2026-12-20 Christmas Series #4: The Escape to Egypt
Introduction
In this lesson, children will learn that God protected baby Jesus and guided Joseph, and that we can trust God even when things are scary. After the Magi (wise men) visited Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream: "Get up... take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt" (Matthew 2:13). Wicked King Herod wanted to harm Jesus. Joseph obeyed right away. He got up during the night and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they stayed until Herod died. Then God sent the angel again, and the family went home and lived in a town called Nazareth (Matthew 2:13-23).
Three times this passage says that what happened "fulfilled" what God had said through His prophets. Even in a frightening time, God was in control and was keeping His word. God protected Jesus because Jesus had come to be the Savior. We do not always understand what is happening, but we can listen to God's Word and trust our heavenly Father. He is with His people and cares for them.
Teachers: The source lesson notes that this story may suit older children best. For ages 4-6, say only that King Herod was very angry and did something very wicked that made many families in Bethlehem very sad (Matthew 2:16-18). Do not describe it in detail, and do not dwell on it. Keep the focus on God guiding Joseph and protecting Jesus. Avoid promising children that nothing bad will ever happen to them; instead teach that God is always with His people and cares for them. Use the eyes-open listening demonstration below rather than the source's blindfolded trust walk.
Before Class:
- Place a large paper heart behind a book on a clear table for an eyes-open listening demonstration. No blindfold or food is needed.
- Set up a simple, safe obstacle course (chairs to walk around, a cushion to step over, a tunnel of tables).
- Bring a baby doll wrapped in a cloth.
- Optional: a simple map showing Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth.
- Fold and pre-cut construction paper for the lanterns (helpers cut the slits ahead of time).
Main Ideas:
- God Guided Joseph: God sent an angel in a dream to tell Joseph what to do.
- Joseph Obeyed Right Away: He got up during the night and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt.
- God Protected Jesus: King Herod could not stop God's plan. God kept Jesus safe so He could be our Savior.
- God Keeps His Word: Everything happened just as God had said through His prophets.
- We Can Trust God: Even when life is scary or we don't know what will happen next, we can listen to God and trust Him.
Lesson Overview
| Lesson Title | Christmas Series #4: The Escape to Egypt |
| Service Date | December 20, 2026 |
| Key Attribute of God | Protector and guide |
| Main Idea | God guided Joseph and protected Jesus from wicked King Herod; we can trust and obey God even when things are scary. |
| Memory Verse | Matthew 2:13 (NIV, excerpt): "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt." |
| Bible Passage | Matthew 2:13-23 |
| Age Group | Suggested for ages 4-6; adjust language and participation for your class. |
| Bible Story | 10 minutes: Introduction (1), Storytelling (5), Wrap-up & Discussion (4) |
| Craft & Game | 10 minutes: Craft (5), Game (5) |
| Source | Adapted from "The Escape to Egypt" (Matthew 2:13-23), written by Kristin Schmidt, © 2022 The Sunday School Store. Bible text: NIV. |
| Teacher Resources | Source PDF: physical pages 4-5 (listening object lesson, simplified here), 6 (Flee to Egypt), 7-9 (Matthew 2), 12 (paper lantern). Bible passage (NIV). Physical page 13 contains a full-verse picture with violent wording; use the short excerpt below with this age group instead. |
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!”
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:7,
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.
"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!
Review Verse from Last Week
Luke 2:11 (NIV)
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Bible Story (10 min)
Introduction (1 min)
Purpose: Help children practise listening to helpful directions without needing to see the whole plan.
Props Needed:
- A book standing on a clear table and a large paper heart hidden behind it
Teacher: "Hello, children of God! I have hidden a paper heart on this table. Who would like to help find it? Keep your eyes open and listen: look beside the book... now look behind it... what did you find?" (Let a willing child follow the directions. Children may also point from their seats.)
(Thank the child and hold up the heart.)
Teacher: "You could not see the heart at first. What helped you find it?" (Listening to the directions!) "A person can help us, but only God knows everything and never makes a mistake."
Teacher: "Today we will hear how God led Joseph during a very scary time, and how Joseph listened and obeyed."
Story Telling (5 min)
Props / Visuals Suggested:
- Bible
- Baby doll wrapped in a cloth
- Optional: a simple map (Bethlehem, Egypt, Nazareth) and the Matthew 2:13 verse picture from the source PDF
Part 1: The Angel Warns Joseph (Matthew 2:13-15) (2 mins)
Teacher: "After Jesus was born, some wise men called Magi came from far away to worship Him. Then they went home a different way, so they would not go back to King Herod. King Herod was a wicked king. He did not want any other king, not even baby Jesus."
