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©2018 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

USER AGREEMENTTEAM

CEOReggie Joiner

DIRECTOR OF MESSAGINGKristen Ivy

DIRECTOR OFPRESCHOOL STRATEGYBrittany Compton Robertson

DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUMKathy Hill

DESIGN AND BRAND MANAGERSharon van Rossum

CREATIVE TEAMBrittany Compton RobertsonKathy HillAutumn WardAshley HiersDonna HighSharon van Rossum Deb Springer McKenzie Causey

WRITERSDonna HighEmily MeredithAutumn Ward

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3-5

Scripture quotations marked GNT are taken from the Good News Bible, Second Edition, Today’s English Version, Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2018 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. First Look® and the First Look® logo are trademarks of The reThink Group.

“STATEMENT OF FAITH” USER AGREEMENTOrange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor First Look® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith.

JESUS WANTS TO BEMY FRIEND FOREVER

S M A L L G R O U P

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3-5S M A L L G R O U P

B I B L E S T O R Y

The angels tell about Jesus.

SHEPHERDS LUKE 2:6-18

M E M O R Y V E R S E

“God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son.”

JOHN 3:16, GNT

K E Y Q U E S T I O N

Why is Jesus special?

B O T T O M L I N E

Jesus is God’s Son.

B A S I C T R U T H

Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

©2018 The ReThink Group. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com 2

PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME

PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experienceFor Leaders OnlyMonthly OverviewCreate the Environment

SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interactionOffer one or more of these activities as preschoolers arrive. Hop to the Manger HerdingSheep Shearing

WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to GodChristmas PartyGet Up

STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging waysIntroductory SketchBible StoryPrayer

GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connectOffer as many of these activities as your time, facilities, resources, and leadership allow. Pass the BabyThe Angel to the ShepherdsPicturesWrap It UpOrnamentJournal and Prayer

HOME: Prompting action beyond the experienceGoing HomeParent Cue

15M I N

10M I N

10M I N

25M I N

This symbol indicates an activity with potential allergens. Be sure to post allergy alert sign and inform parents at drop-off.

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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



1. HOP TO THE MANGERW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Manger Scene” Activity Page, white cardstock, and floor tape

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy “Manger Scene” on cardstock. Provide one per classroom. Set out nine pieces of cardstock on the floor in a hopscotch pattern (one piece followed by two pieces followed by one piece, etc.) in an open area of the room and tape them down. Tape down the “Manger Scene” Activity Page at the end of the hopscotch board.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Line up the children at the start of the hopscotch board. Encourage the children to hop along the hopscotch board to reach the manger scene.

W H AT Y O U S AY: D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “In our Bible story today, we’ll hear about some shepherds who went to see a very special baby. Do you remember who that special baby was? (Pause.) Yes, Jesus! Let’s hop all the way down to the manger at the end. Make sure you take turns so that each friend has a chance to hop.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was so fun! The shepherds were so excited to see baby Jesus. I can’t wait to hear all about it in our Bible story today!”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by calling out different ways to move like shepherds. They can herd the sheep, slowly creep on tiptoes so they don’t wake sleeping sheep, skip, hop, jog, walk at a steady pace, etc.

M O V Ean activity that uses a preschooler’s natural desire to move

to help them learn

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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


15 MINUTES



2. HERDINGW H AT Y O U N E E D : Masking tape, full-sized candy canes, and cotton balls

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Make a large circle with the masking tape on a table or the floor in the activity area. Scatter the cotton balls all around the outside of the circle.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a candy cane and help them hold it upside down so that the hook of the cane is toward the table or the floor. Challenge the children to use the hook of the cane to push the cotton balls into the circle. Continue the activity until all of the cotton balls are inside the circle.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We are going to be shepherds today! Shepherds herd sheep to keep them safe.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “These are our sheep (point to cotton) and this is our sheep pen (point to circle). We can use the shepherd’s staff (hold up candy cane) to push the sheep into their pen. (Demonstrate.) Are you ready to be shepherds?” (Pause and do activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Great job! You are all awesome shepherds! We are going to hear an amazing story from the Bible today about shepherds.”

T R A N S I T I O N : Move to Worship and Story by acting as if the children are your sheep and you are the shepherd. Tell the children you are herding them to the story area.

