December 20, 2026 – Nothing Is Impossible With God

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

TODAY’S BIG IDEA

The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will bear Jesus. Mary is troubled, listens, asks a real question, receives the promise that God is with her, and responds in faith. Her trust is courageous, thoughtful, and centered on God’s grace.

CORE TEACHING THEME

LESSON SNAPSHOT

Total Time: 30–35 minutes Prep Time: 10–15 minutes Age Range: Kindergarten–5th Grade Main Passage: Luke 1:26–38

SUPPLIES AT A GLANCE

• Bible or printed Luke 1:26–38
• Envelope or card labeled IMPORTANT NEWS
• Index cards
• Construction paper
• Markers or crayons
• Optional blue paper

5 min 10 min 7 min 7 min 3–5 min

5-MINUTE PREP

• Read the Wonder Truth and Word of Wonder.
• Read Luke 1:26–38 once.
• Prepare the “important news” envelope.
• Set out cards and markers.
• Remember the safety note: Mary’s yes to God does not mean children must obey unsafe or inappropriate adult requests.

VOLUNTEER PREP

READ BEFORE CHILDREN ARRIVE

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Gabriel comes to Mary in Nazareth and announces that she has found favor with God and will bear Jesus. Mary is perplexed and asks how this can happen. Gabriel describes the Holy Spirit’s work and points to Elizabeth’s surprising pregnancy as a sign that nothing will be impossible with God. Mary responds, “Here am I…”

GRACE-CENTERED REMINDER

Mary “finds favor” before she performs anything. Grace comes first. Her faithful response grows from God’s initiative and presence. Do not teach that God loves compliant children more than questioning children.

THEOLOGY / SAFETY NOTE

This passage requires a child-safety clarification. Mary’s faithful yes to God is not permission for adults to demand unquestioning obedience from children. Children may say no, leave, and tell a trusted adult when something feels unsafe, secretive, sexual, threatening, or wrong. Questions are not the enemy of faith—Mary herself asks a question.

LEADER PRAYER

“God who is with us, thank You for Mary’s courageous faith and for sending Jesus. Help me honor children’s questions, teach trust without unsafe obedience, and proclaim Your grace clearly. Amen.”

BIBLE BACKGROUND

Luke’s infancy narrative pairs surprising births and faithful responses. Gabriel’s greeting troubles Mary; she “ponders” what it means. Her question is taken seriously. The announcement identifies Jesus with Davidic kingship and divine sonship. Mary’s final response reflects humble availability to God, not mindless passivity.

KEY VOCABULARY

Gabriel — The angel who brings God’s message to Mary. Favor — Graceful kindness; God’s gift, not something Mary earns. Ponder — Think carefully about something. Impossible — Beyond ordinary human ability. Trust — Rely on someone who is faithful while still being honest about questions.

BEFORE CHILDREN ARRIVE

• Place the “important news” envelope where children can see it.
• Set out cards and markers.
• Keep the Bible open to Luke 1.
• Write QUESTIONS ARE ALLOWED on a leader note.
• Leave a quiet space for the story.

5 MINUTES | GET THEM WONDERING

PURPOSE

Explore how people react to surprising news and normalize questions before the Annunciation story.

BEFORE THEY ARRIVE

Place a sealed envelope labeled IMPORTANT NEWS at the front.

LEADER SAYS

“How do you feel when someone says, ‘I have surprising news’? Excited? Nervous? Curious? Sometimes more than one feeling can be true at the same time.”

DO THIS

1. Show the envelope without opening it.
2. Ask what questions children might have before hearing the news.
3. Write or repeat several: “What happened? Is everyone okay? What does this mean?”
4. Explain: “Mary received surprising news from God, and she had a question too.”

ASK

“Can you trust someone and still ask a question?” “Why can questions be important?”

LISTEN FOR

Yes. Questions help us understand, make safe choices, learn, and tell the truth about what we feel.

ADAPT

K–2: Give two choices: “Can you ask God a question—yes or no?” Grades 3–5: Ask: “What is the difference between honest questions and refusing to listen to any answer?”

TRANSITION

“Mary’s story shows faith that listens, wonders, asks, and then responds to God.”

