Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

Herman and Rusty Act 3

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

H&R Big Do Slide

Big Story Video

4 Minute Timer

6 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Act 1

3 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Act 2

60 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Title

10 sec Countdown

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

Sophia gives up smiling when Skip calls her comedy a joke. Can Dr. Herman and the gang help her learn to choose joy, even when she doesn't feel like it?

Large Group Full Program

Question of the Day: What would be harder for you to get over: making a bad grade or missing a friend’s birthday party?



Countdown / Rules

**Host**

Welcome to the Lab!



**Co-Host**

We’re learning all about how the Holy Spirit can grow good things inside of us when we follow Jesus. We call those good things the Fruit of the Spirit.



**Host**

Today we will dig into the Bible and discover another attitude that develops in us when we walk in step with the Holy Spirit.



**Co-Host**

We’re learning to spot the right kind of fruit in our lives. In fact, let’s see how well you can spot the difference in these two pictures of fruit. We have two teams who will compete to find all the differences. 





**Host**

Use the laser pointer to point to them as you find them. The audience can feel free to shout suggestions to the teams. 



Choose two teams of two kids and one adult volunteer. Give each team a laser pointer to use to point at the screen. If the screens are accessible from the floor, then allow the kids to run up to it and point. The second slide shows all the differences.







**Host**

Great job to our winners. Let’s get ready to check in at the lab. But first, tell someone one thing that always makes you laugh.

Welcome

Worship



**Host**

Last week we heard about love. Let’s check out today’s Big Point and discover what kinds of good things the Holy Spirit grows in us.







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





**Co-Host**

Get ready. After we count down from three, you get to read the Big Point. 



**Co-Host**

Let’s all say it together, **Be Happy No Matter What!**



**Host**

When the Holy grows good fruit in us, He enables us to choose joy in any situation. The Bible is full of verses about this. 



**Host**

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIrV) says, “But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.” 



**Co-Host**

You can choose joy? I thought it was something that you just felt.



**Host**

We all experience happy feelings, but true joy is an attitude that you choose. It’s how you choose to see the world around you. That’s why you can have it anytime and anywhere. Let’s see how well you can control your attitudes. Everyone, stand up and find a partner nearby. We’re going to have a 10 second contest to see who can make their partner laugh or smile. Ready? Go!





Play several rounds of the game, instructing the kids to find different partners each time.









**Co-Host**

True joy comes from God, so our joy isn’t because we’re happy that bad things might happen. Our joy is that God is with us, no matter what happens.



**Host**

Remembering what He has done and how much He loves you helps you to keep choosing a positive attitude. Let’s see if Sophia can make that choice.



Engage 1

**Co-Host**

This lesson is a great one to remember when things aren’t quite going your way at school. Let’s say it again, 

**Co-Host**

**Be Happy No Matter What!**



**Host**

Whether things go your way or not, you can choose joy, in any situation, when you trust God.

**Co-Host**

That sounds great, but it’s tougher sometimes to actually do it. Maybe we should choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse. I need some Bible truth to help me.

**Co-Host**

After we count down from three, your job is to read the verse. 





**Host**

James 1:2 (NIrV) says, “You will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.” No matter who you are, everyone faces some kind of trouble.



**Co-Host**

I was hoping the verse might say that my life will be all roses and rainbows.



**Host**

That’s not how it works. Trouble will come our way. What makes the difference is our attitude. We have some assistants to help us with a demonstration. 





Bring out a child and a couple adult volunteers.

**Host**

These volunteers are going to toss dodge balls at this kid. (To the child) Your job is to try to dodge as many of them as you can.





The adult volunteers (softly) toss dodge balls at the child’s legs. 





**Co-Host**

That was hard to dodge, kind of like how it’s hard to avoid trouble.



**Host**

You can’t stop it from coming, and the trouble isn’t always the result of bad choices you make. The Bible says in 

**Host**

Ephesians 6:10 (NIrV), “Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”



**Co-Host**

Faith is trusting in God, so when we trust God, we protect ourselves from the enemy. If we trust God to take care of us, then we can have joy when trouble strikes.



**Host**

Exactly. Try it again, but this time we’re going to give our contestant a shield. Let’s see how he/she does now.





Adult volunteers toss dodge balls at the kid. The shield can be a foam shield, plastic trash can lids, etc, anything that can block the dodge balls.





**Co-Host**

That makes a big difference.



**Host**

It sure does! And with the shield of faith up to protect us, we can follow our Big Point, and be happy, no matter what. Let’s stand and worship God.



Engage 2

Let’s all stand to our feet. Think for a moment about the biggest problem you’ve faced in the last couple of weeks. This trouble might be trying to keep you down, but today I want you to know that God can help you float right to the top. Let’s do something the early church did when they faced trouble; let’s praise God. It’s a great way to remind ourselves of the wonderful God we serve. He’s the One who gives us joy, even when trouble comes.





Big Story

**Host**

Can you believe that the Apostles were joyful after being beaten? It sure helps me to remember that I can always choose joy when I walk in step with the Holy Spirit.



