The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper
Herman and Rusty compete in doubles badminton; however, the match doesn't go according to plan when Rusty decides he doesn't need a teammate.
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Large Group Full Program
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Large Group Full Program Instructions
Countdown / Rules
Question of the Day: Who is the person who helps you the most at school? How does that person help you?
WelcomeMaterials: Lab Coat (2), Large Boxes (2-4)
Suggested music “Help” by The Beatles
The Host enters, carrying several large boxes. He/She acts as if the boxes weigh a lot and struggles to hold them. The audio cues are for extra fun, but not essential.
Host
Welcome to the Lab! I’ve got to take these boxes to Rusty. He’s playing in a big tournament today and asked me to bring him all the cases of haggis energy drink I could find. Whoa!
Host slips and nearly falls.
(Play “Help”)
The Co-Host enters boldly.
Co-Host
Help is on the way!
The Co-Host stands beside the Host and watches him/her.
Host
What are you doing?
Co-Host
Being your helper. Did you forget what we were teaching again?
Host falls down.
Host
Ow! No, I didn’t forget. How are you my helper? You did nothing.
Co-Host
Technically I watched you fall, so that was something.
Host
Thankfully the Helper we’re talking about today does a lot more than watch. In a moment we will stand to our feet and get ready to worship. As we do, reach out a hand and help someone up. First though, we are going to check in at the lab.
Engage 1Materials: Lab Coat (2), Large Buckets (5), Playground Ball (3)
The Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
Do you think that Rusty’s game plan for the badminton match will work?
Co-Host
How’s he supposed to win a doubles match all by himself?
Host
That’s like trying to live your Christian life without the Helper.
Co-Host
We have a helper? Ha, I knew that. I was just setting up the Big Point. Let’s bring up an assistant to help us reveal it.
Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Host
After we count down from three, help us read the Big Point.
Co-Host
Let’s all say it together, The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper! I have to admit, I feel like I understand God the Father and Jesus, but not so much about the Holy Spirit.
Host
You’re not alone, so let’s play a game that will help us. We have set up some buckets with cards inside, and each one teaches us a truth about the Holy Spirit. We have kids who will try to land a ball into a bucket. When you do, we’ll read what the card says. You can only hit each bucket one time. Let’s see who can get the most buckets.
As each Scripture is read, show the corresponding slide.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIrV), “Salvation comes through the Holy Spirit's work. He makes people holy.”
1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIrV), “Don't you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit? The Spirit is in you, and you have received the Spirit from God. You do not belong to yourselves.”
Romans 8:15 (NIrV), “The Holy Spirit you received made you God's adopted child.”
Ephesians 1:17 (NIrV), “I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the glorious Father. I keep asking him to give you the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 8:27 (NIrV), “And the Spirit prays for God’s people just as God wants Him to pray.”
Co-Host
It sounds like the Holy Spirit is God and that He does a lot for us.
Host
That’s true. We serve one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, sometimes referred to as the Trinity, which means, “Three.” That’s why the Holy Spirit coming to help us is such good news. It means God is with us, helping us. Let’s see if Rusty accepts a little help, too.
Engage 2Materials: Lab Coat (2), Mystery Box (2), Candy Bar
Host and Co-Host enter.
Host
How’s Rusty doing in his badminton match?
Co-Host
If he just accepted Herman’s help, he might win.
Host
If we follow the Big Point, it will help us take our lives to the next level. Let’s say it again,
Host
The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper!
The Host and Co-Host choose a kid to volunteer.
Co-Host
Let’s have an assistant help us look at our Big Verse. After we count down from three, we need you to read the verse.
Co-Host
John 14:26 (NIrV) says, “The Father will send the Friend in My name to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit.”
Host
The Holy Spirit is a gift to us.
Co-Host
Sometimes there are gifts you don’t want, like the pajamas my aunt got me for Christmas.
Host
Some people wonder if they want to receive the Holy Spirit. It’s like these two mystery boxes. Inside of one of these is something you’ll want. I promise.
Co-Host
But it’s a mystery. What if you choose wrong and get stuck with something gross?
Host
(To the kid) I will tell you which one is the good gift.
Co-Host
What if you lie? What if you get your kicks out of seeing kids get terrible presents?
Host
That’s when you have to trust the character of the person giving the gift. I love to give good gifts. So does God.
