Especially for Older Students: Understanding Immanuel

(10 minutes, easy set-up)

Learning Goal: Students will examine God’s intentional plan for sending His Son to be Immanuel, God with us.

Ask: What does the name Immanuel mean? (God with us). Explain that God’s plan included sending His Son into the world as a baby who would grow up to be the One who died on the cross as the Sacrificial Lamb to take away the sins of the world (John 1:29). God sent Jesus to be “WITH US” even though we had chosen ourselves and our own way and acted like He was not with us.

Discuss: What are some other ways that the phrase God with us could be stated? Be prepared to share the following suggestions:

  1. The good news from God (His nearness in spite of our sinfulness is the essence of the Gospel)
  2. We are not alone
  3. God desires to walk closely with us.

After responses, point out that John wrote that God “dwelt among us,” which can be translated “pitched His tent among us.” Say: Eugene Peterson translates it, “became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood” (Jn. 1:14). The good news of Immanuel is that we will never be alone because God is with us.