Narrator: In a small town near you lives a boy who is born again and has abilities far greater than those found in the average Christian.  He can memorize and quote hundreds of Bible verses and sing every song in the book without missing a note.  Who is this superhero?  What is his name? 

(enter Super Christian)

People (off stage):  It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Super Christian!

Narrator: (SC mimes actions while Narrator speaks).  Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen.  Every Sunday morning a transformation takes place.  Super Christian appears at the church, carrying his 40 pound Bible in the palm of one hand.  His super-smile shines and shows off his pearly-whites.  He greets everyone with a firm handshake.  He never misses a beat when the songs are sung.  And after every closing prayer he adds a loud “amen.” 

            But alas, what is this sudden transformation taking place?  It appears that Super Christian is headed for the nearest phone booth.  He’s…he’s…becoming a normal citizen?  He’s headed off to school; let’s see what will happen there.

Person: Hey!  It’s Super Christian!

Narrator: Super Christian, it seems that you’re being called. 

Person: Perfect!  I could really use some prayer right now.  You see…my family’s having a hard time and…

Super Christian: I think you have me mistaken for someone else.

Person: But you’re Super Christian.  I saw you at church. 

Super Christian: Really, I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Person: But…

Super Christian: I gotta go.  (Moves to other side of stage).

Person 2:  Hey!  Aren’t you the one who knows all the Bible verses? 

Super Christian:  What?

Person 2:  Yeah, I saw you quoting verses at church yesterday.  Great!  I could really use some encouragement right now.

Super Christian: Could you keep it down, please?  There are other people listening.  I really don’t have time to quote verses right now. 

Person 2: But I thought…

Super Christian: Sorry, gotta run.  (exits)

(Person 2 exits, shrugging shoulders).

…he who wins souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30

Props: 6 – 8 signs representing different interest groups (Rescue the whales, save the trees, save the courthouse, etc.); one sign that reads “Save the people.” 

Presentation:  Have a helper ready to hold each sign, and maybe even chant its slogan before you begin teaching. 

            Have you ever seen any signs like this around town or maybe on the news?  (Allow for response).  Have you ever seen people in big groups act like this?  (Allow for response).  There are people all over the country, and even people all over the world, who fight to rescue everything from trees to alligators to old buildings they don’t want to see torn down.    But there is one thing you don’t see very often:  people trying to save people.  (Hold up the “save the people” sign).  People get concerned about trying to save everything around us, but not so worried about each other.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to take care of our world and our environment, but we can’t ever forget how important people are.  See, thousands of people die every day who don’t know about God or His love.  When they die like that, they die forever.  Those who accept God’s love will die in their body, but their soul and spirit will live forever with God.  The Bible says, “he who wins souls is wise.”  Winning souls means telling people about God and introducing them to Him.  People who do that are truly wise.  They know that there’s nothing that needs to be saved more than people’s souls. 

            Think about your friends and family who don’t know God.  Be wise and tell them the truth that can save their soul!

Wake up! Strengthen what is left, or it will die. You have not done all that my God wants you to do. Revelation 3:2

 Props: set of dominos

 Stand up the dominos and arrange them in an “s” shape.  Be sure to place them close enough together that the entire line will fall when the first domino is pushed down. 

 If you’re going to wake up and answer God’s call, you must realize how important His call to you is.  God has called you to do something important and very special.  You will all do something a little bit different for God, but each one of you is called to tell others about God’s love.  Let me show you how important God’s call to share His love with others really is.

Each of these dominos is going to represent a person.  The first person in line is the person who told you about God’s love.  They connected with you and told you about Jesus, and you received His love.  (Push over first domino and let it touch the second, but hold the second domino upright).  Now you have a decision to make.  You can keep hold God’s love here or you can pass it along. 

God has called you to pass along His love.  It isn’t always easy, but it’s one of God’s commands.  Besides, God’s love is too wonderful to keep to yourself.  So you wake up and answer God’s call.  You start by telling one friend about how Jesus came to take the punishment for our sins, how he died and came back to life and how he lives and wants to give us life forever.  It doesn’t seem like much, does it…just telling one friend.  But watch what happens—that friend tells another, who tells another and it just keeps going.  (Push the next domino and allow the entire line to fall).  Before you know it, all these people have heard about Jesus. 

