I Will Give My Best

Host and Co-Host are on stage with kids who are ready to play the game. Prior to service choose two teams of two kids. The kids will compete to see who can wrap a present the best in 60 seconds. The twist is that the teammates must stand side by side and each kid can only use one arm.

Co-Host On your mark, get set, go!

Host These two teams are trying to wrap this present in only 60 seconds. The challenge is that they each only use one arm.

Co-Host Great job to our winners. How would you feel if you got a present with wrapping like that?

 Host The outside may be a little rough, but what really matters is the heart behind the gift.

Co-Host That’s true. Jesus was the best gift ever, but He, surprisingly, came as a baby.

Host Yep, and He’s the only reason why Christmas is such an important day to celebrate. Let’s stand and tell someone nearby if your presents on Christmas morning come wrapped or unwrapped.

Co-Host I guess Hannah and Ethel are helping. Do you think they’re giving their best effort?

Host You’re right; they are rushing way too much. If someone gifted you an old, broken toy they found by the side of the road on their way to the Christmas party, would you feel like it was a thoughtful gift?

Co-Host Me neither, but what if someone spent a lot of time making a really cool homemade gift? Has anyone ever made you a homemade gift that you loved?

Host Giving at Christmas began with God. Let’s see what the Big Point says about God’s gift.

Co-Host You can help as we countdown and then read the Big Point!

Co-Host Let’s all say it together, I Will Give My Best! God gave His best to us when He sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth.

Host God’s gift inspires us to give our best to others. Most people think about themselves first, but we can be different. We can think about others and offer them our best.

Co-Host Giving your best means putting some effort into your gift. It probably will cost you something, like your time or money, but it’s worth it to bless someone else.

Host Our next game is going to require some effort if you want to win. We’ve chosen two teams of kids to have a snowball fight. They have 30 seconds to toss, or give, as many snowballs to the other team as possible. Whoever has the least number in their area after the time runs out wins.

Co-Host Great job to our winners.

Host Let’s see if Ethel and Hannah will decide to give their best to help Herman.

Host Have you ever wanted something so bad that you ignored what other people needed?

Co-Host I have, sometimes, when making my Christmas list. Thankfully I learned from God’s example that I can make a different choice. Let’s say our Big Point,

Co-Host I Will Give My Best!

Host Herman shared a great verse from the Bible. We need a lab assistant to help us reveal it.

Co-Host Hit the button as we count down from three, and then you can read the verse.

Co-Host The Big Verse, John 3:16 (NIrV), says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”

Host There’s a lot that God could have given us at Christmas. I need my assistant’s help. I’m going to shuffle these cards, and you tell me when to stop.

Host God could have given us lots of items, but none of these would have helped us. It was only (As you spell each letter, lay down the card, until the heart card remains) J-E-S-U-S that could change our life. God gave His best because He loves us that much.

Co-Host It’s so cool to know that God loves us that much. That’s a great reason to stand and worship God.

God gave His best to us, and all you have to do to receive that gift is say, “Yes.” If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted.

If you have already said, “Yes” to Jesus, I want you to give me a thumbs up. That’s awesome. You can put your hands down. If you’ve never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say, “Yes” to Him right now and ask Him to forgive you, raise your hand. We’re going to pray all together. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray... 

Dear God, I know everyone needs a Savior,  and I know I can’t save myself.  Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins  and God raised You from the dead.

Right now,  I say you are my Lord,  my Savior,  and the One who forgives me. Thank you, Jesus,  that You are my best friend,  because I’ve said, “Yes” to You. Amen.

When we break into small groups today, you can join a special small group just for kids who said, “Yes,” for the first time. Look for the special sign as we break later.

Co-Host I’m glad that Ethel and Hannah came through for Herman’s fundraiser.

Host Yep, they chose to practice the Big Point,

Host I Will Give My Best!

Co-Host Every time we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the truth that God gave us His best when He sent Jesus to save us.

Host You can follow the example of the first Christmas when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host Do a random act of kindness for someone else. You could bring them cookies, help them around their house, or share a gift. Whatever you do, be sure to do it with your best effort.

Co-Host Speaking of random gifts, let’s play a game and see if you guys can pick out which gift has the jingle bells inside. When they’re finished spinning, hold up a one, two, or three.

Host Great job. I hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned.

• What is the best gift you’ve ever given someone else?
• How did Ethel and Hannah not give their best? What did they do to change that?
• Why is Jesus the best gift God could give us?
• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Do a random act of kindness for someone else.

• Our Big Point says I Will Give My _______!

  • Best
  • Worst

• Ethel and Hannah worked an extra job to buy which item?

  • Phone
  • Present for Rusty

• Who visited Jesus on the night He was born?

  • Priests
  • Shepherds

• The angels announced Jesus’ birth.

  • True
  • False

• The best gift is always the most expensive gift.

  • True
  • False

• Complete the Big Verse: John 3:16 (NIrV), “God so loved the world that He gave His ________ Son.”

  • One and only
  • Second

• Why did God send Jesus at Christmas?

• Jesus’ birth was announced as good news.

  • True
  • False

• Why should you give your best when you have the opportunity to give?

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Do a random act of kindness for someone else.