Teacher: "One night, Joseph was sleeping." (Everyone rests their head on their hands.) "An angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. Do you remember another time an angel spoke to Joseph in a dream?" (Yes! When the angel told him to name the baby Jesus.) "This time the angel said..." (Read only the excerpt from Matthew 2:13 below.)
"take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt" (Matthew 2:13, NIV, excerpt).
Teacher: "The angel told Joseph to stay there until God told him to return. Herod wanted to hurt Jesus, and the family needed to leave." (Simple retelling of the rest of Matthew 2:13; do not read the violent detail aloud to this age group.)
Teacher: "What did Joseph do? Did he say, 'Maybe tomorrow'?" (No!) "The Bible says, 'So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt'" (Matthew 2:14). (Children jump up quickly, pick up an imaginary baby, and tiptoe in place.)
Teacher: "Egypt was far away. It must have been scary to leave in the dark and go to a new country. But Joseph trusted God. And this happened just as God had said long before through His prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called my son'" (Matthew 2:15).
Part 2: King Herod Is Very Angry (Matthew 2:16-18) (1 min)
Teacher: "When King Herod found out that the wise men had not come back to him, he was furious." (Children make a cross face with folded arms.) "Herod did something very wicked, and many families in Bethlehem were very, very sad. The Bible even says God's prophet Jeremiah had written about this sad crying long before."
Teacher: "There are people in the world who do not love God and who do wrong things. That is sad. But Herod could not stop God's plan. God kept Jesus safe, because Jesus had come to be the Savior. One day Jesus would give His life to save His people from their sins."
Part 3: Coming Home to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19-23) (2 mins)
Teacher: "Joseph, Mary, and Jesus stayed in Egypt and waited." (Children sit and wait quietly.) "They waited until God told them it was time. Then King Herod died. And one night..." (Rest heads on hands again.) "...the angel came to Joseph in a dream again and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel'" (Matthew 2:20).
Teacher: "So Joseph got up and took them back to Israel." (Stand up and walk in place.) "But Joseph was afraid of the new ruler in Judea. He was warned again in a dream, so he went to Galilee and lived in a town called Nazareth. Jesus grew up there. And the Bible says this happened just as God had said through His prophets" (Matthew 2:22-23).
Teacher: "Every time, God told Joseph what to do, and every time, Joseph obeyed. God was in control the whole time!"
Review with Actions
- Teacher: "The angel spoke to Joseph in a dream." (Rest head on hands.)
- Teacher: "'Get up! Escape to Egypt!'" (Jump up.)
- Teacher: "Joseph obeyed right away, during the night." (Tiptoe in place carrying a baby.)
- Teacher: "King Herod was very angry." (Cross face, arms folded.)
- Teacher: "God kept Jesus safe." (Hug yourself.)
- Teacher: "They went home to Nazareth." (Make a roof over your head.)
- Teacher: "We can trust God!" (Point up and give a thumbs up.)
Wrap-up & Discussion (4 min)
(Gather the children close. Use the questions below selectively so there is time for the central teaching.)
Teacher: "Remember our hidden heart? Listening helped us find it. Joseph did not know what would happen next, but God did. Joseph listened to God's message and obeyed. God knew exactly what He was doing."
Teacher: "Sometimes life is scary, and we do not know what will happen. But God is with His people, and He cares for them. We probably won't hear from an angel in a dream, but we can hear God speak through His Word, the Bible. We can pray, and we can listen to parents, pastors, and teachers who teach us God's Word."
Discussion Questions:
Question: "What did the angel tell Joseph to do?"
Teacher Key: Get up, take Jesus and Mary, and escape to Egypt, because Herod wanted to harm Jesus.
Question: "How fast did Joseph obey?"
Teacher Key: Right away. He got up and left during the night.
Question: "Could King Herod stop God's plan?"
Teacher Key: No. God protected Jesus, because Jesus came to be the Savior.
Question: "How does God speak to us today?"
Teacher Key: Through His Word, the Bible, and through pastors, teachers, and parents who teach us God's Word.
Question: "When you feel scared, what can you remember?"
Teacher Key: God is with His people and cares for them. We can pray and trust Him.