P L A Yan activity that encourages preschoolers to follow guidelines

while having fun and learning new concepts

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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H



to help them learn

25 MINUTES



1. PASS THE BABYW H AT Y O U N E E D : Baby doll

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Guide the children to sit in a circle.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Say the memory verse together as a class as you pass the baby doll around the circle. Repeat several times.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Everyone come and sit in a circle with me. (Hold up the baby doll.) Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. God sent baby Jesus here just for us.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s practice our memory verse. We can pass the baby around the circle while we say it. Are you ready? (Start passing the doll.) God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, John 3:16.” (Repeat several times.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Awesome job! God loves us so much that He gave us Jesus. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

H E A R FROM GOD

M E M O R Y V E R S E R E V I E W

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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES

C R E A T Ean activity that allows preschoolers to review the Bible story,

bottom line, or memory verse by creating a craft to take home



2. THE ANGEL TO THE SHEPHERDSW H AT Y O U N E E D : Plastic headbands (one per child); gold or silver pipe cleaners, yellow paper plates, OR silver or gold tinsel; and scissors

W H AT Y O U D O : D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Let the children create an angel headband by twisting the pipe cleaners into a halo, by cutting the center out of a paper plate to tape to the top, or by twisting silver or gold tinsel around the plastic headband. Encourage the children to wear the angel headband as you share the good news about Jesus.

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Let’s create an angel headband so we can share the good news about Jesus!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Your headbands look great! Everyone put them on and let’s pretend to be the angel telling the shepherds the GOOD NEWS about Jesus. Say it with me: Jesus is God’s Son. Awesome. Say it to the friend sitting next to you. Jesus is God’s Son. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son.”

T A L K A B O U T G O D

B I B L E S T O R Y R E V I E W

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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


T H I N Kan advanced activity specifically designed for older preschoolers

25 MINUTES



3. PICTURESW H AT Y O U N E E D : “Pictures” Activity Pages, white cardstock, and wall tape

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy the Activity Pages onto the cardstock. Hang the pictures in random order on a wall in the activity area at preschool level.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Point to a picture and ask the children to identify it and tell you about it.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: When you point to the picture of the angel and shepherds, be sure to ask the children who the angels were telling the shepherds about.

W H AT Y O U S AY:B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Look at all of the cool pictures we have!” (Point to pictures.)

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: (Point to the picture of a snowman.) “What is this a picture of? (Pause.) Yes! This is a snowman. What do you need to make a snowman? (Pause.) Great job! Can you tell me your favorite thing about a snowman? (Pause and point to other pictures and continue the activity.) (Point to the picture of the shepherds and angel.) What is this a picture of? (Pause.) Yes! It is our story today! The angels are telling the shepherds about something super exciting. Do you remember who they were telling the shepherds about? (Pause.) You got it. They were telling them about JESUS!”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “All of our pictures are super awesome, but this picture is super special. (Point to shepherd picture.) It shows us when the angels told the shepherds that God had sent His only Son to us. God gave us Jesus! Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

L I V E F O R G O D

A P P L I C AT I O N A C T I V I T Y

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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H



to help them learn

25 MINUTES



4. WRAP IT UPW H AT Y O U N E E D : A box wrapped in Christmas paper, and stick-on bows (at least one per child)

W H AT Y O U D O : D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a bow. Pass the present around the circle. As each child holds the box, he or she will add the bow and say the Bottom Line.

W H AT Y O U S AY:D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “The angel gave the shepherds a very special message. Let’s pass this box around the circle. When it comes to you, add your bow to the box and say, Jesus is God’s Son.”

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “That was fun! The angels told the shepherds about Jesus. He is the GREATEST gift. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

L I V E F O R G O D


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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES





5. ORNAMENTVisit First Look’s December 2018 Pinterest Board to see the inspiration for this activity: https://www.pinterest.com/firstlookcurr/december-2018-birthday-bash/

W H AT Y O U N E E D : “Ornament Tag” Activity Page; red or green cardstock; hole punch; scissors; red or green ribbon; pipe cleaners (one per child); wrapping paper or gift bag (one per child); and red and green straw pieces

(NOTE: There are many different ornament options on our Pinterest page. You may choose to make this ornament or choose another option from the Pinterest page. Be sure to place a tag on any ornament that you choose. If a tag will not work for your ornament, you may consider printing the “Ornament Tag” Activity Page onto Avery® #5160 labels and attach them to the ornament.)

W H AT Y O U D O : B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: Copy the Activity Page onto the cardstock and cut on the dotted lines. Use the hole punch to punch a hold on the bold dot on the tag. Cut the ribbon into four-inch sections. Each child will need a tag and one section of ribbon.

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: Give each child a pipe cleaner and straw pieces. Help the child string the pieces onto the pipe cleaner in any order that they would like. When the pipe cleaner is ¾ full of the straw pieces, bend the pipe cleaner into a circle to resemble a wreath. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to secure it. Feed a section of the ribbon into the hole on the tag. Tie the ribbon and the tag to the top of the wreath.

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: Place the wreath in a gift bag or allow the child to wrap it.

