grade kids bible study guide unit 23, session 1: genealogy ... · unit 23, session 1: genealogy of...

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 23, Session 1: Genealogy of Christ

2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The prophecies concerning Jesus’ birth are numerous, and many of them refer to Jesus’ lineage. Old Testament prophecies tell of the promised Messiah being born from the seed of a woman (Genesis 3:15); from the seeds of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), Isaac (Genesis 21:12), and Jacob (Numbers 24:17); from the tribe of Judah (Micah 5:2); from the line of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1); and from the house of David (Jeremiah 23:5). The prophecies said He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and would be the Son of God (1 Chronicles 17:13-14; Psalm 2:7). Jesus fulfilled all of these prophecies.

In Bible times, Jews took great care to accurately record family genealogies. The family a person belonged to was directly linked to property rights. Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38 both chronicle the genealogy of Jesus. The account in Matthew presents Jesus as the king of the Jews—the legal heir to the throne of David. The account in Luke was written to Greek Christians and focuses on Jesus’ descent from Adam.

Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He had earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, but His true Father is God. Jesus is fully God and fully man.

As fully God, in Him “the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). As fully man, Jesus has a human body, human mind, and human emotions. (See Luke 2:7,52; Matt. 26:38.) He is our sinless representative (2 Corinthians 5:21), sympathetic high priest (Hebrews 4:15), and substitute sacrifice (1 John 4:10).

Use this Bible story with the kids you teach to review Jesus’ ancestors and their stories in the Old Testament. Help kids recognize that God had been working out His plan to send Jesus over hundreds of years—through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jesse, David, Solomon, and Josiah. God sent Jesus to earth to save people from their sins.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Genealogy of Christ Bible Passage: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38 Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully

man. Key Passage: Luke 1:76-77 Unit Christ Connection: As prophesied in Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1, John the Baptist

prepared the people for the coming Messiah. Transition Time Welcome time Activity sheet/Table Centers



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Session starter (10 minutes) Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline Map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes) Table Time Timeline map (1 minute) Bible story review (10 minutes) Large Group Review / Activities Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW Genealogy of Christ

Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38

Jesus is the Son of God, which means that He is fully God. But when Jesus was born on earth as a little baby, He had human parents too. Their names were Mary and Joseph. Jesus is fully human, too. Jesus is both fully God and fully human; that makes Him different from any other man.

Like all people on earth, Jesus’ family had a history—a family tree. Jesus had parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents … all the way back to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.

The Bible says Adam and Eve had children. Three of their sons were named Cain, Abel, and Seth. When Seth got older and had a family, his wife had a baby. Seth named his son Enos (EE nahs). Enos grew up and had a family too, and his great-great-grandson was named Enoch (EE nuhk). Enoch loved God, and he was part of Jesus’ family.

Then there was Noah! Noah obeyed God and built an ark to save his family from a great flood. Noah was part of Jesus’ family too. Abraham was in Jesus’ family, and so was his son Isaac. When Isaac had a family, one of his sons was named Jacob. Jacob was part of Jesus’ family.



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Years later, a man named Salmon (SAL mahn) was born into Jesus’ family tree. He

married Rahab (RAY hab), who had hid the Israelite spies when they came to Jericho. Rahab had a baby, and his name was Boaz (BOH az). Boaz was a farmer, and he married Ruth. Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed (OH bed).

Obed’s son was Jesse. Jesse had many sons, and the youngest was David. David was just a boy when he was chosen to be Israel’s king. King David liked to write. He wrote songs—called psalms—and some of them were about the time when Jesus would come to earth.

Other people in Jesus’ family were kings too. David’s son Solomon was a king. King Jehoshaphat (jih HAHSH uh fat) was part of Jesus’ family, and so was Uzziah (uh ZIGH uh), Ahaz (AY haz), Hezekiah (HEZ ih kigh uh), and Josiah.

Then came Matthan (MAT than). Matthan’s son was named Jacob, and Jacob’s son was named Joseph. Joseph is the man who took Mary to be his wife. Mary and Joseph were the earthly parents of Jesus, God’s Son—the Messiah.

Christ Connection: Jesus came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem. Jesus had earthly parents,

Mary and Joseph, but His true Father is God. Jesus was still God the Son when He came to

earth, but He also took on the form of a man. Jesus was born to save people from their sins.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Genealogy of Christ Bible Passage: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38 Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully


prepared the people for the coming Messiah. Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Arriving Activity: Look Back items that are important to your family Bring something that is very important to you because of its connection to your family. Consider a photo album or antique that has been passed down. If the item isn’t breakable, allow the kids to hold and touch the item. Take some time to share why it is so important to you. Say • Family is very important to all of us. That’s why your parents might still have those

pictures you drew when you were in preschool. In today’s Bible story, we will learn about the most important family ever.



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Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Family Tree” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid pencils, markers or crayons Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say • Can you name someone who was part of Jesus’ family? His family tree has a lot of names.

Today, we will talk about some of those names. If time remains, allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Session Starter (10 minutes) Option 1: First Up Form two or more groups with the same number of kids. You may also choose to play as one large group. Invite the groups to see which one can line up in order the fastest based on the instructions given. Encourage the kids to line up in order of the month of their birthdays, from shortest to tallest, from the fewest brothers and sisters to the most brothers and sisters, from the biggest feet to the smallest feet, and so forth. Feel free to reverse the directions too. Play as time allows. Say • People and things are both created in a specific order. For instance, your grandparents

were born before your parents. The Bible shares the order of the people born before Jesus. It gives us His family tree. We’ll see who His family members were in a moment.

Option 2: Similar and Different pool noodles or paper towel rolls tape small round items sharp knife Cut a pool noodle lengthwise and place the halves flat-side up as a race track. You may also choose to cut several paper towel rolls in half lengthwise and tape them together to form a track. Brace the top of the track on the edge of a table and allow it to run downhill. Give volunteers small cars, marbles, and small round candies. Allow them to race the different items. Talk about what is similar and different about the racing objects. Talk about how everyone in a family has some similarities and some differences. Jesus is different from any other man. Say • We all have things about us that are the same and things that are different. Jesus is a

person just like you and me, but He is also very different from you and me. We will find out why in today’s Bible story.

Transition to large group



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LESSON Session Title: Genealogy of Christ Bible Passage: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38 Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully


prepared the people for the coming Messiah. Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Set up the room like you are preparing for a birthday party. If you have tables already in the room for the kids, decorate them with tablecloths and balloons. If not, set up a couple of tables near the front of the room and decorate them. Hang a Happy Birthday banner on the front wall. Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for the lesson and set it to end as large group time begins. Introduce the session (1 minute) wrapped gift [Large Group Leader enters with a birthday gift.]

Leader • Hi there! Are you here for the big birthday party? That’s a silly question. Why else would you be here? Do you like birthday parties? What is your favorite thing about birthday parties? Well, I love the gifts. I love getting gifts, and I love giving gifts. I think I enjoy the excitement of not knowing what each gift is until you open it. Even though the gifts may be wrapped the same, each one is different. Did you know God gave us a gift? Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8 tell us that salvation is a gift. Jesus offers salvation to people who trust in Him. God didn’t have to send Jesus to save us from sin, but He did because He loves us.

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader • Jesus was born as a human just like you and me. He had parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so forth. Here’s a long, twisting line of Jesus’ family. Let’s see who can find one of these faces somewhere else on the timeline map.



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Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? - 11x17 poster provided Leader • Where do you think we can go to learn more about Jesus’ family? That’s right!

It’s all in the Bible. Jesus grew up just like you and me. He loved His mom and dad, just like you and me.

Today, we will talk more about how Jesus was like you and me, but He is also very different. That brings us to the big picture question, How is Jesus different from any other man?

