Birth of John and Annunciation of Christ, Children STS Lesson 38
Text: Luke 1:1-80
The birth of Jesus Christ is the greatest thing that has ever happened to man. If the president wants to visit a place, the people expecting him will announce his coming and also make adequate preparations for his arrival so that he will be well received, and the purpose of his visit will be fulfilled. This is similar to what we are going to discuss in this study. Before Jesus came into this world, God announced it. He also sent His servant, John the Baptist to come and prepare the way for the coming of the great King — our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:6-8,29-31). Have you prepared your heart to receive Jesus? Are you a saved r child or you are still living in sin?
To partake in the blessings of Christ’s death for the sins of the whole world, you must confess your sins, repent of them, give your heart to Christ and be saved. This will give you the boldness to go out and tell your friends and neighbors about Jesus so that they too will believe, repent and be saved. Our discussion shall focus on these two great Bible characters — John and Jesus.
1.JOHN’S BIRTH AND ITs PURPOSE: Luke 1:3-25, 57-66
Zacharias the priest and his wife were old and had lost all hope of having a child. They were holy and righteous and served God fervently. God remembered their prayer for a child and sent angel Gabriel to tell Zacharias that their prayers had been answered. Elizabeth became pregnant and God blessed them with a son and his name was called John. The angel said John would be great in the sight of God and he would be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb.
John was born six months before Jesus. He was born earlier than Jesus to prepare the way for Christ’s ministry according to the will of God. He came to make ready the hearts of the people of Israel to receive Christ the Messiah.
There are lessons to learn from the birth of John and the announcement of Christ’s birth.
They are:
(i) God rewards the righteous
(ii) Nothing is impossible with God
(iii) God’s word is true.
(iv) Serving God fervently,
Even when you are faced with challenges, attracts His favour. John fulfilled God’s purpose in his ministry by obeying God. Are you an obedient child like John?
- JESUS’ BIRTH ANNOUNCED: Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 7: 14; Matthew 1:18-25
The birth of Jesus had been prophesied by the prophet Isaiah and other prophets in the Old Testament. “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel“ (Isaiah 7:14). Mary was a virgin engaged to a man called Joseph in Nazareth. Angel Gabriel visited her and told her she would have a Son and His name would be called Jesus. He would save the people from their sins (Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31). The angel also told Mary that her cousin, Elizabeth was already six months pregnant. Mary was afraid and said she was a virgin, but the angel told her that nothing is impossible with God. Mary eventually conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to the Saviour of the world.
Just as Mary allowed God to use her, born-again children should also allow God to control their lives and use them for His glory.
Joseph thought of rejecting Mary’s pregnancy to prove his innocence. But the angel appeared to him in a dream and asked him to accept Mary since that which she conceived was of the Holy Ghost. It is clear from our study that God chooses whoever He desires. Every child should surrender to the will of God, pray earnestly to discover what God wants him or her to do. As a boy, be a John for Christ, as a girl, be a Mary for Christ. Do everything to please God.
- JESUS IS COMING SOON: Luke 1:15-17; Revelation 22: 7
Every child must prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ. His first coming to the earth was to set men free from sins. Despite this, some children are still chained to sins such as: lying, fighting, malice, anger, stealing, envy, hatred and bitterness. Sinful children will be separated from God in eternity.
”For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
To prepare for Christ’s second coming, every sinful child must take the following steps:
- Acknowledge that you are a sinner
- Confess your sins to God and repent of them
- Ask God to forgive and cleanse your sins with the blood of Jesus
- Invite Jesus into, your heart and confess Him as your personal Lord and Saviour
- Continue to follow Jesus as you live a holy life, read the Bible, meditate on its message and obey it.
QUESTIONS:
- What were the parents of John.
- State four lessons you learnt from the announcement and birth of John.
- What lessons do we learn from God’s answer to Zacharias and Elizabeth’s prayer for a child?
- What should a sinner do to receive Jesus?
- How can a born-again boy or girl prepare for Christ’s coming?
MEMORY VERSE: “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive. in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS” (Luke 1:30, 31)
LESSON: God uses holy and willing children for His service.
THOUGHT: I will live a pure and holy life so that God can use me.
ACTIVITY: Prayer of consecration.
HOMEWORK: Write in your homework book, three ways you can offer service to God.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 13 – TO GOD BE THE GLORY
CHORUSES:
(1) All that I have, I give to Jesus
(2) Make me a good child-like Samuel.
(3) Jesus blessed Jesus, I love Thy name.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Annunciation
- Fervently
- Engage
- Conceive
- Earnestly.
