LBS Christmas: The Presence of Love

Teaching Plan

Choose a Teaching Plan:

Connect

Connect activities get learners ready to learn. Choose one or two of the activities below to introduce this week's lesson.

Fun: Extravagant Love

(5-8 minutes, moderate setup)
Learners will plan marriage proposals in order to discuss extravagant love.

Discussion: Season of Sadness and Despair?

(5-8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will discuss the article “Why I Hate Christmas” which was written in the 1990s. For more information, go to http://www.newrepublic.com/article/115994/reasons-why-christmas-terrible-holiday.

Life and Times: Christmas Without Presents

(5-8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will discuss a family who chooses to forgo presents in attempt to focus on the real reason for Christmas.
For more information on this story, go to http://www.blogher.com/frame.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iamnotthebabysitter.com%2Fa-christmas-without-presents%2Fimg_0541-2%2F&_back=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogher.com%2Fcelebrating-christmas-without-presents%3Fpage%3Dfull.

Relational: Holiday Reflection

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will discuss holiday traditions and keeping Christmas Christ focused.
Provide a dry erase board and a marker.

Explore

Explore activities lead learners to study Scripture. Teach the Key Study to focus on the Biblical Truth. If you choose, support the Key Study with one or two of the following activities.

Interactive Core Study: The Presence of Love

(15–20 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will study Luke 2:1-20 and examine the presence of God’s love in the circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner. Also provide paper, a dry erase board, and markers.

Master Teacher Core Study: The Presence of Love

(15–20 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will study Luke 2:1-20 and examine the presence of God’s love in the circumstances of Jesus’ birth.
Print one copy of the Master Teacher Outline for your own use. Also provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner.

Context Study: Why the Shepherds?

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will discuss shepherds.

Closer Look: Mary Pondered . . .

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will discuss how Mary pondered the birth of Jesus.

Comparative Study: God’s Promise

(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Learners will look at many Old Testament Scriptures that point to Jesus’ fulfilling God’s promise.
Provide a dry erase board and a marker. To see more prophesies and fulfillment Scriptures go to http://christianity.about.com/od/biblefactsandlists/a/Prophecies-Jesus.htm.

Transform

Choose one or two Transform activities to challenge learners to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.