Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

03 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Part 1 

2 Min Countdown

H&R Big Do Slide

Herman and Rusty Part 2

Big Story Video

6 Min Countdown

Impact Sound Effect

8 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Part 3

5 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Title

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

A massive storm is approaching the lab, which is terrible news for Ethel because she's terrified of storms. Rusty's cousin, Skip, a local weatherman, thinks it's crazy to put your faith in Jesus. It's up to Herman to show Ethel that Jesus is Strong and that He can help her, and us, with any challenge.

Large Group Full Program

Countdown / Rules

**Host**
Welcome to the Lab! I can’t believe we got away with inventing a service this fun.

**Co-Host**
Yes, this is going to be your most exciting hour of the week, unless you just spent the last hour skydiving.

**Host**
How would they have skydived in the last hour and made it to church?

**Co-Host**
I don’t know, maybe the giant target I painted on the roof. 

**Co-Host**
Well, I probably shouldn’t have put that there. Now the lab is going to be pelted by skydivers.

**Host**
Even if you did skydive, I think today is going to be the best hour of your week.

**Co-Host**
Unless you rode an elephant here, which would be amazing. Never mind, you’re right. This is going to be the most fun you’ve had all week…unless you really love homework.

**Host**
Forget all that. Today is going to be awesome. Let’s get things started off by checking in on Herman and Rusty, but first stand up, find a friend, and tell him or her, “What’s the best thing you’ve done this week!”



Welcome

Worship

**Co-Host**
Wow, Ethel is pretty upset about that tropical storm. You know what she needs? One of those thunder vests that dogs wear during storms. I don’t know who invented that, but that person is a genius.

**Host**
I think the Big Point might actually be more helpful.

**Co-Host**
Those vests are pretty snazzy, though. I wore my dog’s vest to my Senior Prom under my tuxedo.

**Host**
Let’s check out today’s Big Point. I need one of you to be a lab assistant to make this happen. 



**Host** and **Co-Host** choose a kid to volunteer.



**Co-Host**
How do you feel about wearing my dog’s thunder vest?

**Host**
What we really need your assistance with is revealing today’s Big Point. I need everyone in the lab to count down from three. When we say one, hit that button and reveal the Big Point. 







**Co-Host**
Let’s all say it together, “Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong!”

**Host**
Let’s do a test of strength. I have different things holding these tennis balls, like paper towels, toilet paper, notebook paper, and construction paper. If I pour water on them, which one will hold the tennis ball the longest? You’re going to hold the items.

**Co-Host**
Let’s experiment! I need the audience to count the seconds for each one, so we can measure it.

Holding the item over the bucket, pour the water onto each paper and see which one lasts the longest.

**Host**
The strongest is the (Insert winner). It’s helpful to know who or what is the strongest because it shows you where it’s safe to place your trust.

**Co-Host**
Since Jesus is the strongest, it only makes sense that we put our faith in Him.

**Host**
With our faith in the strongest One out there, we can be sure we don’t have to be afraid. Let’s see how Ethel is holding up.





Engage 1


**Host**
It seems like Skip is only making things worse.

**Co-Host**
Rusty seemed fine until he listened to his cousin. It’s weird that Skip only thinks of Jesus as a baby. That doesn’t even make sense.

**Host**
Yeah, he kind of got stuck at Christmas, and didn’t read anything else about Jesus after that. Sometimes kids and grownups think about Jesus in ways that don’t match what is true. But we can be sure that our Big Point is true, 

**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong!**  I need another assistant.




**Host** and **Co-Host** choose a kid to volunteer.


**Host**
I need you to get inside this box. 



**Co-Host**
That’s impossible…unless I use Rusty’s shrink ray he invented last week. 

**Co-Host** pulls out a water gun. He/She squirts the **Host**.

**Co-Host**
I accidentally grabbed his water gun.

**Host**
It didn’t work anyway. It is impossible for you to fit inside this box, right? Sometimes we think of God as really small and weak. It’s like we put Him in a tiny box. But is that accurate? Check out this verse. I need you to hit the button as we count down from three.



**Co-Host**
Revelation 1:8 (NIrV), “I am the Mighty One.”

**Host**
“Mighty” means strong, like really strong. I need my assistant to go out and ask one person this question, “How is it helpful to think of Jesus as strong?”

Kid interviews a friend from the audience.

**Co-Host**
I agree. If you think of Jesus as weak, then it’s hard to believe that He can help you live your best life.

**Host**
That can amp up the fear. We don’t want that. Remember, 

**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong!** Let’s jump to our feet and worship our strong God!

Engage 2

Today I want you to think of your biggest, baddest fears - you know, the things that keep you wide awake at night or tug at you throughout the day. I want you to imagine yourself giving them to Jesus. Go ahead. Picture yourself holding that fear and placing it in Jesus’ hands. Now let go. That’s right; don’t take it back. It’s His to deal with now. Jesus wants us to give our fears to Him. He can handle them. That frees us up to live a joyful life. Take a moment to quietly thank Jesus for taking away your fear, for being with you, and giving you forever to look forward to. (Pause) Now I’ll pray. (Pray)

Big Story

**Co-Host**
Whew! That was a close one. I’m glad the lab is safe.

(**Co-Host** shakes off the umbrella, splashing water on the **Host**.)

