wildlife leader guide · one sheep, and two shepherds. instruct the shepherds and sheep to join...

Session 9Week of March 15

Christmas • Session 1

JESUS WAS BORNLUKE 2:1-20

BEFORE WILDLIFE: 1. Read the Lesson Summary2. Select & Prepare which session starter & activity you will use.

Please Note: Some Session Starters and Activities require supplies,some of which are included in your Wildlife Kit. Some include pages that will need to be printed off ahead of time. If your group is interested in a Wildlife Kit, please contact your campus’ Community Life Pastor.

DURING WILDLIFE: 1. Lead the Session Starter you elected to use2. Show the Bible Story Video to the group3. Read the Bible Story to the group4. Lead the Activity you elected to use5. Pray with the group

AFTER WILDLIFE: Optional Activities provided in the back of this leader guide.

Wildlife Leader Guide

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LESSON SUMMARY

Read this lesson summary before you lead Wildlife:

God is in control of all things. Was it by chance that Caesar Augustus called for a census? Did it just so happen that Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem—the very place the Messiah was prophesied to be born? (Mic. 5:2) God used a pagan emperor to bring about His plan.

God’s plan was for Jesus to be born in a manger. A king born in a manger! It was so unlikely. But Jesus was no ordinary baby; He was God’s Son, sent in the most humble of circumstances, “not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).

Imagine the shepherds’ surprise when an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared. They were terrified! But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David” (Luke 2:10-11).

What a relief! This angel had good news. First, he proclaimed a Savior. The people of Israel were well aware of their need for a Savior. They made sacrifices daily to atone for their sin. Finally, a Savior had come who would be the perfect sacrifice for sin, once and for all. Jesus is also Messiah the Lord.

The word Messiah means “anointed one,” especially a king. The Deliverer and Redeemer would be King over His people. And this was all happening in Bethlehem, the city of David—just as the prophet Micah said.

This is the best news ever! An army of angels appeared, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors” (Luke 2:14). The purpose of Jesus’ birth was twofold: to bring glory to God and to make peace between God and those who trusted in Jesus’ death and resurrection to provide salvation.

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Session Starter

YOU’LL NEED:• Group Census

Sheet,” 1 per group

• pencils


Session StarterOPTION 1: Sheep and WolvesForm groups of four kids. In each group, assign one wolf, one sheep, and two shepherds. Instruct the shepherds and sheep to join hands, forming a triangle. The wolf must stand outside the group. The goal of the game is for the wolf to tag the sheep. The shepherds can spin around—without letting go of their hands—to keep the sheep away from the wolf. If the wolf is able to tag the sheep, let the players switch roles and play again.SAY Wolves are predators; they eat sheep for lunch! In the

Bible story today, some shepherds were in their fields, protecting their sheep from predators. But they heard news that a Savior was born! They left their sheep and hurried to find Him.

OPTION 2: Census CountForm groups of two to ten kids. Groups do not need to have equal numbers of kids. Provide one kid in each group with a copy of the group census sheet. She should interview the others in her group to record the required census data. Census takers should also include data about themselves.Give kids a few minutes to collect census data and list the totals on the census sheet. Prompt each group to examine which group member is the youngest. Who is the oldest? How many of the group members were born in another state? When kids finish, collect the census sheets. Announce some of the data totals. How many boys are in the class? How many girls?SAY Great work, everyone. Census data is helpful in

learning about who is living in certain areas. In our Bible story today, the Roman emperor—Caesar Augustus—conducted a census so he would have a list of people he could collect taxes from. All the people had to travel to their hometowns to be counted.

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Show this video to the group.https://vimeo.com/371423436

Read the following Bible story to the group:

Jesus Was BornLuke 2:1-20

During the time Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, announced that everyone needed to be registered for a census. Every person traveled to the town where his family was from. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David.

While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place for Mary to have her baby, but every place was full because of all the people who were in town to be counted. So Mary and Joseph found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby, Jesus. She wrapped Him snugly in cloth, and she laid Him in a feeding trough, where the animals ate their food.

In the same region, some shepherds were staying out in the fields and watching their sheep to protect them from thieves and predators. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood before them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and they were terrified!

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have very good news for you: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Then the angel said, “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” A king in a feeding trough? That was no place for a king!

The Bible Story


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All of a sudden, a whole army of angels appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!”

So the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. The shepherds went and told others about the baby Jesus. Everyone who heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed. Mary thought about everything that was happening and tried to understand it. The shepherds returned to their fields, praising God because everything had happened just as the angel had said.

