God as Creator

GOD AS CREATOR

Props:

Apron dusted with flour

empty bag of chocolate chips

Sign:  Creator of Toll House Cookies

Marker

Invite someone to come up and be our special guest – wrap apron around her, give her a cookie sheet and the script.  Maybe brush a little flour on her cheek and nose.

I want to welcome tonight a very special guest – someone who created something that I think most of you love, love, love!  Her name is Mrs. Ruth Wakefield.  And she’s going to tell us what she created.

(Have her read attached script - see end of blog)

After she reads the script, put around her neck a sign saying

“CREATOR OF THE TOLL HOUSE COOKIE!!”

We would say Mrs. X is the creator of chocolate chip cookies.  And that’s right because she had the big idea to mix chunks of chocolate with the cookies.  But in some ways she couldn’t be the creator.

Let’s think of the ingredients that go into chocolate chip cookies:

Flour

Brown sugar & white sugar

Eggs

Vanilla

Salt

Butter

Did Mrs. Wakefield use flour or did she create flour?

Did she use eggs or create eggs?

Did she use salt or create salt?

So what does it mean to create something?

(ask kids)

I’m sorry, Mrs. Wakefield – I think I need to fix your sign – In MY opinion, it should reads –

GENIUS BEHIND TOLL HOUSE COOKIES

Now why should I talk about chocolate chip cookies – even though they are SOOOO delicious?  Well, it’s because today we’re beginning a series of talks I’m calling:

It Matters What You Believe.

Already tonight, you may guess what the big idea for tonight is – what was the word I crossed out on Mrs. Wakefield’s sign (hold up sign)

(Creator).

So our big idea tonight is:  It matters that you believe God is Creator.

I don’t know about you, but I am so very glad Mrs. Ruth Wakefield made those first cookies!  I bet someone who ate one of the first cookies would have said – HEY – THESE ARE GREAT!  WHO MADE THESE??

        When Got made this world – as you learn if you read Genesis 1-3 – He made it out of nothing, no dirt, no water, no chemicals, no atoms – absolutely nothing – nada, nichts, rien!  Some call this creation ex nihilo

        Unlike Mrs. Wakefield, who used items in her kitchen to make cookies, there was absolutely nothing but God alone and then he created.  Really created – something from nothing.  And what are some of the things He created?

All fit together in an amazing creation delicately balanced.  I wonder – have you ever had a moment when he or she thinks – WHO MADE ALL THIS??  (ask kids to raise hands)

Scientists ask the question – where did our world come from?  And they explore outer space, and layers of the earth, and old bones to put together a picture of what life was like long, long ago on earth, and how life itself could have begun.

They know that carbon is absolutely for life to begin, but to this point they can’t take various compounds like Mrs. Wakefield’s recipe and create life.  And even if they did, it would be using what’s already there to make life, where the Bible tells us God made the universe out of nothing!  It is a huge mystery, and scientists LOVE mysteries.

        If you love science, don’t think that you have to give it up to follow Jesus.  There are many very good scientists who love God and the bible.  For some, it is their love of the world God made that began their interest in science in the first place! For others, a growing amazement at this world leads them closer to God. 

Many of you know about the scientist Albert Einstein who lived for many years in Princeton.  One time he said:

1.       The human mind is not capable of grasping the Universe. We are like a little child entering a huge library. The walls are covered to the ceilings with books in many different tongues. The child knows that someone must have written these books. It does not know who or how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. But the child notes a definite plan in the arrangement of the books—-a mysterious order which it does not comprehend, but only dimly suspects.

He says when he looks at the universe, he sees it is amazingly complex, but he also sees a definite plan – which leads him to wonder – who or what made all of this??

        Einstein was saying something the bible tells us too - that one way God lets everybody know He is real is by his Creation.  Romans 1:19-20

19 But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! 20 By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.

So I hope you don’t miss the way the beautiful leaves outside, the cool air, the birds flying south, your baby brother or sister, all are ways God is saying – this is not by accident - I CREATED THIS!!

