Teaching Card 1

OUT OF THIS WORLD: OVER THE MOON

Supplies per child: 8 Oreo cookies, printout of the template on card stock, a plastic knife.

Do: Using the template from the QR code, have kids recreate the phases of the moon using Oreos. After they've finished, have an Oreo snack together! As they snack on their creations:

Say: God created something pretty amazing when he created the moon. It all started in Genesis 1:14, when God said: "Let there be lights in the sky to separate day from night. These lights will be used for signs, seasons, days and years!"

The moon does some pretty incredible things for us:

• Keeps us from being too hot or too cold.
• Makes sure we have just the right amount of Sun. 
• Creates tides, which are the rise and fall of the oceans that happen each day. 
• Slows down the earth's spin so that our days are 24 hours long-instead of only about six.
• Keeps the earth tilted in space at a perfect 23.5 degrees. Otherwise we'd hardly ever see the sun! 

Without the moon, life on earth would be very different. In fact, there might not even be life at all!

None of this happened by accident. God placed the moon in just the right spot to give us perfect conditions for life. All the pieces of God's creation work together, just the way he created them to. God created the heavens and the earth; the sun, moon and stars, everything in our solar system, our galaxy, and even in our entire universe! Isn't that amazing? It is all created by him and sustained by him.

Read Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made." God is out of this world!

Do: In groups, look up these Bible verses to learn what it says about how God created and sustains the universe, and how it brings him glory. After a few minutes, have kids share with the group. (In settings where there are not enough extra leaders to work with multiple groups, read the verses from the front and work on the list together.)

• Genesis 1:1
• Psalm 33:6
• Psalm 104:5
• Jeremiah 31:35
• Nehemiah 9:6
• Colossians 1:16
• Psalm 8:3-4

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Teaching Card 2

OUT OF THIS WORLD: STARRY NIGHT

Activity Option 1: Show the slide of the starry night sky on screen (download here).

Ask kids to quickly work together to count the stars in the sky and give you the answer (Allow time for kids to try and count the stars until they come to the conclusion, or you point out for them, that it is impossible. There are too many!)

Say: Can you guess how many stars might be in the entire universe? Astronauts estimate that there are 200 billion trillion stars in the observable universe, and that doesn't even count the ones we can't observe!

OR

Activity Option 2: Set off a confetti popper (the bigger the better!) in the room and ask kids to help you gather and count the pieces of confetti so you can get a total number of pieces. (Allow time for kids to try and count the pieces until they come to the conclusion, or you point out for them, that it is impossible. There are too many!)

Say: If you think that's a lot to count, think about the stars in the sky. Can you guess how many stars might be in the entire universe? Astronauts estimate that there are 200 billion trillion stars in the observable universe, and that doesn't even count the ones we can't observe!

In the Bible, in Genesis 15, God came to a man named Abraham. Have you heard of him? (Originally, name was just "Abram" at first, and the "ha" got added later!) God came to Abram and promised that he was going to use Abram in amazing ways, and that Abram's family would be great. Abram was a little confused, though, because at the time, he had no children. How was he supposed to have a great line of descendants when he didn't even have a son? Abram was old, and his wife was too old to have any children!

But God made a promise that he would provide what Abram would need. God asked Abram to look up at the sky, pointing at the stars. He said that Abram's descendants would be as numerous as the stars.

That's how many sons and grandsons and great-great-grandsons Abram was promised. Well, he wasn't sure how God was going to do that, but he agreed to trust in the Lord. He knew that anything is possible with God. Abram did have to be patient. In fact, it was more than fifteen years before the promised son was born. But God kept His promise. And many years later, through the line of Abram (now Abraham), another Son was born, one who had been promised since the start of all creation. Do you know who that was? (Jesus!)

Say:  WOW! God is out of this world! When he makes a promise, he really keeps it! That's the kind of God we worship and serve.

Let's think of some promises God makes to us, that we can be sure he will keep. I'll read a verse and you see if you can discover the promise! (Feel free to add your own promises to this list!)

• Jeremiah 29:11 (has a good plan for us)
• Proverbs 18:10 (protects us / keeps us safe)
• Psalm 23:4 (comforts us)
• James 1:5 (gives us wisdom)
• Deuteronomy 31:8 (never leaves us)
• Philippians 4:19 (gives us what we need)
• Psalm 46:1 (helps us in times of trouble)
• 1 John 3:1 (he loves us / we are his children)

Pray: Thank God for always keeping his promises!

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Teaching Card 3

FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Would You Rather...?

Supplies: A drinking glass, a deep tray, a jug of water, food colouring.

Play a quick game of "Would You Rather" together. Have kids stand/sit, hold up 1 hand or 2, or run to the left/right to vote for their choice. Use the following list as an option, or come up with your own!

• Would you rather have a vanilla cake or a chocolate cake?
• Would you rather have four hands or four eyes?
• Would you rather live in a house made of candy or live in your favourite toy store?
• Would you rather be the tallest person in the world or the strongest person in the world?
• Would you rather share your room with a lion or 1000 honeybees?
• Would you rather learn to play all the musical instruments in the world or learn to talk in all the languages of the world?
• Would you rather go on an outer space mission or an underwater sea exploration?
• Would you rather have to crawl around all the time or hop around all the time?

Scientists tell us that we have about 60,000 thoughts every single day, and that more than half of them are choices we make!

Do: Fill up a glass with water - make sure you have a deep tray underneath.

Say: This full cup represents our thoughts. (As you fill the cup, describe some thoughts and choices we make every day - what to wear, what to eat, what TV show to watch, etc.)

