Large Group Instructions
Countdown From 10
Rules
WelcomeMaterials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Superhero Cape, Superhero Mask
Host and Co-Host enter dressed in overalls. The Co-Host wears a superhero cape and mask.
Host
Welcome to the Train Station, Jr. Conductors! We are always so happy to see you here.
Co-Host
Did I show you my new superhero cape? Look at what I can do! Jr. Conductors, hold your arms out and pretend to fly.
The Co-Host “flies” around the stage, holding his/her arms out like a superhero.
Co-Host
Watch me show my muscles! Jr. Conductors, stand up and jump high, like me.
The Co-Host jumps in the air.
Co-Host
My new cape makes me a superhero.
Host
You guys can sit down on your pockets. (Co-Host’s name) does look like a superhero, doesn’t he/she? Is he/she a real superhero? No, that cape can’t make you fly in the air.
Co-Host holds his/her hands in the air and “tries” to lift off into the air. He/She seems frustrated.
Co-Host
I think you’re right. I can’t get more than a few inches off the ground without falling down with a crash. It would be fun to be a superhero, though.
Host
It would be fun, but at least you can still pretend and play as a superhero. Today we get to hear about someone who can make us holy. That change doesn’t happen because of what we wear. It happens on the inside. I can’t wait to tell you about it, but first let’s say a big, “Choo-choo!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
I’m excited that Mia will be in a show at her school. It sounds like some of the other kids are creating big problems for Mr. Rios. He’s such a nice teacher.
Host
Mia is making a wise choice. She’s thinking about Jesus and trying to make choices that copy Him. It seems like Mia believes our Big Point. Let’s practice the Big Point again,
Host
Jesus Helps Me To Be Holy!
Co-Host
Holy means we become different, in a good way, like Jesus. But how does Jesus help us to be holy? Does He change the way we talk? (In a deep voice) Jr. Conductors, let’s talk with a deep voice. I’m talking deeply, Jr. Conductors. (Robot voice) Now let’s talk like a robot. Hello. How are you?
Host
No, Jesus doesn’t change the way that we sound when He makes us holy.
Co-Host
Does Jesus change our hair to make us holy? Let’s pretend to flip our hair around, like it’s really long, so long that it touches the ground.
Turn your head as if flipping it around.
Host
No, our hair stays the same when we become holy like Jesus.
Co-Host
Does Jesus make us holy by making us dance silly? Jr. Conductors, let’s stand and dance as silly as we can.
Dance in a silly manner.
Host
No, dancing doesn’t make us holy. Jesus makes us holy on the inside. Jesus changes the way we think so that we think good and loving thoughts, the kinds of thoughts that God wants us to think. Jesus changes the things we want, so we want good things, not wrong things. Jesus also changes our hearts, the invisible part of us that connects to God, so that we can become God’s friends.
Co-Host
So, the stuff on our outside doesn’t make us holy. We become holy, like Jesus, because He changes our hearts on the inside. No one else can make our hearts different. Jesus is the only one who can change us on the inside.
Host
That’s true. Only God can give us the power to think and act more like God thinks and acts. We can act more like Jesus anywhere we go. Do you think Mia will keep acting more like Jesus at school? Let’s find out.
Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Color Bead Separation Illusion
Host and Co-Host enter. This Engage uses the Color Bead Separation illusion. You may find it listed as cocktail of beads illusion. This can be purchased at www.laflinmagicstore.com. Follow the directions to perform the illusion.
Co-Host
I’m proud of Mia. She listened to Jesus and made wise choices. She didn’t hear Jesus speak out loud; instead, she listened to Jesus on the inside.
Host
Mia learned that she didn’t have to make wise choices all by herself. We have Jesus’ help. Let’s say the Big Point again,
Host
Jesus Helps Me To Be Holy!
Co-Host
I like the verse that Engineer Kelly shared from the Bible.
Co-Host
Colossians 1:22 (NIrV) says, “Christ’s death has made you holy in God’s sight.”
Host
Have you ever noticed that there are lots of people who make wrong choices? We see them everywhere. Kids make wrong choices, and adults even do, sometimes. That makes our world seem very mixed up.
Mix the cup of white beads into the cup of red beads.
Co-Host
Oh, no. Jr. Conductors, what happened to the cup of beads? (Allow for answers) You’re right; they’re all mixed up. It’s going to be hard to get them unmixed.
Host
Unmixing our crazy world is too hard for us to do. We need Jesus’ help to fix things. He’s the only One who can help us become holy on the inside. When Jesus died on the cross and came back to life, He defeated evil. Now Jesus can change us, so we can be different and think and act like Jesus.
Put the cups behind your back, separate the beads according to the directions, and present the cups to the audience. The beads have been separated.
Co-Host
Look! The beads are back in the right cups.
Host
When we follow Jesus and make Him our leader and friend, this is what happens to us! Jesus changes us on the inside and helps us make wise choices.
Co-Host
In a moment, we’re going to hear about the time when some people thought you could become holy by what you wore and ate. Jesus helped them learn how to become holy. Listen closely, so you can find out, too. First let’s worship Jesus.
Big Story
I’m so glad that we have Jesus’ help to act holy. Holy means acting in a way that’s more like Jesus would act. We can help each other by praying for each other. Can you be a big helper and pray for a friend at the Train Station? Let’s do that now. Repeat this prayer after me, “Dear Jesus, help my friends make wise choices. Help them to think and act like You do. Help us to love each other. Amen.” You could pray for people like your family or neighbors when you get home. I’m glad that you want to be God’s big helpers.
Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Mia’s show was great. Everyone clapped for the kids. They did such a good job!
Host
Mia’s wise choices helped the other kids listen to Mr. Rios. I’m glad that we can help our friends remember to follow Jesus, too. Let’s all practice our Big Point again,
Host
Jesus Helps Me To Be Holy!
Co-Host
Jesus taught us in the Big Story that what we eat and wear doesn’t make us friends with God. What matters more are our thoughts and words toward God and what we do for Him. Thankfully, Jesus helps us to think wise thoughts and follow Him.
Host
You can tell your family about what you discovered about Jesus when you do the Big Do this week.
Host
Celebrate becoming more like Jesus! Whenever you catch someone making a wise choice, give them a high-five, thumbs up, or a big smile.
Co-Host
Let’s practice doing that now. Everyone, stand up. When I say go, give as many high-fives as you can to the Jr. Conductors standing beside you. You can only move your arms. Don’t move your feet.
Have the kids give each other high-fives. Then have them give thumbs up, smiles, etc. as time allows.
Host
You’re gonna have so much fun celebrating as you catch lots of people making wise choices. Let’s say our Big Point once more,
Host
Jesus Helps Me To Be Holy!
Big Review
Did our Big Point say, Jesus Helps Me To Be Silly or Jesus Helps Me To Be Holy!?
Let’s sing a song together that you might sing at school (Sing a Song, such as “The Wheels on the Bus” or “Old MacDonald”) Who was in a show at school today? Mia How did the other kids act? They misbehaved Did Mia make wise choices? Mia followed Jesus and made wise choices
Let’s say what color hair people have in our group. (Name the colors) What shirt colors do you see? (Name the colors) Do those things make you holy, like Jesus? No. Holiness comes from what’s inside us Colossians 1:22 (NIrV) says, “Christ’s death has made you (angry / holy) in God’s sight.”
Why did the teachers get angry at Jesus’ friends in the Big Story? They didn’t wash their hands before eating Did Jesus say God cared more about stuff we wear or who we are on the inside? Inside What if everyone around you is making wrong choices? Do you have to? What can you do differently? A great thing to do would be to ask yourself, “What would Jesus do if He were me?”
What did Conductor Carl tell us to do in the Big Do? Celebrate when you see people being more like Jesus
Clean Up
