Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

7 Min Countdown

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

Big Story Video

H&R Big Do Slide

4 Minute Timer

Herman and Rusty Act 2

60 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Act 1

Herman and Rusty Title

Herman and Rusty Act 3

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

After Rusty gets robbed he builds a security robot to protect him, but the robot seems to have a couple wires crossed. Can Herman and the gang help him understand that The Lord is his protector?

Large Group Full Program

⦁	Question of the Day: If you had to choose any animal, other than a dog, to guard you, which animal would you choose?



Countdown / Rules

**Host** and **Co-Host** enter. This Welcome will play a dodgeball-style game. Using a soft gator-style ball will reduce the potential for injury. Also, consider having the participants wear softshell foam headgear to protect them from accidental throws above the shoulders.



**Host**

We have a really fun game planned to start the day. Are you ready? This game is called “Protect the President.”





Choose 8 to 10 kids to play the game.





**Co-Host**

Do you know how the president has bodyguards for protection? Well, for this game, we’ve chosen an adult volunteer to represent the president. We’ve also selected a kid to be his/her bodyguard.





**Host**

On either side of the “president” are the bad guys. These kids will try to hit the president with the dodgeball. You can toss it at the “president” or toss it to the other side to fake him/her out.



**Co-Host**

The kid’s job is to protect the “president” from getting hit. Neither the “president” nor the bad guys can move their feet. Only the bodyguard can move.





Optional, play game music. Play the game. To play extra rounds, have the kid who successfully hits the “president” become the bodyguard and continue playing. 





**Host**

That was tough to keep him/her protected from the kids tossing the dodge ball.



**Co-Host**

Yeah, you had to be completely focused, or else the “president” was in trouble. Do you think we have someone protecting us who is always watching?



**Host**

That’s exactly what we’ll discover today by looking at Psalm 23 from the Bible.



**Co-Host**

Before we do that, we are going to see what's going on in the lab. As we do, tell someone nearby which famous person you would choose as your bodyguard.





Welcome

Worship

**Host**

Does Rusty’s robot seem a little dangerous?





**Co-Host**

So much for being a guard robot. Who’s going to protect Rusty from it?!



**Host**

I’m glad we have a better guard to watch over us. Let’s check out our Big Point and see who that is.





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





**Co-Host**

After we count down from three, you read the Big Point. Then we’ll read it together!









**Co-Host**

Let’s all say it together, **The Lord Is My Protector!** Psalm 23 describes how God protects us.



**Host**

King David, who wrote that Psalm, knew all about God’s protection. That’s because God helped David get out of many dangerous situations.



**Co-Host**

God covers you with His protection. I like to think of it like this. Let’s have a volunteer (choose a child) stand inside this kiddie pool.





Have the child stand inside the pool.





**Host**

How do you feel about me pouring this jar of water on top of you? You did pack an extra change of clothes for service, right? (Pause for response) That’s too bad. You’ll dry off pretty quickly.



**Co-Host**

What could we give him/her to protect him/her from the water? An umbrella, exactly. I like to think of God’s protection like an umbrella. It covers us when bad things happen.





Have the child hold up the open umbrella. Pour the ping pong balls onto the umbrella.



**Host**

Even though we have God as our Protector, that doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen. It doesn’t mean we’ll never get hurt or sick. It does mean that God is always watching over us.



**Co-Host**

Even when something bad happens, we may not realize the worse thing God protected us from experiencing.



**Host**

That’s why we put our trust in Jesus to watch over us and protect us. Ask Him to cover you with His power. It’s much better than Rusty’s robot. Let’s see how that’s going.





Engage 1

Prior to this Engage, fill the jar about 2/3 full of water. 

**Co-Host**

Let’s repeat the Big Point, 

**Co-Host**

**The Lord Is My Protector!**



**Host**

Rusty’s robot wasn’t supposed to do that, but he put in the wrong programming. It’s a good thing he has a protector in God.



**Co-Host**

That’s what King David wanted everyone to understand when he wrote Psalm 23. Let’s choose an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse from that Psalm.





**Host**

After we count down from three, you get to read the verse. 







**Co-Host**

Psalm 23:4 (NIrV), “I will not be afraid. You are with me.” Have you ever rushed into your parents’ room at night because you heard a strange noise? Being with them doesn’t make the noise go away, but it is comforting just to be near them.



