3 - Crossroads Church

Transcription

Curriculum Materials for Kindergarten–5th Grades
CREATE THE
ENVIRONMENT: PHOBIA ISLAND!
For the month of September, we’re
headed to Phobia Island, where
anything can happen to help kids
learn more about what God has to
say about courage.
BEFORE KIDS LEAVE THE 5TH GRADE,
WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND 3 BASIC TRUTHS:
WISDOM I need to make the wise choice.
FAITH I can trust God no matter what.
FRIENDSHIP I should treat others the way I want to be treated.
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Orange
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Greg Payne
Phil Pierce
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Jon Williams
Lori Chergosky
Emily Meredith
Abbey McCormack
Julie Tiemann
Mike Tiemann
Jill Turner
Elloa Davis
Jennifer Davis
Dana Wilkerson
Mike Davis
Dan Scott
Brian Bascle
Joe Goode
Hadley Brandt
Amy Grisham
Joy Bowen
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STATEMENT OF FAITH
252
GOOD-TO-KNOW
TERMS
HOST
the “emcee” who is relational, often
funny and comfortable up front
ABOUT
GOD
ABOUT
PEOPLE
God is the one and only true God, yet He
People are made in God’s image and for
exists in three persons: God the Father,
His pleasure. But everybody falls short of
God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
God’s intention, or ideal, for people. In
God is the Creator, so everything belongs
other words, everyone has sinned. As a
to Him and is under His control. God is
result, we are all separated from Him, even
holy, so He is righteous, majestic, and
though He wants an intimate relationship
loving. God is all knowing and purposeful,
with each of us.
so He’s at work to bring about His will. No
person, thing, or idea compares to God.
STORYTELLER
the communicator sharing the Bible
story in a creative way
WORSHIP LEADER
a singer who can engage and lead
with music and motions
Note: If you have one large
group leader for all three roles, we
recommend 252 Compact
CG
slides with images and words to
ABOUT
THE BIBLE
ABOUT
SALVATION
God reveals Himself to us through the
That’s why Jesus—God’s Son—came and
Bible, and it is 100% accurate, reliable, and
lived on this earth, died, and rose again.
authoritative.
God offers His free gift of salvation to all
who believe in Jesus and accept Him as
Savior—the only way to be forgiven and
reconciled to God. Anyone who accepts
this gift is adopted as a son or daughter
into God’s family and will live with Him
forever in heaven.
project onscreen
Note: If you don’t have projection
capabilities, you can print these as
posters.
SFX
music or sound effects to play as
part of the large group experience
SMALL GROUP LEADER
One consistent leader for the same
8-10 children all year
• We suggest you start and end
in small group so kids connect
relationally with one leader and
other similar-aged peers.
Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978,
1984 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica.
Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, Copyright ©1995, 1996,
1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of
NavPress Publishing Group.
• If you have multiple small groups
meeting in one room, try using
circle area rugs to give each group
their own spot.
• Offer as many of the activities as
your time, space, and resources
allow.
September | Week 3 | 2013 | K–5 Compact
COURAGE
Being brave enough to do what you should do, even when you’re afraid.
FOR LEADERS ONLY
GOD VIEW: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COURAGE AND GOD’S CHARACTER,
AS SHOWN THROUGH GOD’S BIG STORY
In the beginning of their relationship
Courage is not the absence of fear
This week, we’re discovering:
with Jesus, the disciples might not
but how you respond in the face of
In this week’s Bible story, Moses was
have been the most courageous
fear. When we approach situations,
up against an impossible task: on one
bunch you’ve ever seen. Remember
we can remember that God is bigger
side was the Red Sea on the other side
when the storm blew up and even
than anything we face. If we’re afraid
was the Egyptian army coming after
the most seasoned fishermen woke
we’ll be all alone, He will be with
the Israelites (Exodus 14). Only God
Jesus in a panic (Mark 4)? But Jesus
us. If we’re afraid we’re not good
could save them. Moses stood strong
wasn’t scared. He knew the power
enough, He’ll provide the gifting we
in the face of fear and trusted God
and reliability of God. Time and again
need. And when we can’t understand
with the outcome.
Jesus showed His disciples that God
what’s going to happen, we can
would provide whenever they needed
remember that God sees everything
Our Bottom Line is: I can be brave
Him. As they learned to trust God, the
that’s happening and wants what’s
even when things seem impossible.
disciples’ courage grew—to the point
best for us. Then we can move forward
We often find ourselves in situations
that Peter and John boldly testified
courageously.
that feel impossible. For kids, it might
before the Jewish government (Acts 4)
about Jesus’ life and resurrection.
be moving to a new town or parents
This month, let’s think about how:
divorcing. It’s hard to know what’s
(1) God desires a relationship with us.
going to happen and how everything
Courage is being brave enough to
Being courageous demonstrates trust
will be okay. But we can have courage
do what you should do, even when
and builds that relationship.
because we trust God.
you’re afraid. Peter and John were
(2) The Bible challenges us to respond
facing imprisonment—or worse—but
to life with courage even when what
The monthly memory verse is: “When
they had courage to speak openly
we face doesn’t make sense.
