Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

Rules Video

2 min Countdown

Conductor Carl Act 2

Countdown Video

The Big Do

5 min Countdown

Preschool Clean Up Song

Big Point Video Short

Conductor Carl Act 1

Big Story Video

Title Slide Steam Whistle

3 min Countdown

Conductor Carl Act 3

Engineer Kelly got a gift for Christmas. She really likes her gift and she wants to open it right away. She almost forgot that she also has to prepare Chef Banana a present. Would she be able to find a special gift for Chef Banana?

Large Group

Suggested optional music for this lesson:

 - Soft instrumental music for Big Story

Countdown from 10

Rules

**Host** and **Co-Host** enter. The **Co-Host** has his/her hands taped to the present.



**Host**
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! I’m so excited that we are one week closer to Christmas!

**Co-Host**
Me, too!



**Co-Host** hold up his/her hands, still taped to the box, and waves them around excitedly.



**Host**
Jr. Conductors, does our friend have something in his/her hands? (Pause) You’re right; it looks like a Christmas present. What is on his/her hands? It looks like tape.

**Co-Host**
Yep, it’s tape. We’re have a Train Station Christmas party today, and this is my gift for Engineer Margaret, but I like what I picked out so much that I decided to keep it.

**Host**
Is that why you taped it to your hands?


**Co-Host**
I won’t let it go, ever.

**Host**
Holding that present might make it hard to do your work. Jr. Conductors, let’s pretend to do some different jobs while holding a present.



Pretend to do different tasks like brushing your teeth, eating, sweeping, dusting, etc.



**Co-Host**
That does seem harder when you hold a present.

**Host**
I think the Big Point will help you understand why it’s okay to let go. The Jr. Conductors will be here to help you. Everyone, say, “Choo-choo!”


Welcome

Worship

**Host**
Engineer Kelly seems excited about the gift she found. Do you think she should look inside that gift early or wait? (Pause) I agree. She should wait.

**Co-Host**
I have such a hard time waiting. All I can think about is what is inside the present.

**Host**
That’s why our Big Point is so important. Let’s practice our Big Point again. 

**Host**
**It’s Better To Give!**


**Host**
God wants us to think about other people more than we think of our own presents. Giving reminds us how much God loves everyone.

**Co-Host**
Does that mean I can never get a present at Christmas?

**Host**
No way. If everyone gives, then everyone gets to enjoy good things. I have an idea. Let’s play a game and pass a present from person to person. We’ll play music while you pass, and when the music stops, that Jr. Conductor gets to open the present and keep what is inside.



The game can be played with a few kids or the entire room. Play the game until every child has had a chance to get a present. The gifts inside could be a candy cane or small toy.



**Co-Host**
That was fun, and I like that so many friends got a special treat.

**Host**
That’s why Christmas is so much fun. It’s a holiday that gives us a chance to practice giving. Let’s see if Engineer Kelly will learn our Big Point.




Engage 1

**Co-Host**
This tape is extra sticky. I can’t shake off the present.



**Co-Host** shakes the gift vigorously until he/she accidentally bumps himself/herself with the package.




**Host**
Jr. Conductors, let’s tell our friend, “Be careful!” I’m glad that Engineer Kelly remembered her gift for Chef Bananas. It sounds like she wants to follow the Big Point. Let’s practice singing the Big Point again, 

**Host**
**It’s Better To Give!**

**Co-Host**
I like the Big Verse that Professor Beaker shared with her. 

**Co-Host**
 Acts 20:35 (NIrV) says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

**Host**
Jesus said that. It means that more good things come from giving than just when we get things.

**Co-Host**
Why do you think it’s important for Jr. Conductors to give? 

**Host**
Let’s play a game to help us understand. I will show you a picture that has a piece missing. You get to help us decide which piece fits in the picture.

**Co-Host**
Jr. Conductors, let’s look at each picture and see which one fits.



Engage 2 Slides - BTG PS L1 Engage 2 Slide A.jpg

 Look at each of the three options. Ask the kids questions about each one and discuss which one looks like it would fit and why. Have the kids hold up one, two, or three fingers to show which one they think fits.



Engage 2 Slides - BTG PS L1 Engage 2 Slide B.jpg

**Host**
You chose the right one. Now we can see the whole picture. When you don’t give, you miss out on being part of God’s big plan. The picture doesn’t look as nice. But when you give, you do your part to help others. 

**Co-Host**
I think that I want to give, too. I wonder if we’ll meet someone in the Big Story who gave. Let’s listen closely, but first we should stand and sing a Christmas song to God.



Engage 2

Big Story Slides - BTG JR L1 Big Story Slide.jpg

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. God can help us get better at giving. He wants you to be generous and want to give, so let’s ask God for help now. I’ll pray for us. While I’m praying, ask God to help you be willing to give this Christmas.




Big Story

**Co-Host**
It took a lot of effort, but I finally got my hands unstuck from that present. I gave it to Engineer Margaret at the party, and she loved the present. It makes me feel good that she enjoys my present.

**Host**
You practiced our Big Point, just like Engineer Kelly did when she gave Chef Bananas his gift. Let’s all practice our Big Point again, 

**Host**
**It’s Better To Give!**

**Co-Host**
I was surprised at how much Mary and Joseph gave to help Jesus when He was a baby. I guess Christmas has always been a time to give.


**Host**
That’s true. We can keep giving when we do the Big Do with our family. 
Conductor Carl gave us a great idea. 

**Host**
Go to the store, pick out a toy, and donate it in a toy drive.

**Co-Host**
If we all do that, then lots of kids will have gifts at Christmas.

**Host**
Let’s practice picking out toys now. You will see a picture with two toys on it. Show us which toy you would pick to give by holding up one finger for toy number one, or two fingers for toy number two.



Display the different slides and poll the audience.



**Co-Host**
I hope you have fun this week picking out toys for the toy drive.

**Host**
I think everyone is ready to give. Let’s say our Big Point once more,


Engage 3

 - Let’s Practice our Big Point again. Hmm, did our Big Point say It’s Worse To Give or **It’s Better To Give?**

 - Pretend that you are holding a present. What color is the wrapping paper? Are there snowmen or reindeer on the paper? Does it have a big, shiny bow? Shake it. What sound does it make? Who found a gift from Conductor Carl at the Train Station? **Engineer Kelly** 

 - Take your present and pretend to give it to a friend. Open it! Who did Engineer Kelly give a gift to today? **Chef Bananas** Did Engineer Kelly enjoy giving him a gift? **Yes**

 - Let’s pretend like we’re tired. Let’s put on our pajamas and brush our teeth. Let out a big yawn and stretch your arms out wide. Who did the angel visit while he was sleeping? **Joseph** The angel asked Joseph to be the dad of someone, who was it? **Jesus**

 - Imagine you are holding a baby that’s crying. Can you cry like a baby? What should we do for the baby? We could feed the baby a bottle. Pretend to do that. I think the baby needs to burp. Pat the baby’s back. Burp. Who said, “Yes” to taking care of baby Jesus? **Mary and Joseph**. 

 - Make the biggest smile you can make. What does our Big Verse say? Acts 20:35 (NIrV), “It is more blessed to ____ than to receive.”
    - **Give**
    - Take




Big Review

Clean Up

Midweek / Classroom

Begin by splitting the kids into the desired number of small groups. Small Group Leaders, take a few moments to welcome your group. 


Small Group Split

Optional music selections for this lesson:
 
 - Christmas song the kids can sing along with for Icebreaker
- Soft instrumental music for Big Story

Engage 2 Prep:
 - The puzzle for this segment will serve best if it has the same number of pieces as kids in the group or slightly more pieces than kids in the group.


