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 Elementary 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:
Lesson 2 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles): Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.
Nerf Battles: Have the kids bring Nerf guns or provide them for kids to use. Distribute safety goggles and Nerf darts to each kid. Set up target practice areas and create a capture the flag game for teams to compete and play. Inflatable Nerf obstacles can be purchased online to enhance your play area.
Ninja Training Stations: Set up simple ninja challenges like balance beams, crawling tunnels, and teamwork games.
Pizza Party: Order pizza for the kids to enjoy while playing outside or watching a movie.
Host and Co-host enter.
Host
Welcome to Summer To The Max at the Movies! This week is going to be lots of fun because it’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles week! Can you pretend to chop like the turtles? Hiyah!
Co-host
Did you know that the Ninja Turtles wear different colored masks? That’s how you know which turtle is which. Let’s choose some friends to be our ninja turtles.
Choose four kids to wear the masks.
Host
The red mask is Raphael. The orange mask is Michelangelo. Purple is Donatello, and the blue mask is Leonardo. They certainly look like the Ninja Turtles.
Co-host
We’re going to launch some bubbles and you have to pretend that the bubbles are bad guys that the Ninja Turtles must defeat.
Host
When the music starts, use your chops to break the bubbles. All of our friends who are watching have to stay on their pockets or else the bad guys might run away.
Optional, play theme music. Play the game. If time allows, you could choose new kids to play.
Co-host
Oh my, that was so much fun. You acted just like the Ninja Turtles. Do you any of you like to dress up like your favorite heroes you watch on TV?
Host
We’re learning today that we can be just like someone who is way more important and special than the characters on TV. Let’s sing today’s Big Point together and find out who it is. Put your hand next to your ear.
I Can Be More Like Jesus!
Co-host
Did you know that you can be like Jesus? That means you can treat others like Jesus treated them. You can help people like Jesus. You can obey like Jesus. You can love others like Jesus.
Host
The more you act like Jesus, the more you help people find out how awesome it is to be Jesus’ friend.
Movie Moment
There is a scene in the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where Splinter starts telling a long, dramatic story about having no friends—until he finds the baby turtles. The story shifts into a funny and heartfelt moment as he explains how they transformed and became a family. If your church has the proper licensing you may choose to show this clip. If you cannot show the clip, simply summarize the moment or describe it to the kids.
Host and Co-host enter
Co-host
Would you be surprised to meet a turtle as tall as me? That would be very silly.
I’m glad those turtles are nice or else it might be scary.
Host
Of course, they aren’t real. That’s a pretend show. Jesus, though, is real. He is someone we can talk to and spend time with each day. Jesus is the best friend and leader. Let’s sing our Big Point again,
Host
I Can Be More Like Jesus!
Co-host
Let’s see what the Bible says about being more like Jesus by reading our Big Verse.
Co-host
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIrV), “So we are being changed to become more like Him.”
Host
That verse doesn’t mean that we start looking like Jesus. That would be silly. That Bible verse means that we are changed on the inside. When we say “yes” to following Jesus, the Holy Spirit changes the way we think and helps us to act differently.
Co-host
The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is God. That’s why He can help us act, speak, and think like Jesus.
Host
Let me show you what I mean. I have something here called steel wool. (Show the two pans containing bundles of steel wool) That’s a silly name. It’s like a bundle of metal instead of soft fur.
Co-host
If it’s metal, then I’m sure a magnet will stick to it. Let’s try it. (Hold the magnet to one of the bundles of steel wool) Yep, it sticks. Let me try the other one. (Touch the other steel wool) That one sticks, too. They’re the same.
Host
That’s true but watch what happens to it when I touch it with a battery. The battery has power in it. That’s kind of like the Holy Spirit when He helps us.
Touch the battery to the steel wool. The steel wool will ignite, but not flame up.
Co-host
I wonder if they are still the same or if they are different now. They still look alike. I’ll try the magnet again. (Touch the unreacted steel wool) It sticks. Let’s try the other one. (Touch the reacted steel wool) Look, it doesn’t stick anymore. It really has changed, even though we can’t see it.
Host
That’s what happens to us. We change on the inside and become more like Jesus when we become His friend and follower. That’s because the Holy Spirit is helping us. Let’s see how the Holy Spirit helped Peter become more like Jesus.
Host
Peter helped the man who couldn’t walk. He treated the man like Jesus did and obeyed what God told Peter to do. God healed the man and gave him power to walk. Let’s do what Peter did and pray for our friends. I’ll say a prayer and you repeat the words after me. “Dear God, I believe that You can help my friends. Please help them today. Amen.” You can do the same and pray for your family, too.
Share info about the giving project you have chosen to support. Consider donating all summer offerings to a local ministry or global missionary.
Host and Co-host enter.
Host
When you act like Jesus, then you will have lots of chances to be God’s big helper. That’s what Peter did when he prayed for the man who couldn’t walk. It’s fun to be a helper. Let’s all follow our Big Point. Put your hand to your ear and sing it again.
Host
I Can Be More Like Jesus!
Co-host
You can tell your family all about Summer to the Max when you do the Big Do this week.
Co-host
Have a ninja turtle pizza night at home. Eat pizza and talk about how we can all act and speak more like Jesus.
Co-host
That sounds like a fun and delicious Big Do.
Do you wish your pets could turn in to talking pets? Which animal would you like to talk to?
Let’s see if you can talk like me. Try to copy my voice as I speak high, then low, then squeaky, and soft. (Speak in different pitches and tones) In our Big Story what was wrong with the man Peter met? He couldn’t walk What did Peter do for the man who couldn’t walk? Prayed for him Was that being like Jesus? Yes
Point to your feet. Put your finger on the bone that sticks out right above your foot. It’s called your ankle. What happened to the man’s feet when Peter prayed for him? God healed him and his feet became strong Did Peter get to tell the people standing nearby about Jesus? Yes
I’m going to smile, and I want you to copy my smile. (Smile) You look more like me because we are all smiling. Now, I’m going to smile, but I want you to frown. (Smile) Now, you look less like me because I’m smiling and you are frowning. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIrV), “So we are being changed to become _____ like Him.”
More
Less
What is our Big Do? Have a ninja turtle pizza night at home.
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 Elementary 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:
Lesson 2 (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles): Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.
Nerf Battles: Have the kids bring Nerf guns or provide them for kids to use. Distribute safety goggles and Nerf darts to each kid. Set up target practice areas and create a capture the flag game for teams to compete and play. Inflatable Nerf obstacles can be purchased online to enhance your play area.
Ninja Training Stations: Set up simple ninja challenges like balance beams, crawling tunnels, and teamwork games.
Pizza Party: Order pizza for the kids to enjoy while playing outside or watching a movie.
Host and Co-host enter.
Host
Welcome to Summer To The Max at the Movies! This week is going to be lots of fun because it’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles week! Can you pretend to chop like the turtles? Hiyah!
Co-host
Did you know that the Ninja Turtles wear different colored masks? That’s how you know which turtle is which. Let’s choose some friends to be our ninja turtles.
Choose four kids to wear the masks.
Host
The red mask is Raphael. The orange mask is Michelangelo. Purple is Donatello, and the blue mask is Leonardo. They certainly look like the Ninja Turtles.
Co-host
We’re going to launch some bubbles and you have to pretend that the bubbles are bad guys that the Ninja Turtles must defeat.
Host
When the music starts, use your chops to break the bubbles. All of our friends who are watching have to stay on their pockets or else the bad guys might run away.
Optional, play theme music. Play the game. If time allows, you could choose new kids to play.
Co-host
Oh my, that was so much fun. You acted just like the Ninja Turtles. Do you any of you like to dress up like your favorite heroes you watch on TV?
Host
We’re learning today that we can be just like someone who is way more important and special than the characters on TV. Let’s sing today’s Big Point together and find out who it is. Put your hand next to your ear.
I Can Be More Like Jesus!
Co-host
Did you know that you can be like Jesus? That means you can treat others like Jesus treated them. You can help people like Jesus. You can obey like Jesus. You can love others like Jesus.
Host
The more you act like Jesus, the more you help people find out how awesome it is to be Jesus’ friend.
