Have a Peaceful Heart And Mind

Host

Today’s lesson could really help you have a much better week this week.

Co-Host

We’re learning how to walk in step with the Holy Spirit so we can see good fruit grow in our lives. One thing most of us face is worry.

Host

A lot of kids feel like they must be perfect in school or playing sports. That pressure makes it hard to have a calm attitude.

Co-Host

Let’s put our ability to remain calm to the test by playing the board game, “Perfection.” We have two teams of two kids who will compete to see which one can perfectly complete the gameboard before the timer runs out and everything pops back out.

Host

That ticking clock really amps up the non-peaceful feelings.

Co-Host

I’m glad we have the Holy Spirit’s help to be different.

Host

That’s what we’ll discover from the Bible today. First let’s check in on our friends at the lab. But before we do, tell someone something that calms you down.

Co-Host

Hannah seems really worried about her new job.

Host

Yeah, but I don’t think Rusty’s advice will be much help. What will help her more is God’s truth. Let’s check out our Big Point to see what God can do.

Co-Host

Get ready; after we count down from three, you read the Big Point.

Co-Host

Let’s all say the Big Point together, Have a Peaceful Heart and Mind!

Host

A peaceful mind begins by growing the Fruit of the Spirit in your life.

Host

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIrV) says, “But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.”

Co-Host

Do you ever wish you could know every potential problem and solution in the world? Some people believe that would bring them peace. It’s as if they believe that having enough information will calm their nerves.

Host

It reminds me of that book Rusty was reading, the Worst Case Scenario Handbook. Let’s see if we can guess the right solution to a bad situation.

Co-Host

Is that book like 5 million pages long? Otherwise, I don’t see how it could cover everything.

Host

That’s the point. There’s no manual that can tell you every potential disaster, but we can have peace because we serve a God who is wise, powerful, and never leaves us. No matter what you face, you can be sure that God is right beside you. That gives us peace. Let’s see if Hannah can discover that truth.

Co-Host

I disagree with Rusty that Hannah needs more in her bag. What she really needs is the Big Point,

Co-Host

Have A Peaceful Heart and Mind!

Host

You’re right about that. Let’s dig into God’s Word and see what He says about peace. We need a Lab Assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

Co-Host

Help as we count down from three, and then read the verse.

Co-Host

1 Peter 5:7 (NIrV), “Turn all your worries over to Him. He cares about you.”

Host

We can choose a peaceful attitude because we don’t have to deal with our worries by ourselves. We can give them to Jesus. Have you ever used one of these stress balls?

Co-Host

I’ve seen those. You squeeze them to relieve nerves, but they don’t always work.

Host

Squeezing foam can only help so much. It’s a better choice to give those nerves away. That’s what we’ll do in this game. Let’s pretend that these playground balls are giant stress balls. Each team will try to land as many of these as possible in the trash cans. The goal is to give those worries away.

Host

Great job to our winners. Peace comes from knowing that we can trust God. I remember an old song we sang in church when I was a kid. It said, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

Co-Host

We can choose peace because we know nothing surprises God. He can help us get through anything.

Host

In good times and bad times, God is with you. So don’t carry your fears and worries; give them to God and choose peace. Let’s stand and worship Him.

Some of you guys may be facing some challenges that have you worrying like crazy. Instead of continuing to stress out, let’s take a moment to give these worries to God in prayer. Take a moment to pause and tell Jesus what you’re concerned about. Ask Him to take those worries and help you choose peace. (Pause) Remember, you don’t have to carry those on your own. You have help. I’ll pray for all of us. (Pray)

Host

Stephen showed some serious peace when he remained calm in the middle of being killed.

Co-Host

You can tell that he walked in step with the Holy Spirit and lived the Big Point,

Co-Host

Have a Peaceful Heart and Mind!

Host

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do, so we can learn how to apply the Big Point this week.

Co-Host

The Big Do is to have each person in your family share something that makes you nervous. Then write it down and pray about it. Give it to Jesus. Afterwards see who can toss that paper into the trash can on the first try.

Host

That’s like the game we played earlier. Don’t hold on to those fears; give them away.

Co-Host

Let’s play a game and test our ability to stay peaceful when things get tense. We have two teams of kids who will play this giant Jenga.

Host

To make things a little more difficult, we are timing it. You have only 10 seconds to make your move. When time ends, you must move whatever piece you are touching.

Host

Great job to our winners. Let’s gather in Small Groups and discuss what we’ve learned.

• Why was Hannah nervous today? Rusty convinced her that she needed to prep for every possible problem on her first day of work

• What is something you worry about or that makes you nervous?

• Who do you talk to, or what do you do, when you’re worried about something?

• When we stay in step with the Holy Spirit, we receive peace. What are some ways we can stay in step with the Holy Spirit? Praying and asking Him for guidance, remembering ways He’s helped us before, thinking about everything we’re thankful for, reading our Bible, singing to God, etc.

• Our Big Point says, Have a ________ Heart and Mind!

  • Fearful

  • Peaceful

• Who was arrested for teaching about Jesus in the Big Story?

  • Stephen

  • Joseph

• Stephen was a leader in the early Church.

  • True

  • False

• 1 Peter 5:7 (NIrV), “Turn all your ______ over to Him. He cares about you.”

  • Homework

  • Worries

• Who do we give our worries to?

  • Family

  • Jesus

• Stephen was freaking out when the crowd attacked him.

  • True

  • False

• What’s one way you can stay calm when bad things happen?

• Why is it important to choose peace over worrying?

• What did Stephen ask God to do to the people who attacked him?

  • Kill them

  • Forgive them

• What is this week’s Big Do?

Write down something that makes you nervous. Then give it to Jesus by praying about it and tossing it into the trash.