Slides and Printables.zip

Slides and Printables

Program Videos.zip

Program Videos

7 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Act 3

03 sec Countdown

2 Min Countdown

H&R Big Do Slide

Big Story Video

60 sec Countdown

Herman and Rusty Act 1

5 Min Countdown

Herman and Rusty Title

H&R BIG REVIEW Bumper

Herman and Rusty Act 2

H&R 5 Min Countdown with Rules

Hannah and Ethel are nervous about an upcoming speech in front of the city council. However, Rusty's efforts to calm them down are not nearly as helpful as the comfort that the Holy Spirit brings to us.

Large Group Full Program

Question of the Day: What snack or meal do you like to eat when it’s really cold outside?



Countdown / Rules

**Host** and **Co-Host** enter. The **Co-Host** holds the scared emoji cutout over his/her face. You can print out an emoji graphic or use an emoji balloon or emoji beach ball that can be found online.



**Host**

Welcome to the Lab! Why do you have that emoji over your face?

**Co-Host**

It accurately depicts how I feel right now.

**Host**

If you were texting someone and sent that emoji, what emotion would you be feeling? Right, it’d be because you were scared. Why are you scared?

**Co-Host**

I can’t remember my lines! I studied, but what if I can’t remember anything I’m supposed to say?

**Host**

The good news for you is that you have a Helper who is amazing at helping us when we feel nervous.

**Co-Host**

That does sound great. Let’s hear it. What’ve you got?

**Host**

We’ll get to that, but first we are going to see what's going on in the lab today.



Welcome

Worship

**Host**

Hannah and Ethel seem nervous about their big speech. Have you ever had an important recital or game that made you feel nervous?



**Co-Host**

I’m concerned that Rusty’s advice is not going to help very much. What do you guys and girls think?



**Host**

I hope that Rusty is going to remind Ethel and Hannah that they have a Helper. Let’s bring up a lab assistant to help us reveal how He helps us in today’s Big Point.









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

**Co-Host**

It sounds like they need the help. After we count down from three,  read the Big Point. 







**Co-Host**

Let’s all say it together, **The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!** Comfort, yes, that’s something we all need.



**Host**

Here are some items that might be comforting to some of you guys. Raise your hand if you find any of these items comforting. 





Show the slides of the blanket, the pillow, band-aid, and the cup of hot chocolate.





**Co-Host**

Let’s have a lab assistant interview some of you to find out which other items bring you comfort.





Have the assistant interview a few other kids.





**Host**

The problem is that those items only bring temporary comfort.



**Co-Host**

And you don’t always have them with you. The Holy Spirit is different.



**Host**

He is with you wherever you go, day or night. You can’t lose the Holy Spirit or forget Him at home. He is always with you and wants to comfort you, in any situation.



**Co-Host**

That’s so cool that we have His help at school, at home, anywhere! I think He could even comfort Ethel and Hannah during their big speech. Let’s see what’s happening.



Engage 1



**Host**

Did Rusty have great ideas for dealing with nerves?



**Co-Host**

He most definitely did not. It’s a good thing that Herman was there to share some truth. Let’s check out our Big Point again, 

**Co-Host**

**The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!**



**Host**

The Holy Spirit has done that same thing since the beginning of the church. Let’s check out what the Bible says.





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





**Co-Host**

When we count down from three, help us by reading the verse.







**Co-Host**

That word “help” can also mean comfort. The Holy Spirit helped them grow as He gave them comfort.



**Host**

He was there by their side. Does anyone in here have a fear of heights? It can be pretty scary to face your phobias. Let’s try see how a lab assistant handles that fear.



**Co-Host**

Are you going to take us up to the top of the building? 



**Host**

Sort of…virtually. I have a virtual reality headset, and I’m going to have our assistant put on the goggles and attempt to face his/her fear of heights. We’ll put what he/she sees in the headset on the big screen, so we can all see.





Link the headset to the screen and allow the kid or adult volunteer attempt the game “Richie’s Plank Experience.” The volunteer will stand at the end of the board and step on it as they virtually walk the plank.





**Co-Host**

That’s super scary.



**Host**

Let’s try it again, but this time we’ll hold your hand, and you walk. 







Allow the kid/adult to try it again.







**Co-Host**

Was it easier this time?



**Host**

It’s much easier to face a scary situation with a friend than by yourself. We can’t promise that you won’t deal with some scary stuff in your life, but we do want to let you know that you don’t have to face it alone. If you have said, “Yes” to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is always with you. That’s a great reason to stand and worship God.

Engage 2

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. Is there something that’s causing you to feel sad, frustrated, or afraid? There are lots of reasons we get sad or upset, but we don’t have to stay that way. The Holy Spirit comforts us when we feel sad or hurt. He is our Helper. The Holy Spirit works through us to help others, too. We have some adult volunteers who are standing around you guys. They’re going to pray for you as you sing. They may not know the exact thing you’re facing, but the Holy Spirit does. Together we trust that the Holy Spirit will comfort you the middle of this situation. As we stand to sing, the volunteers will begin praying for you.





Big Story

**Co-Host**

Wow! They did it. Ethel and Hannah made it through the speech and did well enough to win over the city council.



**Host**

The Holy Spirit can help us through any situation. Let’s say The Big Point again, 

**Host**

**The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!**



**Co-Host**

Can you believe how calm Stephen remained in our Big Story, even though he knew he was about to die? That’s a story you should share with your family when you do the Big Do.

**Host**

Herman had a fun idea for the Big Do this week. Build a blanket fort with your family, then gather underneath it and talk about how the Holy Spirit brings us comfort. Have you ever built a blanket fort? I thought it would be fun to work on one right now. 



**Co-Host**

We’re going to bring up a team of kids and adult volunteers to try to build the biggest blanket fort ever! As they’re building it, be sure to cheer them on and give them tips for making it the best.





Allow the team to construct the blanket fort.





**Host**

You guys did a really great job. As you hang out in your fort this week, talk with your parents about how the Holy Spirit comforts us.



**Co-Host**

I’m glad I have a Helper, in any situation.



**Host**

Me, too. Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we have discovered about the Holy Spirit.



Engage 3

Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.

- Why were Ethel and Hannah nervous? **They had to give a speech** How did they beat their nerves? 



 - How would you have reacted had you been in Stephen’s situation? What was his reaction?



 - What does Stephen’s story teach us about how the Holy Spirit comforts us? **He can make us brave and help us have peace in very difficult situations; He is always with us; He can help us pray for people who hurt us**



 - What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? **Make a fort and talk about how the Holy Spirit comforts us**



Small Group

Play optional game music. Choose two kids from the audience to come on stage and answer the question. 

 - Our Big Point says The Holy Spirit Is Our ______!

    - **Comforter**

    - Accuser



 - Why were Ethel and Hannah nervous?

    - **They had to give a speech**

    - They had lost their blanket



 - The Bible says that Stephen was full of _____.

    - **The Holy Spirit**

    - Pride



 - How did Stephen react to being arrested?

    - **He was peaceful**

    - He freaked out



 - Can the Holy Spirit comfort you at any time?

**Yes**





 - Complete the Big Verse: Acts 9:31 (NIrV), “The church was strengthened and grew larger. That’s because they worshiped the Lord and the Holy Spirit _____ them.”

    - **Helped**

    - Hurt



 - What happened to Stephen after the trial?

    - They let him go

    - **They killed him**



 - What is a situation in which you could use the Holy Spirit’s help?



 - What should a person do if they are in the middle of a scary situation?



 - What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? **Make a fort and talk about how the Holy Spirit comforts us**

Big Review

Large Group Abbreviated

**Co-Host**

Let’s all say it together, **The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!** Comfort, yes, that’s something we all need.

**Host**

Let's talk about some items that might be comforting to some of you guys. Raise your hand if you find any of these items comforting  

 - a blanket

- a pillow

- a band-aid

- a cup of hot chocolate.

**Co-Host**

That word “help” can also mean comfort. The Holy Spirit helped them grow as He gave them comfort.

**Host**

He was there by their side. Does anyone in here have a fear of heights? It can be pretty scary to face your phobias. 

**Co-Host**

That’s super scary.

**Host**

But it can help if someone holds your hand.

**Co-Host**

It’s much easier to face a scary situation with a friend than by yourself. 

**Host**

We can’t promise that you won’t deal with some scary stuff in your life, but we do want to let you know that you don’t have to face it alone. If you have said, “Yes” to Jesus, then the Holy Spirit is always with you. 

**Host**

Herman had a fun idea for the Big Do this week. Build a blanket fort with your family, then gather underneath it and talk about how the Holy Spirit brings us comfort. Have you ever built a blanket fort? 

**Co-Host**

It's a lot of fun!

**Host**

As you hang out in your fort this week, talk with your parents about how the Holy Spirit comforts us.

**Co-Host**

I’m glad I have a Helper, in any situation.

**Host**

Me, too. Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we have discovered about the Holy Spirit.

Midweek / Classroom

Prior to this segment, print off the included activity sheet to hold up to show a nervous and sad emoji.



Hey guys, welcome to the Lab! If you use this emoji, what emotion would you be feeling? (Hold up the Sad Emoji) That’s right, you’re probably sad. What about this one? (Hold up the Nervous Emoji) Yep, you may be scared or nervous. Each day we experience a lot of emotions. You may feel sad, anxious, or angry. But I have good news. God knew we would experience all of these things, so He sent us a Helper. Tonight we’re going to hear about how the Holy Spirit can help us through any hard thing we face. But first, stand up, give you neighbor a high-five, and let’s worship!



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 now. 

Use these two minutes to introduce yourself to your kids and go over the rules you have for your group. This will set the expectation and show the kids clear boundaries, setting your group up for success. The ball can serve as a tool to signify whose turn it is to respond. 



It’s time for Lab Wars! During Lab Wars we battle it out, team against team, until one group stands victorious. For tonight’s battle, everyone gets to play. But first, tell me this; when you get hurt, what makes you feel better? 

