Large Group Instructions
Series Note
Each Summer to the Max lesson incorporates a special venue into the service. Adding a venue allows the summer schedule to change while keeping the focus on Biblical truth. Venues can be done during the first 30 minutes of service or final 30 minutes of service. If you are also utilizing Summer to the Max Junior lessons, consider keeping one venue at the beginning and one at the end. That will keep costs down by allowing both groups to enjoy the same venue. Each lesson offers multiple venue options at different price points to accommodate your budget. Promoting the venues ahead of time will build excitement for Summer to the Max!
Venue Ideas
Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.
Hugs and Chutes
Provide hug drinks to knock out their thirst while playing games either indoors or outdoors with playground parachutes.
Candy Bar
Purchase bulk candy and allow the kids to create their own goody bag of treats.
Snow Cones
Rent snow cone machines or hire a snow cone vendor to supply the kids with unlimited snow cones.
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Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Welcome to Summer to the Max! I’m so glad that we get to spend time with our friends learning how to follow and obey Jesus.
Co-Host
We can use what we learn each week to make wise choices at church, at home, everywhere!
Host
Let’s learn the Big Point to find out what happens to us when we become followers of Jesus. Put your hand to your ear,
Host
I Am Full!
Co-Host
Do you ever eat so much food that your tummy feels really full? Let’s pretend to eat a big bite of birthday cake and poke out our tummies, like they are full.
Pretend to eat a bite and then point to your stomach.
Host
Jesus fills us up with good things, too, when we follow and obey Him. We get filled up with good things from God, like love, joy, peace, healing, and much more.
Co-Host
Let’s play a game and practice filling something up. We have chosen some friends to help us. When we say go, our friends will work together to fill up these big clown pants with balloons. It’s gonna look really silly! Let’s see if we can do it.
Have a child wear large clown pants. Choose the kind with a hoop built into the waistband, so there is plenty of room. Work together to fill them up with the small balloons.
Host
Look how full those pants are! Jesus will fill us up with good things, too, when we are part of God’s big family. Let’s stand and say the Big Point again,
Host
I Am Full!
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Let’s practice our Big Point again,
Co-Host
I Am Full! Do you think that God gives good gifts that help us or bad gifts that hurt us? (Pause) He gives only good gifts. That means we are filled with what is good.
Host
Let’s see what Jesus said in the Bible by reading our Big Verse.
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Host
Matthew 5:6 (NIrV), “Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled.”
Co-Host
Let’s look at some different things we could eat. You tell me if you think that it’s food that would be good for you to eat and fill up on.
Show the slides. They will be a mixture of regular food and items that are not food or would be gross to eat. Have the kids respond to each slide and act out eating the food.
Host
Some of those things definitely won’t fill you up. We’re still hungry. When Jesus talks about people who are hungry, He’s talking about wanting good things from God.
Co-Host
When we are hungry for what is right, that means we want things like God’s love, forgiveness, kindness, joy, and giving. Can you think of other good things we can want from God?
Suggest other things like spending time at church, praying, the Bible, etc.
Host
Let’s hear a true story about a man who wanted to meet Jesus more than anything else.
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
I’m glad that we can trust Jesus to fill us up with what is good. Let’s tell Jesus that we want His good gifts and thank Him for giving them to us. It’s a wise choice to be thankful for God’s help. (Pray)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Let’s all practice our Big Point again,
Host
I Am Full!
Co-Host
Bartimaeus didn’t let anyone stop him from meeting Jesus. He wanted God’s help, and God filled Bartimaeus up with good things.
Host
You can tell your family about the Big Story and how Jesus healed Bartimaeus’ eyes when you do the Big Do this week.
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Host
Here’s what it is: make banana splits with your family! Pick the ice cream, choose the toppings, and of course add the bananas. As you eat, talk about why we should be hungry for good things.
Co-Host
One thing I like to do during summer is blow bubbles outside.
Blow a few bubbles.
Host
Do bubbles last very long? No, they pop quickly. God’s help isn’t like bubbles. God’s good gifts last and we can enjoy them for a long time.
Co-Host
Thinking about being full, this is a great time to fill up on snow cones!
Did our Big Point say I Am Empty or I Am Full?
Let’s close our eyes. Can you see anything? No. Let’s listen to what we can hear? (Have the kids share what they hear) You can open your eyes. What was wrong with Bartimaeus? He couldn’t see What did he want to do? Meet Jesus
What do we do if we want someone to be quiet? (Allow for response) What did the crowd do when Bartimaeus called out to Jesus? Told him to be quiet Did he stop calling to Jesus? No What did Jesus do? He healed Bartimaeus’ eyes
What are your favorite things to eat? What foods make you feel strong? (Allow the kids to answer) Matthew 5:6 (NIrV), “Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is (not good / right). They will be filled.”
What is our Big Do? Make banana splits with your family
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