Scripture: Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-12
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn Jesus fulfilled several Old Testament prophecies during the events surrounding his birth.
- Students will learn the shepherds and angels rejoiced and worshipped the ultimate shepherd, Jesus.
- Students will learn the wise men recognized Jesus as the King of Kings and brought him gifts usually given to royalty.
- Students will learn how to represent the gospel message.
Guiding Question: How can students learn to share the gospel message?
Materials: White tshirts, cardboard to slide inside tshirts, fabric markers
Procedure: Review the story of the birth of Jesus from the scriptures above. Explain that the birth of Jesus signals the beginning in a huge step forward in God’s plan for redeeming mankind. Review with students the fall, the promise of a Messiah and the prophecies so we would know Jesus is the Messiah.
Introduce the activity. Have the students make tee shirts with the symbols representing the Gospel message.
Symbols:
- Arrow pointing down – Jesus came down to Earth
- Cross – Jesus dies on the cross for our sins
- Upside down U – Jesus rose from the dead
- Arrow pointing up – Jesus ascended back to Heaven
- Arrow pointing down – Jesus will return on Judgment Day to take God’s people to Heaven.
Have students practice telling what the symbols on their shirts represent.
Additional Questions: How can students share the gospel with others?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students create a video to share with younger students, teaching them the gospel message with scripts and props.