Unfortunately, a lot of the thoughts we have can be negative thoughts that God wouldn't want us to have - thinking unkind things about another person, feeling greedy or impatient, being critical of others, choosing to be disobedient, thinking negatively about ourselves, etc.  (Add a couple of drops of food colouring to the glass as you describe these.) Notice how these kinds of thoughts have a way of affecting all of our thinking. 

The Bible says that God wants to "change the way we think" (Romans 12:2). He can help us have thoughts that please him, and then turn into actions that are more like him! Philippians 4:8 tells us some kinds of thoughts that Jesus wants us to focus on:

"Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honourable and right and pure and beautiful and respected."

As you read the passage, pour water from the jug into the full cup (overflowing the water until the clear water from the jug replaces the coloured water in the cup).

Just like the clear water replaced the coloured water, transforming it into something pure, God wants to change our thinking to become more and more like him. When we fill our lives with his way of thinking it begins to replace any thoughts that weren't pleasing to him.

Changing and controlling our thoughts is hard! But God promises he will help us by completely changing the way we think!

Colossians 3:2 tells us to "Keep our minds on things above, not on worldly things."

Brainstorm together some ways you can focus on things that are "good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honourable and right and pure and beautiful and respected."

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Teaching Card 4

FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Do You Know That Voice?

Ahead of time, use your phone to record voices your kids might recognize (maybe the leaders in the room) saying a common phrase OR use audio clips from favourite cartoon character voices. Play a round of "Do You Know That Voice?", playing these clips for the group, awarding points to the child or team that correctly guesses first.

Say: Listen to a story from the Bible about a guy who heard a very special voice one day, and it changed his life forever!

Tell the story of Paul, Jesus and the Road to Damascus. Either read it from Acts 1 - 22; 28 & 31 from the NiRV, or watch the story using this video link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oi95cv0tk9Q.

Activity: Display the "Spot the Difference" slide (HERE) on screen and have kids work together to spot all 8 differences between the two pictures of Saul and Ananias.

Say: Great job! You found a lot of differences between these two pictures of Saul and Ananias! Think about our Bible story today - did you notice a difference in Saul's thinking from the beginning of the story to the end? Let's see how many of those differences can we come up with together. (Started out not a follower of Jesus, ended up following Jesus; used to harm Christians, ended up supporting Christians; was teaching against Jesus, ended up preaching good news about Jesus; arrested Christians for following Jesus, ended up encouraging them to follow Jesus, etc.)

Say: When we meet Jesus, he begins to change the way we think.

Romans 12:2 says "Don't live the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect."

What kinds of differences might we see in OUR thinking as we follow Jesus every day, becoming more and more like him? (Focusing on our own needs to caring more about the needs of others; becoming angry quickly to being self controlled; feeling impatient to being patient; etc.)

Just like Saul, when we begin to think like Jesus, he can use us to make a huge difference in the world!

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Teaching Card 5

FROM THE INSIDE OUT: Transformed!

Purchase or borrow a selection of "Transformers" toy robots. With kids in small groups, have them work together to practice changing their Transformer into its vehicle counterpart, then have them present their toy to the group demonstrating the change the robot makes into a vehicle. Alternatively, demonstrate one or two transformers toys for the group yourself from the front. 

Point out how amazing the transformations are, and how toy was changed into something new-it was "transformed" into a new creature! Note the intentional process of reshaping the toy - one piece after another being moved into a new position until the whole toy took on a new shape and look. 

Say: The Bible says when we trust in Jesus and follow him, we too are transformed-we're changed into new people, because God rearranges our hearts and minds to begin to look like him. And as we read and study God's Word, we grow in our faith, and become more and more like Jesus in the way we think, behave, and treat others. We are transformed to look like Jesus, and this is pleasing to God! 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.

The Bible also tells us "Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Say: This means God can help us change the way you think, so we can make better choices and act with kindness and love. It's like a fresh start or a makeover for our minds! Sometimes world can pressure you to do things that aren't always kind or good. It's important to think for yourself and not just follow along. Jesus can help us do this as we stay close to him.

Show the "Transformed Words" slides on-screen (HERE)

Say: Let's work together to transform these scrambled phrases into ways we can give our minds a makeover so that we think and act more like Jesus! Some are a little tricky - we'll have to really think! (Note: Use "Option 2" slides if you feel your group might need more help, which highlights the first correct letter of each word.)

As you solve each one, read the corrected statements:

1. ATKL OT ODG
TALK TO GOD and ask him to help you think like him.

2. EDAR HTE BBLIE
READ THE BIBLE -  it's God's Word and it helps us understand what he wants for us. 

3. OOCHES OOGD RFEIDNS
CHOOSE GOOD FRIENDS who help you follow Jesus.

4. STENLI OT ODG
LISTEN TO GOD - he will guide you. 

5. AKS DLUAST
ASK adults you know who are also following Jesus for help.

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Teaching Card 6

NOT OF THIS WORLD: Set Apart

Supplies: Clear bottle with a lid just less than half full with water; bottle of food colouring; bottle of vegetable oil; a funnel. 

Do: Play a round of "Which One is Different" by purchasing and downloading one of these on-screen games: 

• Easier version OR
• Slightly harder version. 

You can preview these before you purchase to determine which is more suitable for your group.

Say: Great job finding which one of those didn't mix with the others! One of those things definitely did NOT look like the other ones!

Sometimes we can see ways of thinking and actions in our world that we know don't look like Jesus. Maybe we see people being greedy, unkind, rude, only looking out for ourselves, not telling the truth, putting others down, etc. - kids can add more.

(As you list each of these attitudes, add a drop of food colouring to the water in the bottle. Dark food colouring works best.)

The Bible tells us to be careful not to get mixed up with those kinds of attitudes and behaviours!