**Host**

That’s because you trust they can care for you if they’re nearby. Think back to when you first went to school. Some of you were pretty scared to leave their side. I wish we could say that scary things won’t happen around us, but they do. It’s like this candle.





Place the tea light candle in the large glass jar on top of the water. 





**Co-Host**

That’s like us. Sometimes, we feel like we’re stuck in the middle of a sea of problems all by ourselves, but thankfully, that’s not true. Psalm 23 reminds us that we aren’t alone.



**Host**

We have a protector in Jesus. If I pushed this candle underwater, what would happen? The flame would go out, but watch what happens when I protect it with this cup.





Place the glass cup over the tea light and push it down. The tea light will go under the water, but the vacuum of air inside the cup will keep the water out and the wick burning.







**Co-Host**

The light is still going. Just like the cup protected the flame, God can protect us in the middle of the toughest situations.



**Host**

No matter what, you can count on the fact that you will never be alone.





Lift the glass back up and allow the lighted candle to continue floating.





**Co-Host**

Let’s take a moment to stand and worship God.



Engage 2

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. We live in a world where bad things happen. Instead of trying to deal with these scary things by yourself, you can ask and trust God, your Shepherd, to protect you. God can help you walk through any scary thing that comes your way. That’s how much He loves you. The key is remembering in those moments that your Protector is with you. 







To help us remember, we’re going to repeat our Big Verses from last week and today so they stick with us. Let’s all close our eyes so we can focus and repeat after me, “The Lord is my shepherd. (The Lord is my shepherd) He guides me in the right paths. (He guides me in the right paths) I will not be afraid. (I will not be afraid) You are with me. (You are with me)” Repeat the phrases again. Great! Now let’s put it all together, “The Lord is my shepherd. He guides me in the right paths. I will not be afraid. You are with me.”  (Repeat one or two more times) Great job! You can keep your eyes closed while I pray for you.







Big Story

**Host**

God helped Israel win the battle against a powerful enemy. He protected them as they traveled to their new land.



**Co-Host**

That gives us confidence that God will watch over and protect us, too. Repeating the Big Point is a great way to build your faith when bad things happen. Let’s say it again, 

**Co-Host**

**The Lord Is My Protector!**



**Host**

Let’s check out this week’s Big Do to learn how to talk with our family about the Big Point!





**Co-Host**

Today’s Big Do is to have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then, pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.





**Host**

We learned that shepherds carried rods and staffs to protect the sheep from danger. God’s power comforts us because He fights for us. In this game, you’re going to use your rod, this inflatable hammer, to protect yourself.



**Co-Host**

It’s a life size version of whack-a-mole. You have 60 seconds to try to get as many points as possible. Just like the arcade game, the “moles” will pop up from different circles. You have to bop them lightly with the hammer. Each successful hit nabs you a point. Let’s see who has the most points at the end.





Optional, play game song. Play the game. You can create the whack-a-mole board from a tarp, bedsheet, or foam board. Just cut 3-5 circles large enough for someone to pop through. Give each person playing the mole a motorcycle or bicycle helmet and instruct the contestant not to swing hard.





**Host**

Great job. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.



Engage 3

Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following. 





- How did Rusty’s invention backfire?

- Have you ever faced something scary? Tell us what happened. 

- How does it help to know that God is with us? Can you think of a time that God protected you? 

- What is this week’s Big Do? **Have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then, pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.**

Small Group 

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

 - Our Big Point says, The Lord Is My ______!

    - President

    - **Protector**



 - What did Rusty build to protect him, but it ended up attacking him?

    - Trap

    - **Robot**



 - The Amalekites attacked the Israelites because the Israelites had stolen from them.

    - True

    - **False**



 - Psalm 23:4 (NIrV), “I will not be afraid. You are _____ me.”

    - **With**

    - Far From



 - What happened when Moses raised his arms during the battle?



 - Who came to help Moses when his arms grew tired?

	    - **Aaron and Hur**

	    - Joshua and Joseph



 - Name a way that God can help us during a scary situation. 



 - What could you do the next time you wake up in the middle of the night and feel nervous or scared?



 - Psalm 23 says that “Your ____ and staff comfort me.”

    - Voice

    - **Rod**





 - What is this week’s Big Do?

**Have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.** 

Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

**Host**

Can anyone tell me whose job it is to protect the president?



**Co-Host**

The secret service is there to watch over the president and keep him safe. Do you think we have someone protecting us who is always watching?

**Host**

That’s exactly what we’ll discover today by looking at Psalm 23 from the Bible.

**Co-Host**

Before we do that, we are going to see what's going on in the lab. As we do, tell someone nearby which famous person you would choose as your bodyguard.

**Co-Host**

Let’s all say it together, **The Lord Is My Protector!** Psalm 23 describes how God protects us.

**Host**

King David, who wrote that Psalm, knew all about God’s protection. That’s because God helped David get out of many dangerous situations.

**Co-Host**

God completely covers you with His protection. Like an umbrella in a rainstorm!!

**Co-Host**

Psalm 23:4 (NIrV), “I will not be afraid. You are with me.” Have you ever rushed into your parents’ room at night because you heard a strange noise? Being with them doesn’t make the noise go away, but it is comforting just to be near them.

**Host**

That’s because you trust they can care for you if they’re nearby. Think back to when you first went to school. Some of you were pretty scared to leave their side. I wish we could say that scary things won’t happen around us, but they do. 

**Co-Host**

Sometimes, we feel like we’re stuck in the middle of a sea of problems all by ourselves, but thankfully, that’s not true. Psalm 23 reminds us that we aren’t alone.

**Host**

We have a protector in Jesus. 

**Co-Host**

God can protect us in the middle of the toughest situations.

**Host**

No matter what, you can count on the fact that you will never be alone.

**Co-Host**

Today’s Big Do is to have each family member talk about a time they were afraid. Then, pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection.

**Host**

God’s power comforts us because He fights for us. Let’s gather in our Small Groups and discuss today’s lesson.

Midweek/Classroom

Countdown / Rules / Split Into Groups

Welcome to the Lab! We are so glad you are here. Does anybody in here play a sport? After I count down from three, tell me what sport you play. 3…2…1. Those are all super fun! In any sport you play, you always have players whose job is to protect the ball from going to the other team. Today we will hear more about this, but first, let’s turn to your Small Group Leaders and talk about the Question of the Day. 







Small Group Leader,

Use this time to introduce yourself to your kids, review the rules, and discuss the Question of the Day. Use the ball to signify whose turn it is to talk. If someone wants to answer the question, have that kid raise their hand. Then the Small Group Leader throws that kid the ball. When the kid finishes talking, they throw the ball back to the Small Group Leader, who then chooses the next person to answer.



**Question of the Day: If you were going to hire a bodyguard to protect you, what person or animal would you hire?**

If I were going to hire a bodyguard, I’d pick a huge fire-breathing dragon. Does anybody agree with me? You want your protector to be big, strong, and willing to take down anything or anyone who comes your way. This gives me an idea for a game. Who’s ready for Lab Wars? I need one representative from each group!



We are playing a classic game of Capture the Flag. It’s boys versus girls. In just a minute, everyone who is playing will close their eyes while one person from each team hides their flag in one of their team’s groups in the crowd. Then the players will run out and try to find the other team’s flag without getting one of their belts pulled off. All the people in the crowd must stay in one spot, but you can reach out to try to get the other team’s belts. If one of your belts is pulled, you have to sit out until I call for people to get back in. Whichever group gets the flag needs to protect it at all costs. Teams can move their flag to another group if they want. Are you ready to play? Who do you think will win? Ready, set, go!







Optional, play game music. Play the game.





Congratulations to our winning team! You worked together to protect your flag! Do you know we have Someone who is always looking out for us and protecting us? That’s exactly what we will discover as we look into Psalm 23. Before we do, let’s check in at the Lab to see what our friends are up to this week.



Lab Wars

The idea for this game came from a YouTube video. You can check it out for inspiration and show your kids a clip if you want. Stop This Train, Win a Lamborghini (youtube.com)





Rusty’s robot seems a bit dangerous. I don’t know if that’s the kind of protector we need. I’m glad we have a better Protector. Let’s find out what our Big Point is. I need a Small Group to help me count it down. 

**The Lord Is My Protector!** Psalm 23 was written by King David who got into many dangerous situations in his life. He knew what he was talking about because he had experienced God’s protection many times! I have an idea for a game. Check this out for a little hint. 

