This programme may be used for a Holiday Bible Club Beach ... THEME PROGR… · Page: 3 of 41 Circus Theme Bible Lessons Program Summary – Infants and Primary DAY THEME The BIG

A Resource for Children’s Evangelism

This programme may be used for a Holiday Bible Club - 5 days and one evening

or Beach Mission - 8 day program

“Circus Supreme”

Compiled by Diana Moes together with lots of lovely and creative people from

the Christian Reformed Church of Sutherland Shire: Anne van der Graaf, Ruth Cooper, Louise Vanmidde and the Minimite and Keenite leaders of the Kioloa SUFM team 2009-10,

Copyright CRC Sutherland Shire 2010 This document may be used for non profit events. Please let us know if you use this program and feel free to share with us any good ideas that we can add!

http://www.sutherland.crca.org.au.

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INTRODUCTION… Please read…

The Circus Supreme program is a humorous, colourful and engaging way of presenting the Good News of Jesus to children who may never have heard it before (or for those who have and need to hear it again!) The program can be used for a 5 day Holiday Bible Club. Day 6 can be used or adapted for a family outreach evening. The full 8 days can be used for a ‘Beach Mission’. Day 6 can be moved so it coincides with the Sunday Family Worship Service that the team might host for all the camping ground families. Most of the program applies to all ages of children but where there are specific ideas for older or younger children, the chart splits into “Infants” (ages 5-8) and “Primary” (ages 8-12) The first 2 pages is a program outline or summary. Each day has a page expanding the main idea for the day and basic information for a teacher to build their lesson upon. Ideas requiring further explanation appear in more detail on the pages after each day’s chart. Aim to repeat the “BIG IDEA” for each day throughout that day, from the morning skits to the class time introduction activity, story, application and lesson craft. By the end of the day we aim for the children to be able to say what the BIG IDEA is for the day, as well as their memory verse. The “Craft” mentioned is a small craft that is linked to the lesson of the day, run by the teacher and helpers of that group. There is also a flag which is to be handed out each day, printed on different coloured paper. The idea is that the children can hang them up at home, showing each day’s lesson. These flags can also be produced beforehand and used to decorate the rooms. For a Holiday Bible Club, other more involved crafts or activities can be organised that need bear no relation to the “BIG IDEA”. The aim of this type of activity would be to give the teachers opportunities to build relationships with the children. It is good to have a separate craft co-ordinator who can organise crafts to suit the resources available. On the wall of your room, you can make a big “DAY 1- , DAY 2- “ etc chart and after each morning, put up the “Big Idea”. The next morning, review the main lessons learnt on previous days to tie it all in together.

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Circus Theme Bible Lessons Program Summary – Infants and Primary DAY THEME The BIG IDEA BIBLE STORY SCRIPTURE MEM. VERSE BIG TOP CIRCUS SKIT

1

Each of these topics should be touched on every lesson but the point in large print is the main lesson focus..

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

God made the world perfect but because of sin we are lost from God and need to be found by Him.

“Zacchaeus”

Genesis 1&3 – Creation then

Adam and Eve falling into sin Luke 19:1-10- Zacchaeus Key verse, v10, “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. [John 3:16 – God’s promise of Jesus]

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”.

The ring master opens the circus and declares it perfect. He tells people their jobs and then leaves. They do them in a slack way – not the RM way. Tickets are over priced, ropes not tied properly, things lost etc. RM finds out. Daisy Star comes to say sorry and is forgiven by the RM. He finds the Rabbit for her.

2

Sin’s Beginning

Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

If we confess our sins to God, He will give us the gift of forgiveness.

“The Prodigal Son”

Luke 15:11-24 (primary-32) The parable of the prodigal son

Proverbs 28 :13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

1 John 1:8-9

1 John 1:9 “If we

confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us, from all unrighteousness”

The Ring Master gives them all an allowance. They say good things they will spend it on. They spend it on different things. Mo’s Flea Circus scams extra money for ‘sick’ fleas. Wastes his allowance. His fleas 'run' away. RM spends his own money to pay debts. They confess & are forgiven.

3

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin

Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

Jesus can save us because He is kind and Powerful.

“Daniel in Lion’s den”

Acts 4:12 -”And there is

salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Daniel 6:1-23 (primary –end)

Daniel in the Lion's Den

Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace

you have been saved...

Ephesians2:8 “For it is by Grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God.”

The RM tells lion tamer & clown the importance of their jobs. The LT is conned. He buys an invisible net. During the act the Lions go feral and nearly kill clown & LT. The LT is attacked because the ‘net’ is a fake. The RM jumps in and is bitten but saves the clown and LT's life.

4

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation

Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

If we are God’s children, He will never let us go.

“Jonah”

John 10 : 27–30 God knows all His sheep’s voices and He will not let anyone snatch them out of His hand.

Jonah chapters 1-3

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whosoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life”

A Magician opens the show. The RM tells his daughter to clean out the monkey cage. She doesn't want to. Hears the magician’s helper can’t come. She volunteers, is cut in half then disappears. RM wants her back. Magician has trouble with trick, gets it, she returns, all is forgiven.

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DAY THEME The BIG IDEA BIBLE STORY SCRIPTURE MEM. VERSE BIG TOP CIRCUS SKIT

5

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ

God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

God’s love is so great that He sent us His Son, Jesus.

“The Cross”

John 19:14-20:18 The retelling of the story of Jesus dying on the Cross to pay for our sins.

Ephesians 3:17 -19 A great

passage about God's love

1 John 3:16 “We know what Love is because Jesus gave His Life for us

RM warns all not to eat certain lollies. They disobey and get rare sickness. Dr says someone has to drink the top layer of a medicine to activate the rest of it. No one will do it. It could kill you. RM does it and saves all.

[6]

(Beach Mission Church service or HBC Thursday night) Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love

[Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

God can make us clean so we can be in His friend.

