Search For God s Word

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Rafe Flowers
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1 Word to the leaders Search For God s Word episode 3 Josiah This is the last week in our third season, where we have been talking about what it means to search for the things of God. Hopefully these three weeks will help kids understand that they need to look to the things of God for answers to the problems they will come across in life. Today s lesson is designed to guide kids to the most important place on earth they should look when they are having questions about what they should do in life. It s fundamental to our faith to believe God s Word to be true! Without the bible, we don t have any way of knowing what God wants to do with our lives. When we search through God s Word, however, it gives us answers that will help us understand God and his plan for us! As we study the life of Josiah, it is important to realize that he was transformed by simply hearing the Word of God. We can be transformed the same way if we would just search the Word for answers to who God is. Josiah heard the Word and instantly realized that they had gone so far away from the way God wanted them to go that it grieved his heart! He knew instantly the changes that needed to be made! And he started making them. Many boys and girls today hear God s Word, but they either don t believe it or they don t listen to it as much as they listen to their peers. The goal of today s lesson is to help them understand how incredibly important God s Word is to the mapping out of our lives! It is real! It does make a difference! And it will help us find the way we should go!

2 Slide 1 Your children s ministry logo Intro Say this As you know, we are in Season III of our STARS series. And this Season is called Search For The Things of God! Now, Week 1 taught us that in order to be a star, we need to... Slide 2 Search For Wisdom! And Week 2 taught us that in order to be a star, we need to... Slide 3 Search For God s Provision! That s right! Now, this week we are going to talk about a guy who did both of these things and so much more. Do you want to know what his name was?.... (interruption from next slide) Audio Slide 4 - And now...the Amazing Search! Skit Presenter What just happened here? Trainer You heard me right! It s time for The Amazing Search! Presenter How is I that I m the one who always gets interrupted while I m up here? Trainer Go ahead, tell them what they won! Slide 5 Game Show-style prize winnings video (fake prizes)

3 Skit (Continued) Trainer So, are you ready for The Amazing Search? Presenter With prizes like that, who wouldn t be ready for this? Trainer Alright then, let s give it one more shot! All those fabulous prizes could be yours as you walk out of this room today! All you have to do is complete one simple task in the allotted amount of time, and BOOM! All those prizes are yours! Presenter Yeah! I m ready! What do I have to do? Trainer Well, today we are talking about words! Very important words! So we have a little game called Mad Gab! In this game, there are 20 sets of words written on different slides on the board. Each of these sets of words, when said quickly, make a new phrase. For example: Slide 6 - Annex Tin Chunk Hoard Trainer When you say this quickly enough, you begin to here a different set of words that make sense together. Slide 7 - An Extension Cord Trainer You see how that works? Once you get it right, the next slide will come up. You have 5 minutes to complete the entire list of phrases. If you get stuck on one, you may not pass. You have to answer it. If you do not say it so that we know that YOU know what word you are saying, then you will not advance! And remember, no help from the viewing audience! Are you ready? Because here we go.... Slide 8 - Annie Leg Ditto Fish Hull Slide 9 - An elected official Slide 10 - Ape Arrows Uncle As His Slide 11 - A pair of sunglasses Slide 12 - Bat Tree Snot Ink Looted Slide 13 - Batteries not included Slide 14 - Canoe key Pace He Grit Slide 15 - Can you keep a secret?

4 Skit (Continued) Slide 16 - Eight He Muff Forces Slide 17 A team of horses Slide 18 - Mower Thin Nuke Inch Who Slide 19 More than you can chew Slide 20 - We Shy Worth Hare Slide 21 Wish I were there! Slide 22 - Wheel Yum Air Ream He Slide 23 Will you marry me? Trainer Ohhhh, so sorry! Your time is up! That was a pain wasn t it! Well, better luck next time! Presenter Wait a minute! That s not fair! Trainer Well, gotta go! See ya! Presenter - Hey you come back here! I m not finished with you! (Exits, chasing after trainer) Big Deal Slide 24 - Big Deal video Say this This season is all about searching for the things of God. This particular week we are talking about what it means to... Slide 25 Search For God s Word

5 Game Slide 26 Sword Drill Choose 4 contestants to play this game on stage. It will be helpful if the contestants are familiar with finding scripture references in the bible. Otherwise, this game may be a bit difficult Say this - Since we are learning what it means to search for God s Word, we are going to play a little game that tests your ability to search for specific verses within the pages of the bible. Remember, if you are unsure where to find a certain book of the bible, you may turn to the Table of Contents at the beginning. That will tell you what page number to go to. But, using your memory is the quickest way to find the following verses. So, I hope you ve been keeping up on your bible reading! When you find the verse I call out, I want you to stand up! The first person to stand up will have a chance to read the verse to everyone. If it is correct, you get a point. And, of course, the person with the most points at the end of the game is the winner! Are you ready? Here goes: Slide 27 - John 3:16 Slide 28 - Proverbs 3:5,6 Slide 29 - Romans 3:23 Slide 30 - Ephesians 2:8-9 Slide 31 - Psalm 119:105 Great job! Now, why do you think it is so important for us to know our way around the bible? Well, when tough times hit, or when we don t know what choice to make, we need to be able to find God s answer in the pages of his Word! For example, if you are needing some wisdom, it will be very helpful for you to know that the book of Proverbs is chalk full of wisdom! Or if you are having trouble feeling joyful, it will be very helpful for you to know that the book of Psalms is jam-packed with praises to God! Or if you are doubting Jesus power, it will be very helpful for you to know that the books of the Gospel tell Jesus powerful story!