I’m afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm
about Jesus because they knew God
(3) As we trust God and show courage,
56:3 NIrV. The story of Moses teaches
would give them the words they
we become more like Jesus who was
us that God can make a solution even
needed. We can also face potentially
brave enough to say and do what God
when we can’t see the possibility. And
scary situations because we trust God
asked—even when He faced death on
when we bravely follow God into that
will take care of us.
the cross.
solution, we can see God do amazing
things that we never imagined.
3
Curriculum Materials for K-5th Grades
SEPT
K–5
COMPACT
WEEK
3
HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING IN
KINDERGARTEN–5TH GRADE THIS WEEK:
PLUG IN
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO FOCUS THE ENERGY
• Ideas for Early Arrivers
• Impossible!
POWER UP
COURAGE
Being brave enough
to do what you
should do, even
when you’re afraid.
INTERACTIVE LARGE GROUP EXPERIENCE
TO ENGAGE THE HEART
• Opener
• Worship
• Bible story
BIBLE STORY
• Prayer
The Old Man and the Sea (Moses and the Red
• Closer
Sea) • Exodus 14
CATCH ON
BOTTOM LINE
I can be brave even when things seem impossible.
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO MAKE THE CONNECTION
(CHOOSE TWO OR MORE OF THESE ACTIVITIES)
MEMORY VERSE
• Cross the Sea
“When I’m afraid, I will trust in you.”
• An Alternative Ending (Alternate Activity for Older
Psalm 56:3, NIrV
Kids)
• That’s Impossible!
• Never? (Alternate Activity For Younger Kids)
BASIC TRUTH:
I can trust God no matter what.
• Picture This
• Crush-Fest (Alternate Activity for Older Kids)
DISMISSAL
• Pray, share and reflect on today’s lesson before
leaving
4
September | 2013 | K–5
COURAGE
Being brave enough to do
WEEK
what you should do, even
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
Note! This version of the curriculum is designed especially for churches with fewer leaders and kids. You may want to use it
if you have just one or two leaders and if you combine all your kids in both Large and Small Group time.
GETTING READY
PLUG IN: FOCUS THE ENERGY (Choose one or both of these activities.)
Early Arriver
• An offering container
Impossible!
• Hershey’s® Kisses®; at least 2 per child
• Paper plates; 1 per child
• Moist wipes
OR for a non-messy, allergy sensitive and sugar-free option:
• Chair
• At least 3 canning jar rings
POWER UP: ENGAGE THE HEART
Engage children’s hearts in a Large Group setting through interactive worship, prayer, and an innovative telling of today’s
Bible story.
1.OPENER/CLOSER
What You Need:
• Assistant
• Leader
• Chair or fake tree
• Giant animal crate (borrow one, or in a pinch, use a huge cardboard box)
• A very, very small dog (borrow one; can be real or remote-controlled)
Music and Sound Effects (SFX):
• Upbeat music to use as kids enter and exit the room
Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website):
• Memory Verse Slide
• Courage Slide
• Bottom Line Slide
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
What You Do:
•Download the slides and have them ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have Orange’s permission
to enlarge and print the slides on paper.
• Download the music from a resource such as iTunes® and have it ready to play.
2. BIBLE STORY
What You Need:
• Leader
• Assistant
• Pre-selected Small Group Leader volunteer (should be familiar with the script)
• Bible
• Nametag for Moses
• Staff for Moses (same one from last week)
• Crown
• Robe
• Prop box filled with:
o Stuffed animal (A farm animal, like a cow or sheep)
o A Backpack
o Pillar of cloud (cotton candy or batting on a stick or empty paper towel roll)
o Pillar of fire (could be a lantern on a pole, or some orange and yellow tissue paper on the end of an empty
paper towel roll)
• Older Child to hold Pillar of Cloud
• Chariot (a wheelbarrow or Power Wheels® car)
• Blue streamers
• Grocery bags or gallon-size re-sealable plastic bags (one for each Small Group)
Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website):
• Bottom Line Slide
What You Do:
•Download the slide and have it ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have Orange’s permission to
enlarge and print the slides on paper.
•Cut enough blue streamers for each kid in your environment to have a 2-foot piece. Put the streamers in re-sealable
plastic bags to give to the SGLs before Large Group starts.
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
3.WORSHIP
What You Need:
• Leader(s)
Music and Sound Effects (SFX):
• “Let Revolution Start” from Living Inside Out*
• “Forever Reign” from Living Inside Out*
*Live lyrics video available from https://AmberSkyRecords.com/
What You Do:
• Download all songs (available on AmberSkyRecords.com) and have them ready to use.
• Download and print this week’s tech sheet for everyone helping with Large Group.
4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GET REEL: This month with Get Reel 2.0, create an environment that helps kids Out Last, Out Stand, and Out Trust their
fears—with God’s help!
This week, we recommend playing the Live Loud video to inspire the key faith skill of Worshiping with Your Life. Also on
Get Reel 2.0, you can enhance your environment with themed audio transitions (instrumental) to help you move between
segments in your Large Group production.
CATCH ON: MAKE THE CONNECTION (Choose as many of these activities as you like.)
* If you don’t have time to do all these activities, be sure to do activity #3. Activity #1 is particularly good for children who
need to move in order to stay engaged.
Cross the Sea (application activity / review the Bible story / great for active learners)
• No supplies needed
Alternate Activity for Older Kids:
An Alternative Ending (review the Bible story)
• Bibles
• Four large pieces of poster board
• Masking tape
• Paper
• Colored pencils or markers
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
That’s Impossible! (application activity)
• Scrap paper
• Large plastic bowl
• Pencils
Alternate Activity For Younger Kids:
Never? (application activity)
• “Never?” (Activity Page); make 1 photocopy per child
• Markers or crayons
Picture This (memory verse activity)
• “Picture This” (Activity Page) for each kid
• Markers
Alternate Activity for Older Kids:
Crush-Fest (memory verse activity)
• Bible for each student
• Baseball (or other hard ball) for each student
• Empty plastic soda bottle for each student
• Paper towel tube for each student
• Re-sealable plastic bag for each student
Note: If you don’t have enough baseballs, bottles, or tubes for each student, they can share and take turns.
Prayer
• Wadded up papers in bowl from the “That’s Impossible!” activity
For Younger Children:
• The kids’ “Never?” drawings
Additional Resources:
• Make copies on cardstock of this week’s GodTime and Parent Cue cards.
•Give or tell parents about our additional family resources: Studio252.tv, CUE Box, and the Parent Cue app. To find
out more about these great resources, go to http://www.Studio252.tv/leaders.
8
COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
BIBLE STORY:
THE OLD MAN
AND THE SEA
Exodus 14
BOTTOM LINE:
I can be brave even when things seem
impossible.
MEMORY VERSE:
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
PLUG IN: FOCUS THE ENERGY
Focus the energy on today’s Bible story in a Small Group setting with an
engaging discussion question and an interactive opening activity.
Before kids arrive, pray for each regular attendee by name. Pray for those
who might visit your group for the first time. Pray specifically for the kids you
know are facing seemingly impossible situations. Ask God to show up in those
situations and make the impossible possible. Pray the kids will courageously
know that they will be okay.
1. EARLY ARRIVER IDEA
What You Need: No supplies needed
Psalm 56:3, NIrV
BASIC TRUTH:
What You Do:
Ask kids to imagine all the things they hope will be possible someday that aren’t
now. Some examples might be flying cars, robots that make their beds, phones
they wear around their wrists, etc. Collect the offering.
What You Say:
“It’s pretty fun to think about all the things that might be possible someday. I bet
when our grandparents were young they never imagined we would have things
like the Internet and cell phones. Who knows what might be possible in the
future! In Large Group today, we will hear about a man who saw something he
never could have imagined.”
Apply
go and do
Impress
impress this upon their minds
Personalize
a personal story from the heart
Recycle
important things to say over and over
Transition
making a transition from one
leader to another
2. IMPOSSIBLE!
What You Need: Hershey’s® Kisses®, paper plates, moist wipes; OR a chair and
canning jar rings
What You Do:
Give each child a paper plate and a piece of candy. Guide the kids to place the
candy on their plates and hold their hands behind their backs. Challenge them
to use only their mouths to unwrap the candies and eat only the chocolate. The
task will be messy and almost impossible! Provide plenty of wipes when the
challenge ends—the kids will need them! Reward the kids’ efforts by giving each
child a chocolate to eat—the normal way.
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
What You Do (non-food option):
Guide the kids to line up at one end of your room. Place a chair upside down at the opposite side of the room so that
the legs are facing the children. Place the chair as far as possible from the children to provide the maximum difficulty.
Give the first child in line three canning jar rings and challenge her to toss them one at a time in an attempt to ring a leg
of the chair.
