Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

Herman and Rusty Part 1 

7 Min Countdown

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Part 3

H&R Big Do Slide

30 sec Countdown

6 Min Countdown

60 sec Countdown

5 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Title

Herman and Rusty Part 2

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

 Big Story Video

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

Rusty finally has a chance to host his own cooking show, but things go awry when he's forced to share the screen with two unfriendly co-hosts.


Large Group Full Program

Optional Music for lesson
 - Game Music for Welcome
 - Soft instrumental music for Big Story

Question of the Day: What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do at school?


Countdown / Rules

The **Host**, **Co-Host**, and four kids are on stage at the beginning of the Welcome. The kids wear trash bags to protect their clothes. In front of each kid is a giant ice cream sundae. You could easily substitute a different dessert if that is not accessible. 


(optional, Play game music)

**Host**
These kids are competing in a game we call “Brain Freeze.” They have 60 seconds to eat as much of their ice cream sundae as they can. 

**Co-Host**
Let’s see if they can keep eating when their brains are on ice.


(Finish playing the game.)




**Co-Host**
Congratulations to our winner!

**Host**
Great job, and you know what impressed me? These kids kept playing, even when you know it had to hurt. Have you guys ever experienced a brain freeze? It does not feel good.

**Co-Host**
That reminds me of the old saying, when the going gets tough, the tough quit going. That doesn’t sound right.

**Host**
I think you got confused on that one, but don’t worry, because today’s lesson here in the Lab will clear things up. 

**Co-Host**
Stand to your feet and tell someone nearby which dessert you will not quit eating until it’s completely gone: ice cream or cake. 


Welcome

Worship


**Co-Host**
Rusty’s show is not going as planned. I can’t believe he quit.

**Host**
Have you ever wanted to quit something because someone else was making life miserable? Tell me about it.



**Host** and **Co-Host** interview a couple of kids to hear their story.



**Co-Host**
Everybody has thought about giving up at one time or another. Do you think we should just give in to those feelings whenever we feel down?

**Host**
Before we answer that, let’s check out our Big Point to see what it says. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.



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



**Co-Host**
Help us count down from three and then read the Big Point.

**Host**
Let’s all say it together, **Don’t Give Up!** Do you think that God really wants us to keep going, even when things are hard?

**Co-Host**
He does! That’s because God has a big plan for our world, and we get to be part of that plan. But if we quit, we miss out on being part of something really cool.

**Host**
I love that God uses us in His plan. Sometimes following that plan means we will face opposition. People, problems, and…

**Co-Host**
Pets?

**Host**
Probably not pets. But we’ll face challenges that will make us want to quit. That’s when we have to keep going. We have a game, and we’re going to challenge you guys to keep going. We’re playing tug of war, and it’s kids vs. adults.



Bring out the team of kids and the team of adults. The kids should outnumber the adults.



**Co-Host**
Let’s see if the kids can keep going, even when they face some tall competition.


(Play optional Game Song) Play the game. During the game, the **Host** and **Co-Host** help the kids win.


**Host**
What impressed me was that you kept fighting a team that was bigger than you. We may face some tough challenges when we live out God’s plan. Just like we helped you, we trust that God will help us keep going. Let’s see if Herman can help Rusty make that choice.



Engage 1

**Host**
Do you think that Rusty will come back to his show?

**Co-Host**
I hope so. It’s his dream. I wouldn’t want to him to give up before it’s on TV. Maybe he’ll keep thinking about our Big Point, 




**Co-Host**
**Don’t Give Up!**

**Host**
That isn’t a concept we made up. We learn that truth from the Bible. Let’s reveal the Big Verse.



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




**Co-Host**
Help us count down from three and then you’ll read the verse. 

**Co-Host**
Galatians 6:9 (NIrV) says, “Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.”

**Host**
That verse reminds me of something, but I’m going to need an assistant to help me. 



Choose a kid to help. Bring out the bucket/container with the rope. The rope should be really long, like 100 feet, if possible. At the end of the rope, attach a piece of king-sized candy or some other fun prize. 




**Host**
When I say go, pull the rope out of the bucket, but you can’t reach in and try to pick up the whole bundle. You have to keep pulling the rope, foot by foot, out of the bucket. At any point, if you want to stop, you can, and we’ll choose another assistant to finish.


Have the kid pull the end of the rope out of the bucket and continue pulling. If he/she quits, choose another kid to continue until the candy is revealed.



**Co-Host**
Wow, there was candy at the end. It’s a good thing you kept pulling on the rope.

**Host**
That’s what the verse teaches us. We keep going and following God’s big plan because we know that in the end God’s plan will help a lot of people. Even if it’s tough right now, we know it will be worth the effort.

**Co-Host**
It’s like a farmer who works hard for months because he or she knows that eventually good food will grow.

**Host**
Don’t quit. Otherwise you might just give up right before the good stuff happens. Let’s take a moment to stand and worship God.




Engage 2

I’m thankful that we don’t have to be super strong on our own. We have a God who strengthens us when we feel weak and want to give up. He helps us to keep going. God also provides other Christians to help us as we live God’s big plan. If you need some help to keep going, today, we want you to come and pray with one of our Adult volunteers. They’re going to sit along the front and pray with you.



Big Story


**Co-Host**
Rusty’s show sounds like a hit. 

**Host**
I’m glad he listened to Herman and followed the Big Point, 


**Host**
**Don’t Give Up!**

**Co-Host**
He even got Myers and Marbles to try his food. Good things come when you keep going.

**Host**
You can share what you’ve learned today when you do this week’s Big Do. 

**Host**
Go out with your family and do something active, like taking a walk, riding a bike, running, be creative. Set a target for how long or how far you want to go. During the activity, challenge each other to keep going.

**Co-Host**
Let’s practice that today. Everyone, stand up. We’re going to walk in place, which may turn into a run in place. Let’s see if you can last longer than our Connectors.



Have the kids and adult volunteers walk/run in place. Encourage them to keep going. 



**Host**
Great job. Make sure you tell us next week what you did and who lasted the longest. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned.



Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following. 


 - If you had been taken from your family and forced to work for someone else, would you have been tempted to stay mad and give up? Why?

 - How did God help Joseph when he didn’t give up? (God helped Joseph succeed everywhere he went.)

 - What are some good things that come from not giving up?

 - What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? **Do something active with your family and challenge each other to keep going.**



Small Group

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

 - Our Big Point says _____ Give Up!
	-**Don’t**
	-Do

 - What kind of show was Rusty Hosting?
	-Talk show
	-**Cooking show**

 - Rusty wanted to quit because things weren’t going his way.
	-**True**
	-False

 - How does trusting God, even when things are hard, help us? 

 - When Joseph worked for Potiphar, did he work hard or barely work?
	-**Worked hard**
	-Barely worked

 - Galatians 6:9 (NIrV), “Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather _____ if we don’t give up.”
	-Nothing
	-**A Crop**

 - When was a time you felt like giving up?

 - Joseph was in prison because someone lied about him.
	-**True**
	-False

 - It’s okay to give up if people are being mean.
	-True
	-**False**

  - What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? **Do something active with your family and challenge each other to keep going.**

Big Review

Midweek / Classroom

Question of the Day: What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do at school?



Optional Music for lesson

 - Game music for Lab Wars
 - Soft instrumental music for Big Story

Hey, everyone, welcome to the Lab! Raise your hand if you have ever run in a race. The hardest part of the race is the last leg, when your body is reaching complete exhaustion. It can be hard not to throw in the towel. Sometime life throws us some hard things, but it’s important to keep going! Thankfully God helps us and strengthens us when we feel like giving up. What a great reason to worship Him! Before we worship, turn to your neighbor and tell them which race you would rather compete in: running or biking!


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. 

Split into groups.

Small Group Leader, Use these two minutes to introduce yourself to your kids and go over the rules you have for your group. This will set the expectation and show the kids clear boundaries, setting your group time up for success. The ball can be used as a tool to signify whose turn it is to respond.





