A powerful object lesson about God calling people and the fact that nothing can separate us for His amazing love

We love this simple, but powerful object lesson. At first glance it would seem impossible that the egg always falls into the water but once you have watched the video, suddenly the impossible becomes a reality. Now you can use it to teach kids and adults on God calling people and that nothing can separate us from His love.

Themes

Watching this object lesson reminded us of God's call on people's lives. In the Bible we see time and time again that when God calls someone that person ends up in the right place. But also about the beautiful Biblical truth that nothing can separate us from God's love.

You can use this object lesson to teach on:

God's calling on people's lives:

- David, who was called as a little shepherd boy to become king
- Jona, who went the wrong way, but ended up in the right place
- Abram, who was called to go to a new and unknown country
- Moses, who obeyed his calling and brought the Israelites to the promised land
- Esther, who was called to save her people in a time of great distress
- Ruth, who follewed an inner call and became part of Jesus genealogy
- Saul who was called to become the first king of Israel
- Jeremiah, who was called to be a prophet at a young age
- Saul, who was called to become the apostle Paul
- The disciples, who were called to become followers of Jesus

All these people ( and lots more) followed God's call on their lives and ended up in the right place, just like the egg always falls into the water. Amazing, isn't it?

Nothing can seperate us from God's love

Another theme that came to mind was Paul's writing in Romans 8: 31 - 39 that nothing can separate us from God’s love. How better to illustrate this beautiful Biblical truth than with an egg falling into the water!

A powerful object lesson about the importance of being part of the church

We love this simple, but powerful object lesson. At first glance it would seem impossible that the balloon doesn’t pop! But it doesn’t… 

Watching this object lesson reminded us what it means to be part of a church, the importance of unity and being part of the body of Christ. 

You can use this object lesson to teach on:

- the importance of being part of the church
- "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2
- being a menmber of the body of Christ
- the power and importance of unity

We also had to think about:

- Aaron and Hur supporting Moses' arms while the Israelites were fighting the Amelekites. (Exodus 17)
- All the animals in the ark of Noah during the flood. Together they were safe!

You can use this object lesson to teach on a range of Biblical subjects

We love this simple, but powerful object lesson. At first glance it would seem impossible to step through an index card, but once you have watched the video and learned its secret, suddenly the impossible becomes a reality.

Watching this object lesson reminded us of Jesus’ saying in Matthew 19:24 -26: “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." To which the disciples replied: “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”…

You can use this object lesson of stepping through the index card to teach on the paraple of the camel and the needle and the powerful truth that nothing is impossible with God.

As we were thinking about this object lesson a little bit longer more Biblical lessons came to mind, such as:

The real meaning of Christmas:
God steps into our world by becoming a small infant born in a stable. He does the impossible.

As a fun craft idea and object lesson you can give all the children an (old) Christmas card and a pair of scissors. Can they step through the Christmas card in the same way as God stepped into our world two thousand years ago?

The impact of Jesus on the lives of others:
Everytime Jesus steps into the lives of people something amazing happens – think about Zacchaeus, Bartimeus, the widow at Nain, the lives of his disciples, Jairus and many other people. God’s power is demonstrated. His love is shown. His justice is uphold.

Give the children an index card. Let them write the name of the person who met Jesus on the index card, such as Nicodemus, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, etc. Give them a pair of scissors and see if they can step into the lives of these people.

The power of the indwelling Holy Spirit:
Take a photo of every child in your Sunday school class or within your kids ministry group. Get the photos developed. The children can cut the photo as shown in the video. Now they can step through their own photo.

Explain to the kids that as we step through our photo,  the Holy Spirit steps into our lives as we ask Him.

Stepping into the life of someone who is poor:
Find a photo of children living into poverty. Give the children a pair of scissors and see if they can step into the lives of these children.

Once you know how to cut the photo it is easy to do this. But how can we step into the lives of children in poverty for real? What can we do to make a difference? Take time to reflect with the children on this question.

You can create a magical moment by bringing a stick figure to life.

This is ideal for when you do a talk about:

Creation 
Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2: 7)

The raising of Lazarus  
Rrecounted in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-44), a miracle of Jesus in which Jesus brings Lazarus of Bethany back to life four days after his burial.

The raising of the son of the widow of Nain
Recorded in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus arrived at the village of Nain during the burial ceremony of the son of a widow, and raised the young man from the dead. (Luke 7:11–17)

Being alive in Christ 
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ  (Ephesians 2:5)

Watch the two video's below to discover how you use this great object lesson!

Take your audience around the world with this self working National Flag card trick.

This is a brilliant object lesson / gospel illusion. Ideal for school assemblies - with the opportunity to share facts about different countries - teachers love that!

Perfect for services - the chosen flag leads you seamlessly into dozens of different stories from the Bible.

And best of all the deck does all the work for you - leaving you to focus on your presentation and message. 

A great new productt from my friends at Mission Magic. . 

A wooden wonder to wow and win over audiences!

You show the children a long wooden stick, jointed at three points. This seemingly simple prop is used to tell many different stories, as the stick is formed into a wide range of clear, recognisable shapes. The pace picks up, as your switch effortlessly from shape to shape – telling entertaining stories, with memorable Gospel messages!

Children in particular respond well to visual aids, and the Story Stick allows you to bring any story to life – using either the x3 included routines OR making up your own stories and shapes!

A great new product from my friends at Mission Magic. 

Watch the pages of this book color themselves in! 

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below how you can explain the gospel and tell Bible stories while using the Holy Bilbe Coloring Book, that you can buy here. 

Dawn has been visiting school in Plymouth (UK) for more than 25 years. In all those years hundreds of thousands of children have seen her and heard the gospel through her ventriloquism and storytelling.

You can download the script and watch the video below...

Are you looking for a new short Christian ventriloquist act?

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below a Christian ventriloquist act with her famous puppet Aqua. Dawn has been visiting school in Plymouth (UK) for more than 25 years. In all those years hundreds of thousands of children have seen her and heard the gospel through her ventriloquism and storytelling.

This ventriloquist act is about it means to be a Christian. It is a fun act with a good message. 

You can download the script and watch the video below...

Are you looking for a new short Christian ventriloquist act about God's love?

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below a Christian ventriloquist act with her famous puppet Aqua. Dawn has been visiting school in Plymouth (UK) for more than 25 years. In all those years hundreds of thousands of children have seen her and heard the gospel through her ventriloquism and storytelling.

This ventriloquist act is about the talents that God has gives us and His amazing love for us

You can download the script and watch the video below...

Do you want to learn how you can use four pieces of cardboard to tell the story of Jesus healing the paralysed man? Watch the brilliant video in this idea.

You can download the script below...

A wonderful visual (and especially colourful) way to tell children the gospel

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below how you can explain the gospel using a beautiful story, silk scarves and a change bag

Dawn has been visiting school in Plymouth (UK) for more than 25 years. In all those years hundreds of thousands of children have seen her and heard the gospel through her ventriloquism and storytelling.

You can download the script and watch the video below...

Are you looking for a new short Christian ventriloquist act?

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below a Christian ventriloquist act with her famous puppet Horace. Dawn has been visiting school in Plymouth (UK) for more than 25 years. In all those years hundreds of thousands of children have seen her and heard the gospel through her ventriloquism and storytelling.

This ventriloquist act is about us looking at outward appearances, but God looks at our heart. 

You can download the script and watch the video below...

Have you ever told a Bible story with a storyboard?

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below how you can tell the story of the Daniel in the lion's den while using a storyboard. These storyboards are produced by Gary Stirling. They are very cleverly designed, so you can tell one story with just eight pictures. This one also has a clear gospel presentation in it. 

You can buy the script, the pictures and the instructions for 6 pounds at GarysBibleStories.

You can download Dawn's script and watch the video below...

Have you ever told a Bible story with a storyboard?

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below how you can tell the story of the Noah and the ark while using a storyboard. These storyboards are produced by Gary Stirling. They are very cleverly designed, so you can tell one story with just eight pictures. This one also has a clear gospel presentation in it. 

You can buy the script, the pictures and the instructions for 6 pounds at GarysBibleStories.

You can download Dawn's script and watch the video below...

What happens if you take a bottle of wine, a bottle of strawberry sauce and a bottle of marinade sauce?

You suddenly have a powerful object lesson that you can use to teach children, teenagers and adults about the importance of reading, studying and applying God's Word into our lives.

You can watch the video below...

Wonderful Bible stories you can tell with a Magic Drawing Board

Do you know the Magic Drawing Board by Axtell? It is a great tool to tell Bible stories like for example the healing of Bartimaeus. In the video below OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates how you can tell the story of Jesus multiplying the loaves and the fish using the Magic Drawing Board

We hope to have the script of this story in the coming weeks.  

You can download the script and watch the video below...

This is a brilliant illusion that will help you proclaim the gospel everywhere

In my younger days I worked as a street preacher. I wish I had the Dean’s box magic trick when I preached in the open air. It is a superb tool to proclaim the gospel. I bought mine very cheaply through Alibaba Express. The only problem was that it didn’t come with any explanation as to how the trick works. If you choose yours through Alibaba Express you can send me an email and I will send you a video in which I explain how the trick works. It looks great and it is very easy to do!

Ask two people to come forward as volunteers. Give them each a coloured rope to inspect. The yellow rope symbolises God The red rope symbolises mankind The red wooden box symbolises coming home with God.

The good news is: people can return to God!

But how is this possible?

To explain this you need an energy stick from idea 198. You ask your two volunteers to take hold of the silver ending on the energy stick with one hand. Ask if you are allowed to touch their noses and when you do the energy stick will come alive. This will give a laugh. Especially when they are allowed to touch your nose with their other hand. You explain how the energy stick works with a small current of electricity that we cannot see or feel, but flows through us. It connects us. This is the same with Jesus. You cannot see or feel him, but he connects us with God.

Put the ropes back in the box, tie them on the top to the energy stick, pull the ropes and they are back together again. Amazing!

Make sure your two volunteers get a big round of applause before they leave.

You can use this idea in a:

street evangelism, church service, open air evangelism

Watch the demonstration video

You can see me doing a full demonstration of this story and magic trick in the video below.

Any children’s worker can tell the parable of the Prodigal Son using  the Gospel magic trick of the Dean’s Box

For this you can use the Dean’s box magic trick. I bought mine very cheaply through Alibaba Express. The only problem was that it didn’t come with any explanation as to how the trick works. If you choose yours through Alibaba Express you can send me an email and I will send you a video in which I explain how the trick works. It looks great and it is very easy to do!

Ask two children to come forward as volunteers. Give them each a coloured rope to inspect. The yellow rope symbolises the father The red rope symbolises the son The red wooden box symbolises the house of the father.

The father reconciles himself with his son and they are united! The ropes are stuck together.

But how is this possible?

To explain this you need an energy stick from idea 198. You ask your two volunteers to take hold of the silver ending on the energy stick with one hand. Ask if you are allowed to touch their noses and when you do the energy stick will come alive. This will give a laugh. Especially when they are allowed to touch your nose with their other hand. You explain how the energy stick works with a small current of electricity that we cannot see or feel, but flows through us. It connects us. This is the same with Jesus. You cannot see or feel him, but he connects us with God.

Put the ropes back in the box, tie them on the top to the energy stick, pull the ropes and they are back together again. Amazing!

Make sure your two volunteers get a big round of applause before they leave the stage.

Watch the demonstration video

You can see me doing a full demonstration of this story and magic trick in the video below.

Multiple changes, magical moments and a memorable message!

You show a large picture of a golden city and asks the children or congregation to guess what it could be. It’s the kingdom of heaven, but we may often feel like we’re not good enough to get into heaven. This is because of sin in our heart…and as he says this, the card flips open and change into a black heart.

But despite having bad thoughts, saying and doing bad things, we have can be forgiven because Jesus died on the cross for us. At this point, the card is flipped open and transforms into a white cross on a red background.

Jesus died for us, so that our hearts could be made clean. The card now turns into a white heart on a green background.

With a clean slate, we grow in our relationship with God and ultimately can enter the kingdom of heaven. And finally the card changes back to the image of heaven (and you’re now reset to perform it the next time too!)

A brilliant object lesson / Gospel magic trick sold by my friends ar Mission Maguc UK. 

Be surprised to discover Jesus' real first miracle!

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below how you can tell the Bible story of the wedding at Cana while using the Surprising Dots magic trick. This is a fun, and relatively easy trick to do. You don't have to be a magician to use this trick and tell this powerful story. You can buy the trick online here or here. 
 

Scripture reference

John 2: 1-11

You can download the script and watch the video below...

How can we communicate the Gospel to children and adults in such a way that it will help them understand?

OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley demonstrates in the video below how you can explain the Gospel using the Magic Arrow Board.

In the video underneath we will teach you how you can do this trick within ten minutes and create something that the children and adults won't forget soon. 

Only for members...

In the video below we will teach you how you can do this trick yourself. Trust us, it really is very easy!

You will also download the script underneath here. 

Did you konw that you can play mega table tennis using gymnatics equipment, like in a school?

Watch the video and learn how you can tell the story of Zacchaeus in the tree

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint a hll, a road, a giant tree and s crowd of people?

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

Watch the video below...

Watch the video and learn how you can tell different Bible stories with a sketchboard

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint a city or a night sky? 

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

This demonstration video helps you to tell Bible stories in: 

Sunday School lesson, Sunday school class, Sunday school curriculum, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assembly, RE lesson, youth work, youth group, preaching illustration, creative preaching

Watch the video below...

Watch the video and learn how you can tell the different stories on and around the lake of Galilee

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint a seascape? With these skills you can tell the Bible story of Jesus calling his disciples, Jesus walking on the water, Jesus calming the storm, Jesus restoring Peter and many more...

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

This demonstration video helps you to tell Bible stories in: 

Sunday School lesson, Sunday school class, Sunday school curriculum, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assembly, RE lesson, youth work, youth group, preaching illustration, creative preaching

Watch the video below...

Watch the video and learn how you can paint a general landscape with a house in it 

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint a general landscape?

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

This demonstration video helps you to tell Bible stories in: 

Sunday School lesson, Sunday school class, Sunday school curriculum, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assembly, RE lesson, youth work, youth group, preaching illustration, creative preaching

Watch the video below...

Watch the video and learn how you can paint a border on a sketchboard

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint on such a big board?

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

This demonstration video helps you to tell Bible stories in: 

Sunday School lesson, Sunday school class, Sunday school curriculum, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assembly, RE lesson, youth work, youth group, preaching illustration, creative preaching

Watch the video below...

Watch the video and learn how you can paint partial lettering on a sketchboard while telling a Bible story

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint these special letters?

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

This demonstration video helps you to tell Bible stories in: 

Sunday School lesson, Sunday school class, Sunday school curriculum, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assembly, RE lesson, youth work, youth group, preaching illustration, creative preaching

Watch the video below...

Watch the video and learn how you can paint ladder letters on a sketchboard while telling a Bible story

We have asked OAC evangelist and specialist children's worker Dawn Getley to make a demonstration video on how you can learn to work with a sketchboard. Here on the site you can find lots of sketchboard stories. But how do you paint these special letters?

If you want to have more information on how to work with a sketchboard, see this link.

You can learn to work with a sketchboard too:

Idea 379.   Learn how to paint ladder lettering 
Idea 380.   Learn how to paint partial lettering 
Idea 381.   Learn how to paint a border 
Idea 382.   Learn how to paint a general landscape
Idea 383.   Learn how to paint a seascape
Idea 384.   Learn how to paint a city and a night sky
Idea 385.   Learn how to paint the story of Zacchaeus

This demonstration video helps you to tell Bible stories in: 

Sunday School lesson, Sunday school class, Sunday school curriculum, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assembly, RE lesson, youth work, youth group, preaching illustration, creative preaching

Watch the video below...

The only object lesson you can do all over the world.

Really excited about this object lesson! Did you know you can use a balancing Soda Can to tell any Bible story about Jesus healing and restoring people? And the great thing is that you can find a Soda Can all over the world. Wherever you are, you can do this object lesson! 

Just think about the four friends and the paralysed man or about Bartimaeus, the blind beggar.
But also about the story of Zacchaeus and the raising of Lazarus...

In the video below I demonstrate how you can use the balancing Soda Can to tell the Bible story in John 4 of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman near the well. This woman was like a empty Soda Can - totally empty, lying on its side, blown over by life. A woman who knows what it is to be judged by all the full Coke Cans in her village. The men and women who live such nobles lives and who pour their shame on this broken and emptied woman.

But then something amazing happens. Jesus offers her life to the full. He offers her Living Water. And this woman drinks it all. A miracle happens. She is filled with Living Water and suddenly there is a restored balance in her life.

Watch this amazing cool science experiment and object lesson in the video below...

Time to cut some grass hair while telling Bible stories

Did you know that you can tell the following stories using a Grass Head? 

- Samson and Delilah (Judges 16)
- Samson destroying the temple of Dagon (Judges 16)
- David defeats Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
- The death of Absalom ( 2 Samuel 18)
- Paul's vow (Act 18)

I will show you how in the video below. 

Use the Grass Head for more ideas

In the following ideas I will show you how you can use the Grass Head to teach children on the following subjects: 

Idea 336.  Teaching children the power of prayer
Idea 337.  The meaning of baptism
Idea 338.  All your hairs on your head are numbered
Idea 339.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit
Idea 340.  What is spiritual growth?

Setting:

Children's Sunday School, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assemblies, RE lessons, youth work, teenagers, preaching illustration, creative preaching, small churches

Watch the demonstration below

In the video below I will demonstrate how any (children's) pastor or children's worker can use a Grass Head to tell these stories.

What is the correlation between a Grass Head and spiritual growth?

Watch the demonstration video to discover how you can use a Grass Head to teach and talk with children about spiritual growth.

Use the Grass Head for more ideas

In the following ideas I will show you how you can use the Grass Head to teach children about the following subjects: 

Idea 336.  Teaching children the power of prayer
Idea 337.  The meaning of baptism
Idea 338.  All your hairs on your head are numbered
Idea 339.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit
Idea 341.  Telling different Bible stories while using a Grass Head

Setting:

Children's Sunday School, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assemblies, RE lessons, youth work, teenagers, preaching illustration, creative preaching, small churches

Scripture reference:

Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Peter 3:18, 1 Peter 2:1-25, Matthew 5:6, Ephesians 4:15-16, Galatians 5:22-23, Psalm 1:1-3, 2 Peter 1:5-8, 1 Corinthians 13:10-12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 1:6, James 1:2, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Titus 2:11-14, Ephesians 4:12-13, Hebrews 10:24, Hebrews 5:12-14, Psalm 1:1-6 ESV, James 1:2-4

Watch the demonstration below

In the video below I will demonstrate how any (children's) pastor or children's worker can use a Grass Head to teach about spiritual growth.

Using a Grass Head to count the hairs on our head

In Matthew 10: 29 - 31 and in Luke 12: 6-7 Jesus talks about the hairs on our head being numbered by God: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.…"

In this object lesson you can use a Grass Head to count the hairs on its head. 

Use the Grass Head for more ideas

In the following ideas I will show you how you can use the Grass Head to teach children on the following subjects: 

Idea 336.  Teaching children the power of prayer
Idea 337.  The meaning of baptism
Idea 339.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit
Idea 340.  What is spiritual growth?
Idea 341.  Telling different Bible stories while using a Grass Head

Setting:

Children's Sunday School, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assemblies, RE lessons, youth work, teenagers, preaching illustration, creative preaching, small churches

Watch the demonstration below

In the video below I will demonstrate how any (children's) pastor or children's worker can use a Grass Head to teach on these verses in Matthew and Luke.

What is the connection between a Grass Head and a baptism? 

That's a good question! In some churches children are baptised when they are infants. In other churches youngsters and adults are baptisted by immersion as a sign of their faith. You can use this idea for both kinds of baptism services.

In this object lesson it all comes down to immersing a Grass Head into a big jug of water. Once you have done this for a few minutes and you place the Grass Head on top of a small vase of water in a few weeks time grass will grow on its head. 

Explain the meaning of baptism in the case of an infant baptism service

In the case of an infant baptism you talk about the child being immersed in God's love and in God's family. To demonstrate this you immerse the Grass Head in a jug of water. Then you show a Grass Head that started growing four weeks ago and which now has lots of grass on its head. Talk about being part of God's family and growing up in God's family. Being part of God's love and growing into knowing and demonstrating God's love. 

Explain the meaning of baptism in the case of an adult baptism service

In the case of an adult baptism you talk about this person laying down his/her old life and coming up from the water to demonstrate the new life in Christ. To demonstrate this you immerse the Grass Head in a jug of water. Then you show a Grass Head that started growing four weeks ago and which now has lots of grass on its head. Talk about how today is just the beginning. Baptism is not the end of spiritual growth. It is the beginning of God doing a new work in the life of the person that is being baptised. As a demonstration of this new life you can show the Grass Head with lots of grass!

Use the Grass Head for more ideas

In the following ideas I will show you how you can use the Grass Head to teach children on the following subjects: 

Idea 336.  Teaching children the power of prayer
Idea 338.  All your hairs on your head are numbered
Idea 339.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit
Idea 340.  What is spiritual growth?
Idea 341.  Telling different Bible stories while using a Grass Head

Setting:

Children's Sunday School, children's ministry, children's moment in church, Messy church, school assemblies, RE lessons, youth work, teenagers, preaching illustration, creative preaching, small churches, baptism service

Scripture reference:

Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, John 3:5,1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12-13, Acts 2:41, Galatians 3:27, Matthew 3:16, Matthew 3:11, Acts 8:38, Romans 6:3, Colossians 2:12, Acts 1:5, Acts 10:48, Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 8:26-40

Watch the demonstration below

In the video below I will demonstrate how any (children's) pastor or children's worker can use a Grass Head to teach about the meaning of baptism.

Teaching children the power of prayer through the use of a Grass Head

As a child I struggled with sitting still during long prayers in church. When the adults finished their prayer with the word 'amen', I sighed a silent sigh of relief.

For lots of children 'amen' means: this is the end of the boring bit. Now we can get on with the fun stuff again!

Isn't it a shame that talking with an almighty and loving Father who listens and answers our prayers, has become something that is boring? How can we teach children within our Sunday school lesson or kids ministry the power of prayer in a fresh and visual way?

In the video below I will demonstrate how any children's pastor or children's worker can use a Grass Head to teach the children in your Sunday school lesson or during a children's moment in the service the power of prayer and the meaning of the word 'amen'. All you need is a Grass Head and some patience. If you don't have the patience, you can use two Grass Heads like I do in the video. 

A Christmas show split up into twenty parts so you can do this too!

As a full-time professional Christian entertainer I do around 250 shows in churches and schools a year.  I have an hour long show that I do at Christmas. This Christmas show is made up of a few puppet acts, five different object lessons, one quiz and fourteen different magic tricks! All in one hour (or a bit more...) But why am l teling you this?

Because especially for you I have split up my Christmas show into twenty small different parts. This has taken weeks of work, because I have made an instruction video for almost every part. So now you can use these ideas within your children’s ministry. Yes, this means that you can do this Christmas show too!

With these ideas, the right magic tricks and a little bit of practice you can create a professional Christmas show of over an hour. But of course you can choose just one element or several elements and create a much shorter Christmas programme. The floor is all yours! 

In the video below you will find an explanation of the build up of the whole show and of the Christmas Puzzle. You will also find here a PDF file with all the ideas that you can print out so it will be easier for you to reproduce this show for yourself.

Here are the twenty different parts of the Christmas show:  

Part 01: The Candle - a presentation of the Christmas Puzzle (idea 312)

Part 2a: A ventriloquist act about trusting (idea 313) 
Part 2b: Your own act about trusting - the Slush Powder trick (idea 314)

Part 03: The Christmas Tree - the second piece of the Christmas Puzzle (idea 315)

Part 04: Mary’s meeting with the angel Gabriel - the Magic Bible Colouring Book trick (ideas 316)

Part 05: Joseph’s reaction to Mary’s pregnancy - the Cut and Restore rope trick (idea 317)

Part 06: Joseph and Mary searching for a place to stay in Bethlehem - the Joker Tube trick (idea 318)

Part 07: Immanuel; the relationship between God and his people will be restored - the Dean's box trick + the Energy Bar (idea 319)

Part 08: The Turkey - the third piece of the Christmas Puzzle (idea 320)

Part 09: Introducing the shepherds with two hand puppets and two children dressed up as shepherds (idea 321)

Part 10: God's love for the shepherds - the Lota Vase trick (idea 322)

Part 11: The unworthiness and dreams of the shepherds - the Headless Cartoon silks + the Useless Box (idea 323)

Part 12: Meet the sheep, Rocky the Raccoon and an amazing IKEA frog - the Zigzag trick (idea 324)

Part 13: The Presents - the fourth piece of the Christmas Puzzle (idea 325)

Part 14: Introducing the Magi with a hand puppet (idea 326)

Part 15: Following Jesus may cost you everything - the Sucker Dice Box trick (ides 327)

Part 16: A celebration in the stable - the Incredible Kettle trick + flash paper + dove pan + sponge cake (idea 328)

Part 17: The Cross - the missing piece of the Christmas Puzzle (idea 329)

