Lesson 2: The angel visits Mary.
Bible Passage: Luke 1:26-38 - When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to visit a young girl named Mary who lived in the town of Nazareth and was engaged to be married to Joseph. The angel greeted Mary and said that she was highly favored by the Lord, and this troubled her. The angel told her not to be afraid, and that she would become pregnant and give birth to a son who would be named Jesus, and would be the Son of God as well as a great King who’s kingdom would never end. Mary was confused about how this would happen, and the angel said that the Holy Spirit would cause it to happen, and that even Elizabeth would be having a baby in her old age. Mary then accepted the angel’s words and God’s plan for her.
Big Idea: God’s great plan of salvation.
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 and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Christmas Bingo — Activity Leader
Little pictures will be hidden around the room; each kid uses their bingo card and checks off each picture that they find (without removing the picture from its hiding spot).
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Last week we started learning about the Christmas story. Does anyone remember what the story of Christmas is all about?
Does anyone remember the name of the character we learned about last week? (Zechariah the priest)
What happened to Zechariah when he was in the temple? What did he see there?
What was the angel’s big news for Zechariah?
Something that we learned from that story was that God can do impossible things! Today we’ll learn about the story of another character who you might have heard of before. Her name is Mary.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about her story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
.What was the big news that the angel shared with Mary?
How do you think Mary felt when she heard that amazing news?
How do you think you would feel if an angel visited you and told you that God has big big plans for your life?
Why do you think God planned to send Jesus as a Savior for the world?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Mary and how she was visited by the angel who told her that you had a big plan for her life and for the whole world. Thank you that you are the best planner and that you really love and care about us and the world. Please help us to have our eyes open to see all the great things you are doing all around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Wooden Spoon Angel Ornaments — Activity Leader
All the pieces of the craft will be prepped for the kids to glue and piece together.
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 near the TV. Welcome them to class. and introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Christmas Bingo — Activity Leader
Little pictures will be hidden around the room; each kid uses their bingo card and checks off each picture that they find (without removing the picture from its hiding spot).
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week two of learning about the story of the very first Christmas and Advent season.
As we talked about last week, the Christmas story is all about the birth of baby Jesus, and Advent is all about the time leading up to when Jesus was born
Does anyone remember the name of the person who’s story we learned about last week?
And what do we know about Zechariah?
What happened to Zechariah when he was in the temple?
So what we learned from last week’s story was that God can do amazing and impossible things! Today we’re going to be learning about the story of Mary, who would become the mother of Jesus.
Let’s watch our video to find out more about her story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What was the big news that the angel shared with Mary?
How do you think Mary felt when she heard that amazing news?
How do you think you would feel if an angel visited you and told you that God has big big plans for your life?
Why do you think God planned to send Jesus as a Savior for the world? What do you think that teaches us about God?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Mary and how she was visited by the angel who told her that you had a big plan for her life and for the whole world. Thank you that you are the best planner and that you really love and care about us and the world. Please help us to have our eyes open to see all the great things you are doing all around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Wooden Spoon Angel Ornaments — Activity Leader
All the pieces of the craft will be prepped for the kids to glue and piece together.
Dismissal: Collect tags and make sure each child leaves with their caregiver.
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Welcome — Activity Leader
Welcome the kids to class, introduce yourselves.
Warm Up Activity: Candy Cane Pickup — Activity Leader
Kids put the bottom of a candy cane in their mouth and use the hook end to try to pick up as many candy canes as they can from a pile; kids get to keep the one that they put in their mouth.
Preliminary Discussion — Bible Story Leader
Today is week two of our new Advent series where we’re learning all about the amazing things that happened leading up to the very first Christmas.
Can anyone remember who’s story we talked about last week?
What are some things we know about Zechariah?
What was it that happened to Zechariah when he was in the temple?
What was something that we learned from Zechariah’s story? (that God is able to make impossible things possible)
Today we’re going to be learning about the story of someone who you may have heard about before. Her name is Mary.
Let’s watch the video to find out more about her story…
Video Lesson — Bible Story Leader
Follow Up Discussion — Bible Story Leader
What are some things that we know about Mary from the story?
What was the big news that the angel gave to Mary? How do you think she felt about this news?
How do you think you would feel if an angel visited you and told you that God has big big plans for your life?
Why do you think God planned to send Jesus as a Savior for the world? What do you think that teaches us about what God is like?
Prayer — Bible Story Leader
“Dear God, thank you for the story of Mary and how she was visited by the angel who told her that you had a big plan for her life and for the whole world. Thank you that you are the best planner and that you really love and care about us and the world. Please help us to have our eyes open to see all the great things you are doing all around us and how you might be asking us to be a part of them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Activity: Wooden Spoon Angel Ornaments — Activity Leader
All the pieces of the craft will be prepped for the kids to glue and piece together.
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 learn about in class today?
What are some things that the Bible tells us about Mary?
What was the big news that the angel had to tell her?
Do you think that’s pretty amazing news? How do you think Mary felt about it? How would you feel if God said God had big plans for your life?
Why do you think God wanted to send God’s son to the world? What does that teach us about how God feels about us?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What are some things you learned about Mary from the story?
What was the big news that the angel had to share with her?
How did Mary react to that amazing news? How would you have reacted if you were in her situation?
Do you think God can use ordinary everyday people to fulfill God’s big plans?
Why do you think God planned to send God’s son to the world? What does that teach us about how God feels about us?
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What was the story you learned about in class today?
What were some things the Bible tells us about what kind of person Mary was?
What was the news that the angel had to share with her? What did the angel say about who baby Jesus was going to be?
How did Mary react? Why do you think she reacted that way?
What do you think was God’s big plan and purpose in sending God’s son to the world?
What do you think the story teaches us about how God feels about us?
