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Series Note
Each Summer to the Max lesson incorporates a special venue into the service. Adding a venue allows the summer schedule to change while keeping the focus on Biblical truth. Venues can be done during the first 30 minutes of service or final 30 minutes of service. If you are also utilizing Summer to the Max Junior lessons, consider keeping one venue at the beginning and one at the end. That will keep costs down by allowing both groups to enjoy the same venue. Each lesson offers multiple venue options at different price points to accommodate your budget. Promoting the venues ahead of time will build excitement for Summer to the Max!
Venue Ideas
Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.
Art Show
Have the kids create an art show by painting or drawing pictures using different medium. Display the pictures in the room for parents to view at pickup.
Color War
Create your own powdered color (Find directions in downloadable lesson) and have the kids wear white. Plan various color based activities for the kids to do outside.
Science Show
Create your own science show featuring different experiments then present on stage.
The Big Do is an experiment to send home for the kids to do with their family. You can print and send home. It is available to download in printables.
Host
Welcome to Summer To The Max! If you are living as a follower of Jesus and obeying what He says, then you will definitely take your life to the max.
Co-Host
That’s because Jesus promised us that He came to bring life and bring it to the full. That sounds like a life lived to the max. I’m glad that Jesus loves us enough to do that.
Host
Let’s check out our Big Point to discover how to follow Jesus.
Co-Host
We need everyone to help us count down from three, and then we’ll read the Big Point.
Host
Let’s all say it together, I Am Sincere! You may not use that word a lot, but I’m sure you’ve experience what it’s like when someone isn’t sincere.
Co-Host
Imagine a friend says to you, “You are my best friend in the whole world,” but then that same person goes over to another person and says, “I can’t stand her. She’s so annoying.” That is an insincere person.
Host
Let’s demonstrate with a little science. I need a volunteer to help us on stage.
Choose a child to help.
Co-Host
I need you to pour water into this empty jar and add a few drops of food coloring.
Have the child add the water and food coloring.
Host
If we add some oil to this mixture, what do you think will happen? (Allow the child to answer) Let’s see what happens.
Add an equal amount of oil to match the water in the jar. Attach the lid and move it to the side.
Co-Host
Once that jar sits for a moment, the oil and water will separate. We have one that we’ve already given a chance to settle.
Show the second jar with the oil and water already separated.
Host
That’s what it looks like when you’re not sincere. You are divided. You are like two different people. Maybe you act one way at church, and a different way at school. That is not what a to the max life with Jesus looks like.
Co-Host
A true follower of Jesus is sincere. That means he or she is the same person, no matter where they are. It also means that Jesus is the only leader in that person’s life. No one and nothing else rivals Jesus as the boss.
Host
Let’s help our mixture out. Add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture, attach the lid, and shake it.
Have the child do that.
Co-Host
That dish soap helps the mixture stay together as one unit. That’s what happens to you when you choose Jesus as your number one leader. You become one whole sincere person.
Prior to the Engage, cut the water bottles in half. The top of the bottle will act as a funnel. Create dirty water by adding dirt, grass, etc. to water in one of the jars. Create two “filters” out of the cotton balls, rocks, and sand.
Co-Host
Let’s say our Big Point again,
Co-Host
I Am Sincere!
Host
Let’s see what Jesus said about this in our Big Verse.
Co-Host
Everyone, count down from three, and then we’ll read the verse.
Host
Matthew 5:8 (NIrV), “Blessed are those whose hearts are pure. They will see God.” Blessed means happy and helped by God. When our hearts are pure, or clean, we are blessed.
Co-Host
It also says that we will see God. You see, when our hearts are full of the wrong kinds of things, like sin, then our world is pretty cloudy. (Show the dirty water) It’s hard to see God and His good blessings when sin gets in the way.
Host
What you need is a clean heart. Let’s have an assistant come up to help us. (Bring up the child) We need to create a filter. Place several cotton balls in this plastic bottle.
Co-Host
Place some of the rocks and a few scoops of sand on top of the cotton. Watch what happens when we pour the water through this filter.
Pour the water through the filter. Then use the remaining two already assembled filters to clean the water again. Test ahead of time to see how many pours it takes to get the water clear.
Co-Host
It’s easier to see through this water than before. When we make Jesus the leader of our lives and ask Him to forgive us for the wrong choices we’ve made, then He cleans our hearts.
Host
As we continue to follow Him with our clean hearts, then we can be sure that we will see God and His wonderful blessings.
Co-Host
The clearer you can see God, the more you realize how much He loves you and how great and awesome He is.
Host
Jesus met a man in the Bible who had made some wrong choices, but he was ready to clean things up. Let’s see what happened.
Asking Jesus to clean your heart and choosing to sincerely follow Him begins with saying “Yes.” If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you have already said, “Yes” to Jesus, you believe that He is alive, and you are His friend and follower, give me a thumbs up. That’s awesome. You can put your hands down. If you’ve never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say, “Yes” to Him right now, ask Him to forgive you, and tell Him you want to live your life differently, raise your hand. We’re going to pray all together. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray...
Dear God, I know everyone needs a Savior, and I know I can’t save myself. Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and God raised You from the dead.
Right now, I say You are my Lord, my Savior, and the One who forgives me. Thank You, Jesus, that You are my Best Friend and Leader of my life, because I’ve said, “Yes” to You. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer for the very first time today, then I want you to share that good news with someone. When we break into Small Groups, you can join a special Small Group just for kids who said, “Yes” for the first time. Look for the special sign as we break later
Co-Host
Many people were surprised when Jesus accepted Zacchaeus as a friend and follower. Zacchaeus had made wrong choices, but he sincerely changed. Some of the others in the crowds said they followed God but they didn’t follow Him with their whole hearts. They were insincere, but Zacchaeus lived out the Big Point,
Co-Host
I Am Sincere!
Host
That brings us to this week’s Big Do.
Host
Do an experiment with your parents. Don’t try it by yourself. It’s all about turning something dark into something clear. Be sure to scan your card to find the instructions. Then talk about why it’s important to have sincere, pure heart for Jesus.
Co-Host
This experiment is going to be a lot of fun, so don’t forget to scan your Ark Kids at Home Card, so you can do it together.
Host
Speaking of experiments, we have a really cool show planned for you today. It’s Super Science Sunday. Let’s get ready to see some cool science action!
Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.
Does it bother you when other people are insincere? Why? Why do you think it’s important for Christians to be sincere followers of Jesus? Because following Jesus means having Jesus as your number one leader. If you aren’t doing that, then it means that you are following other people or things. You have made other things your leader.
How did Zacchaeus show that he had sincerely changed? He changed his behavior and admitted his mistakes. He returned more than he had stolen. Would it have been hard for you to make the same choice that Zacchaeus had made? Why? Why not?
Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
Our Big Point says, I Am ______!
Sincere
Insincere
What job did Zacchaeus have?
Tax Collector
Priest
As a tax collector, Zacchaeus had gotten rich by doing what?
Stealing
Working hard
How did Zacchaeus’ neighbors react when they heard Jesus wanted to visit him?
Shocked
Happy
What did Zacchaeus promise to do?
Steal more
Pay back what was stolen
Matthew 5:8 (NIrV), “Blessed are those whose hearts are _____. They will see God.”
Sinful
Pure
What does it mean to be sincere?
Being a sincere follower of Jesus means that you might have to do things differently and change.
True
False
How does living sincerely help you follow God better?
What is this week’s Big Do?
Do a science experiment with your parents
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