Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

7 Min Countdown

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Part 3

H&R Big Do Slide

Big Story Video

Herman and Rusty Part 2

Herman and Rusty Title

Herman and Rusty Part 1 

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

When Ethel's goldfish suddenly dies, the lab's mood sinks. Thankfully, Herman has some good news from the Bible that reminds us of the great future we look forward to with Jesus. (Note: This lesson's midweek component presents God’s gift of salvation. Every church presents the Gospel with slight variations and nuances. Read through the steps before teaching. Present the Gospel in a way that is consistent with the scripture and God’s leading.)



Large Group Full Program

Countdown / Rules


**Host**
Welcome to the Lab! I hope you’re ready for an adventure that is out of this world.

**Co-Host**
Technically, without giving too much away, it’s an out of this world adventure that becomes part of this world, which is why we have a game of name that space movie/show/toy/cartoon/comic.

**Host**
If you know what it is, yell out the answer.



**Co-Host**
I think we’re ready.

**Host**
Me, too. Let today’s adventure begin!.



Welcome

Worship

**Co-Host**
I can’t believe Larry died. We just got him in the lab.

**Host**
Fish can go quickly. Has anyone ever lost a pet that you had owned for a long time?

(**Host** asks a few kids.)

**Co-Host**
One of the scariest parts about death is that you don’t know what comes afterward. What if it’s terrible?!

**Host**
Not knowing something is sometimes the worse part. Let’s test that. I’ll need some volunteer(s) to try the flinch test.



**Host**
We have some different items that will test your ability to withstand flinching. 


Have the **Co-Host** use the items to test the kids. Suggested flinch tests: blow up a balloon until it pops, crash cymbals or press an air horn, use a feather, crickets in a box. Feel free to substitute different items for the test.

**Co-Host**
You know what I think the worst part of the flinch test was, not know when the balloon was going to pop or when the loud noise would sound. The mystery makes it so much scarier.

**Host**
That’s true for a lot of people, but the Big Point has some great news for us. Let’s choose an assistant to help us countdown to the Big Point.



**Co-Host**
Let’s all say it together, **Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives Forever!**

**Host**
Some people are afraid of what comes after our life is over, but we do know what’s coming after we die because of Jesus, His Word, and the picture John gave us in the book of Revelation. It talks about Heaven and that Jesus will bring us to a new Earth. It’s full of really good news.



Engage 1


**Co-Host**
I think Rusty needs to work on his bagpipes.

**Host**
I agree. Let’s remind ourselves of the Big Point, 



**Host**
Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives Forever! Let’s all imagine the most incredible home you could ever build. Pretend you own Amazon.com and money is not an issue. I’ll show you an either/or scenario and the majority choice wins.



**Co-Host**
So, it looks like our dream house has… (Read the options) Sounds pretty cool.

**Host**
I would like a house like that, but did you know that we have something even greater waiting for us? Will it have all of those things? I’m not sure, but I do know that Jesus is preparing a place for us that is better than we could ever imagine. It all happens because we don’t remain dead when our bodies die. We come back to life. We need a volunteer to help us countdown so we can check out this verse.



**Co-Host**
1 Corinthians 15:23 (NIrV), “Christ is the first of those who rise from the dead. When He comes back, those who belong to Him will be raised.” 

**Host**
Jesus is the proof of what we’ll get to experience. He was first, and one day we will follow and get to enjoy life with Him forever. Remember, 




**Host**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives Forever!** Let’s worship!


Engage 2

One of the things that we will get to do on the new Earth is worship Jesus. It will be amazing because there won’t be anything there to distract us from focusing on Jesus. You don’t have to wait for the new Earth to start experiencing God’s blessings. Even in the middle of things not being perfect, we can show kindness and love to others. We can receive Jesus’ peace now. We can be healed. We can have joy. We can worship. That gives us all a little taste of Heaven on Earth. Let’s take a moment to worship Jesus by thanking Him for who He is and what He has done. (Pray)

Big Story

**Co-Host**
I wonder how long Rusty will be trying to hug everyone.

**Host**
Probably a long, long time.

**Co-Host**
If being with Jesus is so great, then why do we have to wait so long?

**Host**
Because God’s plan isn’t finished yet. What kinds of things do you want to do when you grow up? What jobs? How do you think those jobs or goals could be part of God’s big plan?

