Ministry Scripts
April 26th
Bible Story: Pentecost / Fruit of the Spirit • Acts 2:1-41 (supporting: Galatians 5:22-23)
Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit
gives you joy.
Monthly Memory Verse: Always
be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! •
Philippians 4:4 NIrV
SLIDE: Theme
Optional Video: Countdown
(Things to have
ready: Bowls in place in the game area. Confetti cannons. Two leaders ready to
pop the confetti cannons. Timer—or smartphone or watch or countdown. Game slide
loaded. Bottom Line slide loaded.)
LEADER: “Now let’s worship God through song.”
Play worship videos and engage the students in 2 worship songs!
GATHER TIME
HOST: “Hey, everybody!
Welcome back to our Block Party! This month’s theme is, ‘Block Party:
Celebrating Jesus and Joy That Never Ends!’ Take a look around the room. Give
someone near you a high five! And now, on the count of three, shout the name of
your favorite party snack. Ready? One, two, three!
(Pause while kids shout their favorite party snack.)
“Awesome! This is definitely a room ready to party.
“I’m
so glad you’re here today because this whole month, we’ve been celebrating the
kind of joy that comes from Jesus, joy that never runs out. And today, we’re
going to talk about Someone amazing, the Holy Spirit. But before we jump into
the story, we’re going to kick this party off with one of the wildest games
ever.
SLIDE:
Confetti Craze Title
AUDIO:
Upbeat music
“Today’s
game is called ‘Confetti Craze’! Here’s how it works: I’m going to choose two
teams, Team One and Team Two. Each team will have a bowl on their side of the
room. When I say, ‘Go,’ we’re going to blast confetti into the air—these two
leaders are going to shoot confetti cannons—and for the next two minutes, your
team will gather as much confetti from the floor as you can and bring it back
to your bowl.
“You
can ONLY pick up confetti from the floor, not from the other team’s bowl. When
the timer ends, everyone freezes right where they are, so we can see which bowl
has more confetti.
“Okay,
I’m going to need two teams of eight. And if you don’t get picked this round,
that’s okay! You get to cheer as loud as possible, and we may even play another
round. If you’d like to play, raise your hand!
(Choose
16 kids from the ones who have their hands raised and invite them to the game
area. Split them into two teams of eight and send each team to their side of
the room.)
“Teams,
find your bowl so you know exactly where to put your confetti when you collect it.
Everyone else, you’re the cheering squad. When the countdown starts, leaders—pop
those confetti cannons. That will be the signal for the race to begin!
“Here
we go! Confetti cannons ready? Teams ready? Audience ready? Three … two … one …
POP IT!
(Two leaders pop the confetti cannons into the game
area.)
Optional Video: Two-Minute Countdown
AUDIO: Upbeat music
(Start the timer—or
smartphone or watch or countdown and the music after the leaders pop the
confetti cannons.)
(Play the game.
Cheer on both teams and involve the audience. Make sure the kids are only picking
up confetti from the floor and only putting the confetti in their team’s bowl.)
“Go,
go, go! Pick up that confetti! Move those feet! Look at all the color flying
everywhere—this room is starting to look like a real party! Keep going!
(Once
the two-minute timer is up … )
“Great
job, everyone! Stay frozen while we take a look at the bowls to see which team picked
up the most confetti!
(Pause
while you look at each bowl to see which team picked up the most confetti.)
“Let me
get a drumroll! (Encourage the kids to pat their legs to make a drumroll.)
“And
the winner is … [Team Name]! Let’s give both teams a huge round of applause!
That was amazing!
(Continue
for as many rounds as time allows. Ask for 16 new volunteers at the start of
each round. You’ll need two new confetti cannons for each round. Instruct the
new teams that they can pick up the old confetti if there’s any left on the
ground as well as the new confetti from the new confetti cannons.)
“Wow,
that was so much fun! You all turned this room into a celebration AND helped
clean it up! What a joyful party!
“Our
Bottom Line for today is about joy—let’s check it out.
SLIDE: Bottom Line
[Bottom
Line]
“The Holy Spirit gives you joy. Can you say that with me?”
KIDS
AND HOST:
[Bottom Line] “The Holy Spirit gives you joy.”
HOST: “We will be
unpacking this more today! I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s to learn more about
what that means!”
BIBLE STORY
Play
Bible Story Video
SLIDE:
Theme Background
STORYTELLER: “Today, we saw something amazing: Jesus’
followers were waiting, praying, and trusting God, and then the Holy Spirit
came. The Holy Spirit filled them with courage, strength, and joy that didn’t
depend on anything around them. Just like the helium balloons that rose up and
up, the Holy Spirit lifted their hearts so they could love deeply and boldly share
the good news about Jesus with the whole world. Just like He did with the
followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit can help you, guide you, and fill you with
joy that lasts no matter what kind of day you’re having.
“Why? Why does the Holy Spirit do all of that? Why does He
give us courage and strength and power and grow all of that beautiful fruit?
“Because the Holy Spirit is God in us! The God who is the
strongest is in us through His Spirit, and His presence can make us brave and
bold. The God who is loving, and joyful, and peaceful, and patient, and kind,
and good, and faithful, and gentle, and self-controlled is in us, and as we
stay close to Him, He will grow those things in us!
“We aren’t doing life on our own; God Himself, the Holy
Spirit, is with us, in us, helping us every step of the way. And there is
nothing more joyful than that!
“Let’s take a look at our Bottom
Line again.
SLIDE: Bottom Line
[Bottom Line] “The Holy Spirit gives you joy. Say that with me, everyone!”
KIDS AND HOST: [Bottom
Line] “The Holy Spirit gives you joy.”
HOST: “Let’s take a look at the progress we made in God’s Big Story this
week!
SLIDE: God’s Big Story
“This week, we’re
right up here in the picture of ‘Pentecost’ of God’s Big Story! Today’s true
story from the Bible shows us that even though Jesus went back to heaven, He
wasn’t leaving His followers alone! (Gesture to timeline.)
“This week, we talked about such an important part of God’s Big Story!
This week, we learned about Pentecost, when God sent the Holy Spirit, His very
Spirit, to live inside of every person who decides to follow Him. Do you
remember back in the garden of Eden where Adam and Eve’s horrible decision to
sin put distance between people and God? (Gesture to that Timeline Image if
you have it up.) Well, before Adam and Eve made that choice, God was with
them in the garden! He was so close! A few weeks ago, we learned how Jesus gave
His life and paid for our sin. He paid for all sin for all time. Now we could
be close to God again. But close wouldn’t do! God wants to be closer than
close! So He showed that His plan all along was for His people to be filled
with His very Spirit. He was going to live in each of His followers through His
Spirit! God has always wanted to be close to us, so His followers go through
life with His very Spirit inside of them. We are never, ever alone!
SLIDE: Week 4 Timeline Image
GENEROSITY
TIME
LEADER: “We follow Jesus by living generously! We give our
resources (could be toys, money, our time, or our effort) to help other
people.” God asks us to give, it’s wise to save, and God wants us to enjoy the
world he made for us and all the good things in it! (Show Generosity Slide)
*Give *Save
*Enjoy
“This week, we
learned about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, God’s very Spirit, who goes
through life with us!”
“As a follower of Jesus, you never go through life alone.
The Holy Spirit is with you and in you. Ask Him to teach you what it looks like
for you to go through life with Him as your closest friend.
“Let’s ask Him to help us do that right now! Let’s Pray!
PRAYER
HOST:
“Holy Spirit, we want to learn how to walk through life with You as our closest
friend. Teach us how to hear Your voice. Help us feel Your joy lifting our
hearts when things are hard. We open our hearts to You. We love You, and we
pray these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
GROUP TIME
LEADER: “Let’s head to Small Group and talk some more about that!”
Dismiss kids to their small groups.
SLIDE: Theme
Always be joyful because you belong
to the Lord. I will say it again. BE JOYFUL! Philippians 4:4
April 26th
Bible Story: Pentecost/Fruit of the Spirit • Acts 2:1-41; Galatians
5:22-23
Bottom Line: The Holy Spirit gives you joy.
Monthly Memory Verse: Always
be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful! •
Philippians 4:4 (NIrV)
GROUP TIME
1. Jesus in Many
Languages
Live for God | Application
Activity
Made to Connect
What You Need:
£ No supplies
needed
What You Do:
- Gather the kids in a circle where everyone can
see your hands and face. - Say the word “Jesus” in English and ask the
group to repeat it. - Teach the three languages one at a time:
- Spanish: Jesús (hay-SOOS). Say it slowly and
let kids repeat. - French: Jésus (ZHAY-zoo). Say it together as
a group. - ASL: Sign “Jesus” by touching the middle of
each palm with the opposite middle finger. - Invite kids to practice each version with a
partner. - Play a quick round of “Leader Says”—you say a
language, and they respond in that language.
What You Say:
“Awesome job, everyone! Did you
notice something? No matter what language we used—Spanish, French, or Sign
Language—we were still talking about Jesus. That’s exactly what happened in
today’s Bible Story. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit helped Jesus’ followers
speak in all kinds of languages so everyone could understand the good news that
God loves them and Jesus came to rescue them.
“God wanted everyone to hear
about His love! So the Holy Spirit gave Jesus’ friends exactly what they needed
so that the people there could hear about God’s love. The Holy Spirit still
helps us today! He goes through every single bit of life with you and will give
you exactly what you need in that moment. He is God in you—He is God closer
than close!
“If you need to hear God’s love
for you, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. If you need to know the words to
speak to a friend, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the right words. If you need
to be brave, and bold, and strong, ask God to help you. Go through life aware
that the Holy Spirit is in you, and talk to Him about everything like you would
your closest friend. God loves you so much that He has moved inside of you
through His Holy Spirit. And He wants you to go through life knowing He is with
you every step of the way!”
Pro-Tips:
- If
pronunciation is difficult for some kids, reassure them: “God understands
every language perfectly!”
2. God Time
Pray
to God | Prayer Activity
Made to Reflect
What You Need:
£
Large, prepared paper with “JOY” written on it in bubble letters
£
Ink pads (washable, various colors)
£
Baby wipes for cleanup
What To Do:
- Invite the kids to press their finger onto an ink pad and then
stamp it inside the letters J-O-Y. - Let them fill the letters with colorful fingerprints.
- As they stamp, ask, “How can the Holy Spirit help you have joy this
week?” - Let them share ideas (helping me be nice, helping me not be
scared). - Clean hands with baby wipes.
What You Say:
“This JOY sign is beautiful because it has a piece of all of you in it.
Just like the Holy Spirit fills us up with joy, we filled these letters up with
color. Let’s pray.
“God, thank You for the gift of
the Holy Spirit. Thank You that He lives in us and helps us. Teach us how to be
His close friend. Please grow good fruit in our lives—like love, peace, and
patience. And especially this week, we ask thatthe
Holy Spirit gives us joy.We love You, and we pray these things
in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Always be joyful because you belong
to the Lord. I will say it again. BE JOYFUL! Philippians 4:4
April 26th
Today’s
Bible Story: Heaven • John
14:3; Revelation 21, 22:1-5
Jesus is preparing
a place for us.
Key
Question: Who wants to be your friend forever?
Bottom
Line: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Memory
Verse: “I have called you friends.” • John 15:15 NIV
LEADER: “Now let’s worship God
through song.”
Play worship videos and engage
the students in 2 worship songs!
BIBLE STORY
Play Bible
story video.
LEADER:
“In heaven, there will be no crying because no one will ever be sad! We will be
happy with God and our friend Jesus in heaven. And that makes me feel like
celebrating! Everyone, say: (pat legs) ‘Hip, hip, (throw arms in the air) hooray!’”
CHILDREN and LEADER: (Pat
legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in the air) hooray!”
LEADER: “When we love and follow Jesus, we get to be His
friends and live forever in heaven! Jesus
wants to be your friend forever and [Bottom Line] Jesus wants to be
my friend forever. Tell me: Who wants to be
your friend forever?”
CHILDREN and LEADER: [Bottom Line] “Jesus
wants to be my friend forever.”
LEADER: “And let’s say, (pat legs) ‘Hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!’ for our friend
Jesus.”
CHILDREN and LEADER: (Pat
legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in the air) hooray!”
GATHER TIME
LEADER:
“Hi,
friends! My name is [your name], and I am so happy
to see you today!
“It’s time to
celebrate! (Pat legs.) Hip, hip, (throw arms in the air)
hooray! Can you do that with me?”
CHILDREN and
LEADER: (Pat legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!”
LEADER: “Again!”
CHILDREN and
LEADER: (Pat legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!”
LEADER: “Great job! When we come to worship, we are
celebrating God and His Son, Jesus. God made everything — (make a mountain peak over your head with
your arms) the big, tall mountains
… (make a fish with your hands) the fish that swim in the deep, blue sea … (point to children) even you! God made every single person.
That is definitely something to celebrate. Let’s celebrate God by saying (pat legs) ‘hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!’ Ready?”
CHILDREN and
LEADER: (Pat legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!”
LEADER: “And (point up) God (cross arms over chest) loves us so much He gave us Jesus, His only
Son. Let’s celebrate again. Ready?”
CHILDREN and
LEADER: (Pat legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!”
LEADER: “And here is something else we can
celebrate: Jesus wants to be our friend forever. He wants to help us be friends
with God! Let’s say ‘hip, hip, hooray’ one more time.”
CHILDREN and
LEADER: (Pat legs.) “Hip, hip, (throw arms in
the air) hooray!”
Now, let’s learn some words from the Bible. These are words
that Jesus said. (Open hands like a book.) Are you
ready? Watch me say the words from the Bible and do the motions, and then you
can do them with me! Play
memory verse video.
“I (point up) have called you (point to others)
friends” (hook index fingers twice) John 15:15 (Open hands like a
book).
“Can you do that with me?
Lead children to say the Memory Verse with Hand Motions
once or twice.
“Great job! Jesus calls us friends, and He wants us to
follow Him.
“Thanks for celebrating Jesus with me!
ACTIVITY
Happy News
Live for God | Application
Activity
Made to Move
What You Need:
o
Sheets of smiley face stickers, one sheet per child
What You Do:
Before the Activity: Have the children spread out in an open area.
During the Activity: Play
a gentle game of tag. Every child has a sheet of smiley face stickers.
Their job is to share the "happy news" by gently tagging their
friends and giving them a smiley face sticker to wear.
What You Say:
Before the
Activity: “Knowing that Jesus is preparing a place for us in Heaven is the
happiest news! Let’s play a game to share that happy news with all our
friends!”
During the Activity: “I’m going to start with the happy news stickers.
I’m going to chase you, and when I tag you, I’ll give you a sticker! That means
you get to help me share the happy news, too! Ready, set, go! (Gently tag a
child and give them a sticker.) You got the happy news! Now you can help me
tag our other friends with these happy stickers! Let’s share the happy news
with everyone!” (Repeat as time and interest allow.)
After the
Activity: “Look at
ALL the happy smiley faces! We’re all so happy because we know in heaven there
will be no more sadness, no more boo-boos, no more tears. Heaven is the
happiest place where we can be with Jesus forever! Because Jesus wants to be
your friend forever and [Bottom
Line] Jesus wants to be my
friend forever! Who wants to be your friend forever? [Bottom Line] Jesus
wants to be my friend forever.”
PRAYER
LEADER: “Dear
God, thank You so much for our friend, Jesus. Heaven is Your perfect home, and
we are so thankful that we get to be with You in heaven one day. We pray in
Jesus’ name. Amen.
GROUP TIME
LEADER: “Let’s head to Small Group and talk some more about that!”
Dismiss kids to their small groups.
Jesus, thank you for being my forever friend! ~Your
Kidzlink Family Loves You!
April 26th
Today’s Bible Story: Heaven • John
14:3; Revelation 21, 22:1-5
Jesus is preparing a place for us.
Key Question: Who wants to be your friend forever?
Bottom Line: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Memory Verse: “I have
called you friends.” • John 15:15 NIV
GROUP TIME
1. What Do You Think?
Live
for God | Application Activity
Made
to Think
What You Need:
o Butcher paper
o Washable markers, dot
markers, metallic or glitter crayons
o Fun sparkly stickers
o Masking tape
What You Do:
Before
the Activity: Tape the butcher paper to a table.
During the Activity: Tell the children the Bible says Heaven is a very
special place. The most special place. Ask them what they think it looks like.
Invite them to work together to draw their ideas of Heaven on the paper using
the special, sparkly art supplies.
What You Say:
Before the
Activity: “The
Bible tells us, Heaven is the most special place ever. I wonder what it looks
like. Let’s make a picture of what we think Heaven looks like together!”
During the
Activity: “I have
these super special, sparkly crayons and stickers for us. I found only the most
special art supplies for us to use! What
do you want to draw? (Let children share ideas.) A big house for Jesus? Let’s
draw it! Streets of gold? Let’s draw it! Shiny things? Let’s add some stickers!
Let’s make the most beautiful picture of Heaven we can imagine.”
After
the Activity: “Wow! Our picture of Heaven is so beautiful and
sparkly! It’s going to be the best place ever, because we will be with Jesus
forever. Jesus is getting it all ready for us right now! Why? Because [Bottom Line] Jesus wants to be my
friend forever. Who wants to be your friend
forever? [Bottom
Line] Jesus wants to be my friend forever.”
2. God Time
Pray
to God | Prayer Activity
Made
to Reflect
What You Need:
o Bible
o Journal
o Fun-shaped
pen
What You Say:
Dring
the Activity: (Open the Bible and lay it in front of the children.) “In our Bible Story today, we heard all about a very special
place that Jesus is preparing for us. Do you remember what that place is
called? (Pause for responses.) Yes! Heaven! Jesus died on the cross and
came back to life three days later so He could be our friend forever! Forever
means you can live in Heaven with Jesus one day. The best part is that Heaven
is the most special place ever. In Heaven, there are no more boo-boos, no sadness,
no sickness, no more tears. Heaven is full of love and happiness! I am so glad
that Jesus wants to be your friend forever and [Bottom Line] Jesus
wants to be my friend forever.
“The
Bible verse we are learning talks about how Jesus wants to be our friend. It
says, ‘I (point up) have called you (point to others) friends.’ (Hook
index fingers twice.) John 15:15. (Open hands like a book.) Did you
hear that? Jesus called us His friend! Jesus called me friend, and Jesus called
you, and you, and you friend! And that is the message we can share with
everyone, everywhere! Jesus wants to be your friend forever, and [Bottom
Line] Jesus wants to be my friend forever too! Let’s stand up and say that
Bible verse together! Just say what I say and do what I do! ‘I (point up)
have called you (point to others) friends.’ (Hook index fingers
twice.) John 15:15. (Open hands like a book.) I think you’re ready to say that verse all
by yourself. I want everyone to
sit down, and we will take turns saying it. Who wants to go first? I have a sticker/stamp for
everyone who tries to say the Bible verse! (Hold up stamp/stickers.) Way to go, [child’s name]! (Give two thumbs up.)
You get a stamp/sticker! (Say and do this
with each child as they try and say the Bible verse.) I’m very proud of you for trying to say that Bible
verse. When I count to three, I want everyone to stand up and point to your
stamp/sticker. One, two, three! (Pause to look.) Yay! (Clap.)
“Yay!
(Clap.) I’m so happy that [Bottom Line] Jesus wants to be my
friend forever! Now let’s sit down so we can write in our prayer journal
and talk to God. (Open journal.) In our Bible Story, we heard that Jesus
is preparing the most special place for us, called heaven. Let’s make a list of
special things. Then we can use the list when we pray. When I say your name,
tell me one special thing, and I will write it in our journal.” (Remember to
print as you write in the journal so the children can recognize their names and
the letters.)
After the Activity: “Those
are some pretty special things! (Hold up journal.) Do you know what?
Heaven is even more special than ALL those things on our list! And Jesus is
preparing a place in Heaven for all of His friends! Let’s pray and talk to God.
Would anyone like to pray before I pray? (Give each child who wants to pray
the opportunity to do so.) Dear God, thank
You for giving us special things like (read the things on the list) and
thank You for the most special place, heaven! Thank you, God, that Jesus wants
to be our friend forever and ever! We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
3. Hooray Hats
Live
for God | Application Activity
Made
to Create
What You Need:
o “Hooray Hats Sticker”
Activity Page Labels #5163
o Paper party hats
o Stickers
What You Do:
Before the Activity: Copy
“Hooray Hats Sticker” on label paper, one sticker per child. Write each child’s
name on their party hat.
During the Activity: Encourage children to decorate their
party hats with stickers, then assist each child in putting their party hats
on.
After the Activity: Connect the Bottom Line to
the Bible Story.
What You Say:
Before the Activity: “Let’s make a celebration
hat! Because we are celebrating the best news ever that [Bottom Line]
Jesus wants to be my friend forever!’ Hip, hip, hooray!”
During
the Activity: “Decorate your party hat and paper strip to make it look super special!
Use all the fun stickers and colors. (Allow time to decorate.) These
look like celebration hats—hip, hip, hooray! Now glue your hat to the paper
strip. (Pause. Then measure each child’s strip around their head and staple
closed.) Children will then
cover the staple closure bends with sticker(s). (Pause.) Your
hats say, ‘Hip, Hip, Hooray! [Bottom Line] Jesus wants to be my
friend forever!’
After the Activity: “Now you can wear your hat to celebrate!
When anyone asks what you’re celebrating, you can tell them the happy news: [Bottom Line]
Jesus wants to be my friend forever! We can wear the hats and
celebrate that Jesus is preparing a place for His friends in Heaven so we can
be together forever. And we want to celebrate because Heaven is the most
special place with no more boo-boos and no more sadness. Who wants to be your
friend forever? [Bottom Line] Jesus wants to be my friend forever.”
Jesus, thank you for being my forever friend! ~Your
Kidzlink Family Loves You!
April 26th
Monthly Bible Story: Easter •
Matthew 26:31-32, 36, 47-50; 27:1-2, 11-66; 28:1-8
Bible Words: “I have called you friends.” •John 15:15 NIV
Bottom Line: Jesus wants to be your friend forever.
Craft Time
What You Need:
o
“Celebration Hat” Activity Page
o
Sentence strips
o
Dot markers
o
Stapler
o
Clear tape
What You Do:
Before the Activity:
Copy “Celebration Hat” on cardstock and cut one per child. Write each child’s
name on their sentence/poster board strip.
During the Activity:
Encourage children to decorate their party hats with dot markers. Glue the
finished hat to the sentence strip. Measure around each child’s head, staple
the ends of their sentence strip together with the closure facing outward.
Cover the staples with tape.
What You
Say:
During the
Activity: “Let’s make celebration hats! We’re
celebrating because Jesus came back! Jesus is alive and [Bottom Line]
Jesus wants to be your friend forever! Decorate your hat
with the dot markers. (Pause.)
Now I’ll add your hat to this paper strip. (Glue each child’s hat to the
middle of their paper strip.) Now we can make them into celebration hats!
(Measure the strip around each child’s head and staple the ends together. Cover
the staple closures with a piece of tape.) You can wear it to remember that
Jesus came back, and [Bottom Line] Jesus wants to be your friend
forever!”
Jesus, thank you for being my forever friend! ~Your
Kidzlink Family Loves You!
April
Sing to the tune of “Ring Around the Rosie” as you rock or change the baby:
“Jesus is your friend.
Jesus is your friend.
He’s my friend. He’s your friend.
Let’s all shout, ‘Hooray!’ Hooray!”
Words for Baby: “Baby, Jesus loves you and Jesus wants to be your friend forever!”
Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.
Bottom Line: Jesus wants to be your friend forever.
Bible Words: “I have called you friends.” John 15:15 NIV