The Badlands: The Swamp

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FAMILY ADVENTURE GUIDE TRADING GROSS ACTIONS FOR GODLY CHARACTER


AS YOU NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS ADVENTURE GUIDE, BE SURE TO LOOK FOR WAYS YOU CAN DISCOVER HOW TO:

BE A P.I.L.O.T. P I

PREPARED I WILL ALWAYS BE READY TO SERVE GOD

INVOLVED I WILL GIVE GOD MY BEST

L

LOVING

O

OPEN TO GOD

T

TEAM PLAYER

I WILL PUT GOD AND OTHERS FIRST

GOD’S WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN MY WAYS

GOD WORKS THROUGH US


SKYLAND

FROZONE

YOU ARE HERE

THE BADLANDS

THE RAINFOREST

THE PLATEAUS METRO

OCEANA

THE UNDERGROUNDS



MEET RANDALL RACCOON Randall Raccoon is known in the Go Kids Universe as somewhat of a troublemaker. Although he is still looking to find Jesus, Randall does have a soft spot hidden inside. Known for his curiosity and shifty personality, you’ll find Randall most days scurrying around The Badlands in a devious search for adventure. Join Randall on his wild explorations through The Swamp as he learns how to trade out gross actions for godly character.


TRADING GROSS ACTIONS FOR GODLY CHARACTER Have you ever made a trade with someone? You swapped them one thing for another, and hopefully you made a good or favorable swap! As we journey through “THE SWAMP,” we are learning about why it is so important to swap or trade the negative things out of our lives and replace them for things that are good and godly. If you’ve tried this before, you know it’s easier said than done! By getting rid of the negative things in our lives like pride, fear, and disrespect, we are able to fill our mind and heart with good things like humility, courage, and respect. But how do we do that? And what do we do if it’s too hard? Together, we’ll discover what it means to live like Jesus and keep our heart focused on what is right. Be warned, the swamp is filled with choices and consequences each and every step of the way!


GO VERSE THIS SCRIPTURE IS OUR THEME VERSE AS WE VENTURE THROUGH THE SWAMP! “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2, NLT


WEEK ONE:

THE DOUBTING DISCIPLE GO ANSWER

Swap doubt for faith

In John 20:1-31, we read about the incredible events surrounding Jesus’ resurrection. They were so incredible that one of His disciples, Thomas, had a hard time believing it. Read the passage together as a family and try to put yourself in Thomas’ shoes. How would you have reacted to Jesus’ sudden appearance?

Family Discussion Questions •

What does it mean to doubt?

What does it mean to have faith?

Which is easier to do – doubt or have faith? Why?

Why do you think Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection?

Do you think you would have believed Jesus’ resurrection if you were one of the disciples? How would you have reacted?

Why is it important to have faith in God no matter what?

THINK ABOUT IT:

faith in God? How can I grow in my

FUN FACT

Fog in The Badlands is kno wn for its thick, mysterious nature as it creeps and winds its way through The Swamp.


WORD FIND Can you find these 10 words hidden in the puzzle below? THOMAS

DISCIPLES S Y N L I K O V W S Z N S H T X N T G M

J E R R P T R Q F F K Z T H V B O I A R

JESUS

DOU BT

E B L A V G D Q M H I A O C Q O I D D K

V I V P M W Q X X C E M K J F P T Q X K

FAITH Z I L A I P X M H D A G N A B R C H Y E

T Y Y G U C J Q W S V U J E T Q E A V C

S N U L Z Y S S Y J S N E F G L R J J T

D X D F J V E I L R K Y S I M J R M O W

DEATH

J H M A X C F O D T D U Q L H C U M J N

T I I U U E G V J G O B B X H L S N T J

J V L J J Q G X X O Q E B Z B A E X J I

RE SU RR EC TI

LIFE

K E B Y F U R I C J Q N L G S D R A S C

BELIEVE K Z S N J K J X K F Q I R Y O O O S R L

W H H U P I W P L Q T Q O N Q U B Q R C

T C H K S H I E B N G Y A C S B P C J V

E Q N T V Q Y A C Q N F P F A T Z T M Y

ON

MARY U O Z O K N I Q J J F T K H G F A I T H

S S C R K D Z F R R Q C B W A Y X R F E

N G J F E V E I L E B S R F N Z D P T H

E X K P Z U L J D C Z P I M B L E I D I

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

John 20:27

James 1:6

Matthew 28:17

Mark 11:23

Matthew 14:22-33


WEEK TWO:

THE GOOD SAMARITAN GO ANSWER

Swap hate for love

In Luke 10:25-37, we read about the parable of The Good Samaritan. Jesus told this story to His followers to help them understand what it looks like to love others as He does.

