OVERVIEW LESSON. Nothing is too big for God

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2 LESSON OVERVIEW Nothing is too big for God The Bible says that with God all things are possible. That means that there is nothing in this world that God can not do. Nothing is too big for God. That can bring great comfort, but a lot of times people have a hard time believing that simple truth because they have big problems that keep them from seeing how big God is. For some people, their past is a problem for them. They are reminded of all the things they have done wrong in the past. Everyone has a past because the Bible says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). People often have a hard time understanding that God is bigger than their past. Other people trust that God has forgiven them for their past, but then they look at all their present problems, and they do not see how God can get them through it. They do not understand that God is bigger than their present. He is able to help, comfort, and provide. For others still, it is the future that holds such uncertainty for them. They take one look at where they are now and they cannot fathom how God could make anything of their future. They do not understand that God is bigger than their future. The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11, I know the plans I have for you, announces the Lord. I want you to enjoy success. I do not plan to harm you. People put limits on God, but He is limitless because nothing is too big for God. Teachers, our task today will be to teach the children that problems can be big, but not bigger than God. If their problems seem too big, it is because they are looking at the wrong thing. They are looking at how big their problems are, instead of looking at how big God is. They need to keep their eyes fixed on a big and mighty God instead of looking at their problems. Nothing is too big for God. Today we will teach the children that: God is bigger than your past. God is bigger than your present. God is bigger than your future.

3 Nothing is too big for God LESSON BREAKDOWN PRE-OPENING ACTIVITY: Funniest Face Competition Participants: 4 boys, 4 girls, and 2 judges. Props: Get a box and fill it with props like hats, glasses, wigs, bandannas; anything that will aid the children in looking funny when they make their faces. Preparation: Choose 4 girls, 4 boys and a worker to keep time and score. Playing: There will be four rounds of play. Before every round, each participant will go inside the Propbox and choose one item to wear for that round. Have them turn around with their backs to the audience. When you say Reveal, they will turn around and show everyone their funny faces. They must hold their funny face for 5 seconds. The judges will then have to eliminate the boy and the girl with the least funniest face. Round 2 the participants will go back into the Propbox and switch their item for something else. Again, they turn their backs to the audience until you say Reveal. The judges will eliminate one more boy and one more girl. Now you have 2 boys and 2 girls. Round 3 repeat the same process. Round 4 you will have one boy and one girl left. They will have a Face Off. This time when you say Reveal, they will show you all the funniest faces they did in the previous rounds plus a new one for the final Face Off. Give the judges a few seconds to come to a final decision, then have them declare the winner of the Funniest Face Competition. OPENING Welcome Rules Opening Prayer Pledges Songs of your Choosing 4 Reasons GAME TIME 1. Tug of War Props: A rope, a bandanna, and a worker. 2. Sack Race Props: 2 potato sacks. If you do not have potato sacks you could even use laundry bags, but make sure they are tough, because the kids will be hopping in them - you do not want them to break.

4 Lesson 2 LESSON BREAKDOWN LESSON TIME Short Overview of the Lesson Quiet Seats Explanation Props: 4 red balloons, 4 blue balloons, a whistle and quiet seat prizes. Lesson Introduction Props: 6 boxes: 3 boxes that have a sign on them that say past problems, present problems, and future problems and 3 boxes that have signs that say God. Power Point: Nothing is too big for God Sub points: Build your life on Jesus by: 1. God is bigger than your past 2.God is bigger than your present 3. God is bigger than your future Memory Verse... If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) Props: Overhead projector, blank transparency or poster boards. Bible Lesson: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) Props: 5-6 actors, costumes, slingshot, sword and food. Object Lesson #1: God is bigger than your past. Props: White board and stand, dry-erase marker and eraser. Object Lesson #2: God is bigger than your present Props: Two big boxes with signs on them that say No Money and No Food. Object Lesson #3: God is bigger than your future. Props: A mess of thread and an embroidered picture. Life Lesson: The Doberman that thought everything was too big for God. Props: Illustrated Story NEXT WEEK Forgiveness is a Choice Director s Note Bible Trivia and Bible Truth

