Kick-Off

Host

Welcome to Summer To The Max! This summer is going to be incredible. Each week we will have a different theme and fun activity for you. It’s the perfect summer to come to church and invite a friend.

Co-Host

You’re not going to want to miss a single week. This summer is more than just fun activities, although that is a big part of it. This summer is all about helping you understand even more about what following Jesus is all about.

Host

Being a Christian means more than just believing that Jesus existed. Yes, you should totally believe that, but it’s also choosing to live like a follower of Jesus.

Co-Host

That means saying and doing the kinds of things a follower of Jesus would do. (Pause) To really embrace that, you’ll need to know what kind of attitude a Jesus follower has.

Host

That’s what we’re going to discover during Summer to the Max. This summer is a summer of new attitude. Jesus taught a group of people in the Bible what that looks like.

Co-Host

Here’s the crazy thing about it: Jesus wants His followers to see things very differently from how the world views them.

Host

It’s kind of an upside-down way of doing things. Of course, Jesus’ version is really the right way up to live. That brings us to a game. Just like Jesus gives us a twist on how to think, we’re playing a summer game with a twist.

Co-Host

We’re going to play limbo, but usually you lean backwards. Instead, you have to go under the limbo stick leaning forward, with your head in front of your feet.

Host

Let’s see who can go low in a totally new way.

Host

It was kind of challenging to play the game a different way. Some things that Jesus said are challenging, too, because they require us to live differently.

Co-Host

It’s all worth it because Jesus’ way is the right way. Let’s get ready to worship.

Host

What is the point of learning how to be a follower, or disciple, of Jesus?

Co-Host

Is it just so we know some information? No way, as we learn what it means to follow Jesus, it changes how we deal with the world around us.

Host

If you think and act like everyone else, then you don’t stand out from the crowd. Following Jesus and living like His follower causes you to stand out in a good way and helps you draw people to Jesus.

Co-Host

Let’s see what the Bible says. Jesus taught a crowd of people on a mountain an important message. This was part of that message. We need everyone to count down from three, and then we’ll read the verse.

Host

Matthew 5:13-14 (NIrV), “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.” That’s how Jesus described His followers. Why do you think Jesus chose those words?

Co-Host

Let’s think about it. One thing I love about the summer is going to the movies because summer is when the biggest movies come to the theatre. Which movie are you looking forward to the most this summer?

Host

When you go to the movies, which snack do you like to get? (Pause) Popcorn is a must. (Show the bucket of popcorn) Would anyone like to have a bit of popcorn?

Co-Host

Was something wrong with that popcorn? What was it missing? Yup, it had no salt. Would you want to sit in the theatre and eat a bucket of popcorn with no salt? Yuck.

Host

Suppose you sat down to watch the movie, and this is all you see.

Host

Would you find this movie interesting? Why not? You can’t see the picture because the light is missing from the projector.

Co-Host

Salt and light make the movies much better. It makes you want to go back and enjoy the snacks and see the movies.

Host

That’s why we live the way Jesus tells us to live. Like salt, we add flavor to the world. We make it better with our Jesus-like attitudes. We don’t hide our beliefs; we live them out in the open. Like light, we draw people to Jesus.

Co-Host

That’s why we want you to make this summer a summer of new attitude. Let’s learn a bit more about this message that Jesus shared.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. Think about how you’ve been doing things lately. Have you been thinking like a follower of Jesus would think or acting like a follower of Jesus would act? If not, this might be the perfect summer to find a new attitude. Would you be willing to commit not to being perfect, but to choosing a Jesus follower attitude? Would you try hard this summer to listen to Jesus and take His words seriously? If you are willing to be bold enough to do that, raise your hand. (Pause) I appreciate your desire to please God. I’m going to pray for you that you will hear from Jesus this summer.

Co-Host

When you make this a summer of new attitude and follow Jesus, then your future will be bright.

Host

That brings us to this week’s Big Do.

Host

Choose two activities from the calendar we gave you that you are most looking forward to this summer and talk about them with your parents.

Co-Host

Since your future is so bright because of Jesus, we’re giving all of you a pair of shades as you leave today. Whenever someone asks you why you’re wearing these sunglasses, let them know your future is bright because you follow Jesus.

Host

Let’s connect in our Small Groups and discuss this summer of new attitude.

• Have you ever struggled with having the wrong attitude? What was the hardest part about changing? Who can help us choose a different attitude this summer and why? Jesus can help us because he changes our hearts and gives us the power to make different choices.

• We’re learning how a follower of Jesus would think and act. I’m going to tell you some situations, and you tell me how you think a follower of Jesus might act.

  • Your friends really want to take something from a store without paying for it. A Jesus follower would not take what isn’t theirs; they could encourage their friends to do something else.

  • A person who was mean to you says they are sorry. A Jesus follower forgives that friend. A Jesus follower prays for that friend.

  • You do something great and feel like bragging. A Jesus follower stays humble and doesn’t try to get attention. A Jesus follower thanks Jesus for helping them succeed.

  • You see two friends arguing. A Jesus follower listens and tries to calm down the situation. A Jesus follower asks for God’s help. A Jesus follower might encourage their friends to step away for a moment and cool down.

Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.

• We’re taking this summer to the ______!

  • Max

  • Minimum

• What did Jesus teach about on the mountain?

  • Math

  • God’s kingdom

• What is the name of the attitudes that followers of Jesus show in any situation?

  • Beatitudes

  • Bad attitudes

• God’s kingdom can look ______ compared to the rest of the world.

  • Right-side up

  • Upside-down

• It’s a good idea to ask yourself, “What would a follower of Jesus do” in whatever situation you face.

  • True

  • False

• Matthew 5:13-14 (NIrV), “You are the ____ of the earth…You are the light of the world.”

  • Pepper

  • Salt

• What does your future look like with Jesus?

  • Dark

  • Light

• This summer is a summer of new ________.

  • Attitude

  • Altitude

• We can show others what Jesus is like by how we act and speak.

  • True

  • False

• What is this week’s Big Do?

Choose two activities from the calendar and talk about them with your parents.