Ark Kids Elementary: The Good News of Christmas

God Can Use Me!

Lesson 1 teaches children that everyone is valuable in God's eyes and can contribute to His plans, exemplified by the story of Mary, who was chosen to be Jesus' mother. Through engaging activities and discussions, participants explore the idea that God can use anyone, regardless of their status or background, as long as they have a willing heart. The lesson emphasizes the importance of responding to God's call and underscores the joy and hope of the Christmas season as a time of sharing and giving.
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God Can Use Me!

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Countdown / Rules
5:08H&R 5 Min Countdown with RulesH&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

⦁ Question of the Day: What is your favorite Christmas tradition with your family?

WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2)
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

This Engage uses the Crowd Control Game “One Hoof, Two Hooves.” (www.crowdcontrolgames.com) It can be purchased online and played on any computer. If you don’t have access to the game or would like to play it without a computer, simply designate the Co-Host as the person who will choose between two, one, or no hooves.

Host and Co-Host enter.

Host

I have some good news for you.

Co-Host

Me? Am I getting a baby brother?

Host

No. The good news is that it’s the Christmas season!

Co-Host

That is great news. Turn to someone nearby and say, “Merry Christmas!” Have you ever wondered, though, why people say Christmas is good news?

Host

There are many reasons why, but it all goes back to the first Christmas, the story we read in the Bible. It’s there where we learn the good news God shared with the world at Christmas.

Co-Host

For the next few weeks, we’re going to explore what the Bible has to say. It’s going to be an entire month of amazing news to make your Christmas the hap, hap, happiest of holidays.

Host

Since it’s Christmas, let’s begin with a fun Christmas game. It’s something everyone can play. The game is called “One Hoof, Two Hooves.” On the screen you will see rotating pictures of a reindeer holding up one hoof, both hooves, or none. It’s up to you to guess which picture it will freeze on.

Co-Host

If you think it’s one hoof, hold up one arm. Two? Hold up two arms. If you think it’s none, keep both by your side. Let’s play!

Play several rounds of the game. If you decide to play live, have the Co-Host walk offstage or hide in some way, then after the kids lock in their choice, the Co-Host appears, holding up one, two, or no arms. To add some fun, have the Co-Host wear reindeer antlers.

Host

Having a little bit of fun is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season. After all, it is a season of good news. Let’s check in on our friends in the lab. As we do, turn to someone, and tell that person your favorite Christmas song.

4:11 Herman and Rusty Act 1 Herman and Rusty Act 1
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2), Button, Table, Wrapping Paper (2), Scissors (2), Tape (2), Ribbon, Boxes (6)
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Host and Co-Host enter.

Host

I can’t believe the other reindeer were so mean to Rusty.

Co-Host

Have you ever had someone make you feel like you had nothing to offer at school or on a sports team? It’s not a good feeling.

Host

Do you ever wonder if God feels like that about you? Let’s check out our Big Point and see what God has to say about us.

Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.

Co-Host

After we count down from three, you will read the Big Point.

0:0603 sec Countdown03 sec Countdown
Big Point SlideBig Point Slide

Co-Host

Let’s all say it together, God Can Use Me! That Big Point tells us that God thinks we are useful in His big plan. Wow! That makes me feel pretty good, knowing that God wants my help.

Host

The Christmas story is the perfect example of this truth. God used ordinary people to do an important job, being Jesus’ parents. If God can use them, then He can use us, too.

Co-Host

Your part might seem small to you, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important to the big plan.

Host

Let’s explore more about this with a game. We’re going to have a Christmas present wrapping game. We have two adult volunteers who will compete to wrap three presents the fastest. They will compete alongside a kid partner, who will assist. Your job (To the kids onstage) is to hand your adult the tape, the scissors, hold the ribbon, and any other thing like that. Ready? Go!

Optional, play game music. Play the game. Choose two adults who are good at wrapping presents. Before the game, remind them to use the kids to hand them all the items, hold the paper and ribbon in place, etc.

Co-Host

Even though the kid wasn’t wrapping the gift, his/her contribution was important.

Host

Yeah, it was. The job would have been harder without him/her. You might think you don’t do much, but when you do exactly what God asks you to do, you accomplish a lot. Let’s see if Rusty can be convinced of that.

2:33 Herman and Rusty Act 2 Herman and Rusty Act 2
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2), Button, Christmas Stocking Tote Bag, Engage 2 Activity
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Host and Co-Host enter.

Co-Host

Let’s repeat the Big Point,

Big Point SlideBig Point Slide

Co-Host

God Can Use Me!

