Put a Bow On It

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December 11th, 2016 .:. .:. Room 301

Pathways Kids Weekend Small Groups

This curriculum is for the 6, 7 and 8 year olds.

This Weeks Scope

Reply . . . Delayed
Bible Story: Reply . . . Delayed (Zechariah and Elizabeth) Luke 1:5-25; 57-79
Bottom Line: I can have joy because anything is possible with God.
Memory Verse: Always be joyful because you belong to the Lord. I will say it again. Be joyful!
Philippians 4:4 (NIrV)
Life App: Joyfinding a way to be happy even when things dont go your way.
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.

Welcome Time
Welcome kids and spend time engaging in conversation and catching up. Get ready to experience
todays story.
Before kids arrive, pray for each regular attendee by name. Pray for those who might visit your group
for the first time. Pray that your small group would fully grasp the power that is available to them
through Jesus. Ask God to awaken their hearts to the joy that is found in a relationship with Jesus! Pray
that this joy would bring comfort to the kids for whom Christmas is not always a fun, exciting, and
magical time of year.
What You Do:
Collect kids offerings as they arrive.
Ask kids if they have ever done anything that seems impossiblesomething that was so hard
they couldnt really do it on their own. What helped them make that thing possible?

Lead kids to large group.

Activity #1
What You Need: Joyful Family Activity Pages, crayons
What You Do:
Allow kids to color the page while reviewing the Bible story.
You can ask the questions below and/or come up with some of your own.
1. Who were the mom and dad in the story today? (Zechariah and Elizabeth)
2. Were they old or young? (old)
3. While Zechariah was at the temple, what appeared to him? (an angel)
4. What did the angel say? (Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a son)
5. What did the angel tell Zechariah to name his son? (John)
6. What happened after the angel appeared? Did Zechariah go home and tell Elizabeth? (no;
he couldnt speak)
7. When was Zechariah able to speak? (after the baby was born; he told everyone his sons
name will be John)
What You Say:
That story was crazy awesome today! Zechariah and Elizabeth couldnt have any kids, but they ended
up having one! Do you remember why it became possible for them? Thats right! It was because of
God! It makes me wonder about all of the things that I think are impossible in my life. [Make It
Personal] (Share with your group about a time when something seemed impossible, but God
made it possible.) Because God is who He says He is, I dont have to be afraid or sad about the things
that seem totally impossible. [Bottom Line] I can have joy because anything is possible with God.

Activity #2
What You Need: Joy Statements and Frowny/Smiley Faces cards Activity Pages, bean bags
What You Do:
Divide your group into two teams.
Turn the two stacks of cards facedown and shuffle the cards. Then lay out each set in a 2x5 grid
pattern for each team.
Line up each team about three feet from their grid.
Let teams take turns tossing their beanbag onto a card and retrieving that card.
o If they land on a joy statement, their team gets a point.
o If they land on a smiley face, as a team, they must come up with a scenario where they
choose joy. Give that team one point.
o If they land on a frowny face, as a team, they must come up with a scenario where they
didnt choose joy. Take away one point.
Play until all the cards have been turned over and then total all the points. Declare a winner and
cheer for that team.
What You Say:
In our lives, well face some great thingsthings that make us smileand some not-so-great things
that make us frown. But joy isnt about being happy. Because it IS possible to have joy even when you
face the not-so-awesome stuff. Knowing Godunderstanding how much He loves youcan help you
have joy. [Bottom Line] I can have joy because anything is possible with God.
[Make It Personal] (Share an example with the kids of a time when something seemed
impossible for you and you prayed and asked God to help you get through it. How did it turn
out? How did remembering that anything is possible with God help you have joy?)

Prayer
Opposites

Time

What You Need: No supplies needed

What You Do:
Ask kids to select a partner to pray with.
Tell the kids to pray for their partnerthat they would remember they can have joy because
anything is possible with God.
Close out the time by praying aloud for the kids in your group.
What You Say:
God, thanks for reminding usthrough the story of Zechariah and Elizabeththat we can have joy.
Even when things seem impossible to us, they are possible with You. Help us to remember that You
can do ANYTHING! We can have joy because anything is possible with God. We love You. Thanks for
loving us. In Jesus name we pray, amen.