I Will Give My Best
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.
Start Lesson
Large Group Instructions
Countdown from 10
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.
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls, Train Hat, Handkerchief, Christmas Tree Costume, Christmas Presents
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!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls, Train Hat, Handkerchief, Christmas Tree Costume, Wrapped Box, Old Sock, Paper Heart, Half-eaten Fruit, Small Toy (New), Coloring Sheet (Filled in)
Host and Co-Host enter.
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 2Materials: Overalls, Train Hat, Handkerchief, Paper Heart (2 Identical), Double-sided Tape
Host and Co-Host enter.
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.
Big Story
Play optional soft instrumental music.
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!
Engage 3Materials: Overalls, Train Hat, Handkerchief, Christmas Tree Costume, Spinning Wheel
Host and Co-Host enter.
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.
Host I Will Give My Best!
Big Review
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
Clean Up
