April 26, 2020 That's Bonkers

10.1 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

April 26, 2020 That’s Bonkers Saul Sees the Light

BIG IDEA: Jesus changes our heart, so we’re a new creation when we follow Him.

BIBLE BASIS: Acts 9:1–19

KEY VERSE: “When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIrV)

7–15 minutes

30–40 minutes

7–15 minutes

15–25 minutes

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.

10.1 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

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Newton’s First Law of Motion states that an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion, consistent in both speed and direction, unless either is acted upon by a force greater than itself. The law is fundamentally about change. The implications extend well beyond physics. In fact, we watch this law at work in just about every area of our lives. We all have situations and circumstances in our lives that we would like to change. We want to change our bodies so we go on a diet and start exercising. We want to change our career so we take new jobs and move to new places. We want to change our relationships so we find new friends or get married or have kids. When we want to change something about our lives, we simply exert the force of our will and that which has been at rest will spring into motion and that which was in motion will change directions. While it may seem to work for a time, sooner or later we realize that a deeper change is in order. We need more than an external change of behavior. We need an internal change of heart. Our hearts, though, cannot be changed by the force of the will. We need something greater than ourselves to act upon us, to set our hearts in motion. God Himself has acted, not by impersonal force, but by personally stepping into history as one of us. By living the life we should have lived. By dying the death we should have died. By offering to get our still hearts beating again. By shaping us from the moment we receive His forgiveness to the moment we take our last earthly breath. We cannot encounter Jesus and not change. The question, of course, is, “Have you encountered Jesus?”

Casey Jordan GO! Contributor

10.1 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

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 having someone call out their brilliance. When you bring positive attention to a kid’s answer and thought process, it encourages them to 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 kids’ 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!

10.1 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

THAT’S BONKERS COMMUNITY BUILDER Say: Today we’ll be playing a game called “That’s Bonkers” that will help us learn the last part of the Big Bible Story. In today’s story, we’ll be hearing about a man who had gone completely bonkers until he saw the light.

Question: Have you ever gone totally bonkers? What happened?

Question: When you begin following Jesus, you become a new creation. How do you think Jesus changes you or makes you different?

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 DOWN If 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 QUESTIONS Directions: 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. Do you think Saul is still going to be mean to the Christians? Why or why not?

For Older Kids: 1. What do you think this story teaches us about Jesus? 2. How do you think Saul’s life is going to be different after his encounter with Jesus?

10.1 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

A NEW CREATION (Application Activity) Say: In today’s story, Saul’s life was changed when he met Jesus. It’s like he became a new creation— the old Saul was gone, a new Saul had arrived. That’s what happens to everyone when they become a Christian and begin to follow Jesus. A relationship with Jesus changes us. We’re going to do an activity right now that will help us think of ways that following Jesus changes our lives.

Directions: Give each kid in your group some playdough (original lesson calls for something else…we will use playdough). Tell the kids to use their playdough to create a hand. When finished, ask the kids the corresponding question from below. After the kids have had a chance to share, tell them to make a new creation by molding their playdough into the shape of a mouth. When finished ask the corresponding question. Repeat this for each of the shapes and questions listed below.

Hand: When you become a Christian, how do you think you act differently? What things might you start or stop doing? Mouth: When you become a Christian, how do you think you talk differently? How can you use your words to be more kind? Heart: When you become a Christian, how do you think you feel differently? Are there certain emotions that you will feel more often or less often? Brain: When you become a Christian, how do you think you think differently? Are there things you will stop thinking about or start thinking about?

Question: When you become a Christian, your old sinful nature dies on the cross with Jesus, but that doesn’t mean you never sin any more. How do you think you respond to your sin differently when you follow Jesus?

BIBLE BODY MOTIONS (Bible Memorization Activity) Directions: Place the Bible verse sign in the middle of the group and read it carefully with your kids several times so they can begin to memorize it. Today’s Bible verse says:

“When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Tell your group they have to work together to come up with motions for the verse using their body.. When they’re ready, flip the Bible verse card over and have the group repeat the verse several times using the motions.

Question: How has Jesus made you a new creation? In other words, how is your life different because of Jesus?

10.1 Small Group Lesson | Elementary

Playdough PRAYERS (Group Prayer Activity) *original lesson doesn’t use playdough, but we will. Directions: Give each kid in your playdough. Tell them to form their playdough into the shape of their prayer request. Their request can be something they’re thankful for, something they need help with, or something they’re sorry for. Allow kids who want to share, do so, telling about their creation/prayer request. When everyone has had a chance to share, open the kids in prayer by sharing your own request. Following your prayer, allow the kids in your group to pray aloud as well.