Teacher BIBLE STUDY

The wise men were magi. Their study of the stars led them to Judea to find and worship Jesus, the newborn King. Before they found Jesus, though, the wise men met King Herod. God had promised the Jewish people a new king—one who would save them from their enemies. King Herod was not that king. Imagine how he felt when he heard about a new king in town.

The wise men asked him, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?” The wise men unintentionally challenged Herod’s reign. Not only was Herod not a full Jew, he was not a descendant of King David. Herod was deeply disturbed by the news that this child had the birthright of being king.

Herod was furious. He gathered his chief priests and scribes to determine where Jesus had been born. Then he lied to the wise men: “When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” What deceitfulness! The truth was, Herod did not want to worship Jesus at all; he wanted to kill Him!

The wise men continued on their journey and found Jesus. They worshiped Him. The Bible does not say how many magi worshiped Jesus, although they brought Him three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Jesus may have been about two years old when the magi found Him. The wise men were warned in a dream to avoid Herod, so they returned home by another route.

The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. Jesus is the King who will rule forever, as God promised to King David in 2 Samuel 7. Help the children you teach realize that Jesus is the true King who is worthy of all our worship.

Session Title: Wise Men Visited Jesus Bible Passage: Matthew 2:1-21 Big Picture Question: Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. Key Passage: Luke 2:10-11 Unit Christ Connection: The Savior God had promised was born!

Small Group Opening Welcome time Activity sheet (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes)

Large Group Leader Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Tell the Bible story (9 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Key passage (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (5 minutes) Sing (5 minutes) Prayer (3 minutes)

Small Group Leader Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal and prayer (5 minutes)

Wise Men Visited Jesus Matthew 2:1-21

A long time ago, God promised the Jewish people that He would send a king to save them from their enemies. The people were still waiting for their king, but the time had finally come. Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea at the same time Herod was king. Was Herod the king God promised? No! Herod was an evil king. God sent a star to show the wise men that Jesus had been born. The wise men traveled to find Him. They came to King Herod. “Where is the king of the Jews?” they asked. “We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” A new king? Herod was king! King Herod was very angry. He assembled all the chief priests and scribes. They looked at what the prophets had written to figure out where Jesus had been born. “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel,” the chief priests and scribes quoted the prophet Micah. Herod took the wise men aside. He asked them when the star appeared. Then he spoke to them in private. “Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.” But Herod was lying. He didn’t want to worship the new king; he wanted to kill Him! The wise men followed the star until it led them to Jesus. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! The wise men went into the house where Jesus was with His mother Mary. They fell to their knees and worshiped Jesus. Then they gave Jesus gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. When it was time for the wise men to go home, God warned them in a dream not to tell Herod where Jesus was. So they took a different way home. After the wise men were gone, an angel appeared to Joseph, Mary’s husband, in a dream. The angel said, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” So in the middle of the night, Joseph

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 3 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources got up and took Mary and Jesus to Egypt where they would be safe. King Herod was so mad! The wise men didn’t tell him where Jesus was! He was so angry that he killed all the boys in Bethlehem under two years old. He wanted to make sure he killed Jesus, but he didn’t know Jesus had escaped. A while later when Herod died, an angel spoke to Joseph again in a dream. “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” So Joseph did what the angel said. He got up and took Mary and Jesus to the land of Israel.

Christ Connection: The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. Jesus is the King who will rule forever, as God promised to King David in 2 Samuel 7. Jesus is the true King who is worthy of all our worship.

Welcome time Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Ask kids to take turns sharing about the best Christmas present they ever gave someone and why it was so special. This is also a good time to review the unit’s big picture questions.

Activity page (5 minutes) • “Worship and Guide kids to write one way they can use each of the items Honor” activity page, 1 per kid in the picture to worship or honor Jesus on the activity page, • pencils “Worship and Honor.” Say • Today we will hear about some special gifts given to Jesus as a way to worship and honor Him. We can honor or worship God in many different ways.

Session starter (10 minutes) LOW Option 1: 1 to 10 line PREP Say • To honor God is to show Him respect. To worship God we must give Him honor and praise. • Tape a line on floor Walk to one end of the line and talk about things that honor or write numbers 1–10 on paper and or bring praise to Jesus. Walk to the other end of the line attach down the and discuss things that do not honor or bring praise to length of a wall or around the room. God. Call out an action and ask kids to stand on the line where they think it ranks. (Sample actions: buying presents,

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 5 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources bullying, singing, watching TV or Internet, arguing with someone, helping a friend) Say • Whether or not our actions worship God often depends on our hearts. If you buy someone a present with the right heart, it can honor God. If you sing a praise song with the right attitude, it is worship. ••In today’s Bible story, we will hear about a group of men who traveled to see Jesus to give honor, respect, and worship.

