March 24, 2019 Jesus Is God, Part II DATE PONDER POINT Matthew 8:23 27; Mark 4:35 41 Calming the Storm THE BIG GOD STORY For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10 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: Hosanna Rock (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 Would you rather walk in a sandy beach or on a trail through trees and rocks? Would you rather make a craft or play a game? Have you ever been in a thunder storm? WARDROBE OF WONDER - 5 minutes (Host) What sit: 9:00 - Storm VIDEO: Wardrobe of Wonder Intro Tech: Storm sound effect (each time the wardrobe door opens Cue the storm Sound effect) ASK: 9:00 What did you find in the wardrobe? Children will respond. What does it sound like? Children answer. It sounds like a raging storm, doesn t it? Have you ever been in a storm that sounds like this? It s scary, isn t it? I wonder how a storm fits into this part of The Big God Story. Well, let s find out. Do you know what time it is? It s time for 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 - 12 minutes (Storyteller) Greet children. Friends, Jesus is God! Let s shout that out together. Jesus is God! Children shout. Great job! He made you and He made me. Jesus knows everything about us. He came to earth so we can know Him too! We re going to see how Jesus used His words to show His disciples He is God. Today throughout The Big God Story, when you hear me say, Jesus is God! I want you to shout it back at me as loud as you can. Let s practice. Jesus is God! Children shout back, repeating Ponder Point. Practice again if necessary. Wow! That was really loud! Before we go any further, let s get as quiet as we can so we can pray together and ask God to teach us from His Word the Bible. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds. Jesus spent many days with people from different cities and towns. They wanted to learn from Him and they listened as He told them stories about God and His kingdom. Others came to see Him because they knew that Jesus is powerful and could heal their illnesses. As all of this was happening, the disciples watched. Blind men were healed and the sick were made well. The disciples listened as Jesus taught the crowds about God and His love. One afternoon, just as the day was turning into night, Jesus told the disciples to start rowing their boat across the lake. Begin to use imaginary oar to row. I need everyone to get their big muscles ready. Hold up arms in muscle-man pose; encourage children to mimic. Let s all begin to row across the lake. Begin rowing with the children. All of a sudden, a powerful storm came out of nowhere! The wind began to howl and great big 3
waves crashed against the boat. Tech: Cue Storm sound effect. Friends, we heard these sounds earlier today, didn t we? Children will respond. Where did we hear them? Children answer. You re right! We heard these sounds in the Wardrobe of Wonder. Let s keep going to find out what happened with Jesus, the disciples, and the storm. Tech: Cue Storm sound effect again. Let s pretend our boat is rocking back and forth from the giant waves and the blowing wind. Rock your body back and forth and all around. Encourage children to do the same. The wind was blowing, the waves were crashing, and the boat was beginning to fill with water. How do you think the disciples felt? Pause for children to answer; interact with their responses. You re right! They were probably really scared. Can you show me your scared face? Interact with children and their facial expressions. The disciples were afraid the boat was going to sink and they were going to drown! The Bible tells us that while the men were worried and the boat was beginning to sink, someone was asleep in the boat. Who was sleeping during the storm? Children answer. It was Jesus! He wasn t worried. Why wasn t Jesus worried? Children respond. That s right, because Jesus is God. Say that with me: Jesus is God! Children shout. Yes, and storms don t scare Jesus. He is God and has nothing to fear. Well, the disciples couldn t take it anymore, so they woke up Jesus and said (read last part of Mark 4:38 from Bible), Teacher, don t you care if we drown? Jesus got up and scolded the wind. He spoke to the storm in a stern voice and said, Quiet! Be still! What do you think happened? Children answer. That s right. Slow the pace of storytelling and slightly lower voice. The wind stopped, the water became quiet and calm, and everything was very still. Have children stop rocking their bodies. Jesus turned to His disciples and said (in a calm and loving tone), Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? These men had seen Jesus do so many amazing things. He performed many miracles and told them all about God s kingdom. Did they need to be afraid? Children answer. Why not? Children will answer; interact with their responses. That s right, because Jesus is God. Say it with me: Jesus is God! Children repeat line. With His words, Jesus commanded the storm to stop. What did the storm do? Kids answer. It stopped. The storm knew Jesus voice and obeyed His words for He is God. Say it with me, Jesus is God! Children shout response. Jesus words have the power to make nature obey. The disciples knew this was something only God could do. They were filled with awe and respect for Jesus. That night, the men knew that Jesus is God. Shout it as loud as you can this time! Jesus is God! Children shout. Do you think the disciples ever forgot that night in the storm? Children will answer. No way! They were changed forever. Jesus showed them once again that He is God. What was that again? Children shout. Jesus is God! Because He is God, He is worthy of our worship. Friends, God came to earth so we would be able to know Him. God loves us. He made us and knows everything there is to know about each and every one of us. Now, because of Jesus, we can know Him too. Because of His great love for us, we get to know the one true God and be with Him forever and ever. MAIL TIME & WORSHIP - 7 minutes (Host/Worship Leader) VIDEO: Mail Time Intro IMAGE: Remember Verse 4
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10 Remember Verse Definitions Faithfulness: God always does what He says He will do. Remember Verse Motions For great: is your love: reaching to the heavens: your faithfulness reaches: to the skies: Hold up both arms in a muscleman pose. Hug self with both arms. Reach in front of you with both hands, palms facing outward. Hold both hands straight over head, palms open. Wiggle all fingers above your head. Host: Way to say your verse! Now let s all keep standing and sing a song! WORSHIP VIDEO: Super Wonderful DISMISS TO SMALL GROUPS (Host) 5
GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story. JESUS CALMS THE STORM SUPPLIES (per small group) boat and water template( one per child) Circle (sunny / stormy) Crayons brads (one per child) blue card stock (one per child) Scripture sticker Welcome children to this time of creative response. Friends, Jesus is God and has power over all things. Today in The Big God Story, we heard how He calmed the sea just by using the power of His words. We re going to create a blue sea, a boat on the water AND THEN A STORMY SKY AND A SUNNY SKY. You can retell the story over and over. Remember Jesus only had to use his words to calm the storm. Pass out the circle to each child. Color the pictures on the circle. Pass out boat and water to each child. Color the boat and water. Place the circle behind the boat and water, place brad through the black dot on each picture. Pass out blue card stock, have the kids put the brad through the black dot. Bend the brad on the back to hold boat, circle and blue card stock securely. Have kids place a scripture sticker on their blue card stock. Have kids put their name on their paper. Have kids re tell the story with their paper. Jesus and the disciples headed across the Sea of Galilee in a boat. Although Jesus fell asleep, the disciples were terrified by a sudden storm on the water. They woke Jesus and He calmed the storm by using only His powerful words. Jesus showed that He is God. I wonder Why was Jesus asleep in the boat? I wonder How did it feel to be in the middle of the great big storm? I wonder How do I think the disciples felt about Jesus after He calmed the storm? I wonder When do I know that Jesus is God? 6
Review the Remember Verse: For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10 Remember Verse Definitions Faithfulness: God always does what He says He will do. Remember Verse Motions For great: is your love: reaching to the heavens: your faithfulness reaches: to the skies: Hold up both arms in a muscleman pose. Hug self with both arms. Reach in front of you with both hands, palms facing outward. Hold both hands straight over head, palms open. Wiggle all fingers above your head. BLESSING Pray this blessing over them. May you know Jesus is God and that He has power over all the earth. May you see more and more of Him each day. Song VIDEO: In This Life 7
Host will welcome kids to Critter Land. Worship Leader will lead kids in a time of worship and allow kids to give offering. Song1:Million Reasons Owls Song2: 1,2,3 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) 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. 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 ( 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 great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10 Remember Verse Definitions Faithfulness: God always does what He says He will do. Remember Verse Motions For great: is your love: reaching to the heavens: your faithfulness reaches: to the skies: Hold up both arms in a muscleman pose. Hug self with both arms. Reach in front of you with both hands, palms facing outward. Hold both hands straight over head, palms open. Wiggle all fingers above your head. 3. Bathroom Break 8
I love the ocean. As a young girl, I used to boogie board with my dad until my lips turned blue from the cold. He would take me out to the water and release me into the waves. My love for the ocean was instant. In fact, I ve become somewhat of a fish. The pool, the lake, even the bathtub if it s wet, I m in! One day, my family was at the beach for an end-of-summer party. While I was playing in the surf, a huge wave barreled toward me. There wasn t enough time to get out of the water, so I braced myself for its impact. The wave crashed over me. I tried to stay relaxed as it tumbled me around. Just as the waters subsided, a second wave hit. I began to panic, knowing I would need to breathe soon. Thankfully, there was a momentary break and I was able to swim toward shore. I was amazed by the power of those waves. The surge of water pounding the shore was beyond comprehension. It felt as if I was being tumbled in a dryer. I had no control over my body s movements; I went up, then down, then over, then around. The ocean s largest storms and waves are just a glimpse of God s power. My scary experience in the ocean that day helped me to comprehend His power, if even in a small way. Jesus power is truly beyond complete understanding. He has power over the seas. He has power over sin and death. He has power over evil and darkness. He holds such power because He is God. As I marvel at who He is, I am humbled. The One who spoke the ocean into creation quieted the waves with the same voice. I too have been created by and am known by Him. Incredible. Jesus is God, and I can know Him! Melissa Kirscher ROCKHARBOR Church Jesus disciples were familiar with the power of the sea. As fishermen, they understood the sudden and violent storms of the Sea of Galilee, the largest freshwater lake in Israel. The lake sits at least 636 feet below sea level and is surrounded by mountain ranges on the east and west that rise more than 2,650 feet above sea level. As a result, violent downdrafts and storms descend upon the lake, producing waves higher than seven feet. A fishing boat was easily swamped by waves of such proportion. Prior to embarking across the Sea of Galilee, the disciples had seen Jesus power and authority firsthand. They witnessed miraculous healings and listened as He told stories to the people explaining the kingdom of God. When they were alone with the Lord, He further explained everything He had been teaching them. They knew Jesus, for He was revealing Himself to them. After fighting against the storm and its power, the disciples had come to the end of themselves. Overwhelmed with fear, they pleaded for Jesus to awaken and rescue them from peril. With three words, Jesus commanded nature. He reprimanded the wind and quieted the waves. The elements obeyed. Scripture tells us the disciples were filled with fear a deep fear that was coupled with reverence. This fear was the beginning of understanding who Jesus is. The One who created all things, through whom all created things came to be, stood before them and with His words commanded the storm to subside. Jesus revealed to them once again that He is God. The Word in the flesh made Himself known to mankind. 9
Spend some time in nature this week. Consider visiting an ocean, lake, or other large body of water if you live near one. You could also mark your calendar to witness a sunset or sunrise. Leave all journals and paper at home. Allow yourself the freedom to just take in your surroundings. As you think about your time outside, what were the things you saw, smelled, touched, and discovered? Take a few minutes and write down some of your observations. Are there any themes or patterns? Pray about the items on your list. What do you know about God through this time with Him? How were you able to see Him through His creation? Finally, read John 1:1 5 and 14:6 7. How do you respond to Him through His Son? Knowing Jesus, what do you know of the Father? 10