What You Do:

Divide your group into two teams and have them sit facing each other.

If your group has a lot of new members or hasn’t been together very long, use the optional name tags. Make sure everyone has the correct name tag on their shirt.

Ask for a volunteer to hold one end of the blanket with you.

If you have an older kid who wants to do this for the whole game, great. Otherwise, switch off helpers so everyone can play.

Hold up the blanket with your helper so that neither team can see the other. (Guide teams to scoot closer together if needed.)

Then, ask each team to send one member to sit close to the blanket, facing it.

Count to three and drop the blanket.

The two kids facing each other have to call out the name of the person across from them.

Whoever calls out the correct name first, wins. The other player joins the winner’s team.

If you have older kids, or kids who are very familiar with each other, use the optional plates or bags and scissors to make masks with eyeholes cut out. Or, if you have funny dress up mask options at home, use those! When kids face off at the blanket, instruct them to put on their mask or hold it up in front of their faces.

What You Say:

You had to figure out who you saw so quickly! Your opponents were able to recognize you by looking at your face or reading your name tag. Our brains don’t just recognize someone by the way their face looks, but by how they stand, walk, talk, move, and even smell! All of these things together go into our brain, and we immediately know who we’re looking at.

You are recognized not just by your name, but by your actions and words. The things you say and do are the things that show others you can be trusted. That’s why it’s important to [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life. God wants us to be people who are truthful even when we don’t have to be or when no one will find out.

We want to be like God, because He has the ultimate integrity. God does what He says He will. God keeps His promises. How can you ask for God’s help to [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life? (Ask Him to give you strength not to give in to temptation to do something wrong. Ask Him for wisdom to know the right choice. Ask Him to give you good friends who will help you have integrity.)

Optional Discussion Questions for Older KidsIf you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

Have you ever seen someone say or do one thing in front of one group of friends, then do something completely opposite around another group of friends? How did that make other people feel about them? (Help kids share stories without stepping over the line into gossip. Steer the conversation more toward how it feels to interact with someone who acts differently at different times. Do you trust that person?)

WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JARMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a group

What you need: No supplies needed

What you do:

Greet kids as they arrive, and show them where to put their offering.

When a few kids have arrived, circle up for a game of Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

This is a common playground call and response game, and it goes like this:

The group calls out together, Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

One person answers with the name of someone in the group, for example, Becky.

The group says, “Becky stole the cookie from the cookie jar!”

And Becky responds, “Who, me?” The group confirms, “Yeah, you!”

Becky replies, “Couldn’t be!” And the group asks, “Then who?”

Becky names another player, and the game continues.

Play until everyone has been named and named another player.

The group can add fictional players and designate someone to respond in their voice, such as Mickey Mouse or some other character with a distinctive voice.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

NAME DROPMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a group

What You Need: Blanket or other long piece of fabric, (optional) name tags and markers, paper plates or brown grocery bags and scissor

Elementary October 4BOTTOM LINE

Be truthful with your whole life.

BASIC TRUTHI can trust God no

matter what.

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE STORYRise Up (Daniel’s Integrity)

Daniel 1

LIFE APPIntegrity: Choosing to be truthful

in whatever you say and do

PARENT GUIDE

MEMORY VERSE

OFFSTAGE:DROP THE ACT

Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will

get caught. Proverbs 10:9 (NIrV)

What if you were guaranteed not to get caught lying or being dishonest about something? Why would it be important to still be truthful?

How do you know if somebody has integrity? What kinds of things do they do and say?

PRAYMade to Connect: an activity that invites kids to share and collaborate with others while growing their understanding

What You Need: Snack

What You Do:

Give each kid a snack and let them eat it now, or save it for later.

Ask an older kid to explain what it means to have integrity, based on what they’ve learned today.

Let other kids respond with ideas of how they’ll be truthful in everything this week.

What You Say:

“Remember way back in the beginning of our time, when we sang the song about who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? That was part of the plan to get ready for our Bible story about integrity, but it brings up an important point. We all should do our best to do the right thing, even when no one is looking. You can [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life. It’s hard, but I know that if we ask God to help us, He will. Let’s do that now.

“Dear God, thank You for always having integrity. We can trust that You are who You say and You’ll do what You promise. Please, help us be truthful in what we say and do, and stick to following Jesus, even if it’s hard this week. Amen.”

What You Do:

Divide your group into two teams and have them sit facing each other.

If your group has a lot of new members or hasn’t been together very long, use the optional name tags. Make sure everyone has the correct name tag on their shirt.

Ask for a volunteer to hold one end of the blanket with you.

If you have an older kid who wants to do this for the whole game, great. Otherwise, switch off helpers so everyone can play.

Hold up the blanket with your helper so that neither team can see the other. (Guide teams to scoot closer together if needed.)

Then, ask each team to send one member to sit close to the blanket, facing it.

Count to three and drop the blanket.

The two kids facing each other have to call out the name of the person across from them.

Whoever calls out the correct name first, wins. The other player joins the winner’s team.

If you have older kids, or kids who are very familiar with each other, use the optional plates or bags and scissors to make masks with eyeholes cut out. Or, if you have funny dress up mask options at home, use those! When kids face off at the blanket, instruct them to put on their mask or hold it up in front of their faces.

What You Say:

You had to figure out who you saw so quickly! Your opponents were able to recognize you by looking at your face or reading your name tag. Our brains don’t just recognize someone by the way their face looks, but by how they stand, walk, talk, move, and even smell! All of these things together go into our brain, and we immediately know who we’re looking at.

You are recognized not just by your name, but by your actions and words. The things you say and do are the things that show others you can be trusted. That’s why it’s important to [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life. God wants us to be people who are truthful even when we don’t have to be or when no one will find out.

We want to be like God, because He has the ultimate integrity. God does what He says He will. God keeps His promises. How can you ask for God’s help to [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life? (Ask Him to give you strength not to give in to temptation to do something wrong. Ask Him for wisdom to know the right choice. Ask Him to give you good friends who will help you have integrity.)

Optional Discussion Questions for Older KidsIf you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

Have you ever seen someone say or do one thing in front of one group of friends, then do something completely opposite around another group of friends? How did that make other people feel about them? (Help kids share stories without stepping over the line into gossip. Steer the conversation more toward how it feels to interact with someone who acts differently at different times. Do you trust that person?)

PARENT GUIDE October 4

WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JARMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a group

What you need: No supplies needed

What you do:

Greet kids as they arrive, and show them where to put their offering.

