Lesson 3: Escape to Egypt.
Passage: Matthew 2:13-15 - When the wise men had gone home after visiting Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, warning him that King Herod was going to try to kill Jesus, and that they should escape to Egypt. So Joseph, Mary, and Jesus stayed in Egypt until King Herod died. This happened in fulfillment of the prophesy from Hosea, “Out of Egypt I called my Son.”
Big Idea: God is our protector.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember some of the things we’ve learned about the Christmas story so far?
Where was Jesus born? Who visited him when he was a baby?
Today we’re going to be learning about how there was one person who wasn’t very happy to hear that Jesus was born. And that was a guy named Herod. He was the king of the land and he wanted to get rid of Jesus because he thought that Jesus would take over his throne one day!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when the angel spoke to them in a dream to tell them to go and hide in Egypt?
Do you think that God was protecting Jesus by warning them that someone wanted to hurt him?
Do you think that God can protect you too when you’re scared? What can you do when you’re feeling scared?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you that you are a God who loves us and protects us from danger. Thank you for the story we learned about today, about how you protected the baby Jesus from King Herod by sending an angel to warn them in a dream. Whenever we’re scared, please help us to remember that you are powerful and that we can pray to you whenever we need help, and you always listen to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Christmas Cards Craft — Activity Leader
If a child is not interested in the activity, allow them to move to free play.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: Christmas Would You Rather — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone remember some of the things we’ve learned about the Christmas story so far?
Where was Jesus born? Who visited him when he was a baby?
Today we’re going to be learning about how there was one person who wasn’t very happy to hear that Jesus was born. And that was a guy named Herod. He was the king of the land and he wanted to get rid of Jesus because he thought that Jesus would take over his throne one day!
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when the angel spoke to them in a dream to tell them to go and hide in Egypt?
Do you think that God was protecting Jesus by warning them that someone wanted to hurt him?
Do you think that God can protect you too when you’re scared? What can you do when you’re feeling scared?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you that you are a God who loves us and protects us from danger. Thank you for the story we learned about today, about how you protected the baby Jesus from King Herod by sending an angel to warn them in a dream. Whenever we’re scared, please help us to remember that you are powerful and that we can pray to you whenever we need help, and you always listen to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Christmas Cards Craft — Activity Leader
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Introduce yourself and welcome the kids to class.
Warm Up Activity: Christmas Would You Rather — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is our third Sunday learning about the story leading up to the very first Christmas.
Can anyone remember some of the things that have happened in the story so far?
Where was Jesus born? Who came to visit him when he was a baby?
Today we’re going to be learning about how there was one person who wasn’t so happy to hear that Jesus was born, and that was King Herod.
Can anyone think of why King Herod might not have been happy about Jesus’ birth?
So King Herod wanted to get rid of Jesus, and an angel warned Mary and Joseph about this in a dream. Because of this, they ended up escaping to Egypt.
Let’s watch our video to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
How do you think Mary and Joseph felt when the angel warned them to escape to Egypt?
Have you ever had a time when you prayed to God for help when you were scared or in danger?
What’s something you can remind yourself when you’re feeling afraid?
When the prophesy says “Out of Egypt I called my son” we know it’s referring to Jesus on one hand. But can you think of another story in the Bible that has to do with leaving Egypt?
What do you think is the connection between these two stories? (ie. God protected the Israelites in the Old Testament by bringing them out of Egypt, and protected Jesus by sending him to Egypt to hide)
Prayer — Activity Leader
“Dear God, thank you that you are a God who loves and protects us. Thank you for the story of how you protected the baby Jesus from danger from King Herod, and how you also saved the Israelites from their hardship in Egypt. Whenever we’re scared or in a bad situation, please help us to remember how powerful you are and that we can always turn to you when we need your help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Christmas Cards Craft — Activity Leader
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
For Parents:
Follow-up questions.
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
How did Jesus’ family know they were supposed to hide in Egypt?
Do you think that God was protecting Jesus when he was a baby?
Do you think that God can protect us too? What is something you can do when you’re feeling scared?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Why did the angel tell Joseph and Mary that they were supposed to hide in Egypt?
Did you learn about another story in the Bible where God was protecting the people, just like God protected Jesus? (God bringing Israel out of Egypt in the Exodus story)
Do you think that God protects us too? What are some things you can we do when you’re feeling scared?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Did you learn about a prophesy that was fulfilled by Jesus going to Egypt? Did the prophesy have another meaning too? What was it?
What do you think is the connection between the Israelites leaving Egypt and Jesus going to Egypt?
What do you think that teaches us about what God is like?
