Don't Fear, Jesus Is Just!

Host Welcome to the Lab! I’m excited that you joined us again for another awesome adventure.

Co-Host I’m glad you are here, as well, because I really need some help practicing my judging. I’m one of the judges in the neighborhood “Lawn of the Month” competition.

Host You’re not going to give Rusty an unfair advantage since he’s your friend, are you?

Co-Host I was, but since you put it that way, I guess I won’t. Everyone give me your best impression of a flower.

Host How do you do that?

Co-Host Pretend to grow. Spread your arms out like you are a giant sunflower. Now pretend the gardener is terrible at his job and forgot to water you and you died. You are brilliant! I’m ready.

Host I’m glad they could help. Let’s see how things go with the "Lawn of the Month".

Co-Host If Hans Von Striker thinks he can just get away with trampling over Rusty’s flowers, he’s got another think coming.

Host It doesn’t seem very fair at all. Have you guys ever caught someone cheating in a game? What happened? How did it make you feel?

(Host interviews a few kids.)

Co-Host When someone cheats and it affects me, it makes me want to get revenge.

Host That’s how a lot of people feel, but it may not be the best choice. Let’s have a little fun with a blast from the past toy, a punch balloon.

(Choose a few kids to participate in the game.)

Host Let’s see who can keep their punch balloon going for a full thirty seconds.

Co-Host No one told me a punch balloon punches back.

Host That balloon reminds me of revenge. Revenge is like sending bad stuff out to hurt the person who hurt you, but instead of just hurting the other person, that bad stuff also returns to you.

Co-Host So, revenge winds up hurting us…not good. Maybe our Big Point will help. Let’s count it down.

Co-Host Let’s all say it together, Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Just!

Host Instead of trying to right every wrong ourselves, we can trust that in the end Jesus will make sure to right this crazy, upside down world.

Co-Host In the meantime, I’m going to make sure Hans Von Striker doesn’t mess with the other judges.

Co-Host What does he mean by, “The president chooses the judges?” You think he’s going to replace us? This is getting worse by the moment. How can a bad guy keep getting away with bad stuff?

Host Let’s just calm down and focus on the Big Point,

Host Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Just! Maybe a game would help you relax. I’ll choose someone to come up and play against you.

Host I’ll shuffle this deck of cards and deal them out. We’re going to play a game that’s a blast from the past. Some of you guys will remember this from your younger days. It’s called, “Go Fish.” It’s really simple. You try to make as many sets of four as you can by asking for what the other player has.

Co-Host Get ready, because I’m basically a professional.

Co-Host You were cheating!

Host I’m guilty. Yes, I was cheating. So it’s not very fair, but did you notice you had help? The audience was watching and helped. Countdown with us and check out this verse.

Co-Host Romans 12:19 (NIrV), “My dear friends, don’t try to get even.”

Host Just like our audience, God sees everything that’s going on, and we can trust Him to help us when things aren’t fair. We believe that in the end God will put an end to injustice. Instead of taking matters into our own hand, we put our faith in Jesus. Remember,

Host Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Just! Let’s stand and worship Jesus!

I think this would be a great time to give Jesus the chance to jot your name in the Book of Life so you can actually look forward to standing in front of His throne. 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’ve already said, “Yes” to following Jesus, give me a thumbs up. 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 altogether. 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.

I’m so glad for the decision that you’ve made today. If you said “Yes” for the first time, please raise your hand so our leaders can see it. We want to talk to you and help you take the next step.

Co-Host I won’t lie, I’m kind of glad that Von Striker’s new judges turned on him.

Host Every injustice may not be dealt with right now, but some will. The Bible says that a person reaps what they sow. His poor choice came back to bite him…literally.

Co-Host So how should we handle it when someone cheats or does us wrong?

Host That’s a great question. What do you guys think? How would you deal with an unjust situation at school, home, or even here at church?

Co-Host That was some pretty legit advice. I think I’ll go help Rusty get his flowerbed in order. There’s always next year.

Host That's a great idea! Don't forget the Big Do this week.

Co-Host Talk about unfair things that happened. Pray and trust Jesus to help you.

Host I hope you guys won’t give up when you face an unfair situation. Trust that Jesus can and will help you through those moments. Our Big Point is true,

Host Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Just! Let’s gather with our small groups so you can talk about it.

1. What is one of the most unfair things that has ever happened to you? How did you react?
2. Why do you think that so many people like to get revenge?
3. Does it help you to know that Jesus will one day set things right? How does it help?
4. What did Herman tell us to do in the Big Do? Talk about unfair things that happened. Pray and trust Jesus to help you

1. Our Big Point says Don’t Fear, Jesus Is ______! a. Just b. Unfair
2. Our Big Story described Jesus as a ________. a. Lawyer b. Judge
3. How did Hans Von Striker act unjustly?
4. What was the name of the large book that John wrote about in our Big Story? a. Book of Death b. Book of Life
5. How does a person get their name into the Book of Life? Say “Yes” to Jesus
6. Our Big Verse says in Romans 12:19 (NIrV), “My dear friends, don’t try to get _____.” a. Even b. Justice
7. Why is it good that God gives people time to change their ways instead of punishing them right away? So more people can say “Yes” to Jesus
8. How could you deal with an unfair situation at school? Talk to an adult about it, pray about it, ask Jesus to help you
9. Why is revenge not a good option? It hurts you and the other person
10. What did challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Talk about unfair things that happened. Pray and trust Jesus to help you