Closing Thought & Prayer
Teacher: "God guided Joseph step by step, and Joseph trusted and obeyed. Wicked King Herod could not stop God's plan. God protected Jesus, because Jesus came to be our Savior. This Christmas, remember: we can listen to God's Word and trust our heavenly Father, even when things are scary."
(Fold hands and bow heads. Children repeat each line.)
Prayer: "Dear God, thank You for taking care of us and directing us where and how to go. Thank You for being with us, even when life is scary and uncertain. Help us to listen for You and follow Your Word. Thank You for Your love. We love You, God! In Jesus' name, Amen!"
Memorizing Verse: Matthew 2:13
Matthew 2:13 (NIV, excerpt)
take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.
Teacher: "These are part of the angel's instructions to Joseph. We are learning this short part, not the whole verse."
Hand Gestures:
- "take the child": Rock your arms like holding a child.
- "and his mother": Gesture to a person standing beside you.
- "and escape to Egypt.": Walk in place, pointing far away.
Teacher: "Let's say our short part together, phrase by phrase, and do the actions. Now join the phrases together. I will do the actions while you say the words."
Teacher Tip: "Escape" means to get away to a safe place. Repeat the three short phrases with actions, then join them together. Matthew says "child" here; do not assume Jesus was still a newborn when the family left. Joseph obeyed God's specific warning; this activity does not teach children to obey every voice or treat every dream as a message from God.
Craft & Game (10 mins)
Craft: Light of the World Lantern
Adapted from the source lesson's "Light of the World Lantern" craft. Children make a paper lantern to remember that God guided Joseph through the dark night, and that Jesus is the light of the world.
⏰ Time: 5 minutes
👧 Age Group: 4-6 years
🧩 Lesson Connection: God guides His people, even in the dark.
🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:
- One sheet of construction paper per child, folded in half lengthwise, with slits pre-cut from the fold (stop about 2 cm from the edge)
- Crayons, markers, and stickers
- Stapler or tape (helpers), and string or a paper strip for a handle
- Caption strips: "God guided Joseph" and "I can trust God" (lesson reminders, not Bible quotations)
🎲 How to Do It:
Step 1: Children decorate the paper with crayons and stickers while it is flat, and glue on a caption strip.
Step 2: Helpers open the paper, roll it into a tube with the slits running up and down, and staple or tape the ends together.
Step 3: Gently press the lantern down so the slits bend outward. Attach a paper strip or string as a handle.
Step 4: Teacher: "Joseph left during the night, and God guided him. When you hang your lantern at home, remember that God guided Joseph and we can trust God too." (The lantern is a reminder, not an object mentioned in Matthew 2. Use no candle or flame.)
If time is short, prepare the lanterns ahead of time and let children decorate only.
Game: Escape to Egypt Obstacle Course
Adapted from the source lesson's "Flee to Egypt race." Children carry "baby Jesus" carefully along the route, listening for the leader's directions.
⏰ Time: 5 minutes
👧 Age Group: 4-6 years
🧩 Lesson Connection: Joseph listened to God and obeyed, and God protected Jesus.
🪜 Setup & Materials Needed:
- A simple, safe obstacle course: walk around chairs, step over a cushion, crawl under a table
- A sign at the end that says "Egypt" and a sign at the start that says "Bethlehem"
- A baby doll wrapped in a cloth (or two, for two teams)
🎲 How to Play:
Step 1: Teacher: "You are Joseph! Listen for my voice. When I say, 'Get up!' carry baby Jesus carefully to Egypt."
Step 2: One child at a time (or one per team) carries the doll through the course, listening for directions such as "go around," "step over," and "crawl under." This is not a race to rush; the goal is to listen and keep the baby safe.
Step 3: At "Egypt," the child says, "God kept Jesus safe!" and passes the doll back to the next child.
Step 4: For the last round, call out, "Herod has died! Get up and go back to Israel!" Pause and add, "Joseph was warned again, so he went to Galilee and lived in Nazareth." Have everyone walk back together to a new "Nazareth" sign. This is a simple reminder of the journey, not a chase or a race.
Teacher: "Great listening! Joseph listened to God and obeyed, and God protected Jesus."
Response Song
Closing Prayer & Snack Time (10 mins)
"Dear God, thank You for protecting baby Jesus and guiding Joseph. Thank You that nothing can stop Your plan. Help us listen to Your Word and trust You, even when we are scared. Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Now, let us thank You for the snack we’re about to enjoy.
We fold our hands.
We bow our heads.
We thank You, God,
for this daily bread.
Amen.