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March 17, 2019 Jesus Is God, Part I May your unfailing love be my

comfort, according to your

promise to your servant.

Psalm 119:76

DATE PONDER POINT

THE BIG GOD STORY REMEMBER VERSE

Welcome & Rules (4 minutes): Begins class creating an inviting atmosphere for kids to feel wel-come and to worship in song.

Worship & Connect (12 minutes): Establishes community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God’s word.

The Big God Story Pt 1 (6 minutes): Creates space for children to hear God’s word.

Mail Time & Worship (7 minutes): Breaks up the Big God Story to keep kids engaged and teaches the importance of memorizing scripture.

The Big God Story Pt 2 (6 minutes): Children continue to hear God’s word.

Small Groups (20 minutes): Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story.

Remember Verse & Bless (3 minutes): Allows children to practice their memory verse and be sent out with a sense of peace so they can be a blessing to others.

(See page 8 for 10:15 schedule and rotations.)

Matthew 8:5–13

Faith of a Centurion

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GOAL: Worship & welcome is all about engaging kids and helping them enter into worship, letting

them know that class has begun preparing their minds for what they are going to hear. Establishes

community and engages kids, drawing them in and preparing them to hear God’s word.

WELCOME & RULES - 4 minutes (Host) IMAGE: Welcome

We are so glad you are here at Critter Land today. Personalize your welcome. Relate to what’s happening such as holidays, school year, church camp, etc. Pique the curiosity about today’s Ponder Point/Story, tell a joke, do something to draw in the attending of the kids and mention any

announcements!

RULES VIDEO: Sheriff Hawk

WORSHIP - 3 minutes (Worship Leader/Host) If you brought offering, go put it in the squirrel feeder while we worship!

WORSHIP VIDEO: Hosanna Rock

(Direct kids to get with their groups and circle up with their small group leader before sitting down)

SMALL GROUP CONNECT QUESTIONS - 4 minutes (Host) VIDEO: 4 minute countdown

• Would you rather be a monkey and live in a tree or be a fish and swim in the ocean?

• If you could create a tree, what would it grow? Apples? Candy? Colorful Jewels?

• If you could choose what you would eat for lunch….what would it be?

WARDROBE OF WONDER - 5 minutes (Host) What’sIt: 9:00 - Soldier Helmet

VIDEO: Wardrobe of Wonder Intro

Choose 1 volunteer. Volunteer picks two hats from wardrobe one for himself, one for host. Tell other kids to put on their “imaginary thinking caps”. Volunteer peeks in the What’s It box. Host gives 3 clues, kids get to vote on what they think it is.

Then as host you say….

If you think our clue is a , raise your hand.

If you think our clue is a , raise your hand.

If you think our clue is a , raise your hand.

Let the child volunteer tell which answer is correct!

ASK: 9:00

What did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder? Children will answer. That’s right, it’s a helmet! Place helmet on volunteer’s head. Who would wear a special helmet like this? Children answer. A soldier! That’s right! Why would a soldier wear a helmet? Interact with responses. I wonder how this ties into this part of The Big God Story. Remove helmet and hold for use in The Big God Story. Let’s find out. Do you know what time it is? It’s time for …

Video: The Big Story Intro

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Point out that what kids are about to hear is true and is recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to

the passage and leave it open and visible throughout The Big God Story. Invite kids to open their

Bibles and follow along as you storytell. Children respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching them

as they reflect on the day’s portion of The Big God Story.

STORYTELLING - 12 mins. (Storyteller)

Welcome children. Friends, I’m so excited to meet you today! Before we go any further, let’s stop and ask God to teach us. Lead the children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

Today we’re going to hear about another miraculous healing from Jesus in The Big God Story. There was an officer in the Roman army who heard all about Jesus and the miracles He performed. Why do soldiers wear helmets and armor? Children will answer. Yes, to keep them safe and protect them in battle. Who is stronger than armor, and is able to protect us better than a helmet or shield? Children answer. God, that’s right. God is stronger than anyone or anything, and we can trust Him.

As an officer, this Roman centurion was a very important person. Tech: Cue Image of Centuri-on. He was in charge of more than 100 soldiers. Can you count to 100 on your fingers? Whew, that’s a lot of soldiers! The Roman centurion had a very big job. The centurions weren’t always kind because they had to be so tough, but this man was different. He had heard of Jesus and had faith in God.

What is faith? Children will answer.

Faith is when you know something to be true, and then you live out that truth with your actions. Tech: Cue “Faith” clip.

The Roman centurion had a servant who was very sick and about to die. Tech: Cue image of Centurion with sick servant. The officer cared for his servant and wanted him to be well again. Because the officer had faith, he knew Jesus could heal his servant without even seeing him in

The Big God Story:

The Prayer of Release allows children and

leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to

quiet their hearts and minds. Before you

pray, you might ask the kids to hold out

their hands, palms up, in a spirit of

releasing their worries and distractions in

order to better receive what the Holy Spirit

might have for them today. Then

encourage the kids to quiet their voices,

take a seat, and pray with you.

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person. He knew Jesus is the only One who has the power to heal. Tech: Cue Picture of Je-sus. As powerful as this man was, he trusted in Jesus to do the healing.

Have you ever been sick? Interact with children and their answers. Me too! It isn’t fun being sick. When you aren’t feeling well and are sick, who is it that you go to? Pause for children to answer. That’s right! We find our mommies and daddies. Sometimes we’re so sick we need to go to the doctor. Well, in The Big God Story, the Roman soldier knew his servant needed to be healed. The servant was so sick that even a doctor couldn’t help him. The Roman centurion asked some of the Jewish leaders he knew to go to Jesus and ask Him for help. Tech: Cue Picture of Centurion talking to Jewish leaders. The officer stayed behind. He knew that Jesus is powerful and holy—unlike anything or anyone else. He knew that Jesus is God and has the power to do anything He chooses to do! When the Jewish leaders went to Jesus, they begged Jesus for help. Tech Cue Jesus with Jewish leaders. “This man deserves to have you do this because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” (Luke 7:4–5). So Jesus went with them to go and heal the Roman officer’s servant.

Before Jesus got to the officer’s home, the officer sent more of his friends to stop Jesus with a message. Tech: Cue Picture. The centurion said, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6–7). The Roman solider knew who Jesus is—He is God! He knew that Jesus is holy, and that he was unworthy of having Jesus come to his house. But best of all, he knew Jesus didn’t really need to come to his home to heal the servant. Jesus has the power to heal just by speaking words!

Friends, who are some of the strongest people you know? Pause for kids to answer; interact with their responses. Yes, these people can be very strong and powerful. But no one is more powerful than Jesus because He is God! He is so powerful that all He has to do is use His words and things happen. God used His words to make the world. He used His words to make you and me, and He used His words to heal the Roman centurion’s servant. By the time the Roman officer’s friends returned to the house, the servant had been healed! Tech Cue Picture Servant Healed. The Roman officer knew that Jesus is God. Because He is God, He has the power to heal the sick.

There’s nothing more important than knowing God. Even the strong and important Roman officer knew that Jesus is God, and that was whose power he needed. God made the earth, and each and every one of us. He is also the same God who came to earth as Jesus, so we could know Him and be with Him forever. Jesus knows you and is the way for you to know God and be with Him forever! Jesus is God!

MAIL TIME & WORSHIP - 7 minutes (Host/Worship Leader)

VIDEO: Mail Time Intro

IMAGE: Remember Verse

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 119:76 Remember Verse Definitions Unfailing: Never stops.

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Remember Verse Motions May your: Point left index finger to the sky. unfailing love: Create a heart using both hands, by placing the thumbs down

together and curling other fingers together for the top arch of the heart.

be my comfort: Hug self. according to your promise: Place right index finger at lips and open left palm. Move right

hand away from lips and make a fist. Place fist into middle of open left palm.

to your servant: Palms facing up, in front of body. Slide one hand forward and then slide the other hand forward.

Host: Way to say your verse! Now let’s all keep standing and sing a song!

WORSHIP VIDEO: Jesus I Will Follow

DISMISS TO SMALL GROUPS (Host)

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I wonder … How did the centurion feel asking Jesus to help his servant? I wonder … How would I feel walking up to Jesus in a crowd and asking Him for help? I wonder … How did I feel when I heard about Jesus healing the centurion’s servant? I wonder … What do I have faith that Jesus can heal in my life? I wonder … How does it make me feel to know that Jesus is God?

GOAL: Kids respond in small groups to what they heard in the Big God Story.

SOLDIERS FAITH

SUPPLIES • Helmet (one per child) • Crayons • Stapler

The Roman centurion was powerful physically and politically. But when his servant became ill, all his worldly power was useless. The officer had heard of Jesus the Savior. While Jesus was on earth, He used miracles to reveal His deity to the world. The officer had faith that Jesus could heal his servant. Only He has the authority over illness, life, and death. Jesus is God.

In this part of The Big God Story, a Roman officer sent word to Jesus about his sick servant. He knew the man needed healing, and Jesus was the only One powerful enough to do it. Jesus healed the man with His words. The officer had faith because Jesus is God!

Today we are going to make a soldiers helmet. Remember even though the soldier was powerful and an important leader he understood that Jesus was more powerful and had abilities that only the Son of God could do. As you color your helmet, remember Jesus Is God. Pass out helmets and make sure kids write their name on the back or help them if needed Allow kids to color and decorated as they want. Fit the helmet to each kids head, and staple it.

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Review the Remember Verse:

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76

Remember Verse Definitions Unfailing: Never stops.

Remember Verse Motions May your: Point left index finger to the sky. unfailing love: Create a heart using both hands, by placing the thumbs down

together and curling other fingers together for the top arch of the heart.

be my comfort: Hug self. according to your promise: Place right index finger at lips and open left palm. Move right

hand away from lips and make a fist. Place fist into middle of open left palm.

to your servant: Palms facing up, in front of body. Slide one hand forward and then slide the other hand forward.

BLESSING

This week, line up your small group. Friends, for today’s blessing, I need your help! I’m going to start by saying, “May you shout to the Lord with gladness” and you get to shout, “Jesus is God!” after my line. Repeat the call and response a few times together before reading this blessing taken from Psalm 100:1.

Children, Jesus is God. May you shout to the Lord with gladness this week

Song VIDEO: In This Life

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Host will welcome kids to Critter Land. Worship Leader will lead kids in a time of worship and allow kids to give offering. Song1: What Do You Know Song2: Jesus By My Side

Play Station (Play)—Kids

will have time to play and en-

joy each others company.

Different play options will be

provided.

Big God Story (BGS)—The

storyteller will present the Bi-

ble lesson and point to pon-

der.

Memory Work (MW)—

1. Practice Memory Verse

2. Use Color Activity Sheet

( In 10:15 Bin)

3. Bathroom Break

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 119:76

Remember Verse Definitions Unfailing: Never stops.

Remember Verse Motions May your: Point left index finger to the sky. unfailing love: Create a heart using both hands, by

placing the thumbs down together and curling other fingers together for the top arch of the heart.

be my comfort: Hug self. according to your promise: Place right index finger at lips

and open left palm. Move right hand away from lips and make a fist. Place fist into middle of open left palm.

to your servant: Palms facing up, in front of body. Slide one hand forward and then slide the other hand forward.

11:15 Host will pray a blessing over the kids before parents pick up. If time allows worship leader will lead the closing song. Transition DVD/Video:

10:30 - 10:43 10:45 - 10:58 11:00 - 11:15

Owls Play (113) BGS (114) MW (115)

Bunnies MW (116)

Turtles MW (115) Play (113) BGS (114)

Frogs MW (116)

Snails BGS (114) MW (115) Play (113)

Squirrels MW (117)

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When my son was an infant, our church asked us to participate in a live Christmas nativity. If we were willing, our little boy would play the part of baby Jesus. When we agreed, my four-year-old daughter became fascinated with her brother’s role in the production. As she sat in on the rehearsals, she began to connect for the first time with what it meant for Jesus to have been born human. She held her brother’s hand and asked me if Jesus’ mother held His. She held her brother in her arms and watched him sleep, then asked me if Jesus did the same.

When the day of the nativity came and my son fussed and cried, my daughter found it hilarious. The idea of baby Jesus crying was something she found very humorous. While she giggled, I

explained to her that of course baby Jesus cried, because He was human, just like our baby. Later that week, my daughter had another series of questions for me: “Did Jesus wear diapers

like our baby? Did Jesus smile like our baby? Did Jesus eat food just like our baby?” Her next question took me a little by surprise: “Mommy, can our baby walk on water like Jesus?” I stopped

myself from chuckling at her inquiry. “No, sweetie,” I said as I smiled. It was clear that while she was very interested in the fact that Jesus was a man, there was

something else she needed to know. In His decision to come to earth, He made it possible for us to know Him through the life He lived. His uniqueness comes from the fact that while He felt everything we feel, He is capable of more than we can imagine. He knows our struggles, our fears, and even our happiness. Jesus isn’t just a man. Jesus is God.

Alyson Crockett City Church

Jesus is God. He inspires faith from those who encounter Him. Yet He was born into a cold, cruel, and unbelieving world. Rome was ruling over Judea and governed with an iron fist. Brutal soldiers were used to enforce the will of the Roman government.

The typical image of the Roman soldier is one of terrifying power—a tough and ruthless man. Although Roman centurions were typically men to be feared, oftentimes in the Bible they’re portrayed in a positive manner. It seems these powerful men were somehow able to recognize

great power and authority in others and thus treat them with the respect they were due. This was certainly the case in Matthew 8:5–13. Some Jewish elders approached Jesus on behalf of a centurion, imploring Him to come and heal the man’s servant. We learn in the parallel passage in Luke 7 that the centurion was so humble he didn’t even consider himself worthy to appear before Jesus, or to have Jesus visit his house. The centurion simply believed that Jesus could give the command and things would happen. So he made an appeal of Jesus: “Just say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8). This demonstration of faith was unlike any Jesus had seen in Israel.

It’s clear the centurion knew who Jesus was. He recognized that Jesus had authority over disease and illness. God alone has power over sickness and death. The centurion knew that Jesus was indeed God, and there would be no need for God to travel anywhere to make something happen. All He would have to do is speak, and it would be so. Jesus commended the centurion’s display of pure faith and rewarded him by healing his servant.

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When Jesus Christ entered the world as a man, something incredible happened. The God of the universe humbled Himself to come to earth and offer us a relationship with Him. As we study God’s Word, we learn more about the life of Christ. We’re also offered a glimpse into the nature and character of God the Father. We can know God because we can know Jesus, and Jesus is God.

This week, spend some time pondering John 1:1–5. What is this portion of Scripture saying? Who is it talking about? What does this mean to you—for you? Meditate on one or two verses each day. As the week progresses, note how the meaning of this truth is affecting your life, your heart.

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (vs. 3). You have come into being through Him. You are known—in the deepest way—by the Holy God. May you walk in the peace and confidence of this truth.