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Large Group Full Program Instructions
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 still 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!
Weekly Venue: Choose one of the following venue options or create your own. These venues teach kids about how Samuel was a hero for telling the truth and remind us that blessings come from good leadership.
Hero Sunday
Have the kids dress as their favorite heroes and play some hero themed games. Consider having a fun snack like a superhero themed ice cream or candy.
Firefighters and Police
Connect with your local firefighters and police to bring a firetruck and police car to visit the kids. Allow the kids to tour the vehicles and experience it up close.
Game Show
Host a game show with real prizes. Choose fun prizes to give away to the winners, even cash or gift cards. Create your own game show or use some of the game shows already created by Crowd Control Games. (www.crowdcontrolgames.com) These games add fun and professionalism to your game show experience.
Host
Welcome to Summer To The Max!
Co-Host
I can’t believe that the summer is almost over, but I have some good news! The choices you make this summer don’t have to end when you start school.
Host
You can keep living your life to the max for God every single day. Living differently is a lifelong choice. As we’re getting closer to wrapping up the summer, let’s talk about our best summer vacations ever. We’ve chosen three adult volunteers to tell us about their best summer vacation.
Co-Host
All three will talk about the same vacation; however, only one of them actually went on that vacation. It will be up to you to decide which one is telling the truth.
Prior to service, gather your volunteers and ask them to share a story about the best summer vacation they ever took. Choose one story, and then choose two other adult volunteers to talk about that person’s vacation as if it were their own. Have them tell the story to the kids.
Host
Who do you think was telling the truth? (Reveal the true story) Speaking the truth is a really important way to live differently for God. Let’s stand and get started with some true worship!
Co-Host
Let's see what we learn in today’s Big Point. We’re going to countdown from three. All of the adults will say, “Three,” the boys will say, “Two,” and the girls will shout, “One!”
Host
Let’s all say it together, I Can Speak The Truth! That doesn’t just mean telling people statements that are true; it also means that you are willing to tell people what they need to hear, even if they may not want to hear it.
Co-Host
Speaking the truth is what real leaders do. I believe each of you can be a leader for other people.
Co-Host
Let’s say our Big Point again, I Can Speak The Truth!
Host
Let’s see what the Bible says about our Big Point in this week’s Big Verse. All of the girls can say, “Three,” the adults can say, “Two,” and the boys can shout, “One!”
Host
Ephesians 4:15 (NIrV) says, “Instead, we will speak the truth in love.” When we speak the truth, we can do it harshly or we can say what is true in a loving way.
Co-Host
Let’s explain with the help of a couple of adults.
Choose two adults. Prior to service check with them to make sure they are willing to eat spicy foods.
Co-Host
How many of you love tortilla chips? I do. Sometimes I eat these as if they’re my entire meal. I’m going to give each of our adults a chip, but I’m going to give the first one a chip filled with ultra-hot salsa.
Have the adult eat the chip and react to the heat.
Host
Let’s give the other adult a chip with mild salsa.
Have the adult eat the chip and then ask for more.
Co-Host
It was easier to eat that chip with the mild salsa. Even if you like spicy stuff, you can only eat so much ultra-hot salsa.
Host
You can tell people what they need to hear, but if you do it in a harsh way, then they may not be as willing to listen again. But if you tell the truth in a way that lets them know you want the best for them, then they’re more likely to listen.
Co-Host
It doesn’t mean that you hold back or don’t tell people what God’s Word says. Speaking the truth is something we do out of love because we want the best for each other. Let’s take a moment to worship God.
Samuel told the Israelites exactly what they needed to hear at that moment. They had been doing the wrong things for way too long. He didn’t do it to be mean, but he didn’t hold back either. He shared the truth in love. There may be kids at school, or even people in your home, that need to hear the truth. You can be the person God uses to tell them His truth with a loving attitude. Let’s take a moment to talk to God and ask Him to show you one person that you can share God’s truth with this week. (Pause) I want to encourage you to step out in faith and speak God’s truth. I’ll pray for all of us. (Pray)
Host
We have the opportunity to help a lot of kids this summer.
Share info about the giving project you have chosen to support. Consider donating all summer offerings to a local ministry or global missionary.
Co-Host
Jesus said this in Proverbs 22:9 says, “Those who give freely will be blessed. That’s because they share their food with those who are poor.”
Host
God loves us so much that when we give food, money, shoes, or anything to help others, He blesses us in return. Those blessings come in lots of different ways. When you give, you can be sure that God is watching over you.
Co-Host
Just like he did in our story of Samuel.
Co-Host
Our Big Point reminds us that no matter your age, you are in charge of your words. Remember,
Co-Host
Our Big Point reminds us that no matter your age, you are in charge of your words. Remember, I Can Speak The Truth!
Host
Samuel did that his whole life. He chose his words wisely as a kid, as a leader in Israel, and as an advisor to the king. He was not afraid to stand up and speak the truth. That’s something you can talk about when you do this week’s Big Do.
Host
Create an obstacle course in your house. Take turns guiding someone who is blindfolded through the course with just your voice.
Co-Host
Let’s try that now on stage. We have two teams of kids; one kid on each team will be blindfolded and the other kid will guide the one who can’t see with just their voice. Let’s see who can guide their teammate through the course the fastest, but for each obstacle you hit, we will add a five second penalty.
Play optional game music. Play the game. Blindfold one member of each team and set up inflatable obstacles or traffic cones across the stage. Have the teams take turns walking through the course and time them to determine the winner.
Host
Great job to our winners. Don’t forget that real leaders speak the truth in love, and you can be a leader for God.
Small Group is optional as time allows. Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.
What does it mean to speak the truth?
Who, in our true story from the Bible today, spoke the truth?
What did Samuel tell the Israelites they had to stop doing?
Can you tell me about a time you spoke the truth?
What is the Big Do for this week? Create an obstacle course in your house. Take turns guiding someone who is blindfolded through the course with just your voice.
Summer Big Challenge Games:
Hula Challenge: Keep a two hula hoops spinning on each arm for 20 seconds
Limbo Challenge: You have two chances to make it under the limbo pole without falling
Tap It: Play the memory game on Tap It. Can you make it to round 6?
Brain Freeze: Eat a Pop Ice in under 30 seconds
Hover Ball: Three shots to score a goal with a hover ball
Beach Ball Basketball: Toss two beachballs into a human goal (two people holding hands to make a hoop)
Super Combo: Grab a friend and act out which of the pictures on the screen will not get “X-ed” out
Ultimate Tag: Try to pull both flags from your opponent
Split the room into two teams and alternate choosing one child from each team to come onstage and answer a question. If the child gets the question right, then he or she can compete in a Summer Big Challenge.
Our Big Point says I Can Speak ______!
The Truth
Fun Stuff
When was Samuel first asked to step up and speak the truth?
As an adult
As a kid
Had the Israelites made mostly wise or unwise decisions?
Unwise
Wise
What did Samuel tell the Israelites to stop doing?
Worshipping God
Worshipping Idols
Samuel was a leader in Israel.
True
False
Ephesians 4:15 (NIrV), “Instead, we will speak the truth in ______.”
Love
Anger
What happened to the Philistines when God thundered loudly?
They charged Israel’s army
They ran away
Why is it important to speak the truth in love?
Speaking the truth means that you should say every thought that pops in your mind.
True
False
What is this week’s Big Do? Create an obstacle course in your house. Take turns guiding someone who is blindfolded through the course with just your voice.