Scripture: Mathew 8:18-27
Concepts:
4. Jesus calls us to follow him
Memory Verse: “You, Lord, are the light
that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no
fears.” Psalms 27:1
Objectives:
1.
The class will
listen to and act out the story of Jesus calling disciples and calming the
storm.
2.
The class will
understand that Jesus calls us to follow him and having faith in Jesus will
help us through difficult times.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1.
Greet the
children and introduce yourself. Wear
your name-tag. Make sure the children are wearing name-tags. If not, ask the
shepherd to supply a temporary badge. Remember you are interacting with a
different group of students each week who may not know you.
2.
Explain the
purpose of this workshop. The story of Jesus calling disciples and calming a
storm at sea is a very exciting story. In this story Jesus recruits some new
disciples and they travel by boat across the
Scripture/Bible Story:
Help all children to find the reading Matthew
Application:
The class will make a
movie of Calming the Storm.
Actors needed: Jesus, several disciples (3 or more), storm makers
(people to shake tarp to make waves, thunder makers, lightning makers), and
narrator (can be workshop leader or shepherd).
Props needed:
Action: The
narrator will guide the action. Let children think of and practice words they
will say. The actions/words children perform are italicized. Be creative; add
more action/words as desired. This is just a guide. Practice a few times then
record your movie.
Calming the Storm performed
by _______________ class
Narrator: Jesus had spent a long day teaching and preaching to
a large crowd. He was very tired. Just as he was leaving two men approached him
who wanted to be disciples and follow him.
Two disciples approach
Jesus and ask to follow and help him. He replies that he would love to have
their help but the work is hard and they won’t see their families much. (Let
children select words, assist as needed.)
Narrator: Jesus selected some new followers to help him spread
the good news of God’s love. He then told his disciples that they were going to
take a boat ride across the
Jesus instructs disciples
on their journey. Everyone gets into the boat.
Narrator: The water was calm and pleasant. The
disciples begin to fish and talk. Everyone is happy. Jesus says he is tired and
falls asleep in the boat.
Disciples fishing, Jesus napping.
Narrator: Suddenly the wind begins to blow, thunder and
lightning strike and the waves become rough.
Storm makers shake the
edges of tarp to make waves, thunder makers bang pots or cymbals, lightning
makers flash lights or run around with cardboard lightening bolts.
Narrator: The disciples are afraid and call out to Jesus.
The disciples
are afraid, cowering and clinging to one another. They cry out in fear and beg
Jesus to help them.
Narrator: Jesus wakes up refreshed. He is not worried about the
storm. He asks the disciples why they are afraid.
Jesus talks to disciples
and calms them, tells them to have faith and believe in God.
Narrator: Then Jesus does a most amazing thing! He tells the
storm to calm down and suddenly the wind and waves are smooth and the thunder
and lightening go away. The disciples are amazed!
Disciples act awed and
exclaim that Jesus is a most amazing man.
Narrator: This is when the disciples learn that Jesus is a very
special teacher and that they can have faith in him.
After last
practice prepare camera and tape. It helps to have an assistant who is familiar
with the camera.
Equipment:
camera, extension cord, tripod, blank VHS tape, TV/VCR
Camera & tripod is stored
in the DCE’s office. TV/VCR in library.
The video camera uses a VHS tape to record. This makes it easy to use as
there is no messing with wires and TV hookups to view. After you have finished
taping, you remove the tape from the camera and put it in the VCR for viewing
on the TV. No special lighting is required. There is sufficient light for
taping even in Apostles Playhouse.
1.
Before the workshop:
Set up the camera on the tripod. There is a screw in the tripod that fits into
the base of the camera. Use the extension cord to make sure you have plenty of
room to focus.
2.
Turn the camera
on (“Power” slide button on top of camera). Be sure that the plastic slide
cover on top/rear of camera is closed. Position the camera so that it is in
focus and at the right angle. Mark the spot with masking tape (optional but
helpful). Put the camera on “standby” (toggle black button on side of camera).
Leave the camera set up or just off to the side, ready for use when needed.
3.
When ready to
tape, position the camera. Take the camera off standby (toggle on side of
camera) and hit record button (red button on right side of camera as you look
in the viewfinder). Make sure the record light comes on in the viewfinder.
4.
To stop
recording, hit the thumb button again. Eject the tape from the camera.
5.
To view the tape,
put it in the TV/VCR, rewind and play.
6.
A shepherd can be
the camera person after all is set up. The shepherd can also eject the tape and
get it ready to view in the TV/VCR.
Reflection Time:
At
Have papers printed with Now
Showing: Calming the Storm starring Jesus and the Disciples (resembling a movie
poster).
Tell children to pretend they
are creating a movie poster advertisement for the movie they just created. Ask
them to create a movie poster that will make people want to learn about Jesus
and Calming of the Storm.
If there is not enough time
they may take the “poster” with them to complete later. Display completed art
in the Great Hall.
At
Prayer: (suggestion) Dear God, Thank you for Jesus who
teaches us to have faith in your love and power. You are an awesome God! Amen
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy up. Place
props on stage to be used for the following week.
Teacher preparation in advance:
1.
Read the
scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2.
Prepare
a closing prayer.
3.
Check
out the room before your first Sunday workshop so that you know where
everything is located. The bin with supplies is located on the stage.
4.
Journal
pages will be given to you (copies already prepared) either at the Bible study
or the first Sunday of your rotation.