252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
Walk This Way
Bible Story: Walk This Way (Integrity Principle) • Proverbs 10:9, NIrV
Bottom Line: Being truthful helps you stay out of trouble.
Memory Verse: “Keep me from cheating and telling lies. Be kind and teach me your law.” Psalm
119:29, NIrV
Life App: Honesty—choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do.
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.
1. Countdown
2. Announcements
3. Host Opener (5 minutes)
What You Need:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Host
Rope or plastic chain
Handcuffs
Straightjacket (can be an oversized dress shirt worn backwards)
3 pieces of cloth large enough to cover the other items
3 pedestals (optional)
Music and Sound Effects (SFX):
• Upbeat music to use as kids enter and exit the room
• Cheesy, high-energy 80s instrumental rock music
Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website):
• Bottom Line Slide
• Honesty Slide
What You Do:
•
•
•
Download the slides and have them ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have
Orange’s permission to enlarge and print the slides on paper.
Download the music from a resource such as iTunes® and have it ready to play.
Place the rope, handcuffs and straightjacket on stage, each covered by a cloth. Place them on
pedestals if you have them but they can just be on the floor.
4. Praise and Worship (10 Minutes)
5. Bible Story (15 Minutes)
What You Need:
•
•
•
•
Bible
Older boy or male Small Group Leader
Large roll of caution tape (or a large skein of yarn)
Scissors
Large Group Visuals (downloadable from the website):
• Bottom Line Slide
• Proverbs 10:9 Slide
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
1
252 Groups
•
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
Story Pictures 1-6
What You Do:
•
Download the slides and have them ready to use. If you do not have CG capabilities, you have
Orange’s permission to enlarge and print the slides on paper.
6. Host Closer (5 Minutes)
At the end Host should pray for the group and dismiss kids to Small Group
7. Small Group (20-30 Minutes)
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
2
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
Bible Story Outline
Walk This Way (Integrity Principle) • Proverbs 10:9, NIrV
SETTING UP THE STORY
• When Jesus was a boy, He was learning to make wise choices
• Read Proverbs 10:9
• We aren’t just talking about TELLING the truth. We are talking about LIVING the truth.
• Another way to say “people who live without blame” would be to say “people of integrity”
• Choose an older boy or a male Small Group Leader to be Grayson
• Hand one end of the caution tape to Grayson
THE FIRST LIE
• Grayson and his family moved to a new town
• Grayson loved programming and building games on his computer, but he didn’t love the outdoors
• Grayson was really glad to see a kid his age and hoped they would be friends
• CG: Story Pic 1: Rufus
• Grayson lied and said he loved hiking (wrap tape)
• Grayson lied and said he could use a compass and map (wrap tape)
A LIE COMES TO LIFE
• Rufus asked his dad if Grayson could go hiking with them
• CG: Story Pic 2: Grayson’s Parents
• Grayson lied again and again to Rufus and his dad about hiking (wrap tape)
• Grayson lied to his mom and dad about hiking (wrap tape)
• Grayson is already getting really tangled and tied up in these lies
• CG: Story Pic 3: Hike Leader
• Grayson lied to the hike leader several times (wrap tape)
GETTING CAUGHT AND ‘FESSING UP
• Grayson’s lie spread like crazy and now he is about to go out hiking
• He is not only getting himself in trouble, but possibly the other boys as well
• CG: Story Pic 4: Topographical Map
• The group members started questioning Grayson, and he knew he was in trouble
• Grayson got out his cell phone hoping he could use the GPS
• His Bible app was open to Proverbs 10:9
• CG: Story Pic 5: Verse Slide
• “Wow,” thought Grayson. “I’ve been on a crooked path ever since I lied to Rufus.”
• Grayson apologized and finally started doing what he should have done all along: be honest with Rufus.
• Cut through the tape while telling the rest of the story
• Rufus and the other boys forgave Grayson
• CG: Story Pic 6: Beautiful Forest Trail
• Grayson hadn’t even noticed how pretty the sun was as it streamed down through the trees
WRAPPING UP THE STORY
• Lies will always eventually get us and those around us all tangled up and trapped
• Grayson lied by what he said, but he also lied by what he did
• When our lives become dominated by dishonesty, the cracks start to show up
• BL: Being truthful helps you stay out of trouble.
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
3
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
FOR LEADERS ONLY
GOD VIEW: the connection between HONESTY and God’s character,
as shown through God’s big story
There’s something about the things that we say that kind of stack up one way. Then there’s the way we live, or the
reality about certain situations that stack up another way. If those all line up, there’s strength and balance like a
dependable tower. When what we say lines up with what we do, people know they can trust us, because, like a strong
tower, our lives are built with integrity.
Honesty really is a big deal. That’s why we’re spending the month of May to talk about Honesty. Honesty is choosing
to be truthful in whatever you say and do.
When we’re honest, when our words line up with our actions, people know they can trust us. Our relationships grow
stronger. God understands the relationship between honesty and trust. This is something God set into motion in the
first place.
Since the beginning, God has been in the business of making and keeping promises.
God told Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation of people—He was.
God told the Israelites that He would provide for them in the desert—He did.
God told Joshua that the wall of Jericho would fall if the people marched around it for seven days—it did.
God told Mary that she would have a baby boy—she did.
That baby boy was the answer to a promise God had set in motion from the beginning: God kept His promise to send a
Savior. When we were lost, He came through and sent Jesus, the Messiah, the One in whom we can ultimately put all
of our trust.
That’s really it, isn’t it? God is honest. He has proven from the beginning that He can be trusted—even to the point of
sending His Son. And we’re called to reflect the image of God to a world around us that is desperate for people who
will live with integrity.
We want kids to begin building the kind of lives that show they can be trusted. Because they know the One who can be
trusted above any other.
This week, we’re discovering:
We start the month with Proverbs 10:9, “Anyone who lives without blame walks safely.” Being honest isn’t just about
the words you say, it’s really about the life you live. Being honest comes much easier when you are an honest person
and live your life with integrity.
Bottom Line: Being truthful helps you stay out of trouble. You don’t have to worry about what will happen to you if
you live life with honesty. We hope kids realize that making the wise choice to tell the truth is a great way to not get
tangled up in a lie.
Our Memory Verse is Psalm 119:29. “Keep me from cheating and telling lies. Be kind and teach me your law.”
Being honest isn’t always easy; this verse is a great reminder that God is there to help us when we need the strength
to tell the truth, no matter what the situation looks like.
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
4
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
Walk This Way
Bible Story: Walk This Way (Integrity Principle) • Proverbs 10:9, NIrV
Bottom Line: Being truthful helps you stay out of trouble.
Memory Verse: “Keep me from cheating and telling lies. Be kind and teach me your law.” Psalm
119:29, NIrV
Life App: Honesty—choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do.
Basic Truth: I need to make the wise choice.
1. Countdown
2. Announcements
3. Host Opener (5 minutes)
SFX: Play high-energy 80’s instrumental rock music as kids enter.
Host enters as an elaborately styled “escape artist.” He dances
to the music as he sets up the “escapes.” During the following
lines he should be walking/dancing around the stage and
showing off the different things that he will talk about escaping
from.
HOST: “Get ready to be amazed by someone who can break out of any trap!
Remove cloth to reveal the ropes. Pick them up to show off
with them, but they get tangled around your legs as soon as
you try to set them back down.
“Who can’t be held hostage by handcuffs!
Remove cloth to reveal the handcuffs. Put them on and try to
take them off, but they won’t come off. Act a little distracted, but
then just keep going.
“Who wears straightjackets like normal people wear … (fall over) … normal jackets!
Remove cloth to reveal the “straightjacket” and struggle to put it
on. Get very tangled up in the ropes and handcuffs and now
the straightjacket. Realize this is all going wrong, but still try to
keep going on. Somehow manage to stand up and continue.
“And who can escape the inescapable? That’s right! It is I, the Unflappable, Untrappable [Host’s name]! I
will be performing the most amazing escapes your eyeballs have ever gazed upon! There is no device too
difficult for me to escape from within moments! (Struggle.) I’m the greatest escape artist who started
practicing about 10 minutes ago! (Struggle.) And if I ever get out of this, I’ll … (struggle and break character)
I’ll be completely amazed.
Finally give up the charade.
“Okay. (Pause.) I’m sorry. (Pause.) Please, stop the music. This isn’t working.
SFX: Stop music
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
5
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
“I really thought I could pick this ‘escape artist’ stuff up a lot faster, but it’s harder than it looked in that 60second Escaping for Dummies video I watched. I’m a little bit stuck, which is funny because all month long
we’ll be talking about what happens when we get stuck in a lie as we take a look at what the Bible has to
say about honesty.
CG: Honesty Slide
“Honesty is choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do. You see, being an honest person can keep
you safe and protected from danger. But if you’re a person who lies all the time, you can get so tangled up
in lies that you can’t … (struggle) … well, can’t even move! Hmm. Well, um, I think I better go back and try
to get out of this stuff. (Start hopping offstage.) Hopefully I’ll be out by the time you see me again.”
Host exits as Worship Leaders enter.
4. Praise and Worship (10 Minutes)
5. Bible Story (15 Minutes)
Storyteller enters as Worship Leaders exit.
Important Note for Storyteller: Today’s story is a little longer than normal. To keep
the story moving, read the story directly from the script. Get an adult to help you.
Every time the script tells you to “Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape
across the room to another kid and hand him part of the tape.” Say, “That was
another lie!” to cue your helper to add another string of construction tape while you
continue reading.
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
6
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
SETTING UP THE STORY
STORYTELLER: “Hey, everyone! I’m so excited for this month. You know, the Bible tells us so much about
honesty, but today we’ll zero in on just one verse. Did you know that this is a verse that Jesus would have
read when he was a kid? When Jesus was a boy, He was learning to make wise choices from stories and
verses just like you hear each week in the iZone. Check out this one from the Book of Proverbs!
CG: Proverbs 10:9 Slide
(Reading directly from the Bible) “‘Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a
crooked path will get caught,’ Proverbs 10:9. (NIrV)
“You might be thinking, ‘Wait a minute. I thought we were talking about honesty. That verse doesn’t even
say the word “lie” or the word “truth” or the word “honesty.” How can that verse be about telling the truth?’
That is because we aren’t just talking about TELLING the truth. We are talking about LIVING the truth. You
see, honesty is definitely about telling the truth. But it’s also about being a truthful person. Another way to
say ‘people who live without blame’ would be to say ‘people of integrity.’ Integrity is a pretty special word. It
means that something or someone is all in one piece, with no broken parts or cracks.
“Having integrity as a person means being who you say you are and doing what you say you will do. It’s
living honestly by what you say and by what you do. And just like a boat, your life will sink without integrity. I
have a story to help us understand this. It’s about a boy named Grayson and I want you to help me tell it. I
need one person to represent Grayson.
Choose an older boy or a male Small Group Leader to be
Grayson.
“Okay, Grayson. Stand here in the center of the room and hold the end of this tape. You see, Grayson is
going to feel the pull and give in to the pressure to lie. As we watch what happens, I am going to pass this
roll of tape around the room to different people. If I hand the tape to you, you will represent one of the
people affected by the lies that Grayson tells. Let’s see what happens.”
THE FIRST LIE
STORYTELLER: “Our story starts when Grayson and his family moved to a new town. They had just
unpacked all the boxes. Grayson had just started to get his new room all set up. He had barely gotten his
computer out of the boxes when his mom made him go outside for a few minutes before dinner. Grayson
loved programming and building games on his computer, but he didn’t love the outdoors so much.
“Grayson sat on the front steps and looked around just as a four-wheel drive truck pulled up in the driveway
next door. A pretty cool-looking kid hopped out and he and his dad starting unloading some rugged hiking
gear. They had obviously spent a day on the trails. They were laughing and talking loudly about their great
time together. Grayson was really glad to see a kid his age and hoped they would be friends. When the kid
noticed Grayson he waved and walked right over.
CG: Story Pic 1: Rufus
“‘My name is Rufus,’ the kid said. Rufus seemed really excited to meet him. ‘I just got back from Trail
Blazers,’ Rufus said. ‘Do you do Trail Blazers?’
“Grayson knew that Trail Blazers was an outdoor adventure group. But he had never really been that
interested in the outdoors. He preferred adventures on his computer. He was honest and told Rufus he
didn’t do Trail Blazers.
“‘Oh,’ Rufus replied. ‘Most everybody does it here. We’ve got tons of cool trails nearby! Do you know how to
hike and to orienteer?’
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
7
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
“This time Grayson wasn’t so sure what to say. He had moved from a really big city. There weren’t any trails
at all, except in the park. And Grayson didn’t even know what ‘orienteer’ meant! But he didn’t want to seem
dumb and he wanted to fit in so badly. ‘Sure,’ Grayson said. ‘Hiking. Yep. Love it.’
“Whoops. Sounds like Grayson told a lie to Rufus.
Storyteller walks away from Grayson to another kid across the room
and hands her part of the tape.
NOTE: As the Storyteller continues to do this throughout the story, the
person standing in for Grayson will gradually be completely tangled in
a spider web of tape covering most of the room.
“I wonder what will happen now that he told this lie. Let’s keep going with the story and find out.
“Rufus’s dad walked over. ‘Glad there’s another hiker moving in. We love it,’ he said. ‘So you know how to
use a compass and read a map and stuff?’
“‘Sure,’ Grayson said. In his head, Grayson thought, ‘I’m not really lying. I can totally read a subway map,
and I’m a whiz at GPS on my phone.’
“Time out. So now Grayson has lied to Rufus’ dad. Looks like Grayson’s lie is already starting to grow.
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the room to
another kid and hand him part of the tape.
NOTE: For this next section, keep it moving quickly from one part to
the next to get Grayson tangled up in the caution tape. You can do this
by telling the story as you’re walking with the tape to each person.
A LIE COMES TO LIFE
STORYTELLER: “Let’s keep going and see what else happens.
“Turns out the Trail Blazers were going on a hike. Rufus asked his dad, ‘Could Grayson come on our hike
with us next weekend?’ His father said that as long as it was okay with Grayson’s parents, he thought it was
a great idea.
CG: Story Pic 2: Grayson’s parents
“By the time his mom called him in for supper, Grayson had lied again and again to Rufus and his dad about
hiking.
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the room to
another kid and hand him part of the tape.
“Then he ended up lying to his mom and dad at supper, telling them that he really thought hiking would be
fun and that wanted to go with the neighbors on their Trail Blazers hike.
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the
room to another kid and hand him part of the tape.
“Wow. Just take a look at this for a moment. Grayson is already getting really tangled and tied up in these
lies. I’m sure it is hard to move when you’re wrapped up like that. I think Grayson feels just as trapped by
his lies as you do by that tape. But our story isn’t over yet! Let’s see what else happens.
“Then the day of the trip finally came and Grayson had to keep his lie up to the other boys he met at the
trailhead where his mom dropped him off.
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
8
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the
room to another kid and hand him part of the tape.
“Then the group leader walked up to them. ‘Hi, Grayson,’ he said, ‘I’m Darrin Blake, the hike leader. Rufus
tells me you love hiking and really know your way around a map.”
CG: Story Pic 3: Hike Leader
“Grayson didn’t know what else to do at this point so he just quickly responded, ‘Sure do.’
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the
room to another kid and hand him part of the tape.
“Then Darrin dropped some news on Grayson. ‘Well, isn’t that great? Our other group leader is sick, so you
get to lead your own group today. You’ll lead Rufus’s group. Here’s your map. We are going to meet up at
the waterfall. The coordinates are marked at the top. Got your compass?’
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the
room to another kid and hand him part of the tape.
“Grayson started to get really nervous now. His stomach felt like it was trying to leave his body. ‘Yep.
Ready.’”
Wrap the tape around Grayson, and walk the tape across the
room to another kid and hand him part of the tape.
GETTING CAUGHT AND ‘FESSING UP
STORYTELLER: “Wow. Look at this tangled mess. Grayson’s lie spread like crazy and now he is about to
go out hiking in the woods when he doesn’t know how to navigate with the map! He is not only getting
himself in trouble, but possibly the other boys as well. Let’s see what happens.
CG: Story Pic 4: Topographical Map
“Grayson knew enough to find the trailhead. But then it was all downhill from there. The map looked like the
lines of a maze, but with no way to get out of it. He had been leading the group for fifteen minutes when
Rufus pointed out that Grayson was holding his compass upside down. Then someone asked if he was sure
he was going the right way. Then they passed by a spot in the trail that Grayson knew they had already
hiked past. Grayson felt sure they were going in circles. His heart was going a million miles an hour!
Grayson told the group he needed to use the bathroom, just so he could get a short distance away from the
group to try to calm down. He got just out of sight and leaned on a tree. It was not hot, but sweat was
pouring down Grayson’s face. Grayson got out his cell phone hoping he could use the GPS. When he
unlocked the phone, there was no signal. But his Bible app was open to the verse he was supposed to have
read this morning, when he ran out of time packing for the trip. Grayson looked at it.
CG: Story Pic 5: Verse Slide
“‘Anyone who lives without blame walks safely. But anyone who takes a crooked path will get caught,’
Proverbs 10:9.” (NIrV)
“‘Wow,’ thought Grayson. ‘I’ve been on a crooked path ever since I lied to Rufus.’
“And then it all came out. Rufus caught up with Grayson. Grayson couldn’t handle it any longer. He told
Rufus everything. He apologized and finally started doing what he should have done all along: be honest
with Rufus. Let’s see how telling the truth will set Grayson free.
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
9
252 Groups
May 2015, Week 1
Large Group, K-3 (Tipp)
Pull out some scissors and move around the room, cutting
through the tape and collecting it while finishing the story.
“Rufus smiled and forgave Grayson. He even took over leading the group and got them back to safety.
Grayson realized that a huge weight seemed to lift off of his shoulders. His backpack even seemed lighter.
As the other boys forgave him and Rufus took over leading, the knot in Grayson’s stomach disappeared.
Grayson realized that he was now free to enjoy the day and the hike.
CG: Story Pic 6: Beautiful Forest Trail
“Grayson hadn’t even noticed how pretty the sun was as it streamed down through the trees until now. He
had been too worried about his lies. As they arrived at the beautiful waterfall area, Grayson thought that he
might even be starting to like hiking.”
Finish cutting the tape and bring the pile up to the front of the
room.
WRAPPING UP THE STORY
STORYTELLER: “Just look at this huge pile of all of the lies that grew from one little lie Grayson told. Lies
might seem like a way to be free of a problem, but lies will always eventually get us and those around us all
tangled up and trapped. Grayson lied because of what he said, but he also lied by what he did. Basically, it
was like his actions were lies too! When Grayson kept acting like he wanted to hike, and knew how to do it,
he was lying with his actions and not living with integrity.
“The same goes for us, too. When our lives become dominated by dishonesty, the cracks start to show up.
Our relationships, our heart, and our emotions all start to crack and come apart. Before he confessed,
Grayson felt terrible. The simple lie that he thouht would help him had trapped him. The only way to get free
from all that trouble was to tell the truth. It’s like the one thing to remember today:
CG: Bottom Line Slide
[Impress] “Being truthful helps you stay out of trouble. When we live honestly, we avoid troubles in our
life that lies can cause and we reflect the character of God.”
Storyteller exits and Host hops out on stage, still tangled in
the stuff from the Opener.
6. Host Closer (5 Minutes)
HOST: “Wow. I’ve been trying to get untangled from this stuff for a while, but I just can’t do it alone. I’m
going to need some help! I think that’s the way it is with lies, too, sometimes. We need to get others
involved when we have gotten tangled in lies. We can’t get untangled without telling them the truth and
asking for their forgiveness. And, even if you don’t get ‘caught’ or no one else ever finds out that you lied,
you’re still tangled up. You still have to worry about it. You still have to remember what lies you told and
keep track of them. And most of all, you are disconnecting from God. To put it simply, lies will make you
miserable. Period. Because lies hurt US before they hurt anyone else. Believe me, no matter what reason
you might want to lie, it’s not worth it.
At the end Host should pray for the group and dismiss kids to Small Group
HOST: “Great! Well, I’ve got to hop off and get out of all this stuff. Have a great time in Small Group!”
Exit, calling out to Storyteller for help - Dismiss children to their
Small Groups.
7. Small Group (20-30 Minutes)
©2015 The reThink Group. All rights reserved. • www.ThinkOrange.com
Adapted by Ginghamsburg Church 2015
10