(**Host** interviews kids in the audience.)

**Co-Host**
So, you’re saying we should stick around as long as possible so we can accomplish everything God wants us to do? 

**Co-Host**
Hey that sounds like our Big Do this week! 

**Co-Host**
Share what you’d like to do at 20, 40, 60 and 80.

**Host**
Yep, and Jesus said in the Bible that in His Father’s house are many rooms. It’s a good reminder that God wants all of us to spend forever with Him. Remember, 



**Host**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives Forever!** Let’s gather with our small groups so we can talk about it.

Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.

1.	What do you think we’ll do on the new Earth with Jesus? Why will it be so great?
2.	If you could meet anyone from the past on the New Earth (besides Jesus), who would it be?
3.	Does it make you less afraid to hear our Big Story? Why or why not?
4.	What did Herman tell us to do in the Big Do? **Share what you’d like to do at 20, 40, 60 and 80**




Small Group 

Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question. 

1.	Our Big Point says Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives ______! a.	A Little While b.	**Forever**
2.	On the new Earth will God be with us or far away? a.	**With us** b.	Far away
3.	The Bible says that in the new Earth there will be no more _______. a.	**Sadness** b.	Joy
4.	Why was Ethel so sad? **Her fish died**
5.	Does God want a few or many people to live with Him forever? **Everyone**
6.	Our Big Verse says in 1 Corinthians 15:23 (NIrV), “Christ is the first of those who rise from the dead. When He comes back, those who belong to Him will be ______.” a.	Still in the ground b.	**Raised**
7.	Yes/No: We will spend forever just sitting on clouds.a.	Yes b.	**No**
8.	If someone you loved died, how would today’s lesson help you feel more peaceful?
9.	It’s important to stay on Earth as long as possible because _______.
a.	God doesn’t want us there yet.
b.	**God still has a big plan for us to do here.**
10. What big challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do?
**Share what you’d like to do at 20, 40, 60 and 80**

Big Review

Midweek / Classroom

These music selections are suggested for this lesson.

  - Suspenseful Mystery Music for Lab Wars
 - Soft Instrumental Music for Big Story

MATERIALS NEEDED

Lab Coat

Ball (1 per group)

Mystery Box (1 per group)

Furry Fake Mouse (1 per group)

Boiled Egg (1 per group)

Toothpicks (about 20 per group)

Very Long String

Yes Stickers

Big Do Cards 

Big Candy


This lesson presents God’s gift of salvation in the Big Story. Every church presents the Gospel with slight variations and nuances. Read through the steps before teaching. Present the Gospel in a way that is consistent with the scripture and God’s leading.



Hey, everyone, we’re so glad you’re here! Have you ever watched a movie that was a little intense? Maybe it was a superhero movie and it looked like the bad guy was going to take over the world. If you started to watch that movie, knowing that the good guy wins, the bad guy loses, and the world is saved, you wouldn’t be as nervous watching the movie. Why? Because you know the ending and you know that all turns out well. Because we follow Jesus, we know that in the end we will be with Him forever, and that means we don’t have to be afraid! This is a great reason to worship Him. Let’s do that now. 



You guys did a great job worshipping God! It’s time to break up into your small groups. Go ahead and turn to your small group leaders now. 

It’s time for Lab Wars! This is a time where small groups compete against other small groups. The winning team gets 5,000 points, and of course, bragging rights. For tonight’s battle, I need one person from each group who has nerves of steel. Small group leaders, send up one representative. 

Each of you must pass a flinch test. If you can resist the urge to flinch, then you will receive 5,000 points for your team. 




Play optional Suspenseful Mystery Music.

Have the kids take turns standing on the taped line. Using different items, try to get the kids to flinch. Some ideas would be popping a balloon, blowing an airhorn, throwing a ball that is attached to a string, etc. 
  