Host

Rusty doesn’t think that’s true, but that’s not based on what is real. It’s based on how he feels at the moment. When you live your life based on your feelings, you’ll end up believing some untrue things.

Co-Host

That’s when it’s important to remind yourself of what the Bible says. The Bible shows us what God really thinks about us. Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.

Host

After we count down from three, we need you to read the verse.

0:0603 sec Countdown03 sec Countdown
Big Verse SlideBig Verse Slide

Co-Host

Luke 1:28 (NIrV), “The Lord has blessed you in a special way. He is with you.” This is what the angel, Gabriel, said to Mary. There weren’t many people saying this kind of thing to Mary, I’m sure. She wasn’t the most famous or rich or powerful person in Israel.

Host

That didn’t stop God from using her. He saw her heart, and God knew that she was willing to obey by being Jesus’ mom. You, also, have great things God has put inside of you. You may feel empty, but you’re not. (Show the empty inside of the Christmas stocking) You’re full of God’s help.

Co-Host

We need some volunteers to help us find the kinds of things God has put inside of us.

Use the Christmas Stocking Tote bag according to the directions. It can be purchased online at www.laflinmagicstore.com. If you don’t have this, you can substitute any change bag. Fill the bag prior to service with the slips of paper printed and cut from the Engage 2 activity. Have different kids reach in and retrieve a slip of paper. Read it to the kids and ask them why this trait or skill is something God can use.

Host

God has put all kinds of valuable things inside of us. At the right time, God will use those things to help others as part of His big plan. That’s why we want to always be ready to serve. Let’s take a moment to worship God.

Big Story
5:26 Big Story Video Big Story Video
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Mary responded with a “Yes” when God called her to serve. I love how she responded to God by worshipping Him and calling attention to the amazing things God had done. Worship is an opportunity to thank God for what He’s done and use our faith to trust that God is at work in our lives. We are going to do that in just a moment.

3:22 Herman and Rusty Act 3 Herman and Rusty Act 3
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2), Christmas Candy, Large Serving Spoon (2), Stocking (2)
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Host and Co-Host enter.

Host

Rusty really saved the Christmas parade today. If he hadn’t been there, everything would have been ruined. He learned a valuable lesson about believing he can help and being ready to serve.

Co-Host

That’s the attitude that Mary had. She didn’t let anything stop her from agreeing to serve God. You might think that God would have chosen a princess to be Jesus’ mother, but He didn’t. He chose a young girl with a big heart to obey God. Our Big Point is true,

Big Point SlideBig Point Slide

Co-Host

God Can Use Me!

Host

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do so we can learn how to talk with our family about the Big Point!

H&R Big Do SlideH&R Big Do Slide

Co-Host

Today’s Big Do is to donate a toy to a toy drive. It’s a simple act, but one that blesses lots of kids. It’s a great way to share in God’s big plan.

Host

Your gift may seem small, but when all our gifts come together, it creates a big impact. That’s what this next game is all about. We have two teams who will compete to fill up these stockings with candy.

Co-Host

Team members will race one at a time to carry a spoonful of candy from the starting line to the stocking across the stage. Dump it in and then tag the next kid. Keep going until you fill the stocking.

1:0160 sec Countdown60 sec Countdown

Optional play game music. Play the game.

Host

Great job to our winners. Each of you did your part to win. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.

Small Group
Small Group SlideSmall Group Slide

Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.

  • What is something that God has given you the ability to do?

  • Why do you think God chose Mary, even though she wasn’t a princess or from a rich family? She had a willing heart to serve; she said, “Yes” to Him; He wanted all of us to know you don’t have to be a certain way to be used by Him

  • Share some reasons why Christmas is good news. Jesus came so we can be friends with God and follow Him; it shows us we can be used by God; it shows us how much God loves us

  • Have you ever felt like God was telling you to do something? What did you do?

Big Review
H&R BIG REVIEW BumperH&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.

Big Review SlidesBig Review Slides

  • Our Big Point says, God Can Use ______!

    • a. Famous People

    • b. Me

  • What was the name of the girl God chose to be part of His big plan?

    • a. Mary

    • b. Margaret

  • What Christmas character was Rusty dressed like at the Lab?

    • a. Reindeer

    • b. Elf

  • Luke 1:28 (NIrV), “The Lord has blessed you in a _______ way. He is with you.”

    • a. Special

    • b. Unimportant

  • Who appeared to tell Mary about God’s plan?

    • a. Priest

    • b. Angel

  • God prefers to use rich and famous people in His plan.

    • a. True

    • b. False

  • Name a way that God could use you in His plan.

  • How did Mary respond to the angel?

    • a. Yes

    • b. No

  • What would you tell a friend who thought that there was no way they could help others?

  • What is this week’s Big Do?

Donate a toy to a toy drive

God Can Use Me! Instructions

Countdown / Rules
5:08H&R 5 Min Countdown with RulesH&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

⦁ Question of the Day: What is your favorite Christmas tradition with your family?

WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2)
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

This Engage uses the Crowd Control Game “One Hoof, Two Hooves.” (www.crowdcontrolgames.com) It can be purchased online and played on any computer. If you don’t have access to the game or would like to play it without a computer, simply designate the Co-Host as the person who will choose between two, one, or no hooves.

Host and Co-Host enter.

Host

I have some good news for you.

Co-Host

Me? Am I getting a baby brother?

Host

No. The good news is that it’s the Christmas season!

Co-Host

That is great news. Turn to someone nearby and say, “Merry Christmas!” Have you ever wondered, though, why people say Christmas is good news?

Host

There are many reasons why, but it all goes back to the first Christmas, the story we read in the Bible. It’s there where we learn the good news God shared with the world at Christmas.

Co-Host

For the next few weeks, we’re going to explore what the Bible has to say. It’s going to be an entire month of amazing news to make your Christmas the hap, hap, happiest of holidays.

Host

Since it’s Christmas, let’s begin with a fun Christmas game. It’s something everyone can play. The game is called “One Hoof, Two Hooves.” On the screen you will see rotating pictures of a reindeer holding up one hoof, both hooves, or none. It’s up to you to guess which picture it will freeze on.

Co-Host

If you think it’s one hoof, hold up one arm. Two? Hold up two arms. If you think it’s none, keep both by your side. Let’s play!

Play several rounds of the game. If you decide to play live, have the Co-Host walk offstage or hide in some way, then after the kids lock in their choice, the Co-Host appears, holding up one, two, or no arms. To add some fun, have the Co-Host wear reindeer antlers.

Host

Having a little bit of fun is the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season. After all, it is a season of good news. Let’s check in on our friends in the lab. As we do, turn to someone, and tell that person your favorite Christmas song.

4:11 Herman and Rusty Act 1 Herman and Rusty Act 1
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2), Button, Table, Wrapping Paper (2), Scissors (2), Tape (2), Ribbon, Boxes (6)
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Host and Co-Host enter.

Host

I can’t believe the other reindeer were so mean to Rusty.

Co-Host

Have you ever had someone make you feel like you had nothing to offer at school or on a sports team? It’s not a good feeling.

Host

Do you ever wonder if God feels like that about you? Let’s check out our Big Point and see what God has to say about us.

Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.

Co-Host

After we count down from three, you will read the Big Point.

0:0603 sec Countdown03 sec Countdown
Big Point SlideBig Point Slide

Co-Host

Let’s all say it together, God Can Use Me! That Big Point tells us that God thinks we are useful in His big plan. Wow! That makes me feel pretty good, knowing that God wants my help.

Host

The Christmas story is the perfect example of this truth. God used ordinary people to do an important job, being Jesus’ parents. If God can use them, then He can use us, too.

Co-Host

Your part might seem small to you, but that doesn’t mean it’s not important to the big plan.

Host

Let’s explore more about this with a game. We’re going to have a Christmas present wrapping game. We have two adult volunteers who will compete to wrap three presents the fastest. They will compete alongside a kid partner, who will assist. Your job (To the kids onstage) is to hand your adult the tape, the scissors, hold the ribbon, and any other thing like that. Ready? Go!

Optional, play game music. Play the game. Choose two adults who are good at wrapping presents. Before the game, remind them to use the kids to hand them all the items, hold the paper and ribbon in place, etc.

Co-Host

Even though the kid wasn’t wrapping the gift, his/her contribution was important.

Host

Yeah, it was. The job would have been harder without him/her. You might think you don’t do much, but when you do exactly what God asks you to do, you accomplish a lot. Let’s see if Rusty can be convinced of that.

2:33 Herman and Rusty Act 2 Herman and Rusty Act 2
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2), Button, Christmas Stocking Tote Bag, Engage 2 Activity
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Host and Co-Host enter.

Co-Host

Let’s repeat the Big Point,

Big Point SlideBig Point Slide

Co-Host

God Can Use Me!

Host

Rusty doesn’t think that’s true, but that’s not based on what is real. It’s based on how he feels at the moment. When you live your life based on your feelings, you’ll end up believing some untrue things.

Co-Host

That’s when it’s important to remind yourself of what the Bible says. The Bible shows us what God really thinks about us. Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.

