Holiday Combo Pack
For $49 You Get $185 of Holiday Resources!
The Holiday Combo Pack Includes:
Before the Story – New 4 Week Christmas Series ($30 Value)
30 Holiday Games for Preteen Ministry ($30 Value)
PLUS, You Get all these FREE Bonus Resources:
A Christmas Story: 4 Week Christmas Series ($30 Value)
Exploring Thankfulness: 2 Wk Thanksgiving Series ($15 Value)
15 Thanksgiving/Christmas Object Lessons ($15 Value)
15 Additional Thanksgiving/Christmas Games ($15 Value)
A New Kind of Christmas: 4 Week Christmas Series ($25 Value)
Attitude of Gratitude (4 Week Thanksgiving Series ($25 Value)
Why would you want all the FREE Bonus Resources?
- Wednesday night AND weekend services programming
- Supplemental material for the holidays
- Special event
- This year’s AND next year’s Thanksgiving & Christmas curriculum
- Whatever else you can think of
More About Each Resource:
Before the Story – New 4-Week Christmas Series
When we think of Christmas time, we think of Jesus being born in the manger. We forget that God had all of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus long before Mary, Joseph, The Wise Men, and even the manager.
This four-week series will look at the story before the story. It will look at how God told his people all about the birth of Jesus long before it happened. We will look at the prophecies of Jesus’ birth and when they were fulfilled. Then we will discuss what this means to us today.
Before the Story Overview
Week 1: God Chose Mary
Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14, Fulfilled Matthew 1:18-23, Luke 1:26-27,30-31
Bottom Line: God has infinite knowledge and power, so he can do the impossible in your life.
Week 2: Jesus Will Be Born In Bethlehem
Prophecy: Micah 5:2, Fulfilled: Like 2:1-7
Bottom Line: God cares about the little things, so you don’t have too.
Week 3: Shepard’s Will Worship Him
Prophecy: Psalm 72:9, Fulfilled: Luke 8:15
Bottom Line: God loves everyone, showing us we should love everyone
Week 4: Declared the Son of God
Prophecy: Psalm 2:7, Proverbs 30:4, Fulfilled: Luke 1:32, Matthew 3:17
Bottom Line: Jesus is the Lord, giving us hope when we are hopeless.
What You Get
- 4 weeks of lessons (Word & PDF)
- Series artwork
- Complete PowerPoint slides and JPG images to insert into your own presentation software
- Fun opening games
- Creative teachings
- Hands on small group activities
- Engaging discussion questions
30 Holiday Games for Preteen Ministry
Use these 30 games in your preteen ministry for Thanksgiving and Christmas programming.
Games are great additions to your holiday programming and can be added to an upcoming lesson, event, small group time, mid-week service, message, etc.
Perfect to fill in the gaps of your holiday programming!
All the games include a mini-lesson on topics related to Thanksgiving and Christmas. In fact, if you add some of your own content, each game could be used as a foundation for an entire lesson.
Thanksgiving Games
Chain of Events: Trusting God (Matthew 2:7-12)
Getting in the Way: Getting Rid Of Sin (Hebrews 12:1)
Remember That? Gods Word (Psalm 119:11)
Salty Snowmen: Being Salt and Light (Matthew 5:13-16)
Listening Closely: Listening To God (Proverbs 2:1-5)
Snowman Down! Building Each Other Up (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Christmas Games
A House For Elves: Solid Foundation (Matthew 7:24-27)
Christmas Cookie Crumble: Gods Always There (Psalm 46:1-2)
Completely Covered: Love Covers Sin (1 Peter 4:8)
Fishing for What? Spreading The Gospel (Mark 1:17)
Fill it up: Trusting Jesus brings Joy (Romans 15:13)
Gift Relay: Use Your Gifts (1 Peter 4:10)
Heavy and Light: Being Rested (Matthew 11:28-30)
How Many Can You Hold? Your Main Priority (1 Corinthians 10:23)
The Human Christmas Tree: Celebrating Jesus (Psalm 150:1-6)
Imitating Christmas: Acting Like Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5)
Jingle Who? Loving One Another (John 13:35)
No Hands! Body Of Christ (Romans 12:5-8)
One Percent: Jesus Loves Everyone (Matthew 18:12-13)
One Word at a Time: Words Are Powerful (Proverbs 18:21)
Putting the Pieces Together: God Plans (Romans 8:28)
Santa Who? Doing For Others (Matthew 25:35-40)
Secret Gifts: Give To Others In Secret (Matthew 6:3-4)
Sharpening One Another: Working Together (Proverbs 27:17)
Stay in the Lines: Gods Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Ugly Christmas Sweaters: Gods Creation (Psalm 139:14)
What are you leaving behind? Your Spiritual Legacy (Colossians 3:12-17)
What’s on the Inside? Looking Inside (1 Samuel 16:7)
Game: Wrapped in What? What God Cares About (Luke 2:7)
Yoked Together: Other Christians (2 Corinthians 6:14)
FREE BONUS CONTENT INCLUDES:
Exploring Thankfulness (2 Week Series)
It is easy for preteens to get consumed with the “It’s all about me & what I want” attitude during the holiday season.
