Lesson 51. Bethlehem
Bible Story
This Week's Scripture
Story Summary Below is an overview of the Bible story from this week
Since this story is so short, a summary is not needed. Simply read the Bible verses!
Here are some interesting facts:
- During the Roman Empire, censuses were taken for assessing taxes and drafting men into the military. Since the Jews were exempt from serving, the only reason for Joseph's trip to Bethlehem was for taxation. He was required to go to the town of his birth. A census was held every 14 years.
- Joseph and Mary walked about 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
- The manger was a feed box in which a newborn lamb was placed to keep it warm.
- Swaddling is an age-old practice of wrapping infants in swaddling cloths, blankets or similar cloth so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted.
Videos
God's Story - The Whole Christmas Story
From Crossroads Kids Club
The Story of Christmas - Jesus is Born
From Saddleback Kids
Resource Sheets
Joseph, Mary and Jesus
Use this for the "Popsicle Stable" reinforcement activity below
Bethlehem Coloring Sheet
This coloring sheet depicts Mary in the stable with Jesus in Bethlehem
During the Week
Comprehension Questions you can ask your child these questions to see how much of the story they remember
- Who made the law that required Joseph to go to Bethlehem?
- Caesar Augustus
- What did the law say?
- A list was to be made of everyone in the Roman world - a census
- Why did Joseph go to Bethlehem?
- He came from the family line of David- 1 Samuel 6:1
- Where was Jesus born
- In a manger, or a feed box
- What was Jesus wrapped in after he was born?
- Strips of cloth
- Why was Jesus born in a stable?
- There was no private room in the inn. The inns of Bethlehem would have been large common areas
Faith Questions help them apply the story to their lives and open up a conversation about faith and the gospel
- Jesus is God himself, but he came to earth as a tiny baby so we can be confident that he knows what we go through as humans.
- Jesus cares about what is going on in your life. What do you need Jesus' help for?
Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11