Introduction to the Theme Theme Topic: God is creator and owner of all. In His wisdom and love, He entrusted the care and nurture of His creation to men and women. We are called to be His faithful stewards. Theme Verses: The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24: 1 'You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet. Psalm 8:6 Concept: God owns everything and has made us stewards of all that He owns. Aims: To teach GEMS and Cadets that God is the creator and owner of all. To teach GEMS and Cadets that stewardship means that God has entrusted us with the care and nurture of His creation. To teach GEMS and Cadets that stewardship is not equated with being miserly. God's stewards must be generous - lavishly caring for others with all that God has entrusted to us. To teach GEMS and Cadets that stewardship reflects how much we value God. To teach GEMS and Cadets about the Kingdom dividends of being God's stewards - when we use what we've been given to love God and to love people, the entire Kingdom benefits and receives the blessing.

Logo This logo represents that the world belongs to God and that He has entrusted His stewards to care for it.

Theme Background Stewardship can be a word that sets off more groans than enthusiasm from children and adults. It's often misperceived as all work and no play, a miserable duty, instead of a high calling to joyfully embrace. In truth, stewardship is a beautiful partnership between God, the creator and owner of all, and His stewards, those He has instructed to carefully handle all His belongings. Our stewardship mirrors our heart for God. When we are lavish in how we nurture God's things and generous in how we care for people, it produces Kingdom dividends. The entire Kingdom is blessed and benefits when how we care for God's belongings shows love for God and for people. The theme contains five sub-themes that explore the full meaning of

stewardship. It is our goal to show GEMS and Cadets God's ownership and

their responsibility as His stewards in the areas of time (Psalm 90: 12),

money and possessions (1 Chronicles 29: 16), the world (Psalm 24: 1), our

bodies, His temple (1 Corinthians 6: 19), and spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4: 10).

Its Gods

Verse: Psalm 24: 1. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Object Lesson: You will need a poster board or some other easy-to-sec visual of the ABC's (from A to Z) posted for the GEMS or Cadets.

Message: To begin tonight (today), we're going to list- from A to Z - all of the things that belong to God! We'll go right down the line of girls or boys so everyone has an opportunity to share their answers. I'll point to the letters of the alphabet so we don't lose track as we list from A to Z the things that belong to God (Example: Apricot, Blue jays, Clouds...). ___________ is going to time us for five minutes (NOTE: shorten or lengthen the time if you wish). Let's see how many times we can get through the ABC's. When we repeat the alphabet, try not to give answers that were given before. Do you have any questions? Ark you ready? Then let's begin! When you are finished say… We could spend the rest of the day, an entire week, even a whole year listing all the things that belong to God and we'd never begin to touch on everything that He created and owns. Isn't that incredible to think about? Close your eyes while I read our theme verse, picture the truth of what this verse is describing. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24: 1) You can open your eyes again. Did you "See” an awesome and beautiful world when you closed your eyes? I hope so! It's amazing and breathtaking to think about all the things that God made. Do you know what 's even more amazing? Although we can't possibly begin to imagine and think about all the things that God owns. God knows the list in full - plus all the details about each person and each belonging. He knows your name - John 10:3, 14. He knows how many hairs

are on your head (Luke 12: 7) and He knows your inmost thoughts, worries and secrets (Psalm 94: 11a). You're not just a name on a lengthy list of God's belongings from A to Z. You arc God's beautiful daughter. He loves you. He's glad you're at GEMS or Cadets tonight (today). He can't wait to teach you from His Word and through God, the Holy Spirit, the truth about this year's theme, It's God's! Handle with Care. Are you ready to receive what He has prepared for you? Let's talk to our awesome God in prayer right now. Dear Father, Thank You that the earth is Yours and everything in it-the sky and trees, butterflies and bees, the mountains, rivers, and every GEMS or Cadet and counsellor in this room. We are so glad that we belong to You! We are so thankful that You know each one of us by name and that You love us more than we can understand. Help us this year as we learn about all the things that belong to You and how we need to be good stewards or caretakers of Your stuff. We praise You alone, Creator God! In Jesus' name, Amen.

Handle With Care

Verse: Psalm 8:6. You made him (her) ruler over the works of your hands: you put everything under his (her) feet.

Object Lesson: You will need a beach ball and a permanent marker for every five or six participants. You will also need fast-paced Christian music playing.

Message: To begin...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into groups of five or six. Have the groups stand in separate circles.

2. Give each group a beach ball and instruct them to blow it up. 3. Give each group a permanent marker.

Have you ever played musical chairs before? (Listen to responses.) Sure you have! This game is similar; listen carefully to the rules. When the music is playing, carefully keep the beach ball bouncing in the air while you pass the permanent marker around the circle your group has formed. When the music stops, the person who is holding the ball must name a way that God has blessed them. Simply say one way that God has been generous and kind to you. The person that is holding the marker will write down the blessing. Be sure to write down a variety of blessings, OK? Any questions? Then let's begin! Start and stop the music, being sure that every participant has at least one opportunity to say a way God has blessed him or her. When finished say... Please give the timekeeper your beach balls and markers and we're going to sit for a couple of minutes and think about God's generosity to us. Was it easy for you to think of ways that God blessed you? (Listen to the responses.) God entrusted everything that He owns in our care. He is so generous and big­ hearted. His hands open wide for us (hold our your arms wide) as He gives us His gifts and blessings. Remember how you carefully bounced the ball of blessings in the air and

carefully passed the marker from person to person? God asks us to carefully take care of all the stuff that He owns. Psalm 8:6 tells us about this amazing responsibility and humbling privilege. You made him (her) ruler over the works of your hands; you put every thing under his (her) feet. (Psalm 8:6) God has been generous and lavish 10 us with all Hi blessings. Are you doing your part and carefully handling all of His gifts? Let's ask God in prayer to help us to be good stewards of all His belongings.

