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

30 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Part 1 

Herman and Rusty Part 2

60 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Title

Herman and Rusty Part 3

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

Herman and Rusty have auditioned for a local Thanksgiving play; however, things go awry when Herman gets the big part, and Rusty is stuck being the turkey. Can Rusty learn that even "small" parts can have a big impact?

Large Group Full 

You will need upbeat music for a talent show in the Welcome.

Countdown / Rules

**Host**
Welcome to the Lab, and happy “we’re getting really close to” Thanksgiving!

**Co-Host**
I can’t wait until that day when I can stuff myself, watch football, and stuff myself again.

**Host**
And give thanks, too.

**Co-Host**
Of course! Our series, Thanks and Giving, has gotten me ready for the big day. I am ready to thank and give.

**Host**
I hope you are, too. It’s a perfect time to practice what we’ve learned each week. I have a fun idea to get the day started. We’re going to have the world’s largest talent show.

**Co-Host**
If it’s not the world’s largest, it will at least be our largest. When we say, “Go,” I want you to stand up and show some kind of talent.

**Host**
Dance, sing, make a crazy face, run in place really fast. It doesn’t matter. Just show us what you’ve got.

**Co-Host**
3…2…1!



Play upbeat music. **Co-Host** judges and gives one or more kids a piece of candy.

**Host**
I can tell we’ve got some real talent at the Lab today. I know a couple other people who have talent. Let’s see what Herman and Rusty are up to. 


Welcome

Worship

**Co-Host**
Rusty seems really upset about not getting that part in the play.

**Host**
Have you ever missed out on something you wanted badly? What was it?

**Co-Host**
Rusty seems to think that the only important actor is the one playing the main role.

**Host**
It’s easy to think that way. Maybe you’re not the star of your soccer team or the president of student council, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t matter. Let’s choose an assistant to reveal our Big Point. I think it will help us learn this truth.

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

**Co-Host**
Press that button after we count down from three. 


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

**Co-Host**
Let’s all say it together, **We All Have Something To Give!** Sometimes it seems like other people have way more to give than I do.

**Host**
Remember that God wants all of us to play a part. Some of those parts look different, but they all matter.

**Co-Host**
Everyone’s gift can make a difference. I like that.

**Host**
Let’s play a game to illustrate the Big Point. We’re going to choose two teams of kids and an adult volunteer to be the captain of each team.


Choose the kids while the **Co-Host** explains the game

**Co-Host**
It’s a relay game. You put the sponge in the bucket, soak up as much water as possible and carry it to the other end, where you squeeze it into the cup.

**Host**
The first team whose cup overflows wins. 3…2…1, go!


**Co-Host**
Congratulations! You know what I noticed? Each team member soaked up a different amount of water, but together they made the cup overflow.

**Host**
That’s the point. We all have something to give. Each person’s gift will look a little different, but God uses them all. We all matter to God. Let’s hope Rusty learns that before he makes a poor choice.



Engage 1

**Host**
Can you believe that Rusty actually hit Herman with that crowbar? That had to hurt!!

**Co-Host**
I’m shocked that he did that to his best friend.

**Host**
If Rusty would just listen to and believe our Big Point, 


**Host**
**We All Have Something To Give**, he would see that his turkey part matters. Let’s check out the Big Verse.

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

**Co-Host**
I need my lab assistant to hit the button to reveal our Big Verse from the Bible. Let’s count down from three. 


Kid volunteer presses the button. Lights flash and the Big Verse is revealed. 

**Co-Host**
1 Peter 4:10 (NIrV), “Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others.” It’s nice to know that God has given everyone a gift to use as part of His big plan. No one was left out.

**Host**
If you compare yourself to other people, then you might feel like their gift is important, and your gift isn’t. That’s just not true.

**Co-Host**
We should play a game to illustrate that. Let’s choose some contestants to compete in building the tallest tower. Here’s the catch. Two members of the team can use your eyes, but not your hands, and the other two can use your hands, but not your eyes.

(Place blindfolds on the kids who cannot use their eyes.)