“Made clean”

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the

light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son, purifies us from every sin.” Psalm 51:7 “Cleanse me with

Hyssop, and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow”.

Revise John 3:16 & 1 John 3:16

Different performers get dirty, some with outer dirt and the strong man with steroids (inner dirt). They hear the king is coming today to watch the show and they all need to find ways to get clean. They all try different ways that don't work and then they use the special soap from the RM which makes them all clean.

[7]

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ]

[Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

Jesus wants us to follow Him.

“Matthew follows Jesus”

Matthew 7:13 The wide and narrow gates

Matthew 9:9-13 Matthew's conversion

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 “Jesus answered; I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Different 'bad' characters in the circus want to get people to follow them and join another circus.

[8]

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus]

[Christian Disciplines]

We can talk to God, listen to His Word, be part of His Family and tell others the Good News.

“Hands-on Christianity”

Phil 4:6...prayer

Colossians 3:16 ...God’s

Word & the Church

Matthew 28:19… spread the

Word


The circus is coming to an end for the week but they are going somewhere else. The RM wants them to run it themselves now that he has shown them how to do things. Gives them a 'Complete Guide to Running a Circus' and a free mobile phone.

5 day Program – use days 1-5 with day 6 to be used at a family evening.

8 day program – use days 1-8 with day 6 to be placed on a day when families attend. ie. a Sunday Church Service.

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DAILY PROGRAM IDEAS FOR INFANTS AND PRIMARY SECTION TIME - DAY 1 PRESENTED BY:

The 8 day plan. Focus today on: The BIG IDEA Bible Story: Bible references: Presented in Big Top Time

Memory verse: Presented in Big Top Time

Big Top Time skit:

1

Each of these topics should be touched on every lesson but the point in large print is the one to focus on.

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

God made the world perfect but because of sin we are lost from God and need to be found by Him.

“Zacchaeus”

Genesis 1&3 – Creation then

Adam and Eve falling into sin Luke 19:1-10- Zacchaeus Key verse, v10, “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. [John 3:16 – God’s promise of Jesus]

Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”.

The ring master opens the circus and declares it perfect. He tells people their jobs and then leaves. They do them in a slack way – not the RM way. Tickets over priced, ropes not tied properly, things lost etc. RM finds out. Daisy Star comes to say sorry and is forgiven by the RM. He finds the Rabbit for her.

Main truths to bring out (in line with the daily BIG IDEA):

God made the world perfect. HE made it and it didn’t happen by accident. People wanted to do things their own way and not God's way so sin came into the world. Everyone does the wrong thing (sin), not just the people who look bad. Sin is doing whatever we want to do instead of what God wants. Jesus will come to anyone to save them. We all need to 'repent' and turn to God who will find us.

INFANTS PRIMARY

INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY

Sing “My God is so BIG” Play the “Lost & Found” game (see note below)

Play the “Lost Lucy” game (see note below)

PRESENTING THE BIBLE STORY (Be sure the Gospel is clear for children who may only come this one day).

Ask, ‘Who made the world? Explain that God made it. He made it perfect but then SIN came into the world. Sin is when people don’t do what God wants. Give examples including ignoring God. We are all sinners. One man in the Bible did lots of bad things and everyone called him a sinner. Now tell the story of Zacchaeus from a good children’s book or look it up on the link below.

Someone starts telling the story of Zaccheus. Another leader can interrupt and ask what that means to be a 'sinner'. Another team member, wearing a white top, can tell the story of Creation / Adam and Eve. When explaining ‘sin’ ie not putting God first, doing what WE want and not what GOD wants, dirt is smeared on the white top. Then the Zaccheus story continues. Then when Jesus forgives Z, put a clear white shirt over the leaders dirty one to illustrate Jesus covering our sin. (See web link below)

APPLICATION: Small group activity or sheet work to reinforce today's aim:

What does it mean to be LOST? What does it mean that Jesus will seek and save those who are lost? Have pictures to illustrate the point. Story board cards would help with the telling and recall of the story.

Put the kids in 2 teams and get them to put the story board cards in the right order for the 2 stories they learn today. They could also be on a sheet in the wrong order and they have to colour them in then cut them out and glue them on some cardboard in the right order.

CRAFT: Use the flag idea (see Primary and explanation in the Introduction and copies of flags in the resources at the end) and the Zacchaeus sheet. (See resource 1)

There is a flag each day for the children to colour in and take home. Leaders should make some too and hang them in the classroom each day. On A4 cardboard make a tree. Kids glue on bark and leaves or coloured paper (or just colour it in) and stick Zaccheus in the tree. (See resource 1)

OTHER IDEAS: Revise story or memory verse if time allows.

Noughts and Crosses: Girls vs Boys – to revise lesson ask questions relating to what has been taught. The girls and boys each have a turn. If they are correct they have a turn. If incorrect, the turn goes to the other team The first team to have three noughts or crosses in a row, wins.

Noughts and Crosses: Girls vs Boys Memory Verse Activity: Have memory verse written out and cut up, race to put it back together again in groups

