Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

03 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Part 2

H&R Big Do Slide

30 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Title

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

Big Story Video

Herman and Rusty Part 1 

Herman and Rusty Part 3

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

When Ethel and Rusty unleash a giant chocolate bunny on the lab, they quickly realize why it's a good idea to obey. Check out this special Easter episode of The Adventures of Herman and Rusty. This lesson presents God’s gift of salvation. Every church presents the Gospel with slight variations and nuances. Read through the steps before teaching. Present the Gospel in a way that is consistent with the scripture and God’s leading.

Large Group Full Program

Suggested Musical selections for this lesson's Engage segments include:
"Yakety Sax"

This lesson presents God’s gift of salvation. Every church presents the Gospel with slight variations and nuances. Read through the steps before teaching. Present the Gospel in a way that is consistent with the scripture and God’s leading.

Obedient Heart Illusion is used in Engage segments. This illusion can be purchased at www.laflinmagicstore.com. If you don’t have access to this illusion, you could have the **Host** hold a heart and have the **Co-Host** give commands, then after you teach them about what Jesus does in our hearts, the **Host** could “obey” the **Co-Host**’s commands.

Countdown / Rules

**Host**
Welcome to the Lab and a very Happy Easter!

**Co-Host**
That’s right; today we are celebrating something spectacular. You know what I’m talking about, right?

**Host**
Of course, today is all about…

**Co-Host**
Chocolate bunnies! We’re giving away chocolate bunnies to everyone. The only problem is they’re hiding around here somewhere. Don’t worry. I’ll find them.

(**Co-Host** swings the bat. The Chocolate bunny taps the **Co-Host** on the shoulder, grabs the bat, and hits him.)

(Play “Yakety Sax”) 

(**Co-Host** is chased offstage.)

**Host**
That’s a dangerous bunny. Today isn’t about celebrating eggs or chocolate. Easter is about celebrating the truth that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, is alive! Let’s hop to our feet, tell someone, “Jesus is Alive!” and get ready to check in with Herman and Rusty.


Welcome

Worship

**Host**
Anyone else think that something seemed off with that bunny? Maybe Rusty and Ethel should have done their jobs.

**Co-Host**
What’s the big deal if they choose to ignore a few chores?

**Host**
Let’s check out our Big Point and see if we can answer that question.



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



**Co-Host**
Get ready to read the Big Point after we count down from 3.



**Co-Host**
Let’s all say it together, **I Can Obey!**

**Host**
Jesus is the perfect example of obedience. He obeyed His Heavenly Father and died on the cross for us. The fact that He died and then came back to life brings huge blessings to us.

**Co-Host**
That’s Jesus. Okay? Jesus. Maybe He can obey, but not me.

**Host**
Sometimes we feel like that is true. This represents my heart, that invisible part of us that can follow God or ignore Him. Let’s see how well it obeys. Tell it to move.

**Co-Host**
Move half-way down the string.

(The heart moves all the way down.)

**Host**
Try again.

**Co-Host**
Move half-way down the string.

(The heart moves all the way down.)

**Co-Host**
I’ll use reverse psychology. Move all the way down the string.

(The heart moves half-way down.)

**Co-Host**
Your heart’s a jerk.

**Host**
There are times we may feel like we can’t obey, but we can make that choice. Even when don’t feel like it, with our hearts connected to Him, we always have Someone to help us make the wise choice.

**Co-Host**
Jesus, right? He is the perfect obey-er.

**Host**
Yep, and Jesus’ power is at work in us when we say, “Yes” to following Him. Try it again.

**Co-Host**
Heart, move half-way down. (It moves) Move a little more. (It drops more) Move almost to the bottom and stop. (Drops almost to the bottom). I wish that chocolate bunny was as obedient as your heart.

(Play“Yakety Sax”) 

(The Chocolate Bunny enters and chases the **Co-Host** offstage.)

