Lesson for 12/14

Here's what we are studying on December 14:

LISTEN CAREFULLY & OBEY Matt. 1:18-25
Remember the month’s theme (Jesus’ birth), and this week is about the angel visiting Joseph to tell him of God’s plan, and to obey God. APPLICATION: God had a plan, and invited first Mary and then Joseph to participate in His plan! God wants us to join Him in reaching out to the world, and never ceases inviting us to join Him in His plans

The last two weeks have been the stories of angels first visiting Mary, and this week Joseph, to tell them about God’s plan for the and the world. Today we want to just prompt the kids to think a bit more about HOW WE LISTEN TO GOD, another part of what it means to “talk to God” in prayer.

Gather the kids around and ask/remind them of how it was that God spoke to first Mary, and then Joseph (through an angel). Then ask them how God talks to us today. Allow time for them to suggest some things . . . reinforce anything that is appropriate (or can be reworded or reconfigured to be correct), but also be careful to say “no” (kindly, of course) to things which they say that are not correct. What we’re looking for in the ways God speaks to us include:
--the Bible
--parents
--Mr. Buddy, Uncle Al, Sun. Schl. teachers, other Godly people
--our own conscience

After reinforcing the concept that prayer is not only our speaking to God, but also Him speaking to us even today, ask the children what specific things they want to pray about today and then encourage them to participate in talking to God.