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Notes for DAY 1 The “Lost & Found” game. (Infants) Have 3 upside down identical cups in a row on a smooth surface (table or tray). Show the children a small plastic person (duplo or lego). Place it under one of the upside down cups. Show them which one has the person under it and then play some music and swap the cups around quickly. When the music stops, see if the children can find the cup with the person under it so they are no longer lost. You can change it by having everyone guess, or one child to guess. You can add more cups and a few helpers to help mix them up. Keep using the words ‘lost’ and ‘found’. The “Lost Lucy” game. (Primary) The children sit in one or 2 or 3 circles (depending on how big the group is). One person is chosen and turns away and closes their eyes. A leader will give a small plastic person (lego?) to one person in the ring who has to pass it along. It keeps being passed on until the person who is ‘in’ shouts. “STOP, Lucy is lost!” Everyone places their closed fists on their shoulders and the person has 3 gueses to find Lucy. The person who had Lucy is now ‘in’. Telling the Bible Story You could start with the Creation story and move onto the story of Zacchaeus (maybe easier for the younger ones), or you could tell a story-within-a-story. Start with Zacchaeus and then go back to the story of the fall and creation to help define ‘sinner’. Try to keep using the words ‘lost’ and ‘found’ in both stories whenever you can. Make visual aids for the Zacchaeus story. Look up a good retelling of the Zacchaeus story at www.biblestoryguy.com and scroll down to the Zacchaeus story, or go to the same place via http://www.essex1.com/people/paul/bible58.html © Paul Dallgas-Frey but we have his permission to use it. Please email him through his website to tell him you have used it. [email protected]

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Big Top Time skit:

2

Sin’s Beginning

Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

If we confess our sins to God, He will give us the gift of forgiveness.

“The Prodigal

Son”

Luke 15:11-24 (primary-32) The parable of the prodigal son

Proverbs 28 :13 People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

1 John 1:8-9

1 John 1:9 “If we

confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us, from all unrighteousness”

The Ring Master gives them all an allowance. They say good things they will spend it on. They spend it on different things. Mo’s Flea Circus scams extra money for ‘sick’ fleas. Wastes his allowance. His fleas 'run' away. RM spends his own money to pay debts. They confess & are forgiven.


Everyone does wrong things and we need realise this and say sorry to God. We do not deserve to be forgiven but God saves us by His Grace. God doesn't just hear our words but sees if we are sorry in our hearts. He sees the attitude of the heart. We can come to God and talk to Him at any time. He is a loving Father.

INFANTS PRIMARY

INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY:

Something to do with a rotten apple. Looks nice on the outside but rotten inside. Or do the “Lost puzzle piece game”. (see below)

Game: Find 3 upside down cups. Put nice food under one and rotten food under the other 2. On a flat surface mix the cups around and people have to guess which one is hiding the good food (they get to eat it)


Intro: Ask children, ’Have you ever lost something that was very special to you, like a really favourite toy? What did you do? How did you feel?’..... Paraphrased story. Use a puppet to be the prodigal son and show the changing attitude of heart. Talk about how the man felt? How did the father feel?

Someone reads out the story and the Keenite leaders act it out. Ask... Are we the same as the prodigal son? Do we * want to always do things our own way? * recognise our wrongs (sin)? This needs emphasising as many children think they never do anything wrong. * know we need to be forgiven? * come back to our loving Father God?


This is where you can make the link between our feelings and God’s feelings to show how pleased God is when we say sorry and turn to Him

Someone wearing dirty clothes – can't come to a party. Then someone gives white sheet or clothes to put over them and now they are clean enough to enter. (Jesus makes us as white as snow to come into God's kingdom.) We may think that we are clean but God looks at our thoughts & feelings towards each other. We can fool people but we can’t fool God.

CRAFT: Make a magic treasure box with special Bible verses inside. Hand out the daily flag.

Children make their own 'upside down cup' game. Use plastic cups and decorate with permanent markers and stickers. Have 3 stones then stick a Bible verse on one and a yukky picture on the other 2. Hand out the daily flag.


(Flag idea – same as Primary)

Give each child a flag with the key verse or idea on it to take home and ad to their string of flags. They can cut out the printed flag and colour it in or stick glitter on it.

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Notes for DAY 2 Telling the Bible Story There are many good children’s books telling the story of The Prodigal Son. Or you could search the internet for a good one, or tell it straight from a paraphrased Bible. The “Lost Puzzle Piece” game. Show the children a great puzzle you have with the memory verse on it. Be very proud of it and comment on the nice artwork or colouring in (Write the verse clearly on a big piece of cardboard and cut it up like a jigsaw puzzle with 16 pieces. The only problem is that half the pieces are LOST! (Act devastated!) The missing pieces are somewhere around the room. Can they help you find them? Find them and blu tac the pieces on your poster to complete the verse. (Act out your relief and joy!) Relate these feelings to God’s feelings… when we disobey Him and hurt ourselves and others, God is very upset. When we turn back to God, the angels rejoice in heaven.

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Big Top Time skit:

3

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin

Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

Jesus can save us because He is kind and Powerful.

“Daniel in Lion’s Den”

Acts 4:12 -”And there is

salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Daniel 6:1-23 (primary –end)

Daniel in the Lion's den

Eph 2:8-9 For it is by grace

you have been saved...

Ephesians2:8 “For it is by Grace you have been saved through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God.”

The RM tells lion tamer & clown the importance of their job. The LT is conned. He buys an invisible net. During the act the Lions go feral and nearly kill clown & LT. The LT is attacked because the ‘net’ is a fake. The RM jumps in as is bitten but saves the clown and LT's life.


It is GOD who saves us through Jesus Jesus is the King we should obey. Trust in Jesus. He is the only one we can put our faith in to be saved.

INFANTS PRIMARY


Play “Sleeping Lions” (See below) Or “Freezing Lions” (see below)

Play “Sleeping Lions”


Use the lion craft paper plate masks from the craft activity to retell the story. Also make Daniel, the Angel, and the King out of paper plates to use when telling the story.

Use leaders to start with a TV news item: “Now for breaking news.. We have just received word that a man has spent a whole night in the King’s lions den and has come out alive....” then cross ‘live’ to an interview with the King, who will retell the story. Read out the story from a good version of a kid’s bible. What do WE need to be saved from? (SIN) Jesus can save us because of what He did on the cross. Tell the story of the Cross?


You could talk about the story of ‘The Emperors New clothes’. You can only trust in things that are real and true. The Bible tells us what is real and true. Have 4 storyboards from the picture mixed up. Kids need to put a number next to the pictures to put them in the order they happened.