Congratulations to our winners! You withstood the urge to flinch! That was a hard game because they didn’t know what was coming! The mystery makes it so much scarier. Have you ever been afraid of the unknown? I know I have. Maybe you were walking through your house when it was pitch black, and you wondered if someone was going to jump out at you, or maybe you were watching a scary movie and you didn’t know what was going to happen next. The unknown can cause fear, but as Christians, it we don’t have to live in fear. Let’s check-in with our friends in the lab to see if they have ever experienced this kind of fear. 
 


Lab Wars

I can’t believe Larry died. Fish can go quickly. Has anyone ever lost a pet that you had owned for a long time? One of the scariest parts about death is that you’ve never experienced what comes afterward. Some people are afraid of what comes after our life is over, but if you know Jesus, you don’t have to be afraid! I need a small group to help me reveal tonight’s Big Point! 

**Don’t Fear; Jesus Lives Forever!** We know what’s coming after we die because of Jesus and His Word. That is good news. It makes me think of a fun game. Each small group has a box with something inside. But you don’t know what it is. Each of you will take turns reaching inside the box. Try to guess what it is, without peeking! 


Place one of the items in the box. Allow the kids to take turns reaching into the box, but don’t allow them to guess until everyone has had a turn! Once everyone has gone, allow the kids to guess what it is. Follow these instructions for each item. The items are a little odd, so when they feel them, it may gross them out. The goal is to illustrate how the unknown can sometimes be unsettling. 


Were any of you nervous reaching your hand inside the box? Maybe you weren’t sure if it was something gross or something that was alive! Not knowing can be scary. That’s why some people are afraid of dying; they don’t know what happens afterwards. But if you know Jesus, you can know for sure that after this life, you will spend forever with him. Let’s say our Big Point together, 



Ethel and Slater are pretty emotional about Larry’s death. It’s true that fish don’t live forever, but that doesn’t mean it’s the same for us! The verse Dr. Herman shared is true! Let’s take a look at it again. I need a small group to help me count down from three to reveal the Big Verse. 

1 Corinthians 15:23 (NIrV) says, “Christ is the first of those who rise from the dead. When He comes back, those who belong to Him will be raised.” 

This verse tells us that Jesus is the proof of what we’ll get to experience. He was the first to raise from the dead, and one day we will follow and get to enjoy life with Him forever. Forever means there is no end. If you’re like me, that can be a tough thing to understand. Let me demonstrate. I have this string, I am going to come hand it to every small group leader. You guys can help hold it, too! We will see just how long this string is. 

Walk the string throughout the room to every small group. Allow the kids to help hold the string, too. Once every small group is holding on, walk it through the classroom doors, so they can’t see the end of it.



Eternity is like this string, it goes on forever and ever! Forever is such a long time. Compared to eternity, our lives are like a tiny speck. Small group leaders, grab your sharpie and make a mark on the string. Take a look at that tiny mark. That is what life here on earth is like compared to the amount of time we will spend with Jesus. Death is not the end! We don’t have to be afraid of dying, because we can know for a fact that after death more great life awaits us with Jesus. Remember our Big Point, 


The vision John saw of Heaven paints an incredible picture of what it will be like. There will be no sadness, no sickness, and no sin. It will be absolutely perfect. Everyone who has said, “Yes” to Jesus will get to experience this amazing place called Heaven. If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you’ve already said, “Yes” to following Jesus, give me a thumbs up. Awesome. You can put your hands down. If you’ve never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say, “Yes” to Him right now and ask Him to forgive you, raise your hand. We’re going to pray altogether. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray... 



Dear God,
I know everyone needs a Savior, 
and I know I can’t save myself. 
Jesus, I believe 
You are the Son of God.
I believe You died on the cross for my sins 
and God raised You from the dead.


