Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Rules Video

Big Story Video

Countdown Video

The Big Do

Big Point Video

Preschool Clean Up Song

Title Slide Steam Whistle

Large Group 

**Series Note**



Each Winter 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 Winter to the Max Junior lessons, consider having the elementary and junior groups use the same venue. Either group can go first and then switch in the middle of service. 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 Winter to the Max!



**Weekly Venue**



Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.



**Show and Tell**

Have the kids bring in something of value and show it to the group. Allow them to display the item and explain why it’s valuable.

**New Year’s Party**

Have a New Year themed party complete with party hats, blowers, food, a countdown, and maybe even some confetti. Have lots of fun celebrating the new year. Remind the kids that this is the perfect time to choose to follow Jesus.

**Polar Party**

Rent winter themed inflatables for the kids to enjoy.



Countdown from 10

Rules

Prep: This Engage uses an old stuffed animal. A good option would be one from a thrift store. Make it look dirty and worn out.



**Host**

Welcome to Winter To The Max! We call it “to the max” because this winter is going to be so exciting – maybe the best winter ever! Let’s cheer like we’re really excited!





**Co-Host**

I’m excited. too! Aren’t you excited, Georgie?! (Give the stuffed animal a name of your choosing) Look how far I can kick Georgie!





Kick the stuffed animal, then pick it up.





**Co-Host**

You are the most special stuffed animal in the whole world. Look at that over there.





**Co-Host** pretends to see something, drops the stuffed animal, steps on it as he/she walks towards the thing he/she noticed.





**Host**

Whoa, wait just a minute. Jr. Conductors, does it look like our friend thinks that his/her stuffed animal is special? (Pause) No, it doesn’t at all. Let’s show our friend how we treat a special stuffed animal.





Lead the kids in hugging, cleaning, fluffing, etc. a pretend stuffed animal.





**Co-Host**

Wait, are you sure we’re not supposed to throw our special things in the mud? That’s what I did on the way here.









**Host**

Definitely not. If it’s special, you treat it like it’s special. 

Welcome

Worship

**Host**

Did you know that there’s Someone special to us? Let’s listen to the Big Point to find out who it is. 

**Host**

**I Will Value Jesus!**



**Co-Host**

Value? That means something or someone is very important to us. Hmm, so if I love someone very much, that means they are valuable. Should I treat someone like that well? (Pause) Oh boy, I’m sorry, Georgie. Let’s say that Big Point again,

**Co-Host**

**I Will Value Jesus!** It might help me to do it one more time. 

**Co-Host**

**I Will Value Jesus!** 



**Host**

Jesus is the King. He’s the most important person in the whole world, so we want to show Jesus how much we value Him. We do that by getting to know Jesus, talking to Jesus, and especially following Jesus.



**Co-Host**

A great way to value Jesus and show Him that He is special to us is to sing a song to Him like we do when we worship!

Engage 1

**Co-Host**

Today we’re discovering that Jesus is our King. Let’s pretend that we are kings. What should we wear on our heads? A crown! Let’s put on our crowns. Wave to the pretend crowd. (Wave)  



**Host**

If someone is a king, is he an important leader? Yes. Do you think that Jesus is an important leader, since He is the highest King in the whole world? Let’s shake our heads, “Yes.”







**Co-Host**

That’s why it’s important that we follow the Big Point. Let’s practice it again with our motions, 

**Co-Host**

**I Will Value Jesus!**



**Host**

Let’s see what the Bible says about our Big Point by reading our Big Verse. 

**Host**

Matthew 6:33 (NIrV) says, “But put God’s kingdom first. Do what He wants you to do.” Let’s hold up one finger.



**Co-Host**

When we put God’s kingdom first, that means we show with our actions that we believe that God is the most important. We remember that Jesus is the most valuable person we know.



**Host**

Let’s look at some things we might like. Raise your hand if you really like these things.





Show the slides and have the kids respond with whether they like that item, such as toys, foods, etc.





**Co-Host**

I’m thankful for all of the wonderful things we have, but wouldn’t it be silly if we bowed down and worshipped a teddy bear? Let’s pretend to bow down.



**Host**

What if you bowed down and worshipped a donut with sprinkles because you love donuts? Would that be super silly? Yes. 



**Co-Host**

If you love anything or anyone more than Jesus, then Jesus isn’t the only one you worship. Nothing besides Jesus should be number one. Hold up one finger.



**Host**

When we love Jesus the most and treat Jesus as King, we do what He wants us to do. One day someone had to decide if Jesus was more valuable than his stuff. Let’s listen to his story.



Engage 2

Let’s take a moment to pray and talk to Jesus. Let’s ask Jesus to help us make the wise choice to honor Him and follow Him. You can do that right now. Close your eyes and bow your heads. You can repeat this prayer after me. “Dear Jesus, You are my King. I want to value and follow You. Amen.”





Have the **Host** and **Co-Host** introduce your giving project for the month.

Big Story

**Host** and **Co-Host** enter. Before the Engage, hide a cardboard or real treasure chest in the room.





**Host**

Let’s all practice our Big Point again, 

**Host**

**I Will Value Jesus!**



**Co-Host**

That young man thought his stuff was more important than Jesus. Did he make a wise choice? (Pause) No, he sure didn’t. Jesus is the most valuable of all.



**Host**

You can tell your family about the Big Story when you do the Big Do this week. 

**Host**

Have each person in your family pick their favorite snack. See if your favorite snack matches your mommy’s or daddy’s. Then enjoy a snack while you talk about why Jesus is number one.



**Co-Host**

Did you know that Jesus said that His Kingdom is like special treasure? Jesus wants us to value being part of His family like we would value finding a treasure chest of gold. 

**Host**

Let’s pretend that we are pirates searching for treasure. Stay in your seat, and you’ll each get an eyepatch. (Pass them out to the kids) Say, “Arrgh!” like a pirate.



**Co-Host**

Let’s look for treasure. Say, “Aye, aye, Captain!”





Have the kids point out the treasure. Let them lead you to it. If time permits, you can have someone hide it again.











**Host**

We found the treasure. Shout, “Argh!” That was fun. We want to show others how much we value Jesus and let everyone know that He is number one in our lives. If your mommy or daddy asks why you have an eyepatch, tell them that you value Jesus, like a treasure. Let’s say our Big Point once more, 

Engage 3

 - Did our Big Point say Jesus Isn’t Important or **I Will Value Jesus?**



 - Let’s pretend that we have lots of gold in our pockets. Take it out and toss the gold coins in the air. Was the young man who ran up to Jesus rich or poor? **Rich** Did He want to be part of God’s Kingdom? **Yes**



 - Let’s pretend to give something to someone nearby. Turn and say, “Here you go.” Now say, “Thank you.” What did Jesus ask the rich man to give away? **His money** What did the rich man do? **He was sad and walked away**



 - Use your fingers to show me the number that I call out. Show me 1. Show me 5. (Give a few more numbers) Matthew 6:33 (NIrV), “But put God’s kingdom (Second / **First**).”



 - What is our Big Do? **Have each person in your family pick your favorite snack. See if your favorite snack matches your mommy’s or daddy’s. Then enjoy your snacks and talk about why Jesus is number one.**

Winter to the Max Week 1

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Large Group Instructions

Large Group Instructions