thank you for purchasing this curriculum series from high...

Thank you for purchasing this curriculum series from High Voltage Kids Ministry. All material, both written and recorded, is protected under universal copyright laws. As the purchaser of this product, you are

given permission to photocopy necessary materials found in this volume for your workers and volunteers. Please do not photocopy materials for

another church to use. Additional volumes of this and other valuable Children’s Ministry resources can be ordered online at

www.highvoltage-kids.com

Written By: Brian Dollar, Gary Tomlinson, Brian Massey Family Devotions Written By: Donna Hill Student Take-Home Devotions Written By: Linda Schreck The Cast: Sal Iva: Lindsey Rodriguez Sven: Gary Tomlinson Glen: Josh Clinton Twix: Brian Massey Widow: Cherith Dollar

Thomas: Victor Rodriguez Adulterous Woman: Shellye Poole Thief On The Cross: Patrick Franke Blind Man: Shelby Thomas Paralyzed Man: Ron Leker Simon The Pharisee: David Richards Peter: Phil Helms Demon-Possessed Boy: Blake Ring

Rich Young Ruler: Aaron Stone Directed By: Gary Tomlinson & Brian Dollar Camera Operators: Gary Tomlinson & Brian Dollar Edited By: Gary Tomlinson & Brian Dollar

Scriptures from the New Living Translation, ©1996, Tyndale Charitable Trust, Wheaton, IL. Used by permission.

All photos/images used are royalty free images and/or are public domain.

Used by permission. The PowerPoint game “Surviving The Storm” is used by permission courtesy of Ryan Frank and Kidzmatter. For more information about

Kidzmatter, visit www.kidzmatter.com.

TRANSFORMED Credits

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction……………………………………………………………………….page 1 The Elements……………………….…………………………………………….page 2 How To Use The Lesson Plan Worksheet………………………………….. page 3 Music CD Track Listing…………………….…………………………………. page 4 Lesson 1: Dead Or Alive? (Widow’s Son)……...................................... page 5 Lesson 2: No Doubt (Thomas)…………………...…................................ page 13 Lesson 3: I Am Free! (Adulterous Woman).....…................................... page 22 Lesson 4: Never Too Late (Thief On The Cross)................................... page 31 Lesson 5: Can You See Me Now? (Blind Man)...................................... page 39 Lesson 6: Through The Roof (Paralyzed Man)….................................. page 47 Lesson 7: God Has No Favorites (Simon the Pharisee)....................... page 56 Lesson 8: Jesus Calms The Storm (Peter)…………………....................page 64 Lesson 9: Wrestling With The Devil (Demon Possessed Boy)…....... page 73 Lesson 10: All Or Nothing (Rich Young Ruler)…………...……............. page 82

“Transformed” Table Of Contents

Introduction Jesus was the “Ultimate Transformer.” Everywhere He went, lives were changed. Every person he touched was TRANSFORMED by His Almighty Power! It wasn’t a matter of whether or not someone would be TRANSFORMED, but how they would be TRANSFORMED. In this curriculum series, the kids are led by Sal Iva (we call her “Sally”) on her wacky TV talk show. By the miracle of modern technology (or just our crazy creative ideas) she is able to sit down and speak with Bible characters who have come face to face with Jesus and had their lives completely TRANSFORMED. From Lazarus to the Rich Young Ruler, from Thomas to the blind beggar—Sal Iva talks to the folks who give all the amazing details about their encounters with Jesus. Through this journey, the children discover that if they will allow Jesus to lead and guide their lives, they too will be completely TRANSFORMED! We pray you and your children will be radically changed and made different as you join Sal Iva and her friends, Sven & Glen, on an amazing journey in this Curriculum Pack Volume 10—”TRANSFORMED.” For This Generation, The High Voltage Kids Ministry Team

TRANSFORMED Introduction

The Elements The DVD: Included on the DVD are the Lesson Intro Video segments featuring Sal Iva, the Power Verse Videos featuring Sven & Glen, the “Rap It Up” Videos featuring Twix, a five-minute Countdown video to begin each service, plus a bonus “Bloopers” segment. You can also find the mpg-1 files on the DVD-ROM portion of the DVD. (just put the DVD into your computer and click “explore” on the disc from “My Computer”; go to the folder labeled “Mpg-1 files”) The Music CD: Contained on this music disc are instrumental game songs, the “BIG IDEA” sound byte, “Let’s Play A Game” intro song, and the world famous “OFFERING TIME” song to introduce the Offering. The Data CD: This CD contains graphics and artwork of logos you can use to promote this amazing series. Also included are PowerPoint games, slides for use during illustrated sermons, and PowerPoint slides for each Big Idea and Power Verse. In addition, you will find a “Family Devotion” for each lesson. These are designed to either send home with the parents (to reinforce the lesson during the week), OR they can be used as “small group segments” in your service (to reinforce the lesson right away). The BIG IDEA: This is the main thought you want to get across to the kids during the weekly lessons. The BIG IDEA is a simple statement that sums up the entire week’s lesson. Sometimes it rhymes, sometimes it relies on rhythm, and other times it is just crazy fun! The goal is to have the kids learn the BIG IDEA by repetition. Included on the CD is the sound byte “Hey! What’s The Big Idea?” (track #1). This is a sound byte that your sound engineer can play as many times during the service as desired. Each time the kids hear the sound byte, they should stand up on their feet and say the week’s BIG IDEA. We have also embedded the sound byte within the BIG IDEA slide in the PowerPoint presentation each week. Remember, however you choose to use it, the BIG IDEA is the main thought you want your children to learn each week. Game Time: Each week a game has been provided. Most of them are themed with the lesson being taught that week. There are also high energy instrumental game songs included on the Music CD. Some of them are 60-second versions (to be used for games with a one-minute time limit), and some of them are extended versions. More music can be found on our Crazy Kids Game Music CDs at www.highvoltage-kids.com. Character Skits: These skits feature a character named “Chuck Foo”. Chuck interacts with another person (you or any member of your team). Names can be changed for each specific church and situation if you wish. Use the skits in whatever way works best for you. Illustrated Messages: Because kids tend to learn best if you combine speaking the truth with visual illustrations, we have written an illustrated sermon to be used each week. Materials are listed, and manuscripts are provided. Each illustrated sermon comes with a PowerPoint slide for each main point.

The Elements Page 2

How To Use The Lesson Plan Worksheet The first page of each lesson includes a lesson plan for the service with a suggested order of service that you may follow. On the second page of each lesson is a worksheet with a schedule of events for your service with blanks that you fill in and photocopy for your team of workers. Please note that each lesson worksheet includes “Intro Video,” “Game Time,” “Illustrated Sermon,” and the other lesson segments we provide with the curriculum. Just fill in the blanks as you plan your service and give them to the people who help with your service.

How To Use The Lesson Plan Worksheet Page 3

Sound Effects and Weekly Songs 1. What’s The Big Idea? 2. OFFERING TIME 3. Let’s Play A Game 4. Lightning and Thunder sound F/X (For Lesson #8) 5. Storm Sound F/X (for lesson #8) 60 Second Game Songs 6. Industrial Mechanics 7 Starfish 8. Biziness Extended Game Songs 9. Ride The Groove 10. Chunky 11. Game Plan *BONUS* Songs 12. “New Every Morning” from “Quiet Times For Kids” (available at www.highvoltage-kids.com) 13. “Big Old World” from “High Voltage Power Praise Vol. 2” (available at www.highvoltage-kids.com)

Music CD Track Listing Page 4

God can TRANSFORM your life if you give Him control.

“Jesus Is The King of Kings, He Can TRANSFORM Anything”

Intro Video “Meet Sal Iva”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck FOO is lying”

Power Verse VIDEO “…let God transform you into a new person…” – Romans 12:2

Game Time ”A-Maze-Ing Verse”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Dead Or Alive?” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

It’s time to go on the journey of a lifetime. We will defy the laws of time and space and hear straight from the mouths of those who have been TRANS-FORMED by the power of God. In this lesson, we hear from a Widow who has just lost her son to death. She is in the middle of her son’s funeral when suddenly Jesus shows up and does a miracle. We will learn that if God can TRANSFORM someone from dead to alive, He can surely TRANSFORM anything in our lives! All it takes is for us to experience His power, a little faith, and a willingness to give Jesus control. He will TRANSFORM our lives if we allow Him to take control.

“…let God transform you into a new person…” – Romans 12:2

Lesson one — “Dead Or Alive?” Page 5

Intro Video “Meet Sal Iva” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck FOO is lying” Power Verse VIDEO “…let God transform you into a new person…” – Romans 12:2 Game Time ”A-Maze-Ing Verse” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Dead Or Alive?” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions


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God can transform your life if you give Him control.

“Jesus Is The King of Kings, He Can Transform Anything”

“…let God transform you into a new person…” – Romans 12:2

Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) Leader: I am so excited to start our series called “TRANSFORMED today. It’s... (all of a sudden “Everybody Was Kung-Fu Fighting” begins playing. Chuck Foo comes out karate chopping the air, screaming, and making noise like he’s in a Bruce Lee movie. Music fades.) Who in the world are you??? CHUCK: How you doin’ dere, my name is Chuck Foo! (high kicks the air) I am from Minnesota and for the past few years I have been an amateur stunt man and Kung Fu Master. My friends call me Chuck Foo, but my enemies call me “PAIN!!” (karate chops the air, misses and falls flat on his face) It’s alright! It’s ok, I planned that! That was all planned! Leader: Chuck Foo? What an interesting name. Dare I ask? CHUCK: I know, you’re wondering how I got the name. Well, it was about a hundred and fourteen years ago… Leader: (interrupting) You’re that old? CHUCK: I’m actually four hundred thirty years old, but who’s counting? Leader: No, you’re not that old! CHUCK: Shush yourself! I’m telling the story here! It was two hundred sixteen years ago, I was chasing after my pet panda on the on the beach. Leader: Let me guess. Your panda’s name is Fluffy. CHUCK: No. His name’s Steve. What kind of dumb name is Fluffy for a panda. Anyway, I was

chasing my pet panda, Steve. He landed on a whale. But, not just any whale. This was a massive, mean, maniacal whale named Moby Slick.

Leader: You mean Moby Dick? CHUCK: No, smarty pants, Moby Slick. I knew he was slick because when I stepped on his back to get my panda, I fell into his blowhole. Leader: You what? CHUCK: That’s right! I couldn’t get my foot out of his blowhole. I struggled and pulled and twisted and turned, but I couldn’t get my foot loose (and I ain’t talking about the movie). Leader: WOW! So, what did you do?

(CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) CHUCK: Well, as I began to wiggle and jiggle (wiggles and jiggles), Moby Slick began to wheeze. Leader: Wait a second, do whale’s wheeze? CHUCK: (angry) They do when they got a big kung-fu master stuck in their blowhole! Anyway, he was wheezing like a cat with asthma (make wheezing noise). Then, all of a sudden he sneezed me out like big giant booger! From that day on, I have been called Chuck Foo! And, THAT is a true story! Leader: Wait a second! You expect us to believe that you are four hundred twenty years old... CHUCK: Four hundred thirty – and a half! Leader: So, you’re 430 years old, your panda is named Steve, and you got sneezed out by a giant wheezing whale? You expect us to believe that? CHUCK: Well, you don’t have to believe it! But, if you don’t – then you’re gonna meet my karate fist! Leader: Well, if it’s true then I will believe it. Is it true? CHUCK: Well….well…no. OK, so it’s not true. Leader: But, Chuck Foo. That’s lying. You can’t lie. That’s not good. CHUCK: I know! I know! I don’t wanna lie anymore. That’s why I am making a decision today—I will transform myself into a person who does not lie. Leader: Hmmmm. Transform yourself? I’m not sure that’s the best idea. As a matter of fact, I want you to watch the screen as we learn today’s PowerVerse. I think it might help you!

(Play Power Verse video w/ Sven & Glen — “…let God transform you into a new person…” – Rom. 12:2) Leader: So, you see Chuck Foo. You can choose to TRY to transform yourself. But, when you have God on your side He can TOTALLY transform you into a new person. The person HE has planned for you to be. CHUCK: Well, I’ll be a lizard covered in chicken grease. Why didn’t you say so in the first place? You know you almost let me make a hugifiurous mistake. I know now that I DO need God’s help. I want to be transformed and leave the lying behind! Leader: That’s awesome, Chuck! CHUCK: (CHUCK stands in a fighting stance) You betcha! Well, ladies and germs, I’m CHUCK FOO! KICK IT! (CHUCK high kicks into the air and “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting” plays as he


Game Time “A-MAZE-ING Verse” Items Needed For Game: * White board * Chalk board or poster board * Piece of cloth or newspaper. Preparation: Write the following at the top of the white board: “______ ______ ___________ ______ ______ ___ ____ ____________.” _____________ __:___ Draw a maze under the verse. At the finishing point of the maze, draw a heart. Cover the maze with the cloth (old sheet, towel) or newspaper until your ready to begin the game. How To Play: Remove the covering from the maze. Ask the children to raise their hands if they know one of the missing words. If they give a correct answer, they get to choose which direction to go in the maze. You can make this game as easy or as hard as you like depending on the difficulty of the maze. Make sure there are at least eleven turns in the maze (for the eleven blanks in the Power Verse — “…let God transform you into a new person…” – Romans 12:2). When the children finally make it to the end, tell them that the heart represents them working to put the word of God into their hearts. Reward all of the children with a prize. Tell them that when we hide God’s word in our heart and let God TRANSFORM us, EVERYONE wins!


Illustrated Message “Dead Or Alive?” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a Transformers (registered Trademark by the Hasbro Corporation) toy; a large bed sheet; a boy volunteer; several adult volunteers Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson One,” begin with the slide titled “Dead Or Alive?”; wrap the child volunteer up in the bed sheet; have the adult volunteers ready to carry the child up in front of the audience on your cue.

The Message: (title slide) (hold up the Transformers toy) Anybody know what this is? That’s right! It’s a Transformer. These toys are awesome. They start out as cool cars, trucks, or other vehicles—but then they TRANS-FORM into cool amazing robots. Isn’t that awesome? They’ve made movies, video games, and even comic books about these toys. TRANSFORMERS are pretty cool. But, there’s a limit to the TRANSFORMERS. They can TRANSFORM themselves, but they can’t TRANSFORM others. Jesus, on the other hand, was the ultimate TRANSFORMER. No, I don’t mean He was a robot toy. I mean that He had the power to TRANSFORM people lives in a way that no one on Earth ever has before or since. Today, we are going to look at just one of the many stories in the Bible about the TRANSFORM-ING power of Jesus. It’s found in the book of Luke chapter 7. Jesus was out teaching in the city one day when something happened. A group of people came along on their way to a funeral. (cue the adult volunteers to carry the boy wrapped in the bed sheet and stand in front of you on the stage) The person they were planning to bury was a young boy. The boy was the only son to his mother. His mother had lost her husband not too long before, and now her son had died, too. The woman was very sad. But, Jesus had something amazing planned for that woman and her dead son that day. Jesus walked straight up to the woman and said, “Don’t cry.” Now, can you imagine what the people who were carrying the body of her son thought? They probably thought, “Who does this guy think He is telling her not to cry. She just lost her son. Of course she’s going to cry.” But, Jesus said, “Don’t cry.” Then, he walked over to the people who were carrying the dead body of the boy and told them to stop. He reached up and touched the boys’ body and said, “Son, I say to you, Get up.” Now, the people around had to be thinking Jesus was crazy. I bet one of them had to say, “Get up? He’s dead. How can he possibly get up?” They were probably very confused.



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) But, suddenly the dead body began to move. (have the boy who is in the sheets began to wig-gle around) The people carrying the body set the boy down. Then, the boy instantly sat up. (have the boy sit up and tear off his “grave clothes”) The boy was instantly TRANSFORMED from dead to alive! It was a miracle! The woman and her son celebrated. And, the entire city began talking about Jesus and His amazing power to TRANSFORM! Now, from this story we learn three very important things about Jesus and His ability to TRANS-FORM people’s lives. Some of you here today may feel hopeless and lost. Maybe someone in your family is sick. Perhaps your Mom or Dad need a job. Maybe your grades are suffering at school. Maybe you have been trying to kick a bad sinful habit for a long time, but just don’t seem to be able to change. I want you to listen for the next few minutes. I believe Jesus can TRANSFORM you just like He did this boy in today’s Bible Lesson.

It’s Never Too Late To Be Transformed (slide) Perhaps you’ve been facing the problems you have for a very long time. Maybe you have been praying and praying, but just haven’t seen an answer. You are ready to quit. You are thinking, “It’s too late for me.” Well, it’s never too late to be TRANSFORMED. The boy in our story was dead. You can’t get too “late” than that. But, did the fact that he was dead stop Jesus? No way! It wasn’t too late for the boy, and it’s not too late for you. It’s never too late to be TRANSFORMED.

ONE Moment With Jesus Is All It Takes (slide) You may have been facing the problems you are facing for many days, weeks, months, or even years. But, it only takes ONE moment with Jesus to be totally and completely TRANSFORMED. When Jesus walked up to the boy, He didn’t have to figure out a plan to help the boy. The boy had been dead for several days. That’s how long it takes to get a funeral together. But, Jesus walked straight up to Him, touched his body, and spoke to him. The boy instantly was TRANSFORMED from being dead to being alive. Why? Because…

Jesus Is The Ultimate TRANSFORMER (slide) No matter what your problem. No matter what you are facing. Jesus is the ultimate TRANS-FORMER. If you call on Him, He will TRANSFORM your life totally and completely. If He can bring a boy from death to life, what can He do with your situation?

ALTAR RESPONSE (play soft music) Pray for those who have needs that God will TRANSFORM their lives completely!


Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “Jesus Is The King of Kings, He Can Transform Anything” 2. What was the name of the karate guy in our skit today? Answer: Chuck Foo 3. What was the name of Chuck Foo’s pet panda? Answer: Steve 4. What was wrong with the boy in our Bible story today? Answer: He was dead 5. What did Jesus tell the mother when He saw her crying? Answer: Don’t cry. 6. When Jesus touched the boy’s body, what happened to the boy? Answer: he suddenly came alive 7. Today we learned: “It’s Never Too __________ To Be Transformed!” Answer: Late 8. We also learned: “One __________ With Jesus Is All It Takes.” Answer: Moment 9. Who is the “Ultimate Transformer?” Answer: Jesus 10. Where was our Power Verse found? Answer: Romans 12:2

We must have total faith in God.

“It’s Time To Get The Doubt OUT!”

Intro Video “Sal Iva talks to thomas”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck FOO Meets Dr Doofus”

Power Verse VIDEO “…really believe and do not doubt in your heart.” – Mark 11:23

Game Time ”I Doubt It”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “No Doubt” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

Thomas gets a bad rap. Growing up, most of us knew him as “Doubting Thomas”, but he is not the only one to ever have doubts about Jesus. If we are honest, we all struggle with doubts from time to time. Sadly, we choose to hide our doubts because we are ashamed and think they make us less of a Christian. Instead, we should admit our doubts to God and ask Him to help us overcome them with faith. In this lesson, the children will learn that it’s OK to have doubts. Jesus does not get angry when we doubt, but He does want to help us overcome our doubt and replace it with strong faith.

“…really believe and do not doubt in your heart.” – Mark 11:23

Lesson Two — “No Doubt” Page 13

We must have total faith in God.

“It’s Time To Get The Doubt OUT!”

Intro Video “Sal Iva talks to thomas” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck FOO Meets Dr Doofus” Power Verse VIDEO “…really believe and do not doubt in your heart.” – Mark 11:23 Game Time ”I Doubt It” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “No Doubt” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“…really believe and do not doubt in your heart.” – Mark 11:23




Character SKIT Characters: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) Dr. Doofus (a crazy scientist dressed in a lab coat; has wild hair) Leader: I am so excited to talk about Thomas today. Thomas is one of those Bible... (all of a sudden “Everybody Was Kung-Fu Fighting” begins playing. Chuck Foo comes out karate chopping the air, screaming, and making noise like he’s in a Bruce Lee movie. Music fades.) Hey Chuck! What’s up? (tries to give him a high five) CHUCK: Do NOT touch me sir, my hands are lethal weapons! Leader: Oh, I am so sorry! So, what brings you here today, Chuck? CHUCK: Well, I have a serious issue with this friend of mine. He’s a scientist. He’s very smart.

His name is Dr. Doofus. Leader: Dr. who? CHUCK: Dr. Doofus! Don’t make fun of his name. He’s a scientist friend of mine. I have been telling him about God and Jesus and all that. But, he’s not believing me when I tell him about God. Leader: I understand. Some people find it hard to believe that God is so amazing. CHUCK: Well, I have been doing my best. You see, he’s really not a very nice guy in the first

place. But, when I start to tell him about Jesus he really gets irritated and starts to get all up-set. I thought maybe you could help me talk to him.

Leader: I would love to. How can I meet him? CHUCK: Well…he’s here with me today. You want to meet him? Leader: Sure thing! Kids, don’t you want to meet Dr…. CHUCK: It’s Dr. Doofus. OK, here he is. (Dr. Doofus comes out and CHUCK runs away like a scared girl) Dr. Doofus: What’s your problem, you little girly girl? I’m not going to hurt you. CHUCK: You better not! I have one of my Children’s Leaders right here to whack you if you do! Leader: Now, hold on, Chuck! Nobody’s going to whack anyone! So, tell me what your name is, sir. Dr. Doofus: My name is Dr. Dinglehopper Doofus! I have known this clown (points to Chuck) since



Character SKIT (CONTINUED)

Elementary school. We used to be roommates in College. I thought he was a decent Karate man until he started believing in all of that God nonsense.

Leader: Wait a second. God nonsense? CHUCK: That’s right, you get him! Drop kick him! Squish him! Tear him into tiny little pieces until

he’s scientist confetti! Leader: Now, Chuck. Calm down. Nobody’s going to “get” anybody. Dr. Doofus, God is not nonsense. God is real. He created the whole world. He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. He’s an amazing God that loves you very much. Dr. Doofus: Oh, rubbish! I have learned a lot about science in my day. I know that the world was

created with a big BANG! I have total and 100% belief in that. I seriously DOUBT that there is any God that had anything to do with it.

Leader: Wait. So, you are telling me that you doubt that an All-Powerful God took His time and

spent 6 days creating the world piece by piece, setting everything in order so that life could exist as we know it. But, instead you choose to believe that there was nothing in space at all and then all of a sudden there was a big BANG explosion and suddenly all the animals, plants, rivers, sun, moon, stars, and people were suddenly just there?

Dr. Doofus: That’s right. I believe in the BANG. I doubt there is a God. Leader: Well, Dr. Doofus. The Bible is full of evidence and information about God and His amazing love for us. It’s in the Bible that we find all the information we need about how to live a life of FAITH in God. It also tells us that we should not doubt in God, but have faith in Him instead. Dr. Doofus: Well, obviously the Bible says that I should not doubt and that I should just believe what

God says. But, I can’t just DO that. It’s not that easy. Leader: Of course it is. Believing is a choice, just like doubting is a choice. You may not be able

to PROVE everything that is in the Bible all the time. But, that’s where faith comes in. You have to trust God and have faith that He loves you, cares for you, and tells you the truth.

Dr. Doofus: I’m just not sure it’s that easy. You sound pretty convincing, but I’m going to have to

think this one over. So, I’ll be leaving now. You watch yourself, Chucky Poo! (exits) CHUCK: Well, stinky! I thought he was going to believe. I guess it’s all over now. Leader: Not at all, Chuck. You just keep praying for Dr. Doofus. He will believe one day. CHUCK: Well, I will definitely do that. I will pray that he can get the doubt OUT! I want him to start believing in God. Maybe then he won’t put pistachio pudding in my karate pants. It’s time for me to go. (CHUCK stands in a fighting stance) I’m CHUCK FOO! KICK IT! (CHUCK high kicks into the air and “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting” plays as he exits stage.)


Game Time “I Doubt It” Items Needed For Game: * The “TRANSFORMED” Data CD Open the PowerPoint presentation for Lesson 2; begin with the Game Title slide “I Doubt It” How To Play: Choose one boy and one girl to compete in this game (with the help of their team members in the audience). Say, “Since we are talking about Doubt today, we are going to play a quiz game called I DOUBT IT. You will be shown some crazy and unbelievable statements. Some of them are true, and some of them are not. With your team’s help, you will have to choose whether you believe that it is true or whether you DOUBT IT.” They will take turns answering the questions with the help of their team members in the audience. For every correct answer, their team will receive a point. The team with the most correct answers wins the game.

Lesson Two — “No Doubt!” Page 18

Illustrated Message “No Doubt” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a lawn chair with a large bouquet of balloons Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Two”

The Message: (title slide)

I have a story to tell you, kids. Larry Walters was an ordinary guy. Ever since he was a boy, Larry wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force. Because of his poor eyesight, Larry was never allowed to become a pilot. Instead, he drove a truck for a living. But, one day he got bored and had a crazy idea. Larry decided that he wanted to fly. He bought over 30 giant weather balloons and blew them up with helium. (show the next pic of the balloons) He tied the balloons to his lawn chair while it was anchored to the ground. Larry’s plan was to float approx. 30 ft. above his house for a few minutes, then he would shoot the balloons one at a time with his pellet gun and slowly float back down to the ground. He strapped himself in the chair, and then cut the anchors that were holding the chair to the ground. Suddenly, Larry soared much higher and faster than he had planned. He quickly rose to float over 3 miles up in the air. He was spotted by passing planes, who contacted the local airport radio tower. Larry floated over 10 miles away from his home, when he finally decided to shoot out a few balloons. He slowly descended back down to the ground, where he was greeted by TV News stations. He became famous very quickly. Now, I have just told you the story of a man named, Larry Walters. How many of you have a hard time believing that this man could really float up that high in a lawn chair with helium balloons? How many find it even harder to believe someone would actually survive something like that? (allow kids to raise their hands to respond) When we hear a story like this, we tend to DOUBT it because it seems impossible. But, this story is TRUE! (show the next pic, an actual shot of Larry Walters in his lawn chair) Larry Walters made his historic flight on July 2, 1982. It made national news. He even got invited to appear on The Tonight Show. Why do we have a hard time believing things that seem to be impossible? Why do we doubt things so much? Many times we doubt stories, we doubt people. And many times we even doubt God. As human beings, we often struggle to believe in something we can’t see with our very own eyes. Our Bible Lesson today teaches us about one of Jesus’ disciples who doubted that Jesus had really risen from the dead. Thomas faced what many of us also face: DOUBT. We find Thomas’ story in John chapter 20. All the other disciples have just seen Jesus alive. But, for some reason, Thomas wasn’t there. When the others tell Thomas about Jesus showing up after being raised from the dead, Thomas says,



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) “Unless I see the nail scars in his hands and touch the scar in his side, I won’t believe.” Now, we look at Thomas and say, “You dummy! Jesus is alive! Just believe it!” But, many times we find ourselves doubting just like Thomas. We hear a teacher talk about evolution in school and how we evolved from monkeys. We begin to doubt, “I’m not sure God really created the world. How do I know for sure it happened the way the Bible says it did? I didn’t see it with my own eyes.” Or, we have been praying for our grandmother to be healed, but she hasn’t been healed yet. We begin to think, “I’m not sure God even hears my prayers. I have never seen Him. I have never heard Him talk out loud. I’m not sure. I doubt it.” We have all doubted before. But, the sad thing is we don’t always admit that we doubt. We think it, but we never talk about it. Thomas did something very good in that he admitted that he had doubt. That’s our first lesson today:

1) When You Doubt...Admit It! (slide) Thomas admitted that he was struggling with doubt. Boys and girls, it’s OK to admit that you struggle with doubt. We all do at times. If you never admit it, God can’t help you with it. Do just like Thomas, admit that you are struggling. Admit that you have doubt. Here’s some good news:

2) Your Doubt Doesn’t Change The Truth (slide) Thomas doubted that Jesus was alive. Did that change the fact that Jesus WAS alive? (allow kids to respond) No, of course not. Just because you struggle to believe something doesn’t mean that it’s not true. Facts are facts. Truth is truth. Whether you believe it or not doesn’t change that it is TRUTH.

