|
|
Christian Indie Radio
GetChristianMusic
Solid Walnut Music
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devotionals
|
|
Cartoons
Culture
Family
Games
Health
Homeschooling
Humor
Inspiration
Kids
Men
Ministry
Parenting
Poetry
Teens
Women
|
|
Statement of Faith
Contact Us
|
|
|
|
Showers for the Tender Harvest--"Let my teaching fall like showers on tender plants." - Deuteronomy 32:2
Drama in Children's Ministry
by Jill Nelson (Jill's bio)
Send this page to a friend
Throughout the ages, drama has never ceased to be an effective tool for ministry to any age group. Children are especially stimulated by an entertaining enactment that helps them remember a point. Any time is a good time to incorporate drama into your children's ministry: Sunday School, Children's Church, Vacation Bible School, Kids Crusade, whatever.
The younger the children involved, the more brief and simple the drama should be. A single plot line leading to one conclusion within about five minutes is best for children under eight years old. Children between the ages of 8 and 12 can absorb a main plot and a subplot with little difficulty, but the action should move briskly. I recommend short sketches of between 5 and 20 minutes in length. A few vivid characters in a play that mixes humor with tension is very effective.
I tend to write my own scripts for weekly ministry; however, I do purchase program material for Christmas. Following is a list of Christian drama publishers and their websites: Baker's Plays www.bakersplays.com, Contemporary Drama Service www.meriwetherpublishing.com, CSS Publishing Company www.csspub.com, Drama Ministry www.dramaministry.com, Lillenas Publishing Company www.lillenas.com, Standard Publishing www.standardpub.com. There are other publishing houses that put out skits and sketches for children, but this should give you a start.
Now, I'd like to give you another boost. Our VBS for 3 – 8 year olds had a Western motif this year with the theme of “God Made Me Special.” Below is one of the skits we did. The cast of characters were kids ages 8 – 12. This was a great opportunity for the older kids to do hands-on ministry that will build their potential for a lifetime of reaching out to others with the Gospel.
We studied the life of Joseph in the Old Testament and the boy with the loaves and fishes in the New Testament. Each day Amos and Otis, two children from the old West, showed up and entertained the kids with a skit in line with the daily Bible lesson. E-mail me at the address at the end of the column if you would like copies of two other Amos and Otis skits besides the one below. I'd be happy to share.
"The Adventures of Amos and Otis"
Scripture: Genesis 37:2–11
Lesson Objective: God made me special so I can be thankful for who I am. (i.e. no need to be jealous of others)
Cast List:
Amos, 10 year old boy of the old West
Otis, 10 year old boy of the old West
Miss Lilly, an adult female of any age
Prop List:
Hoop (either hula or metal)
Stick horse
Costuming:
Amos and Otis = either bib overalls and flannel shirts or jeans and long-sleeved button or snap-front shirts, cowboy boots
Miss Lilly = ankle length female dress appropriate for the old West period, bonnet, high-top shoes (preferably black or brown)
Episode 1: The Gift Pony
AMOS stands, center stage, with a hoop. He plays with the hoop for a while, doing fancy tricks.
AMOS: Boy, oh boy. Otis is really gonna be jealous of my new hoop.
AMOS does a few more tricks. OTIS rides in on a pony.
OTIS: Hi, Amos. How do you like my new pony?
AMOS stops doing tricks with his hoop and stares at OTIS and his pony with his mouth hanging open.
AMOS: Where'd you get a pony?
OTIS: My pa gave it to me. He says I gotta practice ridin' to be a real good cowboy.
AMOS: Hah! You? A cowboy? If that pony don't buck you off, you'll probably turn tail and run the first time you see a little calf.
OTIS: Will not!
AMOS: Will too!
OTIS: Will not!
AMOS: Will too!
The boys keep going back and forth until MISS LILLY walks in.
MISS LILLY: What's going on here?
AMOS: Hi, Miss Lilly. Otis here is showin' off on the pony his pa gave him.
OTIS: Am not!
AMOS: Are too!
The boys go on like this until MISS LILLY speaks up.
MISS LILLY: Boys, stop that! I taught you better than that in Sunday School. Sounds to me like you've got a good ol' case of jealousy goin' here, just like Joseph's brothers when his pa gave him a beautiful coat. Otis has a new pony, but it looks like you've got something new too, Amos. What is that?
AMOS: Just a hoop.
MISS LILLY: Show us how to use it.
AMOS does some tricks.
OTIS: Hey, that's great! Looks like fun. Tell ya what, Amos. You let me play with your hoop for a while and you can ride my pony. Deal? (OTIS extends his hand to Amos.)
AMOS (takes Otis' hand): Deal!
Copyright 2002, Jill Nelson. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Jill Nelson: Children have been the focus of Jill Nelson's ministry for twenty years. She and her husband have four--two boys, two girls--all teenagers. (Prayers, please.) Jill supervises the children's ministry at her local church and delights in writing her own material. Her heart is to glorify God by guiding children into a powerful personal relationship with Him. E-mail Jill |
Send this page to a friend: