Lesson

Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem Sunday School Lesson for Kids

A free Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem Sunday school lesson (Luke 2:1–7) in four age levels, preschool to preteen, with a game, questions and take-home.

Preschool–Grade 6

Mary and Joseph Travel to Bethlehem Sunday School Lesson for Kids

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Free to print and copy for your church, classroom, VBS and home. Please don't resell or re-post our files; link to the page instead.

Ages: Preschool (3–5), Early Elementary (K–2), Upper Elementary (3–5), Preteen (5–6)
Time: 20–60 minutes (depends on the age level)
Scripture: Luke 2:1–7; Micah 5:2
Bible story: The Road to Bethlehem

What you need

A Bible (mark Luke 2:4 and Micah 5:2)
Bibles for the kids to look up verses (3rd grade and up)
4 sheets of colored paper and small paper cards in the same 4 colors, one card per child (kindergarten to 2nd grade opening game)
8 sheets of paper, a marker and tape (memory verse game, kindergarten to 2nd grade)
Masking tape and a chair (preschool)
An envelope, a card and a sticker for each child (3rd to 5th grade opening game)
8 index cards (preteen opening game)
A whiteboard or large paper, a marker, paper and pencils (3rd grade and up)
Printed take-home sheets, one per child
Printed Road to Bethlehem word search and crayons for early finishers

This free Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem Sunday school lesson teaches kids that God keeps His promises. Long before, God said His ruler would come from little Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and He used Caesar's decree to bring Joseph and Mary there (Luke 2:1–5). It comes in four age levels, each a separate printable teacher lesson, plus one take-home sheet for families. Pick the one that fits your class. Everything is in the order you teach it.

Choose your age level

Preschool (ages 3–5), 20–30 minutes, 2 pages: a short story with hand motions and repeat-after-me lines, a tape road to walk, three simple questions, a shortened memory verse ("unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem") with motions, and a road-to-Bethlehem drawing.
Kindergarten to 2nd grade, 45 minutes, 3 pages: an "Everyone to Your Town!" game, the story in simple words with Micah's promise, five recall questions with answers, and the Stepping Stones memory verse game.
3rd to 5th grade, 45–60 minutes, 3 pages: a hidden-clue game, then kids look up verses in their own Bibles during a fuller story (Caesar's decree, David's family line, Micah 5:2, Proverbs 21:1), five thinking questions and three recall questions, and a Bible look-up race.
Preteens (ages 11–12), 45–60 minutes, 4 pages: students put God's plan in order from David to Bethlehem, read Luke 2:1–7, Micah 5:2 and Proverbs 21:1 out loud themselves, then discuss God ruling over rulers, obeying when it's inconvenient and waiting on God's promises. Six discussion questions, a journal page, and two memory verses (Luke 2:4 and Micah 5:2).

Lesson at a glance

Bible passage: Luke 2:1–7 and Micah 5:2
Main point: God keeps His promises. He brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, just as He said.
Memory verse: Luke 2:4 (KJV), with Micah 5:2 added for preteens
Ages: preschool to preteen, in four versions

Lesson outline (the same in every version)

Opening game: a short game about going where you're sent, or a clue written ahead of time.
Bible story: Caesar's decree, Joseph and Mary's trip from Nazareth up to Bethlehem, the city of David, God's promise in Micah 5:2, and no room for them in the inn. Every fact has its verse reference so you can check it.
Questions to ask: with answers, at the right level for each age.
Memory verse: a game or motion to help kids learn Luke 2:4.
What this means for us: God keeps His promises, the gospel (Acts 2:38), and a challenge for the week.
Activity: the Road to Bethlehem word search, crossword or maze, a coloring page, a Bible look-up race or a journal page, depending on the age.
Prayer.

Tips for teaching the road to Bethlehem

Let kids hear Micah 5:2 read straight from the Bible. It is the heart of the lesson: God named Bethlehem long before Joseph and Mary went there.
Tell the story the way Luke tells it. Luke 2 doesn't mention a donkey, an innkeeper, knocking on doors or a stable, only that "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). The star is in Matthew 2, with the wise men.
This lesson centers on the journey and God's promise. For the birth and the shepherds, teach the Christmas story lesson next.
Short on time? Do the story, three questions and the memory verse. That is a solid 25-minute lesson.

Frequently asked questions

How long does this Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem lesson take?

It depends on the age level. The preschool lesson takes 20 to 30 minutes, the kindergarten to 2nd grade lesson about 45 minutes, and the 3rd to 5th grade and preteen lessons 45 to 60 minutes. For a short class, do the story, three questions and the memory verse.

What is the main point of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem for kids?

God keeps His promises. Long before, God said the ruler of Israel would come from little Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Then Caesar's decree sent Joseph "unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem" with Mary (Luke 2:4–5), right where God had said.

Why did Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem?

Caesar Augustus sent out a decree "that all the world should be taxed," and everyone went to be taxed in his own city (Luke 2:1–3). Joseph went to Bethlehem, the city of David, "because he was of the house and lineage of David," and Mary went with him (Luke 2:4–5).

Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem?

The Bible doesn't say. Luke 2 doesn't mention a donkey, an innkeeper, knocking on doors or a stable. It says only that Joseph went up to Bethlehem with Mary, and that "there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:4–7). This lesson tells the story the way the Bible tells it.

Is this Sunday school lesson really free?

Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your church, school or home. Please don't resell it.