Introduction

This is a two week series. It was designed to be done outdoors on the Zoo van. The purpose of this set of lessons is to present the children with a challenge. They have listened to ten to twelve lessons over the course of the summer. The gospel message was presented regularly and clearly, we told the children that they could accept Christ at anytime. It was left as an open invitation. In this series we will stress the fact that now is the time. Today is the day of salvation, since the future is uncertain. In these lessons the theme is Emergency 911.

The first week will be centered around fire stations and the second week will focus on the hospital. All of the puppets will be dressed accordingly. Safety will be dealt with in a small portion of the program.

Lesson 2 - Hospital

This lesson is set in the small town of "Fox Hollow", it is the home of all of our puppet friends. This week we focus on the town hospital. This series deals with emergency and it includes a message on the urgency and the importance of making a decision for Christ. This lesson will deal with healing the hurt that we have in our hearts. He can change our life if we ask Him to be a part of it.

Goals

• To teach that we all need Jesus in our lives
• To present the children with an opportunity to ask Jesus into their hearts.
• To teach the children that Jesus loves them.

Opening

In this lesson the opening was used to discuss the children's knowledge of hospitals. It presents them with the opportunity to share their experiences. We also discussed some of the medical equipment used to decorate the stage. We had a stethoscope and a blood pressure machine. You could use whatever is at your disposal.

Rules

Often we need to keep on top of the kids behaviour. We find that the worse thing we can do is be inconsistent, let something slip one week and then nail them for it the next. Each week, we try to address any obvious situations or potential situations that we are fearful might become problems. For example, at one of our locations we have a problem with some children picking hand full's of grass and throwing it at each other. Make it clear at the beginning that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

Prayer

We would encourage you not to rush through this portion of the program. One sentence prayers might keep you on your time schedule but it does not model to the kids that we can actually have an intimate relationship with God. It should not be so long that the kids are falling asleep either. For a change give the opportunity to one of your older more mature kids before the program starts off to lead opening prayer, it shows the younger kids that prayer is not just for adults or leaders but everyone regardless of their age.

Singing

It might be nice to add songs with a seasonal theme. Christmas, Easter and other holiday songs, are easily found. You might try including Christ centered songs that are of your particular regional culture. Living in Nova Scotia we haven't experimented with too many Bag Pipes yet, but hey, if it works. For this program we used three songs: "I Love You Jesus', "Stand Up and Shout", "Jesus Love's Me".

Games

Games are designed around the emergency theme.

Game 1 - Ladder Game

This is a group game which all children present can participate in. Have a child select a partner and sit in lines so that the souls of their feet are touching each other, about 3 feet apart from the next set of partners. Each pair is given a number, starting from 1 . The leader will call out a number of one of the pairs. The object is for the numbered pair to get up and race their counterpart up the middle of the line (ladder). (e.g. If 5 is called, than they both get up and step over 6, 7, 8 till they get to the end). Once they reach the end they must run around to the other side and then up the middle of 1, 2, 3, 4 till they are back to their assigned place. The partner that arrives first, wins a point for their side.

Game 2 - Ladder Relay Race

Select two teams of five. Line them up in a single file behind a pylon. The first contestant is given a spoon with a plastic egg on it. The contestant must run through the rungs of a ladder that is laid on the ground and drop the eggs in a basket at the end of the course. If at any point they lose the egg they must start over. The first team that gets all their eggs into the basket wins.

Memory Verse

This memory verse is an interaction between a puppet and a leader. The puppet used is a furry monster puppet dressed up in a white cap with a red cross on it (Our puppet is named Orangeo). this leader can be any of your volunteers. The memory verse is displayed on a paper ambulance, that is cut up into puzzle pieces. The children must assist in re-assembling the puzzle.

" Now is the time for God's favour, now is the day of salvation."

 

2 Corinthians 6:2

Orangeo: Hi everybody! How are you all? I got the day off from the hospital in Fox Hollow so that I could be with you today.

Leader: What do you do Orangeo?

Orangeo: I have an important job in the hospital, can the kids guess what I do? (Allow for response) I am a paramedic.

Leader: That is an important job! You have to pick up people who have been hurt or who are sick.

Orangeo: It can be hard at times, but I still like my job a lot. It keeps me very busy. However, my partner and I are in need of your help, you see our ambulance has broke down.

Leader: Oh that is too bad, We will help any way that we can.

Orangeo: (Hands over cut up pieces of a paper ambulance) Here it is.

Leader: Oh no, Orangeo this is going be tough but I think that we can help. (Leader picks children at random to help put the puzzle back together).

Oh, look there is a special message on it for us, let us read it together.

Now is the time for God's favour, now is the day of salvation.

 

2 Corinthians 6:2

(Repeat it and then have the children say it with you until they can repeat it without the words).

Orangeo: Wow, I didn't know that their was a message on my ambulance. What does it mean.

Leader: God loves everyone of us, the kids have heard this before at the Zoo, but this verse says "now it is the time of God's favour", favour means kindness. Right here and now God loves you. The second part says "now is the day of salvation". God sent Jesus to this world to save us from our sin. God wants us to know Him. He wants us to have salvation, to be saved today. You can make that decision right now. If you want Jesus to be a part of your life, than you can pray with me right now.

Dear Jesus:
"Thank you for loving me. I believe that you came to earth and died for me, and I'm sorry for the wrong things that I have done. Please forgive me.
Now I belong to you and I know that you will help me to live for you".
Amen.

If any of you have any questions about what we just prayed or you want to tell us that you have decided to live for Jesus, then let's talk after the Zoo is over.

Story

The story is an interaction between three puppets. One is a child who is a patient in the hospital. He is wearing pj's and a hospital bracelet. The second puppet is a doctor wearing a lab coat, stethoscope and a name tag. The third character is a grandmother. She is wearing a floral dress.

Leader: Welcome to Fox Hollow Community Hospital. Today's story takes place in the room of a very sick patient. It is a sad story but it is important. Let's join them in the room...

Doctor: Well Joshua it doesn't look good. We took a special x-ray of your heart and it confirms what we thought. I think we should call your Grammie into the room. I'll go get her.

(Josh's Grammie and the doctor enter the room. Josh looks depressed.)

Doctor: It looks like we are going to have to perform an operation. We need to fix what is broken in your heart.

Grammie: It will be ok Josh.

Josh: But I don't want to have surgery. I'm sure I'll feel better in a day or two. I always do. I have soccer practise next Tuesday and my team needs me. Can't we wait until then?

Doctor: No, Joshua we can't wait. We need to take care of this as soon as possible. It is a matter of life and death.

Grammie: You have to listen to the doctor. She knows what is best for you. She only wants to help. I know that you are afraid because it is a big decision but it is extremely important.

Joshua: (crying now)... but I don't want an operation......

Doctor: I promise you it will be the best thing that ever happened to you. You will have such a great life afterwards. You will be like a new person. Don't be afraid I'll be right here with you.

Joshua: But doctor....

Doctor: It'll be ok.

(They all exit)

Leader's Conclusion: That was a really sad story. The boy had something wrong with his heart. It isn't a sickness. We are missing Jesus in our lives. He can make us whole and he can take away our hurts. He will always be with us.

Dismissal

Quiet seat prizes and closing prayer.

Copyright 1997, Bread of Life Ministries