MISSIONS EMPHASIS WISE MEN WORSHIPED JESUS
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LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Do you realize we still do not know how many wise men came to see
Jesus or when they came? Traditions say there were three, sometimes
names them, calls them kings, and places them in manger scenes. But
the Bible does not give a number, any names, a royal designation,
or an arrival time. The number three likely came from the Bible
identifying the three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As for
the timing of the wise men’s arrival, it seems people include wise
men figures in manger scenes out of convenience, not biblical
accuracy.
Another overlooked fact about Jesus coming to earth is that Jesus
came to all people, not just to the Jewish people. Jesus gave, and
still gives today, every person the opportunity to believe He is
God’s Son, the Savior of the world. The wise men were not Jews.
These men were Eastern wise men, priests, and astrologers.
The wise men discovered through God’s creation that a significant
birth had taken place. The men studied stars regularly, and a
certain star signaled the birth they were anticipating for years.
The wise men followed the star to find and worship Jesus as their
King.
Finally, the men arrived. The trip was long. Jesus was likely a
toddler by the time the wise men reached Bethlehem. Notice that in
verse 11 of chapter 2, Matthew used the word child and not baby or
infant. These wise men worshiped Jesus through coming to see Him,
through recognizing Jesus as King, and through gifts.
Later, the wise men heeded a warning in a dream to not go back to
Herod. The wise men were smart in many ways, but they
underestimated King Herod when they asked about the birth of a new
king, the King of the Jews. Herod was not about to give up his
kingship (v. 13).
The wise men fell down to their knees, worshiped Jesus, and gave
Him expensive gifts appropriate for nobility. How are you
worshiping Jesus, the King of kings?
Help kids recall what the wise men did to worship Jesus. Open a
Bible and read the Weekly Bible Verse, Matthew 2:11. Brainstorm
with kids ways they can honor Jesus by worshiping Him.
WISE MEN WORSHIPED JESUS
LEVEL OF BIBLICAL LEARNING Jesus is fully God and fully man.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Matthew 2:1-12
UNIT VERSE For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and
the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the
government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
(CSB)
WEEKLY BIBLE VERSE Matthew 2:11
SUGGESTED FOR THE WEEK OF December 26
Additional training for Bible Studies for Life: Kids is available
at ministrygrid.com/biblestudiesforlife.
LIFE POINT People honor Jesus
by worshiping Him.
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REVIEW QUESTIONS › What led the wise men to Jesus? (a star)
› Why was Herod upset to hear that the King of the Jews had been
born? (He did not want to be replaced by another king. He wanted to
remain the king.)
› What did Herod tell the wise men to do? (“When you find Him, come
tell me so that I can worship Him, too.”)
› What did the wise men do when they found Jesus? (They fell to
their knees and worshiped Him.)
› What gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus? (gold, frankincense,
and myrrh)
› Why didn’t the wise men go back to Herod? (God warned them in a
dream not to go back to Herod.)
SUGGESTED TIME SCHEDULE
TRANSITION/GROUP TIME
BIBLE-LEARNING ACTIVITIES
GROUP TIME
BIBLE STORY
WISE MEN WORSHIPED JESUS Wise men from the east saw a certain star
in the sky. They knew the star meant a king had been born. They
also knew that God had promised to send a Savior, so they followed
the star until they reached Jerusalem.
The wise men asked, “Where is the one who has been born the King of
the Jews? We watched His star rise in the east, and we have come to
worship Him.”
King Herod heard what the wise men said, and he was very upset. He
did not want the Jews to have another king; he wanted to remain the
king. He asked his chief priests and scribes where the Messiah was
to be born.
The king’s helpers told him that Bethlehem was the place. They knew
the prophets had written that even though Bethlehem was small, a
Savior would come from it and be Israel’s ruler.
Herod secretly met with the wise men and asked them the exact time
the star had appeared. Then Herod sent them to Bethlehem. “Go and
search carefully for this child,” he ordered. “When you find Him,
come tell me so that I can worship Him, too.”
The wise men continued their journey to Bethlehem, and there it
was! The star they had been watching all along led them to the
place where the child was. The wise men were overcome with
joy.
Inside the house they found Jesus with His mother. The wise men
fell to their knees and worshiped Jesus. They gave Jesus gifts of
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
God warned the wise men in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they
returned to their own country by a different route.
— B A S E D O N M A T T H E W 2 : 1 - 1 2
B i b l e S t u d i e s f o r L i f e g r a d e s 1 – 3 & 4 – 6
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› markers
› 10 index cards–On 9 cards draw 1 Christmas ornament. Draw a star
on 1 card. Display the cards on a wall at kids’ height in the shape
of a Christmas tree. The bottom row should have 4 cards, the next
row 3 cards, and so forth with the star on top. Option: “Christmas
Decoration Cards” (Printables)
› masking tape
› Christmas CD or Christmas songs from a music streaming
source
› 2 gift bows
MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Remind the kids that this month they have been celebrating and
learning more about the birth of Jesus. Call attention to the
“Christmas Decoration Cards” taped to the wall and mention that
after Christmas one thing many people do is take down the
decorations. Invite kids to take down the Christmas tree today.
Explain that you will call the name of a Bible book and kids will
race to find the book in their Bibles. The first child to find the
book will remove one of the cards from the tree and place in the
stack. Continue until kids take the tree down.MISSIONS
EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Form a circle. Give the bows to players on opposite sides of the
circle. Play music as the kids pass the bows over their heads
around the circle. Pause the music and ask the kids holding bows:
“What is a holiday during which people give gifts?” Direct the kids
to pass the bows near the ground and start the music again.
Continue, alternating ways kids pass the bows (behind their backs,
as they turn in a circle, and so on). Use different questions, such
as: “What is the best gift you have ever given? What is the best
gift you have ever received? What is the smallest gift you have
ever received? Who is someone you give presents to? Who is someone
who gives you presents?” Explain that today kids will learn about
people who brought Jesus gifts to worship Him.
MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Display the photos of “IMB Families” and explain that these are
some of the families who serve as missionaries to other countries.
The International Mission Board sent them. This organization sends
missionaries to other countries. Ask: “Do you see a family you
recognize?” (the McDonalds) State: “Missionaries’ kids (sometimes
called MKs) get to be a part of the work their parents do. The
McDonalds’ kids like to travel with their parents to villages to
help the people and tell them about Jesus.” Pray for missionary
families who work together to share Jesus with others.
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› 1 gift wrap roll
› masking tape–Tape two 12-inch squares on the floor: 1 to
designate Old Testament; 1 to designate New Testament.
› marble or small ball
› Option: 1 gift wrap roll and 1 marble per person
› marker
› masking tape
› poster board or bulletin board paper–Tape to a wall. Leave the
poster for use in Study the Bible.
› index cards–Write 1 word per card: camel, bear, cat, race car,
ostrich, milk jug, paintbrush, foot, guitar, chair. Create at least
1 card per person.
› Printables: “Unit 1 Missions: Tanzania”– Print “IMB
Families.”
MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Guide kids to take turns rolling the marble through the tube,
aiming to land inside either taped square. When a player
successfully lands a marble, challenge her to name an Old or New
Testament Bible story. Allow kids with limited Bible knowledge to
refer to their Bibles. Option: If you have enough gift wrap rolls
and marbles for everyone, name an Old Testament or New Testament
Bible story. Then prompt everyone to roll his marble toward the
correct square at the same time. The player whose marble is closest
to the center of the correct box wins the round.
MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Ask kids if they know the names of any constellations, such as the
Big Dipper and Little Dipper. Give everyone seven star-shaped
stickers and invite kids to create their own constellations. Prompt
everyone to choose a prepared index card and use the stickers to
create a related constellation on the poster board. Allow kids to
guess the names or shapes of one another’s constellations. Mention
that some stargazing experts are an important part of today’s Bible
story.
MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Display the photos of “IMB Families” and explain that these are
some of the families who serve as missionaries to other countries.
The International Mission Board sent them. This organization sends
missionaries to other countries. Ask: “Do you see a family you
recognize?” (the McDonalds) State: “Missionaries’ kids (sometimes
called MKs) get to be a part of the work their parents do. The
McDonalds’ kids like to travel with their parents to villages to
help the people and tell them about Jesus.” Pray for missionary
families who work together to share Jesus with others.
B i b l e S t u d i e s f o r L i f e g r a d e s 1 – 3 & 4 – 6
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MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
LEADER BIBLE STUDY
LIVE IT OUT
PRACTICE BIBLE SKILLS
STUDY THE BIBLE
Grades 1–3
1. UNIT VERSE • Call attention to the marker board. • Remind kids
that they have been learning this verse. Explain that now some of
the words are missing. • Invite a volunteer to draw a “Unit 1 Verse
Card” from the bag and tape it to the marker board in the correct
place. • Continue until volunteers add all of the verse words. •
Guide kids to review their work and correct any mistakes. • Then
lead kids to say the Unit Verse together.
2. BIBLE STORY • Guide the kids to find Matthew 2:1 in their
Bibles. • Explain that the Bible talks about wise men who came from
the east and that their part of Jesus’ story is in the Book of
Matthew. • Show the Teaching Picture. • Tell the kids no one knows
what the wise men looked like or exactly how many there were.
Artists make pictures of ways they think the men might have looked.
• Open your Bible to Matthew 2 and tell the Bible story of the wise
men.
3. REVIEW • Form two teams of kids. • Place the “Christmas Tree
Review” gameboard on the floor. • Explain that a volunteer from
each team will take turns holding a coin to her chin and dropping
it onto the Christmas tree. If the coin lands on the tree, then the
team may answer a Review Question.
• Continue until every player has a turn to play. If you run out of
questions, suggest that kids share facts from the Bible story. •
Option: Show the “Notebook Bible Story” video.
4. LIFE ACTION • Explain that Jesus came to earth as both God and
as a human. • Invite kids to complete an activity to help them
understand this truth. • Distribute Kids Activity Pages and
pencils. • Encourage kids to work together to complete “Both God
and Man.” • First, lead kids to name things that show that Jesus
was human. (He was born as a baby. He walked, ate, and slept. He
grew to be a man. He felt pain.) • Next, guide kids to name ways
they know that Jesus was God. (He lived a perfect life. He
performed miracles, such as walking on the water and healing the
sick. He died on a cross and came back to life three days later. He
alone can save people from their sin and give eternal life.) •
Explain that the wise men came to worship Jesus as King. We honor
Jesus, also, when we believe and worship Him as both God and a man.
Jesus is worthy of all our worship. • Pray and thank God for
sending Jesus to the earth. Ask God to lead the kids to worship
Jesus daily as the true King. • Sing “Not So Silent Night.” •
Option: Show the “Mooseberry Life Action” video.
› Pack Items 1, 5, 6: “Unit 1 Banner and Verse,” “Unit 1 Verse
Cards,” “Christmas Tree Review”–Place the “Unit 1 Verse Cards” in a
gift bag.
› Teaching Picture 4
› Kids Activity Pages
› marker board or poster board
› dry erase marker–Prior to the session write on the marker board
the words and reference of the Unit Verse, Isaiah 9:6. Erase (or
omit) the words found on the “Unit 1 Verse Cards.” Be sure to leave
space on the board to add the cards.
› masking tape
› pencils
Option for Unit Verse: Teach the Weekly Bible Verse, Matthew
2:11.
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Grades 4–6
1. BIBLE STORY • Sing “Not So Silent Night.” • Review with kids the
two Gospels that contain stories about Jesus’ birth and childhood.
(Matthew and Luke) • Guide kids to find Matthew 2:1-12 and follow
along as you tell today’s Bible story. • Display the Teaching
Picture and ask: “How do you think the wise men knew that the star
would lead them to the King of Israel?” • Invite a volunteer to
find and read Numbers 24:17, a Scripture that could have influenced
the men. • Continue: “The Bible says the wise men fell to their
knees and worshiped Jesus, who was still a very small child. Why do
you think they worshiped Him?”
2. UNIT VERSE • Point out that Herod’s priests and scribes were
well aware of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus, and that Isaiah
9:6 is one of those prophecies. • Use the “Unit 1 Banner and Verse”
to review the verse. • Instruct kids to return to the constellation
poster from the Introductory Activity and touch one star with their
index fingers. • Call out a color name. • Lead kids who are
touching the corresponding star color to say Isaiah 9:6 from memory
or with as little prompting as possible. • Direct kids to choose a
different star color and repeat. • Guide all of the kids to say the
verse together.
3. REVIEW • Guide kids to reenact the Bible story. • Tell the kids
no one knows what the wise men looked like or exactly how many
there were. • Assign parts (Mary, Jesus, Herod, priests and
scribes, wise men). For small groups, break the story into separate
scenes and allow kids to play multiple roles. • Invite a strong
reader to narrate the story, directly from Matthew 2:1-12 or using
the printed story on the One Conversation pages (back of Kids
Activity Pages). • If you would like, capture the kids’ drama on
video and replay it for them. • Option: Show the “Notebook Bible
Story” video.
4. LIFE ACTION • Say: “Jesus is both God and human. He came to
earth, and He is the King who will rule forever. He is worthy of
our worship.” • Distribute Kids Activity Pages. • Guide kids to
complete “Elimination Round” to discover a definition of worship. •
Direct each person to return to the constellation poster and
write:
a time or setting where someone can worship Jesus, a reason Jesus
is worthy of worship.
• Lead kids to silently and prayerfully worship Jesus for a few
moments. Close with a prayer of praise and thanks to Jesus, the
King. • Option: Show the “Mooseberry Life Action” video.
› Pack Item 1: “Unit 1 Banner and Verse”
› Teaching Picture 3
› Kids Activity Pages
› pencils
› smartphone or video recorder (optional)
Teaching Tip: Do not post videos of kids on social media.
Option for Unit Verse: Teach the Weekly Bible Verse, Matthew
2:11.
LIFE POINT People honor Jesus by worshiping Him.
B i b l e S t u d i e s f o r L i f e g r a d e s 1 – 3 & 4 – 6
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MISSIONS EMPHASIS
INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY
› 4 large sheets of paper
› markers
› decorative items, such as stickers, foam shapes, sequins, and
jewels
› glue or glue sticks
CHOICE 1: PLAN AND PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIP
• Comment that the wise men knew Jesus as King. They worshiped
Jesus as soon as they saw Him. • Ask: “What is worship?” • Help the
children know that worship “is praising God, showing love to God,
and thanking God.” • Ask: “How did the wise men worship Jesus?”
(knelt down, gave gifts) • Show the “Ways to Worship” poster and
discuss how each photo shows an act or worship. • Guide kids to
plan and participate in a time to worship Jesus. • First, ask kids
to name one or two familiar Christmas carols or praise songs they
would like to sing. Write kids’ suggestions on a sheet of paper. •
On another sheet of paper, guide the kids to list Bible verses they
might say or read during worship. (The Unit Verse is a
possibility.) • Ask if the group would like to include drama in the
worship time. Kids might act out the Bible story of the wise men as
you narrate. Print any drama ideas on a third sheet of paper. • On
the last sheet list things about Jesus for which kids might praise
Him and things for which kids might thank God and Jesus in a prayer
or reading. • Lead kids to decide the order in which they will
complete the activities. • Encourage the kids to worship in a
respectful manner as they planned.
