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.
Relay Games
Plan indoor relay games to allow the kids to practice helping each other win the game.
Sports Sunday
Plan outdoor sports games appropriate to this age group. Create multiple stations for each game and rotate the kids throughout.
Sports Inflatables
Rent sports-themed inflatables for a super-sized service.
.jpg%3Fdt%3D1715558800436&w=256&q=75)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Welcome to Summer to the Max! Are you excited for a fun summer day? Let’s cheer like we’re really excited!
Everyone cheers.
Co-Host
I’m excited, too, because we’re going to discover truth from the Bible today. We will hear all about why Jesus says we are blessed. That might not be a word that you use a lot, but it’s a good word. It means that we are happy and at peace. Show me a big smile.
Host
Let’s learn the Big Point to find out why Jesus says that we are happy. Everyone, put your hand by your ear,
Host
I Am Helped!
Co-Host
Let’s look at some ways that other people help us.
Have the kids guess what each slide shows. Then act out what the slide shows. Ask the kids who helps them do each task.
Host
We need lots of help, and there are some ways that only God can help us. Do you think God wants to help us?
Co-Host
He sure does! That’s why we are blessed, happy, and peaceful. It’s because we know that God loves us so much that He wants to help us.
Host
When we need help, we can keep a smile on our faces because we remember the Big Point. Let’s stand and say the Big Point again,
Host
I Am Helped!
The Engage uses the Lotta Bowl trick. Consult the instructions for how to fill with water prior to service as well as how to use the trick during the Engage.
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Let’s practice our Big Point again,
Co-Host
I Am Helped! Point to your friends sitting nearby. Now point to more of your friends. Do you think that God can help them, too? He sure can.
Host
Let’s see what Jesus said in the Bible as we read our Big Verse.
Host
Matthew 5:3 (NIrV), says “Blessed are those who are spiritually needy. The kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.” Do you know what it means to be needy? (Pause) Well, it means you need help. Jesus said that we are happy when we need help.
Co-Host
Let’s make a surprised face. (Make a face) Many times, it makes people sad or frustrated when they need help, but Jesus taught us that His followers act differently.
Host
That’s because Jesus’ followers know that God will help them by leading them to good things. Let’s think about it like this. I need a friend to help me.
Choose a child to come onstage. Have him or her hold the cup.
Co-Host
Some people think that God can only help them a little bit. Show me little with your fingers.
Pour from the Lotta Bowl into the cup, having the child help you. Fill the cup part of the way and then allow the Lotta Bowl to refill.
Host
God is different. He has more help to give. (Pour water into the cup, almost filling it up) I think you’re going to need something larger.
Pour the water into the bucket and have the child hold that. Refill the Lotta Bowl.
Co-Host
God’s help doesn’t run out. It keeps going!
Pour into the bucket several more times from the Lotta Bowl.
Host
It doesn’t matter how much help we need from God; He can always give it to us. That’s why we are happy and blessed. Let’s hear a story about two people whom God helped when Jesus was just a baby.
Host
Let’s take a moment to pray and talk to Jesus. Think about something you need help with right now. Maybe you have bad dreams or maybe you get angry too easily or maybe you haven’t obeyed your mommy or daddy. Jesus can help you with all of those. Quietly talk to Jesus and ask Him to help you. (Pause) Good job, now I will pray for all of us. (Pray)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Let’s all practice our Big Point again,
Host
I Am Helped!
Co-Host
Simeon and Anna knew that God had answered their prayers and helped them as soon as they saw baby Jesus.
Host
You can tell your family about the Big Story when you do the Big Do this week.
.jpg%3Fdt%3D1715558767409&w=256&q=75)
Host
Find someone who needs help and help them. It could be your mommy or daddy, your grandparents, or anyone in your family. Remind them that we all have God’s help.
Co-Host
Look at this. Do you know what it is? (Pause) It is a stick. Some people use sticks like this to help them walk when they hike in the summer.
Host
Let’s pretend to hike through the summer forest and let’s describe what we see.
Pretend to walk through the forest and look at different trees, plants, and animals.
Co-Host
These sticks help us keep walking when our legs are tired. It helped me!
Host
That’s just like God. He gives us help when we need it so that we can keep following Him. Now it’s time to go outside for some fun activities. God has blessed us with a fun day to enjoy.
Did our Big Point say I Am Hurt or I Am Helped?
Let’s pretend that we are taking care of a baby. What do babies need? (Allow for answers and act it out) Who visited the temple as a baby? Jesus Who brought Jesus to the temple? His parents
Let’s pretend to be older men and women. Can you make your voice sound like a grandpa or grandma? (Have the kids make silly voices) Were the two people who saw Jesus at the temple young or old? Old Why were they happy to see Jesus? God had promised they would see the Savior
Let’s think of things that we need each day. (Allow the kids to suggest ideas) Matthew 5:3 (NIrV), “Blessed are those who are spiritually (full / needy). The kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.”
What is our Big Do? Find someone who needs help and help them
.jpg?dt=1715558800436){kind=link}
.jpg?dt=1715558767409){kind=link}