Inspired and Energized

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

High School

Lesson 3
Winter 2020-21
By: RLD Editorial Team
December 20, 2020

Lesson Focus:

Christmas is a great time to talk about Jesus.

Bible Basis:

Acts 13:14-32, 38-39, 42-47

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

None

Step 4:

Poster board (1 sheet per group of 3-4)—in person option
Christmas props (such as tiny Christmas trees, stockings, silly hats, garland, faux wrapped present, etc.)—in person option
Sheet of blank paper—at home option
Markers—both options
Smartphones with cameras—both options

Summary & Links:

Students will discuss the impact of exciting, life-changing news and recognize that the good news about Jesus is worth sharing.

Memory Verse:

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
—1 Timothy 3:16

Students will discuss the impact of exciting, life-changing news and recognize that the good news about Jesus is worth sharing.

Materials Needed:

None

Open your class by asking your students if they typically make a list of gifts they want to receive for Christmas, and if they are disappointed if they don’t receive what they ask for.

What is the difference between receiving a gift you asked for and receiving a gift you didn’t expect? (Gifts that we request—or put on a Christmas list—are things we know we will like, but they are often anticlimactic. The “surprise” element of the equation is done away with. Unexpected gifts might not be what we thought we wanted, but they can be the best kind, reflecting the creativity and love of the giver.)
Have you ever seen a video on YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok about someone revealing or receiving a surprise? Why do people enjoy sharing good news in an open format like that? (It’s the classic “feel good” moment, and people want others to share their joy; younger generations are much more comfortable sharing their good news publicly.)
When you receive really good news—something that surprises and overwhelms you—are you anxious to share it, or do you prefer to keep it to yourself? (Accept all answers. Most students will probably say that they are anxious to share it with someone while a few may say that they want to savor the moment privately, at least for a while.)

Receiving presents can be one of the most exciting parts of the Christmas season, but some are more significant than others. Our lesson today takes us inside the shock and excitement of a long anticipated, but perhaps unexpected, gift.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Poster board (1 sheet per group of 3-4)—in person option
Christmas props (such as tiny Christmas trees, stockings, silly hats, garland, faux wrapped present, etc.)—in person option
Sheet of blank paper—at home option
Markers—both options
Smartphones with cameras—both options

If your class is meeting online, have teens bring a sheet of paper, markers, and smart phone with them to class.

God shook up the world with a present beyond our wildest imaginations, yet many today keep it to themselves. But it’s worth sharing—it’s worth passing on! Christmas is a great time to talk about Jesus, and Christmas cards are a great way to do it.

Explain to your students that they are going to create a digital Christmas card to share the real reason for the season with others who need to hear that message.

If you are meeting in person, ask your teens to get in groups of 3 to 4. Be sure each group has access to a smartphone with a camera. Give each group a sheet of poster board, some markers, and some random Christmas props. If you are meeting online, have teens have a smartphone, sheet of paper, and markers ready. If they have Christmas decorations around their home, they can use those as props.

Using the materials provided, your students will create a Christmas-themed sign that tells the Gospel in a nutshell. They may want to use some of the messages they created in Step 3 if the “Real Message” option was used. Using the Christmas props and their newly created message board, have teens take a Christmas photo or video that can be shared via social media. Challenge them to send it out—either to specific people they know who need to hear the message, or to their entire list of friends/followers. Next week, be sure to ask volunteers to share the reactions they got to their digital Christmas card(s).

Close in prayer asking that the messages that were shared through the Christmas cards will reach people who need to know about God’s great gift.

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David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. We call this “DiscipleShaping”.

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David C Cook COVID-19 Response

High School