Play the ‘Do you trust me?’ game. (see below) Then discuss: Don't put your trust in the wrong thing. E.g..

• An oven mitt full of holes

• A tight rope walkers rope that is frayed

• A trampoline safety net made out of paper

• A great looking boat with holes in it.

• A lions net made out of thin string

CRAFT: Lion craft – paper plate mask Hand out the daily flag.

Lion craft – maybe make cards with lions on the front to give to mum/dad? Or fold a paper “chomping mouth” stick wool on as hair to make it look like a lion and put the memory verse inside the mouth. (see note below).


Hand out the daily flag.

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Notes for DAY 3 Telling the Bible story: A Great retelling of the story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den: http://www.essex1.com/people/paul/bible13e.html (or www.biblestoryguy.com and scroll down to “The Lion’s den – finally”) © Paul Dallgas-Frey but we have his permission to use it. Just email him to tell him you used his work…[email protected] Primary craft: The opening lion’s mouth. This will be fun to make and play with. There are many explanations of how to make these with step by step instructions on the internet. Google search “paper folding opening mouth” or “Chomper” and choose a website with clear instructions. Add orange and brown hair taped or glued on to make it look like a lion and put the “Main idea” or memory verse (print it out beforehand) inside the mouth.

Playing “Sleeping Lions” In this game, all of the children ( except one ‘Daniel’ ) lie down on the floor in sleeping positions. Once they are settled, they are not allowed to move. ‘Daniel’ walks through the room and tries to make the sleeping lions move by making them laugh, telling them jokes, and so on. He is not allowed to touch the lions. Once the lions have moved, they get up and join Daniel in trying to make the lions move.. Playing “Freezing Lions” Have children all stand up. The assistant plays the part of the angel. The teacher plays the part of Daniel. The teacher tells the children they are the lions in the den that Daniel was thrown into. Show them how to make claws and move around and roar like lions. They cannot stand in one place, but have to be moving. When the angel says, "Stop", the lions have to stop making noise and freeze in place, because the angel had the power to shut the lions' mouth. If they get off balance and move, or make noise, they have to sit down. Repeat the game several times until the children are sitting. ‘Do you trust me?’ (Primary) A very responsible leader asks for a volunteer (Choose another leader) and asks them if they trust him/her enough to fall backwards and they will catch them. Do it a few times. You could get a small child and tell them they have to catch the leader falling back. Of course you don’t do it and you can them talk about putting your trust in people who are trustworthy and capable. (Leading into the discussion of “is God trustworthy?”) How is He trustworthy? What would you trust Him to do for you? When don’t we trust God? What is something God wants you to do that you find very difficult to trust Him with? Your money? Your use of time? Telling other people about Jesus so they can believe?Or do you find it hard to trust His promise that if you believe in Him you will live forever with Him?

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Big Top Time skit:

4

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation

Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

If we are God’s children, He will never let us go.

“Jonah”

John 10 : 27–30 God knows all His sheep’s' voices and He will not let anyone snatch them out of His hand.

Jonah chapters 1-3

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave his only son, that whosoever believes in Him will not die, but have eternal life”

A Magician opens the show. The RM tells his daughter to clean out the monkey cage. She doesn't want to. Hears the magician’s helper can’t come. She volunteers, is cut in half then disappears. RM wants her back. Magician has trouble with trick, gets it, she returns, all is forgiven.


When we are in God's family, he looks after us and guides us. Jesus is always with His children and cares for them. What is a Child of God?

INFANTS PRIMARY


Play “Chuck him out of the boat” (See below) Play “Chuck him out of the boat” (See below)


Lay out a piece of string roughly the size of a really big fish and have children sit in it for the retelling of the story. Have 4 simple pictures to use in story as teaching aids – fish, Ninevah sign with arrow, boat, Jonah. Use these as you tell the story.

Jonah story can be told and the leaders act it out. A sheet can be safety pinned around a hula hoop. Attach an eye and that is a fish with a big open mouth which can swallow “Jonah”. Interview with Jonah, incorporating how Jonah felt about going to Ninevah and why he didn’t want to go etc.


Talk about: what would it have been like inside the big fish. (Make it REAL. Talk abou the smalls, sights, touch, noises?) God wanted Jonah to follow him and to obey. God wants us to obey him too. God will always look after us.

Draw a parallel... God saved Jonah after being 3 days in the fish. God saves us when we put our trust in Jesus who was brought back to life again after 3 days in the tomb.

CRAFT: Big fish Puzzle: Have a large picture of a fish photocopied. Kids colour the fish and then cut it up into 6 pieces to make a jigsaw (Will need small snap lock bags to keep it in when finished). Make fish biscuits (see Primary) Hand out the daily flag.

Decorating milk arrowroot biscuits to look like a fish. Use a corn chip for the tail and have a jelly baby coming out of it's mouth. (Jonah) carry home on a paper plate with a verse on it and cling wrap over it. Hand out the daily flag.


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Notes for DAY 4 Telling the Bible story: Use this retelling of the story http://www.essex1.com/people/paul/bible37.html or www.biblestoryguy.com and scroll to “Jonah, the runaway prophet” © Paul Dallgas-Frey but we have his permission to use it. Just email him to tell him you used his work…[email protected]

Play “Chuck him out of the boat” (To get the children thinking about the time when Jonah was in the boat and they had to toss him in the water because he said the storm was because of him). Hand out cards to all the kids. They must not show anyone. Hand out all red cards from a normal deck of cards and only one black jack is amongst them. 3 “Crew “ members stand out the front and take turns to guess who has the black card. When they guess, that person is “out”. Only do a few rounds.

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Big Top Time skit:

5

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ

God’s Love [Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

God’s love is so great that He sent us His Son, Jesus.

“The Cross”

John 19:14-20:18 The retelling of the story of Jesus dying on the Cross to pay for our sins.

Ephesians 3:17 -19 A great

passage about God's love

1 John 3:16 “We know what Love is because Jesus gave His Life for us

RM warns all not to eat certain lollies. They disobey and get rare sickness. Dr says someone has to drink the top layer of a medicine to activate the rest of it. No one will do it. It could kill you. RM does it and saves all.


God's love is Bigger than we can imagine. God showed His love to us through what happened on the cross.

INFANTS PRIMARY


Give out 3 gifts (see below) Give out 3 gifts (see below)


How can you show someone that you love them? Discuss God wants us to know how much he loves us too, he did something very special for us.... Show wordless book, share gospel using the different colours.

How can you show someone that you love them? Discuss God wants us to know how much he loves us too; he did something very special for us.... Can either use the wordless book, or draw the diagram with us on one side and God on the other, and the cross on the side, bridging the gap for us to get back to God, as they share what Jesus did. Use different coloured markers to make it clear.


Do you like getting presents, what do you do when you get a present?

Talk about the gift illustration. Maybe act it out again and explain each one in terms of the Gospel. God sent Jesus for us as a gift. We must say yes to Jesus.

Why did Jesus have to die? What response should we have? Re-enact the gift giving from the introduction and draw out the parallels. Talk about Jesus as a gift for us? What will our response be? Why would some people not want the gift God gave us? Why would they say ‘thanks you’ but then never make use of this gift? Does it cost anything?

CRAFT: Laminated bookmarks Hand out the daily flag.

Make little ‘stress ball’ characters out of balloons filled with rice or flour. Draw faces on them, tie wool on the top for hair. Hand out the daily flag.


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Notes for DAY 5 Telling the Bible story: Google search “wordless book Gospel” and you will find many resources and Bible references for making and teaching from a wordless book. ‘Child Evangelism Fellowship’ sell wordless books but they are easy to make yourself.

Give out 2 gifts: Have 3 differently shaped gifts wrapped really nicely. Say you really love the people in this church and you want to give a few gifts out. Give one to a leader (tell them about it beforehand). They say “No thank you”. Comment that this is strange, you have never seen that before! Give the 2nd one to another leader. They say thank you!!!! And open it to find what is inside. (a chocolate or book ). Then say you have just one more gift and give it to another leader. That person is also very excited and says thank you but then proceeds to put the present in a cupboard or under a table. The giver asks in astonishment why they don’t want to open it! The person says they appreciate it but haven’t got time or just can’t be bothered opening it. The teacher comments on how strange it is to get a gift and not even open it! (expand on this – how the giver would feel, what the person could be missing out on) Then proceed to the Bible story. After the story of the cross, refer to this gift illustration again: Say no to the gift. Some people say no to God and don’t want to follow Him and have Him as our friend and don’t want Him to forgive us our sins. Say yes but put it away unopened. People who like to talk about being a Christian but they never really ask God to forgive them and to come into their lives. They don’t really want to know God or live for Him. Say yes and open it. This is becoming a Christian and putting our faith in God.

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Big Top Time skit:

[6]

(Beach Mission Church service or HBC Thursday night) Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love

[Clean in Christ] [Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

God can make us clean so we can be in His friend.

“Made Clean”

1 John 1:7 Psalm 51:7


Different performers get dirty, some with outer dirt and the strong man with steroids (inner dirt). They hear the king is coming today to watch the show and they all need to find ways to get clean. They all try different ways that don't work and then they use the special soap from the RM which makes them all clean.


We must be perfect to be God's friend but we can't because no one is perfect. We are all dirty with sin. Only Jesus can make us clean. Then we can be in God's family. This is the day presented at a whole family event. Families are encouraged to accept the Gospel and become clean through Christ.

INFANTS PRIMARY


Have a person wearing a white t Shirt with messy permanent marker all over it . The teacher and person talk about how he wants to go to this really special party but he can’t go unless he is spotlessly clean. Tshirt off. Everyone tries to clean it.. Can’t. He puts it on again (wet sorry!) Another person enters with a white Tshirt. Swaps tshirts with the dirty wet one. Then leaves. Person is happy they can go to the party.


See Primary idea of the water made clean... Talk about families – families usually look similar to each other. When we join God’s family, he wants us to start to look like him to – he wants us to be more like Jesus. Read the passages.

Interview one of the leaders to find out why they are a Christian – start with a few trivial questions. Then ask a few questions about what they believe, how they know it’s true and how they have changed their life in practical ways. The Leader being interviewed can refer to Bible verses they know, or memory verses from the week, that reinforce this. They might like to share how or when they became a Christian. Read the passages.


What does it mean ”to be like Jesus”? Brainstorm Jesus’ attributes. Be ready beforehand with pictures to match (see resource day 6 (a)). Loving, prayerful, unafraid, trusting in God, knows God’s word. Cut out the cards on the resource and play “Which one is missing?” (see Day 6 notes below) Or discuss the introduction skit again

Do the experiment where water with food colouring in it can be changed to white by adding bleach. (So Jesus makes us clean for God) Different coloured waters can be added to represent other things that can make us clean (going to church or doing good things etc.) but it is only the bleach (Jesus) who can make us clean. (The scientists amongst us would know better chemicals to use?) Or discuss the introduction skit again

CRAFT: Little kitchen sponges with eyes and a bible verse stuck on its tummy. Hand out the daily flag.

Laminated bookmarks Hand out the daily flag.


Do a puppet show using the “soap” story – see resources day 6 (b).

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Notes for DAY 6 (Family Event) Telling the Bible story: Start by studying the passages for yourself and think of easy ways to tell it to the children. Use the soap story or narrate it and act it out. Which one is missing? The attributes of Jesus are pre-drawn as they are discussed and then repeated with children holding them up in front of the group until they are saying the correct attribute of Jesus (that they wish to aspire to) for the correct picture. The pictures are laid out on the floor and a cloth or towel is put over them. One child is asked to take away a picture while the rest of the children have their eyes closed. When the towel is lifted, the children need to say which attribute is missing – repeat 5 or 6 times.

