summer vacation wk 3 "play outside"

LESSON SNAPSHOT

SUMMER VACATION : PLAY OUTSIDE

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t spend summer inside. Get out and serve the Lord!

OBJECTIVE: Kids will learn that God wants us to get involved and serve him. KEY PASSAGE: Jonah 1. Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish. MEMORY VERSE: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23

SUMMARY: Are you an indoor kid, or an outdoor kid? More and more kids fall into the indoor cate-gory. They’d rather play video games than get outside. Sadly, more and more Christians are the same way. We’d rather stay inside the church than get out and share Christ with others. Jesus gave us a command to go and preach the gospel. We can do that through service, through evangelism, and through mission trips. SIMPLE PRAYER: Dear God,

Forgive us for the times when we are afraid. Show us how we can serve you so we can do your will.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

MEMORY VERSE


“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

“Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 (NIrV)

LARGE GROUP: Divide the room in half. Pick one side to start and have them all shout the first word, then the other sides shouts the second word, and so on until they finish the verse.

SMALL GROUP: Give all the kids a Bible. Then after you read the verse, give them the reference and see who can find it first in their Bible.

MEMORY VERSE


“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 (NIV)

“Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 (NIrV)

LARGE GROUP: Divide the room in half. Pick one side to start and have them all shout the first word, then the other sides shouts the second word, and so on until they finish the verse.

SMALL GROUP: Give all the kids a Bible. Then after you read the verse, give them the reference and see who can find it first in their Bible.

SKIT

SUMMER VACATION: PLAY OUTSIDE

GO PLAY OUTSIDE!

ITEMS NEEDED: Super Mario Bros costumes

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: 2M

CHARACTERS: Mario and Luigi

The Super Mario Bros theme plays. Mario and Luigi, dressed like their characters, run-ning around on stage.

MARIO: Hey, Luigi! They’re playing our song!

LUIGI: I know, Mario! I hear-a the song!

MARIO: I’m-a not ready to play! I still have-a some bruises from the mushroom last time.

LUIGI: The mushrooms, they are so mean!

MARIO: I need-a a break!

LUIGI: No kidding!

MARIO: Especially when it’s such a nice day!

LUIGI: Who could-a possibly be playing our game-a today?

Mario points to the audience.

SKIT


MARIO: Hey, look who it is!

LUIGI: Hey, aren’t those the same-a kids as last time?

MARIO: I think they are!

LUIGI: What are they doing inside?

MARIO: I don’t-a know!

LUIGI: It’s a beautiful day outside!

MARIO: It know! The sun it is a-shining!

LUIGI: Hey, you kids! Why don’t you go outside?

MARIO: There’s so much you could do outside!

LUIGI: You could play with a dog!

MARIO: Play on the swings!

LUIGI: Enjoy the beauty of nature!

MARIO: Squash-a some mushrooms.

LUIGI: No, no, no, that’s in the game, not-a outside!

MARIO: Ah yes, but maybe they can hunt for mushrooms.

LUIGI: That’s-a right!

MARIO: Or butterflies, or fireflies!

LUIGI: You know what else? You can play-a the baseball!

MARIO: That’s-a right! And you can also play-a the football!

LUIGI: You can be the next Peyton Brady!

MARIO: I don’t think that’s-a his name.

LUIGI: Are you sure?

SKIT


MARIO: Hey, look who it is!

LUIGI: Hey, aren’t those the same-a kids as last time?

MARIO: I think they are!

LUIGI: What are they doing inside?

MARIO: I don’t-a know!

LUIGI: It’s a beautiful day outside!

MARIO: It know! The sun it is a-shining!

LUIGI: Hey, you kids! Why don’t you go outside?

MARIO: There’s so much you could do outside!

LUIGI: You could play with a dog!

MARIO: Play on the swings!

LUIGI: Enjoy the beauty of nature!

MARIO: Squash-a some mushrooms.

LUIGI: No, no, no, that’s in the game, not-a outside!

MARIO: Ah yes, but maybe they can hunt for mushrooms.

LUIGI: That’s-a right!

MARIO: Or butterflies, or fireflies!

LUIGI: You know what else? You can play-a the baseball!

MARIO: That’s-a right! And you can also play-a the football!

LUIGI: You can be the next Peyton Brady!

MARIO: I don’t think that’s-a his name.

LUIGI: Are you sure?

SKIT


MARIO: I think-a so.

LUIGI: Well whatever his name is, you can throw-a the football like him!

MARIO: Doesn’t that sound like-a more fun than staying inside?

