This lesson plan is copyrighted and belongs to the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian,
Cary North Carolina. It may be used for non-profit uses only.
Scripture: Luke 2: 8-20
Key verse for this lesson: Luke 2:14 “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.” (Contemporary English Version)
Concepts: God
sent Jesus because God loves us.
God cares for people even if
they don’t have an important job.
God communicates with people through messengers (angels).
The shepherds heard the message about Jesus, believed it, looked for and found Jesus, praised God and told people (a model of behavior for us.)
Objectives:
With music, instruments and movement, the students will create/recreate the story of Jesus’ birth, as told and witnessed by the shepherds and angels. The students will experience the joy and excitement of the angels’ message.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1. Welcome the kids. Make sure that everyone is in the right classroom! Kids will either already have nametags on, or will be given a nametag by their shepherd as they arrive. Make sure that you know everyone’s name and greet her/him individually. If you think you will have time, it is a nice idea to do a get to know you activity.
2.
Start
the lesson time with prayer. Ask for
volunteers, but make sure you have a prayer prepared or be prepared to pray in
case you don’t get any volunteers!
Keep the prayer brief, but be sure to look at the lesson concepts for
this workshop and use one or more of them as the “foundation” for your prayer.
Scripture/Bible Story:
1.
Begin
by talking generally about Christmas songs.
What are some of their favorites?
What do Christmas songs talk about (generally and specifically?)
2.
Tell
the group that all Christmas songs tell some part of the Christmas story, and
today we’re going to look at one part of that story. Have the group turn to Luke 2:8-20 in the their bibles (you might
want to use a children’s bible for the 1st graders). Have them read through it, or you can read
through the story summarizing along the way and asking questions as you read,
like:
·
Why
were the shepherds terrified when the angel came to them?
·
What
is the ‘city of David’ in vs. 11?
(Bethlehem)
·
What
would it be like to have angels come to you?
Scary? Exciting?
3.
After you have read and discussed the bible
verse, look at some songs that specifically mention shepherds and/or
angels.
Application:
Read the book The Legend of
the Candy Cane.
This
is where you can pretty much do what you want!
Sing
the little Drummer Boy song for the children. Have the children BE the drum (Rum-pa-pa
-pum) by a) tapping on their chests or b) tapping on alternate cheeks with
mouth open to make a hollow drum sound.
You might want to use the hymnal to teach the kids where in the hymnal is the section of Christmas music is located and let them practice using it.
You
might use the instruments to do some musical storytelling. Noise makers, drums,
shakers, tambourines.
You
might use some music (Emmanuel A Musical Celebration of the Life of
Christ: a great CD that has some moving
songs and music) to dance in celebration or to tell the story of the shepherds
and angels.
Go
wild!
Wrap-up:
You
will need to allow for cleanup, journaling and closing.
Reflection Time:
The shepherds for the class will have the journals for each child. Each child should spend a few minutes reflecting on the lesson of the morning. This might include drawing a picture, writing a few words, sequencing the story, writing the words to a song or chorus they enjoyed. At the very least, have the kids copy down the memory/key verse and what they did in the workshop today. Don’t make them feel they are not successful if they are unable to ‘produce’; this is not something anyone will be looking at unless the child gives permission.
Journaling
should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
Closing:
Be
sure to conclude the morning session with a prayer, review of the key scripture
passage, song or item you think will help the children remember/understand some
of the concepts that this story reveals to us.
1.
Preview
the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study, _________.
2. Check out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where everything is located. A boom box is located in your cabinet. Bring a CD or taped music for background music while you are gathering, working or meditative music for Reflection time.
3. Prepare an opening/closing prayer in case nobody volunteers to pray.
4.
Decide
how you want to present the lesson.
Gather all materials that will be needed: instruments, copies of music, costumes, tape player, boom box,
CD’s, etc.
5. Prepare a closing your closing should help tie the lesson together. What is it about the shepherds and angels do you want the kids to remember?
Materials:
Bibles,
Hymnals, musical instruments.
References:
|
The Legend of
the Candy Cane By: Lori Walburg,
illustrated by James Bernardin |
Additional lesson plan from Steve Lindsley, Music Workshop, Shepherds and Angels.