5 Nothing is too big for God OPENING WELCOME Props: Whistle How many of you are excited about today? I am always excited to be in Kids Church because all week long I face a lot of big problems. There are big problems at home, big problems at work, big problems where I live - there are big problems everywhere! When I come to Kids Church though, I learn about a God that is bigger than all my problems. I learn that there is nothing too big for God and it gives me the strength to face the next week. Today we are going to learn that problems may be big, but they are not bigger than God. I am so glad that we serve a big and mighty God! Everybody put 10 fingers up in the air and count down with me. 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1. RULES Kids Church always works best when we work together. When we follow rules, things run smoothly. There are many children here today. In order for us all to have fun and learn, we all have to follow the same rules. We do not play favorites in Kids Church and we do not allow bullies either. We all follow the same rules. Today we have a shortcut to help us remember the rules. The shortcut is the word SOW. Let us sow a good seed today by obeying the rules. (Keep the rules posted or write them on the chalkboard or on poster board.) Set the tone right away as the kids are entering the building: 1. Music - Have up beat, age appropriate music playing as the kids are entering the building. 2. Greeters - Have greeters at the door greeting the kids and telling the where to sit. 3. Announcements - Make sure there is someone on the mic communicating clearly to the kids such things as: Welcome to Kids Church. We have 10 minutes before Sunday School starts. Take off your coat. Girls, sit on my left Boys, sit on my right. I am excited to see everyone here today! 4. Countdown - We officially start Sunday School with a countdown. Graphics are included in the Powerpoint Presentation. Let us review the rules: S- Stay in your seat. O- Obey your leaders. W- Whistle means quiet.

6 Lesson 2 Allow one of the children to lead the opening prayer. You might have to offer a little guidance. Choose a boy or a girl who would like to pray. Here is a sample prayer that you can guide them through. Remember to keep it short and to the point. You will eventually want to get the kids to the point where they can pray on their own without any help from you. OPENING OPENING PRAYER Dear God, Thank You so much for this day and thank You so much for everyone that is here. Let us have a good time today and learn many new things about your Word. Help us understand that You are bigger than all the problems that come our way. Help us trust in you when those problems come. We love You and praise You for being the same every day. In Jesus name, Amen. PLEDGES Graphics are included in the power point presentation. Graphics are included in the power point presentation. Before you pick the two boys and girls to say the four reasons, teach them to everyone as a group. You can start off by saying to the kids, If you are in school and someone asks you why you go to church, what will you say? SONGS OF YOUR CHOOSING If you have a Praise and Worship team, it would be great to implement them for this part of your service. If you do not have a Praise and Worship team, then use CDs. Try to play songs that the kids will know. Have the songs written on transparencies or poster boards so the entire audience can see the words and participate in your Praise and Worship time.

7 Nothing is too big for God OPENING THE FOUR REASONS WHY WE COME TO KIDS CHURCH Props: Posterboard or overhead projector so everyone can see the Four Reasons. Every week, always take time to teach the kids why they come to Kids Church. Spaced Repetition is the name of the teaching technique that we employ at this point in the lesson. The concept is simple; by reinforcing and repeating these four key truths every week, it becomes ingrained in our children. Have the kids repeat The Four Reasons Why We Come to Kids Church. You can even give rewards to kids who can say them correctly without help. Pick two boys and two girls, and have them say the Four Reasons without looking at them. Doing this every week can be a great start for your kids to always know why they are doing the things we tell them to do every week. Have the kids repeat The Four Reasons Why We Come to Kids Church. You can even give rewards to kids who can say them correctly without help. Pick two boys and two girls, and have them say the Four Reasons without looking at them. Doing this every week can be a great start for your kids to Before you pick the two boys and girls to say the four reasons, teach them to everyone as a group. You can start off by saying to the kids, If you are in school and someone asks you why you go to church, what will you say? 1. To love God first 2. To learn His word 3. To lead others to Jesus 4. To live right every day

8 Lesson 2 1. Use your game time as a review time. 2. Make sure you have two opposing teams. 3. Assign runners. 4. Assign someone to operate your CD player. 5. Put someone in charge of organizing and cleaning up games. 6. Put someone in charge of giving out prizes. 7. Ask simple questions. 8. Explain the game well. 9. Judge quickly and fairly. 10. Make sure you rehearse the games with your workers. GAME TIME Games are fun and exciting. I do not know one single kid who does not like to play games. I do not know one single kid who does not like to win cool prizes after playing a game. Let s face it, kids are bored at church. They want to laugh, play, and have fun. Teachers want them to learn the Word of God. Is it not possible to have both? Who says Sunday school has to be dry and boring? There is a middle ground. Include games in your Sunday School. Game Time should be: A review of last week s lesson Fun Organized A review of last week s lesson The only way that kids can play a game, is if they answer a question from last week s lesson. Instantaneously, kids are going to start listening to your teaching every week because they want to play a game. Fun Game time must be fun! Make sure your games are exciting and unpredictable not get in a rut with your games. You need to keep the kids guessing as to what will happen next. Organized We call game time, controlled chaos. We want the kids to have the most fun they can have in a controlled environment. There is a lot of organization required for game time. For instance, someone has to: Set-up and clean-up the game Pick kids to answer the review question Operate the CD player Help the kids pick a prize For other game ideas, click here.

