Truth In Action

EXTRAordinary Lesson 2

Script

Time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies
Two identical clear cups or bowls
Small objects that can be sorted in two different ways (color and shape)
Two trays
Timer

Let’s Begin
Set the two sorting challenges side by side. Choose two volunteers. Quietly give each child a different job. For example, ask one child to sort her objects by color and the other to sort hers by shape.

“Each of you has been given a job. Your job is simple: finish the job you were given. Ready? Go!”
Start the timer and let the children work for about 10 seconds.

Then interrupt.
“WAIT! New rule. You have to keep watching what the girl beside you is doing while you do your own job.”

“Watch her! What’s she doing? Is she ahead of you? Did she do something different? Keep checking!”
Allow the volunteers to continue for a few moments as they try to complete their own tasks while repeatedly watching each other.

Pause.
“What happened when you started watching her?”
Allow several responses. (Examples might include: I got distracted. I forgot what I was doing. I slowed down. I wanted to do what she was doing. It was harder to finish my own job).

“That’s exactly what comparison can do. Each of these girls had a job. Neither job was better. Neither girl needed the other girl’s job. But the second she started watching what someone else was doing, it became harder to pay attention to what SHE had been given to do.”

Hold up your Bible.
“Galatians 6:4 tells us to pay attention to our own work. That doesn’t mean we don’t care about other people or cheer for them. It just means we don’t have to measure ourselves against them.”

Point to the side.
“Eyes off hers.”
Then point down or toward yourself.
“Eyes on yours.”

Invite the children to do the motions with you.
“Eyes off hers. Eyes on yours.”
Repeat it together.

“Why can we stop watching hers?”
“Because God didn’t forget to give you something good. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s workmanship. He made YOU on purpose and He has good things for YOU to do. Someone else can be good at something without you becoming less. Someone else can have something wonderful without you needing it too. God made each of us differently, and we can thank Him for the way He made us.”

Ask
What happened when the volunteers stopped focusing on their own jobs and started watching each other?
Why can it be hard to notice our own gifts when we’re comparing ourselves to someone else?
How can we cheer for someone else’s gifts without wishing they were ours?

Wrap Up
“You don’t have to keep watching what everyone else is doing. God made you on purpose and gave you your own gifts and good work to do. Eyes off hers. Eyes on yours.”

A gathering of children around a large wooden table, engaging in an activity. They are wearing colorful hats, with snacks and art supplies visible on the table.

A group of children sitting on the floor of a brightly lit room, engaging in a hands-on activity with bowls of colorful materials. An adult stands in front, reading from a paper, while a large portrait of a girl hangs on the wall in the background.

“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”
Galatians 6:4

Story & Study Leader Companion

EXTRAordinary

Lesson 3

Lesson Overview

Our Focus Today
Helping children understand that good things and good moments can affect how they feel, but they were never meant to tell them who they are. God’s truth does not come and go and their identity can rest securely in Him.

Key Truth
Good things can be enjoyed. God’s truth is strong enough to build who I am on.

Bible Passage
Psalm 62:5–8

Memory Verse
“Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 62:6 (NIV)

At A Glance

Approximate Lesson Time: 45–60 minutes
Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity • 10–15 minutes
Gather Around God’s Word • 10–15 minutes
Read the Story • 10–15 minutes
Truth in Action • 5–10 minutes
Open Your Bible • 10–15 minutes
Closing Prayer & Clean-Up • 2–3 minutes

Leader Encouragement

Children are often surrounded by good things that can make them feel noticed, included, successful, or special. Those things are not bad, but they were never meant to carry the weight of telling a
child who she is. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to help children recognize the difference between
enjoying something good and depending on it for their identity. As you lead, remind
them that feelings and circumstances can change, but God does not.
His Word and His character are a strong foundation that will last.

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger
than the lesson on the page.

Leader Preparation

Lesson Supplies
Study books
Bibles
Pens
Highlighters
Small white ceramic jewelry/trinket dishes, about 4–5 inches
Acrylic paint markers
GOD’S TRUTH STAYS printed on cards
Design inspiration cards
Paper towels or wipes

Teaching Supplies
Bible
Paper plate
Piece of paper
Small cardboard box
Sturdy chair

Prep Ahead
Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible.
Gather the supplies for today’s Truth in Action.
Prepare design inspiration cards with simple ideas such as checks, stripes, scallops, dots, bows, flowers, hearts, stars, wavy lines, and color blocking.
Set out the lesson activity supplies for each group.
A completed sample of today’s lesson activity.

Volunteer Roles

Lead Teacher
Welcome the group and guide each part of the lesson.
Read the Bible passage and story aloud.
Lead the Truth in Action, discussion, and closing prayer.

Small Group Leaders
Welcome children and encourage conversation.
Support children throughout the lesson.
Answer questions, encourage participation, and offer extra help as needed.

Floater
Welcome families and direct children to their groups.
Help with transitions and assist wherever needed throughout the lesson.

Leading the Lesson

Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity

Time: 10–15 minutes
Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.

Instructions
Welcome children as they arrive.
Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity.
Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack.
As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.

Conversation Starters
What is something you really like right now that might change as you get older?
What is something good that can make you feel really happy or special?
What is something true about God that will never change?

Gather Around God’s Word

Time: 10–15 minutes

Transition
Give children a two-minute warning before beginning.
Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.

Opening Prayer
Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.

Bible Reading

Read Psalm 62:5–8 directly from your Bible.

Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that lots of things in life can change how we feel. A compliment, an invitation, doing something well, or being noticed can all feel good. But Psalm 62 gives us a picture of something much stronger. God is our rock, salvation, fortress, and refuge. We can enjoy good moments without asking them to tell us who we are because our identity can rest in a God who does not change.

Read the Story

Today’s Stair-Step Reading

Lesson 2
Re-read Lesson 1-2, then continue directly into Lesson 3.

Read the story aloud while children follow along.

Engage Children By…
-Announcing page turns for younger readers.
-Reading speech bubbles together.
-Asking observation questions.
-Pointing out humorous moments.
-Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.

Truth In Action

Time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies
Paper plate
Piece of paper
Small cardboard box
Sturdy chair

Let’s Begin
Hold up the paper plate.

“I have a question for you. Is this a good thing?”
Let children answer.

“Sure! If I handed you a piece of birthday cake, you’d probably be pretty happy I had this plate.”
Set it on the floor.

“But what if I told you I wanted to sit on it? Do you think it could hold me?” (Show trying to sit).
Let them react.

“Why not? We just decided it’s a perfectly good plate!”

Hold up the piece of paper.
“What about this? Paper is useful. We can draw on it, write on it, make things with it. But would you trust it to hold you up?”
No.

Try the cardboard box.
“This one’s a little stronger. Would you trust it to hold you?” (Press down on it or demonstrate how easily it bends).

Then bring out the sturdy chair.
“Okay. What about this?”

Invite one child to sit in it.

“What’s different about the chair?”
Let them answer: It’s strong. It’s sturdy. It’s made to hold you.

“Exactly. And that’s what I want you to notice. The plate wasn’t bad. The paper wasn’t bad. The box wasn’t bad. They just weren’t made to hold you.“

“There are lots of really good things in our lives that can make us feel good , too. Someone gives you a compliment. You get invited somewhere. You make the team. You make everyone laugh. You put on an outfit you love and feel great in it.”

“Are any of those things bad?”

“No! We can enjoy them. But sometimes, without even realizing it, we start asking those good things to do a much bigger job.”

“Instead of just enjoying a compliment, I start needing compliments to feel good about myself. Instead of enjoying being invited, I start thinking being included means I’m important. Instead of enjoying being good at something, I start letting how well I do decide how I feel about myself.”

Point back to the plate, paper, and box.
“That’s kind of like trying to sit on one of these. We’re asking a good thing to hold something it was never made to hold.”

Now point to the chair.
“God’s truth is different. The Bible tells us that God is our rock, fortress, and refuge. His truth doesn’t change when our day changes. It doesn’t disappear when someone doesn’t notice us, when we don’t get invited, or when someone else is better at something.

“So when something starts to feel really important to me, I can stop and ask: Am I enjoying this good thing OR am I asking it to tell me who I am?“

Ask
Why wasn’t the paper plate a bad thing just because it couldn’t hold you?
What are some good things we sometimes ask to tell us how important or special we are?
Why is God’s truth strong enough to build our identity on?

Wrap Up
“Good things can be enjoyed. They were never meant to hold your identity. Feelings and moments can come and go, but God’s truth stays. He is strong enough to build who you are on.”

Open Your Bible

Time: 10–15 minutes

Activity 1
Complete Activity 1: Where Do I Take This?

Invite children to look up Proverbs 31:30, 1 Peter 1:24–25, and Hebrews 13:8 in their Bibles and highlight each verse.

Work through the three verses on the activity page. In Proverbs 31:30, have children circle the word charm and underline what the verse says is fleeting. In 1 Peter 1:24–25, underline what withers, box what lasts forever, and circle the words “the word of the Lord.” In Hebrews 13:8, have children box the three time words: yesterday, today, and forever.

Complete Comes & Goes or Stays, sorting each item into the correct column.
*Remind children that something belonging in the Comes & Goes column does not necessarily make it bad. Appearance, popularity, compliments, laughter, and people’s attention can all change. God’s Word, Jesus, and what God says is true do not.

Finish the three reflection questions: What Am I Noticing?, Where Do I Take These Feelings?, and Where Do I Find My True Identity?

Have a child read the Truth Tidbit aloud.

Bible Verses
Proverbs 31:30
1 Peter 1:24–25
Hebrews 13:8

Ask
What are some good things that can come and go?
What did these verses show us that stays?
Where can you turn when something that comes and goes starts to feel too important?

Activity 2
Complete Activity 2: What Am I Asking It to Do?

Read Psalm 62:5–8 together. Invite children to circle every description of God in the passage, including rock, salvation, fortress, mighty rock, and refuge.

Complete What Do I Sometimes Wish For? Children can circle any statements they have thought before. Remind them that there are no wrong answers and that wanting or enjoying these things does not make them bad.

Next, complete Good Moment or Strong Foundation? For each example have children decide whether it can be a good moment and whether it can tell them who they are.

Then complete So What Is Strong Enough? using Psalm 62 to finish the words ROCK, FORTRESS, REFUGE, and SALVATION. Invite children to circle the description of God that sounds strongest to them.

Have a child read the Truth Tidbit aloud.

Bible Verse
Psalm 62:5–8

Ask
Can something be a good moment without being strong enough to tell you who you are?
Which description of God in Psalm 62 stands out to you most? Why?
What can you remember when a compliment, invitation, success, or disappointment starts changing how you feel about yourself?

Closing Prayer

Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 3.

Clean-Up

Invite children to:
-Organize their supplies.
-Throw away trash.
-Help tidy their small group area.
-Continue working on today’s lesson activity if time remains or take home any remaining supplies to finish later.

If your identity is found in Christ,
then it matters less and less what people think of you.
-Leonard Sweet

Story & Study Leader Companion

EXTRAordinary

Lesson 2

Lesson Overview

Our Focus Today
Helping children understand that comparison can pull their attention toward what others have or can do, but God made each of us intentionally and gives us different gifts and good work to do.

Key Truth
God made me on purpose. I can be confident in how He made me.

Bible Passages
Galatians 6:4

Memory Verse
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”
Galatians 6:4 (NIV)

At A Glance

Leader Encouragement

Comparison can begin quietly. Children notice what someone else has, what someone else can do, or how someone else is noticed. Before long, they can begin measuring themselves against everyone around them. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to remind children that God never intended them to be copies of one another. He made each of them intentionally, with different interests and gifts. As you lead, help children begin to shift their attention away from comparison and toward gratitude for who God made them to be and the good work He has given them to do.

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger
than the lesson on the page.

Leader Preparation

Lesson Supplies
Study books
Bibles
Pens
Highlighters
Youth-size foam-front trucker hats
Assortment of self-adhesive patches
Small tabletop mirrors
Trays or bowls to organize patches
Permanent fabric adhesive for any patches that need reinforcement
Hat cords
Printed Trucker Hat Bar cards

Teaching Supplies
Bible
Two identical clear cups or bowls
Small objects that can be sorted in two different ways (color and shape)
Two trays
Timer

Prep Ahead
Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible.
Gather the supplies for today’s Truth in Action.
Set up two simple sorting challenges side by side. Prepare a different sorting instruction for each volunteer (sorting by color and sorting by shape).
Set out the lesson activity supplies for each group.
Organize self-adhesive patches in trays or bowls so children can easily see and choose from them.
A completed sample of today’s lesson activity.

Volunteer Roles

Leading the Lesson

Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity

Time: 10–15 minutes
Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.

Instructions
Welcome children as they arrive.
Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity.
Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack.
As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.

Conversation Starters
What made you choose the patches you picked?
Do you ever find yourself wanting something because someone else has it?
What is something about the way God made you that you’re thankful for?

