Jan. 6, 2019 God Is Victorious DATE PONDER POINT 2 Chronicles 17 20 Jehoshaphat THE BIG GOD STORY Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 REMEMBER VERSE Welcome & Rules (4 minutes): Begins class creating an inviting atmosphere for kids to feel welcome and to worship in song. Worship & Connect (12 minutes): Establishes community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God s word. The Big God Story Pt 1 (6 minutes): Creates space for children to hear God s word. Mail Time & Worship (7 minutes): Breaks up the Big God Story to keep kids engaged and teaches the importance of memorizing scripture. The Big God Story Pt 2 (6 minutes): Children continue to hear God s word. Small Groups (20 minutes): Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story. Remember Verse & Bless (3 minutes): Allows children to practice their memory verse and be sent out with a sense of peace so they can be a blessing to others. (See page 8 for 10:15 schedule and rotations.) 1
GOAL: Worship & welcome is all about engaging kids and helping them enter into worship, letting them know that class has begun preparing their minds for what they are going to hear. Establishes community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God s word. WELCOME & RULES - 4 minutes (Host) IMAGE: Welcome We are so glad you are here at Critter Land today. Personalize your welcome. Relate to what s happening such as holidays, school year, church camp, etc. Pique the curiosity about today s Ponder Point/Story, tell a joke, do something to draw in the attending of the kids and mention any announcements! RULES VIDEO: Sheriff Hawk WORSHIP - 3 minutes (Worship Leader/Host) If you brought offering, go put it in the squirrel feeder while we worship! WORSHIP VIDEO: What Do You Know? (Direct kids to get with their groups and circle up with their small group leader before sitting down) SMALL GROUP CONNECT QUESTIONS - 4 minutes (Host) VIDEO: 4 minute countdown What is a game you like to play? What is one of the things you like about coming to church? What is your favorite color? WARDROBE OF WONDER - 5 minutes (Host) What sit: 9:00 - Crown VIDEO: Wardrobe of Wonder Intro Choose 1 volunteer. Volunteer picks two hats from wardrobe one for himself, one for host. Tell other kids to put on their imaginary thinking caps. Volunteer peeks in the What s It box. Host gives 3 clues, kids get to vote on what they think it is. Then as host you say. If you think our clue is a, raise your hand. If you think our clue is a, raise your hand. If you think our clue is a, raise your hand. Let the child volunteer tell which answer is correct! ASK: 9:00 I wonder why there is a crown in the wardrobe? Who wears a crown? Well it must be a story about a king. We are about to find out because do you know what time it is? Video: The Big Story Intro 2
Point out that what kids are about to hear is true and is recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to the passage and leave it open and visible throughout The Big God Story. Invite kids to open their Bibles and follow along as you storytell. Children respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching them as they reflect on the day s portion of The Big God Story. The Prayer of Release allows children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. Before you pray, you might ask the kids to hold out their hands, palms up, in a spirit of releasing their worries and distractions in order to better receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them today. Then encourage the kids to quiet their voices, take a seat, and pray with you. The Big God Story: STORYTELLING - There is a Storytelling Video today (.No 2nd part) Hello, friends! Before we jump into The Big God Story, let s pray and ask God to speak to our hearts and teach us. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds. Everyone repeat after me: Je-ho-sha-phat. Pause for children to respond. Great! God gave His people kings to rule over the land and keep the law. Some of the kings were good and kings and followed God s laws, other kings were bad kings and did not obey God s laws..but Jehoshaphat was a Good king. Jehoshaphat was the king of God s chosen people in Judah and he loved and trusted God very much. Because he trusted God with his whole heart, God used Jehoshaphat to care for His people. Let s watch this Storytelling Video to learn more about Jehoshaphat. Tech Cue: Storytelling Video God provided for Jehoshaphat and protected His people in the war. God gave King Jehoshaphat and his people the victory over their enemies because God is victorious. He gives us the victory today too when we pray and ask Him, and obey Him with all our hearts, no matter what. When we trust God, He will fill us with His strength and give us everything we need to follow Him. God is victorious! MAIL TIME & WORSHIP - 7 minutes (Host/Worship Leader) VIDEO: Mail Time Intro 3
IMAGE: Remember Verse Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 Remember Verse Definitions judgments: decisions pronounced: spoke or gave Remember Verse Motions Look to the Lord: and his strength: seek his face always: Remember the wonders he has done: his miracles: and the judgments he pronounced: Place right hand like a shade above eyebrows. Hold up both arms and flex bicep muscles. Place pointer finger at top of head and move finger in a circle around your face. Open up both hands to the sky and look up ward. Hold open hands in front of you. Hit right fist to left open palm. Host: Way to say your verse! Now let s all keep standing and sing a song! WORSHIP VIDEO: Jesus I Will Follow DISMISS TO SMALL GROUPS (Host) 4
GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story. SCROLLS King Jehoshaphat had the law of God brought out to all the people so they could know how to follow God with all their heart. Children will make their own scroll so they can hide God s Word in their heart. SUPPLIES Paper (One per kid) Craft Sticks (two per kid) Stapler Tape Rubber Bands Stickers Bible Verse (one per kid) ENGAGE Place the stickers in the middle of the table so kids can have access to them. Pass out the scroll paper, and the Bible verse. Have kids place their Bible Verse in the middle of the scroll paper. Let them decorate their scroll with stickers to remind them to Hide God s word in their heart and to follow God with all their heart.. Roll one end of scroll paper around craft stick, staple or tape. Do the same to the other end. Roll the ends together, give children a rubber band to hold it closed. Today in The Big God Story, we heard how God protected and guided King Jehoshaphat and his people, the Israelites. King Jehoshaphat chose to honor God and follow the path God had for him. He made sure his people learned about God so they could trust and follow Him too. God works through His people. I wonder How did it feel for King Jehoshaphat to teach his people about God for the first time? I wonder How did God give Jehoshaphat and His people the victory? I wonder Was it easy or hard for Jehoshaphat to trust God? Why? I wonder How do I show others I trust God? I wonder In what ways do people see me following God? 5
Review the Remember Verse: Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 Remember Verse Definitions judgments: decisions pronounced: spoke or gave Remember Verse Motions Look to the Lord: brows. and his strength: seek his face always: move Remember the wonders he has done: his miracles: and the judgments he pronounced: Place right hand like a shade above eye- Hold up both arms and flex bicep muscles. Place pointer finger at top of head and finger in a circle around your face. Open up both hands to the sky and look up ward. Hold open hands in front of you. Hit right fist to left open palm. BLESSING Today as the children prepare to be picked up by their families, remind them of the time they just spent together talking about trusting and following Jesus. What does the strip on your heart say? Pause for answers. That s right. I will follow you. In Psalm 121:8 God s Word promises us, The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Friends, the Lord God is with you today and always. May you always listen closely for His voice and learn to trust Him. He is victorious! Song VIDEO: In This Life 6
Host will welcome kids to Critter Land. Worship Leader will lead kids in a time of worship and allow kids to give offering. Song1: Hosanna Rock Owls Song2: Super Wonderful 10:30-10:43 10:45-10:58 11:00-11:15 Play (113) BGS (114) MW (115) Bunnies MW (116) Turtles MW (115) Frogs MW (116) Snails BGS (114) Squirrels Play (113) BGS (114) MW (115) Play (113) Big God Story (BGS) The storyteller will present the Bible lesson and point to ponder. Memory Work (MW) 1. Practice Memory Verse 2. Use Color Activity Sheet 3. Bathroom Break Transition DVD/Video: MW (117) Play Station (Play) Kids will have time to play and enjoy each others company. Different play options will be provided. ( In 10:15 Bin) 11:15 Host will pray a blessing over the kids before parents pick up. If time allows worship leader will lead the closing song. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. 1 Chronicles 16:11 12 Remember Verse Motions Look to the Lord: Place right hand like a shade above eyebrows. and his strength: Hold up both arms and flex bicep muscles. seek his face always: Place pointer finger at top of head and move finger in a circle around your face. Remember the wonders he has done: Open up both hands to the sky and look up ward. his miracles: Hold open hands in front of you and the judgments he pronounced: Hit right fist to left open palm. 7
On June 23rd, 2011, my little family was evacuated from our home the first day the Waldo Canyon fire in southern Colorado started burning. It was far enough from our neighborhood that we were sure we d be home again soon. But three days later (on our daughter s first birthday), a perfect storm of dry, windy conditions drove the fire over the ridge and into populated areas. Our house was destroyed. The fire eventually claimed a total of 18,000 acres and 347 homes, totally altering that part of our city and creating many homeless, hurting families. Needless to say, this was a very difficult time in our lives. But in spite of the circumstances, God worked in mighty ways and claimed victory over this tragedy. He used His people to provide for the victims of the fire both financially and emotionally. Countless friends, and even people we didn t know, donated household items, clothes, food, toys, and more to our family. We received several encouraging notes filled with God s words of comfort. He was so present with us as we began the healing process. Throughout that season and ever since, my husband and I have felt God s love and care overcome sadness and loss, creating a profound peace no earthly source could provide. He didn t take away our grief entirely, but He built in us a deep and lasting trust in His goodness and provision. He opened our eyes to understand that He can be completely victorious over any situation. Rebekah Largent Tru Team When biblical kings are evaluated, they re measured against the standard of their father David, a king who trusted and followed God. Very few kings in the history of Judah were godly enough that it was said of them, He walked in the ways of David. However, Jehoshaphat is one of those kings. His reign was generally considered one of the bright spots in Judah s history. What we learn from the life and reign of Jehoshaphat is that God gives victory to those who choose to follow Him. King Jehoshaphat had many noteworthy accomplishments. He sought the true and living God to guide him in his decisions and led the people back to the Lord (2 Chronicles 19:4). He sent teachers throughout the land to teach the people the ways of the Lord (v. 17:7). His system of public instruction was based on teaching God s Word. Jehoshaphat instituted judicial reform and appointed godly judges to preside over the courts in all the fortified cities in Judah, as well as appeals courts in Jerusalem (vv. 19:1 11). Under his leadership, Judah s defenses were fortified including fortified cities and storehouses to ensure Judah s security. The Lord blessed Judah with a season of peace and prosperity. This blessing can be directly linked to Jehoshaphat s heart and desire to follow God. However, even with all the wonderful spiritual reforms he instituted, there was one area of King Jehoshaphat s life where he didn t seek the Lord. At this point in history, Israel was split into two kingdoms north and south. The northern kingdom was known as Israel, the southern kingdom, Judah. Jehoshaphat made an alliance with Ahab in Israel to marry his son Jehoram to Athaliah, Ahab and Jezebel s daughter. Through Athaliah, Baal worship was introduced into Judah. The wicked queen nearly single-handedly wiped out the royal line of the Messiah (2 Kings 11:1). This was a devastating time in the history of Judah. As we look back at the faithfulness and mistakes of this human king, one thing remains the same. It is God, and God alone, who gives true victory to His people. 8
This week, we see God give victory to King Jehoshaphat and His people. Their enemies were out for blood, and there were a whole lot of them! God s people had good reason to run away scared or bear down and try to figure out how to survive on their own. But they didn t. Instead, they followed their king s lead and chose to trust God for the victory. And as He always does, God came through for them. Most of us haven t been on the front line of a physical battle, but as believers and leaders, we are camped out on the front line of a spiritual one every day of our lives. Reflect on the battles you re facing in your life right now. Are you anxious about an uncertain or scary situation? Do you have a relationship that is strained, hurting, or downright broken? Are you feeling suffocated by stress or addiction? Spend a minute or two naming your battles. You can keep them in your head or write them down on a piece of paper. God gives victory to His people. He wants to do the same in your life. God tells His people in Isaiah 41:13, For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Spend a few minutes praying to God. You might even want to reach out your right hand as a physical symbol that you know God is taking hold of it. What is the Holy Spirit speaking to your spirit? Do you need to let go of something you ve been holding so tightly to? Do you need to seek support and help from another believer or a professional? Do you need to simply lean back into the arms of your Father and trust that He s got it (and you) in His hands? Ask God to fight for you. Thank Him for giving you victory. 9