Don't Forget To Say Thanks!

Host Welcome to the Lab! This week begins a brand new series…

Co-Host On how to wash and wax my car!

Host No, it’s not.

Co-Host I think it is. That’s right; in this exciting series you’re going to learn how to make my car shine like my neighbor’s bald head.

Host This series is all about thanks and giving. We’re going to talk about ways to say thanks and then give.

Co-Host It was worth a try. My car is dirty, but at least I was planning to say, “Thanks” after you gave me that awesome car wash. See how I tied it in? Why don’t you and these kids knock out a polish before the first worship song?

Host No way, because we are getting ready to see what Herman and Rusty are up to today. But first stand up and tell someone as much as you can that you are thankful for in the next twenty seconds. See who can say the most. Go!

Co-Host I thought Rusty would get the hint, but he just asked for a pumpkin spice latte instead. That sounds really good. Can we send a kid to grab one for me?

Host No, but we do need a lab assistant to come up here and help us reveal the Big Point.

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

Co-Host How good are you at making pumpkin spice lattes?

Host All you need to do is press that button after we count down from three.

3…2…1!

(Kid volunteer presses the button. Lights flash and the Big Point is revealed.)

Co-Host Let’s all say it together, “Don’t Forget To Say Thanks!”

Host Like you get busy with homework or your friend comes over or you move on to the next present.

Host Let’s play a game to see how well you guys remember. We’ve chosen several kids to come up on stage and stand in a line across the stage.

Co-Host It’s simple. The game is Bop It! You will follow the pattern and pass it down the line. Let’s see if we can get it all the way from one end to the other.

Host Great job! Sometimes it’s hard to remember when the game is playing the stressful sound effects. Just because distractions pop up, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible to remember. Nope, we can remember to say, “Thank you” in any situation. Let’s see if Rusty can remember.

Host Sophia and Slater seem hurt that Rusty has forgotten to thank them.

Co-Host It does make it seem like Rusty is just using them. It’s almost like he doesn’t care about them.

Host We’ve all been guilty of doing the same thing. It’s important to tell others, and God, that you are grateful.

Host Don’t Forget to Say Thanks! I need another assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

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

Co-Host Your job is to hit the button as we count down from three.

Co-Host Colossians 4:2 (NIrV), “Always be watchful and thankful.” Hmm, that verse made me think of something. I think we miss saying, “Thanks” a lot of times because we aren’t looking out for the good things God has done for us.

Host It’s hard to be grateful when you aren’t looking for the good stuff that’s in your life, which brings me to a fun idea. Let’s play a thankfulness scavenger hunt.

Co-Host We’re going to use stuff we find in this room. Our assistant will represent the boys/girls, and we’ll choose another team captain. Let’s play!

Co-Host Look at how much we have to be grateful for just in this room. I’m going to use these binoculars to keep an eye out for grateful opportunities, like you washing my car.

Host Still not falling for it.

Co-Host Wow, that is a giant booger. These are binoculars are powerful.

Host Let’s keep our eyes open and live out the Big Point,

Host Don’t Forget To Say Thanks! Let’s jump to our feet and worship our very good God!

Today would be a great time to tell God, “Thank You.” He has done incredible things for us. Jesus died for us so that we could be saved. God provides for our needs. He’s healed us and protected us. God deserves our thanks. So take a moment and quietly thank Him right there at your seat.

Co-Host I’m glad that Rusty decided to say, “Thank you.” He really does love his friends, he just forgot to let them know.

Host That’s why we all need to follow our Big Point,

Host Don’t Forget To Say Thanks! If you forget to tell God, “Thank You,” He’s not going to go in the corner and pout. God is still God, and He’s still amazing whether we admit it or not.

Co-Host Then why is it so important to say, “Thank you?” I know the answer. I just wanted to lay it up for you so that you could bring it to the house.

Host Thanks, but I thought it might be fun to get one of our assistants to ask this question. “Why is it important for you to say thank you to others?”

(Choose a volunteer to ask the question.)

Co-Host I am ready to use that Big Point whenever you get that urge to wax my car.

Host What if I just help you wash it? We’ll do it together.

Co-Host Done! Don’t worry, I’ll use the Big Point. Let’s say it together,

Co-Host Don’t Forget To Say Thanks! Let’s gather with our small groups and talk about thankfulness.

1. What were some of the ways that Rusty’s friends helped him? How did it make them feel when he forgot to say, “Thank you?”

2. How many of the guys that Jesus healed came back to say, “Thank you?” Does it surprise you that only one guy returned? How do you think giving thanks helped him more than the other nine guys?

3. What are some things that might help you remember to say, “Thanks?”

4. What did Herman tell us to do in the Big Do?

1. Our Big Point says Don’t _____ To Say Thanks! a. Forget b. Remember
2. What was Rusty preparing for at the lab? a. Birthday Party b. Thanksgiving Party
3. What was wrong with the guys who approached Jesus in our Big Story? They had leprosy
4. Why were Rusty’s friends upset with him? He wasn’t saying, “Thank you.”
5. What is something you can be thankful for today?
6. Complete the Big Verse: Colossians 4:2 (NIrV), “Always be _______ and thankful.” a. Watchful b. Looking
7. Why do you think that God wants us to say, “Thanks?”
8. How many guys returned to give Jesus thanks for healing them? a. 10 b. 1
9. What happened to the man who came back to thank Jesus? a. He had dinner with Jesus b. Jesus forgave his sins
10. What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Write a thank you note