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Show the envelope and say, “Mary received surprising news and asked a real question.” Extra time: Let children name different feelings that can happen at the same time: excited and nervous, hopeful and confused. Remember: Do not open with pregnancy details beyond what is age-appropriate. Follow the biblical story without turning the lesson into sex education.

10 MINUTES | HEAR GOD’S WORD

PURPOSE

Tell the Annunciation as a story of grace, God’s presence, honest questioning, and courageous trust.

PRAY

“God, help us listen like Mary. Give us courage to ask honest questions and faith to trust Your goodness. Amen.”

BIBLE STORY — READ ALOUD

“God sent the angel Gabriel to a town called Nazareth, to a young woman named Mary.” “Gabriel greeted Mary and told her that God was with her and that she had found favor with God. Mary was troubled and wondered what the greeting meant.” “The angel said, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary.’ Gabriel told her she would have a son and name Him Jesus. He would be great, called the Son of the Most High, and His kingdom would have no end.” “Mary did not pretend she understood everything. She asked a real question: ‘How can this be?’” “Gabriel explained that God’s Spirit would be at work and told Mary about her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a child despite circumstances that had seemed impossible.” “Then Gabriel said, ‘For nothing will be impossible with God.’” “Mary responded with trust: she offered herself to God’s call. Her faith was not mindless. She listened, wondered, asked, received God’s promise, and chose to trust.” “And remember: Mary’s yes to God does not mean children must say yes to every person who asks something. God’s way is good and trustworthy. If a person asks you to do something unsafe, secretive, or wrong, you may say no and tell a trusted adult.”

PAUSE AND ASK

Ask: “What do you notice about the order of Mary’s response—what does she do before she says yes?”

LISTEN FOR / IF QUIET

She listens, feels troubled, wonders/ponders, asks a question, hears more, then responds. If quiet, walk through the sequence yourself.

MAIN TRUTH

“God is with us, and we can trust Him when He calls us. Trust can include questions. Faith does not require pretending we understand everything.”

WORD OF WONDER

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

MEMORY MOTIONS

NOTHING — shake head gently. IMPOSSIBLE — make an X with forearms, then open them. WITH GOD — point upward, then hand over heart. LUKE 1:37 — hold hands like an open Bible.

CHECK UNDERSTANDING

1. Who brought the message? — Gabriel.
2. Who received it? — Mary.
3. Did Mary ask a question? — Yes.
4. What did Gabriel say is impossible with God? — Nothing.

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Tell Gabriel’s greeting, Mary’s question, Luke 1:37, and Mary’s trusting response. Extra time: Ask older children how “God can do the impossible” differs from “God will give me anything I want.” Remember: Clarify: Luke 1:37 is confidence in God’s power and purposes, not a promise that every wish, outcome, cure, or plan we want will happen.

7 MINUTES | PRACTICE THE TRUTH

PURPOSE

Practice trust that includes questions, wise discernment, and safety boundaries.

K–2 DISCUSSION

Ask: Can you ask God questions? Who can you talk to when you are confused? What can you do when something feels unsafe?

GRADES 3–5 DISCUSSION

Ask: Why might people think faith means “never question”? What makes someone trustworthy? How can prayer, Scripture, church, and trusted adults help discern a call?

FAITH PRACTICE

LISTEN, ASK, TRUST, ACT

DO THIS

Use four steps with each situation: LISTEN — what is being asked? ASK — what questions matter? TRUST — what truth about God helps? ACT — what is a wise next step?

SITUATIONS

• You feel prompted to apologize after hurting a friend. — Listen to conviction, ask how to repair, trust God’s grace, apologize honestly.
• An adult asks you to keep a secret that makes you uncomfortable. — Ask for clarity if safe, but do not promise secrecy; leave and tell a trusted adult.
• You are nervous about trying a new way to serve at church. — Ask questions, learn expectations, trust God is with you, and try with appropriate support.
• You pray about something but do not get the answer you hoped for. — Keep talking honestly with God and trusted people; trust God without pretending disappointment is easy.
• A friend says “If you trusted God, you would never be scared.” — Remember fear can be a normal feeling. Trust means bringing fear to God and taking wise steps.
• Someone pressures you to do something wrong and says, “Just trust me.” — Say no, move to safety, and tell a trusted adult. Human trust must include wisdom and boundaries.

