The Power of Prayer

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The Power of Prayer / Luke 1:7-25

Bible Truth: Persistent prayers of faith are answered by God

“Are you ready for the Joy of Discovery? Unlock the One Main Truth: It’s an adventure in the Game, a revelation in the Bible, and it will transform your Life. Let’s take one step closer to becoming a Champion for Eternity!”

In the Game: “The Players had to be Patient and Persistent to Win”
In the Bible: “God blessed Zachariah and Elizabeth for their Persistent Prayers” 
In Life: “God Answers Persistent Prayers of Faith”

1 GAME EXPERIENCE: What Time Is It?

“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“
1. Have two Coaches stand side-by-side at the finish line, facing away from the Players. [For today’s game have the coaches stand far, away from the players so ittakes a long time to win].
2. Line up the Players along the starting line, shoulder to shoulder, and instruct them to say, “What time is it?”
3. The Coach on the right should shout a time, for example, “5 o’clock.”
4. When the Players hear the time, they should take the corresponding number of steps forward and then stop.
5. Continue the game with the Players repeating, “What time is it?” and the Coach on the right calling out a new time in each round. Important: IMPORTANT: Only use small numbers like 1, 2, or 3 o’clock to test the players’patience and persistence.
6. Important: About every third time, the Coach on the left side should shout, “It is time to go to jail!” That Coach then turns around and chases the Players back to the starting line. If that Coach tags a Player, that Player has to sit out for one round.
7. The only time the Players can cross the finish line is when the Coach on the right calls out, “It is time to come home!” This signal allows all the Players to safely run to the finish line.

2 BIBLE DISCOVERIES: Gospel & Truth - Luke 1:7-25

“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”

THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Luke 1:5-7)
Boys and girls, did you know that God creates every person and has a plan for us before we are born? Today we are going to learn about a couple who lived a very long time ago. In the city of Jerusalem, during the days of King Herod, there lived a righteous priest named Zechariah. His wife, Elizabeth, also came from a priestly family, being a descendant of Aaron. Remember who he was? Moses’s brother! They were devoted to God, following His commandments and statutes carefully. However, despite their devotion and love for God, a shadow of sorrow lingered over their home. Elizabeth, though advanced in years, had never had a child, leaving them with an empty cradle and aching hearts.

THE CHOICE:  (Luke 1:8-17)
One day, as Zechariah was serving in the temple before God, a wonderful event happened. It was the appointed time for him to burn incense and all of the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the Temple. Children isn’t it wonderful we can talk to Jesus right now and not have to wait for anyone. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Fear gripped Zechariah’s heart as he beheld this heavenly messenger. The angel, spoke with reassuring words, saying, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. He will bring you joy and gladness, and his life will be marked by greatness before the Lord. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. John will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will prepare the hearts of the people for the coming of the Messiah. (Children anytime you hear Zechariah is unable to speak pat your mouth with your hands three times)Zechariah, overwhelmed by this divine message, questioned the angel, “How Shall I know this is true? I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” In response, the angel identified himself as Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and declared that Zechariah would be (Pat Mouth) unable to speak until the miraculous events unfolded because he doubted the angel’s words.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Luke 1:1-25)
As Zechariah came from the Temple, he was unable to speak, (Pat mouth) the people were surprised he stayed in the Temple such a long time. He gestured to them but remained mute, (Pat’s mouth) clearly having experienced a divine vision. In the days that followed, just as Gabriel said, the Lord allowed Elizabeth to become pregnant even though she was old. Isn’t that wonderful God gave them a beautiful baby boy to love and to teach to love our Lord. Elizabeth rejoiced in the Lord’sfavor. She proclaimed, “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among the people.” The child she carried was proof to God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment (completion) of His promise. Their on was called John, but as he grew older he was called John the Baptist. He was the one who baptized Jesus. John the Baptist’s job was to prepare the people’s hearts for the coming Messiah, Jesus. Do you know just as God has a special plan for John, God also has a special plan for you.
“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”

      3 LIFE CONNECTIONS: Connecting Jesus to Every Child

      (1) Bible Truth Planted in MY HEART, Growing MY ATTITUDE

      POWER WORDS: “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: thy prayer is heard”  Luke 1:13a

      (2) Bible Truth Rooted in MY MIND, Leading MY CHOICES

      POWER QUESTIONS:

      Game Questions:

      • How was the game played?
      • What parts of the game were easy for you? What parts were challenging?
      • It took a long time, but did you eventually win? Is this similar to Zechariah and Elizabeth waiting a long time to have a son? (Both had to be patient and persistent)
      • Boys & girls, that sounds a lot like what we just discovered in the Bible!”

      Bible Questions:

      • Circumstance: Where did the history take place, and who was there?
      • Choice: What important decision did [name] have to make?
        Was it a good choice or a bad choice, and why do you think [name] made that choice?
      •  What was the result of Zechariah and Elizabeth’s prayers? (They had a son named John, later called John the Baptist)

      Life Questions:

      • Circumstance: When have you (today or in the future) been in a similar situation as[name] in the Bible history?
      • Choice: What would you do if you were in [name]’s situation? Have you ever faced a similar decision? What did you choose?
      • Why doesn’t God always say yes? Even a good parent says “no” to a request for candy before a meal. Boys and girls, sometimes you will pray for days, weeks, months, years, and decades before God answers your prayer.
        (Sometimes the answer is yes, wait awhile or no. God knows what is best for us.)
      • How do we live for Jesus? (By reading our bibles, praying, going to children’s church to hear God’s word, and going to Game Life to learn about Jesus.)
        Boys & girls, we should always make the right choice that will please God, let us tell God what is in our hearts right now.”

       

      (3) Bible Truth Today Committed in MY SOUL, Inspiring MY ACTIONS

      POWER PRAYER: Repeat After Me “Dear Jesus thank you for always being there for me. I want to live for you by reading my bible, praying, going to church and to GameLife to hear God’s
      word so I can learn about Jesus. Jesus, thank you for always hearing and prayers and for answering my prayer the way that is best. Amen
      “***Boys & girls, let’s be still and quiet, open your heart to hear God’s whisper.***”
      (Coach, wait at least 14 seconds, allowing God to connect to every child)

      Ask the children what is their favorite worship song and then sing several worship songs with Strong & Powerful Worship Motions
      (Click here for worship songs
      “GameLife Strong & Powerful Worship Motions”)

      Now, remember to share this truth,
      practice this truth, and bring a friend back with you! Boys and girls, let’s go out as the
      “Champions for Eternity” that God expects us to become!

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