Stay In Charge

Host

Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors!

Co-Host

I’m excited to discover more about the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s fun to learn more about Jesus.

Host

We’re going to learn about something today that will help all the Jr. Conductors and engineers. It’s called self-control.

Co-Host

What is self-control?

Host

Instead of telling you, let’s all practice it together. This is a game everyone can play. I will say the name of an animal, and then we’ll all act like that animal. But when I say, “Freeze,” then you must freeze. If your arm is behind you and your leg is in the air, you must stay like that until the music plays again. Don’t make another sound until I say, “Go.”

Co-Host

It was hard to stay frozen. Do you think it will be that hard to have self-control?

Host

It can be challenging, but thankfully we have the Holy Spirit’s help. He grows good things in us, like self-control, and He helps us make wise choices. If you are ready for a great day at the Train Station, say, “Choo-choo!”

Host

Do you think Engineer Kelly is making wise choices?

Co-Host

I don’t think so, either. What did she take from Chef Bananas? Yes, she took Conductor Gordon’s yummy ice cream.

Host

Have you ever eaten something you were told not to eat, like a cookie before dinner or a special treat that was supposed to be for later? It can feel hard to say, “No,” but we have help making a good choice. I think we should practice the Big Point to remember what God helps us do,

Host

Stay In Charge!

Co-Host

Stay in charge? Stay in charge of who? Are we in charge of an army? Jr. Conductors, I’ll be the general. (Put on the army hat) Let’s march. (Singing) The ants go marching one by one, hoorah, hoorah. The little one stops to suck his thumb, and they all go marching down to the ground. Hooray! Great job. You can sit on your pockets.

Host

No, we’re not in charge of armies. God wants us to stay in charge of ourselves.

Co-Host

We can do that?

Host

Sure! I’ll show you how. Tell me something to do.

Co-Host

Jr. Conductors, let’s tell (Host) to spin around.

Co-Host

Maybe he/she didn’t hear us. Jr. Conductors, let’s tell (Host) to jump up and down.

Co-Host

I’m not good at being in charge.

Host

That’s because we can’t make someone else do something. But try this. Tell yourself something to do.

Co-Host

Jr. Conductors, point to yourself and say, “Wobble your head back and forth.”

Co-Host

Jr. Conductors, point to yourself and say, “Wave your arms.”

Co-Host

That was easy. We said it and did it.

Host

That’s because we can choose how we act. We can also choose not to believe things that are untrue. When we feel frustrated, sad, or tired, we still have the power to stay in charge of ourselves and do the right thing. The Holy Spirit helps us make that choice.

Co-Host

I wonder if Engineer Kelly will make that choice. Let’s find out.

Host

I can’t believe Engineer Kelly told Lionel the big surprise. She’s having a hard time saying, “No” to herself.

Co-Host

We know that if she obeys Jesus and walks in step with the Holy Spirit, then she can follow our Big Point. Let’s say it again,

Co-Host

Stay In Charge!

Host

I’m glad that Conductor Carl shared the Big Verse with her from the Bible.

Host

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIrV) says, “God gave us His Spirit…He helps us control ourselves.”

Co-Host

Sometimes it seems hard to say, “No” when you really want to do something.

Host

It would be hard to make that choice all by yourself. The good news is that we have a Helper, a big strong Helper. The Holy Spirit helps us control what we say, think, and do. Let’s use our imaginations to think of how we can control ourselves.

Co-Host

Look at this first picture.

Host

What is that? Yep, it’s a cookie. Let’s imagine that you are really hungry, but your mom said that you can’t eat a cookie before dinner.

Co-Host

You might want to gobble up that cookie. Pretend to reach out and grab it and nibble the cookie. Staying in charge means that you say, “No” to doing that. Look at your hand and say, “No!”

Host

I see a tablet. Do any of you use a tablet at home to play games or watch videos? Let’s imagine our daddy said that we couldn’t use the tablet because it’s time to go to bed.

Co-Host

You might be tempted to sneak and grab it when he’s not looking. Stand up and pretend to sneak. Staying in charge means that you say, “No” to doing that, and you choose to obey. Look at your feet and say, “No!”

Host

You can sit on your pockets. We have the power to say, “No” to ourselves. Just because we think something does not mean we have to do it. The Holy Spirit helps us stay in charge. Let’s say, “Yes!” to standing and praising God.

Let’s take a moment to talk to Jesus. I want you to close your eyes and think about one thing that your parents or teacher have asked you not to do. Let’s ask Jesus to help us say, “No” to making that unwise choice. I’ll pray for us, and as I do, ask Jesus to help you stay in charge. (Pray)

Host

I’m so thankful that Engineer Kelly learned today’s Big Point. She has decided to make much better choices. You can, too, when you follow the Big Point. Let’s say it together,

Host

Stay In Charge!

Co-Host

It’s awesome that Paul stayed in charge when he was in the middle of that big storm. He was able to practice self-control because He trusted God to help him. We have a fun idea for this week’s Big Do.

Host

This week’s Big Do is to see which person in your family can stay in charge of their voice and not make a single sound. You’re going to play the quiet game! See who in your family can stay the quietest.

Co-Host

Let’s practice playing that game right now. When I say, “Go,” we’ll start the game. Let’s see how long we can go before we make a sound.

Host

That was fun. Let’s see if a Jr. Conductor can stay in charge of their wiggles. I will brush this feather on your arm. Try to stay completely still.

Host

Did our friend stay still or move? That was so funny. Let’s try one more. I’ll choose another friend to help me.

Co-Host

You get to crank this jack-in-the-box until it pops out. See if you can stay in charge and not move when it pops out.

Host

After you do the Big Do, talk to your family about how the Holy Spirit helps us practice our Big Point. Let’s say it again,

Host

Stay In Charge!

• Did our Big Point say Do Whatever You Want To Do or Stay In Charge?

• Pretend that it is storming. Wiggle your fingers like they are raindrops falling. Can you sound like thunder? Who was in the middle of a storm in our Big Story? Paul Was he in a house or on a boat? Boat

• We should pretend to be on the boat with Paul. The waves are big. Make big waves with your hands. Rock side to side like the boat is almost turning over. Did Paul act crazy or did he stay in charge? Stayed in charge Who did Paul trust to help him? God

• Pretend to swim. Swim hard. Do you see the beach? Let’s swim all the way to the beach. When the boat crashed, did Paul get hurt? No Did God protect all of the people on the boat? Yes

• What does our Big Verse say? 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIrV), “God gave us His Spirit…He helps us control (other people / ourselves).”