Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

Conductor Carl Act 3

Conductor Carl Act 2

Rules Video

Conductor Carl Title Slide

Big Point Video Short

Countdown Video

Conductor Carl Act 1

The Big Do

5 min Countdown

Preschool Clean Up Song

Big Story Drawing Video

Title Slide Steam Whistle

3 min Countdown

Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney are trying to help Conductor Carl with his play. They need to find the real animals that were there at the first Christmas.

Large Group

Engage 2 Prep:

For this object lesson, cut out two identical hearts from red paper. Christian illusionist David Laflin has provided a detailed video explaining how to setup and present the “Torn and Restored Heart” illusion. The video can be found online here.

https://vimeopro.com/davidandteesha/illusions-you-can-make-videos/video/342068175





Optional music selections for this lesson:
 - Soft instrumental music for Big Story

Engage 3 Prep: This segment suggests a spinning wheel. You can use a simple spinning wheel that can be purchased online. Digital spinning wheels are also available at www.crowdcontrolgames.com. If you don’t have access to either wheel, then you could simply put the choices on slips of paper in a Santa hat and draw them out. Examples: making cookies, coloring a card, FaceTime a relative, rake leaves, etc.



Countdown from 10

Rules

**Host** and **Co-Host** enter. The **Co-Host** is dressed as a Christmas tree, wearing Christmas presents for shoes. These may come with a costume, or they can be constructed out of wrapped shoe boxes. You can also substitute a Christmas tree sweater or a homemade costume.


**Host**
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! Merry Christmas!

**Co-Host**
Jr. Conductors, can you guess what I am dressed up like today?

**Host**
Our friend has green branches, a star on his/her head, and Christmas ornaments. I think I know the answer. Do you?

**Co-Host**
Yes, I’m dressed up like a Christmas tree. Look what is on my feet.

**Host**
I see presents. How many of you have presents underneath your tree? It looks like some do and some wait until Christmas to see them.

**Co-Host**
I’m not sure that I can wait until Christmas. Let’s pretend that it’s Christmas morning. Stretch your arms like you’re waking up. Stand up, and let’s tip toe towards the Christmas tree. What color presents do you see? Do they have big Christmas bows on them? Let’s count to three and then open the present. 1…2…3! 

Pretend to rip open wrapping paper.

**Host**
That was fun. I love opening presents on Christmas. Christmas is a time to celebrate how God gave us the best gift ever, Jesus. That story teaches us how to give, too. Before we visit Conductor Carl and his friends, Everyone, say “Choo-choo!” 




Welcome

Worship

**Host**
It sounds like Conductor Carl is planning a fun Christmas play. Do you think that Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney need to bring reindeer to the play?

**Co-Host**
I don’t think so either. There definitely weren’t any reindeer around baby Jesus.

**Host**
I’m glad they’re trying hard to help Conductor Carl. It reminds me of our Big Point. Let’s practice our Big Point again, 

**Host**
**I Will Give My Best!**

**Co-Host**
God gave us His best gift, Jesus, so that teaches us to give our best, too.

**Host**
Christmas is a great time to give our best. I have a box with different presents inside. When I show you a present, tell us whether you think that gift reflects giving your best or not giving your best.

Show the different items in the box and allow the kids to answer. Feel free to substitute other items as necessary. When you bring out items, have the kids interact with them by doing things like pretending the sock is smelly or with the heart pretending to give a hug. 

**Co-Host**
We don’t have to give big presents to give our best. We don’t even have to buy something.

**Host**
Sometimes the best presents are ones that we make. The important thing is that we try hard to give something that is helpful and shows how much we love others.

**Co-Host**
We should probably find Engineer Courtney and Farmer Faith to let them know they don’t need to find reindeer.



Engage 1

**Co-Host**
I’m glad that Inspector Nigel let them know they didn’t have to look for reindeer.


**Host**
Yes, and he explained to Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney about the first 
Christmas. That helps us understand the Big Point. Let’s say it together, 

**Host**
**I Will Give My Best!**

**Co-Host**
Did you hear the verse Inspector Nigel shared with them? 

**Co-Host**
John 3:16 (NIrV) says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”

**Host**
God really does love us. That’s why He shared His best gift with us, Jesus.

**Co-Host**
Haven’t we all made bad choices? Isn’t God angry at us? If I’m angry, I don’t feel like giving someone a present.