Movie Moment
There is a scene in the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where Splinter starts telling a long, dramatic story about having no friends—until he finds the baby turtles. The story shifts into a funny and heartfelt moment as he explains how they transformed and became a family. If your church has the proper licensing you may choose to show this clip. If you cannot show the clip, simply summarize the moment or describe it to the kids.
Host and Co-host enter
Co-host
Would you be surprised to meet a turtle as tall as me? That would be very silly.
I’m glad those turtles are nice or else it might be scary.
Host
Of course, they aren’t real. That’s a pretend show. Jesus, though, is real. He is someone we can talk to and spend time with each day. Jesus is the best friend and leader. Let’s sing our Big Point again,
Host
I Can Be More Like Jesus!
Co-host
Let’s see what the Bible says about being more like Jesus by reading our Big Verse.
Co-host
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIrV), “So we are being changed to become more like Him.”
Host
That verse doesn’t mean that we start looking like Jesus. That would be silly. That Bible verse means that we are changed on the inside. When we say “yes” to following Jesus, the Holy Spirit changes the way we think and helps us to act differently.
Co-host
The Holy Spirit, our Helper, is God. That’s why He can help us act, speak, and think like Jesus.
Host
Let me show you what I mean. I have something here called steel wool. (Show the two pans containing bundles of steel wool) That’s a silly name. It’s like a bundle of metal instead of soft fur.
Co-host
If it’s metal, then I’m sure a magnet will stick to it. Let’s try it. (Hold the magnet to one of the bundles of steel wool) Yep, it sticks. Let me try the other one. (Touch the other steel wool) That one sticks, too. They’re the same.
Host
That’s true but watch what happens to it when I touch it with a battery. The battery has power in it. That’s kind of like the Holy Spirit when He helps us.
Touch the battery to the steel wool. The steel wool will ignite, but not flame up.
Co-host
I wonder if they are still the same or if they are different now. They still look alike. I’ll try the magnet again. (Touch the unreacted steel wool) It sticks. Let’s try the other one. (Touch the reacted steel wool) Look, it doesn’t stick anymore. It really has changed, even though we can’t see it.
Host
That’s what happens to us. We change on the inside and become more like Jesus when we become His friend and follower. That’s because the Holy Spirit is helping us. Let’s see how the Holy Spirit helped Peter become more like Jesus.
Host
Peter helped the man who couldn’t walk. He treated the man like Jesus did and obeyed what God told Peter to do. God healed the man and gave him power to walk. Let’s do what Peter did and pray for our friends. I’ll say a prayer and you repeat the words after me. “Dear God, I believe that You can help my friends. Please help them today. Amen.” You can do the same and pray for your family, too.
Share info about the giving project you have chosen to support. Consider donating all summer offerings to a local ministry or global missionary.
Host and Co-host enter.
Host
When you act like Jesus, then you will have lots of chances to be God’s big helper. That’s what Peter did when he prayed for the man who couldn’t walk. It’s fun to be a helper. Let’s all follow our Big Point. Put your hand to your ear and sing it again.
Host
I Can Be More Like Jesus!
Co-host
You can tell your family all about Summer to the Max when you do the Big Do this week.
Co-host
Have a ninja turtle pizza night at home. Eat pizza and talk about how we can all act and speak more like Jesus.
Co-host
That sounds like a fun and delicious Big Do.
Do you wish your pets could turn in to talking pets? Which animal would you like to talk to?
Let’s see if you can talk like me. Try to copy my voice as I speak high, then low, then squeaky, and soft. (Speak in different pitches and tones) In our Big Story what was wrong with the man Peter met? He couldn’t walk What did Peter do for the man who couldn’t walk? Prayed for him Was that being like Jesus? Yes
Point to your feet. Put your finger on the bone that sticks out right above your foot. It’s called your ankle. What happened to the man’s feet when Peter prayed for him? God healed him and his feet became strong Did Peter get to tell the people standing nearby about Jesus? Yes
I’m going to smile, and I want you to copy my smile. (Smile) You look more like me because we are all smiling. Now, I’m going to smile, but I want you to frown. (Smile) Now, you look less like me because I’m smiling and you are frowning. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIrV), “So we are being changed to become _____ like Him.”
More
Less
What is our Big Do? Have a ninja turtle pizza night at home.
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