I Want To Be More Like Jesus
Ethel loses her Easter bunny job because of a lie spread on social media by Hans Von Striker. She has to choose how to react.
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Large Group Full Program
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Large Group Full Program Instructions
Countdown / Rules
Question of the Day: If you could grow up to be like anyone other than Jesus, who would you want to be like?
WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2), Blindfold (6)
The Host and Co-Host enter, wearing lab coats.
Host
Welcome to the Lab!
The Co-Host attempts to copy the Host’s exact mannerisms and voice.
Co-Host
Welcome to the Lab!
Host
I said that.
Co-Host
I said that.
Host
Stop copying me.
Co-Host
Stop copying me.
Host
I look dorky today.
Co-Host
You look dorky today. (Pause) C’mon, I’m just trying to copy my buddy. I mean, who better to copy than you?
Host
I can think of someone way better to copy than me, but your copying makes me think of a game. Let’s play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. (Bring out two teams of two kids) But here’s the twist. Today you’ll play as a team with the person across from you. Your goal is to pick the same thing (rock, paper, or scissors) as your partner each time.
Co-Host
Let’s make it more challenging. We’ll put blindfolds on each of you so you can’t see what your partner chooses. Let’s see which team copies each other correctly the most.
Play multiple rounds of the game to decide which team gets the most correct.
Co-Host
Congrats to our winners. Are you going to tell me who I should copy now?
Host
In a moment, but first we are going to visit our friends at the lab. As we do, tell someone nearby if you’ve ever copied your brother or sister just to annoy them.
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
I can’t believe that Hans Von Striker lied about Ethel.
Host
I can believe it. That guy is always causing problems for Herman and the gang. I hope that Ethel can get her job back.
Co-Host
(To the kids) How would you react if someone did that you?
Interview a few kids.
Host
Let’s check out our Big Point to see whose example we can follow in any situation. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
After we count down from three, we need you to read the Big Point.
Host
Let’s all say it together, I Want To Be More Like Jesus!
Co-Host
The goal of every Christian is to become more like Jesus. As Jesus’ followers, we should copy Jesus’ words and actions.
Host
If you don’t act and speak like Jesus, then how will people know that He is your leader? When Jesus is our leader, others should see a difference in how we live our lives. Speaking of copying a leader, let’s play a fun game.
Bring out the group of kids to play the game along with an adult volunteer.
Co-Host
This is a simple game of follow the leader. These kids will sit in a circle. I’m going to choose one of them to be the leader, and our adult volunteer is going to try to guess which one is the leader. I need you (adult volunteer) to leave the stage/room for just a moment.
Dismiss the volunteer.
Host
Here’s how to play. When (Adult’s name) comes back out, wave your arms up, down, and all around. After a few seconds, the leader, you (choose one of the kids to be the leader), will do a different motion, for example this (Slightly change the motion). Everyone else must follow the leader quickly. Then the leader will slyly change his/her motions ever few seconds, and the rest of you should quickly follow.
Bring out an adult volunteer. Allow the kids to play the game. See if the adult volunteer can pick out which one is the leader. If time allows, play more rounds.
Co-Host
Great job! People should be able to take one look at us and know who our leader is because of how we speak and act.
Host
When we behave in a way that matches Jesus’ priorities, that’s a pretty good indicator that Jesus is our leader. Being a Christian is all about following Jesus.
Co-Host
I hope that Ethel will choose to be more like Jesus in how she reacts to Hans Von Striker. Let’s see what happens.
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2), Ball Bead Chain or Newton’s Beads, Glass Jar or Beaker
Host and Co-Host enter. This object lesson uses a chain of ball beads, like you might use on a pair of dog tags or necklace. It can be purchased as a spool to create a longer chain. Newton’s Beads can also be purchased in stores or online at www.stevespanglerscience.com as a ready to go experiment.
Host
The news just keeps getting worse for Ethel. I can’t believe they fired her from being a bunny.
Co-Host
I can understand why Ethel wants to hit Hans Von Striker, but I’m glad that she didn’t. It’s not always easy, but the best choice is always to follow our Big Point,
Co-Host
I Want To Be More Like Jesus!
Host
Herman shared a Big Verse that reminds us of what to do, even in tough situations. Let’s choose an assistant to reveal it.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
After we count down from three, we will reveal the verse and you get to read it.