Hey!  This is your wake-up call.  Wake up and answer God’s call.  Tell others about God’s love.  Don’t ignore God.  Wake up!  Reach the world for Jesus.

“Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” Mark 16:15 (CEV)

 Jonah chapters 1-4

 Prop:  a ten dollar bill           

             I have a very special prize for someone today.  We give away prizes every week, but not usually like this.  Someone is about to be blessed with ten dollars.  Do I have any volunteers who would like to receive this ten dollar bill? 

            Now before you get all excited, I have to tell you that the ten dollars is going to be a little different when you receive it.  (Crumple the bill).  Now who wants it?  Are you sure?  It’s all crumpled and wrinkled now.  (Throw the bill on the ground and stomp on it).  I’m sure no one would want it now; it’s crumpled, wrinkled and it has been stomped on, so it’s dirty. 

(Choose someone who has been well behaved, has been consistently bringing a Bible, or who just needs a blessing to receive the ten dollars.  Call him/her forward to receive it and continue with the lesson.) 

God values each of us more than ten dollars, one hundred, or even a million dollars.  The Bible says that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)  If someone doesn’t accept the love of God and His forgiveness, they will not go to heaven.  That means they will spend forever away from God, separated from Him.  God doesn’t want even one person to miss Him.  He wants everyone to hear about and accept His love, because he loves and values each and every person. 

            Jonah forgot that the people of Ninevah were valuable to God.  All he could see was their  mean behavior and their reputation.  Sometimes you and I forget the value of people.  We forget that each person is important and needs to hear about God’s love.  You may not want to tell some people, because maybe they’re mean like the people of Ninevah were.  Maybe they don’t like you of have done something against you.  Or maybe you just don’t know them.  Whatever the case, Jesus told us to “Go.”  Go and tell them the good news that God really loves them and they are special to Him.  They can be forgiven for their sins and spend eternity in Heaven.   

            Boys and girls, it’s your job and my job to tell others about Jesus.   Each person is valuable and needs to hear about His love.

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  Romans 12:10-11 (NIV)

Props: map and pen

*Contextualize this lesson by using as an example a natural disaster that could happen in your area: tornado, flood, etc. 

            All of us know what a hurricane is: a huge storm that forms in the water and can travel to land, bringing rain, high winds and sometimes tornados with it.  Right now we are in hurricane season, the time of year when a hurricane can form easily.  If a hurricane travels to land, it may destroy trees, houses, buildings, cars and might even kill people.

(Use the pen to outline a “hurricane” in the ocean, far from your city).  When meteorologists first see hurricanes, they are usually far away, maybe out in the ocean or near some islands.  No one here really thinks much about it, because it is still far away.  It may be pounding some island down to the ground, destroying homes and killing people, but not too many people here really think about it.  So no one does anything:  no one collects food or water, no one gets flashlights ready or thinks of where they are going to go.  The storm is still far away and not affecting our lives.  You might be that way in your life.  People all around you are going through tough times, but if it’s not affecting you, you may not care enough to do something about it. 

(Use the pen to outline the movement of the “hurricane” close to your city).  We all know that hurricanes don’t stay in the same place:  they move, sometimes quickly.  Things change when a hurricane moves.  And people change: their whole attitude about the storm changes when it comes near them.  If this storm moves and comes right near our city, people would suddenly board up their houses, buy food and water, check their flashlights and think of an emergency plan if they suddenly have to leave town.  This storm would instantly become important to everyone nearby. 

The big difference in their attitude is that suddenly the storm is near to them.  They can see it and feel it, so they want to do something about it.  Sometimes the reason why you’re not willing to do things is because you don’t see and feel the need.  If you hear about a hungry child in another country, it may not bother you.  But if you were hungry, you’d want to get help right away.  Start caring about other people like you care about yourself.  It’s easy to ignore problems that are far away or that you can’t see or feel.  But having ambition means wanting something—wanting to help, wanting to make a difference, wanting to do something great for someone—and being willing to do what it takes to get it.

“…people brought to Jesus all who were sick. He placed his hands on each one and healed them.” Luke 4:40

Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man)

Props: 6 buckets, each labeled with one of the following “obstacles”: doubt, unbelief, fear, unconcern, busyness, problems.  One bean bag (or ball) large enough to knock down each bucket. 

Throughout the lesson, set down the buckets in a pyramid as you speak.  (3 on bottom row, 2 on middle row, 1 on top). 

God wants all of us to be like the men in today’s Bible lesson that carried the paralyzed man to Jesus.  Those men cared about the man who was paralyzed and they did whatever it took to get him to Jesus for a miracle.  They even tore through part of the roof!  The crowds may have been in their way and the roof may have been blocking their way to Jesus, but that didn’t stop them. 

            If we’re going to help bring people to Jesus, we will have things that get in our way, too.  The men had to take off part of the roof.  You will have to deal with things in your way.  Let’s look at some of the things that may get in the way. 

• (Hold up bucket that says doubt).  Doubt is thinking that God won’t do a miracle, or that He may not want to do a miracle for you or the person you’re praying for.  (Set down bucket on floor or table).  Doubt gets in the way, because if you believe that God won’t help you, you’re not going to ask. 
• (Hold up bucket that says unbelief).  Unbelief also gets in the way of many miracles.  Unbelief is believing that God can’t help you, even if He wanted to.  It gets in the way because if you don’t believe in God’s power then you’re not going to trust Him to do a miracle for you or anyone else.  (Set “unbelief” bucket beside doubt bucket.  Hold up bucket that says fear). 
• Fear is a huge obstacle for many people.  Have you ever wondered, “What if I pray for my sick friend and he/she doesn’t get well?”  That’s fear.  Fear can keep you from even praying for a miracle or asking someone else if you can pray for him or her.    (Set “fear” bucket beside “unbelief” bucket.  Hold up bucket that says unconcern). 
• Many people let unconcern get in the way of bringing people to Jesus.  It’s easy to forget that people have needs and problems, or to get caught up in your own problems and not care about others’ needs.  (Set down “unconcern” bucket on top of first row of buckets.  Hold up bucket that says busyness). 
• One more thing that you can allow to get in the way of bringing people to Jesus is busyness.  You might get busy with school, homework, chores and friends and not take the time to help people who need a miracle.  Those four men who carried the paralyzed man to Jesus were probably busy, but they set everything else aside and took the time to help him.  (Set down “busyness” bucket beside “unconcern” bucket.  Hold up bucket that says problems). 
• Finally, you may allow yourself to let problems stop you from bringing people to Jesus.  Maybe you have problems of your own and you let that stop you from helping other people find Jesus.  (Set down “problems” bucket on top of the stack.  Pick up bean bag.)    

 The key is to get all of these things out of the way.  The men in today’s Bible lesson tore through the roof to get the paralyzed man to Jesus.  So let’s see how we can take care of these problems.

            When you have problems of your own, remember the verse that says, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).  Care for others and God will take care of you.  (Knock down “problems” bucket).   

            If you are getting too busy to help others, remember that Jesus said to “do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).  If you would want others to stop and help you, then take time to help them.   (Knock down “busyness” bucket).

            There may be times when you don’t care about others and aren’t concerned about their problems.  God’s Word teaches us to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).  That means we should all help each other out and care about bringing people to Jesus when they need a miracle.   (Knock down “unconcern” bucket).

            If fear gets in your way, remember what Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).  (Knock down “fear” bucket).

            When you’re tempted not to believe in God’s power, remember that Jesus taught us “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22).  (Knock down “unbelief” bucket).

            If you’re doubting that God can work a miracle, keep in mind the words of Jesus: “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done” (Matthew 21:21).  In other words, if you believe God to do miracles and don’t doubt, nothing is impossible.  (Knock down “doubt” bucket).

            Remember, you can bring people to Jesus when they need a miracle.  Look at the things that were standing in the way.  Knock them down by using everything God taught us in His Word, the Bible.  Get rid of whatever is keeping you from helping others when they need a miracle.  You can be the blessing that someone is praying for.

“Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”   Mark 16:15 (CEV)

Props: Stop sign, “Go” sign (on the opposite side of the “stop” sign)

(Hold up the stop sign).  Everyone has seen one of these.  What does it mean?  (Allow for response).  This sign, of course, means to stop.  It doesn’t mean “Stop if you feel like it,” or “Stop if you have time.”  It doesn’t even mean, “Stop if there are people coming the other way.”  It means STOP!  Don’t think about it or try to decide whether or not to…just STOP! 

Jesus gave us a command in the Bible, only His was to GO!  (Show “Go” sign).  He didn’t say, “Go if you feel like it,” or “Go if you have time.”  He didn’t say, “Go if you think you should.”  He said, “Go.  Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world!”    It’s a command, not a suggestion.  He didn’t give us an option. 

Say this with me: It’s my job to tell others about Jesus.  (Repeat with the kids).  Remember, go and preach the good news of God’s love to everyone in the world!

“Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”  Mark 16:15 (CEV)

Props: table and chairs, snack food and drinks, plates, cups

Have 8 or 10 children sit around the table.  Bring out the snacks and drinks and serve one or two children the entire time you are talking.  Do not serve any snacks or drinks to the others. 

             Some people have heard the name of Jesus.  In fact, they have heard His name over and over again.  They have heard about His love and how He came to die for our sins.  Some of you have heard about Him and His love; you hear about it once, twice or even three times a week.  Maybe you hear about it every day.  But there are children and adults in this world who have never heard His name even once.

            Think about these kids who now have so many snacks.  They have more here than they could eat by themselves.  If they ate and drank all of this, they would explode!  But there are kids at this same table who don’t have even a little to eat or drink.  They have nothing.  That isn’t very fair.

            That’s the way it is around the world with the message of God’s love.  Some people have heard it so much when others have heard it so little.  It’s not fair!  It’s our job to spread the message of God’s love to others.

            Some of you may be thinking, “How can I spread the message of God’s love to someone in another country?”  The answer is, start where you are.  Start with the kids in your neighborhood and in your class at school.  Tell them about the love of God and Jesus. 

            Remember, Jesus said, “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”  Let’s make sure everyone gets a chance to hear about His love!

“Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” Mark 16:15 (CEV)

Props: toy fire truck, fire fighter outfit, and/or video clip of fire fighters in action

Pop quiz.  What do you do if you are in an emergency, like a fire? (Allow for response).  You would call for help, usually by dialing 9-1-1 on the phone.  Now imagine that you dial 9-1-1 and tell the operator that your house is on fire, and he says, “Come to the fire station, and we’ll be happy to help you.”  That would be crazy!  And it wouldn’t help you at all; the fire fighters are supposed to come to you!  You would be in a life-threatening situation and you would need someone to come to you and rescue you!  That’s their job. 

Mark 16:15 gives us a command from Jesus: Go!  He said, “Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.”  A lot of times, we sit in church and wait for people to come to us so we can tell them about God’s love.  But that’s not what Jesus told us to do; He said, “Go!”  People are dying without hearing about or accepting God’s love. We have the life-saving good news they need, but we must go and share it with them.  We can’t just wait for them to come and ask us about it. 

Don’t let someone die without hearing about God.  Do your job and share the good news!

“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
       that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

Props: 2 car batteries and a set of jumper cables

            Have you ever been with your parents when their car breaks down?  It can be really frustrating—especially if it’s hot outside or you have somewhere to get to quickly.  Many times the problem is a dead battery.  The battery has lost its power, but it’s not without hope.  It just needs a jump from a battery with power.  (Hold up jumper cables).  The battery with power is connected to the dead battery with these cables.  The cables don’t have the power, but they are used to transfer the power from one battery to the other.  So they are used to bring “life” to the powerless battery.

            God wants you to do the same thing for those who are “dead” in their spirit because they do not know Him.  You cannot give eternal life to anyone, but you can “connect” people to God, and He can forgive their sins and give them eternal life.  How do you “connect” people to God?  Pray for them.  Be an example of God’s love by loving them.  Tell them about your relationship with God, and how God can give them eternal life and help them through this life.  

            Give someone a “jump”—share God’s love with them.  You can make a difference.