6 Scripture Verse Slide 32 - Scripture verse video Slide 33 - Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:2 There are three main ways the scripture verse will be taught each series. There is a work out video that was produced on the beach in California to represent the way stars get in shape. You may choose to play that video all three weeks of each series. There is also a computer prompted video in which the kids are prompted to say different parts of the verse and then all together. The third way is to say it live with presenters prompting the kids as they go. It is recommended that you use all three styles in each series, but you may choose to use the videos more if you want to save on presenters. If you are doing it live, choose creative ways to say the verse and have kids compete. Make it a boys vs girls competition. Say this - Last week we learned that the first thing we need to look for is God s Wisdom! Now we are learning about searching for God s provision. The verse is perfect because it reminds us where we should look for God s provision. That s right, heaven! And when it talks about the things of heaven, it is talking about godly things! When it talks about the things of earth, it is referring to what man has to offer. We need to always be looking for the things of God! That is the only place we will ever receive the things that will fill us up! Star Character Video Slide 34 Star Character video introduces the star for the day As video ends, say this As you know by now, we are talking about searching for God s Word! Today we are talking about a man named Josiah. Even though he was very young, he stepped up and made some huge changes to bring God s people back to obedience! He chose to Search For God s Word! And that s what makes him such a star!

7 Bible Story (Message) Slide 35 - Josiah Poster Please stand up if you are 8 years old. Now, everyone else look around. What would you say if one of these 8 year olds suddenly became President of our country! Would it make you nervous to know that an 8 year old was making big decisions about spending our country s money and about our sending out our soldiers? Wouldn t you hope there were some really smart advisors helping the young President make those important decisions? Better yet, wouldn t you hope God was helping him/her make those important decisions? Well, young Josiah was 8 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for 31 years. Listen to what the bible says about him... Slide 36 - He did what was pleasing in the Lord s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right. 2 Chronicles 34:2 It s interesting, if you read about the kings before Josiah, many did NOT live lives that pleased God. So, it s extra special that the bible takes time to explain that Josiah did what was right. Let s take a look at what exactly Josiah did... Slides 37 & 38 During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. He ordered that the altars of Baal be demolished and that the incense altars which stood above them be broken down. 2 Chronicles 34:3-5

8 Bible Story (continued) Notice how Josiah started out by seeking God s face. He obviously spent a lot of time praying and talking with God. Then what happened? He began to understand what God wanted him to do! So, first came the praying and spending time with God. Then came the answers Josiah was looking for. Then it was time to get to work. Josiah could have been lazy and just lived a comfortable life in the palace...not caring about what happened outside the palace walls. But he didn t! He got to work, cleaning up Judah and Jerusalem, and getting rid of the things that displeased God. Then, in the eighteenth year of his reign Josiah appointed men to restore the Lord s Temple, which earlier kings of Judah had allowed to fall into ruin. While these men were cleaning up the temple, something amazing happened! Slide 39 - While they were bringing out the money collected at the Lord s Temple, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that was written by Moses. So, they had found God s Word!!! Imagine what it had been like not having God s Word for all those generations. The people had forgotten how they were supposed to live. And they were letting all kinds of sin into their lives. When King Josiah heard what was written in the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. Then he gave these orders... Slide 40 & 41 - Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the Lord s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the Lord. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do. 2 Chronicles 34:21

9 Bible Story (continued) Slide 42 - Josiah Poster Josiah made sure everyone in the land heard the words written in the Law. And he made a decree that they would all obey God s commands. God honored him for being so humble and obedient. So, let s take a look back on how Josiah was a star! First, we saw him... Slide 43 - Choose to Be Different Remember how I said many of the kings before him did evil? Well, even at a young age, Josiah chose to be different and obey God! Next, we saw him... Slide 44 - Trust In the Lord I m sure it was awfully tough for such a young guy to tell all the royal officials and the priests what to do! But he trusted that this was what God wanted him to do! And God blessed him for it! Lastly, we saw him... Slide 45 - Search For the Things of God Josiah started off by seeking God s face. And then when they found the lost scrolls, he searched the Law for the right way to live! Then he prompted everyone else to do the same! This was a guy who searched for the the things of God! All these things worked together to make him a star! And that s why Josiah is a great example of someone who chose to... Slide 46 - Step Out and Shine

10 Object Lesson #1 Slide 47 I Promise Has anyone ever promised you something? I need one volunteer please. And it needs to be someone who just loves chocolate! (You may substitute this for any treat you wish). Okay, I have my volunteer up here. Do you love chocolate? Really, really? Good! Because I am going to give this delicious, brand new chocolate bar to you. First I want you to do one simple thing for me. Then I PROMISE to give it to you. Ready? All I want you to do is jump on one foot for 5 seconds. Ready? Go! (Let audience count down). Very good! Here is your chocolate bar! (Hold it out to student, but yank it back before they can grab it). Wait a minute. I just want you to do one more thing for me. Then I PROMISE I will give you the chocolate bar. I want you to sing the ABCs for me. (Let the student sing). Wow! That was awesome! Here is your chocolate bar! (Hold it out to student, but yank it back before they can grab it). Wait a minute. I just remembered...i want you to do one more teensy-weensy thing for me. Then I PROMISE I will give you the chocolate bar. This time, I want you to run around the room three times, then do 10 jumping jacks, and then take a bow. If you will do these things, I PROMISE that I will give you this delicious, brand new chocolate bar. And you love chocolate bars, don t you? Okay. Ready? Go! (Student completes task). Very good! Here is your chocolate bar! (Hold it out to student, but yank it back before they can grab it). Wait a minute. I just remembered how much I LOVE CHOCOLATE! (Start to open the wrapper). If you don t mind, I m just going to eat this myself, and you can go ahead and have a seat. Everyone, let s give a round of applause for our volunteer while I eat this yummy chocolate bar. Wait! That s not fair? Oh, okay. You ve been a great sport. You can have the chocolate. (This time give it to the student). Now, it was pretty unfair for me to keep promising that treat and then breaking my promise, right? My volunteer did every single thing we agreed to...but I did NOT keep my side of the bargain, did I? Well, that s exactly how the Israelites treated God! They had made a covenant - or special promise - with God. And God alway kept his side of the bargain. He rescued them, fought for them, protected them, and even provided for them. But they would always end up getting distracted and forgetting their promise to obey him. That s why Josiah had to step in!

11 Object Lesson #1 (continued) You and I are a lot like the Israelites, right? Have you ever prayed for forgiveness for a sin? But then you find yourself doing that very same thing again? Maybe you find yourself telling lies to keep out of trouble? Or maybe you keep stealing things that don t belong to you, because you really want it for yourself? Or maybe you make fun of kids at school so that you will sound tough? Well, whatever it is...it s still sin. And when we sin, we break our side of the covenant. What if we had courage like little Josiah to stand up and say, Enough is enough! What if we fell on our face before God, like Josiah did, and cried out to God to forgive us. And then asked him to help us be faithful? Well, it changed a whole nation when Josiah did it. Think of what it could do in you! God s Word has the power to change our hearts. Hebrews 4:12 says: Slide 48 - For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12 It helps us get rid of that awful sin and live in a way that pleases God. God s Word is like a lamp, showing us which way to go. That s why we always need to... Slide 49 - SEARCH FOR GOD S WORD! Object Lesson #2 Raise your hand if you have ever written a report or an essay in school. (Hold up a pretend report...lots of printouts stapled together). It takes a long time, right? First you have to read books or look up information on the internet. You write down notes and then gather all the notes into a specific order. Then you have to write it all out in a report. And it has to make sense so that someone reading it is able to understand what you are trying to say. Of course, it s nice to include pictures or graphs to explain your topic. Then you have to cite all the references you used in what s called a bibliography. Phew! It takes a lot of time and hard work to write a good report or essay.

12 Object Lesson #2 (continued) Now, imagine if you did all that work...and then went to turn it into your teacher, and she said, You did it all wrong! Then she gave you a sheet of paper with all the rules you were supposed to follow! And then she told you to start all over using these rules. UGH! Would you be so upset? Would you want to just tear up the report you had just worked on? (Tear up the pretend report). After all...it would be useless, because it didn t follow your teacher s rules! I think I would tear it up into a thousand pieces and then stomp on them! Well, this frustration is just a taste of what King Josiah felt when he heard God s Law for the first time. He realized that they had been doing things all wrong! They had not been following God s rules...and he was so upset about it. So, he tore his clothes in despair! The good thing is, Josiah didn t just give up after that. In fact, he let that frustration fuel his determination to make some big changes! How about us? When we read God s Word, do we let God s show us the ways we have not been obeying him? Do we feel the same sort of sorrow? Do we ask God for forgiveness like Josiah did? And then do we let God make huge changes in our heart? God s Word is so powerful. It is the thing that changes us on the inside. But how can God s Word change us if we are not spending time reading it? Josiah s story is a great reminder that we need to always... Slide 50 Search For God s Word! Closing God s Word was given to us for a reason! It s our guide to living a life that honors him, a life full of blessing, and a life that will someday lead to eternity in heaven. Let s ask God to help us to keep searching for his Word everyday!

13 Small Group Questions 1. How often do you crack open your bible and spend time reading it? 2. What are some things that distract you from reading the bible? 3. Why was Josiah so upset when he heard God s Laws? 4. What is a time in your day that you can dedicate to digging into God s Word everyday? 5. Pray that God will give you a love for his Word! And ask him to use his Word to expose the things in your heart that need transformation.

2 C o m m a n d m e n t s

2 C o m m a n d m e n t s Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as