Newsletter 7
Newsletter 7.
Contents.
Puppet play - "What is Easter all about?"
O.L. 18. What happened at the cross (A chemical experiment).
O.L. 19. The meaning of the cross (Experiment with a candle, glass and water).
Dear Children's Minister,
Welcome to my first newsletter for 2003. Things are now getting back to "normal" following the pre-Christmas period when, in a six-week period, I presented about a hundred children's programmes at Churches and schools throughout the Greater Auckland (New Zealand) area! Most of my presentations were very well received. However, I did manage to evacuate one school when my "flaming Bible" set off a smoke alarm!
In my last mailout, I included the puppet play "What is Christmas all about?" I also posted this play on two web sites :- www.puppetresources.com and www.carey.ac.nz/drama . The response to this was very encouraging, with many people emailing me to say that they were intending to use the play at their particular group. Therefore, I am including a similar play "What is Easter all about?" in this newsletter. I know that Easter is still some time away, but some lessons require a little planning beforehand. My two object lessons this time are therefore also on the meaning of Easter. I am sure many of you will be familiar with one or both of them, but they are still very effective illustrations on the meaning of the cross, which is, of course, at the heart of the gospel.
Yours in Christ,
Maurice Sweetsur.
Puppet play - "What is Easter all about?"
You will need three “people” puppets, one “animal” puppet ( I use a sheep), a piece of plain paper, and a pair of scissors.
SCRIPT.
HOST. Today, we are going to ask the question “ What is Easter all about? “, but firstly let me introduce you to my panel of guests. Representing the younger generation is Miss Know it all.
MISS KNOW IT ALL.. Thank you for inviting me back on your show. Just ask me the question, and I will give you the answer, because I know everything.
HOST. Secondly, representing the older generation, is Mr Don’t know a lot.
MR. DON’T KNOW A LOT. Although my name is Mr. Don’t Know a lot, I know heaps and heaps of things, so all you need to do is ask me the question.
HOST. Finally, representing the animal kingdom, is Shaun the sheep. Say “hello” Shaun.
SHAUN. Baa. Baa.
HOST. Thank you Shaun. If we have time, I will ask Shaun his opinion, but I don’t really think he will be much help at all. Today’s question is “What is Easter all about?” and I happen to know the answer myself. Easter is all about HOLIDAYS. Everybody I know go on holiday at Easter, so that is the answer – holidays. However, just in case there are any other opinions, I will ask my guests the question. Miss Know it all, do you know what Easter is all about?
MISS KNOW IT ALL. I certainly do. Easter is not about holidays. Easter is all about BUNNIES. Everyone knows that Easter is the time that all the bunny rabbits come out.
HOST. Thank you Miss Know it all. That was certainly a very “interesting” answer. Now, Mr. Don’t know a lot, do you know what Easter is all about?
MR. DON’T KNOW A LOT. It’s certainly not about Holidays or Bunnies! No, Easter is all about EGGS. There are ordinary chicken’s eggs, but the ones I like best are those Cadbury Cream eggs. They are so delicious. I have heaps and heaps of them at Easter time. So that is your answer – Eggs.
HOST. Thank you Mr. Don’t Know a lot. You certainly lived up to your name! Now Shaun, have you any idea at all what Easter is all about?
SHAUN. Baa. Baa. Baa.
HOST. Come on Shaun. Don’t be shy. Give us your answer.
SHAUN .Baa. Baa. I need a volunteer to help me.
SELF. (Holding up your hand). I will be your volunteer Shaun. What would you like me to do?
SHAUN. Take that piece of paper and fold over the top right corner.
SELF. (Folding the top right corner so that it meets the left edge). I have done that Shaun, what next?
SHAUN. Take the top left corner and fold it over.
SELF. (Folding as before so that the top left corner meets the right edge to produce a “house” shape). Oh I see it now Shaun, Easter is about spending time at home with your families!
SHAUN. Now fold the paper down the middle.
SELF. (Folding as directed, to produce an “aeroplane” shape). Oh yes, now I understand. Mr. Host was right all the time. Easter is all about going off on holiday on an aeroplane!
SHAUN. Now cut a strip off the paper, next to the longest edge.
SELF. On no, Shaun, that would spoil my aeroplane.
SHAUN. Just do as you’re told Mr. (name), and cut a strip off the paper.
SELF. Don’t you talk to me like that you silly sheep. I will put you back in your sheep pen, if you are not careful.
SHAUN. Just cut a strip off the paper.
SELF. Oh alright – though I am sure this is going to spoil my aeroplane. (Cut about a 1 cm. strip parallel to the longest edge). I have done that Shaun, what next?
SHAUN. Open the paper up.
SELF. (Opening up the paper to reveal a cross). I think Shaun has given us the right answer. Easter is all about a cross. But not a paper cross. It’s about a wooden cross on which Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died to take away our sins.
18. What happened at the cross? - Jesus takes away our sins.
For this object lesson you will need two chemicals - Potassium Permanganate and Sodium Metabisulphite. ( These are both solids and can be obtained from Chemical suppliers ), a large glass jar, four smaller glasses, and two sticks tied together to form a cross. One of the sticks needs to be hollow at one end ( A bamboo cane is ideal ). The hollow end will form the bottom of your cross.
Preparation. Wrap 2 or 3 grams of Sodium Metabisulphite in a paper tissue and secure it with a small rubber band. Insert the package into the bottom of your cross. Push it down so that it is out of sight.
Dissolve a few grains of Potassium Permanganate in about 250 mls. water (or, alternatively Iodine solution can be used instead). This will produce a maroon coloured liquid to represent "sin."
Half fill your large jar with water. Fill one glass with your Potassium Permanganate solution. Half fill the other three glasses with water, and mark them "Good works", "Church" and "Money" - or, any suitable alternatives which some people think will solve our "sin" problem.
Presentation. This can vary depending on your preferences and the children you are ministering to, but I usually proceed ( often after presenting the "What is Easter all about?" puppet play) along the following lines :-
Hold up the large jar. In the beginning God created a perfect world, and the best thing He made was people. He made them rather like this glass of water - clean on the outside (representing our bodies), and clean on the inside (representing our hearts or spirits).
However, the first people disobeyed God, and this act brought sin into the world and spoiled it all. Pour in about half of the "sin" solution. The jar contents should now be a fairly deep maroon colour. So this now is the problem we are all born with - sin or selfishness on the inside (you could give a few examples here).
Down through the years, some people have realised they have a selfishness problem, and have tried many ways to overcome it. Some have thought the answer may be Good Works. Pour in the "Good works" jar. God does want us to be good to each other but, as you see, that doesn't solve our "sin" problem. Some have thought the answer was going to church. Pour in the "Church" jar. It is an excellent idea to go to church, and by doing so you will probably find the answer to your problem. But, as you see, going to Church in itself is not the answer. Some have thought "If I gave half my money away to the poor, surely God will be really pleased with me and take away my sin." Pour in the "Money" jar. God does want us to be generous, especially to those who don't have as much as we do but, as you see, that still doesn't change us on the inside.
Actually, no matter what we try, it is impossible to change ourselves. But the good news of Easter is that what we can't do for ourselves, God has already done for us. It was on the cross that Jesus died in our place to take away our sins. Pick up your cross and place it in the jar. If you have got your concentrations right, the maroon solution will become clear within a few seconds. If not, gentle stirring with the cross should produce the desired effect.
Conclude the illustration as you think appropriate, but I usually proceed as follows :- Some of you may be thinking "I once did put my trust in Jesus and what He did on the cross, but then I did something bad (e.g. shouted at my dad, was cheeky to my mum, had a fight with my brother etc. ). Does that mean that I have become dirty on the inside again? Lets see shall we. Remove the cross from your jar, then pick up the remaining Potassium Permanganate solution and pour a little at a time into it - repeating the "sins" just mentioned (e.g. being cheeky to your mum). The maroon colour should vanish on making contact with the solution in the jar. Now please don't misunderstand me. If you do do something wrong, you need to ask God to forgive you. But, as you can see, once you have put your trust in Jesus and He has taken away your sin, you stay clean on the inside. nd that is the Good News we remember at Easter.
19. The meaning of the cross.
For this close-up illustration you will need a little coloured water, a saucer, a short candle, a glass, a coin and matches.
Presentation. Tell the children that you are going to explain to them what happened at the cross of Jesus.
State - that the coin represents you or me - place it in the saucer, towards the edge.
- that the coloured water represents our sins - pour it into the saucer until the coin is submerged.
- that the candle represents Jesus - stand it at the centre of the saucer, and light it.
- that the flame represents the life of Christ.
Tell the children to watch carefully, as you take the glass and place it over the lighted candle. Within a few seconds, the flame will consume all the oxygen in the glass and be extinguished. However, it will have created a vacuum which, in turn, will draw the water up inside the glass (thus surrounding the candle) and leave the coin dry.
Recap that on the cross, Jesus gave up His life (the flame went out) so that he could take our sins on Himself, and we could go free.
Contents.
