{"id":10775,"date":"2024-11-06T14:39:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-06T21:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/?p=10775"},"modified":"2024-10-16T12:01:23","modified_gmt":"2024-10-16T18:01:23","slug":"elementary-christmas-series-lesson-preview-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/elementary-christmas-series-lesson-preview-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Elizabeth and Zechariah (Elementary Christmas Series Lesson Preview)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\"><blockquote><p>A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.<\/p><cite>\u2014Isaiah 9:6 NIRV<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>T<em><em>his lesson preview is pulled from the newest 5-lesson Christmas from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wonder Ink<\/a>. It is flexible and can be used in large group\/small group and in classrooms.<\/em>\u00a0<em>Download and view the full 75-minute lesson + the family event preview\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/christmas-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a><em>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lesson-at-a-glance-ezekiel-and-the-dry-bones\">LESSON AT A GLANCE: Elizabeth and Zechariah (Lesson 2)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WONDER TRUTH:\u00a0<\/strong>God prepares the way for Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SCRIPTURE:<\/strong> Luke 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GOD\u2019S BIG STORY:\u00a0<\/strong>After centuries of waiting for the King God had promised, Zechariah and Elizabeth have a son who is filled with God\u2019s Spirit from a young age and prepares the hearts of God\u2019s people for Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>WORD OF WONDER:\u00a0<\/strong>A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bible.com\/bible\/110\/ISA.9.6.NIRV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u2014Isaiah 9:6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CURIOSITY (15 MINS) | Large Group or Small Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An object lesson, experiment, or activity that sparks curiosity, encourages exploration, and gets kids thinking about the <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/giving-kids-opportunity-to-wonder\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wonder of God<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Welcome Question: What are some of the ways your family prepares, or gets ready, for Christmas?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Curiosity Questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Interactive Game: Winter Prep Relay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Declaring God\u2019s Wonder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">BELIEF (25-35 MINS) | Large Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A deep and interactive dive into Scripture that guides kids into knowing God more deeply, exploring His big story, and marveling at His wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prayer of Invitation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>God\u2019s Big Story: Hear It, Watch It, Experience It!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connecting the Wonder Truth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In Awe of God\u2019s Wonder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Word of Wonder: Isaiah 9:6<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAITH (15 MINS) | Small Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An intentional conversation that helps kids see the wonder of God\u2019s story and how it connects to their own, emboldening their faith and fostering a deeper understanding of their place in God\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Word of Wonder Activity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Discussion Questions for Younger and Older Kids<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small Group Prayer Time<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">IDENTITY (10 MINS) | Large Group or Small Group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An interactive <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/spiritual-practices-for-kids-know-god\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">worship response<\/a> activity that creates space for God to remind kids of these core truths: I am known, I am loved, I am led, and my life can tell of God\u2019s wonder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Responding in Worship: Call and Response with Song<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Blessing Your Kids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo wp-block-embed-vimeo wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Waiting for the King Series Promo Video\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/917639466?h=c07c3f0a63&amp;dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Learn about the Waiting for the King Series! <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/christmas-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Discover more here<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">INVITATION FOR LEADERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We invite you to pause, listen, and shift your gaze toward the Father \u2026&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Advent and Christmas, I usually spend time thinking about what traditions will help my kids understand who Jesus is. Storybook Bibles. Family devotionals. Songs and carols. Wreaths and candles. What will point them to Jesus? If I\u2019m honest, it all makes me a bit anxious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What if I mess it up or say the wrong thing? Sometimes teaching them about God\u2019s big story feels daunting. Read Luke 1:5\u201325. The story of Elizabeth and Zechariah\u2014and the promised birth of John the Baptist\u2014 shows how God was preparing the way for Jesus. He was getting the world ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps God\u2019s preparations feel as finished to you as the expected conclusion of the Nativity story, but God is still working. He is still preparing people to meet Jesus. He works through all kinds of things to <a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/gods-faithfulness-how-to-share-with-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">kindle and nurture a person\u2019s faith<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He might even work through a dad who sometimes says the wrong thing or a kids\u2019 ministry volunteer who feels in over her head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God invites us to be part of His big story as we follow Jesus day by day, year by year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What does God have in store for you this week? How is He preparing you to know Jesus more? And how might He work in you and through you to nurture another person\u2019s faith? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>God prepares the way for Jesus, from ancient days until kingdom come. God is at work. He hasn\u2019t stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DID YOU KNOW? FOUNDATION BUILDING BLOCKS: Elizabeth and Zechariah<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHO?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Zechariah was a descendent of Aaron and a priest of the division of Abijah. Each division served at the temple for about two weeks every year, so Zechariah probably had another occupation while not serving. Zechariah\u2019s wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron, the first high priest and brother of Moses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHAT?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the temple to tell him his wife Elizabeth would bear a son, despite her old age. They were to name him John. John would be filled with the Holy Spirit and prepare God\u2019s people for the coming Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHERE?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The angel appeared to Zechariah in God\u2019s temple in Jerusalem. He appeared on the right side of the altar of incense, which was located in the part of the temple called the holy place. Zechariah and Elizabeth lived somewhere in the hill country of Judea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WHEN?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This story takes place in the time of Herod, king of Judea, close to the end of his rule in 4 BC. Elizabeth became pregnant about six months before the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her she would give birth to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">CONNECTING TO GOD\u2019S BIG STORY<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Through the birth of John the Baptist, God was preparing the way for Jesus, the everlasting King. John spent his days spiritually preparing people for the appearance of Jesus, who then proclaimed the kingdom of God and defeated the powers of darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DIVE IN: Elizabeth and Zechariah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/christmas-series\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get the FREE lesson here<\/a>! Plus, see the full series overview with a glimpse inside the event guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"6836\" class=\"elementor elementor-6836\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44db1a4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"44db1a4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3fd2177\" data-id=\"3fd2177\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44f2d06 elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"44f2d06\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-xl\" href=\"https:\/\/app.wonderink.org\/?page=RegisterChurch&#038;_gl=1*1vf7quv*_gcl_au*MTg0ODQ5OTU5Ny4xNjg5Njk5NjI3*_ga*ODkwNTM3NjE0LjE2ODk2OTk2Mjg.*_ga_D2HKCMMJ9V*MTY5Njk2NTE2My41Ni4xLjE2OTY5NjUxODMuMC4wLjA.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Try for Free<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dfdb8d elementor-widget__width-auto elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9dfdb8d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/app.wonderink.org\/?page=RegisterChurch&#038;_gl=1*1vf7quv*_gcl_au*MTg0ODQ5OTU5Ny4xNjg5Njk5NjI3*_ga*ODkwNTM3NjE0LjE2ODk2OTk2Mjg.*_ga_D2HKCMMJ9V*MTY5Njk2NTE2My41Ni4xLjE2OTY5NjUxODMuMC4wLjA.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-opt-id=1573953086  data-opt-src=\"https:\/\/mlzai04amy7e.i.optimole.com\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:80\/f:best\/https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Wonder-Ink-logo.png\"   decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"311\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20100%%20100%%22%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%22100%%22%20height%3D%22100%%22%20fill%3D%22transparent%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6197\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0955910 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0955910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center; font-size: small;\">Wonder Ink\u2019s 3-year, 52-week children\u2019s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God\u2019s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This lesson preview is from the 5-lesson Christmas series from Wonder Ink!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10904,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"blog_topic":[30],"blog_type":[13,15],"ppma_author":[22],"class_list":["post-10775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog_topic-childrens-curriculum","blog_type-blog","blog_type-pdf"],"authors":[{"term_id":22,"user_id":1,"is_guest":0,"slug":"wonder-ink","display_name":"The Wonder Ink Team","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/wonder-ink-favicon.svg","url2x":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/wonder-ink-favicon.svg"},"author_category":"","user_url":"https:\/\/wonderink.org","last_name":"Ink","first_name":"Wonder","job_title":"","description":"The Wonder Ink Team is made of ministry volunteers, leaders, and experts who work with David C Cook. We\u2019re passionate about equipping leaders as you empower volunteers, engage families, and inspire children on their journey of faith. Discover more about Wonder Ink children's ministry curriculum at WonderInk.org."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10775","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10775"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10775\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10775"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog_topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_topic?post=10775"},{"taxonomy":"blog_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_type?post=10775"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wonderink.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=10775"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}