Mrs. Wakefield Script:

Hello, my name is Mrs. Ruth Wakefield.  Back in 1930, I owned the Toll House Inn with my husband Kenneth.  We loved serving home-cooked meals to our guests, and I loved to bake.

One day, I was preparing my favorite Butter Drop Do cookies from a recipe that goes back to the time of the Revolutionary War!  I added flour, butter, sugar and salt.  Yum!  But that day I decided to add something special.

I had a bar of Nestle chocolate and chopped it into tiny pieces and added it to the dough.  I thought the chocolate pieces would melt, but instead, surprise!  They held their shape, and made the cookies absolutely delicious!

My new cookie called toll house cookies – were so popular that a Boston newspaper published the recipe and the Nestle company began making chocolate morsels.  Who would have guessed that in 2013, people still make and love my cookie creation!

FUN PANEL - REASONS TO BELIEVE THE RESURRECTION

Have 3 chairs up front, and signs indicated below ready

Announcer:

So since we’ve been thinking about potatoes tonight, I need a volunteer who wouldn’t mind playing a character called Mr. Potato Head.  (ask for volunteer) – put sign around neck with picture of Mr. Potato Head on it, and the name “Mr. Potato Head.”

I also need 2 more characters to read their scripts – (invite kids up) – this is Baby Christian, and Brainiac.  (Put Signs around neck that has “Baby Christian” and a picture of a pacifier and for Brainiac – that name and a big picture of a brain.)

So those of you not part of the panel, you can help too and help when I ask you to. 

So let’s have the panel introduce themselves:

Mr. Potato Head – Well, as you can tell, my head is a big potato.  There’s not too much inside this big head of mine, and honestly, I don’t think about anything very much.  My parents feed me, I like to sleep a lot, and my life is pretty good. 

Baby Christian – My family is really, really good to me.  Honestly, if I could live at home forever, I would.  I like being taken care of.  I think maybe it’s a little wrong to think too much about things.

Brainiac – That’s NOT me!  Nobody can tell me what to do or think!  I’m smart and know it.  Before I believe anything, you have to PROVE it to me.   (Folds arms across chest).

Narrator:

Okay everyone – I think we’ve met our three guests tonight.

So our big topic tonight is – What is Easter?  Before we talk much about it, let’s ask our 3 guests what they think Easter is all about.

Mr. Potato Head – Candy from start to finish.  Chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, peeps, yum yum yum!

Baby Christian – Well, let’s see.  I think Easter has to do with springtime, cute baby ducks and chickens, wearing a nice dress to church, a big dinner, family and maybe Jesus.

Brainiac – Maybe some people celebrate Easter, but I think it’s all a trick to get you to buy junk food.  I think some people believe Easter is the day Jesus rose from the dead – that that is impossible!  Nobody who’s dead comes back to life, except in super hero movies!

Narrator:  Okay – thank you all.  Let’s talk more about the Jesus part of Easter, like Baby Christian and Brainiac said.  Mr. Potato Head, maybe you can join in too.

(Mr. Potato Head looks confused and shrugs his shoulders.)

The Bible tells how Jesus died on a cross and was buried.  Then the Bible says that three days later, the tomb where he was buried was empty.

Brainiac – Yeah, I read somebody just took the body away to make it look like Jesus was alive.  But it was just a trick.

Narrator:  yes, the Bible says some people thought that.  But the Bible also gives lots and lots of proof – evidence - to help people believe that Jesus really came alive again.

Brainiac – I like evidence – kind of like a detective!

Baby Christian – I don’t think I’m supposed to ask any questions.  I just believe it.

Mr. Potato Head – (looks confused) – huh?

Narrator:

Well, baby Christian, that’s an important thing – is it okay to ask questions?  Just quickly, let me ask you to read 1 Peter 3:15:

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.

Narrator:

Baby Christian, what do you think that verse means?

Baby Christian:

Well, I’m not sure, but maybe it means I need to know some good reasons why I am a Christian.

Narrator:

Okay, I agree.  Kids – any ideas you have?

Okay – I’m going to suggest 3 big reasons why you should believe that Jesus really rose from the dead.

1.     Many people saw him alive

2.    Story of Thomas

3.    11 of the 12 disciples died for the truth of Jesus alive

The first reason you should believe that Jesus really rose from the dead was that many, many people actually saw Jesus alive after he died on the cross.

Kids out in the seats – can you help us remember who saw jesus?

(Peter, Thomas, Mary Magdelene, the 2 men on the road to Emmaus)

Now maybe it is possible that one or two people said they saw Jesus alive, maybe you’d think they were wrong.  But Jesus appeared to his 12 disciples, and at one time, over 500 people saw him.   Is it really possible that hundreds of people – men and women, poor and wealthy – could have imagined they saw him alive?

Brainiac – Well, I like to think I am open to evidence, so what you say is quite interesting.

Mr. Potato Head – Huh?  What does this have to do with the Easter bunny?

Narrator:

Okay – second reason you should believe Jesus really rose from the dead.  One of Jesus’ closest friends named Thomas wasn’t there when the disciples first saw Jesus alive.  In fact, he was a bit like you, Brainiac.  He said – you can’t convince me Jesus is alive unless I actually put my fingers into the wounds on his hands, and put my hand into the wound in his side.

Mr. Potato Head – Ick!  That’s gross!

Narrator:

Okay, kids out in the seats – do you know what happened to Thomas?

(Jesus came, Thomas saw him alive – and he didn’t doubt any more)

It’s pretty clear that Thomas needed proof, and wasn’t going to believe anybody else.  He had to know for himself.  And it’s also pretty clear that when he saw Jesus, he was totally convinced.  Seeing Jesus, and hearing Jesus tell him – come here and touch my hands and side, and stop doubting – that Thomas got all the proof he needed to believe.

Okay, last reason.

Baby Christian – Whew!  My brain is hurting with all this thinking.  But maybe I DO need to think about this.

Mr. Potato Head:  Does any body have any candy?

Narrator:

I think each one of us would agree that it’s foolish to stand up for something that you know is a lie.  And it would be even more crazy to give your life up for something you really knew was a lie.

We think that every one of Jesus’ disciples – with the exception of John who died of old age – was martyred (killed) – gave up his life – because he refused to say that Jesus was dead.

Baby Christian – I didn’t know that.

Mr. Potato Head – That’s pretty serious.

Narrator:

Early records say that the apostle Peter was crucified and died.  The book of Acts tells us about how the apostle James was stoned to death.  All the others – again, with the exception of John – gave up their lives because they believed Jesus really had risen from the dead, and they would not deny it, even if it would cost them their lives.

It’s really, really unlikely that all of these men gave up their lives for God if they thought Jesus was still dead.  But I think it makes sense if they knew he was truly risen, that they would die for that truth.

There are many more ways that we could prove that Jesus rose from the dead.  In Acts 1:3, it reads:

Jesus showed himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs. 

Don’t you wonder – what were those proofs?  But God has given us enough reasons – proofs – for us to trust that the resurrection really happened – and that was Easter day.

So let me ask our 3 panelists:

Now that you’ve heard some reasons to believe Jesus rose from the dead, what do you think now about Easter?

Mr. Potato Head:  Well, I’ll never give up candy for Easter, you can be sure of that!  But even I can see that if a dead man came back to life, that’s pretty important.

Narrator:

Thank you.  And Baby Christian.

Baby Christian:  My mom and dad have told me about Easter since I was a little kid.  And I just believed it was true because they told me, and I trust them.  But now I see that I can grow up a bit more and believe that Jesus rose from the dead because God gave us good reasons to believe it – and I DO!

Narrator:

And Mr. Brainiac?

