Kings and Kingdoms
CELEBRATION
Notes to the director:
Kings and Kingdoms Celebration is designed as a fun and effective way for the children ages 6-12 to review the Bible stories and Bible Memory Verses they have learned by completing Year 2 (Kings and Kingdoms) in The Worship, The Word & The Way curriculum available for download at ResourceWell.org. When performed for families and friends, this celebration reinforces what the children have learned throughout the year, provides them with an opportunity to share God’s Word with others, gives them the “big picture” of God’s use of miracles in His relationship with those He created.
Reader Scripts, Tech Script, and Kings and Kingdoms logo are available for free download on ResourceWell.org. Create Art slides by scanning children’s drawing using the Offerings of Art instructions located at the FINAL FIVE segment of each lesson, or hold an art contest for children to illustrate the stories.
Permission is granted to perform any Bible Memory Verse Song or other materials posted on Resourcewell.org.
Pre-service/Post-service - Kings & Kingdoms Logo on Red Background
Readings: *IMAG with reader’s title (i.e. “King David”) + art slide
Songs: Scripture Scroll over music intro/interlude, IMAG for vocals
Sketch: Video bump “King City Chronicles” + IMAG
Set: Giant Bible for readers at far stage right, or standard podium
Choir risers
Lights: Lights off (or very low) on choir except when standing (songs)
Lights focus on readers (at giant Bible)
Audio: Giant Bible podium or standard podium (2 mics for height extremes)
Children’s Choir
2 actor lavs:= (Scripture Guy and Kingdom Crusader)
Keyboard plays only to underscore readings, not with tracks
Songs: tracks and choir
Benediction mic
Video: KINGS AND KINGDOMS Logo, Scripture slides, Art slides, sketch effects (Reading 10)
IMAG (Image magnification): Instructions labeled IMAG are for larger venues with a video camera that live streams the action on stage and displays it on onto a screen, so the audience can see a close-up view of the children’s faces.
Tech Script colors: Red indicates instruction. Blue indicates Scripture Slide texts.
Kings and Kingdoms CELEBRATION Tech Script
Welcome:
We dedicate this celebration to the Kings and Kingdoms. Afterwards, be sure to view the Offerings of Art Gallery. Close with brief prayer of dedication. “And all God’s children said. “Amen!”
Processional: For God So Loved The World trax without vocal
IMAG of processing choir (house) LOGO slide
(Until all children are in place)
1. Prologue IMAG only (no title, no art)
(Reader at BIG Bible) Welcome! Tonight, we’re here to worship the King of kings for who He is and what He has done. We want to welcome you the way we welcome everybody at Children’s Church. 1, 2, 3…
(VFX/LGTS: Quick shot/Lights Up on choir) “We’re - Glad - You’re - Here!
(Reader) Tonight we will tell of the kings and kingdoms of this world that we’ve learned about in Children’s Church as we read Bible stories from Judges through Esther. You will hear the stories of those who walked alongside the King of kings when He left His heavenly throne and made His dwelling among us. We will sing God’s own words back up to Him, as our gift to the King of kings.
Tonight, WE WILL CELEBRATE! For it is written:
“The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ, and He shall reign forevermore.”
2. The Story of Deborah IMAG title: “Deborah”, art slide #2
Before God’s people had kings, they had judges. It was the best of times… and it was the worst of times. Because you see, in those days with no king - everyone did as he saw fit. They did wrong in His eyes. So God let His people suffer the consequences. He would let their enemies take them over. Then, they‘d cry out to God and He’d send them a judge to lead them against the enemy and get them back on the right track. That’s where I came in.
I’m Deborah, the prophetess. God chose me to be judge and leader of Israel.
[Art Slide #2] I sat under my palm tree, and people came to me to settle their arguments. I led ten thousand men to trap the Canaanite army. We crushed them and their 900 iron chariots! The Lord gave us that victory, and we were free once again! But soon, without a king, everyone did as he saw fit.
3. The Story of Gideon IMAG title: “Gideon”, art slide #3
Once again, God’s people did wrong in His eyes, so He let the mean Midianites take over. We hid in the caves and cried out for His help. One day, an angel came and told me to be the judge and lead the fight against the Midianites. I thought, “That’s impossible! I’m a nobody, not a warrior.” The angel said, “Gideon, the Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” I said, “That’s impossible! If the Lord is with us, then why are all these bad things happening to us?”
Good question, isn’t it? I asked the Lord to prove that He was with me. God proved it with the fleece, and so I gathered an army of over thirty thousand men! I felt pretty good about the whole thing... until God made me send home all but 300 men. I thought, “That’s impossible!”
[Art Slide #3] But when we all blew our trumpets and broke the jars, those Midianite warriors ran away crying. That’s when we knew that our help comes from the Lord. I mean, who else could it be – but the Maker of heaven and earth!
(SONG: i Lift Up My Eyes)
SONG: i Lift Up My Eyes
Scripture slides #1A, 1B, 1C at end: Art slide #4
LGTS: Up on Choir
During Intro – Scripture slide 1A:
I lift up my eyes to the hills —
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
During Verse 2 – Scripture slide 1B:
He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:4
During Verse 3 -Scripture slide 1C:
The Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8
[End song: Art Slide #4]
LGTS: Choir lowers, up on reader
4. The story of Samson IMAG title: “Delilah”, art slide #5
Hello. I don’t really belong up here – I don’t believe in your God. But I fell in love with someone who did. His name was Samson. I’m Delilah. God made him judge after the people cried out for help. You see, we Philistines had made their life pretty hard.
