New Growth Press Partner Review: Jesus Came for Me by Jared Kennedy

 

Jesus Came for Me

The True Story of Christmas, 

a Board book by Jared Kennedy 

Read a Sample

What I like about this book: 

• Jared Kennedy does an excellent job sharing the biblical events in an engaging, educational, age-appropriate manner.  I enjoy all that he has developed for children.  
• Questions at the end of each section, that build connections with the child and the learning concept. 
• Scripture References to look up the event in your own Bible.  
• Clear, concise, child-friendly images that enhance the book. 
• Concept/Vocabulary Emphasis: Wait, Believe, Immanuel-God with Us, temple 
• Word choices enhance and connect to the Bible text as well as key concepts that reoccur in the Bible, it's understandable for the toddler/preschool audience, but it's also building literacy skills for the children and biblical literacy. 
• Developmental concepts: young/old, Good News, emotions- angry, selfish, gifts, Jesus is the best gift.  

Wonders:

• How many people will be disappointed if they own the Beginner's Gospel Story Bible and realize that the three stories are the same?  Of course, a board book serves a different audience and setting.  
• I don't have a physical copy of the board book, so I wonder about the quality of pages, durability, etc.  

Educational Connections: 

Zechariah/Elizabeth

• Play the Quiet Game (not talking for 9 months? waiting! it's hard)
• Jump for Joy (like the baby in Elizabeth's womb)
• Writing practice- My Name is John
• Use Sign Language or Hand Signals to communicate directions- to show how Zechariah had to live.  

Baby Jesus 

Talk about:         Good News- Jesus lived on earth as God and man- He came to take the punishment of our sins- and rescue us!  He died for our sins. It’s good news! 

•         Waiting:  people had been waiting for hundreds of years for the Messiah to come.  God helped everyone to believe and wait for His arrival- and NOW He is here!  And That’s good news!  

• God is with us: Emmanuel- God lives here

• Act out the events so far.  With children as the actors or with a nativity scene.  

Wise Men

Star Game: Use the star, show the kids, then have them close their eyes, and hide the star.

 Then say, “wise man, wise man, where’s your star? You’ll need it or you won’t get far!” Have the kids open their eyes and look for the star- hint with hot (as they get close) or cold (when they move away). After it’s found, that child or you can re-hide it and play again.   

GAME: FOLLOW THE STAR

Purpose: Children pretend to be the Wise Men following the star to find baby Jesus, the promised King.

Supplies: baby Jesus laminated figure, large paper star

Prepare: Hide the baby doll before starting.

The Wise Men knew God promised there would be a special star shining when He sent the greatest king. Let’s pretend we are the Wise Men searching for the newborn King. Follow the star!

Directions:

1. Hold the star over your head and walk around the play area in a random pattern. Have the children follow behind you.

2. Stop and hold the star over the place where you have hidden the doll. Can you find baby Jesus? Wait for the children to find the baby, Jesus.

3. Say: “We found baby Jesus! He is our King.”                     4. Children say: “God keeps His promises!”

5. Play again, as time allows. Have children take turns holding the star and hiding the baby 

An enjoyable book for this season!