Conversation Starters: The Savior’s Birth
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: People look to a variety of religious figures or leaders to give their lives meaning. Some of these religions offer a god—or gods—who is so beyond us that he is unreachable. Other religions have human leaders, yet their humanity makes them little different from us. But in Jesus, the all-powerful, transcendent God came to us. He came to earth and became one of us. That is what makes Jesus unique. He is fully God, who became fully human.
Concept: The Savior’s Birth
Preschool
Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20
LIFE POINT: An angel visited Mary and said, “You will have a baby and name Him Jesus. He will be the Son of God.” Mary was surprised but said, “I will do what God says.” Mary went to visit Elizabeth, her cousin. Elizabeth was happy to see Mary. Elizabeth was going to have a baby also. Her baby jumped when she heard Mary’s greetings. Elizabeth told Mary she has received a good gift from God. Mary was so happy she sang a song of praise to God. Joseph learned Mary was to have a baby. One night an angel spoke to him in a dream. “Mary’s baby is the Son of God. You will name Him Jesus.” Joseph did what the angel told him to do. Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be counted. The baby was born just as the angels said. They named Him Jesus. He was the most special baby ever born!
LIVE IT OUT: Print Jesus’ name on a sheet of paper. Encourage your child to decorate the name with markers or stickers. Display the sign in your child’s room to remind her of the special name of Jesus.
Kids
Matthew 1:18-24; Luke 1:26-56; Luke 2:1-20
LIFE POINT: The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would have God’s special Son and she was to name Him Jesus. Mary was surprised. Then Gabriel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was pregnant. Elizabeth was old, so this was surprising. The angel told her: Nothing is impossible with God. Mary said, “Your will be done.” She was willing to do the impossible if it would bring God glory. Mary went to see Elizabeth. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb jumped. Mary began to praise God. She stayed with Elizabeth for three months. Joseph was also visited by an angel. Joseph heard Mary was pregnant and decided to cancel their engagement. But the angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife. He confirmed that Mary’s child would be a son and Joseph was to name the child Jesus.
LIVE IT OUT: Help your child memorize Matthew 16:16. This verse tells who Jesus really is. His name is Jesus, but He was the Son of God.
Students
Luke 1:26-35
THE POINT: Jesus is fully God and fully human. How do you usually react when God calls you to do something you don’t feel able to do? Tell your student about a time when you stepped out in faith. Discuss the following quote:
“The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He hath sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.”1 —Martin Luther
LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:
If he or she plans to complete Chosen:
•Help your student think of a situation when God equipped him or her to do what seemed impossible.
•Memorize Mary’s reply in Luke 1:38 with your student.
If he or she plans to complete Mission Possible:
•Spend time searching the Scriptures with your student for passages about God using unlikely people.
•Talk to your student about ways that God has done what seemed impossible in situations in your family.
1. Martin Luther, The Familiar Discourses of Dr. Martin Luther, trans. Henry Bell, (London: Sussex Press, 1818), 100.
Posted in Just For Parents | Tagged Camp Crestridge for Girls, Camp Ridgecrest for Boys, Conversation Starters, Ridgecrest Summer Camps