PUPPETS WITH A HEART - Creative Way to Teach Children

If you really want to make a difference in teaching and reaching children, use PUPPETS WITH A HEART. Boys and girls are captivated by these unique characters who seem to relate to their everyday problems.

Darcie Maze is the creator of this distinctive line of Puppets With A Heart -- which all have removable hearts which are used for guiding children through the challenges of today's world, including healing broken hearts.

For over 30 years Darcie has captivated the hearts of children and adults with her exceptional gift of puppetry. In addition, she is known nationally for her teacher-training workshops and seminars, crossing many denominational lines.

You can purchase Darcie's lessons or create your own when using the puppets.

In 2003, Darcie teamed with Mary Rice Hopkins who is internationally known for her music ministry to children and families. They have combined their unique gifts to provide exciting family concerts and much-demanded creative teacher-training workshops that are ministering to the church at large.

Their newest release, Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart, is a high-definition DVD with two hours of captivating topics about: choices and character, peer pressure, being yourself, brokenness, serving with our talents and values. Mary and Darcie's desire is to give hope to families that are broken and dealing with tough stuff. There is always something in the puppet's heart to illustrate how they are feeling and the negative is replaced with a Bible verse. Their new DVD has received the Dove Foundation "5-Star Seal of Approval" and "Parent's Choice Award." It is receiving rave reviews, and TV stations across the world are waiting to air their new program.

Currently, TBN is airing segments from the DVD. Brenda Rossman, Children's Program Director for TBN, says the shows are receiving outstanding ratings and in response to the new show she says "Darcie's Puppet's with a Heart are going to give Elmo and Kermit a run for their money. Mary Rice Hopkins and Puppets with a Heart is the Christian version of Sesame Street ."

WOW! WHAT A CATCH! Children's Bible Story Lesson

By Betty Benson Robertson (Based on Luke 5:1-11 )

PREPARATION

On a sheet of red construction paper, print "No." On a sheet of green paper print "Yes." Show the words to the boys and girls, reminding them "No" is on red and "Yes" is on green. Tell them during the story you will be asking questions, holding up one of the signs, and they are to say in unison either "yes" or "no."


STORY


"I am SO tired!" Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, said wiping his hand across his forehead.

"Me too," James replied.

"What a night. A long night," John said with a sigh.

Peter and his friends had fished and fished and fished. They had worked all night long. Do you think they caught 50 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 25 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 12 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 6 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 0 fish? YES!

"Let's wash our fishing nets," James said to the other disciples.

"Here, I'll help you spread it out to dry," John replied.

"I am NOT happy that we didn't catch any fish," Peter said.

"Here comes someone," James announced. "I wonder who it is?"

John replied, "It's Jesus!"

Jesus told the disciples to put their boat back into the water, go out to where it was deep, and throw out their nets.

Do you think Peter was happy to hear that? No!

Do you think James was happy to hear that? No!

Do you think John was happy to hear that? No!

Peter said to Jesus, "We already fished all night and didn't catch anything."

"Yeah! Not a thing," James added.

"But If you say so, we'll try it again," Peter responded. Peter knew it was important to obey Jesus.

The disciples got back into their boat, went out to where Jesus told them to, and dropped their net into the water. When they started to bring the net up, there were so many fish the net started to break and the boat filled up. Peter yelled to more of his friends on the shore to bring another boat. They went and both boats had so many fish they began to sink. They had to row back to shore slowly.

Do you think Peter was happy about all the fish they caught? Yes!

Do you think James was happy about all the fish they caught? Yes!

Do you think John was happy about all the fish they caught? Yes!

When Peter got back to land, he fell at Jesus' feet. He and his friends were amazed at what had just happened. He knew only Jesus could have done a miracle like that.


SONG: "Come Meet Jesus" (from Come Meet Jesus CD by Mary Rice Hopkins)


BIBLE VERSE

"God helps me." (Psalm 118:7)

To learn the scripture, have the children play "Everyone Who..." The leader says such statements as: "Everyone who is wearing red repeat the verse"; "Everyone who likes pizza..."; "Everyone who has a pet dog or cat at home"; "Everyone who has two eyes", etc.


CRAFT

Supplies Needed: Blue, brown, gray, yellow construction paper; magic markers or crayons; scissors; glue; fish-shaped crackers.

Older children can cut out their own boat, net and sun shapes to glue on the picture. Younger boys and girls can glue on the shapes which an adult has cut. The children draw Peter, James and John in the boat and then glue on the fish crackers.


ACTIVITY

Children cut out a sail for their boat from construction paper. The Bible verse is taped to the sail. The sail is then taped to the straw. The straw is adhered to the bottom of the plastic container with play dough. Encourage the boys and girls to take the boat home and use as a centerpiece on their kitchen table so they can re-tell the story and verse to their family.


SNACK AND LESSON REVIEW

Give each child a small empty bowl. Say: "This is what the disciples' boat looked like after they had fished all night. It was empty! I am now going to fill your bowl with fish crackers. This is how the boat looked after Jesus told them to go back out onto the lake and fish again."


PRAYER BEFORE EATING

Thank you, Jesus, for providing what we need. Help us to always obey You.

JESUS HEALS PARALYZED MAN Song

Kids love the country swing of "Walkin' and Singin'" by Mary Rice Hopkins which accompanies these words:  "Well, I was paralyzed from head to toe. I couldn't move, and I couldn't go.  But my friends would not stop 'til they got me to the top..."

The chorus continues with praise from the man whom Jesus healed:  "I'm walkin' and singin', praisin' His name.
Jesus is my Savior and I'll never be the same."

Listen to a song clip HERE.



"Walkin' and Singin'" is from Miracle Mud album which may be ordered HERE.
 

BABBLING ON - Song to Accompany Tower of Babel Bible Story

Brick by brick stone by stone

They tried to do it all on their own

But God said, “No”

And sent them babbling on.

The tower of Babel was a manmade tower

They tried to build it with manmade power

But God said, “No”

And sent them babbling on.

On their own strength they built it high

To touch the heavens and stars in the sky

But God said, “No”

And sent them babbling on.

Kids love the ragtime feel of this song which is based on Genesis 11:1-9!  The chorus challenges boys and girls to build their lives on God’s plan and follows His ways.

Listen to a song clip HERE.

“Babbling On” is found on In the Beginning album.  Click HERE to order.

Click HERE to Order In the Beginning curriculum (on the book of Genesis).