Keep Out The Bad

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

Host These adult volunteers are tossing “popcorn,” aka ping pong balls, into the popcorn tubs. The catch? The kids are only supposed to catch the colored ping pong balls. Any white ping pong ball cancels out a colored one.

Co-Host Great job to our winners. It was hard to keep out the wrong ones when so many were getting tossed at once.

Host That’s true, and keeping out wrong things is really important. In fact, that’s what we’re going to discover today in the Bible.

Co-Host I have to go finish popping some popcorn. I heard that it’s movie night for Herman and the gang.

Host While we get ready to check in at the lab, stand to your feet and tell someone nearby which movie snack you prefer: Popcorn or candy.

Co-Host I think that movie might be bothering them more than they are willing to admit.

Host Do you think they’re scared? Have you ever watched something so terrifying that you dreamed about it later?

Co-Host Some of those things seem so interesting that you talk yourself into watching them.

Host Unfortunately, I’ve had those same conversations with myself. Let’s check out our Big Point and see what it says you should do when you find yourself in the middle of that conversation of, “Should I or shouldn’t I?” I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.

(Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.)

Co-Host You will help as we count down from three and then read the Big Point.

Host Let’s all say it together, Keep Out The Bad! That means that to guard your heart…

Co-Host ...Just to remind everyone, our heart is the invisible part of us where we make the choice to connect with God. It’s really important....

Host ...Right, and if you want to guard it and keep it healthy, it means saying, “No” to some things, even things that might look interesting.

Co-Host Or saying, “No” to things that you wanted to do because you don’t want to be the only one at school not doing them. Let’s take a look at some things and decide if they are okay or if we should block them.

Host If we should allow them, give us a thumbs up. If we should keep it out of our hearts, use your arms to make an “x.”

• Inappropriate Jokes

• Talking with our parents

• Movies

• Video Games

• Notes at School Sharing Gossip

• Sports

• Social Media Apps

• Violent Comic Books

• Music with Bad Words

• Inappropriate Websites

• Hanging Out with Friends

Co-Host Wow, you really have to think about what to let in and what to keep out.

Host That’s true. We don’t have to say, “No” to everything. There’s a lot of good stuff, but if anything we read or watch or listen to goes against what the Bible says is good, that can be a problem.

Co-Host If what you’re allowing into your heart steers you away from God instead of towards Him, then it’s probably not helping your heart. I wonder how Rusty, Ethel, and Sophia are doing.

Host I think that movie has really affected them.

Co-Host They thought it was just a harmless movie, but even things that seem harmless can affect your heart. It’s important to

Co-Host Keep Out The Bad!

Host The Bible is a book that was written a long time ago, but the truth in it still helps us with problems we face today. Let’s find out what the Bible says about this in today’s Big Verse.

(Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.)

Co-Host Help as we count down from three, and then you’ll read the verse.

Co-Host Proverbs 4:23 (NIrV) says, “Above everything else, guard your heart. Everything you do comes from it.”

Host We have to guard our hearts because what we put in is what we will get out.

Co-Host Like gardening. You can’t plant tomato seeds and expect to grow bananas.

Host We have some balloons, and on each balloon is written something that we can put into our hearts. We’re going to pop them and see what comes out of each balloon.

Host What you put in your heart makes a big difference.

Co-Host If you want to have a good connection to God, then you have to keep out the bad stuff that tries to get in the way.

Host Yup, your actions, words, thoughts, and faith will all be changed by what goes in and comes out of your heart. Let’s put something good inside by standing and worshipping Jesus.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. I want you to think about what you’re putting into your heart. Is it helpful? Is it making things worse? Guarding your heart means that sometimes you have to say, “No” to certain things or even certain people. That’s not always an easy choice, but it’s the right choice. Take a moment, right where you sit, to talk to God. Tell Him about the thing you’re having trouble keeping out, and ask God to help you say, “No” to what doesn’t belong in your heart. (Pause) I’ll take a moment to pray for all of us.

Co-Host I’m glad they were finally able to get some sleep.

Host Yeah, and I’m sure they will think hard about the kinds of stuff they let inside. The Big Point is true,

Host Keep Out The Bad!

Co-Host That was a lesson that Lot didn’t learn. It cost him big time. When you see bad stuff, stay away.

Host You can share what you’ve learned today when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host Play a game of trash can basketball. Technically you can use almost anything as the target. Wad up paper or use nerf balls and have one person shoot and the other block. See who can block the most shots.

Co-Host Let’s practice avoiding things. We’ve chosen two adult volunteers and a group of kids to play a little game of dodgeball. Our adult volunteers will stand on either side of the play area and toss these beach balls. If it touches you, then you’re out. Let’s see who can last the whole time.

Host Good job avoiding danger. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned.

• Have you ever been tempted like Rusty and the gang to watch or look at something you knew wouldn’t be good for you? Why was it hard to resist the temptation? How did watching the movie affect Rusty and his friends? They were fearful and anxious and filled with negative thoughts and words

• Why was it a mistake for Lot to choose the land near the city? The people of the city made bad choices and it affected Lot’s family

• What should you do if your friends are trying to get you to look at something that you know isn’t good for your heart? Tell them, “No.” Avoid those friends. Suggest a good alternative. Talk to your teacher and parents and ask for advice.

• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Play a game of trash can basketball and see who can block the most shots.

• Our Big Point says, Keep Out the ______! Good Bad

• What kind of movie did Rusty and his friends watch? Horror Comedy

• What happened after Herman’s friends watched the movie? They had a peaceful night They couldn’t sleep

• What was the name of Abraham’s nephew? Little Lot

• Why did Abraham and Lot have to separate? Flocks were too large They wanted to play the same video game

• Proverbs 4:23 (NIrV), “Above everything else, guard your heart. ________ you do comes from it.” Everything Some things

• What was wrong with the city Lot chose to live beside? Pollution They disobeyed God

• Putting bad things in your heart won’t affect you much. True False

• What should you do if your friends suggest something that will hurt your heart?

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Play a game of trash can basketball and see who can block the most shots.