Mission Curriculum: “Jesus is #1”
Overview
Day 1—
Primary Lesson—Jonah
Memory Verse—Romans 5:8
Point of the Day—Jonah made a bad choice and went the wrong way, but then made a good choice, changed his heart and returned to follow God. God chose to love you and the best choice you can make is to give your life to Christ and follow Him every day in every way.
Day 2—
Primary Lesson— Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John
Memory Verse—Matthew 7:12
Secondary Lesson—The Good Samaritan
Point of the Day— In the Bible Jesus called people to follow Him. Peter, Andrew, James, and John made a good choice and immediately left what they were doing and followed Jesus. Jesus still calls people today to follow Him. When Jesus is number one in a person’s life, it shows in how he lives. How do you think Jesus wants us to treat others? What are good choices? What is the best choice a person can make—To give their life to Christ and follow Him every day in every way.
Day 3—
Primary Lesson—Rich Young Ruler
Memory Verse—Matthew 6:21
Secondary Lesson—Plan of Salvation Drawing (As seen in the How to Lead a Person to Christ webpage and the Overflow Book.)
Point of the Day—You can trust God because he loves you. He loves you so much he made a way to go to heaven, and the best choice you can make is to give your life to Christ and follow Him every day in every way.
Mission Curriculum
Day 1
You will need:
Paper bag with “Act-out” words: God, showed, love, died.
Romans 5:8 Posterboard
Lesson, Part 1—25 minutes
LEADER #3
Get to Know You
When you get to your room, tell you kids that any time you say, “Who should be #1 in your life?” They say: Jesus! as loud as they can. Practice once. Tell them that later they will be in competition against other classes to see who can say it the loudest. (Throughout the week, as you pass other classes challenge them to a cheer competition.)
Ask the Kids —What is your name and what is your favorite food? (Let every student answer.)
Ask the Kids —If you could choose one person in all time to be your hero, who would it be? (Take volunteers).
LEADER #2
5 minutes
Introduce Class Identity
Introduce something that will give your class an identity–i.e., a class song, a class cheer, etc., so that you are the class who…
LEADER #3
10 minutes
Bible Lesson–Jonah
(1) Divide the class into two parts.
(2) To one side give the following sound effects: Wind, splash,
(3) To the other side give the following effects: Waves, swallow
(4) To all: Rain (hands on lap), thunder, lightning (no sound, but blinks eyes), and the sound of something sinking—i.e., gulp, gulp, gulp…
(5) Tell the kids: Every time I say “Jonah” I want you to say, “Go Jonah!” Practice this.
Tell the story of Jonah (Do NOT read the story—Tell it and show it)
Once there was a man named Jonah (Go Jonah!) and Jonah (Go Jonah!) was a godly man who wanted to follow God, but one day God told Jonah (Go Jonah!) to do something really had. He said, Jonah (Go Jonah!) Go to Nineveh. Now the people of Nineveh were his worst enemies. But God said, Jonah (Go Jonah!) Tell the people that if they don’t stop doing the wrong things they are doing that I will destroy them all. Now Jonah (Go Jonah!) kind of liked the idea of his worst enemies getting wiped off the face of the earth, so Jonah (Go Jonah!) decided to disobey God. Instead of going to Nineveh Jonah (Go Jonah!) went the opposite direction and went down to Joppa to hoppa on a boat. And Jonah (Go Jonah!) went down into the bottom of the boat and they set sail for a place called Tarshish—not Tarzan.
The sailors looked up and saw some clouds. Then there was some gentle wind (kids begin making effects) and gentle waves and gentle rain. But the rain got louded and wind and waves got louder too. Suddenly there was thunder and lightning and the boat was going back and forth, back and forth. But Jonah (Go Jonah!) (This cuts off the effects)—Does anyone know what he was doing? He was asleep.
Now do you see what Jonah was doing—He was trying to run away from God. Can you run away from God? No. If you go to the top of the highest mountain in the world, God is there. If you go to the deepest part of the sea, God is there. And that’s why God had sent the storm—to stop Jonah (Go Jonah!) from going the wrong way.
And the wind was blowing (kids begin making effects again) and the waves were coming and there was rain and thunder and lightning and the boat was going back and forth, back and forth. And the captain came down and said Jonah (Go Jonah!) “Wake up. We’re going to die.” And Jonah (Go Jonah!) went up and looked at the storm.
And the wind was blowing (kids begin making effects again) and the waves were coming and there was rain and thunder and lightning and the boat was going back and forth, back and forth. And then Jonah (Go Jonah!) said “If you throw me overboard it will stop.” And even though they didn’t want to, the sailors finally took Jonah (Go Jonah!) and threw him over.
And there was a splash (splash sound) and he sank down (gulp, gulp, gulp) and then God appointed a big fish to swallow (sound effect) Jonah (Go Jonah!). And for three days and three nights Jonah (Go Jonah!) was in the belly of a fish.
Now what would you do if you were in the belly of a fish? (Let kids answer) Jonah (Go Jonah!) prayed and told God that he didn’t want to go the wrong way anymore and that he was willing to do what God wanted him to do.
So the big fish got a stomach ache, pulled up to the shore, and what kind of sound do you think it made. And out came Jonah (Go Jonah!). And Jonah (Go Jonah!) did what God wanted him to do and the people of Nineveh repented (stopped doing the wrong things) and God didn’t destroy them. They were saved because Jonah (Go Jonah!) took them God’s message.
LEADER #1
5 minutes
Wrap-Up
Jonah (Go Jonah!) decided to do what God wanted him to do. Giving your life to Jesus and following Him is the best choice you’ll ever make.
Mission Curriculum
Day 1
Lesson, Part 2—15 minutes
LEADER #2
Ice Breaker
Choose 1 volunteer—
This volunteer is going to be your “number” person (who will participate in this “game” just like everyone else). Point out 4 corners or four specific spots (stations) to your students. Tell them that when you say “Go!” that they are to go to one of these stations. Then you will ask your “number” person to give you a number between 1 and 4. Each time you will begin counting from a different station (that you will decide silently while the kids are choosing their spots) and if the number lands on where they are, then they are out. When they are out, they will come and sit back down. Ready…Go!
The last person in the game is the winner and becomes the “number” person for the next round. Tell the kids that the second round is only going to be a “half” game. During the second round when half the kids are out, have them sit down facing the other half. These are two teams.
LEADER #1
Memory Verse
The following is written on a chalkboard or posterboard:
But__________ _____________ his ___________ for us in that while
We were yet sinners, Christ _________ for us.
Choose 1 volunteer—
Choose a volunteer from the “out” team and have them reach in the paper bag (from your Mission Equipment Bag). Whatever word they draw out, they have to act it out silently (like charades). They only have 20 seconds, then the other team gets to guess. If neither team guesses, let them act it out again and the first hand raised gets to guess.
Since there are four words, you will eventually choose two volunteers from each team.
Once all the words have been guessed, ask where they think the words go in the sentence. Eventually they will come up with: Romans 5:8 “But God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Ask the Kids—How does God show his love for us?
Who can tell me what a sinner is?
Jesus died and rose again to make a way for you to go to heaven. You see, we’ve all done wrong things—even Jonah, and we all need a Savior. So the best thing you can do with your life is to give it to Christ and then follow him.
LEADER #2
Illustration
Choose 1 volunteer—
Let’s say this pen (the pen you’ve been writing with) 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 across that Grand Canyon of sin, and that’s Jesus.
Now with the pen, 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.
(2) Believe 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.
LEADER #3
2 minutes
Pray
Pray that your students will give their lives to Christ when the time is right and follow him with their lives.
Mission Curriculum
Day 1
Recreation/Snacks—30 minutes
LEADER #1
I. Big Fish…(play two times or more)
Mark out a large area (20 ft. x 20 ft.). The center area is the sea. Choose one volunteer to be the big fish. Have kids line up around the shore. When the leader yells, “Cross the ocean” all players run from one side to the other and then stop when they are safe. The big fish tries to tag players as they run. Anyone who is caught before reaching the other side become big fish as well and join the big fish in tagging the runners the next time they “cross the ocean.” Play continues until only one player remains. This player become the big fish for the next round.
II. Spiritual Application
(1) In this game you are running from something. What do you think God wants you to run away from in life? Answer: Sin. God wants us to keep away from sin.
(2) In this game you are also running after something—either a person or the other side of the sea. You have a goal. Our goal in life should be to follow Jesus, because only when we follow Jesus will we ever truly find everything we’ve ever wanted in life: Peace, joy, love…real life.
III. Octopus…
Plays the same as big fish except when someone is tagged, they freeze. They can still tag others, but they can’t run or even move their feet. Only the original big fish can run and tag.
Mission Curriculum
Day 1
Crafts—25 minutes
LEADER #2
Mission Curriculum
Day 2—Part 1
You will need:
Balloons
Signs for: Peter, Andrew, James, John
Bible marked at Matthew 4:18-22
Signs that say: Man on the Road, Half Dead Man on the Road, Priest,
Levite, Robber 1, Robber 2, Samaritan.
Lesson—25 minutes
LEADER #3
5 minutes
Take Roll
One leader takes roll while the other leader(s) sings a song or does the class cheer. Be sure to turn in a total number, who brought friends, and any new enrollment cards. Also, be sure to get to know new kids by name.
LEADER #2
10 minutes
Ice Breaker—
(Play this game ONE or TWO times)
Give each of them a balloon and tell them to blow it up, tie it off, and hold onto it. Tell them that in a moment you will let them spread out in the room or area. (Note: If you are not in a room or are in a large room, you will want to set boundaries.) They have to hold the balloon by the knot that ties the air in. They can’t hold it any other way and they can’t switch hands. When you say “Go” they will try to pop everyone else’s balloon. The object of the game is to be the last one with a balloon. Once their balloon is popped, they are out and they need to have a seat off to the side.
When the game is over: (1) pick up the balloon pieces and (2) sit down in a circle again. Put the balloon pieces in the middle of the circle.
LEADER #2
4 minutes
Discussion
Ask the Kids: What do you think these balloon pieces are good for?
KEY: Some people feel like these balloons—that they are useless and good for nothing. But we want you to know that you are special and that God has special plans for your life and those plans begin with Jesus.
Testimony: One of the team leaders shares a testimony about how and when they were saved. This needs to be no longer than a few minutes, and the point needs to be focused on that fact that you needed Jesus and perhaps how you knew you needed Jesus. That without Christ life would have been just like the balloon pieces in front of you—Empty, except that you made the choice to let Jesus be your Lord and Savior. He saved you and made a way for you to go to heaven and to have a relationship with him.
LEADER #1
10 minutes
Bible Lesson—Jesus calls disciples
Read Matthew 4:18-22 out of your Bible, but tell them that when they hear you say the word “immediately”, they are to stand up, run and touch two walls in the room and come sit back down as fast as they can without running over anyone.
Choose 2 volunteers—
Give one a sign that says Peter. Give the other one a sign that says Andrew.
Explain the story—
Peter and Andrew were fishermen who were casting their nets into the sea. But Jesus came and said, “Follow me.” And they left their nets immediately (have kids touch two walls and run back). Have students REPEAT: And they followed Jesus.
Choose 2 volunteers—
Give one a sign that says James. Give the other one a sign that says John.
Explain the story—
James and John were fishermen who were mending their nets in the boat with their father. But Jesus asked them to follow him. And they left their nets and their father immediately (have kids touch two walls and run back). Have students REPEAT: And they followed Jesus.
KEY: Have the volunteers sit down. Jesus called these men to follow Him. Jesus still calls people to follow him. In fact, there will be a time in each of your lives that God will call you to give your life to Jesus. (Refer back to how the person who shared the testimony knew he/she needed Jesus.) But Jesus doesn’t call you with your ears. He doesn’t appear and say, “Give your life to me.” Instead, you know in your heart that you need to give your life to Jesus. Or, perhaps you begin thinking about heaven and realize that you can’t go to heaven unless you give you life to Jesus. For some people this is even kind of scary, because they realize they need a Savior. But, when that time comes for you if it hasn’t already, talk to someone. This week you could even talk to one of us or to any of the other adults you see around.
SPOT: Where’s Your S.P.O.T.? SPOT stands for Specific Place or Time. It’s talking about the Specific Place or Time that a person decided to give their life to Jesus and follow Him.
Ask the Kids: (1) Where do you think Peter and Andrew’s SPOT was?
(2) What was James and John’s SPOT was?
(3) Where do you think (Team Leader who shared the testimony’s) SPOT was?
LEADER #3
3 minutes
Pray
Pray that your students will always choose to make Jesus #1 in their life.
Mission Curriculum
Day 2—Part 2
15 minutes
Bible Lesson
LEADER #1
Take Roll
One leader takes roll while the other leader(s) sings a song or does the class cheer. Be sure to turn in a total number, who brought friends, and any new enrollment cards. Also, be sure to get to know new kids by name.
LEADER #2
6 minutes
Based on Luke 10:30-35
Choose 1 volunteer—
Tell them that they are going to help you tell a story that Jesus told. Give him the sign that says Man on the Road.
SAY: Once there was a man traveling on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho when some robbers attacked him.
Choose 2 volunteers—
Give them the robbers signs and have them act out the story as you tell it.
SAY: They beat him, robbed him, stripped him (turn to your robbers and say, “Just kidding. Don’t really do it!”) and left him half dead on the road.
Have the Man on the Road lay down and give him a new sign that says Half Dead Man on the Road.
Choose 3 volunteers—
Give them the signs that say Priest and Levite and Samaritan
SAY: A while later a priest came walking down the road. Does anyone know what the priest did? He saw the man and passed by on the other side. Then a Levite came by. Who knows what he did? He passed by on the other side too. They didn’t want to bother with him or perhaps they thought he was dead or were afraid the robbers were still nearby. Either way, they didn’t care enough to help the man.
SAY: Then a Samaritan came by. When Jesus was telling this story the people probably thought they knew what was coming next—They probably thought the Samaritan would finish him off. You see, the Samaritans were enemies of the Jews because they were a mixed race and there was a great hatred between them. So in Jewish stories, the Samaritans were always the bad guys. But what do you think this Samaritan did? That’s right. He stopped, bandaged his wounds, put him on his donkey, took him to an inn, and took care of him and never asked for anything in return. He even paid to take care of the man until he was better. He treated this man right.
LEADER #3
5 minutes
Verse for the Day
Have the team sit in a circle.
ASK: How do you think Jesus wants us to treat others?
Read Matthew 7:12—“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
Have the students repeat this verse phrase-by-phrase after you. If they say it real weak, tell them to do it so loud that they disturb other classes down the hall!
Jesus wants you to treat others right—to treat them the way He would treat them. This means loving others the way you love yourself.
ASK: What do you think Jesus would do in the following situations:
– Someone calls him a name?
– Someone steals his lunch money?
– Someone hits him?
– Someone cuts in front of him in line for the water fountain?
– Somebody is making fun of someone else?
Jesus would always treat others they way He would want them to treat Him, which means speaking the truth in love, standing up for what is right, and always loving people even when they didn’t love Him back.
ASK: What do you think the greatest act of kindness is?
The greatest act of kindness is telling others about Jesus.
ASK: What are some ways you can tell others about Jesus? Share your testimony (you might need to explain what testimony means), live for Jesus, talk about Jesus, pray for others when they hurt of have needs, treat others right.
Wrap Up
LEADER #1
4 minutes
Let them know that Jesus loves them and has great plans for their lives, but that everything they’re looking for in life is found in Christ.
Pray for your students that they will always follow Jesus.
OTHER NOTES:
(1) If you have time, the team leader who has not shared his testimony could do so during the final part of this session. However, try to keep it brief and watch your time.
(2) If you feel like your kids are distracted at any time, use the “Who should be number one in your life?” Jesus! Or “What are You?” I’m Special to draw them back in. Have them copy how you do it—Yell it, do an accent (or funny voice), then whisper it. Then continue with your discussion.
(3) If you have time, ask them a review question such as: Do you remember what Peter and Andrew left behind when they decided to follow Jesus? Answer: Fishing net (their job) Do you remember what James and John left behind? Their boat and father. They made a choice about what would be the most important thing in their lives.
Mission Curriculum
Day 2
LEADER #3
Recreation/Snacks—30 minutes
I. Tag Games—Cartoon Tag / Freeze Tag / Tree Tag / Toilet Tag
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Day 2
Crafts—15 minutes
LEADER #1
TITLE: Plan of Salvation Bead Bracelets
Need:
(A) One bead for each student of the following colors: Black, Red, White, Blue, Green, Yellow
(B) Strips of leather for the bracelet—Be sure not to cut them too small. If they fit you, they’ll fit your kids.
(1) Black—stands for our sin
(2) Red—stands for the blood that Jesus shed on the cross to save us from our sins.
(3) White—stands for how clean Jesus makes us on the inside when we ask Him to forgive us.
(4) Blue—stands for the water of baptism. This is a good time to share about when you were baptized.
(5) Green—stands for growing closer to Jesus. How do we GROW:
1. G=Go to Church
2. R=Read, learn and memorize the Bible
3. O=Obey God every moment of every day
4. W=Worship God, which means that you live in surrender to Him.
(6) Gold/Yellow—The streets of gold in heaven.
Mission Curriculum
Day 3
You will need:
Sign for: God, Riches, Power, Fame, Rich Young Man, Good Man, Jesus
One piece of colored cardstock paper for each word in the following verse: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Bean Bag
Lesson, Part 1—25 minutes
LEADER #2
Take Roll
One leader takes roll while the other leader(s) sings a song or does the class cheer. Be sure to turn in a total number, who brought friends, and any new enrollment cards. Also, be sure to get to know new kids by name.
LEADER #3
5 minutes
Have your group stand up and give them the following. Keep this fast-paced.
Which had you rather…
(1) If you had rather play football go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather play soccer go to the wall on the right.
(2) If you had rather buy a video game go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather buy a movie go to the wall on the right.
(3) If you had rather clothes go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather food go to the wall on the right.
(4) If you had rather buy make-up go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather buy a football go to the wall on the right.
(5) If you had rather buy a video game go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather give food to someone who doesn’t have any go to the wall
on the right.
(6) If you had rather have a picture with your friends go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather have a poster of a sport’s hero go to the wall on the right.
(7) If you had rather buy baseball cards go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather buy a book go to the all on the right.
(8) If you had rather be at VBS this week go to the wall on my left.
If you had rather be in the smelliest jail cell in the state go to the wall on the
right.
Everybody freeze. Now on the count of three, as fast as you can, come sit down in a circle. 1-2-3! Compliment who was first as well as who was the most considerate, the most…whatever strikes you.
Verse of the Day
LEADER #1
5 minutes
SAY: Every day we make choices. You choose what to eat, what to wear, where to go. Listen to what the Bible says about the greatest choice of all.
Read from the Bible:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21).
SAY: Everybody has a “treasure.” In other words, your treasure is what you live for, what is most important to you. What is your treasure? What’s the most important thing in your life? Is it God or something else.
Choose 2 volunteers—
Give one a sign that says God. Give the other one a sign that says Riches
A lot of people want to be rich, but is wealth more important than God?
Put a sign that says Fame over the one that says Riches.
A lot of people want to be famous, but can fame really give them happiness?
Put a sign that says Power over the sign that says Fame.
If you could choose to be the most powerful person in the world or you could choose God, which choice do you think would be best?
KEY: There is no greater choice in life than choosing God—than choosing Jesus. Sure, wealth might make you happy for a little while, but you’re going to take out of the world what you brought in—can you take money with you when you die? What about fame or power or beauty? All of these things just last a little while. But a relationship with God lasts forever.
Bean Bag Toss Game
LEADER #2
Lay out the words for the key verse on the floor–“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21).
Lead the kids in saying the verse together. Let a child throw a bean bag at the verse. Remove whatever word they land on and say the verse again. Let another child throw and remove another word; say the verse again. Keep going until all the words are gone.
Bible Lesson
LEADER #3
10 minutes
Based on Mark 10:17-22
Choose 2 volunteers—
Give one a sign that says Jesus. Give the other one a sign that says Young Man.
Ask the kids to act out the story as you tell it.
(IMPORTANT: Be prepared to tell the story, not read it from this book. Open the Bible and tell the story from Mark 10:17-22)
One day Jesus was setting out on a journey and a young man ran up to him. This young man was very rich. (Give him the sign that says Rich Young Man.) He knelt down to Jesus (Have the kid act this out.) and said, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Have the kid say this, but don’t have the kid playing Jesus repeat.)
And Jesus said, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” In other words, he was saying, “Do you recognize who I am? That I am the Son of God?” Then he went on to say, “You know the commandments: Do not murder. Do not commit adultery, Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your father and mother.”
Then the young man replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth up.” (Have the kid repeat this.) Give him the sign that says A Good Man. This was a good man, but Jesus wasn’t saying that if you keep the Ten Commandments or if you’re good that you’ll get to go to heaven. You see, Jesus already knew what this man’s problem was… Can anybody guess what it might be? That’s right. He had something in his life that was more important to him than God. It was his wealth.
So Jesus told him to give it all away and that he would have great treasure in heaven and to come and follow him. What do you think he did? He went away sad because he wasn’t willing to let Jesus be number one in his life. That’s what it means to let Jesus be your “Lord”. It means he’s the boss, number one.
For a person to be “saved” and to know for sure that they are going to heaven, a person must give their life to Christ. This means being willing to let go of anything else that is more important than Jesus and giving him first place in your heart. This man couldn’t do that.
He was good, but can being good get you to heaven? No.
Can going to church get you into heaven? No.
Can being baptized get you into heaven? No.
There is only one way and that’s by giving your life to Jesus, and that’s what we mean when we say, “Where’s your S.P.O.T.?” In other words, when did you give your life to Christ?
If you have never given your life to Jesus and you would like to talk to someone about how you can know for sure that you would go to heaven, all you have to do is ask either one of us or any other adults you’re around this week.
Pray
LEADER #2
3 minutes
(NOTE: If you have time, take prayer requests before praying.)
Pray that your students will always choose to Keep God First.
Question: Who should be number one in your life? Jesus!
NOTE: There is no Lesson, part 2 on the last day because during this time all the students will come together to hear the plan of salvation.
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Mission Curriculum
Day 3
Crafts—30 minutes
LEADER #
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