The Lord Is My Hope
Engineer Kelly is worried that Conductor Carl won't keep his promise to let her choose the games for their day of play.
Start Lesson
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! We have learned so many wonderful things about God by reading Psalm 23. That’s the song King David wrote about God.
Co-Host
I heard that Conductor Carl and his friends are getting ready for a fun day of play at the Train Station. I can’t wait to see what games they choose.
Host
Jr. Conductors, let’s join in the games by playing one together. This game is all about looking closely. Can you pretend to hold binoculars over your eyes so you can see far away?
Make binoculars with your hands and look around.
Co-Host
There are animals hidden in this picture
Co-Host
Let’s see if we can find all of the hidden things.
Help the kids point out all the hidden animals within the picture. Then show the answer slide.
Host
You did a great job seeing everything in the picture. Do you know who is the best at seeing everything? God! There’s nothing God can’t see.
Co-Host
That means that He knows when something makes us sad or hurts us or gives us lots of joy. God is always watching.
Host
God has a good plan for us. We have lots more to learn about God. I think we should get started with a big “Choo-choo!”
Engage 1Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Engineer Kelly is worried that Conductor Carl has bad news for her.
Co-Host
He actually has good plans for Engineer Kelly. He wants her to pick the first game.
Host
Sometimes people are confused about God. They don’t realize that God has a good plan for them. That’s something that King David sang about in Psalm 23. Let’s stand and practice our Big Point from that Psalm,
Host
The Lord Is My Hope!
Co-Host
Jr. Conductors, let’s think about the word hope. Let’s think of some things that we say we hope will happen.
Show the slides and have the kids say, “I hope to…” Then act out the scenario.
Have a sunny day at the beach
Have a snowy day at home
Play with friends
Have ice cream for dessert
Watch my favorite movie
Go fishing
Visit the store
Host
We all hope that fun things will happen. We want to enjoy good things. When we say that The Lord is our hope, that means that we hope and trust in God’s good plan.
Co-Host
Thankfully, God has done many wonderful things for us and others. Because of that we can be sure that God has a good plan for us. Even when bad things happen, we still trust that God is good.
Host
When we say, “I hope in God,” it means I know God wants good things for me. We know from reading the Bible that this is true. Let’s see if Engineer Kelly will listen to Conductor Carl’s good news.
Engage 2Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2), Chairs, Cones, Inflatable Obstacles, Hula Hoops
Host and Co-Host enter. Use various items such as hula hoops, inflatable obstacles, chairs, cones, etc. to create a simple obstacle course on the stage or around the room.
Host
Engineer Kelly looked a little silly dressed as a cupcake. I can’t believe she wanted to hide from Conductor Carl when all he wants to do is share good news with her. I’m glad we don’t have to hide from God’s good news. Remember the Big Point,
Host
The Lord Is My Hope!
Co-Host
Mr. Rios shared the Big Verse with Engineer Kelly. King David wrote it in ...
Co-Host
... Psalm 23:6 (NIrV), “I am sure that goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”
Host
That verse teaches us that God’s good help and His great love is always there for us. Let me show you what I mean with some help from some friends.
Choose a few kids to come on stage and play the game. If your class size allows, consider allowing all the kids to participate.
Co-Host
Jr. Conductors, our friends on stage will try to follow (Host) through this obstacle course. (To the kids) Your job is to follow him/her and do what he/she does the whole time. Never stop following him/her, even if he/she goes slow or fast, keep following.
Play the game. Encourage the kids to follow the Host through the obstacle course. The Host should move at different speeds and mix up directions around the obstacles.
Host
You did a great job following me. Let’s clap for our friends. Just like our friends followed me everywhere I went, God’s good help and love follow us everywhere we go.
Co-Host
You can never hide from God’s love. He’s always sharing His love with us. No matter what happens, God’s good plan is always chasing us because that’s just how much God loves us.
Host
In a moment, we’ll hear how God’s love chased the Israelites, even when they made unwise choices. Before we hear the story, let’s stand and worship God!
Big Story
I’m so glad we have Jesus to lead us toward the right things. It’s a good idea to learn Psalm 23, so you can remember it when you feel afraid. Let’s practice saying part of it together. “The Lord is my Shepherd. (The Lord is my Shepherd) He guides me in the right paths. (He guides me in the right paths) I will not be afraid. (I will not be afraid) You are with me. (You are with me) My cup runs over. (My cup runs over) I am sure that goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life. (I am sure that goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life)” (Repeat 2x) Let’s pray and thank Jesus for being our Shepherd. “Dear Jesus, thank You for keeping Your promises. We know that if You say You will do something, then You will do it. Help us to always put our hope in You. Amen.”
Engage 3Materials: Overalls (2), Train Hat (2), Handkerchief (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Engineer Kelly got to choose all the games. I’m glad that she listened to Conductor Carl. He wanted to help her. The Israelites made unwise choices, and that brought lots of problems. But God is good, and He wouldn’t forget His promise to help them. Let’s practice our Big Point,
Host
The Lord Is My Hope!
Co-Host
We can practice the Big Point this week by doing the Big Do.
Host
This week’s Big Do is to is to have everyone in your family share something they are hopeful for this year.
Co-Host
God shows us His goodness and love every day. Let’s think of some ways that God shows His love.
Show the slides and describe how God demonstrates His love.
Bed: Place to safely sleep
Food: Food to eat
Family: People who love you
Church: Friends who love God
Brain: Help to learn new things
Laughing: Having fun with our friends and family
Host
I’m so thankful for all the ways that God shows us His love. God’s good plan is something we can always count on.
Co-Host
That’s why we should follow King David’s example and worship God. Let’s say our Big Point,
Co-Host
The Lord Is My Hope!
Big Review
Let’s Practice our Big Point again. Hmm, did our Big Point say The Lord Is My Hope! or The Lord Likes to Mope?
Pretend your two fingers are legs. Let’s have them march to a new country. (Use your first two fingers to “walk” on the ground) When the Israelites marched to a new land, did they make wise choices? No Did some mean kings come and make them leave their home? Yes
Point to your heart. Can you use your hands to make a heart shape? Let me show you how to do it. (Make a heart with your two hands) When you see hearts, what do you think about? Psalm 23:6 (NIrV), “I am sure that goodness and (anger / love) will follow me all the days of my life.”
If I said that the sky is purple with pink polka dots, would that be true or a lie? It would be a lie. If I said that Elephants fly by flapping their ears, is that true or a lie? A lie. Does God ever lie or does He only say true things? True things Did God keep His promise to help the Israelites? Yes Did God bring the Israelites back to their special country? Yes
What is today’s Big Do? Have everyone in your family share something they are hopeful for this year.
Clean Up
