Destination Makes the Difference Script PDF

Destination Makes the Difference Script by Kelly Presson Red = On screen Purple = Props Kelly Presson National Children’s Ministry Director Some time ago, as I was walking out of a Kidmin service, the Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly. He asked if I knew the difference between an average Kids...

Destination Makes the Difference Script by Kelly Presson Red = On screen Purple = Props Kelly Presson National Children’s Ministry Director Some time ago, as I was walking out of a Kidmin service, the Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly. He asked if I knew the difference between an average Kids Ministry and a really good one. I remember thinking, “Well, I think I know, I certainly have ideas”. Then, the Holy Spirit clearly spoke these two words……”A Destination”. What Is Your Destination? The difference between an average Kids Ministry and a truly effective one is having a destination! When the Spirit said that these words made complete sense to my spirit and my mind and I began to contemplate all that these two powerful words really mean. You see, ministry times are not simply about dispensing biblical information or keeping kids occupied and content for 90 minutes. Let me ask you, when do your kids have the opportunity to KNOW God is real? When do they feel close to Him? To know Him and the Power of His resurrection? You see, so many curriculums in the market merely dispense information ABOUT God. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV 1 Essentials® © 2024 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. © 2021 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. We have to focus on the HEART. Not simply on the mind or intellect. For years the measure of success for many churches has been two things, 1. Did the Kids have fun? 2. Did they learn something? If the answer to both of these questions in their mind is yes, then it was a successful ministry experience. What is your definition of success? I am here to insist that we need a much higher expectation and definition of success than simply did they have fun and learn something! The Enemy Has a Strategic Plan, Do You? I feel certain that everyone listening would be quick to agree that kids today are dealing with more well-orchestrated attacks than you and I would have ever imagined even a few years before. Like it or not our kids are now growing up in an R-Rated society! The enemy is aggressively going after the next generation. They are being attacked concerning beliefs, gender, patriotism, ……. They are dealing with fear, anxiety, depression, etc. These attacks demand that we become much more specific and strategic as we teach kids how to Walk in the Spirit and OVERCOME the plans of the enemy. Remember, Psalms 16:11 says in the presence of the Lord there is “Fullness of Joy”! Smile Maker Illustration (Discuss how the presence of the Lord puts things in perspective using a gift bag full of smiley face balls and an artist palette.) That brings me to my illustration today. It’s up to you and me as Kids leaders to bring a portion of the Holy Spirit, to bring the joy of the Holy Spirit with us to our classroom, with us to church. We deposit it where we are in ministry. You know what happens when we do that? When we 2 Essentials® © 2024 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. © 2021 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. lead our kids into the presence, when we bring the Spirit with us, they find out the Spirit is bigger than the flesh. They find that there is joy in the Lord. They find out that joy is bigger than fear. They find out that the presence of the Lord can ease their anxiety and depression. Those little things that are on their mind, or those big things that are on their little mind, won’t be nearly as big when we get them into the presence of an almighty God. It's my job and your job to set the environment for the Holy Spirit to move, to court the Holy Spirit because what will happen when we do? God will show up big in their lives. He will show up so big in their lives, it will put fear and anxiety in its proper place. They need to know that God did not give them a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind! (2 Timothy 1:7) They must experience the presence of the one true Living God over and over in their formative years. It is vital that they have learned to quiet themselves and hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Are Your Battle Plans Spirit Inspired? There is no such thing as a perfect curriculum. However, the foundation is incredibly important. Are you aware that most curriculums were never written with Spirit-Filled churches in mind? They were written to make available to the masses. What is most important? Does your curriculum help you meet your goals? Does it help you institute the 7 dimensions of a Spirit-Filled disciple? 1. Bible 2. Holy Spirit 3. Missions 4. Prayer 5. Worship 6. Service 7. Generosity I can testify that instituting similar goals caused my ministry effectiveness to go to the next level. 3 Essentials® © 2024 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. © 2021 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. I remember when the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the importance of developing a heart of generosity and missions in kids. Why? Because it accelerates their spiritual growth. Make up your mind today that with the Holy Spirit’s help, you will take the kids in your ministry on a spiritual road trip each week. Build every service with the altar/response in mind. Every response time can serve as a mile- marker on your spiritual destination. Judges 2:10-12 Israel Disobeys the LORD: 10 After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not know the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. 11 The Israelites did evil in the LORD’s sight and served the images of Baal. 12 They abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods, worshiping the gods of the people around them. And they angered the LORD. (NLT) Why? They did not KNOW the Lord! They had only heard about him……… “We need to pray that the generations of “Screen Disciples” growing up today will have a collision with their Creator, and understand that they belong to Him, above all else.” Valerie Bell – Resilient I don’t understand how anyone could prepare all week, preach, or teach a compelling message to the best of their ability and not finish by giving the Holy Spirit the opportunity to speak directly into hearts and minds and seal the deal. 4 Essentials® © 2024 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. © 2021 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. You know where you want to go, now pray, and seek direction for how to take your kids a step closer each week. Closing: The Boy and the Circus A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming to the nearby town. He ran home with the glad news and one question, “Daddy, can I go?” Although the family was poor, the father sensed how important this was to the lad. “If you do your Saturday chores ahead of time,” he said, “I’ll see to it that you have the money to go.” Come Saturday morning, the chores were done, and the little boy stood by the breakfast table, dressed in his Sunday best. His father reached down into the pocket of his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill – the most money the little boy had possessed at one time in all his life. The father cautioned him to be careful and then sent him on his way to town. The boy was so excited, his feet hardly seemed to touch the ground all the way. As he neared the outskirts of the village, he noticed people lining the streets, and he worked his way through the crowd until he could see what was happening. Lo and behold, it was the approaching spectacle of a circus parade! The parade was the grandest thing this little lad had ever seen. Caged animals snarled as they passed, bands beat their rhythms and sounded shining horns, acrobats swung back and forth from rope swings, while flags and ribbons swirled overhead. Finally, after everything had passed where he was standing, the traditional circus clown, with floppy shoes, baggy pants, and a brightly painted face, brought up the rear. As the clown passed by, the little boy reached into his pocket and took out that precious dollar bill. Handing the money to the clown, the boy turned around and went home. What had happened? The boy thought he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade! 5 Essentials® © 2024 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. © 2021 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. Are your kids experiencing all that God has for them? The Christian life is a marvelous adventure, an exciting journey of knowing an active and living God. Aim higher! Determine now that you will lay the groundwork each week for your kids to know God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray diligently and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you. Praying that your kids will know God intimately and learn to hear his voice clearly. Reference: Bell, Valerie, and Chris Marchand. Resilient: Child Discipleship and the Fearless Future of the Church. Awana Clubs International, 2019. Prop List: 1. Gift bag 2. Small smiley face balls * 3. Large smiley face ball * 4. Circle artist palette * Smile Maker available from Barry Mitchell Products 6 Essentials® © 2024 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved. © 2021 by General Council of the Assemblies of God Springfield, Missouri 65802. All Rights Reserved.