When a few kids have arrived, circle up for a game of Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

This is a common playground call and response game, and it goes like this:

The group calls out together, Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

One person answers with the name of someone in the group, for example, Becky.

The group says, “Becky stole the cookie from the cookie jar!”

And Becky responds, “Who, me?” The group confirms, “Yeah, you!”

Becky replies, “Couldn’t be!” And the group asks, “Then who?”

Becky names another player, and the game continues.

Play until everyone has been named and named another player.

The group can add fictional players and designate someone to respond in their voice, such as Mickey Mouse or some other character with a distinctive voice.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

NAME DROPMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a group

What You Need: Blanket or other long piece of fabric, (optional) name tags and markers, paper plates or brown grocery bags and scissor

ElementaryWhat if you were guaranteed not to get caught lying or being dishonest about something? Why would it be important to still be truthful?

How do you know if somebody has integrity? What kinds of things do they do and say?

PRAYMade to Connect: an activity that invites kids to share and collaborate with others while growing their understanding

What You Need: Snack

What You Do:

Give each kid a snack and let them eat it now, or save it for later.

Ask an older kid to explain what it means to have integrity, based on what they’ve learned today.

Let other kids respond with ideas of how they’ll be truthful in everything this week.

What You Say:

“Remember way back in the beginning of our time, when we sang the song about who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? That was part of the plan to get ready for our Bible story about integrity, but it brings up an important point. We all should do our best to do the right thing, even when no one is looking. You can [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life. It’s hard, but I know that if we ask God to help us, He will. Let’s do that now.

“Dear God, thank You for always having integrity. We can trust that You are who You say and You’ll do what You promise. Please, help us be truthful in what we say and do, and stick to following Jesus, even if it’s hard this week. Amen.”

What You Do:

Divide your group into two teams and have them sit facing each other.

If your group has a lot of new members or hasn’t been together very long, use the optional name tags. Make sure everyone has the correct name tag on their shirt.

Ask for a volunteer to hold one end of the blanket with you.

If you have an older kid who wants to do this for the whole game, great. Otherwise, switch off helpers so everyone can play.

Hold up the blanket with your helper so that neither team can see the other. (Guide teams to scoot closer together if needed.)

Then, ask each team to send one member to sit close to the blanket, facing it.

Count to three and drop the blanket.

The two kids facing each other have to call out the name of the person across from them.

Whoever calls out the correct name first, wins. The other player joins the winner’s team.

If you have older kids, or kids who are very familiar with each other, use the optional plates or bags and scissors to make masks with eyeholes cut out. Or, if you have funny dress up mask options at home, use those! When kids face off at the blanket, instruct them to put on their mask or hold it up in front of their faces.

What You Say:

You had to figure out who you saw so quickly! Your opponents were able to recognize you by looking at your face or reading your name tag. Our brains don’t just recognize someone by the way their face looks, but by how they stand, walk, talk, move, and even smell! All of these things together go into our brain, and we immediately know who we’re looking at.

You are recognized not just by your name, but by your actions and words. The things you say and do are the things that show others you can be trusted. That’s why it’s important to [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life. God wants us to be people who are truthful even when we don’t have to be or when no one will find out.

We want to be like God, because He has the ultimate integrity. God does what He says He will. God keeps His promises. How can you ask for God’s help to [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life? (Ask Him to give you strength not to give in to temptation to do something wrong. Ask Him for wisdom to know the right choice. Ask Him to give you good friends who will help you have integrity.)

Optional Discussion Questions for Older KidsIf you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

Have you ever seen someone say or do one thing in front of one group of friends, then do something completely opposite around another group of friends? How did that make other people feel about them? (Help kids share stories without stepping over the line into gossip. Steer the conversation more toward how it feels to interact with someone who acts differently at different times. Do you trust that person?)

WHO STOLE THE COOKIE FROM THE COOKIE JARMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a group

What you need: No supplies needed

What you do:

Greet kids as they arrive, and show them where to put their offering.

When a few kids have arrived, circle up for a game of Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

This is a common playground call and response game, and it goes like this:

The group calls out together, Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

One person answers with the name of someone in the group, for example, Becky.

The group says, “Becky stole the cookie from the cookie jar!”

And Becky responds, “Who, me?” The group confirms, “Yeah, you!”

Becky replies, “Couldn’t be!” And the group asks, “Then who?”

Becky names another player, and the game continues.

Play until everyone has been named and named another player.

The group can add fictional players and designate someone to respond in their voice, such as Mickey Mouse or some other character with a distinctive voice.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

NAME DROPMade to Play: an activity that encourages learning through following guidelines and/or working as a group

What You Need: Blanket or other long piece of fabric, (optional) name tags and markers, paper plates or brown grocery bags and scissor

What if you were guaranteed not to get caught lying or being dishonest about something? Why would it be important to still be truthful?

How do you know if somebody has integrity? What kinds of things do they do and say?

PRAYMade to Connect: an activity that invites kids to share and collaborate with others while growing their understanding

What You Need: Snack

What You Do:

Give each kid a snack and let them eat it now, or save it for later.

Ask an older kid to explain what it means to have integrity, based on what they’ve learned today.

Let other kids respond with ideas of how they’ll be truthful in everything this week.

What You Say:

“Remember way back in the beginning of our time, when we sang the song about who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? That was part of the plan to get ready for our Bible story about integrity, but it brings up an important point. We all should do our best to do the right thing, even when no one is looking. You can [Bottom Line] be truthful with your whole life. It’s hard, but I know that if we ask God to help us, He will. Let’s do that now.

“Dear God, thank You for always having integrity. We can trust that You are who You say and You’ll do what You promise. Please, help us be truthful in what we say and do, and stick to following Jesus, even if it’s hard this week. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE October 4Elementary

much to respond.

For older kids, you can add the rule that no one may hold more than one object at a time, but the objects must keep moving.

If a person is about to hold two objects at a time, the object introduced last must reverse course around the circle. 

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

STATUESMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What You Need: No supplies needed

What You Do:

Spread the group out around your small group area.

Choose one kid to be the inspector, responsible for making sure the rest of the group, who are the statues, are frozen and not moving.

The statues should freeze in place, and the inspector moves around them.

When the inspector isn’t looking at them, the statues can move or change positions, but they must freeze when the inspector looks at them.

While the inspector moves around, the statues try to get close to the inspector without them noticing.

If anyone can successfully touch the inspector without being caught moving, they become the new inspector.

Play as many rounds as time allows.

What You Say:

This game is all about not getting caught and trying to freeze whenever the inspector looks so they don’t know that you moved.

How is that like what we do with God sometimes, when we’ve done something we know is wrong? (We try to hide what we’ve done from God. We try to pretend we didn’t do anything. We ignore what we’ve done and hope no one notices.) It can be hard to take that step to tell God what’s going on and be honest about our choices, but [Bottom Line] being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.

Unlike our inspector, God isn’t waiting to catch you. He’s not looking to find your mistakes and blame you for them. God is waiting to forgive you. God wants to be close to us and have a friendship with us. He wants to help us make things right when we’ve messed up with our family or friends.

If you’re trying to hide what you’ve done from God, you lose that opportunity for friendship with Him. The next time you need to talk to God about a mistake, remember that [Bottom Line] being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.

THIS IS A BANANAMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What you need: Three small objects

What you do:

Gather the group in a seated circle and place the objects in the middle.

Pick up one object and turn to the kid on your left.

Tell them, “This is a banana.” The kid responds, “A what?” You say, “A banana."

Give them the object. They will now repeat the above call and response with the kid on THEIR left before giving them the object.

The banana is now being passed to the left around the circle.

It will move continuously and never stop, with kids continuing to pass it to the person on their left while doing the “a what?” call and response.

Let the first object move about a third of the way around the circle. Then, pick up the second object from the center of the circle.

Turn to the kid on your right.

Tell them, “This is a zebra.” Repeat the responses above.

Give them the object. They will now repeat the call and response with the player to their right before giving them the object.

The a zebra is now being passed to the right along the circle. It will move continuously and never stop.

At some point, the banana and zebra will cross. This will become confusing.

At exactly that point, turn to the person on your left again and hand them the third object.

Tell them, “This is a motorbike.” Repeat the responses above.

Give them the object. They will now repeat the above call and response with the person on their left before giving them the object.

The motorbike is now being passed to the left around the circle. It will move continuously and never stop.

Once all three objects are in play, the goal of the game is to get each object to move one full round of the circle, without anyone forgetting their lines, dropping the objects, or laughing too

Elementary October 11BOTTOM LINE

Being truthful with God keeps you close

to Him.

BASIC TRUTHI can trust God no

matter what.

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE STORYSay Anything

(No Secrets with God) 1 John 1:9

LIFE APPIntegrity: Choosing to be truthful

in whatever you say and do

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

If you’ve done something wrong, or you know you’ve messed up, who are you most likely to talk to about it? Why?

How does it feel when you’ve done something wrong and you haven’t told anyone or even talked to God about it?

Have you ever needed God’s help to make things right with your friends or family? What was that like? 

 PRAYMade to Reflect: An activity that creates space for personal processing and application

What You Need: paper, pens or pencils, (optional) trash basket or metal bucket and matches

What You Do:

Tear off scraps of pieces of paper and hand out pens or pencils.

Invite kids to write something they have done that they need to be truthful with God about: a bad choice they made, a relationship that they’ve hurt, etc.

Emphasize that no one will see what they write.

When everyone is finished, read the scripture for today, 1 John 1:9.

Let kids have a few moments in silence to pray and talk to God about what they’ve written down.

To get rid of the papers, there are a few options.

Kids can make them into paper airplanes and toss them “far away” to the other side of the room.

Kids can crumple them into balls and toss them in the trash.

You can take the group outside, put the papers in a metal bucket, and burn the papers or put them in water.

When the papers are gone, lead the group to say together, [Bottom Line] “Being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.”

Close in prayer.

What You Say:

“Dear God, thank You for always forgiving us when we ask, and for being ready to help us make things right again. Please help us be honest with You, with ourselves, and with others, when we need to be forgiven. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE

MEMORY VERSE

OFFSTAGE:DROP THE ACT

Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will

get caught. Proverbs 10:9 (NIrV)

much to respond.

For older kids, you can add the rule that no one may hold more than one object at a time, but the objects must keep moving.

If a person is about to hold two objects at a time, the object introduced last must reverse course around the circle. 

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

STATUESMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What You Need: No supplies needed

What You Do:

Spread the group out around your small group area.

Choose one kid to be the inspector, responsible for making sure the rest of the group, who are the statues, are frozen and not moving.

The statues should freeze in place, and the inspector moves around them.

When the inspector isn’t looking at them, the statues can move or change positions, but they must freeze when the inspector looks at them.

While the inspector moves around, the statues try to get close to the inspector without them noticing.

If anyone can successfully touch the inspector without being caught moving, they become the new inspector.

Play as many rounds as time allows.

What You Say:

This game is all about not getting caught and trying to freeze whenever the inspector looks so they don’t know that you moved.

How is that like what we do with God sometimes, when we’ve done something we know is wrong? (We try to hide what we’ve done from God. We try to pretend we didn’t do anything. We ignore what we’ve done and hope no one notices.) It can be hard to take that step to tell God what’s going on and be honest about our choices, but [Bottom Line] being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.

Unlike our inspector, God isn’t waiting to catch you. He’s not looking to find your mistakes and blame you for them. God is waiting to forgive you. God wants to be close to us and have a friendship with us. He wants to help us make things right when we’ve messed up with our family or friends.

If you’re trying to hide what you’ve done from God, you lose that opportunity for friendship with Him. The next time you need to talk to God about a mistake, remember that [Bottom Line] being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.

PARENT GUIDE October 11

THIS IS A BANANAMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What you need: Three small objects

What you do:

Gather the group in a seated circle and place the objects in the middle.

Pick up one object and turn to the kid on your left.

Tell them, “This is a banana.” The kid responds, “A what?” You say, “A banana."

Give them the object. They will now repeat the above call and response with the kid on THEIR left before giving them the object.

The banana is now being passed to the left around the circle.

It will move continuously and never stop, with kids continuing to pass it to the person on their left while doing the “a what?” call and response.

Let the first object move about a third of the way around the circle. Then, pick up the second object from the center of the circle.

Turn to the kid on your right.

Tell them, “This is a zebra.” Repeat the responses above.

Give them the object. They will now repeat the call and response with the player to their right before giving them the object.

The a zebra is now being passed to the right along the circle. It will move continuously and never stop.

At some point, the banana and zebra will cross. This will become confusing.

At exactly that point, turn to the person on your left again and hand them the third object.

Tell them, “This is a motorbike.” Repeat the responses above.

Give them the object. They will now repeat the above call and response with the person on their left before giving them the object.

The motorbike is now being passed to the left around the circle. It will move continuously and never stop.

Once all three objects are in play, the goal of the game is to get each object to move one full round of the circle, without anyone forgetting their lines, dropping the objects, or laughing too

Elementary

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

If you’ve done something wrong, or you know you’ve messed up, who are you most likely to talk to about it? Why?

How does it feel when you’ve done something wrong and you haven’t told anyone or even talked to God about it?

Have you ever needed God’s help to make things right with your friends or family? What was that like? 

 PRAYMade to Reflect: An activity that creates space for personal processing and application

What You Need: paper, pens or pencils, (optional) trash basket or metal bucket and matches

What You Do:

Tear off scraps of pieces of paper and hand out pens or pencils.

Invite kids to write something they have done that they need to be truthful with God about: a bad choice they made, a relationship that they’ve hurt, etc.

Emphasize that no one will see what they write.

When everyone is finished, read the scripture for today, 1 John 1:9.

Let kids have a few moments in silence to pray and talk to God about what they’ve written down.

To get rid of the papers, there are a few options.

Kids can make them into paper airplanes and toss them “far away” to the other side of the room.

Kids can crumple them into balls and toss them in the trash.

You can take the group outside, put the papers in a metal bucket, and burn the papers or put them in water.

When the papers are gone, lead the group to say together, [Bottom Line] “Being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.”

Close in prayer.

What You Say:

“Dear God, thank You for always forgiving us when we ask, and for being ready to help us make things right again. Please help us be honest with You, with ourselves, and with others, when we need to be forgiven. Amen.”

much to respond.

For older kids, you can add the rule that no one may hold more than one object at a time, but the objects must keep moving.

If a person is about to hold two objects at a time, the object introduced last must reverse course around the circle. 

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

STATUESMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What You Need: No supplies needed

What You Do:

Spread the group out around your small group area.

Choose one kid to be the inspector, responsible for making sure the rest of the group, who are the statues, are frozen and not moving.

The statues should freeze in place, and the inspector moves around them.

When the inspector isn’t looking at them, the statues can move or change positions, but they must freeze when the inspector looks at them.

While the inspector moves around, the statues try to get close to the inspector without them noticing.

If anyone can successfully touch the inspector without being caught moving, they become the new inspector.

Play as many rounds as time allows.

What You Say:

This game is all about not getting caught and trying to freeze whenever the inspector looks so they don’t know that you moved.

How is that like what we do with God sometimes, when we’ve done something we know is wrong? (We try to hide what we’ve done from God. We try to pretend we didn’t do anything. We ignore what we’ve done and hope no one notices.) It can be hard to take that step to tell God what’s going on and be honest about our choices, but [Bottom Line] being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.

Unlike our inspector, God isn’t waiting to catch you. He’s not looking to find your mistakes and blame you for them. God is waiting to forgive you. God wants to be close to us and have a friendship with us. He wants to help us make things right when we’ve messed up with our family or friends.

If you’re trying to hide what you’ve done from God, you lose that opportunity for friendship with Him. The next time you need to talk to God about a mistake, remember that [Bottom Line] being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.

THIS IS A BANANAMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What you need: Three small objects

What you do:

Gather the group in a seated circle and place the objects in the middle.

Pick up one object and turn to the kid on your left.

Tell them, “This is a banana.” The kid responds, “A what?” You say, “A banana."

Give them the object. They will now repeat the above call and response with the kid on THEIR left before giving them the object.

The banana is now being passed to the left around the circle.

It will move continuously and never stop, with kids continuing to pass it to the person on their left while doing the “a what?” call and response.

Let the first object move about a third of the way around the circle. Then, pick up the second object from the center of the circle.

Turn to the kid on your right.

Tell them, “This is a zebra.” Repeat the responses above.

Give them the object. They will now repeat the call and response with the player to their right before giving them the object.

The a zebra is now being passed to the right along the circle. It will move continuously and never stop.

At some point, the banana and zebra will cross. This will become confusing.

At exactly that point, turn to the person on your left again and hand them the third object.

Tell them, “This is a motorbike.” Repeat the responses above.

Give them the object. They will now repeat the above call and response with the person on their left before giving them the object.

The motorbike is now being passed to the left around the circle. It will move continuously and never stop.

Once all three objects are in play, the goal of the game is to get each object to move one full round of the circle, without anyone forgetting their lines, dropping the objects, or laughing too

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

If you’ve done something wrong, or you know you’ve messed up, who are you most likely to talk to about it? Why?

How does it feel when you’ve done something wrong and you haven’t told anyone or even talked to God about it?

Have you ever needed God’s help to make things right with your friends or family? What was that like? 

 PRAYMade to Reflect: An activity that creates space for personal processing and application

What You Need: paper, pens or pencils, (optional) trash basket or metal bucket and matches

What You Do:

Tear off scraps of pieces of paper and hand out pens or pencils.

Invite kids to write something they have done that they need to be truthful with God about: a bad choice they made, a relationship that they’ve hurt, etc.

Emphasize that no one will see what they write.

When everyone is finished, read the scripture for today, 1 John 1:9.

Let kids have a few moments in silence to pray and talk to God about what they’ve written down.

To get rid of the papers, there are a few options.

Kids can make them into paper airplanes and toss them “far away” to the other side of the room.

Kids can crumple them into balls and toss them in the trash.

You can take the group outside, put the papers in a metal bucket, and burn the papers or put them in water.

When the papers are gone, lead the group to say together, [Bottom Line] “Being truthful with God keeps you close to Him.”

Close in prayer.

What You Say:

“Dear God, thank You for always forgiving us when we ask, and for being ready to help us make things right again. Please help us be honest with You, with ourselves, and with others, when we need to be forgiven. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE October 11Elementary

The Scale Keeper stands at the other side of the room with the bowls of beans (or items of choice) at their feet.

Using the Honest Scales Diagram, set up the scales for the Scale Keeper to hold.

The Scale Keeper holds a ruler in either hand, straight out to the side.

Hang a plastic hanger on each ruler.

Hang a gift bag on either side of the hanger, using the shoulder notches to hold them in place.

Make sure each hanger has one bag labeled “honest” and one bag labeled “dishonest”.

To play the game, each kid will take a card and run down to the Scale Keeper.

The kid reads their card out loud then puts the required number of beans into the designated bag.

Be ready to help younger kids read out loud.

Play until all the cards are finished.

Observe whether or not each team’s scales are balanced.

Ask: Which end is heavier?

What You Say:

It was hard to balance our scales in this game! For every dishonest choice, you needed to put in a LOT more things in the honest bag to try to even it all out. Life feels like that, doesn’t it?

Make It Personal: (Share a time when you had to build back trust after a lie. Maybe you had to earn your parents’ trust after a fender-bender you tried to hide, or you had to work to fix a friendship that you’d broken by gossip, or you got in trouble at school for cheating on a test and had to be watched carefully for the rest of the year. Losing trust is awful and it takes a long time to build it up again.) Bottom Line: When you’re not truthful, you lose trust. The more things you do that are dishon-est, the harder you have to work to show that you’re trustworthy again and have others trust you. It’s better to show integrity right from the start, even if it means you might get in trouble or you might not get that cool thing you wanted.

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

Has someone ever lost your trust by lying to you? What did that feel like? How did they gain your trust again?

Have you ever lost someone’s trust? Your parent’s? A teacher’s? What is that like? How did you, or could you, rebuild trust with them again? 

MIRROR, MIRRORMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What you need: No supplies needed

What you do:

Ask the kids to pair up.

The kid in each pair whose birthday is the closest to today will be Player A, and the other is Player B.

Call out an action for Player A to begin.

Player B must stand right across from them and mirror their actions. Neither kid is allowed to speak.

After pairs seem in sync, call out a different action. This time, Player B will begin, and Player A will be the mirror.

Some ideas: tossing pizza dough, getting into a snowsuit, playing basketball, washing a car, packing a suitcase, etc.

Play as many rounds as time allows.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

HONEST SCALESMade to Explore: an activity that extends learning through hands-on experimentation and discovery

What You Need: Honest Scales Diagram and Honest Scales Scenario Cards, plastic hangers, gift bags, rulers, beads or beans, and bowls

What You Do:

Divide your group into two teams.

If the teams are uneven, assign an older kid to be a Scale Keeper.

Line the teams up on one side of the room, and place a deck of shuffled Honest Scales Scenario Cards at their feet.

Elementary October 18BOTTOM LINEWhen you’re not truthful,

you lose trust.

BASIC TRUTHI can trust God no

matter what.

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE STORY A Matter of Trust

(Naaman and Elisha’s Servant) 2 Kings 5

LIFE APPIntegrity: Choosing to be truthful

in whatever you say and do

PRAYMade to Explore: an activity that extends learning through hands-on experimentation and discovery

What You Need: Quarters

What You Do:

Show kids how to spin a quarter on its edge on a smooth surface.

After kids have had a chance to practice for a while, ask them to lay their quarters flat.

What You Say:

“These quarters spin because they are perfectly balanced—no side is heavier than the other. The quarter is balanced by the even force of your fingers on the balanced coin along the even surface of the table. If one of these was out of balance—the table was bumpy, you spun one finger too fast, or the coin was damaged in some way—it would not spin. If you tell just one lie, or cheat on just one test, or act two-faced around just one friend, you can end up out of balance, and [Bottom Line] when you’re not truthful, you lose trust. Let’s pray that God will help us keep our lives balanced on integrity and following Him.

“Dear God, thank You for always being in balance. We can trust You, no matter what. Please help us show integrity and be trustworthy friends, family members, teammates, and students. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE

MEMORY VERSE

OFFSTAGE:DROP THE ACT

Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will

get caught. Proverbs 10:9 (NIrV)

The Scale Keeper stands at the other side of the room with the bowls of beans (or items of choice) at their feet.

Using the Honest Scales Diagram, set up the scales for the Scale Keeper to hold.

The Scale Keeper holds a ruler in either hand, straight out to the side.

Hang a plastic hanger on each ruler.

Hang a gift bag on either side of the hanger, using the shoulder notches to hold them in place.

Make sure each hanger has one bag labeled “honest” and one bag labeled “dishonest”.

To play the game, each kid will take a card and run down to the Scale Keeper.

The kid reads their card out loud then puts the required number of beans into the designated bag.

Be ready to help younger kids read out loud.

Play until all the cards are finished.

Observe whether or not each team’s scales are balanced.

Ask: Which end is heavier?

What You Say:

It was hard to balance our scales in this game! For every dishonest choice, you needed to put in a LOT more things in the honest bag to try to even it all out. Life feels like that, doesn’t it?

Make It Personal: (Share a time when you had to build back trust after a lie. Maybe you had to earn your parents’ trust after a fender-bender you tried to hide, or you had to work to fix a friendship that you’d broken by gossip, or you got in trouble at school for cheating on a test and had to be watched carefully for the rest of the year. Losing trust is awful and it takes a long time to build it up again.) Bottom Line: When you’re not truthful, you lose trust. The more things you do that are dishon-est, the harder you have to work to show that you’re trustworthy again and have others trust you. It’s better to show integrity right from the start, even if it means you might get in trouble or you might not get that cool thing you wanted.

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

Has someone ever lost your trust by lying to you? What did that feel like? How did they gain your trust again?

Have you ever lost someone’s trust? Your parent’s? A teacher’s? What is that like? How did you, or could you, rebuild trust with them again? 

PARENT GUIDE October 18

MIRROR, MIRRORMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What you need: No supplies needed

What you do:

Ask the kids to pair up.

The kid in each pair whose birthday is the closest to today will be Player A, and the other is Player B.

Call out an action for Player A to begin.

Player B must stand right across from them and mirror their actions. Neither kid is allowed to speak.

After pairs seem in sync, call out a different action. This time, Player B will begin, and Player A will be the mirror.

Some ideas: tossing pizza dough, getting into a snowsuit, playing basketball, washing a car, packing a suitcase, etc.

Play as many rounds as time allows.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

HONEST SCALESMade to Explore: an activity that extends learning through hands-on experimentation and discovery

What You Need: Honest Scales Diagram and Honest Scales Scenario Cards, plastic hangers, gift bags, rulers, beads or beans, and bowls

What You Do:

Divide your group into two teams.

If the teams are uneven, assign an older kid to be a Scale Keeper.

Line the teams up on one side of the room, and place a deck of shuffled Honest Scales Scenario Cards at their feet.

Elementary

PRAYMade to Explore: an activity that extends learning through hands-on experimentation and discovery

What You Need: Quarters

What You Do:

Show kids how to spin a quarter on its edge on a smooth surface.

After kids have had a chance to practice for a while, ask them to lay their quarters flat.

What You Say:

“These quarters spin because they are perfectly balanced—no side is heavier than the other. The quarter is balanced by the even force of your fingers on the balanced coin along the even surface of the table. If one of these was out of balance—the table was bumpy, you spun one finger too fast, or the coin was damaged in some way—it would not spin. If you tell just one lie, or cheat on just one test, or act two-faced around just one friend, you can end up out of balance, and [Bottom Line] when you’re not truthful, you lose trust. Let’s pray that God will help us keep our lives balanced on integrity and following Him.

“Dear God, thank You for always being in balance. We can trust You, no matter what. Please help us show integrity and be trustworthy friends, family members, teammates, and students. Amen.”

The Scale Keeper stands at the other side of the room with the bowls of beans (or items of choice) at their feet.

Using the Honest Scales Diagram, set up the scales for the Scale Keeper to hold.

The Scale Keeper holds a ruler in either hand, straight out to the side.

Hang a plastic hanger on each ruler.

Hang a gift bag on either side of the hanger, using the shoulder notches to hold them in place.

Make sure each hanger has one bag labeled “honest” and one bag labeled “dishonest”.

To play the game, each kid will take a card and run down to the Scale Keeper.

The kid reads their card out loud then puts the required number of beans into the designated bag.

Be ready to help younger kids read out loud.

Play until all the cards are finished.

Observe whether or not each team’s scales are balanced.

Ask: Which end is heavier?

What You Say:

It was hard to balance our scales in this game! For every dishonest choice, you needed to put in a LOT more things in the honest bag to try to even it all out. Life feels like that, doesn’t it?

Make It Personal: (Share a time when you had to build back trust after a lie. Maybe you had to earn your parents’ trust after a fender-bender you tried to hide, or you had to work to fix a friendship that you’d broken by gossip, or you got in trouble at school for cheating on a test and had to be watched carefully for the rest of the year. Losing trust is awful and it takes a long time to build it up again.) Bottom Line: When you’re not truthful, you lose trust. The more things you do that are dishon-est, the harder you have to work to show that you’re trustworthy again and have others trust you. It’s better to show integrity right from the start, even if it means you might get in trouble or you might not get that cool thing you wanted.

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

Has someone ever lost your trust by lying to you? What did that feel like? How did they gain your trust again?

Have you ever lost someone’s trust? Your parent’s? A teacher’s? What is that like? How did you, or could you, rebuild trust with them again? 

MIRROR, MIRRORMade to Move: an activity that increases the oxygen in the brain and taps into the energy in the body

What you need: No supplies needed

What you do:

Ask the kids to pair up.

The kid in each pair whose birthday is the closest to today will be Player A, and the other is Player B.

Call out an action for Player A to begin.

Player B must stand right across from them and mirror their actions. Neither kid is allowed to speak.

After pairs seem in sync, call out a different action. This time, Player B will begin, and Player A will be the mirror.

Some ideas: tossing pizza dough, getting into a snowsuit, playing basketball, washing a car, packing a suitcase, etc.

Play as many rounds as time allows.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

HONEST SCALESMade to Explore: an activity that extends learning through hands-on experimentation and discovery

What You Need: Honest Scales Diagram and Honest Scales Scenario Cards, plastic hangers, gift bags, rulers, beads or beans, and bowls

What You Do:

Divide your group into two teams.

If the teams are uneven, assign an older kid to be a Scale Keeper.

Line the teams up on one side of the room, and place a deck of shuffled Honest Scales Scenario Cards at their feet.

PRAYMade to Explore: an activity that extends learning through hands-on experimentation and discovery

What You Need: Quarters

What You Do:

Show kids how to spin a quarter on its edge on a smooth surface.

After kids have had a chance to practice for a while, ask them to lay their quarters flat.

What You Say:

“These quarters spin because they are perfectly balanced—no side is heavier than the other. The quarter is balanced by the even force of your fingers on the balanced coin along the even surface of the table. If one of these was out of balance—the table was bumpy, you spun one finger too fast, or the coin was damaged in some way—it would not spin. If you tell just one lie, or cheat on just one test, or act two-faced around just one friend, you can end up out of balance, and [Bottom Line] when you’re not truthful, you lose trust. Let’s pray that God will help us keep our lives balanced on integrity and following Him.

“Dear God, thank You for always being in balance. We can trust You, no matter what. Please help us show integrity and be trustworthy friends, family members, teammates, and students. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE October 18Elementary

On the inside of the mask, invite kids to write or draw things that are true to who they are on the inside…Loving, kind, forgiving, patient, grateful, encouraging, etc.

Especially for older kids, try to dig beyond the standard churchy answers and let this  be a place to name what God has given them to share with other people.

Ask older kids to help younger ones write the verse, Proverbs 10:9, along the inside edge of their masks before writing on their own.

When masks are finished, let kids attach a large craft stick with tape to the inside so kids can hold the masks up to their faces.

What You Say:

There are a lot of things about you on the outside that are true. It’s true that [name] has blue eyes and [name] is good at basketball. But the really important and true things on the inside are those things that come from God. God has given us the ability to have integrity and follow Him. He’s given us power to be loving, kind, and patient. When someone or something messes with your outside, think of what’s INSIDE your mask and [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true.

We don’t change the inside to match the outside. We change the outside to match the inside. Our verse says that a person who lives with integrity walks safely. Who they are on the inside affects what happens on the outside. So when you use your inside to [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true, you can use your outside to show others who God is.

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

How can you [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true in your friendships this week so that you can live with integrity? (resist gossip, give others the benefit of the doubt, let go of grudges, etc.)

What is one way that you can [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true with your family this week? (be thankful that you have people who care for you even if you don’t always agree or get along with them; you can choose to try to be friends with your siblings; you can appreciate what you have at home instead of always wanting something else) 

PRAYMade to Imagine: an activity that promotes empathy and facilitates concrete application throughrole-play and reenactment

What You Need: Masks from “Inside and Out”

What You Do:

Gather the group in a circle and make sure they have the masks they created in the previous activity.

Call out some characteristics: pretty, athletic, kind, popular, thoughtful, got an A on a test, green eyes, patient, etc.

As you call them out, kids should turn their masks to show whether you’re talking about some-thing that’s on the outside or on the inside.

Let older kids have a turn calling out the categories, if time allows.

After a few rounds, instruct kids to set down the masks for prayer.

DRAW WHAT YOU HEARMade to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving

What you need: Directed Drawing Instructions Activity Page, drawing paper, and coloring materials

What you do:

Hand out the paper and set the coloring materials in the middle so everyone can reach them.