Well, if you’re anything like me, a Band-Aid seems to always do the trick. Each small group has a bunch of Band-Aids. Your small group leader will choose one member of your team to be covered in Band-Aids. The rest of you will stick as many Band-Aids on this person as possible in one minute! The team that has stuck the most Band-Aids on their team member wins! On your mark, get set, go! 

Optional play game music. 

Play the game. 





Congratulations to the winning team! When I was little and I would get hurt, my mom would kiss my boo boo and give me a Band-Aid, and it always seemed to make everything better. At least for a little bit. But there is Someone who can comfort us even better than our mom or Band-Aids. That person is the Holy Spirit. Before we get to that, let’s check in with our friends at the Lab to see what makes them feel better.   

Lab Wars

Hannah and Ethel seem nervous about their big speech. I’m concerned that Rusty’s advice is not going to help very much. I wish he would remind Ethel and Hannah that they have a Helper. That’s exactly what our Big Point talks about. I need a small group to help me countdown to reveal what it is!

Let’s all say it together, **The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!** Comfort is something we all need. Raise your hand if you have ever had a bad dream. That’s definitely a time I would like comfort. Let’s turn to our small groups and do a Mad Lib to come up with a silly, scary dream. 





Older Groups: Pass out an activity sheet to each child. Give them time to fill out the Mad Lib. Then allow some of them to share their silly, scary dream.



Younger Groups: Your group has a large activity sheet that you will work on together. Fill in each blank as a group to come up with your silly, scary dream. When you finish, read it to your group. 









Those were some silly, scary dreams. Sometimes our dreams at night are more scary than silly. In times like that, the Holy Spirit can comfort you. He is with you wherever you go, day or night. Whether you are scared, sad, or anxious, He is always with you and wants to comfort you in any situation. Let’s say our Big Point together, 

**The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter**! Our Helper could even comfort Ethel and Hannah during their big speech. Let’s see what’s happening.

 

Prior to this segment, affix emoji stickers to a die. Use the largest die you can find. The kids will roll the die as part of the Engage.





Did Rusty have great ideas for dealing with nerves? He most definitely did not. It’s a good thing that Herman was there to share some truth. Let’s check out our Big Point again, 

**The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!** The Holy Spirit has done that same thing since the beginning of the church. Let’s check out what the Bible says. I need a small group to help me count down and reveal what it is. 

Acts 9:31 (NIrV) says, “The church was strengthened and grew larger. That’s because they worshipped the Lord and the Holy Spirit helped them.” That word “help” can also mean comfort. The Holy Spirit helped them grow as He gave them comfort. He was there by their side. Let’s turn to our small groups and do an activity, talking about how the Holy Spirit can comfort us in any situation. 

Have the kids take turns rolling the emoji dice. When it lands, have them answer the following question:





How can the Holy Spirit comfort you when you feel ______?









There isn’t a situation when the Holy Spirit can’t or won’t help you. He is an amazing comforter. Even God knows we will all deal with some hard stuff in life, but He has provided help for us, so we don’t have to face it alone. The Holy Spirit is always with you. Let’s check out a true story from the Bible about a man who was filled with the Holy Spirit and was able to face one of the hardest situations imaginable. 

Is there something that’s causing you to feel sad, frustrated, or afraid? There are lots of reasons we get sad or upset, but we don’t have to stay that way. The Holy Spirit comforts us when we feel sad or hurt. He is our Helper. Let’s turn to our small groups and talk more about how He can help us through the hard things we face.



The goal in this segment is to create a place where kids can openly share and to bring accountability as they become more like Jesus. Do this by listening, responding with love, and showing them what it looks like to be a friend and follower of Jesus. The ball can be used as a tool to signify whose turn it is to respond. 





 - When you are sad, what is something that brings you comfort? 

 - Tell me about a time you were feeling sad, anxious, or angry. 

 - What could you do next time you are feeling this way? 



Maybe you feel sad, anxious, or upset right now. Let’s take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to help us. Pray in your own heart, at your seat. Tell God how you feel and ask Him to comfort and help you. 

With any difficult thing we face or whatever emotion we feel, the Holy Spirit can help us. Nothing is too big or too small for Him. The next time you feel sad or nervous, stop and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to comfort your heart. He will. Our Big Point is true, 



**The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!** Let’s see if any of Rusty’s techniques worked for Ethel and Hannah’s speech.



Wow! They did it. Ethel and Hannah made it through the speech and did well enough to win over the city council. The Holy Spirit can help us through any situation. Let’s say the Big Point again, 

**The Holy Spirit Is Our Comforter!** Herman had a fun idea for the Big Do this week. 



Gather your family together and build a fort out of blankets and pillows! Then sit in your fort and answer this question, “How does the Holy Spirit comfort you?” Let’s turn to our small groups to finish up tonight’s service. 

Use this time to hand out any positive reinforcement tools (i.e. Candy, stickers, prize coupons, etc.) Tell your group how much you enjoyed spending time with them this week. Finally, end your time together with a prayer and maybe a group cheer.



The Helper Week 3

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Large Group Full Program Instructions

Large Group Full Program Instructions