I Am A Peacemaker

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.

Pieces and Pieces

Host a Lego party where kids will use the various “peace” -es to construct different creations. Create challenges and games that will test their creativity. Discount bricks can be purchased online.

Pizza Party

Host a pizza party where kids will get a “peace” of pizza to enjoy. Consider playing a movie as the kids eat.

Game Show

Host a game show for the kids. Games from www.crowdcontrolgames.com are a great option. Offer real prizes that the kids can take home.

Host

Welcome to Summer to the Max! I love all the fun things that we get to do during the summer. Can you tell me some of the fun things that you’ve done?

Co-Host

Sometimes unfun things happen during summer, like having an argument with your brother or sister. What can we do when we feel angry with someone?

Host

Let’s learn the Big Point to find out what Jesus wants us to choose,

Host

I Am A Peacemaker!

Co-Host

Do you mean like Lego pieces? (Show the blocks) I like to play with them, but I have no idea how to make pieces.

Host

The words sound the same, but they mean different things. A peacemaker is someone who doesn’t create fights. A peacemaker brings calmness whenever people disagree. Let’s make really angry faces, like we’re ready to fight.

Co-Host

Let’s make calm faces, like we feel peaceful. (Relax and smile) Anger and fighting push people away, but peaceful and calm feelings bring people together. Let’s choose a few friends to help put these Lego pieces together and build a tower.

Host

A peacemaker helps people by thinking of ways to help, not things to fight about. We should always try to help calm things down when people are angry. That way we won’t hurt others (Take out a brick or two) but help them. (Replace those bricks)

Co-Host

That’s what Jesus does for us. He brings peace to our hearts. He gives us the power to be peaceful and helps us have peace with God.

Host

Let’s stand and say our Big Point again,

Host

I Am A Peacemaker!

Co-Host

Let’s practice our Big Point again,

Co-Host

I Am A Peacemaker!

Host

Let’s see what Jesus said in the Bible about this by reading our Big Verse.

Host

Matthew 5:9 NIrV, “Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called children of God.”

Co-Host

When we make peace with others instead of fighting them, that’s copying Jesus. Do you think it’s a wise idea to copy Jesus? It’s actually the best idea.

Host

When we copy Jesus, we show everyone that we belong to God’s family. It’s our job to bring peaceful words whenever we talk to others, even our brothers and sisters. Look at this jar of water. (Show the jar with water and food coloring) Watch what happens when I pour oil in it. (Pour the oil) It doesn’t look like it’s mixing up well.

Co-Host

This is a jar of oil and water that has been sitting for a while. Look at it. (Show the second jar of oil and water) This is like people who are fighting. They don’t want to even sit next to each other.

Host

But we can help. We can bring peace and help people. Look what happens when I add some dish soap to the oil and water.

Co-Host

It’s all mixed up now. When we use peaceful words instead of angry words, we can help others get along and remind them to make choices that please God.

Host

When we are peacemakers, we choose peaceful words when we feel like arguing. Jesus showed us with His life how to act peacefully, and He gives us the power to do it. Let’s say our Big Point again,

Host

I Am A Peacemaker!

Host

Jesus chose to help the servant instead of fighting. He came to bring peace to our world, not anger. Jesus loves us and wants us all to be friends with God. Let’s close our eyes and bow our heads. Think of someone that you have been arguing with or have gotten angry with this summer. Let’s choose to be peacemakers by praying for them. I’ll wait while you do that now. (Pause) Now I’ll pray for all of us. (Pray)

Host

Let’s all practice our Big Point again,

Host

I Am A Peacemaker!

Co-Host

Peter thought it was a good idea to fight, but Jesus wanted him to be different. Jesus didn’t come to hurt people. He came to help all of us.

Host

You can tell your family about the Big Story and how Jesus healed the servant’s ear when you do the Big Do this week.

Host

Use Legos or other types of building blocks to create a masterpiece. Be creative and create something totally new. Then talk with your family about how peacemakers bring people together by sharing God’s love.

Co-Host

One thing I try to be careful of in the summer are ants. Have you ever stepped into an ant bed and found yourself covered in them? That is not fun at all. Let’s pretend to swipe away creepy crawling ants.

Host

It’s a good idea not to stir up an ant bed. That reminds me of what we learned today. We don’t want to stir up trouble by fighting. We want to bring peaceful and calm feelings everywhere we go. Now it’s time to head to the park and play some fun games together.

• Did our Big Point say I Am Angry, or I Am A Peacemaker?

• Let’s pretend to swing a sword. (Pretend to swing a large sword) Who had a sword in our story? Peter Why did Peter swing his sword? To protect Jesus What happened when Peter used his sword? He cut off the servant’s ear

• I’ll name different parts of your face, and you point to each one as fast as you can. (Name different things on a face ending with the ear) What did Jesus do when the servant’s ear was hurt? He healed it Did Jesus want His friends to keep fighting? No Why did Jesus come to earth? He came to save us

• Can you name all the children in your family? That means all your brothers and sisters. (Allow kids to respond) Matthew 5:9 NIrV, “Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called (enemies / children) of God.”

• What is our Big Do? Use Legos or other types of building blocks to create a masterpiece. Then talk with your family about how peacemakers bring people together by sharing God’s love