Don't Look Back

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Don’t Look Back Bible: Don’t Look Back (Israelites Long for Egypt) • Exodus 16:2-21; 17:1-7 Bottom Line: Don’t miss out on what you have now. Memory Verse: “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV) Life App: Contentment—Deciding to be okay with what you have Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what. Social: Setting the Tone for the Experience (9:00, 10:15, 11:30) 9:00 & 11:30 Early Arriver • Scratch paper • Pen 10:15 In the Moment • A timer • Popsicle sticks; one for each kid • Marshmallows; one for each kid Bible: Communicating God’s Truth in Engaging Ways (9:15, 10:30, 11:45) • Bible Presentation in Large Group Groups: Creating a Safe Place to Connect (9:40, 10:55, 12:10) 9:00 & 11:30 May I? • “Questions” strips of paper in a bowl; one set for each small group 10:15 Future Fast Forward • “Shield” Activity Page; one for each kid • Cardstock cut into approx. 2x8-inch strips; one for each kid • Scissors • Markers • Tape Prayer (9:50, 11:05, 12:20) • No supplies needed Dismiss (10:00, 11:15, 12:30)

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Don’t Look Back Social: Providing Time for Fun Interaction (Small Groups, 15 minutes) Before kids arrive, take a few moments to pray for them. Pray that kids would have great takeaways from this month. Pray that they always dream big and do their best, but that they would do so with hearts of contentment. Ask God to help them stay focused on what they have now, celebrating what He has given them in this phase of life. 9:00 & 11:30 Early Arriver Idea What You Need: Scratch paper, pen What You Do: • Greet kids as they arrive. • Ask them how much stuff they have on them. Does anyone have $100? A checkbook? Credit card? Gold bricks? • We think these things are especially valuable, but we might miss what we do have if we’re always looking for more. • Assign point values to things kids do have on/with them: o Five points for shoes o Four points for shirts and pants, or a dress o Three points for a rock in their pocket o Four points each for any jewelry or hair accessories o Three points for each piece of Velcro on their clothes/shoes, or for each zipper o One point for each button o Six points for a Bible o Three points for a snack o Three points for a water bottle o Five points for a purse or bag/backpack o Five points for a sweater or coat o Three points for a rain jacket •

Explain that it might seem like we don't have anything, but your group together got [number] points! We don’t always look at the right places to figure out the value of what we have.

Lead your group to the Large Group area.

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

10:15 In the Moment What You Need: Popsicle sticks, marshmallows, a timer or a smartphone What You Do: • Give each kid a Popsicle stick and a marshmallow, and let them practice holding the stick in their teeth at one end, and balancing a marshmallow on the other end. • After a few practice rounds, set your timer for one minute and see if kids can balance the marshmallow for that long. • For older kids, challenge them to stand on one foot, hold one hand behind their back, kneel and stand up, etc. What You Say: “You really felt that whole minute while you were balancing that marshmallow! We can let minutes, days, or even our whole lives go by without noticing what God has given us. [Transition] Let’s go hear about some people who stopped noticing how God had blessed them.” Lead your group to the Large Group area.

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Don’t Look Back Bible: Don’t Look Back (Israelites Long for Egypt) • Exodus 16:2-21; 17:1-7 Bottom Line: Don’t miss out on what you have now. Memory Verse: “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV) Life App: Contentment—Deciding to be okay with what you have Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.

Bible: Communicating God’s Truth in Engaging Ways (Large Group, 25 minutes) GETTING READY 1. Opener/Closer What You Need: • • • • • • • •

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Host Four kid contestants Four movie-theater-size boxes of Nerds® Table Four banker’s boxes (with lids) Four pieces of black fabric (to go underneath the box lids) Scissors Four prizes: o Box One: sandwich bag filled with dog food o Box Two: bowl of gummy worms o Box Three: lollipop stand (http://bit.ly/2Ke9M1z) with cake pops or lollipops o Box Four: peach A few fun-size packs of fruit-flavored candy (for a consolation prize)

2. Bible Truth What You Need: • • • • •

Historyteller Host Bible 10 poster boards to make 20 half-poster-board signs (see “What You Do”) Thick Sharpie

3. Worship What You Need: •

Power Praise Team

Music and Sound Effects (SFX): • “We Shine” • “No Other Love” • “Glory to God”

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Don’t Look Back Bible: Don’t Look Back (Israelites Long for Egypt) • Exodus 16:2-21; 17:1-7 Bottom Line: Don’t miss out on what you have now. Memory Verse: “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV) Life App: Contentment—Deciding to be okay with what you have Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.

