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.
Serve Project
Have the kids complete a service project for a local organization such as decorating grocery bags for Meals on Wheels, packing blessing bags for the homeless, etc.
Passport to the World
Create stations in classrooms or around your auditorium highlighting missionaries and/or missions’ organizations your church supports. Show pictures, discuss the ministries, and allow the kids to try some food or treats from that country.
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This Welcome activity uses erasable markers. These are different from dry erase markers. Erasable markers can color paper but allow for the opportunity to erase the marks. Vary the size of your coloring sheet based on the size of your classroom. If you have a large group, consider printing out a large coloring sheet that is poster board sized. You could also draw an outline of a picture on a poster board before class.
Host
We’ve already had so much fun this summer, and we still have more fun activities planned.
Co-Host
We also have some more things to learn about Jesus so that we can copy what Jesus says and does. Can you copy what I do?
Make a few simple motions and encourage the kids to copy your actions.
Host
Let’s learn the Big Point to find out how we can obey God and follow what Jesus does. Everyone, put your hand to your ear,
Host
I Am Merciful!
Co-Host
Merciful is a big word. You may not have heard that word before, but it’s an important word. Let’s practice saying that word again. Merciful.
Host
I think a fun activity might help us better understand what merciful means. Who enjoys coloring? Isn’t it fun. Let’s choose a friend to help us color on this big coloring sheet.
Bring up as many kids as you would like to color a portion of the coloring sheet.
Co-Host
Oh my, look at that. Some of the colors went outside of the lines. Oh no, we colored with markers! I hope our picture can be fixed.
Host
I have good news. Watch what I can do with these markers. (Use the marker to erase the color outside of the lines) See, the picture is fixed. Mercy is when Jesus forgives us when we make a mistake.
Co-Host
Even if we mess up, Jesus still loves us. He can make things right that we mix up. Whew, that makes me feel so much better.
Host
Since Jesus forgives us and shows us mercy, we can forgive other people when they make mistakes. We don’t have to stay mad at them. We can follow the Big Point. Let’s stand and say the Big Point again,
Host
I Am Merciful!
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Let’s practice our Big Point again,
Co-Host
I Am Merciful! Do you think that Jesus still loves us when we make a wrong choice? (Pause) Yes, He does. Jesus also helps us change and make wise choices, instead.
Host
Let’s see what Jesus said in the Bible about this by reading our Big Verse.
Host
Matthew 5:7 (NIrV), “Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be shown mercy.”
Co-Host
When you stay mad at someone who hurts your feelings and won’t forgive them, it doesn’t help you. It can make you feel so much worse.
Host
That’s because those angry feelings stay inside of you, like this balloon. I’ll blow it up. While I do, see if you can take a big breath and hold it.
Blow up the balloon.
Co-Host
Oh my, we should let that air out. It wouldn’t be good to hold our breath for too long. What would happen if we kept blowing up the balloon and blew it up too much? (Pause) That’s right; it would pop.
Host
The more you keep those angry feelings inside, the more they grow.
Keep blowing up the balloon with a pump, until it pops.
Co-Host
(As the balloon inflates) Oh no, I think it might pop. Let’s cover our ears.
Host
Oh my goodness, that was so loud. When you forgive other people, it’s much different. Watch this.
Pump up a second balloon.
Co-Host
(As the balloon is inflating) Do you think this one will pop?
Host
Not this time. When we forgive, we let go of those angry feelings. (Let the air out of the balloon) Jesus has forgiven us for the wrong choices we make, so we can forgive others.
Co-Host
That does seem like the wise choice that will help us be blessed and happy. Let’s listen to a story Jesus told about someone who had to decide if he would be merciful.
Host
Jesus can help us make wise choices, even in those moment when we don’t feel like doing the wise thing. Let’s stop and ask Jesus to help us forgive others so we can be different than the man in Jesus’ story. Let’s pray now. (Pray) I’m glad that we have Jesus’ help to become more like Him. Let’s stand and worship Him now.
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Let’s all practice our Big Point again,
Host
I Am Merciful!
Co-Host
The servant in Jesus’ story was forgiven so much, but he wouldn’t forgive the other person for something small. Jesus forgives big and small mistakes because He loves us.
Host
You can tell your family about the Big Story and how Jesus forgives when you do the Big Do this week.
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Host
Play a game with your family. See if you can keep a balloon or ball in the air by hitting it back and forth for a whole minute. If it drops, give each other another chance to keep playing.
Co-Host
Let’s bring up a couple of friends to help us play that game now. We’ll all try to keep the balloon floating in the air.
Host
But if we drop it, we’ll give you another chance to keep playing.
Choose as many kids as you would like to come up on stage. Play the game together.
Co-Host
Let’s work on a special project to help kids who live in a different country and share God’s love with them.
Did our Big Point say I Am Mean or I Am Merciful?
Let’s pretend to count gold coins in our hand. (Count to ten) Did the servant in Jesus’ story owe the king a little bit of money or lots of money? Lots of money What did the king do? He forgave the servant
Can you show me the kind of face you would make if you were angry and mean? (Pause) Was the servant kind to the man who only owed him a little bit? No What did he do? Put the man in jail Was the king happy or angry about that? Angry
Let’s think of some mistakes that we could forgive our friends or family for doing. (Allow the kids to answer and offer suggestions) Matthew 5:7 (NIrV), “Blessed are those who show (anger / mercy). They will be shown mercy.”
What is our Big Do? Play keep it up with your family
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