Christmas Conversation Starters: The Promised Life
Posted by Karah
CONNECTION POINT: Jesus brought salvation and people worship Him.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: We can read books or follow news stories about an individual, but our understanding—and relationship—with that person changes dramatically when we meet him or her face to face. We can learn much about God as we read the Bible, but the best understanding of God comes through Jesus Christ. Jesus is God Himself, and He came to fully reveal God and bring us salvation that makes a relationship with God a possibility.
Concept: The Promised Life
Preschool
Matthew 2:1-12
LIFE POINT: Wise men from the east followed a star to Jerusalem looking for an important baby. In Jerusalem, King Herod heard the wise men asking about the special baby. The king gathered his advisers. They said prophets wrote that a special baby would be born in Bethlehem. Herod told the wise men. He asked them to report back and tell him where they found the baby. Herod wanted to see Jesus. The wise men continued to follow the star. The star stopped over a house where Jesus was living with Mary and Joseph. The wise men were very happy to see Jesus. They bowed down and worshiped Him. They gave Him expensive gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men were warned in a dream not to tell King Herod where they found Jesus, so they went home another way.
LIVE IT OUT: Remind your preschooler that the wise men knew that Jesus was a special child. Help your child make a list of special things about Jesus. Sing together a song of praise to Jesus and God.
Kids
Matthew 2:1-12
LIFE POINT: The wise men had followed the star for a long time. When they got to Jerusalem, they asked, “Where is the One who was born to be King of the Jews? We saw His star. We come to worship Him!” The king was upset. He called his helpers and asked where the promised Messiah would be born. They said, “In Bethlehem.” King Herod told them to look for the new king in Bethlehem. He said: “When you find the child, tell me so I can worship Him.” The star guided the men to the place where the child was. The wise men found Mary and Jesus. They bowed down on their knees and worshiped Jesus. Then they gave Jesus gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The wise men did not go back to Herod. They were warned in a dream not to see Herod again. They went back to their own country by another way.
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child find the following Scriptures in the Bible: Deuteronomy 10:12; Psalm 95:6; Romans 12:1; Revelation 14:7. As you read each verse, discuss how the verse addresses worship. Help your child understand why we should worship Jesus.
Students
Matthew 2:1-12; Psalm 119:41; Luke 1:30-35
THE POINT: Jesus is the ultimate Word from God who brings salvation.
• When were you excited to meet someone?
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “rescue?”
• Why is it important that Jesus is fully human and fully divine?
• How does understanding how God’s Word centers on Jesus, continually make a difference in your life?
Discuss the following quote:
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.”¹—C. S. Lewis
LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture:
• CHRIST: Share your decision to trust in Christ with your student. Allow your student to share his or her salvation story. If your student has not yet been saved, talk with him or her about the decision to trust in Christ.
• COMMUNITY: Create a prayer list with your student and commit to praying for people in your community.
• CULTURE: Christmas is more than presents and cookies. Take time this season to share the importance of Jesus’ birth as the Son of God sent to save the world from sin.
¹. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperCollins, 2001).
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