Kids

Guest starring…Goliath!

Unforgettable - that’s our goal for any UpStreet Bible story. How can we capture the kids’ attention so they’ll always remember God’s Word? How can we make it come alive before their eyes? More specifically, how can we present a bottom line that will stick in their minds as they face life’s challenges? Simply put, how can we make it unforgettable?

That question drives our large group team as we’re planning curriculum. And each Sunday’s Bible story looks very different. One week we might play an elaborate game show to show how Jesus reinstated Peter. Another week we might tell the story of David and Jonathan by bringing small group leaders up on ladders, then have Jonathan lower himself (literally) to show honor to his friend David.

Recently, we told the story of David and Goliath. All month long, our kids had been learning about honor - treating others as if they are more important than you. On that particular Sunday, we focused on one bottom line: honor God no matter what. We told how David honored God by standing up to a nine-foot giant.

It’s one thing to just tell the story.  But of course…we wanted more. We wanted a “wow” moment. So we were especially excited because Goliath made a special appearance in all three of our large group environments.

He was fierce!

For a moment he ruled the stage!

It wasn’t a complicated idea. It wasn’t even that expensive - we bought a Hercules suit from one of the many costume retailers online (and now we’ll have it for future prop needs as well). We searched our volunteer ranks to find the tallest guys we could think of.  And there we had it - our “wow” moment.  Goliath was a fierce enemy as he entered from the back of the room. A few hearts beat a little faster for just a moment!

The important thing is that we wanted to make a BIG impression. We didn’t want to tell the story in a boring way, or even in a satisfactory way. We want to always push ourselves so that the story is unforgettable. Then, when the kids go back to their small groups, they can talk about what it means to really apply it to their lives. And someday, when they’re facing a nine-foot giant of their own, they might just remember Goliath busting through the doors of their church…and how David was able to stand strong because he honored God no matter what.

For every Sunday - for every Bible truth we want to share - how can we make it unforgettable?