Bible Explorers Gospels Lesson 7

This is lesson 7 in our journey through the Gospels chronologically. This will likely take 3 years to complete, teaching weekly through the school year. The material is geared for elementary age kids. Each lesson will have a list of Scripture references, materials, introduction, object lessons, and hands on activities. Most lessons can be completed in 1- 1.5 hours. A few may need more than one class time. New lessons will be posted weekly. The posts will not have pictures because I will not be posting pictures of other people’s children. At the end of each school year, a printed version of the curriculum will be made available for purchase. This will include an appendix with printouts, game pieces, and other classroom helps.

Lesson 7: Mary’s Visit and John the Baptist’s Birth

Scripture references:

Luke 1:39-80

Materials:

Bible

White board and markers

Optional: Bible costumes and props

Samples or pictures of wax tablets and scrolls

Name tags

Introduction:

1.   Discuss who could read and write at this time.

2.   Review how far along Elizabeth and Mary are at this time.

Activities

Hands on Activity 1: Act It Out

Purpose- to understand John’s knowledge of Jesus while still in the womb. And that Mary may have been there for John’s birth.

1.    Act out Mary greeting Elizabeth

Object Lesson 1: Writing

Purpose- to understand writing methods at the time.

2.   Make samples or show pictures of wax writing tablets and scrolls.

3.   Discuss what they were made of and who had access to them.

Object Lesson 2: What’s in a name?

Purpose- to learn names have meanings

1.    Discuss how names were chosen in Bible times.

2.   Go over the names of some of the people in the genealogies from the previous lessons.

3.   Give the kids name tags with the meanings of their names on them.

Hands on Activity 2: Naming Day

Purpose- to understand the giving of names in Bible times

1.    Act out Zacharias writing John’s name. Discuss the reason for waiting until the 8th day before giving John his name.

2.   Write “His name is John in Hebrew.”