Option 2: Star snacks Tip: Beware of any Choose a snack option prior to small group time. food allergies your kids might have. Form pairs and lead kids to wash their hands and put on Prior to class post an gloves. Instruct each kid that her task is to create a snack for allergy alert sign for a friend. After kids exchange snacks, allow them to eat. parents. • napkins, paper • Star Snack 1: Icing stars plates, spoons Lead each kid to ice a graham cracker. Encourage boys • food preparation plastic gloves and girls to form a star with the icing. Sprinkle with yellow or star sprinkles. Star Snack 1: • Star Snack 2: Star sandwiches • graham crackers • icing Use star cookie cutters to cut sandwich bread into a star • sprinkles shape. Spread butter, jelly, pimento cheese, or sunflower • cookies (optional) butter on bread. Top with another piece of star-shaped bread Star Snack 2: to complete the sandwich. • bread Say • Our Bible story is about men who gave gifts to • spread of your choice worship Jesus as a king. They found Jesus by • star-shaped cookie following a star. cutters

Tip: When making Transition to large group snacks have some wet paper towels on hand for cleanup.

Countdown • countdown video Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) • large stack of Christmas presents [Large Group Leader enters carrying a stack of Christmas presents. Gently put down the presents, then sit down and Tip: If your church calendar has sigh.] you teaching Leader • Whew! I am almost finished with all my this session Christmas shopping. Have you all finished all your after Christmas, change the lines shopping? I have everyone’s present except my mom’s. I about shopping have searched and searched to find the perfect gift for my for presents to talk about all the mom. I want it to be special. I want it to be perfect. I want presents you are it to be the best present she has ever opened. But you all returning because didn’t come here to listen to me talk about my mom’s they just weren’t the right presents Christmas present. You came to see where in the big for you. picture of God’s story we are going to explore today.

Timeline map (1 minute) • Timeline Map Point to the Bible story pictures or timeline when you say each session title. Leader • Remember we paused and moved way ahead to Christmas on our map. During Christmas we have talked about when the “Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph.” Tell

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 7 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources me, what part did Mary and Joseph have in God’s plan? God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of Jesus. Last week we discovered that “Jesus Was Born.” Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God’s promised Savior. Great job remembering what you’ve learned about God’s plan to send Jesus.

Big picture question (1 minute) Leader • Today we are looking at how the wise men fit into God’s plan. Our big picture question is, why did the wise men visit Jesus? Everyone open your Bibles to Matthew 2:1 and we’ll see if we can find the answer. Matthew is the first book of the New Testament and is the first book in the Gospels division. Allow kids time to locate the Scripture in their Bibles.

Tell the Bible story (9 minutes) • “Wise Men Visited Open your Bible to Matthew 2 and tell the Bible story in Jesus” video your own words or show the Bible story video “Wise Men • Bibles • Big Picture Question Visited Jesus.” Slide or Poster Leader • Herod misunderstood why Jesus was born. • Bible Story Picture Jesus was born to be our Savior and a shepherd for the Slide or Poster Israelites, but Herod thought Jesus might be a political king. Herod did not understand who Jesus really was. Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. They recognized that something was special about Jesus, and they brought Him three gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Frankincense and myrrh are fragrant spices or perfumes. All three gifts were usually given to royalty. We can follow the example of the wise men and worship Jesus. But we can worship Jesus because He is not only a King, He is our Savior.

Christmas 8 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Tip: Anytime you share how to Leader • Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men become a Christian came to worship Jesus as King. Jesus is King over all in a large group creation, not just a country or a group of people. Jesus environment, try to have counselors came to earth to be a Savior not to be an earthly king of available to meet a country or a nation. His death on the cross for our sin one-on-one with kids. Make sure kids provided the way for people to have forgiveness and be know who they can reconciled to God. talk to and when Use the guide provided to explain the gospel to boys and they can talk. girls. Encourage kids who have questions about becoming a Christian to ask an adult or counselor.

Key passage (5 minutes) • Key Passage Slide or Leader • Our key passage reminds us that Jesus is not Poster • “He Was Born” song only the Savior but He is also Messiah the Lord. Messiah means that Jesus is the Anointed One. Lord means that Jesus is our sovereign Creator and Redeemer. Lead boys and girls to sing “He Was Born.” Ask for a volunteer to lead the group to read the key passage. Encourage kids to continue memorizing the passage during their small group time.

