SOUL CITY
K-5th Grades
June 19 & 20, 2010
PEP TALK
Virtue: Responsibility—showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you.
Memory Verse: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10a, NIV
Bible Story: Pep Talk (words matter) • Ephesians 4:29
Bottom Line: What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words?
FOR LEADERS ONLY
Kids hear about responsibility all the time, but we rarely hear lessons about being responsible with our mouths. One influential theologian (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) said one of the greatest ministries Christians carry out is “the ministry of holding one’s tongue.” There IS a time to speak. There are things that must be said. On the other hand, there are things that we should keep to ourselves. This week, one of the things we’ll be talking about is learning how to discern between the two as it relates to (1) responsibility, which is showing you can be trusted with what is expected of you. We’ll also help kids learn that: (2) God acts in great and mighty ways, but the Bible shows us a God who chooses words carefully; (3) God wants us to be responsible with our words, too; and (4) when we are responsible with our words, others will see God working through us.
Dear Andi & Angie,
As you teach, consider that our kids are growing up in a prophetic culture at NewDay. We want them to grown up having it feel so natural to ask God what He is saying about other people, and then speaking those things that we hear Him say. The words God is saying will be encouraging, comforting, & strengthening (1 Cor. 14:3). Look for ways to incorporate this into the lesson.
Have Fun!
Love, Shari
1.WORSHIP GOD! - Choose 3-4 Songs from the Worship DVD’s.
2.Word Association
SUPPLIES: none
Sit in a circle with the kids. Explain that you will say a word, and then the person to your left will say the first word that pops into his mind after hearing your word. The person to his left will say the first word that pops into her mind after hearing the prior player’s word. Continue around the circle, letting kids respond to the word the person just before them said. You may want to start with words such as: school, weekend, dog, beach, tomato, and birthday. When kids get the hang of it, let volunteers choose the starting words. See how much a word changes from the time the leader says it until the last person in the circle has said his word.
WRAP UP
LEADER: “Aren’t words fun? Some words make us think of good things, and others make us think of things we’d rather avoid. [Transition] Let’s go to large group and learn what God says about how we should use words.”
Lead your group to the movie theater () to watch the week 3 dvd.
* 1. Marshmallow Racetrack (application activity / great for boys) – SO FUNNY!
SUPPLIES: 4-foot-long pieces of mural paper, tape, a bag of marshmallows, hand sanitizer--
Tape the mural paper to the floor. Then sanitize hands. Direct two kids to sit at the end of each piece of mural paper. Next, pass out one large marshmallow to each kid. Instruct them to set the marshmallows on the paper in front of them. Tell them to get down on their hands and knees (with hands on the paper at all times). Explain that when you say go, they will race to get their marshmallow to the end of the mural paper—using their tongues to push it. They will have to figure out how to get around other racers on their paper without touching their marshmallows with their hands or letting the marshmallows go off the paper. When kids finish, let them eat their marshmallows.
LEADER: “You all have strong tongues! And they move so fast! Hmm … that’s great for a marshmallow race, but is that what we usually use our tongues for? (No!) What do you usually use your tongues for? (Pause.) Yeah, eating, but we also use them to communicate. [Apply] Tongues are powerful, and they can form words to do great things. But when used in the wrong way, that can also really hurt someone. They can hurt you, too. When you are irresponsible with your words, you can lose your credibility. Anybody know what that means? (Pause for responses.) Credibility means deserving to be believed, or trustworthy. How can using your words in a hurtful way cause you to lose your credibility? (You could say something mean or untrue about someone. Then others could find out and not want to spend time with you. Others would tend not to trust you in the future.) So, [Impress] what in the world are you doing to encourage others with words? Do you think most of your words are encouraging to people or working the other way?” (If they say they are not encouraging, ask them how they can change.)
Optional 5th Grade Discussion Questions
If you lead fifth graders, consider asking these discussion questions:
• Where are the places you’re most likely to hear words that tear people down? (At school, among siblings, at a sporting event, etc.) Is there a way you can change these environments?
• There is a time to speak, and there’s a time to hold your tongue. How do you determine which is the right one to do? (You could pray for wisdom; practice not speaking unless what you have on your mind really needs to be said; ask advice from a wise believer; etc.)
• Does it feel awkward to say words that build people up when others around you don’t do this? Have you tried it?