**Host**
I hope Rusty and Ethel will decide in their hearts to obey.



Engage 1

**Host**
That’s a scary bunny! How did Rusty and Ethel’s disobedience come back to hurt them?

**Co-Host**
I know from experience; you do not want to get on the bad side of a chocolate bunny.

**Host**
I’m glad we can follow our Big Point and make a different choice. 


**Host**
**I Can Obey!** Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.



**Co-Host**
I’m guessing the Big Verse will explain how Jesus lived the Big Point. Let’s find out. Help us read the verse after we count down from three.




**Host**
Jesus obeyed completely, even though choosing to obey meant choosing to die a horrible death on the cross.

**Co-Host**
He never did anything wrong. He’s God. So when He obeyed and died, He wasn’t even doing it for Himself.

**Host**
That’s true. To explain this a bit more, we need to find two best friends to help us.

(Choose two friends.)

**Co-Host**
Keep your eyes open for any marauding chocolate bunnies while you’re up here.

**Host**
Which of you would be willing to drink this glass of juice for your friend to get a prize? This isn’t orange juice. It’s straight up lemon juice. If you do it, your friend gets a prize.

(Have the kid drink the juice and allow them to give the prize to their friend.)

**Co-Host**
He/She endured that nasty cup of sugarless lemonade for someone else’s blessing!

**Host**
Jesus endured the cup of suffering and died on the cross so we could get the blessing of life that lasts forever. He was perfectly obedient. But the reason we celebrate today is that Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. He is alive! Let’s stand and worship Him!




Engage 2

If you have never said, “Yes, I want Jesus to forgive me, be my best friend, and I will follow Him for the rest of my life,” then today is your day! I’d like everyone to close your eyes and bow your heads, so no one is distracted. If you have already said, “Yes” to Jesus, I want you to give me a thumbs up. That’s awesome. You can put your hands down. If you’ve never said, “Yes” to Jesus before, and you want to say, “Yes” to Him right now and ask Him to forgive you, raise your hand. We’re going to pray altogether. Those of you who are already friends and followers of Jesus can join in, too. Repeat after me, and let’s pray... 

Dear God,
I know everyone needs a Savior, 
and I know I can’t save myself. 
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God.
I believe You died on the cross for my sins 
and God raised You from the dead.


Right now, 
I say you are my Lord, 
my Savior, 
and the One who forgives me.
Thank you, Jesus, 
that You are my best friend, 
because I’ve said, “Yes” to You. Amen.


 If you prayed that prayer for the very first time today, I want you to let one of our leaders know so we can help you take the next step. We’re so glad you said, “Yes” to Jesus. Let’s stand up and worship Him now.




Big Story

**Co-Host**
I’m really glad that Rusty and Ethel learned to obey.

**Host**
Yep, because of our amazing Lord, we can all make the choice to obey, even when we don’t feel like it. You can do this as you practice the Big Do this week. Let’s say it again, 



**Host**
**I Can Obey!** How did things go with the bunny?

**Co-Host**
I used Herman’s invention to shrink him back to size. Now we’re ready to give them away. If it does start attacking you, I found the perfect game to train us to defeat a bunny.

**Host**
We’re going to play Whack-a-Mole: Chocolate Bunny Edition. We’ll choose two teams. One player will whack the bunny balloons with a pool noodle.

**Co-Host**
The other players will grab a balloon, run under the cover, and pop up. The points for each hole will be on the screen. Ready, set, go!


**Host**
Well that was fun! Remember the Big Do this week!

**Host**
Find a way to show you are happy to obey!

**Co-Host**
That bunny won’t be a problem anymore.

(Play “Yakety Sax”) 

(The Chocolate Bunny enters and chases the **Co-Host** offstage.)

**Host**
Let me go check on our friend. While I do, let’s gather with our small groups and discuss the good news that Jesus is alive!


Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following. 

