| ACTIVITY Ideas:
We’ve All Got Trouble No one has to think very hard to come up with a list of troubles, right? Trouble is all around us. Jesus said that it would be. He said, “In this world you will have trouble.” There are stories of troubles written all over newspapers and troubles in all of our lives. What kind of troubles are in our world? Let’s write down as many of them as we can in one minute.
But before anyone runs away from all of these troubles, let’s hear what God has to say. He says that there will be trouble, but He also says, “Take heart!” Take heart means to be confident or courageous in a difficult situation. It means don’t freak out! Be brave! You’ve got this! Go get em! You can do this! But there’s more to it…. because Jesus says, “Take heart (because) I have overcome the world.” You see… we don’t have to be brave alone. We aren’t fighting troubles alone. We can be courageous and tough because Jesus showed us how to be. He chose to die on that cross for our sins. He rose again three days later to prove that He can overcome ANYTHING!!!! Overcome means to win over something. If you can overcome death, you can overcome anything!!!! And we can too, with Christ. Let’s read our memory verse together: Memory Verse: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” – John 16:33 Object Talk You need a football (any other ball can be used to talk about a team) Optional: Team jersey or attire. Sit together and hold the football and Say: What is this? That’s right it’s a football. Do you have a team that they like to watch? Lots of people have a favorite team. These people support their team, cheer for their team, and watch everything that their team does closely. Today we are going to talk about another kind of team: God’s team. Who wants to be on God’s team? I know I do! Let’s see what the Bible says about being a part of God’s team. Read John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Say: Did you hear what that says? In the world we will have trouble sometimes but God is bigger than the world. God loves you and wants to protect you. He goes everywhere you go. You are never alone when you are on God’s team. I want to be on God’s team!
Additional ideas: Draw "God's Team" Jerseys, play catch with the ball, make up a cheer for God's team.
Questions to talk about: 1. Whose team do we want to be on? God’s Team. 2. Why do we want to be on God’s team? Because He has overcome the world and He loves us. 3. What did Jesus say he overcame in John 16:33? The world. 4. Why should we all work together? Because we are all on the same team? 5. What can you do today to show that you are on God’s team? Answers may vary.
ADDITIONAL OPTION: Look up and discuss another scripture verse referenced in the message today:
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ -2 Corinthians 10:5
Notice the activity pages below that you can print and use (hard copies were distributed in the Drive Thru Thursday packets, and you can pick one up anytime from the mailbox on the ground outside of the Kids Wing entrance) |
