Introduction

This three lesson series was written to introduce the children to Jesus. It is very basic and was designed with the question "Do you know Jesus? " in mind. The lessons include simple facts about Jesus so that a child will have enough information to make a personal decision. The Easter story was incorporated into these lessons.

In order to teach the lessons and make them interesting a theme was selected. This time it is "Celebrity Days". Celebrities and movie stars to tell stories and help teach.

Props

This curriculum was written to be used in the Zoo Bus in confined space. For this reason a large number of props were not required. Some ideas: a director's chair, megaphone, signs, movie camera, film and old movie posters. The possibilities are endless, use your imagination.

Lesson One - Jesus Cares

Jesus cares for all of us. No matter what our pasts may be like, Jesus can forgive us and he loves us in spite of this. Each one who believes is a child of God.

Goals

• To communicate to the children that Jesus loves them. Each one is important.
• To help them to love each other because God loves them.

Opening

In the Zoo Bus program we have found it helpful to play a video while the children are entering. This serves as a distraction for the children who have to wait for all of the others to arrive. It helps to keep things organized until the program begins. It helps to avoid any chaos that might occur if the children are bored and waiting.

Prayer

Recently at "The Zoo", we have been trying to spend more time alone with God. This fellowship with God is essential to the ministry. We want this ministry to be His and under His control, not ours. We can't do it on our own.

Music

This is a fun time in the program. We have found it very difficult to find good songs to introduce to the kids. We don't want anything too juvenile or soft sounding. The solution to this problem has come through musically inclined people. These people have taken simple children's songs and spiced them up on a keyboard. They then have some rhythm and are more exciting. This can be done with almost any song if you have that ability.

Games

Game #1 - Word Lightning

Select two players. One boy, one girl. One letter in the alphabet is chosen. The first contestant must write as many words as they can that begin with the selected letter. They must do this in one minute. The second contestant does the same thing with a different letter.

Game #2 - Charades

Select two players. One girl, one boy. Approximately twenty simple words are written on separate pieces of paper. The first contestant is shown a word and must act it out so that his /her team can guess what it is. The contestant must act out as many words as he/she can in one minute. The second contestant must look at different words and act out as many as possible in one minute.

Memory Verse

Galatians 3:26

This memory verse is an interaction between the children and some celebrities. Einstein the Elephant puppet is dressed up to be a movie director and he is working with a famous actress "Porklena Hogg". She is very snobby and is dressed in a very flashy costume. She is a small pink pig puppet.

Leader: Since it is "Celebrity Days", we have brought some famous movie stars. Let's welcome them.

Einstein the Director: Good evening Everyone! I would like to introduce you to a world famous actress that I have been working with. She has been in many movies and I am working with her now on a new one. Let me get her. (He calls her)

Porklena: (enters - she has a very high pitched voice and is quite snobby) Hello there!

Einstein the Director: I'm glad you came to join us.

Porklena: I don't have a lot of time. I have to learn my lines.

Einstein: Do you know any yet?

Porklena: Yes I do. I know most of them.

Einstein: Ok (leader) do you have the important line that is in our new movie?

Leader: Yes I have it. (holds up the memory verse so the kids can see it)

Einstein: Ok Porklena, we will tell you where the verse is found. Will you try to tell it to us?

Porklena: That should be no problem at all. I know my lines really well.

Einstein: Ok, the verse is found in Galatians. It is Galatians 3:26. Do you know it?

Porklena: .........(hesitation) ........ I don't think I do.

Leader: I'll have the kids here read it for you so you can remember it. "You are all children of God through faith in Jesus".

Porklena: Oh yes .... let me see .... You are all children of Smog through faith in Jeeps. Galatians 3:26.

Einstein: It's Ok, Porklena my dear. That was close but not quite. We will have the kids read it again.

Leader: Ok, let's help Porklena out. Let's read it again. "You are all children of God through faith in Jesus" Galatians 3:26.

Porklena: Ok, I've got it now. "You are all children of God through faith in Cheese-Wiz". Galatians 3:26.

Einstein: I think that is not quite right.

Leader: One more time. Let's read it one more time. "You are all children of God through faith in Jesus" Galatians 3:26.

Porklena: Yes, I do have it now. "You are all children of God through faith in Jesus". Galatians 3:26.

Leader: That's it! Now does anyone know what it means. (Give the children a chance to participate). It means that everyone of us here, all of us belong to God, we are His children, if we believe in Jesus.

Porklena: See I told you I knew it. Not bad. I am a great actress.

Einstein: You did great Porklena. Now let's get to work on that movie! See you later.

Porklena: Bye now.

Story

This section is usually time for a story. In "The Zoo" bus, we have a TV/VCR system so we chose to use a video. A cartoon story. The children seemed to enjoy the change.

It was a video of the story of Zaccheus. It can be adjusted so that it fits any time slot. If you have half an hour you could show the entire video. It's by "Nest Entertainment".

Critics Corner

This section of the story will be discussed by two puppets. The puppets are movie critics and they discuss the meaning of the movie for us.

You can use any puppets to do this. We chose to use two hairy monster puppets.

Sedrick: Good evening Herbert.

Herbert: Good evening Sedrick.

Sedrick: Welcome to Critic's Corner, the show where we watch movies and then decide whether we liked them or not.

Herbert: That's right Sedrick. We just finished watching a short cartoon about a guy named Zaccheus.

Sedrick: Well, I liked it. The guy had a weird name but I liked him.

Herbert: Personally, I liked the props. That tree that Zaccheus climbed was lovely.

Sedrick: I thought the costuming was brilliant. Zaccheus had on such a great suit.

Herbert: The art work in the whole film was very good.

Sedrick: Wait a minute though, I thought the musical part was excellent. What a good voice the man had.

Herbert: You know my favourite thing about this movie was that Jesus was so kind. Jesus even cared about Zaccheus and Zaccheus wasn't a nice man. Zaccheus decided to live for Jesus and to stop being so mean. You know Jesus loves us all and we can live for him.

Copyright 1996, Bread of Life Ministries