Part 18: Explaining the meaning of the cross - the Chemical Cross trick (idea 330)

Part 19: The power of a quiz (idea 331)

Part 20: Who is welcome in the stable? - the Magic Umbrella trick (idea 332)

Download the complete PDF file with all the ideas and watch the demonstration video of the build up of the show

Below you will find a PDF file for you to download with all twenty ideas of the Christmas show and a demonstration video with an explanation of the build up of the whole show and the Christmas Puzzle 

A fun final act that will make people leave with a smile on their faces

This is probably one of my favourite magic tricks. I currently use it as an ending to two of my Christian children's theatre shows. I like it because it is so easy, but it always gives a 'wow' effect. 

Take the red umbrella out of the tube. When you open the umbrella you can show that it is a normal one. You close the umbrella and put it back into the tube. Now show eight different coloured silks to the audience. Then put them into a bag, and suddenly the bag changes into the top of the umbrella and all the silks have disappeared. Pick up the tube and pull the umbrella out. Now the top has been disappeared and instead of the top, the eight silks are hanging on the umbrella.

In your Christmas show you use this trick to answer the question: Who is welcome in the stable? Who can find a place of refuge with Jesus?

Watch the video:

In the video below I will show you how you can use this amazing act during your Christmas service, school assembly or in your Sunday school lesson.

You can buy your copy of the Magic Umbrella Deluxe through the site of Dynamite Magic.

Don't forget – any children’s worker can do this! It only needs a little bit of practice. So give it a try!

Four good reasons why you could do a quiz in your Christmas show

If there is time left you could do a quiz with the children. I always find that doing a quiz gives me four specific benefits:

1. If you tell the children you are going to do a quiz before you tell the story and that you are going to ask questions about the story during the quiz the children will listen more attentively to your Bible story.

2. During the quiz I tell the story again, so the children hear the story twice.

3. During the quiz I ask the children questions about the most important teaching points in the story. Even some questions that will start with a 'why'. By doing this children will have to think about the teaching point in the story and communicate this back to me. 

4. Kids love playing quizzes and games and this brings an element of fun to your story telling.

Watch the video:

In the video below I will show you how you can use a very easy quiz during your Christmas service, school assembly or in your Sunday school lesson.

How to use the iodine and sodium thiosulfate reaction to teach about Jesus being the Light of the world

In the video below I show you how you can end the Christmas show by explaining the meaning of the cross at the centre of the Christmas puzzle. Talk about Isaiah 9:2 "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned."

Talk about the darkness in the time that Jesus was born. The poverty, the suppression by the Romans, God's silence for more than four hundred years. You then create a darkness in a vase full of water. Then by using the Chemical Cross trick light arrives and the darkness disappears.. It is another version of the iodine and sodium thiosulfate reaction, but this time you use a cross to make the water totally clean again. You can buy the Chemical Cross set through the site of Mission Magic. 

Watch the video:

In the video below I will show you how you can use this amazing act during your Christmas service, school assembly or in your Sunday school lesson.

Don't forget – any children’s worker can do this! It only needs a little bit of practice. So give it a try!

A spectacular act that is so easy to do it will surprise you!

The following act is all about the Magi arriving at the stable and giving their presents to Joseph and Mary. It is educational, fun and spectacular with some magic fire at the end of the act. And you know what? You can do this too. It is so easy...

The Magi arrived in Bethlehem and saw Jesus. They worshipped him and give him their presents. To demonstrate the giving of these three presents you use The Incredible Kettle and pour water in the first glass. Somewhere during the pouring the water turns red.

Who knows what the red present was? Incense!

Now you pour the second glass and to your surprise the water turns yellow. This yellow water is a symbol for the second present: gold!

And the third present?

Again you pour water in a glass. This time the water turns green: myrrh!

After pouring the water you lift off the lid, reach in and pull out a long (and bone dry) rainbow streamer! This streamer is a demonstration of the celebration in the stable.

To create a spectacular moment, take a piece of flash paper and light it! This will create a real flame in the air. The boys especially will love this!

You can finish this act with a dove pan and a large sponge cake. 

Watch the video:

In the video below I will show you how you can use this amazing act during your Christmas service, school assembly or in your Sunday school lesson.

Don't forget – any children’s worker can do this! It only needs a little bit of practice. So give it a try!