Advent Special Lesson 1

Read Luke 1:26-56 to your group of kids. Say, "When we think of Mary and Joseph, (you can hold up a nativity scene or figurine), we may think they were chosen because they were such "good" people. Through the decades, master painters have painted these two people with elaborate clothing and halos. But that is not how the Bible describes them. They were young, regular people who simply trusted God. And because they trusted God, God chose them to care for His Son-the savior of the world.

Activity Option:
Memory Parcel-A multi-layered parcel, with a word from th Memory Verse wrapped in each layer. The memory verse is: "He will be called great and will be called the Son of the Most High." Luke 1:32
Directions: This game is like "Hot Potatoe". The children sit in a circle and the parcel is passed from child to child as the music plays. When the music stops, the parcel stops and the child holding it unwraps a layer. If there is a word from the verse inside, then the child stands out of the game with their word and is joined by other children with their words.
Once all the layers are unwrapped, the whole group solves the Memory verse and reads it through together a number of times.

Thanksgiving Special Lesson

Open your Bible to Luke 17:11-19. Read the story of the Ten Lepers. Say, "They all should have thanked Him for what He did for them. Aren't some people like this today? We get so caught up in God's blessings that we forget to thank Him." Encourage the kids to say a prayer quietly and thank God for all He has done for them.

Optional Activities:
1.Act out the story using 10 popsicle sticks-one side is happy and one side is sad.
2.Write thank you cards to someone who takes care of them or someone who needs to know they care or write a thank you card to God.

Lesson 12 Lesson Idea

Bible Point: There is one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ.
Set-Up: Establish a large, square, playing area. Place a cone or marker at each of the four outer corners of the playing area. At the center of the area set up a cross, the larger the better. (You can make it from long cardboard tubes and wrap with black tape). Divide players into four teams. Give each team a Post-It notes pad and pencils for every player.
Have the players sit with their teams. Have each player write a prayer on a separate Post it note. Tell the players their prayer can be praise and thanksgiving prayers to God, they can be confessions, they can be about themselves, or about others. No one else needs to read your prayer. (Adults may need to help kids write prayer or they can draw their prayer).
Tell the players that the cross in the middle of the playing area represents Jesus, our Mediator. We will be taking our prayers directly to HIm. How to Play:Have the teams line up behind each of the four cones. At the go, the first player from each team must race to the cross, kneel down on both knees, and place their Post-It note prayer onto the cross. Players return to their team line to tag off to the next player in line. Play continues as such until everyone has taken their prayers to Jesus, our Mediator!
How to Win:The first team to finish posting all their prayers, wins!

Lesson 11 Activity

After you have read the story of Cornelius, talk with children about how God does not discriminate. Ask them what John 3:16 says, " For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. How can you take this message to your town? Have children trace both their feet onto paper. On one foot, have them write the John 3:16 verse. On the other foot, have them write how they can be the feet of Christ in their community. Tape the footprints on the wall around the room. Talk with the children about how Peter finally got the point-God does not discriminate.