6th Quarter
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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WEEK 1 ... Following God (Fruit of the Spirit) WEEK 7 ... Faith (Faithfulness)
WEEK 2 ... Love WEEK 8 ... Meekness
WEEK 3 ... Joy of the Lord WEEK 9 ... Self-control
WEEK 4 ... Peace WEEK 10 ... Following God
WEEK 5 ... Patience WEEK 11 ... Doing What is Right
WEEK 6 ... Kindness WEEK 12 ... Answering God's Call
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Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If you are like me, you are probably tired of forking out a lot of money for curriculum that is just not worth it !!!  I know that many of you have good ideas and quality programs, but you need some new and fresh ideas to use every once in a while. God has put on my heart to write down some of the best ideas we have had in the past 15 years, to pass them on to others. Jesus said, "Freely ye have received, freely give", and being the God didn't charge us for the ideas He gave, we aren't going to charge, but give to others what He has given to us.

We also suggest, and ask that you come up with your own names in the place of the names you will find on the following pages. This will allow for your Children's Church to be unique, and fitted to your own personalities and characters. If every church had a puppet with the same name, yet they all looked and sounded different, this would seem strange to a child who might visit your church on one particular Sunday.

If you have enjoyed this curriculum, please feel free to duplicate it and give it to others. This ministry's purpose is to get kids to Jesus, and to get the words of Jesus to the kids. Also, if you have any ideas you would like to share, please send them in, and we gladly will pass them on.

Peter says in II Peter 1:12-15 that he continually put the people in remembrance of God's truths even though they already knew them and were established in those truths, so that when he would go on to be with the Lord, the people would have those truths firmly and deeply rooted in their minds. In the same way, we in the Children's Ministry need to continually put our kids in remembrance of Jesus and His truths, even though they think they know it all and are established in those truths, so that when they leave our Sunday School, they will always have these truths firmly and deeply rooted in them, and be able to stand strong in the faith of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you have found this curriculum helpful, or if you haven't, please email us and let us know what you think. Your opinion is not only desired, but needed. clunky@fishersofkids.com

Now, God bless you as you minister unto God's children.

                    Love,
                    Dan Harris

1.  FOLLOWING GOD (Fruit of the Spirit)
 
Service Out-line
1. SINGING 
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
3. WORSHIP 
4. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 1 
5. BIBLE STORY 
6. NERD SKIT 
7. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 2
8. MEMORY VERSE
9. SERMON 
10. ALTER CALL 
11. GAME (Review) 
 

Clunky Puppet Skit : 75

Clunky comes up with a new friend named Bart.  Clunky dresses like him and talks like him.  The teacher asks Clunky to introduce his new friend.  Bart interrupts and tells Clunky, "I thought you said this place was cool and fun.  This isn't cool or fun.  Come on, lets blow this popsicle stand."  Bart leaves, but the teacher stops Clunky for just a minute to talk to him.  She asks where he met this new friend, and tells him to be very cautious about hanging out with kids like Bart.  Clunky tells her, "Bart is the coolest kid in the whole school, and if I hope to be 1/2 as cool, I need to hang out with kids just like him."  While the teacher tries to talk to him, Bart comes back up and asks, "Are you coming?"  Clunky asks where, and Bart says to the store to get some candy.  He then asks Clunky if he has any money.  Clunky says no, so he tells Clunky to ask the teacher.  Clunky asks the teacher, and she tells him to ask her after church.  The teacher's purse is sitting by the stage, so Bart whispers loudly in Clunky's ear and tells him to take it and run.  Clunky tries to talk him out of it, but Bart tells him that if he wants to be cool, he needs to do what he says.  Clunky and Bart take the purse and then run out.

Later in the service, a Police officer comes in looking for the teacher.  (If you have someone in the church that is a police officer, that works best.  Otherwise you can have someone play a plain clothed police officer with a badge.)  He tells her that he was driving down the street and noticed two boys running down the sidewalk carrying this purse.  He tells her, "I pulled over and told the boys to stop.  One of the boys kept running, but one of them did what I said."  He calls for the puppet to come up and asks the teacher if she knows who this boy is.  It is Clunky.  The teacher tells the police officer that she knows who the boy is.  The police officer asks if she wants him to take Clunky down to the police station and book him.  The teacher looks at Clunky and says, "No thank you, I will take care of it."  The police officer then tells Clunky, "The boy you were hanging around with is a not a very good kid.  He causes problems, gets into trouble a lot, and has been down to the police station a number of times in just the last couple of months.  You need to quit hanging around kids like that, and start hanging around with kids like the kids here at church."  The police officer leaves.  Clunky tells the teacher that he is sorry and that he has learned his lesson, "From now on, I am only going to hang around good kids."  The teacher tells Clunky that she will talk to him afterwards about his punishment.  Clunky tells her, "I have already spent time in the slammer, what other punishment do I deserve?"  The teacher responds, "Slammer?  He didn't take you to jail."  Clunky says, "No, but he put me in the police car while everyone was watching, and it made me feel bad."  The teacher tells Clunky that they will talk about it after church.  Clunky apologizes again and leaves to go find Simon RePeter.

Memory Verse : Simon RePeter

Matt 16:24
 

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."
Simon RePeter :

Simon RePeter is a hairy puppet who comes to Children's Church to teach the kids the memory verse. He comes up, tells the children his name and that they are to repeat after him. He then begins to say parts of the memory verse, giving the children time to repeat it. This has a lot of opportunity for fun and silliness with the kids repeating everything Simon says. In the end though, the children have repeated the memory verse several times, and consequently have learned it.

Bible Story : 1 Kings 19:19-21 & 2 Kings 2:1-14

Story of Elijah and Elisha.  When Elisha began to follow Elijah, he went so far as to even sacrifice his oxen (his possessions) and follow Elijah completely.  And when it was time for Elijah to be taken to heaven, three times he asked Elisha to stay behind, but all three times Elisha answered, "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee."  2 Kings 2:2
And the reward for following Elijah?  A double portion of his spirit.

Nerd Skit : 42

(You will need a narrator and two nerds.)

The narrator comes out and tells the kids that they are going to watch four skits on following God.  He then introduces skit number one.

Skit 1:

Nerd A comes out and tells the kids that he is going to be teaching Nerd B how to be cool like him, "Nerd B idolizes my suave and sophisticated coolness, and wants to grow up to be like me."  He combs his hair and says, "Can you blame him?"  He then begins waiting for Nerd B.  Nerd A tells the kids that he was supposed to meet Nerd B here five minutes ago.  He waits some more, but then finally leaves saying, "In order to be cool like me, the first thing he needs to do is buy a watch, and show up on time."

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit on following God, and why it was not.  (It wasn't because no one even showed up to follow him.)  He then introduces skit number two.

Skit 2:

Nerd A comes out and tells the kids that he is going to be teaching Nerd B how to be cool like him, "Nerd B idolizes my suave and sophisticated coolness, and wants to grow up to be like me.  Can you blame him?"   Nerd B shows up and Nerd A tells Nerd B that in order to teach him, Nerd B will have to follow and do everything he does.  Nerd A asks Nerd B if he is ready, and Nerd B says, "Yes, please show me, oh great master of suaveness, how I can be like you."  Nerd A then says, "The first thing we need to do is to get you dressed correctly."  Nerd A then pulls Nerd B's pants way up high, and puts a jacket, hat, and glasses with tape similar to the jacket, hat and glasses Nerd A is wearing.  (Nerd B now looks like Nerd A.)  Nerd A says, "Excellent.  You are looking suave and cool, now we need to work on how you walk and talk.  Now remember, you must do exactly as I do."  Nerd A then begins to talk loudly (Nerd A has a high pitched, nasally voice), but Nerd B talks softly.  Nerd A then talks softly, but Nerd B talks loudly.  Nerd A says, "No no no no."  Nerd B says, "Yes yes yes yes."  Everything Nerd A says and does, Nerd B does the opposite.  Nerd A then starts to walk out saying, "If you want to be cool and suave like me, then you need to follow me and do exactly what I do.  Come on, lets go."  Nerd B shrugs his shoulders, and walks out the opposite direction.  Nerd A walks back out on stage and says, "Are you coming?"  Nerd B says yes.  Nerd A leaves and Nerd B leaves the opposite direction.  We here Nerd A sighing out loud as he leaves.  We also hear Nerd B sigh out loud as he leaves, and Nerd A yells, "Oh sure, now you do what I do."

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit on following God, and why it was not.  (It wasn't because he did just the opposite.)  He then introduces skit number three.

