Lesson 4: Returning to Nazareth.
Passage: Matthew 2:19-23 - After King Herod died, the angel appeared to Joseph again in a dream to tell him that it was safe to return to Israel with Mary and Jesus. However, Herod's son had become the king of Judea in his place and they were afraid to return there. Instead, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus went to Nazareth in Galilee. This fulfilled the prophesy that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene.
Big Idea: Jesus is our humble king.
For Teachers:
Lesson plan.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Christmas is just one week away and today will be our last day talking about the Christmas story together.
Does anyone remember where Jesus was born?
How did Mary and Joseph find out that Mary was going to give birth to baby Jesus?
Who were the visitors that came to see Jesus?
Who was the person who was angry that Jesus was going to be king?
Where did Jesus and his parents have to go to hide from King Herod?
Today we’ll be learning about what happened next after Jesus went to Egypt.
Let’s watch our video for today to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
From the video, can you remember what Galilee was like?
What do you think about Jesus growing up in a small town like Nazareth? What do you think that teaches us about him?
Do you think you would rather have a king who is really rich and lives in a big castle with lots of servants, or a king who comes from a small town and hangs out with ordinary people like you and me? Why?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for everything we’ve learned about the Christmas story - about how you are a humble king who had ordinary parents like Mary and Joseph, and who lived in ordinary places like Bethlehem and Nazareth. Thank you that you’re not the kind of king who is too rich and important to care about people like us, but that you are a king who loves and cares about everyone, and wants to be with us. Please help us to have a wonderful Christmas and to remember that Jesus is God’s gift to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Q-Tip Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will make their own hometown paintings using q-tips and paint.
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.
-
Welcome — Activity Leader
Have the children sit in a circle on the circle time rug. Welcome them to class.
Warm Up Activity: — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Christmas is just one week away and today will be our last day talking about the Christmas story together.
Does anyone remember where Jesus was born?
How did Mary and Joseph find out that Mary was going to give birth to baby Jesus?
Who were the visitors that came to see Jesus?
Who was the person who was angry that Jesus was going to be king?
Where did Jesus and his parents have to go to hide from King Herod?
Today we’ll be learning about what happened next after Jesus went to Egypt.
Let’s watch our video for today to find out more…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
From the video, can you remember what Galilee was like?
What do you think about Jesus growing up in a small town like Nazareth? What do you think that teaches us about him?
Do you think you would rather have a king who is really rich and lives in a big castle with lots of servants, or a king who comes from a small town and hangs out with ordinary people like you and me? Why?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for everything we’ve learned about the Christmas story - about how you are a humble king who had ordinary parents like Mary and Joseph, and who lived in ordinary places like Bethlehem and Nazareth. Thank you that you’re not the kind of king who is too rich and important to care about people like us, but that you are a king who loves and cares about everyone, and wants to be with us. Please help us to have a wonderful Christmas and to remember that Jesus is God’s gift to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Q-Tip Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will make their own hometown paintings using q-tips and paint.
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 Trivia — Activity Leader
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Can anyone summarize what we’ve learned about the Christmas story so far?
Where was Jesus born?
How did Mary and Joseph find out about Mary’s pregnancy?
Who were the visitors who came to see Jesus?
Who was it that was angry about Jesus’ birth?
Where did Mary and Joseph have to take Jesus until it was safe?
Let’s watch our video to find out more about the story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
From the video, how was the town of Nazareth in Galilee described? What was so special about it?
What do you think it says about what kind of king Jesus is since he grew up in a place like Nazareth?
Does knowing that God became a human and had a pretty ordinary upbringing change the way you think about God? How so?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for everything we’ve learned about the Christmas story - about how you are a humble king who had ordinary parents, and who was born and grew up in ordinary places. Thank you that you’re not the kind of king who is too rich or important to care about people like us, but that you are a king who comes down to our level to be with us. Thank you that you understand what it’s like to be human and to go through hard times, so we know we can talk to you about anything. Please help us to have a wonderful Christmas with our loved ones, and to remember the meaning of Christmas - that you came down from heaven to become a human, to live among us, to bring light to the world, and show us how much you love us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Q-Tip Painting — Activity Leader
Kids will use q-tips and paint to create a picture of their hometown.
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?
What was your favourite part of the story? Why is it your favourite?
What did the story teach you about what kind of king Jesus is and what God is like?
What does being humble mean to you? What does it look like?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What do you think the Christmas story is all about?
What kind of king do you think Jesus is?
What are some ways we can be humble like Jesus?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What part of the story stood out to you the most and why?
What did it teach you about what kind of king Jesus is and what God is like?
Do you think it’s easier to relate to God knowing that God lived among us? How so?