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Apply The Story


Activity choiceOPTION 1: “Fit for a King” MuralAttach a large piece of paper to the wall or lay it out on a long table. Provide crayons or markers. Invite kids to work together to design a house for a king. Prompt them to consider how many rooms the house will have and what type of furniture will be in the house. Guide kids to include the king’s room. What would it look like? Where would the king sleep?SAY Kings deserve the best because they often have a

lot of responsibilities as they rule over a country orgroup of people. Kings have power, and they usuallylive in nice palaces.• Jesus is a king unlike any other king. When Hewas born, He didn’t live in a palace. He was bornin a place where animals are kept. Jesus came for aspecial purpose.• Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God’spromised Savior.

OPTION 2: Breaking News DramaForm groups of four or more kids. Instruct kids to reviewLuke 2:8-20 and use the Bible passage as a guide. Invitekids to imagine the shepherds who visited Jesus wereinterviewed by the local news agency. Each group of kidsshould choose one reporter to interview the rest of thegroup (the shepherds) and ask them questions about theirexperience looking for the baby Jesus.As kids prepare, encourage them to make a list ofinterview questions and practice their skit once or twicebefore performing it for the rest of the class. If kidsneed help thinking of interview questions, provide somesuggestions: Where were you when the angel appeared?

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YOU’LL NEED:• Large pieces of

paper• Crayons or

markers

YOU’LL NEED:• Paper• Pencils• Bible times

clothing and other props (optional)


ACTIVITIES Continued...

Were you scared? What were the angels saying? Did you find Jesus? What did you do next?SAY You are very good journalists! Asking questions is one way to

learn new information. Let’s review our big picture question one more time. Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God’s promised Savior.

Pray with the groupClose in prayer. Pray: “Lord, thank You for keeping Yourpromises and for sending Jesus to be our Savior. Help ustrust in Him, and help us tell others about Jesus so their sinscan be forgiven too. Amen.”

AFTER WILDLIFEOPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

After WildLife Options:1. Read “The Gospel: God’s Plan For Me” page to the group.2. Provide copies of any printable activities (i.e. activity / coloring page3. Provide copies of printable Family Meeting Take Home Sheet.

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If time, use this page to review the Gospel with the group.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for MeAsk kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

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God’s Plan Is JesusUNIT 24 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Poll your classmates to find out when their birthdays are. Ask each

person to sign his or her name in the box labeled with the correct birthday month.

© 2014 LifeWay OK to print

God’s Plan Is JesusUNIT 24 • Session 1 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Review these verses in your Bible. Then draw in the comic strip to tell the story

“Jesus Was Born.”

© 2014 LifeWay OK to print

God’s Plan Is Jesus

Group Census Sheet

OK TO PRINTUNIT 24 • Session 1 • Group Census Sheet

Instructions: Interview the people in your group to record the required census data. Be sure to include data about yourself, too!

OFFICIAL POPULATION CENSUS of the class of _____________ (Teacher’s Name)

Today’s Date: _____________ Name of Census Taker: ___________

NAME (Last, First) GENDER AGE PLACE OF BIRTH HIGHEST GRADE COMPLETED

NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

RESULTS: GIRLS: ______ + BOYS: ______ = TOTAL: ______

© 2014 LifeWay

JESUS WAS BORN LIFEPOINT CHURCH

JESUS WAS BORN

MAIN SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:1-201.

SUMMARY: During the time Mary was pregnant with Baby Jesus, the Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, announced that everyone needed to be registered for a census. Every person traveled to the town where his family was from. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, he and Mary left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David.

While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby. Mary and Joseph looked for a safe place for Mary to have her baby, but every place was full because of all the people who were in town to be counted. So Mary and Joseph found a place where animals were kept, and that is where Mary had her baby, Jesus. She wrapped Him snugly in cloth, and she laid Him in a feeding trough, where the animals ate their food.

In the same region, some shepherds were staying out in the fields and watching their sheep to protect them from thieves and predators. All of a sudden, an angel of the Lord stood before them. A bright light shone around the shepherds, and they were terrified!

But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid! I have very good news for you: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Then the angel said, “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” A king in a feeding trough? That was no place for a king!All of a sudden, a whole army of angels appeared, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!”

So the shepherds went straight to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus. They found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. The shepherds went and told others about the baby Jesus. Everyone who heard about Jesus was surprised and amazed. Mary thought about everything that was happening and tried to understand it. The shepherds returned to their fields, praising God because everything had happened just as the angel had said.2.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why did Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem? (Caesar was taking a census)

2. Where was Jesus laid after He was born? (In a feeding trough)

3. Who did the angels tell about Jesus’ birth? (Shepherds in a nearby field)

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wildlife leader guide · one sheep, and two shepherds. instruct the shepherds and sheep to join...

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