Holiday Bundle

Get the Holiday Bundle

The Holiday Bundle includes these resources for Thanksgiving & Christmas:

1. Exploring Thankfulness (2 Week Thanksgiving Series)
2. The Christmas Story (4 Week Christmas Series)
3. 15 Holiday Games
4. 15 Holiday Object Lessons

As a FREE bonus, you also get these 16 weeks of holiday lessons in the Holiday Bundle:

1. Thank Full (4 Week Video Series for Thanksgiving)
2. Attitude of Gratitude (4 Week Thanksgiving Series)
3. Marvelous Light (4 Week Christmas Series)
4. A New Kind of Christmas (4 Week Christmas Series)

Why would you want all the FREE bonus curriculum?

* Use for Wednesday night programming
* Use as supplemental material
* Use for a special event
* Use for next year’s Thanksgiving & Christmas curriculum
* Whatever else you can think of

Overview of What’s in the Holiday Bundle:

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

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)

FREE BONUS MATERIAL INCLUDES THESE 16 HOLIDAY LESSONS (TOTAL OF 4 SERIES):

Thank Full – 4 Week Series

Each lesson includes a short 1.5 – 2 minute video that sets up the teaching. Watch a sample video:

Preteens have a never-ending craving for more “stuff”. This is quite evident near Christmas time, when they are focused on all the cool presents they are about receive. The truth is that no matter how much you have, you always want more. The Thank Full series helps preteens be content with what really matters – the intangibles. They’ll learn how to be FULL OF THANKS and appreciate God’s grace, forgiveness, spiritual gifts & faithfulness.

Download a sample lesson below. Note: Sample lesson does not include PowerPoint slides, but the purchased version does.

Thank Full Overview:

Week 1: Thankless = running on empty
Bible Passage: Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son)
Bottom Line: I will be thankful for grace and forgiveness.

Week 2: Thankful for strong relationships
Bible Passage: Daniel 2 (Daniel interprets a dream)
Bottom Line: I will be thankful for the gifts God has given me.

Week 3: Thankful I can trust God
Bible Passage: 2 Chronicles 17:1-6; 20:1-4, 12, 14-17, 21-24, 26 (Jehoshaphat – God defeats armies)
Bottom Line: I will be thankful because God is there when I need Him

Week 4: Thankful in the good times, the bad times and the ugly times
Bible Passage: Genesis 37, 39-45 (excerpts) [Joseph]
Bottom Line: I must learn to be thankful, no matter what.

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.

Marvelous Light – 4 Week Christmas Series

The Christmas story is widely known around the world. Many preteens know the details about how and where Jesus was miraculously born, but do they understand why? This Christmas, help preteens learn how Jesus was more than just a baby. He is The Marvelous Light! The series teaches preteens how Jesus came as a light to the world and how he calls us to shine our lights!

MARVELOUS LIGHT OVERVIEW:

Week 1: Simeon saw the Light
Bible: Luke 2:21-33
Bottom Line: Simeon didn’t just see a baby, he saw the Light.

Week 2: The Magi followed the light
Bible Passage: Matthew 2:1-12
Bottom Line: Just like the star that led the Magi, our light can lead others to Christ.

Week 3: Jesus is the Light of the World
Bible Passage: John 8:12
Bottom Line: Jesus came as a Light to the world.

Week 4: Let Your Light Shine
Bible Passage: Matthew 5:14-16, James 2:14-18
Bottom Line: How will you shine your light throughout this year?

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.