Family Discussion Questions •

How does God show His love for us?

If we say we love God and hate others, what does God say about that?

In the parable of The Good Samaritan, who demonstrated love?

In the parable, who did not demonstrate love?

Who was Jesus saying is our neighbor? How should we treat them?

Is it easy or difficult to show God’s love to others?

THINK ABOUT IT: What areas in my life do I need to work on with loving others?

What are a few ways I can show God’s love to others this week?


AN A-MAZE-ING JOURNEY In the story of The Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us that the Samaritan man traveled with the injured man to get him the help he needed. Can you find your way through this maze?

START END

WHAT’ S A PARABLE?

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus used parables to teach His followers about God in ways that they could understand.

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

Luke 10:25-37

Proverbs 10:12

Matthew 22:37-39

John 13:34-35

Romans 12:10


WEEK THREE:

THE DISRESPECTFUL SON GO ANSWER

Swap disrespect for respect

2 Samuel 10:1-19 is a bizarre but true story about a disrespectful son who disgraced King David’s messengers. It’s a great lesson in how to treat others and what it means to be respectful.

Family Discussion Questions • • • • •

What does it mean to respect someone? Is this always easy to show respect to others? Why or why not? How was King David going to show respect towards Hanun? How did Hanun show disrespect towards King David? How does God want us to treat others?

THINK ABOUT IT: What are some ways I can make others feel extraordinary (extra special)? Who should I respect? How can I work on respecting others this week?


CAN YOU PICTURE IT?

In Box #1, draw what you think David’s messengers looked like with their awesome beards! In Box #2, draw what you think David’s messengers looked like with their beards cut off!

DID YOU KNOW?

Matthew 7:12 is also known as The Golden Rule.

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Matthew 7:12

Titus 2:7

Philippians 2:3

John 13:34-35


WEEK FOUR:

THE TWO DEBTORS GO ANSWER

Swap unforgiveness for forgiveness

One of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, was always asking Jesus questions. Matthew 18:21-35 tells us about an especially great question. Peter asked Jesus: “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Is seven times enough?” Jesus answered with a parable and a great lesson about two guys who owed money and the major part that unforgiveness played in their lives.

Family Discussion Questions • • • • •

How many times did Jesus tell Peter to forgive others? Did Jesus want Peter to keep track and count each time that he forgave someone? What happened to the servant who wouldn’t forgive? What can we learn from the servant who wouldn’t forgive? What is something that would be hard to forgive someone for?

THINK ABOUT IT: How does unforgiveness affect my heart? Is there anyone that I need to forgive? Who and why? What can I do to take steps towards forgiveness with that person?


FILL IN THE BLANKS Can you fill in the missing words from memory?

“Don’t

the behavior and customs of this

world, but let new

transform

into a

by changing the way you

.

Then you will learn to know God’s will for

,

which

.”

good and pleasing and Romans 12:2, NLT

FUN FACT

The three lands of The Badlands are The Swamp, Valley of Shadows, and Wandering Woods.

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

Ephesians 4:32

Matthew 6:14

Colossians 3:13

Luke 6:37

Psalm 86:5


WEEK FIVE:

THE PRIDEFUL RULER GO ANSWER

Swap pride for humility

We read about King Uzziah in 2 Chronicles 26:3-21. He got caught up in pride and it led to a life of leprosy! Read about it in your Bible and then answer the questions below.

Family Discussion Questions • • • • • •

What are a few talents that God has given you? What are a few things that you need help with on a regular basis? What does it mean to be humble? Why do you think it’s important to be humble? How did King Uzziah get caught up in pride? What was the consequence of King Uzziah’s pride?

THINK ABOUT IT: How can I swap out pride for humility in my life? What are a few ways I can show humility this week?


UNSCRAMBLE

Can you unscramble each of the words below?

HUZIZA

AMSWP

HCORNLESIC

ANBADLDS

EDRIP

OPSA

BHULME

LYSEPRO

YTILIMUH

SPWA

STNELAT

TALENTS, SWAMP, BADLANDS, SOAP, LEPROSY, SWAP

ANSWERS: UZZIAH, CHRONICLES, PRIDE, HUMBLE, HUMILITY,

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

2 Chronicles 26:3-21

James 4:6

James 4:10

Philippians 2:3

Proverbs 16:18-19


WEEK SIX:

THE DECEPTIVE BROTHERS GO ANSWER

Swap deceit for truth

To God, there’s no such thing as a “little white lie.” Truth is truth. A lie is a lie. In Genesis 37:23-33, we read about the deception of Joseph’s brothers. They treated their brother horribly and then tried to cover it up by lying to their father. Check it out and then answer the questions below…

Family Discussion Questions •

What was the dream that Joseph had that made his brothers so upset?

What did Joseph’s father give him?

Which brother wanted to save Joseph from harm?

After they threw him into a pit, what did Joseph’s brothers do with him?

Why you think Joseph’s brothers told their father a lie?

What do you think motivates someone to tell a lie?

THINK ABOUT IT: Why should I tell the truth even when it’s hard? How can I work on telling the truth this week?


CAN YOU SPOT THE DIFFERENCES? See if you can discover all 10 differences between the two Randall Raccoons!

RANDALL RACCOON

Do you notice anything different about Randall’s Go Kids patch on his jacket?

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

Psalm 25:5

John 8:32

Genesis 25:19-34

Genesis 27:1-45

Galatians 6:7-8


WEEK SEVEN:

THE COURAGEOUS LEADER GO ANSWER

Swap fear for courage

Moses had led God’s people, the Israelites, for many years. Now, it was time for a new leader and everyone was a little worried. Check out what God told Joshua and what is true for us today in Joshua 1:1-18.

Family Discussion Questions •

What did God promise to Joshua?

Is the promise God made to Joshua a promise for us as well? Why or why not?

Have you felt God’s power and courage in your life before? How? What happened?

THINK ABOUT IT What are some ways I can remind myself that God is in control?

How can I help my friends and others around me swap fear for courage?


STAY CLOSE TO JESUS Pop a bag of popcorn and practice tossing pieces into each other’s mouths. With each successful toss, take a step backwards. See how far away you can get and still land the popcorn in each other’s mouths. Soon you’ll find that the closer you are to each other, the easier it is! In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Roman people. “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,” he says. When we follow after God and allow Him to lead our lives, it means that we may not do things the same as others (“this world”). It means that we shouldn’t watch certain movies or YouTube channels. It means we are careful with what we listen to and read. We need to guard our relationship with God and make sure that it is #1. How do we do that? By staying close to God! It’s important to stay close to God so that we know what is right and how to live. By reading our Bibles, talking to God (prayer), and going to church, we are able to remain close to God and grow in our relationship with Him!

SOAP: S cripture | O bservation | A pplication | P rayer Grab your SOAP journal and follow along with this week’s Bible reading.

MON

TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua 1:10-18

1 Chronicles 28:20

Psalm 27:1

2 Timothy 1:7


SWAP IT OUT! WITHOUT LOOKING BACK, CAN YOU CORRECTLY CONNECT EACH SWAP FROM OUR GO ANSWERS EACH WEEK?

DOUBT

TRUTH

HATE

FORGIVENESS

DISRESPECT

HUMILITY

UNFORGIVENESS

COURAGE

PRIDE

LOVE

DECEIT

FAITH

FEAR

RESPECT


COMING THIS FALL

TALK TO YOUR CAMPUS GO KIDS STAFF FOR DETAILS GOKIDS.RIVERVALLEY.ORG Junior Bible Quiz (JBQ) is an exciting weekly ministry geared towards helping children memorize God’s Word. Not only will children’s IQ for God’s Word increase, but so will their love for it. Additionally, the friendships they make while competing against other teams is priceless.


GOKIDS.RIVERVALLEY.ORG


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