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July 31 (Large Group)

This is our last week of our series, Up in the Air! So far, we have been learning so much about what God does for us. Today, we'll talk about what we can do for God.

Big Idea: I can be used by God.

Bible Story: Elisha and Naaman: II Kings 5:1-14; Colossians 3:1-4

Memory Verse: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

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DOWNLOAD THE PRINT VERSION

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WATCH THE STORY VIDEO

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Order of Service

Sample Service Time: 9am

8:45 Play & Check-in (Classrooms)

9:05 Icebreaker (Classrooms)

9:10 Transition to Auditorium

9:15 Large Group (Auditorium)

9:40 Transition to Classrooms

9:45 Small Group Time (Classrooms)

10:10 Check-out (Classrooms)

Icebreaker Game

EXTREME SIMON SAYS

Players find someone of roughly the same height and pair up.

Give each pair a balloon to blow up and tie.

The pair must keep this balloon sandwiched between their backs throughout the game.

Everyone forms a large circle.

Pairs take turns to assume the role of “Simon”.

– One person from each pair shouts out one instruction.

– One person from the next pair shouts the next instruction, and so forth.

Players should only respond to those instructions prefaced by “Simon says”.

Pairs are out if:

– any of the 2 players responds to instructions not prefaced by “Simon says”

– any of the 2 players do not respond to instructions prefaced by “Simon says”

– the balloon drops to the ground

The last pair standing wins.

Tip

The more “extreme” and creative “Simon” is in giving instructions, the more fun the game.

Examples:

– Do jumping jacks

– Do squats

– Dance

– Tap your partner’s head

– Comb your partner’s hair with your fingers

– Walk 5 steps

– Jog on the spot

– Howl like a wolf

– Play air guitar

– Give yourself a big bear hug

Large Group

Welcome → Worship → Introduce the Story → Story Video → Closing

WELCOME: Hey friends! My name is ________ and I’ll be your host today. We are in the last Sunday of our series, Up in the Air, where we have learned about all the big things God was able to do through Elisha and today we are going to dive more into what God can do through us! Last week, if you remember, we talked about how we are all unique and the way God uses each one of us may look different!

ASK : What is something you’re really good at?

(Allow responses.)

Before our Bible story, lets prepare our hearts for what God has for us by worshipping Him.

TRANSITION TO WORSHIP: Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes to pray as we prepare to worship. (Pray over the kids. Then start the worship songs.)

WORSHIP SONGS: All That I Need & Its Your Love

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ACCESS THE WORSHIP LIBRARY

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INTRODUCE THE STORY:

I’m so glad you’re here today for our last story about Elisha. In the Bible story you’re about to see, we are going to witness God do a miracle through Elisha by using Elishas special gift and what is even more amazing is God can do the same through you.

Play Story Video

[Read II Kings 5:1–3.]

Even though Naaman was a brave and mighty soldier, he was no match for leprosy.

Now leprosy is a disease that's mentioned a lot in the Bible. It was a skin disease that would soon spread throughout a person and cause them incredible pain. Moreover, it was a contagious disease so once people knew you had leprosy, you had to be isolated away from all your family and friends.

The young girl from Israel that was forced to work in Naaman's home told them about someone who could help his condition.

Can you guess who she was talking about? Yup, our friend, Elisha!

[Read II Kings 5:4-10.]

So the king of Aram, Naaman's kingdom, sent a letter to the king of Israel, letting him know why Naaman was coming into town.

The king was so worried. He thought this other king was trying to wage war. Who could cure leprosy?

Elisha heard that the king was upset and said he would take care of it. He sent a message to Naaman for him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River, and he would be healed.

But Naaman was not pleased.

[Read II Kings 5:11-14.]

Naaman was mad at Elisha because he thought that the washing would be a waste of time. Remember, he was really sick. It didn't seem like something as simple as taking a bath in the river could heal him.

Besides, Naaman was an important military guy. He expected Elisha to at least come see him in person!

But Naaman's servants reminded him that Elisha was sent by God and that washing wasn't too hard to do.

Begrudgingly, Naaman went to the Jordan River and washed seven times.

After the seventh time, God healed him and his skin was completely healed up!

In the end, Elisha didn't need to meet with Naaman and do some spectacular signs and wonders. Because Naaman had zero confidence that washing in the river would work, when he was healed, he knew that it could only have come from the God that Elisha served.

Think of the different people who God used to cure Naaman: the servant girl from Israel, the kings of Aram and of Israel, Naaman's servants, Elisha . . . every single one of them played a part in God's plan!

Object Lesson Summary: Put two bowls on the table, one with water and one without. Choose one person, and show him or her three utensils: a cup, a spoon, and a fork. Tell them that the goal is to move the water from one bowl to the other. They can choose whichever utensil they want to use. They most likely will first choose the cup. But then say, “Oh, actually, I need to use the cup for something else, I forgot.” And put it to the side. Then they’ll probably choose the spoon, but say, “Sorry, I just remembered I actually need the spoon for another thing.” So they end up with the fork. It is a little amusing to see them basically try to move water with a fork – a few drops of water make it from one bowl to another each try. After a few tries, stop their valiant efforts and move on to the “point”.

What you need: Two bowls, one with water in it. One fork, one cup, one spoon.

The point: God made us all so different. Some of us are spoons, some of us are cups, and some of us are forks. Forks might be great for eating meat, or spaghetti. But we’re not all designed with the same purpose in mind. And forks just aren’t made for moving water! There are some tough questions we can ask about understanding God’s will and God’s purpose. But there are also really easy, simple ways to understand God’s will too – just look at who you are! How did God design you? What passions and interests and skills did He give you? He made you just the way you are to be able to perform His purpose in your life. So don’t be scared to follow Him.

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