For this object lesson, cut out two identical hearts from red paper and present the “Torn and Restored Heart” illusion. 

**Host**
We have made some big mistakes. That’s true. (As you list the items, begin tearing the heart) We have said things that are not true, we have disobeyed our parents, we have said unkind words, we have even hurt our friends sometimes.

**Co-Host**
Look at the heart, Jr. Conductors. What happened to it? (Pause) Yes, it is torn. Are you sure God would share His best with us?

**Host**
I am sure because our Big Verse tells us that God loves us. Even though everyone has made wrong choices, (Begin unfolding the restored heart) God loves us enough that He sent Jesus to help us.

**Co-Host**
Look, Jr. Conductors. The heart is put back together. We can never do anything to make God stop loving us. Christmas reminds us of how much God loves us.

**Host**
His love encourages us to give our best, too. Let’s stand and give our best worship to God.




Engage 2

Whenever someone gives you their best, you always want to be sure to thank them. We can thank God for giving us Jesus. Without Jesus we wouldn’t be able to become God’s friends. Let's pray and tell Him thank you right now!

Big Story

**Co-Host**
Farmer Faith’s animals made the Christmas play so much fun. I decided to help out at the play, too, by being the Christmas tree and give everyone a spot where they can bring their gifts.

**Host**
That means you are giving and using our Big Point. Let’s all practice our Big Point again, 

**Host**
**I Will Give My Best!** 

**Co-Host**
I love hearing the story of the first Christmas. Jesus is the real reason we can 
celebrate at Christmas. God’s gift to me makes me want to give to others.

**Host**
I think it will get us excited to do the Big Do with our family. 

**Host**
Do a random act of kindness for someone else. You could bring them cookies, help them around their house, or share a gift. Whatever you do, be sure to do it with your best effort.

**Co-Host**
I have a fun idea. Let’s spin a wheel to randomly choose a kind action.

**Host**
That’s a great idea. We will spin it and pretend to do what it says.



You can use a simple spinning wheel that can be purchased online. Digital spinning wheels are also available at www.crowdcontrolgames.com. If you don’t have access to either wheel, then you could simply put the choices on slips of paper in a Santa hat and draw them out. Examples: making cookies, coloring a card, FaceTime a relative, rake leaves, etc.



**Co-Host**
We have lots of ideas for how to do the Big Do this week.

**Host**
Christmas is a great time to surprise someone with a kind act. Let’s say our Big Point once more. 

Engage 3

 - Let’s Practice our Big Point again. Hmm, did our Big Point say, I Will Give My Worst or **I Will Give My Best**?

 - Let’s sing a fun Christmas song. Why don’t we sing “Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer?” (Sing the song) Who was looking for reindeer at the Train Station? **Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney** Why? **For the Church play** Were there any reindeer at the first Christmas? **No**

 - Let’s make some fun animal noises. Can you sound like a cow? Bird? Sheep? Who did the angels tell about Jesus’ birth? **Shepherds** Did they run and visit Jesus? **Yes**

 - Turn to someone nearby and whisper, “Jesus is born.” Turn to 
someone else and shout, “Jesus is born.” Who told lots of people in Bethlehem about Jesus? **Shepherds** Did the Shepherds praise God? **Yes** 

 - What good things did Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney share with Conductor Carl today? **Animals** Did they help Conductor Carl have a great Christmas play? **Yes** 

 - Let’s pretend to give a big hug to someone. Hug tightly. Who are you pretending to hug? What does our Big Verse say? John 3:16 (NIrV), “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only ____.”
    - **Son**
    - Angel

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

Engage 2 Prep:
Give each child an ornament to create or color. Age appropriate ornament crafts can be found at Oriental Trading, craft supply stores, and Amazon. 


Optional music selections for this lesson:
 - Worship song for Big Story

 - Christmas music for Icebreaker

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



Merry Christmas, Jr. Conductors! Welcome to the Train Station! Christmas is coming so soon, and I can’t wait! Do you know how many days are left until Christmas? (Pause, then answer with however many days are left) Let’s count that many days. (Count) That isn’t far away at all! 