• Are people drawn to people who encourage others? Why do you think this is? (Yes. People want to be around people who build them up, but some kids end up in a crowd where negativity is the norm. Help them think through this and learn to seek out environments where the language is positive.)
2. Step On It (memory verse activity)
SUPPLIES: Rubber Dots, Bibles, CD player and CD
Pass out the Bibles and ask kids to turn to Luke 16:10. Lead kids to read the verse aloud together. [Apply] Ask kids if, as they have been learning about and practicing responsibility this month, they have been trusted with bigger jobs at home. What other results of their responsibility have they seen? (Better attitude, more opportunities to do things, more trust from others)
Ask each person to stand on a different dot in the circle. Explain that you will play music for a short period of time. While you do, kids should walk around the circle, making sure they are always on a dot. When you stop the music, kids should stop where they are. [Apply] The person standing on the red dot will say the verse aloud and say one way he or she will be responsible with his or her words this week. (Thinking before speaking, being intentional about encouraging others, apologizing for saying unkind things, etc.)
LEADER: “God says part of responsibility is following through and doing what you say you’re going to do. It also means doing what you have been asked to do. When you do these things, others notice, and you will be trusted with more and more. [Impress] What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words? [Apply] How can you use your words this week to show others that they can trust you?” (Do what you say you will do; do what you are told; have a good attitude when following instructions.)
3. Draw a Prayer (pray)
SUPPLIES: paper, crayons, cd player, cd
Explain to kids that you don’t always just have to say your prayers with words—you can draw prayers, too. [Apply] Instruct them to draw a picture of someone they have trouble encouraging or saying good things to (like a little brother or somebody they don’t like at school). As they draw, tell them they can ask God to help them do better about encouraging that person. Encourage them to ask God what He wants to say to the person. The words he gives will be encouraging, strengthening, and comforting (1 Cor. 14:3). That’s prophecy! Play worship music as the kids draw. Wrap up your prayer time with the following:
LEADER: “Dear God, thank You for loving us and building us up even when we have trouble building others up. Help us to use our words to encourage the people we just drew. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“God wants us to be responsible with our words. He wants us to use our words to help people, not to hurt them. [Impress] What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words? [Apply] For instance, tell me things you can say to your parents that would be helpful to them.” (Give kids time to think and answer.)
4. Build ’em Up (designed for K-1st grade / application activity / great for boys / review the Bible lesson)
SUPPLIES: building blocks
Review today’s Bible lesson with the kids. Ask such questions as:
• What kinds of words should come out of our mouths? (Encouraging ones; good ones)
• What are some examples of encouraging words—words that build others up? (Great job; you’re a good friend; I like the way you did that)
Pair kids up and give each pair eight or more building blocks. Explain that you will read statements to them. If they think that statement would encourage someone—or build him or her up—they should build their blocks up. If they think the statement would discourage someone—or tear someone down—they should knock their blocks down. Use the following statements and/or come up with some of your own:
• You played great in our soccer game yesterday.
• You laugh kind of funny.
• I really like your new shoes.
• You’re so good at art. Would you paint a picture for me?
• I can’t believe you messed up AGAIN!
• Thanks for helping me.
• I don’t want to sit by you today.
• I’m tired of hearing about your new video game.
• I’m so glad we’re friends.
LEADER: [Apply] “Your words have the power to build people up or tear them down. [Personalize] (Tell about a time in the past week when someone said something that built you up.) God wants you to use your words to encourage others. [Impress] What in the world are you doing to encourage others with your words? [Apply] Tell me one thing you can say to a friend or a brother or sister to encourage them.” (Give each child time to think and answer.)
WRAP UP
Bring together all the groups in your classroom so the Leader can conclude the session with a review. Be prepared to distribute this week's GodTime and Fridge Door cards.
If you are having a contest related to your ministry project, reveal the results so far.
LEADER: “The things we do and the things we say can make a big difference in people’s lives—whether for good or for bad. Let’s make a pact to try to do and say only things that will encourage others. How about it? Are you with me? (Kids respond.) All right, then go out and be encouragers!”
Hi Rachelle,
Here’s an easy check-list for supplies. Love ya! Mom
Worship DVDs
June – Responsibility dvd
4-foot-long pieces of mural paper
tape
a bag of marshmallows
hand sanitizer
Rubber Dots
Bibles
CD (NP cd player is part of the speakers, NM has a cd player)
paper, crayons
building blocks
