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This particular topic has some generally recommended resources and a few lesson ideas for teaching the stories of Jesus' Birth using computer software, tech, or Bible Apps.  Many of these resources are also listed in greater detail (and have detailed outlines and/or lesson plans) in our Advent story specific forums.

Visit our Advent-story-specific forums and look in their "Computer Workshop" topics for specific computer/app recommendations WITH lesson plans!

Last edited by Neil MacQueen
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An Advent Fridge Magnet Computer Workshop Project:

This works with many different Advent scriptures and emphases.Advent Fridge Magnet

For example, you could use the Luke 2 story of "What the Shepherds Told", after they visited the Christ child and went out to spread the message. 

Or, you could use this project as "What the Angels Announced".

So what message did they spread that first Advent?  

Students condense that first Christmas Message into a single pithy quote they can take home and put on the fridge.   

Parents benefit from having the church's Advent schedule of special events on the fridge.

Printable Magnet Sheets can be found in most office supply stores (or online).  You'll have student design a printable message in WORD and print it on the magnet sheets, one full sheet per student.

The top part of the printed magnet sheet will have an Advent graphic they have chosen, and an Advent quote/message to their family. The middle part of the sheet will have 3 or 4 lines of information from the church's calendar, including Christmas Eve Service Times. The bottom third of the sheet can be labeled: "Thing We Want to Do to Celebrate Christ's Birth".


HOW TO:

After your Christmas Bible study and discussion....

Step 1:  Open Word on the computer and have students design a "Christmas Message" to their family on the top third of the page.  This Message should be based on the scripture and discussion you just had. It can be as simple as a phrase from a verse, or a more complex "Saying/Quote/Reminder".

You may want to suggest a few pithy quotes. They don't have to be from scripture. Encourage older students to come up with their own quote.

Step 2:  In the Middle Third of the page, have the students type key Advent Dates/Activities from your CHURCH calendar. Don't just limit it to Worship or Kid activities. If there's a Mom's luncheon, include that too. This is going on the fridge for the family!   If you are inspired and have the time, have the students include "activity reminders" such as, "spend time as a family wrapping gifts/collecting food/shoes/coats for the poor." If you want to save time, you can have these typed in another document and then have the students Cut & Paste from that document into theirs. They can select from the "suggestions" you provide or come up with their own.

Step 3:  On the Bottom Third of the page, leave some blank space so that families can add-in their Family Advent reminders/dates/ideas using a marker.

Print and have students share their Advent Fridge Magnets with each other.

Time: 20-25 minutes after your study.

Important Tech Notes: 

Check to see if your computer HAS WORD INSTALLED. Also check to see if Word's clipart package was installed with it as well.  It has a lot of nice Xmas graphics.

If you don't have Word, then you either need to...  

Install Word. If your church office uses it, and has a site license to use it, you can install Word in your computer lab for free.  OR, if you don't have a copy of Word or a site license for it, you can install the free copy of OPEN OFFICE from openoffice.org.  It works just like Word.

If you don't have ready-made clip-art...

You can put together your own CD of Xmas clipart gleaned from the internet and copy it to each computer. OR, you can have a copy of Christian Clickart or similar clipart CD which has Xmas images. OR, if you have an internet connection, the kids can do a Google Image search for Xmas images (using 'safesearch' option please!).

Make sure your INKJET PRINTER has plenty of colored ink in the cartridge. In fact, probably need to buy an extra just in case.

Do NOT use graphics with heavy colored areas, such as, dark blue nighttime skies. These will eat up  your ink.

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Last edited by Luanne Payne

The SunScool Bible App for Kids has MANY presentations with activities covering the wide scope of the Christmas story for various age levels.

On the app's lesson menu, its stories are split in three sections: Christmas Parts 1, 2, and 3.  The "titles" of the lessons vary depending on which age level you've set the app for. Best bet it to know which scripture passage you want to focus on and look for those listed under the titles.

The App is free, ecumenical, and can be downloaded for use on tablets, smartphones, Windows, and Mac!    Get the download link and look up the story you need in our Outline of all 170+ stories in SunScool. That page also includes app helps.

SunScool Bible App for Kids

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