Transition Activity Time

This material is adapted from Bible study lessons from the Winter 2008 quarter of Bible Teaching for Kids: 3’s Pre-K Leader Guide, which is copyrighted by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Used by permission.

Color the back of the Take Home sheets.

Read Christmas books about Jesus and encourage the children to share the story of Jesus with others.

Use a nativity scene w/figures to talk with the preschoolers about the Story of Jesus’ Birth.

Make a Star. Give each child the picture of a star, craft sticks, and glitter glue to glue on the craft sticks and decorate the star. Talk about how the star was shinning brightly over the manger where Baby Jesus was born.

Bible Verse:“Good news…Baby Jesus was

born.”Luke 2:10-11

Play “Musical Freeze.” Play Christmas music. Let the jump, wiggle, wave hands, etc. When the music stops, instruct them to freeze. To “break the freeze” they have to say the Bible memory verse.

Bible Learning Game Time

Age: 3s-Pre-KDecember 24, 2009

1:00 & 7:00 3:00 & 5:00 Bible picture, Bible, Nativity Gift boxes Bible picture, Nativity Gift boxes Christmas Story color sheets, crayons; Christmas Story color sheets, crayons yellow & blue play dough, star cutters Bell; White cut-out angel, craft sticks Paper manager scene with cut outs; glue; lace doilies, glitter paint, glue bell; White cut-out angel, craft sticks, Extra activities on the back of this lace doilies, glitter paint outline if you have time.

Supplies Needed

Bible Teaching Overview

Bible Story: “Jesus Was Born” Luke 2:1-20Bible Truth: Jesus was God’s Son.Bible Verse: “Good news…. Baby Jesus was born.” Luke 2:10-11Life Application: Preschoolers learn that Jesus was God’s Son.

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Schedule and Explanation of ActivitiesSmall Group Bible Activity Time – Teacher prepares the activities from the teaching box. Activities are placed on the tables or floor for children to rotate through in small groups. Each activity relates to the Biblical truth. (about 25 minutes.)Large Group Bible Story Time or Tree Hollow– Children will hear the Bible story, participate in a Bible verse activity, sing and worship through a large group experience. This activity is led by the teacher unless Tree Hollow is scheduled for your hour. (about 20 minutes)Large Group Bible Game Time – Children can play a game or activity as a large group to reinforce the Bible truth. (about 10 minutes)Transition Activity Time – large or small group activities for preschoolers to transition into the next hour. (about 10 minutes)Snack Time – Snack will be brought to your room if it is served during your session time.

Bible Story Time(Ask children to sit on the carpet or at tables as you lead the

Bible story time)Step 1: With the Bible open, tell the Bible story from memory. Make eye contact with the children. As you tell the Bible story, show the Bible story picture.

Show the preschoolers the small gift boxes: # 2, #3, #4 & #5. Place the cardboard stable piece on the floor and place Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, and the shepherd in the

stable. Ask the children where Baby Jesus was born. Close with prayer thanking God for Baby Jesus. Ask the preschoolers to say the Bible memory verse with you—-

Bible Learning Activities8:45 & 11:30 (11:00 at WH and 11:15 at Gallatin)

Intro Activity—Make Christmas Cards: Show the children the Bible story picture and

then help them make Christmas Cards. Help the children fold a piece of construction paper in half. Tell them to glue the picture of Baby Jesus on the inside of the card. Glue the Christmas greeting,

“Jesus Was Born” on the front of the card and the Bible verse under the picture of Baby Jesus. Help

the children say the Bible verse.

Create a Manger Scene: Using the picture figures, take Mary, Joseph,

Baby Jesus, a shepherd, a donkey, and a cow to wooden blocks. Place them w/the Bible story

picture in the block area. Help the children build a manger scene using blocks and figures.

Step Out Bible Phrase:Use tape to attach the Bible phrase word sheets

in the correct order on the floor. Give each preschooler a turn to step on the words of the

Bible phrase: “Good News Baby Jesus was born.” As they step on the word, say it aloud with them.

Let each child take a turn. Show the children where these words are found in the Bible (Luke 2:38). Ask: “Who is Mary? Who is Joseph? Who

saw the star and followed it to see Baby Jesus?”

Play “Listen and Wiggle:”Ask preschoolers to wiggle their bodies when you

ring a bell. When the bell is quiet, they must stand very still and quiet. Repeat the game. If you need a change of pace, play a game like “The Bell Says . . .” (call out

movements.)

“Jesus was Born” Luke 2:1-20Joseph and Mary were waiting for her baby to be born. During this time, the king said

that all the people had to be counted. So everyone had to go to their hometowns and put their names on a list for the king.

So Joseph and Mary had to go to his family’s hometown in Bethlehem. The city of Bethlehem was very crowded with people. Joseph walked from place to place looking for a room for Mary to rest. There was no room in any of the inns. The only place that Joseph

found for them to rest that night was a stable. That night, Baby Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Baby Jesus in soft cloths. She laid this special baby in a manger filled with hay.

(The manger was a box where hay for the animals was kept.) Mary and Joseph were happy that Baby Jesus was born.

On the night Jesus was born, there were shepherds taking care of their sheep in the field close to Bethlehem. The stars were shinning brightly. Suddenly an angel appeared in a bright light. The shepherds were afraid. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I have good news for you. God has sent a special baby. He was born in Bethlehem.” The shepherds

were so excited. They said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what has happened.” So they hurried to find Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. They found Baby Jesus lying in a manger, just as the angel had said. They were so excited and when they left, they told everyone they saw about Baby Jesus. The shepherds thanked God for all they had heard and seen

about Baby Jesus.

10:00 (9:30 at White House) Intro Activity—Bean Bag Toss:

Read the Bible verse to the children: “Good News . . .Baby Jesus was born” Luke 2:10-11.

Toss a beanbag (or a paper wad) to a preschooler as you say the Bible phrase,

leaving out a word. Guide the child to say the MISSING WORD and toss the beanbag back to

you.Crayon Rubbing:

Invite the preschoolers to lay a sheet of thin paper over the puzzle “Jesus is Born” or “Jesus’ Birth.” Use masking tape to hold the paper in place while he rubs the long side of a crayon

over it.When he can see the outline of the pieces,

suggest he/she work the puzzle, or color the sheet. Talk to the children about the Bible story.

Make a Bookmark: Using the poster strips, help the children glue the word strip: “Jesus was born.” Let them decorate the book mark

w/stickers. Help them tie a ribbon on the end of the bookmark.

Shepherd Picture:Tape a large piece of white paper across two

tables. Give the children crayons to draw a “Shepherd Scene” on one paper and a “Stable Scene” on the other. Talk about the shepherds in the field watching over their sheep. Tell the children how dark the sky was except for the shinning stars. Tell them there was one big,

bright star and an angel that appeared in the sky. Compliment them as they draw the

shepherds, the sheep, the stars, moon, and angel.

For the second table, tell them to draw a stable, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus in a manger, and animals. Tell them how Mary and Joseph took good care of Baby Jesus. They can also

draw shepherds who came to see Baby Jesus. Ask the children to say their Bible Memory

Verse as they draw.Follow the Stars:

Tape several paper blue stars in a path around the room. Place a large yellow star at the end of the path. As children walk on the path, tell them about the stars shining brightly in the sky to show the way for the