Puppet play - "What is Easter all about?"
O.L. 18. What happened at the cross (A chemical experiment).
O.L. 19. The meaning of the cross (Experiment with a candle, glass and water).
Dear Children's Minister,
Welcome to my first newsletter for 2003. Things are now getting back to "normal" following the pre-Christmas period when, in a six-week period, I presented about a hundred children's programmes at Churches and schools throughout the Greater Auckland (New Zealand) area! Most of my presentations were very well received. However, I did manage to evacuate one school when my "flaming Bible" set off a smoke alarm!
In my last mailout, I included the puppet play "What is Christmas all about?" I also posted this play on two web sites :- www.puppetresources.com and www.carey.ac.nz/drama . The response to this was very encouraging, with many people emailing me to say that they were intending to use the play at their particular group. Therefore, I am including a similar play "What is Easter all about?" in this newsletter. I know that Easter is still some time away, but some lessons require a little planning beforehand. My two object lessons this time are therefore also on the meaning of Easter. I am sure many of you will be familiar with one or both of them, but they are still very effective illustrations on the meaning of the cross, which is, of course, at the heart of the gospel.
Yours in Christ,
Maurice Sweetsur.
Puppet play - "What is Easter all about?"
You will need three “people” puppets, one “animal” puppet ( I use a sheep), a piece of plain paper, and a pair of scissors.
SCRIPT.
HOST. Today, we are going to ask the question “ What is Easter all about? “, but firstly let me introduce you to my panel of guests. Representing the younger generation is Miss Know it all.
MISS KNOW IT ALL.. Thank you for inviting me back on your show. Just ask me the question, and I will give you the answer, because I know everything.
HOST. Secondly, representing the older generation, is Mr Don’t know a lot.
MR. DON’T KNOW A LOT. Although my name is Mr. Don’t Know a lot, I know heaps and heaps of things, so all you need to do is ask me the question.
HOST. Finally, representing the animal kingdom, is Shaun the sheep. Say “hello” Shaun.
SHAUN. Baa. Baa.
HOST. Thank you Shaun. If we have time, I will ask Shaun his opinion, but I don’t really think he will be much help at all. Today’s question is “What is Easter all about?” and I happen to know the answer myself. Easter is all about HOLIDAYS. Everybody I know go on holiday at Easter, so that is the answer – holidays. However, just in case there are any other opinions, I will ask my guests the question. Miss Know it all, do you know what Easter is all about?
MISS KNOW IT ALL. I certainly do. Easter is not about holidays. Easter is all about BUNNIES. Everyone knows that Easter is the time that all the bunny rabbits come out.
HOST. Thank you Miss Know it all. That was certainly a very “interesting” answer. Now, Mr. Don’t know a lot, do you know what Easter is all about?
MR. DON’T KNOW A LOT. It’s certainly not about Holidays or Bunnies! No, Easter is all about EGGS. There are ordinary chicken’s eggs, but the ones I like best are those Cadbury Cream eggs. They are so delicious. I have heaps and heaps of them at Easter time. So that is your answer – Eggs.
HOST. Thank you Mr. Don’t Know a lot. You certainly lived up to your name! Now Shaun, have you any idea at all what Easter is all about?
SHAUN. Baa. Baa. Baa.
HOST. Come on Shaun. Don’t be shy. Give us your answer.
SHAUN .Baa. Baa. I need a volunteer to help me.
SELF. (Holding up your hand). I will be your volunteer Shaun. What would you like me to do?
SHAUN. Take that piece of paper and fold over the top right corner.
SELF. (Folding the top right corner so that it meets the left edge). I have done that Shaun, what next?
SHAUN. Take the top left corner and fold it over.
SELF. (Folding as before so that the top left corner meets the right edge to produce a “house” shape). Oh I see it now Shaun, Easter is about spending time at home with your families!
SHAUN. Now fold the paper down the middle.
SELF. (Folding as directed, to produce an “aeroplane” shape). Oh yes, now I understand. Mr. Host was right all the time. Easter is all about going off on holiday on an aeroplane!
SHAUN. Now cut a strip off the paper, next to the longest edge.
SELF. On no, Shaun, that would spoil my aeroplane.
SHAUN. Just do as you’re told Mr. (name), and cut a strip off the paper.
SELF. Don’t you talk to me like that you silly sheep. I will put you back in your sheep pen, if you are not careful.
SHAUN. Just cut a strip off the paper.
SELF. Oh alright – though I am sure this is going to spoil my aeroplane. (Cut about a 1 cm. strip parallel to the longest edge). I have done that Shaun, what next?
