Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Names of God #11 - Immanuel - God With Us

Opening Skit:
Option 1: Missing the point of Christmas (From Tony Evans video) Man walks in and sees his cousin sitting at the bar with a glass of alcohol. He walks up and orders a glass of water. He takes out a tube with 2 worms, putting one in each cup. He asks his cousin how his week has been, etc. After about 2 minutes he notes that the worm has died in the cup of alcohol but is still alive and well in the cup of water. He asks his cousin if he understands what this mean. His cousin replies – YES! If I keep drinking alcohol I won’t get worms!!
Option 2: Mother and Daughter – Daughter is singing secular Christmas carols on the floor waiting for mom. Mom walks in with an arm full of presents and the daughter jumps up all excited saying presents presents presents! Mom talks to her about why we give presents at Christmas, to show our love, to remember the gift God gave us, etc. The daughter pauses and then asks for the mother’s hat (which she is wearing). She runs from the room and comes back with a present for the mom. When the mom opens the present it is her hat!


Immanuel – means “God with us”
                Used in Isaiah 9:6 and Matthew 1:23

Group Activity: 3 W’s of God with us all year round
(Children get to make candles of their choice…fun to see different versions…and they will be writing on each one. With each candle the group will sing a Christmas carol. Take time to look at the words – the meanings in each one.)
                Candle #1: Welcome – Sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”
Behind “Welcome” write  “Baby AND the King” (point –many come to church on Christmas because they are in awe of Jesus as a baby, yet they don’t want to submit to Jesus the King or let Him be Lord of their life.)

                Candle #2: Worship – Sing “O Come All Ye Faithful”
Behind “Worship” write “Today and with my life” (point – we are to worship Christ all year long with everything we do – have people share ways they do this)

                Candle #3: Witness – Sing “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
Behind “Witness” write “Action and Words”and share ways that people have witnessed to others recently.



Take Home: Have Nativity scene craft from Oriental Trading (changes from year to year their options) and write “Immanuel” on the hay in the manger.

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