9 Nothing is too big for God GAME TIME REVIEW QUESTIONS Select one child from each team who can answer their review question correctly to play in this first game. Allow each child to choose two partners of the same sex to play this game with them. 1. Do not allow to continue in your life? Answer-Sin. 2. Who wants you to sin against God? Answer-Satan. GAME #1 Tug of War Participants: Three boys and three girls Props: A rope, a bandanna, and a worker. Preparation: Tie the bandanna in the middle of the rope. Put the boys on one end of the rope and the girls on the other end of the rope. The worker will stand in the middle of the rope, where the bandanna is. Playing: When you say Go, both teams will begin to pull as hard as they can. In order for the boys team to win, the boys must pull the girls past the worker who s standing in the middle with the bandanna. In order for the girls team to win, the girls must pull the boys past the worker standing in the middle. The team that pulls the other team over to their side is the winner. Playing: These teams will be pulling as hard as they can, so having a worker stand behind the team would be good so no one falls backwards and gets hurt. Use your voice to build up excitement while asking the question. As soon as you have finished asking the question several things should happen at the same time. 1. Upbeat music starts to fill in dead time. 2. A preassigned runner runs out into the audience and finds a kid who knows the answer to the question. The runner always asks the kid the answer to the questions before the music stops. If the kid does not know the answer, the runner should find another kid. 3. Once the runner signals to the game leaders they have found a kid who knows the answer to the question, the game leader blows the whistle to stop the music. 4. Ask the kid his/her name. 5. Ask the question again allowing the kid to give the answer on the mic. The runner helps kid pick the right amount of partners needed to play the game. 6. Game leaders ask a second question for the opposite side repeat steps (1-5). 7. One game leader explains the game to the audience. The other game leader explains the game the kids on stage making sure everyone understand how to play & WIN the game. 8. Make sure there is a clear start 9. As soon as the game leader says the word Go, the person operating your CD Player plays upbeat music. 10. As soon as there is a clear winner, game leader will blow the whistle, the music will stop, game leader will announce the winning team. 11. Helpers on the stage will: clean up game help winning team pick a prize give losing team consolation prize. set up the next game.

10 Lesson 2 1. Use your game time as a review time. 2. Make sure you have two opposing teams. 3. Assign runners. 4. Assign someone to operate your CD player. 5. Put someone in charge of organizing and cleaning up games. 6. Put someone in charge of giving out prizes. 7. Ask simple questions. 8. Explain the game well. 9. Judge quickly and fairly. 10. Make sure you rehearse the games with your workers. GAME TIME GAME #2 Potato Sack Race Particpants: Three boys, three girls and a worker. Props: The 2 sacks must be at the front of the room and there must be a worker at the end of the room. The kids will need to tag this worker s hand. Preparation: The 2 sacks must be at the front of the room and there must be a worker at the end of the room. The kids will need to tag this worker s hand. Point: When you are envious, you are led to other sins. Playing: Line the 3 girls in front of their sack and the 3 boys in front of their sack. The first girl and the first boy will need to get in their sack before the game begins. On the command Go they will begin hopping through the aisle to the back where the worker is standing, tag their hand, turn around, and hop back to the front. Once they reach the front, they will tag the next boy and the next girl, and they will jump in the potato sacks. Once they are in the sacks, they have to hop to the back and tag the worker s hand. The first team to get all their team members to the tag the worker s hand and then back to the front first will be the winner. If one of the kids falls during this relay, they are still in the race. All they have to do is get back up. Precaution: Caution the children in the chairs near the aisle to keep their hands and feet out of the aisle.

11 Nothing is too big for God LESSON TIME SHORT OVERVIEW OF THE LESSON Power Point Nothing is too big for God. Direction Problems can be big, but not bigger than God. 1. This is what we are teaching. 2. This is why we are teaching what we are teaching. 3. This is our supporting verse 4. This is how we will support the powerpoint. Memory Verse If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). Sub Points God is bigger than your past God is bigger than your present God is bigger than your future KEY WORDS AND KEY PHRASES Key words and Key phrases that should be used throughout the lesson. Nothing is too big for God Problems can be big, but not bigger than God God is bigger than... Problems God is bigger than your past (Object Lesson #1) God is bigger than your present (Object Lesson #2) God is bigger than your future (Object Lesson #3)

12 Nothing is too big for God QUIET SEAT Props: You will need a loud whistle, four blue balloons for the boys side, and four red balloons for the girls side. You will also need helpers on the boys side and helpers on the girls side to pass out the Quiet Seat prizes. Prizes like candy, snacks, or Bibles are all effective prizes. The prizes are given only to the kids who are the quietest during the teaching time. The Quiet Seat time officially starts after the whistle has been blown. Presentation: Boys, I have four balloons on your side. If I see you talking to your friends or playing with your neighbor, I am going to pop a balloon. If I pop all four of your balloons, I am going to give all of the candy to the girls. Girls, you also have four balloons. If I see any type of distraction on the girls side, I am going to pop a balloon. If I pop all four of your balloons, I am going to give all of the candy to the boys. I have quiet seat watchers walking around looking for the perfect kids. A perfect kid is a kid who is sitting up straight, feet on the floor, hands in your laps, and whose eyes are on the teachers. If the quiet seat watchers see a perfect kid, they will slip a piece of candy into your hand. You are not to eat that candy until you are outside of the building. Everyone should be sitting up straight with your feet flat on the floor. No one should be moving around at this time. The bathrooms are now closed. The only ones who will be moving around in here are the quiet seat watchers. Their job is to watch you, not us. If I see anyone talking, I will pop a balloon. You know what happens if we pop all of your balloons; you go home today with nothing. We are now ready for the most important time of the day. It is now time for the preaching of the Word of God. On the count of three, I will blow my whistle, and quiet seat time will officially began. One, two, and three. (Blow the whistle.) When explaining the quiet seat rule teachers should be sure to communicate well. You are communicating your expectations to the kids. Kids need to know what the rules are, and the consequences for breaking them. Tips 1. Use pauses 2. Look at the kids when you are talking to them. 3. Do not pace. (Stand strong and make purposeful movements.) 4. Make sure you speak with authority. (This does not mean yelling; it means having a clear, strong and stern voice.) 5. Quiet Seat time does not officially begin until you blow the whistle. (You can not pop a balloon until you blow the whistle.)

13 Lesson 2 Illustration 1 Illustration 2 Illustration 3 LESSON INTRO Props: 6 boxes in total - 3 boxes that have a sign on them that say past problems, present problems and future problems and 3 boxes that have signs that say God. The boxes will be placed over each other, so they will be 6 different sizes. Preparation: Have someone ready to help you to stack the boxes while the teacher is talking. Make sure the helper is listening carefully to the teacher so that they know when to stack the next box. Start with one small box that says past problems. Keep the other boxes to the side and turned around so that the kids cannot see the signs on the boxes before the right time. Presentation: (Note to teacher: put in your own personal examples). Who has ever done something that they wish they had never done? I bet everyone here can think of something. I remember how I used to talk to my mother. I was so disrespectful to her, and at times I would even yell at her. When I think about the person I used to be and the way I used to act, it is a problem for me because I feel ashamed of my past. (Hold up the box that says past problems to show the kids, then place it center stage again.) My past can be a problem for me, but I know that nothing is too big for God. And that although my past can be a problem for me, God is bigger and it s not a problem for Him. (Place the next box that says God over the first one.) Your problems can be big, but not bigger than God. Sometimes I can get stressed out with the problems that I deal with presently, like not having enough money to get the new winter coat that I need. (Place the next box that says present problems over the last box.) My present problems can be big, but not bigger than God. (Place the next box that says God over the last box.)

14 Nothing is too big for God LESSON INTRO And I will be honest, at times I can get ahead of myself and start thinking about all the things I want to do in the future, but I look at where my life is at now and I get discouraged. I start to think that God can not do anything with my future and that becomes a problem for me (Place the next box that says future problems over the last box.); then I remember that the Bible says that with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26 NIV). That means that nothing is too big for God. God is bigger than your past God is bigger than your present God is bigger than your future

15 Lesson 2 To prepare for this lesson, meditate on these scriptures: Job 9:10 (NLT) He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. Job 12:13 (NLT) But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his. Psalm 24:10 (NLT) Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Heaven s Armies he is the King of glory. Psalms 93:1 (NLT) The Lord is king! He is robed in majesty. Indeed, the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. Daniel 4:3 (NLT) How great are his signs, how powerful his wonders! His kingdom will last forever, his rule through all generations. Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Psalm 46:1 (NLT) God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 89:2 (NLT) Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. MEMORY VERSE...If God is for us who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV) Props: Overhead projector and a transparency with the scripture verse written on it. If you do not have an overhead projector then use poster board with the verse written in markers large enough so everyone can read it. Preparation: Set the overhead before the lesson begins so all you have to do is turn the projector on or if you have a posterboard with the verse written on it. Make sure it is ready to be carried out. Presentation: The truth is that the things that you have to deal with in life can be difficult; I would be lying if I told you differently. The reality is that our problems can be big. But the Bible says, If God is for us, who can be against us? God is the Creator of the world, He s bigger than you can ever imagine, and He s on your side. If God is on your side, who or what do you think could stand up against you? Nothing! See, your problems can be big but not bigger than God because nothing is too big for God. God is there to help you through the struggles of your life no matter what they are; whether it s things in your past that you have done, or things that you struggle with today, even the things you are faced with in your future, not one of your problems is too big for God. He is the one who saves you, He is the one who helps you. Nothing is too big for God.

16 Nothing is too big for God BIBLE LESSON David and Goliath 1 Samuel 17 Props: Costumes for David, Goliath, and King Saul, and about 2-3 men to act as Israel s army. A few pieces of food. A slingshot, rocks and a sword. Point: Goliath was big but not bigger than God. Presentation: Have you ever been faced with something so big and scary, that just looking at it almost made you faint with fear? The Israelites found themselves in a situation just like that. The Israelites were at war against a group of people called the Philistines, and they were a tough bunch of people. The scariest thing was the Philistines secret weapon, a giant named Goliath. He was nine feet tall and a prized fighter, and the Israelites were terrified. (Goliath enters,) Everyday for forty days Goliath would step out to threaten the Israelites. Goliath: Israel, send me a man to fight me. If he wins we will be your slaves. But if I win, you will be our slaves! Teacher: When the Israelites heard Goliath s challenge, they were all terrified and drew back from the battle line. (The men in the army run away and hide, Goliath remains on stage.) Goliath was a big problem for them. He was threatening their lives! The Israelites did not know what to do; all they saw was how big the problem was. One day a young man named David overheard Goliath s threats and rather than being afraid, he had a different thought. He saw how big and tough Goliath was, but even though Goliath was big, David knew that he was not bigger than God. David knew that nothing was too big for God. (King Saul comes on stage to meet David.) David told the king that he could fight Goliath, but the king was not so sure. Illustration 4 Illustration 5 Illustration 6

17 Lesson 2 BIBLE LESSON King Saul: You are not able to fight Goliath. You are just a boy. Goliath has been fighting since he was a teenager. David: But I have been watching my father s sheep and I have killed the lions and the bears that have come to attack them. The Lord who delivered me from the lion and the bear will deliver me from Goliath, too. A lot of times, public preaching will be a Goliath (Giant) in the lives of your volunteers. Preaching helper I remember helping a teacher prepare this lesson. She had all her points on a piece of paper and was teaching from her points. I told her to put her paper away. She was David, and Goliath has been threatening everyone around her. Listen to him, to watch him walk out and yell his threats. Imagine this story and teach it from there. I told her to run up to Goliath and yell at him. To say those things he said and to kill Goliath along with the giants in her life. Her preaching totally changed. It no longer came from her head, it came from her heart. She was no longer just passing along information, she was communicating something she felt inside. Teacher: What David was saying was this: Problems can be big but not too big for God because nothing is too big for God. He has come through for me before, and He will come through for me again. When the king heard this, he gave David permission to fight Goliath. ( King Saul and the men stand back and watch David. David and Goliath meet center stage.) David stepped out on the battlefield and took with him five rocks and his slingshot. Goliath: Ha! I am going to feed you to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field! David: You come at me with a sword and spear but I come against you in the name of the living God! Teacher: David took his slingshot, placed a small stone in it, and threw it at Goliath. The rock hit Goliath in the forehead with such force that he fell to the ground and died that day. (Goliath dies and David walks over to him. Scene freezes.) David knew that the giant was no match for God because he knew that nothing is too big for God. Do you have that kind of trust in God? Do you trust that the giant problems in your life will be overcome by God? Goliath was big but, God was bigger. Your problems may be big, but God is bigger. God can help your mother stop drinking. God can help your father find a job. God can help your family member get clean from drug use. The Bible says in Matthew 19:26, With God all things are possible.. (NIV) Nothing is too big for God.

18 Nothing is too big for God OBJECT LESSONS OBJECT LESSON 1 God is Bigger than my Past Props: A white board and stand, dry-erase marker, eraser, and helper to write on the board. Preparation: At the beginning of the object lesson bring out the white board and place it center stage. Write Your Past in big letters in the middle of the board to start. Point: It does not matter how bad your past is, God is bigger than your past. Presentation: When we say, God is bigger than your past, you might be thinking, what exactly does that mean? The past that we are talking about is all those things that you have done wrong in the past that you think God will remember and hold against you. For example, if you have lied to your mom about where you were going after school, saying you were going to basketball practice when you were really just hanging out with friends (Illustration 7 Write lying on the board.), or that time you stole a soda from the store (Write stealing on the board), or maybe that time you yelled at your mother (Illustration 8 Write disrespectful. - Also write a few other examples on the board, ie. cheating, fighting, cursing). Illustration 7 Illustration 8 Illustration 9

