lesson 1: what’s bugging you? why am i here? · lesson 1: what’s bugging you? why am i here?...

“What’s Bugging You?”, Child_ Bug_lessons.doc 1

These lessons are part of the “What’s Bugging You” video-based curriculum by Craig Jutilla. The curriculum includes a Nickelodeon-style teaching video, a G-3 interactive video game, a Live-It video segment and a Total Recall PowerPoint game for each lesson. These extra elements are available at www.EmpoweringKids.net, 1-800-EMPOWER

Copyright 2003 Empowering Kids

Lesson 1: What’s Bugging You?

Why am I Here?

The Point: “Why am I here?” The students will learn that God made them for a purpose.

The Power: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared

in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

The Prayer: Our prayer is that each child will walk away from this lesson understanding why they were

created and for what purpose they were created. They will further understand their purpose as they work through the questions on why God put them on this earth. By looking at a few

obscure bugs and asking ourselves, “Why did God create them?” We will take a look inward to say, “If God made that little bug with purpose then he must have a HUGE purpose for me.” At

the conclusion of the lesson each child will be able to say, “I was created for a very special purpose in life.” This week each child will draw a picture to hang in their room showing why

they are special and will write down on the picture one of the many reasons why God created

them.

Prepare: (Before Service) Large Magnifying glass (at least 8” or larger)

Preview: (5 minutes)

Welcome from Emcee: Hey guys! How are you doing today? We are SO EXCITED you are here! It’s so great to see

you again! Who’s excited to be here? I can’t hear you – who’s excited to be here? All right,

much better!




Object Lesson: (Magnifying Glass) What do you do with a magnifying glass? (Kids give out ideas: look for

clues, look at small things up close, etc…). We look at things so we can see the details and

differences. Up close, we are going to see how God made everything with a purpose, even

creepy, crawly bugs.

Kid Connect Question: Would you rather….eat chocolate covered beetles or burned asparagus?

Play: (5 Minutes) Game: Elimination

Emcee asks kids to stand and then asks a series of “fun” questions: whoever is wearing hair

gel, if you were born in the month of January, if you are wearing red, if you have brown eyes,

etc. Also ask questions that show the different strengths God made: who can play a guitar, who

is a fast swimmer, who’s a math whiz, etc. If a child can answer yes, he sits down. The last

three or four kids still standing win points for their team.

Emcee Transition: No one is the same! We could play this game all day (night) and using different questions,

always get different winners. God loves variety—just look around you and see!

Praise: (15 Minutes) This is a time of corporate worship through singing and music.

Process (45 Minutes)

Teaching Segment: (10 Minutes)

What Should I See? God created everything! God had a plan for how He created everything. Nothing on earth was

made by accident.

Bug Byte: If you weighed all the bugs in the world, they would be heavier than all the other animals put together.

Bible Byte: God made the earth, space, stars, water, wind, even time, out of nothing—all He had to do was speak and it happened! After everything He made, God said that it was good. It was all exactly

how He planned it, day by day. Day One: God created light, and made day and night. Day

Two: God created sky and air. Day Three: God created land, sea, grass, plants and trees. Day




Four: God created the sun, moon and stars. Day Five: God created birds and fish. Day Six:

God created animals, insects, reptiles and people. Day Seven: God rested.

Genesis Chapter 1 (Source: Genesis 1)

What’s The Key? God did not make any accidents. Even weird little bugs were part of God’s plan (refer to “Bug

Facts” on page 5 for some cool stuff about bugs). And if God cares about all the little bugs, then He really cares about us. The Bible says that we are made in His image!

What’s That To Me? God made me a certain way with abilities and strengths. No one else is like me! God has a unique plan just for me! He already knows my future, what kind of job I’ll have, where I’ll live

and what I will be doing in the future.

How Should I Be? I can thank God for the talents and abilities He has given me and try to use them the best that I can. I can pray to God to help show me good things to do with my life.

Practice Point: God made bugs and God made me; we all have a purpose on this earth you see.

Memory Verse: For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared


Team Timeout: (5 Minutes) Pencils and outlines are passed out here. Students turn to the back of their outline and fill in the

“Live It” Section. The Emcee will ask each question and encourage students to fill out the

answers.

Reflect

♦ Question 1: What was here before God? (nothing)

♦ Question 2: What did God create the first day? (light, day & night)

♦ Question 3: What did God do on the seventh day? (rest)

Respond

♦ Question 1: How many people are just like me?

