Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
Zack Is Silenced
Don’t doubt God’s Word
Can You Hear
Me Now?
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
Zacharias was a man who knew God, yet what the angel was telling
him was very hard to believe. He doubted the angel’s promise and
God’s power to make it happen. BIG mistake! God is capable of
doing anything, even when it seems impossible.
Luke 1:17
...to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (KJV)
...to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (NKJV)
...to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (NIV)
he will change disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom. (NLT)
items you need for this lesson are printed in BOLD text
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
When you start the lesson by holding up a familiar object, the
kids can immediately connect. Starting with something familiar
makes it easier to teach something unfamiliar. Don’t try to teach
a lesson with the object. Use it to create curiousity.
L S
Act perplexed, hold up a BABY DOLL and ask, “What is this for? What
could this have to do with the lesson?” Then set it aside. “Well, maybe we
will figure it out later.” Repeat with a SIGN you might find in a library or
school that says “No Talking” or “Shh!!” The doll represents the baby that
Elizabeth had and the sign represents Zacharias’ inability to talk after doubting God. During
the review time, ask if any of the kids remember what objects you held up and why.
The Verse Reverse Game!
L S
L M
Read the explanation under “What’s New” in the Introduction of this
manual. Don’t be timid about playing the same game several weeks in a
row. Kids often enjoy looking forward to something they can visualize.
You can play a different variation of the game as described in the Introduction or make up your own variation.
Lead the kids in a short time of praise and worship. Use songs that exalt God
and His attributes. This time can be enjoyable but it does not need to be silly.
It is a time to lead the children into focusing on the Lord. Reserve the silliness
for games or skits. Make this a joyful time that honors God. The children
should sing to the Lord, not perform for each other. God is the audience. You
can use music from the CD provided or your choice of other praise/worship
music. But don’t feel pressured to structure “professional” music. Kids are
just as happy to sing along with a CD. Simply enjoy singing a few songs to the
Lord to express your love and thankfulness.
L
suitable for
large group
S
also suitable
for small group
M
also suitable for
mid-week program
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
Luke 1:5-25, 57-80
This is your time to tell
the story in simple
terms. Don’t try to
“transition” into this or
you will likely lose the
kids’ attention. Make
the lesson an abrupt
change. Teach clearly
and quickly then move
on.
• Zacharias was a priest who loved and obeyed God.
• He and his wife Elizabeth were old and never had kids.
• It was Zack’s turn to light the candles in the temple.
• He was in the temple alone when an angel named Gabriel showed up.
• Zack was terrified because he had never seen an angel before.
• Gabriel had several things to say:
• Be happy, not afraid.
• Elizabeth is going to have a special baby!
• You will name him John.
• Gabriel said that John would be a great man.
• He would be powerful like Elijah and would get people ready for Jesus.
• Zack didn’t believe what the angel said.
• He knew Elizabeth was too old to have a baby. He didn’t have faith that God could do it.
• Gabriel said the message was from God.
• But because Zack didn’t believe, Gabriel said,
• “You will be silent until this happens, because you did not believe.”
• People were outside waiting to get in the temple.
• Zack could not tell them what happened.
• Elizabeth had a son, just like Gabriel promised.
• Everyone was amazed at the miracle.
• Zack wrote the name “John” and immediately he could speak again.
• He thanked God for his special child.
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
On The Air
ON THE AIR!
“lights,
camera,
action!”
Conduct Z Street Live as a live game show being broadcast from Big City Studio. It is
a distinct and separate segment of the program. If possible, use someone other than
the director to lead this portion of the program. Dim the lights a little. Start the music.
Introduce the MC.
Treat Z Street Live
as if it were a game
show broadcasted
live around the world.
L M
The MC should explain the point system each week even though kids who have
been regularly attending will already know how it works. Explaining the system helps
new kids understand what is happening and reinforces the game show theme of this
segment.
Start Z Street Live by playing Shout It Out. Make sure you have
posted the letters of the phrase in a place that is visible to all of the
kids. Letters should face the wall. Allow kids to guess a letter.
Reveal letters by turning them around. Award a point to the team
whose participant guesses a letter correctly. After the kids have
guessed four or five letters, play the game on the next page. Come back to the
phrase when you are finished playing the game. This simple word game will help
kids focus on the main point. When you have five uncovered letters, allow kids to
guess the phrase. Some weeks you can even leave the game unsolved and finish it
during Playback (review time).
Shout It Out phrase for this week is...
I won’t doubt what God can do
DON’T FORGET! in depth descriptions of each segment are provided in the Director’s Guide
Z Street Live continued
Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
8
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
On The Air
L M
Z Street
Countdown DVD
2 Jump Ropes
Oreos
The Xtreme
Jump Rope Olympics
Oreo Express
why
games?
Because kids are
often under
tremendous
pressure to grow
up too fast. A fun
game allows a kid
to be a kid for a
few minutes.
This quarter of Z Street Live features The Xtreme Jump Rope Olympics.
Kids will see almost every conceivable variation of jumping rope.
HOW TO PLAY
In jump rope games it is important to allow some latitude. Sometimes it
becomes nearly impossible to “jump” over the rope. Then all you can do is
swing the rope over your head to the floor and step over it. This is a slower
method but completely acceptable.
Select two kids (boys or girls) of equal size. Give them each a jump rope.
Then separate the wafers of an Oreo. Instruct the kids to stick the half with the
creme to their forehead. Push and twist.
Count how many times they can jump rope in one minute without the cookies
falling off. Repeat as desired.
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
•
•
•
•
Based on:
Luke 1:5-25, 57-66
Tell the story and have the kids repeat back the words in Plain Text.
Instructions are in (Parenthesis). These are not things to say out
loud but will help you make the story more interactive.
The lines your impromptu actors will repeat after you are in Italic Text.
Prompt your actors to do the actions which are in Bold Text.
Can You Hear Me Now?
1. Zack was a priest. He went to the temple
light the candles.
to
• CUT! We need an actor to play Zack. (Choose
a kid to come up front and play Zacharias.)
2. Zack went into the temple to light the
candles. (Tell your actor to act this out.)
While he was doing this the angel, Gabriel,
appeared.
• CUT! We need another actor. (Choose a kid to
come up front and play the angel.)
7. Gabriel told Zack that since he did not believe, he
wouldn’t be able to speak until John was born.
Gabriel: Maybe next time you’ll believe me.
8. Zack couldn’t talk anymore. He tried to talk, but
nothing would come out of his mouth. (Tell the
actor to act this out.)
9. Zack went out of the temple to see the people.
Everyone was amazed that he couldn’t talk.
10. Zack tried to explain to the people what happened
but he couldn’t.
3. The angel suddenly appeared to Zack. Zack
fell down afraid. (Have the actors act this
out.)
• (Tell Zack to face the seated kids and wave his
arms around and move his mouth.)
Gabriel: Hey Zack, my name’s Gabriel. God
sent me to tell you you’re going to have a baby!
11. Months later Zack’s wife, Elizabeth, had a boy.
The people wanted to name him Zacharias, after
his father.
4. Gabriel told Zacharias that his son would be
very important. He would not drink wine, and
he would be powerful like Elijah. He would be
filled with the Holy Spirit and would help get
people ready for Jesus. The angel said to
name him John.
5. Zacharias didn’t believe the angel. He said that
he and his wife were too old.
Zack: Are you kidding me? Have you seen these
wrinkles? (pointing to face)
6. Repeat after me. (Prompt the kids to repeat
after you by pointing to each section of the
room.)
• Do not doubt
• (Instruct the seated kids to repeat after you when
you point to them.)
• Everyone thought
• the baby should be named Zack.
12. Zacharias still could not speak, but he wrote a
name down on a tablet and held it up for all to
see. He wrote that the baby’s name would be
John. As soon as he did this, he could talk again.
Zacharias thanked God.
Zack: Thank you, God! Hey, I’ve got my voice back!
• All the people were amazed and wondered what
kind of great things John would do.
• God’s messages.
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
L S M
Hold up the knotted rope and challenge a child to guess the Knot
of the Week. After a few missed guesses, announce that the Knot
of the Week is:
Zack did NOT believe the angel
L S M
Help the kids to relate to today’s lesson by sharing examples
of the amazing things God does for people all around them.
Express to them the importance of believing in God’s ability to
do all that He says. We have no reason to doubt or fear.
L S M
Allow time to pray for the kids. Don’t ask for prayer requests.
Instead, ask kids to raise their hand if they want prayer for
school, fear, family, etc.
Ask if any of them want to invite Jesus to come into their
heart. Make the invitation simple and free from any pressure.
Pray with children that respond. Pray in faith. Remember that
God will complete any good thing that He starts in them.
Romans 10:9 and Philippians 1:6,7
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children,
you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3)
“For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who
are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:39)
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
HEATHER: (looking distressed) Haywood said I
may lose my voice. Oh dear, it’s beginning to
feel a little scratchy. Tea! Someone bring me
tea quickly...with honey. I hear that helps!
L
Put the lines in your
own words. Don’t
memorize the lines
word for word.
Paraphrase them.
why
skits?
Because they give
you an opportunity
to illustrate how to
apply the lesson
in a way that
makes it easy for
kids to understand
and remember.
HAYWOOD: (talking to the Director and VERY
EXCITED) That was an incredible story!
Zacharias couldn’t talk because he didn’t believe the angel. If God ever tells me something
I’m just gonna believe it. No questions asked.
Heather enters.
HEATHER: (loud and upset) Believe what? Did
someone tell you that you are handsome again?
I told you not to believe everything people say.
At that moment an unauthorized photographer runs into the room, up to Heather and
takes her picture. She puts her hands over
her face to block the shot. The photographer runs away. Heather takes it all in stride
as if she has done it a thousand times before. She is not upset because inwardly she
loves the attention. This scene exposes the
kids to “Zoom,” the local paparazzi. He will
make quick appearances like this for several weeks until his introduction. The kids
will not know who he is or what he does
until several weeks from now.
JOE: Calm down, Heather. I don’t think you’re
going to lose your voice. Haywood was just talking about the lesson today. It’s a good reminder
that everything is possible with God.
HAYWOOD: Yah, but it sure is funny to watch
Heather squirm!
HEATHER: Thanks a lot, Haywood. I think I’d
better lie down. I’m not feeling so good.
HAYWOOD: Very funny, Heather. I’m talking
about believing what God says.
Heather leaves dramatically.
HEATHER: Oh, that again.
JOE: It looks like we have some time to kill.
Want to grab something to eat.
HAYWOOD: You know, you’d better believe. He’s
pretty powerful. He can make you lose your voice
and everything.
HAYWOOD: Sounds great! The way Heather’s
acting, we’ve got time for lunch and a movie!
HEATHER: (panicked) My voice! What are you
talking about? I can’t lose my voice! My fans
will be so disapointed!
Joe and Haywood leave.
Joe enters.
JOE: What is wrong, Heather? You look upset.
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
Write the phrase on a note. Tape it to the back of the reel. This is
your last opportunity, before you begin to review, to make the lesson hit home. Hold up the movie reel and select a child to read the
note on the back. Then challenge kids to recall the statement. The
Reel Time phrase is:
Zack was REAL quiet until John was born
If you are using Big City Bucks, hand them out during Play Back.
L S M
Use this time to review the Shout It Out phrase, Reel Time phrase, and the entire Stick to the
Script memory verse. Ask if anyone knows what the Curious Thing had to do with the
lesson. Below are some review questions taken from Make A Scene Bible story and the
Impact Skit. Ask questions and give out Big City Bucks to kids who answer correctly.
Don’t be afraid to repeat the questions. Kids learn by repetition.
Then play a few rounds of Take The Challenge!
(This review game is explained in the Director’s Guide)
1. Why did Zacharias go to the temple? to burn candles (incense)
2. What happened in the temple? an angel (Gabriel) appeared
3. What did Gabriel tell Zack? his wife would have a son
4. What did Gabriel say the baby should be named? John
5. What was John supposed to be like? not drink wine, filled with the Holy Spirit,
powerful like Elijah, get people ready for Jesus
6. How did Zack respond to the news? he didn’t believe it
7. What happened to Zack? he couldn’t talk
8. What happened when John was born? Zack got his voice back
L S M
L S M
Select an exceptionally cooperative child to come up front and yell the Shout
It Out phrase into the megaphone. Going “out with a shout” marks the official end of the program.
Facts and Puzzles
Distribute the take home paper. Remind kids to take it home,
complete it, put it on their refrigerator and bring it back next week.
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004
Volume 2 -- Jesus: The Early Days
Zack Is Silenced (Luke 1:5-25, 57-80)
Lesson #1
Facts & Puzzles Solution: GABRIEL DELIVERED THE NEWS TO ZACK
Write additional ideas, lesson modifications or special instructions for teachers.
REMEMBER: The purchase agreement of this curriculum allows you to
make copies to distribute to other teachers and workers in your church.
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Comprehensive children’s ministry program by Kidz Blitz - All rights reserved 2004