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Shepherdsat the StableBible StoryLuke 2:8-20

Teacher ChallengeThe shepherds were simple, hardworking people, tiedto their herds and to the land—not wealthy, well- educated or important. There were surely more so-phisticated or important people to whom God couldhave sent the angels. But God valued the shepherds and sent thegood news of Jesus’ birth to them first of all. They didn’t debate, didn’t wait—they obeyed! They worshiped! Then, full of wonder, they told everyone they saw about the amazing baby!

� When have you obeyed God’s Word in a situation that you didn’t fully understand?

� What good things has God done in your life because of your obedience to His Word?

Just like the shepherds, as we obey what God tells us in His Word, He opens our eyes to new under-standing. We, in turn, can show our little ones that God values and delights in our faith and obedience.Young or old, poor or rich—what matters most to God is that we trust Him enough to obey!

Teacher’s Planning1. Choose which centers you

will provide and the order in which children will par-ticipate in them. For tips on schedule planning, see page 9.

2. Plan who will lead each cen-ter, making sure to have oneadult for approximately everysix children. For staffing tipsand ideas, see page 12.

© 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Growing with God Leader’s Guide • 153

Lesson 16

God’s Word“Good news! Today Jesus has been born.” (See Luke 2:10-11.)

God’s Word and MeI can tell the good news that Jesus was born.

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Play to LearnActive Game Center: Sticky Sheep

CollectBible, Lesson 16 Sticky Sheep Pattern from Grow-ing with God CD-ROM, clear Con-Tact paper, per-manent marker, tape, cotton balls (several foreach child).

PrepareUse a permanent marker to trace Sheep Pattern ontoCon-Tact paper. Cut out sheep outline and remove backing from Con-Tact paper. Tape sheep outline to a wall, sticky side out, at children’s eye level.

Do1. Children play a game like Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Children stand 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 m) from

sheep outline.

2. Children take turns walking to the sheep outline and placing one cotton ball at a time onto it. Continueas time and interest permit.

Talk About� In our Bible story today, an angel told good news to

some shepherds. The angel said that a very specialbaby had been born. Tyler, who was the baby?

� Alyssa, what kind of animals were the shepherds taking care of? When the shepherds heard the good news, they went to see baby Jesus.

� The Bible says, “Good news! Today Jesus has beenborn.” Let’s thank God for sending Jesus. Pray briefly,Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus. We love You.

For Younger ChildrenYoung children have a hard time waiting, so prepare a sheep outline for each group of no more thanfour children.

For Older ChildrenBlindfold children and gently spin them around one time before they walk to the sheep outline. Beforethe game, place black pompoms on sheep outline as eye and nose.

154 • © 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only. Growing with God Leader’s Guide

Lesson 16



Lesson16:LKT 4/13/10 4:16 PM Page 154

Play to LearnArt Center: Angel Puppets

CollectBible, Lesson 16 Angel Puppet Face and Wings Pattern from Growing with God CD-ROM, scissors,small white paper bags, glue, markers.

PreparePrint and cut out one Angel Puppet Face andWings Pattern for each child.

Do1. Children glue Angel Face to flap of paper bag, and Wings to sides of bag. Children use markers to

decorate angel puppet.

2. Children use their angel puppets as they say the verse aloud.

Talk About� In today’s Bible story, angels told shepherds the

good news that Jesus was born. Let’s make angels to remind us of the good news.

� At Christmastime we can tell others the good newsthat Jesus was born. Chloe, who do you want to tellthe good news about Jesus?

� The Bible says, “Good news! Today Jesus has beenborn.” Jesus’ birth is very good news that makes usglad! God sent Jesus to be born because God loves us.Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You for loving us. Pleasehelp us tell the good news that Jesus was born.

For Younger ChildrenChildren hold puppets as you say the verse to each child.

For Older ChildrenProvide wiggle eyes and yellow yarn for hair.


Lesson 16





Lesson 16Play to LearnConstruction Center: Manger Scene

CollectBible, blocks, shoe boxes, raffia, small dolls, toy animals.

Do1. Briefly retell the story events. Children use

blocks or shoe boxes to make mangers and fillwith raffia.

2. Children place a small doll in manger, and use toy animals to act out the shepherds coming to the stable.

Talk About� In today’s Bible story, shepherds were taking

care of their sheep. Suddenly, angels came andtold them that Jesus was born! Jesus is God’sSon. The shepherds went to see Jesus in thestable. Then they told others the good newsthat Jesus was born. Let’s build mangers andpretend the shepherds are coming to see Jesus.

� The shepherds were so glad to have found babyJesus. They told other people the good news.We remember the good news that Jesus wasborn when we celebrate Christmas.

� Jackson, who can you tell the good news that Jesus was born? Christmastime is a good time to tell others the good news thatJesus was born.

� God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born to show that He loves us. The Bible says, “Good news!Today Jesus has been born.”

For Younger ChildrenChildren play with blocks and dolls, instead of acting out shepherds coming to the stable.

For Older ChildrenChildren build stables from blocks. Provide unbreakable nativity scenes or toy people for children touse in acting out story.




Play to LearnDramatic Play Center: Party Time!

CollectBible, paper, marker, vanilla frosting, two bowls,red and green food coloring, two large spoons,small sugar cookies, plastic knives, paper plates;optional—premoistened towelettes, sprinkles orsmall candies.

PreparePost a note alerting parents to the use of food in this activity. Also check registration forms for food allergies or restrictions. Divide frosting into two bowls.

Do1. Children wash hands. (Optional: If you do not have a sink nearby, children use premoistened tow-

elettes to clean hands.) Teacher adds food coloring to bowls of frosting (one red and one green).Children mix food coloring into frosting.

