📖

Looking for a Place

No Room at the Inn

Day 117of 180
Week 24of 36
15Minutes
← Day 116Day 117 of 180Day 118
🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)

Learning Objectives

1

Understand that Mary and Joseph were looking for a place to stay

2

Practice empathy by imagining traveling while tired and pregnant

3

Recognize God's care even when things seem difficult

Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the day came for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son, and she wrapped him in strips of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:6-7 (WEB)

Shows God's plan unfolding despite challenges

📦 Materials Needed

  • Donkey picture
  • Small toy inn or house cutout
  • Blanket or towel
  • Baby doll
  • BibleMouse Resource Guide: Grade PK4 Bible

Lesson Plan

1Opening (3 min)

In today's BibleMouse lesson, we'll explore Mary and Joseph's journey to find a place to stay in Bethlehem

💭 Review Question: Do you remember where Mary and Joseph were traveling?
2Teaching (5 min)

Mary and Joseph traveled a long way and were very tired. They needed a place to rest, but everywhere was full!

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • They walked many miles
  • Mary was going to have a baby soon
  • They needed a safe, warm place to stay
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How do you think Mary felt?
  • What would you do if you couldn't find a place to sleep?
3Activity: Looking for a Home (6 min)
dramatic-play

Pretend to be Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay

📝 Instructions:
  1. Wrap baby doll in blanket
  2. Walk around room 'looking' for a place
  3. Knock on imaginary doors
  4. Say 'Do you have room for us?'
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Parent helps child act out scenes

Challenge: Child creates own dialogue about finding shelter

4Closing (3 min)

God was taking care of Mary and Joseph, even when things seemed hard

📝 Review Questions:
  • Who was going to be born?
  • Were Mary and Joseph sad?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for taking care of Mary and Joseph

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about the special place they finally found!

Luke 2:11

Today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you.

Luke 2:11 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Sing-song memory verse with hand motions: Point up for 'Savior', hug self for 'Christ', and spread arms wide for 'born for you'

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

This lesson introduces young children to the challenges Mary and Joseph faced

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Use gentle, encouraging tone
  • Help child imagine journey's difficulties
  • Emphasize God's love and protection
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might get distracted during dramatic play

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's engagement and emotional understanding

Extension Activities

  • Color inn and stable pictures from BibleMouse Printables Library
  • Sing 'Away in a Manger' from BibleMouse Song Collection

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 118Back to Bible