19 Lesson 2 OBJECT LESSONS A lot of times your past can weigh you down because you think God is holding those things against you. The problems in your past can seem big, but they are not bigger than God s forgiveness. Sometimes your list of past sins is too big for you to even think about. It does not matter how bad your past is, God is bigger than your past. When you ask God to forgive you of your sins He does. The Bible says that God does not remember those sins anymore. He throws them away as far as the east is from the west (Psalm.103:12). God s forgiveness wipes your past clean. (Illustration 9 Wipe all the examples off the board.) God does not hold on to your past, and you should not either. Thankfully, nothing is too big for God, not even your past. OBJECT LESSON 2 God is Bigger than my Present Props: Two big boxes, one labeled no money, and the other no food. Preparation: Have a helper bring out the two boxes when the teacher starts, and place them next to each other center stage. Illustration 10 Point: It does not matter how big your present situations are, God is bigger than your present. Presentation: I know that God is bigger than my past, but I have problems today, things that I have to deal with in the present. (Note to teacher: put in your own testimony. Change the labels on the boxes to match your testimony.) A few days ago, I did not have any money and I did not have any food. (Illustration 10 Teacher walks over to the boxes showing that, they cannot get over them). Those were two big obstacles standing in my way - no money and no food. I was faced with a big problem. I was thinking, How am I going to eat? Right then, I had

20 Nothing is too big for God OBJECT LESSONS a choice to make. I was either going to believe that God was bigger than my present situation or not. The Bible says God will provide all your needs (Lk.12:29-30). I decided to believe God and His Word and sure enough, I got a check in the mail for one hundred dollars. (Illustration 11 Step over the first box.) It does not matter how big your present situations are, God is bigger than your present. After that, I got a call from a friend inviting me to a barbeque and I did not have to pay for a thing. (Illustration 12 Step over the second box.) It does not matter how big your present situations are, God is bigger than your present. You can step over any obstacle when you put your trust in God because nothing is too big for God, not even your present situations. I trust that you have things going on in your lives right now, too. Maybe you have got a big test to take and you do not know if you can remember everything. It seems like a big problem for you. The Bible says in Matthew 28:20, And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end. Nothing is too big for God. Maybe somebody in your family is really sick and you do not know what is going to happen. The Bible says that God is there to comfort you. (Isaiah 66:13). Nothing is too big for God. He will get you through all of the difficult situations you face today because God is bigger than your present. Illustration 11 Illustration 12

21 Lesson 2 OBJECT LESSONS OBJECT LESSON 3 God is Bigger than my Future Props: A bunch of yard in a mess, an embroidered picture, a small table and a helper. Illustration 13 Preparation: When the teacher starts, have a helper place the table in the center of the stage with the thread on top. Point: It does not matter how big your future is, nothing is too big for God. Illustration 14 Desire in Latin means of the Father. Our dreams or desires were given to us by God. Because He gave them to us, we can trust Him to work them all out for us. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. God will give you the desires of your heart NIV. Presentation: (Illustration 13 Hold up the mess of yard for everyone to see) In my hand, I have a big ball of yard. It is all messy and knotted up. To get it all unraveled would be a big problem. (Try to get the thread unraveled.) I used to think this would be how my life would turn out: one big mess. I had a lot of big dreams, but I could not figure out how those dreams were going to become reality and that was a problem for me. I wanted to become a teacher but I was not doing well in school; I wanted to go to college but my family did not have the money for it; I wanted to travel and see the world. I had dreams; I wanted to do things with my life and be someone, but all I saw was my life messed up like this mess of yard. I was anxious and worried because my future looked like a big problem for me. Once I gave my life to God, I realized something important. My future was too big for me, but it was not too big for God. The problems I saw with my life were not problems for God. God took my future (hold up the ball of yard) and made something nice out of it (hold up the nice embroidery). While I was worried about the mess, God had everything already figured out. Problems can be big but not bigger than God. Whenever you think about your future, it gets tricky.

22 Nothing is too big for God OBJECT LESSONS You dream of things you do not have. You dream of going places you have never gone before. It will always seem too big for you because you can not seem to work out how it might be possible but always remember that nothing is too big for God. The Bible says that God can do more than you can even ask or imagine (Eph.3:20 NIV) and that He knows the plans He has for you, plans to give you a hope and a future (Jer.29:11 NIV). Whenever you start thinking about your future, I want you to stop and pray this prayer, God, You are bigger than my future. I completely put my future in Your hands. I trust You because nothing is too big for You, not even my future.

23 Lesson 2 Ps. 8:3 When I consider the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the starts, which you have ordained. TODAY S LIFE STORY The Doberman who Thought Everything was too Big for God. Frame 1 Doberman had a lot of old friends. He used to belong to the 19th Street gang and he had a wild past. He was always fighting and running the streets looking for trouble. One day, a German dog named Shepherd moved into the apartment next to him, and they started hanging out together. Shepherd even invited Doberman to go to church with him, and since he had started going, Doberman was not getting into trouble anymore. Pastor Bernard, who was like a Saint, was preaching in church every Sunday. His messages were amazing. Today he was preaching a message called Nothing Is Too Big for God. As the pastor preached, Doberman began to think about his past. How could God ever forgive him for all the bad things that he had done in his life? Frame 2 After church, as Doberman and Shepherd were walking home, Doberman ran into his old gang. He tried to keep walking, but Pit and his crew jumped in front of him. Yo dog, what s up? said Pit, who s this dog you are with now? We thought we were your dogs. What are you doing hanging out with a punk like this? We re your friends, not this dog. We even heard that you ve been going to church!

24 Lesson 2 TODAY S LIFE STORY All the dogs in Pit s crew laughed as Doberman tried to explain that he was trying to change his life, to get away from his past, and make a new future for himself. You can t escape your past, dog, the streets are your future, said Randy, there s no forgiveness for dogs like you. Do you really think that God doesn t remember all that you have done? Listen, barked Pit, we re out of here; we ll be by your yard later and you better be ready to make a choice, him or us. Remember who your real friends are. Frame 3 When Doberman got home, he started to think about the gang and all the things they use to do together. He realized that his past was bad. He had hurt a lot of dogs. He remembered the time that he jumped Lab and left him in the street howling for his life. How could God ever forgive me? he thought, maybe Pit and Randy are right; maybe there is no forgiveness for a dog like me. My past is just too big for God. A lot of times people have a hard time forgiving themselves. Like Judas, he tried to work out his own redemption. This is what usually stops people from receiving God s forgiveness. Preaching Point Doberman s list of sins was so long and he thought that it was too big for God to forgive, but nothing is too big for God. That includes all that you have done in your past. The problems in your past can be big but not bigger than God because nothing is too big for God. God does not say, Oh that guy has gone too far and he has done too much, I will never forgive him. God is not like that. The Bible says that God is a forgiving and compassionate God, that He is slow to anger and abounding in love (Neh. 9:17). God s love for you is great. When you ask God to forgive you of your sins, He takes your past and erases it. Your problems can be big but not bigger than God.

25 TODAY S LIFE STORY Frame 4 That afternoon, the gang showed up at Doberman s house. They told him that it was show time. It was time to make a choice. As Doberman stood there he thought, My sins are too big for God to forgive and right now at this present time I need to survive on the streets. I need food and money today. I have got to take care of myself. These streets are just too big for God. Nothing is too big for God Preaching Point People can get so caught up in the problems of today that they do not see how God can help them through it. That was Doberman s problem; all he could see was how he was going to get his next meal and survive the streets. The truth is that there are problems that you face today that can worry you and stress you out. I am not saying that your problems are not real and are not hard, because that is not true. Life is full of big problems, and you can either look at all the problems and get defeated by them and think that there is nothing you, or anybody else, can do about them; or, you can choose to believe that nothing is too big for God, including your present problems. There is nothing bigger than God. No bully at school. No school project that you think is too hard. No family problem. Nothing is too big for God. The only trouble that Doberman was having was that he just looked at the size of his problems and not the size of his God. Doberman made his choice he thought that his present problems were too big for God. He looked at Pit and said, let s roll.

26 Lesson 2 Play up beat, dramatic music TODAY S LIFE STORY Frame 5 Pit told Doberman that he had to prove that he was still with the gang by going into the store and stealing something. They all walked up to the corner store and walked in. The gang distracted the owner and Doberman went for it. A big white bone caught his eye, so he grabbed it and made a run for the door. The owner saw him and yelled, I am calling the cops! Doberman s only concern was getting away. He was so scared that he took off running and did not wait for Pit and his crew. Frame 6 Doberman ran until he was out of breath. No sooner had he sat down when anxious thoughts started racing through his head. What if someone had recognized him? Would the police come looking for him? His heart was filled with worry. Frame 7 Doberman got up and headed home. On the way, he ran into Shepherd. Doberman told him everything that had happened and how he had robbed the corner store. He talked quietly with Shepherd, I don t know what to do. I ve messed up. What do I do? Look at all these problems I have now!