Show a clip of Stop This Train, Win a Lamborghini, if desired 





Pretend a school bus is about to be dropped from 100 feet in the air. Together with your group, create a plan on how you will protect this bus. Be as creative as you want! Draw your plans out on your poster board, and a few groups will get to share their plans with the whole group. Are you ready? Begin! 



Small Group Leader,

Draw out your group’s plans on your poster board. Get creative!



When the timer is down to 1 minute, the Leader gives a warning to finish up and begin cleaning up the materials.





Choose 2 or 3 groups to share their posters with the class 



You all did an awesome job creating plans to protect the school bus. Does anybody think their plans would really work? They actually might! Our situation was made up, but God protects us every day. It doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us, but it does mean that God is always watching over us. That is good news! Let’s check back in and see what’s up with Rusty’s robot.

**The Lord Is My Protector!** Rusty’s robot is not acting like it’s supposed to because Rusty put in the wrong programming. It’s a good thing that God is the ultimate Protector. Let’s see what the Bible says in our Big Verse. I need a Small Group to help me count it down and reveal what it is. 

Psalm 23:4 (NIrV), “I will not be afraid. You are with me.” God is always with us, and He never leaves us. That brings us great comfort! Let’s turn to our Small Groups and talk about all the different ways God protects us. 

Small Group Leader,

There are two options for this activity.

⦁	For younger grades, you can use the written scenarios to prompt discussion. Read the scenarios and discuss them as a group.

⦁	For older grades, have them write/discuss their own scenarios (true or made up) of times when someone is scared or needs protection. Use the discussion questions to help guide you.

Scenarios for Younger Groups:

⦁	**Matilda is going to a new school where she doesn’t know anyone. She is scared that people will be mean to her or make fun of her because she’s new. What should she do?**

⦁	**Ron is riding his bike home, and it’s starting to get dark outside. That makes him really nervous. What should he do?**

⦁	**Isabel got a new baby brother, so she had to move into a new bedroom. It’s her first night to go to sleep, and she is feeling scared to be in a brand-new room. What should she do?**

⦁	**Michael is going to travel on an airplane for the first time to visit his grandparents. He is really scared to fly on a big airplane in the sky. What should he do?**

Discussion Questions for Older Groups:

⦁	**When was a time that you were scared?**

⦁	**What should we do when we are scared?** (Pray, read the Bible, write down Scriptures)

⦁	**What are some Scriptures that talk about God protecting us?** – Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 32:7, Ephesians 6:11, Psalm 46:1, Deuteronomy 31:6

⦁	**What should we say when we are scared?** (God is with me, God never leaves me, God will protect me, I am not alone, God is stronger than anything)

When the timer is down to 1 minute, the Leader gives a warning to finishing up and clean up.

**The Lord Is My Protector!** Let’s check out a true story from the Bible about when God protected the Israelites.





Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. We live in a world where bad things happen. Instead of trying to deal with these scary things by yourself, you can ask and trust God, your Shepherd, to protect you. God can help you walk through any scary thing that comes your way. That’s how much He loves you. The key is remembering in those moments that your Protector is with you. 



To help us remember, we’re going to repeat our Big Verses from last week and today, so they stick with us. Let’s all close our eyes so we can focus and repeat after me, “The Lord is my Shepherd. (The Lord is my Shepherd) He guides me in the right paths. (He guides me in the right paths) I will not be afraid. (I will not be afraid) You are with me. (You are with me)” Let’s repeat that again. (Repeat the phrases) Great! Now let’s put it altogether, “The Lord is my Shepherd. He guides me in the right paths. I will not be afraid. You are with me.”  (Repeat one or two more times) Great job! You can keep your eyes closed while I pray for you. (Pray) Let’s see what ends up happening with Rusty’s robot.





I’m glad they were able to follow our Big Point, 

The Lord Is My Protector! You can share our Big Point when you do this week’s Big Do. 

Have each family member talk about a time when they felt afraid. Then pray the Big Prayer as a family, thanking the Lord for His protection. Let’s turn to our Small Groups to wrap up today’s service. 





Small Group Leader,

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

The Lord Is My Protector

Venue

Sections

Downloads

About

Large Group Full Program Instructions

The Lord Is My Protector Instructions