**Host**
More importantly, Ethel and Rusty learned our Big Point. 


**Host**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong** That picture of Jesus that John wrote about in the Book of Revelation was really helpful to the Christians back then because it reminded them that they serve a strong God.

**Co-Host**
Was that only written for people a long time ago, or can it help us, too?

**Host**
Trust me, the Bible is just as important for us now as it was for them. Let’s think about it some situations that might arise. We’re going to need some more volunteers.

(Bring up volunteers to talk about how Jesus could help them in the following situations.)



•	A school bully threatens to text lies about you to your friends.

•	You find out someone in your family has cancer.

**Co-Host**
Remember the Big Do for this week, put all your fears in a jar and pray the Big Verse.


**Host**
No matter what situation you face, you can be sure that Jesus is with you and that He is powerful enough to help you. Don’t forget, 

**Host**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong!** Let’s gather with our small groups and talk about this.



Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following. 

1.	Have you ever been scared during a storm like Ethel, or some other time? What happened?
2.	Which part of the description of Jesus in the Big Story helps you remember that Jesus is strong: His robe, His white hair, His fiery eyes, His bronze feet, His voice that booms, or His face giving light? Why?
3.	How does remembering that Jesus is strong help get rid of fear?
4.	What did Herman tell us to do in the Big Do? **Put your fears in a jar and pray the Big Verse**

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 Is _______! a.**Strong** b.	Weak
2.	Skip thought Jesus was still a ________. a.	Hero b.	**Baby**
3.	Name one way that John described Jesus in our Big Story. **Gold around His chest, white hair, eyes like fire, feet like metal, voice like rushing waters, face shining like the sun**
4.	Why was Ethel scared?
a.	Lost her cat b.	**A giant storm**
5.	How could knowing Jesus is strong help you when you’re afraid?
6.	Our Big Verse, Revelation 1:8 (NIrV) says, “I am the ______ One.’’” a.	Best b.	**Mighty**
7.	If Jesus is stronger than anyone else in the universe, why do you think people are still afraid?
8.	What did Jesus tell John when John dropped to the ground?
a.	Stay put b.	**Do not be afraid**
9.	What does Jesus want you do with your fears? a.	Hold on to them and think about them all the time b.	**Give them to Him**
10.	 What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? **Put your fears in a jar and pray the Big Verse**


Big Review

Midweek / Classroom

Question of the Day: What did you used to be afraid of when you were little?

These music selections are suggested for this lesson.

  - Game Music for Lab Wars
 - Soft Instrumental Music for Big Story

Hey, everyone! It’s officially October, the month of fall leaves, warm drinks, cozy clothes, and Halloween! It’s hard to get through October without seeing something that may make you a little scared, but you don’t have to worry! This month we are starting a brand new series called, “Don’t Fear.” As friends and followers of Jesus, we don’t have to be afraid because He is always with us. What 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. 

Who is ready for Lab Wars!? Lab Wars is when your team will have a chance to win 5,000 points! For this week’s battle, we have a strength competition. There will be two rounds. After each round, those who are not eliminated will move on to the final round, where we will find out once and for all who the strongest team is! Small group leaders, send up your strongest member. 


Round 1: Holding a ream of paper over your head. (Top 5 continue)
Round 2: Throwing a medicine ball the furthest. 


Congratulations to our winners! (Award points) All of you showed great strength in our competition. But did you know there is Someone who is so much stronger than we are. In fact, He is stronger than the strongest man in the world. Who do you think that is? That’s right; it’s Jesus! Tonight we will discover that knowing that Jesus is strong can really help us! Let’s tune in to see what’s going on with our friends at the Lab. 


Lab Wars

Wow, Ethel is pretty upset about that tropical storm. Do you think what Skip is saying is true? Is Jesus really a little baby? Let’s see what our Big Point has to say. I need a group to help me countdown to reveal the Big Point. 

**Don’t Fear; Jesus Is Strong!**

 When you feel afraid, does it help if your dad or grandpa is with you? Of course, it does, because you know they are strong and can help! Well, Jesus is stronger than anyone in the entire world, and He is with you! So, you don’t have to be afraid, ever. We are going to play a fun game that will show us just how ridiculous fear can be. Your small group leader is going to read a phobia. You get to guess what fear the phobia describes. Let’s do that now.  


Place the icon cards in the center of the group. Then read the phobia and pick a child to choose what they think the phobia describes. There are a few extra icons that don’t relate to make it a little more challenging as the game goes on. 

Ambulophobia – The fear of walking

Linonophobia – The fear of strings

Genuphobia – The fear of knees

Octophobia – The fear of the number 8

Alliumphobia – The fear of garlic

Bibliophobia – The fear of books

Porphyrophobia – The fear of the color purple

Omphalophobia – The fear of bellybuttons

Pogonophobia – The fear of beards

Consecotaleophobia – The fear of chopsticks


Those fears are completely ridiculous! The fear of string?! Come on! Even though these fears are pretty silly, fear is a real thing. We all have been afraid at some point. Maybe you can relate to Ethel, and you’re not a fan of storms, or maybe being alone in the dark really freaks you out. Whatever it is you are afraid of, when you remember our Big Point, you’ll notice your fears get smaller and smaller. Let’s say our Big Point together, 


**Don’t Fear; Jesus Is Strong!**
 Now let’s check back in to see if Ethel can grab ahold of this, too. 

It seems like Skip is only making things worse. Rusty was fine until he listened to his cousin. It’s weird that Skip only thinks of Jesus as a baby. That doesn’t even make sense. He kind of got stuck at Christmas and didn’t read anything about Jesus after that. Sometimes kids and grownups think about Jesus in ways that don’t match what is true. But we can be sure that our Big Point is true, 

**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong!**
Talking about how strong Jesus is makes me think about Superheroes. Superheroes are fun to watch and to talk about, but even they have certain things that make them weak. If Superman is exposed to Kryptonite, his strength diminishes. Our activity today delves more into this. You get to draw yourself as a superhero and talk about what makes you weak. It can be something silly, like muffins, or grass! Let’s do that now. 


Instructions: Give each child an activity sheet. Have them finish the drawing and write or draw what their “Kryptonite” is. When they are done, discuss the following questions.  



 - Who is your favorite superhero, why?

 - What is your favorite superhero’s greatest strength?

 - What is their greatest weakness?

 - What can Jesus do? What can stop Him?


Jesus really is stronger than any superhero, and it helps that He actually exists! Check out our Big Verse. I need a small group to help me reveal it. 

 I want you guys to help me count down from three to reveal the Big Verse. Ready? 3, 2, 1! 

Revelation 1:8 (NIrV), “I am the Mighty One.” This is Jesus talking. “Mighty” means strong, like really strong. If you think of Jesus as weak, then it’s hard to believe that He can help you. That can amp up the fear. That wouldn’t help us. Remember, 



**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong!**
 There’s a guy in the Bible who actually had a vision of Jesus in heaven! Let’s listen and find out what he saw. 

Big Story Slides - df-elem-l1-big-story-slide-1.jpg

We all have fears, but when you truly understand how strong Jesus is, your fears get smaller. During this time in your small groups, you guys will spend some time talking about what makes you afraid. Then you will take a moment to pray together and give your fears to Jesus. You can trust Him to take care of you because our Big Point is true, 

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.


 - What is something that you’re afraid of? 

 - (Older) How do you feel when you’re afraid? **Scared, sad, uneasy, etc.**

 - Which part of the description of Jesus in the Big Story helps you remember that Jesus is strong: **His robe, His white hair, His fiery eyes, His bronze feet, His voice that booms, or His face giving light?** Why?
 
 - How does remembering that Jesus is strong help get rid of fear?


Everyone bow your head and close your eyes. I want you to think about your biggest, baddest fear. Maybe it’s something that keeps you wide awake at night or tugs at you throughout the day. Now imagine holding them in your hands and giving them to Jesus. Imagine yourself placing them in His hands. Don’t take them back; He can handle them. Now take a moment to quietly thank Jesus for taking away your fear and for being with you.



Jesus wants us to give our fears to Him. He is stronger than you could ever imagine, and He loves you so much. He doesn’t want you to be afraid. He wants to take your fears from you. He can handle them. That frees us up to live a joyful and a peaceful life. I really hope Ethel listens to the Big Point, so she can give her fear of storms over to Jesus. 



Whew! That was a close one. I’m glad the lab is safe. More importantly, Ethel and Rusty learned our Big Point, 

**Don’t Fear; Jesus Is Strong!**
 That picture of Jesus that John wrote about in the Book of Revelation was really helpful to the Christians because it reminded them that they serve a strong God. It wasn’t written just for them! God included it for us, too, so that we can read it and know that our Big Point is true, 

**Don’t Fear; Jesus Is Strong!**
A great way to practice our Big Point is by doing this week’s Big Do. Gather your family and grab a jar. Take turns writing down something that makes you afraid. Then put those fears in a jar or bowl and let the fears go. Later that paper can remind you of how awesome God is and how He has helped you. Turn to your small group and 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**
**Don’t Fear, Jesus Is Strong** That picture of Jesus that John wrote about in the Book of Revelation was really helpful to the Christians back then because it reminded them that they serve a strong God.

**Co-Host**
Was that only written for people a long time ago, or can it help us, too?

**Host**
Trust me, the Bible is just as important for us now as it was for them. 



Don't Fear Week 1

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions