FREE Christmas Games & Object Lessons | Preteen Ministry Bible Lessons

Here is a FREE Christmas game and a Christmas object lessons for preteen ministry.

With the Christmas season in full swing, we have an opportunity to reach students in our ministry with the message of Jesus.

These free resources are designed for you to PLUG N PLAY into your current Christmas programming.

Enjoy!

Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Preteens

All Wrapped Up – Christmas Game

All Wrapped Up is a just for fun game that can be used as an ice-breaker with any Christmas lesson. You could also play it at an upcoming Christmas event.

Supplies

Various types of Christmas wrapping paper (or use red, green, yellow and white blank computer paper)
Substitute any color computer paper or wrapping paper if not playing near Christmas
Masking tape
Scissors

Preparation

Beforehand, tear up various types of Christmas wrapping paper. The more, the better. Place inside a container before the game. When you’re ready to play, throw the wrapping paper all over the floor.

How to Play

There are two rounds to this game.

Round #1 – Be the first to wrap up their teammate with masking tape.

Have preteens team up in groups of three. In each group, two preteens wrap their teammate in masking tape sticky side out – from just above the ankles to just below the armpits. Make sure arms are not wrapped. Be sure to emphasize sticky side out. Otherwise, they’ll be in a sticky situation 🙂 The first team to completely wrap up their teammate in making tape with no cracks whatsoever wins.

Round #2 – Be the team that has the most wrapping paper stuck to their teammate.

For the next round, the two players not wrapped in masking tape will help their wrapped teammate get wrapping paper stuck to them.

First, throw all the torn up wrapping paper on the floor of the playing area.

Next, have wrapped players lay down around the outer edges of the playing area (with the help of their teammates).

When you “GO” unwrapped players roll wrapped players in the playing area with the goal of getting the most wrapping paper stuck to their teammate.

Allow preteens a few minutes to roll in the wrapping paper. Then, tell players to stop.

Line up all the wrapped players side by side. Have three leaders be the judge, deciding who has the most wrapping paper stuck to them.

Announce the winning team!

(Optional – award candy canes to the winning team.)

[End Game]

Looking for a Christmas series for your preteen ministry? Check out out this one…

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: This new 4-week Christmas series reminds preteens to focus on the gifts of Jesus, family, friends, and faith during the Christmas season.

Christmas Object Lesson – Inappropriate Wreaths

The Point: Jesus is more concerned with what “we are made of” than how we look

Bible: Matthew 23:27

PREP

Get a standard wreath (made of green branches) and place it on the table. Also get one that is made of a different material—something interesting, but not too unusual. For example, one made of ornaments or twigs. Place this “different” wreath out of sight but near the teaching area.

In addition, make one or two “inappropriate wreaths” out of material that really should not be used for a wreath. For example, make them out of bacon or doll heads or toilet paper rolls. You can accomplish this by gluing the “inappropriate” material to a cardboard ring. Place these 2 “inappropriate wreaths” out of sight near the teaching area.

Also, make a sign that reads, ““IT LOOKS LIKE A WREATH, BUT IT’S NOT RIGHT” Place this sign out of sight near the teaching area.

Mark a Bible at Matthew 23:27.

DEMONSTRATION

Show the students the standard wreath and ask if anybody knows what it is called. After getting the answer (wreath), ask “What is it that makes something a wreath?” Take responses and then show your “different” wreath. Ask “Is this considered a wreath also?” (Sure) Say “According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, a wreath is either ‘something intertwined or arranged in a circular shape.’ Or ‘something having a circular or coiling form.’ According to those definitions, these are both wreaths.”

Explain, “I would gladly hang either of these wreaths in front of my house, even though they are made of different materials. However, some materials just shouldn’t be used to make a wreath. Look at this. (Pull out one of the “inappropriate wreaths” and enjoy the students’ response) Or how about this? (pull out the second “inappropriate wreath”).”

Ask, “What’s the problem with these wreaths? I mean, they’re in the right shape, right? They meet the definition of a wreath that we read earlier. What’s the problem here?” Take response, and then show your sign “IT LOOKS LIKE A WREATH, BUT IT’S NOT RIGHT”

OBJECT LESSON

Say, “On Christmas, we celebrate that God came to Earth 2,000 year ago as a baby named Jesus. As Jesus grew up, he explained that He came to save the lost. And, He desires to CHANGE us on the inside. See, Jesus is more concerned with what “we are made of” than how we look. Listen to what Jesus said to some of the religious leaders when he was around 30 years old.”

Read Matthew 23:27 (NCV):

“How terrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees! You are hypocrites! You are like tombs that are painted white. Outside, those tombs look fine, but inside, they are full of the bones of dead people and all kinds of unclean things.”

Say, “The same problem that Jesus saw with the religious leaders then, is the same problem that these wreaths have. They are made of the wrong stuff. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day tried to walk around DOING the right thing, but Jesus says, ‘No. It’s not enough to look right. You’ve got to be made right from the very core of who you are.’ (Hold up sign) I really hope Jesus doesn’t look at me and say, ‘IT LOOKS LIKE A CHRISTIAN, BUT IT’S NOT RIGHT’”

Challenge the preteens to look at themselves a little more deeply this Christmas. It’s not enough to DO the right things at Christmas time—come to Church, sing Christmas songs, etc. What Jesus is really concerned with is what’s happening inside us. What really matters is what we are made of.

WRAP UP

Say, “This Christmastime when you see a wreath, think about what the wreath is made of. And remember that when Jesus looks at you, he’s thinking about the same thing.”

[End Object Lesson]

Looking for a Christmas series for your preteen ministry? Check out out this one…

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS: This new 4-week Christmas series reminds preteens to focus on the gifts of Jesus, family, friends, and faith during the Christmas season.