It’s week two of our church’s advent series, so I’m sharing the second lesson in the series called “The Promise”. As I mentioned last week, I took out the “Bible challenge” for this series since we’re making the Advent Banner Craft. I also included a shortened video this week of, “He’s Here” from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Enjoy!

Welcome Question

“What is a promise?”

Introduction

Good Morning! It’s our second week of Advent! What does advent mean? Advent actually means “coming”, and when someone is “coming”, that means the other people are “waiting”. So who and what are we waiting for? The birth of Jesus. At the end of our large group time today we’ll actually light candles and talk about what they mean to help us keep focused on Jesus during this Christmas season.

Last week, we talked about an angel visiting a priest named Zechariah. What did he tell him? Gabriel told Zechariah that he would have a son (even though he was really old) and this son would be named John. John would make the way for the Messiah. Then what did Zechariah do? He doubted God, and because of that doubt, God wouldn’t let him speak until the day John was born. Today, we’re going to hear about another promised baby.

Large Group Lesson

Let’s hear the story from Luke 1:26-45 about another angel and another promised baby. (Watch the video from the Jesus Storybook Bible: “He’s Here”, watch from 0:45-3:27)

Last week Zechariah got some big news, this week Mary gets even bigger news! She finds out that she will get to be the mother of the baby that will change and rescue the world. Let’s read what the angel said to her:

Luke 1:28-33, “28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary was afraid and kind of confused too. She didn’t have a clue why she, a normal, average girl would be “highly favored” with God. Gabriel tells her not to be afraid, God’s got a big plan for her. God was going to give her a baby and He would be called Jesus, God’s son. What!? Mary doesn’t doubt God, but she’s a little confused. She’s not even married, so how will she have a baby?

Let’s find out in Luke 1:35-38, “35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.”

The Holy Spirit is God and is also God’s helper He sends to be with His people. Basically, the Holy Spirit will make this miracle happen, just like it made Elizabeth (in her old, old age) become pregnant as well. “For nothing is impossible with God”. Nothing. Not one thing is impossible with God.

Now we asked earlier what a promise is in our welcome question, let’s go over your answers. (go over welcome question answers)

God is telling Mary, through Gabriel, that He’s fulfilling his promise from a long, long time ago.  Remember, last week, we talked about prophecy and how in the Old Testament, way before Jesus’ birth, God told His people about the coming Rescuer. As Gabriel talks to Mary, we can see that all those promises are coming true.  Jesus will be great, He will be the Son of God, the promised Messiah and His reign as King will have no end.

God always comes through on His promises to His people and this was the biggest promise of all. Mary didn’t even realize what an important job she would have. She probably never thought it was possible. Her life changed that day in a big way and it changed for us too.

Advent Candle Lighting

Today, we are going to relight the candle from last week which was what? HOPE. This week we are going to light the candle of PEACE.

By lighting these candles we remember that Christ alone is our hope, and our only source of true and ultimate peace.  We remember God’s promise to Israel (His people) of a messiah who will bring everlasting peace when he restores all creation at the end of time. We remember our need for a Savior to save us from our sins, and give us the peace with God that we were designed for.

We remember that Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. And what is more peaceful than a little baby. We remember that Jesus is the source of true and everlasting peace, and the one who calms our hearts as we wait until He returns again. (You can ask kids to read these scriptures if you like)

• “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14
• “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men” Luke 2:14
• “Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace” Ephesians 2:13-14

As we remember the birth of Jesus Christ and wait for His Glorious Return, may God grant us his perfect peace.

Close in Prayer

Small Group Questions

Discussion: Introduce yourself and learn the kids names. Then use the following questions to lead a discussion.

• Who was Mary? A young, normal girl. Engaged to Joseph
• What was Joseph? A  great, great, great, great, great grandson of King David.
• What was the name of the angel that visited Mary? Gabriel
• What did the Angel call Mary?  Favored one
• Why was this baby important? He is the Messiah, rescuer, God’s son
• Did Mary doubt Gabriel? No, she believed.
• What is a promise?
• Why was God’s promise so important? He sending someone to save the world.
• What did God’s people need saving from? Their sin
• How do you think Mary felt after getting this news?

This week’s Memory Verse: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men.” Luke 2:14

Last Week’s Verse: ”The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.”Lamentations 3:25

Ask if anyone remembers the first from last week. Give each child (who wants to) a chance to say it. Go over the verse for this week. Practice it together several times.

Advent Activity:

Using the supplies provided, children will create a banner with the word “Peace” on it. Each week they will make one for the four weeks of Advent. They will also attach their Bible verse for the week on the banner.  You can find the instructions for this activity here.

Prayer: Ask children if there is anything they need prayer for. Close your small group time in prayer.

Printable Resources

The Promise Printable Advent Lesson

Thanks for letting me share,