● As kids arrive, give each kid a different colored dot sticker. This will determine which team they’re on. Each small group needs a different color.

● Keep kids in small groups until their parents pick them up. You can use coloring pages, mazes and word searches as an extra time activity!

Part 1 (15 minutes)● Large Group (5-10 minutes after

service starts)Part 2 (10-15 minutes)

● Game Time Part 3 (10 minutes)

● Cool Down TimePart 4 (10-15 minutes)

● Large GroupPart 5 (10-15 minutes or until the end of service)

● Small Groups

Take a look at today’s verse:

Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He’ll never desert you. So don’t be afraid. Don’t lose hope.

This week’s big idea: Following God isn’t always comfortable, but he’ll help us do it.

The goal of today’s lesson: To help kids explore and understand that God might ask us to do uncomfortable things–but with his help–we can do it.

Following God isn’t always comfortable, but he’ll help us do it.Book of Jonah, Deuteronomy 31:8

STORY John the Baptist

SCHEDULE

Free Time Connect with kids as they arrive and have free play (10 minutes)

Large Group Introduce today’s big idea and story (15 minutes)

Game Time Reinforce the big idea through an active game (10 minutes)

Cool Down Time Transition and cool down from game time (10 minutes)

Large Group Wrap up today’s big idea and respond through worship (10 minutes)

Small Groups Personally connect with kids and apply the story to their lives (15 minutes)

BIG IDEA God has a special purpose for you.

NEXT STEPThink of one specific purpose God has for you.

NEED TO KNOWThink about sharing with kids what YOUR special purpose is–whether it’s something to do with your family, job, school, being a Kids’ Club leader, etc.

MAIN VERSE

Matthew 3:11a I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins. But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals!

DATE January 12-13, 2019

LARGE GROUP

Time: 15 minutes

Big Idea: God has a special purpose for you.

Supplies: None

Video: ● Movie Clip 1

(bit.ly/2yTniiH)● Movie Clip 2

(bit.ly/2R5a3CM) ● God’s Story / John

the Baptist (youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM&t=1s)

Notes:

SET UP EXPECTATIONS● Say: Welcome to Kids’ Club, we’re so glad to have you here!

We want this to be a safe and fun place for you. To do that, let’s all commit to doing a few things:

○ Show respect to each other○ Listen when someone else is speaking○ Have fun!

INTRODUCE THE BIG IDEA● Ask: Have you ever thought about what you want to be when

you grow up? Let’s hear what some of those things are. (Call on several kids to share.) Wow, those all sound awesome! When I was a kid, I wanted to be _______ (insert your own answer).

● Say: We all have dreams of what we want to do, and they’re all different, right? Why is that? (Let kids respond.) It’s because WE are all different! We all have unique abilities and strengths that God has given us. So here’s today’s BIG IDEA: God has a special purpose for you.

● Say: Let’s check out a movie clip of a kid who’s really passionate about inventing things. At first, he’s really excited! But as you’ll see, something happens to make him feel bad about it.

● Video: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs / Clip 1 (1 min)● Ask: So what made him feel badly? (Let kids respond.) Yep,

other kids started making fun of him. Even though he had a really unique talent, not everyone else thought so. Now let’s watch another clip, and see what happens next.

● Video: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs / Clip 2 (2 min)● Say: So at first, people made fun of him for his special abilities.

But what happened when his mom gave him the coat? (Let kids respond.) Yep, he was encouraged to keep inventing, because that’s what he was created to do!

JOHN THE BAPTIST● Say: Today we’re going to hear about a guy named John who

was in the same situation. A lot of people thought he was strange, but God had a special purpose for him. Let’s watch a video and find out what it is!

● Video: God’s Story / John the Baptist● Say: So what special job did John the Baptist do? (Let kids

respond.) Yep, he helped prepare people for Jesus! He was not the sort of guy you’d expect to get a really important job from God, though. He was pretty unlikely. But that never stops God from using us as part of his plan! God had a special purpose for John, and he has a special purpose for you too.

LARGE GROUP

https://bit.ly/2yTniiHhttps://bit.ly/2R5a3CMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM&t=1shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM&t=1shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM&t=1s

Game time

Time: 10 minutes

Big Idea: God has a special purpose for you.

Supplies: ● Markers (1 set)● Index card (1/kid)

Video: 10-Minute Countdown Timer

PREPARE● Start the 10-Minute Countdown Timer● Split into small groups.

INTRODUCE THE GAME● Say: John the Baptist had some VERY unique traits! Let’s play

a game to figure out some of the unique things about all of us.● Give each kid markers and an index card where they can

draw or write five clues about themselves. ○ Give kids suggestions as they write their clues (ex: facts

about your family, your favorite hobbies and interests, things you do for fun, your favorite color, favorite movie, funny or weird quirks, etc.)

● Kids should try to not let anyone else see their clues. When everyone has finished their card, the leader will read out the clues and let kids take turns guessing who it is!

○ If a kid guesses wrong, they have to get up and do one of the following actions (let kids choose between two):

■ 10 jumping jacks or 2 pushups■ Crabwalk to the nearest wall and back, or do a

cartwheel■ Give 5 high fives or dance for 5 seconds

PREPARE● Start the 10-Minute Countdown Timer.● Break into small groups.

RESPOND TO THE STORY● Let each kid pick a game card, read it to the group and answer

it (some will be serious, and some will be silly!).● Examples of game card questions:

○ What was John’s special purpose?○ Why was John an “unlikely” choice to help prepare

people for Jesus?○ What were some unique things about John? ○ What would it be like to be Jesus’ cousin?! (Encourage

kids to imagine how Jesus had brothers, sisters, cousins, etc, just like US!)

● Collect the cards for the next service.

COOL DOWN TIME

Time: 10 minutes

Big Idea: God has a special purpose for you.

Supplies: ● Game cards

(16/small group)

Video: 10-Minute Countdown

GAME TIME AND COOL DOWN

LARGE GROUP

Time: 10 minutes

Big Idea: God has a special purpose for you.

Supplies: None

Video: ● 10-Second

Countdown Timer● Trust in You

(youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs)

● Real Love (youtube.com/watch?v=WLaCf4roeQQ)

Notes:

TRANSITION STRETCH● Say: Everyone take a second and and do 5 jumping jacks, but

in SLOW motion, as slow as you possibly can!● Play the 10-Second Countdown Timer

GOD LOVES US AS WE ARE● Ask: John the Baptist may have been different, and even an

outcast...so why do you think God wanted to use him to do such important things? (Let kids respond.)

● Say: It’s because God loves us no matter who we are, what we do, or what our abilities are. Even if other people make fun of us, and even if we feel like we’re not important….we are important to God. And he wants us to be part of his story, just like John got to be.

● Say: Let’s check out a verse, and see what John told people!● Slide: Matthew 3:11a I baptize you with water, calling you

to turn away from your sins. But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals!

● Say: John was telling people that someone amazing was coming–someone who was powerful, and who would rescue them from all their wrong choices. Who was he talking about? (Let kids respond.) Yep, JESUS! And remember, Jesus was John’s cousin! Pretty cool, right?

RESPONSE TIME● Say: Let’s take a minute to be silent, and think of something

about yourself that is unique. Something that makes you, YOU. (Let kids be quiet for a few seconds.)

● Say: Now, I want you to imagine God, in this room, telling you that he LOVES that about you! And no matter what you can, or can’t do, he has a special purpose for you. (Let kids be quiet for a few seconds.)

● Say: Continue to imagine God telling you that as we check out a video that’s all about trusting in God. Try to listen to the words, and hear how the singer describes God!

● Music Video: Trust in You

WORSHIP AND PRAYER● Pray: God, thank you for sending a rescuer who knows what it’s

like to be human. Thank you for loving us so much, that you gave us your only son. We love you, amen.

● Say: Let’s do some active worship now! I want to see your biggest, craziest, wildest motions as we dance along to this worship song!

● Music Video (Optional): Real Love (Motions)

LARGE GROUP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaCf4roeQQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaCf4roeQQ

SMALL GROUPS

SMALL GROUPS

Time: 15 minutes (or until parent pick up)

Big Idea: God has a special purpose for you.

Next Step: Think of one specific purpose God has for you.

Supplies: ● Clothespin (1/kid)● Pipe cleaner (1/kid)● Markers (1 set)● Scissors (1 set)

EXTRA TIME?● Give kids maze and

word-search activity sheets to work on until their parents pick them up.

ICEBREAKER QUESTION● Break into small groups. Go around the group and let every

kid answer this question: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

RESPOND TO THE STORY● Why did other people think of John the Baptist? What do you

think God thought about him? What do you think God thinks about YOU?

● Have you ever felt “out of place,” or that other people didn’t understand you?

● Why do we listen to what others think and say?● Who’s voice should we REALLY be listening to?● Would you have been friends with John? How would you have

treated him?● Why was John called “John the Baptist”? What does it mean

when you get baptized?

MAKE IT PERSONAL● This week’s next step is: Think of one specific purpose God

has for you.○ Leader: Start by sharing what purpose you think God

has for you! ○ Then encourage kids to think of something that God

might want them to do, using the abilities he’s given them! How can they serve God, or serve people, through it? Let kids share with the group.

● Now, create a “locust” bug (like the ones John ate) to remind kids how John might have been a little strange, but that didn’t stop God from using him!

○ Give each kid markers, a clothespin and 1 pipe cleaner.

■ Let kids color their clothespin however they like, and cut their pipe cleaner into 3 pieces.

■ Show them how to bend the pieces and insert them in the clothespin so that the pipe cleaners look like legs, and an antenna!

■ Kids can also draw eyes on the front of the clothespin.

PRAY ● Ask kids if there’s anything they want you to pray for, and then

pray as a group.

Tell me about John the Baptist.What purpose does God have for you?

3rd-5thJanuary 12/13, 2019

Small GroupItem Usage Details Provided by

Colored dot stickers 1 per kidProvide enough colors for each group at a

service to use a separate color.Staples: Avery 5472 or Avery 5795 or Avery

5473

site

Maze sheet - John the Baptist Quantity determined by site.

8.5x11 paper, black&white, Page 7 site

Word search sheet - John the Baptist

Quantity determined by site.

8.5x11 paper, black&white, Page 8 site

Markers 1 set per group, reused site

Index card 1 per kid Staples, 3”x5” Index Cards KC National

Game card set 16 per small group, reused

8.5x11 cardstock (or paper if not reusing), cut into quarter sheets, black

& white, Pages 9-12site

Clothespin 1 per kid Target KC National

Green Pipe cleaner 1 per kid Oriental Trading, Green Chenille Stems KC National

Scissors 1 set per group, reused site

Large GroupItem Usage Details Provided by

Adventure Bible1 per large group,

reusedBiblesbythe Case.com site

https://www.staplesadvantage.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StplShowItem?cust_sku=297705&catalogId=4&item_id=52711&langId=-1&currentSKUNbr=297705&storeId=10101&itemType=1&addWE1ToCart=true&documentID=02a7ac5049053eae2fa3833f46a10a7628473ce3https://www.staplesadvantage.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StplShowItem?catalogId=4&item_id=52714&langId=-1&currentSKUNbr=298182&storeId=10101&itemType=1&addWE1ToCart=true&documentID=d8b508272eafb6e0f631533d478c55010e964535https://www.staplesadvantage.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StplShowItem?catalogId=4&item_id=47963&langId=-1&currentSKUNbr=067075&storeId=10101&itemType=1&addWE1ToCart=true&documentID=a756d025fc9175fd09d0abc483a0f86991aebfd8https://www.staplesadvantage.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StplShowItem?catalogId=4&item_id=47963&langId=-1&currentSKUNbr=067075&storeId=10101&itemType=1&addWE1ToCart=true&documentID=a756d025fc9175fd09d0abc483a0f86991aebfd8https://www.staples.com/Staples-3-x-5-Line-Ruled-White-Index-Cards-500-Pack-23634-40801/product_233601https://www.target.com/p/wood-clothespins-50-pk-natural-room-essentials-153/-/A-11088889?sid=2557S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Storage%2BOrganization%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Storage%2BOrganization&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9015704&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1247068&ds_rl=1246978&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Storage+Organization+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Storage+Organization&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9015704&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI17Xc98-f3gIViMDACh0jhwW8EAQYAiABEgL2VfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dshttps://www.orientaltrading.com/chenille-stems-green-a2-48_7096.fltr?keyword=green+pipe+cleaner&directSearch=truehttps://www.orientaltrading.com/chenille-stems-green-a2-48_7096.fltr?keyword=green+pipe+cleaner&directSearch=truehttp://www.biblesbythecase.com/9780310727484.html

What would it be like to be Jesus’ cousin?! (Encourage kids to

imagine how Jesus had brothers, sisters,

cousins, etc, just like US!)

What was John’s special purpose?

Why was John an “unlikely” choice to help

prepare people for Jesus?

What were some unique things about John?

Why might people have thought John was

strange?

Have people ever made fun of you? What was

that like?

What did John get to do for Jesus?

What does it mean to get baptized?

Would have wanted to be friends with John the Baptist? Why or why

not?

Act out your favorite part of today’s story about

John the Baptist.

John ate locusts (bugs)! What’s the grossest

thing you’ve ever eaten?What’s your favorite part

from today’s story?

What’s one purpose that you think God has for

you?

What’s one purpose that you think God has for

you?

What’s something special that you want to do in your lifetime? (It

could be anything!)

What’s something special that you want to do in your lifetime? (It

could be anything!)

1. KC Logo Slide: for when kids enter the room (All that You Need instrumental; mp3 only; can be downloaded on website)

2. Video: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs / Clip 1 (bit.ly/2yTniiH)3. Video: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs / Clip 2 (bit.ly/2R5a3CM) 4. Video: God’s Story / John the Baptist (youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM&t=1s) 5. Video: 10-Minute Timer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn31KFenBIo) 6. Video: 10-Minute Timer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn31KFenBIo) 7. Video: 011319_???8. Slide: Matthew 3:11a I baptize you with water, calling you to turn away from your sins.

But after me, someone is coming who is more powerful than I am. I’m not worthy to carry his sandals!

9. Music Video: Trust in You (youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs) 10. Music Video: Real Love (youtube.com/watch?v=WLaCf4roeQQ)

3rd-5th

https://bit.ly/2yTniiHhttps://bit.ly/2R5a3CMhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NMHOLPWeTM&t=1shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn31KFenBIohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn31KFenBIohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaCf4roeQQ