It’s time for Lab Wars! Tonight’s battle is a little different. Each small group leader will send up one representative from their team. Instead of competing against one another, they will work together as a team. All of you will stand in a line and pass this bucket back and forth for one minute. But I have to warn you, it may get a little harder as you go. If you succeed, each team will get 1,000 points! Is everyone ready? On your mark, get set, go!

Play optional game music.

Each time the bucket reaches the end, add a small weight. It can be a rock, a two pound weight, etc.


That game was hard and just kept getting harder as more weight was added! But you guys wanted to reach the end and did not give up. Everybody has thought about giving up at one time or another. Do you think we should just give in to those feelings whenever we feel down? We will find out the answer to this question tonight, but first, let’s check in with Herman and the gang to see if they’ve ever wanted to call it quits.


Lab Wars

Rusty’s show is not going as planned. I can’t believe he quit! I am sure we have all felt like giving up at some point. Let’s look at what our Big Point has to say. I need a small group to help me count it down from three. 

Let’s all say it together, **Don’t Give Up!** God has a big plan for our world, and we get to be part of that plan. When we quit the task God has asked us to do, we miss out on being part of something really cool. Let’s play a game to demonstrate. Each small group has a balloon. As a team, work together to keep it in the air. And remember, **Don’t Give Up!** 


Small group leader, as a group, try to keep the balloon in the air. Set a goal so you know when you succeed. You can either set a timer on your phone for 1 minute or try to reach 100, whatever is best for your team. You can play several rounds until the time is up. Try to get everyone involved!


Wow, that game really took a group effort! If one person gave up and decided not to hit the balloon, then it hurt the team and made it harder to reach the goal. The same is true when it comes to God’s plan. We are all part of God’s team, and we all have a part to play in His big plan. When one of us gives up, it affects the whole team. That’s why it’s so important to follow our Big Point, 


**Don’t Give Up!** Let’s check back in with Rusty to see if he can get a hold of this truth. 

Do you think that Rusty will come back to his show? I hope so. It’s his dream. I wouldn’t want to him to give up before it gets on TV. Maybe he’ll keep thinking about our Big Point, 

**Don’t Give Up!** We learn that truth from the Bible. Let’s reveal the Big Verse. I need a small group to help me count it down from three. Ready, 

Galatians 6:9 (NIrV) says, “Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.” When we follow our Big Point, good things happen! As a small group, you get to talk through some scenarios. While you listen, keep your hands in the air. If you all can keep your hands in the air, you will each win a piece of candy! But, if one person puts their arms down, the candy is off the table. So make sure you help each other out! 



Have your kids shake their arms out to get ready for the game. Explain to them that they can work together by encouraging one another and holding each other’s arms up. Then have the following discussion.



 - You decide to bake some cookies for your family, but halfway through you feel like giving up. What would happen if you gave up? (Your family wouldn’t have yummy cookies to enjoy)

 - You are playing in a soccer game but start to feel very tired. You want to give up so badly! Should you? Why is it important to not give up? (Because if you do, you will let the team down, they might lose)

 - Your room is a mess, your mom asked you to clean it, but you’re tired! What would happen if you gave up? (You would get into trouble; you wouldn’t be able to enjoy a nice clean room). What would happen if you kept going? (You would get to enjoy a nice clean room)

 - Your dad is making dinner for the family, but he has had a long day and is tired. What would happen if he quit? (The family wouldn’t have dinner to eat)

 - You are having a hard time in math and your grades are struggling. Your teacher gives you some pointers and extra work to help you catch up, but you are frustrated because you really don’t like math. What would happen if you gave up? (You may fail at math, you may not pass, you may not learn what you need to.) What would happen if you kept going? (You would pass and gain the knowledge you need)



Ok, you can put your arms down! Good job! You guys kept your arms raised the whole time. Each of you will get a piece of candy. I will pass it out at the end of service.



I am so glad we get to be a part of God’s big plan. When we do what God asks us to do and don’t give up, we see great blessings. If you ever feel like giving up, find a Christian friend or adult that will encourage you to keep going, just like we did for our friends today. And if you see a friend who is wanting to give up, you can encourage them with our Big Point, 

**Don’t Give Up!** Tonight’s story from the Bible is about a guy named Joseph. Joseph knew he had a part to play in God’s big plan, but life got really tough for him. Check out this video to see how Joseph responded. 



I’m thankful that we don’t have to be super strong on our own. We have a God who strengthens us when we feel weak and want to give up. He helps us to keep going. God also provides other Christians to help us as we live God’s big plan. That’s why our small group time is so important! This is a time where we can encourage one another to follow our Big Point, 


**Don’t Give Up!** Let’s talk more about that now. 

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. The ball can be used as a tool to signify whose turn it is to respond.


 - When is it hard not to give up? (When you are tired, when you are bored, when you are angry, when you are hurt or sad, when bad things happen, etc.)

 - Tell us about a time when you felt like giving up. What would have happened if you did give up? 

 - What could help you when you feel like giving up? (You can pray, read our Big Verse, talk to a Christian adult or friend, worship, etc.)

Let’s pray and ask God for strength for when we feel like giving up.




When hard things happen, you may feel like giving up. When you do, remember Joseph. Joseph was thrown into a pit, accused of a crime, and sent to prison, but he never quit obeying God. He followed our Big Point and was used by God in great ways. Let’s say our Big Point together,



Rusty’s show sounds like a hit. I’m glad he listened to Herman and followed the Big Point, 

**Don’t Give Up!** You can practice what you’ve learned today when you do this week’s Big Do. 

Go out with your family and do something active, like taking a walk, riding a bike, running, be creative. Set a target for how long or how far you want to go. During the activity, challenge each other to keep going! Let’s turn to our small groups to finish up tonight’s service. 


Small group leader, Use this time to hand out any positive reinforcement tools (i.e Candy, stickers, prize coupons, etc.) Tell your group how much you enjoyed spending time with them this week. Finally, end your time together with a prayer and maybe even a group cheer.


Closing

Large Group Abbreviated

**Co-Host**
You know what is on my mind today? Ice cream, lots and lots of ice cream. You've got to eat it slow though. Which is hard to do when you love it so much you want to gobble it down...and you can't let it get all melty...MMMM ice cream! But if you eat it in a hurry it hurts!

**Host**
Have you guys ever experienced a brain freeze? It does not feel good.

**Co-Host**
It is hard to eat it fast and keep eating it. That reminds me of the old saying, when the going gets tough, the tough quit going. That doesn’t sound right.

**Host**
I think you got confused on that one, but don’t worry, because today’s lesson here in the Lab will clear things up. 

**Co-Host**
Stand to your feet and tell someone nearby which dessert you will not quit eating until it’s completely gone: ice cream or cake. 


**Host**
Let’s all say it together, **Don’t Give Up!** Do you think that God really wants us to keep going, even when things are hard?

**Co-Host**
He does! That’s because God has a big plan for our world, and we get to be part of that plan. But if we quit, we miss out on being part of something really cool.

**Host**
I love that God uses us in His plan. Sometimes following that plan means we will face opposition. People, problems, and…

**Co-Host**
Pets?

**Host**
Probably not pets. But we’ll face challenges that will make us want to quit. That’s when we have to keep going. 
We can trust that God will help us keep going. Let’s see if Herman can help Rusty make that choice.


**Co-Host**
Galatians 6:9 (NIrV) says, “Let us not become tired of doing good. At the right time we will gather a crop if we don’t give up.”

**Host**
We keep going and following God’s big plan because we know that in the end God’s plan will help a lot of people. Even if it’s tough right now, we know it will be worth the effort.





 

**Co-Host**
It’s like a farmer who works hard for months because he or she knows that eventually good food will grow.

**Host**
Don’t quit. Otherwise you might just give up right before the good stuff happens. 




**Host**
Go out with your family and do something active, like taking a walk, riding a bike, running, be creative. Set a target for how long or how far you want to go. During the activity, challenge each other to keep going.





**Host**
Make sure you tell us next week what you did and who lasted the longest. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned.



I'm Part Of God's Big Plan Week 2

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions