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March 27th 2016 .:. .:. Room 301

Pathways Kids Weekend Small Groups

This curriculum is for 9, 10, 11 and 12 year olds

This Weeks Scope

Bible Story: Son of God Is Not Dead (Resurrection; Easter) John 20:1-18
Bottom Line: Whatever happens, remember God loves you.
Memory Verse: In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the
world. John 16:33b, NIrV
Life App: Hopebelieving that something good can come out of something bad.
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.

Welcome Time
What You Need: An offering container
What You Do:
Collect kids offerings as they arrive.
[Make It Personal] (Talk about a time when you received the best news you had ever
heard. What did you do? Who did you tell?)
Encourage kids to share a similar story about a great event or great news they heard and how
they reacted.
Transition to Large Group.

Activity #1
4/5/6 Challenge:
What You Need: 4 sheets of paper divided into 4 squares, markers, tape
What You Say:
(Tape the papers to the wall in a square shape.) We have been talking about hope all month. Were
going to do something I call Four Square to really wrap our minds around a big abstract idea. Ive got
four different pieces of paper with four different things to do. On the first square, we are going to Define
It. That should be easy, as weve been talking about this definition all month! (Write Define It at the top
of the first square and get a volunteer to write the definition of hope.) In the second square, we are
going to Picture It. Who has an idea for what we could draw that would symbolize and say hope?
(Take suggestions and look for volunteers to draw it for the group. More than one picture is fine,
especially if interest is high. You could also vote on one to represent the group after multiple ideas are
shared. Write Picture It on the top of the second box and let the volunteer(s) draw the picture the
group decided on.)
In the third square, we are going to Connect It to ourselves. Can you think of a time when you felt or
experienced hope? Can you share it in just a few sentences or seconds? (Write Connect It at the top
of the third paper. As students share, capture some of the main things on the sheet yourself.) Finally, in
the last or fourth square, we are going to Extend It out to the world. Where have you seen examples of
hope out there? It could be in the news, in a book, in a movie or a TV show, anywhere. (On the fourth
page, write Extend It. Take examples and sum them up in phrases or titles.)
What You Do:
Stand back and look at all four squares.
What do kids notice when you look at hope from all these different angles? Did they learn
anything new?
Thank them for sharing.

Activity #2
4/5/6 Challenge
What You Need: My Trouble Activity Pages; 1 for each kid, pencils
What You Do:
Have the kids replace the word trouble in the verse with a problem or challenge they regularly
face or struggle with in life.
Have them write the verse down with their substitution and give it to you. (Example: If a child
struggles with bullying at school, they might write, In this world you will have bullies.)
Later in the week, text the kids or parents their edited version of the verse with a note saying
that you are praying for them and their situation. And remind them that [Bottom Line] whatever
happens, remember God loves you.
Note: Be sure not to reveal anything to a parent that was said in confidence to you by a kid. If a
kid shares something with you that youre not sure his parents or guardians already know, err
on the safe side and refrain from sharing it with that parent. As always, though, if a child reveals
(even through context only) that he is unsafe or is being hurt, be sure to share it privately with a
church staff member immediately.
What You Say:
You guys did a great job remembering the words in this verse. I hope that you will be able to remember
this verse and use it to encourage you that [Bottom Line] whatever happens, remember God loves
you.
If you lead mostly older kids, consider asking these discussion questions:
In what ways is Jesus different than a wise, historical figure like George Washington? (Feel free
to replace George Washington with a historical figure that will be relevant to your kids.)
Sometimes we live our lives as if Jesus is just some nice guy who lived back in historical times,
long, long ago. How does it affect your daily life that Jesus is alive and we can experience His
presence with us through the Holy Spirit?
How does it affect how we interact with people? What about how we react to different
situations? Can anyone give specific examples?

Prayer
Opposites

Time

What You Need: No supplies needed

What You Do:
Have the kids make a lower case letter t with their fingers.
Tell them the t is to remind them that Jesus knew that we would face troubles of all different
kinds in life.
Then remind them that the t also is the shape of a cross. Tell them that Jesus went to the
cross, died, and rose again to save us from our sins. His saving us doesnt mean we will escape
troubles in the world any more than Jesus himself escaped trouble. It means Jesus will be there
to help us overcome our trouble and that we can live forever with Jesus in heaven.
If you have a volunteer who will pray aloud, ask him or her to pray and thank Jesus for this
precious gift of salvation and thank Him that He loved us enough to die for us.
What You Say:
Jesus has overcome the world by dying on the cross and rising from the dead, and with Jesus in our
lives, we will overcome the world too. That doesn't mean we won't have troubles and problems or that
our life will be pain free. In fact, it means we will have lots of problems, troubles, and pain to overcome.
But we can overcome them, because Jesus promises to be with us and help us! [Bottom Line]
Whatever happens, remember God loves you and wants what is best for you. He will always be
there to guide you through tough times.
Wish kids a Happy Easter and remind them what Easter is all about