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Large Group Full Program
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Large Group Full Program Instructions
Countdown / Rules
Question of the Day: What is the longest time you’ve ever spent talking to someone else?
WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2), Cheek Retractors (3)
The Host and Co-host enter, wearing lab coats. This game uses the cheek retractors that come with the games “Watch Ya’ Mouth” and “Speak Out.” They can also be purchased separately online by searching, “cheek retractors.”
Host
Welcome to the Lab!
Co-Host has a cheek retractor in his/her mouth and attempts to speak.
Co-Host
It’s going to be a great day. I love getting to learn about the Bible.
Host
I don’t understand.
Co-Host takes it out.
Co-Host
Can’t you understand what I’m saying?
Host
Nope, but we could feel what you’re saying…a little too much drool.
Co-Host
Our new series is called, “Let’s Chat” . We are going to "chat" about "chatting" with God! It might be hard to have a conversation with those things in your mouth.
Host
Some people think that talking to God can be as difficult as that, but today we’re going to discover that any of us can talk to God. Let’s see what's up in the lab!
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
Do Rusty and Ethel seem like they’re doing a good job at solving problems?
Host
I don’t think taping her hand to the computer is gonna help fix the broken computer program.
Co-Host
I wonder why they were so against her praying and asking for help. They really think God doesn’t have time for her prayer?
Host
Our Big Point has something to say about that. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
After we count down from three, you can help us read the Big Point.
Host
Let’s all say it together, I Can Pray!
Co-Host
Some people may think they can’t pray unless they have all their words perfectly prepared.
Host
It’s almost like they think God won’t listen unless they are perfect.
Co-Host
We don’t have to become “perfect” or even “ready” in order to pray.
Host
We don’t have to wear special clothes, be a certain age, do a certain job or anything else because God wants to talk to us just as we are right now. That’s what prayer really is, just chatting with your Heavenly Father, who loves you like crazy. Let’s see if Ethel and Rusty can learn that.
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Rusty and Ethel are making everyone’s problems worse with their “Problem Solvers” business.
Co-Host
Yeah, it would go so much better if they would just listen to the Big Point. Let’s say our Big Point again,
Co-Host
I Can Pray!
Host
Let’s turn to the Bible and discover how to pray as we check out the Big Verse.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
After we count down from three, you read the verse.
Co-Host
Philippians 4:6 (NIrV) says, “No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray and give thanks to Him.”
Co-Host
Just like you tell your parents or grandparents about your day or week, you can tell God about anything that happened.
Host
God loves you, and because those of us who follow Jesus are His children, God loves to chat with us. He’s never too busy to hear what you have to say. God is never too bored or busy to want to know what’s happening in your life.
Co-Host
Chatting with God is something all of us can do. It’s good for you to share your life with God because God can actually help you. Prayer also gives you a great chance to listen to what God has to say.
Host
In a moment we’re going to hear the story of a lady who poured her heart out to God. First let’s take a moment to stand and worship God.
Big Story
Optional Play Soft Instrumental Music
Some of you may not have spoken with God for a while. Maybe you thought He wasn’t listening or you were worried that God was too busy for you. You don’t have to wonder any longer. God isn’t too busy. He’s always ready to listen to and speak to us. Let’s take a moment to chat with God right now, at your seat. Share with Him whatever’s on your heart, and then stop and listen to what He’s saying to you. (Pause) Now I want to take a moment to pray for you. (Pray)
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2)
Host and Co-Host enter.
Co-Host
I’m glad that Rusty and Ethel learned that God cares about all of our problems, big and small.
Host
Hannah learned in our Big Story that we can talk to God about anything. God listened to her prayer and answered it in a big way. Samuel became a great leader in Israel. She followed our Big Point,
Host
I Can Pray!
Co-Host
That’s a story you can share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do.
Host
Talk to your parents and make a list of needs that you can pray for and share with God. Place that list somewhere in your house, so seeing it can remind you to pray.
Co-Host
Let’s look around the room and see if we can spot things or people right here that we could pray for this week.
Have the kids suggest different people or things to pray for such as the adult leaders, their friends, the pastors, the church, etc.
Host
There are lots of people and situations that we can all pray about. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about why we it’s so helpful that we can chat with God.
Small Group
Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.
Have you ever felt or thought about prayer like Ethel and Rusty and believed that God was too busy to listen? What happened that caused you to feel that way? What did you learn today that helps you think differently? That we can pray about anything, and that God wants to chat with us.
Why was Hannah so sad? She couldn’t have a child Why was it such a good idea for her to pray about her situation? Because God could help her. He helped her feel better after praying, and He also answered her prayer by giving her a baby.
What is one thing that you’d like to talk to God about this week?
What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Talk to your parents and make a list of needs that you can pray for and share with God.
Big Review
Play optional game music. Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
Our Big Point says I Can _____!
Pray
Listen
What did Ethel and Rusty name their new business?
The Prayer Patrol
The Problem Solvers
What did Hannah ask God for when she prayed?
Food
Baby
God is too busy to listen to prayers about small things.
True
False
God answered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a baby.
True
False
Philippians 4:6 (NIrV): “No matter what happens, tell God about _______. Ask and pray and give thanks to Him.”
Important things
Everything
Name something that you could tell God about when you pray.
What would you tell someone who thought that God is too busy to listen to us pray?
You have to brush your teeth, change clothes, and bow your head before you can pray.
True
False
What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Talk to your parents and make a list of needs that you can pray for and share with God.