Get ready for the ride of your life!
The Amusement Park is filled with thrills and excitement. It’s a grand adventure! But we don’t have to go to the Amusement Park in order to have adventure. Through the stories of the early church, kids will learn that Jesus wants to give us lives full of thrills, excitement, and abundance.
Memory Verse: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Main Gate – Get Ready For the Adventure. The adventure of a lifetime takes preparation. Before you ever set foot in the Amusement Park, you have to pack up your snacks and sunscreen, drive to the location, find a parking space, and buy your tickets at the main gate. Jesus had invited his friends on a grand adventure to “make disciples of all nations.” They prepared by gathering together, praying, and inviting the Holy Spirit to move among them. Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-13, 38-41 The Disciples Prepare Themselves for the Holy Spirit
Roller Coaster – The Adventure Has Ups and Downs. We love the thrill of the Roller Coaster speeding us in all directions. As soon as we get off, we immediately want to ride it again. When Peter and John went to the temple one day, they experienced the “up” of healing a man who was born crippled. Before they knew it, they were “down” before the Sanhedrin, being commanded to stop sharing about Jesus. But Peter and John knew that no matter the ups and downs, the adventure of life is meant to be lived with Jesus. Acts 3:1-10, 4:5-22, Peter Heals a Crippled Man
Pirate Ride – The Adventure Takes All We Have. On this adventure, you might want to watch your wallet. For the bloodthirsty buccaneers on the Pirate Ride, it’s all about greed. They love their booty of gold more than their own lives. When the Christian adventure began, people were selling their property and giving the money to the church. Ananias and Sapphira loved their stuff more than God, and they weren’t willing to give their all. They lied about the money they were giving, and it ended up costing them everythingActs 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira
Spooky Mansion – The Adventure Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of. The Spooky Mansion may be filled with ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night, but when the lights come on, we see that there’s really nothing there to be afraid of. Stephen walked with Jesus in the adventure of life. He knew that no matter what he faced, that Jesus was with him. Even when his very life was being taken from him, Stephen knew that he did not need to be afraid. Acts 7:44-8:3, The Stoning of Stephen
Bumper Cars – The Adventure Takes Us In New Directions. Every ride on the Bumper Cars is a new adventure. Each bump from another car pushes you into a new direction you’ve never been before. Saul was arresting Christians and trying his best to stop the name of Jesus from being spread. Then on the road to Damascus, he “bumped” into the risen Jesus, and his life was sent off in an entirely new direction. Acts 9:1-18, Saul’s Conversion
Water Ride – The Adventure Can Be Unexpected. Things can change in an instant. There you are, drifting on a log through a peaceful marshland with cartoon animals to keep you company, when suddenly the bottom falls out and you’re sent plummeting down a waterfall that leaves you soaking wet and ready for more. When Peter was arrested for following Jesus, his friends gathered in a house to pray for him. God answered their prayers in a way that was so unexpected, they almost didn’t believe it was real. Acts 12:1-17, Peter Freed From Prison.
Carousel – Celebrate The Adventure. Joyful music. Pretty colors. Happy animals. The Carousel is a ride for all ages. It’s not about thrills and spills. The Carousel is all about celebration. On the adventure with Jesus, we can celebrate at all times, even when things aren’t so pretty. Paul and Silas were arrested for sharing Jesus. But even in prison, Paul and Silas were able to praise God and celebrate. Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas in Prison
Fireworks – Share The Adventure With Others. As the day at the Amusement Park comes to a close, look up at the night sky and watch the fireworks show with the ones you love. The light and sound from the rockets can be seen from miles away. The adventure of life with Jesus is meant to be shared with others. At the end of his life, Paul was able to look back and rejoice over all the friends he was able to share the adventure with. Acts 20:17-37, Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians
The Amusement Park is filled with thrills and excitement. It’s a grand adventure! But we don’t have to go to the Amusement Park in order to have adventure. Through the stories of the early church, kids will learn that Jesus wants to give us lives full of thrills, excitement, and abundance.
Memory Verse: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
Main Gate – Get Ready For the Adventure. The adventure of a lifetime takes preparation. Before you ever set foot in the Amusement Park, you have to pack up your snacks and sunscreen, drive to the location, find a parking space, and buy your tickets at the main gate. Jesus had invited his friends on a grand adventure to “make disciples of all nations.” They prepared by gathering together, praying, and inviting the Holy Spirit to move among them. Acts 1:12-14, 2:1-13, 38-41 The Disciples Prepare Themselves for the Holy Spirit
Roller Coaster – The Adventure Has Ups and Downs. We love the thrill of the Roller Coaster speeding us in all directions. As soon as we get off, we immediately want to ride it again. When Peter and John went to the temple one day, they experienced the “up” of healing a man who was born crippled. Before they knew it, they were “down” before the Sanhedrin, being commanded to stop sharing about Jesus. But Peter and John knew that no matter the ups and downs, the adventure of life is meant to be lived with Jesus. Acts 3:1-10, 4:5-22, Peter Heals a Crippled Man
Pirate Ride – The Adventure Takes All We Have. On this adventure, you might want to watch your wallet. For the bloodthirsty buccaneers on the Pirate Ride, it’s all about greed. They love their booty of gold more than their own lives. When the Christian adventure began, people were selling their property and giving the money to the church. Ananias and Sapphira loved their stuff more than God, and they weren’t willing to give their all. They lied about the money they were giving, and it ended up costing them everythingActs 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira
Spooky Mansion – The Adventure Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of. The Spooky Mansion may be filled with ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night, but when the lights come on, we see that there’s really nothing there to be afraid of. Stephen walked with Jesus in the adventure of life. He knew that no matter what he faced, that Jesus was with him. Even when his very life was being taken from him, Stephen knew that he did not need to be afraid. Acts 7:44-8:3, The Stoning of Stephen
Bumper Cars – The Adventure Takes Us In New Directions. Every ride on the Bumper Cars is a new adventure. Each bump from another car pushes you into a new direction you’ve never been before. Saul was arresting Christians and trying his best to stop the name of Jesus from being spread. Then on the road to Damascus, he “bumped” into the risen Jesus, and his life was sent off in an entirely new direction. Acts 9:1-18, Saul’s Conversion
Water Ride – The Adventure Can Be Unexpected. Things can change in an instant. There you are, drifting on a log through a peaceful marshland with cartoon animals to keep you company, when suddenly the bottom falls out and you’re sent plummeting down a waterfall that leaves you soaking wet and ready for more. When Peter was arrested for following Jesus, his friends gathered in a house to pray for him. God answered their prayers in a way that was so unexpected, they almost didn’t believe it was real. Acts 12:1-17, Peter Freed From Prison.
Carousel – Celebrate The Adventure. Joyful music. Pretty colors. Happy animals. The Carousel is a ride for all ages. It’s not about thrills and spills. The Carousel is all about celebration. On the adventure with Jesus, we can celebrate at all times, even when things aren’t so pretty. Paul and Silas were arrested for sharing Jesus. But even in prison, Paul and Silas were able to praise God and celebrate. Acts 16:16-34, Paul and Silas in Prison
Fireworks – Share The Adventure With Others. As the day at the Amusement Park comes to a close, look up at the night sky and watch the fireworks show with the ones you love. The light and sound from the rockets can be seen from miles away. The adventure of life with Jesus is meant to be shared with others. At the end of his life, Paul was able to look back and rejoice over all the friends he was able to share the adventure with. Acts 20:17-37, Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesians
