SERIES DESCRIPTION
God’s compassion for the people He created led to the greatest act of love the world has ever seen. God sent His only Son to make us right with Him. We reflect that compassion when we care about others and show them how much God loves them.
December Curriculum:
Week One (December 2)
The Greatest Love of All
Bible Story: The Greatest Love of All • John 3:16
Bottom Line: God did something about our greatest need.
Key Question: Why do we need to be rescued?
Memory Verse: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIrV)
Life App: Compassion—Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
Key Question: Why do we need to be rescued? As preteens start to think more deeply about their faith, we start with a big question: Why did God need to send Jesus in the first place? Our lives are wasted without Jesus. We pray that through this lesson, preteens start forming an authentic faith where they realize that Jesus came to transform their entire life.
We kick off the month with the greatest verse in all of Scripture, John 3:16. God loves the world so much that He wants to spend forever with us. That was made possible through Jesus!
Bottom Line: God did something about our greatest need. Jesus was God’s gift to the world. We pray that kids start to understand their need for a Savior and put their trust in Jesus.
Worship Videos
Week Two (December 9)
Someone Like You
Bible Story: Someone Like You (Gabriel Appears to Mary) • Luke 1:26-56
Bottom Line: God can use anyone to meet others’ needs.
Key Question: What are you willing to do to meet others’ needs?
Memory Verse: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIrV)
Life App: Compassion—Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
Key Question: What are you willing to do to meet others’ needs? Mary sacrificed a lot to carry Jesus and raise Him. God may ask us to do something big to point others to Him. We hope that preteens start thinking about the ways God can use them to show compassion and meet the needs of others.
Next, we look at Luke 1:26-56, when Gabriel came and made a huge announcement to Mary. God was about to rescue the world through Jesus, and she had an important role to play. Mary was overwhelmed by God’s love for the world and the part she got to play by fulfilling God’s plan to send a Savior.
Bottom Line: God can use anyone to meet others’ needs. For whatever reason, kids may feel like God can’t use them to show others His love. We hope they see through the story of Mary, that God can use anyone to show His compassion to the world.
Worship Videos
Week Three (December 16)
Simply the Best
Bible Story: Simply the Best (Jesus is Born) • Luke 2:1-7
Bottom Line: God gave us the greatest gift.
Key Question: What are some ways you can give?
Memory Verse: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIrV)
Life App: Compassion—Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
Key Question: What are some ways you can give? When we experience God’s life-changing compassion, we can’t help but want to share that compassion with others. We hope our preteens leave with an idea of how they can give and show compassion to others.
In week three we head to Luke 2:1-7 to the familiar moment when Jesus is born. Even though Jesus was born where the animals stayed, God took care of all the details. The Savior of the World was born, and God’s compassion for us was on full display.
Bottom Line: God gave us the greatest gift. God had been planning a rescue since the very beginning. Jesus was God’s greatest gift to make it possible for all people to be with God forever.
Worship Videos
Jingle Jam (December 23 & 24)
Worship Videos
Week Five (December 30)
Start Spreading the News
Bible Story: Start Spreading the News (Shepherds Visit) • Luke 2:8-20
Bottom Line: Share the good news about Jesus.
Key Question: Who needs to hear the good news?
Memory Verse: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIrV)
Life App: Compassion—Caring enough to do something about someone else’s need
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
Key Question: Who needs to hear the good news? This week we help preteens get specific with the people in their life that might need to hear more about Jesus. Preteens are becoming more aware of their friends and what they believe. We hope to encourage preteens to invest in these friends and point them to Jesus.
As we head into Christmas week, we head to Luke 2:8-20 and find shepherds minding their own business and watching sheep in a field. Of course, we know what happened. Angels surprised them and announced that the Savior of the world was born. The shepherds were so excited they ran to meet Jesus and spent the rest of the night spreading the good news that Jesus was born.
Bottom Line: Share the good news about Jesus. This week we want kids to start thinking about how they can share the good news about Jesus. From the words they say to the life they live, they can point people to Jesus and show God’s love to others.