W H AT Y O U S AY: B E F O R E T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We are going to make a Christmas gift for our families.”

D U R I N G T H E A C T I V I T Y: “We are going to make a beautiful ornament for you to give to your family for Christmas. (Give each child a pipe cleaner and straw pieces.) Place the straw pieces onto the pipe cleaner like this. (Demonstrate.)

L I V E F O R G O D


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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


25 MINUTES





You can mix the colors any way you would like.” (Finish activity.)

A F T E R T H E A C T I V I T Y: “Great job! Your family will love your Christmas gift to them. Now let’s wrap your gift. (Finish activity.) Yay! I love celebrating Christmas. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday. God gave us Jesus. Why is Jesus special? Jesus is God’s Son!”

L I V E F O R G O D


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B I B L E S T O R Y





JOHN 3:16, GNT



B O T T O M L I N E


B A S I C T R U T H


R E F L E C Tan activity that encourages personal application and prayer

25 MINUTES



6. JOURNAL AND PRAYERW H AT Y O U N E E D : Paperclip “Memory Verse Card” in your Bible at John 3:16. Provide a journal and a fun-shaped pen for each Small Group. You will also need the following stickers for the month: heart, baby, sheep, balloon, and star (two of each per child).

S M A L L G R O U P L E A D E R ( S G L ) : “It’s Small Group time. I think we should pretend we are sheep today when we walk to our small group spot. What does a sheep say? (Pause.) Baa. A sheep says baa. Ready to be sheep? Here we go! Let’s baa our way to our Small Group spot!

(Pretend to be sheep and baa as you walk to your spot.)

“That was fun! Thanks for pretending with me. Let’s sit down and talk about today’s Bible story now. One, two, three, sit down with me!

(Open the Bible and lay it open in front of the children.)

“Our Bible story today was about a group of men called shepherds. Do you remember what the shepherds’ job was in our story today?

(Pause for response.)

“You’re so smart! Yes, the shepherds’ job was to watch their sheep and keep them safe.

“Well, the shepherds in our story got a BIG surprise one night while they were watching their sheep. God sent angels to tell them the good news that Jesus, God’s only Son, had been born. The shepherds were so excited they ran to see Jesus and then they ran to tell everyone about Jesus.

“The shepherds knew Jesus is special because Jesus is God’s Son. Why is Jesus special?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “Jesus is God’s Son!”

S G L : “And the best news is that God gave us Jesus to be our friend forever. He loves us THAT much! Jesus wants to be your friend forever and your friend

P R A Y T O G O D

P R AY E R A C T I V I T Y

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25 MINUTES



forever and your friend forever (say this as you point to each child). Who wants to be your friend forever?”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “Jesus wants to be my friend forever.”

(Turn the pages of your Bible to the Memory Verse Card.)

S G L : “We need to tell everyone the good news, just like the shepherds did! The verse we are learning can help us tell people. It says: God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, John 3:16.

(Close Bible and lay it down.)

“Let’s stand up and say it together with the motions.”

C H I L D R E N A N D S G L : “God (point up) loved (hug yourself) the world (raise arms overhead to form a circle) so much (stretch arms out as far as possible) that he gave (place hands together with palms up in front as if offering something) his only (point up) Son (hold arms as if cradling and rocking a baby), John 3:16.” (Hold hands open like a book.) (Repeat the verse with motions a few times.)

S G L : “Good job!

(Give each child high five.)

“Let’s sit back down and write in our prayer journal.

(Hold journal and fun-shaped pen.)

“So far we have a heart and a baby sticker by our names in our prayer journal. The heart reminds us that God loves us and the baby reminds us that God gave us Jesus.

(Note: Add any new names you may have and give them a heart and baby sticker to go by their name.)

“Today we are going to add a sheep sticker by our names. When I say your name, I will give you two sheep stickers—one to put by your name in our journal and one to put on your shirt to wear home. The sheep sticker will remind us that we need to tell everyone the good news that Jesus is God’s Son , like the shepherds did. Get ready and listen for your name.

(Say, “Jesus is God’s Son,” each time you give a child two sheep stickers—one to put by their name in the journal and one to put on their shirt.)

P R A Y T O G O D


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25 MINUTES



“Perfect! Let’s talk to God now and ask Him to help us tell others that Jesus is God’s Son. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?”

(Give each child who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)

PRAYERS G L : “Dear God, we believe Jesus is Your Son and that You gave Him to us to be our friend forever. Please help us tell everyone the good news that Jesus wants to be their friend forever, too. We love You, God! In Jesus’ name, amen.”

P R A Y T O G O D


r g a o - amazon s3...christmas party get up story: communicating god’s truth in engaging ways...

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