Skit 3:

Nerd A comes out and tells the kids that he is going to be teaching Nerd B how to be cool like him, "Nerd B idolizes my suave and sophisticated coolness, and wants to grow up to be like me.  Every one does."   Nerd B shows up and Nerd A tells Nerd B that in order to teach him, Nerd B will have to follow and do everything he does.  Nerd A asks Nerd B if he is ready, and Nerd B says, "Yes, please show me, oh great master of nerditum, how I can be like you."  Nerd A says, "I'm not a nerd."  Nerd B then corrects himself and says, "I meant to say, master of coolness."  Nerd A then says, "Excellent.  The first thing we need to do is to get you dressed correctly."  Nerd A then pulls Nerd B's pants way up high, and puts a jacket and hat similar to the jacket and hat Nerd A is wearing.  (Nerd B now looks like Nerd A.)  Nerd A says, "Excellent.  You are looking suave and cool, now we need to work on how you walk and talk.  Now remember, you must do exactly as I do."  Nerd A then starts to yell.  Nerd B yells the same thing but 1/2 heartedly.  Nerd A then jumps up and down.  Nerd B jumps up and down too, but only 1/2 heartedly.  Nerd A acts very excited.  Nerd B acts excited, but only 1/2 heartedly.  Nerd A then starts to walk out saying, "If you want to be cool and suave like me, then you need to follow me and do exactly what I do.  Come on, lets go.  I see I have a lot of work to do on you."  Nerd A then leaves.  Nerd B leaves also, but very slowly and way behind.

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit on following God, and why it was not.  (It wasn't because he only followed him 1/2 heartedly.)  He then introduces skit number four.

Skit 4:

Nerd A comes out and tells the kids that he is going to be teaching Nerd B how to be cool like him, "Nerd B idolizes my suave and sophisticated coolness, and wants to grow up to be like me."  He pulls out a mirror to look at himself and says, "I can understand why." Nerd B shows up and Nerd A tells Nerd B that in order to teach him, Nerd B will have to follow and do everything he does.  Nerd A asks Nerd B if he is ready, and Nerd B says, "Yes.  Please show me, oh great master of suave cool intelligence and smoothness, how I can be like you."  Nerd A blushes then says, "The first thing we need to do is to get you dressed correctly."  Nerd A then pulls Nerd B's pants way up high, and puts a jacket and hat similar to the jacket and hat Nerd A is wearing.  (Nerd B now looks like Nerd A.)  Nerd A says, "Excellent.  You are looking suave and cool, now we need to work on how you walk and talk.  Now remember, you must do exactly as I do."  Nerd A yells out loud (Nerd A has a high pitched nasally voice).  Nerd B yells the same thing with the same loud high pitched nasally voice.  Nerd A laughs with a snort.  Nerd B laughs with a snort.  Nerd A then jumps up and down like a nerd.  Nerd B stands right next to Nerd A and jumps up and down just like Nerd A.
Nerd A says, "Good."
Nerd B says, "Good."
Nerd A says, "OK, stop."
Nerd B says, "OK, stop."
Nerd A says, "Serious, stop."
Nerd B says, "Serious, stop."
Nerd A says, "Excellent!!!"
Nerd A then tells Nerd B to follow him.  Nerd B walks right behind Nerd A.  Nerd A turns to look for Nerd B, but can't see him cause Nerd B turns with him.  Nerd A looks left and right, but so does Nerd B.  He then turns his head around and says you don't have to follow that closely.  Nerd B then turns his head around and says, "you don't have to follow that closely."  Nerd A says, "Excellent."  Nerd B says, "Excellent".  Both nerds leave.

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit on following God, and why it was.  (It was because he followed him and did every thing he did.)

Sermon : Review the Bible story, skits, and memory verse.
 
Question :  What was the name of Clunky's new friend?
Answer : Bart.
Question : Why did Clunky want to hang around him?
Answer : Because he said he was cool, and Clunky wanted to be cool like him.
Question : What did Bart convince Clunky to do?
Answer : Steal the teacher's purse.
Question : What happened to Clunky?
Answer : He was caught by the police.
Question : What was the police officer's advice to Clunky?
Answer : Hang out with a better crowd of friends.
Question : What did Elisha do when Elijah called him?
Answer : Sacrificed his oxen.
Question : What did Elisha ask Elijah to do three times before God took him to heaven in a chariot of fire?
Answer : Stay behind.
Question : What did Elisha say?
Answer :  2 Kings 2:2  "As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. "
Question :  Was the first skit a skit on following God?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because no one even showed up.
Question :  Was the second skit a skit on following God?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he did the exact opposite.
Question :  Was the third skit a skit on following God?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he only followed him 1/2 heartedly.
Question :  Was the fourth skit a skit on following God?
Answer :  Yes.
Why? :  Because he followed him and did exactly as he did.

Sermon Points:
 
1. The word Christian means follower of Christ or Christ-like.  If we say we are Christians, then we need to be followers of Christ, or Christ-like.
2. The old saying goes, "Just because you live in a garage, it doesn't make you a car.  The same can be said about going to church.  Just because you go to church, it doesn't make you a Christian.  A Christian follows Christ.
3. Some people are like the man in skit one.  They say they are a Christian, but they never even show up.
4. Some people are like the man in skit two.  They say they are a Christian, but they do the exact opposite of what Jesus asks them to do.
5. Some people are like the man in skit three.  They say they are a Christian, but they live it only 1/2 heartedly.
6. What kind of friends and influences are you hanging around?
7. What kind of Christian do you want to be?
8. For the next couple of weeks, we are going to be learning about the fruits of the Spirit, the fruit of the life :
Gal 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

2. LOVE (sacrifice)
 
Service Out-line
1. SINGING
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
3. WORSHIP 
4. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT
5. BIBLE STORY 
6. NERD SKIT 
7. MEMORY VERSE
8. SERMON
9. ALTER CALL
10. GAME (Review) 
 
I know I have said it before, but tell your kids you love them.  If they learn nothing else from your children’s church the most important thing they can learn is that you love them. You represent God, which means if you love them, God must love them too.

Clunky Puppet Skit : 79

Clunky and Simon RePeter come up with a brown package with one of the teacher's names on it.  (The Package is from the "ACME Spy Company.")  They call for the teacher and tell her that they have a package that came in the mail for her.  Clunky tells her that he noticed that the package came from the "ACME Spy Company" and that he has been praying and saving up for a toy made by the "ACME Spy Company" for two years.  The teacher said that she put her name in a raffle contest about a month ago for this really cool spy toy that sends secret messages, is also a walky talky, and has really cool spy games on it as well.  Clunky tells her, "That's the same toy."  She opens the package, and it is the toy that Clunky has been praying and saving up for.  The teacher is excited.  Simon is excited too, but Clunky is sad.  Simon congratulates the teacher for the cool toy, and Clunky does too, but only half heartedly.  The teacher asks the two puppets if they would like to watch her play?  Clunky says no and then leaves.  Simon tells the teacher that he is very happy for her, but that his bestest friend Clunky probably needs him right about now, "He has been praying and saving up for that toy for two whole years.  Every day he shows me a picture of the toy that he cut out of a magazine and taped to his note book at school.  He put his name in for that raffle too, hoping he would win.  I am sure he is happy that you are the one who won it, he is just sad right now.  I will come back later so you can show me the new toy if that is OK."  Simon leaves calling for Clunky to wait up for him.  The teacher looks at the kids and tells them that she has been saving up for this toy too, but she didn't know that Clunky wanted it so badly, "I wonder what Jesus would do in a situation like this?"  She shakes her head and calls for Clunky and Simon.  Simon comes up and says that Clunky is too sad to come up.  The teacher then asks Clunky very sweetly to please come up.  Clunky comes up with his head bowed in sadness.  The teacher tells Clunky, "I heard about how you have been praying and saving up for this toy for two years, so I want you to have it."  Clunky looks up and tells the teacher that he couldn't take it.  She tells him that she insists.  Clunky tells her that he has been praying and saving up for it, but that he couldn't take it, that he will just have to pray and save up some more.  The teacher then tells him, "Well then how about we share it?"  "Share it?" asks Clunky.  "Yes." says the teacher, "I can't play with it all the time.  And if I did, it wouldn't be fun anymore.  So what if I play with it one week, and then you can play with it the next?  Then we can both enjoy it."  Clunky asks, "Would it be OK, if when it is my week, I share it with Simon?"  The teacher tells Clunky, "I think that would be great."  The teacher then asks the two boys if they want to watch her, and this time they both say yes.

Bible Story : Genesis 42 - 45

Story of Joseph and Judah.  There is a famine in the land, and the 11 sons of Israel go to Egypt to buy food.  The man they talk to is Joseph, but it has been over 20 years since they have last seen him, and do not recognize him.  He plays a trick on them and places a silver cup in Benjamin's bag of corn.  He then accuses Benjamin of stealing it, and tells the brothers that Benjamin must now be his slave.  The brothers try to talk him out of it, but to no avail.  Judah then steps up and tells him that if his brother does not go home to his father, it will kill him.  Judah then asks him to take him instead to be a slave, and to let his younger brother go.

Nerd Skit : 44

(You will need a narrator, two nerds, and six ice-cream bars.)

The narrator comes out and tells the kids that they are going to watch four skits on sacrifice.  He then introduces skit number one.

Skit 1:

Nerd A comes out with an ice-cream bar.  He tells the kids that he has been saving up his money and waiting in great expectation all winter for summer time to finally get here so that he could buy this ice-cream bar from the "Ding Ding Man".  (The "Ding Ding man" is the icre-cream man who drives his ice-cream truck through the neighborhoods ringing his bell.)  He then begins to tell the kids how delicious, and scrumptious, and luscious this ice-cream bar is.  He tells them that they are so good, they are all sold out in just the first month of the summer.  He sits down and begins to open the ice-cream bar slowly, smelling and looking at it in great anticipation.  Just then Nerd B walks out crying, telling the kids, "I heard the sound of the 'Ding Ding man', but by the time I went back home to get my money, the 'Ding Ding man' was gone."  He begins to cry.  He then looks up and notices Nerd A with the ice-cream bar, and asks if he would be willing to sell it or to share?  Nerd A tells him that he is crazy, "I have waited all winter to get this ice-cream bar, and there is no way I am going to sell it OR share it with you or anybody else, not for a hundred dollars, not for a thousand dollars, not evan for a million dollars ... OK, maybe for a million dollars, but not one penny less."  Nerd A rips off the wrapper and begins to eat the ice-cream bar as he walks out.  Nerd B leaves crying.
 

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about sacrifice, and why it was not. (It wasn't sacrifice because he didn't share with him.)  He then introduces skit number two.

Skit 2:

Nerd A comes out with two ice-cream bars.  He tells the kids that he has been saving up his money and waiting in great expectation all winter for summer time to finally get here so that he could buy this ice-cream bar from the "Ding Ding Man".  He then begins to tell the kids how delicious, and scrumptious, and luscious this ice-cream bar is.  He tells them that they are so good, they are all sold out in just the first two weeks of the summer.  He sits down and begins to open the ice-cream bar slowly, smelling and looking at it in great anticipation.  Just then Nerd B walks out crying, telling the kids, "I heard the sound of the 'Ding Ding man', but by the time I went back home to get my money, the 'Ding Ding man' was gone."  He begins to cry.  He then looks up and notices Nerd A with the ice-cream bar, and asks if he would be willing to sell it or to share?  Nerd A tells him that he is crazy, "I have waited all winter to get this ice-cream bar, and there is no way I am going to sell it OR share it with you or anybody else, not for a hundred dollars, not for a thousand dollars, not evan for a million dollars ... OK, maybe for a million dollars, but not one penny less.  You should have been better prepared."  Nerd A then tells him that he bought a different, less yummy ice-cream pop for his cousin, and offers that one to him.  Nerd B declines, so Nerd A rips off the wrapper and begins to eat the ice-cream bar as he walks out.  Nerd B leaves crying.

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit about sacrifice, and why it was not. (It wasn't sacrifice because even though he offered to share, he offered something he didn't want.)  He then introduces skit number three.

Skit 3:

Nerd A comes out with an ice-cream bar.  He tells the kids that he has been saving up his money and waiting in great expectation all winter for summer time to finally get here so that he could buy this ice-cream bar from the "Ding Ding Man".  He then begins to tell the kids how delicious, and scrumptious, and luscious this ice-cream bar is.  He tells them that they are so good, they are all sold out in just the first week of the summer.  He sits down and begins to open the ice-cream bar slowly, smelling and looking at it in great anticipation.  Just then Nerd B walks out crying, telling the kids, "I heard the sound of the 'Ding Ding man', but by the time I went back home to get my money, the 'Ding Ding man' was gone."  He begins to cry.  He then looks up and notices Nerd A with the ice-cream bar, and asks if he would be willing to sell it or to share?  Nerd A tells him, "I have waited all winter to get this ice-cream bar, I will have to think about this one."  He then begins to eat the ice-cream.  Nerd B asks if he is going to share or not, and Nerd A, while taking another bite says, "Don't rush me, I am thinking about it."  Nerd A eats almost all of the icre-cream, and when he gets down to the last bite, he decides to share and gives it to Nerd B.  Nerd B declines at first, but then takes it.  Both nerds leave.

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit about sacrifice, and why it was not. (It wasn't sacrifice because even though he did share with him, he only gave him the last little bite.)  He then introduces skit number four.

Skit 4:

Nerd A comes out with two ice-cream bars.  He tells the kids that he has been saving up his money and waiting in great expectation all winter for summer time to finally get here so that he could buy this ice-cream bar from the "Ding Ding Man".  He then begins to tell the kids how delicious, and scrumptious, and luscious this ice-cream bar is.  He tells them that they are so good, they are all sold out in just the first two days of the summer.  He sits down and begins to open the ice-cream bar slowly, smelling and looking at it in great anticipation.  Just then Nerd B walks out crying, telling the kids, "I heard the sound of the 'Ding Ding man', but by the time I went back home to get my money, the 'Ding Ding man' was gone."  He begins to cry.  He then looks up and notices Nerd A with the ice-cream bar, and asks if he would be willing to sell it or to share?  Nerd A tells him that he is crazy, "I have waited all winter to get this ice-cream bar, and there is no way I am going to sell it OR share it with you or anybody else, not for a hundred dollars, not for a thousand dollars, not even for a million dollars ... OK, maybe for a million dollars, but not one penny less."  Nerd A rips off the wrapper, but then seeing the sadness in Nerd B's eyes, decides to give Nerd B the ice-cream bar, and to eat the other less yummy ice cream bar.  Nerd B tells him, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever done.  Nerd A then tells Nerd B, "Actually, the 'Ding Ding man' is my Uncle Charlie, so I will just call him tonight and have him save me an ice-cream bar for tomorrow.  Besides, I think I have gained ten pounds just doing this skit."  Nerd B asks, "Do you think your Uncle Charlie could save me one too?"  Nerd A says, "Sure."  The two nerds leave eating their ice-cream.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about sacrifice, and why it was. (It was sacrifice because he gave him the good ice-cream bar, and took the other one for himself.)

Memory Verse : HeyMan
 

John 15:13

    "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  KJV

    "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  NIV

HeyMan :

I know a lot of churches are into the "High-tech" Children's Church, so this one might be for you.  It is actually the same as Mr. Sin, but we jazz it up a little bit.  A lot of churches will write the memory verse on PowerPoint, and then take away one word at a time so the kids can memorize the verse.  Here is a way of making it fun.

One of the teachers comes up front and has the children say the memory verse on the PowerPoint with them .  HeyMan (Haman) then comes up, and tries to convince the children to not listen to the teacher, but to listen to him and not say the memory verse.  He then shoots the PowerPoint screen, and one of the words "magically" disappears.  He leaves thinking he has ruined it for the children.  (You can use any kind of gun, a toy laser for a futuristic look, or a toy six shooter for an old western theme.  When HeyMan shoots at the screen, simply cause one of the words to disappear on your PowerPoint presentation.)  The teacher then has the children say the memory verse with one of the words now gone.  HeyMan comes back up angry, and again tries to get the kids to listen to him, and not say the memory verse.  He asks the kids if they really believe in what the Bible says, and the children without any coercion from the teacher will answer yes.  When he fails, he again shoots one of the words and leaves thinking that they surely won't be able to say the memory verse now. This goes on for as many words as you have. When the last word is shot, HeyMan leaves for good, but the children have memorized the memory verse.

For added fun, have HeyMan shoot the words in different silly ways.  For example, he can shoot the word from behind his back.
You can also have a lot of fun with HeyMan's name.  For example, when HeyMan is talking to the teacher, he can say, "Hey man, ..." and the teacher answers, "I'm not HeyMan, you are."  HeyMan then says, "I didn't say HeyMan, I say hey ... man."

Sermon : Review the Bible story, skits, and memory verse.
 
Question :  What came in the mail?
Answer : A package from the "ACME Spy Co."
Question : What was in the package?
Answer : A spy toy.
Question : How long has Clunky been praying and saving up for this toy?
Answer : Two years.
Question : What does the teacher offer to do?
Answer : Give the toy to Clunky.
Question : What does she end up doing with the toy?
Answer : Sharing it with Clunky and Simon.
Question : What did Joseph's brothers do to him?
Answer : Sold him into slavery.
Question : What eventually happened to Joseph in Egypt.
Answer : He because the second most powerful man in the country.
Question : Why did Israel send his sons to Egypt?
Answer : To buy corn because of the famine.
Question : What did Joseph put into Benjamin's bag?
Answer : His silver cup.
Question : What did Joseph say the punishment was for stealing his cup?
Answer : To be his slave.
Question : What was Judah willing to do?
Answer : Sacrifice himself to be the slave, to let his brother go home.
Question : Was skit one a skit on love (sacrifice)?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he wouldn't share.
Question :  Was skit two a skit on love (sacrifice)?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because even  though he offered to share, he offered something he didn't want.
Question :  Was skit three a skit on love (sacrifice)?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because even though he shared, he only have him the last little bite..
Question :  Was skit four a skit on love (sacrifice)?
Answer :  Yes.
Why? :  Because he gave him the good ice-cream bar, and took the other one for himself.

Sermon Points:
 
1. John 15:12-13 says "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
2. Jesus tells us to love one another as he loved us.  And how did Jesus love us?  He laid down his life as a sacrifice for us. 
3. This is a good time to tell the story of Jesus and have an altar call.
4. When you love someone, you are willing to sacrifice for them.  Your parents love you, and sacrifice many things for you.  Sometimes the sacrifice is something big, and sometimes the sacrifice is something small, like an icecream bar.  Sometimes the sacrifice it is giving up something you like to do, to give your time to someone else.
5. Many people are afraid if they sacrifice things they have, then they will have less.  But the opposite is true, when you love someone and are willing to sacrifice, most of the time you get more than what you gave away.
6. Challenge your kids to really love, challenge your kids to sacrifice.

3.  JOY OF THE LORD
 
Service Out-line
 1. SINGING 
 2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
 3. WORSHIP 
 4. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 1 
 5. BIBLE STORY 
 6. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 2 
 7. NERD SKIT 
 8. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 3
 9. SERMON 
10. ALTER CALL 
11. GAME (Review) 
 

Clunky Puppet Skit : 77

Part 1:

Clunky comes up playing with Puppy.  (Clunky's puppy's name is Puppy.  Puppy always tackles Clunky and begins to lick his face.)  He asks Teacher A if it would be OK if he went outside to play with Puppy.  The teacher tells Clunky, "You need to stay in church right now, but afterwards I will go out with you."  Clunky leaves.  A couple of minutes later, Clunky comes back in crying hysterically.  The teacher asks what happened, but Clunky is afraid.  The teacher tells Clunky that it is OK, and convinces him to talk to her, so Clunky tells her that Puppy got run over.  The teacher asks how, and Clunky tells her, "I kind of disobeyed and went outside to throw the ball with Puppy.  But while we were playing, I accidentally threw the ball too far and it went out into the street, and Puppy ran into the street to get it.  A car drove by just then and didn't see Puppy and ran him over."  Clunky begins to cry hysterically.  The teacher begins to comfort Clunky and tells him that she will go and help get Puppy.  Clunky asks if they can have a funeral, and the teacher says yes.  They both leave with Clunky telling the teacher that he will never be able to love another puppy again.

Part 2:

Later in the service, Clunky comes back up with a shoe box (for Puppy's casket), wearing black and carrying an umbrella.  The teacher asks Clunky what the umbrella is for, and Clunky tells her that he is not sure, but that everyone always carries an umbrella at funerals in all the movies.  The teacher smiles.  Clunky asks the teacher if she could say a prayer for the funeral.  She says yes, and says a nice prayer thanking God for the opportunity to get to know and love and play with Puppy.  When she is done praying, Teacher B comes up and tells Clunky that she heard what happened to Puppy, so she went down to the pound and bought him a new puppy.  (The new puppy looks just like the old puppy.)  The new puppy comes up and licks Clunky.  Clunky says, "He is cute and everything, but he will never be like Puppy."  Clunky hangs his head and leaves.  The new puppy whimpers and leaves also.

Part 3:

Later in the service, Clunky walks by the window with his head down and still moping.  Teacher A decides that she needs to have a talk with Clunky and calls him back up.  Clunky comes up still wearing black and carrying the umbrella.  Teacher A begins to talk to Clunky and tell him that it is OK for him to be sad about losing Puppy, but that he needs to rejoice in the Lord.  Clunky asks her, "How can I rejoice in the Lord when Puppy is dead?"  Clunky starts to cry again.  Teacher A pats him gently on the shoulder, and tells him, "It is OK to be sad about Puppy, but you need to rejoice for the other things you have."  Clunky says, "Like what?"  Teacher A says, "Like your friends and your family, your church, the kids in church, God and your new puppy."  Clunky says, "The new puppy will never be able to replace Puppy."  Teacher A tells Clunky, "It is true that the new puppy will never be able to replace Puppy, but the new puppy is very special too, and if you give him a chance and get to know him, you will love him also."  She tells Clunky that he can either mope around and waste the rest of his life being sad about the bad things that happen, or he can rejoice in the Lord and be thankful for the good things he has, "You can either be a boring mope, or you can be a fun joy."  Clunky decides he will give new puppy a chance.  He calls for new puppy who runs in and jumps on Clunky just like Puppy used too.  Clunky starts to laugh and giggle.  He comes up with new puppy licking him.  Clunky asks the teacher, "Do you think it would be OK if I name him Puppy II after Puppy?"  The teacher tells him that is a good idea.  Clunky starts to play with Puppy II and begins to laugh more as Puppy II continues to lick his face.  Clunky asks Teacher A if it is OK for him to go outside and play with Puppy II.  Teacher A says, yes, but not to play by the street.  Clunky says OK and starts to leave.  Clunky stops and says, "I am still sad about Puppy, but I understand what you mean.  It is much better to be happy than to be sad all the time."  Teacher A gives Clunky a hug, and Clunky leaves to go play with Puppy II.

Nerd Skit : 14

(You will need a narrator, two nerds, a piggy bank with money, and a rope.)

The narrator comes out and tells the kids that they are going to watch four skits on rejoicing in the Lord. He then introduces skit number one.

Skit 1:

Nerd A comes out talking about the money he has earned, telling the kids that it is his life's savings. Nerd B comes out and robs Nerd A, taking his money and leaving him tied up. Nerd B leaves, and Nerd A begins to complain and blame God for what has just happened.  Nerd A leaves.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit on rejoicing in the Lord, and why it was not. (It wasn't because he blames God.) He then introduces skit number two.

Skit 2:

Nerd A comes out talking about the money he has earned, telling the kids that it is his life's savings.  He tells the kids that he is planning on buying a new super powerful calculator/harmonica.  Nerd B comes out and robs Nerd A, taking his money and leaving him tied up.  Nerd B leaves.  Nerd A doesn't blame God this time, but says, "Well, I guess it is just God's will for me not to but have that new super powerful calculator/harmonica, and for me to be poor."  Nerd A leaves sad.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit on rejoicing in the Lord, and why it was not. (It wasn't because even though he doesn't blame God, he mopes, supposing that God must just want him to be poor.) He then introduces skit number three.

Skit 3:

Nerd A comes out talking about the money he has earned, telling the kids that it is his life's savings.  Nerd B comes out and robs Nerd A, taking his money and leaving him tied up.  Nerd B leaves.  Nerd A reminds himself that he is supposed to praise the Lord when things like this happen, so very sarcastically he begins saying, "Thanks a lot, God, for letting me get robbed.  And thanks sooo much for letting the robber get away.  And thanks for the opportunity to continue to use my old wimpy calculator that is not an harmonica ..." Nerd A leaves.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit on rejoicing in the Lord, and why it was not. (It wasn't, because even though he says the words, he doesn't mean it in his heart.) He then introduces skit number four.

Skit 4:

Nerd A comes out talking about the money he has earned, telling the kids that it is his life's savings.  Nerd B comes out and robs Nerd A, taking his money and leaving him tied up.  Nerd B leaves.  Nerd A begins to realize that the robber could have killed him but didn't, and he begins to praise God for keeping him safe, and lists all of the other things he has blessed him with.

The narrator comes out and asks if that was a skit on rejoicing in the Lord, and why it was. (It was because he begins to praise God for his safety.)

Bible Story : 2 Sam 12:15-23  (Story of David and his son.)

EdWord:

EdWord is a puppet who likes to try and help tell the Bible story, but never seems to get it right. He always seems to appear at the time of the Bible story, and consequently asks if he can help out. Though he thinks he knows all of the stories by heart, he is always goofing them up, which gives you a good opportunity to tell him, and the children, how it really goes. When EdWord begins to ramble on, have the children get his attention by saying "EdWord, EdWord, EdWord!!!" Then you straighten him out.

Memory Verse : Mr. Sin

Phil 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."
Sermon : Quickly review what we have done bringing it all together, then present a small sermonette.

 
 
Question :  What happened to Clunky and Puppy when then went to go play?
Answer :  Puppy got accidentally run over.
Question :  What did Clunky say when he left.
Answer :  He will never love another puppy again.
Question :  What did Teacher B get for Clunky? 
Answer :  A new puppy.
Question : Why did Clunky not want his new puppy?
Answer : Because he could never replace Puppy.
Question :  What did Teacher A tell Clunky he needs to do?
Answer :  Rejoice in the Lord.
Question :  What are some of the things Clunky can be thankful for?
Answer :  Friends, family, church, God, and new puppy.
Question :  Was skit one a skit on "Rejoicing in the Lord?"
Answer : No.
Why : Because he blamed God.
Question : Was skit two a skit on "Rejoicing in the Lord?
Answer : No.
Why : Because even though he didn't blame God, he was sad.
Question : Was skit three a skit on "Rejoicing in the Lord?
Answer : No.
Why : Because even though he said the right words, he didn't mean it.
Question : Was skit four a skit on "Rejoicing in the Lord?
Answer : Yes.
Why : He praised God and was joyful that no worse things happened.
Question : What did King David do when his son was sick?
Answer : He refused to eat.
Question : What did King David do when his son died?
Answer : He worshipped God.

Sermon Points:
 
1.  Tell a story of something bad that has happened to you.  For me, it was when my father died.  I cried for the first day, but when my family all got together, we spent the next three days laughing and reminiscing about all the good memories of when my father was alive.  People came by to console us, and left laughing.  I was sad, but I was also thankful to God for the father that he gave me.
2. Bad things will happen to us.  But when bad things happen, we have two choices, we can either let the bad thing make us depressed, or we can praise God.
3. It is OK to be sad, especially when a death happens.  But while we are sad about the death, we should also stop and praise God for the good things that have happened in our lives.
4.  End the service with another worship song.

4.  PEACE
 
Service Out-line
1. SINGING 
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
3. WORSHIP 
4. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 1 
5. BIBLE STORY 
6. NERD SKIT 
7. MEMORY VERSE
8. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 2 
9. SERMON 
10. ALTER CALL 
11. GAME (Review) 
 

Clunky Puppet Skit : 86

Clunky comes up looking for the teacher in a panic.  When the teacher comes up, she asks Clunky what is wrong and he tells her, "I don't know what to do.  It's an emergency."  The teacher asks, "What's an emergency Clunky?"  Clunky continues to panic, "What am I supposed to do?  You gotta help me."  The teacher gently grabs Clunky and says, "Clunky, you need to settle down and tell me what the emergency is, so that I can help you."  Clunky tells her, "Well you know that today is the day we are supposed to hand in our application and money for the Puppet Missions Trip."  The teacher interrupts, "You do have your money don't you?"  Clunky hands her an evelope with his money and says, "Of course, I have been saving up and working all year for this trip.  I mowed lawns, washed cars, and even raked leaves, which is hard because I am not very good at climbing trees."  The teacher looks at the kids, then at Clunky, and grabbing the envelope says, "Anyway.  I will put your money with my own, and the money Simon RePeter gave me earlier this morning.  Do you have your application filled out?"  Clunky says, "I do, but it has a few small stains on it."  The teacher asks how many small stains, and Clunky hands her his application with ketchup, mustard, and a lot of other stains.  The teacher asks, "How in the world did you get this so dirty?"  Clunky responds, "I was eating a hamburger, ketchup, mustard, peanut butter, jelly and pickle sandwich with grape juice while I was filling it out.  Eating helps me to think."  The teacher takes the application and asks if that is what he is worried about.  Clunky looks dumbfounded and says, "No.  Why?"  The teacher tells him that they will have to fill out another application, and then asks, "What is it you were worried about earlier?"  Clunky says, "Worried?  Oh yeah.  I am afraid that when I go on the Puppet Missions Trip, the other kids and puppets on the trip may not like me.  Sometimes I can be kind of, well lets say, 'special,' and I am worried that I won't have any friends."  Clunky begins to bounce up and down in a panic.  The teacher tells Clunky, "Actually, this is perfect, we are talking about peace this morning in Children's Church, and this gives me an opportunity to show you and the kids what we are talking about."  Clunky says, "I am glad my pain and suffering can be helpful to you."  The teacher tells him, "You shouldn't worry or be afraid Clunky, but have peace with God."  Clunky says, "I'm not at war with God, why do I need peace with him?"  The teacher explains, "I didn't mean it like that.  What I meant by peace is that you need to trust in God and not worry."  She asks him, "First of all Clunky, is there anything you can do about it right now?"  Clunky says no.  The teacher continues, "And secondly, you are a 'special' puppet, and you are going to make lots of friends, so there is no need to be afraid."  Clunky says, "You are just saying that to be nice."  The teacher says, "No I am not, but if you are worried about it, then we can pray and ask God that he would give you friends on the Trip."  Clunky says, "And what if he doesn't?"  The teacher, "Then you can hang around with me and Simon.  That wouldn't be so bad would it?"  Clunky understands, and the teacher prays with him.  Clunky says, "You know what?  I feel that peace you are talking about."  The teacher is happy, and they leave to go get Clunky a new application.  Clunky asks if he can go down with her to hand in the money, and the teacher says yes.

Later in the service, the teacher comes in panicked and asks the kids if they have seen her bag with the Puppet Missions Trip money, "I went outside to put the bag in my car for safekeeping, and so I wouldn't forget to take it down the the Puppet Mission's Office after church, but when I got to my car I couldn't find my keys.  I left the bag on top of my car to run in quickly and see if I left my keys in the back of the children's church room.  After I found them, I went back outside, and the bag with the Puppet Missions Trip money is gone ."  Just then, Clunky and Simon come up looking for the teacher, "We were told you were looking for us."  The teacher says yes, and then begins to panic and tells them what happened.  Simon also begins to panic and gets upset that someone has stolen all of the money he earned for the Puppet Missions Trip.  Clunky on the other hand is not panicked, but stays calm.  The teacher and Simon ask each other frantically what are they going to do.  The teacher looks at Clunky and asks, "How can you stay so calm?  Don't you know that if we don't get our money in today, we can't go to the Puppet Missions Trip that we have been planning, and saving, and waiting for all year?"  Simon says, "Do you care so little, or are you just that clue less?  Sometimes I wonder about you Clunky."  Clunky says, "I do care, and I am actually very mad that someone might have stolen the money, but there is not a lot I can do about it right now.  It is like you said earlier, we shouldn't war, but have peace with God."  Simon says, "What are you talking about?"  Clunky continues, " I just know that when we prayed last year about the trip, we felt that God wanted us to go, so I figure I will just have to trust in God and have peace.  Maybe we could pray about it, and go out and look some more."  The teacher and Simon are amazed.  The teacher apologizes, "You are absolutely right Clunky.  We should pray and trust in God.  Simon says, "You are both crazy.  Get out of my way, I have a bad guy to hunt down and beat up."  Simon leaves yelling, "Call the police, call the FBI, call the President."  The teacher and Clunky quietly pray, and then leave to see if they can find the money, or call the Puppet Mission Trip organizers and explain what happened and ask if they can still hand in the applications today, and possibly pay later.

(This is even better if you have two or three other puppets that worry and panic with the teacher and Simon RePeter.  One of the puppets can cry, while one of them gets made.  It makes Clunky stand out that much more.)

Bible Story : 1 Samual 30 

David and his men had their town burned, and their sons, daughters and wives taken by the Amalekites.  David's men wanted to kill David, because they were upset at what had happened.  If anyone had a reason to worry and be afraud it was David, but he "encouraged himself in the Lord his God."  He sought God, then took his men and fought and killed the Amalekites, and got their children and wives back. 

Exodus 14 is also a good story about peace.  When the children of Israel saw the Egyptians coming, they were afraid, but Moses knew his God and had peace.

Daniel 3, the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is also a good story of peace.  The three Hebrew children had peace in the midst of a very troubling situation.

2 Kings 6:8-23 is also a good story of peace.  Elisha's servant was scared when he saw the city surrounded by horses and chariots, but Ellsha had peace and said "Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
 

Nerd Skit :  46

(You will need a narrator and one nerd.)

The narrator comes out and tells the kids that they are going to watch four skits on peace.  He then introduces skit number one.

Skit 1

Nerd A comes out with a piece of paper and tells the kids it is an assignment from his favorite school teacher.  He opens the paper and begins to read it to the kids, "Your assignment for tomorrow is to study for a pop quiz."  Nerd A looks at the kids and begins to panic, "A pop quiz?  I need exactly 43 and 2/3 hours to study for a quiz, plus a good nights sleep of at least ten hours, and of course a healthy breakfast of oats, bacon, whole wheat toast with jam, and a nice glass of orange juice.  I will never pass this test, and if I don't pass, I will be thrown out of the 100% club at school?  What am I going to do?  I know, I'll panic, ahhhhh !!!"  Nerd A runs out screaming.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about peace, and why not. (It wasn't peace, because he panicked.)  He then introduces skit number two.

Skit 2

Nerd A comes out with a piece of paper and tells the kids it is an assignment from his favorite school teacher.  He opens the paper and reads to the kids, "Your assignment for tomorrow is to study for a pop quiz."  Nerd A looks at the kids and begins to panic, "A pop quiz?  I need exactly 43 and 2/3 hours to study for a quiz or test, plus a good nights sleep of at least ten hours, and a healthy breakfast of oats, bacon, whole wheat toast with jam, hash browns, and of course a glass of orange juice, pulp free.  I will never pass this test, and if I don't pass, I will be thrown out of the 100% club at school.  Then where will I go?  What will I do?  What will I do?"  Nerd A panics on stage, then stops and starts to cough slightly.  "I think I am coming down with a cold, and won't be able to go to school tomorrow for the quiz.  Yeah, that's it."  Nerd A leaves the stage practicing his fake cough, and laughing in-between coughs telling himself how clever he is.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about peace, and why not. (It wasn't peace, because he panicked and then decided to lie.)  He then introduces skit number three.

Skit 3

Nerd A comes out with a piece of paper and tells the kids it is an assignment from his favorite school teacher.  He opens the paper and reads to the kids, "Your assignment for tomorrow is to study for a pop quiz."   Nerd A looks at the kids and beings to panic, "A pop quiz, tomorrow?  I need exactly 43 2/3 hours of study for a quiz or test, plus a good nights sleep of at least ten hours, and a healthy breakfast of oats, bacon, whole wheat toast with strawberry jam, no make that grape jam, hash browns, and of course a glass of pulp free orange juice, freshly squeezed.  I will never pass this test, and if I don't pass, I will be thrown out of the 100% club at school.  And besides, I am supposed to meet my buddies at the Midnight Black Light Bowl-O-Rama.  Oh well, whatever will be, will be, I guess I will just fail.  No need to worry about something that I can't do anything about.  I wonder what the 98% club is like?  Anyway, I need to go bowling."  Nerd A leaves talking about taking the teacher off of his Christmas list.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about peace, and why not. (It wasn't peace, because he just gave up.)  He then introduces skit number four.

Skit 4

Nerd A comes out with a piece of paper and tells the kids it is an assignment from his favorite school teacher.  He opens the paper and reads to the kids, "Your assignment for tomorrow is to study for a pop quiz."  Nerd A looks a the kids and begins to panic, "A pop quiz?  Oh great, I usually need exactly 43 2/3 hours to study for a quiz, plus a good nights sleep of at least ten hours, and a healthy breakfast of oats, bacon, whole wheat toast with grape jam, hash browns, two eggs over easy, and of course a glass of freshly squeezed pulp free orange juice."  Nerd A gets down on one knee and prays, "Lord, give me strength and wisdom to know what to do to prepare for this pop quiz."  Nerd A then gets up and says, "Well, I guess I will have to go home and study.  I'll have to call the guys and tell them I can't come down for Midnight  Black Light Bowl-O-Rama night.  Humm, I think I will call out for a pizza delivery.  I love studying with pizza, especially an oats, bacon, eggs, hash browns and jelly pizza, with whole wheat toast on the side.  I think I will call a couple friends and have them come over and study with me.  This will be great fun !!!"  Nerd A leaves calling the pizza place to order the pizza.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about peace, and why. (It was peace, because he didn't panic, but prayed and trusted in God, and then left to study for the quiz.)

Memory Verse : Genesis 1

Psalm 29:11

"The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace."
Psalm 55:18
"He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me"
Proverbs 3:5
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
Genesis 1 :

Genesis 1 is a pretend computer what we do with Power Point.  Click here to see about Genesis 1

Sermon : Review the Bible story, skits, and memory verse.
 
Question :  Where was Clunky, Simon RePeter and the teacher going?
Answer : The Puppet Missions Trip.
Question : How long have they been planning this trip?
Answer : For a year.
Question : What was Clunky worried about?
Answer : That he wouldn't have any friends.
Question : What happened to the bag of money for the Puppet Missions Trip?
Answer : It was left outside on the car, and someone took it.
Question : Who didn't panic, but had peace and trusted God?
Answer : Clunky
Question : What is the Memory Verse?
Answer : Psalm 29:11 "The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace."
Question : What happened to the city of Ziklag?
Answer : The Amalekites burned it and took all the children and wives.
Question : What did David's men want to do to David when they saw their city burned, and their children and wives taken?
Answer :  They wanted to stone David.
Question : What did David do?
Answer : He encouraged himself in the Lord his God.  He then sought God's guidance and went and fought the Amalekites and got their children and wives back.
Question :  Was the first skit a skit on Peace?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he panicked.
Question :  Was the second skit a skit on Peace?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he panicked and then lied.
Question :  Was the third skit a skit on Peace?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he just gave up.
Question :  Was the forth skit a skit on Peace?
Answer :  Yes.
Why? :  Because he didn't panic, but prayed and trusted in God, and then left to study for the quiz.

Sermon Points:
 
1. In the Old Testament, the word for peace is Shalom.  In the New Testament, the word for peace is eirene, and means about the same thing.
2. When it comes to nations, peace is a rest from war.  When we have peace, we don't fight or battle with others.
3. When it comes to individuals, peace is also a rest from war, a rest from war on the inside of us.  When we have the peace of God, it gives us a rest from the battle of worry, doubt, and fear.
4. David had this peace in the middle of a war.  Though his men wanted to kill him, he encouraged himself in the Lord, and found peace in God, and was able to lead his men in a time of battle. 
5. Many kids today are living in homes with no peace.  There is a constant battle of fear, worry, and doubt with their parents, and that lack of peace usually filters down to the kids.
6. Give the kids some examples in your life where you had worries, doubts, and fears, and how God has been able to help you. 
7. Ultimately, we have peace or rest, because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.  No matter what happens in life, we have the confident assurance of God's love for us.  No matter what happens, we can rest in our faith in God.
8. Give the kids a chance to encourage themselves in the Lord, and find that peace in the midst of the storm.

5.  PATIENCE
 
Service Out-line
1. SINGING 
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
3. WORSHIP 
4. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 1
5. BIBLE STORY 
6. NERD SKIT 
7. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT * part 2 
8. MEMORY VERSE
9. SERMON 
10. ALTER CALL 
11. GAME (Review) 
 
Take two seconds and say something to all of your kids individually, even if it is just, "Hello".  Have everything ready before the kids get there so they have your full attention, and after the service when adults are talking to each other, talk to your kids.  You will find that the next week, they will be a little more attentive to you, because they will think you care about them.

Clunky Puppet Skit : 84

Part 1:

One of the teachers comes up and tells the kids that she asked Clunky if he could wash her car for her, and that he did such a good job, she went out and bought him one of her most favorite games when she was growing up, Tittle Winks.  She then calls for Clunky.  Clunky comes up, and she thanks him for doing such a good job of washing her car.  Clunky tells her that it was his pleasure, "You have done so many things for me in the past, I was happy to help."  The teacher tells Clunky that she is proud of his attitude and thankful for the good job that he did, and then tells him that she got him a special surprise.  Clunky is excited.  The teacher hands him a gift, and Clunky goes down behind the stage to open it.  We hear Clunky opening the present and say, "Tittle Winks, what is a Tittle Winks?"  Clunky then comes up and asks the teacher, "What is a 'Tittle Winks'"?  The teacher explains that it is was one of her most favorite games to play when she was a little kid.  Clunky says cool, and then leaves to go play.  The teacher turns to the kids and tells them that she used to love playing Tittle Winks when she was a child, and she just knows Clunky will love this game too.  Just then, Clunky comes up and tells her that he hates it.  She asks why, and Clunky tells her he can't do it.  The teacher tells him he just needs practice, and Clunky tells her, "I tried it two times."  She then asks Clunky if he would like her to show him how.  The teacher goes behind the stage.  (We can hear them, but we can't see them.)  The teacher shows Clunky and he says, "Wow, that looks easy, let me try."  Clunky tries but fails.  Clunky gets frustrated, and tells her he hates the game.  She tells him to be patient, and that she will show him again.  Clunky tries again, but still doesn't do good, and tells her he still hates the game.  The teacher tells him to try one more time (the teacher comes back out on stage and looks over the puppet stage at Clunky).  We hear Clunky get excited as he almost makes it, and the teacher tells him, "That was pretty good.  Do it again."  We hear Clunky try it one more time, and finally gets it right.  The teacher is excited, and Clunky comes up and thanks her for the game.  She tells him he is welcome, and Clunky leaves to go play his new favorite game.

Part 2:

Later in the service, Clunky and Simon RePeter come up, with Simon begging Clunky to show him again.  Clunky tells Simon, "How many times must I have to show you?"  Simon says, "You only showed me once, and you did it too quickly."  Clunky tells Simon, "I do not have time to show you again.  Besides, Tittle Winks is for mature people.  Maybe you should go down to the 'preschool' cause they have easy games for people like you to play down there."  Clunky laughs.  He then says, "Or better yet, maybe you should go down to the 'Nursery' and you can play games with the babies."  Simon gets frustrated and leaves.  The teacher comes up and asks Clunky what that was all about, and Clunky explains, "Simon is too stupid ... I mean too immature to play Tittle Winks."  Clunky then asks the teacher if she wants to play.  The teacher tells him that she can't because she is teaching the class.  Clunky asks her if she wants to play afterwards, but she tells him she already has plans after church.  Clunky then asks, "Well, then who can I play Tittle Winks with?"  The teacher suggests Simon, but Clunky again tells her that he is no good at it.  The teacher then reminds Clunky that he wasn't very good at the game at first either, and even said he hated it, but when he was patient, and practiced, he got better.  She then tells him, he should use the same patience with Simon, and he will probably catch on too, "That way you will have someone to play with.  He may even become better than you in time."  "Better than me?" says Clunky, "No way!"  The teacher then tricks Clunky and tells him, "I think that is probably why you don't want to show him, cause you are afraid he will become better than you."  Clunky leaves to go teach Simon and prove the teacher wrong.

Nerd Skit : 41

(You will need a narrator, two nerds, and a table full of stuff to.)

The narrator comes out and tells the kids that they are going to watch four skits on patience.  He then introduces skit number one.

Skit 1:

Nerd A walks out and sets up a table with stuff he is trying to sell.  Nerd B walks out and looks at the stuff on the table and sees something he likes, and asks Nerd A if he has it in a different color (example: he sees a pair of black sun glasses, and asks if he has a pair in red)  Nerd A tells him, "I don't know, but I can look in the back."  Nerd B looks at the kids, rolls his eyes, and then looks back at Nerd A and says, "Well if you don't know, who should I ask?  I don't have time to stand here and wait all day if you don't know." Nerd B then leaves.

The narrator says freeze, and the nerds come to a complete stop as the narrator asks the kids questions about the skit.  The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit on patience, and why it was not.  (It wasn't because he wouldn't even wait for him to look.)  The narrator tells the kids that he is going to rewind the skit and see if they can do it right.  The narrator says rewind, and the nerds act like they are rewinding the last skit in fast motion.  He then introduces skit number two.

Skit 2:

Nerd A finishes setting up his table when Nerd B walks out and asks Nerd A if he has a pair of glasses in red instead of black.  Nerd A tells him he will look.  Nerd B starts to whistle, looks at his watch, sighs loudly, and then complains that he doesn't have all day.  He grabs the black glasses and puts down his money on the table and tells Nerd A that he doesn't have time to wait any more.  As he leaves, Nerd A comes up excited that he found a pair of glasses in red.

The Narrator says freeze, and then asks the kids if that was a skit on patience, and why it was not.  (It wasn't because instead of waiting to see if he had a pair in red, he took the black pair of glasses.)  The narrator tells the kids that he is going to rewind the skit and see if they can do it right.  The narrator says rewind, and introduces skit number three.

Skit 3:

Nerd A finishes setting up his table when Nerd B walks out and asks Nerd A if he has a pair of glasses in red instead of black.  Nerd A tells him he will look.  Nerd B then begins to "wait" but makes faces and is constantly looking at his watch and rolling his eyes.  Nerd A looks up and tells him he is still looking, and Nerd B smiles sarcastically.  Nerd B comes up with the red glasses, and Nerd B sighs loudly, complains he is now going to be late, pays Nerd A for the glasses and leaves.

The Narrator says freeze, and then asks the kids if that was a skit on patience, and why it was not.  (It wasn't because even though he "waited", he did it impatiently.)  The narrator tells the kids that he is going to rewind the skit and see if they can do it right.  The narrator says rewind, and introduces skit number four.

Skit 4:

Nerd A finishes setting up his table when Nerd B walks out and asks Nerd A if he has a pair of glasses in red instead of black.  Nerd A tells him he will look.  Nerd B says, "No rush."  Nerd A looks for a couple seconds, then looks up and smiles whimpishly telling Nerd B that he is still looking.  Nerd B tells Nerd A not to worry, and then politely asks Nerd A if he can give him a hand.  Nerd A says yes, and the two of them look and find the red glasses.  Nerd A then says, "If you like these, I have an even cooler pair back in the back."  Both nerds leave.

The narrator asks the kids if that was a skit on patience, and why it was.  (It was because he not only waited, but waited cheerfully and even offered to help.)

Memory Verse : Mr. Sin

Heb 12:1

    "and let us run with patience the race that is set before us."
Mr. Sin :

Mr. Sin is a human puppet who is dressed to look like a bad person. His goal in life is to try and keep the children from learning the memory verse.

We write our week's memory verse on five or six balloons, and then tape them to the puppet stage. One of the teachers comes up front and has the children say the memory verse with them. Mr. Sin then comes up, and tries to convince the children to not listen to the teacher, but to listen to him and not say the memory verse. He then pops one of the balloons, and leaves thinking he has ruined it for the children. (We put a pin on Mr. Sin's chin for him to pop the balloons with.) The teacher then has the children say the memory verse with one of the words now gone. Mr. Sin comes back up angry, and again tries to get the kids to listen to him, and not say the memory verse. He asks the kids if they really believe in what the Bible says, and the children without any coercion from the teacher will answer yes. When he fails, he again pops one of the balloons and leaves thinking that they surely won't be able to say the memory verse now. This goes on for as many balloons as you have. When the last balloon is popped, Mr. Sin leaves for good, but the children have memorized the memory verse.

Bible Story : Joseph

Tell the story of Joseph and of all the trials he has.  Yet through them all he continues to be patient, and to trust in the Lord.

Sermon : Review the Bible story, skits, and memory verse.
 
Question :  What did the teacher give to Clunky?
Answer : A Tittle Winks game
Question :  Why does Clunky not like the game?
Answer :  Because he does not know how to play.
Question : How many times did it take for Clunky to finally learn how to play?
Answer :  Four or five times.
Question :  Why did Clunky not want to play with Simon? 
Answer :  Cause Simon didn't know how to play, and Clunky wasn't patient.
Question :  Was skit one a skit on patience?
Answer :  No.
Why? :  Because he didn't wait to see if he had a pair of glasses in red.
Question : Was skit two a skit on patience?
Answer : No.
Why? : Because instead of waiting to see if he had a pair in red, he just took the black pair of glasses.
Question : Was skit three a skit on patience?
Answer : No.
Why? : Because even though he "waited", he did it impatiently.
Question : Was skit four a skit on patience?
Answer : Yes.
Why? : Because he not only waited, but waited cheerfully and even offered to help.
Question : What did Joseph's brother's do to him?
Answer : Sold him into Slavery.
Question : What did Potiphar to to him?
Answer : Had him thrown into jail.
Question : What happened when Joseph was patient and put his trust in God?
Answer :  God made him the second ruler next to Pharaoh.

Sermon Points:
 
1. When we are not patient, we sometimes miss out on fun things.  At first Clunky thought Tittle Winks was boring, but when he was patient and learned how to play, it became his favorite game.
2. When we are not patient, we sometimes miss out on good things.  When the nerd was not patient, he ended up settling on the black glasses instead of the red ones he wanted.
3. Sometimes we want things to happen, and we want them to happen now.  But sometimes God's plans for us are plans in the future.  When we rush God's plans, we sometimes miss out the the good things God has for us.  (Another good Bible story for this is Abraham.  He was not patient, and tried to force God's plans for his life and ended up having Ishmael, when God's plan was Isaac.)
4. You sometimes hear people tell you not to pray for patience, because "God will make you go through bad things to learn patience", but patience is one of the most important characteristics we can have.
James 1:4 "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
5. Lets pray and ask God for patience.


6.  KINDNESS (sharing)
 
Service Out-line
1. SINGING 
2. ANNOUNCEMENTS 
3. WORSHIP 
4. CLUNKY PUPPET SKIT
5. BIBLE STORY 
6. NERD SKIT
7. MEMORY VERSE
8. SERMON 
9. ALTER CALL 
10. GAME (Review) 
 

Clunky Puppet Skit : 78

Simon RePeter comes up and he has one of Clunky's old books and some crayons.  He tells one of the teachers that he found an old book behind the puppet stage, and asks if he knows who it belongs to, and if it would be OK if he sat behind the stage and colored while he listened to the Bible story.  The teacher tells him that he has never seen anyone read that book, so it is probably OK for him to sit back there and color in it.  Simon leaves to color.  Clunky walks up and tells the teacher that he is bored, and asks if there is anything he can do?  The teacher tells him no, but that Simon is sitting in the back and coloring in a book, and that if he is bored he can go color with Simon.  Clunky agrees and walks back and looks at the book Simon is coloring in, and then angrily grabs it away from him and tells him that he can't color in that book.  Clunky walks up to the stage with Simon following him.  Simon asks why not, and Clunky tells him, "First of all, this is a reading book, and you are to read a reading book, not color in a reading book. Now if it were a coloring book, then you could color in it, cause you are supposed to color in a coloring book, but you are not supposed to color in a reading book, cause a reading book is for reading, and you're not supposed to read a coloring book, cause a coloring book is for coloring, and don't ask me to repeat that.  And besides, this is MY favorite book. Secondly, it says right here in this book (Clunky pretends to be reading out of the book, but won't let Simon look.  Have the book be upside down) 'This book is only for eight year old puppets named Clunky to read, and not Simons.  P.S. Thou shalt not color in hitherto book.'" Simon wants to read it, but Clunky won't let him.  Simon leaves crying.  Clunky is now proud and happy, and repeats to the kids the thing he made up about coloring and reading, trying to justify his actions, when the teacher interrupts him.  The teacher tells Clunky about loving and sharing, and the golden rule, and reminds him that it is an old book, and that he never even reads it.  Clunky repeats the coloring in a reading book line, but the teacher just stares at him with his arms crossed.  Clunky decides that the teacher is right, and calls for Simon to come up.  Simon comes, and Clunky grudgingly gives him the book, and tells him that he can even color in it.  Clunky then turns to walk away with a small sniffle, when Simon stops him and tells him that Pastor Dan just gave him two candy bars for his birthday, "I was going to eat them both, but being that you are willing to share your favorite book with me, I am going to share my candy bars with you."  They both leave happy and excited, with Clunky realizing there is something to this sharing thing.

Nerd Skit : 5

(You will need a narrator, two nerds, and some toys to play with.)

The narrator comes out and tells the kids that they are going to watch four skits on kindness. He then introduces skit number one.

Skit 1:

Nerd A comes out bored with nothing to do. Nerd B comes out and begins to play with some toys that he brought with him. Nerd A comes over and asks if he can play too. Nerd B looks at him and tells him that he would never be caught dead even talking with someone like him, let alone play with him. Nerd B grabs his toys and leaves.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about kindness (or sharing...), and why it was not. (It wasn't kindness, because he wouldn't let him play with him.) He then introduces skit number two.

Skit 2:

Nerd A comes out bored with nothing to do. Nerd B comes out and seeing Nerd A standing there, says hello, and talks about the weather. Then Nerd B begins to play with his toys. Nerd A sees Nerd B and asks if he can play. Nerd B tells him that because he is a Christian he was nice to him, but that doesn't mean he has to play with him. Both Nerds leave.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about kindness (or sharing...), and why it was not. (It wasn't kindness, because even though he was nice at first, he still wouldn't let him play with him.) He then introduces skit number three.

Skit 3:

Nerd A comes out bored with nothing to do. Nerd B comes out and seeing Nerd A standing there, says hello, and talks about the weather. Then Nerd B begins to play with his toys. Nerd A sees Nerd B and asks if he can play. Nerd B looks around to see if anyone is watching, then he says yes, but comes up with a bunch of stupid rules for Nerd A to have to follow in order to play, and gets mad when he doesn't play it his way. Both Nerds leave.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about kindness (or sharing...), and why it was not. (It wasn't kindness, because even though he let him play, he wasn't very nice, and came up with stupid rules.) He then introduces skit number four.

Skit 4:

Nerd A comes out bored with nothing to do. Nerd B comes out and seeing Nerd A standing there, says hello, and talks about the weather. Then Nerd B begins to play with his toys. Nerd A sees Nerd B and asks if he can play. Nerd B says yes, and they begin to play. Both Nerds leave.

The narrator then asks the kids if that was a skit about kindness (or sharing...), and why. (It was kindness, because he let him play with him.)

Memory Verse : Hand

Eph 4:32

    "And be ye kind one to another"


Prov 18:24

    "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly"
Hand :

Hand is simply that, a big furry hand.  It is an easy puppet to make yourself, just sew a furry four fingered long glove.  His goal is to steal the memory verse written on pieces of paper.

We write our week's memory verse on five or six pieces of paper, and then tape them to the puppet stage (if your puppet stage has a ledge, you can use five or six blocks of wood). One of the teachers comes up front and has the children say the memory verse with her.  Hand comes up, and wants to shake hands with the teacher.  When they are done shaking hands, the teacher wipes her hand on her shirt, and Hand wipes his hand on the side of the stage.  Hand asks the teacher what she is doing (Hand has to use gestures, but the teacher is somehow able to know what he is saying).  Hand then takes one of the pieces of paper.  The teacher asks Hand to give it back, so Hand crumples up the paper and throws it back at the teacher.  The teacher then has the children say the memory verse with one of the words now gone.  Hand comes back up and shakes hands with the teacher.  Teacher and Hand both wipes their hands again.  Hand excitedly points to the back of the children's church room.   The teacher asks what is it.  Hand continues to point, and as the teacher turns, Hand takes another word.  The teacher again has the kids repeat the memory verse with another word gone.  This goes on until all of the words are gone, and the kids have hopefully learned the memory verse.

Some other things Hand can do:
1.  Hand knocks on the door of the puppet stage (if your puppet stage has a door that is).  The teacher goes to see who it is, and Hand takes another word.
2.  Hand throws a ball or something out of the puppet stage.  When the teacher goes to get it, Hand takes another word.
3.  The teacher waits for Hand to come up to take a word, and then hits him with a rubber mallet (or with a Styrofoam swim pole.)  Hand then comes up and motions  for the teacher to come closer.  She comes closer, and Hand motions for her to come even closer.  Hand then hits the teacher with a bigger Styrofoam pole, and takes another word as the teacher reels from the hit.

Bible Story : 2 Samuel 17 & 19 (2 Sam. 17:27-29 & 2 Sam. 19:31-40)

Story of King David and Barzillai.  David's son Absolom was trying to overthrow the king, so King David and his men left Jerusalem to cross the Jordan river for safety.  Barzillai and some other men brought Kind David and the people with him, food and drink, and beds for them to sleep on.
Later, after David had defeated Absolom and was on his way back to Jerusalem, he was met by Barzillai, and David wanted to repay him for his kindness.  Barzillai was old, and asked if he would take Chimham his son instead.  This King David did, and Chimham lived the rest of his life in the King's palace (during reigns of both King David and King Solomon).

I Kings 2:7 "But shew kindness unto the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be of those that eat at thy table: for so they came to me when I fled because of Absalom thy brother."

*(The Jewish historian Josephus says that Chimham was Barzillai's son.)