What You Say:
“It was just about impossible to unwrap the Kisses® with your mouths [or ring a leg of the chair].
In our Bible story
today, we’ll hear about something that truly seemed impossible. Let’s go to Large Group and learn more.”
Lead your group to the Large Group area.
10
COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
BIBLE STORY:
THE OLD MAN
AND THE SEA
Exodus 14
BOTTOM LINE:
I can be brave even when things seem
impossible.
MEMORY VERSE:
Psalm 56:3, NIrV
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
POWER UP: ENGAGE THE HEART
Engage children’s hearts in a large group setting through interactive worship,
prayer, and an innovative re-telling of today’s Bible story.
SFX: Play high-energy music as kids enter
Assistant is already on the stage, either standing on a chair
or possibly holding tight to a fake tree. A giant empty animal
crate is sitting on the stage, door open.
OPENER
Leader enters, yelling Assistant’s name.
LEADER: “[Assistant’s name]! (Spot Assistant.) Oh, there you are. Why are you
up there?”
BASIC TRUTH:
ASSISTANT: (Trembling, voice shaking) “H-h-h-h-ercules.”
LEADER: “Huh?”
ASSISTANT: (Stronger this time) “Hercules. (Point to the empty crate.) The d-dd-dog.”
LEADER: (Squat down to look in the crate.) “I don’t see a dog.”
Apply
go and do
ASSISTANT: (Practically shouting) “I know! That’s the point! He got out! (Stage
whisper) He got out! He broke outta that cage and came at me! I don’t know
what to do. I’m so scared! And the worst part is, he’s not mine!”
Impress
impress this upon their minds
LEADER: (Dryly) “Yeah, I gathered that.”
Personalize
a personal story from the heart
ASSISTANT: “I’m watching him for a friend. I knew it was a mistake! It seemed
impossible—I mean, clearly I’m terrified of dogs—but I was trying to be brave.
And I figured I could just keep him in his crate and things would be fine. But now
he’s out and I don’t know what to do. (Whine like a dog.)
Recycle
important things to say over and over
Transition
making a transition from one
leader to another
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
LEADER: “Okay, let’s think through this. We’re in a small space. How far could he really have gone?”
ASSISTANT: “You may have a point.”
LEADER: “Why don’t you come down from there and we’ll see if we can find him?”
ASSISTANT: “You’ll help me?”
LEADER: “Of course. Just come down!”
ASSISTANT: “You’re so brave! Okay, I’ll come down.”
Assistant climbs down, slowly, looking around for the dog. Leader sticks his head backstage and
looks around.
LEADER: “Oh, hey there, Hercules! (To Assistant) Hey man, I found him.”
ASSISTANT: “Oh, what a relief!”
Assistant tiptoes quickly off stage, opposite of the Leader, trying to avoid the dog. Leader turns around
and looks for the Assistant, who has disappeared.
LEADER: “[Assistant’s name], hello? Hello? Hmm, looks like [Assistant’s name] has a bit more work to do on courage.”
WORSHIP
LEADER: “But you know what? I think we all need courage every day whether it’s because of a dog or because we need
to do the right thing. Stand up on your feet, everybody. Some of you may need courage to sing along and participate
with us. We’re gonna sing a song called ‘Let Revolution Start.’ To make a difference in this world it has to start with us.
C’mon, take courage and sing along with us.
SFX: “Let Revolution Start” / track 5 from Living Inside Out
LEADER: “Yeah! That was awesome. This next song is a new one called ‘Forever Reign.’ Our God reigns forever and ever.
Psalm 146:10 says, ‘The LORD reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the Lord.’ Whatever we face in
life, we can run to the arms of God. He is always there for us. Let’s sing this new song.”
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
SFX: “Forever Reign” / track 12 from Living Inside Out
SETTING UP THE STORY
Leader can start on the stage, but he will eventually need to get down in the crowd to tell the story and
help guide the kids, who will be acting out the story.
LEADER: “Good job singing, everyone! Well, you guys may remember how last week we learned how God rescued the
Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But the adventure was just beginning for the Israelites, because they still had to get out of
the land of Egypt. Moses gathered the Israelites quickly and they began the long march to the land God had promised.
Moses led them out into the desert, but they weren’t alone. God sent a pillar of fire ahead of them, pointing the way.
Every night the fire went ahead. And every day, a pillar of cloud led the way. But so many people and children and
animals couldn’t move very fast.
“You know what, this story would be a lot easier to imagine if we had someone to play the Israelites. Can I have a Small
Group? Don’t worry—everyone’s going to have a part to play today!
Choose a Small Group Leader to play Moses. Give him a Moses nametag and a staff. Choose two
children from his group to represent the Israelites, give one child a backpack and the other a stuffed
animal. SGL should be instructed before Large Group to pantomime the Moses actions as narrated by
the Leader.
“And I need one more volunteer to hold the pillars of fire and cloud.
Choose an older child and hand her the fire and cloud. Instruct her to hold up the pillar of cloud unless
you say otherwise.
(To the “Israelites”) “So I need you guys to start marching around the room, and pillar-holder, you lead the way with the
pillar of cloud.
NOT SO FAST
LEADER: “Meanwhile, back in Egypt, Pharaoh was having a change of heart again. After finally telling the Israelites they
could leave, reality was setting in for him and his officials as they thought about all of the work that the Israelite slaves
used to do. Who would do the work now? So Pharaoh (clear throat loudly), I said PHARAOH ordered that his chariot be
made ready …
13
COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
Assistant enters, dressed as Pharaoh in a robe and crown and pushing a wheelbarrow or riding a
motorized toy car. He begins chasing the two Israelites.
“… along with his army and all of the best chariots in Egypt. And Pharaoh and the Egyptian army took off, chasing the
Israelites as they left Egypt.
“As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and realized that the Egyptians not only were marching toward them
but also that the Red Sea was directly in front of them. They were trapped!
“Pharaoh, chase those Israelites right up front here, and all of you stop. Let’s see … I need the rest of you to play the role
of the Red Sea. Moses, please hand out the … umm … sea.
The Small Group Leader playing Moses pulls out the blue streamers and hand one piece to each kid.
NOTE: If you have more than one Small Group Leader, those other leaders can handout the streamers
to the kids rather than Moses.
“Okay, I need everyone to hold their streamer up high in the air. Now you guys need to wave your arms up and down
to make the waves of the sea. Hmm, that looks pretty good, but I’m still not sure it shows just how scary that sea would
have seemed.
“Okay, that should do it! You can imagine how scared the Israelites were—Pharaoh and the Egyptian army bearing
down on them from behind, and the roaring Red Sea in front of them! They cried out to God. (Read Exodus 14:11-12
directly from the Bible.) ‘They said to Moses, “Why did you bring us to the desert to die? Weren’t there any graves in
Egypt? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? We told you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone. Let us serve the
Egyptians.’ It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die here in the desert!”’ (NIrV)
(To the two kids playing the Israelites.) “You guys don’t look very scared. Pretend you’re the Israelites—look terrified!
“And just like that, things seemed impossible. I can just imagine how this all played out. The Israelites must have been
feeling so happy and free—finally they were escaping Pharaoh and all of the awful ways he had treated them. But then
suddenly things looked really bad again as they saw Pharaoh and his army on their heels. How in the world could they
outrun the king of Egypt and his army, with all their fancy chariots and weapons? Clearly the end had come. It would be
impossible for them to escape. But Moses didn’t lose hope and put his trust in God.
The SGL playing Moses should pantomime the actions anytime the Leader talks about him.
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COURAGE
WEEK
3
PLUG IN
10-15 min
POWER UP
CATCH ON
20-25 min
25-30 min
(Read Exodus 14:13-14 directly from the Bible.) “‘Moses answered the people. He said, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You
will see how the LORD will save you today. Do you see those Egyptians? You will never see them again. The LORD will
fight for you. Just be still.”’ (NIrV)
WALL OF WATER
LEADER: “Moses knew God’s heart and how much God loved His people. He knew they could trust God to take care of
them. And he was right. God told Moses to hold his staff out and reach his hand out over the Red Sea to part the water.
God moved the pillars of fire and cloud to stand behind the Israelites and confuse the Egyptians.
Move the pillar-holder to be between the two Israelites and Pharaoh and instruct her to hold up
both pillars.
“All through the night, God brought darkness to one side and light to the other. Neither army went near the other all
night long. Then Moses did what God said. He reached his hand out over the Red Sea.
Moses reaches out his staff. Leader walks through the crowd, parting the kids onto two sides of
the room.
(To the “sea”) “Okay, Red Sea, hold up the streamers as though it’s the wall of water. And Israelites, it’s time for you to
slowly walk through. Pillar-holder, you need to stay back until the Israelites cross.
“All that night, God pushed the sea back with a strong wind. The waters were parted, and He turned the sea into dry
land! The Israelites went through the sea on dry ground. There was a wall of water on their right side and on their left
side as they pushed forward, trusting that God would help them brave it out. And even though it seemed impossible, the
water held until all of the Israelites made it across.
WATER FALLS
LEADER: “Unfortunately, the Egyptians didn’t give up so easily. As the night wore on and the morning approached, they
could see the sea parted ahead, and they took off again after the Israelites. All of Pharaoh’s horses and chariots followed
them into the sea.
Pharaoh starts to pass through the sea.
“But God saw what was happening, and He gave Moses another set of instructions. (Read Exodus 14:26 directly from the
Bible.) ‘Then the LORD spoke to Moses. He said, “Reach your hand out over the sea. The waters will flow back over the
Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.”’ (NIrV)
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POWER UP
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Moses puts his hand out over the sea. Instruct the kids to lower their arms and wave the streamers
toward the middle of the room and come back together. Pharaoh should leave his “chariot” behind,
crouch down, and quickly exit the sea and then the room. Then instruct the kids to lay the streamers
down on the ground as though it is the sea, calm once more.
“So once again, Moses obeyed God. He reached his hand out over the sea. And as the sun began to rise, the waters
roared back into place, covering the Egyptian army. But the Israelites were safe on the shore, thanks to God’s protection.
Have the kids sit down where they are.
WRAPPING UP THE STORY
LEADER: “Only a short time before, stuck between the Egyptian army and the wide Red Sea, moving forward had
seemed impossible. But God had protected His people and given them the courage to keep going. God was bigger than
the impossible for the Israelites, and He’s bigger than whatever seems impossible in our lives, too, because I know that
I can trust God no matter what, and I can be brave even when things seem impossible.
“What seems impossible for me may be different than what seems impossible for you. Maybe your family is about to
move, or your best friend is moving away. Or maybe someone you love is really sick, or your parents are fighting. All of
those things seem so scary and even impossible to survive. But here’s the thing: they’re not, because God is bigger than
all of them. That doesn’t mean He’ll make them go away. Your friend still might move, and your loved one may not get
better. But you can keep moving forward and stay brave because God is with you and He’s bigger than anything you
might face. You can trust Him and be brave even when things seem impossible. Let’s pray.”
PRAY
LEADER: “Dear God, thank You for always being someone we can trust, and for pushing back the waves in our lives so
we can bravely keep walking. You are bigger than everything we face, and because of that, we know that we can be brave
even when things seem impossible. Thank You for giving us courage. We pray these things in Jesus’ name, amen.”
Leader exits. Assistant enters.
CLOSER
ASSISTANT: “Hey, you guys, just wanted you to know that Hercules has been happily chowing down on some puppy food
during the Bible story and [Leader’s name] is gonna bring him out in a minute. I just want you to understand that my fear
of dogs might make me a little prone to exaggeration. Don’t get me wrong, this dog is terrifying. Well, to me, anyway.
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CATCH ON
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Leader enters with the tiny dog. There will likely be laughter. He hands the leash to Assistant, who tries to stay as far away
from the dog as possible while still holding onto the leash.
“What? Are you laughing at me? This dog is ferocious! She has been known to bark very, very loudly. (Mumble) When
you step on her foot … okay, I give up. I know I am being ridiculous. It’s just that, for me, Hercules is like the Red Sea. It
seems impossible for me to get over my fear of dogs. But, if there’s one thing I learned today, it’s that God doesn’t know
the word ‘impossible.’ He is bigger than anything, including my fears. God can do anything—even things that we think
are impossible. That’s why it’s a good idea to put your faith and trust in Him, especially during the times when things
seem impossibly scary. It’s just like Psalm 56:3 says—
CG: Memory Verse Slide
“‘When I’m afraid, I will trust in you.’ Who knows what seemingly impossible things you or I might face this week, but
I can tell you that whatever they are, God can help you find the courage to face them. That’s why the one thing to
remember is this—
CG: Bottom Line Slide
“I can be brave even when things seem impossible. Say that with me.”
ASSISTANT and KIDS: “I can be brave even when things seem impossible.”
ASSISTANT: “Just ask God for help the next time you’re impossibly scared. Because you know what? We’re all going to
be scared at some point. And being scared doesn’t mean you can’t have courage. In fact, courage is …
CG: Courage Slide
“… being brave enough to do what you should do, EVEN WHEN you’re afraid. Like, I know right now I should get
Hercules back in her crate so I can get her back to my friend. So … here goes nothing.
Act like you’re reaching for the dog, but chicken out at the last minute. Drop the leash, turn, and run, as
though the dog is chasing you (which may or may not actually happen, depending on the type of dog
you have). Have Leader or a stagehand ready to come on stage and grab the leash.
(Yell behind you as you run off stage) “I changed my mind. Hercules isn’t like the Red Sea! She’s more like Pharaoh and
his army!”
Dismiss children to their Small Groups.
SFX: Play high-energy music as the kids exit
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POWER UP
CATCH ON
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25-30 min
CATCH ON: MAKE THE CONNECTION
Make the connection on how today’s Bible story applies to real life experiences through interactive activities and
discussion questions.
1. CROSS THE SEA (application activity / review the Bible story / great for active learners)
What You Need: No supplies needed
What You Do:
Review the Bible story with the kids by talking about how the Israelites must have felt with a huge sea ahead of them and
the Egyptian army behind them. Then, divide the kids into two groups—Red Sea and Israelites. Have the Red Sea kids
scatter throughout the room and close their eyes. They have to leave their eyes closed as they reach out their hands and
use them as tentacles to try and tag the Israelites. The Israelites will try to pass through the Red Sea to the other side of
the room without being tagged. If they get tagged, they become part of the sea. Switch teams when all the kids have
either made it to the other side or been tagged.
What You Say:
“It may have seemed hard for you to get to the other side of the room today without getting tagged, but not impossible.
Imagine how impossible it must have seemed for the Israelites when they had the Egyptian army with all their weapons
behind them and nothing but the Red Sea in front of them! I bet they thought they would never get across. And, how do
you think Moses felt? A lot of people were really counting on him. The Israelites had to learn quickly that I can be brave
even when things seem impossible.
(Tell kids about a time you thought something was impossible, but you made
it through. What or who helped?) Remember that I can be brave even when things seem impossible. When we do
this, it will help us know how to live and we will grow like Jesus did.
This week, when you feel like giving up on
something, remember the Israelites and keep going.”
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY FOR OLDER KIDS
AN ALTERNATIVE ENDING (review the Bible story)
What You Need: Bibles, poster board, masking tape, paper, colored pencils or markers
What You Do:
Hand out three of the poster board pieces to your group members. Instruct the students to draw on each piece of poster
board a part of the Bible story that took place just before God parted the Red Sea. They are working on what will become
a three-piece storyboard to represent the events that happened in today’s Bible story before God parted the Red Sea.
For example, they may first brainstorm and choose to recap the plagues on the first piece of poster board, Pharaoh
letting the people go on the second piece, and Pharaoh chasing the Israelites to get them to the edge of the Red Sea on
the third piece. If you sense that some students may be sensitive about their art skills, tell the whole group to use stick
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figures and cartoon-style speech bubbles. Display these somehow, by taping them to a wall or setting them up on chairs
like easels.
Next, hand out paper and tell kids that they all have the chance to draw or write out an alternative ending to the story
as if it ended a different way than God parting the Red Sea. Some ideas may include giving the Israelites super powers,
changing the Egyptians into slugs or zapping all of the Israelites into a submarine. As students finish their drawings, have
them tape their pictures to the final large piece of poster board. When everyone is done, have each student share their
alternative endings. Finally, have a volunteer read Exodus 14:21-22.
What You Say:
“It’s easy to come up with different ways we’d do things if we use a little imagination. But this isn’t science fiction or a
comic book—it’s history. It’s something amazing that really happened because of God’s power and wisdom. God knows
what we need and when we need it because He can see the big picture all at once.
You can trust that He is there
for you even when you can’t see or feel Him close. God told Moses what to do in a scary situation, even when
Moses couldn’t see the ending. And Moses trusted Him. Even when you can’t see a happy ending, God will guide
you too if you trust Him when you’re afraid. We’re learning all throughout this series what it means to have courage,
and because
I can trust God no matter what, I can be brave even when things seem impossible.”
2. THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE! (application activity)
What You Need: Scrap paper, large plastic bowl, pencils
What You Do:
Have kids tear a piece of paper into four sections and write something on each piece that feels impossible right now—
something they want God’s help with (no names on the papers). If they run out of ideas for themselves, they can put
impossible things in the lives of people they are close to. Then, have them wad up the papers, take two steps back from
the bowl, and try to throw one of the papers in. Then, ask them to take two more steps back and try to throw the next
paper in the bowl. Finally, ask them to take four steps back and try again. After they try to throw the paper in the bowl
(and fail), pick up the bowl and go around to each kid, standing close enough that they can’t help but get the last papers
in the bowl.
What You Say:
“Sometimes we are faced with situations that seem impossible. We look at something and say, ‘No way!’ but then we find
that we actually can make it through anything with God’s help. We just have to trust God enough to be able to say I can
be brave even when things seem impossible.
This week, if you come across something that seems impossible,
imagine God helping you get through it anyway.”
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25-30 min
ALTERNATE ACTIVITY FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
NEVER? (application activity)
What You Need: “Never?” (Activity Page), markers or crayons
What You Do:
Give each child an Activity Page and guide him to describe what he sees. Invite the kids to draw something that seems
impossible to them between the waters of the “Red Sea.” It might be something they or someone they know might be
facing. They might draw a moving van, someone who is angry, someone who is sick, arguing parents, or any other difficult
thing. They could also write words.
What You Say:
“For the Israelites, being stuck between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army seemed like an impossible situation. But for
God, it wasn’t impossible at all; it was simply a chance for Him to show the Israelites and the Egyptians his power. Moses
knew God’s power, and so he told the Israelites: ‘Don’t be afraid. Stand firm. You will see how the LORD will save you
today. … The LORD will fight for you. Just be still.’ (Exodus 14:13-14, NIrV)
“When you face something that seems impossible, you may feel scared, angry, or even lonely. But remember
that ‘nothing is impossible with God.’ (Luke 1:37, NIV) He loves you, and He will help you. He may not make your
problems go away, but you can trust He is with you and that He’s bigger than anything you might face. You can even
remember what Moses told the Israelites: ‘Don’t be afraid. … The LORD will fight for you. Just be still.’ And remember
our Bottom Line: I can be brave even when things seem impossible.”
* 3. PICTURE THIS (memory verse activity)
What You Need: “Picture This” (Activity Pages), markers
What You Do:
Review the memory verse with the kids. Then, have kids use their non-dominant hand to illustrate being afraid on the left
side of their Activity Page and trusting in God anyway on the right side of their Activity Page.
What You Say:
“Some of you guys might have thought it would be impossible to draw with your other hand, but you did a pretty good
job after all! It’s easy to say that we trust in God, but it can be hard in times when we are scared or uncertain. In those
times, think back to these pictures and the verse written under them and remember that I can be brave even when
things seem impossible.
Let’s make a commitment to not just say we trust in God, but to also show Him we
trust Him by being brave.
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ALTERNATE ACTIVITY FOR OLDER KIDS
CRUSH-FEST (memory verse activity)
What You Need: Bibles, baseballs, empty plastic soda bottles, paper towel tubes, plastic bags
What You Do:
Hand out Bibles and instruct your group members find Psalm 56:3. Have them review it with a quick glance so they can
say it from memory. Next, hand everyone a baseball and have instruct kids to hold it with one hand. Tell them to say the
memory verse out loud as they squeeze the ball as hard as they can, as if they were trying to crush it.
Hand everyone an empty plastic soda bottle (without the cap). Ask them to brainstorm something people their age trust
in when they’re scared instead of God, such as their own strength or intelligence. Each kid should pick one and adapt the
memory verse to reflect that as they squeeze the soda bottle. For example, “When I’m afraid, I may end up trusting in my
own abilities.” (When they squeeze the bottle, it will flatten.) Then have them switch back to the baseball and repeat the
actual memory verse as they squeeze the ball again.
Repeat this same exercise with an empty paper towel cardboard tube, using one of the other things they brainstormed as
your statement. Make your final object a re-sealable plastic bag that you blow into and seal so when you squeeze it the
bag pops. You could say about this one, “When I’m afraid, I may end up trusting in a lot of hot air or words.” Again, end
with everyone reciting the memory verse and squeezing the baseball.
What You Say:
“One of our gut reactions when we’re scared is to look for something to hang onto. The Israelites couldn’t see how God
was going to bring them through what was in front of them, so they often struggled with wanting to hang onto their past
or even powerless false gods that the Egyptians worshiped.
One of the reasons we held the baseball when we said
our memory verse is because it helps to remember I can be brave even when things seem impossible. Everything
else we grabbed onto crushed or folded when we grabbed it, just like everything in life other than God has a breaking
point. Think about that the next time you trust in something other than God.”
PRAY AND DISMISS
What You Need: Wadded up papers in bowl from “That’s Impossible!” or (for younger children) the children’s “Never?”
drawings from earlier
What You Do:
Open up the wadded papers and quickly preview them for identifying details. (You don’t want to embarrass anyone by
sharing something they don’t want shared.) Then spread any vague ones out for the kids to read aloud as a group. Pray
over the things the kids wrote that seem impossible. Have kids choose one or two papers that don’t belong to them to
take home as reminders to pray this week.
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TO ADAPT FOR YOUNGER KIDS: Guide the kids to quietly sit around you as they hold their drawings up above their
heads toward God. Lead them in prayer for the seemingly impossible things that they and the people they love may face.
What You Say:
“When things seem impossible, it can be easy to lose hope and give up, but the Bible tells us that if we bring our fears
to God, He will help us.
As you pray for your friends this week, remember that we all have things we think are
impossible, but nothing is impossible for God. Let these papers remind you to pray and trust that I can be brave even
when things seem impossible.”
Give each child a GodTime card. Pass out Parent CUE cards as adults arrive for pick-up.
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3 - Crossroads Church

Transcription

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