DECEMBER CURRICULUM

God didn’t need cable news or social media to broadcast the greatest birth announcement of all time. Instead, God sent an angel to Mary and to Zechariah and a full-on angel choir to the shepherds. And then, because no-big-deal, God placed a brand-new star to share the news with the wise men. Throughout history, the extraordinary news of Jesus’ birth has been spread in every way imaginable, which is why we’re shouting it out through this month’s theme: “Extra! Extra!: Celebrate the Good News of Jesus’ birth.”

The connection between truth and God’s image, as shown through God’s Big Story

I am created in the image of God and have unique potential and worth.

Week 1 Jesus Is Promised

To start off the month, though, we’re hopping back in time to look at the most important prophecies of Jesus’ birth. Isaiah lived in a tumultuous time as the northern kingdom of Israel was destroyed and enemies closed in on Judah. But God gave Isaiah words of hope and peace for God’s people then… and for the whole world. “A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. His rule will be based on what is fair and right. It will last forever.” That news makes me want to cheer! Then Micah points to a ruler who would be born in Bethlehem. More incredible news.

[BOTTOM LINE] Jesus is good news for everyone.

Week 2 Gabriel Visits Mary

Brings us to the stories of Mary, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. After hundreds of years with no recorded word from God, the rescue plan was set in motion. God sent angelic messengers with amazing news to Zechariah and to an ordinary girl named Mary. While Zechariah couldn’t quite believe that he was part of God’s plan, Mary chose to humbly accept her role as the mother of God’s own Son. No matter how we respond, God’s rescue plan can’t be stopped.

[BOTTOM LINE] God always had a plan to send Jesus.

It’s Week 3, Jesus Is Born

and we’ve reached the main event. Jesus is born! God could have sent His Son to be born in the finest palace – but instead, Jesus was born in a place where the animals stayed with a manger as his bed. The birth announcement was pretty dramatic, though – because God sent brilliant angels to declare the news to a group of shepherds in the nearby fields. And once these shepherds saw the baby king, they couldn’t help shouting out the good news wherever they went.

[BOTTOM LINE] Jesus is the greatest gift.

Week 4 The Wise Men Visit Jesus

We wrap up the month with the wise men and their visit to Jesus. These important scholars lived far to the East of Bethlehem, but that’s no problem for God. In fact, God placed a brand-new star in the sky to spread the news of Jesus’ birth and guide the wise men straight to the new king. The wise men gave Jesus royal gifts and returned home – where you can bet they celebrated their incredible adventure for the rest of the year… and the rest of their lives!

[BOTTOM LINE] Celebrate Jesus all year long.

JANUARY CURRICULUM

Every kid has experienced what it’s like to learn a new skill, whether that’s tying shoelaces, learning to dribble a soccer ball, or practicing piano. Each of these things require a plan to practice a little each day—resulting in big changes over time. That’s why this month’s theme is “Game Plan: Growing stronger in faith every day”—so kids can discover how walking with Jesus isn’t a one-time choice, but something they can grow in over time

I am created in the image of God and have unique potential and worth.

Week 1 Jesus at the Temple

We start off the month meeting Jesus as a 12-year-old. As usual, Jesus traveled with his family to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. But on the way home, NOT as usual, Mary and Joseph discovered that Jesus was missing! They raced back to Jerusalem and, at last, discovered Jesus in the Temple, talking with the teachers and asking questions. Everyone was amazed at His understanding. And here’s a little Easter egg for you: after Jesus went home with His parents, we read in Luke 2:52 that “Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people.” That’s where “252 Kids” comes from!

[BOTTOM LINE] Practice talking about God.

Week 2 The Lord’s Prayer

In Week 2, we follow Jesus to a mountainside where he taught what’s known as The Sermon on the Mount. At the heart of the sermon, we find the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus shared this simple, but profound, way for His followers to talk to God— acknowledging who God is, asking for God’s Kingdom to come and requesting what we need, like forgiveness and provision and protection. It’s both a beautiful link to the church throughout the ages and a template that kids can use to talk to God in their own words.

[BOTTOM LINE] Practice praying to God.

Week 3 The Wise and Foolish Builders

We’re staying in The Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus wraps up his teaching with the story of the Wise and Foolish Builders. Anyone who hears Jesus’ words and actually DOES them is like a wise man who built his house on a solid foundation of rock. When a wild storm whipped up, that house stood strong. But people who hear Jesus’ words and don’t follow through are just like a foolish man who slaps together a home on the sand—one that collapses when the wind comes. Truly hearing from God means putting what you hear into action. Kids can be confident that God does speak to them because, as we read in John 10:27 28, Jesus is the good shepherd and we are His sheep. And a sheep KNOWS the shepherd’s voice.

[BOTTOM LINE] Practice hearing from God.

Week 4 Jesus Chooses Levi

We wrap up the month with Jesus calling Levi, also known as Matthew, to follow Him. Levi was a tax collector, and no one liked tax collectors. They were seen as traitors to their people since they collected taxes for the Roman government… and skimmed plenty off the top for themselves. When Jesus showed up, Levi suddenly faced a huge decision: stay in his lane and live for comfort—or step out in faith and follow Jesus. As we know, Matthew made the leap. He even welcomed Jesus to his house for dinner and invited other tax collectors and outcasts to share this new freedom. From that point, Matthew spent his entire life following Jesus and sharing the story of Jesus.

[BOTTOM LINE] Practice living for God.