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Big Top Time skit:

[7]

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love [Clean in Christ]

[Following Jesus] [Christian Disciplines]

Jesus wants us to follow Him.

“Matthew Follows Jesus”

Matthew 7:13 The wide and narrow gates

Matthew 9:9-13 Matthew's conversion

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 “Jesus answered; I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”



To give a clear description of Jesus’ Character. To explain what it means and HOW to “Follow Jesus”

INFANTS PRIMARY


Play 'follow the leader' C Buchanan “Follow the Saviour”

Play following style games, like the 'clappy change' game (see below)


Write out lists of Characteristics of Jesus and put them on a large cut out figure outline. You could use pictures used from previous day’s brainstorming – laminated! To recall and maybe think of some more…then put them on a large cut out figure.

Give scenarios of when it is good and bad to follow others. What are Jesus characteristics? Divide the children into groups and give them each a bible verse printed out. They have to read the verse and come up with a characteristic to share with the whole group. Ideas are written on a large sheet.. See Day 7 notes below for more Bible references.


Talk about how God wants us to be like him. Give scenarios were kids have to think about what God would want them to do in that situation: Eg, God is loving so he wants us to be loving. How could we be loving when someone says something unkind to us, someone is hurt in the playground... etc.

How to Follow Jesus.. Where do you stand? – Give a few statements and kids have to move to either the right or the left side of the room if they agree, or disagree with it. Talk about what made them choose that. Following Jesus is a decision only you can make. Explain that becoming a follower of Jesus involves asking for forgiveness, and for God to take control of our lives.

CRAFT: Fruit Loop necklaces with characteristics of God in between. Have some important characteristics of God written on coloured pieces of card (loving, kind, powerful, patient...), already hole-punched. Kids thread fruit loops on to their string, as well as these little cardboard pieces of paper. Hand out the daily flag.

Character cubes. Kids finish the sentence: Jesus is......... which is written on each face of a cube stencil. They then cut these out and glue them together to make a cube Hand out the daily flag.


Play following style games, like the 'clappy change' game (see below) Play following style games, like the 'clappy change' game (see below)

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Notes for DAY 7 Telling the Bible story: A few Bible verses to help with the Primary activity. John 3:16, John 6:68, John 8:24, Acts 4:12, Luke 15:2, Luke 18:1. Luke 18:16, Matthew 1:16,17 Matthew 4:19, Matthew 4:23, Matthew 7:28,29 Matthew 8:27, Matthew 11:4-6, Matthew 14:18-21

The “Clappy Change” game Everyone sits in a circle. One person who is ‘in’ turns away so they can’t see as the teacher points to someone who will be the secret leader. The person turns around again and everyone starts doing some hand action, like clapping. The leader then changes their action, say to tapping their knees. Everyone has to follow as soon as the leader changes the action. The person up front has to pick who the leader is. Younger children should be told not to look directly at the leader so as not to make it too obvious.

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Big Top Time skit:

8

Sin’s Beginning Confession of Sin Salvation Security in Christ God’s Love Clean in Christ Following Jesus

Christian Disciplines

Aim: To learn in practical ways

about: Talking to God (Pray) Listening to God (Bible) Talking for God (Witness) God's family (Church/Fellowship) Showing how to use SU quiet time materials for their age. Giving out free past materials?? Church contact?

“Hands-on Christianity”

Phil 4:6...but in everything by

prayer and petition

Colossians 3:16 ...let the

word of christ dwell...as you teach... one another...


The circus is coming to and end for the week but they are going somewhere else. The RM wants them to do it themselves now that he has shown them how to do things. Gives them a 'complete Guide to running a circus' and a free mobile phone.


How to live for Jesus every day (Pray, Bible, Church, Witness) Prayer … you can do it any where, God hears your every thought. Reading you Bible at your age... the importance and method – setting the children up with some starter materials The importance of being with other people who love God and telling others about Jesus.

INFANTS PRIMARY


Do we ignore our friends? If you didn’t talk to someone, would they feel hurt? Angry with you? We need to show God we are his friend by talking to him regularly

Have a common recipe printed out. In pairs, see how many mistakes are in the recipe. (eg change it to 'add 50 eggs')


Ask kids: How can we live for Jesus? Read the Bible, Pray, Share with our friends. Talk about each one of these quickly: Pray – How can we do it? What do we say? Model the STOP and pray method – Sorry, Thanks, Others, Please. Emphasise: God wants us to talk to him, he doesn’t mind HOW we say it, its just like talking to a friend. Read Bible – show or give devotional guide, Share – Introduce Wordless Book in very simple form.

Ask kids: How can we live for Jesus? Read the Bible, Pray, Share with our friends. Talk about each one of these quickly: Pray – How can we do it? What do we say? Model the STOP and pray method – Sorry, Thanks, Others, Please. Emphasise: God wants us to talk to him, he doesn’t mind HOW we say it, its just like talking to a friend. Read Bible – show or give devotional guide, Share – Introduce Wordless Book in very simple form.


Pray together with the kids using the STOP method. Use simple sentences...Sorry God for .....

Just like our faulty recipes wouldn't work out properly, our lives won't work out properly without following the Bible. Hand out a copy of a quiet time page for their age and go through it with them in small groups.

CRAFT: Decorate and laminate bookmarks. Hand out the daily flag.

Make gospel beads / wordless books so that they can be ready to share the gospel with their friends and family. As they make them, kids can practise sharing the gospel with each other.


Hand out the daily flag.

