In the Beginning . . .

Growing into a Life of Faith

UNIT 1: LESSON 3:

Good News of Great Joy

The Shepherds Tell Everyone

Key Concept
Tell everyone, Jesus is born.

Bible Summary
Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20 An angel told Mary she would have a baby: Gods Son, Jesus. Joseph and Mary had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census. When they arrived, there was no place for them to spend the night, so they stayed in a stable. While they were there, Jesus was born. Mary wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger. Angels appeared to shepherds who were tending their sheep in the fields. The angels praised God and told the shepherds where to find Baby Jesus. The shepherds visited Him and were amazed.

KEY CONCEPT MOTIONS:

Every time you say the key concept during the lesson, use these motions: Tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus, is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]!

Objectives
KNOW WHAT:

Spiritual Formation
Evangelism

Children will hear the Christmas story, including the shepherds hearing and telling the good news.
SO WHAT:

People Needed
Teacher, Helper (optional)

Children will learn that God sent His Son, Jesus, as a baby to show His love.
NOW WHAT:

Supplies
(Labeled visuals below can be found in the Lesson 3 Visual folder on the Winter Quarter CDs.) CD player Music for singing Sound Effects CD (optional) The Beginners Bible Christmas tree with story ornaments 1 or 2 Christmas gift bags Toy phone or cell phone Stuffed sheep Crayons For each child: 1 instrument (maraca, jingle bells, drums, etc.) (optional) 1 Postcard invitation (Lesson 3 SG 3) 3 Festive stickers Key Concept sticker (Lesson 3 SG 4) Two-sided take-home coloring sheet (Lesson 3 SG 5, Lesson 1 SG 6) Snack

Children will participate in an activity to tell others about Jesus.

Bible Verse
I bring you good news of great joy . . . a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. Luke2:10-11

Winter Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy Notes:

In Advance
Recruit a Helper to operate the music CDs and the sound effects CD. Determine which songs you will use and be prepared to lead the children in singing. Song suggestions: Upbeat song, that kids can clap along to, for transition from Activity Stations to the Creative Bible Teaching (consider using the same song for all 15 lessons or using a different song for each unit) Who Was There (Jump for Joy CD) Jump for Joy (Jump for Joy CD) Its Christmastime (Jump for Joy CD) Determine whether or not you will use the sound effects CD. If you prefer not to use the sound effects, or to use only a few of them, look at each sound effect listed in the lesson and determine if you will play the sound effect from the CD, encourage the kids to make the sound effect along with you, or omit the sound effect, and then modify the lesson accordingly. Gather the supplies as listed above and arrange your classroom as follows: Designate one area or corner of the room as your teaching area. Set up props that will be used during the lesson and consider covering them with a sheet or a large piece of fabric to keep them from curious kids during Activity Stations. Also consider placing a line of tape on the floor to help keep kids out of the teaching area. You will use the Christmas tree with story ornaments from the previous lessons. Make sure the ornaments are all flipped so the pictures face away from the children; you will flip the corresponding ornaments as you tell the story. Place the cell phone or toy telephone in a gift bag under the tree. Prepare the materials that will be given to each of the children. To prepare the stickers, print or copy the pages onto Avery label sheets #5294. Consider cutting the stickers apart for easier distribution. Print out the lesson and practice the teaching time.

Please note the Creative Bible Teaching time is very similar to Lesson 1 in order to reinforce the Christmas story.

Winter Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

Teachers Prep
READ LUKE 1:26-38 and 2:1-20. Picture the shepherds looking up towards the heavens as angels surround them, sweeping across the sky singing heavenly songs. These shepherds were filled with awe as the good news was shared with them. Perhaps they wondered, Who am I that God would show His glory in this birth announcement? Their ears and hearts were open to the good news from God, and they left instantly to search for the Savior. They were so excited to receive this good news of Christs birth, that they couldnt keep this wonder to themselves. They went and spread the good news of Baby Jesus all around. Lets live our lives like the shepherds. We, too, are ordinary people who can still be amazed about our Savior. Pray this week that you would have a humble heart to recognize and be in awe of Christ, a listening heart to hear His words, and a searching heart to seek out Christ in your life and tell others about Him.

