The student will be able to recount how God protected His Child, and will further understand that God's providential care will surround the one who is His child in our day as well.
Introduction: Use a picture of an angel watching over children in a dangerous place. Discuss how God watches over us just the way He cared for His own Son Jesus.
Progression of Events:
Climax: God overruled the orders of kings to preserve His Son.
Conclusion: God watches over the one who is His child in our day, just as He was watching over Baby Jesus.
Response: The students will be able to relate why Joseph fled to Egypt and explain how God protected His Child. They will be able to name some things from which God protects us.
The wise men naturally came first to Jerusalem which was the political and religious center of the nation. When the question was asked where Christ should be born, the scribes knew exactly what the Scriptures said, yet did nothing to honestly investigate all the astonishing events happening just five miles from Jerusalem. Their callous indifference is amazing. Yet just as amazing is the fact that Herod thought he could thwart the plan of God which had been revealed to the prophet hundreds of years earlier (Micah 5:2). This man's insane jealousy blinded him and so he set out to kill the Christ Child. However, in so doing he only succeeded in proving his own foolishness and fulfilling yet more prophecy (Matthew 2:15,18). Even though Herod hid his evil desires in pious words (Matthew 2:8), God knew exactly what Herod was thinking and revealed it unto Joseph in a dream (Matthew 2:13). God is well able to bring His plans to completion. Heaven and earth will pass away but His Word endures forever (Matthew 24:35).
Prepare an overhead on God's protection. Use drawings of some of the items for protection mentioned under In-Class Activities. Include pictures depicting the text of the lesson, and perhaps a simplified map showing the approximate distance traveled. Conclude by showing pictures of the Bible, a Sunday school class, parents talking to child, and explain how all of these are a part of the protection God has for us.
From what does God protect us? Ask children for their ideas and sketch them on a chalkboard or make a list.
Set up an obstacle course in the front of your department. Have a blindfolded student volunteer and try to go through the course without touching anything. Bring out how we have to be alert to God's Voice in order to be protected. You may also wish to point out how you, as direction giver, must keep your eyes on the student all the time. In the same way, God keeps His eyes on us.
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