2. Children use plastic knives to spread frosting on cookies. (Optional: Children decorate frostedcookies with sprinkles or small candies.)

Talk About� The Bible says, “Good news! Today Jesus has

been born.” We celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christ-mas. One way to celebrate is by making specialfood. Let’s decorate some Christmas cookies.

� Christmastime is a good time to tell others thegood news that Jesus was born. Zach, who issomeone you can tell the good news that Jesuswas born?

� Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You that Jesus wasborn. We love You!

For Younger ChildrenSpread frosting on cookies before class. Children add sprinkles or small candies and arrange cookies on plate.

For Older ChildrenOlder children prepare a drink to serve with their cookies. Children add powdered drink mix to apitcher of cold water and take turns stirring to mix. Pour into cups and serve.


Lesson 16




Listen to LearnLuke 2:8-20

CollectBible, Bible Story 29 pictures from God’s Story forMe Poster Pack #2, Preschool Music #2 DVD or CDand player.

Greet Each OtherLead children in this cheer:

Stand up! (clap, clap)

Be proud! (clap, clap)

Say your name (clap, clap)

Out loud! (clap, clap)

All children call out their names at once. Lead children in clapping for each other.

Tell the StoryOpen your Bible to Luke. Tell the story using the pictured motions (keywords in bold) or show BibleStory 29 pictures.

What are some things in your house that give light? What is in the sky that gives light? Lis-ten to hear about a time some shepherds saw a very bright light in the nighttime sky.

One quiet night, a long time ago, some shepherds were outside taking care of theirsheep.

All at once, the sky was full of light. The shepherds looked up and saw an angel! Theshepherds were afraid.

But the angel said, “Do not be afraid. I have good news. God’s Son, Jesus, has beenborn. You can go see Him. He is in a stable, wrapped up warm and lying in a manger.”

A stable is like a barn. It is the place where animals sleep. Baby Jesus was lying in amanger. A manger is a box where hay is put for animals to eat.

Then the sky was FULL of angels! The angels said, “Glory to God!” The angels werethanking God for sending Jesus.

Then the angels left. The shepherds said, “Let’s go find this special baby. Let’s hurry!”

Steppity-steppity-step. The shepherds hurried along the road until they found thestable where Jesus was.

The baby Jesus was lying in a manger where the animals usually ate. Everything wasjust as the angel had said. The shepherds were so happy to see baby Jesus!

Then the shepherds started walking back to take care of their sheep. Along the way,they told the good news to everyone they saw. “Jesus is born! Jesus is born!” Theshepherds thanked God for sending Jesus.


Lesson 16




Talk About the StoryWhat was the good news the shepherds told everyone they saw? (Jesus was born.) People areespecially happy at Christmastime. This is the time we celebrate Jesus’ birth. We can tellothers the good news that Jesus was born. What are some of the things you do at your hometo celebrate at Christmastime? What decorations do you have at your home? What specialfoods? What songs do you sing?

Sing to GodLet’s sing a song about Jesus. Lead children in singing “Christmas Joy” (on DVD or track 5 on CD).Singing about Jesus is one way to tell the good news that God’s Son, Jesus, was born.

Hear and Say God’s WordHolding your Bible open to Luke 2:10-11, sayverse aloud. God sent Jesus to be born be-cause God loves us. We can tell others thatGod loves us and sent His Son. Lead childrenin repeating the verse by clapping their hands oneach word. Repeat with other motions: stompingfeet, clapping hands over heads, patting knees, etc.

Pray to GodWe can thank God for loving us and sending His Son, Jesus. Let’s pray these words together:“Thank You, God, for sending Jesus to be born.” Lead children in praying the prayer with you.

Praise to GodLet’s practice telling others that Jesus is born! As you play “God So Loved” (track 6 on CD) chil-dren walk around the room. When the music stops, children find a partner near them. Partners taketurns saying to each other, “Good news! Today Jesus has been born.” (Younger children can simply say“Jesus has been born.”)


Lesson 16

Option: Vary the manner in which you andthe children speak (loudly, softly, whisper-ing, low, high, etc.).


Talk to LearnBible Story Activity Pages CenterCollectA copy of Activity 29 from The Big Book of BibleStory Activity Pages #2 for yourself and each child,crayons or markers; optional—cotton balls, glue.

DoLead children to complete pages following the in-structions. (Optional: Children glue cotton ballsto sheep on page.) Use the conversation sugges-tions as children complete their pages and retellthe story.

Preschool Puzzle CenterCollectCopies of Bible Story Puzzle 16, Bible VersePuzzle 16 and/or Challenge Puzzle 16 from The Big Book of Preschool Puzzles #2 for eachchild; pencils, crayons or markers.

DoChildren complete the puzzles and color pages. Use the conversation suggestions on the pages.

Read-Aloud Story CenterCollectA copy of Story Picture 16 from The Big Book of Read-Aloud Stories #2 for yourself and each child, crayonsor markers.

DoRead the story and distribute pictures. Use the conversation suggestions as children complete their pages.


Lesson 16

Bible Story Activity 29

123

Name ________________________

fold

• Teacher prefolds page. • Child folds and colors page.• Child looks at booklet pictures to review story.4

1

Jesus is born!

• What did the shepherds do after they saw baby Jesus?• Who is someone you can tell the good news that Jesus was born?

© 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to the original purchaser only. The Big Book of Bible Story Activity Pages #2

“Good news! Today Jesus has been born.” (See Luke 2:10-11.)Circle the star that is not like the others. Color the picture.

Story Pic

ture

16

© 2009 G

ospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to original purchaser only.The Big Book of R

ead-Aloud Stories #1

37


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