Leader enters dressed as a Train Conductor, but in a Santa hat instead of a conductor hat.


Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! I am so glad you are here with me today to hear the good news about Jesus! We are getting really close to a special holiday…do you remember which one it is? Christmas! Everyone, turn to a friend and say, “Merry Christmas!” 

I can’t wait to see what Conductor Carl and his friends are doing to get ready for Christmas. Let’s get our train moving, so we can go visit. Everyone, say, “Choo-choo!” 


“Choo-choo!” Let’s stand up and worship Jesus!    

Christmastime is so fun! We get to sing Christmas carols, drink hot cocoa, eat yummy candy canes, and give presents to the people that we love! Show me the smile you make when you give a gift to someone you love. Those are great smiles! 

I want to hear about some of your favorite presents. Raise your hand if you want to tell us about the best gift you’ve ever gotten. (Go around the room letting the kids share about their favorite gifts.) 

Those gifts sound awesome! The best gift we get at Christmas is Jesus! Let’s have some more Christmas fun and sing a Christmas song. Everyone, stand up and sing along with me! 



Play a Christmas song that your kids will know and sing along with it together.  



That was a lot of fun! You can sit back down on your pockets. I’m thankful God gave us Jesus at Christmas. You and I can give at Christmas, too! That is what we are learning today. Listen closely so you can help Conductor Carl and his friends learn the Big Point! 



Icebreaker

Engineer Kelly really liked her gift! Do you think she should open it right now, or 
should she wait? I agree, she should wait. Our Big Point will help her. Let’s practice it together, 

**It’s Better To Give!**

God gives to us, so when we give, we are acting like God! Giving is best 
because when we give, we think about others more than ourselves. This shows others that we love them! Let’s play a game in our small groups and practice giving. You will give a lot, and you might even get a gift, too!   
  


Play Hot Potato using candy canes. When you say, “Stop!” whoever has the candy cane gets to keep it. Then start with a new candy cane. Try to play until everyone gets to keep a candy cane. 




Who got to keep a candy cane in your group? Yummy! Let’s find out if Engineer Kelly has learned our Big Point. Everyone, turn on your listening ears! 



 The puzzle for this segment will serve best if it has the same number of pieces as kids in the group or slightly more pieces than kids in the group.


Did Engineer Kelly remember her gift for Chef Bananas? Yes, she did! She is learning our Big Point. Let’s sing it together, 

**It’s Better To Give!**

Professor Beaker shared the Big Verse with Engineer Kelly, to help her. 

Acts 20:35 (NIrV) says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus is the one who said that. God has great things for us in His big plan, but if we don’t give, we miss out on being a part. That is why giving is so amazing!  

You can practice giving in your small group. You have a puzzle to put together, and we want to see everyone giving their part! 



Give a piece of the puzzle to everyone in the group, including yourself. Have everyone put their piece in, one by one, creating the puzzle as you go.
Keep your piece back and ask the kids if the puzzle is finished without your 
piece. Discuss that when you give your piece, the whole thing is finished 
because everyone gave what they had. Finish the puzzle.    






Did everyone finish their puzzle? Great job! We get to hear a true story from the Bible about someone who gave their part and got to be part of God’s big plan. Listen closely to find out more! 

Everyone, bow your heads and close your eyes. Think about one person you can give to this Christmas. (Pause) Now let’s pray and ask God to help us find a way to give to that person. I’ll pray for you, and while I’m praying, think about the person you are going to give to. (Pray)  



Our Big Point helped Engineer Kelly, and it will help you, too! There are lots of opportunities for us to give this Christmas. You can practice the Big Point while you do the Big Do.



The Big Do this week is to go to the store, pick out a toy, and donate it in a toy drive. That is a great way to practice giving and it will be lots of fun to do it with your family.   
 

Let’s all sing the Big Point one more time, 



Better to Give Week 1

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Large Group Instructions

Large Group Instructions