Matthew 1:18–25. Certain qualities make good parents. (10–20 minutes)
Ask two students to describe a characteristic they like about their parents. Invite a father or mother of a student to come to class and speak for three to five minutes and describe their feelings when their child was born, tell what the child was like as a baby, and express their love for the child. (Or, if available, use a speaker phone in the classroom to call some parents and ask them to do the same. Or ask some parents to do so in writing or on audio- or videotape, and then share the parents’ responses with the class.)
Invite students to list the qualities of a good parent. Divide your class in half. Ask one half to read Matthew 1:18–25 looking for good qualities Joseph had as a husband and father. Invite the other half to read Luke 1:28–30, 38, 46–55 looking for good qualities of Mary.
Read Romans 8:16–17 and look for the relationship we have with our Father in Heaven as we are led by His Spirit. Read Ephesians 2:4 and look for how our Heavenly Father feels about us. Ask:
- How does being a good parent in this life help prepare us for godhood?
- What could you be doing now to prepare to be good parents in the future?
List the students’ answers on the board.
