I Won't Back Down

Question of the Day: Have you ever thought about quitting a team, but you didn’t?

Host

Welcome to the Lab!

Co-Host

This month as been so cool. We’ve discovered how to live right side up in an upside down world.

Host

We’ve agreed that although we may not be able to control things around us, we have the power to choose our actions every day.

Co-Host

Let’s play a little game that will test your ability to race while being a little upside down.

Host

This is a classic wheelbarrow race. In this race, one teammate will have to walk on their hands while the other teammate holds his or her legs.

Co-Host

Here’s the twist. Along the course you will find plates with mini donuts on them. You have to stop at each plate and eat the donut without your hands, with your legs still held up high in the air.

Host

We’ve chosen two teams to race. Let’s see who wins!

Co-Host

Great job to our winners! Wow, that was not as easy as just walking up and taking a bite off the table.

Host

Living in an upside down world can be hard, but we can keep going because God is always ready to help us. Let’s see what's going on in the lab.

Co-Host

What do you think of Rusty’s plan to use disguises? Do you think we should have to hide when we go to church?

Host

Even if Sophia and Ethel’s friends don’t like it, I know God wouldn’t want them to quit going to church.

Co-Host

Some people think about quitting or hiding what they know to be true about Jesus because they’re afraid of how others might react.

Host

You might have even seen some people get made fun of for living the way the Bible says to live. The Big Point has something to say about what we should do. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.

Co-Host

You will count down from three and then read the Big Point.

Host

Let’s all say it together, I Won’t Back Down!

Co-Host

Not everyone will pat you on the back or applaud your efforts to live as a follower of Jesus.

Host

In fact, some people will be very vocal about how much they don’t like what you do.

Co-Host

Others might even claim that your belief in God’s truth hurts them. It’s not our goal to aggravate people, but we can’t back down from the truth.

Host

Let’s play a game about not backing down. We have chosen two contestants to wear these sumo boppers. When I say, “Go,” you must try to push each other out of the circle. Best 2 out of 3 wins.

Co-Host

Great job at not backing down.

Host

We never have to apologize for being a follower of Jesus. Let’s see if Ethel and Sophia will do that.

Host

Do you think that dressing like a leprechaun, viking, and pirate will fool their friends?

Co-Host

It might, but they’re missing the point. They shouldn’t have to fool their friends or hide their faith. Living right side up when other people are upside down means that you won’t hide what you believe. Let’s say our Big Point,

Co-Host

I Won’t Back Down!

Host

Let’s turn to the Bible and learn how to do that by checking out the Big Verse.

Co-Host

After we count down from three, we need you to read the verse.

Co-Host

James 1:12 (NIrV) says, “Blessed is the person who keeps on going when times are hard.”

Host

The Bible doesn’t kid us or fake us out. The Bible is honest. Sometimes you will face hard things.

Co-Host

Everyone will. What you face might look different than what I do, but no matter what comes our way, we have to keep going.

Host

I’m going to choose a kid to come up and help us. Here’s the challenge. If you can keep jumping rope for two minutes, then everyone in the class wins candy. If you trip up, that’s fine. You just have to immediately start jumping again. You can’t stop or quit.

Co-Host

This could get tough, so it might be a good idea for you in the audience to cheer him/her on.

Host

You did it! You kept jumping. It was hard. You tripped up a few times, but you didn’t quit.

Co-Host

Because of that everyone gets a prize. We don’t follow Jesus alone. We have lots of friends who follow Him, too. Whenever we feel like giving up, we should encourage each other to keep going. You could be just the right person to help a friend not back down. Let’s take a moment to stand and worship God.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. You might be facing some difficult choices, like Daniel. You probably don’t have to worry about a lions’ den, but you might face some unfriendly faces. Here’s the good news. Daniel wasn’t alone in the lions’ den, and neither are you. You have God’s help to make the right choice, even when it’s the tough choice. Let’s take a moment to close our eyes and pray. Talk to God. Thank Him for always being with you. Ask God to help you make the right choice so you, too, can never back down and show God honor. (Pause) Now I’ll pray for all of us. (Pray)

Co-Host

I’m glad that Ethel and Sophia invited their friends to church. That took some courage.

Host

Daniel showed a lot of courage, too, when he opened his windows and prayed. He knew the law, but he wasn’t afraid to do the right thing. His story is a great example of our Big Point,

Host

I Won’t Back Down!

Co-Host

That’s a story you can share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host

Play a game of tug of war. You can use a blanket, a sheet, or even a towel. Do your best to not back down.

Co-Host

Let’s play a game of tug of war right now. We’ve chosen two teams to come up and play. There’s a flag in the middle of the rope. Your job is to pull the flag across to your side. Let’s play.

Host

Great job! Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about today’s lesson.

• Why was Sophia and Ethel’s plan not helpful? Using the disguises hid what they really believed. It kept them from telling others what they really believed

• Was it wrong for Daniel to break the law? Why not? To break the law would have required Daniel to pray to the king and disobey God. It would have forced him to do the wrong thing. Breaking the law allowed Daniel to honor God

• Is it hurtful to other people to believe God’s truth? Why not? Believing the truth doesn’t harm someone else. We can’t celebrate or encourage the wrong things. We have to stand up, in a kind way, for God’s truth

• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Play a game of Tug of War and don’t back down

• Our Big Point says I Won’t Back _____!

  • Down

  • God

• What did Ethel and Sophia do to hide that they went to church?

  • Changed hair color

  • Wore costumes

• The king was tricked into making a law that no one could ____ to anyone but him.

  • Sing

  • Pray

• Daniel disobeyed the king’s order.

  • True

  • False

• When Daniel heard about the law, he decided to close his windows before he prayed.

  • True

  • False

• James 1:12 (NIrV), “Blessed is the person who keeps on going when times are _____.”

  • Easy

  • Hard

• What happened to Daniel in the lions’ den?

  • He was eaten

  • God protected him

• Why should we refuse to back down from following Jesus?

• If you saw a fellow Christian thinking about quitting, what could you do to help them?

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Play a game of Tug of War and don’t back down