Lesson 1: John’s story.
Passage: John 1:1-11 - John testifies that Jesus is the Word of God, who was with God in the beginning, and who is, in fact, God. Through Jesus, the Word, everything was created. Jesus is also the life and light of humankind.
Big Idea: Jesus is the Word of God.
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: Red Light / Green Light — Activity Leader
Kids will stand in a line against one side of the classroom. Their goal is to reach the other side of the room. They will walk when the leader says “green light” and stop when the leader says “red light.”
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a brand new Christmas series! We will learn all about who Jesus is from the stories of his closest friends and family.
If we asked your friends and family to tell us all about you, what do you think they would say? Would they say that you are funny/smart/brave/silly/playful/etc?
Let's watch our video to find out more about what Jesus friends and family said about him...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was the name of Jesus’ friend in today’s video? (John)
What was his nickname? Why do you think people called him that? (John the Beloved, he was a very close friend of Jesus, they were like best buddies)
What was it that John called Jesus? Why do you think he called him that? (the word of God; perhaps it’s because God made the world by using words, so John is saying that God made the world through Jesus)
What do you think about the idea that Jesus IS God who came into the world as a human being?
Why do you think God would become a human and come into the world?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about how Jesus’ best friend John believed that Jesus is actually God who created the whole world and who came to live with us on earth. Thank you for how much you love us that you would become a human to be close to us, to teach us who you are, and to show us your love. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Lightbulb Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will glue the verse John 1:5 across the top of the page, as well as the elements of the lightbulb.
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 them to class.
Warm Up Activity: Red Light/Green Light — Activity Leader
Kids will stand in a line against one side of the classroom. Their goal is to reach the other side of the room. They will walk when the leader says “green light” and stop when the leader says “red light.”
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a brand new Christmas series! In this series we will learn all about who Jesus is from the stories of his closest friends and family.
If we asked your friends and family to tell us all about you, what do you think they would say? Would they say that you are funny/smart/brave/silly/playful/etc?
Let's watch our video to find out more about what Jesus friends and family said about him...
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was the name of Jesus’ friend in today’s video? (John)
What was his nickname? Why do you think people called him that? (John the Beloved, he was a very close friend of Jesus, they were like best buddies)
What was it that John called Jesus? Why do you think he called him that? (the word of God; perhaps it’s because God made the world by using words, so John is saying that God made the world through Jesus)
What do you think John meant when he called Jesus the life of humankind? What about when he called him the light in the darkness?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about how Jesus’ best friend John believed that Jesus is actually God who created the whole world and who came to live with us on earth. Thank you for how much you love us that you would become a human to light our path and give us eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Lightbulb Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will glue the verse John 1:5 across the top of the page, as well as the elements of the lightbulb.
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: Glow Stick Ring Toss — Activity Leader
Turn off the lights and give the kids glow stick rings. The kids can line up and either throw one at a time or a few at a time to land on the target. They should keep track of their points to try and get the most.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today we’re starting a brand new Christmas series! In this series we’ll be learning about who Jesus was according to some of his closest friends and family.
If your friends or family were to describe you and who you are, what kind of things do you think they would say? How would they describe you?
How do you think Jesus’ friends and family would have described him?
Let’s watch our video to find out…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was the name of Jesus’ friend who was in today’s video? What was his nickname and why do you think he was called that?
How did John describe Jesus? What kind of words did he use?
What do you think John meant when he said that Jesus is the Word of God?
What about when he said that Jesus is the life and the light?
What do you think it was that convinced John that Jesus was actually God in the flesh, the creator of the world who came to live among us and show us the way?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
"Dear God, thank you for the lesson we learned today about who Jesus is according to his close friend and follower, John. Thank you that Jesus came down to live among us and show us the way to real life and to give us light in the darkness. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Activity: Lightbulb Craft — Activity Leader
Kids will cut out the pieces, fold the lightbulb, and glue it all together onto their paper.
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 the name of Jesus’ friend who was talking about Jesus in the video?
What kind of things did John say about Jesus and who he is?
What do you think it means that Jesus is the light in the darkness?
What are some words you would use to describe Jesus?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What was the name of Jesus’ close friend who was in the video today? What was his nickname?
What kind of words did John use to describe Jesus? What do you think they tell us about him?
What are some ways that Jesus brings light into the darkness?
What are some words you would use to describe who Jesus is to you?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
Who was the close friend of Jesus that was in the video? What was his nickname and what do you think that tells us about him?
What did John say about who Jesus is to him? What kind of words did he use to describe Jesus?
What do you think he means when he calls Jesus the Word of God? What about when he calls him the life and the light?
How would you describe who Jesus is to you?