Brainiac:

Well, I told you at the beginning I am like a detective – I LIKE evidence.  I never knew the things you told us today, and I think I need to look more closely at this.  I’m not sure yet, but just maybe it’s true.

Narrator:

Any thoughts from you, audience?

(Let your kids respond, and when appropriate, end in prayer)

Version 2 - Who's In, Who's Out

I've made some changes to this earlier talk.  Maybe you'll find it helpful. - Mary

WHO’S IN, WHO’S OUT? Version 2

Wear a cross (the bigger the better) and hold a Bible (the bigger the better)

Blue masking tape

I think that most of us would say “yes” if someone asked us – are you a Christian.  What are some ways people think other people are Christians?

·         Wear a cross and hold a Bible

·         Go to church/AWANA

·         Talk to people about Jesus

Please get out your Bibles and turn to the Gospel of John ch. 13:35

Jesus says people will know you are a follower of Jesus by what?

(Loving one another)

Did Jesus say – all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for some people?  Or if you love kids your own age?  (ask children to read John 13:35 together out loud)

Sometimes Jesus calls us to do things that seem impossible!  But everything Jesus calls us to do, he helps us to do.  (*can you repeat that with me?)

I think that all of us sometimes are good at loving others, and sometimes not so good.  Let me give you an example.

(Take blue tape and mark out a line about 6 feet long on the carpet between you and the kids).

Let’s imagine that this line represents who I let in – people I “love”.  First, you have to notice that I’m the only one on this side right now!  I guess I have a way to go to love.

The easiest thing is to let people into my part of the line who are nice to me.  So let’s think of someone who has been really nice to me – I’m going to add (leader) inside the people I love.   (name), can you join me on this side of the line?

Then maybe you feel it’s a lot easier to like kids who are the same gender – so if you’re a boy, it’s easier to like other boys than to like girls.  Since I’m a girl, I’m going to invite a girl up here – (T&T girl) up here.  Oh, looks like I already have something going on here – what do you see?   (all girls) – thank them and ask them to return to their seats.

Okay, so maybe another type of person I let in to the people I love.  A few years ago, before I led gametime, I helped with the blue team.  So of course I want the Blue team win in gametime.  And that’s okay.  But imagine if someone joined my blue team and I when I saw him or her, I made a face or rolled my eyes when they came on my line?  What if I told them to go to another team because they would slow the team down!  But if I want to win really badly, I might be tempted to want only fast people on my side!

What if I only wanted smart people on my side, or funny people? Or people who are cool or popular?  Or if I only wanted to be with my BEST friend and I ignored everybody else.  Hmm, this problem of loving is harder than I thought.

We know from the verse we looked at – John 13:35 – that  Jesus says the world will know we are his because we love one another.  Now let’s look at John 15:17 just a little further on.  (have kids read it together).  Jesus says this is a commandment – an order to us!

If we are followers of Jesus, He’s the Boss, right?  And we want to do what he says, so let’s start loving others right here at T&T!  So I want you not to say anything, but look at the person on your left.  Is there room on your side for this person to be your friend?  Now look at the person on your right – how about room for THAT person to be your friend?  Now in front of you, now in back of you.  Now look across the aisle to the other side – what about them?  Or do you have a blue line to keep those people out?  It’s clear from what Jesus says that God is commanding you to love all of these people!  Kids who are funny and kids who aren’t so funny.  Kids who are fast at gametime and kids who aren’t so fast.  Boys to have friends who are girls, and girls to have friends who are boys.  And that is how people will know you are a Christian.

One way you can see if we need to do a little better at loving is to look at who you sit with each week at T&T.  Is it always the same friends?  If it is, what does that say about who we welcome and love?

