Teaching Plan
Connect
Connect activities get students ready to learn. Choose one or two of the activities below to introduce this week’s lesson.
Especially for Younger Students: Responding with Emojis
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will draw their own emojis in response to various situations.
Provide each student with three pieces of paper and a pen/pencil.
Especially for Older Students: Drop Him
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss what it means to trust.
For more information, go to “DeKalb firefighter catches baby from burning building” at http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/249572419-story.
Master Teacher Option: Responding with Emojis
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will draw their own emojis in response to various situations.
Provide each student with three pieces of paper and a pen/pencil.
Explore
Explore activities lead students 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: (un)Expected
(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will study Luke 1:26-38 to examine how Mary responded to God’s choice of her as the mother of the Messiah.
Provide a copy of the Student Worksheet and a pen for each student. Also provide paper, a dry erase board, and markers.
Master Teacher Key Study: (un)Expected
(15–20 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will study Luke 1:26-38 to examine how Mary responded to the angel Gabriel’s unexpected announcement.
Print one copy of the Master Teacher Key Study for your use. Provide a copy of the Student Worksheet and a pen for each student.
Especially for Younger Students: Joseph’s Immediate Response
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discover Joseph’s reaction to the news of Jesus’ birth in Matthew 1:18-25.
Especially for Older Students: Greater than John the Baptist
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will examine how the birth announcement narratives between John the Baptist and Jesus reveal the relationship between their ministries.
Provide a dry erase board and marker. Write the following Scripture references on the board: Luke 1:11-20 and Luke 1:26-38.
Transform
Choose one or two Transform activities to challenge students to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
Deeper Discussion
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss ways they can respond to the news that Jesus is the Messiah.
Especially for Younger Students: Trust vs. Hope
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss the difference between trusting in God and hoping in Him.
Especially for Older Students: Jesus the Messiah?
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will consider what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah in their lives.
Provide paper and a pen for each student.
Master Teacher Option: Jesus the Messiah?
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will consider what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah in their lives.
Provide paper and a pen for each student.
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.