“Long ago, God promised that Jesus would come.”

“Thank You, Jesus, for coming just like God promised.”

Isaiah 9:6

Children repeat after you:

“Dear God,
Thank You for loving us.
Thank You for Jesus.
Thank You for the Bible,
Your special book.
Help us listen and obey.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Pick 2–3 songs, repeat them often through the year.

Song 1 – “The B-I-B-L-E”
Motions:

• Hold hands like a book on “The B-I-B-L-E”.
• Hug the “book” on “Yes, that’s the book for me”.
• Step forward and stomp gently on “I stand alone on the Word of God”.

Song 2 – “Jesus Loves Me”
Motions: 

• point to self on “me,” 
• hug on “loves,” 
• hands like a book on “Bible tells me so.”

Song 3 – “God Made Me, God Loves Me” chant
“God made me (point to self),
God loves me (hug self),
The Bible tells me so (book hands).
Jesus came,
Knows my name,
He’s with me where I go (walk in place).”

Repeat 2–3 times.

Sit kids in a circle. Have 2–3 simple “prophet” figures (just people figures) and small paper “scrolls” (rolled paper). Also have a star or crown picture and a baby picture.

a) What is a prophet?
Hold up a “prophet” figure and a scroll.

• “The Bible tells us that long ago, before Jesus was born, God chose special messengers called prophets. Prophets listened to God and then told the people what God said. They were like God’s helpers with His words.”

Walk the “prophet” figure a bit.

• “Sometimes the prophets talked about things that would happen soon. Sometimes they talked about Someone very special who would come one day—God’s special King, the Savior.”

b) Prophets talk about Jesus (very simple)
Hold the star or crown picture.

• “God told the prophets that one day He would send a special King who would rule with love and goodness. God said this King would come from David’s family and would be called Wonderful and Prince of Peace. That means He would bring peace and joy to people.”

Hold the baby picture or a simple baby doll.

• “God also told the prophets that this special One would be born as a baby. He would grow up and help people, and He would save them from their sins. The prophets were talking about Jesus, even though Jesus had not come yet.”

Keep it very high-level, not naming all texts, just the idea: “long before, God promised.”

d) Key phrase with motions
Teach and repeat:

• “God promised Jesus would come. God kept His promise.”

Motions:
Point up on “God.”
Hook pinkies or pretend to tie a knot on “promised.”
Rock arms like a baby on “Jesus would come.”
Thumbs up on “God kept His promise.”

Say it several times: loud, whisper, standing and sitting.

c) Jesus connection
God keeps His promise in Jesus

“Many, many years after the prophets spoke, God kept His promise. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Jesus grew up, loved people, healed people, and taught them about God. Jesus died on the cross and came back to life. Jesus is the special King and Savior God promised long ago.”

Look around the circle.

• “This shows us that God always keeps His promises. When God says He will do something, He will do it. We can trust Him and trust Jesus.”

Goal: A simple scroll craft that says God promised Jesus.

Steps

• Give each child a paper “scroll.”
• At the top or center, an adult/helper writes:
  • “God promised Jesus would come.”
• Underneath: “God kept His promise.”
• Let children decorate with simple pictures: a star, a crown, a baby in a manger, hearts.

• Optional:
  • Glue a craft stick at the top and bottom and roll; or
    Roll from both ends toward the middle and tie gently with yarn.

Craft talk (short paragraph as they work)

• “Prophets a long time ago wrote down God’s words, like on a scroll. God promised that Jesus would come. Many years later, God kept His promise—Jesus was born. When you look at your scroll, remember: ‘God promised Jesus would come. God kept His promise.’”

When they’re finished, have them hold up their scrolls and say:

• “God promised Jesus would come. God kept His promise.”