Hand out the daily flag. The 2 cliffs and cross analogy

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Notes for DAY 8 Telling the Bible story: There are 4 main topics to discuss in this lesson. 1. Talking to God (Pray) 2. Listening to God (Bible) 3. Talking for God (Witness) 4. God's family (Church/Fellowship)

Another diagram (and its explanation) can be seen at: www.thebridgetolife.org.uk

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RESOURCES

A Great way of telling a story if you have the equipment to project it onto a big screen, is to show stories illustrated using lego bricks… www.thebricktestament.com

Resource Day 1 – Zaccheus, for primary aged children. A picture of a tree trunk with Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost”. Cut out section with Zaccheus and some leaves to colour, cut and clue on.

_ Zaccheus for infants children, The Zaccheus maze. Resource Day 1 – Zaccheus maze, for infants children. Resource Day 2 - Puzzle. To be photo copied on larger A3 paper and cut out. Would be good to paste on cardboard.

Resource Day 4 – Jonah in the fish. Cut the opening on the fish and colour both sheets in. Glue the fish sheet on top of the Jonah sheet and the flap can be opened to see Jonah in the fish. (2 pages) Resource Day 6a - Pictures of Godly attributes. Here are some pictures of the attributes of Jesus that we can try to imitate…not that we could ever love as God loves. Use these for the “What’s Missing Game” day 6 Resource Day 6b - The “Soap” story.

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Day 6b - The “Soap” story Once upon a time in a far-away land a young man named Joshua announced the discovery of a marvelous new kind of soap. People were skeptical at first, but they soon found that this new soap made everyone very happy because it got them so clean. It was so powerful, it got rid of dirt and stains that had been around for years. Because Joshua’s soap worked so well, men found that they had more time to spend with their wives and children. Marriages got better, people were happier, and everybody admired the young man who had given them the soap. Joshua refused to charge for the soap and gave it away to all who asked for it. This bothered some rich people, but the poor loved it. Not surprisingly, the manufacturers of rival kinds of soap soon became very angry because their business was being hurt.. Before long, Joshua had followers who were traveling around the country, giving away the new soap to all who asked for it. Of course, this new soap was an instant success because the people of Joshua’s country had been trying for years to make themselves clean with their own homemade soap. Thousands became great fans of the new soap, and they formed small groups to spread its use. The other soap manufacturers became desperate and tried to get Joshua to charge for his soap, but he refused. He said, “I prefer to give it away, because no money would be adequate payment for a soap as perfect and complete as this one is.” When the soap manufacturers found that this strategy wouldn’t work, they started a smear campaign against Joshua and his followers. They said that the soap made cleaning too easy – that you should have to work harder to get things clean. They also said that Joshua and his followers were immoral because they had been seen in the company of the dirtiest people in the world. Joshua smiled when he heard these charges, and said, “Although everybody needs soap, it is the dirty people who need the soap the most!” These slanders didn’t work because the common people realized that Joshua truly loved them and that is why his soap was free. Since their other tactics failed, the rival soap manufacturers plotted to kill the young man. They paid an informer to betray Joshua and then arrested him. They paid witnesses to perjure themselves in court, and finally they were able to have Joshua convicted of trumped up “crimes” and executed. The soap manufacturers were certain that this would take care of the problem, but to their dismay Joshua’s followers continued to distribute the soap. Persecution of the followers didn’t work either, for Joshua’s followers kept spreading to new areas and kept giving away the soap. After many years, the rival manufacturers decided to try the policy of “if you can’t beat ‘em then join ‘em.” So they analyzed Joshua’s soap and came up with a very clever substitute, which looked the same, but, of course, it didn’t work. They used the same name for their soap that Joshua had used and organized a promotion campaign to corner the market. Because of their organization and slick advertising, they made great progress and even got many of Joshua’s followers to join them for a while. Soon, however; these infiltrators started to charge for their counterfeit soap, and, because their distributors had replaced many of Joshua’s followers, many people had to buy the soap now – and their substitute didn’t really work! However; some people read Joshua’s instructions and those of the early users of the soap and discovered how they could get it for free! Because of Joshua’s written instructions, down through the centuries there were always groups who distributed Joshua’s real soap for free. After several centuries the leading soap manufacturers decided that they needed a publicity gag to stir up interest in their counterfeit version of the soap, so the started Soap Crusades to go back to Joshua’s homeland and try to recover the original bucket in which he had first made the soap. Mighty armies were raised because Joshua’s homeland was now in he hands of some people that didn’t believe in Joshua’s soap. These Soap Crusades resulted in wars and the deaths of thousands of people and much destruction and heartache. Many true followers of Joshua protested against these campaigns, but were killed for their efforts. Finally the Soap Crusades ceased, but they did stir up a lot of interest and sold a lot of the counterfeit soap. Well, about 2000 years have gone by now, and Joshua’s true soap is still available free, and people are still getting clean and being happy. And there are those who try to peddle a similar but counterfeit kind of soap for profit or power. Now, there are some who say you, really, can’t get clean, but a little soap is a good thing and everybody ought to have some, but don’t go overboard! Others worship books about the original soap. Still others have Joshua’s true soap, and have found that only through his power can they become clean. [In our parable, Joshua’s soap is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel (which means “GOOD NEWS”) could not be stamped out by anyone, because it was a MESSAGE of God’s provision for the gift of eternal life for sinful men which has endured even to our day and people are still getting “clean” by submission of their lives to Jesus Christ – ALONE. The GOOD NEWS of what Jesus Christ did for YOU on His cross remains as viable today as it was on the Resurrection Morning.]

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Today I had fun in the BIG TOP

God Made the world PERFECT ☺

Sin came into The world �

Zaccheus climbed The tree to see

Jesus

Jesus can

forgive

us

1

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The Prodigal Son

“If we confess our sins

he is faithful and just

and will forgive us

sins and purify us

from all un

righteousness.”

1 John 1:9

2

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Daniel in the Lion’s Den

“For it is by grace you have

been saved, through faith –

and this is not from

yourselves, it is a gift

from God – not by

works so that no

one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

3

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Jonah

If we are God’s

Children, He will

Not let us go.

