Get Ready! Worship Service 1 December KIDSWORSHIP PLANNER CHECK TO USE Worship Xpress* ACTIVITIES WORSHIP RESOURCES and OTHER MATERIALS KIDS COME TO WORSHIP SHARE GOD S LOVE DISCOVER GOD S WAY INVESTIGATE GOD S WORD X Good Words for Hungry Hearts Write words from unit memory verse on pieces of paper and wrap around wrapped candy. How Do You Share God s Love? Have the children tell ways they have shared or shown God s love. Preparing the Way (Preteen Xtreme) Prepare for the arrival of the president of the United States. Worship Through Music Have volunteers lead in worship through singing. Kids Talk to God (Prayer) Have the children kneel at their chairs. We Give to God (Offering) Tell the children giving an offering is one way of showing God s love. Reading God s Word Read Isaiah 40:3-5 and Mark 1:1-5. A Thousand Words Gather objects for delivering the message. X Message Locust and Honey A story about John the Baptist REWIND Retell the story to friends. X Furry Snack Make snacks out of peanut butter and coconut. Celebrate Advent (Preteen Xtreme) Prepare an Advent wreath. Christmas Maze Complete a Christmas maze. Appreciation Ornament (Preteen Xtreme) Decorate a Christmas ornament. Memory Wreath Play a game to review the unit Bible memory verse. X Challenge and Blessing Invite the children to have a personal relationship with Jesus. 2" x 2" pieces of paper, magnetic tape pieces, marker board and marker, wrapped pieces of candy December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 2; pencils Paper, pencils, marker board and markers Great Big Praise 2 book and CD or cassette, CD or cassette player, or a volunteer to play guitar Offering basket(s) Bibles Fur pelt (fake fur preferred), honey, a clock or calendar, picture of a highway or a map, pitcher of water Fur pelt (fake fur preferred); honey; a clock or calendar; picture of a highway or a map; pitcher of water; December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 3; pencils or pens Plastic knives, honey graham crackers, marshmallow crème, toasted coconut, napkins Bibles; Advent wreath with three purple candles, one pink candle, and one white candle; matches or candle lighter December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 1; pencils Clear glass or plastic ornaments, white glue (slightly thinned), egg cartons, glitter, paper towels, ribbon and tags December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 4; pencils; crayons *Worship Xpress Some churches plan for the KIDS WORSHIP groups to go to part of the adult worship service first. If your worship time is limited, consider choosing these activities. 1 1
Kid s Question: How Can a Kid Like Me Have a Relationship with God? God s Answer: God Made the First Move. BIBLE MESSAGE Mark 1:1-8; Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1 Locusts and Honey A Story About John the Baptist BIBLE TRUTH God makes a way for people to know about His love and forgiveness. WORSHIP GOALS To help elementary children... Realize God provided a messenger to help people know who Jesus is. Appreciate those who tell others about Jesus. Be willing to help others know about Jesus. UNIT BIBLE VERSE This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10 WORSHIP TIPS & TOOLS Reflect on the Word In today s society, John the Baptist might be labeled a lunatic. His attire would not rate well. And his accusations against the religious leaders and his all-inclusive call to repentance would anger many people. Yet, Israel recognized a prophet. Rather than repulse, John attracted thousands from Jerusalem and all over Judea. His message of repentance moved thousands to turn from their sins and receive baptism. Baptism distinguished John s ministry, so he became known as John the Baptist. His baptism called people to turn from their sins and live a righteous life for God. Though baptism was common for Gentile converts, the Jews had never heard a call for Abraham s children to repent and receive baptism. For the Jews, the Abrahamic Covenant secured God s favor and acceptance. John s clothing, camel hair smock and leather belt, and his diet, natural foods, such as locust and honey, reminded the Jews of the prophets. He called for repentance and spiritual discipline. Yet John knew his role. He was not the Messiah. He was of no great significance compared to the One following him. John simply pointed the way to the coming of Jesus Christ. Isaiah 40:3-5 and Malachi 3:1 proclaim the importance of John s arrival the longawaited Messiah would soon make His appearance. Prepare the roads, remove all the bends, fill in all the potholes, level out the valleys for the King of All Glory is about to arrive! Connect with Your Kids John s call to repentance, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near, continued in the message of Jesus (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). This call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ continues. Encourage children throughout this lesson to recognize Jesus as God s ultimate effort to offer us forgiveness. Just as John pointed the way to Christ, we can continue to direct others to Christ. In doing so, we should not draw attention to ourselves. We are not the focus. Just as the purpose of the instrument is to highlight the music, so we should focus the attention of others to Jesus. Worship and worship activity tips Worship leader training tips Spiritual formation tips Biblical or theological insights Foundational words of faith KIDS COME TO WORSHIP Choose from these activities to help children enter into worship. Good Words for Hungry Hearts Energy Level: High Before worship, write one word of the verse on each piece of paper. Wrap each paper around a wrapped candy and secure by twisting the ends of the paper to hold in place. 2" x 2" pieces of paper magnetic tape pieces marker board and marker wrapped pieces of candy After completing the verse, wrap additional blank pieces of paper around wrapped candy and place them around the room. Hide enough pieces of candy for each child to find at least one piece. 1. Instruct the children on the count of three to go throughout the room to find pieces of candy. Tell each child to stop after finding one piece. This will allow other children the opportunity to find a piece of candy. 2. Have the children bring to the front of the room a piece of paper with a word from the verse on it. Attach a piece of magnetic tape to the back of each paper, and place them on a magnetic surface. 1 2
3. After all pieces of wrapped candy with words are found, let the children put the words in order to form the Bible verse. 4. Say the verse together. Allow the children to eat their piece of candy. Give a piece of candy to any child not finding one. How Do You Share God s Love? Before worship, invite the children s pastor or children s ministries director to Kids Worship. Ask him or her to discuss the topic of Sharing God s Love with Others. December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 2 pencils 1. Let the children s pastor share ways he or she shares or shows God s love with others. Encourage the children to ask questions. 2. Have the children tell ways they have shared or shown God s love to others as they complete December Kids Worship Connections 1, page 2. Share examples with the children: playing nicely with others, showing respect and caring for the elderly, standing up for beliefs, inviting friends to church. 3. Thank the children s pastor for coming. Pray a prayer of blessing for the children s pastor or Children s Ministries director. Preparing the Way Preteen Xtreme 1. Divide the preteens into teams or work together paper pencils marker board and markers as a group. Write things that must be done to prepare for the arrival of the president of the United States. Consider making a list of areas to prepare for. (For example: Working with the secret service and local law enforcement on presidential motorcade, transportation, arranging for security, housing, preparing an area for the president s arrival, parking, seating for spectators, dealing with the media, etc.) 2. Write the ideas of the group(s) on the marker board. Remind the preteens these are just some of the many items that are dealt with each time the president makes an appearance. 3. Let preteens use the ideas to create a drama, perhaps a committee meeting to discuss assignments and assign responsibilities. 4. Say, Just as we prepared for the president, God prepared for the arrival of His Son, Jesus. He sent a man named John, Jesus cousin, to prepare the way. We will learn more in today s message. Invite a guitar player to play today s music. Worship Through Music Ask a few volunteers to come to the front and help lead the group in worship through singing. Choose from these songs found in Great Big Praise 2. The Heavens Are Telling, No. 29 Praise the Name of Jesus, No. 22 I Want to Be a Witness, No. 69 He Is the Son of God, No. 50 Tell the Good News, No. 74 volunteer to play guitar and lead music Great Big Praise 2 book and CD or cassette CD or cassette player 1 3
Kids Talk to God (Prayer) Let the children express concerns, prayer requests, and praises for prayer. Remind the children that when they are talking to others, they cannot hear or talk properly to God. Say, Silently thank God for your family. (Pause) Thank God for loving you. (Pause) Pray for your prayer request. (Pause) Pray for your family. (Pause) Pray for a friend who does not know Jesus. (Pause) Close by asking God to bless the day and each of your children. We Give to God (Offering) Choose two volunteers to collect the offering. Pray for offering basket(s) the offering. Discuss with the children times when God provided for them or their family. Allow time for children to share. Say, When we give to God we are providing money for God s work. It is one way to share His love. Reading God s Word Choose volunteers to read the following verses of Bibles scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5 and Mark 1:1-5. Discuss the similarities in these verses. Remind the children one passage is the Old Testament and the other is New Testament. Ask, How could they be alike when written in different generations? (The Old Testament passage is a prophecy of what would happen.) INVESTIGATE GOD S WORD Choose from these activities to help children investigate God s Word. A Thousand Words Hold up the following objects while you are teaching today s Bible message. Message fur pelt (fake fur preferred) honey a clock or calendar picture of a highway or a map a pitcher of water Locust and Honey A Story About John the Baptist God always keeps His promises. He may not fulfill them when we think He should, but God always keeps His promises. The Old Testament prophets told of a time when God would send the Messiah into the world to help the people restore their relationship to God. (Hold up the clock or calendar.) God fulfilled His promise at just the right time. He began by sending John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. More than 400 years before John was born, the prophet Isaiah announced, In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken (Isaiah 40:3-5). (Hold up the fake fur and honey.) 1 4
John lived in the desert. He wore fur clothing and ate grasshoppers and honey. That sounds strange, but it means that John ate whatever he could find in nature. He was more concerned with being obedient to God than about what he wore or ate. (Hold up the pitcher of water.) John told the people, The Messiah is coming. Stop sinning, and begin obeying God. Be baptized people so you can show others you are serious about following God. Many people came to hear him preach, and many turned from their sins and began obeying God. John became known as John the Baptist. (Hold up the map or picture of the highway.) Before you and I can drive on a highway, highway construction crews work long and hard to make the roads fit for driving. They use large machines to make the ground flat. They use other machines to pour concrete and asphalt. John prepared the people for Jesus coming. He told them to stop sinning and start obeying God. He told them God was preparing a way for them to be forgiven of their sins. John said, Someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am so much greater, I am not even worthy to be his slave. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit! (Mark 1:7-8, NLT). God had a plan to forgive the people of Israel for their sins. God sent Jesus as our Savior, the One who made it possible for us to be forgiven. Each year we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We remember God sent His Son into the world so we may be forgiven of our sins and live with Him in heaven. (You may want to close with a short gospel presentation.) God wants to forgive your sins and help you have a right relationship with Him. All you have to do is ask Him. If you sense God saying you need His forgiveness and you want to make Jesus your best Friend, I want you to pray this prayer with me. (Lead the children in a short prayer asking God to forgive them and asking Jesus to become their best Friend. For more help, see the, My Best Friend, Jesus salvation booklet and free downloadable leader s guide.) REWIND This activity will help young worshipers remember the story they have just heard by retelling it to their friends. 1. Have several sets of the items used to tell the story (fur, honey, pitcher of water, clock or calendar, and the picture of a highway or map). Divide your group into teams of four. fur pelt (fake fur preferred) honey a clock or calendar picture of a highway or a map a pitcher of water December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 3 pencils or pens 2. Give each person on the team one of the objects. Using the object from the story, each worshiper should retell a section of the story pertaining to their particular object. 3. After the children have retold the story, have them switch objects, and retell it a second time with the new object. 4. Distribute December Kids Worship Connections 1, page 3. Have the children review the message in a different way by completing the matching activity REWIND. Have children complete each description by matching the pictures to the statements. Answers: (1) C-time; (2) E-water; (3) D-map; (4) A-fur and B- honey 1 5
Before serving any snack items, check with parents for possible allergies. DISCOVER GOD S WAY Choose from these activities to help children connect the message of God s Word to life. Furry Snack 1. Have the children wash their hands. Pass out the napkins and snack ingredients. Give each child a cracker, a dab of marshmallow crème, and a spoonful of toasted coconut. plastic knives honey graham crackers marshmallow crème toasted coconut napkins 2. Let the children spread honey graham crackers with marshmallow crème using a plastic knife, and then sprinkle with toasted coconut. Have the older children assist the younger ones. 3. Enjoy the snack with the children. While eating, recall today s message. Say, John the Baptist ate grasshoppers and honey. We didn t have any grasshoppers, but we do have honey graham crackers. John wore fur clothing. The toasted coconut we sprinkled on top makes our snack look furry. John told people to repent and get ready to meet the One who was coming (Jesus). God helped John prepare people for Jesus arrival. Ask, Who are some other people God uses to tell others about Him? What are some other ways God uses these people to tell others about Jesus? (People like us, the church, preachers, teachers, missionaries; the Bible and other Christian books; videos like the JESUS film; evangelism tools like the EvangeCube) An Advent wreath may be made or purchased. One way to make it is to use artificial greenery and votive candles in candleholders. Arrange the purple and pink candles in a ring. Place a white candle in the center. Surround the ring with the greenery. Another idea is to use a Styrofoam wreath and make four evenly spaced holes for the purple and pink candles. Cover the foam with pieces of artificial greenery. Place the white candle in the center. Celebrate Advent Preteen Xtreme 1. Prepare an Advent wreath. See Worship Tips for ideas. Bibles Advent wreath with three purple candles, one pink, and one white candle matches or candle lighter 2. Say, Advent means coming. The four Sundays before Christmas are the Advent season, when Christians prepare in various ways to celebrate Jesus coming to earth: praying, fasting, and thinking about their spiritual life. One of the ways to celebrate Advent is to light candles in an Advent wreath and read a brief devotional thought. The four candles in our wreath represent the four Sundays leading up to Christmas and the white candle stands for the birth of Jesus, our Savior. Each Sunday we will light one new candle as well as the candles previously lit. The fourth Sunday we will also light the white Christ Candle. 3. Let several preteens read the following passages prior to the lighting of the Advent candle for today: Isaiah 40:3-5; Psalm 130:5; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 1:76. 4. Have one preteen light the first purple candle and say, Today we light the first candle. This candle represents the prophets whose message brought hope of a Messiah or Savior. God prepared for the Savior through the prophets and the forerunner, John the Baptist, whom we learned about today. 1 6
Christmas Maze 1. Give each child December Kids Worship Connections 1, page 1. December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 1 pencils 2. Talk to the children about ways to help people know who Jesus is. Ask kids to share their ideas. 3. Then have the children complete the Christmas maze. Ask, What words did you discover and unscramble in the maze that may help you answer the big question, How can I help people know about Jesus? (Share what Jesus means to me; Tell others about Jesus and His love; Invite friends and family to church and special Christmas programs; Give food, money, and time to help others learn about Jesus love; Pray for others, especially those who don t know Jesus.) SHARE GOD S LOVE Choose from these activities to challenge children to go out and live their lives for God. Preteen Xtreme Appreciation Ornament Encourage your children to show appreciation to those who regularly tell others about Jesus pastor, children s pastor, youth pastor, Sunday School teachers, worship leader, etc. clear glass or plastic ornaments white glue, slightly thinned egg cartons glitter paper towels ribbon and tags 1. Remove the top of the ornament. 2. Pour slightly thinned white glue inside the ornament and roll it around to cover the inside. Then set it upside down on an egg carton section to drain for a few minutes. 3. Sprinkle glitter inside the ornament and shake it around to cover. Then set it upside down to dry. 4. When dry, replace the top and tie a ribbon and tag to the ornament. Have the children give the ornaments to people they appreciate. 1 7
Here are the sections of the verse for the game: This is love: / not that we / loved God but / that he loved / us and sent / his Son as / an atoning sacrifice / for our sins / (1 John 4:10). Memory Wreath 1. Play a game to review the unit Bible memory verse, 1 John 4:10. Divide the verse into three-word December Kids Worship Connections 1, p. 4 pencils crayons phrases. Write each phrase on a sentence strip. Call nine children to the front. Randomly hand out the strips. Have the children hold the strips, read them silently, and arrange themselves in order to complete the verse. Then have the whole group read or say the verse several times. 2. Ask, What does this verse tell us about God? (God loved us first.) How did God show His love for us? (He sent His Son to be our Savior.) 3. Give each child December Kids Worship Connections 1, page 4. 4. Have the children fill in the missing words and color the wreath. (Answers: love, loved, loved, Son, sins) Challenge and Blessing Review this quarter s Kid s Question and this unit s God s Answer. Say, Our Kid s Question is, How can a kid like me have a relationship with God? and our God s Answer is, God made the first move. Say, God made the first move in His relationship with us. He sent His Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. He wants to have a personal relationship with each of us. Ask, How do we have a personal relationship with God? (Let children share. Answers should include the ideas of repenting or being sorry for disobeying God, asking for and receiving God s forgiveness, and choosing to follow/obey God.) Say, May God bless you as you go from this place. May you be willing to be like John the Baptist, helping others know about Jesus. 1 8