Optional: The GEMS or Cadets could sit in their circle groups again and pass the ball from participant to participant as they pray. Whoever is holding the ball is the "pray-er." Ask them to go around the first time giving a sentence prayer of thanks to God for His blessings and then go around one more time giving a sentence prayer that requests God to help them be good stewards of all that He owns.

Filling Up God’s Time

Verse: Psalm 90:12 (MSG) Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!

Object Lesson: You will need two large jars, golf balls, pebbles, sand, and a jug of water. (Keep the water hidden until you use it during the devotional.)

Message: Fill one jar with golf balls and then ask the GEMS or Cadets... Is this jar full? (Listen to responses.} Pour the pebbles in the same jar; shake the jar lightly, and the ask... Is this jar full? Pour the sand in the same jar, shake the jar lightly, and then ask... Is this jar full? Pull the jug of water out of its hiding place, pour it into the same jar (this will fill every empty space between the sand!) and ask… Is this jar full? I want you to think of this jar as the gift of time that God has given to you. He asks you to carefully handle His time! Think of the golf balls as the important things in your life like God, your family, your friends, and your health. The pebbles are responsibilities that you have like being a student, and doing your chores and homework. The sand is everything else that fills your day. It's the little stuff in life like taking a long bath or playing your favourite game. What are things that fill your day? (Listen to the responses..) Pour the sand into the jar you haven't used yet, leaving little room for pebbles and golf balls. If you first fill the time God has given you with all the small things that you listed instead of first filling it with the important things like God, your family, and friends, what happens? (Listen to responses ...show them how there's no room for the golf balls and pebbles. Explain that there’s no room for

the things that God wants us to fill our time with!) Each day we have a choice in how we use our time. The writer of Psalm 90: 12 (MSG) prayed this prayer to God: Oh! Teach us to Live well! Teach us to live wisely and well! At the start of each day, that should be our prayer as well. What is filling up your time? I pray that it's the stuff that shows love for God and love for people. Let's talk to God right now and ask Him to help us be good stewards of the time He has given us.

Optional: Give the GEMS or Cadets slips of paper with this prayer: Dear God, Oh! Teach me to live well! Teach me to live wisely and well! In Jesus Name. Amen. Instruct them to put the prayer by their alarm clock, by their toothbrush, or some oth r place where they'll see it first thing in the morning!

It’s Always Praise Time

Verse: 1 Peter 4:11. If anyone speaks, he (she) should do it as one speaking the very words of God. I f anyone serves, he (she) should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Object Lesson: You will need one bean bag and one large sheet of poster board for every four to six participants. Design each poster board as follows:

Message: To begin...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into groups of four or six. 2. Instruct them to place their posters on the floor and rake turns tossing a

beanbag onto each poster. 3. After the participant tosses the beanbag, they says their name and then

says something that they enjoy during that time (the time that her beanbag landed on.)

When each person has had at least one opportunity to toss their beanbag, have them sit quietly around their poster boards. Wow! I was listening as you played your game and we have so many choices in how we use our time. Do you think that God cares about how you and I use our time? (Listen to responses.) He certainly does. He cares about the words that we say during the day. He cares about the way we serve others from hour to hour. He wants everything we do - whether we're eating, sleeping, playing, doing homework, helping our parents, or playing with a friend to be done in a way that

praises God through Jesus Christ. Listen to that truth in 1 Peter 4:11, if anyone speaks, he (she) should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he (she) should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised and through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. The words we use, the things we do, even our most secret thoughts - each and every thing that fills our time - must be done in such a way that it pleases and praises God. Is the way you're filling your day bringing a smile to God's Face? Let's play our game again, and this time instead of saying your name and something that you enjoy doing during that rime, I'd like you to say your name and something that you can do to praise God - to bring a smile on God's face - during the time of day your beanbag lands on. Go ahead! When each person has had at least one opportunity to toss their beanbag, have them sit quietly around their poster boards again. Ask them to kneel and mimic your actions while you pray: Father, (Spread arms wide to the sky) We want the words that we say (Point to your lips) The things that we do (Extend your hands all around you) The thoughts that fill our minds (Point to your head) The way we use our time (Point to your watch or a clock) To bring a smile to your face. (Point to your smile and then point heavenward) In Jesus' Name, Amen. (Fold hands in prayer)

Lord Willing, D.V.

Verse: James 4:13-15 Now listen, you who say "Today or tomorrow will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

Object Lesson: You will need masking tape, and one piece of cardboard, (about the size of a school notebook) one bubble mixture and one bubble wand for every four to six participants.

Preparation : Using the masking tape, mark two lines on the floor (start and finish lines) far enough apart that it's somewhat challenging to move the bubbles from the start to the finish line.

Message: To begin...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into groups of four to six. 2. Give each group a bubble mixture and a bubble wand. 3. Give each participant a piece of cardboard.

Tonight we're going to experiment with bubbles! Choose a volunteer in your group to blow some bubbles and the others in the group will use their cardboard pieces to fan the bubbles across the finish line. Once your bubbles cross the finish line, count how many seconds it takes before they all pop. Does anyone have any questions? Ready? Go!

When everyone has had an opportunity to be the "bubble blower" or when they look like they are tiring of the game, have them group together for the object lesson message…

How many seconds did it take before all your bubbles popped once they crossed the finish line? (Listen to responses.) Do bubbles have a long life? (Listen to responses.) No, of course not. We enjoy them for a few seconds - maybe a

minute or two ­ and Pop! They disappear! They vanish!

Do you and I have a long life? (Listen to responses.) Compared to bubbles it seems like we have a long life doesn't it? Bur the Bible tells us that compared to eternity your and my life are like a bubble that vanishes in seconds. If we love and believe in Jesus, we will have forever life with God in Heaven. That's a time line we can't even begin to imagine!

Sometimes we live our days here on earth like we have lots and lots of time to do whatever we want to do, instead of realizing that each day, each hour and minute is a gift from God. The Bible warns us that we must nor boast or be proud about what we'll do in the future.

Let's read today's verse again, Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city. spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why you do not even know when will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You’re a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say "if it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." (James 4: 13-15)

Did you catch that? Our life is a mist, a vapour - a small bubble that vanishes in the wind. Instead of proudly saying that you are going on vacation or holiday over the school holidays, that you will be in grade seven next year, or that you want to go to school to be a doctor, you should always add, Lord willing.

Our time does not belong to us, it's God's. I t's only when God the Lord is willing to give us the gift of time and help us pursue those dreams that we can be confident in tomorrow. Dream big dreams, but always remember to conclude your dream list with “Lord willing”.

Optional: Write out the words Lord willing, D.V. Say: Does anyone know what D.V. means? D.V. is shortened for Deo Volente. Deo Volente is Latin and a complete little phrase meaning "God being willing" or shortened to "God willing.'' Deo (at Christmas time we sing it in Angels We Have Heard on High) means glory in the highest to God. Volente is related to English words such as voluntary and volition. If you do something voluntarily, you do it willingly, or because you want to.

It all Belongs to God!

Verse: 1 Chronicles 29: 16. O Lord our God, as for all this abundance... it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.

Object Lesson: You will need masking tape, two glass jars, 50 pennies, and two chairs.

Set Up: 1. Use masking tape to mark a start line. 2. Place two piles of twenty-five pennies at the start line. 3. At the finish line (give running distance between the start line and the

finish line) place the two chairs 1 – 2 metres apart from one another. 4. Face the "scar" or from of the chair toward the start line. 5. Place a glass jar behind each chair.

Message: How to play...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into two teams. 2. Have each ream stand single file behind the start line next to their pile of

pennies. 3. Instruct the first player to take a penny, run to the chair, and place their

knees on the chair with their body facing the chair's back and the jar. They must then drop the penny into the jar (Note: Do not lean over the "seat" of the chair to drop the penny in the jar. The players’ wrist must be horizontal to the chair back (no reaching down to the jar to make sure the penny falls in!)

4. After the first player drops her penny {whether it makes it in the jar or nor), they must run back and tap the hand of the next player in line, signally their turn to begin.

5. Play continues until each team has attempted to put all its pennies in the jar.

6. The team with the most pennies in their jar wins! When finished playing the game, ask the GEMS or Cadets to sit quietly. Hold up the penny jars and ask…

Is money good? (Listen to responses.) Money is actually good and a necessity to life. God talks a lot about money in the Bible. In 1 Chronicles 29: 16 it tells us whom money belongs to, O Lord our God, as for all this abundance... it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. Every penny in your penny jar or in your pocket is not really yours; it belongs to God. We don't own the stuff that fills our bedrooms; it's all God's! Sometimes people say that money only causes trouble. In truth, the problems that are often linked to money have nothing to do with the pennies in these jars or the millions of trillions of dollars that fill banks across this country. Money doesn't cause problems; people do! God's concern with money has nothing to do with our having or needing money. It has everything to do with our hearts. It doesn't matter how much or how little money any person in this room has, the very, very rich and the very, very poor can have a heart in the wrong place when it comes to money. The true rest of whom or what we love most in our lives - God or money - can be seen when we look at our hearts. Take a look at your heart. Are you selfish and greedy with your money and belongings? Do you neglect or mistreat the things that you own? If you've answered yes, then you've got some heart problems! Your attitude and answer show that you love money more than God. Take another look at your heart. Do you generously give your money to those who need your help? Are you unselfish with your things? Does the way you use your stuff show love, kindness, and thoughtfulness to others? Are you thankful and content with the things God has given you? If you've answered yes, then your attitude reflects a steward 's heart . A heart that’s filled with thankfulness and is quick to say, "It’s God's!" is a heart that brings joy to Jesus!

The Widow's Offering

Verse: Mark 12: 41-44. Jesus sat down opposite the place there the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.''

Object Lesson: You will need stickers and fake dollar bill (all the same value). Use different colour bills for every group of five to six participants. {Note: photocopy the fake money onto different colours of paper if necessary.)

Preparation: Take one bill of each colour and put a sticker on those bills. Hide all the bills around the room your will be meeting in. Make the bills with stickers on them the most difficult to find.

Message: To begin...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into groups of five or six. 2. Assign each group one of the colours used for the fake bills. 3. Instruct them to search for the bills of the same colour and collect all the

bills they can find. 4. Tell them about the special sticker on one of the bills and how important

it is. When they find the bill with the sticker on it they must return immediately to their seats and celebrate their find!

5. Give five minutes or so (depending on the size of your group and the size of your meeting room) to find their bills. Search until every group has found their bill with a sticker on it. If a group can't find their bill with a sticker, have the others join in the search.

When finished with the fake dollar bill hunt say...

Great job searching! How did you feel when you found your bill that had a sticker

on it? (Listen to responses.) You knew that bill was extra special, didn't you? It was worth more than the other bills because of the value we put on it.

In today's Bible reading we learn about a widow's offering. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the people were giving their offerings with the intent to watch what people were giving to the temple treasury. The rich people gave large amounts of money. The poor widow put in two very small copper coins that didn't even add up to one penny.

Most people would be quite impressed with the rich and their generous gifts. Some people would maybe even laugh at how little the widow gave, but not Jesus. He knew that although the rich gave great amounts of money, they still had much wealth left in their pockets and bank accounts. The widow was just the opposite. The two copper coins that she gave were all she had to live on. Her gift was whole­hearted and generous. She gave everything that she had. Her gift was extra special to Jesus because He valued the sacrifice and love in the widow's offering.

How do you give of your rime and money? When someone needs money do you give a little bit, but keep most of your cash stored up in your piggy bank? Or do you give wholeheartedly, giving everything that you have? When someone asks you for help on a Saturday, do you go for an hour or so, bur make sure that you have most of your day to do the things that you want to do? Or do you give whole ­ heartedly, giving your entire day over to serving others?

Like the rich who threw in large amounts of money, our gifts of time and money may look good on the outside, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a gift that makes Jesus smile. It's only when we give wholeheartedly and cheerfully, that Jesus is pleased, honoured, and praised. What kind of gift giver are you? Let's pray together... Father, Thank You for Your generous and wholehearted love to each one of us. You have given us so much. Help us to show You our love through our cheerful, wholehearted giving. Forgive us when we are selfish. Help us to be generous with our gifts of time and money. Show us who needs our help today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Parable of the Rich Fool (Paraphrased and based on Luke 12: 16-21)

Verse: Luke 12: 21. This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself (herself) but is not rich toward God.

Object Lesson: You will need two actors (narrator and rich fool) to dramatize this parable. Give the actors their lines in advance so they can memorise them.

Message: Open with Rich Fool dishing ice cream into a bowl... Narrator: A certain rich man / woman made a lot of money working at the ice cream parlour that she owned. She thought to herself... Rich Fool: Self, what shall I do? I have no place to keep all my ice cream and no room for all my customers! I know! (Jump up and down!) I'll tear down my ice cream parlour and build a bigger ice cream parlour. Oh, I'll build three ice cream parlours. No, I'll build thirty ice cream parlours! Then I'll have room for my ice cream, customers, and all the money I'm going to make. I’ll say, "Self, you have lots of good things to live on for the rest of your life. I’ll take life easy. I'll eat, drink, and be merry!" Narrator: Bur God said to him/her, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” Rich Fool: (Grabs their heart and falls to the ground "dead.") Narrator: This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for themselves, but is not rich toward God. When finished with drama say... How would you describe the rich owners’ attitude? Where they greedy or generous? (Greedy!) After watching this drama it's easy to see that we must not

be greedy with our things, but is it so easy to live out from day to day? Think about your attitude toward your money and things, but is it easy to live from day to day? Think about your attitude toward your money and things. What do you think about more - getting more stuff or giving away your things? What do you think about more - clothes, toys, and the latest styles or love, contentment, and joy? What do you do more, do you spend time - wishing you had more stuff or thanking God for the things that you already have? What do you do more, do you spend time - wishing you had more stuff or thanking God for the things that you already have? What do you spend more time reading - catalogues and magazines or God's Word, the Bible? When our dollars and things are trapped in selfish wishes and wants, God warns us clearly in His Word that we're heading down the road of the rich fool. Luke 12:21 says, This is how it will be with anyone who store up things for himself (herself) but is not rich toward God. How can you and I be rich toward God? How can you and I use our money and things to show God that we love Him? Let's stand in a circle. We're each going to tell one way that we are going to be rich toward God. Maybe you buy a candy bar every day after school and now you're going to use that money to help someone who has a need. Maybe you're going to use your bicycle to bike over to an elderly neighbour who could use a cheerful visit. Maybe you're going to pull out your favourite book and read it to a little boy or girl who is sick at home or in the hospital. Once you've shared how you are going to be rich toward God, hold the hand of the person on your left. When our circle is joined together, we'll join our hearts in prayer and ask God to help us keep the promises we just made.

Handling God's Word with Care

Verse: Psalm 24: 1. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Object Lesson: For every ten GEMS or Cadets you will need a roll of yellow crepe paper, streamer and one balloon.

Message: To begin…

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into groups of eight to ten. Have each group stand in a circle.

2. Give on person in each group a yellow crepe paper streamer. Tonight (today) we are going to begin our time together by making a “sun”. I’ve given one person in your group a roll of crepe paper. Their job is to tell the group their favourite place in God’s world. Maybe its in the backyard, maybe it’s a lake that they visited over the holidays, or maybe it’s a star filled sky. After they tell you their favourite place in God’s world, they will hold on to the end of the streamer and the person directly opposite to them walks up to them, takes the roll and SLOWLY and CAREFULLY walks back to their original place. This continues with each person sharing their favourite place in God’s world and then handing the roll to the person across from them. I’ll let you know what to do next. BE VERY CAFEFUL, the crepe paper can easily rip and tear! When every group has created a sun say… You’ve done a great job! Now I am going to place a balloon on each ‘sun’. Work together to gently bounce the balloon on your sun without having the balloon fall to the ground. Remember you need to be careful or your streamer will tear. (Leaders may need to help replacing the balloon.) When they begin to lose interest (or all the suns are broken) say… You did a wonderful job keeping your balloons bouncing on your sunrays. Now

I’d like you to gently place your ‘sun’ on the ground and sit around it while we think about God’s world. Each of you listed a favourite part of God’s majestic world. Every place you listed, every star, flower, river, beach, sand, pebble and blade of grass belongs to God. Psalm 24:1 says, the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. When I think about how big and beautiful God’s world is, my heart just fills with praise to God. How about you? (Listen to responses.) Lets give God a clap offering, praising Him for His beautiful world. (Clap!!!) Another way to praise and thank god for His world is to care for it in ways that pleases God. Do you remember what I kept telling you about the crepe paper? (I kept saying, “be careful!”) God wants us to be careful with His world, too. Are you helping to keep it clean and beautiful? Are you wisely taking care of the land and water? When you are outside do you leave the place you’ve played, picnicked or camped in a better state than when you found it? I pray so! That’s how we are to carefully handle God’s creation. I’d like each one of you to now on your knees, take a corner of your sunray and pray with me. I’ll say the line of the prayer and I’d like you to repeat it. Dear Creator God, Thank You for Your beautiful world. We praise You for creating it. We thank You for the job to take care of it. Help us to be good stewards of your world. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Go to the Ant

Verses: Psalm 8:6. You made him (her) ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his (her) feet. Proverbs 6:6. Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider his ways and be wise!

Object Lesson: You will need a jar with an ant in it.

Message: Pass the jar around the group of girls so everyone can see it. Then say... I saw this ant all by its lonesome on the sidewalk today and decided to put it in a jar to show each of you. When we're finished thinking about what this ant can teach us about stewardship, I'm going to put it back where I found it. Do you know why I am going to return this ant to its home? (Listen responses.) It's because it has a job to do and the other ants in its colony are depending on it to do its work was designed to do so. Ants are not loners, living all by themselves in the middle of an anthill somewhere. No! Their life looks more like a lively city! Ants live together and work together. If you see an ant by itself, it is probably our looking for food to bring back to the ant city. Every ant has its job. Some ants search for food. Some ants keep the anthill clean. Some rake care of ant eggs and others help to expand the ant city. God created ants to work together for the good of His creation. God created each one of us, too. He has given us the job to work together as stewards of His world. Psalm 8:6 says, You have made him (her) ruler of the works of your hands; you put everything under his (her) feet. Sometimes we are lazy with God's world and we think to ourselves, “I’ll let someone else pick up that piece of rubbish” or “It won't matter if I throw rubbish

bin in the river... it's only a paper cup." Have you ever been lazy in caring for God's world? Have you ever though , “I’ll let someone else take care of God's creation?” The Bible tells us to go to the ant! Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise. It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. (Proverbs 6:6-7) The ant doesn't need anyone to tell or command it to care for God's world. It knows its job and then gets to it - faithfully caring for God's creation in the way it was designed to do so. As God 's stewards we shouldn't have to have someone commanding us or watching over our shoulder to be certain we're taking good care of God's world. Instead as God's stewards we should know that we are to be good caretakers and nurtures of God's world. We know our job so we should get to it - faithfully caring for God's creation because God has entrusted its care into our hands. Look at the ant. Are you ready to get busy taking care of God's world? Let's ask God in prayer to help us be the best caretakers of creation that we can be!

Optional: Have your lesson outside where you can watch an ant colony busy at work!

Big Creatures, Small Creatures – God Made Them All.

Verse: Genesis 1: 24-25. And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kind. And God saw that it was good.

Object Lesson: You will need a nametag or sticky label per GEM or Cadet. Each nametag or label should have an animal name on it. (Examples: monkey. elephant, zebra, cat, etc.)

Message: To begin...

1. Place a nametag or label on each participants back. (Make sure they doesn't see what animal is on the label!)

2. Instruct them to try to find out what animal name has been attached to their back by asking "yes" or "no" questions of the other players, counsellor, leaders. Examples: Do I live in the jungle? Am I part of the cat family? Do people keep me as a pet?

3. Once the player guesses what ‘animal’ they are, they must make the animal noise, act like the animal, and then sit down

When everyone has guessed what “animal” they are, ask the players to sit quietly and then say… This place is a real zoo! The animal noises that you've made and the number of “animals” in this room, show God's creativity and handiwork! What an awesome Creator God we have! When God created the world He created livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals. He made the birds in the air and the fish in the seas. Ants, snakes and bugs, all of them were God's idea! When God looked at everything He made do you know what He said? (Listen to responses.)

The Bible says that God looked at the animals and saw that it was good. Do you know who named all the animals? (Listen to responses) Adam did! Genesis 2: 19- 20 says, Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man (Adam) to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. What a fun job! Would you have liked that job? What name would you have given to a monkey or a mouse? Along with asking Adam to name the animals, the Bible tells us that God took Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Gene is 2: 15) Although we haven't been given the job of naming animals, we do share in the job responsibility that God gave Adam to care for God's world. How are you caring for God's world? If you have a pet, are you taking good care of it? When you see birds or bugs, goldfish or geese, cats or caterpillars, how do you respond? Are you a good steward or do you neglect and ignore God's creatures? Do you praise God for His unique creativity and awesome creation? Let's pray and thank God for His world and all its miraculous creatures. OPTIONAL: Host a “show and tell” event when the GEMS or Cadets can bring in their pets!

A Home for God the Holy Spirit

Verse: 1 Corinthians 6:19. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.

Object Lesson: You will need a small bag of healthy treats for every two or three GEMS or Cadets. (One bag of carrots, one bag of cereal, one bag of dried fruit, one bag of crackers, one bag of snack mix, etc.) You will also need a picture of a dilapidated house and a picture of a well-kept home.

Message: To begin ...

1. Hide the snack bags in different locations within the room before the people arrive.

2. Divide the players into groups of two to three. 3. For every group have a counsellor serve as a “Geiger Counter” telling the

players if they're getting “hotter” (they're close to finding the bag!) or “colder” (they're quite a distance from the bag!). Note: if there are enough counsellors for all the groups, they can search at the same time, otherwise they'll have to take turns searching.

4. When all the bags have been found the players can begin snacking on their healthy treats.

When everyone has discovered their treat bags have them sit quietly and show them the pictures of the dilapidated house and well-kept home.

I have two pictures to show you. Which home would you rather live in? (Listen to the responses.) Personally, I'd rather live in the well-kept home-a place that is well cared for.

Did you know that your body is a home? If you love and believe in Jesus as your Lord and saviour, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you. You are God, the Holy Spirit's home!

