Advent 4 Slver Star Complee Lesson
Advent Week 4
Silver Star
Big Idea: Diversity, Missions, Evangelism
Memory Verse: “The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known…” (Psalm 19:1-2)
About: The Star Brings Light. Candle (White). Shares the importance of diversity, how we are all different as every star is different, why we need to be a light, and how we can do just that in all the darkness that surrounds us. Kids will connect with how they can share Christ with others. (You can tell the story with either a Donkey or Star puppet)
Snack Ideas:
- Taco shells (cut into star shapes) fry and dip in confectioner sugar. Place all in a brown paper bag after fried and shake the bag. Pour out the chips. Yummy! Can use cinnamon sugar instead.
- Lime pop poured into red punch, then adding small dips of green or pineapple sherbet on top to melt.
Craft Suggestions: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stars/
Music Recommendations
A Big Barrel of Carols – Includes most of the traditional Christmas songs. However you must have a computer to operate since this is used with windows media and it does not have choreography for the songs. Lyrics and soundtracks are provided.
No Wonder Musical DVD – provides choreography and can be used with a DVD/TV player. Selections can be chosen that meet your needs.
Props: A donkey puppet, Silver Star puppet, or a star with a happy face on it using a black marker for its features.
Weekly Advent Review: The Advent wreath means coming – a special holiday in which we are looking forward to at Christmas. Many people looked for the coming of Jesus thousands of years ago. The wreath points upward to heaven. That is something to look forward to in expectation. In the meantime, as the green of the wreath represents growth, we are to grow as Christians here on earth by praying, reading our bible, and exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Our second Sunday was about the shepherds who shared the message of hope of the birth of the Christ child. The angels had appeared to them while they were watching their flock by night in the field. Although they were terrified, the angel gave them words of peace. Our third Sunday was about the angels who shared peace, and how we can share good words with others. Today we will focus on the importance of the Star.
Say: Hi Kids, this is Silver Star (show a silver star with a face). She is helping us with the lesson today. Make her feel welcome. Can you tell Silver Star hello?
Silver Star: Please hold me carefully; I don’t want to be dropped.
Teacher: Of course, I will do that. Maybe if I place this string around my neck it you will be extra safe. (Place star around your neck)
Silver Star: I just did not want to become a falling star.
Teacher: We will not let that happen – at least not today anyhow. Do you know the closest star to earth?
Silver Star: Sure! It is the sun. But is sure it HOT!
Teacher: I imagine so! I got a bad sunburn one summer from the sun’s rays. The stars we make out of construction paper are white or yellow, but what color are they actually?
Silver Star: The stars around me are red, white and blue – patriotic.
Teacher: Are you joking with us?
Silver Star: No for real. The hottest stars are blue. Stars that look like the sun are yellowish white. Red is the coolest star.
Teacher: That is interesting! I have noticed when you first look at the sky at night; you cannot see as many stars as when you gaze at the sky for a long time.
Silver Star: There are actually 200-400 billion stars in out galaxy.
Teacher: Wow! That is a lot! I cannot imagine how many that would be. Thank you for sharing this information with us today.
Silver Star: Every star is different – no two are exactly alike.
Teacher: That is nice to hear. God made each one of us different as well. There are different shades of brown hair, skin color, shapes of teeth, noses, characteristic of hair (curly, straight, fuzzy, soft, course, wavy, short, and long). We are all so different with different personalities. Some are quiet and others loud. Yet God loves us just the way we are!
Silver Star: I am kind of quiet when I meet new people. It takes me a while to get to know them and then, I talk their ears off.
Teacher: God loves us no matter how we are made. I am glad for that! Do you know the purpose of so many stars?
Silver Star: The Sun gives lights for us and energy that gives us heat in the long winter days and nights.
Teacher: God’s Word tells us that stars declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1-2). We too can share that glory of God. As the star shines out in the world and lights up the sky, so we need to be a light for Jesus. He came into the world as a tiny baby to bring light to all of us. God’s light will bring love in our hearts. As we learn more about Him, we become more like the One whom we love.
