Teaching Plan

Session 50: Jesus’ Birth and Childhood

Biblical Truth: At the proper time, the Word became flesh.

Fanning the Flame Question: When were you asked to do something that didn’t make sense until after you were done?

Large Group
Show “Play All” for session 50 on the DVD. If you want to lead a discussion after each section of the video, show “The
Spark,” “Fanning the Flame,” and “Combustion” separately. As an alternative, replace “Combustion” by using “Story Outline,
Session 50” to present the story of Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-15,19-23; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20,51-52. If desired, distribute copies of
“Listening Guide 50” to the students to complete during “Combustion.”

Small Groups
(Note: Questions or activities that are more appropriate for younger youth or for older youth are marked by “YY” or “OY”
respectively.)
Preparation: Listen to “Jesus' Birth and Childhood” by playing this CD in any CD player. Read Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-15,19-
23; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-20,51-52 and “Background for the Bible Passages, Session 50.”
1. Show “Time Line 50” and point out where today’s story fits.
2. Call on a volunteer to read Luke 1:26-38.
3. Lead students in a discussion of the passage by asking the following questions:
• How do you know that Mary willingly accepted this great responsibility in spite of all the questions?
• Do you willingly accept the circumstances that God has allowed in your life? How has accepting or rejecting these
circumstances affected your life? (OY)
4. Direct students to read Matthew 1:18-25 silently.
5. Lead students in a discussion of the text using the following questions:
• What was Joseph’s dilemma, and what led him to accept Mary as his wife?
• What is the greatest dilemma you face today? Have you gone to God for help? Why or why not?
• Why did the robot in the video have problems understanding why God became Man? What does it mean to you that Jesus’
name is Immanuel, “God is with us”?
6. Call on a volunteer to read Luke 2:1-20 aloud.
7. Lead students in a discussion of this Scripture and ask the following questions:
• How does the stillness of Jesus’ birth compare to your Christmas celebration?
• The shepherds came immediately to see the Christ child. To whom do you rush to tell about the birth of Jesus?
• The shepherds’ focus was on seeing the child and praising God. What is your focus at Christmas?
8. Direct students to read Matthew 2:1-15 and 19-23 silently. Explain that we do not know how many wise men came to see
Jesus, and they probably did not arrive immediately following His birth.
9. Lead students in a discussion of this passage using the following questions:
• King Herod told the wise men that he wanted to worship Jesus, but he was actually threatened by the thought of another
king. Do you ever go through the motions of worship while entertaining other thoughts in your mind? How do you think
this affects your worship? How does it affect others?
• What kinds of persecution of Christians are going on in our world today? (OY)
10. Call on a volunteer to read Luke 2:51-52.
11. Lead students in a discussion of this passage by asking the following questions:
• What can you learn in these two short verses about Jesus’ childhood?
• Does it make a difference to you that Jesus lived as a man? Why?

Options
1. Distribute the handout “Preparation and Sacrifice” to each youth. Instruct youth to list under “Preparation” all the ways God
prepared the home and the world for the birth of His Son, Jesus. Under “Sacrifice,” instruct youth to list all the things Jesus
gave up to be born as a man in this world. (OY)
2. Distribute the “Gifts” handout to each youth. Instruct youth to write under each gift its significance at the time it was given
to Jesus. How did these gifts foreshadow things to come for Jesus? (YY)

© 2005 LifeWay Press®. Fuel: Igniting New Life with God’s Story 2.1. Permission granted to reproduce this item for church use only. Published in the United States of America.
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Hand out copies of “Exploring the Bible Daily 50.” Direct students to write questions or insights as they read.