Let me show you what I mean. (bring up your adult volunteer and have them stand in front of the ladder) My friend here has decided that he doubts gravity is real. We know that gravity is what pulls things to the ground. It’s what makes things that are UP come DOWN. But, my friend here still doubts that gravity is real. (have the volunteer say, “I doubt gravity is real” in a very goofy tone so it’s funny) My friend is about to find out that his doubt doesn’t change the truth. (Take the water balloon and climb to the top of the ladder, holding it above the volunteer’s head) He doubts that gravity is real. (Volunteer says, “I doubt that gravity is real.”) So, if he’s right then when I let this water balloon go it will float, not fall. But, what did we just learn? Your doubt doesn’t change the truth. (Let the water balloon go and have it fall on his head and bust. Have the volunteer freak out and run off stage with a towel.)

Even though Thomas doubted it, Jesus really was alive. Boys and girls, I know you doubt some-times, but don’t worry. God’s word is still true. Admit your doubt and allow God to help you.



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED)

Maybe you hear me say, “Admit your doubt,” and you think, “No way. I don’t want to make God mad. I don’t want God to be angry with me for doubting.” Well, let’s look at how Jesus reacted to Thomas’ doubt. In John 20:26 we pick up the story. The disciples, including Thomas are together in a room with the doors locked. All of a sudden, Jesus appears in the room out of nowhere. How cool is that?

Jesus looks around the room and sees Thomas. He calls Thomas over to Himself and says,

“Thomas, it’s me. Look at the scars in my hands. Feel the scar on my side. I’m really here.” Isn’t that cool, boys and girls? Jesus doesn’t say, “Hey Thomas, you dummy. What’s wrong with you? Why are you such a doubter, you loser?” No, Jesus goes straight to Thomas and invited him to come check it out and see that it really is Jesus standing before him. You see…

3) Jesus Loves you, Even When You Doubt (slide) Jesus understands that as human beings it is sometimes hard to believe. It’s hard to believe that God hears us when we pray. It’s hard to believe that every word in the Bible is true. It’s hard to believe, and sometimes we doubt. But, Jesus loves us anyway. He wants us to admit that we doubt so He can help us work through it. So, what does Thomas do next? He walks over and feels the scars in Jesus’ hands, feet, and side. He sees for himself that Jesus is really alive. Jesus looks at Thomas and says, “Stop doubting and believe.” And, that’s what Thomas does. He makes a choice to stop doubting, and in that moment begins to believe. That is exactly what you and I need to do as well. We need to make a choice to stop doubting and choose to believe. Even though Thomas doubted it, Jesus really was alive. Boys and girls, I know you doubt sometimes, but don’t worry. God’s Word is still true. Admit your doubt and allow God to help you.

4) Choose To Believe—Get The Doubt OUT! (slide) You say, “Is it really that easy? Can I just make a choice to believe?” That’s exactly what I am saying. It’s that simple. Believing in something you cannot see is called FAITH. Faith is a choice just like doubting is a choice. Today, it’s time for us to choose to believe. It’s time to get the doubt OUT!

Altar Response (play soft music): Ask the children who have been struggling with doubt to come forward for prayer. Pray that God would help them to leave their doubt behind and choose faith. Remind them that Jesus loves them even when they doubt, but He wants their lives to be full of faith so they can do amazing things for Him.

Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “It’s Time To Get The Doubt OUT!” 2. What was the name Chuck Foo’s scientist friend? Answer: Dr Doofus 3. Did Dr Doofus believe God created the Earth? Answer: No 4. What was the name of the guy who floated in his lawn chair? Answer: Larry Walters 5. Which disciple in our Bible story did not believe Jesus was alive? Answer: Thomas 6. What did Thomas say had to happen in order for him to believe? Answer: He had to see and touch Jesus’ scars 7. When Jesus saw Thomas, did He get angry that Thomas had doubts? Answer: No 8. True or False: When we have doubts, we should always admit it to God. Answer: True 9. Is Jesus able to help us have faith in Him? Answer: Yes 10. Where was our Power Verse found? Answer: Mark 11:23


God can set us completely FREE from our sins.

“No Matter Who You Are, No Matter What You’ve Done, God

Forgives Your Sins, Every Single One”

Intro Video “Sal Iva Talks To Julie”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Has A Past”

Power Verse VIDEO “So, if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free!” – John 8:36

Game Time ”Shave My Nose”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “I Am Free!” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

Children suffer from all kinds of sinful habits. Many of them are bound by lying, cheating, stealing, cussing, and yes—even pornography and drugs. Satan would love to get their lives completely messed up as early as possible. But, God has a different plan! He has a plan for His children to live their lives completely free from the bonds of sin. In this lesson, the children will learn about the story of the adulterous woman that Jesus set free from sin. They will learn that if Jesus sets them free, they are totally and completely free!

“So, if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free!” – John 8:36


God can set us completely FREE from our sins.

“No Matter Who You Are, No Matter What You’ve Done, God

Forgives Your Sins, Every Single One”

Intro Video “Sal Iva Talks To Julie” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Has A Past” Power Verse VIDEO “So, if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free!” – John 8:36 Game Time ”Shave My Nose” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “I Am Free!” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“So, if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free!” – John 8:36

Lesson Three — “I am Free” Page 23



Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) CHUCK: Hello, Everyone! My name is CHUCK FOOOOOO! (karate kicks) I am a Super Fast Super Stealthy Kung-Fu MASTER!!. Leader: Of course we know who you are, Chuck. CHUCK: I have one WHOPPER of a problem! Leader: What problem do you have? CHUCK: Well, it’s my so-called friend, Dr. Doofus. Leader: Yeah, we met him last time, right? CHUCK: Yes, well he’s not my friend anymore. He’s out to get me. Leader: Well, now Chuck. Just because he isn’t your friend doesn’t necessarily mean he’s out to get you. CHUCK: Yes it does! It’s true! He sent me a blackmail letter the other day. Leader: Blackmail? CHUCK: Yes. That is when someone threatens you with something terrible about you unless you pay them money. Leader: What is he threatening you with? CHUCK: He is threatening to reveal some of the terrible things I did when we were College roommates. Leader: What kinds of things? You couldn’t have done anything that bad? CHUCK: Oh,, yes. I am ashamed of who I was in College. I wasn’t a Christian then. I did some terrible, horrible, very bad things. Leader: Like what kinds of things? CHUCK: Well…I hate to say. I am so embarrassed. Leader: Go ahead and tell us. CHUCK: Well, you know how you sometimes do tests on lab rats in science?



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) Leader: Of course. CHUCK: One time, I shaved down one of my lab rats, painted it purple and threw it into the teacher’s lounge. All the teachers went running out because they were so scared. Leader: That’s not that terrible. CHUCK: Yes, except for the rat also went into the teacher’s bathroom and Professor Dimple

was in there. He got so scared he came running out in his boxer shorts screaming like a little girl. He was so embarrassed he quit teaching and moved to Canada.

Leader: That’s not so good. CHUCK: That’s nothing. I also stole the answers to the Final Exam in chemistry once. I made

a perfect grade and I never confessed to it at all. If Dr Doofus reveals that, people will think I am a terrible person. I AM a terrible person. Everyone will hate me! JESUS will hate me!! (begins to cry like a baby)

Leader: Now, wait a second, Chuck, You said all of this was BEFORE you were a Christian, right? CHUCK: That’s right. Leader: Then, all of this doesn’t matter. I want to you watch Sven and Glen right now. I think you can learn some things from them. Check out this Power Verse. (SVEN and GLEN Power Verse – “So, if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free!” – John 8:36) Leader: So, you see? When Jesus comes into your life and sets you free from that sin, you

are totally and completely free. You are a TRANSFORMED person. You used to sin. You used to do those things. But, you don’t anymore. That’s not who you are anymore. You are TRANSFORMED.

CHUCK: Well sweet fancy Moses! Why didn’t you say so? This is amazing news! I’m so excited! Leader: So, what are you going to do about the blackmail letter? CHUCK: Tell you what I am going to do…I am going to go to Dr. Doofus and tell him that I

am not afraid of his little blackmails. I am no longer a sinful person. I am completely and to-tally free! Until next time, this is CHUCK FOO!!!!! BOO-YAH!! (does kicks and karate chops around all over on his way out)


Game Time “Shave My Nose!” Items Needed For Game: * 2 pairs of swimming goggles * 2 small water guns * 2 towels * 2 large trash bags (with holes cut out at the top) * 1 can of shaving cream * the “TRANSFORMED” Music CD How To Play: Choose two boys and two girls to compete in this game. Choose one person on each team to be the “shooter” and the other member of the team will be the “target.” Place the trash bag over the target’s head (to keep them clean) and place the goggles over their eyes (to protect them from the menthol in the shaving cream). Place a fair amount of shaving cream in a ball on the end of the target’s nose. Have the shooter stand approximately 4-5 feet away from the target. When you say, “Go,” (start the game music) the shooters try to shoot their water gun at the shaving cream on the nose of the target. The first team to get ALL the shaving cream off their partner’s nose wins!

Illustrated Message “I Am FREE!” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a large rock; a set of child’s play handcuffs (they must have a push-button latch that allows them to be opened without a key); a police officer (or someone dressed as a police officer) Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Three,” begin with the slide titled “I Am Free!”; have the police officer standing offstage with the child’s play handcuffs

The Message: (title slide) We heard an amazing story today from the woman caught in adultery. Do you remember what happened? Let’s walk back through the story quickly, because I want you to learn some very important things through this amazing story of TRANSFORMATION. This woman had done some very bad things. She was being the girlfriend of men who were already married. She was not only herself sinning, but she was helping others to sin as well. That’s pretty messed up. So, the religious people bring her to Jesus. They tell Jesus, “The law says we are to stone her. What do you say?” (pick up the large rock) Now, stop and think for a second. Everyone is standing around this woman with a large rock in their hands. The plan was to take these large rocks and throw them at her head and body. Over and over and over they would hit her until she died. That’s a horrible way to die. So, they ask Jesus, “What do you say we are to do with her?” They are trying to trap Jesus. They know He is a man of love and compassion. They know He is kind to others. They are trying to trick Him into saying something wrong here. But, what did Jesus do? He said nothing. Instead, he bent down and began to write in the dirt with his finger. The Bible doesn’t say what He was writing, but I think I have an idea. Jesus finishes writing, then looks up and says, “If any of you have never sinned, then you be the first one to throw a stone at her.” One by one the religious people began to drop their stones (drop your stone on the ground and let it make a big THUD) and walk away. Why do you think they walked away? It was because they knew that none of them had never sinned. You see boys and girls:

1) We Are All Guilty! (slide) Those people knew that ALL people have sinned. There is not a single one of us who have not been guilty of sinning. We’ve lied. We’ve cheated. We’ve hurt others. We’ve disrespected our par-ents. We have all done something that has broken God’s law and God’s heart. The Bible says in



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) Romans 3:23, “ALL have sinned…” Those people dropped their stones because they knew we are all guilty of sin. Do you know what I think Jesus might have written in the sand that day? I don’t know this for a fact, but I think He might have written all of the sins that those religious people had committed that very day. As they saw the sins they had committed written in the sand, they knew they had to drop their stones. They knew we are all guilty of sin. The woman who was caught in adultery was also guilty of sin. She was brought there as a person who was a slave of sin. “A slave?”, you ask. That’s right. The Bible teaches us that:

2) Sin Is Like A Prison! (slide) When we sin, we choose to become a slave to sin. Jesus says in John 8:34, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin…” That means that when we choose to lie, cheat, steal, curse, or any other sin, we are choosing to become a slave to sin. We are choosing to become sin’s prisoner. (Have the police officer come in the room. Prepare the officer beforehand by giving him/her the set of child’s metal handcuffs. The children will assume that the uniformed officer is carrying real hand-cuffs. Ask the police officer to handcuff you and make sure they are completely tight. Have them shake your hands a bit while they are behind your back so the kids will get the idea that you are completely secure. Then, thank the police officer and allow them to leave. All the while you continue teach, keep your hands cuffed behind your back.) Sin can keep you prisoner for a long time. You may want to change. You may try to change on your own. But, by yourself you have no power to break free. (pretend to struggle to get free from the cuffs) You try and you try, but sin just continues to keep you prisoner. That’s the way it was for the woman caught in adultery. She had probably tried to live right on her own. But, she had failed and failed again and again. Sin will keep you prisoner as long as you let it. But, there is something that you need to hear this morning. There is a way to be free. Remember the story? Jesus looked at the woman and asked, “Where are all of the people who were accusing you?” She said, “They left.” Jesus said, “Well, I don’t accuse you either. Now, go and leave your sinful life behind.” From that moment, the woman was free. She never went back to that life of sin (that we know of). She became one of Jesus’ closest followers. What made the difference that day? She had tried to break free before, but had failed...much like many of us. We have tried to break free from sin on our own, but it is impossible to break free from that prison of sin (attempt to struggle to break free from the cuffs). I’ll tell you the difference for her AND the difference for you and me. On our own, we can’t break free. But:

3) Jesus Sets Us Totally Free! (slide)


Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) (Begin to feel around with your fingers to discover exactly where the latch is on the handcuffs. Be ready to release them at the proper time.) All it takes is one moment with Jesus, one prayer asking for forgiveness, and we are totally and completely set FREE! (when you say, “FREE!”, undo the latch and fling your arms wide open like you have broken the handcuffs off. Hold your hands up in the air like you are FREE! Then, drop the handcuffs on the ground far enough away from the children where they won’t be able to see them closely) That’s all it took for the woman caught in adultery. That’s all it takes for us. Maybe you have been struggling to break free from the prison of lying for several years. You’ve tried and tried on your own, but you just can’t quit. Jesus can set you totally free! Some of you may have been trapped in the prison of cussing, or watching terrible movies, or hanging around with the wrong friends. You’ve tried and tried to break free on your own, but you are still trapped. Jesus can set you totally and completely free!

ALTAR RESPONSE: (play soft music) Have the children who have been struggling with habitual sin come forward. Have your leaders stand behind them, laying hands on them. Ask the children to call out to Jesus to help them break free from the prison of sin. Pray that God will help them stay away from the prison of sin and stay totally and completely FREE!



Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “No Matter Who You Are, No Matter What You’ve Done, God Forgives Your Sins, Every Single One!” 2. What was Dr Doofus threatening to do to Chuck Foo? Answer: tell people about the bad things Chuck did in College 3. Who brought the adulterous woman to Jesus? Answer: the religious leaders 4. What were the religious leaders wanting to do to the woman? Answer: stone her 5. Did Jesus get angry at the woman? Answer: No 6. What did Jesus do when he stooped down to the ground? Answer: he wrote something in the dirt 7. Who did Jesus say should be the first to cast the stone at the woman? Answer: the one who had never sinned 8. How many of the religious leaders threw stones at the woman? Answer: none of them 9. What’s the name of the girl who interviews people in our “Transformed”

videos? Answer: Sal Iva (Sally) 10. Where was our Power Verse found? Answer: John 8:36

It’s never too late to give your life to Jesus.

“Ain’t Nobody Too Bad For God!”

Intro Video “Sal Iva Talks To The Thief”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Dr Doofus Is Doomed”

Power Verse VIDEO “The Lord…does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.” – 2 Peter 3:9

Game Time ”Bible Bad Guys”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Never Too Late” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

We tend to put people in catego-ries. Some people we think are potential Christians. Others we label as “hopeless” and assume they will never give their lives to God. After all, they are just “too far gone.” We stop praying for them, witnessing to them, or even hoping for a change. Many would have put the thieves on the cross next to Jesus in that category. But, Jesus did not. When the thief confessed that Jesus was the Mes-siah, Jesus told him he would be with him in paradise. Even though the thief had lived a life of sin, in his dying breath he was saved from his sin. In this lesson, the children will learn that no one is too bad or far gone for God to forgive their sins.

“The Lord…does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.”

– 2 Peter 3:9

Lesson Four — “Never Too Late” Page 31

It’s never too late to give your life to Jesus.

“Ain’t Nobody Too Bad For God!”

Intro Video “Sal Iva Talks To The Thief” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Dr Doofus Is Doomed” Power Verse VIDEO “The Lord…does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.” – 2 Peter 3:9 Game Time ”Bible Bad Guys” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Never Too Late” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“The Lord…does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.”

– 2 Peter 3:9




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) CHUCK: Hello, Everyone! My name is CHUCK FOOOOOO! (karate kicks) I am a Super Fast Super Stealthy Kung-Fu MASTER!!. Leader: We are very much aware of that, Chuck. CHUCK: Well, excuuuuuuse me, Smarty Pants. Leader: I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be mean. I didn’t mean to upset you. CHUCK: It’s ok dere. It’s really not your fault I have my karate belt in a wad. I just am a little testy today on account of what’s going on at church. Leader: What’s going on at church? CHUCK: I’m glad you asked. You see, next week is “Friend Day”. We are supposed to be inviting the friends we have that aren’t saved so that they can come to church and hear about God. Leader: Well, why is that something to be upset about? CHUCK: Because. My pastor wants me to bring Dr. Doofus to church with me. Leader: That’s a great idea! We know he needs Jesus, right? CHUCK: Of course we know he needs Jesus. He’s one of the most evilest people I have ever met. He eats poodles for breakfast. Leader: Gross! Does he really? CHUCK: No, but he might as well. He’s THAT evil. Basically what I am trying to say is that there is no reason for me to bring him to church. He’s never going to give his heart to Jesus anyway. Leader: Now, how do you know that? CHUCK: Because! He’s done too many bad things all his life. He’s never gonna accept Jesus into his life. He’s just too bad. He’s just too evil. He’s just too mean and stinky and terrible and... Leader: (interrupts Chuck) CHUCK! CHUCK: What? Leader: I think you might be a little messed up here.



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) CHUCK: I’m not the one who’s messed up! He’s the one who’s messed up. He’s so messed up he can NEVER be a Christian. It’s too late for him. Leader: That’s just not true. As a matter of fact, there is NO ONE who is too messed up or too far gone that God can’t reach them. He wants EVERYONE to be saved! CHUCK: Everyone? I don’t know about that. Leader: Well, then I want you to watch this Power Verse Video with Sven and Glen. They are going to show you more about what I mean. (Play Power Verse Video with Sven and Glen) Leader: Well, what do you think? CHUCK: I think I almost made a big bonehead mistake. I wasn’t going to invite Dr. Doofus to church. I thought he was just too far gone and it was too late for him to accept Jesus. But, our Power Verse says that God is patient with EVERYONE because he wants EVERYONE to be saved. That’s amazing! Leader: It sure is. So, what are you going to do? CHUCK: I’m going to go set me DVR to record the Mixed Martial Arts finals. Thanks for reminding me. Leader: No, Chuck. What are you going to do about Dr. Doofus? CHUCK: I am going to go invite him to Friend Day. I know that NO ONE is too far gone for God and that it is never too late for anyone to receive Jesus. Leader: Sounds excellent, Chuck. CHUCK: It’s time for me to go. (CHUCK stands in a fighting stance) I’m CHUCK FOO! KICK IT! (CHUCK high kicks into the air and “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting” plays as he exits stage.)


Game Time “Bad Guys Of The Bible” Items Needed For Game: * The “TRANSFORMED” Data CD (Open the PowerPoint Presentation for Lesson Four; begin with the slide titled “Bad Guys Of The Bible”) How To Play: Choose one boy and one girl to compete in this game (with the help of their team members in the audience). Explain that you will be giving clues to famous “Bad Guys of the Bible.” They will take turns answering the questions with the help of their team members in the audience. For every correct answer, their team will receive a point. The team with the most correct answers wins the game. After The Game, Say: ”There were many bad guys of the Bible. There are many mean and evil people in the world today, too. But, NO ONE is ever too evil or mean that God can’t reach them. We are going to learn all about how God can reach ANYONE today in our Bible Lesson about the thief on the cross.”


Illustrated Message “Never Too Late” Materials Needed: The Data CD; bottle of iodine; bottle of bleach; medium-sized glass container filled with water; a large clock (preferably an analog wall clock) Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Four”; place a label on the bottle of iodine that says “SIN”; place a label on the bottle of bleach that says “JESUS”

The Message: (title slide) (hold up the large clock) TIME! Sometimes it can be on our side—like when the minutes are ticking down on the last day of school and Summer is about to begin. We LOVE time then, right? But, sometimes it’s NOT on our side—like when we are late for something very important. Have you ever been late? Isn’t that a terrible feeling? (tell a story from your own life about how you were late to something and it was either very em-barrassing or it cost you something very important) Being late is not fun. Today, our Bible Lesson is about a man who many people thought it was TOO LATE for. He was a thief on the cross next to Jesus. He had led a life of sin. He had run from God and ignored God’s love. Most people looked at him and thought, “What a loser. He’s wasted his life. It’s too late for him to turn around. He’s hanging on a cross and he has gotten what he deserves.” That’s what most people thought about this thief. But, that’s not what Jesus thought. Jesus looked at him very differently. Jesus saw a man who was about to be TRANSFORMED. Through three simple steps, this thief went from being on the road to hell to on the highway to Heaven. We find the story in Luke 23:29-43. Jesus is hanging on the cross between two thieves. The people are on the ground yelling terrible things at Jesus. As if it wasn’t bad enough that Jesus was be-ing killed for a crime he didn’t commit, the people had to yell and make fun of Him the whole time. One of the thieves next to Jesus yelled, “If you really are the Son of God, why don’t you save yourself and come down from that cross?” But, the other thief on the other side of Jesus began to get upset at the first thief. He said, “What’s the matter with you? Don’t you realize this man is innocent? You and I are guilty and are getting what we deserved.” Right there is the first step this man took to-wards being TRANSFORMED. It’s the same step you and I must take if we want to be TRANS-FORMED:

1) Admit Your Sin ! (slide) This thief admitted he was guilty of sin. If we are going to be TRANSFORMED, we must admit



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) that we have sinned against God. You say, “But, I haven’t really done anything THAT bad. I haven’t robbed any banks or killed anyone.” That may be true, but the Bible says that “ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23. The only way to be TRANSFORMED is to admit that you have messed up and sinned. That’s what the thief did, and that is what we must do. Then, the thief turns to Jesus and says, “Master, please remember me when you enter your Kingdom.” This man knows he is guilty of sin, so he turns to the only person he knows can help him—Jesus. He knows that Jesus is the only one who can TRANSFORM his life. And, that’s the second step to being TRANSFORMED:

2) Ask Jesus For Help! (slide) When you and I are guilty of sin, we must turn to Jesus. Jesus is the only one who has never ever sinned. He is perfectly innocent. We must call out to Jesus and say, “Jesus, I know that I am a sinner. I need you to forgive me of my sin and TRANSFORM my life.” Jesus will hear you. He heard this thief. Jesus turned to the thief and said, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” WOW! The man called out to Jesus for help—for forgiveness—and Jesus answered Him. Jesus said, “You WILL be with me in paradise.” The thief admitted his sin, asked Jesus for help, and then he took the third and final step toward being TRANSFORMED:

3) Receive God’s Forgiveness! (slide) We must receive God’s forgiveness. When we do that something amazing happens. (pull out the bottle of iodine labeled “sin” and the container of water) This thief was just like most of us, his whole life he had done things his own way and found himself full of sin (pour some of the iodine into the water, causing it to change to a dark muddy color). Sin messes up our lives. The Bible says that sin is what keep us from God. This man’s life was full of sin. Many people believed it was too late for him. But, Jesus heard his cry for help. The thief admitted he had sinned and asked Jesus for forgive-ness. When he did that, something amazing happened. (pick up the bottle of bleach labeled “Jesus” and begin to pour it into the water as you talk—slowly the water will change from dark and muddy to clear and clean again) He asked Jesus for forgiveness, and instantly all the sin in his life just disap-peared. His life was TRANSFORMED in an instant. Even though he spent his whole life running away from God—it wasn’t too late for him to turn his life over to Jesus and be completely TRANSFORMED. And, it’s not too late for you.

ALTAR RESPONSE: (play soft music) Pray for those who need to be forgiven of sin. Tell them it is not too late for them. Today is the day for them to be TRANSFORMED.

Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “Ain’t Nobody Too Bad For God!” 2. Who did Chuck Foo think was too bad to get saved? Answer: Dr. Doofus 3. Were both thieves believers in Jesus? Answer: No 4. What was the first step toward being transformed we learned today? Answer: Admit Your Sin 5. What was the second step toward being transformed we learned today? Answer: Ask Jesus For Help 6. What was the third step toward being transformed we learned today? Answer: Receive God’s Forgiveness 7. Is it ever too late for someone to be TRANSFORMED? Answer: no 8. How many thieves were crucified with Jesus? Answer: two 9. How many of the thieves received God’s forgiveness? Answer: one 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: 2 Peter 3:9


Jesus always sees us and knows our deepest needs!

“Whether You’re Near Or Whether You’re Far; God Sees You And He

Knows Where You Are!”

Intro Video “Sal Iva Talks To The Blind Man”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo Is Invisible”

Power Verse VIDEO “For God knows all hearts, and He sees you.” – Proverbs 24:12

Game Time ”Do You See What I See?”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Can You See Me Now?” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

The blind man in John chapter 9 had been sitting alone on the street with a beggar’s cup in his hand his entire life. No one ever noticed him, they just noticed his beggar’s cup. They saw him as a problem, an inconvenience, a freak. But, Jesus saw him for who he was. He saw him as a man who needed God’s help. He didn’t see the man’s need for money—He saw the man’s need for healing. He needed to be TRANSFORMED. In this lesson, the kids will learn to see people in need through the eyes of Jesus. Rather than looking at their need, we must look at their hearts and realize they need to be TRANSFORMED by the power of God.

“For God knows all hearts, and He sees you.”

– Proverbs 24:12

Lesson Five — “Can You See Me Now?” Page 39

Jesus always sees us and knows our deepest needs!

“Whether You’re Near Or Whether You’re Far; God Sees You And He

Knows Where You Are!”

Intro Video “SalLY Talks To The Blind Man” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo Is Invisible” Power Verse VIDEO “For God knows all hearts, and He sees you.” – Proverbs 24:12 Game Time ”Do You See What I See?” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Can You See Me Now?” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“For God knows all hearts, and He sees you.”

– Proverbs 24:12




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) CHUCK: (comes in yelling back through the door at someone we can’t see) I don’t care what you say! I’m not going!!!! Leader: Hey Chuck. What was that all about? CHUCK: That was my roommate I was yelling at. He’s trying to get me to go to work tomorrow, but I am NOT going! I don’t care what he says. (he’s really worked up and hyperventilating) Leader: Now, hold on Chuck. First of all, you should never talk to someone that way. That is not nice. Secondly, what is all this talk about not wanting to go to work tomorrow? I thought you loved work. CHUCK: Oh, normally I do love my work. All the karate and the training and the karate and the learning karate moves and…did I mention karate? Leader: Once or twice. CHUCK: Well, I love all those things. But, I am NOT going back to work anymore. Leader: If you love all those things about work, what is it that you don’t like? CHUCK: I don’t like the people there. Leader: Don’t like the people? Why is that? CHUCK: Because, …at work it’s like I don’t even exist. I try to make friends, but nobody even notices I am there. Leader: Well, what have you done so far to try to make friends. CHUCK: Well, I was going to try to be friends with the janitors the other day, so I went over to the break room so I could meet some of them as they were on their lunch break. Leader: Well, what happened? CHUCK: I was standing there at the door. They finished eating and then started heading straight

for me. I was all excited because I thought I would make some new friends. Then, they kept running towards me faster and faster. I guess they didn’t see me standing there because they just plowed right into me as if I was a tackling dummy. Knocked me right on my keester! It was like I was totally invisible. By the time I got up they were all gone. Nobody even noticed me (starts crying).