LUIGI: Don’t waste this beautiful day the Lord has-a made!

MARIO: Get outta the house, and go have-a some fun!

LUIGI: Don’t be like-a those indoor Christians, you know?

MARIO: They stay in-a their churches and never go out.

LUIGI: Who never go and share-a the gospel!

MARIO: Don’t be like-a them.

LUIGI: Turn off-a the game!

MARIO: Go outside and-a play!

LUIGI: And tell-a the people about Jesus!

MARIO: You think they heard us?

LUIGI: I sure hope-a so! I can’t jump over any mushrooms today. I need to ice-a my ankle.

End.

OBJECT LESSON OR KIDS SERMON


ITEMS NEEDED: Guitar from the game Guitar Hero

If possible, set up the guitar on a video game system and let a few kids try to play it.

How many of you guys have seen one of these? Guitar Hero was a surprise hit when it first came out. The video game market was dominated by fighting games and kid stuff like Mario. Then this new game came out that included a huge toy guitar that made it more expensive than any of the regular games. People loved it! Soon there were spe-cialty versions of Guitar Hero coming out every few months, and people were having Guitar Hero parties and competitions.

People loved the game because it made it feel like they were really playing classic hits by Van Halen, Guns N Roses, and more. But in reality, they couldn’t play guitar. All they knew how to play was this cheap, electronic toy. Give them a real guitar, they were completely lost.

The difference between Guitar Hero and playing a real guitar is a lot like the difference between playing inside or outside. Inside you can play football, baseball, basketball, or any number of sports - on a TV screen. Only by going outside can you play the real sport.

If you never go outside, you’ll never learn to throw a baseball. And if you never go out-side the church, you’ll never know the thrill of witnessing to others. Jesus gave us the command to go and make disciples of all nations. It’s not a request; it’s what we have to do. We can’t just sit in our Christian bubble and spend time with fellow believers. We have to get out and take the gospel to the world.

OBJECT LESSON OR KIDS SERMON


ITEMS NEEDED: Guitar from the game Guitar Hero

If possible, set up the guitar on a video game system and let a few kids try to play it.

How many of you guys have seen one of these? Guitar Hero was a surprise hit when it first came out. The video game market was dominated by fighting games and kid stuff like Mario. Then this new game came out that included a huge toy guitar that made it more expensive than any of the regular games. People loved it! Soon there were spe-cialty versions of Guitar Hero coming out every few months, and people were having Guitar Hero parties and competitions.

People loved the game because it made it feel like they were really playing classic hits by Van Halen, Guns N Roses, and more. But in reality, they couldn’t play guitar. All they knew how to play was this cheap, electronic toy. Give them a real guitar, they were completely lost.

The difference between Guitar Hero and playing a real guitar is a lot like the difference between playing inside or outside. Inside you can play football, baseball, basketball, or any number of sports - on a TV screen. Only by going outside can you play the real sport.

If you never go outside, you’ll never learn to throw a baseball. And if you never go out-side the church, you’ll never know the thrill of witnessing to others. Jesus gave us the command to go and make disciples of all nations. It’s not a request; it’s what we have to do. We can’t just sit in our Christian bubble and spend time with fellow believers. We have to get out and take the gospel to the world.

LARGE GROUP GAME


PAPER SHOOT OUT

ITEMS NEEDED: 4 stools1 small garbage can15 paper wads

INSTRUCTIONS: Set the garbage can on one stool. Arrange the other stools around the garbage can in a semi-circle, 8 feet from the can. Set five paper wads on each stool. Choose two contestants for this game. Each contestant will have 45 seconds to shoot all 15 paper wads at the garbage can, much like the NBA 3-point contest. Paper wads are worth 1 point each. If they do not get off all 15 shots in 45 seconds, they do not get points for the remaining shots. The player with the most points wins.

In case of a tie, you can have a five shot shoot off, or have them shoot until one of them misses.

VARIATION: For younger players, set the garbage can on the floor instead of on a stool.

WHAT’S THE POINT? God wants us to be active and serving him; not just for 45 seconds, but always.

LARGE GROUP LESSON



OBJECTIVE: Kids will learn that God wants us to get involved and serve him. KEY PASSAGE: Jonah 1. Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish. INTROThere are two types of kids in this world. There are indoor kids, and there are outdoor kids. There are kids who live to be outside, play in the dirt and get all sweaty, and there are kids who want nothing to do with the sun, nature, or anything! It’s really easy to tell them apart in the summer time. Here’s what I mean:

Outdoor kids sleep under the stars. Indoor kids sleep with a night light.

