Simply Loved
We Celebrate Jesus
Christmas Week 1: Angel Appears to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-24)
Bible Point: We celebrate Jesus.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son.” (John 3:16)
Purpose
Who cared for baby you? Maybe it was a mom, a dad, a stepdad, a grandparent who’s like a parent, or a non-biological parent who welcomed you as their own. No matter the make-up, God creates families. He puts people in each other’s lives for a reason.
God put Joseph in Jesus’ life for a reason. It’s through Joseph’s line that the Messiah came. God must have created Joseph to be a uniquely compassionate and loyal man, and that’s just the man Mary—and baby Jesus—needed.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for loving us and sending your only Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. Love through me today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
River Ridge Kids
Dig In to the Bible
· Read: 2 Kings 6:8-23
· In This Passage: God has been showing the prophet Elisha secret battle plans from the enemy country of Aram. The king of Aram is mad and sends a great army to surround Elisha and his servant. But Elisha can see another army all around them—God’s army. God opens the eyes of Elisha’s servant to see the army, too. God is everywhere, so we look for him around us.
· Bible Point: God is everywhere…
· Application: …so we look for him around us.
· Summary Verse: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:19).
Dig Deeper
· God is everywhere. Younger kids have an easier time believing in what they can’t see. If you tell them it’s true, then it’s true. Older kids are more skeptical, seeking tangible evidence that what you say is factual. Either way, kids need to know that although we may not be able to physically see God with us, his fingerprints are everywhere! If we’re intentional about opening our eyes, we’ll see him everywhere.
· Think About: What evidence of God have you seen in unexpected places?
Dig In to Prayer
·Pray the prayer Elisha prayed in 2 Kings 6:17 for your kids: O Lord, open their eyes and let them see!
Be Bold
TODAY’S BIBLE BASE
Bold Bible Truth
God is all-powerful. (1 Chronicles 29:11)
“He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ ” (John 8:44)
• Who is Satan? Luke 10:17-18; Isaiah 14:12-14; John 8:44
• Satan in action. Genesis 3:1-5; Matthew 4:3-10
• Resist Satan. Psalm 119:105; James 4:7