Jesus said – John 13:35 – let’s let the world know that at T&T, we are Christians not only because we may wear a cross, or learn verses, but also because of the love we had for one another!  And if it’s hard, remember – everything Jesus calls us to do, he helps us to do!  Let’s stop now and pray about this together (have prayer begin with confession that we haven’t loved one another, and asking God’s help to do it here at T&T)

Conclusion:

Jesus said people will know we belong to Jesus not because we wear a big cross, or carry a Bible or even if we know lots and lots of Bible verses.  He says it’s the love we have for one another that will show we belong to Jesus, so let’s be people who love!  And let’s get rid of any “lines” that separate us from one another (tear up line dramatically!).

WHAT REAL LOVE LOOKS LIKE

WHAT REAL LOVE LOOKS LIKE:

How many of you watch cartoons?  What are your favorites?

Why do you think people like to watch cartoons?

What kinds of things can happen in a cartoon that couldn’t happen in real life?

·         Animals talk

·         People get hurt but don’t really get hurt

·         People pull things out of thin air to use as a prop – bug bunny gets a big mallet to bang someone on the head

Maybe when you were smaller you thought that some of the things you saw in cartoons would work in real life.  Did any of you think that?

When is it fine to think this?

When might it be dangerous? 

How would this world be if we acted like we were in cartoons?  What if I really believed I was like Batman and could jump off a building and fly?

What if I really thought I could take up a big frying pan and hit my little sister on the head, and it wouldn’t hurt?

There are so many good things that God gives us.  One wonderful blessing is that he tells us what it really meant to love someone.  One of the best places in the Bible to learn about what love really looks like is 1 Corinthians 13.  So we’re going to look at that in a fun way, and then I’m going to show you a great video that shows God’s type of love in a wonderful way

(Have 1 Cor. 13 on slips of paper – I'm using the Message for this talk.  One option is to have some with opposite of the text written or with some kind of riddle with each one).

So first, 1 Cor. 13 talks about some things Love is NOT so let’s start there!

1     Cor. 13:2 If I speak God's Word with power so that people see amazing things about who God is, and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 

Love doesn’t equal super powers!

1 Cor. 13:3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm empty without love. 

Love isn’t only WHAT you do but WHY you do it!

1 Cor. 13:4 Love never gives up even when things get hard. Love cares more for others than for self.

1 Cor. 13:5  Love doesn’t push people around, love isn't always "me first," Love doesn’t explode with anger or keep score of the sins of others, 

1 Cor. 13:6 Love isn’t glad when others are bullied. (my version !)

1 Cor. 13: 7  Instead love takes pleasure in the truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. 

Imagine what this world would be like if everybody lived like this!  What would it be like to go to school?  What would it be like on the playground?  What would it be like at home?  

I want to show you a great video about two brothers with a very, very special love between them.

(Show video of two brothers awarded Kids Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated 2012 – here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouhURNLsnjo)

Close in prayer.

Hi readers - if you use any of these talks, please give me feedback about how it went with your club.  I'm always looking for ways to improve, and your input would be so helpful.  Thanks!

MY FAMILY & ME - Week 1

FAMILY TALK #1 – THEME:   I’m an  important part of my family, parents teach their children by their words & actions, God wants me to obey my parents

Panel – Have huge name tags with each name on it, and give to panelists -

Whiner

Two-face

Goody-goody

Sad Boy

Have a script for the 4 players, with their lines highlighted.

MC:  Welcome everyone to a very special night at AWANA!  Tonight we have four special guests who will be taking part in our quiz game – Family Fun!!

Let me introduce our four guests:

First is Ms. Whiner – please say hello, Ms. Whiner

Ms. Whiner (whining):  Hello

Second, is Two-Face – please greet our audience

Two-Face:  (smiling)  Hello everyone!  (then frowns, rolls eyes and says – this is stupid)

Third, Goody-goody – would you greet everyone tonight please?

Goody-Goody:  golly, it’s great to be here.  I wouldn’t want to be any place else in the whole wide world than here with you great people!  (Big smile!)

Finally, our last guest is Sad Boy.  Please say hello, Sad Boy.

Sad Boy:  (looking down and frowning) – Hi.

