 2:14
READ: Jesus at the Temple: Luke 2:41-52; (Colossians 3:12-17)
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
SONG: Joy to the World
DISCIPLE:
Read Luke 2:41-52. Jesus loved and obeyed his parents. The Bible tells us he was a good son and he grew up strong and wise. What happened at the temple shows us that Jesus wanted to be with, learn more about, and talk to people about God all the time. Because he loved God so much, he wanted everyone to do the same!
People travel the world for different reasons. There is so much to see and experience out there
and one place you can definitely see that is at international museums.
Famous museums like the Musée du Louvre in France, the Uffizi Gallery in Italy, the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York, the Museo Nacional Del Prado in Madrid, and so many more carry
both historical and modern masterpieces for people to enjoy.
Let’s imagine we are in one of these galleries right now, and we came across this work of art in
an exhibit. This 1860 painting is titled, “The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple.”
Show your family this painting and discuss the following.... How would you describe this painting?
What do you think Mary and Joseph are saying to Jesus? What might the people sitting there be thinking? Do you have any theories about what’s happening in the background?
Did you know that the artist, William Holman Hunt, traveled to Jerusalem to do research for six
whole years? He studied what the people from that region looked like and what their customs
were. He wanted to get as much information as possible to make his painting represent what
happened in that story as accurately as possible.
When we decide to know something or know about someone, it’s important that we learn as
much as we can about them instead of making snap judgments or assumptions.
Jesus came so the world could know God and his life on earth was dedicated to letting people
know as much about God as possible.
Pray: God, thank you for making yourself known through Jesus. We not only know so much about
you, but we can know you like we know our family and friends. Help us live in a way that helps
other people get to know you, too! Amen.
DISCUSSION:
Why did it take a while for Jesus's parents to notice he wasn't with them?
What was Jesus doing when his parents found him?
What reason did Jesus give his parents for staying behind in Jerusalem?
Read Luke 2:48-49. Which "father" is Mary talking about? Who is Jesus talking about?
What are ways you can spend time with God to know God better?
How might others tell if you know God?
What is one way you could help others know God?