**Host**
Let’s see if you can each use your gifts to build the tower.


Play the game. You can use any type of building blocks for this game.

**Co-Host**
Would it have been possible to build the tower if you could only use your eyes? No way.

**Host**
With only hands, you might be able to, but it would be pretty hard. That’s why we all work together. Everyone has something to offer. Let’s say the Big Point again, 


**Host**
**We All Have Something To Give!** That includes worship. Let’s stand and worship the One who created each of us so special!


Engage 2

You may not think you have anything to give God, but that’s not true. He has given you gifts that you can use to give to others. Let’s take a moment to pray for each other, that we would realize what our gifts are and use those gifts to serve others. I want you to point your hands at the kids on either side of you. Let’s make sure that everyone has someone reaching out to them. Now take a moment and pray for that person. Ask God to show them what their gifts are and help them to use those gifts to serve those around them. (Pause) I want to take a moment to pray for all of you, too. (Pray)

Big Story

**Co-Host**
Rusty’s “small part” brought him a big blessing.

**Host**
It goes to show you that the Big Point is true. 



**Host**
**We All Have Something To Give!** Let’s choose an assistant to help us with a quick interview.

(Choose a volunteer.)


**Co-Host**
I want you to ask the kids around you one question: What is one thing that God has given you to that you could share with others?

(Volunteer asks the question.)

**Co-Host**
Rusty never thought a simple “Gobble, gobble” would get him on TV, so we shouldn’t think too little of what we have to give either.

**Host**
That’s true, and no matter who you are, you can be sure that God has given you a gift to share with others. Remember our Big Point, 



**Host**
**We All Have Something To Give!** Let’s gather with our small groups and talk about this some more.

Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following. 

1.	What is one talent that you don’t have that you wish you had? Is it a problem to compare your gifts to others’ gifts? Why? 
2.	What were some of the ways that the Israelites contributed to building the Tabernacle? Why was each contribution important? 
3.	Name one way that your gifts or talents could be used by God to help others.
4.	What did Herman tell us to do in the Big Do?


Small Group 

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

1.	Our Big Point says **We ____ Have Something To Give!** a.	Don’t  b.	**All**
2.	Why was Rusty upset about being the turkey in the play?  **He thought it was a small part**
3.	What was the name of the building that God wanted the Israelites to build?
a.	School b.	**Tabernacle**
4.	What happened when Rusty decided to give his best as the turkey in the play?
**A scout noticed him & he got another job**
5.	Name one of the things that the Israelites contributed. **Making clothes, hammering gold, mixing spices, making the tent, etc.**
6.	Complete the Big Verse: 1 Peter 4:10 (NIrV), “Each of you has received a ____ in order to ____ others.”
a.	**Gift, serve** b.	Gift, annoy
7.	Why do you think that God gives so many different kinds of gifts?
8.	God gave the Israelites everything they needed to complete the Tabernacle? 
a.	**Yes** b.	No
9.	What advice would you give to someone who didn’t think that he or she had anything to give?
10. What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do?  **Share a talent with someone else**


Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

**Host**
Welcome to the Lab, and happy “we’re getting really close to” Thanksgiving!

**Co-Host**
I can’t wait until that day when I can stuff myself, watch football, and stuff myself again.

**Host**
And give thanks, too.

**Co-Host**
Of course! Our series, Thanks and Giving, has gotten me ready for the big day. I am ready to thank and give.

**Host**
I hope you are, too. It’s a perfect time to practice what we’ve learned each week. 
And this is the perfect time to see what Herman and Rusty are up to. 



**Co-Host**
Rusty seems really upset about not getting that part in the play.

**Host**
Have you ever missed out on something you wanted badly? What was it?

**Co-Host**
Rusty seems to think that the only important actor is the one playing the main role.

**Host**
It’s easy to think that way. Maybe you’re not the star of your soccer team or the president of student council, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t matter. Let’s choose an assistant to reveal our Big Point. I think it will help us learn this truth.

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

**Co-Host**
Please help as we count down from three. 


**Co-Host**
Let’s all say it together, **We All Have Something To Give!** Sometimes it seems like other people have way more to give than I do.

**Host**
Remember that God wants all of us to play a part. Some of those parts look different, but they all matter.

**Co-Host**
Everyone’s gift can make a difference. I like that.





**Host**
That’s the point. We all have something to give. Each person’s gift will look a little different, but God uses them all. We all matter to God. Let’s hope Rusty learns that before he makes a poor choice.



**Co-Host**
I need my lab assistant to help us with our Big Verse from the Bible. Let’s count down from three. 


**Co-Host**
1 Peter 4:10 (NIrV), “Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others.” It’s nice to know that God has given everyone a gift to use as part of His big plan. No one was left out.

**Host**
If you compare yourself to other people, then you might feel like their gift is important, and your gift isn’t. That’s just not true.



**Host**
Remember our Big Point. **We All Have Something To Give!** 

**Co-Host**
I want you to ask the kids around you one question: What is one thing that God has given you that you could share with others?

(Volunteer asks the question.)

**Co-Host**
Rusty never thought a simple “Gobble, gobble” would get him on TV, so we shouldn’t think too little of what we have to give either.

**Host**
That’s true, and no matter who you are, you can be sure that God has given you a gift to share with others. Remember our Big Do this week? 



**Host** Share a talent with someone else.

**Co-Host** And our Big Point. **We All Have Something To Give!** Let’s gather with our small groups and talk about this some more.

1.	What is one talent that you don’t have that you wish you had? Is it a problem to compare your gifts to others’ gifts? Why? 
2.	What were some of the ways that the Israelites contributed to building the Tabernacle? Why was each contribution important? 
3.	Name one way that your gifts or talents could be used by God to help others.
4.	What did Herman tell us to do in the Big Do? **Share a talent with someone else.**


Midweek / Classroom

Optional music selections for this lesson.

 - Game music for Lab Wars
 - Soft instrumental music for Big Story



Hey everyone, welcome to the Lab! The holiday season is in full swing. Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and after that, Christmas! Sometimes the busyness of this season can distract us from what this time is all about, saying thanks and giving to others. So, before we go any further, let’s continue our night by saying, “Thanks” to God through worshipping Him. Stand up to your feet and let’s do that now!


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. 

Introduce yourself to your group. Use these two minutes to go over the rules you have for your kids. This will set the expectation and show the kids clear boundaries, setting your group time up for success.



Thanksgiving is so close I can almost smell the turkey baking in the oven. I love everything about Thanksgiving, the food, family, and of course football. In
tonight’s lab war, we will put your football skills to the test. Each grade will team up together. The pair who is victorious will win 5,000 points for their team! One of you will throw the footballs while the other tries to catch them in the bucket. Small group leaders, send up a representative from your team! 

Have the kids pair up by grade. Have half of them on one side of the stage holding the buckets and their partners on the other side of the stage ready to throw the footballs. Set a timer for 30 seconds. The team that catches the most footballs in their bucket wins!


Congratulations to our winners! That game took some team effort, and that’s one of my favorite things about the game of football. Every person on the team is valuable. The team couldn’t win if it weren’t for the quarterback throwing the ball, and the quarterback isn’t the only role that is important. The center is just as important! The center is the one who snaps the ball to the quarterback. If he didn’t do his job, the quarterback wouldn’t be able to do his part. Then you have linemen who protect the quarterback and make lanes for the running back to run. Every person plays their part, and when they do, the whole team shines. The same is true for us. We will be talking more about this in just a moment, but first, let’s check in with our friends at the lab to see what they are up to.


Lab Wars

Rusty seems really upset about not getting that part in the play. He seems to think that the only important actor is the one playing the main role. It’s easy to think that way. Maybe you’re not the star of your soccer team or the president of student council, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t matter. Let’s take a look at our Big Point. I need a small group to help me reveal what it is. 

Say it with me, **We All Have Something To Give!** Tonight’s activity highlights how we are all different, and yet we all have something to offer. We are going to have a mini talent show, right there in your small groups. If you have a fun talent to share, raise your hand, and your small group leader will call on you. Then you can show off your talent to the entire group. 



Who here has a talent they want to share? To start things off, I will show you mine. 



Start off by showing them a silly talent you have. It can be something super simple like making a funny face, singing a song, showing how their fingers are double-jointed, etc. When you kick it off, choose something so that the kids will see it doesn’t have to be extravagant. Allow the kids to take turns sharing their talents.



That was a lot of fun! I loved seeing your different talents. I’m pretty sure I saw someone (Insert a talent you observed). I love that God created us all in such a unique way. He didn’t create one person and then hit “copy & paste” He took His time on each of us. God put something inside of you that He wants you to share with others. It’s just like our Big Point says, 

**We All Have Something To Give!** I think our Big Point would really be helpful to Rusty. 


Can you believe that Rusty actually hit Herman with that crowbar? That had to hurt!! I’m shocked that he did that to his best friend. If Rusty would just listen to and believe our Big Point, 

**We All Have Something To Give,** he would see that his turkey part matters. To illustrate our Big Point, let’s play a game. Each of you will get a Lego. As a group, you will try to build a house by each adding your own Lego. Let’s do that now. 


Give each child a Lego. Starting with one child, have them pass their piece to the person on their left, combining the pieces to create a house. Continue this pattern until every kid has added their Lego and the goal is reached. If time permits, play again, but this time build a bridge or a boat.



I’m going to give each of you a Lego. Together, we are going to build a house. Let’s start with the person on my left. Pass your Lego to the next person and have them add theirs. We will continue this all the way around the circle until we have used all of the Legos and the house is built.



After the activity is complete, ask the following questions. 



 - Would you have been able to make a house with just one Lego?
 - What if we were missing half of these pieces, would the house be as big?
 - Was there a Lego that was more important than another?



You guys created some great houses! It would have been impossible for someone to make a house by themselves with only one Lego. But when every person gave what they had, you were able to build something great! Let’s take a look at our Big Verse. I need a small group to help me count down from three to reveal what it is. 

1 Peter 4:10 (NIrV), “Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others.” God has created us all with different talents and given us different resources. One thing is not greater than the other. When we trust God and give from what He has given us, we follow our Big Point, 

**We All Have Something To Give!** Let’s take a look at a true story from the Bible that shows us that when we all contribute what we have, it blesses God and others. 


You may not think you have anything to give, but that’s not true. He has given you gifts that you can use to give to others. Let’s take a moment and talk about this in our small group. 


The goal in this segment is to create a place where kids can openly share and to bring accountability to becoming 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 thought to yourself, “I don’t have much to offer?” Do you think that is true? **No, it’s a lie from the enemy**
 - Why do you think the enemy would want you to think you don’t have anything to give? **To try to convince you not to give to others, to keep you from being used by God, and sharing His love with the world.**
 - How does it make you feel knowing that our Big Point is true, that you have something to give?

I am going to give you a name card. This is what you put at the table to show where each person sits. On it write someone’s name that will be at your Thanksgiving dinner. On the inside write something about them you are thankful for.


Everyone, hold up your name card. When your guest opens their name card to read the kind thing you wrote, I’m sure their face will be beaming. Making a simple name card for Thanksgiving dinner is a great way to follow our Big Point, 


**We All Have Something To Give!** Let’s see if Rusty has finally realized that his turkey role is a way that he can give.
 

Rusty’s “small part” brought him a big blessing. It goes to show you that the Big Point is true, 

**We All Have Something To Give!** A great way to practice our Big Point is to do this week’s Big Do. Find a talent you have and share it with someone else. We all got a head start on this earlier! You can share the talent you showed your small group or think of another one. Maybe it’s baking cookies, or sharing your organization skills, whatever it is, give it! Now turn to your small groups to finish up today’s service.



Use this time to hand out any positive reinforcement tools. Tell your group how much you enjoyed spending time with them this week. End your time together with a prayer and maybe even a group cheer.



Thanks & Giving Week 3

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Large Group Full Instructions

Large Group Full Instructions