Be Willing To Wait
Engineer Kelly has to learn to practice patience when she hears that Conductor Carl has a surprise for her!
Start Lesson
Large Group Instructions
Countdown From 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Jack in the Box
Host and Co-Host enter
Host
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! I’m excited to learn more about the Fruit of the Spirit.
Co-Host
What will we discover about lemons? That’s a fruit. What color is a lemon? (Pause) Yes, it’s yellow. What kind of face would you make if you ate a big bite of lemon?
Co-Host makes a sour face.
Host
We’re not talking about lemons. The Fruit of the Spirit are the good attitudes that God grows inside of us. I’ll give you a hint about today’s good attitude with this toy.
Show the Jack in the Box.
Co-Host
I’ve seen a toy like that before. Do you know what it’s called, Jr. Conductors? Jack in the Box? I thought it was called Charlie in the Box. What does it do?
Host
You have to turn this crank. Can you pretend to wind the crank along with me?
Turn the crank a couple of times.
Co-Host
Oh, this is taking too long. I’m ready to see what happens right now.
Host
Oh, but if you wait, you will get a fun surprise. (Turn the crank until the Jack pops out) It’s good to wait patiently. That’s something we will discover from the Bible today. Everyone, help us get ready for a fun day by saying, “Choo-choo!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Engineer Kelly is excited to get a surprise from Conductor Carl.
Co-Host
Do you think that it’s a good choice for her to try to get her surprise early, before Conductor Carl is ready to give it to her?
Host
I don’t either. I think Engineer Kelly needs to listen to the Big Point and choose a wiser attitude. Let’s practice the Big Point together,
Host
Be Willing To Wait!
Co-Host
It’s hard to wait, sometimes, when you’re really excited.
Host
Jr. Conductors, do you ever have a hard time waiting sometimes?
Co-Host
The Holy Spirit, He’s our helper, can help us be patient. That’s what it means to be willing to wait.
Host
We can ask God for His help. He can help us grow the fruit of patience every day. Let’s practice waiting.
Co-Host
Do you think you could wait a whole minute without talking or moving? Could you really wait that long?
Host
Let’s try it together. On the count of three, we will start the timer, and everyone must sit still and be quiet. No talking or moving. 1…2…3!
You could also use a physical hourglass or kitchen timer.
Co-Host
You did great. Let’s take a wiggle break. Everyone, wiggle! Was it hard to wait quietly for that long? (Pause) It is sometimes hard to wait, but God is always ready to help us to make wise choices. You can ask God for help doing what pleases Him.
Host
The more you follow God and obey Him, walking in step with the Holy Spirit, the more patience you will have. Waiting patiently helps us not miss all the good things that God wants to give us.
Co-Host
I wonder if Engineer Kelly will decide to wait patiently, too.
Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Wrapped Gift (Wrapped With Layers Of Different Wrapping Papers), Prizes (1 Per Child)
Host and Co-Host enter. This Engage uses a wrapped gift to teach patience. Wrap a box in several pieces of wrapping paper. Choose as many layers as the number of kids you want to involve in this Engage. Place a small prize, such as stickers, inside the box, one for each child.
Co-Host
Inspector Nigel was there just in time to help Engineer Kelly make a wise choice. She almost opened her surprise too early, but she chose to listen to the Big Point. Let’s say it again,
Co-Host
Be Willing To Wait!
Host
Inspector Nigel also shared a verse with her from the Bible.
Host
Psalm 27:14 (NIrV) says, “Wait for the Lord. Be strong and don’t lose hope.” That means don’t give up.
Co-Host
God wants to help us stay strong. Make a big muscle. To practice patience, we’ve got to have strong faith. That means we choose to believe that God will do everything He promises to do.
Host
God will never forget a promise. He’s the One who helps us wait patiently.
Co-Host
Let’s choose some friends to join us on stage. We have a present with something fun inside for everyone.
Host
It’s wrapped in lots of wrapping paper. We’re going to choose some friends to help us unwrap the box, patiently. Each of you can unwrap just one piece of wrapping paper. Don’t rip it all off. Let’s see you practice patience.
Choose kids to come up and unwrap one piece of wrapping paper. Help them carefully unwrap the box and remind them to only remove one piece.
Co-Host
Look, it has a (Prize) for everyone here at the Train Station! I’m glad we waited patiently and got off all the wrapping paper.
Host
We can wait patiently because we trust God to give us good gifts at just the right time. Let’s stand and worship God!
Big Story
I’m glad the Holy Spirit can help us wait. Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes and talk to God. I’m going to give you a chance to ask God to grow patience inside you, so you can be strong and wait patiently. Think of a time when it’s hard for you to wait. (Short pause) Now ask God to help you wait. You can pray that right now. (Pause) Now I’ll pray for all of us. Dear God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps us wait patiently. Thank You for the good things You have planned for us. You are such a wonderful Heavenly Father. Amen.
Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Flowerpot, Soil, Flower Seeds, Watering Can, Flower
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Engineer Kelly waited, and now she has a fun aquarium to look at every day. Patience is a wise attitude to choose. Let’s practice the Big Point again,
Host
Be Willing To Wait!
Co-Host
We can remember the Big Point this week when we do the Big Do with our families.
Host
This week’s Big Do is to plant a seed with your family. Then water it, give it lots of sunshine, and watch it grow. It will take some time, so you must be patient.
Use the props to plant the seeds.
Co-Host
Let’s pretend to plant some seeds. What gardening tools do we need? (Allow for answers) Yes, we’ll need a shovel to dig. Pretend to dig a hole in the ground. Let’s sprinkle some seeds inside the hole. Should we just leave the hole open?
Host
No, we have to cover the seeds with dirt. Push the dirt into the hole. What should we do next? (Allow for answers) That’s right; it needs water. Use your watering can to sprinkle water on the dirt. Should we cover the dirt with a blanket?
Co-Host
No! Flowers need sunshine to help them grow. Pretend the sun is shining on your face. Is it warm or cold? It is warm. Would it be a good idea to pick the flower right now?
Host
You’re right, we have to wait for it to grow. Then we can pick a beautiful flower, like this. (Show the flower) We should smell the flower.
Co-Host
I hope you enjoy planting the flower with your family when you do the Big Do this week. Let’s say our Big Point,
Co-Host
Be Willing To Wait!
Big Review
Did our Big Point say Don’t Wait or Be Willing To Wait?
Let’s practice waiting without moving. Stay perfectly still until I say, “Stop.” (Have the kids wait for a short time) Good job. In our Big Story, who waited for a gift from God? Jesus’ friends and followers
How high do you think we can count? Let’s try it. (Count with the kids) Which gift did Jesus’ friends wait 10 days to receive? The Holy Spirit Is the Holy Spirit a gift for us, too? Yes
If you could choose any color flower, what color would you choose? What’s the silliest color you could choose for a flower? What would be a silly color for polka dots? What does the Big Do say to do with your family? Plant flowers
Who is the strongest person in your family? What does our Big Verse say? Psalm 27:14 (NIrV), “Wait for the Lord. Be (weak / strong) and don’t lose hope.”
Clean Up