Read: 1 John 2:15-17 (MSG) Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world-wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important-has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out-but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.

And as Romans 12:2 reminds us:  "don't conform to the patterns of this world!"

Say: Jesus' way of living is the exact opposite of what we described earlier. He teaches us to be selfless, kind, put others first, be honest, encouraging, polite, obedient, etc. 

(As you list each of THESE attitudes, pour some oil through the funnel into the bottle of coloured water. Ideally, the total amount of oil will match the total amount of water.) 

Note how the water and oil don't mix, and point out how Jesus' way comes out on top.

Say: Jesus wants us to live a life that it set apart for him. We think and act like him, and we stay away from anything that is not like him, just like the oil stays away from the water!

The Bible reminds us to "Come out and be separate" (2 Corinthians 6:17) from the world.

Ask: What are some ways we can make sure we separate ourselves from anything that is not like Jesus?

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Teaching Card 7

NOT OF THIS WORLD: Citizens of Heaven

Use the slide deck provided, or make your own, and play a game of "Extraterrestrial Match-Up!" (LINK)

Divide the group into teams and give each team a whiteboard and a dry-erase marker. One at a time, show the aliens on the screen. Have teams work together to figure out what movie featured the alien on the screen and write it on the whiteboard. On your count, have them reveal their whiteboards, scoring 1000 points to each team who answered correctly. The team scoring the most points wins!

Answer key:

1. Toy Story
2. ET
3. Lilo and Stitch
4. Monsters vs Aliens
5. Home
6. Sonic the Hedgehog
7. Elio

Say: Great job everyone! The aliens on the screen had one thing in common - they are all actually from another place (in space) but for now, they are here on Earth. They are IN this world, but they are not FROM or OF this world. Their real home is somewhere else! We might say they are citizens of another place. 

The way we live in a place that's not home is different too. Think about an astronaut from Earth going to space. What are some ways they might need to live differently? (How and what they eat and drink; what they wear; how they sleep; how they go to the bathroom; how they exercise, etc.)

Do: Order samples of freeze dried fruit to share as an example of the type of food astronauts might eat in space (Amazon.ca). Snack together while you finish the lesson. 

Say: Everything is different when you live out of this world!

In the Bible, in Philippians 3:20, we read this: "But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven." (AMP) 

As Christians, our real home is in Heaven, but for our earthly life we live here, just like Jesus did before he went back to Heaven. After our lives on Earth are finished, we'll "go home" and live with Jesus forever!

Because we belong to Jesus, the way we live here is different from the way others might choose to live. We represent Jesus in the world, and we live like him. He tells us to be careful "not to conform to the patterns of the world" (Romans 12:2) but to live the way we know he wants us to live. 

When we choose to follow Jesus, God's Holy Spirit lives in us and helps us live in a way that honours him and others. As we grow to be more and more like Jesus, people can see him in the way we live our lives. It's kind of like when fruit appears on a tree as it grows - people can see on the outside what is growing on the inside. When we have the thoughts and actions of Jesus, we call the good, godly things that people see the "Fruit of the Spirit".

Read Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself."

Work together to make a list of the nine "out of this world" ways (found in this verse) that Jesus wants us to live. How can we try to live this way every day?

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Teaching Card 8

NOT OF THIS WORLD: Never Travel Alone

Say: There are two very important guidelines for astronauts that are going into space. Astronauts who head out on a space mission are guaranteed that they will have these two things in place to help them carry out their mission and protect them along the way.

1. You never travel alone - you're always in a team!
2. You wear your protective spacesuit!

Being a follower of Jesus is kind of like this, too As we head out into the world, God promises us that he gives us these same two things to help us live for him and show him to the world, and also protect us along the way. 

1. We don't travel alone.

Play a game of "Superclusters". Play some music and have kids mingle around the room until you call a number. When you do, they must rush to form clusters of that number. Have some extra teen/adult helpers on hand to form clusters with kids who might be still looking for people to join with. Once they're in their clusters, call out something they need to share with each other (favourite colour, ice cream flavour, place they'd like to visit, how many siblings they have, where they are from, if they have a pet, etc. Play as many rounds as time and interest allow, changing the number and the question each time.

Say: We're better together! God gave us each other to help us grow in in our faith and to share our lives with. We're a team, and we help each other. We weren't meant to do it alone! And of course, God is always with us too!

Read Ecclesiastes 4:9: "Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do," AND Deuteronomy 31:8 "The Lord himself will go ahead of you. He will be with you. He will never leave you. He'll never desert you. So don't be afraid. Don't lose hope."

2. We wear the protective Armour of God! 

Read Ephesians 6:10-11; 14-17:  "Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power. Put on all of God's armour. Then you can remain strong against the devil's evil plans. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the armour of godliness [breastplate of righteousness] on your chest. Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace. Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Put on the helmet of salvation. And take the sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God's word."

Do: Use the colouring sheet provided (HERE) and have kids colour each piece of the spacesuit as you talk about God's Armour OR dress one of the kids or leaders in a spacesuit as you go through each piece.

Say:

1. Spacesuits have a bio-belt which monitors and regulates their body's functions. God tells us to wear a belt of truth. Knowing what God says is true and living according to that helps us live a life which is grounded in truth and honesty. Everything we say and do should be guided by God's truth. 
   
   
2. Spacesuits have a HUT (hard upper torso) that acts as a chest plate. This protects them from the elements in space and holds some of the other pieces together. God tells us to wear the breastplate of righteousness. Living a life pleasing to God, doing what is "right" in God's eyes, gives us protection and strength. This protects our heart. 
   