What kind of home do you think He wants to live in? Do you think He wants to live in a dilapidated house that eats junk food, doesn't bathe, doesn't exercise, a

house that's lazy and tired? Or do you think God, the Holy Spirit wants to live in a home that's well cared for that eats healthy foods, exercises, bathes and brushes their teeth, works hard and gets enough rest at night? I believe God, the Holy Spirit wants to live in a mind and body that's well taken care of!

Sometimes we neglect and abuse our bodies, forgetting that our bodies don't belong to us. Sometimes we fill our minds with negative and bad thoughts, we forget that our minds do not belong to us. They belong to God! 1 Corinthians 6: 19 says, Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.

How did your counsellor help you find your treat bags? (Listen to responses - they served us as “Geiger Counters”, telling us if we were getting close or not.) That's right. Through their help you discovered tasty snacks that are good for your health!

When it comes to knowing how to care for God's temple we have the help of God's Word, the Bible, and God, the Holy Spirit, who will serve as our guide, reminding us that our bodies are not our own. We must be good stewards of our minds and bodies, caring for them in such a way char God is pleased and honoured.

Is that how you're taking care of God's temple? If not, what changes do you need to make in your life? Let's think about that during our prayer time.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the privilege and responsibility of our minds and bodies being God, the Holy Spirit's home. We admit that sometimes we don't care for our bodies like we should. Sometimes we fill our minds with thing that make You sad. Please forgive us. Please help us to be good stewards of Your temple. Right now each one of us is silently going to tell You in prayer the change or changes that need to be made in our life so we can take better care of Your home. Listen to our prayers to You...

After a minute or two...

Thank You that you will help all of us to make needed changes in our lives. Our bodies and minds belong to You! Thank You for that! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Whatever Thinking

Verse: Philippians 4:8. Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, what ever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

Object Lesson: You will need two drainpipes or two eaves troughs (gutters or house spouting} and a garden hose hooked up to a water source. (This object lesson takes place outdoors!)

In Preparation... Set up near the garden hose and water source. Fill one of the drainpipes or eaves troughs with mud, leaves, and dirt to clog it up and prevent the water from flowing through easily. Be certain that the other drainpipe or eaves trough is clean so the water can easily flow through it.

Message: I have two drainpipes (or eaves troughs) that I'm going to run water through from this garden hose. Looking at these drainpipes, which one do you think the water will flow through easiest? (Listen to responses.) I haven't tried it yet, bur I think it will flow through the clean drainpipe much faster than the one that is filled with gunk. Who would like to turn the water on for me so we can see if that's how our experiment will turn out? When finished experimenting… Our minds and our bodies are thc temple of the Holy Spirit. When we believe in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and takes up residence. Our bodies and minds are His home! God the Holy Spirit is our Counsellor. He reminds us about the truth of God's Word. He enters into our thoughts and tells us things like “Remember what you learned at GEMS or Cadets about stewardship, do you think you should be doing that?”

When our mind is filled with gunk and our hearts are filled with sin, the Holy Spirit has a difficult time getting our attention. Just like the water was slowed down by the gunk and mire in this drainpipe, when we fill our minds with things that are evil and ugly, and fill our hearts with sinful or bad things that are disobedient to God, we have a difficult time hearing the Holy Spirit's reminders of how to be a good steward! What should we be thinking about? What thoughts bring joy to God and allow the Holy Spirit to flow through our minds in ways that bring obedient actions? God's Word tells us in Philippians 4:8 that we should be thinking about ... whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. When we think about things char are true, excellent and praiseworthy to God, our minds will be like this clean drainpipe. Just like the water easily flowed through this pipe, so the Holy Spirit will fill us and flow through us so we can be good stewards of all that God has entrusted in to our care. If God were looking into your mind right now and the things that you've thought about and talked about today, what kind of house would He see? Would it look like this drainpipe filled with muck or would it look like this clean pipe where God, the Holy Spirit is flowing through your life and using you for the Kingdom? Let's pray together. Dear Father, We praise and thank You for Your Holy Word and for the Holy Spirit to help guide the way we live. We ask that You will come and wash us clean of all the sin - of all the gunk - that's filling our minds and hearts. Give our temples a thorough housecleaning, Father! We want to be free from sin so You can use us to be the best stewards we can be of all the things that You've entrusted into our care. Thank You for forgiveness through Jesus. In His Name we pray, Amen.

Don't Pollute

Verse: Ezekiel 36: 26-27. I will give you a new heart and put o new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Object Lesson: You will need two large glasses and your favourite drink (water, soda pop. or juice). You will also need two volunteers, one empty rubbish bin, and a small piece of paper and a pencil for every GEM or Cadet. On a poster board: Ways we pollute God's temple.

Message: To begin tonight (today) I need two volunteers. I'm going to pour each of you my favourite drink. (Pour one drink into a glass and hand it to the first volunteer. Pour another drink into the rubbish bin, swirl it around, and then pour it from the bin into the glass. Hand the glass to the second volunteer.)

When the second volunteer refuses to drink what you have given them (stop them IF they decide to drink it) ask…

Why don't you want to drink my favourite drink? _______ drank theirs! (Listen to responses.) You're right. It's dirty! We shouldn't voluntarily put junk and poisons into our bodies. We shouldn't pollute our bodies or our minds because it is God's temple, the place where God the Holy Spirit lives.

What are ways that we pollute our bodies and minds? (Have GEMS or Cadets brainstorm ideas and have a volunteer write it on the poster board. Examples: drinking (too much) alcohol, smoking, tacking drugs, poor eating habits, not bathing, nor brushing your teeth, nor exercising, not getting enough rest, watching bad TV shows, reading magazines that are full of garbage, swearing or gossiping, etc.)

Say

All of these things pollute God's temple - our minds and our bodies. (Crumple up the poster board and throw it into the bin).

God doesn't want these things to pollute our minds and bodies. He wants to live in a house that gives praise and glory to His Name!

How do we houseclean God's temple so it brings praise to God? How do we walk away from the garbage, junk, and pollution that want to enter our minds and hearts? That's sometimes so hard to do!

God says He'll help us. He'll transform our dirty polluted hearts into a sparkling clean temple! In Ezekiel 36:26-27 God says, I will give you a new heart and put o new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Sometimes we're stubborn and selfish and don't want to be a good steward. We like the pollution we find in bad magazines or we like to gossip about the new person in our class. If that's true of you and me, our hearts are hard like stones. In order for us to become good stewards, we need God's help. When we go to God and ask Him to help us be good stewards for Him, He will take away hearts of stone and give us soft hearts, hearts that are flexible and willing to obey God's laws and wishes.

On your piece of paper I'd like each of you to write out or draw a change that needs to be made in the way you take care of your mind and body, God's temple. Once you're finished, I'd like you to crumple it up, toss it in the rubbish bin and stand over here where we will make a large circle, joining our hands in prayer to God.

Close with sentence prayers. Instruct the GEMS and Cadets to pray sentence prayers about stewardship (asking God to help them be a better steward of _____ or thanking God for something that He's entrusted into their care}.

Names & Gifts!

Verse: 1 Peter 4: I0. Each one should use whatever gift he (she) has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Object Lesson: You will need a large, thick blanket, a sticky label and pencil/pen for each GEM or Cadet, and two Leaders to move the blanket up and down.

Message: Each of you has been given a spiritual gift or has a talent or ability that you are uniquely good at. I'd like each of you to write on your sticky label one of your spiritual gifts of one talent or ability that you have. If you need help thinking of your gift or talent, ask a counsellor or friend - they'll tell you! Once you've written down your gift or talent, put your sticky label on your shirt where it can be easily seen. Before we begin playing our game, I'd like each of you to take turns saying your name and the gift or talent that you have. Be careful listeners, everyone! How well you remember will determine how well you do in our game! When finished, divide them into two teams. Have two counsellors bold up the blanket like a curtain. Have a player from each team stand facing each other with the blanket between. The counsellor should quickly drop the blanket. The first one to correctly say the other person's name and their spiritual gift or ability earns a point for their team. The ‘loser’ joins the opposite team. Continue to take turns so all the players get an opportunity to play. When finished (play as long as time allows or until they tire of the game) say ... What was the most difficult part of that game, remembering the other girl's name or the gift or ability that they had? (Listen to responses.) God must have smiled as He watched us play, for knowing your name and your gifts is no problem to Him - in fact you were God's idea! God created you and knit you together in your mother's womb. He saw you growing in that very secret

place. (Psalm 139: 13- 1 5) God also gave you your abilities, talents, and for those of you who love Jesus and believe in Him as your Lord and Saviour, He also handpicked your spiritual gifts. 1 Peter 4: 10 says, Each one should use whatever gift he (she) has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. Have you ever complained to someone else or grumbled to yourself about the gifts or talents that you have? Have you ever been jealous of the things that other people can do so easily - things like getting good grades, playing sports, or making new friends? Did you ever wish you had that gift or ability? When we get jealous or grumble, we are really complaining to our Creator God who made us and gave us our gifts and talents. He has a special reason for creating you the way He did. He has a very special purpose for giving you your spiritual gifts and abilities. Instead of envying others or being grumpy about our gifts, let's celebrate God's goodness and generosity to us. Let's give Him a clap offering of praise for the gifts He's given us! (Clap!!!) Let's also thank Him together in prayer for the wonderful gifts and abilities that He has given you and me. Have the GEMS or Cadets stand in a circle and join hands for prayer. Each one should take turns praying one sentence, Thank You God for giving me the ability to ______ (they should name what's on their sticky label}.

Use Your Gift!

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men (women).

Object Lesson: No props needed.

Message: To begin...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into groups of eight to ten. 2. Have them form a circle sitting "cross legged" on the floor. Note: If

there's more than one group, space the groups far enough apart that they won't overhear each other and be distracted when they play.

3. Instruct each them to think of a way they can use their spiritual gift or ability to serve other people. Examples: paint, read, bake, encourage, play, serve, etc. Each person in the group should list a different way they can/will serve.

4. Show them how to make the rhythm of patting twice on their legs and then snapping their fingers twice. Help keep them to the beat by doing it with them.

5. Once they have the rhythm, start adding the way they will serve others. Example: the first pat a player says how they will serve "paint" and the second pat say how someone else in the group will serve "read," snap, snap.

6. The person who hears their talent called is now “it”. They then on the first pat says how they will serve "read " and on the second pat she says how someone else in the group will serve "encourage” snap, snap.

7. See how long they can keep the rhythm going!

When finished say…

As we did our rhythm and called out the different ways we could serve others with our gifts, I noticed two things. First of all, we all have very different gifts, don't we? Some of us have the same gifts yet we use them in our own unique and special way. To put it in one word, l noticed our differences.

The second thing I noticed was that we were all patting our legs and snapping our fingers to the same rhythm. Or at least we were trying to! Christians, those who love and believe in Jesus, each use their gifts to serve the same God. All of us are united in service to our King! To put it in one word, l noticed our unity.

The Bible talks about our different gifts and our unity in serving God. Listen closely, there are different kinds of gifts, but the same spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men (women). (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

We serve the same Spirit... the same Lord... the same God. Yet we are different in the gifts that we have received... the kinds of service we do... the kinds of work that we do.

God gave us our gifts and abilities for the purpose of serving Him. We serve God when we are serving others. Our love for God shows in the ways we use our gifts to encourage, help, and give to others! Think about the word that you called out during our game. Did you choose that word because it sounded good or are you really using that gift to serve others in your day-to-day life? God has given each and every one of you a gift to use. It's your job, as His stewards, to go use that gift to make a difference for His Kingdom! Let's ask God to help us use our gifts for Him! Let's pray...

Go! Verse: Romans 12: 1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers (sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual art of worship.

Object Lesson: You will need a pencil and ten heart-shaped pieces of paper for each GEM or Cadet.

Message: To begin...

1. Give each GEM or Cadet one pencil and ten hearts. 2. Explain to them that their job is to give away the most hearts. 3. Before you give away a heart, put your initials on it. Don't forger to do

that each time you give away a heart. 4. Here's a couple of rules in how to give your hearts away:

Give your hearts away to one person at a time.

You may not give your heart to the same person unless you've given a heart to someone else in between.

If you receive a heart from someone, you may not then give a heart right back to the same person. You must give a heart to someone else first.

5. You have ten minutes to give away your hearts. 6. Any questions? Go!

When finished say...

Please sit down and count how many initials are on the hearts that you are holding. (The person with the most initials is the winner!)

Each of you focused on giving away as many hearts as you could. How would this game have been different if you were told to see how many hearts you could get? (Listen to responses... you would have stood around waiting for people to give them hearts instead of actively giving away their heart.) You each started out with ten hearts. Yet I saw that most of you gave away more

than ten hearts. How is that possible? (Listen to responses… you kept receiving hearts so you had more hearts to give away.) God has given each of you a talent or ability. For those of you who love and believe in Jesus as your Saviour, God has also given you a spiritual gift or gifts. Romans 12 tells us about some of those spiritual gifts. The first verse in that chapter tells us how to use those gifts and abilities. Romans 12: I says, therefore, I urge you, brothers (sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual art of worship. Did you hear what we are to do with our gifts? We are to offer them to God! We are to use our gifts in ways that please God. We are to generously and frequently offer or give away our gifts to others! I just watched each of you intently give away your hearts. This room was full of activity! You didn't sit around and wait for someone to give you a heart... you kept your mind focused and your body busy giving to others! That's exactly what Romans 12 tells us to do with our spiritual gifts! Romans 12:7-8 tells about different spiritual gifts and what we should do with them. It says if you have the gift of serving, then go serve! lf you have the gift of reaching, then go reach! If you have the gift of encouraging, then go our there and encourage others! If you have the gift of giving, go give generously! If you have the gift of leadership, go and lead wisely! If you have the gift of mercy, go and do it cheerfully! What are you doing with the spiritual gifts and abilities that God has given you? Are you sitting back and letting others serve you? Or are you obeying God's Word and using those gifts to show love for God and love for others? Get to it! The Bible tells us to go!! Let’s pray…

What Choice Will You Make?

Verse: Joshua 24: 15. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then chose for yourselves this day who you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we wills serve the Lord.

Object Lesson: You will need a beanbag (the tossing sort) and a large piece of poster board for every six to eight GEMS or Cadets. Draw a large circle on the poster board and divide it into five "pie" shapes. Write the following on each piece of "pie":

1. God's Time 2. God's Goods 3. God's World 4. God's Temple 5. God's Gifts

Message: To begin...

1. Divide the GEMS or Cadets into teams of six to eight. 2. Give each team a beanbag and have them stand within "tossing" distance

of the poster board. 3. Instruct them to take turns throwing their beanbag on the poster board. 4. Once the beanbag lands on a piece of pie, the "thrower" must tell the

group what choice they will make in that area of stewardship in their life. Example: Player #I tosses their beanbag and it lands on God's World. They will tell the group that they are going to choose to cheerfully sort the recycling, rather than complaining when they asked to do that chore. Player #2 then tosses the beanbag.

When each player has had at least a couple of opportunities to toss the beanbag and tell about the choices they are going to make… say…

Throughout our GEMS or Cadet year we've spent a lot of time talking and praying about our theme, It's God's! Handle With Care. We know that everything belongs to God - it's all His! Psalm 24: I says, the earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world, all who live in it. We also know that God gave us the job of caring for

all His things. Psalm 8:6 says, You made him (her) ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his (her) feet.

We know the facts. We know that God owns it all. We know that God has given us the job to be caretakers or stewards of all His stuff. The question of the day, the question for your lifetime is, will you choose to be God's steward?

What choice will you make in how you live your life?

When Joshua was speaking to the Israelites in the Promised Land he told them about a choice they had to make. They had to choose if they were going to serve the false gods that demanded their time and resources, or if they would serve the living God. Joshua put it on the line: Choose today whom you will serve... the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living... or the Lord God, as for me and my family we will serve the Lord!

Today, I'm going to put it on the line for you and for me. Choose today, GEMS / Cadets, Leaders / Counsellors, whom you will serve. Will you serve yourself - being selfish with your rime, hoarding your possessions, mistreating God's world, abusing God's temple, and refusing to use your gifts? OR will you serve God - cheerfully and generously using His time, His money, His world, His temple, and His gifts to show love for God and love for other people?

As for me, I want to be the best steward I can be for the rest of my life. How about you? If you want to be the best steward you can be, will you please bow on your knees and we'll pray together...

Dear Father,

Thank You for each GEM / Cadet, each Leader / Counsellor that is in this room today (tonight). Thank You for giving them the desire to be the best steward that they can be of Your time, Your money and possessions, Your world, Your temple, our minds and bodies, and Your spiritual gifts. We know that You have given us the desire to be Your stewards. We also know that without God, the Holy Spirit's help our desire to be good stewards will fail. Please cause Your Spirit to do great things through us for Your Kingdom. Help each one of us to always show love for You and love for others through the way that we care for Your belongings. Bless each person here today and always.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.