Instruct kids to listen carefully as you read the Directed Drawing Instructions.

Ask them to draw according to what they hear.

Tell kids there are no right or wrong things to draw. They can draw anything that makes sense to them, in keeping with the directions.

When you have finished reading the directions and kids have finished drawing, compare every-one’s pictures.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

INSIDE AND OUTMade to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving

What You Need: Inside and Out Masks Activity Page, scissors, large craft sticks, tape, and markers, crayons, or colored pencils

What You Do:

Hand out a drama mask page to each kid and put the art supplies where they can be reached.�On the outside of the mask, ask kids to draw a self-portrait, i.e., what they look like on the outside.

They can also write things that are true to who they are: baseball player, popular in  the cafeteria, best double-dutch on the block, good artist, etc.

Elementary October 25BOTTOM LINE

Focus on what’s true.

BASIC TRUTHI need to make the

wise choice.

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE STORYAlways on My Mind

(Think on These Things) Philippians 4:8

LIFE APPIntegrity: Choosing to be truthful

in whatever you say and do

What You Say:

“Dear God, You have given us so much, and we are so grateful to You. Please help our lives on the outside match our lives on the inside so that we can show everyone how awesome You are. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE

MEMORY VERSE

OFFSTAGE:DROP THE ACT

Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will

get caught. Proverbs 10:9 (NIrV)

On the inside of the mask, invite kids to write or draw things that are true to who they are on the inside…Loving, kind, forgiving, patient, grateful, encouraging, etc.

Especially for older kids, try to dig beyond the standard churchy answers and let this  be a place to name what God has given them to share with other people.

Ask older kids to help younger ones write the verse, Proverbs 10:9, along the inside edge of their masks before writing on their own.

When masks are finished, let kids attach a large craft stick with tape to the inside so kids can hold the masks up to their faces.

What You Say:

There are a lot of things about you on the outside that are true. It’s true that [name] has blue eyes and [name] is good at basketball. But the really important and true things on the inside are those things that come from God. God has given us the ability to have integrity and follow Him. He’s given us power to be loving, kind, and patient. When someone or something messes with your outside, think of what’s INSIDE your mask and [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true.

We don’t change the inside to match the outside. We change the outside to match the inside. Our verse says that a person who lives with integrity walks safely. Who they are on the inside affects what happens on the outside. So when you use your inside to [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true, you can use your outside to show others who God is.

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

How can you [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true in your friendships this week so that you can live with integrity? (resist gossip, give others the benefit of the doubt, let go of grudges, etc.)

What is one way that you can [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true with your family this week? (be thankful that you have people who care for you even if you don’t always agree or get along with them; you can choose to try to be friends with your siblings; you can appreciate what you have at home instead of always wanting something else) 

PRAYMade to Imagine: an activity that promotes empathy and facilitates concrete application throughrole-play and reenactment

What You Need: Masks from “Inside and Out”

What You Do:

Gather the group in a circle and make sure they have the masks they created in the previous activity.

Call out some characteristics: pretty, athletic, kind, popular, thoughtful, got an A on a test, green eyes, patient, etc.

As you call them out, kids should turn their masks to show whether you’re talking about some-thing that’s on the outside or on the inside.

Let older kids have a turn calling out the categories, if time allows.

After a few rounds, instruct kids to set down the masks for prayer.

PARENT GUIDE October 25

DRAW WHAT YOU HEARMade to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving

What you need: Directed Drawing Instructions Activity Page, drawing paper, and coloring materials

What you do:

Hand out the paper and set the coloring materials in the middle so everyone can reach them.

Instruct kids to listen carefully as you read the Directed Drawing Instructions.

Ask them to draw according to what they hear.

Tell kids there are no right or wrong things to draw. They can draw anything that makes sense to them, in keeping with the directions.

When you have finished reading the directions and kids have finished drawing, compare every-one’s pictures.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

INSIDE AND OUTMade to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving

What You Need: Inside and Out Masks Activity Page, scissors, large craft sticks, tape, and markers, crayons, or colored pencils

What You Do:

Hand out a drama mask page to each kid and put the art supplies where they can be reached.�On the outside of the mask, ask kids to draw a self-portrait, i.e., what they look like on the outside.

They can also write things that are true to who they are: baseball player, popular in  the cafeteria, best double-dutch on the block, good artist, etc.

ElementaryWhat You Say:

“Dear God, You have given us so much, and we are so grateful to You. Please help our lives on the outside match our lives on the inside so that we can show everyone how awesome You are. Amen.”

On the inside of the mask, invite kids to write or draw things that are true to who they are on the inside…Loving, kind, forgiving, patient, grateful, encouraging, etc.

Especially for older kids, try to dig beyond the standard churchy answers and let this  be a place to name what God has given them to share with other people.

Ask older kids to help younger ones write the verse, Proverbs 10:9, along the inside edge of their masks before writing on their own.

When masks are finished, let kids attach a large craft stick with tape to the inside so kids can hold the masks up to their faces.

What You Say:

There are a lot of things about you on the outside that are true. It’s true that [name] has blue eyes and [name] is good at basketball. But the really important and true things on the inside are those things that come from God. God has given us the ability to have integrity and follow Him. He’s given us power to be loving, kind, and patient. When someone or something messes with your outside, think of what’s INSIDE your mask and [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true.

We don’t change the inside to match the outside. We change the outside to match the inside. Our verse says that a person who lives with integrity walks safely. Who they are on the inside affects what happens on the outside. So when you use your inside to [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true, you can use your outside to show others who God is.

Optional Discussion Questions for Older Kids

If you lead 4th, 5th, or 6th graders, consider asking these discussion questions:

How can you [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true in your friendships this week so that you can live with integrity? (resist gossip, give others the benefit of the doubt, let go of grudges, etc.)

What is one way that you can [Bottom Line] focus on what’s true with your family this week? (be thankful that you have people who care for you even if you don’t always agree or get along with them; you can choose to try to be friends with your siblings; you can appreciate what you have at home instead of always wanting something else) 

PRAYMade to Imagine: an activity that promotes empathy and facilitates concrete application throughrole-play and reenactment

What You Need: Masks from “Inside and Out”

What You Do:

Gather the group in a circle and make sure they have the masks they created in the previous activity.

Call out some characteristics: pretty, athletic, kind, popular, thoughtful, got an A on a test, green eyes, patient, etc.

As you call them out, kids should turn their masks to show whether you’re talking about some-thing that’s on the outside or on the inside.

Let older kids have a turn calling out the categories, if time allows.

After a few rounds, instruct kids to set down the masks for prayer.

DRAW WHAT YOU HEARMade to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving

What you need: Directed Drawing Instructions Activity Page, drawing paper, and coloring materials

What you do:

Hand out the paper and set the coloring materials in the middle so everyone can reach them.

Instruct kids to listen carefully as you read the Directed Drawing Instructions.

Ask them to draw according to what they hear.

Tell kids there are no right or wrong things to draw. They can draw anything that makes sense to them, in keeping with the directions.

When you have finished reading the directions and kids have finished drawing, compare every-one’s pictures.

Head to vimeo.com/hillcitykids where our digital video experiences are for our elementary schoolers. We have a lesson for K-3rd graders and one for our preteens. Once you are there, move your browser and click on showcases. Then click on the showcase for Hill City Kids - October. The password is hillcitykids

INSIDE AND OUTMade to Create: an activity that explores ideas through the process of drawing, building, designing, and problem-solving

What You Need: Inside and Out Masks Activity Page, scissors, large craft sticks, tape, and markers, crayons, or colored pencils

What You Do:

Hand out a drama mask page to each kid and put the art supplies where they can be reached.�On the outside of the mask, ask kids to draw a self-portrait, i.e., what they look like on the outside.

They can also write things that are true to who they are: baseball player, popular in  the cafeteria, best double-dutch on the block, good artist, etc.

What You Say:

“Dear God, You have given us so much, and we are so grateful to You. Please help our lives on the outside match our lives on the inside so that we can show everyone how awesome You are. Amen.”

PARENT GUIDE October 25Elementary

October • ElementaryPARENT GUIDE SUPPLIESWEEK 1: Blanket or other long piece of fabric(optional) name tags and markerspaper plates or brown grocery bags scissorssnack

WEEK 2:3 small objects paper, pens or pencils(optional) trash basket or metal bucket matches

WEEK 3:

Honest Scales Diagram Activity PageHonest Scales Scenario Cards Activity Page plastic hangers gift bagsrulersbeads or beansbowlsQuarter

WEEK 4: Directed Drawing Instructions Activity Page, drawing papercoloring materialsInside and Out Masks Activity Page, scissors, large craft sticks, tape

October • ElementaryPARENT GUIDE SUPPLIESWEEK 1: Blanket or other long piece of fabric(optional) name tags and markerspaper plates or brown grocery bags scissorssnack

WEEK 2:3 small objects paper, pens or pencils(optional) trash basket or metal bucket matches

WEEK 3:

Honest Scales Diagram Activity PageHonest Scales Scenario Cards Activity Page plastic hangers gift bagsrulersbeads or beansbowlsQuarter

WEEK 4: Directed Drawing Instructions Activity Page, drawing papercoloring materialsInside and Out Masks Activity Page, scissors, large craft sticks, tape

What to Do:Print one for each small group.

©2020 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.October 2020, Week 3, K-5 Small Group

“Honest Scales Diagram” Activity Page

What to Do:Print on cardstock and cut out. Provide two sets for each small group.

©2020 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.October 2020, Week 3, K-5 Small Group

“Honest Scales Scenario Cards” Activity Page

You tell your mom that you’ve done your homework on the computer, but you just played online the whole time. Add four beans to the DISHONEST bag.

You borrowed your sister’s sweater without asking, and when she was looking for it, you told her you saw it in the laundry basket. Add four beans to the DISHONEST bag.

You let your little brother take the blame for something you did. Add five beans to the DISHONEST bag.

You tell your dad that at your mom’s house you get to stay up until 9:00 on school nights, but your actual bedtime is 8:00. He believes you and talks to your mom about it. No one is very happy. Add four beans to the DISHONEST bag.

Your friend left the classroom during snack time, and you told the group that she still sleeps with a baby blanket. You’d promised not to tell anyone, but it was too silly to keep secret. Add five beans to the DISHONEST bag.

You asked your friend for help on the homework, but you just looked at what they did in their book and copied it. Add four beans to the DISHONEST bag.

You found the cookies in the pantry that you knew were for the special dessert your aunt was planning to make. You ate a few and spread them out in the package so it looked like they were all still there. Add five beans to the DISHONEST bag.

Oh, no! You were pet sitting and your friend’s goldfish seems really sick. You put extra food in the tank and don’t tell anyone. Add five beans to the DISHONEST bag.

What to Do:Print on cardstock and cut out. Provide two sets for each small group.

©2020 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.October 2020, Week 3, K-5 Small Group

“Honest Scales Scenario Cards” Activity Page

You found a fancy bracelet on the floor at Walmart and you brought it to the customer service desk instead of keeping it. Add two beans to the HONEST bag.

You wrote down all your homework for the week and showed it to your mom so she knows what you should be doing. Add one bean to the HONEST bag.

You were late coming home because you were hanging out with your friends. You tell your dad right away why you were late and that you’re sorry. Add one bean to the HONEST bag.

Your friend tells you that she’s really afraid of baby ducks for no real reason. They just freak her out. You promise not to tell anyone while you’re on your petting zoo field trip. You help keep her away from the duck pond but don’t embarrass her by telling the other kids why. Add one bean to the HONEST bag.

You asked your brother before you borrowed his bike, and he said you could use it all day while he’s at camp. Add one bean to the HONEST bag.

You and a friend accidentally broke something at his grandma’s house. You tell her right away and offer to help fix it or pay for the repair. She forgives you, and you help her fix it. Add two beans to the HONEST bag.

The cashier in the ice cream truck gave you an extra $5 bill with your change. You know it’s not the correct amount, so you stop him and give back the money. Add two beans to the HONEST bag.

You lost your lunch bag—the third one this year! You tell your mom right away, and she tells you that you’ll bring lunch in brown paper sacks for the rest of the year. Add one bean to the HONEST bag.

What to Do:Print one for each small group.

©2020 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.October 2020, Week 4, K-5 Small Group

“Directed Drawing Instructions” Activity Page

Draw a house on your paper using only one color.

Draw a cat near the house.

Draw something purple.

Add flowers near your house.

Draw the weather that is happening in your picture.

Draw something blue near your house.

Add a superhero to your drawing.

Make a frame around your whole picture.

What to Do:Print on white cardstock. Provide one for each kid.

©2020 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved.October 2020, Week 4, K-5 Small Group

“Inside and Out Masks” Activity Page