Co-Host
1 Peter 2:21 (NIrV) says, “He left you an example He expects you to follow.” Jesus’ life is an example for us of how to live our lives. Jesus lived through the same kinds of challenges we face, but He made the right choices.
Host
Some of the problems that piled on Jesus were way worse than anything we’ve faced, but Jesus didn’t change just because something bad happened.
Co-Host
When you act more like Jesus, you defy the world’s expectations. Most people expect you to react badly when bad things happen.
Host
Choosing to be more like Jesus means that you choose to not react the way you could. In fact, you react in a totally opposite way because you follow Jesus’ example.
Choose a volunteer or volunteers to help with the experiment. Depending on the number of strands of beads you have, you can have each volunteer hold their own cup or jar of beads to demonstrate.
Co-Host
Let’s explore this a little more with a science experiment. (Bring out the volunteers) This is a cup of beads, like you’d find on a necklace or at the store. If someone told you to get those beads out of the jar, they’d probably expect you to just dump them out.
Host
There’s a different way to get them out of the jar. (Demonstrate as you explain) Take the end of the bead and drop it over the side, like this.
Pull the end of the strand of beads over the side of the cup or jar. As the bead drops, the rest of the strand will follow, as if pulling itself up and over the side of the jar, demonstrating the Mould Effect.
Host
Just because others react a certain way doesn’t mean that you have to join them. You can be different than everyone else and choose to be more like Jesus. Let’s stand and worship God.
Big Story
Optional, play soft instrumental music.
Let’s do that now. I want you to bow your heads and close your eyes. Think about a difficult situation you are facing. It may be listening to your parents or what to do about someone who is being mean to you at school. Take a moment and ask God, “What would Jesus do if He were me?” Then listen and see if He brings something to your mind. (Pause) Raise your hand if you heard God say something to you, in your heart. Great. You can put your hands down. If you didn’t hear anything yet, don’t worry. Keep listening because God loves to guide you, and He wants to help you speak, and act, and think more like Jesus.
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Ethel showed a lot of grace by helping Hans Von Striker. She followed Jesus’ example. I can’t believe that Hans repaid her kindness by spreading more lies.
Host
She can be proud of the way she acted. Jesus’ example is different from what we see in our world. His disciples fought to be number one, but Jesus showed them and us that Jesus came to serve. We should make sure that Jesus is the example we all follow. Let’s say our Big Point,
Host
I Want To Be More Like Jesus!
Co-Host
That’s a story you can share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do.
Host
Find someone this week who you can serve. You could help your parents in the kitchen, assist with chores, or hold the door open for someone. Look for ways to serve like Jesus did.
Co-Host
Let’s talk about some ways that we be more like Jesus this week wherever we go.
Interview some kids and have them suggest ways to be more like Jesus at school, home, at sporting events, playing with friends, etc.
Host
No matter where we are, we can choose to be more like Jesus. Let’s turn and connect with our Small Groups and talk about loving God.
Small Group
Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.
Why was it difficult for Ethel to choose the right attitude today? Because Hans Von Striker was lying about her and creating trouble. Have you ever had a hard time doing the right thing when someone at school made life difficult for you?
What did Jesus’ disciples want from Jesus? They wanted to become the leaders of Jesus’ Kingdom. What did Jesus tell them about that request? Jesus explained that was how the rest of the world acted, but they should be like Him. Jesus came to serve not to be served.
Why is it important to act like Jesus? Acting and speaking like Jesus shows that you follow Him as your leader. Jesus never made a mistake, and when we follow Him, it will always be the right choice.
What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Serve someone like Jesus did.
Big Review
Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
Our Big Point says I Want To Be ______ Like Jesus!
More
Less
What was Hans Von Striker competing with Ethel to become?
Head Easter bunny
The shopping mall manager
What were the Jewish leaders in the Big Story called?
Pharisees
Priests
What were the names of the two brothers who followed Jesus?
Judas and Thomas
James and John
What did James and John want from Jesus?
To be the most important
To be servants
1 Peter 2:21 (NIrV): “He left you a/an _____ he expects you to follow.”
Rule
Example
How does being more like Jesus show that you are His follower?
If being like Jesus means acting differently than everyone else, what should you do?
Being more like Jesus is something we should only do if we feel like doing it.
True
False
What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do?
Serve someone like Jesus did.