"Find That Star"
A Bible Skills and Games Workshop for Younger Children about the Magi

Summary:

Students will play the "Find that Star" flashlight Bible story quiz.

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 2:1-12, the story of the Magi using a Storybook Bible of your choosing

Memory Verse:

"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:2)

Materials List:

• You will need a room that can get dark. Test your room for adequate darkness in advance. If your classroom can't get sufficiently dark, either choose another room that can or make the change to the stars suggested in the end notes.
• Flashlight with extra batteries, just in case
• Approximately two dozen Glow in the Dark star-sticker at least 2" in diameter, as well as many smaller stars to affix to the wall and create a "star field" in your classroom.
• An additional set of small glow-in-the-dark sticker-stars you can give out to each student as a take-home award given in the game when they answer the questions.
• A jar or basket to collect "award stars" that the children will get to take home.
• Sandwich bags or envelopes to carry star-stickers home after class.
• A small flashlight so the teacher can read their question cards/sheet.
• Print or copy the questions (seen below) on paper or cards for use during the game. (Fun idea: Write the questions with a glow in the dark pen on dark paper so that it illuminates in your flashlight.)

Game Play Description (which will also help you understand the materials and setup)

1. Students will lay on their backs on the floor with their heads toward the center. The teacher will need to lay down too.
2. The teacher hands a flashlight to the first student and tells them to "find star #1."
3. When the student finds star #1 with their flashlight beam (and gets plenty of help from other students doing so ), they hold the beam on the star while the teacher reads question #1 to the class.
4. You may let the child with the flashlight be the first to try and answer the question, or they may ask their classmates for help.
5. When the individual student or all their classmates have figured out the correct answer, they are ALL rewarded with a star-sticker they can take home after class. Place their star-stickers in a group jar for all to see and distribute them at the end of class.
6. The teacher makes the questions as hard or as easy as their kids can handle. They may give clues and should certainly use each question and answer to add additional insights.

Creating a Star Field in Your Classroom

• Number the larger stars 1 through 12 using a marker on the star and stick them randomly around the room. The numbers need to be visible when seen by the student shining a flashlight on it, so adjust the location of the numbered stars based on your room size and star size.
• Stick another set of unnumbered stars around the room as well so that your starfield is fun and so that it makes looking for the numbered stars just a little bit challenging.
• "Charge" the glow in the dark stars by leaving the lights ON in the classroom at least two hours before the lesson.

Lesson

Opening

Welcome the children and introduce yourself. Explain what they'll be doing today and what you hope they will learn.

Read the scripture passage together either from your classroom Bibles or a children's storybook Bible with illustrations of the story.

Consider one of the creative reading strategies described here at Rotation.org! https://www.rotation.org/topic...-bible-with-children

Find That Star Quiz Game

• Before you turn off the lights, show the children how they will play the game. See the game play description above!

Questions for Find That Star Quiz:

Put these on cards or write them in glow-in-the-dark marker on a dark page to glow in your flashlight. Some of these are questions about the story to reinforce knowledge of it. Some are more like reflection/understanding questions. Shuffle and Balance them according to the needs of your kids. Explain them if needed, and help them form their answer. Let other students help too. When they've arrived at a good answer, award everyone a star by putting them in the star jar for distribution later.

1. What town was Jesus born in? Bethlehem   What famous king of Israel was also born there? (David)
2. Who told the Magi that HE TOO want to know where Jesus was going to be born? Herod
3. Name all three gifts that the magi brought Jesus. Gold, (Frank-) incense, or Myrrh
4. Which of the gifts was a sign of respect and honor to their newborn king? (gold, like in a crown)
5. What did Herod SAY he wanted to do to when he found the baby? Worship him
6. In what city did the magi meet Herod? Jerusalem
7. How did the magi know to get away from Herod?  They were warned by God in a dream
8. Where did the magi go after seeing Jesus? Home by another way. Where was their home?
9. What gift do you think Jesus would like YOU to give to others this Christmas?
10. What can a person do to find out more about Jesus?  (church, Sunday School)
11. Where is Jesus right now and what do you think he is going?
12. What do you think the Magi/Wisemen said to others about finding the savior of the world when they got home?

Closing:

Laying on the floor with faces to the ceiling, one at a time, let each student have a turn  with the flashlight to find their numbered stars on the ceiling. The first student will find #1, the second will find #2, and so on. When they find their numbered star, they are to offer a word or sentence about something they are grateful for either in their life or story. They may used the phrase, "thank you Jesus for...."

Game Note: If your room isn't dark enough for this game and you can't find another darker spot to play the game, switch the flashlight to a round paper "spy" tube (like a paper towel roll tube), and stick colored star-shaped pieces of paper to the ceiling and walls in place of using glow in the dark star stickers. Intead of numbering the twelve stars, you'll call out a color which the student holding the tube to their eye must look around until they find it. Of course, they'll get plenty of help. Yes, this means you'll need 12 different colors of paper.  Still award real glow in the dark star stickers as a fun take home reminder.

This lesson was originally posted by member Christine D, and later enhanced by member of the Rotation.org Content Team.

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