The Gospel Project-Parent Help for the Week of 12/3/12

Unit 4, Session 1: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph

Dear Parents,

 Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project for Kids. We’d like to take a break from the chronological study of the Bible and invite boys and girls into the stories of Christmas. Yesterday's story relates a time when angels came to visit Mary and Joseph. The angel Gabriel came to Mary and startled her with his news. Mary felt unworthy, but she humbly submitted to God’s will for her life.

Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy and decided to divorce her quietly, but an angel visited Joseph and encouraged him to follow God’s plan and let the marriage take place as planned. God’s plan was far greater than Joseph’s plan.

 

What were Mary and Joseph’s roles in God’s plan? God had chosen Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of Jesus. The baby Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah in Isaiah 7:14. This was one of many Old Testament prophecies which Jesus fulfilled.

Please take the time to review our lesson with your students using the Big Picture Question Cards! And we will see where this great adventure takes us next week!!!!

You can also use the devotion below to Connect what you are doing in your adult classes to your kids!

 Adult/Kids Connections

Unit 4: Session 1: Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph

Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18-24

Christ Connection

 “Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will

conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). The baby Jesus fulfilled

Isaiah’s prophecy, as well as other prophecies of the coming Savior throughout the

Old Testament. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of

redemption that God planned from the beginning of the world.

Adult Connection Point:

God desires to be glorified by human beings (Gen. 1:26-2:3).

God created male and female in His image. Yet in God’s call of Joseph and Mary to be

the earthly parents of Jesus, God has called those made in the image of God to parent

the “image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15).

Family Devotion:

Supplies Needed: Bible

In an open space, pair family members and face each other. Select one family member

from each pairing to be “it.” While standing still, make movements with your hand, body,

or face. The other person should mirror back what he does. After a few minutes, switch

places.

Read Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23.

Ask: What does the name

Immanuel mean?

Say: God planned to visit this earth in the person of Jesus. Just as we copied each

other’s movements, Jesus is the exact image of the invisible God. Jesus is God in the

flesh. He left heaven to come live with man.

Read Genesis 1:26-27.

Say: We are also created in the image of God. Mary and Joseph were created in

the image of God. God used them to parent baby Jesus. He used them in His plan to

provide a way for Jesus to be born. We will never be the exact image of Jesus on this

earth, but God can use us to tell others that Jesus is Immanuel--God with us.

Pray and thank God for sending Jesus to earth. Thank God for coming to live with man.

Even though we cannot see him we can be assured God is with us.