Activity Stations
(20 MINUTES)

Choose which activity stations you will use from the list included in the Activity Stations folder.

Creative Bible Teaching

(15 MINUTES)

[Play upbeat music as children transition to the teaching area. Encourage kids to clap their hands along with you. Clap in a variety of styles like overhead, on your knees, on your belly, etc.]
TEACHER:

Hi, boys and girls! My name is__________, and Im so glad youre here today! We are going to have a lot of fun! We will sing songs, play games, and meet some special friends! I am so happy to see you all here, because today we will be celebrating a special day. There is a special holiday coming up. If you think you know the name of the special day, tell the person next to you. On the count of three, lets all say what special day is coming. Ready? One, two, three . . .
EVERYONE:

Christmas!
TEACHER:

There are so many things that are great about Christmas. But my favorite thing at Christmas is to hear the Christmas story from the Bible! Its a great story! If you know any of the people in the Christmas Bible story, or some of the animals in the Christmas Bible story, tell the person sitting next to you right now. [Kids tell each other.] Lets all stand up and sing a song about who was in the Christmas story.

Winter Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

MUSIC

Song suggestion: Who Was There

TEACHER:

Good singing. I love this story sooo much. Lets tell the Christmas story right now. Ive got my Bible. [Show The Beginners Bible.] And the best part is, today we are going to learn that we can tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]! Say that with me. Tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]! Click on your listening ears, friends. Click! Click! [Tug on each earlobe.] Now lets put on our special eyes. Shookum! Shookum! [Hold hands to eyes, one at a time, shaping glasses.] We are going to use our special tree to help us tell the story!
TEACHER:

The Bible says there was a woman named Mary, who lived in a town called Nazareth. [Flip over ornament with picture of Mary.] This is a picture of Mary. One night, God sent a special angel to visit Mary. [Flip over the ornament with the picture of an angel.]
[SFX 1: Harp music . . . Angel: Dont be afraid. You are going to have a baby. Gods Son. The babys name will be Jesus. . . . Harp music.]

TEACHER:

[Point to Mary picture.] When Mary first saw the angel, she was afraid. Can you show me your afraid faces? [Model for kids.] Then the angel told her, Dont be afraid. The angel said Mary was going to have a baby, Gods Son. And what was the babys name going to be? [Jesus.] Thats right. The babys name would be Jesus. Well, Mary was very excited. But there is more to the Christmas story. [Flip over the ornament with the picture of Joseph.] There was a man named Joseph. He loved Mary very much. [Point to Mary.] And Mary loved Joseph too. Give yourselves a great big hug. [Model for kids.] So Mary told Joseph that an angel visited her, and that she was going to have a baby, Gods Son. Well, soon after Mary told Joseph about the baby, Mary and Joseph went on a trip to Bethlehem. See, all the people in the town needed to be counted, so Mary and Joseph had to go to the town of Bethlehem to be counted. [Flip over the ornament with the picture of a donkey.]
[SFX 2: Donkey hee-hawing.]

TEACHER:

Mary got on a donkey, and then Joseph and Mary went far, far away to the town of Bethlehem. [Invite children to pat their hands on their knees.] They kept going and going. The

Winter Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

road was dirty. The road was dusty, and Mary was getting very tired. Finally, Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem. The town of Bethlehem had a lot of people. Listen to all the people!
[SFX 3: Crowd noises.]

TEACHER:

Everyone had come to be counted, just like Mary and Joseph. There were so many people that Mary and Joseph had a hard time finding a place to sleep. There was no room anywhere, because there were too many people. The only place they could find to sleep was in a stable. A stable is just like a barn. The stable was filled with many animals. [Flip over the ornament with the picture of a cow.] There were cows.
[SFX 4: Cow mooing.]

TEACHER:

What sound does a cow make? [Allow kids time to respond. Flip over ornament with the picture of a sheep.] There were sheep.
[SFX 5: Sheep baaaing.]

TEACHER:

What sound do sheep make? [Allow kids time to respond. Flip over ornament with a picture of a donkey.] There were donkeys.
[SFX 6: Donkey hee-hawing.]

TEACHER:

What sound does a donkey make? [Allow kids time to respond.] There were animals everywhere! [Whisper.] But Mary and Joseph rested there in the dirty, smelly stable. Then something very special happened. Jesus was born.
[SFX 7: Lullaby music.]

[Flip over the ornament with the picture of Baby Jesus in a manger.]
TEACHER:

Baby Jesus was born. [Pretend to rock Baby Jesus.] He was wrapped in cloths and placed in a manger. Gods Son, Jesus was born. God loved us so much, He gave us Baby Jesus. Pretend to rock Baby Jesus. [Rock arms back and forth.] Baby Jesus is a special baby. God loves us so much, He gave us Baby Jesus. [Flip over shepherd ornament.] When Baby Jesus was born, there were shepherds watching their sheep in the fields, making sure they were safe. Lets pretend to be shepherds watching our sheep. [Shade eyes with hand.] Were watching, were watching, were watching the sheep. Were watching, were
5 Winter Quarter 2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

watching, were watching the sheep. Were watching, were watching, were watching the sheep. And stop. Now, lets pretend to take care of the sheep by combing their wool. [Make a combing motion.] Zooop! Zooop! Zooop! Good job. But while the shepherds were out in the fields, someone came to visit them. [Flip over second angel ornament.]
[SFX 8: Harp music.]

TEACHER:

It was an angel! The angel said, Dont be afraid. I bring good news for all people. Today, Gods Son, Jesus, is born. You will find the baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger.
[SFX 9: Harp music.]

TEACHER:

When the shepherds heard that Jesus was born, they wanted to go to Bethlehem to see Him. Lets pretend to walk to see Baby Jesus. Pat your hands on your knees. [Walk in a circle around the kids and back up to the teaching area during the following lines.] Were going, were going, were going to see Baby Jesus. Were going, were going, were going to see Baby Jesus. Were going, were going, were going to see Baby Jesus. And stop! When the shepherds got to Bethlehem, they saw Jesus. [Kneel.] They knew God loved them so much, He gave them Baby Jesus. They were so happy they wanted to tell everyone the good news that Jesus was born. They told everyone in town . . . [Run to the left and invite kids to say it with you.] Jesus is born! They told even more people . . . [Run to the right and invite kids to say it with you.] Jesus is born! They told even more people . . . [Run to the middle and invite kids to say it with you.] Jesus is born! [Kneel down in the middle of the teaching area.] Friends, God loves us so much, He gave us Baby Jesus! We can tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]! The shepherds were so excited they told everyone about Baby Jesus. We can tell everyone, too. Lets say our special words. Tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]! Say that with me. Tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]! That makes me want to celebrate and jump for joy! Lets stand up and sing! [Teacher and Helper pass out instruments to children.]
MUSIC

Song suggestion: Jump for Joy [Invite children to sit down and collect instruments.]
TEACHER:

Today we learned we can tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]!

Winter Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

Now, lets pretend to be like the shepherds and tell others about Jesus. Lets open our special Christmas package. [Open bag and pull out telephone.] Wow! There is a telephone in here. We can tell people we know about Jesus! Hold out your pretend phone. Lets call our friends. Dial the number. Beep! Beep! Beep! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrring! [Answer phone.] Hello. We just wanted to tell you that . . .
EVERYONE:

Jesus is born!
TEACHER:

Hold out your pretend phone again. Lets call our grandma and grandpa. Dial the number. Beep! Beep! Beep! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrring! [Answer phone.] Hello. Grandma and Grandpa, we just wanted to tell you that . . .
EVERYONE:

Jesus is born!
TEACHER:

Hold out your pretend phone one more time. Lets call our moms and dads. Dial the number. Beep! Beep! Beep! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrring! [Answer phone.] Hello. Mom and Dad, we just wanted to tell you that . . .
EVERYONE:

Jesus is born!
TEACHER:

Im so happy Jesus is born. I think we should stand up and sing!

MUSIC

Song Suggestion: Its Christmastime [Invite children to sit down.]

Winter Quarter

2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

Life Application Activity

(10 MINUTES) TEACHER:

Lets play a game and take turns being a shepherd. Lets all sit in a circle. [Take out the stuffed animal sheep and repeat the following series of steps with the children. 1. PAT one kid on the head and say, This is ____________(childs name). 2. PAT another kid on the head and say, This is ____________(childs name). 3. PAT a third child on the head and give that child the stuffed animal sheep. Ask the child to stand and say, This is ____________(childs name), and he/she is pretending to be a shepherd. 4. SAY, The shepherds told everyone, Jesus is born. 5. ENCOURAGE the child pretending to be a shepherd to say, Jesus is born! with you. 6. INVITE all the kids to say, Thank You, God, for Baby Jesus! (Rock arms back and forth.) Repeat steps one through six until every child has had a turn to be a shepherd.]
TEACHER:

Great job, friends. You make great shepherds! What did the shepherds in the Christmas story do when they saw the angels? [Went to see Baby Jesus.] Lets pretend to be the shepherds in the Christmas story from the Bible. Everybody pat your hands on your knees along with me. Listen to the words first, and then repeat the words with me. [Pat hands on knees for every line unless other hand motions are given. Speak the line and demonstrate the motions and then repeat the line and motions immediately with the kids.] We are shepherds. We take care of sheep. We give sheep food. Munch! Munch! Munch! [Pretend to eat.] We comb the sheeps hair. Comb! Comb! Comb! [Pretend to comb.] We watch the sheep. Watch! Watch! Watch! [Shade eyes with your hands.] Were going on a trip. To see Baby Jesus. [Cradle arms back and forth.] Were walking really fast. [Pat hands quickly.] Were walking really slow. [Pat hands slowly.] Stop! [Hand signal stop.] We see Baby Jesus! [Cradle arms back and forth.] We tell everyone! [Cup hands on sides of mouth.] Jesus is born! [Cup hands on sides of mouth.] Jesus is born! [Cup hands on sides of mouth.]
TEACHER:

Good job! We can tell others about Jesus, just like the shepherds. One way we can tell others about Jesus is by inviting them to church. [You may wish to substitute Sunday School or the
8 Winter Quarter 2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3

UNIT 1:

Good News of Great Joy

Dear _________________, Please come to church with me. We will have fun learning about Jesus! Your friend,

name of your church for church.] In church, we learn about Jesus. We can ask our friends to come to church so they can learn about Jesus, too. Think about one person you can invite to church next week. Let's make invitations to give to our friends. [Helper and Teacher pass out postcards, stickers and crayons to the children.]
TEACHER:

The cards say, Please come to church with me. We will have fun learning about Jesus! You can decorate this card for your friend and give it to them this week. Now, Im going to read the true Christmas story from the Bible while you color your cards. [Helper assists the kids as the Teacher reads the Christmas story from The Beginners Bible.]
TEACHER:

Dear _________________, Please come to church with me. We will have fun learning about Jesus! Your friend,

Lesson 3 SG 3

Today we learned the Christmas story from the Bible. God loves us so much, He gave us Baby Jesus. We learned we can tell everyone [cup hands on sides of mouth], Jesus, is born [cradle arms and rock back and forth]! Lets pray to God and thank Him for Baby Jesus. [Lead the children in the following finger play.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Give a little clap. [Clap hands.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Open them. [Open hands.] Close them. [Close hands.] Fold them in your lap. [Fold hands in lap.] [Invite the children to repeat after you as you pray.] Dear God, Thank You for the Christmas story. Thank You for Baby Jesus. Thank You for our snack. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Tell e

o ne , ry ve

Jesus

is
rn! bo

Snack and Coloring Activity

Lesson 3 SG 4 (15 MINUTES)

This is the time for you and the children to build community. A great way to let the kids know you care about them as individuals is to ask them questions about themselves.
Tell everyone, Jesus is born!

GIVE each child a snack to eat. GIVE each child a Key Concept sticker to put on their shirt while they are eating their snack. GIVE each child a coloring sheet to color while they are waiting to be picked up. ASK each child a question or two: Who is someone at home you could tell the Christmas story to? How do you think the shepherds felt when they saw the angels? Why?

The Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)

Lesson 3 SG 5
9 Winter Quarter 2007 Willow Creek Community Church / Sunday School Teachers Guidebook / Lesson 3