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Series Note
Each Summer to the Max lesson incorporates a special venue into the service. Adding a venue allows the summer schedule to change while keeping the focus on Biblical truth. Venues can be done during the first 30 minutes of service or final 30 minutes of service. If you are also utilizing Summer to the Max Junior lessons, consider keeping one venue at the beginning and one at the end. That will keep costs down by allowing both groups to enjoy the same venue. Each lesson offers multiple venue options at different price points to accommodate your budget. Promoting the venues ahead of time will build excitement for Summer to the Max!
Venue Ideas
Lesson 4 (Despicable Me): Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.
Picnic: Purchase picnic supplies and food.Enjoy an indoor or outdoor picnic.
Ice Cream Sundaes: Provide ice cream with all the toppings. Kids get to create their own ice cream sundaes. You could even purchase banana flavored ice cream or include bananas to incorporate the minion theme.
Science Fair – Host an indoor science fair for kids to walk around and participate in simple experiments and activities. Optional science fair experiments included in curriculum downloads.
Host
Welcome to Summer To The Max at the Movies!
Optional, play dance music from movie soundtrack. Co-host begins dancing in a ridiculous manner.
Host
What are you doing?
Co-host
Dancing.
Host
Why?
Co-host
Because it’s Despicable Me week! This song is from the movie…and I’m happy about the movie…and I can’t stop myself from dancing whenever this song plays.
Host
I’m pretty sure that you can.
Co-host
I’m pretty sure I can’t. Watch me. (Co-host tries to hold his/her arms and legs down) Didn’t work.
Host
You think you can’t, but you can, and I’ll prove it with today’s Big Point. We need everyone to help us count down from three, and then we’ll read the Big Point.
Host
Let’s all say it together, I Can Choose My Actions! So many times, people believe that their choices are a result of what others do. We call that a reaction. Let’s talk about this using a rocket.
Co-host
I remember that Gru built a rocket to go to the moon.
Host
Rockets are built on a scientific principle called Newton’s Third Law. A scientist named Isaac Newton, who was a Christian, discovered that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Co-host
What does that have to do with rockets?
Host
When the rocket ignites, the hot gas is pushed out of the rocket. That’s the action. The reaction is the thrust that propels the rocket into the sky. I’ll show you on a small scale.
Use the instructions and materials from the kit to detail the chemical reaction, and demonstrate it by launching the small foam rocket.
Co-host
Okay, that makes sense. Whenever someone else acts, we must react. For example, if someone says something mean, an action, I respond with a savage insult, a reaction.
Host
You could, but our reactions are by our own choice. God doesn’t want us to react in a way that hurts others or disobeys Him. God actually gives us the power to react in a way that honors Him. We are free to react differently than how we see others react.
Co-host
That gives me a lot to think about.
Movie Moment
There is a scene in the movie Despicable Me where the stolen moon begins growing back to its normal size. Gru and Dr. Nefario race to save the girls from Vector’s ship. It’s a funny and intense scene—Vector gets hilariously smushed by the expanding moon, while Gru risks everything to rescue the girls. If your church has the proper licensing you may choose to show this clip. If you cannot show the clip, simply summarize the moment or describe it to the kids.
Host
Let’s say the Big Point again together,
Host
I Can Choose My Actions! Gru thought he was just an evil guy who would always do evil things.
Co-host
But he changed. He chose to become a different person. Gru became a hero instead of a villain.
Host
When we follow Jesus, we can become different, too. This summer, we learned that becoming a useful and fruitful Christian requires adding things to our faith in Jesus. Self-control is definitely on that list.
Co-host
Let’s see what the Bible says about controlling our actions. We need everyone to count down from three, and then we’ll read the verse.
Host
“So I do not run like someone who doesn’t run toward the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air. No, I train my body and bring it under control.” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NIrV)
Co-host
That’s interesting. I didn’t know boxing was mentioned in the Bible.
Host
Boxing was popular even back then. Like today, the boxers had to train hard to win the boxing match. Let’s think about what boxers do today. We have an assistant that will be our boxer.
Choose a child to represent the boxer. Have him/her put on gloves. Optional, play Rocky music.
Host
Can a boxer just decide one day, “Hey, I think I’ll be the world champion today,” and go fight? No way. What does that boxer have to do? Train!
Co-host
First, that person has to do exercises that train their heart and make it strong. Everyone, stand and jog in place with our boxer. (Jog in place) Most boxers also jump rope. (Show the jump rope) Let’s all pretend to jump rope with our boxer.
Jump rope with the kids.
Host
The boxer has to practice punching, so let’s have our boxer punch the punching bag. You (the audience) can punch the air for practice. (Have the child punch the bag) Wow, you can all sit down. We’ve barely started training, and it’s already tiring.
Co-host
Do you think that a boxer always wants to train? Probably not. I’m sure there are days when he or she thinks, “I’d rather sleep in today and watch TV.” But, if that boxer wants to be a champion, he or she will get up and train.
Host
That’s self-control. Boxers choose to do what helps them win despite how they feel. Their training also requires them to whip their body into shape. That’s also self-control.
Co-host
That makes a lot of sense. Paul told us in the Bible that we must train ourselves as Christians and control ourselves just like a boxer in training.
Host
Exactly. Training as a Christian doesn’t involve jogging or eating healthy food. But it means feeding our minds with God’s word. It means using some of your time for prayer and going to church and using self-control to give instead of spending everything on yourself. If we do those things, we’ll be less likely to react badly and choose the right actions. Let’s see how this worked in Peter’s life.
Host
Peter’s reaction was so much different after Jesus came back to life and Peter received the Holy Spirit’s help. He made wiser choices and really kept himself under control.
Think about how you’re doing. Do you have trouble choosing the right actions? Is it hard for you not to react badly when someone treats you poorly? The good news is that even if you struggle sometimes, we have the same God to help us that helped Peter. You can control your actions. It’s a choice you make, but God will help you. Let’s take a moment to quietly talk to Him and ask for help. (Pray) Now, I’ll take a moment to pray for all of you.
Share info about the giving project you have chosen to support. Consider donating all summer offerings to a local ministry or global missionary.
Co-host
Peter controlled his actions, and it made a big difference in how he was able to serve God. The more you use self-control, the more you will be a useful and fruitful part of God’s big plan.
Host
That brings us to this week’s Big Do.
Host
Have everyone in your family agree to use self-control. You can limit how many sodas you drink or how many sugary treats you have. Maybe your self-control means taking a walk in the evening instead of watching YouTube. At the end of the week, if you’ve been successful, celebrate by doing something fun.
Co-host
Don’t forget our Big Point again,
Co-host
I Can Choose My Actions!
Host
Let’s connect in our small groups and discuss today’s lesson.
Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.
How did Peter lose control on the night before Jesus’ death? He grabbed a sword and cut off the servant’s ear.
When did Peter change how he chose to behave? After Jesus died and came back to life and, Peter received the Holy Spirit.
What happened later when Peter and the other disciples were arrested? They didn’t fight or get angry with the Jewish leaders.
What happened when Peter and the disciples were beaten? They walked away and rejoiced.
Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
The Big Point says, “I Can ______ My Actions!
What are we supposed to add to our life to make us a stronger Christian?
Anger
Self-Control
What did Peter do when the soldiers arrived to arrest Jesus?
Grabbed a sword
Joined the soldiers
Jesus was happy Peter had cut off the servant’s ear.
True
False
What are some ways that we can train ourselves to have self-control?
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NIrV), “So I do not run like someone who doesn’t run toward the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air. No, I train my body and bring it under ______.”
Peter and the disciples fought back when the Jewish leaders arrested them.
True
False
What happened when Peter and his friends were beaten?
They were full of joy
They got angry
How does it help us live God’s big plan when we stay under control?
What is this week’s Big Do?
