![\"Child](\"\/\/mintools.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/10\/nativity1.jpg\" "\\"Child")
<\/a>In adding nativity sets to the children’s ministry section on the\u00a0Christmas Ministry Resources<\/a> page from our affiliate stores, I found quite a variety — fabric, finger puppet, stickers, magnetic, puppet glove, plastic\/PVC, soft and squeezable, vinyl clings, and wooden.\u00a0I wanted to include nativities that could be used in children’s classes, or in the home, that would serve not just as touchable decorations but also visual aids or learning tools.<\/p>\n If I were to look for nativity sets for adults<\/a>, I would add resin, glass, ceramic, metal, porcelain, along with possibly other kinds of materials.<\/p>\n Just like you will find some nativity sets constructed more suitably for toddlers, some for older children, and others for adults, so we must\u00a0consider how to communicate in relevant ways to the different age levels.<\/p>\n Think about people’s developmental needs\u00a0as we approach the holiday season.\u00a0 How can you present this Jesus in the manger in ways that are relevant to them?<\/p>\n 1)\u00a0 Early Childhood:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of security as they look to people to care for their needs while beginning to exert a degree of independence and initiative.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to earth as a baby, loved by God, and who grew up gaining favor with God and man and\u00a0 showed others love.\u00a0 If they feel His unconditional love they will learn to open their hearts to Him.<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0 Grade School:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of success or competence in this industrious age level marked by curiosity, skill development, and performance.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to earth as a baby but who grew in wisdom and did many wonderful things, the best of which was salvation.\u00a0 If they study His life through His Word, they will become equipped to do good in life, to reach their potential in Him through His power.<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0 Junior High:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of stability in this period of uncertainty with all the changes going on within them.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to earth through a most peculiar set of circumstances and was not always understood as He grew and did the Father’s will. He kept doing the Father’s will regardless of how hard it was and how He felt.\u00a0 If they learn to trust Him, He will help them navigate this turbulent time.<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0 Senior High:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of identity as they transition into adulthood.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to earth as a little baby though fully aware He was God.\u00a0 As He grew, He did not let ego or peer direct His decisions but the Father.\u00a0 If they discover who they are in Him, they will come to realize that it isn’t about what others think of them but what God thinks.<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0 Young Adults:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of belonging and intimacy as they build relationships and learn to cope in a big world.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to earth because God so loved the world and wanted to reconcile people to Himself.\u00a0 Jesus knew His purpose, sought to accomplish His goals, yet remembered the people around Him and built relationships with them.\u00a0 If they keep a relationship with Him their top priority, others pursuits will fall into place.<\/p>\n 6)\u00a0 Middle Aged Adults:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of purpose as they begin to wonder if their life is really making a difference.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to earth, with humble beginnings in the manger but didn’t stay there.\u00a0 Rather, He went on to make a difference.\u00a0 If they line up with Him, they too will live abundant and productive lives to the very end.<\/p>\n 7)\u00a0 Senior Aged Adults:<\/strong>\u00a0 They need a sense of satisfaction and contentment, of fulfillment, with their lives, that they are leaving a legacy.<\/p>\n Present to them this Jesus who came to this earth to make a difference and so for the joy set before Him endured the cross, did not revile when reviled, but rather offered love and forgiveness.\u00a0 If they continue to walk in Him, they too will live a life of integrity that others can look to as a role model.\u00a0 If they have failed to walk faithfully, they can receive grace and forgiveness even now with Jesus’ challenge to “Go and sin no more.”<\/p>\n You can run any truth through these age level needs to increase relevancy.\u00a0 If you don’t think too much about the difference these factors play in your students’ understanding and motivation, perhaps the Age Level Characteristics Resource<\/a> from Ministry Tools Resource Center would be useful to you.<\/p>\n Teacher Training Worksheet Based on this Article:\u00a0 Make Truths Relevant<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you want to connect with and motivate your students, you must tap into their needs and what interests them. A good starting point is … Continue reading Making Even Well-Known Truths Relevant<\/span>