📖

A Long Journey to Bethlehem

Jesus is Coming!

Day 120of 180
Week 24of 36
20Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem as part of God's plan

2

Learn about the prophecy that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem

3

Develop empathy for Mary and Joseph's challenging journey

📖 Scripture Connection

Luke 2:4-5

“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David's city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to register with Mary, who was pledged to him as his wife, being pregnant.”

— Luke 2:4-5 (WEB)

Shows the historical journey of Mary and Joseph fulfilling God's prophetic plan

📦 Materials Needed

  • Construction paper
  • Crayons or markers
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
  • BibleMouse Journey Map template (from Resource Guide)
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

Let's remember our journey with Mary and Joseph! Yesterday, we learned about Joseph's special dream from God.

💭 Review Question: Can you tell me what the angel told Joseph in his dream?
2Teaching (7 min)

Today, in our BibleMouse lesson, we'll learn about Mary and Joseph's long trip to Bethlehem. God had a special plan, and He made sure everything happened just as the prophets said long ago!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Mary and Joseph had to travel a long way
  • They traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem
  • God planned for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think Mary felt traveling while she was going to have a baby?
  • What would it be like to travel so far?
3Activity: BibleMouse Journey Map (8 min)
craft

Create a colorful map showing Mary and Joseph's journey

📝 Instructions:
  1. Take the BibleMouse Journey Map template
  2. Color the path from Nazareth to Bethlehem
  3. Draw small pictures of Mary, Joseph, and their donkey
  4. Add stickers or drawings of things they might have seen
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Parents can pre-draw the route for children to color

Challenge: Add more details about the journey's challenges

4Closing (3 min)

Let's remember how God always keeps His promises!

📝 Review Questions:
  • Where did Mary and Joseph travel?
  • Why was this journey important?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for Your amazing plan to send Jesus to save us.

Coming up: Tomorrow, we'll learn what happened when they arrived in Bethlehem!

💎 Memory Verse

Matthew 1:21

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

— Matthew 1:21 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Journey Verse March - Children walk in place, taking one step for each word of the verse

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson connects Old Testament prophecy (Micah 5:2) with the fulfillment in Luke's Gospel

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle, age-appropriate language
  • Encourage children to imagine the journey
  • Be prepared for lots of questions!
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might find the concept of prophecy difficult to understand

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to retell the basic story and show empathy

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Act out the journey using BibleMouse costume props
  • Sing a travel song about Mary and Joseph
  • Use the BibleMouse Printables Library for additional coloring pages

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 121 →Back to Bible