LEADER SAYS

“Faith does not switch off your brain, your questions, or your safety. Mary’s story shows deep trust, and the Bible also shows her thinking and asking. Wise Christian trust is honest and grounded in God’s goodness.”

TRANSITION

“Let’s make a reminder of one truth we can carry when we are uncertain.”

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Use the apology, unsafe-secret, and fear scenarios. Extra time: Let older children practice turning a vague fear into one honest prayer question. Remember: If a child discloses unsafe behavior by an adult, stop the lesson conversation privately as appropriate and follow church safeguarding procedures.

7 MINUTES | GOD IS WITH ME TRUST CARD

PURPOSE

Give children language for uncertainty that combines God’s presence with permission to ask questions and seek safe help.

SUPPLIES FOR THIS ACTIVITY

Index cards or folded paper; markers or crayons; optional blue paper.

DO THIS

1. On the front write: “GOD IS WITH ME.”
2. Inside write Luke 1:37.
3. Add one question or situation you want to bring to God—keep it general if private.
4. Write: “A trusted person I can talk to is ______.”
5. Decorate if time allows.

WHILE THEY WORK

Say: “You never have to write a private secret on this card. You can write something general like school, friendship, family, or a decision.”

ADAPT

K–2: Write “God is with me” and draw one trusted grown-up they can talk to. Grades 3–5: Add the four words: LISTEN — ASK — TRUST — ACT.

FINISH EARLY

Write: “Questions are allowed.”

IDENTITY CONNECTION — READ ALOUD

“Mary’s courage was not pretending everything was simple. She trusted God enough to listen and ask. God welcomes your honest prayers too.”

GROUP RESPONSE

Leader: “Can we ask God questions?” Children: “Yes!” Leader: “Is God with us?” Children: “Yes!”

VOLUNTEER HELP

Short on time: Write only “God is with me,” Luke 1:37, and one trusted adult’s name. Extra time: Invite children to write a one-sentence prayer beginning, “God, I trust You with…” Remember: Do not collect or read private cards unless a child asks for help or a safeguarding concern arises.

3–5 MINUTES | SEND THEM WITH THE TRUTH

WONDER TRUTH

God is with us, and we can trust Him when He calls us.

LEADER REVIEW — READ ALOUD

“Gabriel brought Mary surprising news. Mary was troubled, listened, wondered, asked a question, and then responded in trust. God’s grace came first: she had found favor with God. Mary shows us courageous faith that thinks, asks, and trusts.”

QUICK REVIEW

• Who brought God’s message to Mary? — Gabriel.
• Did Mary ask a question? — Yes.
• What does Luke 1:37 say? — Nothing will be impossible with God.
• Does Mary’s yes mean children must obey every adult request? — No. Children may say no to unsafe or wrong requests and tell a trusted adult.

WORD OF WONDER — ONE LAST TIME

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” — Luke 1:37

TAKE-HOME CHALLENGE

When you feel uncertain this week, pause and pray: “God, You are with me. Help me know the next faithful step.” Then talk with a trusted person if you need help.

CLOSING PRAYER

“God, thank You for being with Mary and for sending Jesus. Be with us in our questions and fears. Give us wise trust, courage to tell the truth, and strong safety boundaries. Help us say yes to what is good and no to what is harmful. Amen.”

DISMISSAL

Say: “God is with you. Ask, trust, and walk wisely.”

VOLUNTEER HELP

If the group gets loud: Say, “Freeze and find my eyes.” Wait quietly, then repeat the Wonder Truth together. If no one answers: Give two choices or offer your own example first. If one child answers everything: Say, “Thank you. I want to hear from someone who hasn’t shared yet.” If a child shares something serious: Listen calmly. Do not promise secrecy. Follow your church’s child-safety procedures and notify the appropriate ministry leader. If time runs short: Keep the Bible story, Wonder Truth, and closing prayer. Everything else may be shortened.

AFTER CLASS

Reset the supplies and room. Report any safety concern or important disclosure. Remember one thing that worked well.

Connection matters more than perfect execution. Be calm, caring, and point children toward Jesus.