Host
James 1:17 (NIrV) says, “Every good and perfect gift is from God.” If God gives us something, we know the gift is good. If you choose this box, you will like it.
Kid opens the box to reveal whether they listened to the Host or not.
Co-Host
It sounds like the Holy Spirit is a gift everyone should want. Let’s take a moment to worship God for being so kind to us.
Big Story
Play optional soft instrumental music.
Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. I can imagine that some of you guys are facing difficult things. They may range from bullies at school, to pressure about passing a test, to parents who argue, even to having a family member in jail. It’s not easy being a kid, and that’s why God never intended for you to do it on your own. God the Father sent the Holy Spirit to help us so that we don’t have to live our lives feeling powerless. He sent the Holy Spirit to help us live powerfully. If you’ve said, “Yes” to following Jesus, you have a Helper. Let’s take a moment to tell God, “Thank You” for sending the Holy Spirit and to think of one thing you’d like the Holy Spirit to help you with. Then just ask the Holy Spirit to help you. It’s that simple. Let’s do that now. (Pause) I’m thankful that we weren’t left by ourselves when Jesus went back to Heaven. We have a powerful Helper on our side. Don’t forget that He’s there.
Engage 3Materials: Lab Coat (2), Church Chain Link Box Illusion
The Host and Co-Host enter. This Engage uses the Chain Link Box illusion that can be purchased online. If that is not available to you, then use a chain as the object lesson. Remove a couple of individual links and show how those links form a strong chain. Then show the full chain.
Co-Host
I think Rusty finally learned the value of a teammate.
Host
The early church did, too. They learned quickly that the Holy Spirit makes a huge difference, and what’s great is He is a gift for all of us. Let’s say The Big Point again,
Host
The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper!
Co-Host
The Holy Spirit brought the first Christians together on the Day of Pentecost and made them a strong group. Look at how many people said, “Yes” to Jesus that first day. That’s a great story to share as you do the Big Do.
Host
Find someone that you can help this week. It could be someone in your family or a neighbor or friend that your family can help.
Co-Host
The Holy Spirit can help us, just like He helped the first Christians.
Host
That’s true. One of the ways that the Holy Spirit works in us is by bringing Christians together like a team. The Church is a group of individuals (Drop some of the individual chain links in the Church box illusion) who come to Jesus from different backgrounds, just like Peter and the other Christians.
Co-Host
Ephesians 2:22 (NIrV) says, “You are being made into a house where God lives through His Spirit.” That “you” means you (Point to someone), and you, and you, and you, and you, and everyone who follows Jesus.
Host
The cool part about being part of the Church is that the Holy Spirit puts all the different parts, meaning us, together to create a strong team. (Dump out the box, revealing a unified chain)
Co-Host
As a team, built by the Holy Spirit, we can do some great things for God.
Host
It’s all because we have the Holy Spirit’s help. Let’s gather in our small groups and discuss what we have discovered.
Small Group
Gather the kids into small groups and discuss the following.
How did Rusty react when Herman tried to play in the match? Did Rusty’s actions help or hurt him?
How did the Holy Spirit help the new Christians on the Day of Pentecost? Why do we still need the Holy Spirit’s help? He helped them to talk in languages so that everyone would understand the truth. The Holy Spirit helps us know the right things to do, He helps us understand the Bible, He helps us live powerfully
Do you think that anyone, even kids, can have the Holy Spirit’s help? How is the Holy Spirit a good gift to kids? Yes, any follower of Jesus can have the Holy Spirit’s help.
What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Find someone that you can help this week.
Big Review
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 ______!
Helper
Problem
How did Rusty react to having a teammate?
He ignored Herman
He let Herman hit most of the shots
What were the Christians doing when the Holy Spirit was given to them?
Praying
Sleeping
What happened when the Christians received the Holy Spirit?
They got really angry
They spoke in new languages
What is one way the Holy Spirit helps us?
Complete the Big Verse: John 14:26 (NIrV), “The Father will send the Friend in My name to help you. The Friend is the ________.”
Superhero
Holy Spirit
What happened when Peter preached to the crowd?
They killed him
Thousands of people believed
True/False: The Holy Spirit is a different God.
True
False
Why do you think that the Holy Spirit is a good gift?
What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do?
Pick someone in your family and figure out a way to help them