Outdoor kids cook over a fire. Indoor kids cook with a microwave.

Outdoor kids play football. Indoor kids play Madden NFL.

Indoor kids sleep in a bed. Outdoor kids sleep on rocks.

Whether you’re an indoor kid or an outdoor kid, there’s no one here who’s going to pass judgment on you. There’s good and bad to playing inside or outside all the time, and just like anything else in life, playing out in the sun and playing video games inside should be done with moderation.

The same is true for being a Christian. God wants us to spend some time inside and outside the church. He wants us inside, where we can learn about God and fellowship with other believers, but he also wants us to go outside. He wants us to get out, to share God’s love with others, and tell the world that Jesus loves them.

LARGE GROUP LESSON



OBJECTIVE: Kids will learn that God wants us to get involved and serve him.

KEY PASSAGE: Jonah 1. Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish.

INTROThere are two types of kids in this world. There are indoor kids, and there are outdoor kids. There are kids who live to be outside, play in the dirt and get all sweaty, and there are kids who want nothing to do with the sun, nature, or anything! It’s really easy to tell them apart in the summer time. Here’s what I mean:

Outdoor kids sleep under the stars. Indoor kids sleep with a night light.

Outdoor kids cook over a fire. Indoor kids cook with a microwave.

Outdoor kids play football. Indoor kids play Madden NFL.

Indoor kids sleep in a bed. Outdoor kids sleep on rocks.

Whether you’re an indoor kid or an outdoor kid, there’s no one here who’s going to pass judgment on you. There’s good and bad to playing inside or outside all the time, and just like anything else in life, playing out in the sun and playing video games inside should be done with moderation.

The same is true for being a Christian. God wants us to spend some time inside and outside the church. He wants us inside, where we can learn about God and fellowship with other believers, but he also wants us to go outside. He wants us to get out, to share God’s love with others, and tell the world that Jesus loves them.

LARGE GROUP LESSON


Unfortunately, too many Christians today never go outside. They want to stay inside. They like the comfort of being in church and in the company of their fellow believers. They watch Christian movies, read Christian books, listen to Christian music, and never, ever, EVER even bother to look outside their little Christian bubble.

There’s a story in the Bible about a guy who didn’t want to go “outside.” More specifically he did not want to go to the wicked city of Ninevah, a place God asked him to go and preach the gospel. His name was Jonah, and I think most of you have heard Jonah’s story.

READ JONAH 1

MAIN POINTGod gave Jonah a message: “Go to Ninevah and preach!” Jonah responded like an indoor kid being told to go outside and play: “No!” He ran in the opposite direction and hopped on a boat out to sea. But Jonah did not get very far. God sent a storm to stop the boat. When the sailors on the boat learned Jonah was the reason for the storm, they tossed him overboard, and Jonah was swallowed by a big fish.

Most indoor kids aren’t fans of nature, and I imagine Jonah did not enjoy his three days inside the belly of a fish. That’s too much nature for anyone. But Jonah learned a very important lesson through this. When God says to go, it’s not a request. He wants us to GO!

DRIVE IT HOMEWhen you obey God’s command to go, you soon learn that you will not go alone. God will guide us when we go. Going with God may mean going to some people or places we’d rather not go, but the good news of Jesus is for everyone. God made every man, woman, and child, and he desperately wants all of them to know his love!

What’s more, when we obey God’s call to go, people will respond. No one would have given the people of Ninevah a chance to be saved. Jonah himself thought they were so wicked, he ran. But God loved the people of Ninevah, and he knew they would listen if only someone would tell them. God used Jonah to save the hard hearts of the Ninevites, and God can use us to save the hard hearts of our world.

It takes a lot of courage to go. We live in a world where many have rejected God and rejected His Son. But God made the people who rejected him, and he’s still holding out hope they can be saved. That’s why he commands us to go.

Don’t be an indoor Christian. Don’t hide inside the church. Get out and serve. Go, and let God lead you. You’ll be amazed at the things that happen when you obey God’s command to GO!

LARGE GROUP LESSON


CLOSE WITH A SIMPLE PRAYERDear God,

Forgive us for the times when we are lazy. Show us how we can serve you so we can do your will.


LARGE GROUP LESSON


CLOSE WITH A SIMPLE PRAYERDear God,

Forgive us for the times when we are lazy. Show us how we can serve you so we can do your will.


SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (K-2ND)


ICEBREAKERWhen it comes to having fun, are you an indoor kid or an outdoor kid?

MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITYColossians 3:23Give all the kids a Bible. Then after you read the verse, give them the reference and see who can find it first in their Bible.

SMALL GROUP GAME/ACTIVITYDivide the kids into two teams and play a quick game of volleyball with a beach ball.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSRead Jonah 1

Who was Jonah?

Who asked Jonah to “go outside” (to Ninevah)?

Why did Jonah not want to go to Ninevah?

How did God get Jonah to turn around?

Why does God want us to serve others? SIMPLE PRAYERDear God,

Forgive us for the times we fail to listen to you. Help us to hear your call. Give us the courage to go. Speak through us so others can know you.


SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (3-5TH)


ICEBREAKERWhen it comes to having fun, are you an indoor kid or an outdoor kid?

MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITYColossians 3:23Give all the kids a Bible. Then after you read the verse, give them the reference and see who can find it first in their Bible.

SMALL GROUP GAME/ACTIVITYDivide the kids into two teams and play a quick game of volleyball with a beach ball.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSRead Jonah 1

What did God ask Jonah to do?

Why did Jonah run?

Why does God need us to so “outside” and serve others?

If we don’t go outside, who else will go out and serve God?

What are some things we can do to serve God?

SIMPLE PRAYERDear God,

Forgive us for the times we fail to listen to you. Help us to hear your call. Give us the courage to go. Speak through us so others can know you.


POWERPOINT REVIEW GAME


1. God told Jonah to go to the city of A.Jerusalem.B.Ninevah.*C.Babylon.

2. Instead of doing what God asked, JonahA.got on a boat.*B.hid in a cave. C.ran for the hills.

3. God turned Jonah around with the help of aA.prophet. B.kid. C.big fish.*

4. God wants us to serve others byA.serving our community. B.sharing the gospel. C.Both A and B.*

5. Even kids can serve the Lord and change their world. A.True*B.False

5 Simple Ways You Can Make This Lesson Stick With Your Kids

THIS WEEK’S LESSON: PLAY OUTSIDE


IN THE CAR:Ask your child what they learned about this week on the drive home:Today we talked about “going outside” – meaning following God’s call to serve others. God wants us all to get involved in sharing his love, and we can’t do that if we don’t step outside. Jonah 1, Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish.

HANGING OUT:Make this week’s lesson real:Does someone you know need a little outside help? Take the kids out to do some hands-on service. Talk about it afterward over some lemonade or ice cream. AT DINNER:Here are some great discussion starters:- What did God ask Jonah to do?

- Why didn’t Jonah want to go to Ninevah?

- What are some things we can do to serve others?

AT BEDTIME:Quiz your child on this week’s memory verse:“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 PARENT TIME:What you need to know: If your kids see ways they can serve others, listen to them. If possible, help them to fulfill their call this week. Give them the opportunity to get their hands dirty and serve others.

5 Simple Ways You Can Make This Lesson Stick With Your Kids

THIS WEEK’S LESSON: PLAY OUTSIDE


IN THE CAR:Ask your child what they learned about this week on the drive home:Today we talked about “going outside” – meaning following God’s call to serve others. God wants us all to get involved in sharing his love, and we can’t do that if we don’t step outside. Jonah 1, Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish.

HANGING OUT:Make this week’s lesson real:Does someone you know need a little outside help? Take the kids out to do some hands-on service. Talk about it afterward over some lemonade or ice cream. AT DINNER:Here are some great discussion starters:- What did God ask Jonah to do?

- Why didn’t Jonah want to go to Ninevah?

- What are some things we can do to serve others?

AT BEDTIME:Quiz your child on this week’s memory verse:“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23 PARENT TIME:What you need to know: If your kids see ways they can serve others, listen to them. If possible, help them to fulfill their call this week. Give them the opportunity to get their hands dirty and serve others.

CUT O

N D

ASH

ED LIN

E

“Whatever you do, w

ork at it with all your heart, as w

orking for the Lord, not for hum

an masters.” Colossians 3:23 (N

IV)





IV)





IV)





IV)

CRAFT ACTIVITY


Have the kids make their own original collage art work with construction paper show-ing Jonah and the whale. Have them cut out a whale, Jonah, and any other parts of the story they want and glue them to their paper.

summer vacation wk 3 "play outside"

Documents

mario points

play outsidego play

play outsidewhatever

play outsidemario

human masters

play outsidebottom line

skitsummer vacation

nirvlarge group