The Lord Is My Provider
Hans Von Striker strikes again when he tricks Rusty into agreeing to give him $10,000! Rather than help him round up the old band, Herman teaches Rusty what it means that The Lord Is My Provider!
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Large Group Full Program
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Large Group Full Program Instructions
Countdown / Rules
⦁ Question of the Day: Who is the most happy, positive person you know?
WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2), Balloons, Hand Inflators, Straw, Long Piece Of String (2), Tape
Prior to the Welcome, cut the straw in half (to make two shorter straws) and slide one straw over each string. Tie the string from two structures. You could use two tables, chairs, or even something attached to the wall. Create two of these string setups. Tape the underside of a balloon to each straw. The kids will use the hand inflators or their own breath to blow up the balloons and let them fly in a race to see which balloon is the fastest.
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Let’s see how we can provide the most power to these balloons. We’re going to race them and see which one is the fastest.
Choose a few kids to play the game.
Co-Host
When I say, “Go,” use the pump to blow up the balloon. When I say, “Stop,” you must stop and hold the end of the balloon with your fingers.
Host
When I say, “Race,” let go of the end, and we’ll see which balloon reaches the finish the fastest.
Optional, play game music. Play as many rounds as time allows.
Host
Great job. You provided a lot of power just using air. You may not have thought you could do it, but you did.
Co-Host
We all need help sometimes. We get it from our parents, teachers, and friends. But some problems are even too big for them.
Host
Thankfully, Psalm 23 from the Bible tells us about someone who provides all we need, even when life gets tough.
Co-Host
That will be helpful information. Let’s check in with our helpful friends at the lab. As we do, tell someone nearby the best meal someone has ever made for you.
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2), Empty Tube Illusion, Silks
The Empty Tube illusion and specific instructions are available at laflinmagicstore.com. If you don’t have access to this illusion, you can substitute a different one, such as Lotta Bowl or Change Bag.
The Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
That Hans von Striker is up to his old tricks again. This time, Rusty might be in real trouble.
Co-Host
Where will he get that much money from? This might be too big of a problem, even for Herman.
Host
It might be, but the Big Point points out Someone who can help us with even the biggest challenges. Let’s check out our Big Point and find out who that is.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
After we count down from three, read the Big Point.
Co-Host
Let’s all say it together, The Lord Is My Provider! God is the One who we can trust to give us all we need, even when our problems seem bigger than us.
Host
That’s why we need faith. Faith is believing that Jesus tells the truth and will do everything He’s promised. Look at this tube. It’s empty, right? Wouldn’t it be hard to believe that God could provide food if your fridge was bare?
Pull out a silk from the tube.
Co-Host
But God can provide even then. What if it seems like you have no friends to stick with you? You might feel all alone.
Show the empty tube. Then, pull out another silk.
Host
God can provide people to help, even when it seems like you’re alone. Maybe you think that your brain just can’t figure out math or science or reading. It feels empty.
Show the empty tube and produce more silks.
Co-Host
God can help us learn new things and understand what our teachers teach.
Host
It’s not just that God can provide. God loves to provide for us. He wants to take care of us and help us. God is working for our good.
Produce more silks from the tube according to the instructions.
Co-Host
That would be a helpful thing to explain to Rusty since he really needs a lot of help. Let’s check out what’s happening in the Lab.
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2), Button, Table, Cup, Large Jar, Water, Pan
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Let’s repeat the Big Point,
Co-Host
** The Lord Is My Provider!**
Host
I don’t think Rusty’s band idea will help him get out of this mess with Hans von Striker. I’m glad Herman brought up getting help from God.
Co-Host
Could God help him with that big of a problem?
Host
Let me show you something. Let’s do a water challenge. This jar is pretty full of water. We have several kids who will attempt to pour water into the jar. You’re trying to fill it with as much water as possible without going over the sides.
Co-Host
The one who does go over loses.
Play the game. Prior to the Engage, fill the jar with water up to almost the very top. Have a pan underneath to catch the water once it spills over.
Host
That was tense, but back when King David wrote Psalm 23, having a cup that spilled over was a sign of having lots of blessings.
Co-Host
That’s exactly what King David wrote about in Psalm 23. Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal what King David wrote in the Big Verse.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Host
After we count down from three, you can read the verse.
Co-Host
Psalm 23:5 (NIrV), “You pour oil on my head. My cup runs over.” I love the picture that King David paints in the Psalm about God. He’s the God who doesn’t just give us enough to barely squeak by. God is so good that He gives above and beyond.
Host
God has helped us before, and He keeps on helping us. That’s why we can trust God to provide for us in small things and big things.
Co-Host
When God provides, it’s more than enough.
Pour more water into the jar to make it flow over again.
Host
That is a great reason to worship God.
Big Story
It’s so good to remember that God provides over and above anything we could ask or think, and that He will do it right in front of Satan. Let’s practice meditating Psalm 23. We’ll say this verse together, and then I will lead you in praying this verse. Repeat after me, “My cup runs over.” (Repeat a few times) Let’s add our other verses from Psalm 23. “The Lord is my Shepherd. He guides me in the right paths. I will not be afraid. You are with me. My cup runs over.” (Repeat one or two more times.) Now let’s pray, “I thank You, Jesus, for making my cup run over.” (Repeat a few times)
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
The Israelites’ enemy wanted to curse them and bring them down, but God wouldn’t let it happen. He wanted to provide good things for them, so He used a not so nice guy to bless them.
Co-Host
That gives us confidence that God can provide for us, too. Even if someone wanted something bad for us, we can trust God to help us and bless us. Let’s say it again,
Co-Host
The Lord Is My Provider!
Host
Let’s check out this week’s Big Do....
Host
...to learn how to talk with our family about the Big Point!
Co-Host
Today’s Big Do requires you to go through your house and look at all your toys, games, books, etc. Then, thank the Lord for all that He has provided for your family.
Host
Let’s think of some ways that God provides for us. Can you share something God has done to help you or your family?
Interview the kids and discuss how God worked in that situation.
Co-Host
Often, God uses us as part of His big plan to help others. We get to be part of providing good things that God wants to bless people with. Let’s think of some ways we can help others.
Interviews a few kids.
Host
I love that God blesses us and that we can be part of helping others. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.
Small Group
Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.
Share a time when God helped you or your family.
How did God help the Israelites when King Balak wanted to curse them? God caused Balaam to bless the Israelites, and in the end, they won the battle.
What does it mean in Psalm 23 that our cup runs over? It means that God blesses us even more than we could ask for. He gives us more than we need so we can help others.
What is this week’s Big Do? Go through your house and look at all of your toys, games, books, etc. Then, thank the Lord for all that He has provided for your family.
Big Review
Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
Our Big Point says, The Lord Is My ______!
- Provider
What did King Balak want to do to the Israelites?
Curse them
Bless them
What did Rusty try to form to make the money he needed?
Band
Theatre troupe
Psalm 23:5 (NIrV), “You pour oil on my head. My cup runs _____.”
Over
Low
What did Balaam’s donkey do when he tried to make it keep walking?
Sat down
Spoke
Name one way that God has helped you.
When Balaam finally spoke, he cursed the Israelites.
True
False
What does it mean that God makes our cup run over?
God can only help us with small problems.
True
False
What is this week’s Big Do? Go through your house and look at all of your toys, games, books, etc. Then thank the Lord for all that He has provided for your family.