Bible: Communicating God’s Truth in Engaging Ways (Large Group, 25 minutes) Engage kids’ hearts through a dynamic and interactive Bible Truth, worship, and prayer experience in a Large Group setting. CG: 10 Second count down CG: Theme Slide Host is on stage, welcoming the kids as they enter. Opener HOST: “What’s up, everybody? We’ve had an amazing month so far talking about contentment. What IS contentment? Say it with me.” CG: Contentment Slide HOST and KIDS: “Contentment is deciding to be okay with what you have.” HOST: “Yes! Your stuff is good enough! What you hold is good as gold! What you own won’t make you groan! Contentment is all about focusing what you already have, not on what you think you need. That’s not easy for anyone. That’s why we’re getting some practice with our awesome game show: ‘More or Less?’ Let me get four contestants who are ready to FEEL the contentment! SFX: “Botanic Panic” by Kristofer Maddigan Choose four kids. Bring them up on stage behind the table with the four banker’s boxes. (To contestants) “All right! On the table behind me are four boxes. Inside each box is a mystery prize. You can either play it safe and choose one of these boxes of Nerds . . . Hold up one of the boxes of Nerds. “. . . OR you can take your chances and choose whatever’s in your box. When I say, ‘Go,’ each of you can put your arm through the hole and, without looking, try to figure out what you’re touching. You’ll all go at the same time. If you think you know what’s in your box, and you think you want to keep it, you can, OR you can stick with the Nerds. (Hold up the box of Nerds.) Sound good? Then let’s go!

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Interview the kids as they all reach inside their boxes. Get them to describe what they’re touching. (To the first kid) “[Kid’s name], you’re up first. Are you going to go for the Nerds, or are you going to go with what’s in your box? (Pause for response.) What do you think IS in your box? (Pause for response.) Let’s find out! Open the box and hold up what’s inside. Do this for all four contestants. If any of them end up with a not-great prize (like the dog food), give them some fun-size candy as a consolation prize. (To contestants) “That was great! Thanks for playing, contestants. Hopefully you can be content with your choices. I think you all got something good! Dismiss contestants to their seats. (To audience) “Now all of you put your hands together for [Historyteller’s Name]!” Host exits. Historyteller enters. SETTING UP THE BIBLE TRUTH HISTORYTELLER: “Hey, everybody! I’ve got [Host’s name] here to help me, because we need lots of audience participation for today’s Bible Truth. You’re going to act like a live studio audience on a TV show. “Have you ever watched a show where it sounds like people are laughing in the background? Well, that’s your job today! When [Host’s name] holds up a sign, you just do what it says on the sign. Then you’ll stop when he puts it down again. Let’s give it a try. Host holds up the “APPLAUSE” sign. Then he holds up the “GROAN” sign. Then he holds up the “LAUGHTER” sign. “Excellent! You’re ready to go! “We’re picking up our Bible Truth today with God’s people, the Israelites. They had lived as slaves in Egypt for HUNDREDS of years. The Egyptians fed them well to keep their strength up, but they were still slaves. Host holds up the “BOO” sign. “They were forced to do hard work every day for hours in the hot sun. It was basically a prison work camp with a meal plan.” WE’RE ALL DUNED HISTORYTELLER: “But that all changed when Moses led them all out of slavery. God protected His people as they escaped from the Egyptians. He even guided them through the middle of the Red Sea! God had prepared a special land for them—the Promised Land. That was great, but they had to travel through the desert to get there.

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

“In the desert, it’s hot. And there’s no shade and not much to eat. It’s not like there’s a desert Starbucks right around the dune. So the people got hungry! They told Moses and his brother Aaron they weren’t very happy with them. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN QUIETLY” sign. Then he puts the sign down forcefully to cue the kids to stop “complaining.” (You may need to remind them to do this.) “Listen to what the Israelites said to Moses and Aaron. Open the Bible to Exodus 16:3 (NIrV) and read. “We wish the LORD had put us to death in Egypt. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN LOUDER” sign. Then he puts it down to quiet the kids. “There we sat around pots of meat. We ate all the food we wanted. But you have brought us out into this desert. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN EVEN LOUDER” sign. Then he puts it down to quiet the kids. “You must want this entire community to die of hunger. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN LOUDEST” sign. Then he puts it down to quiet the kids. “Wow. The people REALLY weren’t happy. Can you believe they told Moses and Aaron that they’d rather die in Egypt as slaves than be where they were right then? That’s crazy! Host holds up the “GASP” sign. “However, God had a plan for Moses, Aaron, and the people of Israel. Here’s what God said. Open the Bible to Exodus 16:4-5 (NIrV) and read. “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people must go out each day. Have them gather enough bread for that day. Here is how I will test them. I will see if they will follow my directions. On the sixth day they must prepare what they bring in. On that day they must gather twice as much as on the other days.” “Well, that’s pretty great! The people complained that they were hungry, and BAM—God said He would send bread from heaven! All they had to do was make sure they gathered up enough on the sixth day of the week so they’d have leftovers on the seventh day.”

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

WHINY ISRAELITES HISTORYTELLER: “So that’s exactly what Moses and Aaron told the people. They said that God would send the meat in the evening and bread in the morning. “And get this—the glory of the Lord appeared in the clouds! Host holds up the “OOOOH / AHHHHHH” sign and then the “APPLAUSE” sign. “That very evening, ANOTHER amazing thing happened. Thousands of quail came and covered the camp. These birds were delicious to eat! Host holds up the “YUMMY YUM YUM” sign. “Then, in the morning, after the morning dew was gone, there was a flaky substance left on the desert floor. It was manna—bread flakes that tasted like honey straight from heaven. Each person got to take three pounds of it for each person living in their tents.” Host holds up the “YUMMY YUM YUM” sign. QUENCH YOUR BELLYACHING HISTORYTELLER: “While God provided bread every morning and quail every evening, He kept leading the Israelites through the desert, camping at different places. One such place was called Rephidim. But when God’s people got there, they found that there wasn’t any water to drink. So can you guess what they did? (Pause for response.) “Yep, they started to complain and argue with Moses again. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN QUIETLY” sign and then puts it down. “They whined about how thirsty they were. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN LOUDER” sign and then puts it down. “They told Moses they weren’t happy with him. Host holds up the “COMPLAIN EVEN LOUDER” sign and then puts it down. Open the Bible to Exodus 17:3 (NIrV) and read. “They said: Why did you bring us out of Egypt? Did you want us, our children and our livestock to die of thirst? Host holds up the “COMPLAIN LOUDEST” sign and then puts it down.

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

“Ugh! So much drama! As you might imagine, Moses was getting pretty frustrated with the way they were acting. He went to the Lord and was like, ‘What in the world am I supposed to do with these people?’ God told him to take his staff and hit the rock at Mount Horeb. Then water would come out of it for the people to drink. “Moses did what God said. He took his staff and struck the rock, and sure enough, water poured out for the Israelites to drink! Host holds up the “GASP” sign, the “SLURP” sign and then the “APPLAUSE” sign in rapid succession. “Wow. Can we give [Host’s name] a round of applause for holding up all those signs? Thanks, buddy!” Host holds up the “YOU’RE WELCOME” sign and exits. WRAPPING UP THE BIBLE TRUTH HISTORYTELLER: “All along the way, God gave His people what they needed when they needed it. He never left them alone. He never forgot about them. Each time, He provided for them. But for some reason, they were so focused on what they had back in Egypt that they kept missing what God was giving them right then and there! “We do that too. We get caught up in the way things used to be or the way we wish they could be. We forget to pay attention to what God is doing in our lives right now. CG: Bottom Line Slide [Bottom Line] “Don’t miss out on what you have now. “Let’s talk to God and ask Him to help us focus on what He’s doing right in front of us. We need His help to be able to choose to be content! Let’s pray.” CG: Blank Bottom Line Slide Pray HISTORYTELLER: “God, thank You for giving us what we need when we need it. We know [Basic Truth] we can trust You no matter what! Please help us to focus on You and see all the ways You’re there for us. When we wish things in our lives could be different, help us to stop and choose to be content with what You’ve given us. Help us to see all the great things You’re doing in our lives right now. We love You, and we ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.” “If you have an offering with you today, you can bring that on up now.” “Now, up on your feet and give some mad respect to our Power Praise team!” Power Praise team enters as Historyteller exits.

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Worship SFX: “We Shine” SFX: “No Other Love” SFX: “Glory to God” Host enters as Power Praise Team exits. Closer HOST: “Honestly, it isn’t always easy to choose to be content. Sometimes it’s downright hard— especially when you miss the way things used to be. If you’ve ever had to move to a new town and a new school, you know what it’s like to miss your old friends. Most of you probably have a new teacher or a new coach this year, and things probably aren’t like they were last year. Sometimes we can spend so much time focusing on how things used to be that we lose sight of how things are right now. “The Israelites whined about not having food and water, but they totally missed out on the fact that they weren’t slaves anymore. They were free! God had protected them; He had given them a miraculous escape from the Egyptian army. When they were hungry, He provided quail and bread for them to eat. When they were thirsty, He provided water from a rock. But they didn’t stop to appreciate all that He was doing for them. All they could think to do was complain! “The good news is, you can learn from their mistakes. You can remember that God is always with you and He always loves you. You can trust Him every step of the way! CG: Bottom Line Slide “Remember, [Bottom Line] don’t miss out on what you have now. “Pay attention, so you don’t miss all the ways that God is providing for you. Take a moment and think about what you have right now. CG: Memory Verse Slide “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV) HOST: “Be on your guard. When you recognize that you need to shift your focus, do it. Pray and shift the focus. It may not be instant but the more you practice it the more natural it will come to you and then one day, you will find yourself having to check your focus less and less because your focus will be on God.” “Think of something God is doing for you, your family, or your friends, and get ready to talk about it back in Small Group!” Dismiss children to their Small Groups. CG: Small Group Slide

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

Don’t Look Back Bible: Don’t Look Back (Israelites Long for Egypt) • Exodus 16:2-21; 17:1-7 Bottom Line: Don’t miss out on what you have now. Memory Verse: “Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’” Luke 12:15 (NIV) Life App: Contentment—Deciding to be okay with what you have Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.

