Victory in Jesus: Bible Object Lessons about Jesus for Kids

Introduction

Victory in Jesus: Bible Object Lessons About Jesus for Kids includes 21 interactive object lessons for children ages 5 to 12. These weekly lessons are meant to last 20-30 minutes. I believe the title, Victory in Jesus, correctly depicts God’s idea of salvation. Before we recognized that we were sinners, God planned for Jesus to die a sacrificial death in our place. This gives us victory!

This curriculum will help you:

teach engaging Bible lessons children cannot resist;

create a fun teaching atmosphere that sparks the imagination of children;

teach children Biblical truth that enhances their spiritual growth; and

share the gospel with children and expand the Kingdom.

I am humbled that you have chosen to use this resource! I pray that it will ignite a passion for Jesus in those who hear you teach.

For the extra resources for this book, visit

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Keep on keeping on, my friend!

Anne Marie Gosnell

futureflyingsaucers.com

How This Book Works

I have put these lessons in an order that encourages spiritual growth. However, the lessons do not have to be taught sequentially. These lessons can be taught with large groups or small groups. When planning your Bible lessons, whether at home or church, determine your objective first. Then look through the Table of Contents and decide which lessons will best help you reach your objective.

Each lesson has a free downloadable poster that you can access from the Resources Page (https://www.futureflyingsaucers.com/vij). Discuss and display the posters in the room throughout this series, and read them each week. You can choose to use the shorter verses as memory verses. Other lesson freebies can also be found on the Resources Page (https://www.futureflyingsaucers.com/vij).

Many lessons have a Background section. This summarizes the events that set the stage for the lesson. Use this section to help you put the lesson into context for the children.

New Testament history takes place in a variety of locations; therefore, there is a Geography section for each lesson. I encourage you to have a map to point out these places. See the Resources Page (https://www.futureflyingsaucers.com/vij) for maps.

The Object Lesson is usually first and might be referred to throughout the lesson. Most of the objects are items that many children know and see daily. Jesus used common objects such as sheep and trees when He taught, and we can do the same. Preparation time is minimal, and most lessons use materials you will find around your home. I do suggest practicing the lessons ahead of time to be sure you understand how the activity works.

The Bible Lesson section is a paraphrase of the event from the Scripture Focus. Read the Scripture to prepare for teaching your lesson. Afterward, read the Bible Lesson section a few times. Practice enough that you can tell the story without reading.

The last section is essential: Life Application. This is where Scripture comes alive and the kids learn how to apply it to their lives. If we do not explain the purpose of Scripture to children, then you and I have failed as Bible teachers. All Scripture is useful, and we must showcase the glorious purpose of the Bible in each lesson.

At the end of each lesson is a Comment Box. This is an area for you to reflect upon your teaching so you can improve your skills. Thinking retrospectively will help you to evaluate your personal ministry. Ask yourself two questions: "What went well as I taught this lesson? and What can I do better?"

For more in-depth Bible teacher training, take a look at my online course, Becomng an Excellent Bible Teacher (https://futureflyingsaucers-bible-institute.teachable.com/p/excellent-bible-teacher).

I would love to know how your lessons go! Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. You can also join my Facebook group, Become an Excellent Bible Teacher: Bible Lessons for Kids (https://www.facebook.com/groups/BibleLessonsForKids).

To tell me what you think about this book, please visit Amazon.com and leave me an honest review. It will be greatly appreciated.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

—1 Corinthians 15:57

A Few Last Tips

Encourage the children to use their Bibles. Do not assume they think your story is Biblical just because you tell it. Have them be like the Bereans in the book of Acts. Show them in the Bible the verses you will be using. Some of the lessons will have the kids either reading along with you or reading for themselves. If you have children who do not read, you can still help them find the reference in the Bible. This is a great habit to begin when young.

When you teach a lesson, try not to say words such as, "Our story today comes from…" While the Bible is the story of God, it is more than a story. We live in a world where the line between fairy tales, fiction, and truth is blurred. Because of this, refer to every person or event as history or biography. Children need to understand that people in Scripture were real, breathing people. The places in the Bible were—and some still are—real places.

Be enthusiastic when you teach. Do not put on a show, but share the joy of Jesus so that He is contagious! Scripture tells us that if Jesus is lifted up, He will draw all men to Him. Let us lift Him up!

One last thing…NEVER be afraid to share your testimony! Someone in the room might need to hear how God has worked in your past, how He is working today, and what He is doing in your future.

1

The Annunciation

Splitting the Red Sea and walking on dry land…city walls falling down…chariots of fire? The Bible is filled with events that sound impossible. In this lesson, talk about the conversations Gabriel had with Zachariah (or Zacharias) and Mary, and how God continues to do the impossible.

Scripture Focus: Luke 1:5-40

Materials:

Joke book (or funny stories that will make the children laugh)

Poster for Luke 1:37

Geography: Galilee, Nazareth

Background: God had been silent, but still working, for 400 years.

Object Lesson

{Pull out the jokes or funny stories. Ask:}

Do you like to laugh? Do you like to tell jokes? [Allow answers]

{Read three or four jokes and enjoy them with the children.}

God created us to smile and laugh. He enjoys us and likes to bless us. While I think God has a great sense of humor, I do not think God jokes around. If you think about it, jokes are meant to trick someone or to make fun of something. God does not do that. He never tricks us. He is always honest with us. That was what Zachariah and Mary found out.

Bible Lesson

{Read Luke 1:5-40.}

It was Zachariah’s turn to go to the temple. His lot had been cast. This meant Zachariah’s name was drawn from the group of available priests. He went to Jerusalem to serve for two weeks.

Zachariah was an old man, and his wife was old as well. He was a priest and had no children to whom to pass on the priesthood. He was righteous and blameless, and he walked in the commands of God.

It was Zachariah’s turn to go into the temple and burn the incense. This offering was given twice a day. The people were standing outside the temple as Zachariah went in. Those who had gathered were praying because the incense that Zachariah was offering symbolized the prayers of the nation of Israel.

{Ask:}

How do you think Zachariah felt when he saw an angel? [Allow for answers; remind them God had been silent for 400 years. Zachariah was troubled, or scared.]

What were the first words the angel said? [Do not be afraid.]

What other couple have you learned about who had a baby in their old age? [Abraham and Sarah]

What prayer do you think was heard? [Allow for answers. The priest was to go in and offer the incense which represented all of the prayers of Israel. This was a serious job. It is also possible that Zachariah had been praying for a son, or even for the coming of the Messiah.]

What message did the angel give to Zachariah? [His wife Elizabeth was going to have a baby, and the baby’s name should be John.]

Why do you think God sent an angel to deliver this message? [Allow for answers. This was the beginning of an amazing event…the Good News was coming! Such a message deserved a celestial messenger.]

How would Zachariah and others feel when John was born? [They would feel joy and gladness, and many would rejoice.]

This event is called the Annunciation. The word annunciation means an announcement. Gabriel announced to Zachariah that his wife would have