1.	How did Ethel and Rusty’s disobedience cause problems? How did Herman’s obedience help?
2.	Jesus didn’t need to die on the cross for Himself. How does it make you feel to know that Jesus chose to obey and die for us?
3.	Can you choose to obey even when you don’t feel like it? When is it hard for you to obey right away?
4.	What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? **Find a way to show you are happy to obey**



Small Group 

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

1.	Our Big Point says I ____ Obey!
a.	**Can**
b.	Can’t

2.	What did Rusty and Ethel’s disobedience create?
a.	A fun party
b.	**A giant chocolate bunny**

3.	What did Jesus choose to do when He obeyed?
a.	Be uncomfortable
b.	**Die on the cross**
?

4.	What blessing did we receive because Jesus died and came back to life?
a.	We don’t have to obey
b.	**We can live forever with Jesus**

5.	What would you tell someone who thought they could not obey?

6.	Complete the Big Verse: Philippians 2:8 (NIrV), “He was humble and obeyed God ________.”
a.	**Completely**
b.	Partly

7.	Is Jesus still on the cross or is He alive?
a.	He’s still on the cross
b.	**He’s alive**

8.	True/False: Jesus’ power is in you to help you obey.
a.	**True**
b.	False

9.	What are some ways that you can live out the Big Point this week?

10.	 What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? **Find a way to show you are happy to obey**


Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

**Host**
Anyone else think that something seemed off with that bunny? Maybe Rusty and Ethel should have done their jobs.

**Co-Host**
What’s the big deal if they choose to ignore a few chores?

**Host**
Let’s check out our Big Point and see if we can answer that question.

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

**Co-Host**
Get ready to help as we count down from three, and then read the Big Point. 



**Co-Host**
Let’s all say it together, **I Can Obey!**

**Host**
Jesus is the perfect example of obedience. He obeyed His Heavenly Father and died on the cross for us. The fact that He died and then came back to life brings huge blessings to us.

**Co-Host**
That’s Jesus. Okay? Jesus. Maybe He can obey, but not me.

**Host**
Sometimes we feel like that is true. There are times we may feel like we can’t obey, but we can make that choice. Even when don’t feel like it, with our hearts connected to Him, we always have Someone to help us make the wise choice.

**Co-Host**
Jesus, right? He is the perfect obey-er.

**Host**
Yep, and Jesus’ power is at work in us when we say, “Yes” to following Him. 

**Host**
I hope Rusty and Ethel will decide in their hearts to obey.



**Host**
**I Can Obey!** Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

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

**Co-Host**
I’m guessing the Big Verse will explain how Jesus lived the Big Point. Let’s find out. Help us count down from three and then read the verse. 




**Host**
Jesus obeyed completely, even though choosing to obey meant choosing to die a horrible death on the cross.

**Co-Host**
He never did anything wrong. He’s God. So when He obeyed and died, He wasn’t even doing it for Himself.

**Host**
That’s true. 

**Host**
Jesus endured the suffering and died on the cross so we could get the blessing of life that lasts forever. He was perfectly obedient. But the reason we celebrate today is that Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. He is alive! 




This lesson presents God’s gift of salvation. Every church presents the Gospel with slight variations and nuances. Read through the steps before teaching. Present the Gospel in a way that is consistent with the scripture and God’s leading. The "yes" slides in the full program venue include additional slides including the "Say Yes" prayer.

**Host**
**I Can Obey!** How did things go with the bunny?



**Co-Host**
I used Herman’s invention to shrink him back to size. Now we’re ready to give them away. 



**Co-Host**
That bunny won’t be a problem anymore.

(Play “Yakety Sax”) 

(The Chocolate Bunny enters and chases the **Co-Host** offstage.)




**Host**
Hey remember the Big Do this week! Find a way to show you are happy to obey

**Host**
I'm going to go check on our friend. While I do, let’s gather with our small groups and discuss the good news that Jesus is alive!

Power Up For Easter Week 4: I Can Obey! Easte

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions