W-4 2-3 - Clover Sites
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
Chief Executive Officer Reggie Joiner Creative Team Kristen Ivy Mike Clear Molly Boylan Elloa Davis Elizabeth Hansen Jessica McKee Brandon O’Dell Greg Payne Phil Pierce Dan Scott Jon Williams Contributing Writers Jodi Blackwell Stuart Chapman Kristi Hecht Sam Johnson Cara Martens Kelly Nishi
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
Editors Molly Boylan Elloa Davis Dana Wilkerson Illustrations & Graphic Design Brian Bascle Mike Davis Joe Goode Technical & Web Support Hadley Brandt Orange Specialists Amy Grisham Joy Bowen Abbey Carr Amy Fenton Leslie Galema Misty Phillips Stephanie Porter Courtney Templeton
STORY
WORSHIP
Statement of Faith ABOUT GOD God is the one and only true God, yet He exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator, so everything belongs to Him and is under His control. God is holy, so He is righteous, majestic, and loving. God is all knowing and purposeful, so He’s at work to bring about His will. No person, thing, or idea compares to God. ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES God reveals Himself to us through the Bible, and it is 100% accurate, reliable, and authoritative. ABOUT PEOPLE People are made in God’s image and for His pleasure. But everybody falls short of God’s intention, or ideal, for people. In other words, everyone has sinned. As a result, we are all separated from Him, even though He wants an intimate relationship with each of us. ABOUT SALVATION That’s why Jesus—God’s Son—came and lived on this earth, died, and rose again. God offers His free gift of salvation to all who believe in Jesus and accept Him as Savior—the only way to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Anyone who accepts this gift is adopted as a son or daughter into God’s family and will live with Him forever in heaven.
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
User Agreement Orange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor 252 Basics® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith. These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. 252 Basics® and the 252 Basics® logo are trademarks of Orange and the reThink Group. Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION®. Copyright © 1996, 1998, 2014 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica. Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
BOTTOM LINE
2-3
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
HOME
SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interaction Ideas for Early Arrivers A Closer Look
25
STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging ways Opener Worship Bible Story Prayer Closer
MINUTES
MINUTES
10 MINUTES
“Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you.” Hebrews 13:17a, NIrV
6
15
I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.
MEMORY VERSE
1
PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experience For Leaders Only Create the Environment
BIBLE STORY
The Test Abraham and Isaac Genesis 18, 21, 22 (Supporting: Genesis 15)
WORSHIP
0
GRADES
25 MINUTES
LIFE APP
WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to God “Look at Me” from Walk This Way “Good Good Father” from Kidmin Worship Vol. 4 GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connect God’s Bigger Plan That’s Impossible! Who’s the Leader? Prayer HOME: Prompting action beyond the experience GodTime Parent Cue
Obedience—trusting those who lead you by doing what you’re asked to do.
BASIC TRUTH
I can trust God no matter what.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 2
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
GETTING READY
BIBLE STORY
SOCIAL: PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION The Test Abraham and Isaac Genesis 18, 21, 22 (Supporting: Genesis 15)
BOTTOM LINE
I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.
(Choose one or both of these activities.) Early Arriver • An offering container A Closer Look • Print the “A Closer Look” Activity Pages and cut apart; 1 set for each Small Group • Cut paper into strips; 5 strips for each kid • 5 paper bags • Pencils
MEMORY VERSE
GROUPS: CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT “Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you.” Hebrews 13:17a, NIrV
LIFE APP
Obedience—trusting those who lead you by doing what you’re asked to do.
BASIC TRUTH
I can trust God no matter what.
(Choose as many of these activities as you like.) * If you don’t have time to do all these activities, be sure to do activity #1. * 1. God’s Bigger Plan (application activity / review the Bible story) • Print the “God’s Bigger Plan” Activity Page • White basket-style coffee filters; 1 for each kid; in the center of each filter, use a clean, white crayon to draw a bold, thick cross (Note: The presence of the cross is supposed to be a surprise for the kids in the group. If you have a large number of kids, enlist the help of volunteer parents and/or students to help you prepare for this week.) • Fresh (not dried-out) water-based markers • Spray bottle(s) filled with water • Paper plates or sheets of wax paper; 1 for each kid 2. That’s Impossible! (application activity) • Print the “That’s Impossible!” Activity Pages; 1 set for each Small Group (or just the pages of the experiments you choose to do) • Choose the activity or activities you wish to do, and gather the appropriate supplies. You will need: For Balloon Kabob: http://bit.ly/1TKK1kG o Balloons; light-colored ones are easiest to use for the experiment o Wooden skewers o Vegetable oil
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 3
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
For Sticky Rice: http://bit.ly/21x2uo2 o Plastic container like an empty water bottle o Dry rice o Pencil or skewer o Funnel For Visibly Invisible: http://bit.ly/1Y8tQ1O o Small, clear plastic container (such as a travel-sized mouthwash container or empty Tabasco sauce bottle) o Larger clear glass or vase o Glycerin (available online and at some pharmacies and healthcare stores) (NOTE: If you purchase glycerin, you can reuse it to make a homemade bubble solution.) o Funnel o Towel (just in case!) 3. Who’s the Leader? (memory verse activity) • Bibles Prayer • No supplies needed Additional Resources: • Make copies on cardstock of this week’s GodTime and Parent Cue cards. • Tell parents about our additional family resources: Studio252.tv, CUE Box, and the Parent Cue app. To find out more about these great resources, go to http://www.Studio252.tv/leaders.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 4
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
GRADES
2-3 HOME
SOCIAL: PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION Welcome kids and spend time engaging in conversation and catching up. Get ready to experience today’s story. Before kids arrive, pray for each regular attendee by name. Pray for those who might visit your group for the first time. Ask God to help kids understand that He has a bigger plan for their lives, and sometimes that involves obeying those in charge. Pray for kids to begin to understand the connection between obeying their leaders and honoring God and the plan He has for them.
1. EARLY ARRIVER IDEA WHAT YOU NEED: Offering container WHAT YOU DO: • Invite kids to place their offerings in the container. • Lead kids in a wacky game similar to “In a Pickle.” o The first child names a small object and says something the small object could be in. For example, the child might say, “The grasshopper was in the garden.” o The next child picks up where the previous child left off and says something the second object could be in. For example, “The garden was in the field.” o Play continues until the kids can’t think of anything that the last item could be in.
2. A CLOSER LOOK WHAT YOU NEED: “A Closer Look” Activity Pages; 1 set for each small group, paper strips; 5 for each kid, 5 paper bags, pencils WHAT YOU DO: • Set the “A Closer Look” images around your area. Place paper strips, pencils, and a bag beside each. • Invite kids to go to each picture, look at it, and (silently!) guess what it is. • Direct kids to write their guesses on the paper strips and then put their strips in the bags. (Be sure kids keep their guesses a secret!) • Guide kids to gather around you when they finish. • Collect the images and the bags. • Show each image and read its corresponding guesses. • Reveal the answers. • Adaptation: You could do this activity with the entire room together. Make only one set of “A Closer Look” images for the room and let kids do the silent guessing all at one time. After everyone has placed their guesses in the bags, instruct kids to gather back at their group’s spot. Each SGL will then need to obtain a handful of guesses from each bag. (They don’t have to gather their specific kids’ guesses. They can gather a handful of random guesses.)
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 5
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
GRADES
2-3 HOME
WHAT YOU SAY: “Just like you could only see a small piece of each object, sometimes you can only know a small part of what God has planned for you. The same thing was true for the people in our Bible story today. [Transition] Let’s go into Large Group and learn more.” Lead your group to the Large Group area.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 6
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
STORY
0
WORSHIP
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
GROUPS: CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT Create a safe place to connect and learn how the Bible story applies to real life experiences, through interactive activities and discussion questions.
* 1. GOD’S BIGGER PLAN (application activity / review the Bible story) WHAT YOU NEED: “God’s Bigger Plan” Activity Page, prepared coffee filters; 1 for each kid, markers, spray bottles filled with water, paper plates or wax paper; 1 for each kid WHAT YOU DO: • Give each child a paper plate (or sheet of wax paper) and set a coffee filter on top. (Shhh! The cross is a secret, so set the coffee filter with the crayon side down.) • Set the markers where the kids can reach them. • Read the story of Abraham and Isaac from the “God’s Bigger Plan” Activity Page. • As you read, direct the kids to draw parts of the story on their filters. They can even write words if they choose. The kids’ pictures (or words) don’t need to be in any particular order or reflect any particular aspects of the story. The goal is for the kids to cover the filters with color (and be engaged while they listen)! • When you finish narrating, review the Bottom Line: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan. Ask kids if they think Abraham sacrificing Isaac was God’s bigger plan. (No! Definitely not!) • Next, ask them if they think that sacrificing the ram was God’s bigger plan. (Shhh! Don’t answer this question yourself!) • Direct kids to spray their drawings with the water. After a few seconds, the crosses should emerge as the ink blends and bleeds! • Salvation Message Opportunity: As you feel led, share the gospel message with the kids. You might even use your personal testimony to help kids understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The following key points can guide you as you share: God LOVED us. Before we were even born, God loved us. But something called ‘sin’ separated us from Him. Sin is the stuff we do that’s wrong. Because God is perfect, sin keeps us from having a relationship with God. God GAVE us Jesus. God knew that our sin would keep us out of His family forever, so He gave the most important thing He had: His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins and fix our broken relationship with Him. Jesus gave up His life on the cross to pay for our sin and make a way for us to be part of God’s family again. We BELIEVE in Jesus. Believing simply means to trust. In order to accept God’s gift of salvation, we believe that we have sinned and that Jesus took the punishment for our sin. We RECEIVE the gift of eternal life. That means we get to spend forever with God in a place that He made perfect. And once we receive this gift, it can never be taken away. There is nothing we can do to lose our place in God’s family.
(Note: Depending on what you know about your kids, it might be a good idea to simply “plant the seeds” and have a conversation about salvation, without explicitly leading kids to take the step of faith. If a child’s parents are already believers, they may want to be present for the moment when their child takes a step of faith. Use your judgment and your knowledge of your kids’ home lives when having this conversation.) ©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 7
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
WHAT YOU SAY: “God loved Abraham and Isaac, and He planned all along to provide a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac. But God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a hint of His own, bigger plan. What do you think that bigger plan was? Yes! God gave us the story of Abraham and Isaac as a hint of His incredibly big plan to sacrifice Jesus, His one and only Son, so that we can live forever with Him! “So no matter what happens to you, whether it’s things that are happy and exciting or things that are sad and confusing, you can trust God no matter what because He has a bigger plan for your life and He KNOWS what that plan is. So remember: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.”
2. THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE! (application activity) WHAT YOU NEED: “That’s Impossible!” Activity Page; 1 set for each small group, supplies for the chosen activities WHAT YOU DO: • Demonstrate the object lesson(s) as described on the “That’s Impossible!” Activity Page. • Adaptation: Lead these experiments/object lessons with all of the kids in the room together. To be less disruptive, do this activity first immediately after Large Group, so that each group can then have Groups time at their own individual pace afterwards. WHAT YOU SAY: “When Abraham went up on the mountain with his son, Isaac, did he know how God was going to save Isaac’s life? No, he didn’t. But Abraham knew that God had made a promise that through Isaac he would have more grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren than the number of stars in the sky. Abraham also knew that God always keeps His promises, so Abraham trusted God even when it didn’t make sense. “Can you trust God no matter what? You bet! You can trust God no matter what, because God loves you and He has a bigger plan in mind. So remember: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.”
3. WHO’S THE LEADER?
(memory verse activity)
WHAT YOU NEED: Bibles WHAT YOU DO: • Help your kids look up the verse using the navigation tips from week one, and then read the verse aloud together a few times. • Unpack the verse, emphasizing what it means to put yourself under the authority of a leader. • Ask a couple volunteers to put the verse into their own words—to tell the group what it means to them specifically. • Guide kids to sit in a circle. Choose one child to be the “guesser” and have her turn her back to the other kids. (No peeking!) • Silently choose a child to be the “leader.” Guide the leader to begin a motion for the other kids to follow. For example,
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 8
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
• • • • •
SOCIAL
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GRADES
2-3
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
HOME
he may pat his head. Guide the guesser to turn around. Slowly say the memory verse aloud, encouraging the kids to say it with you. As you say each word or couple of words, the leader changes motions and the other kids must follow. The guesser’s job is to figure out who is leading the group. When she has an idea, she points to that child. When she’s correct, she joins the circle and the leader becomes the new guesser.
WHAT YOU SAY: “God wants us to trust our leaders and put ourselves under their authority. What do you think it means to ‘put yourself under their authority’? (to respect them, to obey them, to do what they say) “Did Abraham put himself under God’s authority? How? (He obeyed God even when it didn’t make sense.) Why do you think Abraham trusted and obeyed God? (He loved God; he knew God wouldn’t trick him; he trusted that God had a bigger plan.) [Make It Personal] (Share a child-appropriate story about a time when you chose to put yourself under the authority of a leader, especially if the leader asked you to do something that didn’t make sense. Tell how your relationship with God grew as a result.) “So remember: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.”
PRAY AND DISMISS WHAT YOU NEED: No supplies needed WHAT YOU DO: • Remind kids that there is no one formula for how you should pray. You can pray anywhere, anytime, in any position, aloud or silently, and with your eyes open or closed. • Tell kids to take a few moments to pray that they will obey God, trusting that He has a bigger plan. They can pray aloud or silently. • Close the time of prayer. WHAT YOU SAY: “Thank You, God, that You love us more than we can imagine. Thank You, Lord, that You always have a bigger plan in mind, even when we don’t know or understand what that plan is. Help us trust You no matter what, and help us remember that we can trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”
Give each child a GodTime card. Pass out Parent Cue cards as adults arrive to pick up. Encourage kids to tell their families about today’s experiments and try them out at home.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 9
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
GRADES
2-3 HOME
PAG E 1 0
W-4 2
PRELUDE
Chief Executive Officer Reggie Joiner Creative Team Kristen Ivy Mike Clear Molly Boylan Elloa Davis Elizabeth Hansen Jessica McKee Brandon O’Dell Greg Payne Phil Pierce Dan Scott Jon Williams Contributing Writers Jodi Blackwell Stuart Chapman Kristi Hecht Sam Johnson Cara Martens Kelly Nishi
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
Editors Molly Boylan Elloa Davis Dana Wilkerson Illustrations & Graphic Design Brian Bascle Mike Davis Joe Goode Technical & Web Support Hadley Brandt Orange Specialists Amy Grisham Joy Bowen Abbey Carr Amy Fenton Leslie Galema Misty Phillips Stephanie Porter Courtney Templeton
STORY
WORSHIP
Statement of Faith ABOUT GOD God is the one and only true God, yet He exists in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator, so everything belongs to Him and is under His control. God is holy, so He is righteous, majestic, and loving. God is all knowing and purposeful, so He’s at work to bring about His will. No person, thing, or idea compares to God. ABOUT THE SCRIPTURES God reveals Himself to us through the Bible, and it is 100% accurate, reliable, and authoritative. ABOUT PEOPLE People are made in God’s image and for His pleasure. But everybody falls short of God’s intention, or ideal, for people. In other words, everyone has sinned. As a result, we are all separated from Him, even though He wants an intimate relationship with each of us. ABOUT SALVATION That’s why Jesus—God’s Son—came and lived on this earth, died, and rose again. God offers His free gift of salvation to all who believe in Jesus and accept Him as Savior—the only way to be forgiven and reconciled to God. Anyone who accepts this gift is adopted as a son or daughter into God’s family and will live with Him forever in heaven.
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
User Agreement Orange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor 252 Basics® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith. These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. 252 Basics® and the 252 Basics® logo are trademarks of Orange and the reThink Group. Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION®. Copyright © 1996, 1998, 2014 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica. Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
BOTTOM LINE
2-3
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
HOME
SOCIAL: Providing time for fun interaction Ideas for Early Arrivers A Closer Look
25
STORY: Communicating God’s truth in engaging ways Opener Worship Bible Story Prayer Closer
MINUTES
MINUTES
10 MINUTES
“Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you.” Hebrews 13:17a, NIrV
6
15
I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.
MEMORY VERSE
1
PRELUDE: Setting the tone for the experience For Leaders Only Create the Environment
BIBLE STORY
The Test Abraham and Isaac Genesis 18, 21, 22 (Supporting: Genesis 15)
WORSHIP
0
GRADES
25 MINUTES
LIFE APP
WORSHIP: Inviting people to respond to God “Look at Me” from Walk This Way “Good Good Father” from Kidmin Worship Vol. 4 GROUPS: Creating a safe place to connect God’s Bigger Plan That’s Impossible! Who’s the Leader? Prayer HOME: Prompting action beyond the experience GodTime Parent Cue
Obedience—trusting those who lead you by doing what you’re asked to do.
BASIC TRUTH
I can trust God no matter what.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 2
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
GETTING READY
BIBLE STORY
SOCIAL: PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION The Test Abraham and Isaac Genesis 18, 21, 22 (Supporting: Genesis 15)
BOTTOM LINE
I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.
(Choose one or both of these activities.) Early Arriver • An offering container A Closer Look • Print the “A Closer Look” Activity Pages and cut apart; 1 set for each Small Group • Cut paper into strips; 5 strips for each kid • 5 paper bags • Pencils
MEMORY VERSE
GROUPS: CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT “Trust in your leaders. Put yourselves under their authority. Do this, because they keep watch over you.” Hebrews 13:17a, NIrV
LIFE APP
Obedience—trusting those who lead you by doing what you’re asked to do.
BASIC TRUTH
I can trust God no matter what.
(Choose as many of these activities as you like.) * If you don’t have time to do all these activities, be sure to do activity #1. * 1. God’s Bigger Plan (application activity / review the Bible story) • Print the “God’s Bigger Plan” Activity Page • White basket-style coffee filters; 1 for each kid; in the center of each filter, use a clean, white crayon to draw a bold, thick cross (Note: The presence of the cross is supposed to be a surprise for the kids in the group. If you have a large number of kids, enlist the help of volunteer parents and/or students to help you prepare for this week.) • Fresh (not dried-out) water-based markers • Spray bottle(s) filled with water • Paper plates or sheets of wax paper; 1 for each kid 2. That’s Impossible! (application activity) • Print the “That’s Impossible!” Activity Pages; 1 set for each Small Group (or just the pages of the experiments you choose to do) • Choose the activity or activities you wish to do, and gather the appropriate supplies. You will need: For Balloon Kabob: http://bit.ly/1TKK1kG o Balloons; light-colored ones are easiest to use for the experiment o Wooden skewers o Vegetable oil
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 3
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
For Sticky Rice: http://bit.ly/21x2uo2 o Plastic container like an empty water bottle o Dry rice o Pencil or skewer o Funnel For Visibly Invisible: http://bit.ly/1Y8tQ1O o Small, clear plastic container (such as a travel-sized mouthwash container or empty Tabasco sauce bottle) o Larger clear glass or vase o Glycerin (available online and at some pharmacies and healthcare stores) (NOTE: If you purchase glycerin, you can reuse it to make a homemade bubble solution.) o Funnel o Towel (just in case!) 3. Who’s the Leader? (memory verse activity) • Bibles Prayer • No supplies needed Additional Resources: • Make copies on cardstock of this week’s GodTime and Parent Cue cards. • Tell parents about our additional family resources: Studio252.tv, CUE Box, and the Parent Cue app. To find out more about these great resources, go to http://www.Studio252.tv/leaders.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 4
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
GRADES
2-3 HOME
SOCIAL: PROVIDING TIME FOR FUN INTERACTION Welcome kids and spend time engaging in conversation and catching up. Get ready to experience today’s story. Before kids arrive, pray for each regular attendee by name. Pray for those who might visit your group for the first time. Ask God to help kids understand that He has a bigger plan for their lives, and sometimes that involves obeying those in charge. Pray for kids to begin to understand the connection between obeying their leaders and honoring God and the plan He has for them.
1. EARLY ARRIVER IDEA WHAT YOU NEED: Offering container WHAT YOU DO: • Invite kids to place their offerings in the container. • Lead kids in a wacky game similar to “In a Pickle.” o The first child names a small object and says something the small object could be in. For example, the child might say, “The grasshopper was in the garden.” o The next child picks up where the previous child left off and says something the second object could be in. For example, “The garden was in the field.” o Play continues until the kids can’t think of anything that the last item could be in.
2. A CLOSER LOOK WHAT YOU NEED: “A Closer Look” Activity Pages; 1 set for each small group, paper strips; 5 for each kid, 5 paper bags, pencils WHAT YOU DO: • Set the “A Closer Look” images around your area. Place paper strips, pencils, and a bag beside each. • Invite kids to go to each picture, look at it, and (silently!) guess what it is. • Direct kids to write their guesses on the paper strips and then put their strips in the bags. (Be sure kids keep their guesses a secret!) • Guide kids to gather around you when they finish. • Collect the images and the bags. • Show each image and read its corresponding guesses. • Reveal the answers. • Adaptation: You could do this activity with the entire room together. Make only one set of “A Closer Look” images for the room and let kids do the silent guessing all at one time. After everyone has placed their guesses in the bags, instruct kids to gather back at their group’s spot. Each SGL will then need to obtain a handful of guesses from each bag. (They don’t have to gather their specific kids’ guesses. They can gather a handful of random guesses.)
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 5
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
15 MINUTES
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
GRADES
2-3 HOME
WHAT YOU SAY: “Just like you could only see a small piece of each object, sometimes you can only know a small part of what God has planned for you. The same thing was true for the people in our Bible story today. [Transition] Let’s go into Large Group and learn more.” Lead your group to the Large Group area.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 6
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
STORY
0
WORSHIP
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
GROUPS: CREATING A SAFE PLACE TO CONNECT Create a safe place to connect and learn how the Bible story applies to real life experiences, through interactive activities and discussion questions.
* 1. GOD’S BIGGER PLAN (application activity / review the Bible story) WHAT YOU NEED: “God’s Bigger Plan” Activity Page, prepared coffee filters; 1 for each kid, markers, spray bottles filled with water, paper plates or wax paper; 1 for each kid WHAT YOU DO: • Give each child a paper plate (or sheet of wax paper) and set a coffee filter on top. (Shhh! The cross is a secret, so set the coffee filter with the crayon side down.) • Set the markers where the kids can reach them. • Read the story of Abraham and Isaac from the “God’s Bigger Plan” Activity Page. • As you read, direct the kids to draw parts of the story on their filters. They can even write words if they choose. The kids’ pictures (or words) don’t need to be in any particular order or reflect any particular aspects of the story. The goal is for the kids to cover the filters with color (and be engaged while they listen)! • When you finish narrating, review the Bottom Line: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan. Ask kids if they think Abraham sacrificing Isaac was God’s bigger plan. (No! Definitely not!) • Next, ask them if they think that sacrificing the ram was God’s bigger plan. (Shhh! Don’t answer this question yourself!) • Direct kids to spray their drawings with the water. After a few seconds, the crosses should emerge as the ink blends and bleeds! • Salvation Message Opportunity: As you feel led, share the gospel message with the kids. You might even use your personal testimony to help kids understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The following key points can guide you as you share: God LOVED us. Before we were even born, God loved us. But something called ‘sin’ separated us from Him. Sin is the stuff we do that’s wrong. Because God is perfect, sin keeps us from having a relationship with God. God GAVE us Jesus. God knew that our sin would keep us out of His family forever, so He gave the most important thing He had: His Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins and fix our broken relationship with Him. Jesus gave up His life on the cross to pay for our sin and make a way for us to be part of God’s family again. We BELIEVE in Jesus. Believing simply means to trust. In order to accept God’s gift of salvation, we believe that we have sinned and that Jesus took the punishment for our sin. We RECEIVE the gift of eternal life. That means we get to spend forever with God in a place that He made perfect. And once we receive this gift, it can never be taken away. There is nothing we can do to lose our place in God’s family.
(Note: Depending on what you know about your kids, it might be a good idea to simply “plant the seeds” and have a conversation about salvation, without explicitly leading kids to take the step of faith. If a child’s parents are already believers, they may want to be present for the moment when their child takes a step of faith. Use your judgment and your knowledge of your kids’ home lives when having this conversation.) ©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 7
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
GRADES
2-3 HOME
WHAT YOU SAY: “God loved Abraham and Isaac, and He planned all along to provide a ram for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac. But God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a hint of His own, bigger plan. What do you think that bigger plan was? Yes! God gave us the story of Abraham and Isaac as a hint of His incredibly big plan to sacrifice Jesus, His one and only Son, so that we can live forever with Him! “So no matter what happens to you, whether it’s things that are happy and exciting or things that are sad and confusing, you can trust God no matter what because He has a bigger plan for your life and He KNOWS what that plan is. So remember: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.”
2. THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE! (application activity) WHAT YOU NEED: “That’s Impossible!” Activity Page; 1 set for each small group, supplies for the chosen activities WHAT YOU DO: • Demonstrate the object lesson(s) as described on the “That’s Impossible!” Activity Page. • Adaptation: Lead these experiments/object lessons with all of the kids in the room together. To be less disruptive, do this activity first immediately after Large Group, so that each group can then have Groups time at their own individual pace afterwards. WHAT YOU SAY: “When Abraham went up on the mountain with his son, Isaac, did he know how God was going to save Isaac’s life? No, he didn’t. But Abraham knew that God had made a promise that through Isaac he would have more grandchildren and greatgrandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren than the number of stars in the sky. Abraham also knew that God always keeps His promises, so Abraham trusted God even when it didn’t make sense. “Can you trust God no matter what? You bet! You can trust God no matter what, because God loves you and He has a bigger plan in mind. So remember: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.”
3. WHO’S THE LEADER?
(memory verse activity)
WHAT YOU NEED: Bibles WHAT YOU DO: • Help your kids look up the verse using the navigation tips from week one, and then read the verse aloud together a few times. • Unpack the verse, emphasizing what it means to put yourself under the authority of a leader. • Ask a couple volunteers to put the verse into their own words—to tell the group what it means to them specifically. • Guide kids to sit in a circle. Choose one child to be the “guesser” and have her turn her back to the other kids. (No peeking!) • Silently choose a child to be the “leader.” Guide the leader to begin a motion for the other kids to follow. For example,
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 8
AUGUST
W-4 2
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• • • • •
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HOME
he may pat his head. Guide the guesser to turn around. Slowly say the memory verse aloud, encouraging the kids to say it with you. As you say each word or couple of words, the leader changes motions and the other kids must follow. The guesser’s job is to figure out who is leading the group. When she has an idea, she points to that child. When she’s correct, she joins the circle and the leader becomes the new guesser.
WHAT YOU SAY: “God wants us to trust our leaders and put ourselves under their authority. What do you think it means to ‘put yourself under their authority’? (to respect them, to obey them, to do what they say) “Did Abraham put himself under God’s authority? How? (He obeyed God even when it didn’t make sense.) Why do you think Abraham trusted and obeyed God? (He loved God; he knew God wouldn’t trick him; he trusted that God had a bigger plan.) [Make It Personal] (Share a child-appropriate story about a time when you chose to put yourself under the authority of a leader, especially if the leader asked you to do something that didn’t make sense. Tell how your relationship with God grew as a result.) “So remember: [Bottom Line] I should trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan.”
PRAY AND DISMISS WHAT YOU NEED: No supplies needed WHAT YOU DO: • Remind kids that there is no one formula for how you should pray. You can pray anywhere, anytime, in any position, aloud or silently, and with your eyes open or closed. • Tell kids to take a few moments to pray that they will obey God, trusting that He has a bigger plan. They can pray aloud or silently. • Close the time of prayer. WHAT YOU SAY: “Thank You, God, that You love us more than we can imagine. Thank You, Lord, that You always have a bigger plan in mind, even when we don’t know or understand what that plan is. Help us trust You no matter what, and help us remember that we can trust and obey because there’s a bigger plan. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”
Give each child a GodTime card. Pass out Parent Cue cards as adults arrive to pick up. Encourage kids to tell their families about today’s experiments and try them out at home.
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
PAG E 9
AUGUST
W-4 2
PRELUDE
SOCIAL
STORY
WORSHIP
0
1
6
GROUPS
25 MINUTES
©2016 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com If you change the content of this document, please add to the copyright: Adapted by (your name/organization name/date).
GRADES
2-3 HOME
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