I bet Conductor Carl and his friends are ready for Christmas. Let’s go to the Train Station! Everyone, say, “Choo-choo!” 



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

Leader enters, bringing the Christmas trees and tree decorations. (Ornaments, ribbon, bows, etc)  



Jr. Conductors, do you know what these are? (Point to the trees) That’s right; they are Christmas trees! Only these Christmas trees aren’t decorated yet. I need some help decorating them. Do you think you guys can help me?

First I need two small group leaders. 

Come on up. Are you ready?! Let’s watch our small group leaders decorate their trees! Everyone, say it with me, “On your mark, get set, go!” 



Bring two small group leaders on stage. Instruct them beforehand just to add one or two ornaments, knock the trees over, crumple up the ribbon, etc. so that it looks as though they’ve done a poor job of decorating the trees. They should decorate really quickly, and then tell the Leader they are all done. 



You’re all done? Hmm…Jr. Conductors, does it look like our small group leaders tried their best? No, I don’t think so. They didn’t take their time, and they didn’t decorate very much. I want some Jr. Conductors to come up and show our small group leaders how to give their best. 



Bring two kids on stage and let them help the small group leaders add more decorations. 



Wow, those trees look much better! It is important that we give our best every time we do something. Can everyone clap for our helpers? (Dismiss the volunteers) Today we are discovering how to give our best with Conductor Carl and his friends. Let’s all turn on our listening ears and find out what is happening today at the Train Station!



Icebreaker

Do you think Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney should bring a reindeer to Conductor Carl’s Christmas play? Me neither. But I’m glad they are trying their best to help, just  like our Big Point says! Let’s sing it together, 

**I Will Give My Best!**

God gave us Jesus, His very best gift! When we give our best, we act just like God. In your small group get to figure out which gift is the best gift! 
  


Using the activity pictures, show the two pictures with the same number and let the kids decide which is better. Afterwards talk with them about the best gift they’ve ever gotten. 




Those pictures had some really bad presents on them! I am glad that we can choose to give our best, just like God. Let’s watch and see how Conductor Carl’s play is going!



Inspector Nigel helped Farmer Faith and Engineer Courtney learn the truth about Christmas. He shared the Big Verse with them. The Big Verse comes from the Bible, so we know it is true. 

John 3:16 (NIrV) says, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”



God loves us so much that He gave us Jesus. We give to others because we 
love them, too. In your small group, you get to make a Christmas ornament. While you make it, think about someone you can give it to. I know your mommy, daddy, grandma, or grandpa would be so happy to get it from you. Do your best work on it, so you can give them your best! 


Give each child an ornament to create or color. Age appropriate ornament crafts can be found at Oriental Trading, craft supply stores, and Amazon. 


Let me see everyone’s ornament! Wow, I can tell you put your best work into those.  Let’s take a minute to practice our Big Point together. Everyone get down on your hands and knees and pretend you are a reindeer with big antlers. Now let’s say the Big Point, **I Will Give My Best**! Good job! Everyone stand up and wiggle your arms, like they are noodles. Oh, that is so silly. Let’s say the Big Point again, **I Will Give My Best!** Now let’s say the Big Point one more time at the Music Store, 


Great job! You can sit back down on your pockets! Everyone, turn on your listening ears, and let’s listen to the true story about how God gave us the best gift of all - Jesus! 


God is so kind, and He gave us Jesus. When someone gives us a gift, the right thing to do is thank them. One way we can thank God is by worshipping Him. Everyone, stand up, and let’s sing a song to say, “Thank You” to God. 

Play an age appropriate worship song video. 


Farmer Faith brought her best gift, animals! They made the Christmas play so much fun. I’m thankful she followed the Big Point. You can follow the Big Point this week, too, by doing the Big Do. 



Do a random act of kindness for someone else. You could bring them cookies, help them around their house, or share a gift. Whatever you do, be sure to do it with your best effort.
 
Let’s all sing the Big Point one more time, 


Better to Give Week 3

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Large Group Instructions

Large Group Instructions