Gather Around God’s Word

Time: 10–15 minutes

Transition
Give children a two-minute warning before beginning.
Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.

Opening Prayer
Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.

Bible Reading

Read Galatians 6:4 directly from your Bible.

Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that it can be easy to pay attention to what everyone else has, what they can do, or how they are noticed. But God doesn’t ask us to measure ourselves against other people. He made each of us intentionally and gives each of us our own gifts and good work to do.

Read the Story

Today’s Stair-Step Reading

Lesson 2
Re-read Lesson 1, then continue directly into Lesson 2.

Read the story aloud while children follow along.

Engage Children By…
-Announcing page turns for younger readers.
-Reading speech bubbles together.
-Asking observation questions.
-Pointing out humorous moments.
-Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.

Truth In Action

Open Your Bible

Time: 10–15 minutes

Activity 1
Complete Activity 1: Wait…Who Am I Watching?

Invite children to look up 2 Corinthians 10:12 in their Bibles. Have them highlight the words compare and measure.

Then invite children to look up Galatians 6:4 and highlight what the verse tells them to pay attention to instead.

Complete Stick With the Truth. Encourage children to put a sticker beside every thought that helps turn their eyes back to what is true.

Return to Galatians 6:4 and have children choose what the verse tells them to pay attention to.

Complete What Should I Watch? and Unscramble the Truth.

Ask
What can happen when we keep watching what everyone else is doing?
What does Galatians 6:4 tell us to pay attention to instead?
How can you cheer for someone else without comparing yourself to her?

Activity 2
Complete Activity 2: Same Creator, Different Gifts.

Invite children to look up Ephesians 2:10 and 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 in their Bibles.

Complete the Bible Hunt, encouraging children to use the verses to discover who made them, what Ephesians calls them, whether everyone’s gifts are exactly the same, and who is behind those different gifts.

Then complete the Gift Match-Up. Remind children that people can use the gifts God has given them in many different ways and that these examples are just a few possibilities.

Finish with Think & Write, inviting children to use what they learned to complete the sentences about how God did and did not make them.

Ask
What does Ephesians 2:10 tell us about the way God made you?
Why do you think God gives people different gifts?
What is one gift, ability, or interest God has given you that you can thank Him for?

Closing Prayer

Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 2.

Clean-Up

A gospel identity meets and answers the challenges
that modern identity creates.
-Jonathan Holmes

Truth In Action

EXTRAordinary Lesson 1

Script

Time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies
Handheld mirror
Prepared sticky notes
Bible

Let’s Begin
Hold up the mirror.

“When you were really little, you probably didn’t spend much time wondering what everyone else was doing. There is actually a child development term about this called parallel play and it’s when people play next to one another without interacting with the other person or trying to influence each other.”

“You liked the shirt you liked or didn’t even notice it. You played what you wanted to play. If your best friend sat by someone else, you might not have thought much about it.”

“But as we get older, we start noticing more.”

Place a sticky note on the mirror.
“We notice what other people have.”

Add another.
“We notice who is friends with who.”

Add another.
“We notice what everyone is wearing.”

Add another.
“We notice when we’re included and we definitely notice when we’re not.”

Continue adding several of the prepared sticky notes.

“We might start wondering:“
-Does she like me?
-Why did she choose her to sit by?
-Should I have that too?
-Am I good at this?
-Do I fit in?

Show the covered mirror.
“None of those thoughts are strange or even unexpected. Growing up means you’re going to start noticing new things. But there’s something we need to learn to do with all those thoughts.”

Hold up the mirror.
“Because if every thought gets to stick…”

Point to the covered reflection.
“…pretty soon, it can become hard to see clearly.”

“So what do we do?“

Catch It
Choose one sticky note from the mirror.
Read:
Why did she sit with her instead?
“Maybe I notice that my friend is spending lots of time with someone else.”
“That’s a thought. I noticed it.”
“I don’t have to pretend I didn’t think it. I can catch it.”

Check It
Hold up the Bible.
“Then I can check it.”
“Is my thought telling me something that’s actually true? Does it hold up against God’s Word?”

Point to the note.
“Does my friend sitting with someone else mean she doesn’t like me anymore?”

Pause.
“Not necessarily.”
Remove the note.

Choose another:
I wish I had what she has.

Check it: “Does someone else having something good mean God hasn’t given good things to me?”
Remove it.

Choose:
She’s better at that than me.
“Maybe she is really good at it! We don’t have to pretend she isn’t.”
Check it: “But does her being good at something make me less valuable?”
Remove it.
“No.”

Change It
Point to the remaining notes.
“This is where we change what gets to stick.”

Remove:
“Why wasn’t I invited?”
“I can feel disappointed without deciding it means nobody likes me.”

Remove:
“I wish I looked more like her.”
“I can notice something beautiful about someone else without deciding something is wrong with me.”

Remove:
“I want what she has.”
“I can enjoy what someone else has and still be thankful for what God has given me.”

Continue removing the remaining notes until the mirror is clear.

Bring It Back to God
Hold up the clear mirror and then the Bible.
“God isn’t asking you to stop noticing things. You’re going to notice friendships. You’re going to notice clothes and talents and parties and compliments and what other people have. You’re going to have moments when you feel left out, jealous, unsure, or like you really want to fit in a certain way. The question is: What will you do with those thoughts when they come?“

Open to Isaiah 43:1.
“God gives us something steady to come back to.”
Read:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.“

Place the sticky note that says WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUE along the edge of the mirror.
“Before I let a thought stick, I can bring it back to what God says.”
“I am known.”
“I belong to Him.”
“I can trust Him.”
“I can be thankful for what He’s given me.”
“And I can let His truth guide the way I see myself and others.”

Ask
What are some things you notice more now than you did when you were younger?
Is it wrong to notice that someone has something you want?
What can happen if we keep comparing ourselves to other people?
If a friend spends time with someone else, what might your brain immediately tell you? What else could be true?
How can you be happy for someone else when they get something you wanted?
What can you do when a thought starts to “stick”?

Wrap Up
“You don’t have to believe every thought that pops into your head. You can catch it. You can check it against what God says. And when it doesn’t match His truth, you can change it. Growing up means you’re going to notice more and more about the people and world around you. So let’s learn now to let God’s truth be what sticks.”

“But now, this is what the Lord says-he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1

Story & Study Leader Companion

EXTRAordinary

Lesson 1

Lesson Overview

Our Focus Today
Helping children make sense of the new thoughts and feelings that come with growing up, especially around friendships, fitting in, and comparison, and encouraging them to let God’s truth guide the way they see themselves and others.

Key Truth
I can bring my thoughts and feelings back to what God says is true.

Bible Passages
Proverbs 29:25 and Isaiah 43:1

Memory Verse
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV)

At A Glance

Leader Encouragement

As children grow, they begin noticing more. They notice what their friends have, who is sitting with whom, what other people are wearing, where they fit in, and what others might think of them. Those thoughts and feelings are a normal part of growing up, but children need help learning that not
every thought that enters their mind is true. As you lead today, help children see that they don’t
have to be afraid of their thoughts or feelings. They can learn to notice them, bring them
to God, and let His truth have the final word.

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger
than the lesson on the page.

Leader Preparation

Lesson Supplies
Study books
Pens
Highlighters
Lobster clasp keychain with attached string/cord
Beads (See Lesson Activity for specifics)
Printed Charm Bar cards

Teaching Supplies
Bible
Handheld mirror
Sticky notes
Marker
Completed sample charm keychain

Prep Ahead
Highlight today’s Bible passages in your Bible.
Write the following thoughts on individual sticky notes for today’s Truth in Action:
–Why wasn’t I invited?
–I wish I had what she has.
–Do they like me?
–Everyone else has one.
–What if I don’t fit in?
–She’s better at that than me.
–Why did she sit with her instead?
–I wish I looked more like her.
–What if they think that’s weird?
–I want them to notice me.
Prepare one additional sticky note that says WHAT GOD SAYS IS TRUE.
Gather and organize the charm bar supplies for your group(s)
A completed sample charm keychain

Volunteer Roles

Leading the Lesson

Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity

Time: 10–15 minutes
Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.

Instructions
Welcome children as they arrive.
Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity.
Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack.
As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.

Conversation Starters
Which truth did you choose for your keychain? Why?
Which bead or charm did you choose just because you liked it?
Have you ever really wanted something because you saw that someone else had it?
Have you ever changed your mind about something because of what your friends thought?

Gather Around God’s Word

Time: 10–15 minutes

Transition
Give children a two-minute warning before beginning.
Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.

Opening Prayer
Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.

Bible Reading

Read Proverbs 29:25 and Isaiah 43:1 directly from your Bible.

Connect today’s Bible passages to the story by explaining that as we grow, we start noticing more about ourselves and the people around us. We notice what other people have, what they’re good at, who they’re friends with, and what they think. Sometimes those things can begin to shape the way we think about ourselves. God’s Word gives us something steady and true to come back to when our thoughts and feelings get confusing.

Read the Story

Today’s Stair-Step Reading

Lesson 1

Read Lesson 1 aloud while children follow along.

Engage Children By…
-Announcing page turns for younger readers.
-Reading speech bubbles together.
-Asking observation questions.
-Pointing out humorous moments.
-Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.

Truth In Action

Open Your Bible

Time: 10–15 minutes

Activity 1
Complete Activity 1: Thought Catcher — What Stuck?

Invite children to look up Philippians 4:8 in their Bibles.

Have them circle or underline the words that describe the kinds of things God wants us to think about.
Then invite children to look at the “sticky thoughts” on the page and decide whether each one is a good thought or needs a reset. If it needs a reset, encourage them to write a better thought instead.

Complete the Catch, Check, Change section at the bottom of the page.

Have a child read the Truth Tidbit aloud.

Ask
Why do you think it is important to notice the thoughts that get stuck in our minds?
What can help you decide if a thought is true or needs a reset?
What is one way you can change a sticky thought into a thought that is true?

Activity 2
Complete Activity 2: Who Gets the Last Word?

Invite children to look up Proverbs 29:25 and Isaiah 43:1 in their Bibles.

For Proverbs 29:25:
Underline what can trap us.
Circle what keeps us safe.
Complete the question about what the verse teaches.
Draw a place that helps you feel close to God.

For Isaiah 43:1:
Underline what God does.
Circle what God says about you.
Use the provided words to complete the statements on the page.

Children may complete the remaining questions independently, with a partner, or in small groups.

Have a child read the Truth Tidbit aloud.

Ask
What can happen when we worry too much about what other people think?
What does Isaiah 43:1 remind you is true about you?
How can remembering what God says help when you feel left out, jealous, or unsure of yourself?

Closing Prayer

Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 1.

Clean-Up

The enemy can steal all that God has destined us to become
if we lose sight of our identity in Christ.
-Dayna Mager

The Flip Side

By Abigail Davis

Purchase The Flip Side

It’s hard to be obedient. George would agree with you. It’s a matter of both heart and mind. There are rules for a reason, both from the Bible and from adults and other leaders, but why is it so important to follow these rules and what does that look like as a boy out “trailblazing” in today’s world?
Find out what happens when we Pray. Flip. Go.

God’s commands aren’t meant to keep us from what’s good, they’re meant to lead us toward what’s best. Centered on the Ten Commandments, this Story & Study explores obedience and the confidence that comes from trusting God’s loving authority. Every choice has consequences, but God’s instructions are always for their good, even when they don’t feel like it. As they begin to understand and trust God’s heart, they’ll see that following His ways always leads to something better.

Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.
Deuteronomy 11:1

Truth In Action

The Flip Side Lesson 5

Script

Time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies
Blindfold
Destination location/object

Let’s Begin
Choose one volunteer. Show everyone the destination.
“Today we’re going to do a little experiment.” Do you think ______ can make it to our destination?”
Allow children to answer.

Hold up the blindfold.
“What if he can’t see where he’s going?”
Place the blindfold on the volunteer.

Round One
Give only vague directions.
Example: “Go that way. A little farther. Turn. Now that way”
Pause after a few moments.

Was that easy or hard? Why?

“Sometimes life feels like that. We have choices to make every day and if we try to figure everything out on our own, it’s easy to get confused. But God doesn’t leave us without directions.”

What are God’s directions called?
Allow children to answer…The Ten Commandments

Round Two
“Let’s try again.”
Guide the volunteer carefully with very clear directions.

Example: “Take two small steps forward. One step to the left. Three tiny steps forward.”

Celebrate reaching the destination.

“Why did that work so much better?”
Allow children to answer.

“God’s Word works the same way. He sees what we cannot see. His instructions are given because He loves us and wants what is best for us. Whenever you aren’t sure what to do, Pray. Flip. Go.”

Ask
Why can we trust God’s directions?
Where can we find God’s instructions?
What can we do when we don’t know what choice to make?

Wrap Up
“Every day you’ll have choices to make, but you never have to choose alone. Pray. Flip. Go. God will always help you choose His way.”

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.”
Deuteronomy 28:1

Truth In Action

The Other Side of No Lesson 5

Script

Time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies
Blindfold
Destination location/object

Let’s Begin
Choose one volunteer. Show everyone the destination.
“Today we’re going to do a little experiment.” Do you think ______ can make it to our destination?”
Allow children to answer.

Hold up the blindfold.
“What if she can’t see where she’s going?”
Place the blindfold on the volunteer.

Round One
Give only vague directions.
Example: “Go that way. A little farther. Turn. Now that way”
Pause after a few moments.

Was that easy or hard? Why?

“Sometimes life feels like that. We have choices to make every day and if we try to figure everything out on our own, it’s easy to get confused. But God doesn’t leave us without directions.”

What are God’s directions called?
Allow children to answer…The Ten Commandments

Round Two
“Let’s try again.”
Guide the volunteer carefully with very clear directions.

Example: “Take two small steps forward. One step to the left. Three tiny steps forward.”

Celebrate reaching the destination.

“Why did that work so much better?”
Allow children to answer.

“God’s Word works the same way. He sees what we cannot see. His instructions are given because He loves us and wants what is best for us. Whenever you aren’t sure what to do, pause, pray, and ask God for wisdom.”

Ask
Why can we trust God’s directions?
Where can we find God’s instructions?
What can we do when we don’t know what choice to make?

Wrap Up
“Sometimes the ‘other side of no’ means saying no to something that pulls us away from God and saying yes to God’s way instead. God’s way is always the best way, even when it may feel harder or even more fun.”

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.”
Deuteronomy 28:1

Truth In Action

The Flip Side Lesson 4

Script

Time: 5–10 minutes

Supplies
Glass jar
Water balloon (just slightly larger than the top of your jar)
Lighter
Small piece of paper
Straw

Let’s Begin
Hold up the empty jar.
“This jar represents sin.”

Hold up the water balloon.
“And this water balloon represents us.”

Try placing the balloon into the jar.
“Sometimes people say, ‘I just fell into sin. But that’s usually not how it happens. Before sin , comes temptation.”

“Temptation is anything that pulls us toward making a choice that goes against God’s way. Being tempted isn’t a sin.“

Use a simple example.
“Seeing candy in the checkout line isn’t a sin. Wanting the candy isn’t a sin. Choosing to take it without paying…that’s a sin.”

Light the small piece of paper.
Drop it into the jar.
“This fire represents temptation.”

Set the balloon on top of the jar and allow it to be pulled inside.
“Temptation pulls on our hearts and we can easily get sucked right in.“

“When we give in, we can feel stuck.”
Try pulling the balloon back out. Allow children to notice how difficult it is.

“Have you ever tried to fix a mistake all by yourself? Sometimes it feels impossible.”

Hold up the straw.
“This straw is God’s promise of an escape plan.”

Insert the straw and remove the balloon.
“God never leaves us stuck. He gives us a way out. Sometimes that’s through prayer, sometimes through His Word, and sometimes through the trusted people He’s placed in our lives.”

Ask
What’s the difference between temptation and sin?
What can we do when we’re tempted?
Who are some trusted people God has given us to help?

Wrap Up
“The next time you’re tempted, pause, pray, and remember that God has already made a way to help you choose His way.”

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30–31

Truth In Action

The Other Side of No Lesson 4

Script

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:30–31

Script

EXTRAordinary

Lesson 3

Lesson Overview

At A Glance

Leader Encouragement

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always biggerthan the lesson on the page.

Leader Preparation

Volunteer Roles

Leading the Lesson

Gather Around God’s Word

Read the Story

Truth In Action

Open Your Bible

Closing Prayer

Clean-Up

EXTRAordinary

Lesson 2

Lesson Overview

At A Glance

Leader Encouragement

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always biggerthan the lesson on the page.

Leader Preparation

Volunteer Roles

Leading the Lesson

Gather Around God’s Word

Read the Story

Truth In Action

Open Your Bible

Closing Prayer

Clean-Up

Script

EXTRAordinary

Lesson 1

Lesson Overview

At A Glance

Leader Encouragement

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always biggerthan the lesson on the page.

Leader Preparation

Volunteer Roles

Leading the Lesson

Gather Around God’s Word

Read the Story

Truth In Action

Open Your Bible

Closing Prayer

Clean-Up

Script

Script

Script

Script

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger
than the lesson on the page.

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger
than the lesson on the page.

The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger
than the lesson on the page.