SHAUN. Open the paper up.
SELF. (Opening up the paper to reveal a cross). I think Shaun has given us the right answer. Easter is all about a cross. But not a paper cross. It’s about a wooden cross on which Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died to take away our sins.
18. What happened at the cross? - Jesus takes away our sins.
For this object lesson you will need two chemicals - Potassium Permanganate and Sodium Metabisulphite. ( These are both solids and can be obtained from Chemical suppliers ), a large glass jar, four smaller glasses, and two sticks tied together to form a cross. One of the sticks needs to be hollow at one end ( A bamboo cane is ideal ). The hollow end will form the bottom of your cross.
Preparation. Wrap 2 or 3 grams of Sodium Metabisulphite in a paper tissue and secure it with a small rubber band. Insert the package into the bottom of your cross. Push it down so that it is out of sight.
Dissolve a few grains of Potassium Permanganate in about 250 mls. water (or, alternatively Iodine solution can be used instead). This will produce a maroon coloured liquid to represent "sin."
Half fill your large jar with water. Fill one glass with your Potassium Permanganate solution. Half fill the other three glasses with water, and mark them "Good works", "Church" and "Money" - or, any suitable alternatives which some people think will solve our "sin" problem.
Presentation. This can vary depending on your preferences and the children you are ministering to, but I usually proceed ( often after presenting the "What is Easter all about?" puppet play) along the following lines :-
Hold up the large jar. In the beginning God created a perfect world, and the best thing He made was people. He made them rather like this glass of water - clean on the outside (representing our bodies), and clean on the inside (representing our hearts or spirits).
However, the first people disobeyed God, and this act brought sin into the world and spoiled it all. Pour in about half of the "sin" solution. The jar contents should now be a fairly deep maroon colour. So this now is the problem we are all born with - sin or selfishness on the inside (you could give a few examples here).
Down through the years, some people have realised they have a selfishness problem, and have tried many ways to overcome it. Some have thought the answer may be Good Works. Pour in the "Good works" jar. God does want us to be good to each other but, as you see, that doesn't solve our "sin" problem. Some have thought the answer was going to church. Pour in the "Church" jar. It is an excellent idea to go to church, and by doing so you will probably find the answer to your problem. But, as you see, going to Church in itself is not the answer. Some have thought "If I gave half my money away to the poor, surely God will be really pleased with me and take away my sin." Pour in the "Money" jar. God does want us to be generous, especially to those who don't have as much as we do but, as you see, that still doesn't change us on the inside.
Actually, no matter what we try, it is impossible to change ourselves. But the good news of Easter is that what we can't do for ourselves, God has already done for us. It was on the cross that Jesus died in our place to take away our sins. Pick up your cross and place it in the jar. If you have got your concentrations right, the maroon solution will become clear within a few seconds. If not, gentle stirring with the cross should produce the desired effect.
Conclude the illustration as you think appropriate, but I usually proceed as follows :- Some of you may be thinking "I once did put my trust in Jesus and what He did on the cross, but then I did something bad (e.g. shouted at my dad, was cheeky to my mum, had a fight with my brother etc. ). Does that mean that I have become dirty on the inside again? Lets see shall we. Remove the cross from your jar, then pick up the remaining Potassium Permanganate solution and pour a little at a time into it - repeating the "sins" just mentioned (e.g. being cheeky to your mum). The maroon colour should vanish on making contact with the solution in the jar. Now please don't misunderstand me. If you do do something wrong, you need to ask God to forgive you. But, as you can see, once you have put your trust in Jesus and He has taken away your sin, you stay clean on the inside. nd that is the Good News we remember at Easter.
19. The meaning of the cross.
For this close-up illustration you will need a little coloured water, a saucer, a short candle, a glass, a coin and matches.
Presentation. Tell the children that you are going to explain to them what happened at the cross of Jesus.
State - that the coin represents you or me - place it in the saucer, towards the edge.
- that the coloured water represents our sins - pour it into the saucer until the coin is submerged.
- that the candle represents Jesus - stand it at the centre of the saucer, and light it.
- that the flame represents the life of Christ.
Tell the children to watch carefully, as you take the glass and place it over the lighted candle. Within a few seconds, the flame will consume all the oxygen in the glass and be extinguished. However, it will have created a vacuum which, in turn, will draw the water up inside the glass (thus surrounding the candle) and leave the coin dry.
Recap that on the cross, Jesus gave up His life (the flame went out) so that he could take our sins on Himself, and we could go free.
posted by Maurice Sweetsur @ 1:57 PM
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