4

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God’s Love

“For God so loved the world, that

he gave his only son, that

whoever believes in him will

not die, but have Eternal

Life.”

John 3:16

5

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Clean in Christ

“Jesus purifies us from

every sin”

1 John 1:7b

6

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Matthew Followed Jesus

Jesus answered

“I am the way the truth

and the life.

No one comes to the

Father except

through me.”

John 14:6

7

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I can hear God READ your BIBLE

I can talk to God Pray

“Do not be anxious about

anything but in everything,

by prayer and petition,

with thanksgiving,

present your

requests to God.”

Phillipians 4:6

8

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S U F M

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H B C !

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BIG TOP CIRCUS SKITS

Characters: Not all appear each day, so some actors can double up as 2 different characters Name Character & personality Costume Attitude to the Truth

Ringo the Ring Master

Days 1,

Kind but authoritative. Good leader.

Forgiving. He has created a perfect

circus but people wreck it by doing

things their own way.

Black top hat and suit jacket/pants Positive, tries to guide others in

the right way.

Side Show Sid A sleazy guy. He sells tickets for the

circus but steals money for himself. He

gets people to disobey the Ring Master.

Black moustache. Tartan suit or

flannelette shirt. Cap or slicked

hair.

Very defiant. Wants power and

money for himself

Marvelous Mo & his/her flea

circus

A great entertainer in the grand old

style. Likes to show off his performing

fleas.

He wears a bowler hat and a vest

and has an old little suitcase

containing his acrobatic fleas and

props (doll house size chairs and

mini ladders and tight ropes etc.)

Len (or Lyn) the Lion Tamer A slack Lion tamer. Doesn’t really

believe the lions are as dangerous as

they are.

A safari suit and hat. A little stool

and a whip.

Doesn’t see the need for rules or

guidelines because he denies any

danger of evil.

Crazy the Clown A Puppet (or person)who wants to be a

good clown but finds it hard to be

funny. Says lots of really sick jokes.

A clown puppet or a person in a

colourful clown suit.

Daisy Star The Ring Mater’s daughter. She is a

little bit dumb but sweet. She helps the

magician and other acts and is

sometimes sick of being in the circus.

Pretty and bright, leotard and skirt. Follows the truth but finds it

sometimes boring and is curious

about how others live.

Strong man Dave He thinks he is soooo handsome and

strong. Very vain and always flexing

his muscles. He easily does the wrong

thing but can say sorry.

Bike shorts and braces and a t shirt

with small balloons blown up and

put under sleeves for extra muscle.

Curly moustache.

Marlon the Magician A magician who does really corny and

obvious tricks

Wear a cape and hold a magic

wand and a top hat for a rabbit to

come out of. Have a rabbit puppet.

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SKIT OUTLINES:

DAY 1:

The ring master opens the circus and declares it perfect. He tells people their jobs and then leaves. They do them in a slack way – not the RM way.

Tickets over priced, ropes not tied properly etc. RM finds out. The ticket seller comes to say sorry and is forgiven by the RM even though the others

don't think he deserves it.

DAY 2:

The Ring Master tells the performers to be fair and gives them all an allowance. He introduces the acts, including a Flea Circus guy who lies about his

fleas being sick and collects money for their vet bills. Wastes his allowance. His fleas 'run' away. He confesses to the RM who forgives.

DAY 3:

The RM tells lion tamer & clown the importance of their job. The LT disobeys. He buys an invisible net. Doesn't feed the lions properly. The clown

sticks up for what is right. During the act the Lions go feral and nearly kill clown but they don't kill him!. The LT is attacked because the net is a fake.

The RM jumps in as is bitten but saves the clown and LT's life.

DAY 4:

A Magician opens the show. The RM tells his daughter to clean out the monkey cage. She doesn't want to. Hides in the magician’s box. He cuts her in

half.(?)then makes her disappear. Can't find her. RM rescues her and forgives her

DAY 5:

Some circus acts happen (not all above board), then a letter comes from the postman saying they are all fined for different things (danger to animals,

cheating, fraud, strong man made babies cry etc.) None of them can pay fines. RM pays the fines for them.

DAY 6:

Different performers get dirty, some with outer dirt and the strong man with steroids (inner dirt). They hear the king is coming today to watch the show

and they all need to find ways to get clean. They all try different ways that don't work and then they use the special soap from the RM which makes

them all clean.

DAY 7:


DAY 8:

The circus is coming to an end for the week but they are going somewhere else. The RM wants them to do it themselves now that he has shown them

how to do things. Gives them a 'Complete Guide to Running a Circus' and a free mobile phone.

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CRAFT IDEAS FOR FUN CIRCUS CRAFTS Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday

Kindy Circus Place Mat

Face Mask Fishing Game Cup and Ball Game

Year 1 Pencil Tin

Lion Mask Circus Place Mat Sparkle Mobile

Year 2 Monkey Tails

Circus Place Mat Coloured Salt in Jars Clown Yarn Person

Year 3 Memory Caps

Finger Print Cards Pot Plant Tins Fairy Floss Tree

Year 4 Girls, Rolled Bead

Necklace

Boys, Paddle Pop Box

Pin Prick Picture Paper Box Treats Girls, Place Mat

Boys, Robot Clown

Year 5 Girls, Paper Clip Brooch

Boys, Paddle Pop Box

Rain Sticks Draught Games CD Candle Stand

Year 6 Girls, Safety Pin Brooch

Boys, Juggling Balls

Boot Scraper Girls, Pillow Case

Boys, Tin Can Craft

Tile Crafty

This programme may be used for a Holiday Bible Club Beach ... THEME PROGR… · Page: 3 of 41 Circus Theme Bible Lessons Program Summary – Infants and Primary DAY THEME The BIG

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