April 29, 2018 Jesus Is the Way DATE PONDER POINT The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 Acts 8 Philip and the Ethiopian Man THE BIG GOD STORY REMEMBER VERSE Welcome (6 minutes): Begins class creating an inviting atmosphere for kids to feel welcome and to worship in song. Worship & Connect (17 minutes): Establishes community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God s word. The Big God Story (15 minutes): Creates space for children 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. 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. WELCOME - 3 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: Sherriff Hawk with Kids Church Rules MAIL TIME - 3 minutes (Host) VIDEO: Mail Time Intro IMAGE: Remember Verse The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 Remember Verse Motions The LORD: is near: to all who call on him: in truth: Make L with right hand. Cross right hand over front of body from left shoulder to right hip. Place hands at sides with open palms facing in, bring hands together until fingers touch. Create C shape with right hand. Place hand at chin and move upward. Repeat. Place right index finger at chin and move it away. 2
GOAL: Establishes community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God s word. Kids get to participate in various worship elements such as offering, scripture memorization and their curiosity is peaked as they discover what will be in the wardrobe of wonder. WORSHIP - 7 minutes (Worship Leader) If you brought offering, go put it in the squirrel feeder while we worship! VIDEO: (9:00 & 11:30) Hosanna Rock (10:15) Jesus By My Side VIDEO: (9:00 & 11:30) God of Love (10:15) We Believe SMALL GROUP CONNECT QUESTIONS - 5 minutes (Host) VIDEO: 4 minute countdown Have you ever ridden on a horse or in a carriage? Have you ever tried different food from what you normally eat? Who do you think needs to hear about the story of Jesus? WARDROBE OF WONDER - 5 minutes (Host) What sit: 9:00 - Horse 10:15 - Angel 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 If you think our clue is a If you think our clue is a, raise your hand., raise your hand., raise your hand. Let the child volunteer tell which answer is correct! ASK: 9:00 Horse What did you find when you opened the Wardrobe of Wonder? We heard the sound of a horse walking, that s right. Did you recognize it right away? Why do you think the a horse walking was in the wardrobe? Interact with their responses. Those are good ideas! Well, I think it s about time we find out how this fits into today s portion of The Big God Story, because it s time for ASK: 10:15 Angel What did you find when you opened the Wardrobe of Wonder? An Angel, that s right. Did you recognize it right away? Why do you think an angel was in the wardrobe? Interact with their responses. Those are good ideas! Well, I think it s about time we find out how this fits into today s portion of The Big God Story, because it s time for 3
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 - 15 minutes (Storyteller) Video: The Big Story Intro Hello, friends. I m so glad you all are here today! I can t wait to discover God s Word together. Before we jump into The Big God Story, let s stop and ask God to teach us. Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. The last time we were together, we heard that Jesus is the way. Who remembers the motions? Do the motions together. Follow along: Jesus (spread arms out to sides as if on cross) is the way (bring both arms together, straight in front, creating path/road). Repeat the words and motions several times to refresh children s memories. In today s part of The Big God Story, a follower of Jesus, named Philip was in Jerusalem when God sent an angel to him. The angel told Philip to start walking on a road in the desert. The angel didn t tell Philip where he was going or how long he was going to be walking, he just said, Go! Philip knew that he could trust God, so without asking why, he got up and went. As Philip was traveling along the dusty road, he saw a horse and chariot. Back in Philip s day, sometimes horses were used to pull chariots. Tech: Cue Horse and Chariot image and Horse Walking sound effect. Well, inside the chariot was a man who worked for the queen of Ethiopia. Can you say that with me? E-thi-o-pi-a. Good job. Ethiopia is a country far away from Jerusalem. The Ethiopian man traveled to Jerusalem to worship God, but he had never heard that (do motions) Jesus is the way. 4
While the Ethiopian man was on his way home from Jerusalem, he stopped to rest and read his Bible. Tech: Cue Chariot and Ethiopian man image. Philip saw the man sitting in his chariot, reading God s Word. The Holy Spirit told Philip, Go over to that chariot. Since the Ethiopian man worked for a queen, he was very rich. He had a huge chariot that he used to take him where he needed to go. Philip didn t have a chariot; he was on foot. Philip didn t know if the Ethiopian man would even want to talk with him about God or hear that (do motions) Jesus is the way. After all, they were from different parts of the world and didn t know each other. But Philip knew that God wants everyone to know that (do motions) Jesus is the way to be with God forever. So Philip obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit. When Philip reached the chariot, he asked the Ethiopian man, Do you understand what you re reading? The man said, How can I understand unless someone helps me? You see, the Ethiopian man was reading a part of the Bible that talks about the promised Savior. Who is The Promise? Jesus, that s right. Well, the Ethiopian man didn t understand the things he was reading. He didn t know that Jesus the promised Savior had already come and that (do motions) Jesus is the way to be with God forever. He needed someone to teach him so he could know Jesus! Do you think Philip helped the man? Children respond. Yes! Philip began to tell the Ethiopian about Jesus and The Big God Story. Philip mimes talking, points to Bible and to sky. Philip told the man all about God s love. He also shared the good news. Philip told the man that God made the way for him to know God and be with Him forever. Who is the way to God? Do the motions with the children as they answer. Jesus is the way! He s the promised Savior! Philip also told the man how Jesus rose from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit to help us. The Ethiopian man listened to everything Philip said. He was so happy that God loved him and wanted to know him. Philip told the Ethiopian to believe in Jesus and be baptized. The Ethiopian man decided to trust in Jesus and follow Him right then. He had Philip baptize him in the pond near by..the Ethiopian learned from Philip that (do motions) Jesus is the way. After the Ethiopian man decided to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit suddenly took Philip away to another city so he could tell more people about Jesus. God was going to use Philip to tell people that (do motions) Jesus is the way to be with God forever. After Philip baptized the Ethiopian man, God took Philip away, to another place where he could tell more people about Jesus. Children, God loved the Ethiopian man so much that He sent Philip to tell him about Jesus. Philip knew God. He also knew that God wants everyone to know who He is. So when God told Philip to go talk to the Ethiopian in his chariot, Philip did! Just like God used Philip to share the good news, He can use you and me to tell people that (do motions) Jesus is the way! 5
GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story. Philip Baptizes An Ethiopian Man SUPPLIES Philip and Ethiopian man Craft stick Tape Desert with pond template ENGAGE Today we learned that Philip was willing to go wherever God asked him too and also to talk to people he did not know and share with them about Jesus. Today we will recreate the scene of Philip baptizing the Ethiopian man. Pass out the Philip and Ethiopian man. Have kids color them. Pass out the craft stick for each child. Have kids tape the craft stick to the back of Philip and Ethiopian man. Show the kids the desert with pond template. Show how Philip and Ethiopian man can be inserted into the template. Allow kids to finish coloring the template. The Holy Spirit sent Philip into the desert where he met a man from Ethiopia. Although this man was reading God s Word and knew about God, he didn t understand about Jesus. He was so happy to hear that God loved him and wanted to know him. He decided to trust in Jesus and follow Him. Jesus Is the Way! I wonder What is it like to hear about God for the first time? I wonder What did it feel like for Philip to hear the Holy Spirit and follow His directions, even though they seemed unusual? I wonder What would it be like to tell someone about Jesus who s never heard about Him? 6
GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story. Philip and the Ethiopian Sticker Book SUPPLIES Mini Book (one for each child) Stickers (one set of 6 per child) Crayons ENGAGE Children, God loved the Ethiopian man so much that He sent Philip to tell him about Jesus. Philip knew God. He also knew that God wants everyone to know who He is. So when God told Philip to go talk to the Ethiopian in his chariot, Philip did! Just like God used Philip to share the good news, He can use you and me to tell people that Jesus is the way! I have a little book for you. I am going to pass them out and I would like for everyone to put their name on the front where there is a line. IF you need help we will help you. We are going to read this together and as we read it we will be placing stickers in our books. These stickers are going to help us re member the story. Read the story with the kids and help them place their stickers in their books. Allow kids to color their pages in their book. If time allows see if kids can take turns reading their books out loud. Challenge kids to take their books home and read them to their parents. I wonder.what was it like for Philip to tell such an important rich man about Jesus? I wonder.was Philip scared to share about Jesus? I wonder..what did the Ethiopian think when Philip just disappeared because God took him away? 7
Review the Remember Verse: The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 Remember Verse Motions The LORD: is near: to all who call on him: in truth: Make L with right hand. Cross right hand over front of body from left shoulder to right hip. Place hands at sides with open palms facing in, bring hands together until fingers touch. Create C shape with right hand. Place hand at chin and move upward. Repeat. Place right index finger at chin and move it away. BLESSING Read John 14:6a for the children: Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. Children, may you know God loves you and sent Jesus to be the way. May you know Him and share His love with others this week. VIDEO: In This Life 8
At 16 years of age, I found myself traipsing through the jungles of Thailand following a missionary. We were prepared to share the good news and lead worship. We approached a deserted village and were told that the night before, there had been a drug raid. Villagers fled into the jungle rather than be recruited, intimidated, or kidnapped to transport drugs for powerful drug lords. I didn t want to get mixed up with a national war on drugs. A couple of days later, we ran into a group of soldiers in camouflage gear and carrying rifles. Just walk past them, I thought to myself. But our missionary leader approached them. The commanding officer explained they were going on a drug raid. Then I heard my youth pastor request if we could perform our drama for them. No way, I thought. There is no way the soldiers of a Buddhist country will want to see a drama about Jesus. What is he thinking? To my astonishment, the officer accepted our invitation. Before I knew it, we were enacting the good news right on the side of the road. Afterward, we gathered around the soldiers, laid our hands on them, and prayed for the safety of the men and their mission. Before we said good-bye, their stern faces turned to smiles as we posed to take pictures. I ll never forget how I almost missed an opportunity to share the good news. I ll never forget how I saw scary soldiers, but God saw men who were in need. God challenged the way I saw people. I wanted what was safe and comfortable, but God pushed me beyond my narrow limitations in order to show me that He wants everyone to know Him everyone. Asriel Medina ROCKHARBOR Church After Jesus ascended into heaven, God sent the Holy Spirit. Under the guidance of Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, the church saw a time of great persecution. The church scattered but continued to preach the Word so others could know Jesus is the Way. It was during this time that an angel led Philip down a wilderness road (Acts 8), where he saw an Ethiopian eunuch, an important court official to the queen of Ethiopia, reading from the book of Isaiah. Although the Ethiopian knew about God and traveled far to worship in Jerusalem, as a eunuch he wasn t allowed to enter the assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:1). His reading of Scripture and his questions to Philip indicated he wanted to know more. There were many reasons Philip could have chosen not to share the good news with this man ethnicity, social status, and his physical condition. But the Spirit revealed to Philip that God wants everyone to know Him. In what some commentators see as a fulfillment of Isaiah 56:3 7, Philip not only shared the good news with the eunuch foreigner, but he baptized him and fully accepted him into the faith community. God s plan for all of humankind to know Him was being fulfilled. This Ethiopia is not the same as the African country we now know as Ethiopia, but refers instead to ancient Nubia, or Cush, the region south of Egypt. This makes the Ethiopian eunuch a descendant of Ham, one of the sons of Noah who was saved in the ark during the great flood. It was through Noah s sons, Ham, Shem, and Japheth, that the world was repopulated (Genesis 9:19). Ham s sons and their descendants would occupy the area we now know as Egypt (another name for Mizraim). Although Ham knew God, his descendants fell away, becoming pagan worshippers and enemies of Israel. But God never stopped longing for Ham s descendants to know Him. In Psalm 68:31, the Psalmist prayed that all people would worship God, saying, Envoys will 9
come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God, and the prophet Zephaniah wrote about the restoration of the nations, declaring that, From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings (Zephaniah 3:10). Take some time this week to reflect on how much God loves all the world, and what He has done to reveal Himself to us. God is near, ready to give you a deeper understanding of His heart. Go to Him. Kneel at His feet and ask for the courage to go wherever and to whomever God may lead you. Ask Him to make you increasingly aware of others, both near and far, who are ready to know Him in a more personal way. What is God saying to you about the children and families in your ministry? Give thanks to the God who loved the world so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son. May He fill your heart with a love that passes understanding, so you can make His love known to every person He places in your path. 10