   
3. Spacesuits have boots which allow astronauts to walk on the moon's hot and rocky surface and also help them to be able to move to complete their mission. God tells us to wear the shoes of peace which means we are ready and prepared to share the good news about Jesus and be agents of peace as we move about in our world. 
   
   
4. Spacesuits are made from up to different 16 layers of material. These layers are like a shield, protecting the astronaut from dust and debris, shielding against extreme heat, and preventing oxygen loss. God tells us to wear the shield of faith. As we believe and trust in Jesus, putting our faith in him, we can be protected from anything the Devil tries to throw our way, because God is greater!
   
   
5. Spacesuits have a helmet which keeps the body's pressure steady and provides oxygen. These help to protect the astronaut's brain. God tells us to wear the helmet of salvation. Knowing that God sent Jesus so we could be saved from our sins and forgiven helps protect our minds and spirits. It reminds us of the hope we find in Jesus, and that nothing can separate us from God's love. 
   
   
6. Astronauts sometimes carry tools with them that help them fix or construct things so they can carry out their mission, or help safely tie them to the spacecraft so they don't float away! These tools protect them while they are in space. These might be held in a tool belt. God tells us to carry a tool with us - the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Knowing God's Word helps us not wander away from the truth, and also helps us defend ourselves against temptation and evil. 

God gives us what we need! He never leaves us alone and he gives us what will best protect us to live "out of this world" for him!

Flying Saucer Target Shoot

Supplies: frisbee golf discs or regular frisbees ("flying saucers"); hula hoops

Instructions: Hang an assortment of hula hoops from the ceiling to make a disc golf course. Determine and mark a starting line.

Have kids take turns attempting to get their "flying saucers" through the hula hoop targets. Score points for each complete pass based on how far the target is from the starting line.

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Weightlessness Race

Supplies: Cotton balls; spoons x4; bowls x4; blindfolds x4

Instructions: Spread cotton balls on a table and select four players to compete, one on each side of the table.

Blindfold the players and give them each a spoon and an empty bowl, which they should hold on top of their head with their non dominant hand. On your "go", using only their dominant hand, players will have 60 seconds to scoop cotton balls from the table into the bowl they are holding on their head.

The player who scoops the most cotton balls within the time limit wins. Play as many rounds as time permits.

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Star Catchers

Supplies: none

Instructions: Have kids form two single file lines, with lines facing each other. These two lines will consist of the "stars".

Choose two of the children to be the "star catchers" and put them in between the two single file lines. The first star catcher calls "star light, star bright", followed by the second star catcher who responds "how many stars are out tonight?"

Once the star catchers have completed their phrases, each star should then run to the opposite line without getting tagged by a catcher. When a star gets tagged, they are out.

The last two stars left standing win the game and become the two new star catchers for the next round.

Optional: Mark the two original teams with different coloured star stickers and score points for the team the winners are on, keeping track of the overall winner throughout several rounds.

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Going to the Moon!

Supplies: none

Instructions: Have kids form a circle, sitting on the floor.

Choose one child to be the game starter. 

The starter says: "I'm going to the moon and I'm going to take________." The next person then says: "I'm going to the moon and I'm going to take____________ (that should be the word the first person said) and___________ (this should be a new word that the second person chooses).

The game continues around the circle with each person repeating the previous words and adding a new one at the end. When someone forgets a word or says them out of order they are out.

The last person left is the winner.

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Martian Rock Scramble

Supplies: Candy (or other small prizes); aluminum foil; bucket or basket (one per player).

Ahead of time, make "Martian rocks" by wrapping candy or prizes in aluminum foil. Spread the rocks in a large indoor area or, weather permitting, in an outdoor space. Place the buckets or baskets on the opposite end of the playing space. This is the "space shuttle."

Instructions: The "Martian" (an adult volunteer) stands in front of the scattered "Martian rocks." Kids begin standing behind the space shuttle. 

On your "go", players must collect and bring the Martian rocks to their bucket. If the Martian tags them, they have to drop any rocks in their hands and run back to the shuttle before they can try again. 

Once the kids collect all the rocks, they can open them and enjoy the candy and prizes.

Optional: Include an assortment of points inside the rocks, and have kids add their totals to determine the ultimate winner.

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Spaceship Building

Supplies: Various arts and craft supplies (suggest cardstock, old cardboard paper towel tubes, empty pop bottles, markers, tape, scissors, and any other craft supplies you have on hand!)

Instructions: Have kids work together to create rocketships in whatever shapes and colours they please.

Optional: Display kids' handiwork in a "Cosmic Rocket Gallery" as parents arrive at the end of the day, or keep them on display for your congregation to see at church the next time you gather.

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Saturn Ring Toss

Supplies: Various shapes and sizes of play balls (beach balls, sports balls, etc); hula hoops

Set a few play balls around the room to represent planets and establish a starting line a reasonable distance from the balls.

Kids attempt to turn any planet into Saturn by tossing hula hoops, trying to get the ball in the centre of the hoop.

Optional: Score points for each complete Saturn made to determine a winner!

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Galaxy Dance Party

Supplies: Glow sticks or necklaces; galaxy light projectors; lava lamps; speaker and kid friendly playlist.
Assorted pop; juices; ice cream or cotton candy; poprocks; whipped cream; cups; straws; spoons.

Get the lights and music going, hand out the glowing accessories, and have everyone join you on the Galaxy Dance Floor for kid friendly group dances. Add rounds of "Freeze Dance" (kids have to freeze when the music stops - if they move they sit down for the round).

Set up a "Cosmic Float Station" and have kids make their own galactic creations using the ingredients listed above! Add light up ice cubes for some more fun.

Pipe Cleaner Pet Aliens

Make some fun, crafty aliens to take home as reminder of our time learning about being "out of this world". Try one of both of the options here, or design your own using the same supplies!