♦ Question 2: What are some things God made me good at?

♦ Question 3: How can I learn what God has planned for me?




Total Recall (10 Minutes) Go back over the lesson using review questions, and award each team points for correct

answers.

Memory Madness (10 Minutes) Each team participates in their group trying to recite the week’s verse with hand motions.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared


G3 (Get It? Got It! Good) (5 Minutes) Ask three questions of a participant (an adult leader – or a stranger you pull in from the hall, but not a child from the group), and award points to the team that predicts correctly if the

person will get the right or wrong answer to each question:

♦ Question 1: Which did God make first—the beach or mosquitoes? (beach)

♦ Question 2: What did God say after He made each thing? (it is good)

♦ Question 3: On what day did God rest? (seventh)

Practice: (5 Minutes) This segment is called “Live It”, and it is designed to help students apply the lesson.

Live It Have the students get in groups of 3-5 and answer the first three questions.

♦ Question 1: What do you do when you are jealous of someone else?

♦ Question 2: How do you find out what God’s purpose is for your life?

♦ Question 3: How does it feel when you know that something you do is part of God’s plan?

The last three questions are printed on the back of the outline for students to answer at home.

♦ Question 1: Read Psalm 139. What does it say God knows about me?

♦ Question 2: Ask one of your parents about something they’ve done that they knew

was part of God’s plan.

♦ Question 3: Make a list of things that you do well and thank God everyday.




Bug Facts:

Dragonfly

• One of the largest insects

• Do not attack humans

• Often out fly birds and other animals

• Can maneuver like a helicopter

• Knew about “fast food” before humans: hold their prey in the legs and munch while

flying

• Beneficial insects: predators of smaller insects such as mosquitoes and crop pests

• Adults may live a few weeks or a few months

Stink Bugs

• Have ability to release foul smelling substance from a pore on each side of their thorax

• Feed on other insects

• Good fliers

• Recognized by large triangular part on their back

Water Strider

• Live on the surface of ponds and streams

• Feed on live and dead insects

• Due to light weight, a strider never breaks the water’s surface

• They do not swim, they “skate” back and forth across the water’s surface

• Its legs never get wet

Pill Bugs (Roly Polies) • Have gills instead of trachea through which they breathe

• Related to snails and slugs

• Feed on decaying organic matter

• Can injure young plants

• Like moist locations and are found under objects on the damp ground

• Can bury themselves several inches into the soil

• Active mostly at night

Walking Sticks

• Resemble leaves, twigs or sticks

• Feed on plants

• Make great pets

• Have long antennae and are usually weightless

• Some grow up to 11 inches

• Females drop eggs on the ground and then neglect them; few young actually reach

adulthood




How Bugs are Helpful:

• They help spread plant pollen, kill pests, clear away waste and improve the soil.

Without them we would be swamped by pests and dirt, and many plants would be

unable to make seeds and would die out. Most fruit and vegetable plants, like apple, orange and onion plants, depend on bugs to spread their pollen. Without bugs, we

would lose about a third of our food.

• Bugs are an important food for many animals, including fish, frogs, bats, birds and bears. Some people eat bugs too. Over 500 bug species, including termites,

grasshoppers and caterpillars, are eaten by people in different parts of the world.

• Maggots eat rotting meat, but won’t eat living flesh. In experiments, they have been used to clean people’s wounds. They eat away any dead flesh in the wound, but don’t

damage healthy flesh. They also give off a natural antibiotic.

• Honey bees collect nectar from flowers to make honey. The bees also spread pollen

among the flowers to the plants make seeds.

• Silk moth caterpillars, or silkworms, use their silky spit to form cocoons. People farm silkworms and use their cocoons to make silk fabrics.

Other ideas for the lesson:

• Bugs can be thought of as pests. Sometimes we see other people as “pests” also. We need to realize that God made everyone different for a reason. We are all part of His

plan and are here on this earth for a reason.

• Life would be very boring if we were all the same. Imagine if we all looked the same and liked the same foods and colors and clothes. How would we be able to tell people

apart?

• Even identical twins have differences between them. No one is an exact copy of anyone

else.





Worship

The Point: You were planned for God’s pleasure. Students will learn about worshipping God.

The Power: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and

with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV

The Prayer: Our prayer is that each child will see God in a new way. They will see God as the focus of their

life. They will take active steps to show their love for God by living a life of worship and surrender to him. This week they will express their worship by writing a note of thanks to God

and sharing it with a friend or their parents.

Prepare: (Before Service) Baseball Card




much better!

Object Lesson: Hold up baseball card and say something like… “What is this? When I was your age I collected

these cards. I often worshipped the players who were on them. Baseball cards are cool but if I

put the person who is on this as the center of my life I could get into trouble. Today we are

going to talk about a king who put God as the center of his life.”




Kid Connect Question: Would you rather… be a butterfly or a stink bug?

Play: (5 Minutes) Game: Four Corners

Kids move to numbered corners of the room as music is playing. When the music stops, the

Emcee calls out a number. The kids standing in that corner are to sit down. The game keeps

repeating until there are only a few kids standing.

Emcee Transition: “Was it hard making the right choice, especially when you don’t know the

outcome? Well, God knows the outcome of your life. He wants you to choose to worship Him.”




What Should I See? God created us to love him!

Bug Byte: When a Praying Mantis is at rest, it holds up its front legs and looks like it is praying. It has an “attitude” of worship. (Refer to “Bug Facts” on page 4 for some cool stuff about the praying

mantis.)

Bible Byte: King Asa was a man who worshipped God. He went from town to town tearing down the false

idols that other people worshipped. King Asa even removed his own grandmother from being

Queen because she didn’t worship God. God rewarded King Asa for his love for Him. He

brought peace to the land that King Asa lived in. King Asa did what was good and right in the

eyes of God. He was faithful to God, and God continued to bless him. However, when King

Asa grew old, he turned from God and he was punished. He suffered and so did his land. It’s

important to worship God our entire life. (Source: 1 Kings 15:10-24, 2 Chronicles 14-16)

What’s The Key? God created us for His pleasure. When we worship God we show our love for Him. We worship God through our actions. Praying, singing and making right choices with our life are

all acts of worship!




What’s That To Me? The Bible says we MUST love the Lord with everything we’ve got and in everything we do.

How Should I Be? We should have an attitude of worship everyday, not just when we go to church. This shows our love for God.

Practice Point: I will worship God everyday by the way I play, pray and obey.

Memory Verse: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and



“Live It” Section. The Emcee will ask each question and encourage students to fill out the answer.

Reflect

♦ Question 1: God created us for His ___________. (pleasure)

♦ Question 2: What did God do for King Asa when he worshipped Him? (gave him peace, blessed him)

♦ Question 3: Why did King Asa remove his grandmother from Queen? (she didn’t worship God)

Respond

♦ Question 1: What does worship mean to you?

♦ Question 2: In what ways can you show God you love Him?

♦ Question 3: What can you thank God for today?

Total Recall (10 Minutes) Go back over the lesson using review questions, and award each team points for correct answers.





Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and


G3 (Get It? Got It! Good) (5 Minutes) Ask three questions of a participant (an adult leader – or a stranger you pull in from the hall,

but not a child from the group), and award points to the team that predicts correctly if the


♦ Question 1: Who did King Asa remove from power? (grandma)

♦ Question 2: Did King Asa serve God his entire life? (yes)

♦ Question 3: What is a Praying Mantis? (a bug)



♦ Question 1: What do you thank God for in your life?

♦ Question 2: What does worshipping God mean to you?

♦ Question 3: How can you show God you love Him?

The last three activities are printed on the back of the outline for students to take home and do.

♦ Activity 1: Recite the Bible verse from memory and say it to someone in your family. Who did you say it to?

♦ Activity 2: Write a thank you note to God and show it to someone in your family. What did you thank God for?

♦ Activity 3: Pray once a day this week.

Bug Facts:

Praying Mantis

• The only insects that can turn their heads from side to side.

• They eat other insects, small frogs, lizards, mice and hummingbirds.

• They help farmers get rid of bad bugs.

• They are camouflaged.

• There are 2,000 species of mantids.

• They have powerful jaws.





Fellowship

The Point: You were formed for God’s family. Students will learn about fellowship.

The Power: So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:5 NIV

The Prayer: Our prayer is that each child will see the importance of living with and doing life together with

others. They will understand the word fellowship and what it means to be in a small group to

have the encouragement from others and in return give encouragement to others. They will

have the opportunity to get involved in a small group of friends at the conclusion of this lesson. This week each child will try and meet one new Christian friend at church, school or in their

neighborhood.

Prepare: (Before Service) 1 model car and 4 pizza boxes




much better!

Object Lesson: What is this (show car) I am holding in my hand? That's right, it is a model car. On all cars

there are: four tires, engine, steering wheel, seats, gas pedal, brakes, and all of these parts are

important to make up an entire car. Now try to think of a car without one of these parts; it just

would not work. Just like the car has different parts, each one of us is like a different part of the

church. When we all get together we make up a car…er, um…the church.

Kid Connect Question: Would you rather… eat a worm pizza or mud soup?




Play: (5 Minutes) Game: Pizza Delivery Each team receives a pizza box. Have the first child on the left at the end of the row start with the pizza box. The child should pass the box to the next kid and try to go all the way down the

row to the end. Two rules to the game: 1. You cannot use hands.

2. You cannot let it touch the ground.

The first team that finishes successfully and passes the box to the Emcee—wins!

Emcee Transition: Just like the pizza box game, we all need each other to be the best that we can be. We often

have to depend on others and work together to achieve our goals and fulfill our purpose for

God. Fellowship is about helping and encouraging each other.




What Should I See? God created us to have fellowship with others.

Bug Byte: Did you know the buzzzzzzing noise from honey bees comes from their wings going at the

incredible speed of 11,000 wing flaps per minute! (Refer to “Bug Facts” on page 5 for some

more cool stuff about bees.)

Bible Byte: When Paul was traveling on a missionary journey in Greece, he came upon a couple named

Aquila and Priscilla in the city of Corinth. Quickly, Paul became a close friend with Aquila and

Priscilla because they were tentmakers just like Paul had been. Paul helped them by sharing the

Word of God with them. Priscilla and Aquila loved God and others very deeply by putting to good use the things that Paul had taught them. They even had a chance to travel with Paul and

spread God’s Word, but they felt most effective providing others a place to worship. In those days, people had churches in their homes. Aquila and Priscilla continued to use their home as a

place for people to come and learn about God. It is easy to imagine that anywhere Aquila and Priscilla lived would be a real place of fellowship. (Source: Acts Chapter 18)




What’s The Key? It is important to spend time with other Christians. Fellowship with others is crucial in our

relationship with God; when we are feeling down our Christian friends can help us up, and

when our friends are feeling down we can help them up!

What’s That To Me? Some of the best moments in life are spent with others. The more time we spend in fellowship

with others, the more we feel encouraged and accountable with those around us.

How Should I Be? We need to take the time to hang out with people who are a good influence in our lives. It is good for us to fellowship with others. Through fellowship we can be accountable to one

another, and when we are accountable to others we live the life that God wants us to live.

Practice Point: I will fellowship like a bee, spend time with others, then you will see, what God wants to do

through you and me!

Memory Verse: So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:5 NIV

Team Timeout: (5 Minutes) Pencils and outlines are passed out here. Students turn to the back of their outline and fill in the “Live It” Section. The Emcee walks the students through this time. The Emcee will ask each

question and encourage students to fill out the answers.

Reflect

♦ Question 1: Who are the two people Paul met in Corinth? (Aquila and Priscilla)

♦ Question 2: What did Aquila, Priscilla, and Paul all have in common? (they were tentmakers)

♦ Question 3: Who did Aquila and Priscilla have stay at their home? (Paul)

Respond

♦ Question 1: Have you ever helped a friend in need?

♦ Question 2: When is a time you have hung out with friends and talked about your

love for Jesus?

♦ Question 3: Who is someone that needs your friendship right now?


answers.





So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Romans 12:5 NIV




♦ Question 1: Where did Aquila and Priscilla live? (Corinth)

♦ Question 2: Fill in the Practice Point: I will fellowship like a bee, spend time with

others then you will see ____________________________. (what God wants to do

through you and me)

♦ Question 3: True or False: Paul, Aquila and Priscilla, all traveled together. (True)



♦ Question 1: What does fellowship mean to you?

♦ Question 2: What do you do to fellowship with others?

♦ Question 3: How do you feel when you fellowship with others?

The last three questions are printed on the back of the outline for students to take home and

answer.

♦ Question 1: Read the story we talked about today in Acts 18. How did Paul help

Priscilla and Aquila?

♦ Question 2: Ask one of your parents to give their definition of fellowship.

♦ Question 3: Write down the name of one person you will befriend this week.




Bug Facts:

Bee

• Bees are social insects that build their honeycombs in hives.

• Honeybees communicate with each other, relaying direction and distance of nectar and pollen sources.

• Bees make combs of waxen cells placed side by side that provide spaces to rear young and to store honey.

• Drones are male bees and have no stingers. Their sole purpose is to mate with the queen.

• Workers, which are the smallest bees in the colony, are undeveloped females.

• A colony can have up to 60,000 workers.

• A bee’s life can be up to 35 days!!!

• The average bee colony usually has one queen, a few hundred drones, and thousands of workers (10,000-18,000 members in one colony).

• Queens are fertilized females and the only egg-laying bees in a colony.

• Worker bees clean the hive, feed the developing honey bees, produce wax for the

building of honeycomb cells, stand guard, collect food, and receive nectar from other

bees.

• Only worker and queen bees have stingers.

• Workers are able to use their venomous sting only once before dying.

• A queen may use its stinger repeatedly to kill other queens.





Discipleship

The Point: You were created to become like Christ. The students will learn about discipleship.

The Power: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 NIV

The Prayer: Our prayer is that each child will understand the importance of growing deeper in their walk

and relationship with Christ through a regular spiritual diet of prayer, reading the Bible and

attending church. Each child will take a spiritual step to grow deeper in their spiritual walk this

week by doing three things:

1. Have a quiet time every other day for five minutes.

2. Pray every other day before they go to bed.

3. Attend church the following week.

Prepare: (Before Service) 2 dead-looking plants (dried out and droopy leaves, etc…)

4 buckets (one for each team) A set of the following 5 items for each team:

1. a giant pair of sunglasses 2. a clown wig

3. a tube sock 4. an arm “floaty” (used for swimming)

5. a Frisbee

Preview: (5 minutes) Welcome from Emcee: Hey guys! How are you doing today? We are SO EXCITED you are here! It’s so great to see


much better!

Object Lesson: Here’s the plant. (Hold up the dead plant.) It’s definitely fried! I didn’t know these things

required special attention to grow like water and sun. It’s kind of like the Christian life. There

are things we can do help us become like Christ. It’s called Discipleship.

Kid Connect Question: Would you rather… be in the jungle with bugs or in the sky with birds?




Play: (5 Minutes) Game: Assembly Line This game is a race to be the first team to pass all five items from the back of the room to the front.

If a child drops an item, it has to be passed to the back of the room before it can move forward

again.

Children stand up in front of their chairs. The Emcee encourages them to fill every empty chair.

An empty bucket is placed in the front of each team. A bucket with 5 select items is placed at

the back of each team. A leader pulls out one item at a time. As soon as it’s passed from the

first child to the next child, the leader can pull out the second item. Repeat the process until all

5 items are placed in the bucket at the front of the room. Items cannot be thrown to speed up

the game. Note: Be sure to explain the passing pattern so the kids do not skip a row by

mistake.

Emcee Transition: This game requires you to pay attention and take special care not to drop anything. In order to

win, you have to choose to follow the right pattern. It’s the same way with discipleship. You

make the choice to become like Christ by following certain guidelines for growth.




What Should I see? James was one of twelve disciples who followed Christ and risked his own life so others could

know about Jesus.

Bug Byte: Many butterflies taste things with their feet to see if they are good enough to eat or not. (Refer

to “Bug Facts” on page 5 for more cool stuff about butterflies.)

Bible Byte: Jesus personally asked twelve men to be his disciples. James was fishing with his brother John

when Jesus asked them to follow him. They immediately left their boat and followed Jesus to be His disciples. James was with him on a mountain when God said, “This is my Son, whom I

love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” James also witnessed Jesus do miracles like raise a girl from the dead. James believed Jesus was God’s Son and wanted to become like

Christ. He continued to believe even after Jesus died on the cross and was buried. James taught others about Christ even though it was dangerous. (Taken from Matt. 4:21, 17:5, Mark 3:17,

5:37, 14:33, and John 21:1- 2)




What’s The Key? Disciples aren’t only in the Bible. A disciple is anyone who believes in Jesus and decides to

become like Him. We can choose to be a disciple. We can choose to become like Christ by

reading the Bible and making wise choices like Jesus teaches us to do.

What’s That To Me? God has a purpose for our life. One of God’s purposes is to become like Christ by learning

about him and choosing to serve him with our life. That’s discipleship!

How Should I Be? What are some ways we can be transformed to become like Christ? Here are three things you can do:

1. Read the Bible for 5 minutes every day. 2. Pray before you go to bed.

3. Come to church every week.

Practice Point: Becoming like Christ is God’s design, so let’s read the Bible and pray all the time.

Memory Verse: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 NIV


“Live It” Section. The Emcee walks the students through this time. The Emcee will ask each

question and encourage students to fill out the answers.

Reflect

♦ Question 1: How many disciples did Jesus have? (12)

♦ Question 2: Who was fishing with James? (John)

♦ Question 3: List two places where James was with Jesus. (at the seashore, on a

mountain, when he raised a girl from the dead)

Respond

♦ Question 1: When was a time you shared your belief in Christ with a friend or family member?

♦ Question 2: Why does God want us to follow his Son, Jesus?

♦ Question 3: How do you serve Christ with your life?





answers.


Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 NIV


but not a child from the group), and award points to the team that predicts correctly if the person will get the right or wrong answer to each question:

♦ Question 1: Who was James, the brother of Jesus, in the Bible? (b. a disciple) a. a shepherd

b. a disciple c. a tax collector

♦ Question 2: Fill in the blank to this week’s practice point: Becoming like Christ is God’s design, so read the Bible and ______ all the time! (pray)

♦ Question 3: True or False: A disciple of Christ is someone who believes in Jesus and

wants to obey Him. (True)


Live It

Have the students get in groups of 3-5 kids and answer the first three questions.

♦ Question 1: How do you make time to read the Bible, pray, and come to church?

♦ Question 2: What do you do when you don’t understand the Bible?

♦ Question 3: How do feel when you talk about Christ with your friends?


answer.

♦ Question 1: Read about James in Mark 3:17, 5:37, and 14:33. Why do you think James

decided to follow Jesus?

♦ Question 2: Ask one of your parents to give their definition of discipleship.

♦ Question 3: Write down the days you will pray and read the Bible this week.




Bug Facts:

Butterflies

• Caterpillars shed their outer skin to reveal a pupa, which hardens to form a chrysalis. This protects and hides the transformation that occurs within.

• The hard shell, or cocoon, protects the butterfly from being eaten by a predator.

• Butterflies are the most popular insect because of their beauty.

• Butterflies are found all over the world and on every continent, except for Antarctica.

• They can fly up to 12 miles per hour.

• Butterflies can be as small as 1/8 of an inch or as large as 12 inches.

• The most well-known butterfly is the Monarch. They migrate from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about 2,000 miles, and return to the north again in the

spring.

• Butterflies are multi-colored, patterned, and have wings in various shapes, colors, and textures.

• Butterflies feed on minerals from riverbanks and mud pools, grasses, and flower nectar.

• They see only 3 colors: red, green, and yellow.

• They can’t fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Many butterflies taste with their feet to see if a leaf is good or not.




Lesson 5: What’s Bugging

You?

Service

The Point: You were shaped for serving God. The students will

learn that they were created to serve other in ministry.

The Power: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to

serve others. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

The Prayer: Our prayer is that each child will understand that they were created to help and serve others.

They will further understand that as we help and serve others we really are serving God. This week each child will perform at least one act of service for someone in their home by looking

for a need around the house, like taking out the trash, keeping their room clean or vacuuming, and meeting that need without being told to do so.

Prepare: (Before Service) Tennis Racket

Tennis balls (4) Styrofoam cup for each child



much better!

Object Lesson: (Holds up Tennis Racket) We all know what this is…it is a tennis racket. When I play tennis

the first thing I do to start the game is SERVE! The game begins with the “Serve”, but this is

only the beginning of the game. There are many things we do in the game, although we need to

start with the “Serve”. (Swing the Racket) Today’s story is about a young girl named Miriam.

She served God by performing an important task that was small in time but great in value. This

“Service” (hold up tennis racket) was Miriam being responsible for her baby brother’s safety,

and this “Service” allowed the beginning of this baby’s life to be secure. When you serve

someone, whether it is big or small, at the end of the day, it makes God happy.




Kid Connect Question: Would you rather…play a game of ping pong or tennis?

Play: (5 Minutes) Game: May I Serve You? Divide the kids into 2 groups. Have them create a line. The first person has a tennis ball in a

cup (ball should be sticking out of cup) they turn to the person next to them and say, “May I

serve you?” This person is also holding a cup. The first person has to put the ball into the next

person’s cup quickly, but without dropping it. They cannot use their hands to transfer the ball,

only the cups; they can turn the 2nd

cup onto the first or pour the ball from cup to cup. Then the

person with the empty cup gives it to the next person. Whichever line gets the tennis ball to the

end first, wins!

Emcee Transition:

When we serve, we use the gifts God has given us to share good with others.




What Should I See? Miriam served God by doing a small job with great value. She had a big responsibility to keep

a watchful eye on her infant brother. This infant was Moses and would grow up to be one of

God’s most important leaders.

Bug Byte: Did you know that an ant can lift 20 times its own body weight? (Refer to “Bug Facts” on page

4 for more cool stuff about ants.)

Bible Byte: Miriam was a young Hebrew girl who served God by doing an important job. Miriam’s task

was to make sure baby Moses floated down the Nile River in his basket safely. During this time, the Egyptian rulers didn’t want any newborn sons of Jewish families to survive. Sending

baby Moses down the river was the only way to keep him out of harms way. Even though Miriam was small and young, her service of protecting her brother was very important. An

Egyptian princess found baby Moses at the end of the river and wanted him for her own. Miriam continued to serve by making sure the princess had a nurse to help her with the baby.

This nurse was Moses’ real mother. Miriam’s purpose was simple and straightforward: to serve by being responsible for her brother’s safety. Even serving on a small scale can lead to great

outcomes! (Source: Exodus 2)




What’s The Key? When we serve others, even in the simplest ways, we bring joy to God. Just like ants are made

to work and serve, so we too are made to work and serve others.

What’s That to Me? When we serve others we are meeting our purpose in life. When we put God first and serve

him, it doesn’t matter if the job is big or small—we just need to do our part.

How Should I Be? We should look for ways to serve and help others. God has given you a gift to help you serve

others. Maybe you could get involved at church, greeting other people or cleaning up after

others.

Practice Point: An ant will serve with all his might and I will serve because it’s right!

Memory Verse: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

Team Timeout: (5 Minutes) Pencils and outlines are passed out here. Students turn to the back of their outline and fill in the “Live It” Section. The Emcee will ask each question and encourage students to fill out the

answers.

Reflect

♦ Question 1: What was Miriam watching in the river? (her brother Moses)

♦ Question 2: Why was it important for Miriam to complete her job? (because she

needed Moses to be safe)

♦ Question 3: Do you think Miriam’s job of service was big or small? (big)

Respond

♦ Question 1: How can you “serve” in your own home?

♦ Question 2: How do you think you might feel after “serving”?

♦ Question 3: Where can you volunteer your time to serve God?


answers.


Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV






person will get the right or wrong answer to each question.

♦ Question 1: Did Baby Moses float down the river in a basket or a rowboat? (basket)

♦ Question 2: Was Baby Moses a relative or a friend to Miriam? (relative)

♦ Question 3: Do ants walk forward or backward? (forward)


Live It Have the students get in groups of 3-5 kids and answer the first three questions.

♦ Question 1: Everyone has been given a special gift to “serve”. How can you use your

gift to serve others?

♦ Question 2: When you “serve” you are helping others. Whom can you serve this week?

♦ Question 3: Do you think it’s important to serve in a ministry at church? Why?


answer.

♦ Question 1: Read the story of Baby Moses in Exodus 2:1-10. Can you see the

importance of Miriam’s service?

♦ Question 2: Share the story with your parents. Ask what you can do to help within your

family.

♦ Question 3: Write down the name of a person who will benefit from your service this

week.

Bug Facts:

Ants

• An ant’s main purpose is to work. They work to keep their colonies stored with food.

They stay in lines, looking for the shortest path to where they need to go.

• An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight.

• An ant has 2 stomachs, one to store their own food and one to share…gross!

• An ant can run very quickly…if a man could run as fast for his size as an ant can, he could run as fast as a race horse.

• Ants are very territorial. They will protect their homes and their Queen.

• There is one Queen Ant to every colony.

• There are ten million ants living in the world today.

• Each colony of ants has their own scent so they can tell each other apart.





Evangelism

The Point: You were made for a mission. Students will learn about evangelism.

The Power: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Colossians

4:5 NIV

The Prayer: Our prayer is that each child will realize their importance in telling others about Jesus and who

He is and what He has done in their life. This week each child will recall a name of a person who they know that does not go to church. They will pray for that person, and then they will

ask that person if they would like to come to church the following week.

Prepare: (2 hours) 1 Flashlight 4 pads of paper and four pens



much better!

Object Lesson: (Lights are dimmed and the Emcee turns on a flashlight.)

You know without this flashlight to lead me I wouldn’t know where I was going. I can’t see too

far ahead but I can see clearly at least a few feet in front of me. In life it is the same; I need

God’s light to give me direction one day at a time. Just like this flashlight brightens the path

ahead, if we follow God’s light he can reflect through us to others.

Kid Connect Question: If you were lost in the mountains would you rather… have a flashlight or a lantern?




Play: (5 Minutes) Game: In the Dark Each team has a pad of paper and a pen. The lights will be dimmed. The first kid writes his/her

name on the line and passes the pad to the next kid. Everyone has to write their names on each

line in consecutive order—all while it is dark. The first team to fill the lines with everyone’s

name wins.

Emcee Transition: You can see now that without light it is hard to focus on the task at hand. We need to let God’s

light shine through our lives to help others see God more clearly.




What Should I see? When God directs your life and shines through you, you can light the path for others.

Bug Byte: Did you know that fireflies are the only bugs that send a direct message signal to each other (as

well as other bugs) when they light up. The light signal is considered to be attractive and draws

the other bugs closer. (Refer to “Bug Facts” on page 4 for more cool stuff about fireflies.)

Bible Byte: Paul knew that his message of God’s love needed to spread throughout the land. He had been

held as a prisoner for two years. Paul wanted others to know about the change Jesus had made

in his life. One day Paul was standing before King Agrippa. The King listened to Paul as he

told him how God sent His only son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins. Paul explained how he

could not be silent about his new life and wanted everyone to know Jesus. King Agrippa was

very interested in what Paul had to say. Paul’s desire to please God was obvious, and his words

were a light from God. Paul was not worried about what other people thought of him. It only mattered that Paul was pleasing God. In fact, you could say Paul let his fire for Jesus fly to all

people throughout the land. He sent a “God signal” to everyone he met. (Source: Acts 25-26)

What’s The Key? Paul’s fire for Jesus burned brightly so others could see his new life. Our words and our actions

are a light to others. When we are kind to others we let our light shine. Make sure your light is

burning brightly today.




What’s That To Me? Stop and think—if your actions and your words are pleasing to God then they will attract other

people to you and to Him. Your fire for God can fly into the hearts of others.

How Should I Be? This week think of someone whom you care for but does not know God. Begin to light their

path with God’s love. Pray for them, be kind in your actions, and then invite them to church.

Practice Point: Don’t be quiet and don’t be shy, shine God’s love, and let your fire…fly!

Memory Verse: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Colossians

4:5 NIV


“Live It” Section. The Emcee walks the students through this time. The Emcee will ask each question and encourage students to fill out the answers.

Reflect

♦ Question 1: To whom did Paul want to spread God’s light? (Everyone throughout

the land.)

♦ Question 2: Who was Paul allowed to speak to? (King Agrippa)

♦ Question 3: What did Paul make clear to King Agrippa? (That God has a plan for everyone)

Respond

♦ Question 1: Can I show God’s fire light in my life to others?

♦ Question 2: How can I show the light?

♦ Question 3: Does God need me to show His light? Why?


answers.


Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; making the most of every opportunity. Colossians

4:5 NIV







♦ Question 1: In the Bible, the apostle Paul spoke to a King. What was the name of the

king? (King Agrippa)

♦ Question 2: Why do fireflies light up? (to attract each other)

♦ Question 3: When we share the love of Jesus what kind of bugs are we like? (fireflies)


Live It Have the students get in groups of 3-5 kids and answer the first three questions.

♦ Question 1: Have you ever used your firelight for Jesus? (explain when)

♦ Question 2: Were you scared when you shared you fire for Jesus with the person? (explain why)

♦ Question 3: What happened when you were finished telling the person about Jesus? (what was the positive outcome?)


answer.

♦ Question 1: Read the story in Acts 25 of Paul’s testimony when Jesus became a part of his life.

♦ Question 2: List someone that does not know Jesus. Did you pray for them?

♦ Question 3: Invite that person to Church this next week. Did he or she say yes?

Bug Facts:

Fireflies

• Male and female fireflies recognize and find each other by light signals.

• Each species has its own pattern of flashes.

• Predatory females will signal males from other species and lure them in for the kill.

• During the day, fireflies look like ordinary beetles.

lesson 1: what’s bugging you? why am i here? · lesson 1: what’s bugging you? why am i here?...

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