10.4 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

That’s BonkersPaul Is Arrested

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. All scripture references are taken from NIrV unless otherwise stated.

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BIG IDEA: The good news of Jesus sets us free from sin, so we can tell our story to others.

BIBLE BASIS: Acts 21–28

KEY VERSE: “Let those who have been set free by the Lord tell their story.” Psalm 107:2 (NIrV)

15–25 minutes

7–15 minutes

30–40 minutes

7–15 minutes

10.4 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

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LEADER DEVOTIONALIn his book, The Unchurched Next Door, Thom S. Rainer states that "eighty-two percent of the

unchurched are at least somewhat likely to attend church if invited.” Despite that encouraging statistic, Rainer goes on to say that only “two percent of church members invite an unchurched person to church.”

Even with statistics on our side, we fail to invite others to the most life-giving experience we have! I am so guilty of this. Though most of my friends are not Christ followers, I clam up when I should feel empowered.

This week, read Acts 27 and be encouraged that our God is all-powerful and is not one to be ashamed of. He wants His Story spread and will be with us as we boldly share our faith with others! Ask God for a clear opportunity and the courage to share your faith with someone in your life.

Rebecca CrewsGO! Team Member

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10.4 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

SMALL GROUP SKILL BUILDING

Being Part of a Kid’s Pit Crew

Life can be rough sometimes. We all get our fair share of bumps and bruises along the way, but wouldn’t it be nice if life had a pit stop that you could pull into so you could get 4 new tires and a tank of gas? As rough as we think we have it, kids have it just as bad (and sometimes worse). And for a lot of them, their time with you at church is the closest thing they’ll get to a pit stop. Every week they do a lap around life’s track, enduring emotional and spiritual bumps and bruises, before they come screeching into your presence. This is your chance to bang out some dents and refuel those kids for another lap. One of the best ways to do that is with words of encouragement. Don’t know what to say? Start with this:

Call out the truth in them. How often do you notice or think something positive about someone, but fail to share it with them? If all you did was give voice to the wonderful things you notice or think about the kids in your group, you would light up their week. More than that, you’ll be helping them form a positive identity that will stick with them for life!

I’m glad to see you. If kids know that their presence brings joy to people, they’ll want to come back over and over again. A simple “I’m glad to see you” reinforces that they’re someone worth knowing.

I missed you last time. If one of the kids in your group was gone the last time you served, let them know you noticed. This will help your kids realize they’re an integral part of the community.

Great answer! I like how you think! Unfortunately, kids are far more prone to hearing someone tell them they’re “dumb” than they are to have someone call out their brilliance. When you bring positive attention to a kid’s answer and thought process, it encourages them participate all the more in the future. Positive reinforcement helps to produce great thinkers.

Develop an arsenal of encouragement. Have some “go to” words of encouragement that will brighten your kid’s day. Like these: God thinks you’re awesome! Way to go! You’re a really cool kid! Great idea! You’re the best! That was awesome! Nice try! You’re a lot of fun! You make me smile! I can’t wait to see you again!

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10.4 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

THAT’S BONKERS COMMUNITY BUILDERSay: Today we’ll be playing a game called “That’s Bonkers” that will help us learn the last part of the Big Bible Story. Does anyone remember what happened in our story last week? (Take answers from kids. Answer: Paul and Silas were in prison for telling people about the good news of Jesus. An earthquake shook their chains loose, but they stayed put and told the jailer and his family about Jesus.) Nice job! In a little bit we’ll get to hear how Paul got into even more trouble for telling people about Jesus. But first, let me ask you a question.

Question: What’s your favorite story to tell?

Question: Why do you think stories are so interesting to hear?

Question: During our game today, we’ll have to perform a made-up “Bonkers Action”—something a little crazy. What do you think the “Bonkers Action” should be? Show us.

ADDITIONAL TIME ACTIVITY—THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWNIf you have additional time before Large Group begins, play “Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down.” Simply ask the kids in your group to share one good thing that happened this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way for your group to share celebrations and struggles with one another.

STORY QUESTIONSDirections: During the Large Group program, kids will be asked to turn briefly to their small group and answer the following questions:

For Younger Kids:1. What was your favorite part of this story?2. Why do you think Paul loved telling people how Jesus changed his life?

For Older Kids:1. What do you think this story teaches us about God?2. Why do you think Paul chose to tell his story to the crowd of people?

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10.4 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

INVITATION STATION (Application Activity)Set up: Cut enough pieces of cardstock paper in half so that every kid can have a half sheet. Consider having some extras in case kids want to invite multiple people. Determine what kind of materials you would like to provide for the kids to create their invitations. Possible options include: markers, crayons, construction paper, glue sticks and stickers.

Say: One of the best ways to tell others about Jesus is to invite them to church with us. When they come to church they can hear all about Jesus and how much He loves them. We’re going to invite our friends to come to church with us next week so they can hear us talk about how Jesus has changed our lives, but first we need to make them some invitations.

Question: Do you have any friends or family who don’t know Jesus or who don’t go to church? Who is it and could you invite them to church with you?

Question: What kind of things could you write on your invitation?

Directions: After brainstorming with your group about who to invite and what to write on the invitations, give each kid a half sheet of cardstock paper. Place the decorating supplies in the middle of the group. Tell your group to begin creating their invitations. When they’re finished, consider having the kids practice what they’ll say when they invite their friend to church with them.

THE GREAT BIBLE SKATE (Bible Memorization Activity)Set up: Print the “Bible Verse” cards on 8½ x 11 cardstock paper and cut apart. (See Resource Folder.) Each card contains a portion of the Bible verse. Use tape to create a starting line on the floor. Place the “Bible Verse” cards on the floor about 15 feet (4.5 meters) from the starting line.

Directions: Have the kids in your group line up behind the starting line. Tell the first kid in line to place one piece of wax paper beneath each of their feet. When you say “go,” instruct that kid to “skate” to the Bible Verse cards, pick one up, and “skate” back. When they return, they can set their card on the floor and pass their “skates” (the wax paper) to the next kid in line. Have the kids continue taking turns “skating” until each card has been retrieved. When all of the cards have been retrieved, the kids must race to assemble the cards in the order of today’s verse:

“Let those who have been set free by the Lord tell their story.” Psalm 107:2 (NIrV)

Use a stopwatch or smartphone to time them. Stop the timer as soon as they have assembled the verse in the right order. For younger kids, assist them as needed in assembling the cards in the right order. Once the verse is in the right order, read it together several times until the kids have it memorized. Then, flip the cards over and have your group recite it from memory. Repeat the activity several times to see if the group can beat their previous time.

Question: What do you think Jesus sets us free from?

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10.4 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

PRAYER DOODLES (Group Prayer Activity)Directions: Place a poster board or piece of butcher block paper in the middle of the group along with a box of markers. Tell the kids to think about a prayer request they have. When ready, have them begin drawing a picture of their request on the poster board or paper. When the kids are finished, allow them to talk about their drawing and share their request with the group. When everyone has finished sharing, lead the kids in a closing prayer. Allow them to pray for the things that were just shared.

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