Option #1: Finger Puppets

Take a pipe cleaner and bend it in half. Put the bent pipe cleaner underneath your middle finger and mark where the top of your fingers are. Use the glue gun to stick a large pom pom to each side of the pipe cleaner where you have marked.

Stick a googly eye to the front of each pom pom. Trim the ends of the pipe cleaners so they are about 1 to 1-1/2 inches above the large pom poms. Then glue two small pom poms to the ends of the pipe cleaner.

Option #2: Pencil Toppers

Make a stand alone alien that can double as a pencil topper using pipe cleaners, googly eyes, a pencil, and glue. Watch the detailed instruction video HERE either in preparation ahead of time or together as a group at the event.

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Galaxy Glitter Slime

Make a batch of shimmery space slime using just four ingredients!

Supplies (per child):

• 1 cup Elmer's clear glue,
• fine glitter in galaxy colours,
• 1 tablespoon baking soda,
• 2 tablespoons of contact lens solution containing boric acid.

Pour the clear glue into a large bowl.  Add in all the glitters, baking soda and contact lens solution and use a fork to mix everything together. Dip your fingers in a little of the contact solution (to prevent them sticking to the slime), and knead the slime until it fully forms. If it's still too sticky, add contact solution a teaspoon at a time and knead again. 

Consider providing gloves for children with sensitive skin to use while playing with the slime.

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Constellation Creations

Supplies:

• Black card stock
• Gold foil star stickers (buy at Amazon.ca)
• Chalk

Have kids design their own constellations! They can then think of unique names for their constellations and write the new names on their artwork.

Consider making a bulletin board display in your meeting space to highlight their creations OR work together to make the constellations on a large roll of black paper and make a mural together during the event!

Use the scripture verse from Philippians 2:15-16 on your display: "You will shine like stars among them in the world as you hold firmly to the word of life."

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Handprint Rocket Art

Supplies: 

• 8x10 canvas per child
• Dark paint (black or dark purple/blue), orange paint and paintbrushes
• Glitter and sequins
• Rocket template (download HERE)
• Coloured card stock, coloured foam or construction paper
• Pencils, scissors and glue
• Silver/gold markers

Paint an 8x10 canvas black, navy, or dark purple, like a night sky. While the paint is still wet, add silver glitter, sequins and stars to create a galaxy effect. Set aside to dry.

Using the rocket template provided, trace the rocket pieces onto coloured card stock, coloured foam, or construction paper, and cut out.

When the canvas paint is dry, add a handprint using orange paint, and assemble the rocket piece, gluing them to the canvas. Be sure to leave some room at the top and bottom of the canvas.

Use a silver or gold marker to add "Living for Jesus is OUT OF THIS WORLD!" to the top of the canvas, and "Romans 12:2" to the bottom.

*Note: This activity also works well as a large group mural!

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Galaxy Magic Milk

Supplies:

• Shallow dish (like a pie plate)
• Small dish (just big enough to hold some dish soap)
• Cotton swab
• Milk (try a variety of different fat content milks and creams to see how it affects your reactions)
• Dawn Dish Soap
• Liquid Food Colouring (not gel)

Directions:

Pour a shallow layer of milk into a pie plate.

Add some food colouring (it works best if you're generous with the colours - try using a variety of blues, purples, and a drop of yellow for stars!) in random circular patterns around the centre point

Dip a cotton swab into the dish soap and add a drop to the milk. Watch the colours swirl around like a galaxy!

God Of Wonders (Cokesbury VBS)

Lord of all creation
Of water, earth, and sky
The heavens are Your tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on High

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth 
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth 

Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy

Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth sing
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth sing 
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth sing
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth sing    

God of wonders, beyond our galaxy
You are holy, holy
The universe declares Your majesty
You are holy, holy, holy, holy

Use the lyric video from Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Vg4A6fgWA

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He's Got The Whole World (Allstars Kids Club)

He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got the wind and the rain in His hands
He's got the wind and the rain in His hands
He's got the wind and the rain in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got you and me sister in His hands
He's got you and me sister in His hands
He's got you and me sister in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands

He's got you and me brother in His hands
He's got you and me brother in His hands
He's got you and me brother in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands

The whole world
He's got the whole world
The whole world
He's got the whole world

He's got everybody here in His hands
He's got everybody here in His hands
He's got everybody here in His hands
He's got the whole world in His hands

The whole world
He's got the whole world
The whole world
He's got the whole world

God's got the whole world

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/akc-hes-got-the-whole-world-in-his-hands-130641

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God Is Great (Hillsong Kids)

All creation cries to You
Worshipping in Spirit and in truth
Glory to the Faithful One
Jesus Christ God's Son

All creation gives You praise
You alone are truly great
You alone are God who reigns
For eternity

God is great and His praise
Fills the earth
Fills the heavens
And Your name will be praised
Through all the world

God is great
Sing His praise
All the earth
All the heavens
'Cause we're living for the
Glory of Your name
The Glory of Your name

All to you O God we bring
Jesus teach us how to live
Let Your fire burn in us
That all may hear and all may see

Holy is the Lord
The whole earth sings
The whole earth sings

Use the lyric video from Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd2IVPxtiAs

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Be Completely Changed (KidSpring Children's Ministry)

Don't live the way the world lives
Don't live the way the world lives
Let your way of thinking be completely changed
Don't live the way the world lives
Don't live the way the world lives
Let your way of thinking be completely changed

I can think, I can use my mind
To think about what is good
To think about what is right
I can think, I can honour God
With my every thought
He is all I want

Don't live the way the world lives
Don't live the way the world lives
Let your way of thinking be completely changed
Don't live the way the world lives
Don't live the way the world lives
Let your way of thinking be completely changed

I can think, I can use my mind
To think about what is good
To think about what is right
I can think, I can honour God
With my every thought
He is all I want
Do this! Think that!
The world has got a lot to say
Our God says that the way we think has got to change
Catch it! Check it!
See what God has got to say
Let Him change it
You'll see there is no better way
There is no better way

Don't live the way the world lives
Don't live the way the world lives
Let your way of thinking be completely changed
Don't live the way the world lives
Don't live the way the world lives
Let your way of thinking be completely changed

Use the lyric video from Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iGpxJdJlT0

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Look From Heaven (Hillsong Kids)

You made the stars
You made the heavens
You made me
You made the earth
You made the oceans
Just for me

Look from heaven
As we join the angels song

Holy, Holy is the Lord forever
Holy, Holy is my God Almighty

You made the stars
You made the heavens
You made me
You made the earth
You made the oceans
Just for me

Look from heaven
As we join the angels song

Holy, Holy is the Lord forever
Holy, Holy is my God Almighty
Holy, Holy is the Lord forever
Holy, Holy is my God Almighty

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Supernatural God (Hillsong Kids)

These are the days when
We can see miracles
Your wonders everywhere
Here is my life Lord
You can use me
To show the world You care

You made me
You saved me Lord
You called me
And gave me Jesus

Supernatural supernatural God
All things are possible
Supernatural supernatural God
I'm gonna praise You

You are my healer
And my salvation
Thank you for your grace
Your name is higher
Than any other
Greatly to be praised

You made me
You saved me Lord
You called me
And gave me Jesus

Supernatural supernatural God
All things are possible
Supernatural supernatural God
I'm gonna praise You

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Amazing Love (Singin' Praise Kids)

Amazing love, amazing love, I can't get enough of your amazing love
Amazing love, amazing love, It blows me away, your amazing love

Your love is higher than the mountains, amazing love
Deeper than the sea, amazing love
Wider than the universe, amazing love
And it's reaching out to me, amazing love

Your love is warm like the summer sun, amazing love
Bright like the autumn leaves, amazing love
Pure as the winter's snow, amazing love
It all springs back to me, amazing love

Amazing love, amazing love, I can't get enough of your amazing love
Amazing love, amazing love, It blows me away, your amazing love

Purchase the lyric video at: www.worshiphousekids.com/sng-amazing-love-83752

Asteroid Cereal Balls

Ingredients:

• 6 cups cereal (e.g., Rice Krispies, or puffed cereal)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 4 cups mini marshmallows
• Black, blue, purple, or green food colouring (gel works best)
• Edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles
• White, silver, or gold candy pearls (optional)

Instructions:

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until melted and smooth.

Add a few drops of food colouring and stir until the colour is fully incorporated.

Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the cereal in a large mixing bowl. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly. Lightly coat your hands with butter or cooking spray. Scoop portions of the mixture and form them into balls about the size of a planet (tennis ball-sized).

While the balls are still sticky, sprinkle them with edible glitter or star-shaped sprinkles to create a "galaxy" effect. Press candy pearls onto the surface to resemble stars or moons.

Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment or wax paper. Let them cool and set for about 30 minutes.

Now your cereal or popcorn balls are ready to be the star of the galaxy!

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Rocket Fruit Kebabs

Ingredients:

• Cantaloupe
• Strawberries (1-2 per child)
• Large Marshmallows (2 per child)
• Watermelon (optional)
• Wooden Skewers

Instructions:

Cut cantaloupe into pieces. Trim each piece to form a rocket tail shape. Thickly slice strawberries horizontally into three pieces.

Add cantaloupe to the skewer first, followed by alternating strawberry pieces and marshmallows to form a rocket ship.

As an option, add a watermelon triangle as a rocket topper!

Blast off! Serve and enjoy together.

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Solar System Cupcakes!

Instructions:

Make a boxed cupcake mix or buy premade cupcakes.

Frost the cupcakes with blue icing.

Stretch a gummy ring candy around a round lollipop and stick the candy into the cupcake.

Add some cosmic sprinkles like these from Party City or these from Amazon.

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Galaxy Popcorn

Ingredients:

• 3 oz Box of Grape or 3 oz Box of Berry Blue Jell-O
• ½ Cup Sugar
• ¼ Cup Corn Syrup
• 4 Tbsp Butter
• 7 Cups of Plain White Popped Popcorn
• ¼ Cup Wilton's Black Melting Discs
• Edible Gold Stars
• Silver Sugar

Instructions:

In a medium-size saucepan, mix together 1 box of Jell-O, sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Cook over medium heat until it reaches a boil, making sure to stir constantly. 

Remove from stovetop and carefully pour mixture over popcorn in a large bowl.

Quickly mix the popcorn with a spoon until all the pieces are evenly coated. *Be careful, the mixture is very hot!

Pour popcorn onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet, leaving spaces in-between the pieces.

Repeat steps 1-3 for the other box of Jell-O and spoon onto the finished popcorn pieces where you left open areas of the other flavour.

Melt black melting discs and drizzle over the popcorn. Sprinkle on the silver sugar and gold stars.

Let dry for about 15 minutes and then serve!

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Cosmic Moon Rocks

Ingredients: Tin foil and wrapped candies; OR Timbits and themed cupcake holders.

Option A: Take a small sheet of tin foil and ball it up.

Unball the foil and place wrapped candy inside.

Then re-wrap the candy in the tinfoil, making sure the candy is fully covered.

OR

Option B: Buy some assorted Timbits and serve them in space themed cupcake holders like THESE or THESE. For added effect, serve them on a cosmic treat stand like THIS and have kids add their own galactic decorations.

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Marshmallow Constellations!

Instructions:

Using the constellation templates (download HERE, or find your own version!), have kids transform them into edible versions using pretzels and mini marshmallows!

For added effect, build on a sheet of black paper or a large black paper plate to see it more clearly.

Once kids have completed a number of edible constellations, enjoy a snack together!

Paper Lantern Planets

Supplies:

• 12" paper lanterns
• 18" paper lanterns
• wire cutters
• pencil
• strands of twinkle lights
• gold and silver card stock
• scissors

To create the planets with rings, cut out the middle of  an 18" paper lantern by tracing a 12" lantern and cutting just inside the line. Use wire cutters to cut through the lantern rims. Use both 12" and 18" lanterns to create the remaining non-ringed planets.

Assemble the 12" paper lantern and insert the lantern into the hole of the 18" unassembled lantern.

Hang planet lanterns against a black or navy backdrop and add strands of gold and silver stars as well as twinkle lights to create the milky way.

Add a SPARK mascot to the galaxy by filling a gold 'starburst balloon', and adding a large set of google eyes or 5-inch white balloons as eyes with pupils drawn with a black Sharpie.

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Trash Can Rocket

Supplies:

• 3 large plastic trash cans
• silver duct tape
• black permanent marker
• foam core or corrugated plastic
• paint
• exact-o knife
• coloured posterboard

3 ... 2 ... 1 ... blast off! Use this oversized rocket as a feature for your backdrop or a prop for photos.

Duct tape three large plastic trash cans together in a stack, with the bottom can sitting upside down, the middle one facing upright, and the top one upside down again.

Use a permanent marker to draw a circle on the top trash can, making a window.

Cut rocket fins out of foam core or coloured corrugated plastic, and attach to the sides of the first trash can with duct tape. Paint if necessary.

Create a giant paper cone out of poster board and place it on top of the rocket.

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Star Projector

Buy or rent some space light projectors to add a cosmic sky to your SPARK event.

Project onto the walls or ceiling to turn your own space into outer space!

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Galactic Balloons

Add a cosmic balloon arch or some giant rocket balloons to a starry sky backdrop and easily transport your kids into outer space.

Get balloon arch here.

Get rocket balloons here.

Brainstorm #1: God is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

God is pretty amazing. He's beyond anything we could ever even dream of or imagine. Just the creation in the skies alone blows our minds!

1. Make a list together of all the ways you can think of that God is "out of this world".  Include both his creation AND his promises!

2. Have kids work together as a group to think of 10 or more things they could do this week to tell or show God how awesome we think he is. Have each child choose one specific way they will try this week after they go home from SPARK. 

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Brainstorm #2: God Transforms Us FROM THE INSIDE OUT!

God wants to change the way we think and that means staying focused on him! We have to stay focused on Jesus in order to become like Jesus. 

1. Play the on-screen game "Out of Focus" (purchase HERE) to get kids thinking about how important it is to focus!

2. Make a list together of the 10 best ways you can think of to stay focused on Jesus this week. Have each child choose one specific way they will try this week after they go home from SPARK.

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Brainstorm #3: We Live a Life That is NOT OF THIS WORLD!

As God's Spirit lives in us, and as we grow more and more like Jesus, good things grow in our lives! The good fruit that grows in our lives as a result of being with Christ are:

• Love: Showing care and affection for others, even when it's hard. Loving people the way Jesus loves them. 
• Joy: Being happy and positive, even when things are tough, because our joy comes from Jesus. 
• Peace: Being calm and not getting upset easily, and helping others to stay calm as well.
• Patience: Being understanding and not getting angry when things take longer than expected.
• Kindness: Being nice and helpful to others, showing compassion like Jesus did.
• Goodness: Doing what's right and fair in God's eyes,  and having good intentions.
• Faithfulness: Being loyal and dependable, and trusting in God.
• Gentleness: Being kind and soft-hearted, and treating others with respect.
• Self-control: Being able to control your emotions and actions, and not doing things you know are wrong.

Enjoy a fruit snack together while you brainstorm 3 ways you can show EACH of the fruit of the spirit this week. That's 27 things all together! Have kids choose 2-3 of the ideas to put into practice this week.

God Of Wonders

Supplies: Night sky backdrop (order one here or make your own large version); prayer station sign (download here); assortment of star stickers.

Hang the backdrop on the wall and spread out the stickers on a table underneath. Set up the "God of Wonders" prayer station sign.

Do: Look at the night sky picture and try and guess how many stars might be on there. Now think about the entire universe! How many stars do you think might exist there?

Astronomers tell us that there are approximately 200 billion trillion stars in the universe! That number is SO big that we can't even imagine it!

Read: Psalm 147:4

He [God] decides how many stars there should be. He gives each one of them a name.

Think: WOW! God knows every single one of those stars by name! That's amazing. Here's what else is amazing - he knows YOU by name, too. You are precious to him and He loves you more than you could imagine.

Read: Isaiah 43:1

...He made you, and now he says, "Don't be afraid. I saved you. I named you. You are mine."

Do: Add a star sticker to the sky to represent you.

Think: Think about how big God is. Think about how amazing it is that God knows you so well  and loves you so much.

Pray: Thank God for his creation and especially the stars. Thank him that he knows your name, that he knows everything about you, and that he loves you so much. Ask him to help you remember every single day how special you are to him.

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Transformed

Supplies: Spaced theme Infinity Cubes (like these); prayer station sign (download here).

Read: Romans 12:2

"Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect"

Think: Sometimes some of the attitudes, thinking, words, actions and reactions you see in your world don't match up with the way we know God wants us to live. We have to be very careful not to let ourselves copy those kinds of patterns, but rather to let God reshape us into people that follow HIS way of living.

Think of an area in your life - maybe an attitude, or a way you speak, act or react - that doesn't really look as much like Jesus as it should.

Pray: Ask Jesus to help you change that in your life, and to help you to try and be more and more like him every day.

Do: Pick up one of the infinity cubes and change it into a new shape as you pray, representing your promise to let God change you into the person he wants you to be. Leave your new shape at the station for someone else to work with.

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Out of this World!

Supplies: Assortment of "Out of This World" themed candy (Mars, Milky Way, Rockets, Pop Rocks, Starburst); thank-you cards (template provided here. Print on cardstock at 100% (no page scaling; not "to fit") then cut page in half both ways), crayons, tape; prayer station sign (download here).

Read: Read these words from the Bible, written in some letters to the church from Paul, a Christian teacher and a follower of Jesus, who spent his life trying to be as much like Jesus as he possibly could, and helping others to do that, too!

1 Corinthians 11:1
Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ. 

Philippians 3:17
Join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 

Think: God has given us others to help us live for Jesus - people who are good examples for us and show us how Jesus wants us to live, because they are walking with him.

Think of someone in your life who helps you follow Jesus as you watch them live for him.

Pray: Thank God for that person and their example. Pray that they would continue staying close to Jesus and growing in their faith. Ask God to help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and also keep looking for examples to follow who are walking with him.

Do: Colour a thank-you card for the person you prayed for, thanking them for being an "out-of-this-world" example for you as you follow Jesus. Attach a galactic treat for them, and make sure you deliver it to them sometime after you leave SPARK!

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Upside Down

Supplies: Double sided card stock (like this); pens or markers; prayer station sign (download here).

Cut card stock into star shapes, big enough to write on. Spread stars out in a pattern on a table.

Living for Jesus means letting him change the way we think and act. The way of thinking we see in our world is often upside down and backwards to how Jesus wants us to act.

Do: Choose one of the stars in the pattern on the table. On the side facing up, write one way that the world sometimes wants you to think or act that is different to how Jesus wants you to be. Being impatient, putting people down, reacting with anger, using bad language, not telling the truth are all examples of some of the attitudes and patterns of the world we live in.

Read: Romans 12:2

Don't live the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed.

Jesus wants us to let him change our thought patterns and our attitudes to be like him. 

Do: Flip your star over. You should see that the colour has changed. On the new colour, write the way that Jesus would want you to think or act that flips what you wrote on the first side. For example:

Putting yourself first → Thinking of others before yourself
Putting people down → Encouraging others
Reacting in anger → being patient, being a peace maker

Now your star is flipped, notice the new pattern that is forming on the table. Your thoughts and actions can change the world!

Pray: Ask God to help you stay close to him, letting him change you into the person he wants you to be. Ask him to help you think and act like him.

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Prayer Constellations

Supplies:

• Prayer constellation cards (one per child - download here)
• small foil gold star stickers (like these - 5 per child)
• Prayer station sign (download here)

Pick up a constellation card. Add stars to the card to complete the constellation. As you put each star on, pray for the people listed by that point on the constellation. Know that the God of the whole universe hears our individual prayers.

• Pray for your family and your friends.
• Pray for your teachers and leaders.
• Pray for your neighbours and the people in your community.
• Pray for people you know or see in the world who need God's help right now.
• Pray for yourself and the needs you have in your own life.

Set of 5 Family Devotions

Supplies: File for printable cards, files for three activities, hole punch & binder rings.

Have the cards printed two-sided, and cut in whatever quantities you need (cut the printed stack in half, then place the bottom half behind the top half - the pages will be in order). Print the worksheets (just one page from the Pattern Challenge Cards per set), fold them in half, then attach them together with the cards as a set with a binder ring (may need to crop or fold the bottom corner so they're not held closed). Send the devotions home with kids after SPARK, encouraging them to be used over the following week. 

Find the printable files here:

Family Devos Cards

Colouring Sheet

Wordsearch

Space Pattern Challenge Cards

Ideas

1. Divide your kids into groups for the day and have a middle schooler as a helper in the group. They can help facilitate the game and activity portions, help with crowd control by directing kids' attention back to the front, get supplies organized for the groups, etc.
2. Give them an activity to prepare and lead. Give them time to prepare the card, help them check that their supplies are in order, and let them have a practice run for you ahead of time.
3. Involve them in the planning of SPARK with you. Get their opinion on which card options might work best. 
4. Take the opportunity to run a small training before the event helping them understand how to prep an activity, how to redirect kids' attention, how to be an effective group leaders, how to lead by example, etc. Remind them of how kids are looking up to them as role models. Provide treats 😀
5. Put them in charge of rehearsing and leading the singing, actions and dance moves. Have them organize a group of their friends to be the team that leads this for kids.
6. Give them the prayer stations to prepare, set up, and run with some help from an adult leader.
7. Have them put together, set up and run the tech pieces of your SPARK event. Some games and teaching activities require on-screen interaction, and middle schoolers will be able to make it happen!
8. Give middle schoolers the (supervised) task of assembling the Family Devotions to give out at the end of the SPARK event. Remind them about the importance of quality control!
9. If using middle schoolers as assistant leaders doesn't work in your setting, consider having a separate group of middle schoolers when it comes to brainstorming Take it Home Challenges, or engaging in Prayer Stations, so that they can engage in an age appropriate way, and have application that better suits their age phase.
10. Encourage your corps to offer a 4 week small group series for middle schoolers to follow up from SPARK, using the How to See God: A Series About the Fruit of the Spirit from the Orange XP3 Middle School library (May 2025).