Decorated with Names
It’s Christmas. You have a lesson to teach, but what
can you do that’s different and unique? Granted, the Christmas story
related to us in Luke 2 and Matthew 1 and 2 never grows old, but it
does become challenging to make His first coming fresh and
meaningful year after year.
Purpose of Object Lesson:
To visually remind your listeners that in addition
to Jesus’ coming as a baby to this earth to be our Savior, He also
came to be all things to all people. He is not just Baby Jesus.
Supplies Needed:
Lighted Christmas tree
Solid multicolored ornaments, medium to large-sized with hooks
(several dozen)
Black Sharpie Markers (Permanent)
Process:
Explain to your group that you need their help in
decorating the tree, but the ornaments are in need of one last
embellishment, and that’s where their help is needed. Ask them to
call out the various names of Jesus by which they know Him. As each
name is contributed, have it written on an ornament and hung on the
tree. How you administer this is up to you, but my recommendation is
to have one person print the names on the ornaments as they are
spoken, and have the person who submitted the name to hang the
ornament on the tree. Be sure everyone participates, even if it’s
just to hang ornaments.
To get started, you might want to encourage your
group members to first mention those names of Jesus that are of
personal importance to them, i.e. Savior, Healer, Christ, Lord, etc.
Then there are the names of Jesus in Isaiah 9 that are generally
associated with the Christmas story: Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty
God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Hopefully by this
point they’ll be searching through their Bibles and memories to add
names for decorating the tree.
As the leader, I’d strongly suggest you pre-prepare
a list of names so that you can assist your group.
What I love about this activity is that the
Christmas tree becomes decorated with names of Jesus, and in
essence, all those names represent gifts and blessings we have
available to us through the person of Jesus Christ. As we think
about Christmas as a time of gift giving, the perfect Gift Giver is
praised and celebrated through the remembrance of His names. Instead
of gifts being under the tree, which we traditionally think of as
being its purpose, the tree is decorated with gifts that the Lord
has bestowed on us by means of His Son. How wonderful is that? As
this lesson develops, it is hoped that your Bible study participants
are reminded of God’s benevolence in giving us His only begotten
Son. We don’t deserve Him. We don’t deserve His grace. But because
of His love for us, we have not only been given His only begotten
Son, but we’ve been given numerous characteristics and attributes of
His person that bless and enrich our lives. Every day can be
Christmas as we celebrate His coming. Hallelujah!
Concern/Caution:
This object lesson is most successful when you have
participants who easily respond to questions and participate in the
lesson. If they don’t participate well, but prefer to sit back and
let you teach, then this object lesson may not be for your group.
However, groups who are used to the teacher doing all the talking
may need a push toward involvement; and this is a safe lesson to try
out on a group who doesn’t normally participate well. Why? Because
there are no wrong answers. Your lesson participants will soon
realize that no matter what they contribute to the group, it is a
good response and welcomed. Hopefully this will motivate them to
respond further and get in the spirit of celebrating the Lord Jesus
Christ.
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