Silver Star: That sounds pretty cool! My favorite star was the One that appeared that night when Jesus was born. It led the way to the Baby Jesus in the manger. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.
Teacher: That sound pretty good! I like that - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. When we are living for Him, he will help us grown in the Truth (God’s Word) and help us to be a light in the darkness (sin) around us.
Resources for facts on stars:
http://www.universetoday.com/25145/interesting-facts-about-stars/
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/star-differences.html
Silver Star
Y E V O L C D X R X T W M T X
S N G B F Z A I B T A B G N C
H U S V A Y X B I J E U F E S
V S P J M X T H C H H A E V I
G C K E J A O U H R H R S D C
P O P W H I S R I B A H G A E
B B D R Y U Q U K E J T N O Z
I U K Q X T A S C Y T F S B O
M E K B P Y Z Z H B M I F J N
F C V A I B G K S R O I H P C
D H T O H Z P A R U J L L W Q
Q O Q E R X N J U T R D Y I E
D D T U T Q A N E F Y I P V O
H E O L T R J E J V H O B H L
L P R B I N W R N B H O O H B
ADVENT BLUE
GOD HEAT
HOT LOVE
RED STAR
SUN WHITE
Jeanne created using discoveryeducation.com 2011
Circle the Correct Answer
1. What does a star do?
a. Bring light
b. shine
c. glow
2. What did God put in the sky when Jesus was born?
a. moon
b. sun
c. a special star
3. Advent means….
a. Coming
b. Star
c. Light
4. What color is the hottest star?
a. blue
b. red
c. green
5. How can we be like a star?
a. Share God’s light with others
b. Glow when it is dark
c. Smile at people on earth
Write a message about God’s Love
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Draw a Christmas tree and place a BIG star on top
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Advent Reading and Lighting of Candles
Silver Star (Sharing the Light)
Teacher: The first candle we light stands for the coming of Jesus and His great love represented in the advent wreath.
(Light first purple candle)
Teacher: This second candle stands for the hope that we have in the Savor, Jesus Christ.
Child 1: Hope is something that we have to look forward to, and that is only comes through Jesus.
Child 2: God so loved the world….that He gave His only Son Jesus….
Teacher: The second candle was to share the hope of his coming to the entire world. If we confess our sins, He will forgive us and give us life everlasting in Him. Let us be a witness of that Hope!
(Light second purple candle)
Teacher: The third candle we celebrated the peace that the angels brought to the Shepherds.
(Light third purple candle)
Teacher: This Sunday we celebrate the light of Jesus and how we too can be a light shinning as the stars in the world around us.
Child 1: The heavens tell of the glory of God.
Child 2: The stars shout praise and glory to Him.
Teacher: As the white candle is lit, let us remember to share this joyful news with others. Let us thank God for each other and appreciate how God made us. (Light white candle)
Memory Verse Games
Red, White and Blue
Cut out stars using colors red, white and blue. Pass these out to all the kids that everyone will have a star. Call out a color (Red). All those who have a red star will stand up and say the verse. Write the verse on a board so that can read it. Do this over and over giving plenty of practice with the verse.
Balloon Game
Blow up about ten red, white and blue balloons and tape to a Christmas tree made from cardboard or use a fake tree. Before you blow up the balloons, place inside on a piece of paper the word star. Do this for each balloon. Put all the kid’s names on a cut out star and into a cup. Draw out one name at a time, and that child gets to burst the balloon. After they have burst the balloon, everyone says the verse. Do this for all ten balloons. Give the child their name on the star cutout to keep and take home. They will like this.
Star Light
Think of a person who they can tell about Jesus for each letter of the word star. Write these on the board as the kids share. You may have several names for one letter. That is great!
Questions for Discussion
1. What are some purposes of stars?
2. How can we be like a star?
3. Why do you think God sent a special star in the sky over Baby Jesus?
4. What does it mean to witness for Jesus?
5. How can we show others that we love them?
