Begin With Worship!

Host

Welcome to the Lab! Why are you wearing that?

Co-host

This is what people wear sometimes when they sing as a big group.

Host

Yeah, but why are you wearing it?

Co-host

Because I’m singing.

Host

Can you not do that? We’d all really like to still have use of our ears after service. Let’s see how well you guys can finish the lyrics to some well-known songs. We’ll play the first part, pause it, and let you finish it.

Co-host

Today is all about singing. I will lead the way with my beautiful voice. I need some hot tea and honey to get these windpipes ready.

Host

Actually, today’s service isn’t only about singing. It’s much more than that. But singing is still important, so let’s stand to worship. As you do, tell someone nearby the name of your favorite song of all time.

Host

Rusty is really confused about prayer. He thinks that because he sang it, the prayer was better.

Co-host

Isn’t that what Sophia said she learned at church?

Host

Not exactly. Let’s reveal our Big Point and learn what it really means.

Co-host

Let’s all say it together: Begin With Worship! Exactly. That’s what Sophia said.

Host

But she misunderstands worship. Can worship be singing? Yes. Are all kinds of singing worship? No. Worship is all about your attitude. It’s a choice to honor God and give thanks to Him.

Co-host

What do we mean by begin with worship?

Host

Worship is how we begin prayer. Jesus taught us how to pray in the Bible. We call it the Lord’s prayer, and the first line of the prayer was about honoring God. The first step is important. Let’s demonstrate what would happen if you jumped past step one.

Co-host

Oh, that’s what these Nerf guns and targets are for. I see. If we gave you a Nerf gun and told you to hit the target, what would you usually do first?

Host

You would lift the gun and aim. Take your time. Place your shot. That’s the correct first step.

Co-host

Instead of doing that, we’re going to hand you a Nerf gun, and I want you to raise it up and shoot immediately. Don’t take time to aim. Go straight from grabbing the gun to shooting.

Host

Was that easy or difficult? It made it much harder, didn’t it? That’s because you “jumped the gun” and ignored the first step. It’s important to share with God our worries and our needs, but don’t forget to praise God and thank Him first.

Co-host

That makes sense because worship helps you to think the right thoughts about God.

Host

Exactly! We want to pray things that honor God and follow His big plan. Let’s see what Rusty and Sophia are up to.

Host

Rusty and Sophia are going to get into some big trouble.

Co-host

Yeah, I think they stole someone’s car. They are super confused about prayer.

Host

They need to hear our Big Point Begin With Worship! Let’s choose an assistant to reveal the Big Verse.

Host

The Big Verse comes from Matthew 6:9 (NIrV), “Our Father in heaven, may Your name be honored.” Do you know what it means to honor someone?

Co-host

To honor means to show respect. Have you ever seen people in a karate match or an MMA fight? They usually begin with some kind of respectful action, such as bowing or touching gloves.

Host

I have a question, and I want you to talk about it with the person next to you for the next 60 seconds. Take a moment to discuss how you would show respect to someone like a president or king who decided to visit our service today. Go.

Co-host

What did some of you say you would do? (Allow for answers) If you would take time to show respect to a president, then wouldn’t it make sense to offer the same kind of respect to God?

Host

When we begin our prayers with worship, we’re being respectful of the person, God, that we’re speaking to in our prayers. Worship is thanking God and taking time to remember all of the ways that God has helped you.

Co-host

God is our loving, perfect Heavenly Father.

Host

Worshipping God helps us remember that. In just a moment, we’ll hear how a woman treated Jesus when she saw Him at a dinner.

Storyteller

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. Today is an awesome day to connect with God. We know from God’s Word that He wants to talk to us and spend time with us. That’s why we want to pray and chat with God every day. Thankfully, Jesus gave us an example of how to pray, and it begins with worship. So, let’s take a moment to do that. Singing songs is a great way to worship God, because in these songs we sing about the good things God has done and about the wonderful character of Jesus. So, let’s stand and focus our thoughts and hearts on worshipping our Lord.

Host

That woman in the story truly honored Jesus. She showed respect and love with her actions. When she was doing that, she had no idea that thousands of years later, a group of kids would hear her story.

Co-host

She was a great example of the Big Point, Begin With Worship!

Host

Take time to share the Big Point and our Big Story when you do this week’s Big Do. Pray the Lord’s Prayer with your family. Then, worship God by listing how God has been kind to your family. Think about all of the ways that God is amazing.

Co-host

Here’s a fun idea. Let’s act out some ways a person can show respect to someone else. We’ll bring up two Connectors to stand on stage and guess. You guys must act them out without using words or sound. See which side of the room can get your Connector to get the most right.

Host

It sounds like you guys are ready to show some respect to everyone. Let’s gather with our small groups and discuss what we’ve learned today.

What time of day do you like to pray? Do you ever pray throughout the day? Do you ever have trouble getting started with a prayer?

How did the woman in the story show Jesus respect? (She poured oil on his feet, wiped the tears off his feet, and kissed them)

Did Simon act respectfully towards Jesus? (No, he didn’t do any of the customary things)

Our Big Point says Begin With !

Needs

In the story, whose house did Jesus visit?

Phillip

Simon

The Bible says that the woman in the story had lived a sinful life.

True

False

Name one way that the woman in the story honored Jesus?

How does beginning our prayers with worship help us when we pray?

Matthew 6:9 (NIrV), “Our Father in heaven, may Your name be ___.”

Spoken

Honored

What did the woman pour on Jesus’ feet?

Soap

Oil

The woman was thankful to Jesus because of His forgiveness.

True

False

Simon was just as respectful of Jesus as the woman.

True

False

What is this week’s Big Do?Pray the Lord’s Prayer with your family. Then, worship God by listing how God has been kind to your family.