Groups: Creating a Safe Place to Connect (10 minutes) 9:00 & 11:30 May I? What You Need: “Questions” Activity Page in a bowl What You Do: • Guide kids to stand side-by-side on one side of your space, so they’re facing you. • Explain that during this game, before each question is read, kids get to pick an age group and then make that age group’s pose. o Baby: Get on hands and knees. o Their age: Stand in a superhero pose. o Sixteen-year-old: Pretend like they’re driving a car. • Call out the age groups a few times, letting kids strike those poses. Make sure they know what the categories and poses are before starting the game. • After you ask the question, kids need to figure out which age group the question represents. Then the kids who picked the correct age group get to take one giant step forward. • To start, say, “Pose!” and pull a question out of the bowl. • Read the question, and let kids decide whether they get to take a step. • After each one, have a quick discussion about which age group was able to take the step and why. • Continue for as long as you wish. You can repeat the questions, because kids won’t know which age group is coming when they make their pose choice. What You Say: “There are some things you could do as a baby that you can’t—or shouldn’t—do now. And there are things you can do now that you couldn’t do when you were a baby and probably can’t do when you’re a teenager. And there are things you’ll be able to do when you’re a teenager that you can’t do now. But what we need to focus on is the things we have and the things we can do now. What are some awesome things you can do now? (Let kids give answers; remind them of the game they just played, if they are at a loss for responses.) So [Bottom Line] don’t miss out on what you have now!” [Make It Personal] (Share about something you can do now that you couldn’t do when you were younger and that you might not be able to do when you’re a lot older. Make sure to keep it age appropriate and something kids could potentially relate to, like running a cool road race, buying and playing a brand-new video game as soon as it comes out, going to the movies.)

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

10:15 Future Fast Forward What You Need: “Shield” Activity Pages, scissors, tape, crayons, cardstock strips What You Do: • Give each kid a shield and set the markers where everyone can reach them. • Encourage your group to draw a mural of all the things that kids can do that adults cannot. • Brainstorm a few ideas before they get started. Kids can play instead of having to go to work, do silly things that adults would be embarrassed to do, take naps, and make friends easily and less awkwardly. • While the kids are thinking and drawing, draw your own illustration of what you miss most about being a kid. • After kids are finished, allow them to share their drawings with the rest of the group. • [Make It Personal] (Show your own drawing, explaining what you feel like you are missing out on by not being a kid anymore!) • Help kids use the cardstock strips to create a handle for their shields. o Fold the strip in half lengthwise to reinforce it. o Tape one end of the strip several inches from the top of the back of the shield. o Create an arch with the strip, and tape the other end so it leaves some room in the middle to grab onto the handle. What You Say: “I know it seems like there are so many awesome things you can do when you get older, but you all had some amazing thoughts and ideas on what adults are missing out on! You did a great job focusing on what’s right in front of you. Just like the Israelites in our Bible Truth today, we can get distracted thinking about what we don’t have instead of seeing what we have right now. Do you remember why the Israelites were complaining? (Allow time for responses.) That’s right! And what did they have right in front of them that they were totally missing out on? (Allow time for kids to discuss the Bible Truth and answer.) The next time you are tempted to be discontent with where God has you, remember, [Bottom Line] don’t miss out on what you have now.” [Make It Personal] (Share a personal story from a time you found yourself being discontent in a season God had you in and how you learned to not miss out on what you had.)

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SUNDAY MORNINGS

October 28, 2018, Week 4 Grade: 1-2

All Service Times

Pray and Dismiss (10 minutes) What You Need: No supplies needed What You Do: • Guide kids in a quick review discussion. Ask a couple questions to get them talking: o What’s one thing you want that keeps you from being content? o What can you do when you feel like you really want that thing, and you’re not content with what you have now? • If your group knows each other pretty well, let them pair off and answer the above questions with a partner. • Pray over the group as you finish out this month. What You Say: “God, I thank You so much for the amazing people sitting in this circle. I know You have big plans for each of them and I can’t wait to see all of them follow after You. I pray that they always dream big and do their best. As they do this, I also pray that they would do so with a heart of deep contentment. I believe You will help them stay focused on what You have given them. In Jesus’ name, amen!” As adults arrive to pick up, give kids a high five and tell them, [Bottom Line] “Don’t miss out on what you have now.”

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