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.
Popsicles and Play
Have a fun day outside with popsicles and games featuring hula hoops, beach balls, and more.
Glow Party
Have a fun inside party with glow sticks, glow beach balls, and glow balloons. Remind the kids that they shine a light in our world.
Beach Blast
Make a beach with play sand and cool off with some fun popsicles.
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Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Welcome to Summer to the Max! This summer is going to be filled with lots and lots of fun. I hope you can come back each week to join us for the adventure!
Co-Host
We’ll also discover how to follow Jesus. Being a follower of Jesus means obeying what Jesus says to do, even when that means acting differently than other people.
Host
I have an idea. Let’s play a game! In this game you must do what I do, not what (Co-Host’s name) does. We’ll do the opposite of what he/she does.
Co-Host
Remember to follow (Host) and not what I do. Do you think I can trick you, or will you follow the right person? Let’s see.
The Host and Co-Host should do opposite motions at the same time, such as squat down/reach high in the air, look up/down, spin/stand still, smile/frown, swim/run, etc.
Co-Host
That was fun, but sometimes it’s hard to copy what someone does when you see someone else doing the opposite.
Host
That’s why it’s important to use our ears to listen to Jesus. Let’s pretend to turn our listening ears on. (Pretend to turn a crank by your ear) Maybe a little bit more. Who do you think we should listen to? (Pause) Jesus!
Co-Host
Where can we hear what Jesus said? We find His words in a special book. Does anyone know what it’s called? (Pause) It’s the Bible!
Host
All summer long we’ll hear important things Jesus teaches us in the Bible. His words help us learn how to choose the right attitudes. If my mommy tells me to wait, and I throw a fit, pretend to do that now while I count to ten! 1, 2, 3...10! Now stop. Is that a good attitude or bad one? Yeah, that’s not a good attitude.
Co-Host
Jesus helps us have the right attitude, even when things don’t go our way.
This Engage uses popcorn. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, popcorn isn’t a choking hazard for children 4 or over. However, use caution whenever introducing snacks into a lesson.
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Did you know that Jesus is our King? What does a king wear on his head? A crown! Let’s put on a crown.
Host
Since He’s the King, we always want to follow and obey Him. We want everyone to know that we follow Jesus, the King. How can we do that?
Co-Host
I have an idea. Let’s see what Jesus said in the Bible by reading our Big Verse.
Co-Host
Matthew 5:13-14 (NIrV) says, “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world.”
Host
Let’s think about what Jesus meant. Do you think that Jesus really means that we are salt, like what you would sprinkle on popcorn? No. We are people, not salt. Let’s think about what salt does by thinking about popcorn. Does anyone love to eat popcorn when you watch movies? Would someone like to taste some?
Have a couple of kids and/or volunteers taste the unsalted popcorn.
Co-Host
Does that taste good? It’s a little different, isn’t it? Do you know why? It doesn’t have salt. Try this popcorn.
Have the same one taste the salted popcorn.
Host
Mmm, doesn’t that taste so much better? Does it make you want to eat more? It sure does. The salt makes you want more. I think Jesus meant that His followers should act so much like Jesus that everyone will want to know more about Jesus.
Co-Host
Let’s turn down the lights for just a moment. Stay still and be super quiet. (Turn down the lights) I will shine this flashlight around the room. When I shine it on you, do something silly.
Shine the flashlight around the room at different kids and volunteers. Turn up the lights.
Host
The flashlight helped us see some of our friends, even in the middle of the dark. When Jesus said that we are like light, He meant that when we follow Jesus, we show everyone how good and loving Jesus is. Let’s listen to a story about a time when Jesus taught a large crowd of people.
Host
Let’s take a moment to pray and talk to Jesus. At your seat, ask Jesus to help you make the wise choice to follow Him this summer. (Pause) Now let’s stand up and worship!
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
When you make this a summer of new attitude and choose to follow Jesus, then your summer will be full of good things from God. Let’s pretend that we are staring at the bright, summer sun. Squint like it’s really bright. Try covering your eyes.
Co-Host
Because Jesus helps us choose the right attitude, even when something not so fun happens, we can still make wise choices.
Host
You can tell your family all about Summer to the Max when you do the Big Do this week.
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Host
Look over the calendar with your family and choose two things that you are most looking forward to during Summer to the Max.
Co-Host
Since we want you to have a bright, shiny summer, we’ll give you a pair of sunglasses when you leave today! That way you’ll remember that with Jesus you have lots of good things coming to you.
Host
We have something fun planned. It’s time to head out to our first fun summer activity. Who likes a day at the beach? That’s what we have waiting for us at the park! Let’s have a fun Beach Blast.
What is your favorite thing to do during the summer?
Show me what it looks like when you choose a grumpy attitude because your mommy tells you, “No.” (Pause) Show me what you look like when you choose to be happy, even when your mommy tells you, “No.” (Pause) When you follow and obey Jesus, will He help you choose a good attitude or bad attitude? Good attitude
Let’s pretend to sneeze a tiny sneeze. A-choo (In a small, quiet voice) Let’s pretend to sneeze a giant sneeze. A-choo! (Loudly) What do people say after you sneeze? Bless you What does it mean when Jesus says we are blessed? We are happy and have God’s help
Let’s pretend to eat some food and add salt before we eat it. (Have the kids pretend with you to put salt on both regular and silly foods) Matthew 5:13-14 (NIrV) says, “You are the (sugar / salt) of the earth…You are the light of the world.”
What is our Big Do?
Choose two things from the Summer to the Max calendar that you are most looking forward to doing
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