I Was Made To Serve

This lesson teaches kids that God created them to serve others with love and kindness. Through the story of Esther and the example of Jesus, they learn that true greatness comes from helping others instead of focusing only on themselves. Children are encouraged to practice serving their families and friends as a way to follow God’s plan.
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I Was Made To Serve

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This content is provided free of charge by The Ark Church.

Large Group Instructions

Countdown from 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)

Host and Co-host enter.

Host

Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! You always bring so much fun and joy to the Train Station.

Co-host

I’m thankful that God loves us and that He created a good plan for everyone in the world. We can be part of that big plan when we follow and obey Jesus.

Host

We were made to do great things for Jesus. You can’t do great things for God if you only think about what you want.

Co-host

Thinking about how you can help other people is a wise choice that all of God’s helpers should make.

Host

Let’s think about others by playing a game. I’ll name something like the color of their hair or the clothes they wear. Your job is to find that person.

Name differentiators such as blond hair, brown eyes, long-sleeve shirt, shorts, dress, etc. Depending on your group’s size, you can have the kids find them by physically walking over to the other child or simply by looking around and pointing at someone nearby.

Host

If you only think about what you like or want, you’ll only think about how other people can help you.

Co-host

Jesus wants us to think more about how we can help others. That’s what we’re going to learn about today.

Host

In a few moments, we’ll visit the Music Store to learn the Big Point. We’ll also visit Conductor Carl and his friends. I heard that a big storm happened last night at the Train Station. I hope they are okay. First, let’s say, “Choo-choo!”

Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)

Host and Co-host enter.

Host

Jr. Conductors, I’m sad that the school had so much damage from the storm. Mr. Rios seems very worried.

Co-host

Do you think that Lionel should help Mr. Rios or do what he wants to do and race his car?

Host

Maybe our Big Point will help us know the correct answer.

Co-host

Let’s stand and practice our Big Point together.

Co-host

(Practice the Big Point). I Was Made To Serve!

Host

God has created us to help others. To serve is to help. Do you enjoy being a big helper? Serving can be fun.

Co-host

But serving others means that sometimes you don’t get to do everything you want to do, so that you can help other people.

Host

Let’s look at some ways we can serve and some things we might have to give up to be able to help.

Show the slides. Ask kids questions about the items on screen or have them act out doing the activity or using the item.

Vacuum and TV – You can serve your family by helping to clean, but you have to give up watching shows for a little bit so you can help.

Toy and Donation Box – You can serve by sharing toys with kids who don’t have them, but you’ll have to give up some toys from your room.

Food and Treat – You can serve others by sharing food with them, but you have to give up a treat you enjoy in order to share it with someone else.

Host

Did you know that the more you share and serve, the more God helps you?

Co-host

When we give our best to God, He gives good things back to us. You never have to worry if God will take care of you.

Host

I hope Lionel will learn that it’s okay to serve and help Mr. Rios. Even if he misses his race, God can still bless him with good things.

Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Fake Foot, Washcloth, Bucket of Water, Chair

Host and Co-host enter.

Host

I’m so glad that Lionel stopped playing his game and chose to help Mr. Rios fix the school bus. He’s following the Big Point. Let’s stand and practice the Big Point again,

Host

I Was Made To Serve!

Co-host

Maia shared an important Big Verse from the Bible.

Co-host

Mark 10:43 (NIrV), “Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant.”

Host

Do you know who said that? It was Jesus. Is anyone in the whole world more important than Jesus? No! Jesus is the most important because He is God. Hmm, but He said anyone who wants to be important should serve.

Co-host

Jesus didn’t just say it; He showed it with His choices. Jesus and His friends were ready to have a special dinner one night. But there was no one there to serve.

Host

Everyone’s feet were really dirty from walking around. Let’s hold our noses and say, “Yuck!” Dirty feet are kind of gross. Before they could eat dinner, someone needed to wash each person’s feet.

Co-host

Let’s have a friend join us on stage. Just for fun, we’ll have him/her put this silly giant foot on their foot. Would you want to wash a stinky foot that was this big?

Have the child sit in the chair and wear the fake foot.

Host

None of Jesus’ friends wanted to do it either. They waited for someone else to wash their feet. Guess who volunteered for the job? Jesus, who was the most important person there. He bent down and washed all their feet and dried them off.

Rinse and dry the fake foot.

Co-host

Jesus showed them that serving is a good choice that everyone should make. It doesn’t matter who you are; everyone should serve God and others.

Host

That’s a lesson that a queen in the Bible had to learn so she could save her family. Before we hear her story, let’s stand and worship God!

Big Story

Optional, play soft instrumental music

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. I want you to ask God to help you think of one person you could help or serve this week. Quietly ask God to do that now. (Pause) Did you think of someone? That’s great. Now, let’s ask God to help us serve them. (Pray)

Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)

Host and Co-host enter

Host

I’m so glad that Lionel fixed the school bus. Now, all of the kids will be able to come to school. He served his friends. That’s what Esther did in the Bible when she bravely spoke to the king. Let’s practice our Big Point,

Host

I Was Made To Serve!

Co-host

We can practice the Big Point this week by doing the Big Do.

Host

This week’s Big Do is to do one thing to serve someone in your family. You could clean up toys or clothes that are lying on the floor. You could help vacuum or match socks. There are so many ways to help.

Co-host

Let’s pretend to serve right now so we can practice and be ready for the Big Do.

Have the kids stand and act out different serving opportunities, such as sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, picking up toys, wiping the counter, bringing someone a snack, etc.

Host

I think you’ll do a great job with the Big Do this week. Let’s say our Big Point.

Host

I Was Made To Serve!

Big Review

⦁ Let’s Practice our Big Point again. Hmm, did our Big Point say I Was Made To Be Served By Others or I Was Made To Serve?

⦁ Let’s sing the “Wheels on the Bus” song with motions. (Sing the song) Who did Mr. Rios ask to fix the school bus? Lionel Did Lionel want to help at first? No What did he want to do? Race his car Did Lionel make a good choice? Yes

⦁ Let’s place a crown on our heads. Who wears a crown? Wave like an important king or queen. Let’s talk about our Big Verse. Mark 10:43 (NIrV), “Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your _____.”

Servant

⦁ Boss

⦁ Can you show me what it looks like to bow down? In our Big Story, did Mordecai bow down to mean Haman? No What did Haman want to do to Mordecai and all of the Jewish people when he chose to be angry? He wanted to hurt them Did Queen Esther choose to be brave and help her family by talking to the king? Yes

⦁ What is today’s Big Do? Serve someone in your family

I Was Made To Serve Instructions

Countdown from 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)

Host and Co-host enter.

Host

Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! You always bring so much fun and joy to the Train Station.

Co-host

I’m thankful that God loves us and that He created a good plan for everyone in the world. We can be part of that big plan when we follow and obey Jesus.

Host

We were made to do great things for Jesus. You can’t do great things for God if you only think about what you want.

Co-host

Thinking about how you can help other people is a wise choice that all of God’s helpers should make.

Host

Let’s think about others by playing a game. I’ll name something like the color of their hair or the clothes they wear. Your job is to find that person.

Name differentiators such as blond hair, brown eyes, long-sleeve shirt, shorts, dress, etc. Depending on your group’s size, you can have the kids find them by physically walking over to the other child or simply by looking around and pointing at someone nearby.

Host

If you only think about what you like or want, you’ll only think about how other people can help you.

Co-host

Jesus wants us to think more about how we can help others. That’s what we’re going to learn about today.

Host

In a few moments, we’ll visit the Music Store to learn the Big Point. We’ll also visit Conductor Carl and his friends. I heard that a big storm happened last night at the Train Station. I hope they are okay. First, let’s say, “Choo-choo!”

Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)

Host and Co-host enter.

Host

Jr. Conductors, I’m sad that the school had so much damage from the storm. Mr. Rios seems very worried.

Co-host

Do you think that Lionel should help Mr. Rios or do what he wants to do and race his car?

Host

Maybe our Big Point will help us know the correct answer.

Co-host

Let’s stand and practice our Big Point together.

Co-host

(Practice the Big Point). I Was Made To Serve!

Host

God has created us to help others. To serve is to help. Do you enjoy being a big helper? Serving can be fun.

Co-host

But serving others means that sometimes you don’t get to do everything you want to do, so that you can help other people.

Host

Let’s look at some ways we can serve and some things we might have to give up to be able to help.

Show the slides. Ask kids questions about the items on screen or have them act out doing the activity or using the item.

Vacuum and TV – You can serve your family by helping to clean, but you have to give up watching shows for a little bit so you can help.

Toy and Donation Box – You can serve by sharing toys with kids who don’t have them, but you’ll have to give up some toys from your room.

Food and Treat – You can serve others by sharing food with them, but you have to give up a treat you enjoy in order to share it with someone else.

Host

Did you know that the more you share and serve, the more God helps you?

Co-host

When we give our best to God, He gives good things back to us. You never have to worry if God will take care of you.

Host

I hope Lionel will learn that it’s okay to serve and help Mr. Rios. Even if he misses his race, God can still bless him with good things.

Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Fake Foot, Washcloth, Bucket of Water, Chair

Host and Co-host enter.

Host

I’m so glad that Lionel stopped playing his game and chose to help Mr. Rios fix the school bus. He’s following the Big Point. Let’s stand and practice the Big Point again,

Host

I Was Made To Serve!

Co-host

Maia shared an important Big Verse from the Bible.

Co-host

Mark 10:43 (NIrV), “Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant.”

Host

Do you know who said that? It was Jesus. Is anyone in the whole world more important than Jesus? No! Jesus is the most important because He is God. Hmm, but He said anyone who wants to be important should serve.

Co-host

Jesus didn’t just say it; He showed it with His choices. Jesus and His friends were ready to have a special dinner one night. But there was no one there to serve.

Host

Everyone’s feet were really dirty from walking around. Let’s hold our noses and say, “Yuck!” Dirty feet are kind of gross. Before they could eat dinner, someone needed to wash each person’s feet.

Co-host

Let’s have a friend join us on stage. Just for fun, we’ll have him/her put this silly giant foot on their foot. Would you want to wash a stinky foot that was this big?

Have the child sit in the chair and wear the fake foot.

Host

None of Jesus’ friends wanted to do it either. They waited for someone else to wash their feet. Guess who volunteered for the job? Jesus, who was the most important person there. He bent down and washed all their feet and dried them off.

Rinse and dry the fake foot.

Co-host

Jesus showed them that serving is a good choice that everyone should make. It doesn’t matter who you are; everyone should serve God and others.

Host

That’s a lesson that a queen in the Bible had to learn so she could save her family. Before we hear her story, let’s stand and worship God!

Big Story

Optional, play soft instrumental music

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. I want you to ask God to help you think of one person you could help or serve this week. Quietly ask God to do that now. (Pause) Did you think of someone? That’s great. Now, let’s ask God to help us serve them. (Pray)

Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)

Host and Co-host enter

Host

I’m so glad that Lionel fixed the school bus. Now, all of the kids will be able to come to school. He served his friends. That’s what Esther did in the Bible when she bravely spoke to the king. Let’s practice our Big Point,

Host

I Was Made To Serve!

Co-host

We can practice the Big Point this week by doing the Big Do.

Host

This week’s Big Do is to do one thing to serve someone in your family. You could clean up toys or clothes that are lying on the floor. You could help vacuum or match socks. There are so many ways to help.

Co-host

Let’s pretend to serve right now so we can practice and be ready for the Big Do.

Have the kids stand and act out different serving opportunities, such as sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, picking up toys, wiping the counter, bringing someone a snack, etc.

Host

I think you’ll do a great job with the Big Do this week. Let’s say our Big Point.

Host

I Was Made To Serve!

Big Review

⦁ Let’s Practice our Big Point again. Hmm, did our Big Point say I Was Made To Be Served By Others or I Was Made To Serve?

⦁ Let’s sing the “Wheels on the Bus” song with motions. (Sing the song) Who did Mr. Rios ask to fix the school bus? Lionel Did Lionel want to help at first? No What did he want to do? Race his car Did Lionel make a good choice? Yes

⦁ Let’s place a crown on our heads. Who wears a crown? Wave like an important king or queen. Let’s talk about our Big Verse. Mark 10:43 (NIrV), “Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your _____.”

Servant

⦁ Boss

⦁ Can you show me what it looks like to bow down? In our Big Story, did Mordecai bow down to mean Haman? No What did Haman want to do to Mordecai and all of the Jewish people when he chose to be angry? He wanted to hurt them Did Queen Esther choose to be brave and help her family by talking to the king? Yes

⦁ What is today’s Big Do? Serve someone in your family