CHOICE 2: GIFT BAGS FOR OTHERS
• Distribute a bag to each child. • Encourage each child to color
his bag and decorate it with stickers, foam shapes, or other
decorative items. • As kids work, guide them to retell the Bible
story. • Talk about how the wise men were eager to see Jesus. They
honored and worshiped Jesus as King by giving Him gifts. • Explain
that kids can worship Jesus by showing His love and giving gifts to
others. • Talk about items kids could give, such as cookies to a
neighbor, toys to a shelter, fuzzy socks to a nursing home, canned
goods to a food bank, and so forth. • Discuss other gift items that
do not cost money, such as raking someone’s leaves, shoveling snow
off a sidewalk, drawing a picture for a sick neighbor, or picking
up trash around your neighborhood. • Remind kids that giving to
other people in need is a way to worship Jesus. • Encourage each
child to take her bag home and fill it with a gift to give away to
someone in need.
WRAP UP • As kids leave, challenge each child to name at least one
way he will worship Jesus this week. • Give kids One Conversation
pages.
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LIFE POINT People honor Jesus by worshiping Him.
CHOICE 1 › Pack Item 24: “Worship Calendar”–Photocopy 1 per
person.
› Kids Activity Pages
› Kids Activity Pages
› timer or stopwatch
› painter’s tape
› shallow box lid–Fasten the “Box Top Hockey” rink inside the lid
with loops of removable painter’s tape.
Teaching Tip: Save the “Box Top Hockey” rink (and lid) to use again
in Unit 2, Session 2.
CHOICE 1: CUSTOMIZED COLORING CALENDARS
• Distribute Kids Activity Pages. • Lead the kids to work together
to locate and discuss the Bible verses mentioned in “Off the
Scale.” Then guide kids to complete “Sliding Scale” on their own. •
Say: “However you choose to worship Jesus, the challenge is making
daily worship a habit!” • Tell kids about your daily prayer and
worship routine. • Be honest about the distractions that tempt you
to skip the routine and about the blessings and benefits of keeping
it. • Provide everyone with a “Worship Calendar.” • Explain that
kids can use the calendar to remind them to worship. Each time kids
complete a private worship time, they can remove a tab. • Allow
kids to choose whether to write the days of the week or the days of
the month on the tear-off tabs at the bottom of the calendar, then
separate the tabs by cutting on the dotted lines. • Challenge kids
to write different ways they will worship on the calendar days and
add fun colored shapes and doodles. • Encourage kids to post the
calendars prominently at home so they will not miss the daily
reminder to worship Jesus.
CHOICE 2: BOX TOP HOCKEY • Comment that people often limit worship
to public singing, praying, and reading the Bible. • Say: “You can
honor and praise God in many different ways.” • Distribute Kids
Activity Pages. • Lead the kids to work together to locate and
discuss the Bible verses mentioned in “Off the Scale.” Then guide
kids to complete “Sliding Scale” on their own. • Form two teams,
one for each side of the “Box Top Hockey” rink. • Give one player
from each team a “hockey stick” (ruler), and place the button in
the center face-off zone. • Choose one player from each team and
set your timer for 20 seconds. The two active players will volley
the puck back and forth. • When time expires, call on the player
where the puck landed. Based on the zone in which the puck landed,
the player will respond: 10–define worship; 25– name a way to
worship publicly; 100–name your favorite way to worship; 500–name
distractions to remove in order to worship well; 1,000–tell why
Jesus is worthy of worship. • Score points accordingly. If the puck
lands in the penalty zone, neither team earns any points. • Rotate
play to new players; repeat.
WRAP UP • Challenge kids to begin a New Year’s habit a week early
by beginning a daily worship time on their own. • Give kids One
Conversation pages.
B i b l e S t u d i e s f o r L i f e g r a d e s 1 – 3 & 4 – 6
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