In today’s culture, students are told to always want more. They’re rarely content with what they have, always wanting the newest thing.
Advancements in technology feed this desire for more by constantly releasing new versions of video game systems, video games, apps, smartphones (how many of your students just upgraded to the iPhone 5c?), tablets (how about the iPad Mini?)…and the list goes on and on.
It’s not just with technology, but extends to every aspect of their lives. They’re constantly bombarded with the message – ‘What you have right now is not enough…you will be happy when you get _______ (fill in the blank).”
The truth is that having “more” stuff does not bring lasting happiness.
Having the newest stuff or acquiring more stuff will never satisfy the desires that students have. We live in a culture that values “more” rather than being “content” with what you do have.
God has a different way for us to live. He promises that being “thankful” for what you do have brings contentment.
When you focus on what you “have” rather than what you “want”, contentment follows.
What a great message to communicate to preteens this holiday season!
That’s the core message of the Exploring Thankfulness series, which is perfect to do around Thanksgiving time.
Exploring Thankfulness Overview
Week 1: Follow the Leader
Bible: Proverbs 3:5, 6; Philippians 4:6
Bottom Line: Follow God’s lead with a grateful heart.
Week 2: God Deserves Our Thanks
Bible: Luke 17:11-19; Philippians 4:6
Bottom Line: The God that answers prayers deserves a thankful heart.
The Christmas Story (4 Week Series)
It’s very easy for preteens to be “self-focused” rather than “others focused” and “God focused” during the Christmas season.
Many times, the focus is on what preteens want for Christmas. Sure, preteens are blessed with a lot of presents and there is a lot of good in that. It’s a part of our Christmas tradition. But oftentimes, it goes overboard. For many, Christmas is mostly centered around what preteens want for Christmas and about enjoying those gifts once they are received. Yeah, they’ll go to church and hear about Jesus’ birth. Their parents might talk about the true meaning of Christmas as well. But for the most part, the message of Christmas they internalized is self-centered because it is centered around getting “stuff”.
Preteens need to know that the true meaning of Christmas is centered around Jesus!
The focus of Christmas needs to be on Jesus, not on what students will be getting for Christmas. Sure, enjoy the presents. But don’t make that the focus of the holiday season. Jesus’ birth and his message brings hope to our world! It means that we can have a forever friendship with God through Jesus. We get to experience God’s love here on earth and forever when we die. Jesus is the focus of Christmas and preteens need to absorb that message during the holiday season.
Preteens need to know that Christmas is also about serving and loving others!
Jesus’ message is centered around the idea of loving and serving others, not focusing on our own needs and desires. Our actions, especially during the holiday season, should be centered around serving and loving others.
That’s why we’ve created The Christmas Story series – to bring the focus of the holiday season, back on Jesus and helps preteens discover the joy of serving others.
That’s the message they will internalize while exploring The Christmas Story.
The Christmas Story Overview
Week 1: In the Hills (The Shepherds)
Bible Passages: Luke 2:8-15; John 1:14
Bottom Line: God delivers the news about Jesus’ birth to the shepherds—who were the “nobodies” of the day.
What’s That to Me? Pay attention and show acceptance to the “nobodies” in your life.
Week 2: The People of Christmas
Bible Passages: Luke 1:5-25; 1:26-38; 2:8-15; John 1:14
Bottom Line: God used angels to communicate to His people about Jesus’ birth.
What’s That to Me? God wants to communicate to you, so pay attention.
Week 3: The Wise Men Give Gifts to Jesus
Bible: Matthew 2:1-12; John 1:14
Bottom Line: The Magi serve Jesus by bringing him gifts.
What’s That to Me? Like the Wise Men brought gifts to Jesus, we need to focus on serving others.
Week 4: Jesus’ Family Tree
Bible: Luke 1:26-38; John 1:14
Bottom Line: Jesus is born!
What’s That to Me? Because of Jesus’ birth, we can all belong to God’s family.
![]( "15 holiday games & object lessons")
15 Holiday Games & Object Lessons
All holiday games and object lessons are specifically designed for preteens!
Object lessons & games are great additions to your holiday programming and can be added to any upcoming lesson, event, small group time, mid-week service, message, etc.
Perfect to fill in the gaps of your holiday programming!
All these object lessons are related to holiday items and are powerful visuals to drive home Biblical points.
All the crazy, fun games included are related to holiday themes and are “just for fun” activities that setup various types of Christmas & Thanksgiving messages.
15 Holiday Games Include:
- Blindfold Turkey Bowl
- Crowd of Thankfulness
- Pumpkin Turkey
- Giant Turkey vs. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
- Human Morphs Into Giant Candy Cane
- Decorate the Christmas Cookie Feet Blindfolded
- Winter Dressin’ Relay
- Ugly Christmas Sweater Dance
- Pull the Present Obstacle Course Sled Relay
- Decorate the Human Christmas Tree
- Christmas Salad Bowl
- Christmas Guess Who
- Who Is Wearing Santa’s Pants?
- Giant Toy Store Christmas Game
15 Holiday Object Lessons Include:
- Acorns (Thanksgiving)
- Corn (Thanksgiving)
- Leaves (Thanksgiving)
- Pie (Thanksgiving)
- The Big Table (Thanksgiving)
- Candles (Christmas)
- Candy Canes (Christmas)
- Christmas Cookie (Christmas)
- Gingerbread Men (Christmas)
- Gloves (Christmas)
- Hot Chocolate (Christmas)
- Icicles (Christmas)
- Sled (Christmas)
- Snow (Christmas)
- Wrapping Paper (Christmas)
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE –
4 WEEK SERIES
SERIES OVERVIEW:
Week 1: Why Have an Attitude of Gratitude?
Bible Passage: Luke 17:11-19
Bottom Line: Because of all that God has done for us, we should respond with an attitude of gratitude
Week 2: Giving Thanks in All Circumstances
Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Acts 16:23-26
Bottom Line: Whether my day is good or bad, I should live with an attitude of gratitude
Week 3: Giving Thanks is an Action
Bible Passage: Romans 16:1-15
Bottom Line: If you’re thankful and you know it, SHOW IT!
Week 4: Blessed to be a Blessing
Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 9:8-15
Bottom Line: We give thanks to God for His blessings by sharing those blessings with others.
A New Kind of Christmas –
4 Week Christmas Series
A New Kind of Christmas is a fantastic series for Christmas! The series helps preteens see Christmas in a new light. The essence of Christmas is that God is with us – Immanuel.
He came to earth in human form as Jesus and he is with us today in the form of the Holy Spirit. A New Kind of Christmas drives home the point in a creative and relevant way that will be a huge hit with your preteens. The series helps preteens discover: God is with us in the chaos; God is with us in our distress; God is with us when we least expect it; and God is always with us.
A NEW KIND OF CHRISTMAS OVERVIEW:
LESSON 1: GARDEN
Text: Genesis 1-3
Where’s this going? God is with us in our chaos.
Summary: The opening lines of the Bible tell us that God is not off in some far away spaceship or throne made of clouds, but God is hovering over the chaos, the face of the deep, the formless and void waters. This is where our new kind of Christmas begins. It is here that God creates, bringing beauty within this chaos, breathing for all that is and all that will be. It is here that God plants a garden. And it is very good. And the story continues, telling of two people – Adam and Eve – who live in this garden. Only they choose to disobey God. Instead of bringing goodness, they take goodness away. Only God doesn’t give up on God’s people or God’s creation. God walks through the garden, calling out “Where are you?” God comes to them. God hovers over their chaos. Because where is God? God is with us (Immanuel) in the garden, no matter how chaotic it might be.
LESSON 2: TENT
Text: Exodus 3, Numbers 2
Where’s this going? God is with us in our distress.
Summary: The people of Israel are slaves in Egypt, crying out to God. And God hears their cry. Because God hears every cry. This is where our new kind of Christmas continues. God rescues God’s people with a resounding “Let my people go!” and Moses leads them out of Egypt and towards the land they are promised. Wandering in the wilderness, living in tents, God tells God’s people to make a God-tent. Because God is not content to hear a cry, fix it, and leave. God hears your cry and moves into the neighborhood. God’s tent goes in the middle of town, because God wants to remind you that God is always here, always with you (Immanuel), always hearing your cry.
LESSON 3: MANGER
Text: Luke 2:1-20, 24:13-35
Where’s this going? God is with us when we least expect it.
Summary: Shepherds, angels, and no room in the inn. This is where our new kind of Christmas becomes a bit more familiar. And this is where God does something completely unexpected: God becomes a human baby, born with sheep and cows (not what you’d expect for the King of Kings) and celebrated by lowly shepherds (not who you would expect to give him his first “hello”). This is God with us (Immanuel) in a whole new way, in a way you would least expect. Because in Jesus God keeps showing up where we least expect it.
LESSON 4: WIND
Text: Acts 2
Where’s this going? God is always with us.
Summary: Huddled in a room, unsure of what’s going to happen next, Jesus’ closest friends gather to pray. And then they hear a sound, like rushing wind or a deep breath. This is the new kind of Christmas that continues today. This is God’s spirit poured out on God’s people. Where is God? God is with us (Immanuel) and God is within us, as close as our very breath. The Spirit of God continues to empower the church today, inviting us to remember this new kind of Christmas every day and share it with others.