Update

We have been trying to figure out the best time to do our lessons as the new semester has changed our routines a bit. We are still doing them but I haven't figured out the best time to post... Stay tuned. :)

The Birth of Jesus

We had a late night out on Wednesday and by the time we got home, the kids were all asleep so we decided to double up today.

Luke 2:1-39
- We talked of how Joseph and Mary had to go pay their taxes and how Mary was very pregnant with Jesus. They couldn't find a place to stay so Jesus was born in a stable. The kids are very familiar with this story so they put their little bits into the story as well. Then we talked about how the shepherds were visited by an angel and about the naming of Jesus. We talked about how Jesus was presented in the temple and about Simeon being able to see Him - just as he had been promised!
**While John was telling the story, the kids were coloring the picture from the Nursery Manual that goes with the Christmas lesson. This definitely made a difference in how attentive they were. Riya was better able to contribute to the lesson because she was focused on the coloring. Emma even tried to color her copy! Also, I was showing them the pictures from the Gospel Art Book - 29-32.

Matthew 2:1-15
- We discussed  the visit of the three wise men and the kids told us the gifts the brought to Jesus. Jayden told us that "those gifts were SO expensive! Probably more expensive than this house!". Then we ended with talking about how Joseph and Mary had to flee to Egypt with baby Jesus to save him from being killed. Jayden then remembered how Moses had a similar problem when he was a baby...

It was a great discussion!!

Zacharias Prophesies

Luke 1:67-80
This discussion covered what Zacharias prophesied about John and what he would do in his life. He would baptize Jesus!

John the Baptist

Luke 1:39-56
We spoke of Mary's visit to see Elisabeth. Jayden really liked the how Elisabeth's baby jumped as Mary entered because we was so full of the Spirit and could tell that Mary was pregnant with Jesus.

Luke 1:57-66
John the Baptist is born and given his name. Zacharias is able to speak again!! This was so exciting!

Annunciations

Blessed Art Thou Among Women by Walter Rane

Today, we read Luke 1:5-38 which teaches us about Zacharias being told by an angel that Elisabeth would have a son and how, because he questioned how this could be, he was struck dumb until the birth of his son. We also talked about Mary being told that she would become pregnant with Jesus. Then we read Matthew 1:18-24 which is where Joseph has a dream that tells him about Mary and the baby she is carrying. Another great discussion!

Introduction the Plan of Salvation

To start of the year, John thought it would be best fitting to talk about what happened in the pre-existence. We all sat around the table with hot chocolate and he read from The Pearl of Great Price in Abraham 3:27.
We spoke about how Christ was chosen to be the Savior of the world and what that meant for us. It was the perfect way to begin our studies!