Curriculum Materials for 4th and 5th...

User AgreementOrange gladly grants permission to churches, schools, and other licensees to tailor 252 Basics® materials to fit their unique leadership requirements, locale and format preferences, and physical environment needs. However, if you wish to edit the content substantively, including Bible stories, learning activities, scripts, and any other content in which biblical principles and concepts are presented, you are obligated to do so within the doctrinal guidelines we’ve expressed in our Statement of Faith. These resources are intended to be downloaded and printed for use by the subscribing entity only and may not be electronically transferred to or duplicated by other non-subscribing entities. Any unauthorized reproduction of this material or incorporation into a new work is a direct violation of US copyright laws. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. 252 Basics® and the 252 Basics® logo are trademarks of Orange. ©2012 Orange. All rights reserved. www.whatisorange.org/252basics

©2012 The reThink Group, Inc. All rights reserved. www.ThinkOrange.com

Curriculum Materials for 4th and 5th Grades

Chief Executive Officer

Reggie Joiner

Creative Team

Kristen IvyCara MartensElizabeth HansenBrandon O’DellGreg PaynePhil PierceDan ScottJon Williams

Contributing Writers

Jodi BlackwellLauren BowmanLauren TerrellJulie TiemannMike Tiemann

Copy Editors

Elloa DavisJennifer DavisDana Wilkerson

Illustrations &Graphic Design

Mike DavisDan ScottBrian BascleJoe Goode

Technical & Web Support

Hadley Brandt

Orange Specialists

Amy GrishamJoy BowenAbbey CarrBecky KizerMisty PhillipsStephanie PorterSusan RichardsCourtney Templeton

FAITH I can trust God no matter what. WISDOM I need to make the wise choice. FRIENDSHIP I should treat others the way I want to be treated.

CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT: THE BIG GIVEKeep things simple and put out some

traditional Christmas decorations—

the more kid-friendly they are,

the better! Then make it look like

you’re in the middle of creating the

backdrop for a Christmas play. You

could have a few labeled boxes and

plastic bins stacked up as if you were

in the process of unpacking and

setting up, with some things inside

sticking out a bit at different angles,

to add visual interest.

(more ideas in Large Group script)

Have fun getting in the holiday spirit

and send us some pictures (tweet

them @252Basics or email your

Orange Specialist).

BEFORE KIDS LEAVE THE 5TH GRADE, WE WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND 3 BASIC TRUTHS:

ABOUT

GODGod is the one and only true God, yet He

exists in three persons: God the Father,

God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

God is the Creator, so everything belongs

to Him and is under His control. God is

holy, so He is righteous, majestic, and

loving. God is all knowing and purposeful,

so He’s at work to bring about His will. No

person, thing, or idea compares to God.

ABOUT

THE BIBLEGod reveals Himself to us through the

Bible, and it is 100% accurate, reliable, and

authoritative.

ABOUT

PEOPLEPeople are made in God’s image and for

His pleasure. But everybody falls short of

God’s intention, or ideal, for people. In

other words, everyone has sinned. As a

result, we are all separated from Him, even

though He wants an intimate relationship

with each of us.

ABOUT

SALVATIONThat’s why Jesus—God’s Son—came and

lived on this earth, died, and rose again.

God offers His free gift of salvation to all

who believe in Jesus and accept Him as

Savior—the only way to be forgiven and

reconciled to God. Anyone who accepts

this gift is adopted as a son or daughter

into God’s family and will live with Him

forever in heaven.

HOSTthe “emcee” who is relational, often

funny and comfortable up front

STORYTELLERthe communicator sharing the Bible

story in a creative way

WORSHIP LEADERa singer who can engage and lead

with music and motions

Note: If you have one large

group leader for all three roles, we

recommend 252 Compact

CGslides with images and words to

project onscreen

Note: If you don’t have projection

capabilities, you can print these as

posters.

SFXmusic or sound effects to play as

part of the large group experience


STATEMENT OF FAITH

252 GOOD-TO-KNOW TERMS

Scripture marked “NIV” is taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica.

Scripture marked “NIrV” is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, Copyright ©1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

COMPASSIONCaring enough to do something about someone else’s need.

December | Week 1 | 2012 | Large Group 4-5

3

FOR LEADERS ONLYGOD VIEW: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN COMPASSION AND GOD’S CHARACTER,

AS SHOWN THROUGH GOD’S BIG STORY

If you want to understand who God

is—if you want to learn more about

His character—there may be no better

place to start than with the Christmas

story.

The Creator of the entire universe was

attentive to His creation. He saw and

understood the consequences of our

sin. He saw our greatest need. And He

did something about it. He humbled

Himself to be born as a tiny baby in a

remote town in the dwelling place of

animals. He lived as one of us so that,

eventually, He could die for us and

rise again, giving us the chance to live

eternally with God in heaven.

This Christmas story shows that

one aspect of God’s character is

compassion. COMPASSION is caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. God lovingly

saw our greatest need and met it in

the most remarkable way.

People with very real and practical

needs surround us. Let’s train our

eyes to see their hurts and teach our

hearts to step outside our comfort

zone. When we can imagine ourselves

in someone else’s shoes, take action,

and do what is in our ability to help

them, we reflect God’s COMPASSION

into the world. We may not be able

to meet every need or solve every

problem, but we can start somewhere

and do something. As we demonstrate

more COMPASSION, we will see

ourselves transformed to be more like

God.

This month, let’s think about how:

(1) God showed compassion to us

when He sent His Son to meet our

greatest need.

(2) We reflect the character of God to

the world around us when we meet

others’ needs.

(3) As we demonstrate compassion to

others, we experience transformation

in our own life and begin to discover

more about God’s great compassion.

This week, we’re discovering:In this week’s Bible story, we see God

begin His compassionate rescue by

sending Gabriel to appear to Mary

(Luke 1:26-38). Gabriel tells Mary that

God has seen His people’s need, and

Mary gets to be a part of God meeting

that need. Immanuel—God with us—is

coming to rescue us!

Our Bottom Line is God saw our greatest needs. Whose needs do you see? When we slow down and look

outside ourselves, we see the needs

of those around us. But when we stay

focused on our own needs, we miss

the chance to help others.

The monthly memory verse

summarizes God’s example of

compassion: God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16, NIrV God saw the world’s

greatest need and cared enough to do

something about it.

Curriculum Materials for K-5th Grades

BIBLE STORY

Mama Mia! (Gabriel appears to Mary) •

Luke 1:11-38

BOTTOM LINE

God saw our greatest needs. Whose needs do

you see?

MEMORY VERSE

“God loved the world so much that he gave his

one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will

not die but will have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIrV

PLUG INSMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO FOCUS THE ENERGY

• Ideas for Early Arrivers

• Happy News

POWER UPINTERACTIVE LARGE GROUP EXPERIENCE

TO ENGAGE THE HEART

• Opener

• Worship

• Bible story and Prayer

• Worship

• Closer

CATCH ON SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES TO MAKE THE CONNECTION

(CHOOSE TWO OR MORE OF THESE ACTIVITIES)

• Gift Race

• World Wide Needs

• Needs Met

• Prayer

DISMISSAL• Prayer, share and reflect on today’s lesson before

leaving

HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK OF WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING IN 4TH AND 5TH GRADE THIS WEEK:

DECWEEK

1

4

COMPASSIONCaring enough to do something about someone else’s need.


LARGEGROUP

4-5

Caring enough to do something

about someone else’s need.

Luke 1:11-38

COMPASSION

December | 2012 | LG 45

BIBLE STORY:

MAMA MIA!

Applygo and do

Impressimpress this upon their minds

Personalize a personal story from the heart

Recycleimportant things to say over and over

Transitionmaking a transition from one leader to another

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BOTTOM LINE:

God saw our greatest needs. Whose

needs do you see?

MEMORY VERSE:

“God loved the world so much that

he gave his one and only Son. Anyone

who believes in him will not die but

will have eternal life.” John 3:16, NIrV

BASIC TRUTH:

I can trust God no matter what.

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POWER UP: ENGAGE THE HEARTEngage children’s hearts in a Large Group setting through interactive worship, prayer, and an innovative telling of today’s Bible story.

CREATE THIS MONTH’S ENVIRONMENT: THE BIG GIVEKeep things simple and put out some traditional Christmas decorations—the

more kid-friendly they are, the better! Then make it look like you’re in the middle

of creating the backdrop for a Christmas play. You could have a few labeled

boxes and plastic bins stacked up as if you were in the process of unpacking and

setting up, with some things inside sticking out a bit at different angles, to add

visual interest.

It’s always good to add some additional lights—from a Christmas tree, to plain

white strands crisscrossing above the kids in the audience, or even an extra big

spotlight sitting off to the side. What about creating a clothes rack and having

some of the costumes hanging there, and a hat-rack with the wigs and beards

ready to be used? Or even a ladder can be opened up and used like shelving

with that week’s props on it so they are close at hand.

You could even create a director’s chair—even if it’s just a canvas portable chair

with a sign on the back—and find a Hollywood movie scene marker to open and

close scenes. found online or at Party City. Ask someone creative to help make a

marquis-type sign that says, “The Big Give Christmas Play coming soon!” These

types of kits are available at teacher stores or can be made with plain white

poster board and a little imagination. Have fun getting in the holiday spirit and

send us some pictures (tweet them @252Basics or email your Orange Specialist).

Please note: The Host and Storyteller have a continuing story this month, so

you’ll need to do ALL video or ALL live; it won’t work to do half and half. You’ll

need to recruit two people who can be there all five weeks, so look for people

who can commit (even if it isn’t your usual Host). Think about asking two people

from the same family to pair up for the month—maybe an adult with an older

kid, a mom and dad working together, or even two good friends who enjoy

spending time together anyway. This can be something special they do together,

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and if they already have a relationship, it will make it easier for them to rehearse some, even if it’s in the car on the way to

church! Also, be prepared with understudies in case your Host or Storyteller gets sick.

Since this month is a continuing story, if you don’t have church on December 23, you’ll need to plan ahead so you can

do the Dec. 23 script on Dec. 16. In that case, we recommend combining the scripts for Weeks 1 and 2 (using the Week

2 Bottom Line). Weeks 3 and 4 are a little longer than usual as the story builds. We think it’s worth it this time of year to

make sure we cover things well. We realize you also might be short some Small Group Leaders due to travel and family

obligations so a longer Large Group time close to the holidays can actually help.

Widget*: Quarter Catcher

* widg·et wij-it] –noun

1. Something unspecific whose name is either forgotten or not known.

2. A device that is very useful for a particular job

Origin: 1925–30; perhaps an alternative form of gadget

Collecting for a compassionate cause this Christmas? We’ve got just the tool! This month’s widget, the Quarter Catcher,

provides a handy way for kids to collect quarters to donate for a compassionate cause. Whether it’s Orange’s H2GO! water

filter partnership with Compassion International, or your church’s focus of choice, your kids can be enthusiastic about

meeting someone else’s need through the Quarter Catcher.

GETTING READY1. OPENER/CLOSERWhat You Need: • Host • Festive Christmas accessories (cheesy sweater, antlers, scarf, etc.) • Sleigh bells (if you have them) • Candy cane (unwrapped) • Scissors • Piece of white paper • Paper snowflake (finished, folded up) • Binder that says “The Big Give,” with the Week 1 Bible story script inside Note: You’ll use this binder all month, so keep it handy. • Prizes or candy to throw to kids at the end of Large Group (optional)

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Music and Sound Effects (SFX): • Upbeat music to use as kids enter and exit the room • Sleigh bells SFX (unless you have some real ones)

Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website): • Compassion Slide

What You Do: • Download the slide and have it ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have Orange’s permission to

enlarge and print the slide on paper. • Download all songs and SFX and have them ready to use. • Print Week 1’s Bible story script and put it inside the binder as a guide.

2. BIBLE STORYWhat You Need: • Storyteller • Host • Binder that says “The Big Give,” with the Week 1 Bible story script inside • Tissue • Fake brown beard • Angels baseball cap (you could make your own or just use wings or a halo if you have that) • Fake gray beard • Granny wig • Cue card

Music and Sound Effects (SFX): • Dreamy harp glissando SFX

Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website): • Memory Verse Slide • Bottom Line Slide • Big Story Timeline

What You Do: • Download the slides and have them ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have Orange’s permission

to enlarge and print the slides on paper. Note: We provide standard and widescreen image sizes if you choose to

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display the Big Story Timeline on your screens. If you prefer to have a printed version, head to www.ThinkOrange.com, click “Orange Store,” and search “Big Story Timeline” to order a high quality poster.

• Download the SFX and have it ready to use. • Write Isaiah’s lines on the cue card.

3. WORSHIPWhat You Need: • Worship Leader(s)

Music and Sound Effects (SFX): • “Jingle Bells” from Jingle Jam • “All Because of Jesus” from Chase the Light (On the Get Reel 2.0 DVD there is a “Live Loud” video you can

show to help teach and encourage worship in kids’ everyday lives. Use this segment before doing “All Because of Jesus.”)

• “Be Glorified” from Stars, Guitars & Megaphone Dreams* *Live Lyric Videos available from www.AmberSkyRecords.com.

What You Do: • Download all songs (available on AmberSkyRecords.com) and have them ready to use. • Download and print this week’s tech sheet for everyone helping with Large Group.

4. ADDITIONAL RESOURCESH2GO!: If you’re participating in H2GO!, make sure to get your kids excited! We’ve provided special segments for Family Experience scripts that you can add in. Don’t forget to point them to Compassion’s “Quest for Compassion” site for kids (www.questforcompassion.org).

GET REEL: This month with Get Reel 2.0, show kids how to give big so they can discover how to do something about someone else’s need.

This week, we recommend playing the Discovery video to inspire the key faith skill of Navigating the Bible. The Discovery video shows our host creatively using uses an iPad to make his point about being a unique creation of God. Then, he jumps into the Bible and shows the world the stories we are discovering this month in God’s big story.

Also on Get Reel 2.0, you can enhance your environment with graphic motion loops (animation slides).

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FEATURE PRESENTATION: We know that sometimes you want to “mix things up” to keep kids engaged with the most important thing you do every week in your Large Group: tell the Bible story.

You also like having a back-up plan in case your Host or Storyteller cancels at the last minute. This is why our Large Group script is interchangeable with the Feature Presentation DVDs so you can plug and play the way you need to each week. Similar to the flow we create with our Large Group script, Feature Presentation also has weekly Intro and Outro videos with a Host. The Intros set up the Bible story and Life App, while the Outros smoothly transition from Large Group to Small Group.

For the 4th-5th grade age group, we recommend playing 252 Movie, which takes you through a fully-dramatized presentation of the story in a contemporary and comedic sketch of the Bible story.

Note: For this month only, the videos are not interchangeable with the live scripts. You need to do either all video or all live. Because it is Christmas, we highly recommend, as much as possible, that you do the live scripts. However, we know that circumstances are not always predictable in children’s ministry, so we do recommend having Feature Presentation on hand in case live storytelling is not possible.

WIDGET: Each month’s application tool (called a widget) is available for bulk purchase on our website. Go to https://secure.rethinkgroup.org/store/home.php and search “Quarter Catcher” to order. If budget constraints do not allow you to purchase the widgets, you can simply make your own.

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SFX: Play high-energy music as kids enter.

Host enters, wearing festive Christmas accessories (cheesy sweater, antlers, scarf, etc.).

OPENERHOST: “What’s up, guys? Let me be the first to tell you MERRY CHRISTMAS! Yeah! Can you believe it? Christmas is FINALLY almost here! I’m so excited I can’t stand it. I love Christmas music.

SFX: Sleigh bells (or Host plays real sleigh bells if you have them)

“I love Christmas candy.

Chomp into a candy cane. If possible, ‘speed-eat’ it like a chipmunk.

“I even love Christmas decorations!

Start frantically cutting a piece of white paper with scissors. Then after a few seconds, turn your back, pick up the pre-made, folded-up paper snowflake, and turn back to face the kids. Unfold the snowflake triumphantly. (The kids will obviously know this is a fake-out.) Hang it up somewhere on the stage.

“Yes, there are SO many things to love about Christmas. And trust me, I LOVE the cookies and the presents and Elf. But here’s the BEST part. You know what Christmas is really about, right? Help me out. Who came to this earth at Christmas as a little, tiny baby? (Pauses.) Yep—Jesus, God’s Son. Christmas is about the greatest gift of all time, when God sent Jesus to be our Savior.

“So here’s what we’re talking about this month. When God sent Jesus, He gave us the ultimate example of compassion! Compassion is simple. It’s caring enough to do something about someone else’s need. And God can do HUGE things through us if we really live out compassion with the people who need our help!

CG: Compassion Slide

“I want to show you guys why compassion is even MORE exciting than a new [insert whatever the coolest video game or other 4th–5th grade toy is at the moment—make sure it’s current!]. And guess what? I’ve been asked to do something else for the first time ever. The powers that be asked little ol’ me to direct this year’s Christmas play. Yep, you heard it here first. (Pauses and then leans forward and shares in a whisper) I’ll be honest—I’m a little nervous. It’s a LOT of responsibility and I really don’t want to mess up. It’s a pretty important story, right? Good thing they also gave me this.

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Pick up the binder.

“It’s the scripts and everything I need to know to pull this off. It’s for our play called ‘The Big Give.’ It’s all about the compassion God showed us at Christmas. I just need to look through it and take it week by week. (Pauses.) And I might need a little help from some of you along the way.

“But before we get to that, it’s time for some Christmas FUN! You guys jump up on your feet and get ready to sing!”

Worship Leaders enter as Host exits.

WORSHIPWORSHIP LEADER: “’Tis the season for some jingle bells. Let’s have some Christmas sing-along fun. Here we go!”

SFX: “Jingle Bells” / track 5 from Jingle Jam

Storyteller enters as Worship Leaders exit.

SETTING UP THE STORYSTORYTELLER: “Hey, guys! It’s great to see you today. I think [Host’s name] already told you about how he’s the big bad director of this year’s Christmas play. And I’m going to be our narrator. Pretty cool! Today we’re rehearsing the first part of the play … so we’ll see how it goes.

“But before we get to that, let me just ask you guys something up front. Why do you think our Christmas play is called ‘The Big Give’? (Pauses.) That’s right! It’s called ‘The Big Give’ because at Christmas, God gave us Jesus. THAT was the Big Give! Before we get started, will you guys pray with me?

PRAYSTORYTELLER: “God, thank You so much that we get to talk about the reason behind why we celebrate Christmas! It really is the best time of the year—not just because of the presents and the candy, but because You saw our need for a Savior and You sent Your Son, Jesus, to the world. Help us to remember how HUGE and exciting that really is! If we’ve heard the story before, or if it’s brand-new for us, please show ALL of us something new this month. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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TELLING THE STORYSTORYTELLER: “All right, now let’s get this rehearsal started! Today’s part of the story comes from the book of Luke, chapter 1. I need you guys to make some noise for our director. Give it up for [Host’s name]! He’s going to help direct all the action while I narrate the story.

Host enters, clearly loving all the attention.

“Okay, great. (Clears throat obnoxiously and starts to read.) This is ‘The Big Give,’ the Christmas story.”

THE ANGEL & ZECHARIAHSTORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “Since the very beginning, God had pursued His people, the Israelites. As many times as they chose to ignore Him and go their own way, He lovingly brought them back. He even promised through His prophets that He would one day send someone to rescue them … and the entire world.”

After that line, Host and Storyteller wait, looking around awkwardly. Host speaks up after a few seconds.

HOST: “Um … Isaiah? (Awkward pause) Oops, we forgot to pick someone. Not starting out so great, are we? Can someone out there be the prophet Isaiah?”

Host brings a male Small Group Leader or older boy up on stage, puts a fake brown beard on him, and gives him his cue card.

STORYTELLER: (To Isaiah) “Looking good, Isaiah. Now, your lines are actually from the Old Testament (holds up Bible). This is stuff that was written in the Scriptures BEFORE Jesus came, and it totally predicted what was going to happen later at Christmas. In fact, remember our Big Story Timeline?

CG: Big Story Timeline

Point on the map as you describe where the story is found.

“We’re right here—our story today starts in the Old Testament and then crosses over to beginning of the New Testament.”

HOST: “Now, Isaiah, can you say your lines for us, nice and loud?”

ISAIAH: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light! A child will be born, called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He will reign on King David’s throne with justice and righteousness forever!”

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HOST: “Good. Very convincing. Thanks, Isaiah. Why don’t you sit right there? I think we might need you again later on. So Isaiah was saying that one day God was going to send a rescuer. All right, [Storyteller’s name], you can keep going with the script. Remember, we left off with God saying that He was going to send someone to rescue the Israelites and the whole world.”

STORYTELLER: “Right! (Reads from binder.) The Israelites believed God. Really, they did. But there was just one catch. After all those promises, they hadn’t heard from Him in a LONG time—400 years! Now the Israelites struggled under the stern rule of the Roman Empire. Their lives were very hard.”

HOST: (Dabs eyes with a tissue; to Storyteller) “Man, this is rough! Are you sure this is going to have a happy ending?”

STORYTELLER: (To Host) “It’s Christmas. It’s going to be just fine. But we need to show how we GET to Christmas. That’s what this first scene is all about. Trust me. (Read from binder) Then, after all those long, silent years, God showed up! He sent an angel to an elderly priest named Zechariah.”

HOST: (To Storyteller) “Hold up … an angel? Zechariah? Don’t we need them up on stage too?”

STORYTELLER: “Yep. Absolutely.”

Host picks a boy and a male SGL and brings them on stage. He puts the Angels baseball cap on the boy and the gray fake beard on the SGL.

HOST: “Perfect. We have the angel Gabriel and the elderly priest Zechariah. (To Gabriel and Zechariah) Now, I need you guys to act out what [Storyteller’s name] is saying, okay? Lots of drama—make it big! (To Storyteller) Can you start at that last line again?”

Host should be ready to coach the volunteers to ham it up with their body language while Storyteller reads their lines.

STORYTELLER: “Sure! (Reads from binder.) Then, after all those long, silent years, God showed up! He sent an angel to an elderly priest named Zechariah. The angel Gabriel said to Zechariah, ‘Your wife, Elizabeth, will have a son, and you will name him John. He will prepare people for the Lord.’”

HOST: “All right, we need a wife for Zechariah. Who wants to be Elizabeth?”

Host picks a female SGL or girl and brings her on stage. He puts the granny wig on her.

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STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “The angel Gabriel said to Zechariah, ‘Your wife, Elizabeth, will have a son, and you will name him John. He will prepare people for the Lord.’ Zechariah’s jaw probably dropped to the floor.

There’s an awkward pause while Zechariah acts this out. Host may need to go move Zechariah’s beard to the side so the audience can see his dropped jaw.

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “Zechariah’s jaw probably dropped to the floor, and not just because a huge, glorious angel towered before him. He didn’t know how this could happen, because his wife was OLD! We’re not sure exactly how old, but it’s safe to say they were both old enough to have gray hair. But it didn’t matter to God that people thought Elizabeth was too old to have a son. It happened just as the angel had said.

Host motions to Elizabeth to rub her belly.

THE ANGEL & MARYSTORYTELLER: (Still reading from the binder) “And the next part of God’s amazing plan involved someone very YOUNG: Elizabeth’s cousin Mary.”

HOST: “Can I get a Mary up here?”

Host picks a girl out of the crowd and brings her on stage (the opposite side of the stage from the other volunteers). He motions for the Storyteller to continue.

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “Mary was about to be married to a man named Joseph. She knew all about God’s promises to the Israelites, but right now her head was probably full of wedding plans and getting ready to become Joseph’s wife. And one day, suddenly, the angel Gabriel came and stood before her!

Host brings Gabriel over to Mary and gets Gabriel to raise his hands while the Storyteller reads his lines.

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “Gabriel said, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary. God is very pleased with you. He has chosen you to give birth to a Son named Jesus. He will be great, the Son of the Most High. God will give Him the same throne that King David had, and His kingdom will never end.’”

MARY REMEMBERS ISAIAHHOST: (To Storyteller) “Wait, so that must have sounded familiar to Mary. Isn’t that what Isaiah was talking about earlier?”

STORYTELLER: “Right. Mary would have recognized it from the Scriptures.”

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HOST: “Let’s see if we can show that here on stage. Mary, can you sit and think for a second? (Looks at the sound booth) And can we get a sound effect, too?

SFX: Dreamy harp glissando

“Perfect! Now, Isaiah, are you ready with your lines again? Go ahead.”

ISAIAH (SGL): “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light! A child will be born, called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He will reign on King David’s throne with justice and righteousness forever!”

SFX: Cut harp

HOST: “Good! Go on, [Storyteller’s name].”

STORYTELLER: (Reads from binder.) “The angel’s words sounded familiar. Mary could hear the prophecies of Isaiah echoing in her head. And now God was speaking directly to her! Could the angel really mean that Mary’s Son would be the promised King to rescue her people?

Host continues to encourage the volunteers to ham it up while the Storyteller reads the lines below.

“‘But how can this be,’ Mary thought, ‘since I’m not married yet?’

“‘The Holy Spirit will make it possible,’ said Gabriel. ‘The child will be called the Son of God.’

“Mary was AMAZED to hear that her baby would be God’s Son. But Gabriel told her that anything was possible. Even her cousin Elizabeth, who was old, was about to have a baby!

Host raises Gabriel’s arm so he’s pointing over toward Zechariah and Elizabeth. He gets Elizabeth to rub her belly again.

“It was part of God’s big story. God had chosen Mary as part of His plan to make things good and right again. And Mary said, ‘I am God’s servant. Let everything that you’ve said come true.’

“And then Mary started on a journey to go talk to her cousin Elizabeth. Mary didn’t yet know everything God was doing, but it was clear that God had seen the world’s greatest need and was sending someone to rescue them.”

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Storyteller closes the binder. Host walks over to him, clapping for all the actors.

HOST: “Bravo! Bravo! Wonderful acting! You can all head back to your seats. That’s a wrap for scene one!”

Volunteers go back to their seats. Host stays on stage.

WRAPPING UP THE STORYHOST: (Relieved) “Man! That went better than I thought it would. It’s a good thing we have such amazing actors in here.”

STORYTELLER: “Yeah, definitely! And I think you’ve got this directing thing down. We’ll rehearse scene two next week.

(To audience) “And here’s what’s so cool about this, you guys: God sent the angel Gabriel to give His message to Mary—a young girl who wasn’t much older than you! Isn’t that amazing? God saw that our greatest need was rescue. None of us could ever live a perfect life or fix our own mistakes. So God made a plan to send a Rescuer who could do it FOR us.

“We think it’s hard to wait 23 days until Christmas. These people had waited 400 years to hear from God! And suddenly God showed up in a BIG way. He hadn’t forgotten them. He had a plan all along to send His Son to be our Savior … our Rescuer.”

CG: Memory Verse Slide

HOST: “It’s like our Memory Verse says: ‘God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.’” (John 3:16, NIrV)

STORYTELLER: “This was all part of a GREAT story—God’s big story. It wasn’t what people expected, but it was all part of

His plan. And it’s true now like it was true then: we can trust God no matter what! And just like God saw our need and sent Jesus, we can show compassion when we see other people’s needs and do something about them.”

HOST: “That’s right! Like when …”

Host quickly shares an age-appropriate story about something someone did for him that was a good example of compassion.

STORYTELLER: “And right now is the PERFECT time to talk about compassion, because one of the reasons people give this time of year is because we remember how much God gave us. And if you keep your eyes open, you’ll start to see what the people around you need.”

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If your church is participating in H2GO! or another service/giving project, this is a great time to promote it. You can also promote the Quarter Catcher widget here.

CG: Bottom Line Slide

STORYTELLER: “So here’s the one thing to remember: God saw our greatest needs. Whose needs do you see?”

HOST: “Awesome! And now it’s time to get up and SING to our God who always shows us compassion. Check this video out and then we’ll sing!”

Worship Leaders enter as Host and Storyteller exit.

WORSHIPOptinal: Play “Live Loud” video from Get Reel 2.0 DVD.

WORSHIP LEADER: “Jesus has given us so much. It’s time for us to give Him what we can right now as we sing this song about all that Jesus has given to us. Let’s celebrate Him now!”

SFX: “All Because of Jesus” / track 3 from Chase the Light

WORSHIP LEADER: “Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14 that we are the light of the world. We show Jesus to this world by the way we live, by the way we show compassion and love to others. This song is all about Jesus being glorified in us and through us. Let’s think about that as we sing.”

SFX: “Be Glorified” / track 12 from Stars, Guitars & Megaphone Dreams

Host enters as Worship Leaders exit.

SFX: Start high-energy music right after worship.

CLOSERHOST: “That was great! I love Christmas … and I love compassion! And you know what? I’m SO relieved that I got through Scene One of our play that I think it’s time to celebrate! IT’S THE BIG GIVE!”

(Optional) Host throws prizes into the crowd while he dismisses the kids to their Small Groups.

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Curriculum Materials for 4th and 5th...

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