**Co-Host**

Our Big Point is true. You can 

**Co-Host**

**Be Happy No Matter What!**



**Host**

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do, so we can learn how to apply the Big Point this week. 



**Co-Host**

Here’s what it is: have everyone in your family choose a movie to watch. Put each person’s choice in a hat and draw one out. Challenge everyone to be happy, even if they don’t get their way.



**Host**

Have you ever been guilty of pouting when you didn’t get to choose what to watch? This week, you can be different. That’s because you have the power to choose joy.



**Co-Host**

No matter what movie we watch, there’s one item I must have… popcorn. Who loves extra buttery popcorn? Who loves cheesy popcorn? What about caramel popcorn? In this game we have two teams. One player has a popcorn tub on his/her head. The teammates must land as many ping pong balls in the popcorn tub as they can in 60 seconds. 





Optional play game music. Play the game.





**Host**

Great job to our winners. Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we’ve learned.



Engage 3

Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following. 







 - What is something that makes you happy?

 - Share a time this week when you felt sad or angry. What could have helped you choose joy in the middle of that situation? 

 - How does the Holy Spirit help us to have joy no matter what? **He reminds us that God is with us; He reminds us of people who love us and take care of us**



Small Group

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

- Our Big Point says, Be Happy ______ What! **No Matter**

- Who were the guys who led the church at the beginning?

    - **Apostles**

    - Priests

- Who tried to stop the Apostles from teaching about Jesus?

    - **Sadducees**

    - Philistines

- James 1:2 (NIrV), “You will face all kinds of _______. When you do, think of it as pure joy.”

    - Fun things

    - **Trouble**

- What Fruit of the Spirit did the Apostles choose after being punished?

    - Anger

    - **Joy**

- The Apostles quit teaching about Jesus after being punished.

    - True

    - **False**

- What’s one way you can choose joy when something bad happens?

- Who helps us have joy, no matter what? **The Holy Spirit**



- Any Christian can produce the Fruit of the Spirit and choose joy. 

    - **True**

    - False

- What is this week’s Big Do?

***Put each person’s movie choice in a hat and draw one out. Challenge everyone to be happy, even if they don’t get their way.***

Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

**Host**

Welcome to the Lab!

**Co-Host**

We’re learning all about how the Holy Spirit can grow good things inside of us when we follow Jesus. We call those good things the Fruit of the Spirit.

**Host**

Today we will dig into the Bible and discover another attitude that develops in us when we walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

**Co-Host**

We’re learning to spot the right kind of fruit in our lives. 

**Host**

Let’s get ready to check in at the lab. But first, tell someone one thing that always makes you laugh.

**Host**

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIrV) says, “But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.”

**Co-Host**

You can choose joy? I thought it was something that you just felt.

**Host**

We all experience happy feelings, but true joy is an attitude that you choose. It’s how you choose to see the world around you. That’s why you can have it anytime and anywhere. 

**Host**

James 1:2 (NIrV) says, “You will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.” No matter who you are, everyone faces some kind of trouble.

**Co-Host**

I was hoping the verse might say that my life will be all roses and rainbows.

**Host**

That’s not how it works. Trouble will come our way. What makes the difference is our attitude. 

**Co-Host**

You are sure we can't just avoid it?



**Host**

You can’t stop it from coming, and the trouble isn’t always the result of bad choices you make. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:10 (NIrV), “Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

**Co-Host**

Faith is trusting in God, so when we trust God, we protect ourselves from the enemy. If we trust God to take care of us, then we can have joy when trouble strikes.

**Host**

Exactly.

**Co-Host**

That makes a big difference.

**Host**

It sure does! And with the shield of faith up to protect us, we can follow our Big Point, and be happy, no matter what. Let’s stand and worship God.

**Co-Host**

Here’s what it is: have everyone in your family choose a movie to watch. Put each person’s choice in a hat and draw one out. Challenge everyone to be happy, even if they don’t get their way.

**Host**

Have you ever been guilty of pouting when you didn’t get to choose what to watch? This week, you can be different. That’s because you have the power to choose joy.

**Co-Host**

No matter what movie we watch, there’s one item I must have… popcorn. Who loves extra buttery popcorn? Who loves cheesy popcorn? What about caramel popcorn? 

**Host**

Popcorn and a movie sounds great! Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we’ve learned.

Midweek / Classroom

Question of the Day: Would you rather choose what movie your family watches or choose what you have for dinner?

Lab Wars Prep: The game calls for a sound clip of an opera singer for kids to attempt to repeat.

Welcome to the Lab! We are so glad you are here! Go ahead and turn to your Small Group Leaders now to talk about the Big Question of the Day. 





Optional, play game music. Small Group Leader, Use this time to introduce yourself to your kids, talk about the Big Question, and go over the rules. Use the ball to signify whose turn it is to talk. If someone wants to answer the question, they raise their hand, and the Small Group Leader throws them the ball. When the child finishes, they throw the ball back to the Small Group Leader who then chooses the next person to answer.







Today we are continuing our series “In Step,” talking about what it means to stay in step with the Holy Spirit. Today we will focus on the Fruit of the Spirit called joy. So let’s play a game for Lab Wars. Send up one kid from each group. Here’s how the game works. We will play a clip of a song, and you must do your best to copy it and sing it just like it sounded, without laughing. The crowd will help me choose which contestant did the best job not laughing. Listen to the sound. 

Allow each kid to take a turn singing the opera sound. Make notes of who laughs and who does not





Nice job trying not to laugh. Who do we think did the best job keeping their laughs contained? Congratulations to our winner! Now it’s time to check in with our friends in the Lab!







Lab Wars

Let’s check out our Big Point to see what we will discover today. I need a Small Group to help me reveal what it is. 

Let’s all say it together, **Be Happy No Matter What!** When the Holy Spirit grows good fruit in us, He enables us to choose joy in any situation. Let me read the verse about the Fruit of the Spirit. 

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIrV), “But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy, and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.”  We all experience happy feelings, but true joy is an attitude that you choose. Let’s turn to our Small Groups to talk about what it really means to choose joy. 







**Small Group Leader**  Spread out the cards face down. Take turns having the kids try to turn over two that match. When someone gets a match, read the scenario that goes with it and discuss it as a group.

4th and 5th grade- Have the kids come up with the scenario for each location shown to give an example of when it would be hard to choose joy in that place.

Home - Your brother or sister gets to pick what movie to watch, and they choose your least favorite movie. How could you choose joy?

School - Your class votes on a fun snack to eat, and the one you voted for did not get picked. How could you choose joy?

Neighborhood - A friend chooses someone else to invite over to their house instead of you. How could you choose joy?

Park - You did not get picked to play on the soccer team. How could you choose joy?

**Leader**

True joy comes from God, so our joy isn’t because we’re happy that bad things might happen or something makes us sad. Our joy is knowing that God is with us, no matter what happens. Remembering what He has done and how much He loves us helps us choose the right attitude, and

**Be Happy No Matter What!** Let’s see if Sophia can learn to make that choice.



**Be Happy No Matter What!** Check out our Big Verse, which tells us what the Bible says about choosing joy. I’d like a Small Group to help me reveal what it is. 

Choose a Small Group to help you count down from three. 

James 1:2 (NIrV), “You will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy.”  All of us will face some kind of trouble. What makes the difference is our attitude. We can’t stop bad things from happening, but we can trust God to help us and protect us. Let’s do a fun activity in our Small Groups to illustrate our Big Verse a little more. 





**Small Group Leader**



Each group has a bag of Miracle Berries. These all-natural tablets temporarily change your taste buds so that sour things taste sweet. The Miracle Berries tablets can be broken into smaller pieces, so more kids can try them. Have the child place the tablet on their tongue and allow it to dissolve. It will take few moments for that to happen, so be sure to hand them out and give a little time before tasting. For each sour ingredient, have one kid taste it normally, and then have another kid take the Miracle Berry, and then try the same ingredient. Talk about how to one kid it tasted sour, but to the other kid it tasted sweet. Repeat this for each ingredient.



How is it possible that the same thing could taste one way to one person but totally different to somebody else? The berry makes it taste different



That is what the Lord does for us! He takes something that was difficult or sad, and He helps turn it into joy! It doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen, but when they do, we know that the Lord will help us.



When we are going through a difficult time, how can we choose joy? Pray, find one thing to be thankful for about the situation, praise God for good things in your life

		











**Leader**

How crazy is it that those items that were sour then tasted sweet! I’m thankful that the Lord helps us in our life to choose joy, no matter what is going on around us. Let’s listen to a true story from the Bible about the early Church and how the disciples were able to choose joy.

Think for a moment about the biggest problem you’ve faced in the last couple of weeks. This trouble might be trying to keep you down, but today I want you to know that God can help you float right to the top. Let’s do something the early church did when they faced trouble; let’s praise God. It’s a great way to remind ourselves of the wonderful God we serve. He’s the One who gives us joy, even when trouble comes. Right where you are, you can whisper out loud or pray in your head, and I want you to thank God for helping you with your situation. Thank Him for helping you and being with you. 

Allow a few minutes for kids to pray on their own, and then pray for the group







**Small Group Leader**

What were some of the things you prayed about just now?

Allow kids to share any prayer requests about the situations they are going through





Now, let’s pray for all these things, trusting that God is helping us, and He can help us to find joy! (Pray for your group and all the prayer requests)





**Leader**

I’m so thankful that the Lord hears our prayers, and He promises to help us! Let’s check back in at the Lab to see if Sophia can learn how to have joy.



**Be Happy No Matter What!** You can live this out at home when you do this week’s Big Do. 

The Big Do this week is to have everyone in your family choose a movie to watch. Put each person’s choice in a hat and draw one out. Challenge everyone to be happy, even if they didn’t get their way. Let’s turn to our Small Groups to finish up tonight’s service. 



**Small Group Leader**

Wrap up your Small Group by passing out positive reinforcement, praying for your group, and doing a team cheer!

In Step Week 2

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions