Welcome: Welcome to Backyard Club! Thank you to ____________ for allowing us to come today! We’re glad you’re here!
I have a project for you to work on right away. I need your help dividing into 2 groups. I’d like each group to find who can whistle, who can do a cartwheel, who can tell me a Bible verse, who can jump higher than anyone else in your group. We’ll help your group remember what to do.
Allow time to investigate. (5 minutes)
Wow! Great job working together! Let’s gather close, but stay in your group and encourage one another. Who can whistle? Come up here! Let’s listen! Great job!
Who can do a cartwheel? Let’s watch! Great job! Who can tell me a Bible verse? Let’s listen! Great job! Who can jump higher than anyone else in your group? Let’s watch! Great job!
God needs me! Let’s Go! When you hear someone say “God needs me!” you finish the saying by shouting “Let’s Go!”
Let’s try it! God needs me! LET’S GO! God needs us to tell others about Him. He needs us to go and tell! God needs me! LET’S GO!
Have a seat on my blanket. Today’s Bible story is about a man named Paul. God sent Paul to tell others about Him and how much He loves us. But while Paul was telling others of God, something bad happened, but God was there to help. Let’s listen for how God kept the people safe!
Tell the Story: Paul’s Missionary Journey
Say: Here we go! Our story is from the book of Acts in the Bible. Paul was a man who loved God very much. God called him to go to tell others about Him. Paul was a missionary.
Everywhere Paul went, he talked about Jesus. He wanted all people to know that Jesus loved them and that Jesus died and became alive for them. He wanted everyone to live with Jesus in heaven someday. But not everyone liked that news.
Paul was put into jail. And one day, they took Paul and other prisoners from jail and put them on a big boat. They were going to Rome, a big city across the sea.
The sea was rough and the wind was strong. Can you help me make storm sounds? Whoosh! Clash! Boom!
Before long a terrible storm began. The waves tossed the boat up and down in the water. Rock back and forth in the boat
Paul told the others that the weather was bad, and that the ship might be wrecked in the storm. But no one listened to Paul, instead they kept sailing.
For many days and nights it rained and rained, and the wind blew and blew.
The soldier in charge told the other soldiers to tighten the ropes and to throw the heavy boxes overboard. But nothing helped, and the ship began to break apart. Everyone was scared.
But Paul had been praying. He knew God was with him. Paul told them not to be afraid, that God would keep them safe. He also told them the ship would break apart, but they would be safe.
The ship did break apart, and sink, but the people were all safe. God protected everyone on the ship, and they all got safely to land.
God keeps His promises! He was with Paul and protected him. God protects us too. When we have troubles or are afraid, God watches over us. He keeps us safe in Jesus.
WOW! What a great story!
God needs me! LET’S GO!
God tells us in His Word: God Point upward Will never leave you Cross hands back and forth, palms down Or forsake you Hebrews 13 Hold up1 finger on one hand, 3 on the other hand Verse 5 Hold up5 fingers on one hand
Let’s say it again! Repeat Hebrews 13:5 God told Paul He would keep him and the others safe in the storm, God kept His promise. God also makes a promise to us in the Bible, He says “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Forsake is a big word! It means to leave someone when they really need you. But God won’t leave us, no matter what!
God needs me! LET’S GO! God’s promise is for ME!
Storm in a Bottle You'll Need Water bottles with water in them Vegetable Oil Gems to put into bottles
Let’s make a storm in a bottle.
Each of you will get a bottle of water. Open it up and drink a few swallows of water. We’re going to add some oil into your water. DON’T DRINK IT! It won’t taste very good now! We’re going to add a few gems to help shake things up a bit. Let’s seal your bottle tightly! We don’t want it to leak! When you create your storm in your bottle, you can shake it, or just roll it. Try it!
God needs me! LET’S GO!
Let’s huddle together and pray: Dear God Thank you for loving me and protecting me. Thank you for watching over me. I am happy you are always with me! Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to be my Savior and friend. I love You. Amen.
Blessing: May God, who is all around you, Beginning at the bottom of the circle, slowly pour his love upon you.make a large circle with your hands. Finish by bringing your hands down and wiggling the fingers to resemble rain.) And Jesus, his life a sacrifice,Slowly make a large sign of the cross. Then walk right there beside you.move your hands out to the sides. And may God’s Holy Spirit,Cross your hands over the heart. the one who lives inside you, keep you strong,Move to a “strong man” position. Then comfort, lead and guide you!cross your arms with the hands on corresponding upper arms to communicate comfort. Bring one hand forward with “lead” and the other with “guide” to complete the blessing.)
