I Can Have Peace When I’m Sad

Host Welcome to the Lab. Okay, we have a question for you that we want you to answer honestly. Have you ever cried while watching a movie?

Co-Host Guilty. Elf.

Host Elf?

Co-Host If you don’t cry when they’re singing, “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” then your heart is made of stone. Ugh! I just remembered the scene. I may need a minute.

Host We have a little movie trivia. We’re going to describe a sad scene from a movie and see if you can guess the movie.

(Co-Host is crying.)

Host Why are you crying?

Co-Host I just remembered the scene where Bing Bong sacrificed himself for Joy. Take her to the moon for me. Take her to the moon!

(Co-Host breaks down in tears again.)

Host Today we’ll discover how to have peace when we feel sad. Stand to your feet and tell someone nearby which of these movies is the saddest, in your opinion. Let’s see what's happening at the lab.

Co-Host I’m worried how Ethel might react if she doesn’t pass her driver’s test. Have you ever failed at something?

Host How did it make you feel?

Co-Host I have, and it made me feel sad. If I’m honest, I felt like quitting.

Host Sadness is one of those emotions that we will all experience.

Co-Host It doesn’t matter who you are, either. Everyone fails at some point. Everyone loses someone special at some point. Everyone feels pain.

Host The question isn’t how to avoid sadness, but rather, how to react when you feel sad?

Co-Host We’ll discover a great response in our Big Point. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.

Host You can help us count down from three. Then read the Big Point.

Host Let’s all say it together, I Can Have Peace When I’m Sad!

Co-Host Remember, we can’t permanently avoid sad situations.

Host Having peace comes from what’s on the inside. It’s like these two bouncy balls. Let’s choose a couple of assistants to help us out.

Co-Host Inspect these bouncy balls. Do they look the same? Do they feel the same? Show them to the audience. Let’s try bouncing them.

Co-Host Let’s switch and have you try it again.

Host They look the same, but they aren’t. This ball that bounces is made of a rubber, where the molecules have space in between. That space makes them bounce when dropped. The other ball is made of a rubber with no space. When it hits the ground, it stays there.

Co-Host What makes the difference is what is on the inside.

Host If you want to bounce back when you feel sad, it’s important to have the right things on the inside. We need God’s presence and help to choose peace when we feel sad. Let’s see how Ethel’s driving test went.

Host Ethel is really upset.

Co-Host She’s acting like she’ll never try to get back on the road again. The Big Point could really help her. Let’s say our Big Point,

Co-Host I Can Have Peace When I’m Sad!

Host The Bible has something to say about what God can do when we’re sad. Let’s check out the Big Verse.

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

Co-Host Psalm 34:18 (NIrV) says, “The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken.”

Host There are a lot of things that can break your heart. Let’s think of some of those things.

Co-Host That’s when you might feel like giving up, but we’re not alone. God is close to us. He gives us His love and His help. Let’s think of some of the ways that God helps us when our hearts have been broken.

Host You are never alone, even when your emotions make you feel that way.

Co-Host God’s love helps you choose peace when you’re sad because you know that the pain isn’t forever. God can heal your broken heart.

Host That’s why it’s important to remind yourself of what is true. That’s something a guy in the Bible had to learn. Before we hear his story, let’s take a moment to stand and worship God.

I have no idea what’s making you sad today, but I do know that we serve a God who cares about you, who has a plan for your life, and who is with you right now. God has given you lots of people in this church who care about you and will stand with you through whatever you face. Today I want to invite you guys to come down and pray with an adult volunteer. Together you can talk about what is making you sad. Then pray and ask God for His peace and receive His healing in your heart. Let’s stand and come forward.

Co-Host I’m glad to see that Ethel passed her test.

Host She didn’t let sadness take over. It’s like Elijah in our story. He was reminded that God never left him as he followed the Big Point

Host I Can Have Peace When I’m Sad!

Co-Host Elijah thought he was alone, but he wasn’t. I guess that shows you that your feelings aren’t always telling you the truth.

Host That’s why you need God’s truth. That’s something you can discuss when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host Make a list of good things that God has placed in your life. Put that list on the fridge, and the next time anyone in your family feels sad, read the list and remember that God is close to you.

Co-Host Let’s play a game where the contestants have to stay close. It’s a three-legged race with a twist. We’re going to tie your legs together, but you also have to keep this heart balloon between you the whole time you race. If you drop it, you have to go back to the start line.

Host Race from the starting cones to the other cones and back to the start. Ready? Go!

Host Great job. I’m glad that God stays close to us and helps our broken hearts. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned from the Bible.

• Why was Ethel sad? Have you ever failed and wanted to give up? What happened?
• Why did Elijah want to quit? He was threatened by the evil queen. Elijah felt all alone. How did God show up to Elijah? God was in the whisper What did God tell Elijah? He wasn’t alone. God had 7,000 people who still served Him.
• What are some ways that God can help you when you feel sad?
• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Make a list of good things that God has placed in your life

• Our Big Point says I Can Have Peace When I’m _______!

  • Sad
  • Winning

• What was the name of the prophet who ran away?

  • Ahab
  • Elijah

• What did Ethel fail?

  • Driving Test
  • Science Test

• Why was the queen mad at Elijah?

  • He taught God’s Word
  • He worshipped idols

• Elijah felt all alone.

  • True
  • False

• Psalm 34:18 (NIrV), “The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been ______.”

  • Broken
  • Restored

• Where did Elijah hear God’s voice?

  • Earthquake
  • Whisper

• Why is not always a good idea to listen to our feelings?

• Elijah was not the only one in Israel who worshipped God.

  • True
  • False

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Make a list of good things that God has placed in your life