Host

After we count down from three, we need you to read the verse.

0:0603 sec Countdown03 sec Countdown
Big Verse SlideBig Verse Slide

Co-Host

Luke 1:28 (NIrV), “The Lord has blessed you in a special way. He is with you.” This is what the angel, Gabriel, said to Mary. There weren’t many people saying this kind of thing to Mary, I’m sure. She wasn’t the most famous or rich or powerful person in Israel.

Host

That didn’t stop God from using her. He saw her heart, and God knew that she was willing to obey by being Jesus’ mom. You, also, have great things God has put inside of you. You may feel empty, but you’re not. (Show the empty inside of the Christmas stocking) You’re full of God’s help.

Co-Host

We need some volunteers to help us find the kinds of things God has put inside of us.

Use the Christmas Stocking Tote bag according to the directions. It can be purchased online at www.laflinmagicstore.com. If you don’t have this, you can substitute any change bag. Fill the bag prior to service with the slips of paper printed and cut from the Engage 2 activity. Have different kids reach in and retrieve a slip of paper. Read it to the kids and ask them why this trait or skill is something God can use.

Host

God has put all kinds of valuable things inside of us. At the right time, God will use those things to help others as part of His big plan. That’s why we want to always be ready to serve. Let’s take a moment to worship God.

Big Story
5:26 Big Story Video Big Story Video
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Mary responded with a “Yes” when God called her to serve. I love how she responded to God by worshipping Him and calling attention to the amazing things God had done. Worship is an opportunity to thank God for what He’s done and use our faith to trust that God is at work in our lives. We are going to do that in just a moment.

3:22 Herman and Rusty Act 3 Herman and Rusty Act 3
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2), Christmas Candy, Large Serving Spoon (2), Stocking (2)
Herman and Rusty TitleHerman and Rusty Title

Host and Co-Host enter.

Host

Rusty really saved the Christmas parade today. If he hadn’t been there, everything would have been ruined. He learned a valuable lesson about believing he can help and being ready to serve.

Co-Host

That’s the attitude that Mary had. She didn’t let anything stop her from agreeing to serve God. You might think that God would have chosen a princess to be Jesus’ mother, but He didn’t. He chose a young girl with a big heart to obey God. Our Big Point is true,

Big Point SlideBig Point Slide

Co-Host

God Can Use Me!

Host

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do so we can learn how to talk with our family about the Big Point!

H&R Big Do SlideH&R Big Do Slide

Co-Host

Today’s Big Do is to donate a toy to a toy drive. It’s a simple act, but one that blesses lots of kids. It’s a great way to share in God’s big plan.

Host

Your gift may seem small, but when all our gifts come together, it creates a big impact. That’s what this next game is all about. We have two teams who will compete to fill up these stockings with candy.

Co-Host

Team members will race one at a time to carry a spoonful of candy from the starting line to the stocking across the stage. Dump it in and then tag the next kid. Keep going until you fill the stocking.

1:0160 sec Countdown60 sec Countdown

Optional play game music. Play the game.

Host

Great job to our winners. Each of you did your part to win. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.

Small Group
Small Group SlideSmall Group Slide

Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.

  • What is something that God has given you the ability to do?

  • Why do you think God chose Mary, even though she wasn’t a princess or from a rich family? She had a willing heart to serve; she said, “Yes” to Him; He wanted all of us to know you don’t have to be a certain way to be used by Him

  • Share some reasons why Christmas is good news. Jesus came so we can be friends with God and follow Him; it shows us we can be used by God; it shows us how much God loves us

  • Have you ever felt like God was telling you to do something? What did you do?

Big Review
H&R BIG REVIEW BumperH&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.

Big Review SlidesBig Review Slides

  • Our Big Point says, God Can Use ______!

    • a. Famous People

    • b. Me

  • What was the name of the girl God chose to be part of His big plan?

    • a. Mary

    • b. Margaret

  • What Christmas character was Rusty dressed like at the Lab?

    • a. Reindeer

    • b. Elf

  • Luke 1:28 (NIrV), “The Lord has blessed you in a _______ way. He is with you.”

    • a. Special

    • b. Unimportant

  • Who appeared to tell Mary about God’s plan?

    • a. Priest

    • b. Angel

  • God prefers to use rich and famous people in His plan.

    • a. True

    • b. False

  • Name a way that God could use you in His plan.

  • How did Mary respond to the angel?

    • a. Yes

    • b. No

  • What would you tell a friend who thought that there was no way they could help others?

  • What is this week’s Big Do?

Donate a toy to a toy drive