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: With or Without
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider what they are willing to be without and what they want to be with.
Provide paper, pens, and a dry erase board and markers.
Discussion: I'm With Her
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will discuss the campaign slogan, “I’m with her.”
Write “I’m with her!” on the dry erase board. Provide a dry erase marker.
Life and Times: Being Without
(5-8 minutes, moderate set-up)
Learners will hear some of what military spouses endure when their soldiers are not with them.
For more information on Jennifer’s letter, go to http://www.stripes.com/news/jennifer-s-letter-1.98638.
Relational: With Me
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider why they most like to be with certain people.
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: He Was Born to Be God with Us
(15-20 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will study Isaiah 7:14-16 and Matthew 1:21b-23 to examine God’s intentional plan to send His Son to be God with us.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Master Teacher Key Study: He Was Born to Be God with Us
(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will study Isaiah 7:14-16 and Matthew 1:21b-23 to examine God’s intentional plan to send His Son to be God with us.
Print one copy of the Master Teacher Outline for your use. Provide a copy of the Learner Worksheet and a pen for each learner.
Context Study: The Old Testament's Role in the New Testament
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider the importance of Matthew’s use of the Old Testament.
Closer Look: Jesus, Immanuel
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider the meaning of Immanuel.
Comparative Study: Fulfilled
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider the importance of the word “fulfilled” in the book of Matthew.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
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.
Discoverers: With Him
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will describe what their lives are like with Jesus as their Savior.
Provide blank paper and pens to each group.
Owners: Without Him
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will consider what their lives would be like today without Jesus.
Provide blank paper and pens to each group.
Servants: The Depth of God's Love
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will describe the depth of God’s love that He promised in the prophecy of Isaiah
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Shepherds: Christmas Love
(5-8 minutes, easy set-up)
Learners will describe the depth of God’s love that He promised we would experience through the birth of His Son.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Take Home Activity
The Take Home Activity gives families the opportunity to study the biblical passage together and discuss how each member of the family might apply the truths from the lesson to his or her life.
Family Devotion
(10-15 minutes at home, easy set-up)
Distribute copies of the Family Devotion to students and encourage them to share the devotion with their family.