I think my favorite figurines in our manger that we place at Christmas are the 3 wise men. Even as a child, they were the ones she played with and enjoyed pretending to bring gifts to baby Jesus. The story of the wise men following the majestic star in the sky is one that your children will enjoy as well.
Here are seventeen 5 “W” questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how, with their answers for the story of “The Wise Men Following the Star” found in Matthew 2:1-11. These questions can be used with both toddlers and elementary school children. Just be prepared to modify them a bit for age appropriateness. You can also read a verse first and then ask the question, or you can read the entire scripture passage and then ask the questions. Your younger children may like to have some kind of puppet ask the questions. Have fun!
Questions for the story “The Birth of John the Baptist”
1. Where did the Magi come from?
Answer: The east. (Matthew 2:1)
2. What was the name of the king who was on the throne when Jesus was born?
Answer: King Herod. (Matthew 2:1)
3. What question did the wizards ask?
Answer: Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? (Matthew 2:2)
4. Who were the Magi looking for?
Answer: Jesus (Matthew 2:2)
5. What did the Magi see in the sky?
Answer: a star. (Matthew 2:2)
6. Why did the wizards want to find Jesus?
Answer: To worship him. (Matthew 2:2)
7. How did King Herod feel when he heard that the wise men wanted to find Jesus?
Answer: I was upset or disturbed. (Whatever the version of him says.) (Matthew 2: 3)
8. Where was Jesus supposed to be born?
Answer: In Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:5)
9. Who takes the Magi to Bethlehem to look for Jesus?
Answer: King Herod. (Matthew 2:1)
10. Why did King Herod say that he wanted the wise men to find Jesus?
Answer: He said that he wanted to worship him. (Matthew 2:8)
11. What did the wise men follow to find Jesus?
Answer: a star. (Matthew 2:10)
12. How did the Magi feel when they saw the star?
Answer: They were filled with joy. (Matthew 2:10)
13. Who did the wise men see when they arrived at Jesus’ house?
Answer: They saw Jesus and his mother, Mary. (Luke 1:80)
14. What did the wise men do when they finally saw Jesus?
Answer: They bowed down and worshiped him. (Matthew 2:11)
15. What gifts did the wise men give Jesus?
Answer: Gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)
16. When did the Magi give gifts to Jesus?
Answer: After worshiping him. (Matthew 2:11)
17. Why didn’t the wise men go back and tell Herod where Jesus was?
Answer: They had a dream that warned them not to return. (Matthew 2:12)
