6th Grade Bible & Scripture — The Gospels — Walking with Jesus
God Enters the World — The Incarnation and the Fulfillment of Prophecy
For centuries, the people of Israel had been waiting for the promised Messiah. The Old Testament contained over 300 prophecies about this coming King who would save His people. By the time of Jesus' birth, Israel was under Roman occupation, and many longed for deliverance.
But God's plan was far bigger than political freedom. He was sending His own Son to save not just Israel, but the entire world from the power of sin and death. The birth of Jesus was the most important event in all of human history — the moment when God Himself entered His creation.
God chose a young woman named Mary, a humble virgin from the small town of Nazareth, to be the mother of the Messiah. The angel Gabriel appeared to her and announced that she would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit. This child would be called the Son of the Most High, and His kingdom would never end.
Mary's response is one of the most beautiful examples of faith in all of Scripture: 'I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled' (Luke 1:38). Despite the confusion and social risk she would face, Mary trusted God's plan completely.
The prophet Micah had foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth, but God used a Roman census decree to bring them to Bethlehem at exactly the right time. Jesus was born in humble circumstances and laid in a manger — a feeding trough for animals.
The contrast is staggering: the Creator of the universe entered the world not in a palace, but in a stable. This humility is central to understanding who Jesus is and what He came to do. He came not to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
God announced the birth of Jesus first to shepherds — ordinary working people watching their flocks at night. Angels filled the sky with praise, and the shepherds rushed to see the newborn King. This shows that the Gospel is for everyone, not just the wealthy or powerful.
Later, wise men (Magi) from the East followed a star to find the child. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh — each symbolizing something about Jesus' identity as King, God, and sacrificial Savior. King Herod, threatened by news of a rival king, tried to kill the child, but God protected the family by warning Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt.
Write thoughtful responses to the following questions. Use evidence from the lesson text, Scripture references, and primary sources to support your answers.
Why is the Incarnation — God becoming human — the most significant event in all of history? What does it tell us about God's love for humanity?
Guidance: Think about what it means for the infinite, all-powerful Creator to take on human flesh. Consider why God chose this method to save humanity rather than simply forgiving sins from heaven.
How does the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the birth of Jesus strengthen our confidence that the Bible is true and trustworthy?
Guidance: Consider how many specific details were prophesied hundreds of years in advance — the virgin birth, the birthplace of Bethlehem, the line of David. What are the odds of all these being fulfilled by coincidence?
Why did God choose to announce Jesus' birth to humble shepherds rather than to kings and religious leaders? What does this teach us about God's values?
Guidance: Think about who the shepherds represent in society. Consider how this announcement reflects God's heart for ordinary people and His pattern of choosing the humble and lowly.