Lesson 1

Lesson 8

Interstate 4 One Another

“Celebrating Together”

The Point of the Lesson:

Each child will understand the importance of celebrating life every day by following God’s plan for their lives. We can celebrate God in tough times and in good times. Every day should be a celebration for what God has done for us.

The Power of God’s Word:

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Philippians 4:4 MSG

The Prayer of Each Child:

Lord, I pray that You will help me to continue to follow You each day of my life. I pray that I will never try to live life my own way because I know that Your plan for my life is the best way. This week I will write down five things that You have done for me so I will remember to be thankful for the life You have given me.

Prepare: (Before service)

A big banner that says, “Welcome Home”

Preview: (5 minutes)

Welcome from MC:

Hey guys, when you go on a vacation or visit family members, it’s always such a great feeling to come back home. After a long vacation, how many of you are excited when to finally be in your own home again?

Object Lesson:

It’s even more exciting when someone is at home waiting to welcome you back. Today we are going to be hearing a story in the Bible about a son who left his home. This son thought he was leaving on a vacation, but he really wasn’t. He made some bad choices, but learned many things along the way...especially when he came back and was welcomed home with a celebration.

Kid Connect Question:

Would you rather go on vacation to the beach in Hawaii or to the mountains in Colorado?

Play: (5 minutes)

Come and Celebrate!

The MC calls out a series of actions that the students need to imitate. The kids must remain in their seats during the game. When the action is called out (and the phrase shown on the PowerPoint), the kids must act it out and “freeze” like a statue. The team who looks the silliest, wins the round.

- You just hit a home run, bases loaded, to win the game!

- Your teacher handed you an A+ paper on the hardest math test you have ever taken!

- Your mom just said you don’t have to do your chores for an entire week!

- The principal called and you get to skip the whole day of school!

- You just won a million dollars!

Transition for MC:

All the actions you just did were celebrating something exciting. God has given us so much and wants us to follow His exciting plan for our lives. If we follow Him, we can truly celebrate this life God has given!

Praise: (15 minutes)

This is a time of corporate worship through singing and music. Plug in your own worship session here.

Process: (15 minutes)

This process includes the ten minute teaching video, practice point, and memory verse.

Teaching Video:

Turn on DVD and play the teaching video here.

Lesson in a Word: Celebrate

What Should I See?

Jesus shared a story. “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one asked his father for his share of the property, and the father gave it to him. Soon, the young son packed up and moved away to another country, far from his family. After he had spent everything he had, there was a food shortage in the whole country, and he was in need. So, he went and got a job feeding the pigs. He began to get hungry and started to eat the pig food. Finally, the son came up with a plan to return home and work for his father. While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. The father ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him. The son said to his dad, ‘Father, I am no longer worthy to be called your son’. But the father had servants dress him up and throw him a party. The father announced ‘My son was lost, but now is found!’ And they celebrated his return.” (Source: Luke 15:11-24 NIV)

Memory Verse:

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Philippians 4:4 MSG

What’s The Key?

Although the Prodigal Son had lived life his own way, eventually he came back to his father’s house. Because his father loved him so much, there was a great celebration when the son came home. Our heavenly father also celebrates when we follow His plan for our life.

What’s That To Me?

Even though the Prodigal Son tried to live life his own way, his dad knew what was best for him. Many times we try to do things our own way, but God truly knows what is best for us.

How Should I Be?

In order for us to truly celebrate the life God has given us, we need to continually follow after God’s plan for our lives. We can learn from the Prodigal Son by following God’s plan and not our own. When we do this, we’ll enjoy life to it’s fullest and find a true reason to celebrate!

Practice Point:

If we follow God and do what is right,

We can celebrate with all our might!

TEAM TIMEOUT

This time is spent together in small groups using the student handouts.

Things To Do Here:

Question 1: What has God done in your life that you are thankful for?

Question 2: How can you celebrate the life God has given you?

Question 3: Write down one way you can celebrate today.

Things To Do At Home:

Question 1: Ask your parents what makes them thankful for their lives. What did they say?

Question 2: Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. What are things God wants us to do?

Question 3: Write down five things that God has done for you this week. Tell God that you are thankful for the life He has given you.

Memory Madness

Each team participates in their group trying to recite the week’s verse with the hand motions. Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in Him! Philippians 4:4 MSG

(Kids regroup in main worship area)

Total Recall (Power Point Game)

Question 1: How many sons did the father have? (Two)

Question 2: Which son left his family: the older son or the younger son? (The younger son)

Question 3: How much money did the younger son spend while he was away? (All of it)

Question 4: What did the son do for a job after he ran out of money? (He fed pigs)

Question 5: When he was hungry, what did he think of eating? (The pig’s food)

Question 6: Did the son ever return home? (Yes)

Question 7: How did the father act when his son returned home? (He celebrated)

Question 8: Fill in the blank: “If we follow God and do what is right, ________” (“We can celebrate with all our might!”)

Live It Testimony

Turn on DVD and play the Live It here. This is an interview done on location with one child.

Turn on DVD and play the G3 here. G3 stands for Get it-Got it-Good. This segment is based on asking three questions to a participant on camera. The kids are asked to vote on whether or not the person on camera will get the questions right.

Question 1: When the lost son was returning home, who saw him first? (His father)

Question 2: Where is this week’s Bible verse found? (Philippians 4:4)

Question 3: Fill in the blank: “If we follow God and do what is right...” (we can celebrate with all our might”)