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) Leader: Don’t cry, Chuck. That’s just one instance. I’m sure that will never happen again. CHUCK: But, it did happen again. I thought I would go be friends with some of the other karate instructors. So, I went over to where they were practicing. They never even looked at me. So, I thought I would get right in front of them and stand there until somebody talked to me. Next thing I know this new instructor lady does a back roundhouse kick right into my nose! I started bleeding all over the place. Leader: Well, I’m sure the instructors stopped to help you and then you became friends, right? CHUCK: No! They didn’t even notice I was bleeding like a water faucet. They just went right on practicing and didn’t even notice me. It’s like I’m invisible. Nobody cares about me. Nobody sees me. Sometimes I wonder if God even sees me. I get so lonely, you know. (starts crying even more and snotting on the leader’s clothes) Leader: Now, Chuck, I know it’s hard to deal with when people ignore you. Sometimes people aren’t as kind and sensitive as they should be. But, I can tell you one thing…God always sees you and He knows right where you are. CHUCK: I know that’s the way it’s supposed to be. But, how do I know it’s true? Leader: I want you to check out the screens and watch Sven and Glen. They are going to help you learn today’s Power Verse. OK? CHUCK: OK. (Sven and Glen teach Power Verse. “For God knows all hearts, and he sees you.” – Proverbs 24:12) Leader: So, you see, Chuck. Even though people sometimes ignore us and they don’t see the pain that we have inside of us, God always sees us and knows the pain of our hearts. He wants to help us and be our friend. CHUCK: Wow. I never thought about it that way. Even though God is huge and way up in Heaven and stuff, He still sees me and knows where I am. That’s so cool. He can help me be strong so I can make some friends. Leader: That’s the spirit. CHUCK: Yeah! I’m not gonna give up. I’m gonna make some friends. I’m going to work tomorrow and even if people ignore me I am going to know that God sees me and He wants to be my friend. Leader: That’s exactly right! CHUCK: Awesome! Bye! I’m CHUCK FOO!!!! ( kicks and dances around off stage)


Game Time “DO You See What I See?” Items Needed For Game: The “TRANSFORMED” Data Disc (open slideshow titled “Lesson 5” and begin with the game slide titled “Do You See What I See?” How To Play: Choose three boys and three girls to compete in this quiz game. Each team will take turns answering the questions. The children are shown a distorted picture of an object. They must look as a team and decide what it is a picture of. Some are easy, some are downright impossible. The team that gets the most answers correct wins!


Illustrated Message “Can You See Me Now?” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a blindfold; a tin cup with some coins in it; a bucket of dirt Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Five”; place the bucket of dirt to the side out of sight

The Message: (title slide) Today we are learning about a man in the Bible who was born blind. Can you imagine what that must have been like? (Choose a volunteer from the audience and place the blindfold over their eyes. Tell them to follow the sound of your voice and try to keep up with you without peaking. Lead them all over the room, making it impossible for them to keep up. After a little while, take the blindfold off and have them be seated.) Being blind is hard enough, but this man was blind his entire life. Back in those days, people who were born blind were considered helpless and useless. The only way they could make any money was to sit on the side of the road and beg for money (as you talk, begin to shake the tin cup so that the children hear the money moving around in it). This man had been sitting on the side of the road begging for money his whole life. As people walked by, they would not even look in his direction. Every once in a while people would drop something into his cup. But, no one talked to him, no one noticed HIM. They only noticed his beggar’s cup. But, one day all of that changed. Jesus and his disciples were walking along the road. Sud-denly, Jesus stops right in front of the blind man. The disciples aren’t sure what’s going on, but they assume Jesus is wanting to teach them something. So, they ask a question. “Jesus, why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sin or was it because of his parents’ sin?” Can you believe these disciples? Jesus stops in front of this man and all they can think is that the man must have done something wrong. They see the blind man as a freak. They see him as a mis-take. But, Jesus saw something different. He saw a man who was in need—not of money, but of sight. Jesus told the disciples, “It wasn’t because of his sin or his parents’ sin. This man was born blind so that this very day God could display His amazing power.” Can you imagine if you were the blind man listening to this? What must he be thinking? Whatever it was, it couldn’t have compared to what he was ABOUT to think—because Jesus was about to do something absolutely amazing! Jesus knelt down in front of the blind man and grabbed a handful of dirt (pull the bucket of dirt and grab a handful) then spit into the dirt. He rubbed the dirt around and made some mud, then reached out and rubbed it on the man’s eyes. Then, he told the man, “Go and wash your eyes in the pool of Siloam.” Siloam was a nearby pool of water. So, the man did as Jesus commanded. When he



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) Washed away all the dirt, he could suddenly see perfectly! He saw people, trees, buildings, and all the things he had missed his entire life. In one single encounter with Jesus, this man was TRANSFORMED from a blind man to a man with sight. There are some very important lessons for you and I to learn in this story:

1) Jesus Sees You (slide) Some of you may feel like you are invisible. You may feel like no one sees you or knows what you are going through. But, Jesus sees you and knows exactly what you are going through. Just like He saw the blind man, Jesus sees you. He sees your pain. He sees your struggles. He sees where you are, and He wants you to know that not only does He see you, but…

2) Jesus Knows Your Real Need (slide) All the people walking by only saw the blind man’s beggar’s cup. They threw some coins in every once in a while. But, Jesus saw the man’s real need. He needed a miracle. He needed to be TRANSFORMED. So, Jesus healed the man and gave Him sight. But, Jesus didn’t do it the way most people would have thought. You would expect Jesus to have just laid His hands on the man and said, “Be healed.” But, Jesus instead spit in the dirt and rubbed it on the man’s eyes. What does that teach us?

3) Jesus Works In Many Different Ways—Just Trust Him (slide) Did it make any sense for Jesus to spit in the dirt and rub it in the man’s eyes? Not really. Many times we don’t understand “Why” God chooses to do certain things. But, one thing we know for sure...Jesus can be trusted. We can trust Him to love us. We can trust Him to heal us. We can trust Him to come through for us in a way that only He can. We must trust Him. Just like He did for the blind man, He will TRANSFORM our situation. We must trust Him to do it in His timing and in His way.

ALTAR RESPONSE (play soft music): Pray for those who feel invisible. Pray that they will know that God sees them and knows exactly where they are. He knows what they are going through. Pray for a miracle in their lives.


Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “Whether You’re Near Or Whether You’re Far, God Sees You And He Knows Where You Are!” 2. Who did Chuck Foo try to be friends with first? Answer: the janitors 3. What injury did Chuck get when he was kicked by the instructors? Answer: bloody nose 4. What did the disciples think had caused the man to be born blind? Answer: either his sin or his parents’ sin 5. What did Jesus say was the reason the man was born blind? Answer: so God’s power could be seen 6. What did Jesus do with the dirt he picked up? Answer: spit in it and rubbed it on the blind man’s eyes 7. After Jesus rubbed the dirt in the man’s eyes, what did Jesus tell the man to

do? Answer: go wash in the pool of Siloam 8. When the man washed off the dirt, what happened? Answer: he could see 9. Does Jesus see right where you are? Answer: yes 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: Proverbs 24:12

We must do everything in our power to bring our friends to Jesus.

“I Will Bring My Friends To Jesus!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To The Paralyzed Man”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo’s New Seats”

Power Verse VIDEO “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven.” – Mark 2:5

Game Time ”Bubble Gum Blowout”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Through The Roof” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

Most of us have heard the story of the paralyzed man who was lowered through the roof to Jesus. Generally, we focus on the unusual method that was used (lowered through the roof), and we miss a very key component: the friends. This man had no way to get to Jesus by himself. He had some very dedicated and loving friends who went above and beyond in order to get their friend to Jesus. It was because of their faith that the man was healed. In this lesson, the children will be reminded of how important it is to share their faith with their friends and do what-ever it takes in order to bring their friends to Jesus.

“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your

sins are forgiven."– Mark 2:5

Lesson Six — “Through The Roof” Page 47

We must do everything in our power to bring our friends to Jesus.

“I Will Bring My Friends To Jesus!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To The Paralyzed Man” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo’s New Seats” Power Verse VIDEO “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven.” – Mark 2:5 Game Time ”Bubble Gum Blowout” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Through The Roof” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your

sins are forgiven."– Mark 2:5




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) CHUCK: (makes his entrance to the tune of “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting”) Hiiiiiiiiiiii-YAH!! How you doin’ dere? Leader: I’m doing great, Chuck. How are you? CHUCK: I’m splendiferous! Been doing some good work for the Lord today. Leader: Oh, well that is so cool. What have you been doing? CHUCK: Well, I have a couple of kung-fu friends of mine that don’t know Jesus. I spent some time

down at the gym talking to them about church and whatnot. Leader: Awesome. Did you invite them to church? CHUCK: Well, yeah. I told them how cool it was here and how they get to hear about God and all.

They seemed really excited. Leader: Well, where are they? Why didn’t they come today? CHUCK: Well, old Jethro was planning to come. But, see his car broke down on him. He had

no way to get here. He called me and asked if I would give him a ride, but I said, “No way!” Leader: You said “No way?” Why? CHUCK: Because. I just had my truck seats recovered with that gen-you-ine Japanese leather. Old Jethro don’t bathe but once a month. I can’t have him putting his stinky pants on my gen-you- ine Japanese leather seats. Leader: But, he needed you to bring him to church. CHUCK: I know he did. But, he’s just gonna have to figure out how to get here on his own. I took

care of myself. He can take care of himself. Leader: Chuck! I thought you cared about your friends and whether or not they knew Jesus. CHUCK: I do. I want old Jethro to come to Jesus. But, I shouldn’t be having to haul his little

fanny around on my Japanese leather seats in order to get him to Jesus. That’s just too much to ask anybody to do.

Leader: Hmmmmm. Kids, does that sound like the right kind of attitude to have? (allow kids to

respond) No, it doesn’t. You see, we are learning about a man who needed to get to Jesus. He couldn’t because he was crippled. But, guess what his friends did?



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) CHUCK: They told him that he could call a taxi. Leader: They didn’t have taxis back then. CHUCK: They told him he could call a donkey. Leader: CHUCK!!! CHUCK: What? I don’t know what they did. What’d they do? Leader: They carried him all the way to the house where Jesus was. They lowered him through the roof down to Jesus. They did whatever they had to do to get him to Jesus. That’s how much they cared about him. I want you to watch Sven and Glen as they tell you what happened next in today’s Power Verse. CHUCK: Fine! I’ll watch! (PV Video – “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My son, your sins are forgiven."– Mark 2:5) Leader: So, you see? They cared so much about their friend that they were willing to do whatever it took to get him to Jesus. Because of that, their friend got saved and started living for Jesus. Isn’t that awesome? CHUCK: Sure is. Kinda makes me feel sorry. I can’t believe I wasn’t willing to bring my friend to church. I should be willing to do whatever it takes in order to bring my friends to Jesus. Leader: I think you’ve definitely learned your lesson today. CHUCK: I sure have. I’m gonna go see if Jethro is still at home. I’m gonna go pick him up and bring him to church. But, can I ask you a question? Leader: Sure thing. CHUCK: You got any sheets of plastic around here? I wanna cover up my gen-you-ine Japanese

leather seats before stinky Jethro sits on ‘em. Leader: CHUCK!!! CHUCK: I’m just joshing with ya! See ya! I’m CHUCK-FOOOOOO!! (starts kicking and dancing to outro music)


Game Time “Bubble Gum BLOWout” Items Needed For Game: * 6 pieces of wrapped bubble gum * the “TRANSFORMED” Music CD How To Play: Choose three boys and three girls to compete in this game. (make sure they are able to blow a bubble with bubble gum) When you say, “Go,” the contestants unwrap their bubble gum, place it in their mouths, and begin chewing. The first person to successfully blow a bubble wins the game for their team.


Illustrated Message “Through The Roof!” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a whiteboard/chalkboard (or large white posterboard); a trophy or 1st place ribbon; a stretcher (optional) Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Six,” begin with the slide titled “Through The Roof!”

The Message: (title slide) What’s the coolest thing a friend has ever done for you? Let you borrow a video game? Gave you a really cool birthday present? Saved you a seat at lunch? Or maybe you’ve had a friend do something amazing for you like help you study for an incredibly hard test or even loan you money when you were totally broke. Friends are awesome. Today, we are learning about a man who had some amazing friends. These friends helped him have a face-to-face encounter with Jesus so that he could be TRANSFORMED! We find this man’s story in Mark 2. He was born with a terrible handicap. He was paralyzed from the waist down. That meant that he couldn’t walk or even stand. (sit down right where you are) Can you imagine being un-able to walk or stand for your entire life? It was terrible. One day, he heard that Jesus was nearby. He had heard of Jesus’ power to TRANSFORM and he wanted to go see Jesus. But, there was only one problem...he was paralyzed. He couldn’t get to where Jesus was by himself. So, guess who came to help him? (allow response) That’s right, his friends came to help him. (if you have a stretcher, have several strong men come put you on the stretcher and hold you in the air as you continue the story) His friends picked him up and carried him all the way to where Jesus was teaching. It was a house that was quite a ways away. When they got there it was so crowded that there was no way to get their friend in to see Jesus. Now, they could have given up right then and said, “Well, we tried. Sorry, man.” But, they didn’t. Here’s what they did:

1) The Friends Went Above And Beyond To Bring Their Friends To Jesus (slide) They didn’t just “try” to bring their friend to Jesus. When they saw they couldn’t get in from the front door, they climbed up to the roof, cut a hole in it, and lowered him down into the middle of the room right where Jesus was. Do you think that was easy? No way! It’s hard enough just to carry someone, but then to lift them up to the roof—WOW! (ask the guys carrying you to set you down)



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) Many of us have friends that need to know Jesus. Maybe they are friends at school or in our neighborhood or on our sports team. It’s easy for us to say, “Well, it’s just too hard to invite them to church. I tried once, and they didn’t want to come. So, I’m done.” But, that’s not what these friends did. They did whatever it took. They went above and beyond. When something didn’t work, they tried an-other way. They knew their friend needed to get to Jesus. They were willing to work as hard as they had to in order for their friend to make it to Jesus. That’s exactly the way we need to be with our friends. We need to be willing to do whatever it takes to bring our friends to Jesus. Give them a ride to church. Witness to them on the ball field. Invite them to your house and talk to them about Jesus. Whatever it takes. Above and beyond. So, let’s look at what happened next. Once they lowered their friend down where Jesus was the Bible says, “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, ’My son, your sins are forgiven.’” WOW! It’s because of the friends’ faith that this man came to know Jesus. WOW! That’s amazing! Then, Jesus said to the man, “Rise, take up your bed, and walk.” The man got up, picked up his bed, and walked home. The people all celebrated the fact that the man could walk. People talked about it for a long time. Now, that is an amazing transformation, isn’t it? But, did you notice something? Did the people make a big deal out of those friends who brought the man to Jesus? Did they build statues of them in the town square? Did they put their names on the news and put their pictures in the paper? No, they didn't.

2) The Friends Didn’t Receive Any Reward Or Recognition (slide) They didn’t do it for a reward. (hold up the trophy or blue ribbon) They brought their friend to Jesus because they knew Jesus was the only one who could transform him. They weren’t looking for a pat on the back, they were looking for their friends’ life to be transformed. Boys and girls, when you bring your friends to Jesus you may never receive an earthly reward. People probably won’t make a big deal out of it. But, you can know that Jesus is pleased with you. You can know that your friend is now on their way to Heaven and they will be there with you for eternity. Now, that is amazing. You might think, “There’s nothing I can do to help someone come to Jesus.” You’re wrong. Every time you show kindness to a friend, share a prayer with them, bring them to church, or tell them about God’s love—you give God a chance to TRANSFORM their lives. Here’s what we can know:

3) My Effort + God’s Power = My Friend’s Miracle (slide) All God asks is that we do everything we can to bring our friends to Jesus, and He will do the rest. We don’t have the power to save them, but God does. He just asks us to do the work of talking to



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) them about His love, inviting them to church, and doing everything we can to bring them to Jesus. Then, He will allow them to see His power, and their lives will be changed.

ALTAR RESPONSE: (play soft music) Have the children think of the friends they have that need to come to Jesus. Have them pray for those friends out loud by name. Pray that God will give them ideas on how to bring those friends to Jesus. Perhaps even schedule a “Friend Day” for next week and have everyone invite at least one friend to church.


Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “I Will Bring My Friends To Jesus!” 2. Who did Chuck Foo refuse to bring to church? Answer: Jethro 3. Why did Chuck Foo not want Jethro to sit on his Japanese leather seats? Answer: because he only bathes once a month and he smells bad 4. Who helped the paralyzed man see Jesus? Answer: his friends 5. What did the friends have to do in order to get the paralyzed man into the house? Answer: cut a hole in the roof and lower the man down 6. Whose faith did Jesus say healed the paralyzed man? Answer: the friends 7. True or False: The friends only did what it took “to get by” in order to help

their friend see Jesus? Answer: False 8. Should we do everything possible to bring our friends to Jesus? Answer: Yes 9. “My effort + God’s power = ______________”? Answer: my friend’s miracle 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: Mark 2:5

God loves everyone with the same unconditional love.

“God Doesn’t Play The Favorites Game, He Loves Everyone Just

The Same!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Simon The Pharisee”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo’s Kicked Out Of Church”

Power Verse VIDEO “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.." – Romans 5:8

Game Time ”Give A Little, Take A Little”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “God Has No Favorites” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

If you’ve grown up in church, you’ve probably encountered the tradi-tional church member who believes that they are “special”. They look down on others, especially those who are not “as holy” as they are. It’s a sad situation when the church begins to think of itself as a spe-cial club for special people instead of a hospital for the wounded and needy. Jesus called us to love others the same way He loves us all. Jesus has no favorites. Whether you have attended church your whole life or are living a life of sin, Jesus died for you and wants to be in relationship with you. In this lesson, we will learn that “God Has No Favorites.”

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.." – Romans 5:8

Lesson Seven — “God Has No Favorites” Page 56

God loves everyone with the same unconditional love.

“God Doesn’t Play The Favorites Game, He Loves Everyone Just

The Same!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Simon” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo’s Kicked Out Of Church” Power Verse VIDEO “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.." – Romans 5:8 Game Time ”Give A Little, Take A Little” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “God Has No Favorites” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.." – Romans 5:8




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) CHUCK: (makes his entrance to the tune of “Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting”) Hiiiiiiiiiiii-YAH!! How you doin’ dere? Leader: Hey there Chuck Foo! CHUCK: Hey there, yourself! But, I have to warn you…I’m a bit testy today! Leader: Oh, well why is that? CHUCK: Well, I went to visit my cousin in Chinatown. While there I thought I would swing in to where he goes to church over there. Leader: Well, that sounds like an awesome idea, Chuck! CHUCK: Hold on, Suzy Sassafrass. Don’t jump to any conclusions before I tell you my story. Leader: Oh, ok. What’s the story. CHUCK: I went to church with him. Of course, I went dressed in my kung-fu best. But, when I got there I was greeted by one of them hushers. I guess their job is to tell you to be quiet if you’re making too much noise or something. Leader: Hushers? You mean ushers? CHUCK: Don’t make fun of me! I’m trying to tell my story. Leader: Sorry about that. CHUCK: So, I got stopped by this husher who asks me, “Is THAT what you are wearing to church today?” as he pointed to my kung-fu uniform. I said, “Well, yes it is unless you want me to take it all off and attend church in my Superman Underoos.” Leader: Chuck Foo! You can’t go to church in your underoos! CHUCK: That’s what I thought! But, the guy looked at me and my clothes and shook his head, then he walked away. So, me and my cousin walked in and sat down in the pew. The whole time people are looking over at me making weird looks and comments. I even heard a lady say, “Why does someone like THAT want to be here anyway?” Leader: That’s terrible!



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) CHUCK: That’s nothing! All of a sudden the pastor himself comes down and says, “Mr. Karate-Man, I am going to have to ask you to leave.” Leader: Leave? Why did they ask you to leave? CHUCK: He said they don’t allow “my kind” in his church. He said the church is a holy place and it was no place for a kung-fu WARRIOR like me. He said God doesn’t love people like me. I wanted to karate punch him in the face! Leader: Well, you don’t want to punch him in the face. But, I can tell you, Chuck Foo, that he was not treating you the way we are supposed to treat others. He was acting as if God didn’t love you the same way He loves everyone else in that church. The Bible teaches us something very important, and I want you to check this out. Sven and Glen are going to teach us the Power Verse. (Power Verse video) CHUCK: Wow! God’s love is that strong? He loves all of us the same even the worst sinners in the world. That sure doesn’t sound the way that preacher and those hushers treated me. Leader: You’re right. Sadly, sometimes God’s people don’t treat others the way they should be treated. They get confused and start thinking that if you don’t look the right way, dress the right way, or talk the right way—then you are just not one of God’s favorites. But, God loves everyone and wants us to love them as He loves them. I’m sorry that church didn’t treat you right. But, I want you to know that we accept you here and we love you just like God loves you. CHUCK: That’s so nice of you, little leader person! Leader: That’s not my name. CHUCK: Well, my name is Chuck Fooooooooooooooooooo!! Hiiiiiii-YAH!!! (karate chops, falls, outro song plays)

Lesson Seven — “Open Your Eyes!” Page 60

Game Time “Give A Little! Take A Little” Items Needed For Game: * 3 large buckets * several dozen small-medium sized items that can be carried by kids from one bucket to another (such toy car, Kleenex box, soda can, etc) * The “TRANSFORMED” Music CD (cue up one of the one minute game songs) How To Play: Choose two players to compete. One player stands on one side of the room by a bucket filled with the small-medium sized items. The other player stands on the other side of the room by an empty bucket. Place the third bucket (empty) in the middle of the room/ playing area. One player’s goal is to GIVE as many of the items as possible from their bucket to the middle (empty) bucket. The other player’s goal is to TAKE as many items away from the middle bucket as possible and place them into their bucket. The players will have to make strategic decisions on how many items at a time to GIVE or TAKE. They are not allowed to pick up the buckets themselves and dump the items. All items must be carried. When you say, “GO!” the music begins and the first player gathers as many items as possible to run and GIVE to the middle bucket. The “taker” is not allowed to leave their starting position until the “giver” has deposited the first batch of items into the middle bucket. Choose one of the 60 second timed versions of the Game Music found on the Music CD. At the end of the 60 seconds, count how many items are in the middle bucket. Then, have the players switch positions and play the game all over again. Whichever team has the most items left in the bucket after their 60 seconds WINS!


Illustrated Message “God Has No Favorites” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a birthday party hat; birthday invitation Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Seven,” begin with the slide titled “God Has No Favorites!”; familiarize yourself with the story of Simon the Pharisee in Luke 7:36-50.

The Message: (title slide) (put on the birthday party hat) Imagine it’s your birthday! You are so excited because your parents said you could have a huge birthday party and invite anyone you wanted. So, you get the invi-tations (pull out the birthday invitations) and you start filling them out. You invite your best friend, the friends in your class, all the kids you play with in your neighborhood, everyone you have ever wanted to be there. Just for fun, you send an invitation in the mail to ____________ (insert the name of a famous movie star, tv star, or music star that your kids would think is awesome). You know there’s not a chance they’ll come, but your parents said you could invite anyone so you think, “Why not!” All your friends say they are coming. It’s going to be the coolest day ever. You have tons of food, tons of games, tons of candy, and the hugest birthday cake ever known to mankind. But, there’s more! The day before your party you get a telephone call. It’s the manager for _________ (the star you named earlier). They got your invitation and they are planning to be there. Oh my goodness! This is going to be the best birthday party ever! That is pretty close to what was happening in our Bible story today. Simon the Pharisee was having a party and all of his friends were planning to be there. Then, he finds out that Jesus is coming. Jesus had become a very popular person as he traveled healing the sick, raising the dead, and perform-ing many more miracles. Simon was feeling pretty important having Jesus show up at his house. So, here he is at the party. All of his Pharisee friends are there. Pharisees were the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They were pretty important people themselves. Now, they really felt important with Jesus at the party with them. Simon felt like he was the King of the World. Then, all of a sudden everything changed. Simon looked over and saw a woman there at his party. She was a very unpopu-lar sinful woman. Nobody liked her. She had a sinful job that made her do many sinful things. Simon couldn’t believe she was at HIS party. She wasn’t even invited. Can you imagine? At your birthday party you turn around and see that kid in your school that nobody likes. They weren’t invited. Everyone’s looking at you saying, “What are THEY doing here?” You feel embarrassed and even angry. You’re thinking, “They have a lot of nerve showing up here.” That’s exactly what Simon the Pharisee thought. Then, his worst fears came true. He watched as this sinful woman walked over to Jesus. She was actually going to talk to him. How could this



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) happen at HIS party? He was so embarrassed. Then, something happened that he couldn’t believe. The woman pulled out a jar of expensive perfume and started pouring it all over Jesus’ feet. Then, she started wiping his feet with her hair as she cried tears of joy. She was so happy to be with the Son of God, Jesus. Simon the Pharisee couldn’t believe it. He thought to himself, “If this man were really a prophet He would know what kind of woman this is who is touching Him. She is a sinner.” Simon had the same thought that a lot of people have. He thought that “those kind of people” don’t deserve to be around Jesus. She was a sinner. Nobody liked her. She didn’t deserve to spend time with Him. She needed to clean up her life more before she deserved to come to Jesus. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking, so he turned to Simon and said, “Simon, I have a ques-tion for you. If two people owed money to their boss, one of them owed $100 and the other owed $1 Million, but the boss forgave both of their debts so that they did not owe a thing. Which one is going to be most grateful?” Simon said, “The one who owed the most money.” Jesus said, “You’re right.” Then, Jesus turned to the woman who had been pouring the perfume on his feet and said, “Your sins are for-given. Your faith has saved you, go in peace.” There are several important lessons that we can learn from this story:

1) God Loves Everyone The Same (slide) Simon didn’t think Jesus should have anything to do with the sinful woman. But, Jesus knew otherwise. He knew that God loves everyone exactly the same. It doesn’t matter if you go to church every Sunday or you have never been in church. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, tall or short, smart or not. God loves everyone with the same amount of love. John 3:16 says, “God so loved THE WORLD…” That is everyone!!! So...

2) If We Love God, We Will Love Others As He Does (slide) Too often, we find ourselves having the same thoughts that Simon the Pharisee had. We forget how much God loves everyone. We also forget that we are called to love others just as Jesus loves them. Remember what you were feeling when I told the story of the unpopular kid coming to your birth-day party? That’s not the feeling that we should have toward others. In fact, the best way we can show how much we love God is by loving those people who are hard to love. That kid at your school that no one likes, that’s who you should be friends with. That is how they will know God’s love—by watching His love work through YOU!

ALTAR RESPONSE: (play soft music) Pray for the children to love others as Jesus does.


Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “God Doesn’t Play The Favorites Game, He Loves Everyone Just The Same!” 2. What did Chuck Foo wear to church? Answer: his best kung fu outfit 3. Were the people at Chuck’s cousin’s church treating him the right way? Answer: No 4. Does God love “church people” more than He loves sinners? Answer: No 5. What was the name of the Pharisee who threw the party in our story? Answer: Simon 6. What did the sinful woman do to Jesus when she saw Him? Answer: she worshipped Him and poured perfume on his feet 7. Did Jesus rebuke the woman for pouring the perfume on His feet? Answer: No 8. What did the woman use to dry off Jesus’ feet? Answer: her hair 9. We learned that “If I love God I will love __________ as He does.” Answer: others 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: Romans 5:8

God can transform the storms of your life into peaceful times.

“Jesus Conquers Every Storm, He Will Keep You Safe And Warm!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Peter”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo’s A Fraidy-cat”

Power Verse VIDEO “Then [Jesus] stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm.” – Matthew 8:26

Game Time ”Surviving The Storm”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Jesus Calms The Storm” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

The disciples thought they had faith in Jesus, but when a storm came upon the lake where they were floating they began to freak out. All the while, Jesus was sleeping. How could Jesus sleep when the storm was all around him? He was rest-ing in the fact that God is bigger than any storm that life can bring us. Not only rainstorms or thunderstorms, but also storms of sadness, school problems, friendship issues, etc. In this lesson, the children will learn how to trust God with all their heart and know that He is able to TRANSFORM even the worst storm into a time of peace and joy.

“Then [Jesus] stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and

suddenly all was calm.” – Matthew 8:26

Lesson Eight — “Jesus Calms The Storm” Page 64

God can transform the storms of your life into peaceful times.

“Jesus Conquers Every Storm, He Will Keep You Safe And Warm!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Peter” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Foo’s A Fraidy-cat” Power Verse VIDEO “Then [Jesus] stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm.” – Matthew 8:26 Game Time ”Surviving The Storm” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Jesus Calms The Storm” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“Then [Jesus} stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and

suddenly all was calm.” – Matthew 8:26




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) (CF’s entrance music plays – he comes in just as hyper and screaming as usual) CHUCK: Hello, dere! My name is CHUCK-FOOOOOO! Leader: Of course we know who you are, Chuck. CHUCK: I am a super cool, high-flying, karate-chopping kun-fu MASTER with a big ol’ problem!!! Leader: Somehow I knew you were going to say that. What seems to be the problem? CHUCK: Well, you know my nemesis, Dr Doofus? Leader: Right. Dr…what is it again? CHUCK: Dr Doofus!!! He’s gone and done it this time! Leader: What’s he gone and done? CHUCK: He’s invented the worst kung-fu weapon that he ever could have invented. It’s terrible! It’s

ferocious! It’s calamity for humankind! Leader: That sounds terrible. What did this Doofus guy make this time? CHUCK: He’s invented the Super Conducting Super Weather Machine. He can make it rain

anytime anywhere he wants to. Leader: Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. CHUCK: Doesn’t sound so bad? Are you a crazy person? Doesn’t sound so bad? Why, it’s

terrible! It’s calamitous! It’s perpendicularly perilous! Leader: Why do you think that just because Dr Doofus has invented a weather machine that can make it rain it’s such a bad thing? CHUCK: Because…Chuck Foo – er um…me – um…storms make me…um…. Leader: Scared? CHUCK: (freaks out like a baby) YES!! PLEAAAAAAASE don’t let him make it rain. Storms

make me scared! I just wanna run and hide in my closet or even better – go find my MOMMY!!!! (cries like a baby)



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) Leader: Now, Chuck! I understand that storms make you scared, but there’s no reason to act like this. CHUCK: Yes, there is! Storms are scary! Storms are ugly! Storms have big hairy warts on the end of their noses, and they turn you into a frog! Wait, no that’s my 7th grade Algebra teacher. But, still…storms are terrible and scary!! Leader: I understand that storms may scare you. But, did you know that God is in control of storms? CHUCK: What? Are you sure? It doesn’t seem like anyone is in control of storms. They thunder and lightning and pour rain down on you like a shower of terrible badness! Leader: Well, in our Bible story today, the disciples were feeling much like you are feeling. They

found themselves in a storm. When they found Jesus, he was sleeping in the boat with them right in the middle of the storm. They woke Him up, and do you know what He did?

CHUCK: I bet He started crying just like me! Leader: Not quite. I want to you watch Sven and Glen right now. They’re going to teach you

what Jesus did in today’s Power Verse. (SVEN and GLEN teach Power Verse – “Then [Jesus] stood up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm.” – Matthew 8:26) Leader: So, you see? When Jesus is with you, you don’t have to be afraid of the storms of life.

And, not just the storms like rain and thunderstorms, but also the storms of life like pain, sadness, and other bad things that happen in life. Jesus can calm every storm we face in life.

CHUCK: Hi yahhhh! Why didn’t you say so? This is amazing news! I’m so excited! Leader: Good! Because I wouldn’t want you to be scared of storms. CHUCK: No way! I’m not afraid of anything with God on my side! I think I’m going to tell him to take his rain machine and go jump in the lake! Leader Probably not the best idea. Just let him know you’re not scared! CF: Will do! DR DOOFUS, HERE I COME!! Until next time, this is CHUCK FOOOOOOOOOOO!!! (outro begins) Let’s kick it! (kicks and jumps around all over on his way out)


Game Time “Surviving The Storm” Items Needed For Game: * The “TRANSFORMED” Data CD; open the PowerPoint presentation to Lesson 8 and begin with the game title slide “Surviving The Storm” How To Play: Everyone can play this game. Explain that the captain of the ship they have been traveling on has gotten very sick and can no longer be in charge. It’s up to the kids to navigate the ship through the storm. Divide the room in half. Each team will get to decide which way to turn. At each turn, the team will discover either a life jacket, sunshine, a life preserver, or a hurricane. If they find a life jacket, their team gets 25 pts. If they find sunshine, they get 50 points. If they find a life preserver, they get 100 points. However, if they find a hurricane they lose all the points they have accumulated so far and their turn is over. Every time a team gets a correct answer they can choose either to continue or pass to the other team. They can play as long as they like, but as soon as they hit a hurricane they lose all their points and their turn is over. The goal is to get correct answers and pass it on to the other team to try to make them choose a hurricane and lose their points. The team that survives the storm and gains the most points after twenty rounds wins!


Illustrated Message “Jesus Calms The Storm” Materials Needed: The Data CD; the Music CD; a water gun or water sprayer; a strobe light (optional) Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Eight,” begin with the slide titled “Jesus Calms The Storm”; familiarize yourself with the story of Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8:18-26

The Message: (title slide) Have you ever been in a terrible storm? Storms are scary aren’t they? Rainstorms, lightning storms, hail storms, snow storms—all kinds of storms strike fear deep in the heart of people all over the world. If you’ve ever survived a terrible storm, you know how blessed you feel to still be alive. In our Bible Lesson today, the disciples faced a HUGE storm. It happened right after Jesus had been doing some teaching to huge crowds. He ended the day very very tired. After all, teaching to thousands of people can really take it out of you. So, Jesus commanded the disciples to get in a boat and take Him to the other side of the lake. Sounds like an easy job, right? Well, after they had been sailing across the lake for a while they began to hear thunder (play Track #4 on the music CD—begin to flash the strobe light off and on to simulate lightning). They knew what that meant. Many of the disciples were experienced fishermen. They had been out on the lake before and heard this sound. They knew it meant a massive storm was going to show up at any time. And, that’s exactly what happened. (play Track #5 on the Music CD) Suddenly a massive storm whipped up on them. The wind began to blow and the rain began to pour (have one of your leaders begin to lightly spray the kids with water to simulate rain). The waves got so big they started coming over the sides of the boat. The disci-ples were freaking out! They were sure they were about to die. But, this entire time Jesus was down below the deck sleeping. He wasn’t worried about this storm at all. The disciples woke him up and said, “Master! Don’t you care about us at all? We are all going to die!” Jesus looked at them and said, “Why are you so afraid? Why do you have such little faith?” Then, Jesus walked over to the side of the boat and began to speak to the wind and the waves. He said, “Peace. Be still.” (immediately STOP the sound f/x and the simulated rain and lightning) Suddenly the storm stopped and there was peace on the lake. The disciples were amazed. They looked around and said, “Who is this man that even the winds and the waves obey Him?” Jesus calmed the storm and TRANSFORMED the situation from stormy seas to peaceful waters.



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) In this story we find several lessons that we need to learn about life. Let’s go back through the story and find those lessons.

1) Storms Come Even When I’m Following Jesus (slide) Too many people have the idea that if you choose to follow Jesus then everything is going to be picture perfect with no problems. But, that’s not the way life is. Storms come in life—even when I’m following Jesus. The disciples didn’t do anything wrong in order to face this storm. As a matter of fact, Jesus is the one who told them to get into the boat and go to the other side. They didn’t do anything to “deserve” this storm—but, it happened anyway. Boys and girls, storms and problems in life will come even though you are a follower of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian doesn’t mean everything will be perfect with no problems. It just means that when you face the storms, you are not alone.

2) Storms May Scare You, But They Don’t Scare Jesus (slide) The disciples were terrified because they knew the storm was bigger and stronger than they were. But, Jesus was peaceful and sleeping even while the storm was raging. He knew that His power was stronger than the storm. When we face problems and storms in our lives, we must remember that Jesus’ power is stronger than any problem we face. Stronger than temptation, stronger than depres-sion, stronger than sickness, stronger than anything. We may be scared, but Jesus is not scared. We must trust in Him with all of our hearts.

3) When Storms Come, Remember Jesus Is In Your Boat (slide) Remember you are never alone, even in a storm. Jesus promised He would never leave you or forsake you. That means He will be with you no matter what. Don’t be afraid, just remember that Jesus is in your boat and…

4) Jesus Can Calm Any Storm (slide) It doesn’t matter what kind of storm you are facing: divorce, cancer, bad grades, no friends, depression, sinful habits, etc. Jesus has the power to calm any storm. He did it for the disciples, and He will do it for you.



Illustrated Message (CONTINUED)

ALTAR RESPONSE: (play soft music) Pray for the children who feel like they are going through a storm. Pray that God will bring peace to their lives. Pray that they will trust Jesus and remember that He is always in their boat and can calm any storm they will ever face.


Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “Jesus Conquers Every Storm, He Will Keep You Safe And Warm!” 2. What invention did Chuck Foo said Dr Doofus had just invented? Answer: Super Conducting Super Weather Machine 3. Why was Chuck Foo so worried about the weather machine? Answer: He’s afraid of storms 4. Who commanded the disciples to cross the lake in the boat? Answer: Jesus 5. Today we learned that “Storms come even when I’m __________________?” Answer: following Jesus 6. When the storm hit, where was Jesus and what was he doing? Answer: He was below deck sleeping 7. What did Jesus say to the storm? Answer: “Peace. Be Still.” 8. What happened when Jesus said, “Peace. Be Still.”? Answer: the storm stopped 9. Is Jesus more powerful than any storm we face in life? Answer: Yes 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: Matthew 8:26

We are in a constant fight with the devil, but God will help us win.

“Everything Is Possible With G-O-D!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Demon Boy”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck The Magnificent”

Power Verse VIDEO “…with God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:26

Game Time ”It’s Time To Fly”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Wrestling With The Devil” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

Wrestling has become a huge form of sports entertainment. Sadly, it’s also filled with profanity and inappropri-ate behavior. But, children see it and are fascinated. Young boys imagine becoming the next big wrestler, but in today’s lesson they will find out that they already are a wrestler. The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 6:12 that we “wrestle” against the devil and his demons every day. In this lesson, the kids will meet a young boy who was losing that battle against the enemy until Jesus came along and TRANSFORMED him. He set the boy free from his bondage and allowed him to defeat the devil at his own game.

“…with God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:26

Lesson Nine — “Wrestling With The Devil” Page 73

We are in a constant fight with the devil, but God will help us win.

“Everything Is Possible With G-O-D!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Demon Boy” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck The Magnificent” Power Verse VIDEO “…with God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:26 Game Time ”It’s Time To Fly” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “Wrestling With The Devil” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

“…with God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:26




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) (CF’s entrance music plays – he comes in just as hyper and screaming as usual, but he is wearing a magician’s hat and carrying a “magic wand” and carrying a bag) CHUCK: Ladies and gentlemen, boys and swirls! May I have your attention, please? I, Chuck Foo will from here on and hitherto no longer be referred to as “Chuck Foo.” Leader: Oh really? What will we call you then? CHUCK: I will from here on and hitherto be called, “CHUCK The Magnificent!” Leader: OK, CHUCK The Magnificent. What is going on with you? Why are you dressed like that? CHUCK: Now, young tooten-common, I am glad that you asked that question. You see I, CHUCK The Magnificent, am a world class magician. Leader: You are? CHUCK: You bet your sweet potato I am! Leader: Well, that’s wonderful! Can you show us some tricks? CHUCK: I most certainly can! Stand back, though. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt. (takes the hat off his head) I will now pull a rabbit out of this hat. Are you ready, little runts out there? (gets the kids pumped up) All right, here is the rabbit! (pulls out a fake snake, then runs all over the stage freaking out about it) Leader: CHUCK! Are you ok? CHUCK: I am NOT ok!! I am VERY much not ok! I just about got swallowed by an anaconda! I was almost squeezed to death by a man-eating python! Leader: (picks up the snake) Chuck, it’s a rubber snake. CHUCK: Well, keep it away from me! That thing’s meaner than a one-eyed wolverine in a burping contest! Leader: Well, I have no idea what that means! But, I do have one question for you…why in the world do you want to be a magician anyway? CHUCK: Well, I have a friend who is sick with a terrible disease! He’s been suffering for over a year in all kinds of pain! The doctors have told him that there is nothing they can do! It’s an impossible situation! I just thought I could learn how to do some magic so maybe I could make



Character SKIT (CONTINUED)

his disease disappear! But, I am a stinking sorry magician! Now, it is totally IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!!

Leader: Well, actually, it’s not impossible! CHUCK: (looks at leader like they are stupid) Now, listen here! What kind of a dunce-cap do you think I am? The doctors done said that they can’t do nothing for him. That would mean it is IMPOSSIBLE for him to get better! Leader: No, it isn’t! CHUCK: Yes, it is! Leader: No, it isn’t! CHUCK: Yes, it IS!!!! Leader: No, it isn’t, Chuck! I want you to watch this video of Sven and Glen! They are going to teach you that with God, NOTHING is impossible! (Sven and Glen teach Power Verse) “But with God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:26 Leader: Now, what do you think about that? CHUCK: I think that’s about as amazing as a seven toed shoe in an umbrella store! I am so excited that God can answer my prayers and heal my friend! It may be impossible with the doctors and with me. But, with God, NOTHING is impossible! Leader: You’re exactly right! So, what are you going to do with all that magician stuff? CHUCK: I guess I will go try my best to make my athlete’s foot disappear! It’s been itching something awful! I’m Chuck Foo – KICK IT! (his outro music begins) Leader: Bye, Chuck!!!!

Game Time “It’s Time To Fly” Items Needed For Game: * The “TRANSFORMED” Music CD (play one of the 60 second versions of one of the game songs), * 8 Frisbees * 2 Hula-Hoops How To Play: Choose three boys and three girls to compete in the game. One will be the thrower, one will hold the hula hoop target, and one will run the Frisbees back to the thrower. Have the throwers stand at a point the same distance from their targets. They have sixty seconds to throw as many Frisbees through the hula hoops as possible. The team that gets the most Frisbees through the Hula-Hoop target in sixty seconds is the winner!



Illustrated Message “Wrestling With The Devil!” Materials Needed: The Data CD; a wrestler’s outfit (or as close as you can get to one) Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Nine,” begin with the slide titled “Wrestling With The Devil!”

The Message: (title slide) Wrestling is a difficult sport. Wrestlers train long and hard and go through all kinds of pain and difficulty. Professional wrestling is an over-the-top, often ridiculous experience where larger than life characters battle in a ring for the championship belt. It’s changed a lot over the years. Today, it’s not really something that children should watch. One thing that hasn’t changed is that professional wrestling is “fake.” Now, before you get too upset with me let me explain. I know that the moves they make are real and many times the pain they endure is very real. But, the outcome is usually already determined. Before they ever go into the ring, they decide which wrestler is going to win. In that sense, it is “fake.” How many of you have ever wanted to be a wrestler? (allow kids to respond) Really? Well, guess what? You already are! The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (put the scripture slide on the screen) Every Christian is in a fight with the devil every single day. Now, obviously we don’t put on a wrestling outifit and jump around a ring, but we do fight and struggle against the powers of wickedness just like the scripture says. The boy we are learning about today was also in a fight with the devil. The devil had sent a demon to attack the young boy. The demon was controlling the boy’s actions. The demon would cause the boy to throw himself into the fire and try to kill himself. Not a good thing at all. The boy couldn’t have a happy life. He was unable to enjoy the blessings God had planned for him because the devil was torturing him so much. It’s the same way with us, boys and girls. Now, I am not saying that anyone here has an evil spirit that controls them. I am not saying that at all. What I am saying is that the devil does fight against us every day, trying his best to keep us from God’s blessings.

1) The Devil Wants To Keep You From God’s Blessings (slide)


Lesson Nine— “Wrestling With The Devil” Page 79

Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) The devil doesn’t want you to experience all that God has for you. That’s why he fights you with temptation. He wants you to give in to temptation and sin so that you stay away from God’s blessings. Many times, the devil fights us with sickness and disease. He fights us by trying to make our families and friends follow his plan instead of God’s plan. The devil doesn’t want us to experience God’s bless-ings, so he will do whatever it takes to keep us away from them. The boy in our story knew what that was all about. He couldn’t have the kind of life God wanted him to have because the devil was in control of him. He couldn’t have the kind of friends God wanted him to have, the kind of happiness God wanted him to have, or the kind of peace that God wanted him to have. He was in a fight with the devil every day—and it didn’t look good. His father brought him to Jesus in Mark chapter 9. The boy’s dad tells Jesus that this fight with the devil has been going on since the boy was very small. It’s been years that the boy has been wres-tling with the devil. The father was very discouraged. He said to Jesus, “IF you can do anything to help us, please have pity on us.” The boy’s father had seen his son in this fight for many years. He didn’t have a lot of faith. It’s something that happens to us, too...

2) Wrestling With The Devil Can Be Discouraging (slide) Wrestling with the devil is not easy. It can really make us sad and discouraged. Some of you have family members that have been sick for a long time. You’ve been wrestling with the devil in prayer for a long time, but your family is still sick. Some of you have been wrestling with the devil for some of your friends to get saved, but your friends still have not given their lives to Jesus. It can be very discour-aging sometimes. It’s hard to be excited and filled with faith when you have wrestled for so long. That’s what this boy and his father have gone through. They don’t have much faith. The father said, “Jesus, IF you can do anything…” Well, Jesus had something to say about that. He turns to the father and replies, “IF I can do anything??” In other words Jesus says, “What are you talking about IF I can do anything?” Then, Jesus says something amazing. He says, “ANYTHING is possible for those who believe!” In other words...

3) There Are No IFs With God! (slide) We should never come to God saying, “IF you can help me…” We know that God can do anything! He’s more powerful than the devil! He is able to do ANYTHING and will help us defeat the devil every time. That’s exactly what Jesus did with the young boy as well. Jesus turns to the young boy and speaks to the evil spirit that was inside of him. He says, “You evil spirit! I command you to get out of this boy and NEVER return again!” Suddenly, the evil spirit shrieked loudly, the boy fell to the ground shaking, and the evil spirit left him. The boy laid on the ground


Illustrated Message (CONTINUED) completely still. Everyone around began to think the boy was dead because he wasn’t moving. Jesus knew better than that. He walked over to the boy, took him by the hand, and lifted him up to his feet. The boy was completely TRANSFORMED! The devil had been in control of his life for so long, but on that day Jesus TRANSFORMED him into a boy who was victorious over the devil. God can do the same thing for you and me. We wrestle against the devil in many different ways every day. We may feel discouraged and defeated because the fight has been going on so long. But, God can TRANSFORM us into a victorious warrior for Him! With God’s help, we can defeat the devil every time!!!

Altar Response: (play soft music) Pray with the children who feel like they are in a fight with the devil. Perhaps they are facing sickness in their bodies or in their family. Maybe they have friends who need to come to Christ. What-ever the battle, remind them that “There are no IFs with God!” God can and will help them defeat the devil every time!!


Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “Everything Is Possible With G-O-D!” 2. What did Chuck Foo say he now wanted to be called? Answer: Chuck The Magnificent 3. What did Chuck expect to pull out of the hat? Answer: a rabbit 4. What did he really pull out of the hat? Answer: a snake 5. True Or False: The disciples were able to cast out the demon on their own. Answer: False 6. Today we learned that the Devil wants to keep us from God’s ____________. Answer: blessings 7. We also learned that wrestling with the devil can be ____________________. Answer: discouraging 8. Finally, we learned that there are no ________ with God. Answer: ifs 9. Who is stronger—God or the Devil? Answer: God 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: Matthew 19:26

If we are going to be transformed, we must give God our whole life.

“All My Heart, All My Soul, I Will Give God Full Control!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Rich Young Ruler”

Offering Time

Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Loves Tobackee”

Power Verse VIDEO "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37

Game Time ”Is There A Doctor In The House?”

Worship Songs Illustrated Message “All Or NOthing” “Rap It Up” Video

Review Questions

This series has been all about people who had an encounter with Jesus and walked away TRANSFORMED. So, this lesson may “seem” out of place since the main character walked away without being TRANSFORMED. But, in this lesson the children will learn some valuable things from the Rich Young Ruler. He loved his “stuff” more than he wanted to follow Jesus. He wasn’t willing to give God control of that area of his life. So, he walked away sad. We must be willing to submit our whole lives to God if we want Him to TRANSFORM us into the person He has for us to be. If we hold anything back, we run the risk of losing out on God’s best for our lives.

"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

– Matthew 22:37

Lesson Ten — “All Or NOthing” Page 82

If we are going to be transformed, we must give God our whole life.

“All My Heart, All My Soul, I Will Give God Full Control!”

Intro Video “Sal iva Talks To Rich Young Ruler” Offering Time Praise Songs cHARACTER Skit “Chuck Loves Tobackee” Power Verse VIDEO "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” – Matthew 22:37 Game Time ”Is There A Doctor In The House?” Worship Songs Illustrated Message “All Or NOthing” “Rap It Up” Video Review Questions

"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.”

– Matthew 22:37




Character SKIT Character: Chuck Foo (a wanna-be Karate Instructor with a Minnesota accent) CHUCK: Well, howdy there folks! I’m CHUCK FOOOOOOO!!!! Leader: How are you feeling today? CHUCK: I’m feeling better than a panda in a banana farm! Leader: (confused) Of course you are. What brings you here today? CHUCK: Well, now that dere’s a good question. See, I have come for a little advice, dontcha know? Leader: What kind of advice? CHUCK: Well, it goes like this. See, I am a kung-fu MASTER. There’s a few things about being a kung fu master that just HAVE to happen! #1 – A kung fu master has to have awesome hair. You can see my awesome ‘do. Leader: Yes, it looks Kung-fu-tastic. CHUCK: (looks at him with a funny look) You making fun of me? Leader: No, never. What else does a kung-fu master HAVE to do. CHUCK: Well, #2 – A kung fu master HAS to be able to walk a tightrope on a barbed wire fence. Leader: What? That would cut your feet wouldn’t it? CHUCK: Well, maybe so. But, it’s an amazing cure for corns. Leader: Chuck, that’s sick!!! So, what’s the third thing a kung fu master has to do? CHUCK: Well, #3 is – A kung-fu master HAS to chew tobaccee! Leader: Tobaccee? You mean chew tobacco? CHUCK: That’s right! But, I got a problem. You see, I was praying the other day and I really felt like God told me I needed to give up chewing tobaccee. Leader: I can understand that. It’s not good for your body at all. Plus, it’s a disgusting habit. CHUCK: Well, all that may be true. But, I like tobaccee. I enjoy chewing it and spittin’ it. It’s fun to do! I don’t know if I can give it up. I am sure God will understand that this is just something that I want to do. God can’t expect me to do everything for Him, can He?



Character SKIT (CONTINUED) Leader: Well, actually yes. God doesn’t want PART of your life, He wants ALL of it. Today, we are learning a story about a young man who came face to face with Jesus. He wanted to follow Jesus, but he wasn’t willing to give up his money and possessions. Jesus told him to sell everything he had and give the money to the poor, but the man wasn’t willing to do that.

CHUCK: You mean if I am going to follow Jesus, I gotta sell everything I have? Leader: It’s not that. It’s that God wants us to follow Him with everything we have. I have an idea. Take a look at today’s Power Verse, and I think you will understand a little better. (Sven and Glen teach Power Verse via Video) CHUCK: Now, I see. It’s not about what I do, it’s about loving God with my whole life. So, if God wants me to give up tobaccee, and if I love Him with my whole heart I will do whatever it takes to follow Him. Is that ‘bout right? Leader: It sure is. So, what are you gonna do? CHUCK: I tell ya right now what I am gonna do. I am gonna go home and throw my tobaccee in the trash. I will do whatever God asks me because I love Him with ALL of my heart. I’ll see ya next time, kids! I’M CHUCK-FOOOOOO!!!!! (kicks and dances all around the stage)


Game Time “Is There A Doctor In The House?” Items Needed For Game: * The “TRANSFORMED” Data CD; open the PowerPoint presentation titled “Lesson 10”; begin with the slide titled “Is There A Doctor In The House?” How To Play: Choose three boys and three girls to compete in the game. The children will take turns answering questions that have to do with the word “DOCTOR.” The team with the most correct answers wins.


Illustrated Message “All Or Nothing” Materials Needed: The Data CD; six medium sized boxes; eight pieces of paper; two tables Preparation: Open the PowerPoint presentation on the Data CD titled “Lesson Ten,” begin with the slide titled “All Or Nothing”; take six of the pieces of paper and make six signs with one of the following words on each of them (“Friends”, “Entertainment”, “Money”, “Sports”, “Time”, “Hobbies”); with the two other pieces of paper, make a sign that says “MINE” and a sign that says “GOD’S” and place one on the front of each of the tables; place the tables on opposite sides of the stage, and place the boxes on the table that says “MINE”

The Message: (title slide) The story of the rich young ruler is a sad one. He came to Jesus in Matthew 19 and asked Je-sus “What must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus knew that this young man had it all wrong from the very first question he asked Jesus. He asked, “What must I DO…” There’s something very important to learn boys and girls...

1) I Can’t Earn My Way Into Heaven (slide) Too many people have the same idea that the Rich Young Ruler had. They want to know what they can DO to get into Heaven. They want to know what commandments they can follow, how many times they can go to church, how many old ladies to help across the street, or how many Bible verses to memorize. But, as good as these things are—they can’t earn our way into Heaven. There’s only one way to get eternal life in Heaven. That is by putting our trust in Jesus and following Him with our whole heart. So, the Rich Young Ruler asks Jesus what he can DO, and Jesus says, “If you want eternal life, obey the commandments.” Then, the Rich Young Ruler asks, “Which ones?” WHICH ONES? The Rich Young Ruler wanted to know which of God’s commandements were the most important. I don’t know if he wanted to just do the “biggies” or what. But, there’s a big lesson we can learn here as well...

2) God Requires 100% Total Obedience (slide)



Illustrated Message “All Or Nothing” We can’t pick and choose which of God’s commandments to obey. We must obey everything God commands. He gave us these commandments so that our lives would be all that He has planned for them to be. God requires 100% total obedience. If your parents tell you to clean your room, take out the trash, and sweep the floor, do you think they will “understand” if you decide you only want to sweep the floor? You think they will be OK with you saying, “Mom and Dad, I figured sweeping the floor was most important and I really didn’t want to clean my room or take out the trash today”? No Way! Our parents require 100% total obedience. God is our Heavenly Father, and He also requires 100% total obedience. Finally, Jesus told the young man the main point. He said, “Go sell all of your possessions and give the money to the poor. Then, come follow me.” But, the Bible says the Rich Young Ruler walked away sad because he had a lot of money and possessions. He loved his stuff more than he wanted to follow Jesus. He was willing to give Jesus SOME of his life, but not ALL. He gave up the opportunity to be TRANSFORMED because he wasn’t willing to give God ALL of his life. That brings us to our final lesson...

3) God Wants ALL Of My Life (slide) God doesn’t want PART of my life. He wants ALL of my life. Think of it this way: (walk over to the table that says “MINE”; it should have ALL of the boxes that represent important pieces of our life) When we come to Jesus at first, we have the idea that “everything in my life is MINE.” (hold up each box as you talk about each area of our lives and how we think it all belongs on the MINE table) But, when I come to Jesus, He says He wants ALL of my life. What used to be MINE is now GOD’S. (as you talk about each area of our lives that we surrender to God, pick it up and move it over from the MINE table to the GOD’S table) But, sometimes we are like the Rich Young Ruler. We say, “God, I love you and I want to follow you. I give you my life—except for my FRIENDS (pick up the FRIENDS box and begin to move it from the “GOD’S” table back over to the “MINE” table). God, you can’t expect me to let you choose my friends for me. I mean, I know they aren’t living for you and they try to get me to sin, but come on God. I will give you everything, but I want to keep my FRIENDS. (repeat this same basic premise with several other areas of life until you get your point across) But, this is not how God wants us to be. He says, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” With God it is ALL or NOTHING. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to be TRANSFORMED. Don’t be like the Rich Young Ruler. Give it ALL to God.

ALTAR RESPONSE (play soft music) Pray for those who feel they have been holding an area of their life back from God. Pray with them to give ALL of their life over to God. Pray for them to give up to Him in total surrender so that they can be TRANSFORMED.

Lesson Ten — “All Or Nothing” Page 89

Review Questions 1. What was today’s Big Idea? Answer: “All My Heart, All My Soul, I Will Give God Full Control!” 2. What did Chuck Foo say he was having a hard time giving up? Answer: tobaccee 3. The first thing we learned in our lesson today was “I Can’t ______ My Way Into Heaven. Answer: earn 4. The Rich Young Ruler wanted to know which _____________ he needed to obey. Answer: commandments 5. The second lesson we learned is that “God Requires 100% _____________.” Answer: Total Obedience 6. What did Jesus tell the Rich Young Ruler to do with his possessions? Answer: sell them and give the money to the poor 7. What did the Rich Young Ruler do when Jesus told him to sell his possessions? Answer: he walked away sad 8. Was the Rich Young Ruler TRANSFORMED? Answer: no 9. True or False: God doesn’t mind if we don’t surrender everything to Him. Answer: False 10. Where was today’s Power Verse found? Answer: Matthew 22:37

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