Worship Programs

Theme:

"Kingdom Power"

Sunday After Christmas -

Sunday School Opening Exercises

Scripture Memory:  John 1:4

“In Him was life and that life was the light of men.”

Make a star ornament craft.  You will need a template of a five-point star, cardstock paper, scissors, paintbrushes and gold or silver craft paint.

Make a pattern of a five-point star for kids to trace on their cardstock paper (make it about 5 inches high).  They will need two “stars.”  Kids can paint them bright star-like colors (silver, gold, yellow, with other sparkly decorations).  When the stars are somewhat dry, make one cut in each star.  On the first star, the cut goes from the bottom corner to the center of the star.  On the other star, the cut goes from the highest point to the center.  Slip the two stars together.  They should line up and form a three dimensional star.  Attach a piece of thread at the top point so that it can be hung as an ornament.

Make the following points based on Matthew 2:1-12:

• In the Old Testament, those who loved and served God were required to bring offerings to Him in order to show how deeply and strongly they loved Him.  It was a sign of obedience to God.  These offerings were sometimes their best animals, or the first crop of their fields.  If you give someone the best of something you have, or give to them before you take for yourself, you are showing them that you believe them to be very important, more important than yourself.  For the Israelites, God was the giver of everything they had so they wanted to give back to Him to honor and thank Him.  He was God, their creator.  Without Him they would not exist.  It made sense for them to offer Him so much.

• Following Jesus’ birth, a few men who were very smart and wealthy noticed a special star in the sky.  These men often studied the skies.  Back then there were no airplanes or spaceships so sky and space were mysteries.  The star they spotted was unlike any other they had ever seen.  Because of their studies, they knew that this star meant that a king had been born.  Excited at what they had found, they gathered their things together and prepared for a journey to meet the new king.  They probably weren’t sure of what they were going to find, but they knew that this new king deserved their respect and honor.  They brought special gifts to give to him.

• Their journey probably took some time (maybe weeks and months, even years).  Finally, they arrived where Jesus and his parents were living and presented their gifts to Him, the new king.  Although Jesus was probably not living in the circumstances in which many newborn kings would have lived (e.g. a palace), He was no less a great king.

• Jesus went on to be a teacher, guide and friend to many.  He taught those around Him who God was and what it meant to follow Him.  Jesus also, at the end of His life, took the punishment for our sins on Himself and suffered on the cross so that we will never die.  Because of Him, we have the power to live better lives, lives full of joy, peace, hope and love.  What Jesus did for us is incredible.

• Although we don’t live in Old Testament times, God still wants us to show Him how much we love Him.  When we think of all that Jesus did for us, we should be prepared to give Him what we can.

• What do you have to give to Jesus?  We may not have gold, frankincense and myrrh like the wise men, but we have other things.  There is a Christmas carol that we sing sometimes that asks the question:  what can I give Him, poor as I am?  If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.  If I were a wise man, I would do my part.  Yet, what I can I give Him – give my heart!

• The thing that God wants the most from us is US.  He wants us to love Him, follow Him, serve Him and obey Him.

Mrs. Lorena Lance

Territorial Sunday School &

Christian Education Bureau Director

USA Eastern Territory