Jesus Was Born
Hello City Kids Families,
*All Elementary Kids will be in class this Sunday! There will be activity clipboards available in the lobby for the service. The nursery and preschool classrooms will be available for all the little ones ages 0 to 4.
**If you are either unable to attend church on Sunday or would like to continue your kiddos lesson through the week, check out The Gospel Project At Home for resources designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. To get started just copy and past this link in your browser: https://ministrygrid.lifeway.com/#/easy-link/BXCZ/71af8f90-0e5e-4d67-f37d-f1cd6b23fac4
***We are starting a new Unit this month, Unit 19: In the Beginning. Jesus, the long-promised Messiah, had finally arrived, but in a rather unexpected way. From the start, though, every detail of Jesus' life was to reveal and advance His mission of being the sacrifice for the sins of the world.
“Jesus was Born” Devotional and Family Talking Points:
-How many times have you read or heard the narrative of Jesus’ birth? When interacting with a familiar Bible story, it is easy to simply skim over it and assume we understand all there is to know about it. Rather than taking that approach, spend time this week meditating on Luke 2:1-20.
The detailed account of His conception and birth, as well as the details between those two events provide the believer with a gift of God’s grace that is far too important to gloss over. This event preceding Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection lays the foundation for a close and thoughtful study of the Gospels.
The details around the conception and birth of Jesus provide reason for amazement and strengthen our faith. Consider the detail of Mary having been a virgin, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14. Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2. He was born into the family line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—fulfilling God’s promises in Genesis 12:3; 17:19; 28:14.
All of this ought to cultivate a sense of wonder at the divine intervening in the human world, and an amazement at the detail to which God worked out His plan.
Additionally, recalling the details of Jesus’ birth ought to generate affirmation in the believer’s heart and mind. The uniqueness surrounding the birth of Jesus affirms His claims of being the Son of God.
Finally, the birth narrative should grow the anticipation of the believer. At the end of the New Testament, the book of Revelation sheds light on the end of sin and death, the final judgment of the living and the dead, and the new heaven and the new earth. These promises can seem distant or unlikely; however, the joy and gratitude that comes from understanding Jesus’ birth narrative can cultivate confidence in and anticipation of the future promises of Jesus.
Luke 2 invites us to behold our God, who—out of His great love for us—“emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity” (Phil. 2:7). Jesus came to earth to rescue sinners. The angels’ announcement to the shepherds in Luke 2:10 is also for us and for the nations: “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus came into the world to rescue us from sin.
Preschool: Jesus was born! This was very good news! Jesus came into the world to rescue us from sin.
Elementary Kids: The birth of Jesus was good news! Jesus was not an ordinary baby. He is God’s Son, sent to earth from heaven. Jesus, the promised Savior, came into the world to show us what God is like and to deliver us from sin and death.
BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Preschool: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead.
Elementary Kids: What did Jesus do to save us? Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the dead.
KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.
Babies & Toddlers: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Preschool: Jesus takes away the sin of the world. John 1:29
Elementary Kids: John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
** Next week: Jesus Was Dedicated (Matthew 2; Luke 2)
Jenni Moore, City Kids Ministry
jenni@citycovenant.org
City Covenant Church
-content provided by The Gospel Project
