The Lord Is My Protector
After Rusty gets robbed he builds a security robot to protect him, but the robot seems to have a couple wires crossed. Can Herman and the gang help him understand that The Lord is his protector?
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Large Group Full Program
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Large Group Full Program Instructions
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⦁ Question of the Day: If you had to choose any animal, other than a dog, to guard you, which animal would you choose?
WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2), Soft Dodgeball, Softshell Headgear (2), Sunglasses
Host and Co-Host enter. This Welcome will play a dodgeball-style game. Using a soft gator-style ball will reduce the potential for injury. Also, consider having the participants wear softshell foam headgear to protect them from accidental throws above the shoulders.
Host
We have a really fun game planned to start the day. Are you ready? This game is called “Protect the President.”
Choose 8 to 10 kids to play the game.
Co-Host
Do you know how the president has bodyguards for protection? Well, for this game, we’ve chosen an adult volunteer to represent the president. We’ve also selected a kid to be his/her bodyguard.
Host
On either side of the “president” are the bad guys. These kids will try to hit the president with the dodgeball. You can toss it at the “president” or toss it to the other side to fake him/her out.
Co-Host
The kid’s job is to protect the “president” from getting hit. Neither the “president” nor the bad guys can move their feet. Only the bodyguard can move.
Optional, play game music. Play the game. To play extra rounds, have the kid who successfully hits the “president” become the bodyguard and continue playing.
Host
That was tough to keep him/her protected from the kids tossing the dodge ball.
Co-Host
Yeah, you had to be completely focused, or else the “president” was in trouble. Do you think we have someone protecting us who is always watching?
Host
That’s exactly what we’ll discover today by looking at Psalm 23 from the Bible.
Co-Host
Before we do that, we are going to see what's going on in the lab. As we do, tell someone nearby which famous person you would choose as your bodyguard.
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2), Ping Pong Balls, Umbrella, Kiddie Pool, Jar of Water
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Does Rusty’s robot seem a little dangerous?
Co-Host
So much for being a guard robot. Who’s going to protect Rusty from it?!
Host
I’m glad we have a better guard to watch over us. Let’s check out our Big Point and see who that is.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
After we count down from three, you read the Big Point. Then we’ll read it together!
Co-Host
Let’s all say it together, The Lord Is My Protector! Psalm 23 describes how God protects us.
Host
King David, who wrote that Psalm, knew all about God’s protection. That’s because God helped David get out of many dangerous situations.
Co-Host
God covers you with His protection. I like to think of it like this. Let’s have a volunteer (choose a child) stand inside this kiddie pool.
Have the child stand inside the pool.
Host
How do you feel about me pouring this jar of water on top of you? You did pack an extra change of clothes for service, right? (Pause for response) That’s too bad. You’ll dry off pretty quickly.
Co-Host
What could we give him/her to protect him/her from the water? An umbrella, exactly. I like to think of God’s protection like an umbrella. It covers us when bad things happen.
Have the child hold up the open umbrella. Pour the ping pong balls onto the umbrella.
Host
Even though we have God as our Protector, that doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen. It doesn’t mean we’ll never get hurt or sick. It does mean that God is always watching over us.
Co-Host
Even when something bad happens, we may not realize the worse thing God protected us from experiencing.
Host
That’s why we put our trust in Jesus to watch over us and protect us. Ask Him to cover you with His power. It’s much better than Rusty’s robot. Let’s see how that’s going.
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2), Button, Large Glass Jar, Glass Cup, Tea Light, Lighter, Water, Table
Prior to this Engage, fill the jar about 2/3 full of water.
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Let’s repeat the Big Point,
Co-Host
The Lord Is My Protector!
Host
Rusty’s robot wasn’t supposed to do that, but he put in the wrong programming. It’s a good thing he has a protector in God.
Co-Host
That’s what King David wanted everyone to understand when he wrote Psalm 23. Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse from that Psalm.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Host
After we count down from three, you get to read the verse.
Co-Host
Psalm 23:4 (NIrV), “I will not be afraid. You are with me.” Have you ever rushed into your parents’ room at night because you heard a strange noise? Being with them doesn’t make the noise go away, but it is comforting just to be near them.
Host
That’s because you trust they can care for you if they’re nearby. Think back to when you first went to school. Some of you were pretty scared to leave their side. I wish we could say that scary things won’t happen around us, but they do. It’s like this candle.
Place the tea light candle in the large glass jar on top of the water.
Co-Host
That’s like us. Sometimes, we feel like we’re stuck in the middle of a sea of problems all by ourselves, but thankfully, that’s not true. Psalm 23 reminds us that we aren’t alone.
Host
We have a protector in Jesus. If I pushed this candle underwater, what would happen? The flame would go out, but watch what happens when I protect it with this cup.
Place the glass cup over the tea light and push it down. The tea light will go under the water, but the vacuum of air inside the cup will keep the water out and the wick burning.
Co-Host
The light is still going. Just like the cup protected the flame, God can protect us in the middle of the toughest situations.
Host
No matter what, you can count on the fact that you will never be alone.
Lift the glass back up and allow the lighted candle to continue floating.
Co-Host
Let’s take a moment to stand and worship God.
Big Story
Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. We live in a world where bad things happen. Instead of trying to deal with these scary things by yourself, you can ask and trust God, your Shepherd, to protect you. God can help you walk through any scary thing that comes your way. That’s how much He loves you. The key is remembering in those moments that your Protector is with you.
To help us remember, we’re going to repeat our Big Verses from last week and today so they stick with us. Let’s all close our eyes so we can focus and repeat after me, “The Lord is my shepherd. (The Lord is my shepherd) He guides me in the right paths. (He guides me in the right paths) I will not be afraid. (I will not be afraid) You are with me. (You are with me)” Repeat the phrases again. Great! Now let’s put it all together, “The Lord is my shepherd. He guides me in the right paths. I will not be afraid. You are with me.” (Repeat one or two more times) Great job! You can keep your eyes closed while I pray for you.
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2), Inflatable Hammer, Tarp, Helmet (4)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
God helped Israel win the battle against a powerful enemy. He protected them as they traveled to their new land.
Co-Host
That gives us confidence that God will watch over and protect us, too. Repeating the Big Point is a great way to build your faith when bad things happen. Let’s say it again,
Co-Host
The Lord Is My Protector!
Host
Let’s check out this week’s Big Do to learn how to talk with our family about the Big Point!
Co-Host
Today’s Big Do is to have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then, pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.
Host
We learned that shepherds carried rods and staffs to protect the sheep from danger. God’s power comforts us because He fights for us. In this game, you’re going to use your rod, this inflatable hammer, to protect yourself.
Co-Host
It’s a life size version of whack-a-mole. You have 60 seconds to try to get as many points as possible. Just like the arcade game, the “moles” will pop up from different circles. You have to bop them lightly with the hammer. Each successful hit nabs you a point. Let’s see who has the most points at the end.
Optional, play game song. Play the game. You can create the whack-a-mole board from a tarp, bedsheet, or foam board. Just cut 3-5 circles large enough for someone to pop through. Give each person playing the mole a motorcycle or bicycle helmet and instruct the contestant not to swing hard.
Host
Great job. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.
Small Group
Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.
How did Rusty’s invention backfire?
Have you ever faced something scary? Tell us what happened.
How does it help to know that God is with us? Can you think of a time that God protected you?
What is this week’s Big Do? Have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then, pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.
Big Review
Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
Our Big Point says, The Lord Is My ______!
President
Protector
What did Rusty build to protect him, but it ended up attacking him?
Trap
Robot
The Amalekites attacked the Israelites because the Israelites had stolen from them.
True
False
Psalm 23:4 (NIrV), “I will not be afraid. You are _____ me.”
With
Far From
What happened when Moses raised his arms during the battle?
Who came to help Moses when his arms grew tired?
- **Aaron and Hur** - Joshua and JosephName a way that God can help us during a scary situation.
What could you do the next time you wake up in the middle of the night and feel nervous or scared?
Psalm 23 says that “Your ____ and staff comfort me.”
Voice
Rod
What is this week’s Big Do?
Have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.