Terrific Toddlers & Twos

JANUARY 1 - WISE MEN BROUGHT GIFTS TO JESUS

JESUS WAS BORN (adapted from Luke 2:6).

Children will discover that Jesus was a special baby, learn that wise men brought gifts to baby Jesus, see that they can give gifts to Jesus and review the story of Jesus’ birth.

Parents read Luke 2:1-20. Some time after Jesus’ birth, travelers from a location far east of Israel came to worship Jesus, the newborn king, whose star they saw from where they lived. Nowhere in the Bible are we told that they were kings or that there were three of them; those ideas come from tradition. Likely the wise men came to a house where Mary and Joseph were staying in Bethlehem, perhaps several months after Jesus was born. The key is that these
strangers came from far away to bring gifts and to worship the baby Jesus.

JESUS IS OUR FRIEND

For the next four weeks, your child will be introduced to a very special friend—Jesus! Toddlers and Twos will have opportunities to experience Bible stories through their senses. Your child will touch, see, hear and taste items that bring the stories alive.

JESUS IS OUR FRIEND (adapted from John 15:15).

Children will learn that Jesus was a friend to Jairus’ daughter, discover that Jesus is their friend and learn how to be friends to others.

Parents read Mark 5:21-24, 35-42; Luke 17:11-19; John 6:1-13: If you’re a parent, you’ve got to feel the anguish Jairus must have been experiencing when he fell at Jesus’ feet. Perhaps the despair that might have hit when the servant came with news of his daughter’s death. You would also feel how his mourning turned to joy when his new friend, Jesus, raised his daughter back to new life. What a wonderful friend we have in Jesus!

JESUS IS OUR FRIEND (adapted from John 15:15).

Children will realize that Jesus cares for them, discover that Jesus helps them when they’re sick and thank Jesus for being a friend.

Parents read Mark 5:21-24, 35-42; Luke 17:11-19; John 6:1-13: In Bible times, practically the only friends lepers had were other lepers. No one else wanted to be around them because of fear of catching the disease. It was a cruel, disfiguring disease that even made people not want to look at a leper. But Jesus cares for everyone, especially those who acknowledged their need for Him. When the lepers called out for Jesus’ help, He responded. And He’ll respond to our cries for help too!

JESUS IS OUR FRIEND (adapted from John 15:15).

Children will see that friends share, know that Jesus helps them and realize they can help Jesus.

Parents read Mark 5:21-24, 35-42; Luke 17:11-19; John 6:1-13: When we think of Jesus feeding the 5,000, we seldom remember that the count of 5,000 was only the men. Including women and children, who knows how many people Jesus must have fed that day! Jesus worked a true miracle, but remember that it started with a boy’s lunch. Jesus can do miracles in our lives, but sometimes we must first offer all we have and are to Him. Your little ones can begin to follow Jesus by sharing with their friends.

JESUS IS OUR FRIEND (adapted from John 15:15).

Children will express thanks for their friend Jesus, review the module’s Bible stories and learn that Jesus is their best friend.

Parents read Mark 5:21-24, 35-42; Luke 17:11-19; John 6:1-13: Jesus is truly a friend like no other. He’s more faithful than any other friend. He’s more powerful than any other friend. He’s more loving than any other friend! What more could we ask for in a friend? Yet sometimes our serving Him becomes a burden. Sometimes we live as if we’d rather not have Him as a friend. Help your children be thankful for the friendship with God that we have through Jesus. And don’t forget that Jesus is your best friend too!