“Have you ever heard that curiosity killed the cat?” Mom asked in exasperation.

“No,” replied Lisa.

“Well, there was a cat, and he was very inquisitive. And one day, he looked into a big hole, fell in, and died!”

Lisa was intrigued: “What was in the hole?”"*

As parents we sometimes forget that we want our kids asking us questions. Work hard to keep open communication lines and to develop habits while your children are young to talk with them about anything and everything. Never lose the art of chatting with your children. Answer even the silliest questions because a day will come when they will have other, more serious questions. When that time arrives, you want them to come to you for answers and advice—not their friends, not TV, not the world.

Take time to stop, sit and just talk with your kids today.

*Original source unknown

    Listen to the story of two families: We read that in 1677 a licentious man married a licentious woman. From that union came 1900 descendants. Of these descendants 771 were criminals, 39 were murderers; only 10 learned a trade and they learned it in prison. They spent a combined total of 1,300 years in prison and cost the state of New York nearly three million dollars. That is what two ungodly people in marriage did for the United States.

     But look at the record of the Edwards’ family, the family of Jonathan Edwards, the great preacher. A godly man married a godly woman. They had 1,344 descendants. Of this number 295 were college graduates, 13 were college professors, 65 were college presidents, 186 were ministers, 101 were lawyers, 86 were state senators, and 3 were congressmen. There were also 30 judges and one vice-president of the United States. Not one of these descendants was ever accused of crime. This is what two godly people in marriage can do for the world. 1

The way you live your life not only affects you, but also your children’s children’s children. You will never see in this life the full impact of how you lived, so make sure that your kids see you living for Jesus every day.

1W. Herschel Ford, Sermons You Can Preach on John, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958), p. 126

]]> http://threethirtyministries.org/2012/04/leave-a-legacy/feed/ 0 http://threethirtyministries.org/2012/04/rolled-away/ http://threethirtyministries.org/2012/04/rolled-away/#comments Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:34:29 +0000 kolbyking http://threethirtyministries.org/?p=3630 You will need:

-Something that can be easily blown like a balloon, a ping-pong ball, a leaf, etc.

-A rock or stone or something that cannot be blown.

-Something like string, thread, or yarn to make a circle on the floor. (If you don’t have any of these, then use several pairs of shoes stretching the shoelaces around in a circle.)

-A Bible marked at Luke 24:1-7

Get Started

Take turns blowing the balloon (or ping-pong ball or whatever item can be easily blown) into the circle. For something such as a balloon, start in a different room but for harder items, such as a leaf, start closer to the circle. See how fast they can move the item into the circle. Then take the rock (or the item that cannot be blown) and put it just a few inches from the circle. Ask them to blow it in. Let your whole family try—even at the same time. No matter what you do, you won’t be able to move it without picking it up.

SAY: After Jesus died, they buried him in a cave-like tomb with a huge rock that covered the opening. Three days later some women were coming to the tomb when they realized that they hadn’t planned on having to roll the stone away.

ASK: What do you think they did?

SAY: They didn’t have to do anything. The stone had already been moved. When Jesus rose from the dead, the stone was rolled away. Jesus defeated death so that we could share His life.

Read Luke 24:1-7

PRAY—Thank Jesus for loving us so much that he died and rose again to make a way for us to know Him, to be forgiven of our sins, and to go to heaven to be with Him someday.

 ____________________________________________________________

Breakfast Bites

What’s the coolest place you could ever go? (Heaven will be the greatest place ever.)

How do you think a person can know for sure that they’re going to heaven? (By giving their life to Jesus.)

What do you think people will do in heaven? (The idea of sitting on clouds, playing harps, and so forth is not Biblical, and although the Bible doesn’t give us all the information we might want about what we will do in heaven, there is something you can know for sure: Heaven will be the best and most exciting place ever where you will see God face to face.

Read Revelation 21:3-4

(If your kids want to know more about heaven, take a look at Revelation 21:1-22:5)

“Taste and see that God is good” (Psalm 34:8)

RESURRECTION ROLLS—Jesus is Alive

Items needed: Crescent Rolls and Large Marshmallows

Wrap a large marshmallow inside a crescent roll so that just one end is showing. Explain to your child that this is like tomb in which they laid Jesus. The roll is like the tomb or the hill in which the tomb was made. The marshmallow at the opening is like the stone they rolled to cover the entrance after Jesus died on the cross.

Roll your creation in cinnamon sugar. Let your child taste some cinnamon without sugar. It won’t taste very good. Now mix some sugar with it and let them taste again. Cinnamon without sugar is missing something. Life without Jesus is missing something too—You were created to know and walk with Jesus.

While the rolls are cooking, read John 20:1-18

Cook the rolls according to their baking instructions. When they are finished, the marshmallows will have melted—They’ll be gone! This is like how the disciples found the tomb—with the stone rolled away and Jesus no longer inside.

“Taste and see that God is good” (Psalm 34:8)

EASTER EVE COOKIES—Jesus’ Death, Burial and Resurrection

Items needed:

1 cup of whole pecans

1 teaspoon of vinegar

3 egg whites

A pinch of salt

1 cup of sugar

Make the cookies below on the night before Easter and share with your family the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Recipe:

Preheat oven to 330 degrees.

Beat 1 cup of pecans into small pieces. Then set them aside for later use.

Pour 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.

Add 3 egg whites.

Add a pinch of salt.

Add 1 cup of sugar.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Fold in the pecan pieces.

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Drop by teaspoon fulls on the cookie sheet.

Put the cookies in the oven, turn it OFF, and let them cook overnight.

Remove the cookies on Easter morning and enjoy.

PART 1

Preheat oven to 330 degrees.

READ

Let us make some Easter cookies,

And hear a tale that’s true,

Of how Jesus died and rose again,

Because of His love for you.

So grab what you need,

And pull up your sleeves,

Then preheat your oven,

To 330 degrees.

“Why 330?”

You might say.

Because John 3:30,

Is the verse for the day.

John 3:30—He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.

PART 2

Beat 1 cup of pecans into small pieces.

READ

Take one cup of pecans,

But before adding them to the bowl,

Take a spoon and beat them up,

Until they’re no longer whole.

Remember that Jesus was beaten too,

Hurt from head to toe,

And by His stripes we are healed.

That’s how He loves you so!

Now take the pecans and set them aside,

You’ll need them in a bit.

And consider how anyone could reject,

The Savior the soldier’s hit?

Isaiah 53:5—But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.

PART 3

Pour 1 tsp. of vinegar into the mixing bowl.

READ

Vinegar was given to Jesus,

As He was dying for our sin.

So take the bottle and fill one teaspoon,

Then pour it right on in.

And catch a whiff of that smell.

You’ll probably think it’s bad.

It’s to remind us of Jesus’ agony,

And the suffering that He had.

John 19:28-29—After this, Jesus, seeing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” Now a vessel full of vinegar was set there; so they put a sponge full of the vinegar on hyssop, and held it at his mouth.

PART 4

Put 3 egg whites in the mixing bowl.

READ

Now take three eggs and crack them open,

But before you put them in,

Remove the yoke and throw it out,

And hear me once again.

The yoke stands for impurity,

And the bad things we have done.

So throw sin out,

And give yourself to God’s only Son.

2 Corinthians 5:21—For him [Jesus] who knew no sin he [God] made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

PART 5

Add a pinch of salt to the mixing bowl.

READ

Spinkle some salt in your hand,

And take a taste or two.

How do you feel? What do you want?

A drink when your through?

You are the salt of the world.

That’s what Jesus said.

To make people thirsty for something more,

Like a Savior who rose from the dead.

Now take a pinch and throw it in,

And remember who you are.

You’re salt. You’re light. You’re loved by God.

You are His shining star.

Matthew 5:13-14-[Jesus said,] You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.

PART 6

Add 1 cup of sugar in the mixing bowl.

Stir your blend and mix it up,

How does it look to you?

Not very good? Not very tasty?

And yet we’re almost through.

Now fill one cup with sugar,

And pour it in the bowl.

The sweetest part of this story is,

Jesus died to save your soul.

Romans 5:8—But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

PART 7

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.

READ

Beat with a mixer on high speed,

For thirteen minutes long.

Until peaks rise that symbolize,

The mountains of our wrong.

Who could remove such high peaks,

Of error and mistake?

Only Jesus Christ, the Righteous,

The bond of sin can break.

To set you free and make you clean,

And make you whole once more,

And give you heaven and life worth living,

That’s why your sins He bore.

The white you see stands for His purity,

That He never went astray,

Tempted like us but without sin,

He chose the righteous way.

And offered Himself on the cross,

As a holy sacrifice.

Who could ignore Him? Who could reject Him?

And His offer of eternal life?

Hebrews 4:15—For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.

PART 8

Fold in the pecan pieces.

READ

Now fold the pecans that you beat,

Into the cookie mix.

Each little piece stands for a time,

When we fell for Satan’s tricks.

Yes, we’ve all sinned and made mistakes,

And walked a different way,

But it’s not too late to turn around,

And let Him save your soul today.

Romans 3:23—For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.

PART 9

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.

READ

Grab the wax paper and pull some off,

And cover your cookie pan,

And remember the covering the Savior gave,

As nails pierced His hand.

By His blood salvation came

Through the breaking of His heart,

To raise you from sin and the death within,

And give you a brand new start.

True life is more than existence and breath,

And making it through the day,

It’s joy; It’s peace; It’s love and living,

With the Savior in every way.

Isaiah 1:18—“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord:

“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.

Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. “

PART 10

Drop by teaspoon on the cookie sheet.

READ

Drop by teaspoons on the wax paper,

The mix that you have made.

Each little mound reminds us still,

Of the tomb where Jesus was laid.

Now put the cookies in the oven,

And close the door again.

And remember the price that Jesus paid,

To buy us back from sin.

Now take some tape and seal the door,

And remember the stone they used,

To block the entrance to the grave,

With His body so abused.

Mark 15:46-47—He bought a linen cloth, and taking him down, wound him in the linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of a rock. He rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses, saw where he was laid.

PART 11

Put the cookies in the oven, turn it OFF, and let them cook overnight.

READ

His disciples were grieved, distressed, and sad.

They had a broken heart.

You may be sad to leave these cookies,

But that is also your next part.

It’s time for you to go to bed,

To wait throughout the night,

And come and check these cookies again,

At the dawn of Easter light.

John 20:18— Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her.

PART 12

Remove the cookies on Easter morning and enjoy.

READ

When certain followers came Easter day,

An empty tomb was there,

And angels greeted and sent them away,

With great news to go and share.

Death was defeated. The tomb was torn open.

The Savior had been raised.

“Jesus is alive!” the disciples were told,

And they were all amazed.

When you came on this morning,

Looking for a cookie for you to swallow,

You’ll take a bite and look with wonder,

These cookies are empty and hollow.

Just like the tomb so long ago,

Where Jesus’ body was laid.

But He’s not dead. He’s risen again!

And a way to heaven made.

So if you’re not sure about your soul,

Remember His sacrifice.

He’s the only way to heaven, you know.

Why not give to Him your life?

Read Matthew 28:1-9 from your Bible.

“Taste and see that God is good” (Psalm 34:8)

PRAYER PRETZEL—Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane just before He is arrested.

Items needed: Enough biscuit dough for each child to have two biscuits, plates, butter to be melted in a microwave, spoons, cinnamon sugar or pretzel salt and garlic salt.

Did you know that the pretzel was originally about prayer?

Here’s the history of the Pretzel:

In Europe a few weeks before Christmas in 610AD, there was a monk (a man who had set himself apart to know God) named Brother Bachman, who was working in the monastery’s bakery. While he was working with dough, he was watching the village children play in the snow. He felt sad because these children weren’t interested in coming to church or learning to pray. In those days many times children would memorize prayers to help them learn to pray. Then, according to history, Brother Bachman had an idea. He took left-over dough, rolled it out into a thin length and twisted it into the shape of folded arms. In those days instead of putting their hands together to pray, they would fold their arms across their chest so that each hand was touching the opposite shoulder. This is the shape he created with the dough—the shape of the pretzel. He baked these and told the children that if they learned their prayers, he would give them a “Pretiola,” which means, “a little reward,” which is where we get the name Pretzel. Eventually the Pretiola moved into Austria and Germany and continues with us today.*

-Give each child a plate and enough dough for two biscuits.

-Tell your child to combine the biscuits together and then to roll the dough to create a long stick or snack. These can be as skinny or fat as they desire.

-Have students lay out their dough as if it were a smile on the plate. (Interesting that the beginning of this creation is a smile. Doesn’t it make you happy to know and follow Jesus?)

-Show them how to fold each end up and around (almost in the shape of a heart) to form the traditional pretzel shape.

-Show your child the shape of the shoulders (the smile turned upside down) and how it bends to arms that reach from shoulder to shoulder.

-Let your child flavor their pretzels with melted butter and either cinnamon sugar or pretzel salt (with perhaps even a touch of garlic salt).

-Cook the pretzels according to the baking instructions. While they cook, read Matthew 26:26-46 about the Last Supper and Jesus praying in Gethsemane.

-Let the pretzel remind you of how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested, crucified and rose from the dead.

Since the pretzel is about prayer, pray before you eat your creations and thank God for sending Jesus to be the Savior of the world.

*There are a variety of sources that refer to this or a similar telling of this story concerning the origins of the Pretzel.

“Taste and see that God is good” (Psalm 34:8)

PLAN OF SALVATION COOKIES

Items needed: Sugar cookie dough, sprinkles, powdered sugar, milk, food coloring, disposable plates, and cling wrap.

(NOTE: You may want to do this activity and the one above together since they involve many of the same items.).

Read John 12:12-32. These verses begin with another telling of the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem just one week before His crucifixion. However, in this story, we go a little further.

ASK: What did the Greeks tell Philip? (“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”)

SAY: Jesus died and rose again to make a way for people to come to Him, to be forgiven and to spend forever with Him in Heaven, and in our activity today, we get to share Good News of Jesus with others.

Create a batch of regular or cross-shaped cookies. Mix the powdered sugar and milk together for frosting. Use the food coloring to make cookies with the following frosting colors: Black, White, Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow.

Make cookies to deliver to a neighbor, friend or relative to share the Good News of Jesus and to invite them to church with you on Easter Sunday. Take time to discuss the meaning of each cookie color with your children, as written below. On each plate include at least one cookie of each color. Then cover the plates with cling wrap and attach a note that says something like:

These cookies are a gift to remind us of the true meaning of Easter:

-The Black cookies remind us of all the bad things we’ve done.

-The Red cookies remind us of how Jesus died on the cross, taking the punishment for our sins.

-The White cookies remind us of how only Jesus can forgive our sins because He has already paid the price for them.

-The Blue cookies remind us of how Jesus rose from the dead and forty days later He ascended into the sky.

-The Green cookies remind us of how we can grow close to Jesus and walk with Him every day.

-The Yellow cookies remind us that those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior are forgiven and get to spend forever with Him in Heaven.

We hope you have a Happy Easter and we would love for you to join us for an Easter Celebration at our church this Sunday. [Add specific information about your church here.]

“Taste and see that God is good” (Psalm 34:8)

JESUS CAME COOKIES—The Triumphal Entry

Items needed: Sugar cookie dough, sprinkles, powdered sugar and milk

(NOTE: You may want to do this activity and the next one together since they involve many of the same items.)

Read Mark 11:7-10. This is the story of when Jesus entered Jerusalem just one week before His crucifixion.

Either buy or make sugar cookie dough. Roll out the dough and let your children make shapes that represent Jesus entering Jerusalem such as palm leaves or a donkey (like the one Jesus rode on). Or they can make shapes representing things that happened in the following week such as a cross to represent Jesus dying for our sins or an angel to represent the angels that met the women who came to the tomb, who first announced that Jesus rose from the dead.

Take colored sprinkles and crush them up to small pieces. Explain to your children that even though it was a sweet day when Jesus entered and the crowd worshiped Him, Jesus already knew the crushing pain He would feel when one week later the crowd would cry out, “Crucify Him,” and He would be beaten, whipped and killed for our sins.

Make frosting from powdered sugar and milk and use food coloring to add color. Use the frosting and sprinkles to decorate your creations.

NOTE: For this experiment, safety goggles are recommended for whoever shakes up the bottle. During the reaction make sure the bottle is not pointed at anyone.

NOTE: If you don’t have these items, you can do a different activity that is explained in the Other Option section below:

STEP 1 -Go outside. Pour half an inch of lemon juice into a clean, empty 16-oz bottle. Then fill the bottle with water until it is almost half full.

STEP 2 – Put a teaspoon of Baking Soda into a square of tissue and fold it like a packet.

STEP 3 -Cut two strips of a paper towel and tape them to the top of a cork.

STEP 4 -Drop the packet of Baking Soda into the bottle. Put the cork in the top and tape the paper towel strips to both sides of the bottle.

STEP 5 -(Parent) Shake the bottle and stand back.

KEY—The lemon juice and the baking soda react with one another to create a power that shoots the cork into the air. In the same way that the bottle couldn’t contain this power, the grave couldn’t contain Jesus. His power was greater than sin and death. He conquered them both and made a way for us to follow Him and go to heaven forever.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

PRAY—Thank Jesus for loving you so much that He died on the cross and then defeated death and the grave to make a way for you both to go to heaven and to share in His life.

OTHER OPTION

Do this activity if you don’t have the items you need for the one above.

You will need: Several sheets of Paper

Make a paper airplane and take turns throwing it as far as you can. Also, make some paper wads and see if you can throw them further than the airplanes. There is a limit to how far both of these can go, but there is no limit to God’s power. He is all-powerful, so powerful that he defeated even death.

Read 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

PRAY—Thank Jesus for loving you so much that He died on the cross and then defeated death and the grave to make a way for you both to go to heaven and to share in His life.

His father asked, “Is there anything that you’re hiding?”

“Yes,” he replied quietly. “I’m hiding God’s Word in my heart.”

As Christian parents we all want our kids to know God’s Word and to memorize Scripture but what kind of example do we truly set for this? When was the last time your child saw you memorizing from the Bible? What was the last verse you memorized?

Scripture memorization isn’t just for children. It’s for you too.

So here’s today’s question…What are you hiding?

The children fell to discussing the dog’s duties. “They use him to keep crowds back,” said one youngster.

“No,” said another, “he’s just for good luck.”

A third child brought the argument to a close. “They use the dogs,” she said firmly, “to find the fire hydrant.”*

Sometimes kids are left guessing. When it comes to the purpose of a Dalmatian, it’s not that big of a deal, but with matters of God, never leave knowledge to guess-work. As parents, God has given us the great privilege of passing truth and faith along to our children. This is an intentional attitude—one that evaluates your children and purposely disciples them to be godly young men and ladies who live to know and serve God.

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 6:5-7, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

Here are a few tips to help you make this a reality in your life:

-Share with your kids what God is doing in your life.

-Spend time with God when your kids can see you. (Sometimes we tend to spend time with the Lord before our children wake up or after they go to bed. This is a great habit but consider how often your children actually see you reading the Bible.)

-Let your children know that they can ask you anything about God, life or even you.

-Ask your children questions that will stir spiritual conversations.

-Use movies, TV shows and other items in the news as a springboard to discussion godly decision-making.

-Seize times when situations happen in the life of your family to pray together and discuss how God guides us in every situation.

-Set aside time for “family devotions” each week. Have fun while teaching your kids God’s truths.

God has told us how to live. God has given us His Word. Build these truths into your kids so that nothing in is ever left to guesswork.

*This story was taken from an e- newsletter from 2/6/12 by Biblical Parenting: www.biblicalparenting.org.

“I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced. Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung at it, and missed.

“Strike One!” he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!”

He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down he swung again and missed. “Strike Two!” he cried.

The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!”

Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed.

“Strike Three!”

“Wow!” he exclaimed. “I’m the greatest pitcher in the world too!”*

Sometimes as adults we lose the optimism that helps us see life for it’s positive elements. In return we sometimes become critical and sometimes, although we would all like to get encouragement, we become a people who don’t encourage others.

Consider this: This week how many times have you corrected your child’s character or behavior–i.e., pick up your clothes, put your toys away, clean up your mess, eat with your mouth closed, don’t wear your old shoes to church, don’t pull the dog’s tail, etc.

Compare this to how many times you’ve pointed out positive elements about your child to encourage them–i.e., I like the way you laugh, I’m glad you’re my son, I love spending time with you, you’ve got a great smile, I’m proud of how you treat others when…, you’re so smart, you’re a great daughter.

Encouragement isn’t a replacement for correction and just as every child needs correction, every child also needs encouragement. A man once challenged me to spend 10 times more energy encouraging my children than correcting them.

Take this test. Keep count this week of how many times you correct your child compared to how many times you specifically encourage them. Then look at the bright side of life and become the “greatest” encourager for your children.

*This story was taken from a newsletter by Biblical Parenting:  www.biblicalparenting.org.

 (NOTE: If you don’t have these items, you can do the following to make the same point: Use food items or shaving cream to make a beard and mustache on your child—it’ll make a mess on them, just like sin makes a mess out of our lives. Then see how fast they can clean up their faces. Read 1 John 1:9 and continue with the discussion below.

STEP 1

Use a highlighter to write different sins on a coffee filter.

STEP 2

Put a few drops of lemon juice on the filter and watch your sins disappear.

Read 1 John 1:9

SAY: Sin always makes a mess in our lives but if we confess our sins and tell God we’re sorry for the wrong things we’ve done, He’ll forgive us. We can’t clean ourselves up; We can’t forgive our own sins—we need a Savior. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have to deal with the consequences of the wrong things we’ve done, but when God forgives a sin, it’s gone for good.

SAY:That’s great news…and news like this ought to be shared with others. Jesus doesn’t want us to keep this a secret but to share it with the whole world.

ASK: This week who can you tell about how Jesus can forgive sins?

PRAY—List family prayer requests and pray.

BREAKFAST BITES

What do you think the world would be like if there was no sin? (We would be perfect. No one would lie or steal or cheat. You could trust everyone, etc.)

In what ways do you think sin hurts people?

Read Galatians 6:7-8

(The point of this verse is simply: what you plant in your life is what will grow in your life. If you plant the things of God, you will grow things that last forever. If you give in to sin, however, the hurt of that sin will destroy the life that God intends for you to have.)

NOTE: If you don’t have these items, you can do a different activity that is explained in the Other Option section below:

STEP 1: Fill up the bathtub so that the cans have enough room to sink.

STEP 2: Consider these questions…

-What do you think will happen when you put the cans

into the bathtub?

-Will they both sink?

-Will they both float?

-Will one sink and one float, and if so, which will do

what?

STEP 3: Put both cans in the bathtub. What happened?

POINT: The difference between these two cans is about half a cup of sugar.

KEY: Just a little makes a big difference. In the same way it takes just a little sin to drag a Christian down. According to the Bible, there’s no room for sin in the Christian’s life. So, have you been doing anything you know is wrong? If so, then stop doing it (repent), ask God to forgive you, and turn to follow Jesus again.

Also, just like the can that rose, Jesus rose from the dead after three days and later He ascended into heaven. That’s great news, and here’s some more great news: Those who have given their lives to Jesus can know for sure that they’re going to heaven to spend eternity with Him forever.

Read John 14:1-3

PRAY—Thank God for preparing a place for His people in heaven.

Other Option

Do this activity if you don’t have the items you need for the one above.

Make some chocolate milk where just a little powder makes a big change; or taste test some strawberries then dip them in sugar. Again, just a little makes a big difference; Or eat something that needs salt, like corn to make this same point. Then begin with the discussion below.

DISCUSSION: Just a little makes a big difference. In the same way it takes just a little sin to drag a Christian down. According to the Bible, there’s no room for sin in the Christian’s life. So, have you been doing anything you know is wrong? If so, then stop doing it (repent), ask God to forgive you, and turn to follow Jesus again.

It’s good news that God can forgive you. This is the reason that Jesus died and rose from the dead, and here’s some more great news: Those who have given their lives to Jesus can know for sure that they’re going to heaven to spend eternity with Him forever.

Read John 14:1-3

PRAY—Thank God for preparing a place for His people in heaven.

BREAKFAST BITES

What are some things that you look forward to about going to heaven? (Seeing Jesus face to face, meeting people from the Bible, living forever in God’s presence, etc.)

What are some things that you look forward to leaving behind when you go to heaven? (Fear, heart-break, sin, rejection, temptation, etc.)

Read John 14:1-6

NOTE: If you don’t have these items, you can do a different activity that is explained in the Other Option section below:

STEP 1

Pour two glasses of water. In one put a few drops of green (or blue) food coloring. With each drop say something bad that people do (i.e., tell a lie, take something that belongs to someone else, throw a fit, disobey mom or dad, etc.) This green (or blue) cup stands for all the bad things we do.

STEP 2

In the second cup of water, add a few drops of yellow (or red) food coloring. The yellow stands for the streets of gold in heaven. (If you use red, it stands for the blood Jesus shed when He died to make a way for us to go to heaven.) This cup stands for Jesus and how He died to make a way for us to go to heaven and to take away all the wrong things we’ve done.

STEP 3

Now pour the cup representing Jesus (yellow or red) into the cup that represents our sins (green or blue). There is a big change. When someone gives their life to Jesus, there is a big change that happens because: (1) that person is adopted into God’s family, (2) they are given God’s Holy Spirit to guide and direct them, (3) they are given an eternal life that nothing can ever take away, and (4) God gives them a brand new kind of life.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17

PRAY—And thank God for the change He can bring to people’s lives.

Other Option

Do this activity if you don’t have the items you need for the one above.

Make some cookies or biscuits and point out the change that happens while cooking. You might even want to do a before and after taste-test. Or, pop some popcorn and compare a kernel with the end result—A taste-test here is recommended only for the final product! Or, get a little messy by adding water to a nicely folded pile of toilet paper. This is guaranteed to make a change. Then begin with the discussion below.

DISCUSSION: The change you just saw doesn’t even begin to compare with the change that Jesus makes when a person gives his or her life to Him.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17

When people are saved, they become brand new. No matter how bad they’ve been, all their sins are gone. They also become a child of God and are given His Holy Spirit. They are saved from a life without Christ as well as an eternity separated from God to a life that lives for Christ and an eternity in heaven. Isn’t God great!

PRAY—Take Family Prayer Requests. Then pray and thank God for the change He can bring to people’s lives.

BREAKFAST BITES

What are three ways that you can show Jesus’ love to others today?

What is something you would change in the world if you could? (Starvation, war, hate, racisim, etc.)

What do you think the world would be like if everyone knew and followed Jesus?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

(NOTE: If you don’t have these items, you can use a mirror to reflect light with the same italicized and underlined key point below. Take turns reflecting light at different targets. Who are some people who need to see the light of Jesus?)

STEP 1

Mix two parts glue with one part liquid starch. Stir well.

STEP 2

Keep adding starch one spoonful at a time, while working it with your fingers, until it becomes a putty-like mixture.

STEP 3

Put the putty onto an old comic book or newspaper. Press down and then peel it off. What changed?

KEY: The putty didn’t show anything until you pressed it against the comic book or newpaper. Now it shows whatever words or pictures you pressed it on. In the same way, once people meet Jesus (give their lives to Him), they become a reflection of who He is. Read the verses below and think about ways you show Jesus to others who don’t know Him.

Read Matthew 5:16

PRAY—List Family Prayer Requests. Then pray and thank God that He can use you as a light to show His life and love to others.

BREAKFAST BITES

What kind of difference do you think Jesus makes in your life?

How do you think people around you every day see the difference Jesus makes?

How can you tell others about the difference Jesus can make in their lives?

Read Matthew 5:13-16

GET STARTED

Take turns blindfolding each member of the family and giving them different tasks to do. Tasks could include tying their shoes, making their bed, writing their name, wiping off the table, turning on the TV, etc.

ASK: How do you think it would feel to be blind?

Read Luke 18:35-43

SAY: The blind man followed Jesus and praised Him after he was healed.

ASK: What are some things that we can praise God for today? What else can you be thankful for?

Consider this: The Bible says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” You can praise God for always giving you the strength you need to live for Him. Isn’t God great! All things are possible with God.

PRAY—Have each family member pray and tell God one thing they praise Him for.

BREAKFAST BITES

When a person follows Jesus, what are some changes He brings to his life?  (A person wants to do good instead of things that are wrong; You’ll have joy and satisfaction in life; etc.)

What are some ways you can follow Jesus this week? (Read the Bible, pray, go to church, tell others about Jesus, do what’s right, obey your teachers, help a friend who is hurting, etc.)

Read Luke 9:23

Read Matthew 14:22-33

Make a tower or house out of dominoes. Then make a tower or house of cards. Trying blowing them down. Which one fell easier? Why?

A house of cards falls easily. The smallest touch and down it comes. This is like a Christian who doesn’t keep his eyes on Jesus. He starts looking at the things of the world or tough situations or what other people say and before long, just like Peter, he starts to sink.

The tower of dominoes, though, didn’t fall so easy. This is like a believer who trusts God and keeps his heart fixed on Him. Someone who trusts Jesus and walks with Him regardless of what happens or what people say or how bad things may seem, will have a rock-solid faith that will help them do anything God wants them to do (like Peter walking on the water).

Read Matthew 7:24-27

ASK: Which one is more like the house of cards: The man who built his house on sand or on the rock?

ASK: Which one is more like the tower of dominoes: The man who built his house on sand or on the rock?

KEY: The person who obeys God and trusts Him will have a rock-solid faith that is the foundation on which God wants you to build your life.

PRAY—Take Family Prayer Requests. Then pray and thank God for giving you a faith that can’t be shaken by the things of this world and that with God all things are possible.

BREAKFAST BITES

What do you think a person feels like when they take their eyes off Jesus? (Empty. Lonely. In trouble, etc.)

Do you know anyone going through a hard time?

If you do, or when you do, what can you do to help them fix their eyes on Christ again?

Read Galatians 6:1

NOTE: If you don’t have these items, you can do the following to make the same point: Make a mess and clean it up. There are number of fun ways to do this—Play in the mud outside, have a shaving cream fight, have a paper-wad fight, fix a meal together or cookies (it always makes a mess in my kitchen!) or just jump in when someone accidentally spills their milk. Then begin at the DISCUSSION section below.

STEP 1:

Set out several dirty pennies on a plate.

STEP 2

Pour hot sauce on the tops of all but one of them.

STEP 3

Wait about four minutes and then wipe and wash them off.

STEP 4

Compare the pennies to the one you didn’t put hot sauce on. Do you see the difference?

DISCUSSION

A person who has given his or her life to Jesus has been cleaned from their sins. Their sins are gone just like the dirtiness that we just cleaned up. But this doesn’t mean that they will be perfect. When a Christian does something wrong, even though he is already saved, he still needs to ask for forgiveness. Why? Not to go to heaven. Someone who is saved is going to heaven and nothing can change that, but to have a good relationship with God.

Think of it this way: Let’s say one day you punch your brother (or sister) in the nose.

ASK: Are you still part of the same family? Of course. When you give your life to Jesus, you become a part of God’s family and nothing can change that.

ASK: So if you do something wrong, are you still a part of God’s family? Of course—just like you would still be brother and sister and part of the same family, even though you did something wrong.

ASK: But if you punched your brother (or sister) in the nose, would you be right with them? No You punched him in the nose!

ASK: So what would you have to do to get right with each other? Say you’re sorry. When you do wrong things in life, even though you’re still going to heaven, you still need to ask for forgiveness (say you’re sorry) to clean up your relationship with God.

Read 1 John 1:9

This verse will tell you what to do when you do something wrong.

PRAY—Take Family Prayer Requests. Then pray and thank God for providing a way to take your sins away—to be forgiven.

Breakfast Bites

Is everyone a child of God?  (No. Everyone is a creation of God, but the Bible says that only those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord are God’s children.)

How do you think a person becomes a child of God?  (By giving their lives to Jesus.)

Read John 1:12

FAMILY COMPETITION #1

See who can say “Unique New York” the most times correctly in 10 seconds. Let each person in your family have a turn.

FAMILY COMPETITION #2

See who can say “Red Leather, Yellow Leather” the most times back to back without making a mistake. Let each family member try a few times.

SAY: It might seem impossible to say “Unique New York” or “Red Leather, Yellow Leather,” but it’s not—it just takes practice. There are other things in life that take practice too.

ASK: Have you ever heard the expression, “Don’t let them get your goat”? Or, “They got your goat”?

ASK: What do you think this expression means?

SAY: For someone to “get your goat,” it means that they made you mad or frustrated.

SAY: Goats have a calming affect on horses and a long time ago, people who trained horses would put a goat with a horse before a big competition or a race. Those who didn’t want the horse to win in the competition sometimes would sneak in at night and steal the goat. They wanted the horse to be frustrated and upset so that it wouldn’t compete as well.

DISCUSSION

Let everybody in the family answer each of the following questions:

ASK: What makes you frustrated or upset? (What “gets your goat”?)

ASK: What hurts your feelings?

ASK: If you could change anything about how people at school (or work) treat you, what would you change?

ASK: If you could change anything about how people in our family treat you, what would you change?

ASK: What are some things people do when they get frustrated or upset? (Sometimes they say mean things, pout, get mad, complain, etc.)

SAY: In the same way that it takes practice to say, “Red Leather, Yellow Leather,” self-control takes practice too. Instead of getting frustrated or upset quickly and doing something you know is wrong, you can control your actions and always have the right response, even when people “get your goat.”

SAY: Listen to the kind of actions that God wants us to have.

Read Galatians 5:22-23 from your Bible.

SAY: These are the responses that God wants to show in our lives. I’m going to read the verse again, but this time I want you to repeat each of these character traits after me.

Re-read Galatians 5:22-23 from your Bible but pause after each trait.

PLAY A GAME

Give each person in your family a piece of paper. For this game you can either wad up the paper or make a paper airplane with it (if you know how) or both.

Take turns seeing who can throw the paper the farthest.

SAY: In the game we wanted to see how far we could go with our paper, which leads us to a great question, how far are we willing to go to do what’s right? In other words…

ASK: The next time frustrating things happen to you, what can help you show self-control and choose the right response?

ASK: What are some bad things you can do when you feel frustrated or upset?

ASK: What are some good things you can do when you feel frustrated or upset?

Here are some suggestions to help you be careful not to do the wrongs things when you get frustrated and upset. Tell me which ones you think might help the most.

-When you begin to get upset, try to get away from the situation. Go to another room. Get away from the person who is upsetting you until you calm down.

-When you feel frustrated, count to ten before talking to give yourself time to make sure you are showing self-control with your words.

-They next time you feel this way, talk to Jesus. Pray and tell God how you are feeling and why.

-Instead of choosing how to respond in frustration, go to your parents and ask them how you should respond.

-Know what the Bible says about how you should respond when you’re upset.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Take a few minutes to list any family prayer requests and to pray. Be sure to pray for any situations that are frustrating or upsetting people in your family.

FAMILY COMPETITION #1

We have five questions that we’re going to use in a game. I’m going to read the question. Then each of us gets to guess what we think everyone else’s answer for the question will be. We’ll keep track of how many each of us gets right but you have to be totally honest.

Questions:

-What is my favorite color?

-What is my favorite food?

-What is my favorite thing to do on Saturday mornings?

-What is my favorite thing our family has done since Christmas?

-What is my favorite TV show?

Count how many points each person in your family has and announce the winner.

DISCUSSION

ASK: Have you ever heard the expression, “Don’t let the cat out of the bag”? What do you think it means?

SAY: Saying, “Don’t let the cat out of the bag” is another way of saying, “Don’t let the secret out.” In old times, farmers would take a piglet in a bag to the market to sell. Some crooks would put a cat in the bag instead, and if the person buying the bag didn’t look inside, they might end up buying a cat, which wasn’t worth much, instead of a pig. That’s where the saying came from—it’s about something that someone wants to hide.

ASK: Is it wrong to have secrets? (It depends on what the secret is—There are good secrets and bad secrets.)

ASK: What would a good secret be like? (A surprise party or a special present.)

SAY: Good secrets are usually fun and exciting. They don’t hurt anyone and don’t have anything to do with someone doing something wrong. Usually good secrets are revealed in the right time too.

ASK: What’s an example of a bad secret?

SAY: Bad secrets are things that need to be told. The “cat” needs to come out of the bag and the secret needs to be known. Here are some questions that can help you decide if you’re keeping a secret that needs to be told:

-Hold up ONE finger: Does this or did this secret hurt you or someone else?

-Hold up TWO fingers: Does it worry you?

-Hold up THREE fingers: Are you hiding it because you or someone else did something wrong?

-Hold up FOUR fingers: Are you hiding it because you would be embarrassed if people know?

-Hold up FIVE fingers: Did someone tell you not to tell anyone about it?

SAY: If anyone ever does something and then tells you NOT to tell anyone, it’s usually a BIG sign that you need to tell someone.

ASK: Is there anything that you would like to talk about or to ask me before we move on? Is there anything that you’ve always wanted to tell me or ask but haven’t?

ASK: Do you have any “bad” secrets that you’ve been keeping?

SAY: Always feel free to talk to me about anything and everything that is going on in your life.

FAMILY COMPETITION #2

Have your children face away from you and close their eyes or leave the room for a minute while you hide a small object. See how long it takes for them to find it. Then let them hide the object for you to find.

SAY: It’s easy to hide things from people, even secrets. But…Can a person hide anything from God? (No. God sees everything—You can’t keep a secret from Him.)

Listen to what the Bible says about how God sees everything…

Read Hebrews 4:13 from your Bible

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

SAY: God knows more about what is happening in your life than you do. Talk to Him about everything and always talk to us too.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Take a few minutes to list any family prayer requests and to pray. Be sure to pray for any situations that are mentioned.

Tell some Knock, Knock jokes and let your children also try to make some up if they want too. Here are some examples:

KNOCK, KNOCK JOKES #1

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

-Ima / Ima Who? / Ima a really hungry. Can we order a pizza?

-Shirley / Shirley Who? / Surely you can get up and open the door!

-Dishes / Dishes Who? / Dishes the police! Open up!

-Handsome / Handsome Who? Handsome of the pizza to me!

-General Lee / General Lee Who? / General Lee I ring the door bell!

-Boo / Boo Who? / Please stop crying. I didn’t mean to scare you.

-Tom Sawyer / Tom Sawyer who? / Tom Sawyer underwear!

SAY: As Jesus was teaching, listen to what He said about prayer. Especially listen for the word “knock.”

Read Matthew 7:7-8 from your Bible.

Big Question

ASK: What do you think Jesus meant by these verses?

SAY: When you have cares and concerns, God wants you to ASK Him, SEEK Him about them, and KNOCK on “His door”. He wants you to bring your requests and your whole life to Him.

ASK: Does this mean that you will always get what you pray for? (No, because God knows best and won’t give you things that wouldn’t be good for you. You have to trust that God will answer prayers in the best way possible.)

ASK: Does God always answer prayer?

SAY: Yes. God ALWAYS answers prayer: He answers in one of three ways.

Hold up ONE finger—Sometimes God answers “Yes”

Hold up TWO fingers—Sometimes God answers “No”

Hold up THREE fingers—Sometimes God answers “Later—not right now—wait a while”

KNOCK, KNOCK JOKES #2

Tell some more Knock, Knock jokes. Here are some more examples:

Knock, Knock / Who’s There?

-House / House Who? / House it going?

-Watson / Watson Who?/ Watson TV?

-Colleen / Colleen Who? / Colleen up your room, please.

-Gorilla / Gorilla Who? / Gorilla me a cheese sandwich, please.

-Huge / Huge Who? / Huge you expect.

Yaw / Yaw Who? / Just me. Why are you so excited?

-Leena / Leena Who? / Leena little closer and I’ll tell you.

Bible Story:  Read Luke 11:1-10

SAY: The point of this story is NOT that God is like the grumpy guy who doesn’t want to get up and give his friend some bread. God loves giving us good things. The point is that God wants us to be bold and persistent—To ask and keep asking, to seek and keep seeking, to knock and keep knocking. When we pray, God doesn’t want us to give up.

ASK: Do you remember the three ways that God answers prayer?

-Hold up ONE finger—Sometimes God answers “Yes”

-Hold up TWO fingers—Sometimes God answers “No”

-Hold up THREE fingers—Sometimes God answers “Later—not right now—wait a while”

SAY: God loves you and wants to give you good things. But sometimes God will say no because what you want isn’t what is best for you. And sometimes God will answer later because the time just isn’t right yet, so we need to keep praying, keep seeking, keep knocking and trust that God knows best.

PRAYER REQUESTS

ASK: What are some things that you would like to talk to God about tonight?

Take turns praying and laying your requests before God.

Week 1—GOD MADE ME SPECIAL
Key Point: God has a great design for your life.

Week 2—BUILDING ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION
Key Point: Build your life on Jesus.

Week 3—RUN AWAY
Key Point: Keep sin out of your life.

Week 4—LISTEN UP
Key Point: Listen to God; He listens to you

Week 5—ANSWER THE CALL
Key Point: God’s Got a Call for Us All.

Week 6—GO!
Key Point: Share Jesus with those you know.

Marshmallow Madness
WEEK 1—GOD MADE ME SPECIAL

YOU WILL NEED: Large marshmallows, lots of toothpicks and marshmallows of all sizes, including huge ones for the Get-To-Know You Toss, if they are available.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Set out everything that you’ll need for today’s lesson.
 There are several verses to share today. Have these already marked in your Bible because you’re going to need as much time as you can get today.
 Make sure you have enough marshmallows. Always have some extras for your kids to eat while you tie in the spiritual points.

Get Started

Get-To-Know-You Toss
Have your group sit in a circle. Say your name and then toss a large marshmallow to someone else. They will say their name and toss it to another person who hasn’t yet said their name. Continue until everyone has had a turn. Do it again in the same order. Then try to speed it up to see how fast your group can do it.

Read Psalm 147:4-5 from your Bible.

SAY: God counts the stars and knows them by name. His understanding is unlimited. He is almighty and He also knows your name. That’s how special you are to Him. He created you for a reason and today we’re going to create something too.

Marshmallow Sculptures
Using toothpicks and both large and small marshmallows see who can come up with the most creative sculpture. Give each student an opportunity to show and explain their creation to the class. Praise something about each kids creation and especially for any kind of spiritual application.

ASK: What is something that God cannot do? (Let the kids guess—Most will say that He can do anything, which is true but this is a play on words.)

SAY: God cannot make a mistake and God didn’t make a mistake when He made you. God made you special and God doesn’t make junk.

Read 1 Peter 2:9 from your Bible.

ASK: Who does this say you are?

SAY: You are chosen; royal; part of a priesthood—that’s means you are a minister before God, a holy nation, you are a person for God’s own possession—This IS who you are in Christ. This isn’t what you try to become. This is what you became the moment you were saved—a part of God’s family.

SAY: God made you special and has a special design, a special plan just for you.

Call up a volunteer to represent Jeremiah. Lead all the kids to say, “Hi, Jeremiah.”

Jeremiah was a prophet of God but listen to what God told him:

Read Jeremiah 1:5 from your Bible but first tell the kids that every time you say the word “I”, that’s God talking and for them to say, “That’s God!”

SAY: God had plans for Jeremiah’s life even before he was born and even before you were born, God had great plans for your life too. Follow Jesus in every way and you won’t miss a thing that He has designed for you.

If you have extra time…
Play the Get-to-Know-You Toss game again.

Marshmallow Madness
WEEK 2—BUILDING ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION

YOU WILL NEED: Lots of marshmallows—at least two bags per student and at least 20 toothpicks per student.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Make sure you have enough marshmallows. Always have some extras for your kids to eat while you tie in the spiritual points.

Get Started

Forehead Stack
Form your group into a couple of small teams. Have one team member lie down. The others will attempt to build the tallest tower possible on his or her forehead.

ASK : Why do you think your towers had trouble standing? (Because they were being built on a bad foundation. Nobody’s forehead is a great place for building anything. Plus, people tend to move and wiggle.)

SAY: If you are going to build a house, you must first lay the right foundation.
Then you build upon it, one step at a time. Did you know that 2 Peter 1:4-8 gives a list of Christian qualities that build upon one another? Of course, you must first have the right foundation, Jesus Christ.

ASK: What do you think I mean when I say that Jesus Christ is the right foundation?

SAY: Last week I told you that God has great plans for your life. Those plans begin with you accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. (This would be a great place for you to share your own salvation testimony, but keep it short and to the point of how Jesus “saved” you.) Then, once you have given your life to Christ, knowing God doesn’t stop there. You get to walk with Him and get to know Him better every day and He will build His life and into yours. Listen to these building blocks…

Read 2 Peter 1:4-8. The New Living Translation gives a good reading of these verses for kids:

So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance, and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NLT)

ASK: What are some of the qualities that are mentioned here?

ASK: Are there any of these characteristics that you think are hard to have? Any that are easy?

SAY: These are almost like steps, like one thing leading to another, but always growing more like Jesus and building on Him as your foundation for life.

Tall Towers
SAY: We’re going to see who can build the tallest tower—This time using a solid foundation (by using tables or building on the floor). We’re also going to use some tools to help us. Not only can you use marshmallows but toothpicks as well.

ASK: God has given us tools to help us know Him better too. What are some of these tools? (The Bible, parents, church, godly friends, etc.)

Let the students work as individuals or in small groups to build the tallest towers possible. Quickly they will realize that the taller they go, the stronger and bigger their foundation needs to be. The same is true in life. You have to be strongly connected to Jesus to grow and do the great things He has planned for you.

ASK: What are ways you can keep growing closer to God? What tools can help you? How strong do you feel your foundation with Jesus is?

Marshmallow Madness
WEEK 3—RUN AWAY

YOU WILL NEED: Marshmallows, marshmallows, marshmallows! At least one bag per student of either large or small; a box or container; a piece of tape dividing the “Push Away” game sides. This only needs to be as long as half your group on each side lined up.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Make sure everything is set out and ready and the verses in your Bible are marked and ready to read.

Get Started
SAY: Everybody repeat after me: “Keep sin (kids repeat) / out of (kids repeat) / your life!” (kids repeat)

ASK: What is sin? (Doing anything that is wrong?)

ASK: What are some examples of sin that you see at school?

Today I want you to remember…Repeat after me: “Keep sin (kids repeat) / out of (kids repeat) / your life!” (kids repeat)

Best Tooth Award
SAY: By taking a bite out of a large marshmallow, you can make it look like a tooth.

Let your students each have a turn at making a tooth. Have fun praising each and if you want, give a “Best Tooth Award,” and of course, what do they win…a bag of marshmallows (of a special flavor)…or you could just give them one big marshmallow. Have fun with this. You might even give the “winner” a tiny marshmallow instead, just for the fun of it.

Make sure that the kids don’t eat their “marshmallow teeth.” Instead ask your student to put all their marshmallow teeth into a box or container. You’ll need them again in a minute.

SAY: Let’s talk about someone who would like to sink his teeth into you…

Read 1 Peter 5:8-9 from your Bible

SAY: The devil is looking for someone to “devour.”

ASK: What do you think this means? (That the devil is looking for people who will fall for his tricks, who will fall into sin and temptation.)

SAY: Everybody repeat after me: “Keep sin (kids repeat) / out of (kids repeat) / your life!” (kids repeat)

Push Away
Divide your students into two teams. Using a piece of tape, create a boundary between the two teams. Instruct your students to sit down on their side of the line facing those on the opposite team, leaving only a couple of feet between the two teams. Pour out several bags of marshmallows between them. When you say go, they will try to push (not throw) the marshmallows onto the other team’s side. At the end of one minute, whichever side has the least marshmallows is the winning team.

ASK: What are things that God wants us to keep away from?

Read 2 Timothy 2:22 from your Bible.

SAY: Everybody repeat after me: “Keep sin (kids repeat) / out of (kids repeat) / your life!” (kids repeat)

ASK: So how can you resist the devil? How can you overcome temptation?

SAY: It begins by a simple decision that you want to follow Jesus and that He is more important to you than anything else. Then you can trust God’s Word and have confidence that God will give you the strength you need to fight against sin and keep it out of your life.

SAY: A while ago, you put your “marshmallow teeth” creations in this box (or container). Do you think you could pick yours out?

Let the kids try to pick out their “teeth.”

ASK: Are you sure that you’ve chosen the right marshmallow? Are you so sure that you would be willing to eat it? (Tell them not to do this—after all, they’ve been in a box!)

SAY: There’s a lot of things in life that you might not be so sure about, but with God you can have total confidence. His Word is true and His promises last forever. He is with you and He’ll never leave you, and if you follow Him, He’ll give you the strength you need to overcome sin and temptation. James 4:7 says, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

If you have extra time…

(1) Read Colossians 3:8-10 from your Bible. Discuss things that God wants them to keep out of their lives and then…

(2) Play the “Push Away” game again or talk about characters in the Bible who showed total confidence in God instead of giving into sin (great examples: Daniel facing the lion’s den; Shadrack, Meshack and Abindego facing the fiery furnace).

Marshmallow Madness
WEEK 4—LISTEN UP

YOU WILL NEED: Yes, more marshmallows! A marker that will write on marshmallows; one blindfold for every two students; one small Zip-Lock bag for each student.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Pour a hundred or two hundred marshmallows in an area of the room. Leave enough room to walk through them but scatter them as if creating a mine-field.

Get Started

Let each student write his or her name on a marshmallow as they enter the room. Toss the named marshmallows in a box. You’ll need these later in the lesson.

Mine Field
Pour out hundreds of large marshmallows in an area. Have each student find a partner. One of them will be blindfolded and the other one, without physically touching them, will verbally guide them through the minefield of marshmallows. One touch to a marshmallow and the team is out.

(Option for Younger Children—Don’t pair the kids up. Instead, let each of them have a turn with you guiding them from the end of the marshmallow mine field.

SAY: Last week we talked about how God wants you to push sin out of your life.

Read Proverbs 4:20-27 from your Bible.

SAY: This passage begins with a “Listen closely” statement and ends by instructing the individual not to stray to the right or to the left. In other words, stay on the right path.

ASK—What are some ways that people stray from God? (They don’t listen to God; they don’t follow His Word; etc.)

ASK—What can you do to help keep yourself on the right path?

If none of the kids mention prayer, drop some hints or just come right out and say it, “Prayer is one way to keep close to God.”

ASK—How can you help others stay on the right path?

SAY: Prayer is one way you can help others and this week we’re going to give you a chance to pray for each other.

Grab the box that has the marshmallows with names on them in it. Let each student take turns pulling one out. (NOTE: Give each student a Zip-lock bag in which to put their marshmallow-prayer reminder.)

SAY—Put this marshmallow somewhere you will see it this week and every time you see it, pray for the person whose name is on it. Pray for them, even if you don’t know them well. God knows who they are and what is going on in their lives.

KEY: This week listen closely to how God want you to live and stay on His path. Then talk to God about your own life as well as your marshmallow prayer-partners for the week.

Marshmallow Madness
WEEK 5— ANSWER THE CALL

YOU WILL NEED: Marshmallows…a candle, something to light the candle, a plastic fork for each student and one metal fork; a sling shot and a target.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Have everything you need laid out for today’s lesson.
 Have a lighter in a safe place where children can’t get to it but you can when you need it.
 Have a target ready for the “Target Practice” game.

Get Started
SAY: Anytime I say, “God’s Got a Call…”, I want you to say, “For us all!” Let’s try it: Leader: “God’s Got a Call…”/ Kids: “For us all!”

Do this a few times, then SAY: God has great plans for your life—just like I have some plans for these big marshmallows. In a moment we’re going to cook-up a few and eat them but first I want to use a marshmallow and this candle to tell you a story:

Burn, Baby, Burn
Put a large marshmallow on a fork and hold it over a regular household candle. It will ignited and begin to quickly burn black. (NOTE: This is an illustration to be shown to your students, not in which to have them participate.)

SAY: The fire immediately changed the marshmallow. And if I left it in the fire, it would eventually turn totally black and burn. It would be “consumed.” That’s what was so amazing about the burning bush that Moses saw in the wilderness—The Bible says that Moses went over and looked at it because it burned but it wasn’t consumed. In other words, it burned but it never burned up because it wasn’t burning on its own resources. It’s burning depended on God. Many people get “burned-out” in life but when you live a life that completely depends on God, He gives you the strength you need to keep going, even when the going gets tough.

Cook up some marshmallows for your student. Use the metal fork to cook the marshmallows and let each student pull if off by using their plastic fork.

SAY: Leader: “God’s Got a Call…”/ Kids: “For us all!”

SAY: God called Moses to a specific mission. This was part of God’s plan for Moses his whole life. It was part of what he was created for and God has created you for a reason too. He has great plans for your life and those plans begin by you giving your life to Jesus.

While you’re talking, take a marshmallow and put it in the flame. Let it burn and burn until it’s a ruined black mess.

SAY: Sometimes people let things come into their lives that don’t belong. Just like I left this marshmallow in the fire too long and now it’s ruined, they end up with ruined lives. It’s impossible for me to fix this marshmallow. It’ll go in the trash. It would take a miracle for it to become white and good-tasting again. And it took a miracle for us to be forgiven, to know Jesus, to have eternal life and to be able to know for sure that we’ll go to heaven someday.

SAY: If you’re not sure that you’d go to heaven or you have questions about it, I want you to know that you can talk to any of our leaders today about how you can have Jesus in your life.

SAY: You see, our problem is sin. Let me show you what sin is like:

Target Practice
Let your kids take turns shooting large marshmallows from a sling-shot at a target drawn on a marker board or a bucket turned on its side, sitting on a chair, etc.

SAY: Sometimes we hit the target and sometimes we missed. But in life, we’ve all missed the target of God’s perfection.

ASK: Are any of us as perfect as God?

SAY: No, because we’ve all sinned.

Read Romans 3:23 from your Bible.

SAY: And because we’ve sinned, none of us deserve to know God or to go to heaven. But that’s why God sent Jesus.

Have students hold out one hand.

SAY: On the one hand, we’ve all done wrong things. None of us are perfect and none of us deserve to go to heaven.

Have students hold out the other hand.

SAY: On the other hand, God loves you so much that He sent Jesus, His one and only Son, to die in your place, to take the punishment for your bad things, to make a way for you to be forgiven and to spend eternity with God.

SAY: If you ever have any questions about this, please talk to one of our leaders.

SAY: Leader: “God’s Got a Call…”/ Kids: “For us all!”

SAY: And that call begins by giving your life to Jesus.

Pray that your students will give their lives to Jesus when the time is right and that those who are already saved will follow Jesus every day.

(NOTE: While presenting the plan of salvation, DO NOT ever lead your class in a group prayer. Always deal with children one-on-one and if you don’t have time to talk with someone who has questions about salvation, take them to the children’s office or another leader who is ready to share Christ.)

Marshmallow Madness
WEEK 6—GO!

YOU WILL NEED: Two pans of Jell-O with the same number of large marshmallows in each; a floor covering; and some paper towels

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Make sure that everything is ready for the “Beautiful Are the Feet” illustration.

Get Started
Beautiful Are the Feet
Reveal your pans of Jell-O with large marshmallows inside. Call up a volunteer for each pan and have them sit in a chair and remove their shoes and socks. (NOTE: You will want to have laid down some sort of floor covering such as a painter’s sheet.) When you say go, using only their toes, they will try to remove from the pan and set aside as many marshmallows as they can.

When the competition is done, have them remain sitting in their chairs with dirty feet…

SAY: God wants all of us to have “beautiful feet.” Let me explain what I mean…

Read Romans 10:14-15 from your Bible.

SAY: So when I say that God wants us all to have “beautiful feet,” I’m really saying that God wants us all to take the Good News of how Jesus saves to other people.

Let your volunteers wipe their feet and go to the bathroom to get cleaned up if necessary. While they are gone tell your kids how much you’ve enjoyed being with them over the past six weeks and…

ASK: What is your favorite marshmallow activity that we’ve done?

ASK: What is one thing we’ve talked about that you remember or that helped you?

Then, as your volunteers return, continue with the lesson…

ASK: What are some ways you can share Jesus with others?

SAY: You can share Jesus through your words but also through your actions. When you put others ahead of yourself, it shows the kind of love that comes from God.

Explain to your students the story of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet in John 13:5-20. He, who was Lord, became the servant of all and took the place of the lowliest servant by washing the disciples’ dirty feet. When we show this same kind of love and servant-like kindness through our actions, it shows people that there is something different about us…and what is different is that we know Jesus.

ASK: Who is someone this week you can tell about Jesus by serving or helping them in some way?

ASK: Who is someone this week you can tell about Jesus and what He means to you?

If you have extra time…
Give each student a large marshmallow. Have them bite in half and stick it to their foreheads and see whose marshmallow can stay stuck the longest. You can do this more than once, then tie in the following point:

SAY: Our desire through Marshmallow Madness was not just to have fun with sweets but to help you know and follow Jesus. These marshmallows won’t stick to your forehead forever but we want you to always stick to Jesus—Stick to following Him, growing closer to Him, knowing Him, and sharing Him.

Lesson 1—FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
Food: Betty Crocker Mini Molten Chocolate Cake (or brownies)
Key Point: Follow God’s Instructions
Bible Lesson: Psalm 119:9-16

Lesson 2—BE PATIENT
Food: Instant Mashed Potatoes
Key Point: Be Patient
Bible Lesson: Colossians 3:12

Lesson 3—BE PLEASING
Food: Decorate Ice Cream Sundaes
Key Point: Always do what’s right
Bible Lesson: Colossians 1:10-12

Lesson 4—BE A PART
Food: Popcorn
Key Point: God can changes lives and use you as a part of it
Bible Lesson: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Acts 26:9-18; Matthew 5:6; 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

Lesson 5—LIVE ON THE PATH
Food: Cream of Wheat
Key Point: Right and wrong is not a matter of taste
Bible Lesson: Proverbs 4:13-15; 25-27; Amos 5:15

Lesson 6—LIVE FOR WHAT MATTERS
Food: Rice
Key Point: Life is more than the food we eat and thing we have.
Bible Lesson: Matthew 6:25-33

Kitchen Craze
WEEK 1—FOLLOW GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS

YOU WILL NEED: A Betty Crocker Warm Delight Mini Molten Chocolate Cake or Brownie mix for each student; a source of water; a container of vegetable oil; a container of applesauce; at least one teaspoon and tablespoon; a spoon for each student; a microwave; and today’s Take-Home recipe.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Remove the directions for making the dessert.
 Set out an instant brownie bowl for each of your students.
 Have a source of water.
 Set out vegetable oil, and applesauce as well as measuring spoons for both a teaspoon and tablespoon.

Let’s Get Cookin’
ASK—Do you think we should or shouldn’t use the directions for making today’s dessert?

ASK—What would the benefit be of using the directions? Why might some people not use the directions?

SAY—So, if we weren’t going to use the directions, how much of each of these items would you use?

Engage your students in a discussion about what they would use and how much. Let each one tell you their thoughts. Then reveal the true instructions and explain that if they had added more water than necessary, their brownies probably would have been goo. If they had added the vegetable oil or applesauce, they most like would have ruined their dessert.

SAY: In the same way that not following the directions will ruin your dessert, not following God’s instructions in the Bible will ruin your life. God gave use rules and directions because He loves us and His instructions are our guide to living. He has given us a recipe for real life. Otherwise we might put the wrong things in our lives and get the wrong things out of our lives.

MAKE DESSERT

Let each student add the correct amount of water to complete the dessert.

As they stir and microwave their desserts, discuss questions such as:

 What are some of the instructions that God gives us?
 Why do you think God gave us these instructions? (Because He loves us; He wants us to know how to live; He tells us everything we need to know about how to live life right, etc.)
 Why do your parents give you instructions and directions? (Because they love you too.)

As your students eat, read from your Bible Psalm 119:9-16. Ask your students to raise a hand everytime they hear a word that represents God’s instructions (such as commandments, precepts, ways, statutes, etc.)

SAY—This week follow God’s instructions for your life.

Pray with your students but if time allows, talk with them about the following:

ASK—Which of God’s instructions (or laws) do you think are the hardest for you to follow?

ASK—Why do you think so many people struggle following God’s recipe for our lives?

Introduce this week’s Take-Home Recipe and encourage them to do it with a parent.

Kitchen Craze
WEEK 2—BE PATIENT

YOU WILL NEED: For a class of 8 students, you will need two packages of dry Idahoan ORIGINAL Mashed Potatoes mix, water, milk, margarine, measuring spoons for teaspoon and tablespoon, a measuring cup and salt; today’s Take-Home recipe.

NOTE: In this session, you will be mixing both packages of instant mashed potatoes at the same time but in two groups so that more students get to be a part of measuring out the ingredients.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Set out the ingredients and items that you will need.

Let’s Get Cookin’
ASK—How many of you have ever been really hungry while your mom or dad was cooking and it was so hard to wait?

SAY—Today we’re going to make instant mashed potatoes but before we do, let’s talk about last week.

ASK—Who remembers what we made last week?

ASK—Who remembers what we learned by following the instructions?

SAY—Last week we learned the importance of following God’s instructions, God’s recipe for our lives. Today we’re going to follow the instructions but before we do, we’re going to let anyone who desires take a taste of the dry mashed potatoes.

Give each student who wants a little bit of the dry mix—just enough to lick a finger and get a taste. For some, it will taste like a bad potato chip. Others will just not like it but there might be a few that think it tastes okay. Regardless of their response, it won’t change your point.

SAY—Good things come with patience.

ASK—What is patience?

ASK—What would you think about a person who was so impatient that they wouldn’t even wait for the mashed potatoes to be ready and just ate the dry mix instead? (You’d probably think they were crazy.)

SAY—If a person did that, they would rob themselves of something so much better. Let’s cook up these mashed potatoes and taste the difference.

Split your students into two groups to mix the ingredients. Instead of heating to a boil, microwave the two bowls together for 4-5 minutes. While the water/milk mix heats up, share with your students the following verse:

Read from your Bible Colossians 3:12.

What is compassion?

What is kindness?

What is humility?

What is gentleness?

SAY: God tells us to “put these on.” We’ve finished the Mashed Potatoes. They’re complete, but we can add more to them to make them even better. To your potatoes, if you want, you can “put on” butter, salt, bacon bits, etc. You can add these.

SAY: In the same way, when you are saved, your life is made complete. You’re saved. You’re going to heaven but God doesn’t want you to stop there. He wants you to grow and follow Him, to become like him by adding, not only patience, but kindness, compassion, humility and gentleness to your life.

If you have time…
Spend a few minutes discussing with your kids which of these traits they feel is the strongest in their lives and which is the weakest. How can they keep growing in and adding these godly traits to their lives?

Introduce this week’s Take-Home Recipe and encourage them to do it with a parent.

Kitchen Craze
WEEK 3—BE PLEASING

YOU WILL NEED: All the fixings for ice cream sundaes, including a variety of toppings that will “please” your students; a bowl of spinach or sea weed or mushrooms or something else that wouldn’t fit well on a sundae; bowls and spoons; and today’s Take-Home recipe.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Set out all the items you need, making sure that you also have bowls and spoons.

Let’s Get Cookin’
ASK: Who remembers what last week’s verse talked about? (If they don’t, remind them of the basic meaning behind Colossians 3:12. You might also give them hints to remind them what you prepared and ate last week and what you learned from it.)

SAY: Today’s verse comes from the book of Colossians as well.

Read from your Bible Colossians 1:10-12.

SAY: I’m going to read it again and as you listen I want you to remember one word or phrase that sticks out to you in this verse.

Read it again.

ASK: What word did you choose to remember? (Let each student tell you which word they chose.)

SAY: There’s a word that I want you to remember today. The word is “pleasing,” or as the verse says, “to please Him.” (OPTION: If you want have them try to guess your word by giving hints such as: “My word begins with a P and ends with an E. It’s something you should say when you want something, etc.)

SAY: We just read a part of the apostle Paul’s prayer for the people in the church at Colosse (get it, they were the “Colossians”!). He wanted them to live a life that was “worthy of the Lord, to please Him” in all their ways.

SAY: Now, let’s pause our conversation while we make a fun dessert. Today we’ll be making our own ice cream sundaes.

Make the sundaes. Give the kids plenty of options of what to put on their sundaes—all the different things that would “please” them but don’t make a big deal about whatever you chose that they wouldn’t want on their sundae. Once everyone is eating, come back to the conversation…

SAY: While we’re eating, let me ask you a few questions:

ASK: Why didn’t anyone choose the (whatever the un-pleasing item is)? (NOTE: If someone used it, then ask them why and ask the others why not…it will still make the same point.)

ASK: What else wouldn’t belong on an ice cream sundae? (ketchup, spaghetti, sweet peas, etc.?)

SAY: You chose to put on your sundae what pleased you. You put on it what you felt would make it just right for you. Likewise, God has told us what to put in our lives that pleases Him.

ASK: Describe someone who lives a “life worthy of the Lord, to please Him” in all his ways. What would this person be like? What would they do? What would they not do?

ASK: Would you want to hang around this person? Why or why not?

ASK: Do you think they would be a lot like Jesus?

ASK: Would you like to be a person like that?

ASK: Do you feel like that’s the kind of person you’re becoming. Why or why not?

SAY: Jesus loves you and had great plans for your life even before you were born. He has told you how to live and how to follow Him. The person who is pleasing to the Lord is the person who loves Him with all his heart, (have the kids put their hand over their heart), with all his soul (have kids motion with their hands down to their whole selves), with all his mind (have the kids point to their mind) and all his strength (have the kids hold up their arms like they are flexing their muscles).

Repeat this again.

SAY: Out of this kind of love, we obey God. Out of this love, we want to know Him better. Out of this love, we want to please Him.

Introduce this week’s Take-Home Recipe and encourage them to do it with a parent.

If you have extra time…
Take a few moments to let your kids share prayer requests with you and pray for them.

Kitchen Craze
WEEK 4—BE A PART

YOU WILL NEED: For a class of 8 students, you will need three packages of popcorn and some popcorn toppings; Matthew 5:6 & 1 Corinthians 2:14-15 written on a small strips of paper and ready to be hidden; and today’s Take-Home recipe.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Set out everything you need and hide the two verses that your students will try to find: Matthew 5:6 & 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

Let’s Get Cookin’
ASK: How many of you would like some popcorn?

Take a bag of the popcorn and tear it open (without cooking it!) and begin distributing uncooked kernels.

SAY: Who wants some? Nobody. That would taste terrible. An incredible change happens when these little kernels get hot. They go from being hard and tasteless to one of the best tasting treats around. In a like manner, an incredible change happens when someone gives his life to Jesus.

Read from your Bible 2 Corinthians 5:17.

ASK: What is this verse talking about? (The kind of change that Jesus can bring to a person’s life where all the bad things they’ve done are gone and God gives them a new life and a new beginning.)

SAY: We’re getting ready to see a change in this popcorn too.

Cook up the popcorn.

While it cooks, tell your students to search the room for two verses that are going to help them learn from the popcorn.

Give each student a drink. Distribute the popcorn.

ASK: What do you like on your popcorn? Has anyone ever tried strangely flavored popcorn like Nacho Cheese or Bubblegum flavored?

SAY: No matter what your favorite popcorn toppings are, one thing is true—popcorn makes you thirty.

While they eat, read from your Bible Acts 26:9-18. Explain to them that in the same way that the heat total changed the popcorn kernel, that God totally changed Saul’s (Paul’s) life. As he describes, he went from hurting and killing the followers of Jesus to being a follower and minister of Jesus.

Take the two verses they found while the popcorn was cooking and have the following brief discussion:

SAY: Popcorn makes you thirsty. Did you know that God wants us to thirst for something too?

READ Matthew 5:6

SAY: God wants us to hunger and thirst for righteousness and when we do, this has an affect on others…

ASK: When did you first smell the popcorn? When you smell popcorn, how does it affect you?

SAY: Popcorn is one of the most powerful smells in the world and did you know that the Bible talks about a sweet smell too?

READ 1 Corinthians 2:14-15.

SAY: By how you live, you can make other people hunger and thirst for Jesus. You can draw them to Christ by the things you say and do. In other words, you can be a part of God changing lives, just like he changed Paul’s—just like the heat changed the kernel from something hard and worthless to something good and tasty.

Introduce this week’s Take-Home Recipe and encourage them to do it with a parent.

Kitchen Craze
WEEK 5—LIVE ON THE PATH

YOU WILL NEED: No less than one package of Cream of Wheat for every two students; a source of water; some sugar and butter; a microwave; and a large paper sack. Have some milk to drink with this; and today’s Take-Home recipe.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Be familiar with the instructions on how to make Cream of Wheat and make sure that you have all the necessary ingredients.
 Put the Cream of Wheat box in a paper sack so that kids can see what you’re making.
 For thicker Cream of Wheat add 1/3 less water..

Let’s Get Cookin’
ASK: How was your day today?

ASK: What all have you eaten today? (Make a list of what they ate for supper, lunch, and breakfast.)

SAY: Tonight we are going to eat a breakfast food. (Or, if a lot of kids skipped breakfast, SAY: Since so many of you didn’t have breakfast, we’re going to make up for it tonight!)

ASK: Who wants to guess what breakfast food we’re going to be making? (It might be something you’ve never had!)

SAY: We’re going to make Cream of Wheat. (Pull the box out of the bag.)

ASK: How many of you have ever eaten Cream of Wheat?

SAY: It has a totally different taste from Oatmeal. Some might call it mush. Some people like it and some people don’t.

ASK: How many of you think that you’ll like it?

Help your student follow the instructions for making the Cream of Wheat. Let them take turns doing each part. It might be good to put them into groups of about four and to make more than one mixture. Let each group make two to four packages. Some kids will really like this and will ask for more. After microwaving the Cream of Wheat, add butter and sugar. Then put it in their bowls and gently sprinkle a little more sugar across the top.

While the kids are preparing this, pour each student a cup of milk.

Ask everyone to wait until each person has a bowl so that you can all take a taste at the same time. Also warn them to be careful in case it’s hot.

After taking a bite and while they are eating, ASK: Do you like it?

SAY: Whether or not you like this is simply a matter of taste. There’s no right or wrong to it. It’s okay for one person to like it another not to—neither one is right because it’s simply a matter of what you like.

SAY: But did you know that right and wrong is never a matter of taste. Something that’s wrong will always be wrong and will be wrong for everyone. Something that’s right will always be right and will be right for everyone. There’s no such thing as something being wrong for one person but right for another. God’s laws don’t just apply to some people—they apply to all people and God’s laws do not change.

Take an object and throw in the air, almost to the ceiling and let it fall to the floor— (Car keys are great for this as long as there is nothing breakable on them.)

SAY: Wasn’t that incredible! Do you want to see that again?

Do it again. And, even again, if you desire.

ASK: Every time I throw this up, what will happen? (It will come back down.)

SAY: That’s a physical law God created call gravity. What goes up comes down. God made laws about living too. A lie is wrong. A lie will always be wrong and will never be right. Using God’s name in vain is wrong and will always be wrong for all people.

KEY: God’s laws don’t change. Right is right and will always be right. Wrong is wrong and will always be wrong, and God wants you to live a life that is on the right path.

Read either Proverbs 4:13-15; 25-27 or the first line of Amos 5:15
Or if you have time, read both and discuss what they mean.

Then PRAY for your students that they will be able to tell the difference between right and wrong and that they will do what’s right and not walk the wrong way.

Introduce this week’s Take-Home Recipe and encourage them to do it with a parent.

Kitchen Craze
WEEK 6—LIVE FOR WHAT MATTERS

YOU WILL NEED: Rice, water, salt, butter; a preparation bowl; a microwave; bowls and spoons for the kids; soy sauce (optional); and today’s Take-Home recipe.

BEFORE CLASS BEGINS
 Make sure that you have all the items you need set-out and ready to go.
 Since there’s more than one verse today, have both places marked in your Bible for quick access.

Let’s Get Cookin’
ASK: What is worry? (Worry is anxiety or uneasiness or allowing your mind to focus on troubling thoughts and difficulties.)

ASK: What are some things that people worry about?

ASK: What are some things that you worry about?

ASK: If you could name your biggest worry, what would it be?

SAY: Today we’re going to fix some rice. Rice might not be your favorite food but it’s what a lot of people around the world eat because they have little of anything else.

Prepare the rice and let the kids take a taste of it without any salt or butter.

SAY: All around the world, people are eating this because it’s all they have. Image what it must be like not knowing how you’ll get your next meal or even how long it will be. This is daily for many people. We are very blessed. I just wanted you to taste the rice the way most people in the world have to eat it before we add “extra blessings” to ours to make it taste a bit better.

After taking a bite, let your students add some butter, salt or soy sauce. Then while the kids eat, continue the discussion…

SAY: Listen to what Jesus said about some of the things people worry about.

Read from your Bible Matthew 6:25-34

ASK: What were some things that Jesus mentioned? What did He say about them? What did he say we should do? (Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…v. 33.)

SAY: Did you hear what else Jesus said: If God takes care of the birds, how much more valuable are you to Him than they. Won’t He take care of you too? Doesn’t He know your needs even before you ask Him?

SAY: God loves you and doesn’t want you to be “eaten up” with worry but to live in peace that trusts Him.

SAY: If you ever lay in bed at night, worrying, listen to this verse:

Read Philippians 4:6-7

Pray for your students that they will not live in worry and thank God for all the things with which He has blessed us—even every meal.

Finishing Up
Let your students know how much you’ve enjoyed having them in class with you the past six weeks. Encourage them to keep following Jesus every day.

Introduce this week’s Take-Home Recipe and encourage them to do it with a parent.

Scripture : Ephesians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 11:1

YOU WILL NEED: No items are needed.

Being Like Jesus

Game #1: Follow the Leader

Choose a volunteer to be the leader and in your room play Follow the Leader. Change leaders every 30 seconds. You’ll want to keep this moving fast. Depending on the size of your class, you will either need to tell them that everyone will get to be the leader or that only a few will get to do it.

For Variation: Play the game in one big, long line.

Then split them into teams and play the game in smaller groups.

Discussion

SAY: Just like the game, when you follow someone you do what they do and you say what they say. When you follow Jesus, you do what He did and say things that agree with what He said.

KEY: To follow Jesus means to be like Jesus.

Read from your Bible:

Ephesians 5:1

Ask the students— How can we imitate God? How can we be just like Jesus?

SHOUT OUT COMPETITION

Divide your class into two sides (i.e., split the group down the middle or boys against girls.)

SAY: We’re going to have a competition to see which side can be the loudest. When I point to this side, yell out, “I Can Be!” When I point to the other side, yell out, “Just Like Jesus!”

Go back and forth between the two teams three times to see which side is louder.

Game #2: Simon Says

Play Simon Says with your class. In this game, you either do it right or you’re out. There’s really only one way to win—that’s by following Simon’s instructions perfectly. In life, though, none of us are perfect. We’ve all made mistakes and that’s the reason we all need a Savior. Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Game #3: Animal Imitation

SAY: I’m going to call out an animal and I want you to imitate his noise:

Pig

Horse

Donkey

Cow

Moose (this might be a tough one!)

Duck

Chicken

Lion

Dog

Cat

SAY: To imitate something means to be like it. The Bible says that we should imitate God. We should be like God. A minute ago you did what “Simon” did to be like Simon. We should always do the things Jesus did, to be like Him.

KEY: To follow Jesus means to be like Jesus.

SAY: A minute ago we read a verse that said to “imitate” God.

ASK— Who remembers where that verse was found? (Ephesians 5:1)

ASK — Who knows who wrote the book of Ephesians? (Paul the apostle)

SAY: Listen to something else he wrote:

Read from your Bible:

1 Corinthians 11:1

ASK — What is different about this verse? (Paul is asking them to imitate him!)

ASK — Why did Paul ask them to imitate him? (Because he is imitating Jesus.)

ASK — If someone were to imitate the way you live, would they be like Jesus?

SAY: Paul wasn’t bragging. He was giving them a living example of how to imitate God by saying, “Become like me because I am becoming like Jesus.” Or, like follow the leader, what if the person in front of you went the wrong way and didn’t follow the leader? You would probably go the wrong way too. It’s important that we are like Jesus and that others can follow our examples to be like Jesus too.

SHOUT OUT COMPETITION

Divide your class into two sides again

SAY: We’re going to have a competition to see which side can be the loudest. When I point to this side, yell out, “I Can Be!” When I point to the other side, yell out, “Just Like Jesus!”

Go back and forth between the two teams three times to see which side is louder.

Extra Time

Discuss with your students ways that they can be “just like Jesus.”  Then pray and thank God for Jesus and for godly examples who follow Him.

Discussion: God can change lives

Scripture: Philippians 3:10, 14 & 2 Corinthians 5:17

YOU WILL NEED: No items needed

Game: Catepillar Races

Divide your group into teams of 4 to 10 students. Have each team stand in a straight line. All of the team members need to stand with their legs far enough apart for another student to crawl beneath them. On “go” the last person in line will crawl beneath the legs of all the other team members and stand up at the front with his/her legs spread apart. As soon as there is room the second person at the end of the line will begin following them and crawling through as well and so forth until every team members has crawled through everyone else legs. The first team to complete this wins. If you have small group, you may want to have them crawl through two or three times.(NOTE: Girls in dresses do not need to participate in this game.)

What was your goal in the game?

What is your goal in life?

What does God want your goal to be?

Read Phil. 3:14 (This was Paul’s Goal)

What do you think this verse means? (That Paul wanted to do everything God wanted him to do.)

How did he plan to do this?

He tells us in Phil. 3:10. (He wanted to know God and be like Jesus regardless of the cost.)

Game: Leap Frog

(Girls in dresses will need to run around the person once instead of leap-frogging over them)

What does a catepillar and a frog have in common? (They both go through a big change in life.)

A catepillar changed from a catepillar to a what? (a butterfly)

A frog changes from a what to a frog? (a tadpole)

When a person gives their life to Jesus, he brings a different kind of change.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17

What do you think this verse means? (When a person is saved, Jesus gives them a brand new life and takes their sins away.)

How can Jesus take a person’s sin away?

Share your salvation testimony.

Prayer Time

Take Prayer requests and pray—Ask if any of your kids want to pray for the group.

If you have extra time:

Play one of the games again, then briefly review what it meant.

Sing a song

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

YOU WILL NEED: No items needed.

Christmas Theme

Control Tool:

Leader: What’s Christmas all about? Students: It’s all about Jesus!

Game: Gorilla Beats the Man

This is like a large version of rock, paper, and scissors. Your students stand back-to-back. You say, “Gorilla (raise arms like a gorilla) beats the man (put hands on hips), man (put hands on hips) beats the gun (hold finger out as gun), gun (hold finger out as gun) beats gorilla (raise arms like a gorilla), if you tie (act like you are adjusting your tie), you die. (In other words, if they both make the same gesture, they are both out.) 5-4-3-2-1…(This is when your students turn around and make the appropriate gesture for gorilla, man, or gun…and, remember, if they tie, they’re both out.)

“Gorilla beats the man, man beats the gun, gun beats gorilla, if you tie, you die. 5-4-3-2-1…”

Continue playing and eliminating players until there is only one winner.

KEY—There could only be one winner in this game, but with Jesus, everyone can win.

ASK: How can a person win in life?

ASK: Was Jesus born to be the Savior of only a few or of everybody? (Everybody, even though not everybody chooses to give their life to Him.)

SAY: That’s what Christmas is all about—About the fact that Jesus loves you so much that He came to earth to save you.

Game: Body Spellers

Divide your class into two or more teams with at least three students on each team. Instruct them to use their bodies to spell the following letters.

Practice: Q / B

Competition—Spell: G / I / F/ T

Sit in a circle

SAY: Some people get greedy during Christmas and think only about themselves and what gifts they’ll get. This Christmas, think about others and how you can bless them too.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

ASK: What’s the greatest gift you’ve ever been given?

Read Ephesians 2:8-9

ASK: What is the gift of God?

ASK: How is a person saved according to this verse? (For by grace through faith.)

ASK: What is grace? (Jesus dying and being punished for your sins when He as innocent.)

ASK: Can a gift be earned? (No. Just accepted.)

Your part is faith–not just believing, but trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Take prayer requests and pray

(If there’s extra time, play Gorilla beats the Man again.)

YOU WILL NEED: Two pool noodles.

Fighting Against Sin

Game: Tournament-Style Samarai

Have the students make a large circle and then choose two volunteers. Give each a pool noodle. When you say “Go” the first one to touch the other person with their samarai (pool noodle) wins. The winner remains in the circle to face the next challenger. The overall winner is the person who won the most matches.

Discussion

SAY: Just a little touch would win. You didn’t have to hit hard or swing hard. It didn’t have to be anything big. Just a little can make a big difference in life too. A lot of people think that they’ll be okay as long as they don’t do anything really big that’s wrong, but even what someone might consider to be the “smallest” sin, will always have a huge impact. Sin will always separate you from God. Even as a Christian, if you allow sin, however small, a place in your life, you will have a broken relationship with God. As a Christian, you will still have a relationship, but it won’t be a right one.

Ask the students—What do you have to do to have a right relationship with God? (Get rid of all sin.)

Ask the students—How does a person get rid of their sin? (They confess it to God, turn from it, and ask for His forgiveness.)

Ask the students—Is there any sin in your life from which you haven’t turned away or confessed to God?

Ask the students—What is stopping you from getting rid of it today? How do you think this sin will affect your life if you don’t turn away from it. (Sin will always lead to more sin. Sin will always hurt the person doing it and usually those around them too.)

Game: Free-Style Samarai

Have the students make a large circle and then choose two volunteers. Give each a pool noodle. When you say “Go” give them 20 seconds to “beat the living daylights” out of the other person. This is an “extreme” game and although it may sound and look like hits with a pool noodle might hurt, the impact is usually minimal.

Read these Rules to the Students: Head shots are illegal. Be careful not to get so close to each other that you actually hit them with your hand. Take off glasses and large earrings. You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to. Stop when I say stop. (Also, if you have time at the end of class, feel free to take the “Champion” of your class and challenge another class.)

Discussion

SAY: There will be times in your life when you struggle against sin. There might be something that you know is wrong, but you want to do it. Just like the game, where you used the Samarai (pool noodle) to defend yourself, you need to be ready to have God’s Word defend you.

Ask the students—What if you had never picked up the samarai? Could it have defended you? (No.)

SAY: In the same way, if you haven’t hidden God’s Word in your heart, you won’t be fully ready to fight against sin. And notice, that when Jesus was tempted, He didn’t stop to read and look up verses, He already knew them. That’s how important it is to read and know and memorize the Bible.

Continue with a discussion of Psalm 119:11 or Jesus being tempted in Matthew 4.

Scripture: Matthew 5:29-30

YOU WILL NEED: A blindfold for each student; foam balls that won’t hurt when a student is hit by them; a piece of paper and pen or pencil for each student

Fully Devoted

(NOTE: This lesson is for older students only.)

Activity: Dodge Ball

Divide the students into two teams. Divide the class into two halves and play dodge ball using soft, foam balls. One hit and you’re out. If you catch a ball in the air, no one is out.

Activity: Blind Dodge Ball

Using the same teams, switch sides, then give each of them a blindfold and tell them they have to play blind. They can’t peek—not to get balls, not to see where their opponents are—They are totally blind.

Discussion:

Ask the students—Did you like being blind?

Ask the students—Would like to be blind every day of your life?

SAY: Listen to a verse that many people find to be very confusing:

Read what Jesus said in Matthew 5:29-30

Ask the students—In these verses what do you think Jesus means?

Ask the students—Did He really mean that He wants you to pluck out your eye or cut off your hand? (Of course not.)

SAY: Jesus was talking about things that hold a person back from giving their life to Him and following Him. Yes, it’s better for a person to lose whatever would hold him back from giving his life to Christ—whether it be an eye or a hand or his life—than it would be to lose his soul. But even those who have been saved can hold onto things that keep them from following Jesus.

Ask the students—What are some things that might hold back someone your age from being a fully devoted follower of Christ? (i.e., peer pressure, fear, bad habits, hanging around the wrong group of friends, etc.)

Ask the students—What do you think a fully devoted follower of Christ would be like?

Ask the students—[Have student answer only in their own hearts]—On a scale of 1 to 10, how fully devoted are you to following Jesus everyday?

Have the students close their eyes.

Ask the students—Right now do you feel like you are 100% following Jesus? Is there anything in your life that you’re doing that you know is wrong? Whatever it is, you need to let go of it.

Give each student a small piece of paper.

Ask them to write on it one or more things they would like to do in the next year to grow closer to Jesus.

Tell them to put these in their pockets to keep as a reminder to begin fully following Jesus today.

Prayer Time

Take prayer requests and pray. Pray specifically that the students in the room will be fully devoted followers of Christ.

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1 & Ephesians 2:8-9

YOU WILL NEED: No items needed.

Introducion Game: Body Spellers

Divide your class into two or more teams with at least three students on each team. Instruct them to use their bodies to spell the following letters.

Practice: Spell V  /  W

Competition—Spell: F / A / I / T / H

Sit in a circle

What word did we just spell?

What is faith?

Read Hebrews 11:1

Can you see the wind? (No, but you can see what it does)

Can you see God? (No, but you can see what He does too.)

How do you know He’s there? (You can see what He does; can feel His presence; He’s in your heart if your saved; etc.)

KEY: Faith believes something even if it can’t see it.

Game: The Gift Pass, part 1

Choose an item (the “gift) to pass around the circle.

Time to see how fast your group can pass the gift you’ve chosen around the circle. See how fast they can pass it around two times.

Read Ephesians. 2:8-9

What is the gift of God?

How is a person saved according to this verse? (For by grace through faith.)

What is grace? (Jesus dying for you when He didn’t have to.)

Your part is faith–not just believing, but trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

Game: The Gift Pass, part 2

Time to see how fast your group can pass two gifts around the circle in opposite directions

Gift Illustration

Choose 1 volunteer

Let’s say this “gift” is worth a million dollars and I come to you one day and say, “Johnny, I’d like to give this to you.” Is it yours yet? What would you have to do to get it? (If they don’t immediately say, “I have to reach out and take it,” guide them toward that answer.)

Like a gift, you can accept it, or you can say no. A gift can’t be earned, just like heaven—you can’t be good enough to get to heaven. There is only one way to heaven and that’s Jesus.

Now with this “gift”, it would be easy for you to take it. All you have to do is reach out and it’s yours. With God’s gift, it’s a little different—You can’t physically reach out and take it, but in the Bible God told us how we can accept this gift. You see, Jesus paid the price; what we have to do is:

(1) Admit you have sinned and be willing to turn from your sin and turn to Jesus.

(2) Believe (this is FAITH) that Jesus is God’s Son who died and was raised from the dead.

(3) Call on the Lord, confess your sins, and commit your life to Him.

(NOTE: You could also lead the conversation in the direction of: “Once you’re given a gift can anyone take it away?” and talking about whether or not a person can lose his/her salvation.)

Scripture: Matthew 5:29-30

YOU WILL NEED: No items needed.

Leading Others to Jesus

NOTE: This lesson is primarily for older students.

Read Acts 1:8

SAY: While we play the following games, be thinking about what this verse has to do with you.

Activity: One-on-One Competitions.

Have everyone find a partner for each of the following competitions. Then let them switch and challenge several others before moving to the next competition. If there is an odd number some of them can act as referees.

Competition #1—Blink: See who can stare into the other person’s eyes the longest without blinking.

Competition #2—Breath: See who can hold their breath the longest.

Competition #3—Smile: See who can stare into the other person’s face the longest without smiling.

Competition #4—Hand Slap: One partner holds out his or her hands palms up while the other partner places his or her hands palms down on top of them. Partners should maintain palm-to-palm contact until the “bottom” partner moves either of his or her hands. The object of the game is for the partner whose hands are on the bottom to slap the tops of his or her partner’s hands before that partner can withdraw them. Partners switch roles after each attempt.* (NOTE: Tell your students that they are not trying to hit as hard as they can. This game shouldn’t turn anyone’s hand red.)

Competition #5—Push and Pull: Two partners place their right feet, both pointing in opposite directions, side by side and touching each other. Then they shake right hands, grasping each other’s thumbs. On your signal, partners try to pull or push each other off balance using only their right arms. Whoever moves his or her feet to maintain balance loses the round. *

SAY: The competitions we just did were one-on-one and one of the greatest things you can ever do is one-on-one too. In fact, it’s the greatest miracle that anyone can ever be a part of and many times this incredible thing happens one-on-one. It’s not a competition but it’s a great privilege to share in it.

Ask the students— Who can guess what it is? (Leading someone to Christ.)

SAY: You don’t need to wait until you get older to begin telling others about Jesus. If you have given your life to Jesus and remember what you did, then already know everything you need to know to be ready to lead someone else to Christ. The question isn’t, “Can I do this?” It’s, “Am I willing.” That’s the key: You’ve got to be willing.

Ask the students— Besides willingness what else do you think a person needs to do before telling someone about Christ? (Of course, you’ve got to be saved yourself, but besides that…Before you go out telling people about Jesus, you must first be living for Jesus. Otherwise, what’s different about you? Nothing. So why would they want your Jesus?)

SAY: If you are willing to share Jesus, you don’t have to wait to know more although learning a method of how to share Jesus is a great help to make you feel more confident and comfortable. And, if you would like, we can show you a great way to lead others to Christ. (NOTE: If you don’t already have a great method to teach them, see The Plan of Salvation booklet on the three-thirty ministry website—www.threethirtyministries.org.)

SAY: The advantage of having specific training is that you can learn from other people’s experiences. For example, if you wanted to create a conversation where you could tell a friend about Jesus, how would you do it? (Let the students answer.)

SAY: The easiest way to start a conversation where you can tell someone about Jesus is to ask a simple question—what do you think it is? (Let the students answer.)

SAY: You could ask, “Do you know for sure you’re going to heaven?” but sometimes that’s kind of abrupt. An easier way is to simply ask, “Can I tell you about the greatest thing that ever happened to me?” Most people will say “yes” and if they say “no,” it’s probably a bad time to have a conversation anyway. Then, when they say “yes,” simply tell them the story about how you gave your life to Jesus (your salvation testimony). End your story by saying, “Because I gave my life to Jesus, I know for sure I am going to heaven—How about you?” This will open the door for you to talk with them about where they stand with Jesus.

SAY: So, in other words, you don’t have to wait for specific training to be able to tell others about Jesus, but training does help you to feel more confident and if you want more training about how to share Jesus, then simply let us know.

Prayer Time

Take prayer requests and pray. Pray specifically that God will use the students in the room who are living for Christ and willing to be trained to impact many lives. Pray that they will lead many others to Jesus both by their actions and their words.

If you have extra time, re-play some of the games and reinforce the spiritual applications for them.

*Dan McGill, No Supplies Required: Crowdbreakers and Games, (Loveland, CO: Group Publishing, 1995), 42.

Discussion: Sharing God’s love

YOU WILL NEED: Crepe paper streamers.

Let Love Flow*

Instruct your class to stand in a circle. Make sure the crepe paper streamers are easily accessible. Explain that when you say go, you are going call out a name and say, “[Name], here’s Jesus’ love.” Hold the end of the crepe paper and throw the streamers to the person whose name you called. Then that student will call someone else’s name and toss it to them. Be sure to tell them to hang onto the roll before throwing it. Tell the others to keep their eyes open and be ready to catch the roll.  Keep going until every one is holding onto the crepe paper. If you desire, keep going until everyone has thrown it two or three times or until you run out of paper. Encourage the kids to move quickly as they “pass Jesus’ love” to the others.

SAY: On the count of three, we’re going to see how quickly you can throw all the paper in the trash can and have a seat in the circle. Ready…1-2-3…Go!

Control Tool

Leader: Let Jesus’ love flow / Students: Wherever you go!

Discussion

Ask the students: What happened as “Jesus’ love” flowed? (It tangled us up; it was funny; it made a mess.)

Ask the students: How is this like or unlike what happens when we share Jesus’ love in real life? (Both are fun; sharing Jesus’ love doesn’t make a mess, etc.)

Ask the students: What might happen in your school if kids and teachers let Jesus’ love flow? (Kids wouldn’t get teased; everyone would have a friend; we’d be a lot happier; people would help each other.)

SAY: When we played the game, it really changed the game area. Streamers and pieces of streamers were everywhere. Imagine how people who love Jesus can change their schools, their homes, and  even their world if they would let Jesus’ love flow wherever they go.

Ask the students: Where are some places you go during the week? What is one way you could show Jesus’ love in each of these places?

Illustration*

SAY: When you share Jesus with others, His love flows from one person to another—sort of like a wave. In fact, we’re going to see how fast we can make a wave flow around our circle. I’ll start it and it will move around the circle to the left. Let’s see how fast we can do it. Ready…Go! (Throw your hands up, then look to the person to your right. As it moves around, encourage your kids by saying, “Keep going. Faster. Faster.” If a student doesn’t do it, look to the person to their right and say, “Keep going, [Name],” so that it just moves past them but doesn’t draw attention to them.)

Do it again, but this time, as the wave goes around, have the students shout out the name of their schools. (Home-schoolers can just say, “Home.”)

SAY: If you have given your life to Jesus, you can share God’s love with others wherever you go.

Control Tool

Leader: Let Jesus’ love flow / Students: Wherever you go!

Extra Time

If you have any extra time, take a glass of water and pour it out all over a table. Tell the kids that it’s their job to stop the water from flowing down to (or getting on) the floor. Then discuss with them things that sometimes stop people from letting Jesus’ love flow through them—i.e., being afraid, being embarrassed, not knowing what other people might think or say, feeling like they don’t know enough, etc. Should anything stop us from letting Jesus’ love flow to others? Who is someone this week that you can show Jesus’ love to? How do you plan to do this?

*Games adapted from Group Publishing’s 2004 VBS curriculum, “Lava, Lava Island, Follow-Up Planner.”

Discussion: Us and Others

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 &

YOU WILL NEED: A few pencils.

Control Tool:

Leader: What’s Life all about? Students: It’s all about Jesus!

Game: Back-to-Back

Have students get in pairs and sit back to back. Tell them to lock arms (at the elbow), push against each other’s backs, and see if they can both stand up.

Have them find different partners and try it again several times.

SAY: In the game you and your partner had to work together to succeed. In life God has given you brothers and sisters in Christ to help you succeed in your Christian life.

ASK: Who is your brother or sister in Christ? (Everyone who has given their lives to Jesus is part of God’s family are all brothers and sisters in Christ.)

ASK: How can you help others to grow in their relationship with Jesus? (You can encourage them, be an example to them, correct them when they do something wrong, take them to church, etc.)

Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Choose a volunteer—have him break a pencil.

Choose another volunteer—to try to break three or more pencils. Give a couple of kids who have been listening and participating well a chance to try.

SAY: Just like the Bible said, two or three is stronger than just one. That’s one reason God gave us each other—to help each other stand strong for Jesus.

Game: Off Balance

SAY: We are going to play a game that uses two people at a time.

Choose two volunteers—to stand toe to toe. Then they clasp hands so that their fingers are woven together. On your signal, the partners attempt to push or pull each other off balance. The first person to move his or her foot loses the round. Then keep the winner up front and choose a new challenger. Let all the students who are listening well have a turn.

SAY: In the game you were trying to throw each other off-balance. In life that would be like someone pushing you the wrong way.

ASK: What are some things that a Christian could do to push people away from knowing and growing with Jesus? (The opposite of what we just talked about—Instead of helping them, you hurt them or call them names or are mean to them. Instead of encouraging others by living for Jesus, you hold them back by doing things that are wrong.)

SAY: With your life you can either be the type of person who helps others up or you can be the type that helps others fall. If you choose to be the type who doesn’t walk with Jesus, you’ll miss out on all the great things God has in store for you.

Take prayer requests and pray

(If there’s extra time, play Simon Says and briefly talk about being like Jesus.)

Scripture: Luke 10:19 & 2 Peter 3:9

YOU WILL NEED: Waterballoons to throw or shoot with a waterballoon slingshot.

Game: Waterballoon Shoot (give buckets)

Give each child a bucket and put them out in an open outside area. (For large groups, you will need to split them into groups of about 5 to 8). You will either throw or shoot a waterballoon. Their goal is to catch it—even if it explodes—in their bucket.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

(1) One rule is that the student cannot hold the bucket over his head. When this happens, the balloon hits the bucket and knocks it into his head. They MUST hold the bucket in front of their stomach or use their shirt.

(2) Waterballoon slingshots can be bought fairly cheaply  from a variety of vendors onlne. One excellent resource is www.usgames.com.

(3) If you buy a waterballoon slingshot, make sure that the sponsors operating it understand that they can NEVER shoot it directly at a student. It must only be used for shoot the waterballoon in the air with a loft. See the waterballoon slingshot’s instructions for more information on this.

Discussion

What were you seeking for in the game? (To catch the balloons)

What do you think God seeks for? (Today were going to find out.)

Read Luke 10:19

Read 2 Peter 3:9

KEY: God seeks for everyone to be saved.

(NOTE: Great stories to share here could come from Luke 15—where the women seeks the lost coin; the shepherd seeks the lost sheep and the father waits for the lost sons.)

(For older children)

If God wants everyone to go to heaven, why did He create Hell? (According to Matthew 25, He made hell for the devil and the other angels who rebelled against Him, but when we sinned, it became our punishment too.)

Does God send anybody to Hell? (No, people send themselves there by choosing not to give their lives to Jesus–God has done everything He can to save everyone.)

What if someone never hears about Jesus, will they go to heaven? (No, a person must give their life to Jesus.)

Is that fair? (Yes, the Bible says that God has built eternity into our hearts–that even creation teaches the Gospel and if someone hasn’t heard about Jesus and they seek the truth, God will make a way for them to find it. If not hearing about Jesus could get a person into heaven, then we shouldn’t do missions and Jesus would have never told us to “go.” Jesus told us to go into all the world because not knowing about Jesus is not an excuse for not seeking and finding Him.

KEY: Each of us can be a part of telling others about Jesus and showing people the way to heaven.

Take prayer requests and pray

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:22 / (Extra Option: Genesis 4:1-16)

YOU WILL NEED: A stack of regular, white paper and a trash bag.

Stay Away from Sin

As Kids Enter

As children enter the room, let them begin wading up each individual piece of paper. You may want to designate a certain place for them to put these—i.e., in the trash bag.

Paper Push

Split your kids into two teams. Use a line or the tiles on the floor (or a piece of tape, if you desire) to divide one team’s area from the other team’s area. Have each team get on the floor on opposite sides of this line. Tell them that you are going to dump out all the paper wads and when you do, they are supposed to begin pushing (not throwing) them onto the other team’s side. The team that has the least amount of paper on their side at the end of 1 minute is the winner. Play this game two or three times.

(Suggestion: Collect all the paper wads in the trash bag after each game before you discuss the game’s meaning  with them.)

POINT 1

SAY: In the game you tried to get the paper as far away from you as you could. We should do the same with sin. They Bible says to “flee” or “run away” from sin (bad things).

Read from your Bible:

2 Timothy 2:22

Ask the students: What are some examples of sin or “evil desires”? (Ask a volunteer or two.)

Ask the students: How do you think a person can stay away from doing bad things?

Paper-to-Foot-Dodge Ball

Tell the kids to spread out in the room, still on their team’s side. Set a chair in the middle to be a visual reminder of where each team’s side is. Tell them that when you say “Go,” they are going to play foot Dodge Ball. They will throw the paper wads at the feet of the opposite team. One hit (on the foot) and the student is out. (The adult leaders will need to help make judgment calls if necessary.) When out students need to sit down against the walls that you designate for them. If a student throws a paper wad and it accidentally hits someone on the chest or above, even though it was an accident, the person who threw it is out. They are aiming only at the feet.

Play the game two times….

POINT 2

SAY: In the game you wanted to dodge the paper wads. There are a few things in life that God wants you to dodge. God wants you do dodge sin.

Ask the students: What are some ways you can dodge sin? (Walk with Jesus, go to church, pray, read the Bible, etc.)

Ask the students: How can you help others dodge sin? (Tell them about Jesus; if they are doing something wrong, help them to choose to do what’s right, etc.)

Play the Game Again…

POINT 3

SAY: A minute ago I told you some things that God wants you to dodge in life, but there are also some things that God does not want you to dodge or “miss out” on—He doesn’t want you to miss out on REAL life—which only comes from Jesus, or to miss out on giving your life to Christ, or to miss out on the love, peace, and joy that comes only from knowing God.

Ask the students: What are some other things that God doesn’t want you to miss out on? (Going to church, reading your Bible, obeying Him, worshipping Him, etc.)

Extra Time

If you have extra time:

(1)   Try other variations to the game.

(2)   The story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16) illustrates the point of this lesson quite well, especially in Genesis 4:7 where God warns Cain that sin is “crouching” at the door for him and for him to master it. Discuss with your students ways in which they can overcome or “master” sin. How might Cain have dealt with his anger in a correct way? Was he angry for a good reason? (No. He had not brought God an acceptable offering. Instead, he brought the fruit of his own hard work.) Do you think that Cain was angry at Abel or at God? What makes you angry? How can you avoid or “dodge” sin when you get angry? (Be angry for the right reason, have the right response and don’t let anger last long so that it doesn’t turn into bitterness.)

(3)   Always make time to pray for and with your students.

Discussion: Let Jesus’ light shine
Scripture : Matthew 5:14
YOU WILL NEED: A bag with slips of paper that tell something to do. Samples are on the last page.

The Light of the World*

Choose a volunteer—This volunteer will reach in the bag and pull out a slip of paper. The slip of paper will instruct the student what to do. This student will be the “Light,” showing everyone else what to do. The Light may not speak (unless the instructions say so) but should lead everyone in accomplishing what is written. Once you, as the teacher, see that the instructions have been followed, tell everyone to give him a hand, then point to someone else and say, “Be the Light.” They’ll come forward and thus the game continues. If a student doesn’t want to lead, don’t make them, but let everyone who wants to go have that opportunity.
(For an even greater challenge, set up with another class or even another grade a fun competition, where, after doing this game, the two classes meet together. Each class forms a line. On “Go” the first person races down and shows everyone else on his team what to do. Everyone else on his team does the action and he races back and tags the next person, and so forth, until all the challenges are complete.)

Discussion
Ask the students:
 What was hard about being the Light?

 What was fun about being the Light?

 Did anyone feel embarrassed about being the Light?

 Was anyone concerned about looking silly or foolish?

Read from your Bible Matthew 5:14

 How does this verse remind you of our game? (Both of them talk about the light; everyone can see a city on a mountain, and everyone could see us doing the instructions.)

 What does Jesus mean when He says, “You are the light”? (That we should live in such a way that our lives are like a light that guides other people to God; and shine, or show them, His life and love.

 When you’re at school, why is it sometimes hard to be a light? (I don’t always want to do the right thing; some people think you’re weird if you’re a Christian; I might be embarrassed? I’m afraid I would look silly; my friends want to do wrong things.)

SAY: It can be hard to be a light. But when we shine Jesus’ love to our friends, we’re doing the best thing we can, which is showing someone about Jesus. By being a light Jesus isn’t asking you to do silly things, like what we did in our game. Jesus wants you to bring hope, courage, and joy to people. He wants you to follow God’s Word and tell everyone that Jesus saves us.

Challenge:
(1) Everyone turn someone next to you, give them a high five and say, “Jesus loves you.”
Great job!

(2) Now stand up, give three people a low five and say, “Jesus will take care of you.”

(3) Now shake five people’s hands and say, “You can trust Jesus.”

On the count of three, everyone sit down as fast as you can.
Ready…one…two…everyone say, “Jesus loves you!” (Kids: Jesus loves you!)
Ready…one…two…everyone say, “You can trust Jesus!” (Kids: You can trust Jesus!)
Ready…one…two…three…sit down!

Be sure to praise different students for what they did: How fast they sat, how loud they were, for what a great smile they had, etc.

SAY: It’s both easy and fun to tell other people about Jesus. It’s as simple as saying, “Jesus loves you,” or “Jesus will take care of you.” You can shine Jesus’ light to anyone you know by your words and by how you live.

Other Questions
How can you shine your light so others can see Jesus in you?

What do you think would be some things people do on a playground or in sports that show they are following the light? What are things people might do when they are living in darkness?

What would happen if you stood up for someone being picked on in the playground? How would that person feel? How would the bully feel? How would you feel? How would Jesus feel?

What would stop you from telling a friend, “Jesus will take care of you,” the next time they are afraid or upset? How do you think they might respond?

When you see someone at school get hurt, do you ever think about praying for them? When you hear someone at school say a cuss word, do you ever think about asking them not to use that kind of language around you?

Is there anything in your life that you do that Jesus wouldn’t like? Does that feel like darkness? Who can tell more about how it feels when you feel guilty for something? How can Jesus’ light that guides you help?

*Original source unknown.

BE THE LIGHT ACTIVITY SLIPS

Do 10 Jumping Jacks

Sing or Hum, “Happy Birthday to You” while running around the room.

Give each person a high five. 

 Pretend to be a Monkey for 15 seconds.

Shake hands with your teachers and say, “Thanks for caring about me.”

Sing “Jesus loves me” in a whisper.

Spin around in a circle 7 times.

Do “The Wave.”

Jump up and down 10 times, then yawn and say, “I’m tired.”

As loud as you can yell, “I love Sunday School.”

Clap your hands six times, touch two walls, and then say, “Jesus is the Light!”

Make any animals noise and then say, “Of all God’s creatures, great and small, God loves me, the most of all.”

Discussion: Sin doesn’t belong

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:22

YOU WILL NEED: A stack of small sticker sheets.

Version 1: “Bee Sting” Sticker Tag—Team vs. Team

Divide your class into teams and choose someone to be IT. IT is not on any team. Give IT a sheet of stickers. He is the Bee and he is trying to “Sting” or tag everyone else. As he tags people, for them to be out, he has to stick a sticker on them. Once they are out they are supposed to sit down along a wall or in another area that you have designated for them. The last person left isn’t the only winner—their whole team wins.

POINT 1

ASK: Does it hurt to get stung by a bee?

ASK: What do you think the “sting of sin” would be? (Separation from God, hurt, hurting others, eternity without God taking the punishment for our own sins, etc.)

ASK: How many of you were out but your team still won?

SAY: You won because of what someone else did. In life, we can win and have REAL life and go to heaven because of what Jesus did. Jesus was God’s perfect Son, who died on the cross and then rose from the dead.

ASK: Why did He do this? (Because if he hadn’t, because of the wrong things you’ve done, you couldn’t have a relationship with a perfect God, you couldn’t be “saved” and there would be NO WAY that you could get yourself into heaven.)

ASK: What does it mean to be “saved”? (To have given your life to Jesus.)

ASK: What does Jesus save you from? (A life of emptiness, a lot of trouble and pain—if you walk with Him, and Hell which is the punishment that God made for the devil and the angels who rebelled against Him. But this also became our punishment when we did wrong things. [NOTE: Don’t overly emphasize hell. Touch on it and move on.]

ASK: What did God save you for? (A relationship with Him, to know Him, to live for Him, to follow and serve Him.)

Version 2: “Bee Sting”Sticker Tag— Everybody vs. Everybody

Play the game again. This time there are no teams and the only “winner” is the last person left.

POINT 2

ASK: When everyone was out for themselves, was it easier to win? (No. And living for yourselves isn’t how to win in life either. You win when you follow Jesus.)

Version 3: “Bee Sting” Sticker Tag— Never Out

Play the game again. This time, no matter how many times they are “stung,” they stay in the game. No one is ever out.

(NOTE:  IT will use a lot of stickers on this game, so be sure to have enough on hands.)

POINT 3

Ask the students: How many times did you get stung?

Call up a volunteer with a lot of stickers.

SAY: It would look weird if he went to school like this. Just like a lot of stickers don’t belong all over him, sin doesn’t belong in a Christian’s life.

ASK: What are some examples of sin?

SAY: In the game most of you were trying to get away from the “Bee.” Listen to what God wants us to “get away from.”

Read from your Bible:

2 Timothy 2:22

SAY: In the same way that you didn’t want IT to get you and you fled from IT, God wants you to flee from sin.

ASK: What do you think “evil desires of youth” means? (Sins that youth are more likely to give in to, like disobeying parents, rebelling against authority, etc.)

ASK: How many of you thought it was fun to get “stung” by the stickers?

SAY: Some people think doing wrong things is fun, but the Bible says that sin will always lead to destruction. In other words, sin will always hurt you and never give you what you truly want.

ASK: Everything you’ve ever wanted in life is found where? (In Jesus.)

Extra Variation: Blind Bee Sting Tag

IMPORTANT—Students CANNOT run during this game. The bee can see but everyone else is blind.

ASK: Was it harder?

SAY: Sin blinds you to all the good things God wants to do in your life. The only people who would ever want to stay in sin are those who are blind to the love of Jesus. And you can be the one to tell others about how they can give their lives to Christ.

Share your salvation testimony—afterward emphasize that someone told you about Jesus and now you’re telling them about Jesus. People who know Jesus should be excited to tell others.

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point:  Trust God

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Matthew 1:18-2:13, Luke 2:1-7

Challenge Verse: Psalm 56:3—“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.”

————————————————————————————————————-

ITEMS NEEDED

At least one balloon per child.

One balloon with today’s challenge verse written on a slip of paper and put inside.

Bible Lesson Signs for: Mary, Joseph, Inn Keeper, Angel

1 Memory Verse Poster

BEFORE CLASS

Preparation:

- Play the island or Hawaiian music as the kids enter.

- Depending on the age of your students, you may need to blow up the balloons before they arrive.

- You will need to blow up at least one balloon before the students arrive. However, before blowing it up, insert in it the Challenge Verse for today in one of them. As kids arrive you could even be hitting this balloon in the air.

- Set out Hawaiian flower-necklaces and a balloon to give the students as they enter.

- Set out the Bible Lesson signs in the area where you will be teaching.

- Have the items for the Flame Cakes and snack items in a convenient location.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet your students by name as they enter.

- Give each child a nametag.

- Give each child an attendance sticker for your attendance chart.

OPENING ACTIVITY

SAY: Aloha! Welcome to Adventure Island.

Give each student a Hawaiian necklace and a balloon as they enter the room and ask them to blow the balloon up. (Some students may need help tying them off.)

Challenge #1:

Tell them to begin hitting the balloon in the air as many times as they can without it hitting the floor.

Challenge #2:

Challenge your kids to hit their balloon in the air, spin around, and keep hitting it without it touching the floor. Tell them every time they hit the balloon to say, ] “Trust God.”

Challenge #3:

Ask your students to hit their balloons, see how many times they can clap their hands, and then continue hitting the balloon before it touches the ground. Tell them every time they hit the balloon to say, ] “Trust God.”

LESSON ACTIVITY*

SAY: On the count of three, find a spot anywhere in the room and sit down. 1-2-3. Go!

SAY: On the count of three, hold your balloon in your lap with both hands. 1-2-3. Go!

Praise different kids by name for their obedience—i.e., “Good job, Johnny!”

Praise the children who were the fastest, holding their balloon the stillest, biggest smile, etc. Then move on quickly.

SAY: Today we are going to take a census of the balloons. A “census” is a count.

Ask the students: So if we were to take a census of the number of people in this room. How many would we have? Raise your hand if you know.

SAY: But in Jesus’ time when they had a census, people had to return to their hometowns to be counted. That’s what our balloons are going to have to do. The “hometowns” are the corners of the rooms, but there’s one catch. The balloons have to be batted to the correct corner for its color, but you can’t stand up or move from your spot.

Point out which color goes into each “hometown.”

Ready-Go!

Once all the balloons are to the corners of the room, instruct the students to leave them there and come to the circle.

Ask the students: What was it like to move your balloons to a certain corner. (Hard; frustrating; silly; I had to have others help me.)

SAY: Today we are going learn about how Joseph and Mary had to travel to their hometown of Bethlehem and how Jesus was born there.

BIBLE LESSON*

Purpose: To help the students understand what the Bible teaches, presented in a creative and interactive manner.

Choose a boy and girl volunteer—Give the girl the Mary sign. Give the boy the Joseph sign.

SAY: Everybody say, “Hello, Mary and Joseph,” (Kids: Hello, Mary and Joseph!) And congratulations, you’re still not married!

SAY: God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of Jesus, and while Mary was expecting to give birth, they both had to travel to Bethlehem, their hometown, for the census.

Ask the students—How do you think Joseph felt? His wife is expecting to give birth at any time, and they have to travel several days, through the weather, probably by donkey or by walking over rough ground. There were also many robbers in that day who would attack people on the roads outside the cities.

Ask the students—Do you think Joseph might have been scared?

Choose a volunteer—Give him/her the Inn Keeper sign.

SAY: When they finally arrived at Bethlehem, all the inns were full.

Have the Inn Keeper volunteer say, “We don’t have any room for you.”

Ask the students—How do you think Joseph felt?

SAY: And then when the inn keeper let them stay in the stable, do you think he might have been concerned about a newborn baby being around all those animals? (These are rhetorical questions. Don’t take answers. You want to keep the story moving quickly.)

SAY: I need some volunteers to add sound effects to our story. Mary and Joseph (refer to your volunteers) are in the stable. Now in Jesus’ time a stable wasn’t like a barn, but it was the lower floor of the inn. Inns back then were usually cut out of stone, like a huge cave. The upper levels would have large holes cut into the sides for rooms. They didn’t even have doors. The stable was the bottom part where all the animals stayed. So I need some animal sound effects.

Choose volunteers— for the following sound effects (more than one person can have the same sound.) Give as many parts as you have volunteers, even if it is every student in the class.

Sound effects:

Donkey—There were probably many of these.

Horse—There would have been a few of these.

Dogs—Wild dogs would hang around the stables in hopes of getting left-over food. Sometimes these wild dogs would even attack people.

Goats—It is possible that some people would have a goat with them.

Sheep—Most sheep were kept in the pasture in large flocks although some might have been in the stable.

SAY: On the count of three I want you to make your noise and keep going until I say, “Jesus was born!” Ready…1-2-3…Go! (Encourage kids to be louder and to keep going.)

SAY: In the middle of all of this, JESUS WAS BORN!

(Kids should stop their noise; if not, say, “STOP!”)

SAY: Let’s try that again. 1-2-3…Make your noise. In the middle of all of this, JESUS WAS BORN!

SAY: Joseph trusted God and God took care of them, and you can trust God too.

CONTROL TOOL

Any time I say, “When you’re afraid, what should you do?” Everybody say, “Trust God!”

Practice a few times.

SAY: Later on something happened that probably really scared Joseph. (Ask your Joseph volunteer to lay down on the ground and pretend to be asleep.) After the shepherds came and worshipped Jesus, Mary and Joseph probably stayed in Bethlehem for a year or two. During this time the Magi or wise men came bringing gifts, but after they left, Joseph had a dream from God.

Choose a volunteer—Give him/her the Angel sign.

SAY: An angel appeared to Joseph and said, “Get up.” (Have the volunteer repeat after you.) “Go to Egypt because King Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Ask the students—How do you think Joseph felt when he heard that the king was going to try to kill Jesus? (Answer: Probably afraid.)

Ask the students—So what do you think Joseph did? (Answer: He obeyed God and trusted him. Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus went to Egypt until God told them it was safe.)

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

(Practice once more.)

BIBLE SKILLS

Purpose: Help students understand and learn to use their Bibles. This year we will be helping our children locate references in the Bible, learning the outline of the Bible and the Bible books, as well as helping them develop a sense of the Bible Time Line.

SAY: On the count of three, I want everyone to grab a balloon and spread out some where in the room. Ready…1-2-3…Go!

After your students have spread out in the room SAY: When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

SAY: Inside one of these balloon is our verse for the day. When I say go I want you to pop your balloon by stepping on it, sitting on it, or hugging it real tight but remember to be sure to look for the Challenge Verse. Go!

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

SAY: On the count of three, touch two walls, grab your Bible, and come back to the circle as fast as you can without pushing, shoving, or picking anybody’s nose. 1-2-3 Go!

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

Announce who found the verse. The paper only says where the verse is found.

SAY: Let’s see what the Bible says about trusting God. Our verse is Psalm 56:3.

- Ask the students—Who remembers how to find Psalms in the Bible? (Answer: Hold your Bible sideways and open it to the middle. Usually this is the book of Psalms.)

SAY: Hold your Bibles. (You may need to have extra Bibles ready for those who didn’t bring one. Encourage everyone to bring their Bibles next week.) When I say, “Ready,” hold your Bible between both hands, but you cannot open it. Then I will say a Bible reference and “Go.” If you open your Bible before I say “Go,” you will be out. Once you find what I ask for, raise your hand.

Ready…The book of Psalms—Go!

SAY: Now try to find chapter 56. (Explain that every book in the Bible is divided into chapters.)

SAY: Now try to find chapter 56, verse 3. (Explain that every chapter is divided into verses.)

- Explain that you say it, “Psalm 56-3,” meaning chapter 56, verse 3.

- Point out the memory verse poster and show them how Psalm 56:3 is written.

SAY: The dot-dot (:) tells you which is the chapter and which is the verse.

Ask the students—In Psalm 56:3, what’s the chapter number?

Ask the students—What’s the verse number?

CHALLENGE VERSE

Read Psalm 56:3 from your Bible

SAY: On islands, many times people use drums to communicate a message. That’s how we’re going to learn this verse. Do what I do and say what I say.

Using both hands pat your legs to make a drum beat on every syllable. Pause at the slashes below and allow the students to repeat after you.

Read Psalm 56:3 from your Bible

“When I am afraid, / I will trust in you. / In God, whose word I praise, / in God I trust; / I will not be afraid.” /

Psalm 56:3

SAY: Let’s try it faster. (Do it again—the same as above, only faster.)

SAY: Now let’s go a little faster. Try to keep up!

Pause at the slashes below:

Read Psalm 56:3 from your Bible

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. / In God, whose word I praise, / in God I trust; I will not be afraid.” /

Psalm 56:3

Repeat this after me: “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Kids repeat)

Psalm 56:3 (Kids repeat).

SAY: “Thee” is an old way of saying, “You,” but this is a great way to remember what this verse means. Try it again. (Say the entire verse and reference and then let the students repeat after you.)

Leader: “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee—Psalm 56:3” (Kids repeat)

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

SAY: He loves you and He’ll never let you down.

LESSON ACTIVITY

Instruct your students to go to the table. Ask the following questions while getting their snack ready.

Ask the students—How many of you sleep or used to sleep with a night-light?

SAY: Sometimes at night, you might get scared and it helps to have a light. Who does the Bible say is the Light of the World? (Answer: Jesus…and also you if you know and live for Him [Matt. 5:14-16])

SAY: Today we are going to make some Tasty Torches. After all, Jesus is the light of the world and when we have Extreme Trust, others will see His light shining through us.

SAY: Today we are going to make some Flame Cakes. After all, we’re on an Island Adventure and on islands many times they use torches for light, so instead of cupcakes, these are “flame” cakes.

Pass out the cupcakes and cones, but tell the kids not to eat or lick them yet. Have the students push the cupcake down in the cone. Then pull out your whip cream and food coloring. Let a volunteer put the food coloring in and then you can stir it while you explain the following:

SAY: This food coloring is going to bring a great change to this whip cream, and when someone gives their life to Jesus, He brings a great change to them.

Pass the whip cream around and let the students dip their torches in it and begin eating. (You can also use a spoon if you have rather them spoon the whip cream on top. This would be less messy but less island-like too.)

Ask the students—What are some of the changes that comes to a person’s life when they receive Jesus as the Lord and Boss of their life? (Answer: They can know for sure that they’re going to heaven. They are adopted as a child of God. They now know Jesus.)

SAY: Knowing Jesus is the best part of life.

As the students eat, here are some other topics to discuss:

- Who can say where today’s Challenge Verse was found?

- Who remembers what it says?

- What does that mean?

- How did Joseph trust God? (Answer: He listened and obeyed God.)

- Who remembers where last week’s Challenge Verse was found?

- What does the 56:3 stand for? (Answer: chapter 56, verse 3)

- How would it be written? (56 dot-dot 3)

- Who remembers where the Gospel of John is found? (Answer: It is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament—Point students to the Bible Book Chart.)

- What does Gospel mean? (Answer: Good News)

- What are the other Gospels? (Answer: Matthew, Mark, and Luke)

SAY: The Gospels are all about Jesus’ life and they are also the first four books of the New Testament.

- The story we learned today about Jesus being born is found in two of the Gospels. Who can guess which two? (Answer: Matthew and Luke)

CLASS RULES

SAY: We are so glad you are a part of our class, and even though class is almost over, we need to go over the three rules that everyone needs to follow, not just here but in life every day. These are our Classroom Rules:

Everybody say “R”

Respect God—Obey God in all that you do.

Everybody say “R”

Respect Your Teachers—Do what your teachers ask you to.

Everybody say “R”

Respect Each Other—Treat others the way you want to be treated.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

SAY: When I say, “You can trust God,” I want everybody to say, “Mahalo!” (Muh-hah-lo) and do your hand like this. (Show kids how to place their palms on their hearts, then raise their hands up. It’s as if they’re giving thanks from their heart to God.) “Mahalo” means “Thank You” in Hawaiian and since we’re on an island adventure, I want us to all say Mahalo because You can trust God. (Kids: Mahalo! with the hand motion.)

SAY: If you were going to say, “Thank You” to another person you would take your hand from you heart, using the same hand, and hold it out, palm up, towards that person you are thanking. Let’s all try that.

SAY: Now let’s get ready to pray and thank God that we can trust Him and that we don’t have to be afraid because God is bigger than anything we could ever face.

What are some things we can be praying for?

Is there anything that you are afraid of or concerned about that you want to talk to Jesus about?

List Prayer Requests

Before you pray, ask the students to bow their heads and close their eyes. Tell them to pray and thank Jesus for always being there and for them to remember to trust Him when they are afraid.

Thank God that we can trust Him and that no matter what we may go through, He will never let us down.

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

*Adapted from Group Publishing, Lava, Lava Island VBS,  “Jesus Brings Hope” Day 1.

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus Followed God’s Word

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Matthew 4:1-11

Challenge Verse: Psalm 119:11—“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

————————————————————————————————————-

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

One half-page of white copy paper

Masking tape

Enough band-aids for every student to have one

Two rulers or yardsticks

Two Lemons

1/2 bag of Skittles in a baggie

1 container of frosting

5 plastic knives

Enough plates for every student to have one

Enough sugar cookies for each student to have one

Enough napkins for each student to have one

One copy of the pages at the end of this lesson on green and red cards.

Memory Verse Sign

BEFORE CLASS

- Play Hawaiian or island music as kids enter.

- Tape a half page of white paper to the ceiling or somewhere high on the wall in one of the corners of the room.

- Use masking tape to make two or four 6 foot, straight, parallel lines on the floor.

- Have the Band-Aids in a convenient location.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet your students by name as they enter.

- Give each child an attendance sticker for your attendance chart.

- Put a Band-Aid on each student’s back.

OPENING ACTIVITY

As students enter tell them that something is hidden somewhere in the room (the white, half piece of paper taped to the ceiling or somewhere high on the wall in the corner of the room), but you can’t tell them what or where it is and you can’t even give them any hints. If someone points it out, tell them they’ll get a chance later to find out if they’re right.

SAY: Welcome to the Island Adventure! Today we’re lost on the island and looking for the right way and God’s Word is going to help us find it! But first we have a special activity.

BAND-AID TAG

Put a Band-Aid on each student’s back. When you say “Go” they will try to pull off everyone else’s Band-Aid without theirs being pulled. Once their Band-Aid is pulled, they can continue to play. The last person with a Band-Aid on their back is the winner. Rules: They cannot grab people or shirts. Set a two minute time limit and have fun with them. (If you have a small group, you may want to play this twice or to create variety, have them play it while hopping on one leg.)

When the game is over: (1) throw away all the Band-Aids and (2) sit down in a circle. (If students want to keep and wear their Band-Aids, that’s okay as long as they don’t become a distraction.)

CONTROL TOOL

SAY: Every time I say, “Is Jesus perfect,” I want you to say, “Absolutely!”

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

SAY: A person gets a Band-Aid when they get hurt.

Ask the students: Can anyone guess what hurts people the most? (Answer: Sin.)

Ask the students: What is sin? (Answer: Anything we do that’s wrong)

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

CHALLENGE: Agree or Disagree:

- Sin will always hurt you—If you agree, stand up. If you disagree, stay sitting down.  Correct Answer: Agree

- None of us are perfect— If you agree, go to the wall on my left. If you disagree, go to the wall on my right. Correct Answer: Agree

- You should always eat mayonnaise on bologna and cheese sandwiches— If you agree, go to the wall on my right. If you disagree, go to the wall on my left. Correct Answer: I don’t know.

- Jesus made a way to take your sins away— If you agree, go to the wall on my left. If you disagree, go to the wall on my right. Correct Answer: Agree

- You should always pick your nose at school—If you agree, sit down. If you disagree, raise your hands in the air. Correct Answer: Disagree

- The way to avoid the hurt of sin is to do what God wants you to do—— If you agree, go to the wall on my right. If you disagree, go to the wall on my left.  Correct Answer: Agree

- Everyone should like pickle juice—If you agree, go to the wall on my left. If you disagree, go to the wall on my right. Correct Answer: Who cares?

- The best choice you can make is to give your life to Jesus— If you agree, give someone a high-five. If you disagree, sit on your hands. Correct Answer: Agree

On the count of 3 come sit down in the circle: 1-2-3. Go!

BIBLE LESSON*

Ask the students the following. Tell them all to answer out loud as you ask.

If you wanted to toast some bread, what would you use? (Toaster)

If you wanted to walk your dog what would you use?(Leash)

If you wanted to keep your ice cream frozen, what would you use?(Freezer)

If you wanted to brush your teeth, what would you use?(Toothbrush)

If you wanted to dig a hole, what would you use?(Shovel)

SAY: It would be impossible to toast your bread in the bathtub, or to walk your dog with the car, or what would you think about someone who put the ice cream in the toaster to keep it cold. That’s crazy. You use the right tool for the right job. For instance, if you were on an island and you wanted to catch some fish, what tool would you use? (Answer: Fishing pole, net, spear, etc.)

SAY: Did you know that when Jesus was tempted to do bad things and He used the right tool to make right choices?

While we act out the Bible story, see if you can figure out what tool Jesus used.

Choose 6  volunteers to help you teach a story about Jesus.

Give three a green card

Give three a red card

Read from the Bible beginning at Matthew 4:1.

Red Card #1 contains the devil’s first temptation. When you get to this part, instead of reading it, call for Red Card #1 and help the student read it or have them repeat it after you. When you get to Jesus’ response, call for Green Card #1. Red Card #2 is the second temptation. Green Card #2 is Jesus’ response. Red Card #3 is the third temptation. Green Card #3 is Jesus’ response. From your Bible read only what is not in quotations.

SAY: Even though Jesus was tempted, He made right choices.

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

Ask the students: Who figured out what tool Jesus used when He was tempted to do bad things? (He used God’s Word—the Bible that He had hidden in His heart.)

Repeat after me:

Jesus didn’t just know God’s Word.

He didn’t just repeat God’s Word.

Jesus Followed God’s Word.

Divide your class into two teams (i.e., split the group down the middle)

SAY: We’re going to have a competition to see which side can be the loudest. When I point to this side, yell out, “Jesus Followed!” When I point to the other side, yell out, “God’s Word.”

Note: Go back and forth between the two teams three times.

KEY: God’s Word will always point you in the right direction.

LESSON ACTIVITY*

LEMON LINES

Before the students arrived, you should have made 2 or 4 (depending on the size of your class) six foot lines on the floor. Divide your class into two or four teams and ask half of each team to line up at the end of each side of the tape line. For example, if you have four on each team, have two line up on each end of the tape line.

When you say “go,” direct the first person in line to use the ruler to push the lemon along the tape “road” to the end of the tape line. The first person will hand the ruler to the next student, who will push the fruit back to the other end of the tape. Continue until every student has had a turn. Tell the students to sit down after their turn. The first team with everyone seated should raise their hands to indicate that they are finished. (Depending on the size of your class, you may also want to let everyone have two or more turns.)

After the activity, have the students sit down in a circle.

Ask the students— Was it hard or easy to push the lemon in a straight line? Why? (Hard, it wanted to go its own way; easy, we figured out a way to do it.)

SAY: It was a challenge to make the lemon do the right thing.

Ask the students— How does God encourage us to do the right thing? (He gave us the Bible, teachers and parents who tell us what to do.)

SAY: Sometimes we can be kind of like lemons—we want to do things our way, not God’s way.

Repeat this after me: If you go the wrong way, you’ll end up in the wrong place.

Repeat it again, but louder.

CHALLENGE VERSE

SAY: So, if sinning is the wrong way, how can we do what’s right? How can we be like Jesus? Just think about it: What did Jesus do when He was tempted to do something wrong? (He quoted the Bible.)

SAY: He quoted the Bible and that’s what our challenge verse today is about. It’s about something you hide, but first I’m going to give you a hint about what I hid in the room earlier.

Give a few hints, each time become a little more specific until someone figures out what it is.

SAY :I hid that piece of paper, but that paper isn’t going to help anyone, but God has given you something that He wants you to hide in your heart so that you’ll have a tool that can protect you from doing wrong.

Read Psalm 119:11 from your Bible

Ask the students—What does it mean to hide God’s Word in your heart? (To know what it means; to learn it; to memorize it.)

Ask the students—What keeps you from hiding God’s Word in your heart? (I don’t know how; I forget to do it; I’m not good at memorizing.)

SAY: Hiding God’s Word in your heart doesn’t mean you have to memorize the entire Bible. But it does mean that you know God and you know how to obey Him. When Jesus was tempted to go His own way, He followed God’s Word. We can always learn more about God, so we know how to follow and obey too.

ILLUSTRATION

SAY: On the count of three, I want everyone run, touch three things that are three different colors in this room and come and sit back down. Ready…Go!

Choose a few volunteers to name one of the things they touched.

SAY: You made a choice what to touch because it looked good to you. Sometimes doing something wrong may look good to you, but sin will always hurt you or someone else. The best choice you can make is to follow Jesus and do what He would do.

CONTROL TOOL

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

LESSON ACTIVITY

Follow the Leader

Choose a volunteer to be the leader and in your room play Follow the Leader. Change leaders every 30 seconds. You’ll want to keep this moving fast. Depending on the size of your class, you will either need to tell them that everyone will get to be the leader or that only a few will get to do it.

Discussion

SAY: Just like the game, when you follow someone you do what they do and you say what they say. When you follow Jesus, you do what He did and say things that agree with what He said.

CRAFT SNACK*

Students will make edible compasses to remind them to follow God’s Word.

Each student will need: 1 sugar cookie, about 2 tablespoons of frosting, 3 Skittles, about 2 pretzel sticks, plastic knives, 1 small plate, 1 napkin per student.

REVIEW

Ask the students the following:

Today we’re learning that the devil tempted Jesus to do wrong things. How many times was He tempted? (Answer: Three)

Who can find our story on the Bible Time Line? (From the Book of Matthew which is the first book in the New Testament.)

And what tool did Jesus use to do what’s right? (Answer: Jesus Followed God’s Word)

SAY: A compass is something you use to help you go the right way and we’re going to make some cookie-compasses to remind us that we always go the right way when we follow God’s Word.

Draw or show a picture of a compass and let kids be creative: They don’t have to just put an “N” for North. They can put an arrow, etc. Also, use the following discussion questions as the students are making their compasses.

Discussion Questions

Ask these while the students are making and eating their compasses.

Why do you think the devil wanted to tempt Jesus?

How can you begin to remember God’s Word today?

When does God’s Word give you direction?

BIBLE SKILLS

When your students are finished eating, have them sit in a circle.

Ask the students—Who remembers where our verse was found last week? (Answer: Psalm 56:3)

Ask the students—Who remembers what it said? (Answer: When I am afraid I will trust in you. Or, if you want to make it rhyme–When I am afraid I will trust in Thee–Psalm 56:3.)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles and get ready for a Bible Drill. I’m going to tell you a book of the Bible and I want you to try to find it. When I say, “Ready,” hold the Bible between both hands, but you cannot open it. Then I will say a book of the Bible and a chapter and “Go.” If you open your Bible before I say, “Go,” you will be out. Once you find the book I ask for, raise your hand.

Ready…The book of Psalms / Chapter 119–Go!

Psalm 119

Be sure to help students who are new. We don’t want anyone to feel left out or awkward.

SAY: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Now look at verse 11.

Read Psalm 119:11 from your Bible.

Ask the students—Does anybody’s Bible say it differently? (If students indicate that their Bible states it different, have them read what their Bible says and then explain that the Bible wasn’t written in our language. This is the reason that we have different translations. They contain the exact same message, but they may use different words to express it.)

Have the students close their Bibles.

Ask the students—Where was our Bible verse found today? (Answer: Psalm 119:11)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles ready. We’re going to find it again. And remember to wait until I say, “Go.”

Ready…Psalm 119:11–Go!

Repeat this again–a third time.

Then SAY: Everybody get your Bibles ready. We’re going to find a different verse.

Ready…Psalm 56:3–Go!

If you have time, do the following challenges:

Ready…Psalm 23–Go!

Ready…John 10:11–Go!

Ready…John 8:12–Go!

If you have time, review the other Bible skills they’ve been learning (i.e., What are the Gospels? Where are they found? Where is Genesis and Exodus, etc.)

NOTE: Be sure to congratulate all your students on how they are doing and help any guests that may be in your class. We don’t want them to feel out-of-place. Better to skip this section for a week than to make a guest feel uncomfortable.

Control Tool

Leader: God’s Word will always to what? Students: Point you in the right direction.

(If they’re not loud, do it again.)

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader: God’s Word will always to what? Students: Point you in the right direction.

SAY: When I say, “Jesus Followed God’s Word,” I want everybody to say, “Mahalo!” (Muh-hah-lo).

Leader–Jesus Followed God’s Word / Students–Mahalo!

Ask the students—Who remembers what Mahalo means? (Thank you.)

Ask the students—In what language? (Hawaiian)

Ask the students—Who remembers the hand motion if a person was saying “Thank you” to God? (Both hands on heart and then raised in the air.)

Ask the students—Who remembers the hand motion is a person was thanking another person? (Take one hand and put it over your heart, then hold the same hand out, palm up to the person you are thanking.)

SAY: Today we are going to thank Jesus for being perfect and making a way for us to go to heaven.  We’re going to thank Him for always following God’s Word and doing what is right.

We’re also going to thank Him for giving us the Bible and helping us do what is right also.

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

*Adapted from Group Publishing, Lava, Lava Island VBS, “Jesus Brings Hope” Day 1.

PLEASE PRINT THESE CARDS ON GREEN PAPER

Jesus Responds #1

Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus Responds #2

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord you God to the test.’”

Jesus Responds #3

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

PLEASE PRINT THESE CARDS ON RED PAPER

The Devil Tempted Jesus #1

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

The Devil Tempted Jesus #2

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

The Devil Tempted Jesus #3

“All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.”

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus Gives us Courage

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Matthew 10:1-31

Challenge Verse: Philippians 4:13—“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

1 banana—real or fake

Memory Verse Sign

NOTE: You will need a watch with a second hand to time students on the Opening Activity.

BEFORE CLASS

- Play the island or Hawaiian music as the kids enter.

- Learn today’s memory verse using the sign language taught in this lesson.

- Have the banana in a convenient location.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet your students by name as they enter.

- Give each child a nametag.

- Give each child an attendance sticker for your attendance chart.

OPENING ACTIVITY

As students enter SAY: “Aloha! Welcome to Adventure Island.”

Pass the Banana

Have your class sit in a circle on the floor.

Ask your students: What are some foods you would eat on an island? (Let several answer.)

Explain that you are going to play a game with a banana to see how fast they can pass it around the circle using only their feet. Time how fast they can do this. When the banana has gone around the circle one time, stop the game and tell the kids their time. Play this activity several times and be sure to tell them that you are going to play this game again at the end of class and see if they can beat their time. (You can even time them passing the banana around two or three times.)

Discussion

Ask the students: What was difficult about passing the banana? (It kept slipping; it was weird to use my feet that way; we dropped it a lot.)

SAY: Passing a banana with your feet is silly, but Jesus has big important things for you to do.

Ask the students: What difficult things might Jesus want you to do at school? (Tell people about Jesus; be nice to someone who’s new; show Jesus’ love by helping someone who’s hurt; pray before eating lunch; treat someone kindly who has treated you mean.)

SAY: After each of the following sentences, I will say 1-2-3. Then I want you to say hard or easy. There’s no right or wrong answers to these. What might be easy to you may be hard for someone else. God has made each one of you different, and even though these are things God wants all of us to do, it might be easier for some to do them than others.

To tell friends at school or on a ball team about Jesus: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To tell a teacher or coach about Jesus: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To tell an aunt, uncle, cousin, or grandparent about Jesus: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To be nice to someone who’s new at school: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To show Jesus’ love by helping someone who’s hurt: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To pray before eating lunch—even when you’re sitting with your friends and no one else is doing it: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To treat someone kindly who has treated you mean: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To stick up for someone who is being treated wrongly: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To give back a five dollar bill that you saw someone drop: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To give back a ten dollar bill that was mistakenly given to you as change in a store: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

NOTE: Some of the above statements may bring comments from your students. If so, feel free to take a few minutes to discuss the situations and tie in extra learning. For example, when you say, “To give back a five dollar bill that you saw someone drop: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy,” say that a student says, “I wouldn’t give it back. Finders-keepers!” Take this as an opportunity to ask: Has anybody ever lost anything important to you? How did you feel? What if someone found it but wouldn’t give it back? What do you think Jesus would do? What does the Bible say—To treat others the way you want to be treated, etc.

SAY: Whether you think the things above are hard or easy, it will always take courage to do them. Courage doesn’t mean that you’re not afraid, but that something is more important to you than being afraid. You might be afraid to tell someone about Jesus, but for them to know Jesus and go to heaven is more important to you than being afraid. And Jesus will always give you the courage you need to do anything He asks you to do.

Control Tool

SAY: When I say, “Jesus Give Us Courage,” I want everybody to say, “Mahalo!” (Muh-hah-lo), which means “Thank You” in Hawaiian.

Leader—“Jesus Give Us Courage” / Students—“Mahalo!”

CHALLENGE VERSE

Use the following sign language diagrams to learn and teach today’s verse:*

Read Philippians 4:13 from your Bible

“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

The Sign Language is below:

SIGN LANGUAGE MEMORY VERSE

Philippians 4:13

“I”

“CAN”

“DO”“EVERYTHING“THROUGH”

“CHRIST (JESUS)”“WHO”

“GIVES”

“ME”

“STRENGTH”

LESSON ACTIVITY

The Hungry Monkey

Have your students spread out in the classroom. Tell them that when you call a number, you want them to get into groups of that number. So if you call out a three, you want them to get into groups of three. Call out 4, 3, 2. The only reason you’re doing this is to get them in pairs in a manner where no one feels left out. If there is an extra student, then a teacher may need to play.

Choose one pair to be your volunteers. Have everyone else spread out across the room and tell them to link arms. Tell the partners to stand in one place. They can’t move. Designate one of your volunteers to be the Monkey and the other to be the Banana. Explain that the Monkey is hungry and will chase the Banana by hopping on one leg. The Banana can use both legs and will run away, but may link arms with one of the partners who is standing still. If the Banana does this, the other partner (the one who is now not linked with the Banana) becomes the Banana and must run from the Monkey. If the Monkey tags the Banana, they will switch roles. (To add variation, tell them that the Monkey can run, and not just hop, for 10 seconds any time you say, “The Monkey can run!”)

Discussion

Ask the students: What did you like about being a Monkey or a Banana? What didn’t you like? (I liked being the Monkey because I’m a fast runner; I didn’t like being the Monkey because I had to hop on one leg; I didn’t like being the Banana because I was afraid I’d get tagged.)

Ask the students: How did you feel when you were standing with a partner? (Safe; I could rest; Glad; Bored.)

Ask the students: Tell me about a friend who makes you feel safe and happy? (Answers will vary.)

SAY: Today we’re going to learn about how Jesus sent His disciples to tell people about God. That might have been a little scary, but Jesus sent each person with a friend. God gives us friends and it is important as you grow older that you choose friends who will encourage you to follow Jesus.

REPEAT after me: Right friends (Kids: Right friends) keep you (Kids: keep you) on the right track (Kids: on the right track).

Ask the students: How can you encourage your friends to follow Jesus? (Invite them to church; Tell them about Jesus; Talk about Jesus with them; Tell them what God is doing in your life or what you learned at church; Do what is right and tell them why you do what is right, etc.)

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Give Us Courage” / Students—“Mahalo!”

BIBLE LESSON

SAY: Jesus sent some of his disciples on a mission. Everybody get your Bibles and get ready for a Bible Drill. (Guests may not know how to do this so an extra explanation may be needed. If so, give it to the whole class, so they don’t feel singled out or embarrassed. By now your regular students should be getting familiar with this routine.)

Ready—Find Matthew 10—Go!

Be sure to help them (or have them help each other) if some are having a hard time finding it. Let them know that it’s okay if they can’t find it quickly. The more they do it, the easier it’ll become.

Ask the students: Where is Matthew found in the Bible? (It’s the first book of the New Testament)

Ask the students: What are the other Gospels? (Refer them to the Bible Book Chart)

SAY: There are other sections in the New Testament also. (Briefly explain the sections of the New Testament as seen on the Bible Book Chart and show them where Philippians is found. Tell them that it is a letter Paul wrote to the Philippian people.)

Ask the students: Who remembers what Philippians 4:13 says?

(Review the sign language with them.)

KEY: Jesus will always give you the strength and courage you need to do anything He calls you to do.

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Give Us Courage” / Students—“Mahalo!”

SAY:  In Matthew 10 Jesus prepared His disciples to send them on a mission to tell others about the kingdom of God and to do good deeds.

Choose 1 volunteer—to come stand next to you.

Ask the students: What is different about your volunteer and the twelve disciples? (There are many differences but one thing is the same: Everyone who has given their life to Jesus has been sent by Him to tell others about the kingdom of God and to do good deeds.)

Ask the students: What are some ways you can do tell others about Jesus and do good deeds?

Ask the students: What does God call people to do? (Live for Him. Talk about Him. Lead others to faith in Christ. Help those in need. He also calls some into full-time ministry, etc.)

Ask the students: What do you think God wants you to do this week? (Same answers as above. Living for Jesus is not something you do just when you grow up. Living for Jesus begins now.)

Ask the students: What do you think God will give you to help in this mission? (The strength and courage to do anything He calls you to do.)

SAY: Jesus is our example and He will always give you everything you need to do anything He calls you to do.

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Give Us Courage” / Students—“Mahalo!”

LESSON ACTIVITY

Pass the Banana, part 2

Play the “Pass the Banana” game again and see if your class can beat their previous time.

SAY: If you have given your life to Jesus, you have the Gospel.

Ask the students: Who remembers what “Gospel” means? (Good News)

SAY: You have Good News that Jesus can save your friends and that they can know for sure that they are going to heaven too. But to bring your friends to Jesus, you have to pass it on.

Ask the students: What if someone in the game had stopped passing the banana? (Everyone would have lost)

SAY: In the same way, when you don’t tell others about Jesus, it affects more than just you. Telling others about Jesus, or witnessing as some call it, is a privilege that you get. It’s fun and exciting that God can use you to change someone’s life.

SAY: After each of the following statements say, “Get to” or “Got to.” Again, there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s how you feel about what I’m saying. For example, if I said, “Clean your room.” Is that something you get to do or something you’ve got to do”?

Take out the trash

Eat at McDonalds

Wash the dishes

Do your homework

Eat Ice Cream

Go to school

Play in a ballgame

Go to church

Read your Bible

Have a friend spend the night

Tell others about Jesus

SAY: Hopefully, going to church, reading your Bible, and telling others about Jesus is something you realize that you get to do. These things are fun and exciting for someone who loves Jesus and is walking with Him. Jesus didn’t force his disciples to go out two by two. He just gave them the chance to do it, and in the same way, Jesus gives us chances to tell others about Him nearly every day.

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Give Us Courage” / Students—“Mahalo!”

BIBLE SKILLS

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

Ask the students—Who remembers where our verse was found last week? (Answer: Psalm 119:11)

Ask the students—Who remembers what it said? (Answer: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles and get ready for a Bible Drill. I’m going to tell you a book of the Bible and I want you to try to find it. When I say, “Ready,” hold the Bible between both hands, but you cannot open it. Then I will say a book of the Bible and a chapter and “Go.” If you open your Bible before I say, “Go,” you will be out. Once you find the book I ask for, raise your hand.

Ready…Psalm 119:11

Have the students close their Bibles.

Ask the students—Where was our Bible verse found today? (Answer: Philippians 4:13)

Ask the students—Is it in the Old or New Testament?

Ask the students—What part of the New Testament?

Ask the students—Does anybody remember who wrote it? (Paul—If you have time, point him out on the Bible Time Line.)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles ready. And remember to wait until I say, “Go.”

Ready…Philippians 4:13–Go!

NOTE: Be sure to congratulate all your students on how they are doing and help any guests that may be in your class. We don’t want them to feel out-of-place. I had rather you skip this section than make a guest feel uncomfortable.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Give Us Courage” / Students—“Mahalo!”

SAY: And He’ll always give you the strength you need to do anything He calls you to do. Let’s thank Jesus for being so good to us.

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

Lesson adapted in part from Group Publishing, Lava, Lava Island VBS, “Jesus Brings Hope” Day 1.

*Sign Language taken from:  Sternberg, Martin. “American Sign Language Concise Dictionary.”  New York: Harper Perennial, 1994.

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus Calms our Fears

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Mark 4:35-41

Challenge Verse: Proverbs 3:5—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

“Mahalo—Cross” Color Sheets (enough for each student). This can be found at the end of the lesson.

1 “Mahalo—We Thank Jesus” sign. This can be found at the end of the lesson.

Slips of paper in a bag that say Lord, All, Heart, Lean in it. This can be found at the end of the lesson.

Memory Verse Sign

BEFORE CLASS

- Play the island or Hawaiian music as the kids enter.

- Set out a “Mahalo-Cross” sheets and crayons at a table for each student.

- Post up the “Mahalo–We Thank Jesus” Sign.

- Have the bag with the words from the Act-It-Out memory verse activity nearby your teaching area.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet your students by name as they enter.

- Give each child a nametag.

- Give each child an attendance sticker for your attendance chart.

Copyright three-thirty ministries, 2008 ● www.threethirtyministries.org

OPENING ACTIVITY

As students enter SAY: “Howdy! Welcome to Adventure Island. Today we’re going to go horseback riding.”

Give each student a “Mahalo-Cross” page.  (See the end of the lesson for this page.)

Tell your students to write outside the cross things for which they are thankful. Then they can color the cross. They can color it anyway they want—one color, many colors, stripes, polka-dots, etc.

This activity shouldn’t take long. After every student has arrived, give them a few more minutes to finish and then tell them to bring their pictures to the circle.

Ask the students: Who remembers what “Mahalo” means in Hawaiian? (Thank You.)

Ask the students: Who can show me the hand motion when you say thank you to a person? (Put one hand over your heart and then hold out your hand with the palm up.)

Ask the students: Who can show me the hand motion when you say thank you to God? (Show kids how to place both their hands on their heart, then raise them up, as if they are giving thanks from their heart to God.)

Let each student one-at-a-time tell you one thing they are thankful for as they bring you their picture. Using masking tape post their pictures around the “Mahalo—We Thank Jesus” Sign.

SAY: We can be thankful because Jesus loves us so much and we can trust Jesus to take care of us even when things don’t happen the way we want them to.

BIBLE LESSON

SAY: Today’s story is about Jesus.

Tell your students that you are going to need every one of them to help you with the Bible story today. Then divide your class into two parts. (You can divide them either by using two sides or by using boys and girls.) Lead them in making the following sound effects:

Side 1–Make a sound like wind. Have them start out gentle and get louder and louder.

Side 2–Make a sound like waves. Again, start out gentle and get louder.

Everyone–Show them how to put their hands on their knees. Begin tapping your fingers

louder and then patting your knees louder and louder to make a sound like rain.

Everyone–When you say, “Thunder,” they say, “Boom!”

Everyone–When you say, “Lightning,” they say, “Bright Light!”

Everyone–When you say, “Boat,” they say, “Row, row, row your boat!”

Everyone–When you say, “Jesus,” they say, “Have no fear, Jesus is near!”

Everyone–When you say, “Stop,” they stop all the sounds.

Now you’re ready to tell the story, but first practice with them a few times. For example, say, “Thunder / Boat / Jesus / Wind / Stop.” etc. Make stopping almost like a game to see how quickly they can “Stop the Storm.” Practice again: Wind / Waves /  Boat / Jesus / Stop!

TELL THE STORY: One day Jesus and His disciples were in a boat and Jesus had fallen asleep when a storm came. It probably began with a gentle wind and some gentle waves, but they grew louder and louder. Then there was probably some gentle rain, but it got heavier. (At this point you should have the wind, waves, and rain all happening at the same time.) Then there was probably some thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!) And some more thunder (Boom!) and the boat (Row, row, row your boat!) was going back and forth and the disciples were scared. STOP!

Ask the students: Have you ever been scared during a storm? (Take a couple of answers.)

Ask the students: What did you do?

SAY: Watch what the disciples did…

BACK TO THE STORY: The wind was blowing. The waves were crashing. The rain was pouring. Louder and louder. There was thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!) and more thunder (Boom!) and even more thunder (Boom!) and the boat (Row, row, row your boat!) was going back and forth and the disciples were scared. But Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) was asleep in the back of the boat. So they woke up Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown!” STOP! (If they don’t stop quickly, tell them they can do better than that. Tell them you want to see how quickly they can stop. Then start the noise again and loudly say, “Stop.” If someone is disrupting and not stopping, the teacher that is not leading the group needs to pull him aside and give him a warning. If him still continues to disrupt, send him to Kolby.)

SAY: The disciples asked Jesus if He cared they were going to die. That’s how scared they were.

Ask the students: Do you think Jesus cared about how scared they were? (Yes, and He cares about any time you’re scared too. God doesn’t want you to live in fear.)

Ask the students: After the disciples woke Jesus up and He looked around at the storm, do you think He was afraid? Why or why not? (No, He wasn’t afraid. Why? Because even in the storm, He was in control. And if you’ve given your life to Jesus and are living for Him, you don’t have to be afraid either because Jesus is always in control.)

Ask the students: Since Jesus is in control, does this mean bad things won’t ever happen to you? (No, bad things sometimes happen to good people, but if you’re walking with Jesus, you can always trust that He can take any bad thing that comes your way and turn it to your good.)

FINISH THE STORY: The wind was blowing. The waves were crashing. The rain was pouring. Louder and louder. The boat (Row, row, row your boat!) was going back and forth and was starting to fill with water. There was thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!) and more thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!). So they woke up Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown!” Then Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) said, (Say this loudly over all the storm noise) “Quiet. Be still.” In other words, STOP! (The students should become quiet.) And just as quickly as that, the storm stopped. The waves stopped. The wind and the rain—everything stopped.

SAY: The disciples should have known that everything would be okay because Jesus was right there with them.

REPEAT AFTER ME: Have no fear, Jesus is near!

Tell those who did the wind to say, “Have no fear.”

Tell those who did the waves to say, “Jesus is near.”

Go back and forth several times to see which side can be the loudest.

Control Tool

SAY: When I say, “Jesus Calms our Fears,” I want everybody to say, “Mahalo!” (Muh-hah-lo), which means “Thank You” in Hawaiian.

Leader—“ Jesus Calms our Fears” / Students—“Mahalo!”

CHALLENGE VERSE

Using the same teams you used for wind and waves, have them try to guess key words for today’s memory verse by taking turns acting out the following:

LORD

ALL

HEART

LEAN

Once all these have been solved (and some may need help, such as “It rhymes with…” etc.), help your students find Proverbs 3:5 in their Bibles.

Read Proverbs 3:5 from your Bible.

Ask the students: What do you think it means to trust the Lord and not lean on your own understanding? (It means that you trust God even if you don’t understand why something has happened and may not know what to do. You don’t have to understand the situation to trust God with it.)

Situations

Read the following situations but ask your students not to answer out loud—just to listen:

How can you trust God when your parents get in a bad argument?

How can you trust God when someone calls you mean names?

How can you trust God when someone you care for is in a bad accident?

How can you trust God when someone you know hurts your feelings?

How can you trust God when you don’t understand why He didn’t stop something bad from happening to you?

SAY: Here’s the answer—You can always trust God because He’s always right there with you, just like Jesus was right in the boat with the disciples. And you can ask Him for help, just like the disciples asked Jesus for help. And you can trust God, because even in the middle of the most frightening and worst situations, Jesus can put peace in your heart, just like when he said “Quiet—Be still” to the storm.

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Calms our Fears” / Students—“Mahalo!”

BIBLE SKILLS

Ask the students: Is Proverbs in the Old Testament or the New Testament.

Ask the students: Who can find the book of Proverbs on the Bible Book Chart? (Show them what section of the Old Testament it is in and that it follows Psalms.)

Ask the students: So if you were going to find the book of Proverbs in the Bible would you look in the front or the back of the Bible? (The middle—just behind Psalms)

Tell them to get their Bibles.

SAY: Get ready for a Bible Drill. Remember you can’t open your Bibles until I say go.

Ready…Proverbs 3:5…Go!

Ask the students: Who can remember what last week’s verse was and where it was found on the Bible Book Chart?

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…Philippians 4:13…Go!

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…John 8:12…Go!

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…Psalm 56:3…Go!

During these Bible drills, help students to get familiar with the layout of God’s Word and let those who are quick to find verses help others (if they want help). We want to make sure, that no one gets frustrated or feels embarrassed. We want this to be a fun, competition-type time, but with no emphasis on winning, just on doing the best they can.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader—“Jesus Calms our Fears” / Students—“Mahalo!”

SAY: And He’ll always take care of us. Let’s thank Jesus for being able to give us peace even in the middle of tough times.

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Luke 18:35-43

Challenge Verse: John 14:6—Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

A candy bag with enough candy for the class.

1 blindfold

Cut out and hide the words to John 14:6

Signs for: Jesus, Blind Beggar, Crowd, Crowd (2 signs for Crowd)— hole punch these and use yarn to make a sign that will hang around a student’s neck.

Memory Verse Sign

BEFORE CLASS

- Play the island or Hawaiian music as the kids enter.

- Set up for the “Guiding Light” Activity by setting out your candy bag and a blindfold.

- Use scotch tape to hide the words to the Challenge Verse.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet your students by name as they enter.

- Give each child an attendance sticker for your attendance chart.

- Fill out a guest card for any students who are not on your roll.

OPENING ACTIVITY

SAY: Welcome to Adventure Island. On an island you don’t have electricity, so What would you do if you were going to lead a lot of people from one side of the island to the other at night? What would you use to see? (A torch; big flashlight; etc.)

Ask the students: What if you one had one light? Where would you put it: in the back of the people, in the middle, or at the front? (You’d put it in front so the people could see.)

SAY: Jesus is the light who guides you and today we’re going to learn that Jesus is also the way.

Guiding Light

Choose one volunteer—to be blindfolded. The volunteer is going to try to find a piece of candy you hide in the room after he is blindfolded. The other students will guide him toward the candy in a Marco-Polo style as follows: Anytime the blindfolded student calls out “guiding,” the closest person to the candy will say “light.” If the blindfolded student comes close to an obstacle such as a chair, everyone can call “look-out.” Give a couple of students the opportunity to play.

Discussion

Ask the students: How did you feel being blindfolded? (Confused; scared; different; lonely.)

SAY: You needed someone to guide you–someone to show you the way. The Bible says that Jesus is the Way.

Ask the students: What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the way?” (He’s the only way to go to heaven. He’s the only way to have a meaningful life.)

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Way!

BIBLE LESSON

SAY: Imagine what it would be like to be totally blind. That’s what our lesson is about today–someone who was totally blind

NOTE: This section purposely doesn’t tell the students where the Bible Story is found. This is revealed in the Bible Skills section.

Choose 4 volunteers who are willing to help you act out the Bible Story.

Give them the following signs: Jesus, Blind Beggar, Crowd, Crowd.

Have the Blind Beggar sit off to your side with the two Crowd volunteers between you and he and have Jesus to your other side.

(NOTE: As you read the verses, lead the volunteers in what to say. Keep this fast-paced and with high energy.)

SAY: The following story is from the Bible and I will be helping our volunteers with some special speaking parts.

BIBLE: As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.

BLIND MAN: “Beg, Beg, Beg”

BIBLE: When he heard the crowd going by…

CROWD: “Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me.”

BIBLE: He asked them what was happening.

BLIND MAN: “Hey, what’s up?”

BIBLE: They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

CROWD: “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

BIBLE: He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

BLIND MAN: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

BIBLE: Those who had led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet…

CROWD: “Hey, blind man, hush up! Put a sock in it.”

BIBLE: But he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

BLIND MAN: (Shouting) “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Do it again—louder)

BIBLE: Jesus stopped and ordered them man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

JESUS: “What do you want me to do for you?”

BIBLE: “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

BLIND MAN: “Lord, I want to see,”

BIBLE: Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

JESUS: “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

BIBLE: Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Give our volunteers a hand. Great job!

SAY: Even though the blind man was different—even though he was blind and was a beggar— Jesus still cared for him.

Ask the students: Do you know someone who gets treated badly because they’re different?

Ask the students: Do you know someone who gets picked on or teased?

Ask the students: How can you show Jesus’ care for them?

SAY: Jesus loved the blind man and did something great for Him.

Ask the students: What is something great God has done in your life? (He saved you, takes care of you, etc.)

SAY: Anything is possible for God—to make blind eyes see; to make crippled people walk; to heal any sickness. But Jesus doesn’t just care about the big things—He cares about everything in your life, no matter how small it might seem.

LESSON ACTIVITY

Make a Choice

Choose one volunteer. Divide your class into two teams and have them sit on both sides of the volunteer.

This is very similar to the game you previously played except you are going to make it harder. The blindfolded volunteer is still trying to find the candy except this time, when you say “Go” both sides will try to guide him. The catch is—one of the sides won’t be telling the truth. The other will. Tell your class that after you blindfold the volunteer you’ll point to the side that is suppose to try to lead him the wrong way. He’ll have to choose which side he is going to follow. Give a couple of students the opportunity to play.

Discussion

Ask the students: How did you know which side was telling the truth?

Ask the students: How do you know Jesus will always tell you the truth? (Because He is perfect; Because the Bible tells you so, etc.)

SAY: Jesus doesn’t just tell the truth; He is the Truth. He is perfect and will never lie or point you in the wrong way.

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Truth!

CHALLENGE VERSE

Before class began you should have hidden the words to John 14:6.

Explain that everyone in the class needs a partner. Each pair needs to decide who is going to be the Guide and who is going to be the Blind Man. The Guide keeps his eyes open and looks for the words although he is not allowed to use his hands. The Blind Man can use his hands, but he has to keep his eyes closed.  The two will have to work together to locate and retrieve the words to the challenge verse.

Let the class search for about a minute or two and then, as a class, let them try to assemble the verse.

Ask the students: Did any of you have a Guide who ran off and left you? (Aren’t you glad that God will never leave you and that He will always guide you in the right way.)

Read John 14:6 from your Bible.

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Way!

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Truth!

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Life!

Ask your kids to take a deep breath.

SAY: Anything can breathe, but that’s not what real life is about.

Ask a student to give you a high five.

SAY: Did you feel that? Even frogs can feel things, but that’s not real life. Life isn’t just breathing, feeling and existing. Real life—God’s kind of life—is only found in Jesus.

Have the students repeat after you (pause at the slashes):

Jesus is the Way! / The Truth! / And The Life!

No one comes to the Father / except through Him.

John 14:6

BIBLE SKILLS

Ask the students: Is the book of John in the Old Testament or the New Testament?

Ask the students: Who can find the book of John on the Bible Book Chart?

Ask the students: Who can guess what book our Bible story today came from? (Luke 18:35-43. Help your students to think this through: What part of the Bible tells about Jesus’ life? Answer: The Gospels—So it would have to be in one of the Gospels. Today’s Bible Story comes from the Gospel of Luke. The Challenge Verse comes from the Gospel of John.)

Tell them to get their Bibles.

SAY: Get ready for a Bible Drill. Remember you can’t open your Bibles until I say go.

Ready…John 14:6…Go!

SAY: Jesus is the only way to go to heaven and if you’ve given your life to Christ, then you’ve become a guide for those who don’t know Christ, to lead others to Him.

Ready…2 Corinthians 4:4…Go!

SAY: The Bible says that those who don’t know Jesus are blind to the things of God. That’s the reason they need someone to show them the way to Christ so He can bring His light and love into their lives.

Ready…Matthew 5:16…Go!

SAY: You can be a light to lead others to Christ. When you trust God and live for Jesus people will see that there is something different about you.

Ask the students: Who can remember what last week’s verse was? (Proverbs 3:5)

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…Proverbs 3:5-6…Go!

Ask the students: What book comes just before Proverbs? (Psalms)

Ask the students: Is Proverbs in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Have a student point it out on the Bible Book Chart.)

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Have the students repeat after you (pause at the slashes):

Jesus is the Way! / The Truth! / And The Life!

No one comes to the Father / except through Him.

John 14:6

Ask the students: Before Jesus healed the blind man, what did he ask him? (He asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” It sounds like a silly question—asking a blind man what he wants, but Jesus wanted him to ask Him to restore His sight. In the same way, Jesus wants us to give our cares and requests to Him too.)

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: ] Jesus Can Save Us

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Jesus Died and Rose Again

Challenge Verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

Blank papers and crayons for each child.

1 bean bag

2 hula hoops

1 bag of cotton balls

4 Big Cups—the biggest you can find

6 small cups—the smallest you can find and poke a hole in the bottom of each of them.

Signs for: Jesus, Forgive, Criminals, Remember, Promise, Empty, Love.—You can hole punch these and use yarn to make a sign that will hang around a student’s neck.

Masking Tape

Bible Verse Poster

BEFORE CLASS

- Play the island or Hawaiian music as the kids enter.

- Set out blank pages and crayons.

- Put the two hula hoops you will find in your classroom on opposite sides of the class. Then pour half of the bag of cotton balls (or have it ready to pour) into each hula hoop. (Note: When you are finished with the hula hoops, keep them in your classroom. You’ll need them for next week’s lesson.)

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests.

- Be sure to smile.

OPENING ACTIVITY

As students enter SAY: “Welcome to Adventure Island.”

Give each student a  blank piece of paper and some crayons. Ask them to draw a picture of what it must have been like when Jesus died or rose again.

This activity shouldn’t take long. After all the students have arrived, give them a few more minutes to finish, tell them to put their names on their papers, and then hang the pictures up in a convenient location.

SAY: Today we’re going to talk about how much God loves you and why Jesus had to die on the cross to make a way to take our sins away.

Control Tool

Leader SAYS: Jesus Can Save Us—Kids RESPOND: Mahalo!

(which means “Thank You” in Haiwiian.)

Plug It Up*

You will need: (1) four large cups and (2) four small cups that have a small hole in the bottom. Have your class sit in a circle on the carpet, not the tile areas. Fill two of the large cups with water and put the two empty large cups at the other end of the circle (or line).

SAY: Here at Adventure Island water is very important. We can’t drink salt water, so we need have to have fresh water to live.

Explain that the object of the game is to take all the water from the two full cups, pour it into the small cups (with holes in them), pass them around the circle, pour whatever water is left into the big cups and then pass the small cups back. The small cups will leak water so tell the students that they can use their fingers to plug up the holes. The game is over after three minutes or when both the big cups are full. If you have a large class, use two circles (or lines) or switch the start and finish points halfway through the game so that all the kids gets to pass a cup that still has water in it.

(NOTE: You may need to refill your water cups during this game and be careful because if any water gets on tile, it will become slick.)

Discussion

Ask the students–Was there any way for you to fill up the cups in this game? Why or why not? (Yes, we got a lot of water into the cups by plugging up the holes; No, the holes made it too hard.)

Ask the students–How did you feel when you realized you couldn’t fill up the cups quickly this way? (Frustrated; wet; we gave up and just had fun.)

SAY: You were trying to do something that was impossible. In life, it’s impossible for us to be perfect or without sin (which is anything that’s wrong).

Ask the students–If none of us can be perfect, how can we live in heaven with a perfect, holy God? (By dying on the cross Jesus made a way to take our sins away if we give our lives to Him.)

Ask the students–Why does Jesus want us to be free from sin? (Because He loves us; so we can be with Him forever.)

SAY: God wants us to do our best to obey His Word, but it’s impossible for us to be perfect. That’s why God sent Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. God loves us and Jesus Can Save Us (Mahalo!). Because Jesus died and rose again, we can make the choice to give our lives to Him and can know for sure that we will live with God forever in heaven.

BIBLE LESSON*

SAY: Today’s story is about Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Resurrection means being raised from the dead.)

Ask the students: Who can find Jesus’ death and resurrection on the Bible time line? (Choose a volunteer)

Ask the students: What are some of the other stories about Jesus pictured on the Time Line? (Let a few students answer.)

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Jesus sign.)

SAY: Although Jesus, God’s perfect Son, had never done anything wrong, He was arrested and treated like a criminal. He was sentenced to die on a cross–which was a painful punishment given to the worst of criminals.

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Forgive sign.)

SAY: Jesus was led to a place outside the city called “The Skull.” He was nailed to a cross and people laughed at Him and insulted Him. But Jesus didn’t show anger or hate, instead He prayed, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Criminals sign.)

Jesus was crucified between two criminals. One of them yelled at Jesus: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” The other man told the first criminal to be quiet. He said, “We are punished justly because we’re getting back what we deserve for things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Remember sign.)

The same man looked at Jesus and asked Him, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Ask the students: Do you think it was too late for that criminal to ask Jesus to forgive him? Why or why not?

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Promise sign.)

Jesus made this promise to the criminal: “Today you will be with Me in heaven.”

After Jesus died, two of his friends took Jesus’ body and placed it in a stone tomb. All these things happened on a Friday. Saturday passed. Sunday came, and some women came to the tomb, bringing spices to put on Jesus’ body.

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Empty sign.)

The tomb was empty! Two angels in white clothes said, “Jesus is not here!” The women hurried back to tell Jesus’ disciples that He was alive!

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Love sign.)

Jesus loved the criminal even though he had done bad things. He loves you too–so much that He died to take the punishment for every wrong things you and I would ever do. Jesus loves you so much He wants you to be with Him forever in heaven. If you ever have any questions about why Jesus died or how you can know for sure that you’re going to heaven, just ask one of us. We would love to talk to you about it.

Control Tool

Leader: Jesus Can Save Us / Kids: (Mahalo!).

LESSON ACTIVITY

SAY: Even though we have all done wrong things, Jesus loves us and has great plans for our lives. He died to make a way for us to know Him and to go to heaven.

Stick It To ‘Em*

Pour half a bag of cotton balls into each of the hula hoops you set out before class began.

Choose one volunteer–and wrap the masking tape around him so that the sticky side is facing out.

Tell your kids that a volcano has blown and has covered each of the hula hoop islands with ash. It’s their job to clean them up by taking one cotton ball at a time and sticking it to your “Masking-tape” volunteer. (If you have a large class, choose two “Masking-tape” volunteers).  Ready…Go!

If the game goes quickly, feel free to play it again with a new “Masking-tape” volunteer. For variation, tell them they can only hop on one leg.

Discussion

SAY: Your “Masking-tape” volunteer didn’t run and didn’t pick up any of the cotton balls. How did he or she help you clean up? (He took all the cotton balls; the cotton balls stuck to him; he cheered us on.)

Ask the students–How is that like the way Jesus cleans the sin from our lives? (He took all the sins on Him; Jesus wants to forgive us and wash away all the wrong things we’ve ever done.)

SAY: When Jesus died on the cross, our sin (the wrong things we’ve done) was placed on Him and He was punished for them in our place. That’s how Jesus Can Save Us (Mahalo!). Jesus is stronger than our sin–He’s even stronger than death. Jesus died for our sins and came back to life. Only in Him can a person get forgiveness and find eternal life in heaven.

CHALLENGE VERSE

Ask the students–Why did Jesus want to save us? (Because He loves us; so we can be with Him forever.)

Ask the students–Does anyone know John 3:16? (If they know it, let them say it)

Then tell the students to get ready for a Bible Drill.

Ready…John 3:16…Go!

Read John 3:16 from your Bible.

Teacher Testimony

Briefly tell the students about how you realized your need for Jesus, how you gave your life to Him, and what difference He made in your life. They don’t need to hear your life’s story, so keep your testimony short and to the point–probably no more than 60 to 90 seconds. At the end, we always teach people to say, “Because of this I know for sure I’m going to heaven. How about you?”

SAY: If you have never given your life to Jesus, there will be a time when you start thinking about Him and heaven. You’ll realize that you’ve done wrong things and need a Savior and it’s like something inside that says, “I need to give my life to Jesus.” When that time comes, talk to one of us and we’ll show you what the Bible says about how you can give your life to Jesus.

Control Tool

Isn’t it great that Jesus Can Save Us (Mahalo!)

BIBLE SKILLS

Bible Skills

Divide your class into two teams and take points to see which side can correctly answer more of the following Bible Skill questions.

-  Is Hebrews in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (It’s in the  New Testament.) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the New Testament it is in.

-  What is the first book of the Bible? (Genesis) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the Old Testament it is in.

-  What is the first book in the New Testament? (Matthew) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the New Testament it is in.

-  Name the four Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

-  What does the word “Gospel” mean? (Good news)

-  Is Philippians in the Old or New Testament? (New) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the New Testament it is in.

-  Where can you find the life of Jesus in the Bible? (In the Gospels)

-  Does each of the Gospels tell the life of Jesus over again or do the four books just tell it once? (They each tell it over again.)

-  So, how many times do you think the Bible tells the story about Jesus dying for us and rising again? (Four times—once in each Gospel).

-  What is the easiest way to find the Book of Psalms in your Bible? (Turn to the middle)

-  What is the easiest way to find the Book of Proverbs in your Bible? (Turn to Psalms. It’s the next book.)

-  Who can remember what last week’s verse was and where it can be found on the Bible Book Chart? (John 14:6)

-  What is the second book of the Old Testament? (Exodus) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the Old Testament it is in.

Challenge your student to memorize all the books of the Bible.

(For 1st grade and younger–challenge them to memorize all the books of the New Testament.)

Bible Drills (for 2^nd Grade Only)

Tell your students to get ready for a Bible Drill. The first team to have someone find the right verse will get a point.

Ready…Psalm 119:11…Go!

Ready…Proverbs 3:5-6…Go!

Ready…Psalm 56:3…Go!

Ready…Matthew 5:16…Go!

During these Bible drills, help student to get familiar with the layout of God’s Word and let those who are quick to find verses help others. We want to make sure, however, that no one gets frustrated or feels embarrassed. We want this to be a fun, competition-type time, but with no emphasis on winning, just on doing the best they can. Even so, still give points to each team that finds the verse the fastest.

Bible Drills (for K-1^st Grade Only)

Tell your students to get ready for a Bible Drill. Together you are going to find two verses:

Ready…Find the Book of Psalms…Go!

(Show them the word “Psalm” since many of your kids may not be able to read well. They can, however, match words. Tell them to turn to middle of their Bibles. Then show them how to find Psalm 23 and read the first four verses to them. Explain that the numbers are chapters. Psalm 23 represents chapter 23 in the Book of Psalms.)

Ready…Find the Book of Matthew

(Again, show them the word “Matthew” since many of your kids may not be able to read well. They can, however, match words. tell them to turn to middle of their Bibles. Then to turn to the middle of the section to their right—remember some of them may not know right from left, so it’s best to show and not just tell. This should put them in the Gospels. Then show them how to find Matthew. Then chapter 5. Then verse 16. Read this to them. Explain that the numbers are chapter and the small numbers are verses.)

Ready…Matthew 5:16…Go!

During these Bible drills, help students to get familiar with the layout of God’s Word and let those who are quick to find verses help others. We want to make sure, however, that no one gets frustrated or feels embarrassed.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader: Jesus Can Save Us—Kids: Mahalo!

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

*NOTES

Plug It Up–from Group Publishing’s Lava, Lava Island VBS Curriculum 2004, Day 4.

Bible Story–adapted from Lifeway’s VBS Curriculum 2004, Rickshaw Rally.

Stick It to ‘Em–from Group Publishing’s Lava, Lava Island VBS Curriculum 2004, Day 4.

Adventure Island—For Younger Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus is Alive!

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Luke 24:1-8

Challenge Verse: John 14:2-3– “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Young child option: John 14:2– “I am going to prepare a place for you.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

Masking Tape

1 bed sheet per class

At least four pool noodles or yardsticks

Slips of paper (About 1/8 size of regular paper)–enough for one per student

1 helium balloon for each student

Bible Verse Poster

BEFORE CLASS

- Play the island or Hawaiian music as the kids enter.

- Set out hula hoops for the opening activity and mark the floor with masking tape “Xs”.

- Find out from your leader where to get the helium balloons.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests.

- Be sure to smile.

OPENING ACTIVITY

As students enter SAY: “Welcome to an Adventure Island Luau. Today we’re going to celebrate Jesus because Jesus is alive!”

Control Tool

SAY: Anytime I say, “Jesus is Alive!” I want you to say, “Mahalo!”

Leader: Jesus is Alive! Students: (Mahalo!)

The Rolling Stone Game*

Younger Version

Use masking tape to mark a line behind which your class’ teams will line up. Across the room, use masking tape to mark an “X” on the floor for each team in a line around which the students will race. Explain that when you say go, the first person in line will roll the hula hoop around the “X” and back to their team, give the hula hoop to the next person and then go to the end of the line. The first team to finish needs to sit down in a straight line and raise their hands to show that they are finished. Keep going until everyone has gone.

When you’re finished, play the game one more time.

Older Version

Instead of making one “X” for them to race around, make several “Xs” in a line from the starting point out around which they have to weave the hula hoop as they roll it.

SAY: Those who had followed Jesus were shocked when they came to the tomb on the third day after Jesus died. The stone that had sealed the grave had been miraculously rolled away and his body was gone.

Ask the students: What do you think some of them thought had happened?

SAY: Today we’re going to find out what happened to Jesus after He died.

Ask the students: Where in the Bible can you read about Jesus’ life? (The Gospels–Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John)

Ask the students: Who can tell me some other stories about Jesus’ life? (Take a few answers—the lessons they’ve had recently involved Jesus calming the storm, walking on water, healing a blind man, overcoming temptation, and the story of His birth.)

BIBLE LESSON #1—Jesus Rose from the Dead

Assign the following parts to help in today’s Bible Lesson:

Anytime you say “women,” all the girls will stand up, say, “That’s us!” and then sit back down.

Anytime you say “men,” all the guys will stand up, say, “That’s us!”and then sit back down.

Anytime  you say “tomb,” everyone will stand up, say, “The grave!”and then sit back down.

Anytime  you say “Jesus,” everyone will stand up, say, “He’s alive!”and then sit back down.

Read the story below but be sure to tell the students that even though you are reading it out of the lesson book, it is from the Bible in Luke 24:1-8.

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women (That’s us!) took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb (The grave!). They found the stone rolled away from the tomb (The grave!), but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus (He’s Alive!). While they were wondering about these this, suddenly two men (That’s us!) in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women (That’s us!) bowed down with their faces to the ground but the men (That’s us!) said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” Then they remembered his words.

Control Tool

Leader: Jesus is Alive! Students: (Mahalo!)

CHALLENGE VERSE

Preparing a Place*

Explain that a hurricane blew through the island and blew all the jungle huts apart. As a result your class needs to take the pool noodles (or yard sticks) and a sheet and build a new jungle hut. The hut doesn’t have to be able to stand on its own. Student can hold the noodles upright with the sheet draped overhead (some students may be needed to hold the corners of the sheets) and see how many of your class you can fit inside.

Discussion

Ask the students: How would you describe the hut we just made? (Fake; funny, flimsy)

Read John 14:2 from your Bible

Point to the Memory Verse sign and have your students repeat the verse after you.

Ask the students: How would you describe the home Jesus is preparing in heaven for those who have given their lives to Him? (Perfect, special, awesome)

Ask the students: Why is Jesus preparing a home in heaven for those who have given their lives to Him?

Ask the students: Why should we tell others that Jesus will prepare a place for them in heaven too?

Ask the students: Could everybody fit in the hut we built?

Ask the students: Will heaven ever get so full that there won’t be room for others? (No. There’s always room in God’s heart for anyone who is willing to give their life to Him.)

SAY: It’s fun to imagine what heaven is like and the great things Jesus is preparing for us there. In fact, it makes you feel like celebrating. Jesus is Alive! (Mahalo!) We know that Jesus loves us and died and rose again so He could make a place for us in heaven with Him forever.

BIBLE LESSON #2—Jesus Ascended to Heaven

Ask the students: Does anyone know what happened to Jesus after the resurrection? (He appeared to His disciples and to more than five hundred other believers at one time.).

SAY: In a moment we’re going to find out what happened several weeks after He rose from the dead.

Get ready for a Bible Drill.

Ask the students: Who can find the book of Acts on the Bible Book Chart? (Point out that it is right after the Gospels.)

SAY: The book of Acts stands for the Acts of the Disciples (or what the disciples did) after Jesus went to heaven. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about Jesus going up to heaven.

Ready…Find Acts 1:8–Go!

Read Acts 1:8-11 from your Bible

Ask the students: What did Jesus say the disciples would do? (Be witnesses to all the world. In other words, to tell others about Jesus.)

Ask the students: How can you be a witness?

Ask the students: Where can you be a witness?

Ask the students: How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus ascended (went up) to heaven?

Ask the students: Is Jesus in heaven right now or is Jesus here now? (Since Jesus is God he can be everywhere at the same time.)

Control Tool

Leader: Jesus is Alive! Students: (Mahalo!)

LESSON ACTIVITY—Balloon Launch

Find out in advance from your children’s leader where the helium balloons will be.

SAY: Today we are going celebrate Jesus’ resurrection (which means that He rose from the dead) and ascention (which means He went up), by going outside and releasing some helium balloons. But before we do, we are going to write a message about Jesus on one of these slips of paper, and then we’re going to tape each of them to the string of a balloon. This way, if someone who doesn’t know Jesus finds it, they’ll see a message about the Good New of Jesus.

Have the students write a message on a small slip of paper.

Young Child Option–You may want to give your students the option of writing their own message or of copying from the chalkboard the phrase, “Jesus is the only way to heaven.”

Special Prayer

After the students are finished writing their notes, attach them to the balloons and pray with them that God will guide these messages into the hands of people who don’t know Him and that He’ll use them to touch people’s lives.

Lead your class outside to release their balloons.

Control Tool

Leader: Jesus is Alive! Students: (Mahalo!)

BIBLE SKILLS

Get your Bibles ready for some Bible Drills

Ready…John 20:1

Ready…Matthew 28:1-4…Go!

(After they find it, you’ll need to read it.)

Ready…Luke 24:1-4

(After they find it, you’ll need to read it.)

Ready…Mark 16:1-3…Go!

(After they find it, you’ll need to read it.)

Ask the students: What did you notice about all these verses?

SAY: They are all telling the same story. The story of Jesus is retold in all four of the Gospels. Each one tells about Jesus’ life, death and resurrection and although all four tell the same story, they all tell it from a slightly different angle since they were written to four different groups of people. For example, Mark was writing to people who lived in Rome, far away from Israel (where Jesus had lived), but Matthew was writing to the Jews, Jesus’ own people.

Ask the students: Did you know that only two of the Gospels tell about Jesus’ birth? Which two do you think they are? (Matthew and Luke)

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader: Jesus is Alive! Students: (Mahalo!)

IDEA: Ask a student to write down today’s prayer requests.

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

NOTES*

Opening Activity: “The Rolling Stone Game”take from Jesus is Alive! Word Action Publishing Company, 1984, p.47.

Challenge Verse Activity: Adapted from Group Publishing’s Lava, Lava Island VBS curriculum, 2004, Day 5.

Extreme Life—For Older Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Trust God

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Matthew 1:18-2:13, Luke 2:1-7

Challenge Verse: Psalm 56:3—“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

At least one balloon per child.

One balloon with today’s challenge verse written on a slip of paper and put inside.

Bible Lesson Signs for: Mary, Joseph, Inn Keeper, Angel

Memory Verse Poster

BEFORE CLASS

- You will need to blow up at least one balloon before the students arrive. However, before blowing it up, insert in it the Challenge Verse for today. As kids arrive you could even be hitting this balloon in the air.

- Set out the Bible Lesson signs in the area where you will be teaching.

- Have the items for the Tasty Torches and snack items in a convenient locations.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests and help them fill out a guest form.

- Be sure to smile—Your smile and attitude sets the atmosphere as students enter.

The first 10 minutes of 3^rd-6^th grade classes should be used as an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with students. Relationships are the key to reaching this age group. Ask them specific questions about what is going on in their lives, joke with them, laugh with them, and play with them. Every class should have an activity going as soon as the students arrive. Each classroom should have games such as Jenga, Connect Four, etc. to use during this time. Also feel free to play group-jump rope, four-square, and other fun entry-activities.

OPENING ACTIVITY

Give each student a balloon as they enter the room and ask them to blow the balloon up. (Some students may need some help tying them off.)

Challenge #1:

Tell them to begin hitting the balloon in the air as many times as they can without it hitting the floor.

Challenge #2:

Challenge your kids to hit their balloon in the air, spin around, and keep hitting it without it touching the floor. Tell them every time they hit the balloon to say, “Trust God.”

Challenge #3:

Ask your students to hit their balloons, see how many times they can clap their hands, and then continue hitting the balloon before it touches the ground. Tell them every time they hit the balloon to say, “Trust God.”

LESSON ACTIVITY*

SAY: On the count of three, find a spot anywhere in the room and sit down. 1-2-3. Go!

SAY: On the count of three, hold your balloon in your lap with both hands. 1-2-3. Go!

Praise different kids by name for their obedience—i.e., “Good job, Johnny!”

Praise the children who were the fastest, holding their balloon the stillest, biggest smile, etc. Then move on quickly.

SAY: Today we are going to take a census of the balloons. A “census” is a count.

Ask the students: So if we were to take a census of the number of people in this room. How many would we have? Raise your hand if you know.

SAY: But in Jesus’ time when they had a census, people had to return to their hometowns to be counted. That’s what our balloons are going to have to do. The “hometowns” are the corners of the rooms, but there’s one catch. The balloons have to be batted to the correct corner for its color, but you can’t stand up or move from your spot.

Point out which color goes into each “hometown.”

Ready-Go!

Once all the balloons are to the corners of the room, instruct the students to leave them there and come to the circle.

Ask the students: What was it like to move your balloons to a certain corner. (Hard; frustrating; silly; I had to have others help me.)

SAY: Today we are going learn about how Joseph and Mary had to travel to their hometown of Bethlehem and how Jesus was born there.

BIBLE LESSON*

Choose a boy and girl volunteer—Give the girl the Mary sign. Give the boy the Joseph sign.

SAY: Everybody say, “Hello, Mary and Joseph,” (Kids: Hello, Mary and Joseph!) And congratulations, you’re still not married!

SAY: God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of Jesus, and while Mary was expecting to give birth, they both had to travel to Bethlehem, their hometown, for the census.

Ask the students—How do you think Joseph felt? His wife is expecting to give birth at any time, and they have to travel several days, through the weather, probably by donkey or by walking over rough ground. There were also many robbers in that day who would attack people on the roads outside the cities.

Ask the students—Do you think Joseph might have been scared?

Choose a volunteer—Give him/her the Inn Keeper sign.

SAY: When they finally arrived at Bethlehem, all the inns were full.

Have the Inn Keeper volunteer say, “We don’t have any room for you.”

Ask the students—How do you think Joseph felt?

SAY: And then when the inn keeper let them stay in the stable, do you think he might have been concerned about a newborn baby being around all those animals? (These are rhetorical questions. Don’t take answers. You want to keep the story moving quickly.)

SAY: I need some volunteers to add sound effects to our story. Mary and Joseph (refer to your volunteers) are in the stable. Now in Jesus’ time a stable wasn’t like a barn, but it was the lower floor of the inn. Inns back then were usually cut out of stone, like a huge cave. The upper levels would have large holes cut into the sides for rooms. They didn’t even have doors. The stable was the bottom part where all the animals stayed. So I need some animal sound effects.

Choose volunteers— for the following sound effects (more than one person can have the same sound.) Give as many parts as you have volunteers, even if it is every student in the class.

Sound effects:

Donkey—There were probably many of these.

Horse—There would have been a few of these.

Dogs—Wild dogs would hang around the stables in hopes of getting left-over food. Sometimes these wild dogs would even attack people.

Goats—It is possible that some people would have a goat with them.

Sheep—Most sheep were kept in the pasture in large flocks although some might have been in the stable.

SAY: On the count of three I want you to make your noise and keep going until I say, “Jesus was born!” Ready…1-2-3…Go! (Encourage kids to be louder and to keep going.)

SAY: In the middle of all of this, JESUS WAS BORN!

(Kids should stop their noise; if not, say, “STOP!”)

SAY: Let’s try that again. 1-2-3…Make your noise. In the middle of all of this, JESUS WAS BORN!

SAY: Joseph trusted God and God took care of them, and you can trust God too.

CONTROL TOOL

Any time I say, “When you’re afraid, what should you do?” Everybody say, “Trust God!”

Practice a few times.

SAY: Later on something happened that probably really scared Joseph. (Ask your Joseph volunteer to lay down on the ground and pretend to be asleep.) After the shepherds came and worshipped Jesus, Mary and Joseph probably stayed in Bethlehem for a year or two. During this time the Magi or wise men came bringing gifts, but after they left, Joseph had a dream from God.

Choose a volunteer—Give him/her the Angel sign.

SAY: An angel appeared to Joseph and said, “Get up.” (Have the volunteer repeat after you.) “Go to Egypt because King Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Ask the students—How do you think Joseph felt when he heard that the king was going to try to kill Jesus? (Answer: Probably afraid.)

Ask the students—So what do you think Joseph did? (Answer: He obeyed God and trusted him. Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus went to Egypt until God told them it was safe.)

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

(Practice once more.)

KEY: Extreme Trust means that you trust God and obey Him even when you’re scared or don’t understand what’s going on or why. Extreme Trust clings to God and is unshakeable even in the worst of situations.

BIBLE SKILLS

SAY: On the count of three, I want everyone to grab a balloon and spread out some where in the room. Ready…1-2-3…Go!

After your students have spread out in the room SAY: When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

SAY: Inside one of these balloon is our verse for the day. When I say go I want you to pop your balloon by stepping on it, sitting on it, or hugging it real tight but remember to be sure to look for the Challenge Verse. Go!

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

SAY: On the count of three, touch two walls, grab your Bible, and come back to the circle as fast as you can without pushing, shoving, or picking anybody’s nose. 1-2-3 Go!

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

Announce who found the verse. The paper only says where the verse is found.

SAY: Let’s see what the Bible says about trusting God. Our verse is Psalm 56:3.

- Ask the students—Who remembers how to find Psalms in the Bible? (Answer: Hold your Bible sideways and open it to the middle. Usually this is the book of Psalms.)

SAY: Hold your Bibles. (You may need to have extra Bibles ready for those who didn’t bring one. Encourage everyone to bring their Bibles next week.) When I say, “Ready,” hold your Bible between both hands, but you cannot open it. Then I will say a Bible reference and “Go.” If you open your Bible before I say “Go,” you will be out. Once you find what I ask for, raise your hand.

Ready…The book of Psalms—Go!

SAY: Now try to find chapter 56. (Explain that every book in the Bible is divided into chapters.)

SAY: Now try to find chapter 56, verse 3. (Explain that every chapter is divided into verses.)

- Explain that you say it, “Psalm 56-3,” meaning chapter 56, verse 3.

- Point out the memory verse poster and show them how Psalm 56:3 is written.

SAY: The dot-dot (:) tells you which is the chapter and which is the verse.

Ask the students—In Psalm 56:3, what’s the chapter number?

Ask the students—What’s the verse number?

CHALLENGE VERSE

Read Psalm 56:3 from your Bible

SAY: On islands, many times people use drums to communicate a message. That’s how we’re going to learn this verse. Do what I do and say what I say.

Using both hands pat your legs to make a drum beat on every syllable. Pause at the slashes below and allow the students to repeat after you.

Read Psalm 56:3 from your Bible

“When I am afraid, / I will trust in you. / In God, whose word I praise, / in God I trust; / I will not be afraid.” /

Psalm 56:3

SAY: Let’s try it faster. (Do it again—the same as above, only faster.)

SAY: Now let’s go a little faster. Try to keep up!

Pause at the slashes below:

Read Psalm 56:3 from your Bible

“When I am afraid, I will trust in you. / In God, whose word I praise, / in God I trust; I will not be afraid.” /

Psalm 56:3

Repeat this after me: “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” (Kids repeat)

Psalm 56:3 (Kids repeat).

SAY: “Thee” is an old way of saying, “You,” but this is a great way to remember what this verse means. Try it again. (Say the entire verse and reference and then let the students repeat after you.)

Leader: “When I am afraid, I will trust in Thee—Psalm 56:3” (Kids repeat)

CONTROL TOOL

Leader:  When you’re afraid, what should you do? (Kids: Trust God!)

SAY: He loves you and He’ll never let you down.

LESSON ACTIVITY

Instruct your students to go to the table. Ask the following questions while getting their snack ready.

Ask the students—How many of you sleep or used to sleep with a night-light?

SAY: Sometimes at night, you might get scared and it helps to have a light. Who does the Bible say is the Light of the World? (Answer: Jesus…and also you if you know and live for Him [Matt. 5:14-16])

SAY: Today we are going to make some Flame Cakes—not cupcakes, but “flame” cakes.

Pass out the cupcakes and cones, but tell the kids not to eat or lick them yet. Have the students push the cupcake down in the cone. Then pull out your whip cream and food coloring. Let a volunteer put the food coloring in and then you can stir it while you explain the following:

SAY: This food coloring is going to bring a great change to this whip cream, and when someone gives their life to Jesus, He brings a great change to them.

Pass the whip cream around and let the students dip their torches in it and begin eating. (You can also use a spoon if you had rather them spoon the whip cream on top. This would be less messy.)

Ask the students—What are some of the changes that comes to a person’s life when they receive Jesus as the Lord and Boss of their life? (Answer: They can know for sure that they’re going to heaven. They are adopted as a child of God. They now know Jesus.)

SAY: Knowing Jesus is the best part of life.

As the students eat, here are some other topics to discuss:

- Who can say where today’s Challenge Verse was found?

- Who remembers what it says?

- What does that mean?

- How did Joseph trust God? (Answer: He listened and obeyed God.)

- Who remembers where last week’s Challenge Verse was found?

- What does the 56:3 stand for? (Answer: chapter 56, verse 3)

- How would it be written? (56 dot-dot 3)

- Who remembers where the Gospel of John is found? (Answer: It is one of the four Gospels in the New Testament—Point students to the Bible Book Chart.)

- What does Gospel mean? (Answer: Good News)

- What are the other Gospels? (Answer: Matthew, Mark, and Luke)

SAY: The Gospels are all about Jesus’ life and they are also the first four books of the New Testament.

- The story we learned today about Jesus being born is found in two of the Gospels. Who can guess which two? (Answer: Matthew and Luke)

CLASS RULES

SAY: We are so glad you are a part of our class, and even though class is almost over, we need to go over the three rules that everyone needs to follow, not just here but in life every day. These are our Classroom Rules:

Everybody say “Respect”

Respect God—Obey God in all that you do.

Everybody say “Respect”

Respect Your Teachers—Do what your teachers ask you to.

Everybody say “Respect”

Respect Each Other—Treat others the way you want to be treated.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

SAY: Now let’s get ready to pray and thank God that we can trust Him and that we don’t have to be afraid because God is bigger than anything we could ever face.

What are some things we can be praying for?

Is there anything that you are afraid of or concerned about that you want to talk to Jesus about?

List Prayer Requests

Before you pray, ask the students to bow their heads and close their eyes. Tell them to pray and thank Jesus for always being there and for them to remember to trust Him when they are afraid.

Thank God that we can trust Him and that no matter what we may go through, He will never let us down.

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

*Adapted from Group Publishing, Lava, Lava Island VBS,  “Jesus Brings Hope” Day 1.

Extreme Life—For Older Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus Followed God’s Word

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Matthew 4:1-11

Challenge Verse: Psalm 119:11—“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

One half-page of white copy paper

Masking tape

Enough band-aids for every student to have one

Two rulers or yardsticks

Two lemons

2 pool noodles

1/2 bag of Skittles in a baggie

1 container of frosting

5 plastic knives

Enough plates for every student to have one

Enough sugar cookies for each student to have one

Enough napkins for each student to have one

One copy of the pages at the end of this lesson on green and red cards.

Memory Verse Sign

BEFORE CLASS

- Place nametags near the door so that you can give them to the students as they arrive.

- Tape a half page of white paper to the ceiling or somewhere high on the wall in one of the corners of the room.

- Use masking tape to make two or four 6 foot, straight, parallel lines on the floor.

- Have the Band-Aids in a convenient location.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests and help them fill out a guest form.

- Be sure to smile—Your smile and attitude sets the atmosphere as students enter.

The first 10 minutes of 3^rd-6^th grade classes should be used as an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with students. Relationships are the key to reaching this age group. Ask them specific questions about what is going on in their lives, joke with them, laugh with them, and play with them. Every class should have an activity going as soon as the students arrive. Each classroom should have games such as Jenga, Connect Four, etc. to use during this time. Also feel free to play group-jump rope, four-square, and other fun entry-activities.

OPENING ACTIVITY

As students enter, tell them that something is hidden somewhere in the room (the white, half piece of paper taped to the ceiling or somewhere high on the wall in the corner of the room), but you can’t tell them what or where it is and you can’t even give them any hints. If someone points it out, tell them they’ll get a chance later to find out if they’re right.

BAND-AID TAG

Put a Band-Aid on each student’s back. When you say “Go” they will try to pull off everyone else’s Band-Aid without theirs being pulled. Once their Band-Aid is pulled, they can continue to play. The last person with a Band-Aid on their back is the winner. Rules: They cannot grab people or shirts. Set a two minute time limit and have fun with them. (If you have a small group, you may want to play this twice or to create variety, have them play it while hopping on one leg.)

When the game is over: (1) throw away all the Band-Aids and (2) sit down in a circle. (If students want to keep and wear their Band-Aids, that’s okay as long as they don’t become a distraction.)

CONTROL TOOL

SAY: Every time I say, “Is Jesus perfect,” I want you to say, “Absolutely!”

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

SAY: A person gets a Band-Aid when they get hurt.

Ask the students: Can anyone guess what hurts people the most? (Answer: Sin.)

Ask the students: What is sin? (Answer: Anything we do that’s wrong)

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

CHALLENGE: Agree or Disagree:

- Sin will always hurt you—If you agree, stand up. If you disagree, stay sitting down.  Correct Answer: Agree

- None of us are perfect— If you agree, go to the wall on my left. If you disagree, go to the wall on my right. Correct Answer: Agree

- You should always eat mayonnaise on bologna and cheese sandwiches— If you agree, go to the wall on my right. If you disagree, go to the wall on my left. Correct Answer: I don’t know.

- Jesus made a way to take your sins away— If you agree, go to the wall on my left. If you disagree, go to the wall on my right. Correct Answer: Agree

- You should always pick your nose at school—If you agree, sit down. If you disagree, raise your hands in the air. Correct Answer: Disagree

- The way to avoid the hurt of sin is to do what God wants you to do—— If you agree, go to the wall on my right. If you disagree, go to the wall on my left.  Correct Answer: Agree

- Everyone should like pickle juice—If you agree, go to the wall on my left. If you disagree, go to the wall on my right. Correct Answer: Who cares?

- The best choice you can make is to give your life to Jesus— If you agree, give someone a high-five. If you disagree, sit on your hands. Correct Answer: Agree

On the count of 3 come sit down in the circle: 1-2-3. Go!

BIBLE LESSON*

Ask the students the following. Tell them all to answer out loud as you ask.

If you wanted to toast some bread, what would you use? (Toaster)

If you wanted to walk your dog what would you use?(Leash)

If you wanted to keep your ice cream frozen, what would you use?(Freezer)

If you wanted to brush your teeth, what would you use?(Toothbrush)

If you wanted to dig a hole, what would you use?(Shovel)

SAY: It would be impossible to toast your bread in the bathtub, or to walk your dog with the car, or what would you think about someone who put the ice cream in the toaster to keep it cold. That’s crazy. You use the right tool for the right job. For example, if you were stranded on an island and you wanted to catch some fish, what tool would you use? (Answer: Fishing pole, net, spear, etc.)

SAY: Did you know that when Jesus was tempted to do bad things and He used the right tool to make right choices? While we act out the Bible story, see if you can figure out what tool Jesus used.

Choose 6 volunteers to help you teach a story about Jesus.

Give three a green card

Give three a red card

Read from the Bible beginning at Matthew 4:1.

Red Card #1 contains the devil’s first temptation. When you get to this part, instead of reading it, call for Red Card #1 and help the student read it or have them repeat it after you. When you get to Jesus’ response, call for Green Card #1. Red Card #2 is the second temptation. Green Card #2 is Jesus’ response. Red Card #3 is the third temptation. Green Card #3 is Jesus’ response. From your Bible read only what is not in quotations.

SAY: Even though Jesus was tempted, He made right choices.

Leader: Is Jesus perfect?—Students: Absolutely!

Ask the students: Who figured out what tool Jesus used when He was tempted to do bad things? (He used God’s Word—the Bible that He had hidden in His heart.)

Repeat after me:

Jesus didn’t just know God’s Word.

He didn’t just repeat God’s Word.

Jesus Followed God’s Word.

Divide your class into two teams (i.e., split the group down the middle)

SAY: We’re going to have a competition to see which side can be the loudest. When I point to this side, yell out, “Jesus Followed!” When I point to the other side, yell out, “God’s Word.”

Note: Go back and forth between the two teams three times.

KEY: God’s Word will always point you in the right direction.

LESSON ACTIVITY*

LEMON LINES

Before the students arrived, you should have made 2 or 4 (depending on the size of your class) six foot lines on the floor. Divide your class into two or four teams and ask half of each team to line up at the end of each side of the tape line. For example, if you have four on each team, have two line up on each end of the tape line.

When you say “go,” direct the first person in line to use the ruler to push the lemon along the tape “road” to the end of the tape line. The first person will hand the ruler to the next student, who will push the fruit back to the other end of the tape. Continue until every student has had a turn. Tell the students to sit down after their turn. The first team with everyone seated should raise their hands to indicate that they are finished. (Depending on the size of your class, you may also want to let everyone have two or more turns.)

After the activity, have the students sit down in a circle.

Ask the students— Was it hard or easy to push the lemon in a straight line? Why? (Hard, it wanted to go its own way; easy, we figured out a way to do it.)

SAY: It was a challenge to make the lemon do the right thing.

Ask the students— How does God encourage us to do the right thing? (He gave us the Bible, teachers and parents who tell us what to do.)

SAY: Sometimes we can be kind of like lemons—we want to do things our way, not God’s way.

Repeat this after me: If you go the wrong way, you’ll end up in the wrong place.

Repeat it again, but louder.

CHALLENGE VERSE

SAY: So, if sinning is the wrong way, how can we do what’s right? How can we be like Jesus? Just think about it: What did Jesus do when He was tempted to do something wrong? (He quoted the Bible.)

SAY: He quoted the Bible and that’s what our challenge verse today is about. It’s about something you hide, but first I’m going to give you a hint about what I hid in the room earlier.

Give a few hints, each time become a little more specific until someone figures out what it is.

SAY: I hid that piece of paper, but that paper isn’t going to help anyone, but God has given you something that He wants you to hide in your heart so that you’ll have a tool that can protect you from doing wrong.

Read Psalm 119:11 from your Bible

Ask the students—What does it mean to hide God’s Word in your heart? (To know what it means; to learn it; to memorize it.)

Ask the students—What keeps you from hiding God’s Word in your heart? (I don’t know how; I forget to do it; I’m not good at memorizing.)

SAY: Hiding God’s Word in your heart doesn’t mean you have to memorize the entire Bible. But it does mean that you know God and you know how to obey Him. When Jesus was tempted to go His own way, He followed God’s Word. We can always learn more about God, so we know how to follow and obey too.

ILLUSTRATION

SAY: On the count of three, I want everyone run, touch three things that are three different colors in this room and come and sit back down. Ready…Go!

Choose a few volunteers to name one of the things they touched.

SAY: You made a choice what to touch because it looked good to you. Sometimes doing something wrong may look good to you, but sin will always hurt you or someone else. The best choice you can make is to follow Jesus and do what He would do.

LESSON ACTIVITY

Activity: Samarai

(In your classroom you will find two pool noodles. Have the students make a large circle and then choose two volunteers. Give each a pool noodle. When you say “Go” give them 20 seconds to “beat the living daylights” out of the other person. This is an “extreme” game and although it may sound and look like hits with a pool noodle might hurt, the impact is minimal. So don’t worry—Your students won’t be going away bruised.

Read these Rules to the Students: Head shots are illegal. Be careful not to get so close to each other that you actually hit them with your hand. Take off glasses and large earrings. You don’t have to participate if you don’t want to. Stop when I say stop. (Also, if you have time at the end of class, feel free to take the “Champion” of your class and challenge another class.)

Discussion

SAY: There will be times in your life when you struggle against sins. There might be something that you know is wrong, but you want to do it. Just like the game, where you used the Samarai (pool noodle) to defend yourself, you need to be ready to have God’s Word defend you.

Ask the students—What if you had never picked up the samarai? Could it have defended you? (No.)

SAY: In the same way, if you haven’t hidden God’s Word in your heart, you won’t be fully ready to fight against sin. And notice, that when Jesus was tempted, He didn’t stop to read and look up verses, He already knew them. That’s how important it is to read and know and memorize the Bible.

CRAFT SNACK*

Students will make edible compasses to remind them to follow God’s Word.

Each student will need: 1 sugar cookie, about 2 tablespoons of frosting, 3 Skittles, about 2 pretzel sticks, plastic knives, 1 small plate, 1 napkin per student.

REVIEW

Ask the students the following:

Today we’re learning that the devil tempted Jesus to do wrong things. How many times was He tempted? (Answer: Three)

Who can find our story on the Bible Time Line? (From the Book of Matthew which is the first book in the New Testament.)

And what tool did Jesus use to do what’s right? (Answer: Jesus Followed God’s Word)

SAY: A compass is something you use to help you go the right way and we’re going to make some cookie-compasses to remind us that we always go the right way when we follow God’s Word.

Draw or show a picture of a compass and let kids be creative: They don’t have to just put an “N” for North. They can put an arrow, etc. Also, use the following discussion questions as the students are making their compasses.

Discussion Questions

Ask these while the students are making and eating their compasses.

Why do you think the devil wanted to tempt Jesus?

How can you begin to remember God’s Word today?

When does God’s Word give you direction?

BIBLE SKILLS

When your students are finished eating, have them sit in a circle.

Ask the students—Who remembers where our verse was found last week? (Answer: Psalm 56:3)

Ask the students—Who remembers what it said? (Answer: When I am afraid I will trust in you. Or, if you want to make it rhyme–When I am afraid I will trust in Thee–Psalm 56:3.)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles and get ready for a Bible Drill. I’m going to tell you a book of the Bible and I want you to try to find it. When I say, “Ready,” hold the Bible between both hands, but you cannot open it. Then I will say a book of the Bible and a chapter and “Go.” If you open your Bible before I say, “Go,” you will be out. Once you find the book I ask for, raise your hand.

Ready…The book of Psalms / Chapter 119–Go!

Psalm 119

(Be sure to help students who are new. We don’t want anyone to feel left out or awkward.)

SAY: Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Now look at verse 11.

Read Psalm 119:11 from your Bible.

Ask the students—Does anybody’s Bible say it differently? (If students indicate that their Bible states it different, have them read what their Bible says and then explain that the Bible wasn’t written in our language. This is the reason that we have different translations. They contain the exact same message, but they may use different words to express it.)

Have the students close their Bibles.

Ask the students—Where was our Bible verse found today? (Answer: Psalm 119:11)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles ready. We’re going to find it again. And remember to wait until I say, “Go.”

Ready…Psalm 119:11–Go!

Repeat this again–a third time.

Then SAY: Everybody get your Bibles ready. We’re going to find a different verse.

Ready…Psalm 56:3–Go!

If you have time, do the following challenges:

Ready…Psalm 23–Go!

Ready…John 10:11–Go!

Ready…John 8:12–Go!

If you have time, review the other Bible skills they’ve been learning (i.e., What are the Gospels? Where are they found? Where is Genesis and Exodus, etc.)

NOTE: Be sure to congratulate all your students on how they are doing and help any guests that may be in your class. We don’t want them to feel out-of-place. I had rather you skip this section than make a guest feel uncomfortable.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader: God’s Word will always to what? Students: Point you in the right direction.

SAY: Today we are going to thank Jesus for being perfect and making a way for us to go to heaven.

We’re going to thank Him for always following God’s Word and doing what is right.

We’re also going to thank Him for giving us the Bible and helping us do what is right also.

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

NOTES

*Adapted from Group Publishing, Lava, Lava Island VBS, “Jesus Brings Hope” Day 1.
PLEASE PRINT THESE CARDS ON GREEN PAPER

Jesus Responds #1

Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus Responds #2

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord you God to the test.’”

Jesus Responds #3

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

PLEASE PRINT THESE CARDS ON RED PAPER

The Devil Tempted Jesus #1

“If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

The Devil Tempted Jesus #2

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

The Devil Tempted Jesus #3

“All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.”

Extreme Life—For Older Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus has a mission for you

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Matthew 10:1-31

Challenge Verse: Philippians 4:13—“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

1 banana—real or fake

Memory Verse Sign

NOTE: You will need a watch with a second hand to time students on the Opening Activity.

BEFORE CLASS

-  Learn today’s memory verse using the sign language taught in this lesson.

-  Have the banana in a convenient location.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests and help them fill out a guest form.

- Be sure to smile—Your smile and attitude sets the atmosphere as students enter.

The first 10 minutes of 3^rd-6^th grade classes should be used as an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with students. Relationships are the key to reaching this age group. Ask them specific questions about what is going on in their lives, joke with them, laugh with them, and play with them. Every class should have an activity going as soon as the students arrive. Each classroom should have games such as Jenga, Connect Four, etc. to use during this time. Also feel free to play group-jump rope, four-square, and other fun entry-activities.

OPENING ACTIVITY

Pass the Banana

Have your class sit in a circle on the floor.

Explain that you are going to play a game with a banana to see how fast they can pass it around the circle using only their feet. Time how fast they can do this. When the banana has gone around the circle one time, stop the game and tell the kids their time. Play this activity several times and be sure to tell them that you are going to play this game again at the end of class and see if they can beat their time. (You can even time them passing the banana around two or three times.)

Discussion

Ask the students: What was difficult about passing the banana? (It kept slipping; it was weird to use my feet that way; we dropped it a lot.)

SAY: Passing a banana with your feet is silly, but Jesus has big important things for you to do.

Ask the students: What difficult things might Jesus want you to do at school? (Tell people about Jesus; be nice to someone who’s new; show Jesus’ love by helping someone who’s hurt; pray before eating lunch; treat someone kindly who has treated you mean.)

SAY: After each of the following sentences, I will say 1-2-3. Then I want you to say hard or easy. There’s no right or wrong answers to these. What might be easy to you may be hard for someone else. God has made each one of you different, and even though these are things God wants all of us to do, it might be easier for some to do them than others.

To tell friends at school or on a ball team about Jesus: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To tell a teacher or coach about Jesus: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To tell an aunt, uncle, cousin, or grandparent about Jesus: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To be nice to someone who’s new at school: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To show Jesus’ love by helping someone who’s hurt: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To pray before eating lunch–even when you’re sitting with your friends and no one else is doing it: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To treat someone kindly who has treated you mean: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To stick up for someone who is being treated wrongly: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To give back a five dollar bill that you saw someone drop: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

To give back a ten dollar bill that was mistakenly given to you as change in a store: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy

Some of the above statements may bring comments from your students. If so, feel free to take a few minutes to discuss the situations and tie in extra learning. For example, when you say, “To give back a five dollar bill that you saw someone drop: 1-2-3–Hard or Easy,” say that a student says, “I wouldn’t give it back. Finders-keepers!” Take this as an opportunity to ask: Has anybody ever lost anything important to you? How did you feel? What if someone found it but wouldn’t give it back? What do you think Jesus would do? What does the Bible say—To treat others the way you want to be treated, etc.

SAY: Whether you think the things above are hard or easy, it will always take courage to do them. Courage doesn’t mean that you’re not afraid, but that something is more important to you than being afraid. You might be afraid to tell someone about Jesus, but for them to know Jesus and go to heaven is more important to you than being afraid. And Jesus will always give you the courage you need to do anything He asks you to do.

Control Tool

SAY: When I say, “What’s your mission?” I want everybody to say, “Follow Jesus!”

Leader—“What’s your mission?” / Students—“Follow Jesus!”

Practice a few times.

SAY: God has an Extreme Mission for every one of you. He created you for a reason and has plan for your life. His mission for you is to follow Jesus— And part of following Jesus is the willingness to tell others about Him. This is the greatest adventure anyone can ever have. It’s not always easy, but Jesus will always give you the strength and courage you need to do anything He calls you to do.

CHALLENGE VERSE

Use the following sign language diagrams to learn and teach today’s verse:*

Read Philippians 4:13 from your Bible

“I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.”

The Sign Language is below:

SIGN LANGUAGE MEMORY VERSE

Philippians 4:13

“I”

“CAN”“DO”“EVERYTHING“THROUGH”

“CHRIST (JESUS)”“WHO”

“GIVES”

“ME”

“STRENGTH”

LESSON ACTIVITY

The Hungry Monkey

Have your students spread out in the classroom. Tell them that when you call a number, you want them to get into groups of that number. So if you call out a three, you want them to get into groups of three. Call out 4, 3, 2. The only reason you’re doing this is to get them in pairs in a manner where no one feels left out. If there is an extra student, then a teacher may need to play.

Choose one pair to be your volunteers. Have everyone else spread out across the room and tell them to link arms. Tell the partners to stand in one place. They can’t move. Designate one of your volunteers to be the Monkey and the other to be the Banana. Explain that the Monkey is hungry and will chase the Banana by hopping on one leg. The Banana can use both legs and will run away, but may link arms with one of the partners who is standing still. If the Banana does this, the other partner (the one who is now not linked with the Banana) becomes the Banana and must run from the Monkey. If the Monkey tags the Banana, they will switch roles. (To add variation, tell them that the Monkey can run (and not just hop) for 10 seconds any time you say, “The Monkey can run!”)

Discussion

Ask the students: What did you like about being a Monkey or a Banana? What didn’t you like? (I liked being the Monkey because I’m a fast runner; I didn’t like being the Monkey because I had to hop on one leg; I didn’t like being the Banana because I was afraid I’d get tagged.)

Ask the students: How did you feel when you were standing with a partner? (Safe; I could rest; Glad; Bored.)

Ask the students: Tell me about a friend who makes you feel safe and happy? (Answers will vary.)

SAY: Today we’re going to learn about how Jesus sent His disciples to tell people about God. That might have been a little scary, but Jesus sent each person with a friend. God gives us friends and it is important as you grow older that you choose friends who will encourage you to follow Jesus.

REPEAT after me: Right friends (Kids: Right friends) keep you (Kids: keep you) on the right track (Kids: on the right track).

Ask the students: How can you encourage your friends to follow Jesus? (Invite them to church; Tell them about Jesus; Talk about Jesus with them; Tell them what God is doing in your life or what you learned at church; Do what is right and tell them why you do what is right, etc.)

Control Tool

Leader—“What’s your mission?” / Students—“ Follow Jesus!”

BIBLE LESSON

SAY: Jesus sent some of his disciples on a mission. Everybody get your Bibles and get ready for a Bible Drill. (Guests may not know how to do this so an extra explanation may be needed. If so, give it to the whole class, so they don’t feel singled out or embarrassed. By now your regular students should be getting familiar with this routine.)

Ready—Find Matthew 10—Go!

Be sure to help them (or have them help each other) if some are having a hard time finding it. Let them know that it’s okay if they can’t find it quickly. The more they do it, the easier it’ll become.

Ask the students: Where is Matthew found in the Bible? (It’s the first book of the New Testament)

Ask the students: What are the other Gospels? (Refer them to the Bible Book Chart)

SAY: There are other sections in the New Testament also. (Briefly explain the sections of the New Testament as seen on the Bible Book Chart and show them where Philippians is found. Tell them that it is a letter Paul wrote to the Philippian people.)

Ask the students: Who remembers what Philippians 4:13 says?

(Review the sign language with them.)

KEY: Jesus will always give you the strength and courage you need to do anything He calls you to do.

Control Tool

Leader—“What’s your mission?” / Students—“Follow Jesus!”

SAY:  In Matthew 10 Jesus prepared His disciples to send them on a mission to tell others about the kingdom of God and to do good deeds.

Choose 1 volunteer—to come stand next to you.

Ask the students: What is different about your volunteer and the twelve disciples? (There are many differences but one thing is the same: Everyone who has given their life to Jesus has been sent by Him to tell others about the kingdom of God and to do good deeds.)

Ask the students: What are some ways you can do tell others about Jesus and do good deeds?

Ask the students: What does God call people to do? (Live for Him. Talk about Him. Lead others to faith in Christ. Help those in need. He also calls some into full-time ministry, etc.)

Ask the students: What do you think God wants you to do this week? (Same answers as above. Living for Jesus is not something you do just when you grow up. Living for Jesus begins now.)

Ask the students: What do you think God will give you to help in this mission? (The strength and courage to do anything He calls you to do.)

SAY: Jesus is our example and He will always give you everything you need to do anything He calls you to do.

Control Tool

Leader—“What’s your mission?” / Students—“Follow Jesus!”

LESSON ACTIVITY

Pass the Banana, part 2

Play the “Pass the Banana” game again and see if your class can beat their previous time.

SAY: If you have given your life to Jesus, you have the Gospel.

Ask the students: Who remembers what “Gospel” means? (Good News)

SAY: You have Good News that Jesus can save your friends and that they can know for sure that they are going to heaven too. But to bring your friends to Jesus, you have to pass it on.

Ask the students: What if someone in the game had stopped passing the banana? (Everyone would have lost)

SAY: In the same way, when you don’t tell others about Jesus, it affects more than just you. Telling others about Jesus, or witnessing as some call it, is a privilege that you get. It’s fun and exciting that God can use you to change someone’s life.

SAY: After each of the following statements say, “Get to” or “Got to.” Again, there’s no right or wrong answer. It’s how you feel about what I’m saying. For example, if I said, “Clean your room.” Is that something you get to do or something you’ve got to do”?

Take out the trash

Eat at McDonalds

Wash the dishes

Do your homework

Eat Ice Cream

Go to school

Play in a ballgame

Go to church

Read your Bible

Have a friend spend the night

Tell others about Jesus

SAY: Hopefully, going to church, reading your Bible, and telling others about Jesus is something you realize that you get to do. These things are fun and exciting for someone who loves Jesus and is walking with Him. Jesus didn’t force his disciples to go out two by two. He just gave them the chance to do it, and in the same way, Jesus gives us chances to tell others about Him nearly every day.

Control Tool

Leader—“What’s your mission?” / Students—“Follow Jesus!”

KEY Point: And Jesus will always give you the courage you need to do anything He asks you to do.

Ask the students: Who told you about Jesus and led you to Christ? (Have a couple of volunteers answer but don’t put anyone on the spot.)

TELL: the students about who had the strongest influence on you giving your life to Christ.

Then SAY: Part of God’s Extreme Mission for you is to tell others about Jesus. Someone took the time and had the courage to tell you about Christ. Aren’t you glad they did? But who have you passed it to? Remember, in the game, if one person stopped, nobody else in line behind them would get the banana. But when you passed it, then someone else passed it, then someone else passed it and on and on. You might lead someone to Christ who will lead someone to Christ who will lead a hundred more to Christ who will lead a thousand more to Christ—all because you let God use you. That’s part of the adventure of being on an Extreme Mission with God—He will do amazing things through you anytime, any place, if you’ll let Him.

BIBLE SKILLS

Ask the students—Who remembers where our verse was found last week? (Answer: Psalm 119:11)

Ask the students—Who remembers what it said? (Answer: “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles and get ready for a Bible Drill. I’m going to tell you a book of the Bible and I want you to try to find it. When I say, “Ready,” hold the Bible between both hands, but you cannot open it. Then I will say a book of the Bible and a chapter and “Go.” If you open your Bible before I say, “Go,” you will be out. Once you find the book I ask for, raise your hand.

Ready…Psalm 119:11

Have the students close their Bibles.

Ask the students—Where was our Bible verse found today? (Answer: Philippians 4:13)

Ask the students—Is it in the Old or New Testament?

Ask the students—What part of the New Testament?

Ask the students—Does anybody remember who wrote it? (Paul—If you have time, point him out on the Bible Time Line.)

SAY: Everybody get your Bibles ready. And remember to wait until I say, “Go.”

Ready…Philippians 4:13–Go!

NOTE: Be sure to congratulate all your students on how they are doing and help any guests that may be in your class. We don’t want them to feel out-of-place..

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader—“What’s your mission?” / Students—“Follow Jesus!”

SAY: And He’ll always give you the strength you need to do anything He calls you to do. Let’s thank Jesus for being so good to us.

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

NOTES*

Lesson adapted in part from Group Publishing, Lava, Lava Island VBS, “Jesus Brings Hope” Day 1, 2004.

Sign Language taken from:  Sternberg, Martin. “American Sign Language Concise Dictionary.”  New York: HarperPerennial, 1994.

Extreme Life—For Older Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus Calms our Fears

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Mark 4:35-41

Challenge Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

————————————————————————————————————

ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

Slips of paper in a bag that say Lord, All, Heart, Lean, Understanding, Straight. These can be found at the end of the lesson.

Memory Verse Sign—Proverbs 3:5-6

BEFORE CLASS

- Have the bag with the words from the Act-It-Out memory verse activity nearby your teaching area.

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests and help them fill out a guest form.

- Be sure to smile—Your smile and attitude sets the atmosphere as students enter.

The first 10 minutes of 3^rd-6^th grade classes should be used as an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with students. Relationships are the key to reaching this age group. Ask them specific questions about what is going on in their lives, joke with them, laugh with them, and play with them. Every class should have an activity going as soon as the students arrive. Each classroom should have games such as Jenga, Connect Four, etc. to use during this time. Also feel free to play group-jump rope, four-square, and other fun entry-activities.

BIBLE LESSON

Control Tool

SAY: Today’s story is about Jesus and any time I say, “What should you have?”

I want everybody to say, “Extreme Faith!”

Leader—“What should you have?” / Students—“ Extreme Faith!”

SAY: Today we’re going to find out what it means to have Extreme Faith in Jesus.

Tell your students that you are going to need every one of them to help you with the Bible story today. Then divide your class into two parts. (You can divide them either by using two sides or by using boys and girls.) Lead them in making the following sound effects:

Side 1–Make a sound like wind. Have them start out gentle and get louder and louder.

Side 2–Make a sound like waves. Again, start out gentle and get louder.

Everyone–Show them how to put their hands on their knees. Begin tapping your fingers

louder and then patting your knees louder and louder to make a sound like rain.

Everyone–When you say, “Thunder,” they say, “Boom!”

Everyone–When you say, “Lightning,” they say, “Bright Light!”

Everyone–When you say, “Boat,” they say, “Row, row, row your boat!”

Everyone–When you say, “Jesus,” they say, “Have no fear, Jesus is near!”

Everyone–When you say, “Stop,” they stop all the sounds.

Now you’re ready to tell the story, but first practice with them a few times. For example, say, “Thunder / Boat / Jesus / Wind / Stop.” etc. Make stopping almost like a game to see how quickly they can get quiet. Practice again: Wind / Waves /  Boat / Jesus / Stop!

TELL THE STORY: One day Jesus and His disciples were in a boat and Jesus had fallen asleep when a storm came. It probably began with a gentle wind and some gentle waves, but they grew louder and louder. Then there was probably some gentle rain, but it got heavier. (At this point you should have the wind, waves, and rain all happening at the same time.) Then there was probably some thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!) And some more thunder (Boom!) and the boat (Row, row, row your boat!) was going back and forth and the disciples were scared. STOP!

Ask the students: Have you ever been scared during a storm? (Take a couple of answers.)

Ask the students: What did you do?

SAY: Watch what the disciples did…

BACK TO THE STORY: The wind was blowing. The waves were crashing. The rain was pouring. Louder and louder. There was thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!) and more thunder (Boom!) and even more thunder (Boom!) and the boat (Row, row, row your boat!) was going back and forth and the disciples were scared. But Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) was asleep in the back of the boat. So they woke up Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown!” STOP! (If they don’t stop quickly, tell them they can do better than that. Tell them you want to see how quickly they can stop. Then start the noise again and loudly say, “Stop.” If someone is disrupting and not stopping, the teacher that is not leading the group needs to pull him aside and give him a warning. If him still continues to disrupt, send him to Kolby.)

SAY: The disciples asked Jesus if He cared they were going to die. That’s how scared they were.

Ask the students: Do you think Jesus cared about how scared they were? (Yes, and He cares about any time you’re scared too. God doesn’t want you to live in fear.)

Ask the students: After the disciples woke Jesus up and He looked around at the storm, do you think He was afraid? Why or why not? (No, He wasn’t afraid. Why? Because even in the storm, He was in control. And if you’ve given your life to Jesus and are living for Him, you don’t have to be afraid either because Jesus is always in control.)

Ask the students: Since Jesus is in control, does this mean bad things won’t ever happen to you? (No, bad things sometimes happen to good people, but if you’re walking with Jesus, you can always trust that He can take any bad thing that comes your way and turn it to your good.)

FINISH THE STORY: The wind was blowing. The waves were crashing. The rain was pouring. Louder and louder. The boat (Row, row, row your boat!) was going back and forth and was starting to fill with water. There was thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!) and more thunder (Boom!) and lightning (Bright Light!). So they woke up Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) and said, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown!” Then Jesus (Have no fear, Jesus is near!) said, (Say this loudly over all the storm noise) “Quiet. Be still.” In other words, STOP! (The students should become quiet.) And just as quickly as that, the storm stopped. The waves stopped. The wind and the rain—everything stopped.

SAY: The disciples should have known that everything would be okay because Jesus was right there with them.

REPEAT AFTER ME: Have no fear, Jesus is near!

Tell those who did the wind to say, “Have no fear.”

Tell those who did the waves to say, “Jesus is near.”

Go back and forth several times to see which side can be the loudest.

Control Tool

Leader—“What should you have?” / Students—“ Extreme Faith!”

SAY: This is Extreme Faith: When you trust God regardless—regardless of what it costs you or what happens to you, even when you don’t understand what’s going on or why it’s happening.

Read Mark 4:35-41 to your students and ask them if the disciples showed Extreme Faith.

CHALLENGE VERSE

Using the same teams you used for wind and waves, have them try to guess key words from today’s memory verse by taking turns acting out the following:

LORD

ALL

HEART

LEAN

UNDERSTANDING

STRAIGHT

Once all have been solved (and some may need help, such as “It rhymes with…” etc.), read Proverbs 3:5-6 from your Bible.

Read Proverbs 3:5 from your Bible.

Ask the students: What do you think it means to trust the Lord and not lean on your own understanding? (It means that you trust God even if you don’t understand why something has happened and may not know what to do. You don’t have to understand the situation to trust God with it.)

Situations

Read the following situations but ask your students not to answer out loud—just to listen:

How can you trust God when your parents get in a bad argument?

How can you trust God when someone calls you mean names?

How can you trust God when someone you care for is in a bad accident?

How can you trust God when someone you know dies?

How can you trust God when you don’t understand why He didn’t stop something bad from happening to you?

SAY: Here’s the answer—You can always trust God because He’s always right there with you, just like Jesus was right in the boat with the disciples. And you can ask Him for help, just like the disciples asked Jesus for help. And you can trust God, because even in the middle of the most frightening and worst situations, Jesus can put peace in your heart, just like when he said “Quiet—Be still” to the storm.

Control Tool

Leader—“What should you have?” / Students—“ Extreme Faith!”

BIBLE SKILLS

Ask the students: Is Proverbs in the Old Testament or the New Testament.

Ask the students: Who can find the book of Proverbs on the Bible Book Chart? (Show them what section of the Old Testament it is in and that it follows Psalms.)

Ask the students: So if you were going to find the book of Proverbs in the Bible would you look in the front or the back of the Bible? (The middle—just behind Psalms)

Tell them to get their Bibles.

SAY: Get ready for a Bible Drill. Remember you can’t open your Bibles until I say go.

Ready…Proverbs 3:5…Go!

Ask the students: Who can remember what last week’s verse was and where it was found on the Bible Book Chart?

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…Philippians 4:13…Go!

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…John 8:12…Go!

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…Psalm 56:3…Go!

During these Bible drills, help students to get familiar with the layout of God’s Word and let those who are quick to find verses help others (if they want help). We want to make sure, that no one gets frustrated or feels embarrassed. We want this to be a fun, competition-type time, but with no emphasis on winning, just on doing the best they can.

LESSON ACTIVITY

The Trust Fall*

To illustrate trust you are going to lead your students in an activity called “The Trust Fall.” During the Kick-off Opening, Kolby will walk all the students through the rules and safety precautions for this and demonstrate it for them.

The Trust Fall involves a student who falls off a table into the arms of his teachers and other students.

(1)   Choose a volunteer who is willing to fall off the table.

(2)   Choose 6 to 8 other students to be catchers. They will make two rows, facing each other with their arms outstretched. Their hands and arms should follow a pattern where you have the hand of the person on one side, then the hand of the person on the other side, and so forth. It’s good if at least one teacher participates.

(3)   Help the volunteer to stand on top of a table with his feet together, his heels at the edge, and his back to the catchers.

(4)   He will need to stiffen his body and fold his arms across his chest. Tell him not to bend his body. He needs to stay completely stiff.

(5)   Stress to the catchers the importance of not goofing around. This is serious. If they don’t do their job, someone could get hurt.

(6)   Remove (or don’t choose) any students that you don’t trust to follow your instructions.

(7)   Then when you tell him to (and only when YOU tell him to), he will fall backwards, keeping his body straight and stiff, into the arms of the catchers.

(NOTE: You are the teacher and you know your students. Never do an activity if you feel that your class could not handle the responsibility of that activity.)

Ask the students: Was it hard to fall backwards? Would it have been harder if you couldn’t see the catchers?

SAY: Some people have trouble trusting God because they can’t see Him, but you can trust Him because He promised to never leave you and never let go of you. So the next time you face a tough time or something bad is happening…If you feel like you have a storm raging in your life and you don’t know what to do, simply:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.”

SAY: Just like Jesus took care of the disciples in the boat, He’ll take care of you. You can trust Him and when you do an amazing thing happens: He calms your fears and gives you peace. Let’s look up a promise from the Bible:

Get your Bibles ready:

Ready…Philippians 4:6-7…Go!

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Control Tool

Leader—“What should you have?” / Students—“ Extreme Faith!”

SAY: And He’ll always take care of us. Let’s thank Jesus for being able to give us peace even in the middle of tough times.

Take Prayer Requests on the next page…

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

*Original source unknown.

Extreme Life—For Older Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life

Repeat this phrase throughout the lesson.

Bible Story: Luke 18:35-43

Challenge Verse: John 14:6–Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

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ITEMS NEEDED

Each class needs the following:

A candy bag with enough candy for the class.

1 blindfold

Cut out and hide the words to John 14:6

Signs for: Jesus, Blind Beggar, Crowd, Crowd (2 signs for Crowd)— hole punch these and use yarn to make a sign that will hang around a student’s neck.

Memory Verse Sign

BEFORE CLASS

-  Set up for the “Guiding Light” Activity by setting out your candy bag and a blindfold.

- Use scotch tape to hide the words to the Challenge Verse.

-  Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ARRIVE

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Get to know any guests and help them fill out a guest form.

- Be sure to smile—Your smile and attitude sets the atmosphere as students enter.

The first 10 minutes of 3^rd-6^th grade classes should be used as an opportunity to build and deepen relationships with students. Relationships are the key to reaching this age group. Ask them specific questions about what is going on in their lives, joke with them, laugh with them, and play with them. Every class should have an activity going as soon as the students arrive. Each classroom should have games such as Jenga, Connect Four, etc. to use during this time. Also feel free to play group-jump rope, four-square, and other fun entry-activities.

OPENING ACTIVITY

Guiding Light

Choose one volunteer–to be blindfolded. The volunteer is going to try to find a piece of candy you hide in the room after he is blindfolded. The other students will guide him toward the candy in a Marco-Polo style as follows: Anytime the blindfolded student calls out “guiding,” the closest person to the candy will say “light.” If the blindfolded student comes close to an obstacle such as a chair, everyone can call “look-out.” Give a couple of students the opportunity to play.

Discussion

Ask the students: How did you feel being blindfolded? (Confused; scared; different; lonely.)

SAY: You needed someone to guide you–someone to show you the way. The Bible says that Jesus is the Way.

Ask the students: What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the way?”

SAY: He’s the only way to go to heaven. He’s the only way to have a meaningful life.

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Way!

KEY: Jesus is the way because He loves you. Then when you share His Extreme Love you can become the one who shows others the way to give their lives to Him.

BIBLE LESSON

SAY: Imagine what it would be like to be totally blind. That’s what our lesson is about today–someone who was totally blind

NOTE: This section purposely doesn’t tell the students where the Bible Story is found. This is revealed in the Bible Skills section.

Choose 4 volunteers who are willing to help you act out the Bible Story.

Give them the following signs: Jesus, Blind Beggar, Crowd, Crowd.

Have the Blind Beggar sit off to your side with the two Crowd volunteers between you and he and have Jesus to your other side.

(NOTE: As you read the verses, lead the volunteers in what to say. Keep this fast-paced and with high energy.)

SAY: The following story is from the Bible and I will be helping our volunteers with some special speaking parts.

BIBLE: As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.

BLIND MAN: “Beg, Beg, Beg”

BIBLE: When he heard the crowd going by…

CROWD: “Excuse me. Pardon me. Excuse me. Pardon me.”

BIBLE: He asked them what was happening.

BLIND MAN: “Hey, what’s up?”

BIBLE: They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

CROWD: “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

BIBLE: He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

BLIND MAN: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

BIBLE: Those who had led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet…

CROWD: “Hey, blind man, hush up! Put a sock in it.”

BIBLE: But he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

BLIND MAN: (Shouting) “Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Do it again—louder)

BIBLE: Jesus stopped and ordered them man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”

JESUS: “What do you want me to do for you?”

BIBLE: “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

BLIND MAN: “Lord, I want to see,”

BIBLE: Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

JESUS: “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

BIBLE: Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

Give our volunteers a hand. Great job!

SAY: Even though the blind man was different—even though he was blind and was a beggar— Jesus still cared for him.

Ask the students: Do you know someone who gets treated badly because they’re different?

Ask the students: Do you know someone who gets picked on or teased?

Ask the students: How can you show Jesus’ care for them?

KEY: If you share Jesus’ Extreme Love you will care about others even when they are different from you.

SAY: Jesus loved the blind man and did something great for Him.

Ask the students: What is something great God has done in your life? (He saved you, takes care of you, etc.)

SAY: Anything is possible for God—to make blind eyes see; to make crippled people walk; to heal any sickness. But Jesus doesn’t just care about the big things—He cares about everything in your life, no matter how small it might seem.

LESSON ACTIVITY—part 2

Make a Choice

Choose one volunteer. Divide your class into two teams and have them sit on both sides of the volunteer.

This is very similar to the game you previously played except you are going to make it harder. The blindfolded volunteer is still trying to find the candy except this time, when you say “Go” both sides will try to guide him. The catch is—one of the sides won’t be telling the truth. The other will. Tell your class that after you blindfold the volunteer you’ll point to the side that is suppose to try to lead him the wrong way. He’ll have to choose which side he is going to follow. Give a couple of students the opportunity to play.

Discussion

Ask the students: How did you know which side was telling the truth?

Ask the students: How do you know Jesus will always tell you the truth? (Because He is perfect; Because the Bible tells you so, etc.)

SAY: Jesus doesn’t just tell the truth; He is the Truth. He is perfect and will never lie or point you in the wrong way.

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Truth!

KEY: Those who share Jesus’ Extreme Love will be like Him, which means they will speak the truth also.

CHALLENGE VERSE

Before class began you should have hidden the words to John 14:6.

Explain that everyone in the class needs a partner. Each pair needs to decide who is going to be the Guide and who is going to be the Blind Man. The Guide keeps his eyes open and looks for the words although he is not allowed to use his hands. The Blind Man can use his hands, but he has to keep his eyes closed.  The two will have to work together to locate and retrieve the words to the challenge verse.

Let the class search for about a minute or two and then, as a class, let them try to assemble the verse.

Ask the students: Did any of you have a Guide who ran off and left you? (Aren’t you glad that God will never leave you and that He will always guide you in the right way.)

Read John 14:6 from your Bible.

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Way!

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Truth!

Have the students repeat after you: Jesus is the Life!

Ask your kids to take a deep breath.

SAY: Anything can breathe, but that’s not what real life is about.

Ask a student to give you a high five.

SAY: Did you feel that? Even frogs can feel things, but that’s not real life. Life isn’t just breathing, feeling and existing. Real life—God’s kind of life—is only found in Jesus.

Have the students repeat after you (pause at the slashes):

Jesus is the Way! / The Truth! / And The Life!

No one comes to the Father / except through Him.

John 14:6

KEY: True life can only be understood by someone who has been saved by God’s Extreme Love, and once this has happened to you, you can share that same life by sharing His extreme love with others.

BIBLE SKILLS

Ask the students: Is the book of John in the Old Testament or the New Testament?

Ask the students: Who can find the book of John on the Bible Book Chart?

Ask the students: Who can guess what book our Bible story today came from? (Luke 18:35-43. Help your students to think this through: What part of the Bible tells about Jesus’ life? Answer: The Gospels—So it would have to be in one of the Gospels. Today’s Bible Story comes from the Gospel of Luke. The Challenge Verse comes from the Gospel of John.)

Tell them to get their Bibles.

SAY: Get ready for a Bible Drill. Remember you can’t open your Bibles until I say go.

Ready…John 14:6…Go!

SAY: Jesus is the only way to go to heaven and if you’ve given your life to Christ, then you’ve become a guide for those who don’t know Christ, to lead others to Him.

Ready…2 Corinthians 4:4…Go!

SAY: The Bible says that those who don’t know Jesus are blind to the things of God. That’s the reason they need someone to show them the way to Christ so He can bring His light and love into their lives.

Ready…Matthew 5:16…Go!

SAY: You can be a light to lead others to Christ. When you trust God and live for Jesus people will see that there is something different about you.

Ask the students: Who can remember what last week’s verse was? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

SAY: Get ready for another Bible Drill.

Ready…Proverbs 3:5-6…Go!

Ask the students: What book comes just before Proverbs? (Psalms)

Ask the students: Is Proverbs in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (Have a student point it out on the Bible Book Chart.)

PRAYER TIME & WRAP-UP

Have the students repeat after you (pause at the slashes):

Jesus is the Way! / The Truth! / And The Life!

No one comes to the Father / except through Him.

John 14:6

Ask the students: Before Jesus healed the blind man, what did he ask him? (He asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” It sounds like a silly question—asking a blind man what he wants, but Jesus wanted him to ask Him to restore His sight. In the same way, Jesus wants us to give our cares and requests to Him too.)

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for the prayer requests:

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

Extreme Life—For Older Students

LESSON OVERVIEW

Key Point: Jesus Can Save Us.

Bible Story: Jesus Died and Rose Again

(Note: The emphasis today is on Jesus dying although we want them to couple this in their minds with the fact that He’s still not dead. He rose again. Next week we will deal more with His resurrection and move into His ascension.)

Challenge Verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

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ITEMS NEEDED

1 bean bag

2 hula hoops

1 bag of cotton balls

4 Big Cups—biggest you can find

6 small cups—smallest you can find–Please poke a hole in the bottom of each of these for those in the 3^rd-5^th grade classes.

Signs for: Jesus, Forgive, Criminals, Remember, Promise, Empty, Love.—You can hole punch these and use yarn to make a sign that will hang around a student’s neck.

Masking Tape

Bible Verse Poster

BEFORE CLASS

- Put the two hula hoops you will find in your classroom on opposite sides of the class. Then pour half of the bag of cotton balls (or have it ready to pour) into each hula hoop. (Note: When you are finished with the hula hoops, keep them in your classroom. You’ll need them for next week’s lesson.)

- Pray for each student by name.

AS STUDENTS ENTER

- Greet each student by name as they enter.

- Give each student an attendance sticker for the attendance chart, and feel free to add guest names to the chart. This will give them a sense of belonging.

- Be sure to smile.

OPENING ACTIVITY

Control Tool

(A “Control Tool” is a way to refocus kids and to transition between active and less active sessions. The Leader asks a question and all the kids say (or shout out, or whisper, or say in a hick-voice or an accent—however you have taught them to say it) the answer.

Leader: What’s Number One—Kids: Keep God First!

Plug It Up*

You will need: (1) four large cups and (2) four small cups that have a small hole in the bottom. Have your class sit in a circle on the carpet, not the tile areas if possible. Fill two of the large cups with water and put the two empty large cups at the other end of the circle (or line).

Explain that the object of the game is to take all the water from the two full cups, pour it into the small cups (with holes in them), pass them around the circle, pour whatever water is left into the big empty cups and then pass the small cups back. The small cups will leak water so tell the students that they can use their fingers to plug up the holes. The game is over after three minutes or when both the big cups are full. If you have a large class, use two circles (or lines) or switch the start and finish points halfway through the game so that all the kids gets to pass a cup that still has water in it.

(NOTE: You may need to refill your water cups during this game and be careful because if any water gets on the tile, it will become slick So have some paper towels ready for this and let your students help with the clean-up.)

Discussion

Ask the students–Was there any way for you to fill up the cups in this game? Why or why not? (Yes, we got a lot of water into the cups by plugging up the holes; No, the holes made it too hard.)

Ask the students–How did you feel when you realized you couldn’t fill up the cups quickly this way? (Frustrated; sad; we gave up and just had fun.)

SAY: You were trying to do something that was impossible. In life, it’s impossible for us to be perfect or without sin (which is anything that’s wrong).

Ask the students—Raise your hand if you’ve ever done anything wrong.

SAY: We’ve all done wrong things and we all need a Savior. In life, it’s impossible for us to be perfect or without sin.

Ask the students—What is sin? (Anything that’s wrong).

Ask the students—What are some examples of sin? (Take a few answers.)

Ask the students–If none of us can be perfect, how can we live in heaven with a perfect, holy God? (By dying on the cross Jesus made a way to take our sins away if we give our lives to Him.)

Ask the students–Why does Jesus want us to be free from sin? (Because He loves us; so we can be with Him forever.)

SAY: God wants us to do our best to obey His Word, but it’s impossible for us to be perfect. That’s why God sent Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Because of Jesus’ Extreme Obedience to God—to live a perfect life, to die a death he didn’t deserve, and to overcome death, we can make the choice to give our lives to Him and can know for sure that we will live with God forever in heaven.

Ask the students—What do you think it means to have Extreme Obedience? (Let a few students answer.)

Ask the students—Do you think that Jesus had Extreme Obedience? Why or why not? (The Bible says that Jesus was obedient even to death on the cross. He followed God’s plan for Him even though it cost His life. That’s obedient!)

BIBLE LESSON*

SAY: Today’s story is about Jesus’ death and resurrection. (Resurrection means being raised from the dead.)

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Jesus sign.)

SAY: Although Jesus, God’s perfect Son, had never done anything wrong, He was arrested and treated like a criminal. He was sentenced to die on a cross–which was a painful punishment given to the worst of criminals.

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Forgive sign.)

SAY: Jesus was led to a place outside the city called “The Skull.” He was nailed to a cross and people laughed at Him and insulted Him. But Jesus didn’t show anger or hate, instead He prayed, “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Criminals sign.)

Jesus was crucified between two criminals. One of them yelled at Jesus: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” The other man told the first criminal to be quiet. He said, “We are punished justly because we’re getting back what we deserve for things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Remember sign.)

The same man looked at Jesus and asked Him, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”

Ask the students: Do you think it was too late for that criminal to ask Jesus to forgive him? Why or why not?

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Promise sign.)

Jesus made this promise to the criminal: “Today you will be with Me in heaven.”

After Jesus died, two of his friends took Jesus’ body and placed it in a stone tomb. All these things happened on a Friday. Saturday passed. Sunday came, and some women came to the tomb, bringing spices to put on Jesus’ body.

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Empty sign.)

The tomb was empty! Two angels in white clothes said, “Jesus is not here!” The women hurried back to tell Jesus’ disciples that He was alive!

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Love sign.)

Jesus loved the criminal even though he had done bad things. He loves you too–so much that He died to take the punishment for every wrong things you and I would ever do. Jesus loves you so much He wants you to be with Him forever in heaven. If you ever have any questions about why Jesus died or how you can know for sure that you’re going to heaven, just ask one of us. We would love to talk to you about it.

(Choose one volunteer–to hold the Extreme Obedience sign.)

KEY: Because of Jesus’ Extreme Obedience, we can be saved both from a life and an eternity without God, and once you give your life to Him, you can share in His extreme obedience. When you obey God people will see something different about you and the life you live may lead them to give their lives to Christ.

Control Tool

Leader: What’s Number One—Kids: Keep God First!

BIBLE LESSON ACTIVITY

SAY: Even though we have all done wrong things, Jesus loves us and has great plans for our lives. He died to make a way for us to know Him and to go to heaven.

Stick It To ‘Em*

Pour half a bag of cotton balls into each of the hula hoops you set out before class began.

Divide your class into two teams of equal numbers.

Choose one volunteer from each team–and wrap the masking tape around him so that the sticky side is facing out.

Tell your teams which cotton ball mess belongs to their team and put their “Masking-tape” volunteer on the opposite side of the room.

Tell your students to clean up the cotton ball mess by taking one cotton ball at a time and sticking it to your team’s “masking-tape” volunteer. They can only pick up one at a time. Ready…Go!

If the game goes quickly, feel free to play it again with new “masking-tape” volunteers. For variation, tell them they can only hop on one leg.

Discussion

SAY: Your “masking-tape” volunteer didn’t run and didn’t pick up any of the cotton balls. How did he or she help you clean up? (He took all the cotton balls; the cotton balls stuck to him; he cheered us on.)

Ask the students–How is that like the way Jesus cleans the sin from our lives? (He took all the sins on Him; Jesus wants to forgive us and wash away all the wrong things we’ve ever done.)

SAY: When Jesus died on the cross, our sin (the wrong things we’ve done) was placed on Him and He was punished for them in our place. That’s how Jesus can save us. Jesus is stronger than our sin—He’s even stronger than death. Jesus died for our sins and came back to life. Only in Him can a person get forgiveness and find eternal life in heaven.

Control Tool

Leader: What’s Number One—Kids: Keep God First!

CHALLENGE VERSE

Ask the students–Why did Jesus want to save us? (Because He loves us; so we can be with Him forever.)

Ask the students–Does anyone know John 3:16? (If they know it, let them say it)

Then tell the students to get ready for a Bible Drill.

Ready…John 3:16…Go!

Read John 3:16 from your Bible.

Teacher Testimony

Briefly tell the students about how you realized your need for Jesus, how you gave your life to Him, and what difference He made in your life. They don’t need to hear your life’s story, so keep your testimony short and to the point–probably no more than 60 to 90 seconds. At the end, we always teach people to say, “Because of this I know for sure I’m going to heaven. How about you?”

SAY: If you have never given your life to Jesus, there will be a time when you start thinking about Him and heaven. You’ll realize that you’ve done wrong things and need a Savior and it’s like something inside that says, “I need to give my life to Jesus.” When that time comes, talk to one of us and we’ll show you what the Bible says about how you can give your life to Jesus.

Control Tool

Isn’t it great that Jesus Can Save Us!

BIBLE SKILLS

(NOTE: The following section is designed to help you get an idea of where your class is in the area of Bible Skills. As their teacher, there may be certain areas of weakness that you can address over the next few weeks.)

Bible Skills

Divide your class into two teams and take points to see which side can correctly answer more of the following Bible Skill questions.

-  Is Hebrews in the Old Testament or the New Testament? (It’s in the  New Testament.) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the New Testament it is in.

-  What is the first book of the Bible? (Genesis) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the Old Testament it is in.

-  What is the first book in the New Testament? (Matthew) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the New Testament it is in.

-  Name the four Gospels. (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)

-  What does the word “Gospel” mean? (Good news)

-  Is Philippians in the Old or New Testament? (New) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the New Testament it is in.

-  Where can you find the life of Jesus in the Bible? (In the Gospels)

-  Does each of the Gospels tell the life of Jesus over again or do the four books just tell it once? (They each tell it over again.)

-  So, how many times do you think the Bible tells the story about Jesus dying for us and rising again? (Four times—once in each Gospel).

-  What is the easiest way to find the Book of Psalms in your Bible? (Turn to the middle)

-  What is the easiest way to find the Book of Proverbs in your Bible? (Turn to Psalms. It’s the next book.)

-  Who can remember what last week’s verse was and where it can be found on the Bible Book Chart? (John 14:6)

-  What is the second book of the Old Testament? (Exodus) Give an extra point if they can tell you what section of the Old Testament it is in.

Challenge your student to memorize all the books of the Bible.

Bible Drills

Tell your students to get ready for a Bible Drill. The first team to have someone find the right verse will get a point.

Ready…Psalm 119:11…Go!

Ready…Proverbs 3:5-6…Go!

Ready…Philippians 4:13…Go!

Ready…Psalm 56:3…Go!

Ready…Matthew 5:16…Go!

During these Bible drills, help student to get familiar with the layout of God’s Word and let those who are quick to find verses help others. We want to make sure, however, that no one gets frustrated or feels embarassed. We want this to be a fun, competition-type time, but with no emphasis on winning, just on doing the best they can. Even so, still give points to each team that finds the verse the fastest.

PRAYER TIME & WRAP UP

Control Tool

Leader: What’s Number One—Kids: Keep God First!

List Prayer Requests

Be sure to pray specifically for each request.

(NOTE: You might want to start keeping a class list of prayer requests that you can look back on to see how God answered prayer.)

EXTRA TIME

Use any extra time to help your students memorize the verse for today.

*NOTES

Plug It Up–from Group Publishing’s Lava, Lava Island VBS Curriculum 2004, Day 4

Bible Story–adapted from Lifeway’s VBS Curriculum 2004, Rickshaw Rally

Stick It to ‘Em–from Group Publishing’s Lava, Lava Island VBS Curriculum 2004, Day 4