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “Ready or Not” (on provided DVD)

Leader • All of the Old Testament leads us to the birth of Jesus. When Adam and Eve sinned, God promised to send a Savior as part of her family. God promised Abraham that his family would be blessed and that a king from his family would rule forever. God continued to tell His people that this King and Savior was coming. It would happen whether the people were ready or not. That reminds me our new theme song. Let’s listen and sing it together. Sing together “Ready or Not.” Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Luke 1:76-77 (provided) Worship Song: “You Will Be Called” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Before Jesus came, God sent just one more prophet to point Him out. Our new key passage is about the man we know as John the Baptist. Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Luke 1:76-77. Lead the boys and girls to read the verses. Sing together “You Will Be Called.” Tell the Bible Story (10 minutes) “Genealogy of Christ” video (on provided DVD) Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Leader • We will learn more about John in the coming weeks. It’s time for our Bible story.

We’ll find out more about Jesus’ family. We will also find the answer to our big picture question, How is Jesus different from any other man?

Show the “Genealogy of Christ” video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bolded text. Leader • Jesus came to earth as a human like you and me. His family started with the very first

two people, Adam and Eve. Some of Jesus’ family members were rich. Some were poor. Some were even kings.

Jesus isn’t just a man though. How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man. Jesus had an earthly family, but He is also God’s Son. He is God with us.



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Ask the following questions:

Who were the first two people in Jesus’ family? (Adam and Eve, Luke 3:38) Who in Jesus’ family built an ark? (Noah, Luke 3:36) Who in Jesus’ family hid the Israelite spies in Jericho? (Rahab, Matthew 1:5) What king from Jesus’ family wrote songs and was the son of Jesse? (David, Matthew

1:6) How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 23, Session 1 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD) Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Does your family have a photo album with pictures of your family members? Watch this. Show the “Unit 23 Session 1” video. Leader • Name some family members you have a picture of. Have you ever seen a picture of a

family member whom you have never actually met? Jesus’ family went back thousands of years—all the way to Adam and Eve. If we traced back your family tree far enough, we would also get to Adam and Eve. Jesus became a man like us, but He is much more than that. How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Jesus’ parents on earth were Mary and Joseph, but Jesus’ real father is God. God sent Jesus to save us from our sins.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? - 11x17 poster provided Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader • Is everyone ready to answer the big picture question, How is Jesus different from any

other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man. Ask the big picture question, and call on the kids to answer based on members of their families. For instance, ask those who have an aunt to answer, those with a brother to answer, those with a sister to answer, and so forth.

Before transitioning to small groups, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will help each kid understand that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Dismiss to small groups for Table Time



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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.



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TABLE TIME LEADER

Session Title: Genealogy of Christ Bible Passage: Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38 Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully


prepared the people for the coming Messiah. Bible story review (10 minutes) Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table.

Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review) Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from any other man? (11x17 poster provided in classroom) Encourage the kids to find Matthew 1 in their Bibles. Say • Is Matthew in the Old Testament or New Testament? (New Testament) In which division

of the Bible is Matthew found? (Gospels) Matthew tells us about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. It also points to Jesus as the promised Messiah.

Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided using the bolded text, or summarize the story in your own words. Say • God gave us Jesus’ family tree so we could know that Jesus is the promised Messiah. The

list in Matthew starts with Abraham, whom God promised would be part of the Messiah’s family. It details how Jesus was part of a family of kings, including David.

The list in Luke takes us through Jesus’ family all the way back to Adam. Jesus is the One whom God promised in the Old Testament would come to save His people. Much of the Old Testament is about the people mentioned in Jesus’ family. While Jesus has an earthly family like you and me, He is God’s Son.

Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say • How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Colossians 2:9 says that Jesus is as much God as He is a man. Because Jesus is both man and God, He was able to take our punishment for sin.



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LARGE GROUP REVIEW AND ACTIVITIES Key passage activity (5 minutes) “All In A Family” Key Passage Poster: Luke 1:76-77 dry erase board and marker (optional)

Make sure the key passage, Luke 1:76-77, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together. Say • Our key passage talks about a man called John the Baptist. John was sent to show the

world who the promised Savior was. We will learn about John for the next few weeks. John prepared the way for Jesus, who would save the people from their sins.