Right now, 
I say You are my Lord, 
my Savior, 
and the One who forgives me.
Thank You, Jesus, 
that You are my best friend, 
because I’ve said “Yes” to You. Amen

I’m so glad for the decision that you’ve made today. Now you’re part of the family! Because you have decided to let Jesus be the leader of your life, you will get to experience Heaven and spend forever with Him. Remember, 

**Don’t Fear; Jesus Lives Forever!** Let’s turn to our small groups and talk more about this decision you just made. 



The goal in this segment is to create a place where kids can openly share and to bring accountability to becoming more like Jesus. Do this by truly listening, responding with love, and showing them what it looks like to be a friend and follower of Jesus.


 - Who said “Yes” to Jesus today for the very first time? Celebrate with them! Have everyone give them a high-five, etc.

 - What does it mean to say, “Yes” to Jesus? **We are saying “Yes” to making Him the Leader of our life. We are saying, “Yes” to being His friend. We are saying “Yes” to what He wants us to do.**

 - What does it mean to “follow” Jesus? **It means we do what He says!**

 - Have you ever been afraid of dying, or fearful of what comes after death?

 - Does it make you less afraid to hear our Big Story? Why or why not?

Let’s pray and thank God that we get to spend forever with Him. 



Pray together as a group. Then follow your church's procedure for ensuring these kids get follow up and further discipleship.

Our Big story is true. Heaven is a real place, and it is better than you can even imagine. So as followers of Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid of death or what comes after it. We can have peace knowing that we get to spend forever with Jesus. Let’s say our Big Point together, 


I’m glad Herman was able to convince the crew that Heaven is a real place! We don’t have to be afraid of death because we know that’s not the end. We get to spend forever with Jesus in Heaven. Knowing this truth helps us not to be afraid. Let’s say it all together,  
  


**Don’t Fear; Jesus Lives Forever!** Turn back to your small group leader to finish up tonight’s service.

 - Pass out the Big Do for this week.
 - Pass out the Big Candy.
 - Have a post-game huddle with your group. Pray for them, do a little cheer, whatever you decide is a good way to end your group. 



Closing

Large Group Abbreviated


**Host**
Welcome to the Lab! I hope you’re ready for an adventure that is out of this world.

**Co-Host**
Technically, without giving too much away, it’s an out of this world adventure that becomes part of this world.


**Co-Host**
I can’t believe Larry died. We just got him in the lab.

**Host**
Fish can go quickly. Has anyone ever lost a pet that you had owned for a long time?

(**Host** asks a few kids.)

**Co-Host**
One of the scariest parts about death is that you don’t know what comes afterward. What if it’s terrible?!

**Host**
Not knowing something is sometimes the worse part. 


**Co-Host**
You are right! The mystery makes it so much scarier.

**Host**
That’s true for a lot of people, but the Big Point has some great news for us. Let’s choose an assistant to help us countdown to the Big Point.




**Host**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives Forever!** Let’s all imagine the most incredible home you could ever build. Pretend you own Amazon.com and money is not an issue. 

**Co-Host**
I can imagine a pretty amazing house with all kinds of fun and awesome parts. Like mazes and hidden passages and a helicopter pad on the roof!





**Host**
I would like a house like that, but did you know that we have something even greater waiting for us? Will it have all of those things? I’m not sure, but I do know that Jesus is preparing a place for us that is better than we could ever imagine. It all happens because we don’t remain dead when our bodies die. We come back to life. We need a volunteer to help us countdown so we can check out this verse.



**Host**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Lives Forever!**


**Co-Host**
I wonder how long Rusty will be trying to hug everyone.

**Host**
Probably a long, long time.

**Co-Host**
Kinda like our Big Point.



**Host** **Don't Fear, Jesus Lives Forever** 

**Co-Host**
If being with Jesus is so great, then why do we have to wait so long?

**Host**
Because God’s plan isn’t finished yet. What kinds of things do you want to do when you grow up? What jobs? How do you think those jobs or goals could be part of God’s big plan?

(**Host** interviews kids in the audience.)

**Co-Host**
So, you’re saying we should stick around as long as possible so we can accomplish everything God wants us to do? 

**Co-Host**
Hey that sounds like our Big Do this week! 

Don't Fear, Jesus Lives Forever!

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Don't Fear, Jesus Lives Forever! Instructions