Our questions tonight are all about families.  I have our questions here in this hat, and I will read out a question, and will ask each of you to answer it.  After you’ve all answered the question, the audience will give their ideas about what you’ve said.

Our first question tonight is:

Are you an important part of your family?

Have kids answer

Whiner – No, never!  Everybody else in my family gets ALL the attention – nobody ever pays attention to ME. 

Two-face – I know you want me to say yes, so I’ll say “yes”.

Goody-goody – Of course – we all are important and we all share and we all love one another sooooo much! (hugs herself)

Sad Boy – No, I don’t think so.  I’m not sure I matter much.  My mom and dad are really smart, and I’m not doing too good in school.  My older brother is really good at soccer, but I’m really bad at sports.  I can’t do much of anything good.  I think they love me because they have to.

Okay, audience.  You’ve heard their answers.  Let’s begin with Goody-Goody.  What did you think of her answer?  What about Two-Face?  Whiner?  Sad Boy?

Our second question tonight is – Do you obey your parents?

Whiner – All my parents do is tell me what to do from the time I get up to the time I go to bed.  They treat me like I’m a servant! 

But I found a way to get out of it every time!  Any time my mom asks me to do something, I always say – (whining) – Do I HAVE to?  After a while, when I whine and whine, my mom just gives up and does it herself.  Brilliant, right?

Two-face – Well, I tell them I’ll do it, but then if you watch closely, I never do it.  It works more than you’d realize (rubs hands together).  Sometimes I act like I don’t hear them.  Sometimes I pretend I’m sick.  That works too.  I got a million ways to get out of doing things.

Goody-goody (frowns at Two-Face) – I can’t think of anything I would rather do than obey my parents!  It makes me so happy to be a good girl, especially when my older sister disobeys!  I look really, really good then.

Sad Boy – I try, but I can’t seem to ever do what my mom and dad want.  I try hard, but even when I do, my Dad yells at me and says it’s not good enough.

Finally, panelists, our last question –

Do you care about your family?

Whiner – Sort of, I guess.

Two-face – I act like I don’t, but deep down I really do.

Goody-goody – Yes, absolutely, all the time, all the way!!

Sad Boy – Yes, I really do.  More than anything I love my Mom and Dad.

Okay, this question seems to have all our contestants answering a bit more honestly, don’t you think?  Audience, what did you think about Two-Face’s answer.  If he loves his parents, why do you think he has such a hard time obeying?

What about Sad Boy? 

Thanks, panel.  How can we help each of these kids?  Let’s begin by thinking about each one.

I think we already know what we think about Goody-Goody, but does anyone want to tell us what you think about his/her answer?  God loves Ms. Goody-goody, just like He loves you and me.  So what could we tell her from the Bible that might help?

What about Whiner?  He/she seems a bit like Two-Face.

Col. 3:20,  Proverbs 1:8-9  (have kids read)

Finally, let’s think about Sad Boy’s answers– Eph. 6:4 – anything else?

Let’s let them know what a good job they have done tonight.  (Thank and sit down)

So tonight we were having a little fun thinking about families – moms & dads, and kids. 

Every family is special, and every family is made up of people – young and old – who are sinners, and sometimes hurt one another.  But your family is a real gift to you.  God cares about you and your family. 

Are you like any of the kids in our panel?  If so, maybe the place to start is being more respectful and obedient to your mom and dad.  Or maybe it’s knowing that no matter what happens, God loves you very much.

Close in prayer.

PS:
Did this one last night and it went very well.  Had to tone down the girl who played "whiner", and at first the boy who played "Sad Boy" thought it was a bad role - I convinced him it took more skill to play it and he did a great job.  The mom of "Goodie Goodie" was with us, and she was laughing out loud hearing her daughter talk about how obedient she was.  Good night.

ACTING OUT THE CHRISTMAS STORY

CHRISTMAS STORY AWANA

You will divide your clubbers into 3 teams - the Angel Team, the Manger Team and the Temple Team.  Print out the "script" below in a large font (size 24 works well) so it's easy to read.  Use the introduction and explanation below.  Before Council Time, set up 3 stations with very simple props, but have the stations far enough apart that you have to "travel" from one to another.  Note I have at times omitted parts of verses or whole sections to let the narrative flow a little better for the purpose of this "drama".  

Assign a leader to each team.  As you travel, have the team reading for the next station go first.  Have kids who are not part of the station team sit down while the team reads.  Let the Word of God be what is powerful as you do this together!

Scene 1 - Angel Team - Mary & Gabriel

Scene 2 - Manger Team - the birth of Jesus

Scene 3 - Temple Team – Simeon & Anna

Suggested Props and Locations:

Angel Scene - a corner works well  - with fake plants, pillow for Mary to pray on?

Manger – back of sanctuary - Straw?  Large basket with rough blanket inside?

Steps to the Temple – front of Sanctuary – large urns?  

INTRODUCTION:

It’s just few weeks before Christmas.  Advent is the countdown, and we’re almost there!  Today we are going to try to put ourselves into the story of what God did for the world, and for you and me, that wonderful day.

I want to I want to divide us into 3 teams – the Angel team, the Manger team, and the Temple team.  Our story will begin in the village of Nazareth, then will move to Jerusalem where Jesus is born, and finally to the Temple where Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus and meet two amazing people.  Follow me to each location.

Together, we’re going to piece together what happens next, and I am going to ask us to read the events from the Bible.  But to save us a bit of time, the passages we will read are on these pieces of paper.  Each team will have their script to read out loud.  We will begin with the Angel Team, then the Manger Team, then the Temple team.  Please read out loud just one section from the pages and stop when you see a big space.  Then pass the paper on to someone else on your team.  I may stop your reading at times to be sure we know what’s going on.  (Hand out scripts - you may want an AWANA leader to be connected with each group.)

(I did this last night and realized I needed to provide more context for each station - so once the kids are seated and the team is ready, introduce the "place" - Nazareth, Bethlehem, Jerusalem Temple - with a few important details and then have the team begin reading.)

                        

ANGEL TEAM:

God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David.

Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you! " Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean.

"Don't be frightened, Mary," the angel told her, "for God has decided to bless you! You will become pregnant and have a son, and you are to name him Jesus.

He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David.  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!"

Mary asked the angel, "But how can I have a baby? I am a virgin." The angel replied, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. For nothing is impossible with God."

Mary responded, "I am the Lord's servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true." And then the angel left.  Mary responded, "Oh, how I praise the Lord. How I rejoice in God my Savior!

For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed.  For he, the Mighty One, is holy, and he has done great things for me. His mercy goes on from generation to generation, to all who fear him.

His mighty arm does tremendous things! How he scatters the proud and haughty ones!  He has taken princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.  He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.

And how he has helped his servant Israel! He has not forgotten his promise to be merciful.  For he promised our ancestors -- Abraham and his children -- to be merciful to them forever."

MANGER TEAM:

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All returned to their own towns to register for this census.

And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee.

He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was obviously pregnant by this time.  And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.

She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened,

but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others -- the armies of heaven -- praising God: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors. "

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child.

TEMPLE TEAM:

Now there was a man named Simeon who lived in Jerusalem. He was a righteous man and very devout. He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he eagerly expected the Messiah to come and rescue Israel.

The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple.

So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

"Lord, now I can die in peace! As you promised me, I have seen the Savior you have given to all people.

He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!"

Joseph and Mary were amazed at what was being said about Jesus. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, "This child will be rejected by many in Israel, and it will be their undoing. But he will be the greatest joy to many others.

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was very old. She was now eighty-four years old.

She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.

She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God.

She talked about Jesus to everyone who had been waiting for the promised King to come and deliver Jerusalem.

End your time with a brief summary - perhaps one idea that struck you as you heard the Scriptures read - and a prayer.