Large Group Instructions
Countdown From 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Red Handkerchief (2), Train Engineer Hat (2), Balloon
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors!
Co-Host tries to blow up a balloon but can’t inflate it. He/She nearly turns blue trying to blow it up. The Co-Host finally lets out a breath of air.
Co-Host
That’s too hard. I don’t think I can blow up this balloon.
Host
Blowing up balloons can be difficult, but I believe you can do it. Jr. Conductors, can you show (Co-Host’s name) how to blow up a balloon?
Co-Host
That would be great. I know I’m supposed to stretch the balloon. Can you help me do that? Should I hold it way away from me and blow? (Co-Host tries that) You’re right, that’s not working. Show me what to do. Can you take big breaths? I think I can do it.
Co-Host blows up the balloon and lets it go. The balloon goes flying.
Host
Well, at least now you know how to blow it up again. The Jr. Conductors were a big help to you.
Co-Host
They sure were. Thank you!
Host
They used their breath to show you how to blow up a balloon. Today we will discover that there are lots of ways that the Jr. Conductors can use what they have to help. If you are ready to learn at the Train Station, say, “Choo-choo!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Red Handkerchief (2), Train Engineer Hat (2), Energy Stick
Host and Co-Host enter. This Engage uses the Energy Stick experiment. It’s simple to use. All you need is a closed circuit to make the stick light up. The closed circuit is created when two or more people hold the Energy Stick with one hand and hold hands with each other. The Energy Stick can be purchased online or in some stores.
Host
Mia is excited to help Farmer Faith, but is she having a hard time using her energy to help?
Co-Host
She is having some trouble, but I’m glad that Mr. Rios is there to remind her to be careful and use her energy in a helpful way.
Host
That’s being gentle. Gentleness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s a very helpful attitude to choose. Let’s practice the Big Point to discover how to show gentleness,
Host
Use Your Power To Help!
Host
Everyone has power, and we can use that power either to hurt or to help.
Co-Host
Do you think that I have power to help? What about the Jr. Conductors?
Host
Everyone has power. Let’s think of things we can do, Jr. Conductors. Can you walk? Stand up and walk in place. (Walk in place) We have the power to walk over and help a friend stand up when they’ve fallen. Can you move your hands? Wiggle them for me. (Wiggle your hands) You have the power to use those hands to hug someone and share love. You can sit on your pockets.
Co-Host
I can’t see my power.
Host
It’s there. I’ll show you with a science experiment from Professor Beaker. Here is a Jr. Conductor who is going to help. (Bring up volunteer) This stick can light up just using the power in you. Hold it.
The volunteer holds one end of the Energy Stick. The Co-Host holds the other end.
Co-Host
It’s not working. See, I don’t have power.
Host
Let’s have our friend hold the other end. You two, touch hands.
The volunteer and Co-Host hold their other hands. The stick lights up.
Co-Host
Look! It lit up. We both have power.
Host
We all have power in us. When we use that power to help, like our friend did with you, then we can be part of God’s big plan.
Co-Host
Let’s see if Mia uses her power to help.
Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Red Handkerchief (2), Train Engineer Hat (2), Bed of Nails Experiment, Balloons
Host and Co-Host enter. This Engage uses the Bed of Nails science experiment. The kit can be purchased online, but it can also be constructed using plans available online. As with all experiments, be sure to practice several times before service.
Host
Mia’s sad because she feels like she is making a big mess at the farm.
Co-Host
Mr. Rios and Farmer Faith have been so patient as they help Mia learn how to be gentle. Do you think Mia can find a way to help?
Host
I do, too. Let’s practice the Big Point so we can help Mia remember,
Host
Use Your Power To Help!
Co-Host
Mr. Rios shared a verse from the Bible that has to do with the Big Point.
Co-Host
Philippians 4:5 (NIrV) says, “Let everyone know how gentle you are.” What does it look like to be gentle?
Host
I think I have a way to show you. Can you blow up two balloons?
Co-Host
Sure, we’ll use our power of breathing to help. Jr. Conductors, take a big breath in and breathe out.
Blow up two balloons.
Host
This is a nail. Is a nail pointy and sharp on the end or soft? (Show the nail) It’s pointy. Pretend to touch a sharp nail. Ow! What do you think will happen if I poke a balloon with a pointy nail?
Co-Host
You’re right, Jr. Conductors. I think it will pop. Let’s cover our ears, so it’s not so loud.
Pop the balloon.
Host
If we use our power to hurt, then we end up making people feel bad. That’s not gentle. We can make a different choice with our power. Look at this. It’s a whole bed of nails.
Show the bed of nails to the kids.
Co-Host
That’s a lot of pointy nails. I’m sure that will pop the balloon. Let’s cover our ears again.
Place the balloon on the bed of nails and push down on it with the top board. Don’t push too hard! The balloon won’t pop.
Host
It didn’t pop. The balloon is okay. That’s what it looks like to be gentle. When we use our power to help others, we won’t hurt them. God can help us choose to be gentle. That’s because gentleness is part of the Fruit of the Spirit. Let’s stand and thank God with a song!
Big Story
Jr. Conductors, let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. Take a moment to talk to God. Ask Him to help you think of one way you can help someone else. Do that now. (Pause) I’ll pray for all of us. Dear God, thank You for being gentle with us and teaching us how to be gentle with others. Help us to use what we have to be Your big helpers. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!
Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Red Handkerchief (2), Train Engineer Hat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
I’m glad that Mia was able to have fun at the farm and find a way to help Farmer Faith. She followed the Big Point,
Host
Use Your Power To Help!
Co-Host
Paul did, too, when he wrote the letter to help Onesimus. That’s something to remember as we do the Big Do with our family.
Host
This week’s Big Do is to have someone in your family blow up a balloon. See how big you can blow it up without making it pop. Use your breath to make the balloon into a fun toy and remember to be gentle.
Co-Host
God does a great job of using His power to help us. Is God older than us? Yes. Is God stronger than us? Yes. Does God help us or hurt us? He helps us.
Host
God provides good things for us to eat. What’s your favorite food?
Allow for answers, pretend to eat those foods.
Host
God gives us people to love us, like friends at church and family. Can you tell me the name of someone who loves you?
Co-Host
God takes care of us by giving us places to stay. What color is the place where you live? God is gentle with His power. I’m thankful that He helps us.
Host
Me, too. I can’t wait to hear how you have been gentle this week. Remember,
Host
Use Your Power To Help!
Big Review
Did our Big Point say Use Your Power To Hurt or Use Your Power To Help!
Let’s pretend to sneak away quietly. Stand up. Should we run? (Run in place) No, we should tip toe. Tip toe carefully. Did Onesimus run away? Yes Could he get in trouble for doing that? Yes
Can you pretend to write a letter? Which letter should we try to write? Who wrote a letter to help Onesimus? Paul Did Paul want to help Onesimus not get in trouble? Yes
Can you show me what really big muscles look like? (Make muscles) What are some ways that you can help other people?
Pretend you are holding a banana. Show me what it looks like to squish the banana roughly. How do you peel it carefully? What does our Big Verse say? Philippians 4:5 (NIrV), “Let everyone know how (rough / gentle) you are.”
Clean Up