Anyway- that Samson could do anything when the Spirit of the Lord came upon him in power. That happened a lot. He defeated a lion with his bare hands. He killed 1000 Philistines at one time with a donkey’s jawbone. I finally got Samson to tell me the secret of his strength. It was all in the hair, you know. So, while he slept, I cut it off, and the soldiers captured him. They blinded him and threw him in jail.
[Art slide #5] Samson asked Your God for strength one last time- he wanted revenge. Then, he pulled a whole temple full of Philistines down to the ground. You have a very powerful God. Samson always looked only to Him for help and strength.
5. The Story of Ruth IMAG title: “Ruth” art slide #6
Hi. I’m Ruth. I didn’t believe either…well, not at first. I’m from Moab where we don’t believe in your God. I lived in there with my mother-in-law Naomi until she headed back to be with God’s people. I told her: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God.”
So together, we headed for her hometown, Bethlehem. We had no food or money so I gathered leftover grain from the field of Boaz.
Naomi said he was our kinsman-redeemer. That’s like a family protector who pays the price to save someone. By paying for Naomi’s land and marrying me, Boaz saved us from a hard life with no children or grandchildren to love.
[Art slide #6] But the most amazing thing is that God brought me- an outsider from Moab - into His family. You see, Boaz and I had children and grandchildren. And our great-grandchild was named David. You guessed it - King David! So if you think it through… I’m related to the Redeemer of the whole world who paid the price with his life to save all who believe - so that no one has to be an outsider.
6. The story of Samuel IMAG title: “Samuel”, Art slide #7
Hi. I’m Samuel. I have loved God for as long as I can remember. One night, when I was a boy, God called me to be His prophet and the judge for his people. For the rest of my life I spoke God’s words to His people.
One time, the Philistines captured the golden ark of God. That was a very bad choice - their false god fell and broke, and their people got very sick until they returned it. Once we had the ark back, I told God’s people to turn from doing wrong in God’s eyes. God was so pleased that He sent thunder to scare the Philistines away. That’s when God’s people asked again for a king. This time God said yes.
I got to anoint Saul as the first King of Israel! That means I poured oil on his head as a sign that he was set apart and chosen by God.
[Art slide #7] But my favorite time of all was anointing the young shepherd boy, David, who became Israel’s greatest king ever.
(SONG: The Lord is My Shepherd)
SONG: The Lord is My ShepHerd
Scripture slides #2A, 2B. 2C, 2D At end: Art slide #8 LGTS: Up on Choir
During Intro – Scripture slide 2A:
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
During Interlude – Scripture slide 2B:
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
During Interlude – Scripture slide 2C
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
During Verse 4– Scripture slide 2D
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
During OUTRO - Art slide #8
LGTS: Choir lowers, up on reader
7. The Story of King SAul IMAG title: “King Saul” Art Slide #9
I love that song. David wrote it. David, David, David - that’s the story of my life. Oh, don’t get me wrong, it was great to be King Saul, the first king of Israel - winning battles and being famous, but Samuel would always get so bothered when I refused to obey the Lord. That’s what kings are supposed to do, and it isn’t always easy. To make matters worse, ever since he fought Goliath, the crowds cheered more for David than for me – their king! Even my own son Jonathan loved him. David played the lute, he defeated lions - he had it all. That made me crazy.
[Art slide #9] Plus, an evil spirit kept bothering my mind. I behaved terribly - I kept trying to kill David.
I couldn’t believe it, but he never took revenge on me, even when he had the chance in that cave. He said that was because I was the one chosen by God. I guess old Samuel was right – David truly was a man after God’s own heart.
8. The story of King David IMAG title: “King David” art slide #10
I am David. It’s amazing that a shepherd boy could become king of Israel. But the most amazing thing is that the Lord has always been with me.
[Art Slide # 10] He was with me when I killed Goliath, the giant Philistine.
He was with me when Jonathan and I promised to be friends forever, and when I hid from King Saul. He was with me when I wrote songs of praise to Him. He’s been with me all the days of my life. He knows my heart and He leads me in the way everlasting.
SONG: Search me o God Scripture slide #3, Art slide #11
LGTS: Up on Choir
[During INTRO - Scripture slide #3]
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
During tag “Come search my heart…” [Art slide #11]
LGTS: Choir lowers, up on reader
9. The Story of King Solomon IMAG title: “The Queen of Sheba”
Art slide #12
I am the Queen of Sheba. That’s in Africa. Our country had heard about King Solomon’s great wisdom and about the beautiful temple he built for his God. But I didn't believe it. So I went to see for myself.
I packed up my caravan with spices, jewels, plus four and a half tons of gold and headed to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. And do you know what? He answered everything. Nothing was too hard for him. When I saw the palace and the temple he had built, I could hardly believe it.
[Art slide #12] I told Solomon, "May the Lord your God be praised. He must take great delight in you. He placed you on the throne of Israel. The Lord will love Israel for all time to come. That's why he has made you king. He knows that you will do what is fair and right." Funny, on my way there I thought about King Solomon, but on my way home I thought about his God.
10. The story of King Josiah IMAG Title: “King Josiah ” art slide #13