Nov. 11, 2018 God Is with Us DATE PONDER POINT For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. 1 Samuel 3 Call of Samuel THE BIG GOD STORY Psalm 52:9 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: Jesus I Will Follow (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 Have you ever fallen asleep when you did not mean to? If you could be invisible for the day what would you do? What is your favorite bedtime story. WARDROBE OF WONDER - 5 minutes (Host) What sit: 9:00 - Blanket 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 What did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder? When do we use blankets? Why do you suppose there s a blanket in the wardrobe? Encourage children to answer; interact with their responses. Those are great ideas! Well, I think it s time to find out how this blanket fits in today s portion of The Big God Story. Do you know what time it is? 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 It s so great to see you all here today! Before we jump into The Big God Story, let s ask God to teach us. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. Today we have a storytelling Video, so let s give our attention to the T.V. s. Tech Cue: Storytelling Video Did you know that God longs to spend time with us every day? He does! God loves to be with us and loves to listen to our prayers. God also wants us to listen to Him. Have you ever tried to listen to God when you pray? Sometimes God speaks to us through His Word the Bible. He may use other people to speak to us. He might speak out loud, or we may hear Him speak deep inside us. However God chooses to speak to us, we can respond to Him and say, Speak, Lord, I am listening. Just as God was with Samuel, He is with you, too. 3
MAIL TIME & WORSHIP - 7 minutes (Host/Worship Leader) VIDEO: Mail Time Intro IMAGE: Remember Verse For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 Remember Verse Definitions presence: area or place hope: looking for what our good and perfect God has promised Remember Verse Motions For what you have done: I will always praise you: in the presence of your faithful people.: And I will hope in your name: for your name is good: Raise both hands to the sky and then straighten arms down to your sides. Gently clap hands together. Spread out both arms, palms up. Place one open palm like a shade above your eyes and look upward. Place both hands over your heart. Host: Way to say your verse! Now let s all keep standing and sing a song! WORSHIP VIDEO: Hosanna Rock DISMISS TO SMALL GROUPS (Host) 4
GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story. SERVANT S HEART SUPPLIES Heart template cut-outs (with holes punched) Yarn or string Markers or crayons Gemstones or stickers ENGAGE When we follow God, we can be God s helpers. We get to help God by serving Him. Now, what do you do when you want to help someone? Yes! You ask him, What do you want me to do? What kind of things do you think God wants us to do? Pause for children to answer. If needed, in the discussion suggest: obey your parents, speak kind words, or pray for our friends. Those are good ideas! One of the best ways to serve God is to love others. When we love and serve others, we re reminding them that God loves them and is always with them. Wow! That s so cool! Do you think we can serve God and others this week? Of course we can! Hand out the Servant s Heart necklaces. Have the kids choose one person whom they can serve this week. Examples might be parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, or teachers. Discuss different ways they might be able to serve them, like doing extra chores, saying encouraging words, or raying for a friend. Have the kids draw a picture on their heart of them showing love by serving their chosen person. Then have them tie the string through the hole in the heart. During a dark time in Israel s history, God chose to speak to a boy named Samuel. Although Samuel served God in the house of worship, he didn t know God s voice. Then one night, God called him by name and Samuel listened. As Samuel grew up, God was with him and Samuel served God as a leader of Israel. I wonder Does God want to talk to me? I wonder How can I know God s voice? I wonder How can I serve God? 5
Review the Remember Verse: For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 Remember Verse Definitions presence: area or place hope: looking for what our good and perfect God has promised Remember Verse Motions For what you have done: I will always praise you: in the presence of your faithful people.: And I will hope in your name,: for your name is good: Raise both hands to the sky and then straighten arms down to your sides. Gently clap hands together. Spread out both arms, palms up. Place one open palm like a shade above your eyes and look upward. Place both hands over your heart. BLESSING First Samuel 3:19a says, The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up. Invite the children to follow your actions as you give the following blessing: Children, may the Lord be with you as you grow up. Reach up high with one hand. May you listen (place hands behind ears) for God s voice and run (run in place) to serve Him (point to sky) and others (spread arms wide). 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: Jesus By My Side Owls Song2: God of Love 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) Remember Verse: Big God Story (BGS) The storyteller will present the Bible lesson and point to ponder. Remember Verse Definitions 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. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 presence: area or place hope: looking for what our good and perfect God has promised Remember Verse Motions For what you have done: Raise both hands to the sky and then straighten arms down to your sides. I will always praise you: Gently clap hands together. in the presence of your faithful people.: Spread out both arms, palms up. And I will hope in your name,: Place one open palm like a shade above your eyes and look upward. for your name is good: Place both hands over your heart. 7
Akiane Kramarik met God when she was just a child. She was born in a small shelter on the edge of a cornfield. Her introduction to the almighty God was not through her parents, Sunday school, friends, or family members, but by God Himself. Akiane shared her visions of heaven and God with her parents when she was four years old. At that time, her parents did not have a faith in God, nor were their children exposed to faith outside the home. And then one day, Akiane announced to her mother that she had met God. The two had a conversation about who and what God is. Her mother asked about her visions, Why do you think it was God? Akiane simply replied, Just like I know you are my mommy, and you know I am Akiane. Akiane s story unfolds with this young child s prophetic speech, knowledge, and otherworldly wisdom. She draws, paints, and writes poetry of her visions and conversations with God. He is her teacher, mentor, and parent. Each line of poetry contains vocabulary, wisdom, and concepts beyond her years. The continued response of her spirit seems to ask, What needs to be done? God chose a young child as a mouthpiece to proclaim Himself to this world the world He loves and has given everything to draw to Himself. My only response is to follow her example, the example of a young girl whose life says, Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Cristi Thomas Tru Team God is always with us. He called a young boy named Samuel to be His messenger and His prophet to the people of Israel. Samuel s boyhood was a dark time in Israel s history. The book of Judges ends with this description: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (Judges 21:25). Spiritually, the priesthood was corrupt and the people had wandered away from true worship. Politically, the Israelites lacked a leader and lived under the continual threat of war. During this time, God chose to be silent, rarely giving visions or divine words to His people perhaps because no one was listening. Still, God continued to dwell with His people. Near the ark stood the lamp of God, a sevenbranched candlestick that burned continuously (Exodus 25:31 40). The lamp symbolized the light of God s truth that was supposed to shine in the world through Israel. But disobedient Israel was a dim light and Eli, the spiritual leader of Israel, was going blind both physically and spiritually. The future of Israel looked bleak. God chose to break His silence, for the lamp of God had not yet gone out (1 Samuel 3:3). The phrase before the lamp of God went out was a figure of speech indicating the time just before dawn one of the darkest times of the day. Metaphorically, the phrase speaks to the spiritual state of Israel the light of God s truth was fading among the people. Before the light went out, God spoke and a young boy listened. A prophet was born and the light of Israel reignited. With humility and obedience, Samuel knew the voice of God and spoke His truth. As Samuel grew, God was with him. Through Samuel, God was with Israel. Even before Samuel knew God s voice, he demonstrated the posture of a servant. When he heard 8
a voice calling his name Samuel ran, not walked, to Eli, saying, Here I am. When he finally understood that it was God calling to him, the boy responded, Speak, for Your servant is listening. Samuel s eager obedience revealed a servant s heart. As God s children, we re called to a similar posture before Him with a heart of readiness, eager to listen and do God s will. This week, take some time to be quiet before the Lord. Don t be discouraged if this is challenging. Consider waking up early and sitting in a comfortable place where you won t be disturbed. Pray and ask God to show you what He would have you do to serve your family, faith community, or neighborhood by asking the question, What needs to be done? Allow yourself at least five or 10 minutes to sit in silence before God. Consider closing your time by praying, Father, I am Your child and I am pleased to do Your will. Speak, for Your servant is listening. You may want to repeat this throughout the week. If this is a new facet to your prayer time, this exercise may feel uncomfortable at first. Allow yourself to sit in the silence. Resist the urge to fill the space with reading or conversational prayer. Remember, the Lord is with you. Soon you will become both My silence and My shout You will listen you will live to speak My way Let Me in Let Me in You have so much work My old age will escort you if you obey Akiane Kramarik, age 8 9