Sunday School Lessons for Kids - Go Beyond the Christmas Story!
What's the Issue?
Let's face it, you've told the Christmas Bible story in your Sunday School Lessons for kids for years. Yes it's awesome to get visitors during the holidays, but most likely even kids that aren't regular church goers are pretty familiar with the Christmas story too.
How do you keep kid's attention especially when they are wired this time of year? If you have taught kids for any length of time, holidays are a challenge. If it isn't the thought of opening gifts or being off from school; it's the overload of cookies and candy that keep them juiced!
On top of all this, you try to engage them in a story they have heard before, maybe many times. Yes, the holidays are an interesting challenge to keep kids focused and listening to you!
Don't Settle for Just Telling the Story!
Let's go a level deeper than just telling the Christmas story in Sunday School one more time. Now don't misunderstand me... the Christmas story is important to tell, no doubt. But, don't stop there! There are so many rich applications for your kids on the journey to Bethlehem and beyond.
Let's look at a Few Applications
These are just a few of the applications we can draw from the Christmas story. I am sure you can find many more as you pray and prepare for your Sunday School lessons for kids.
Make a Difference this Year
This year in your Sunday school lessons give your kids some insight that they can take home and apply. Instead of just getting through a lesson, seize the opportunity by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts for the deeper truths of the Christmas story.
Let's face it, you've told the Christmas Bible story in your Sunday School Lessons for kids for years. Yes it's awesome to get visitors during the holidays, but most likely even kids that aren't regular church goers are pretty familiar with the Christmas story too.
How do you keep kid's attention especially when they are wired this time of year? If you have taught kids for any length of time, holidays are a challenge. If it isn't the thought of opening gifts or being off from school; it's the overload of cookies and candy that keep them juiced!
On top of all this, you try to engage them in a story they have heard before, maybe many times. Yes, the holidays are an interesting challenge to keep kids focused and listening to you!
Don't Settle for Just Telling the Story!
Let's go a level deeper than just telling the Christmas story in Sunday School one more time. Now don't misunderstand me... the Christmas story is important to tell, no doubt. But, don't stop there! There are so many rich applications for your kids on the journey to Bethlehem and beyond.
Let's look at a Few Applications
- Mary's total submission and obedience to God's divine will in her life even when she was scared, confused, and in shock. She basically said - whatever you say God, bring it on... let's do it!
- Joseph's obedience to God's will even when his heart was broken, hurt and felt betrayed! He didn't understand all that was happening but He gave Mary the benefit of the doubt and believed the best! He acted in love, trust and compassion - choosing to cling to God and Mary when he could have easily baled.
- God chose to bring the Good News of Jesus' birth to a group of lowly shepherds out in the field instead of to the pious, self-righteous, religious leaders of that day. Yes, God is not a respecter of persons and the Good News is for everyone!
- The wise men followed a star and their heart letting nothing get in their way in their quest to worship the newborn king! Yes, Jesus is worthy of our daily worship, gifts, energy and resources!
- The wise men and Joseph were both open to instructions and direction from God. They acted swiftly and without question as God forewarned in dreams of events to come. Yes, we must always listen and be willing to flow with God's instruction and direction in our lives.
These are just a few of the applications we can draw from the Christmas story. I am sure you can find many more as you pray and prepare for your Sunday School lessons for kids.
Make a Difference this Year
This year in your Sunday school lessons give your kids some insight that they can take home and apply. Instead of just getting through a lesson, seize the opportunity by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to prepare their hearts for the deeper truths of the Christmas story.