27 TODAY S LIFE STORY Shepherd turned to Doberman, and said Listen, you keep looking at all that you have done in the past, and you keep looking at all the problems you are faced with today, and you do not give God any room to move in your life. You heard the message that Pastor Bernard spoke a few weeks ago, nothing is too big for God. Yeah, those are nice words, said Doberman, but I have a hard time believing that s for me. Look at my life, it s too messed up, it s too late for me now. Maybe you have made some mistakes in the past and maybe your life looks like a mess now, but I know that God can still make something of your future, it s not too late. said Shepherd. But Doberman struggled to listen to Shepherds words, all he could think about was the mess his life was in, and what that would mean for his future. He thought he had no hope. Nothing is too big for God Preaching Point At times, things can seem discouraging when you look at your life and you see the mess that it is in today. You wonder how God could ever make something good of your future. That can sometimes overwhelm you, worry you, and stress you out. It is normal to feel this way, but when you believe in God you can look at the future with a sense of hope because God says that He knows the plans that He has for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future (Jer ). God has plans for your future! The problems that you see with your future can be big, but not bigger than God. Nothing is too big for God. If you want to be a teacher or a fireman, or even a good mom or dad, one day that is possible because nothing is too big for God. Nothing is too big for God, Shepherd repeated. Just as Shepherds words were just starting to get through to Doberman...

28 Lesson 2 TODAY S LIFE STORY Frame 8 Bam! Randy the Rottweiler jumped Shepherd from behind. The other dogs in Pit s crew started hitting him, too. They all got in a few punches, and then they took off laughing down the street. Doberman was left standing there alone with his friend who was hurt and bleeding. Doberman put his face in his hands, This is all because of me, there s no end to this. There s only one thing I can think to do now. Doberman left Shepherd and headed in the direction of 19th Street, he had a plan of his own in mind. Frame 9 Doberman thought that he was in too deep, with no way out. He was angry at Pit and the gang because of what they did to Shepherd. The only thing he could think to do was to settle the score. He went to the dark ally near 19th Street where he knew his old gang would be. As he reached the center of the ally, Pit yelled out over the fire escape, Yo dog, it s time to handle your business. Doberman started to get nervous as the gang surrounded him. Play altar call music Frame 10 Doberman looked up at Pit and that s when it happened. Bang! As the sound of the gunshot popped in Doberman s ears, he felt a sharp pain strike him in the stomach.

29 TODAY S LIFE STORY He fell to the ground as Randy stood there with his gun smoking. As the gang took off running, Doberman managed to crawl over to the trash can. He was loosing blood fast. The dogs that he thought were his friends were not. They did not care about him. As he heard the sirens from the ambulance coming to get him he thought, If only I had listened to Shepherd, but it was too late. With no more hope for a future, that day, Doberman died alone in the ally. POINT OF DECISION Doberman s life ended that day, but it did not have too. He did not believe that God was bigger than the problems he was faced with. I know a lot of you here have problems that seem too big for God, but they are not. Remember that problems can be big, but not bigger than God. Nothing is too big for God. Today, if you really believe God is bigger than your past, present, or future, I want you to raise your hand. Good! Now I want us to spend some time giving our problems to God. Let us pray. CLOSING PRAYER Dear God, I have a lot of big problems. Sometimes my past can be a problem for me. Even today I am facing big problems. God, I know my problems are big, but they are not bigger than you. Today I give you every problem that I have. I trust that you will help me and give me the wisdom to handle them. God, thank you for being a BIG God. In Jesus name, Amen. Nothing is too big for God Notes

30 DIRECTOR S NOTES Bible Trivia and BIBLE TRUTH If you have been teaching Sunday School or Kids Church for a while, it is important to learn the pitfalls of our pursuit. One of those pitfalls is teaching Bible trivia. People often teach easier Bible trivia for the new kids and harder Bible trivia for kids who have been at it longer. They give the kids plenty of information about God and the Bible. However, our priority is not teaching Bible stuff; it is making sure our kids have a relationship with God, that they are living it now, and that His plan for them is working through them now. We emphasize that by teaching Bible principles, instead of teaching Bible facts. Instead of learning trivia, God wants His people to live His truth Bible truth. Jesus did not ask His followers to memorize obscure Old Testament information, and His teaching did not use Bible quizzes. There were no fill-in-the-blanks or word problems to solve. Instead, His followers learned eternal principles about how to treat God and how to treat others. Jesus taught them how to treat themselves. He accomplished these things using story subjects and objects that His listeners were familiar with. He used analogies about fishing and farming because that is how His followers lived. He started where they were and moved them to where God wanted them to be. His teaching method and style transform us today. People ask if the curriculum is for evangelizing new kids, or for discipling kids who have grown up in the church. The lessons are designed to serve both needs because they utilize the teaching style that Jesus modeled. In the parable of the prodigal son, there is truth for the newest convert and for the oldest saint each time that it is presented. Regardless of how long you have been serving God, it is good to be reminded of the timelessness of Bible truth. God will enable us to teach His Bible truth when we allow His Spirit to be the priority. Peter told Jesus, You have the words that give eternal life, (John 6:68, NIV). If we allow God to be the priority in our services, then our services will be transforming with the words that give eternal life. That is truth over trivia.

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