Repeat the key passage a few times together so the kids are familiar with it. Form two or more groups with both boys and girls in each group if possible. Guide each group to imagine it as a family. Allow the kids to assign family member roles to each person in the group. For instance, a girl could be mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, or aunt. A boy would be a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, or uncle.

Invite the groups to sit down. Call out a family member. The kids who were assigned that family member should jump up and say the key passage together. Activity Choice (10 minutes) Option 1: It’s Me! printed name tags Choose 12 kids and give each of them a name tag with a name from Jesus’ genealogy: Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rahab, Ruth, Jesse, David, Solomon, and Hezekiah. If you have a small group, kids may wear two name tags. Have the “name tagged” kids line up across the front of the room. Read one of the questions below and bring two to four of the remaining kids to the front of the room. Encourage the kids to quickly stand behind the kid whom they believe is wearing the correct name.

God chose my youngest son, a shepherd, to be a great king. (Jesse) I protected some Israelites spies in Jericho. (Rahab) I was the first person in Jesus’ family. (Adam) I was the wisest king ever. (Solomon) God saved me from a giant flood. (Noah) I was tricked by a snake and disobeyed God. (Eve) God asked me to offer my son as a sacrifice, and then He stopped me. (Abraham) I wrestled with God. (Jacob) I was a shepherd, a king, and a man after God’s own heart. (David)



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Boaz redeemed my family. (Ruth) My parents were really old when I was born—a son promised many years before. (Isaac) I was one of just a few kings of Judah who remained faithful to God. (Hezekiah)

Say • These people from the Bible were part of Jesus’ family, but Jesus is more than a man. How is Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Option 2: Family Tree Craft spring-hinged wooden clothespins, 2 per kid small paper plates, 1 per kid crayons or markers brown chenille stems or tape (optional) Invite the kids to color the outer circles green on the backs of small paper plates. Kids can either draw a picture of their family in the inner circle, or keep it open for them to paste a family photo. Demonstrate how to clip two spring-hinged clothespins onto the plate’s edge and stand it up to create a family tree. If you want it to look more like a tree, invite the kids to paint or color the clothespins brown, wrap them with brown chenille stems, or cover them with brown tape. Say • Jesus had a family just like us, but His family included more than just humans. How is

Jesus different from any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man. Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Here’s our big picture question one last time. How is Jesus different from any other

man? Jesus is fully God and fully man. If time remains, take prayer requests. Pray, thanking God for family. Pray for each child by

name, asking God to show each one how Jesus wants us to be part of His family by repenting and trusting Him. Clean-Up Room

The Forerunner of the SaviorUNIT 23 • Session 1 • Younger Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Write on each piece of large

fruit the name of a family member and how

he or she is related to you.

© 2014 LifeWay OK to print

Family Journal Page

Unit 23 • Session 1© 2014 LifeWayOK TO PRINT

Draw a family tree on this journal page . Invite each family member to draw

a picture of him- or herself. Let kids draw parents, grandparents, and great-

grandparents. If available, share family photos or stories about the people in your

family tree . Remind kids that Jesus is God’s Son, but He had an earthly family

too—Mary and Joseph, David, Abraham, … all the way back to Adam and Eve!

The Forerunner of the SaviorGenealogy of ChristMatthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38

Preschool Key Passage: Luke 1:76

Big Picture Question: Who is Jesus? Jesus is God’s

Son.

Christ Connection: Jesus came to earth and was

born as a baby. Jesus’ parents on earth were Mary and

Joseph. Jesus is God’s Son. He came to rescue people

from their sins.

KidsKey Passage: Luke 1:76-77

Big Picture Question: How is Jesus different from

any other man? Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Christ Connection: Jesus came to earth as a baby

in Bethlehem. Jesus had earthly parents, Mary and

Joseph, but His true Father is

God. Jesus was still God the

Son when He came to earth,

but He also took on the form of

a man. Jesus was born to save

people from their sins.

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most

High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge

of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins.

Luke 1:76-77

Unit 23 • Key Passage Poster (ESV)OK TO PRINT The Forerunner of the Savior

© 201 LifeWay

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