Series Note
Each Summer to the Max lesson incorporates a special venue into the service. Adding a venue allows the summer schedule to change while keeping the focus on Biblical truth. Venues can be done during the first 30 minutes of service or final 30 minutes of service. If you are also utilizing Summer to the Max Junior lessons, consider keeping one venue at the beginning and one at the end. That will keep costs down by allowing both groups to enjoy the same venue. Each lesson offers multiple venue options at different price points to accommodate your budget. Promoting the venues ahead of time will build excitement for Summer to the Max!
Venue Ideas
Lesson 4 (Despicable Me): Choose one of the following venue options or create your own.
Picnic: Purchase picnic supplies and food.Enjoy an indoor or outdoor picnic.
Ice Cream Sundaes: Provide ice cream with all the toppings. Kids get to create their own ice cream sundaes. You could even purchase banana flavored ice cream or include bananas to incorporate the minion theme.
Science Fair – Host an indoor science fair for kids to walk around and participate in simple experiments and activities. Optional science fair experiments included in curriculum downloads.
Host
Welcome to Summer To The Max at the Movies!
Optional, play dance music from movie soundtrack. Co-host begins dancing in a ridiculous manner.
Host
What are you doing?
Co-host
Dancing.
Host
Why?
Co-host
Because it’s Despicable Me week! This song is from the movie…and I’m happy about the movie…and I can’t stop myself from dancing whenever this song plays.
Host
I’m pretty sure that you can.
Co-host
I’m pretty sure I can’t. Watch me. (Co-host tries to hold his/her arms and legs down) Didn’t work.
Host
You think you can’t, but you can, and I’ll prove it with today’s Big Point. We need everyone to help us count down from three, and then we’ll read the Big Point.
Host
Let’s all say it together, I Can Choose My Actions! So many times, people believe that their choices are a result of what others do. We call that a reaction. Let’s talk about this using a rocket.
Co-host
I remember that Gru built a rocket to go to the moon.
Host
Rockets are built on a scientific principle called Newton’s Third Law. A scientist named Isaac Newton, who was a Christian, discovered that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Co-host
What does that have to do with rockets?
Host
When the rocket ignites, the hot gas is pushed out of the rocket. That’s the action. The reaction is the thrust that propels the rocket into the sky. I’ll show you on a small scale.
Use the instructions and materials from the kit to detail the chemical reaction, and demonstrate it by launching the small foam rocket.
Co-host
Okay, that makes sense. Whenever someone else acts, we must react. For example, if someone says something mean, an action, I respond with a savage insult, a reaction.
Host
You could, but our reactions are by our own choice. God doesn’t want us to react in a way that hurts others or disobeys Him. God actually gives us the power to react in a way that honors Him. We are free to react differently than how we see others react.
Co-host
That gives me a lot to think about.
Movie Moment
There is a scene in the movie Despicable Me where the stolen moon begins growing back to its normal size. Gru and Dr. Nefario race to save the girls from Vector’s ship. It’s a funny and intense scene—Vector gets hilariously smushed by the expanding moon, while Gru risks everything to rescue the girls. If your church has the proper licensing you may choose to show this clip. If you cannot show the clip, simply summarize the moment or describe it to the kids.
Host
Let’s say the Big Point again together,
Host
I Can Choose My Actions! Gru thought he was just an evil guy who would always do evil things.
Co-host
But he changed. He chose to become a different person. Gru became a hero instead of a villain.
Host
When we follow Jesus, we can become different, too. This summer, we learned that becoming a useful and fruitful Christian requires adding things to our faith in Jesus. Self-control is definitely on that list.
Co-host
Let’s see what the Bible says about controlling our actions. We need everyone to count down from three, and then we’ll read the verse.
Host
“So I do not run like someone who doesn’t run toward the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air. No, I train my body and bring it under control.” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NIrV)
Co-host
That’s interesting. I didn’t know boxing was mentioned in the Bible.
Host
Boxing was popular even back then. Like today, the boxers had to train hard to win the boxing match. Let’s think about what boxers do today. We have an assistant that will be our boxer.
