Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Slides.zip

Slides

7 Min Countdown

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

H&R Big Do Slide

Big Story Video

Herman and Rusty Title

Herman and Rusty Act 2

Herman and Rusty Act 3

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

Herman and Rusty Act 1

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

Ethel and Rusty form "The Problem Solvers" to try to save God time.

Large Group Full Program

Question of the Day: What is the longest time you’ve ever spent talking to someone else?



Countdown / Rules

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.”



**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**

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!

Welcome

Worship

**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 1

**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.

Engage 2

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)

Big Story

**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.

Engage 3

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.**



Small Group

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.**

Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

**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,” so we’re going to play a game. We’ll choose two Connectors to come on stage and wear these cheek retractors. Anyone want to borrow mine?



**Host**

I think a fresh one is better for a game like this. Our helpers will say a series of phrases, and we will see if you guys can guess what they say. Let’s split the room into two teams and see who wins.



Have the volunteer stand on stage. Give each one a microphone, so the audience can hear. Show the slides and award a point to whichever team guesses the clue first.



Phrases:

Brown Banana Muffins

Puppy Boogers

Clever Cats

Pretty Pink Petunias

Ferret Farmer

Bouncy Trampoline









**Co-Host**

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!



**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. It’s almost like they think God won’t listen unless they are perfect.



**Host**

Let’s look at some situations. Tell me, by looking at the person, what you think he or she is getting ready to do.



Play the following slides. As an alternative, you can find costumes and have kids dress up instead of using the slides. (Chef hat & apron, doctor coat & stethoscope, student with books & a backpack, construction worker with tools and overalls, karate gi with boxing gloves) As the kids to look at the pictures, have them guess the answer. Save the final slide to show during the next line.





**Host**

Let’s look at the final slide. What do you think this kid is getting ready to do? The answer is pray. 



**Co-Host**

That kid looks pretty normal. Are we sure he/she is ready to talk to God? You’re right. We don’t have to become “perfect” or even “ready” in order to pray.



**Host**

We don’t have to wear different 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.









**Co-Host**

Philippians 4:6 (NIrV) says, “No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray and give thanks to Him.”



**Host**

Let’s test that theory out. We’re going to walk around and ask you questions. It’s simple - just tell us your honest response.



Ask the kids the following questions, allowing different ones to respond.

 - What’s the silliest thing that happened to you this week?

 - What’s the funniest joke you’ve heard?

 - What’s the most interesting fact you know?

 - What was your biggest challenge?

 - Did you hear about anyone who got sick, or needed help this week?

 - Did anything sad happen this week?

 - What fantastic thing happened this week?





**Co-Host**

All of those things are things that you can tell God when you pray. 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.



Midweek / Classroom

Raise your hand if you have a favorite person you like to talk to. It could be your parents, your best friend, or maybe it’s not a person at all! Maybe you like to tell your dog or your hamster all about your day. God created us to chat with others. But God’s favorite person to chat with isn’t His favorite pet; it’s us! Let’s stand up and worship, but first turn to your neighbor and tell him or her who you love to chat with most!



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

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



To prepare for this segment, provide each small group leader with the cheek retractors and a slip of paper with the three phrases they will need to say. Some suggestions for phrases are listed below:



 - Herman’s Crazy Lab

 - Silly Fuzzy Slippers

 - Belly Button Boogers





It’s time for Lab Wars! During Lab Wars we battle it out, team against team, until one group stands victorious. For tonight’s battle, the whole group gets to participate! Your small group leader will wear one of these silly mouth pieces. One person from your team will get to be the runner and then attempt to say a short phrase. When your group guesses the correct phrase, the runner will bolt up here and tag my hand, telling me the phrase. If your group guesses the right phrase, you win that round. We will play a few rounds. Are you ready?! 





Optional: Play Game Music.

Play the game. If time allows, play 2-3 rounds.

 



Congratulations to the winning team! I think our small group leaders might need to give their mouths a break after that one. It would be pretty hard to have a conversation with those things in your mouth. Some people think that talking to God is as difficult as that, but today we will discover that any of us can talk to God. Let’s check in with our friends at the Lab to see what crazy shenanigans they are up to this week. 







Lab Wars

Do Rusty and Ethel seem like they’re doing a good job solving problems? I don’t think taping her hand to the computer will help fix the computer program. I wonder why they were so against her praying and asking for help. Do they really think God doesn’t have time for her prayer? If that’s the case, I think our Big Point will really help them. I need a small group to help me count down to reveal what it is! 

Choose a small group to count it down



 

**I Can Pray!**

 Some people think they can’t pray. They think God is too far or too busy to hear them. But that’s not true. Praying is as simple as just talking to God. Let’s turn to our small groups and do a fun activity to show just how easy it can be.

Each group has a conversation ball. Have each child take turns throwing the ball up, then allow them to read aloud the question where their thumb lands. Each kid must answer the question that is indicated. 





That was a fun way to talk with your group! Just like you can start a conversation with your friends, the same is true with God! 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.



Rusty and Ethel are making everyone’s problems worse with their “Problem Solvers” business. Yeah, it would go so much better if they would just listen to the Big Point, 



**I Can Pray!** Let’s turn to the Bible and discover how to pray as we check out the Big Verse. I need a small group to help me countdown to reveal what it is. 

Philippians 4:6 (NIrV) says, “No matter what happens, tell God about everything. Ask and pray and give thanks to Him.” Let’s test that theory. The activity we’re going to do in our small groups will show that everything really means everything!

Pass out an Activity Sheet to each kid. Have them write or draw a response to each of the prompts. Then ask the following question:



 



Do you really think you could tell God these things?

All of those are things that you can tell God about when you pray. Just like you tell your parents or grandparents about your day or week, you can tell God about anything that happens. It doesn’t matter how small or silly it is. God loves you, and because those of us who follow Jesus are His children, God loves to chat with us. God is never too bored or busy to want to know what’s happening in your life. Let’s take a look at a story in the Bible about a woman who knew she could go to God with any problem. 





Optional: Play Soft Instrumental Music.

 Leader enters.



Some of you may not have spoken with God in 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 about absolutely anything.  



The goal in this segment is to create a place where kids can openly share and to bring accountability as they become 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.





 - Have you ever felt like God was too busy or too far to hear us when we pray? 



 - What is something you want to talk to God about but haven’t yet? Do you think He wants to hear about it?



Grab the activity sheet we did earlier and put it in front of you. Take a moment and tell God about all these things. If you have something else you’ve been wanting to tell Him, do that now. 







Have the kids look at the activity they did earlier. Give them a couple minutes to tell God about all the things they put on their list. As they do, chat with God yourself. Pray that this activity will show them just how easy it is to tell God about anything and help them realize that He really cares.



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 gives you a great chance to share what is going on in your life and listen to what God has to say. Life is so much better when we follow our Big Point,



**I Can Pray!** Hopefully Rusty and Ethel will do just that.

I’m glad that Rusty and Ethel learned that God cares about all of our problems, big and small. Hannah learned in our Big Story that we can take anything to God in prayer. God listened to her prayer and answered it in a big way. Samuel became a great leader in Israel. She followed our Big Point, 



**I Can Pray!** That’s a story you can share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do. 

Talk to your parents and make a list of needs that you can pray for. Place that list somewhere in your house, so seeing it can remind you to pray. Let’s turn to our small groups to finish up tonight’s service. 

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.



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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions