2025-11-23 God’s Gift of Love to Us

Introduction

This week begins our Christmas series focusing on God’s greatest gift—Jesus. Children will learn that God showed His love by sending Jesus into the world, born in a simple stable in Bethlehem. Through a shortened and child-friendly retelling of the Christmas story, children will see that Jesus is God’s love given to us. We will wrap up by helping children reflect on how much God loves them and how they can receive and share that love.

Main Ideas:

• Sinners are separated from God and helpless to save themselves.
• In His love, God made a way to cover the sin of His people.
• People must come to God by faith, trusting and obeying Him.

Praise and Worship (15 mins)

Parents: The parent and child scheduled for this week will lead us in singing on Sunday. Please take time to practice the songs together at home, helping your child feel confident and joyful as they prepare to lead.

Prayer and Offering (5 mins)

Parents: Please encourage your children to bring an offering to church. You may help your child prepare by setting aside a coin for them to bring on Sunday. This is a great opportunity to teach them about giving to God with a thankful heart and trusting Him to provide.

What is Offering?

Offering is when we give something to God to show our love and thankfulness. In church, we often give money as an offering, but we can also give our time, talents, and kindness to God and others.

Why Do We Make an Offering?

To Thank God – Everything we have comes from God! Giving back is a way to say, "Thank You, God!"
To Trust God – When we give, we show that we trust God to take care of us.
To Help Others – Offerings help the church teach about Jesus, help people in need, and share God's love.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
"God loves a cheerful giver!" That means God is happy when we give with a joyful heart!

Prayer for Offering

Dear God, thank You for giving us everything we need. We want to give back to You with joyful hearts. Please use our offering to help others and share Your love. Help us to always trust You. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Bible Story (10 min)

Introduction (1 min)

Leader Says:
“Today we are beginning a special Christmas series called ‘The Greatest Gifts of Christmas.’ At Christmas, we receive presents, but the greatest gift ever is the one God gave us—Jesus.”

Interaction Question (hands up):
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever received a gift you really loved. What was it?”
(Allow 2–3 quick responses.)

“Those gifts are wonderful, but today we’ll hear about a gift even better!”

Story Telling (5 min)

Bible Verse: Luke 2:11
Bottom Line: God’s gift of love is Jesus.

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Use expressive voice and signs of excitement.

Leader Tells the Story:

“About 2,000 years ago, something amazing happened.
A young woman named Mary was visited by an angel!”

Open-Ended Question:
“What do you think you would feel like if an angel suddenly appeared in your room?”
(Allow a few responses—surprised, scared, excited.)

“The angel told Mary she would have a baby named Jesus, God’s Son. Mary didn’t understand everything, but she trusted God.”

“Mary was going to marry Joseph, and God told Joseph in a dream that this baby was special—a gift from God.”

Interaction Moment:
“Let’s all pretend we’re sleepy Joseph waking up from a dream…”
(Children stretch, yawn, blink dramatically.)

“Well done! That’s how Joseph might have felt waking up to such big news!”

“Later, Mary and Joseph traveled to a town called Bethlehem. But when they arrived, the town was so full that every place to stay was taken.”

Open-Ended Question:
“How would you feel if you were tired from a long trip and couldn’t find anywhere to sleep?”
(Allow answers.)

“Finally, they found a place where animals stayed—a stable. That’s where baby Jesus was born.”

Interaction Moment:
“Let’s pretend to make animal sounds like the ones in the stable!”
(Sheep, cows, donkeys for 5 seconds.)
“Wow! That’s probably what Mary and Joseph heard too.”

“Nearby, shepherds were watching their sheep. Suddenly, a bright light filled the sky and angels appeared, saying: ‘A Savior has been born! Go and see Him!’”

Open-Ended Question:
“If you were a shepherd and saw angels appear in the sky, what would you think?”

“The shepherds hurried to find baby Jesus. They were so amazed that they told everyone what they had seen.”

“Jesus came because God loves us so, so much.
Jesus is God’s greatest gift of love.”

Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)

Leader Says:
“Jesus was born because God loves every one of you—your faces, your hearts, your whole lives. God gave us Jesus so that we could know Him and feel His love every day.”

Ask the following open-ended questions:

Which part of the Christmas story do you think you would want to see if you were there? Why?

What is one way you can show God’s love to someone this week—at school, at home, or with a friend?

Closing Prayer for Bible Story

(Invite children to bow their heads and fold their hands.)

Leader:
“Let’s pray together.”

Simple Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus. Help us to remember Your love and share it with others. Amen.”

Memorizing Verse: Luke 2:11

Luke 2:11
11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Christmas Mini Intro