• “Worship Jesus” Discussion starter video (5 minutes) video Kids may not completely come to the answer we as adults desire. Use this time to point them in the right direction, but give them the freedom to express their thoughts. Show the “Worship Jesus” video. Leader • Do we always focus on worshiping Jesus at church? What would you do if you were Carlos?

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 9 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources Sing (5 minutes) • “Born e That W May Have Life” song Leader • Our theme song calls for us and the rest of the world to rejoice because our Savior came to earth to provide a way for us to have eternal life with Him. Stand with me and we can rejoice together by singing and worshiping God for sending Jesus. Lead boys and girls to sing “Born That We May Have Life.”

Prayer (3 minutes) Leader • We have had a great time today learning about the wise men’s visit to see Jesus. Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. We can also worship Jesus as King because He is the ruler over all the world. More importantly, we can worship Jesus as our Lord and Savior after we have become a Christian and been forgiven of our sin. The last few weeks we have heard all about how God’s plan to send Jesus, the promised Savior, came true. The Bible also reveals that one day Jesus will come again to live with His people forever. I have a good idea! I think I know what I’m going to get my mom! I know she’ll like anything I get her because she knows that Christmas isn’t about presents anyway. I remember that last week my mom said her Bible was falling apart because she read it so much. She writes notes in her Bible, so she doesn’t want to just go get a new one. But I can get her some tape to fix her Bible. Then we can read in Matthew and Luke about when the angels told Mary and Joseph they were a part of God’s plan. We can read about when Jesus was born. And we can read about how the wise men worshiped Jesus. My family can worship Jesus for being our Savior and King. Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men

Christmas 10 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources came to worship Jesus as King. Do you know the best part about worshiping Jesus? We don’t have to wait until Christmas to worship Him. We can worship Jesus all year long. Thanks for coming to learn about the wise men worshiping Jesus. I hope you have a great Christmas. Join me in praying. Close in prayer, worshiping God for sending Jesus to be our King and Savior.

Dismiss to small groups

Insights for Large Group Leaders Christmas is a wonderful time to help kids understand that Jesus was born to die for their sin. While we celebrate the birth of Christ, it is important to help kids understand the purpose of His birth and why we need Him. Here are some tips to guide you as you present the gospel to kids. ••Focus on the gospel. Don’t stress about reading every Scripture and every statement given in the guide. Focus on helping kids see their need for a Savior and how Jesus defeated sin. ••Try to have counselors available to meet one-on-one with kids. Make sure kids know who they can talk to and when they can talk. ••Be as concrete as possible. Avoid abstract or highly symbolic phrases like “inviting Jesus into your heart.” Abstract phrases often lead to distraction and confusion in concrete thinkers. ••Pray. Pray. Pray. Spend time in prayer as you prepare for the large group session. Pray during the large group time. Pray throughout the week for the kids who heard the gospel presentation.

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 11 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) • Bibles, 1 per kid Review the Bible story and the previous stories in this unit • Small Group Visual using the timeline in the small group visual pack. Pack Say • Name several ways we can worship Jesus. ••Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. ••Who is the true King, worthy of all our worship? (Jesus is the true King who is worthy of all our worship.) Explain “The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me” using the guide Option: If you do not want to review the provided. Lead kids to look up each verse in their own gospel, allow kids Bible. Ask for volunteers to read each verse. Help kids to look up today’s understand how the verse connects with each statement in Bible story and take turns reading the the gospel plan. verses. Emphasize that God had always planned to send Jesus to save us from our sins. Encourage kids who have questions about becoming a Christian to talk to you, another teacher, their parents, or another Christian. ••God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17) ••We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) ••God provided. God sent His Son Jesus to rescue

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 13 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) ••Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18) ••We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13)

Key passage activity (5 minutes) • Key Passage Poster • old gift cards, Discuss with boys and girls what they think is a good gift. plastic coins, or play Create teams. Each team may race to open its gift and money arrange the key passage in correct order. • Write the words of the key passage on Say • The wise men brought Jesus three special gifts to the gift cards and worship Him. wrap them in a box or gift bag. Prepare ••Scripture is a gift from God to us. In some countries one set per team. it is illegal to own a Bible or talk about what it says. ••Reading the Bible and memorizing God’s Word helps us understand God’s plan to send Jesus. If time allows, you may play another game by leading boys and girls to toss the key passage “gifts” into their gift box. Kids should toss words in the correct order.

LOW Activity choice (10 minutes) PREP Option 1: Letter to self Guide each kid to write a letter to himself listing the ways • paper • envelopes he wants to worship or honor Jesus in the next year. Ask • pens kids to seal their letters in envelopes and self-address

Option: Mail the them. Ask parents to store the letters with the Christmas letter to kids after decorations or supplies for kids to find next year. Encourage several months have kids to open the letters next Christmas and evaluate how passed. they worshiped and honored Jesus through the year. Christmas 14 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources Say • Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. ••We were created to bring glory to God. We can worship Jesus as our Savior, Lord, and King.

Option 2: Worship basket toss • basket or bucket Create two teams. For each question answered correctly a • scrap paper wad or small ball team earns a letter from the word worship. They may earn an additional letter by tossing the paper wad into the basket. 1. What does the name Jesus mean? (“Yahweh saves”) 2. After the angel visited her, Mary traveled to visit her relatives. Name one of the relatives. (Zechariah, Elizabeth; Luke 1:40) 3. What did Elizabeth’s baby do when he heard Mary’s voice? (He leapt for joy; Luke 1:41,43) 4. What does the name Immanuel mean? (God with us, Matthew 1:23) 5. What part did Mary and Joseph have in God’s plan? God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of Jesus. 6. Whose prophecy did baby Jesus fulfill? (The baby Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy, as well as other prophecies of the coming Savior throughout the Old Testament.) 7. Why did Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem? (The ruler ordered a registration or census for taxes, Luke 2:1-3) 8. Who did the angel tell that a Savior had been born? (shepherds, Luke 2:8-11) 9. Why was Jesus born? Jesus was born to be God’s promised Savior.

Older Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 4 • Session 3 15 ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources 10. Why was the birth of Jesus good news? (Jesus came into the world to save people from their sins and to be their King.) 11. What did the wise men follow to find Jesus? (a star, Matthew 2:2,9) 12. Name one of the gifts the wise men brought Jesus. (gold, frankincense, and myrrh; Matthew 2:11) 13. Which king wanted to find Jesus and kill Him? (King Herod, Matthew 2:13) 14. The angel told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and escape Herod by traveling where? (Egypt, Matthew 2:13) 15. Why did the wise men visit Jesus? The wise men came to worship Jesus as King. 16. Whom did God promise that Jesus would be a king who ruled forever? (Jesus is the King who will rule forever, as God promised to King David in 2 Samuel 7.) Say • We were created to bring glory to God. We can worship Jesus as our Savior, Lord, and King. • pencils • journals Journal and prayer (5 minutes) • Journal Page, 1 per kid Ask boys and girls to write a prayer of praise to God for • Bibles the birth of Jesus. Consider reviewing the praise from • “What Does the Bible Say?” activity the angels and shepherds (Luke 2), Mary and Elizabeth page, 1 per kid (Luke 1), and the wise men (Matthew 2). Say • Remember, we shouldn’t wait until Christmas to Tip: Help kids understand that no worship Jesus. We can worship Him all year long. one is saying Mary As time allows, lead kids to use their Bibles to complete didn’t ride a donkey. the activity page, “What Does the Bible Say?” Help kids to Since the Bible doesn’t tell us, we understand that we need to know what the Bible says and just don’t know for what it doesn’t. Sometimes we think something is in the sure if she did. Bible, but it isn’t.

Key Passage: Luke 2:10-11

Session 1: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18-24

Session 2: Jesus Was Born Luke 2:1-20

Session 3: Wise Men Visited Jesus Matthew 2:1-21

TM And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

UNIT 4 • Key Passage Poster (ESV) ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. TM OK to print Christmas But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Luke 2:10-11

UNIT 4 • Key Passage Poster (HCSB) © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. TM OK to print Christmas And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

UNIT 4 • Key Passage Poster (KJV) © 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. TM OK to print Christmas But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

UNIT 4 • Key Passage Poster (NASB) ©2012 LifeWay Christian Resources. TM Christmas OK to print But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

TM OK to print Christmas Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

The wise men came to worship Jesus as King.

UNIT 4 • Session 3 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Shepherds were near Bethlehem. Yes, it’s in the Bible. We don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us.

Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem. Yes, it’s in the Bible. We don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us.

The innkeeper said there was no room at the inn. Yes, it’s in the Bible. We don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us.

The wise men visited Jesus. Yes, it’s in the Bible. We don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us.

Jesus was born on December 25. Yes, it’s in the Bible. We don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us.

Only three wise men visited Jesus. Yes, it’s in the Bible. We don’t know because the Bible doesn’t tell us.

UNIT 4 • Session 3 • Older Kids Activity Pages