Choose a child to represent the boxer. Have him/her put on gloves. Optional, play Rocky music.
Host
Can a boxer just decide one day, “Hey, I think I’ll be the world champion today,” and go fight? No way. What does that boxer have to do? Train!
Co-host
First, that person has to do exercises that train their heart and make it strong. Everyone, stand and jog in place with our boxer. (Jog in place) Most boxers also jump rope. (Show the jump rope) Let’s all pretend to jump rope with our boxer.
Jump rope with the kids.
Host
The boxer has to practice punching, so let’s have our boxer punch the punching bag. You (the audience) can punch the air for practice. (Have the child punch the bag) Wow, you can all sit down. We’ve barely started training, and it’s already tiring.
Co-host
Do you think that a boxer always wants to train? Probably not. I’m sure there are days when he or she thinks, “I’d rather sleep in today and watch TV.” But, if that boxer wants to be a champion, he or she will get up and train.
Host
That’s self-control. Boxers choose to do what helps them win despite how they feel. Their training also requires them to whip their body into shape. That’s also self-control.
Co-host
That makes a lot of sense. Paul told us in the Bible that we must train ourselves as Christians and control ourselves just like a boxer in training.
Host
Exactly. Training as a Christian doesn’t involve jogging or eating healthy food. But it means feeding our minds with God’s word. It means using some of your time for prayer and going to church and using self-control to give instead of spending everything on yourself. If we do those things, we’ll be less likely to react badly and choose the right actions. Let’s see how this worked in Peter’s life.
Host
Peter’s reaction was so much different after Jesus came back to life and Peter received the Holy Spirit’s help. He made wiser choices and really kept himself under control.
Think about how you’re doing. Do you have trouble choosing the right actions? Is it hard for you not to react badly when someone treats you poorly? The good news is that even if you struggle sometimes, we have the same God to help us that helped Peter. You can control your actions. It’s a choice you make, but God will help you. Let’s take a moment to quietly talk to Him and ask for help. (Pray) Now, I’ll take a moment to pray for all of you.
Share info about the giving project you have chosen to support. Consider donating all summer offerings to a local ministry or global missionary.
Co-host
Peter controlled his actions, and it made a big difference in how he was able to serve God. The more you use self-control, the more you will be a useful and fruitful part of God’s big plan.
Host
That brings us to this week’s Big Do.
Host
Have everyone in your family agree to use self-control. You can limit how many sodas you drink or how many sugary treats you have. Maybe your self-control means taking a walk in the evening instead of watching YouTube. At the end of the week, if you’ve been successful, celebrate by doing something fun.
Co-host
Don’t forget our Big Point again,
Co-host
I Can Choose My Actions!
Host
Let’s connect in our small groups and discuss today’s lesson.
Gather the kids into Small Groups and discuss the following.
How did Peter lose control on the night before Jesus’ death? He grabbed a sword and cut off the servant’s ear.
When did Peter change how he chose to behave? After Jesus died and came back to life and, Peter received the Holy Spirit.
What happened later when Peter and the other disciples were arrested? They didn’t fight or get angry with the Jewish leaders.
What happened when Peter and the disciples were beaten? They walked away and rejoiced.
Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question.
The Big Point says, “I Can ______ My Actions!
What are we supposed to add to our life to make us a stronger Christian?
Anger
Self-Control
What did Peter do when the soldiers arrived to arrest Jesus?
Grabbed a sword
Joined the soldiers
Jesus was happy Peter had cut off the servant’s ear.
True
False
What are some ways that we can train ourselves to have self-control?
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (NIrV), “So I do not run like someone who doesn’t run toward the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air. No, I train my body and bring it under ______.”
Peter and the disciples fought back when the Jewish leaders arrested them.
True
False
What happened when Peter and his friends were beaten?
They were full of joy
They got angry
How does it help us live God’s big plan when we stay under control?
What is this week’s Big Do?
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