It's Cool to be Wise!
Ed’s Journey to ‘Crack the Code’ and get Wise
Series Overview
This series is based on six wise statements from the Bible, mainly taken from the book of Proverbs.
The adventure starts when Ed buys an old wardrobe and quickly discovers that it is more than just a place for keeping clothes! Hidden in the wardrobe Ed finds a chart with blank spaces into which are to be inserted pieces of a secret code. There are also instructions of how to use the wardrobe to travel to various places, collect the missing code pieces and ultimately crack the code. Along the way, Ed will also pick up clues to key words, which help him to become wise.
Each week the Bible focus time will be based on one of the six wise Biblical statements, which will include the key word discovered by Ed earlier in the evening.
Ed’s journeys gets underway when the wardrobe firstly takes him to a street in a city called Trustington in America. Here Ed meets a workman who helps him find the first piece of code and key word. From Trustington Ed goes on to visit another five places collecting all six pieces of the missing code.
Ed meets a variety of people along the way and lands in some interesting places. These include a ship, cave, planning office and the middle of a storm. The people he meets are obviously shocked at the completely unexpected appearance of a wardrobe.
The Bible focus is set on bringing to the children some important Christian principles with respect to how they should conduct their lives, from the company they keep, to how they respond in difficult situations.
Here are the wise sayings:
1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t rely on your own intelligence. Proverbs 3 v 5 (CEB)
2. Don't be fooled. Bad company ruin good character. 1 Corinthians 15 v 33 (GNT)
3. A soft answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs it up. Proverbs 15 v 1 (ESV)
4. Ask the Lord to bless your plans and you will be successful in carrying them out. Proverbs 16:3 (GNV)
5. The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18 v 10 (NASB)
6. Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4 v 23. (NIV)
Each week will have a lead-in session, followed by a Bible chat and response time in small groups but you can adapt the format to your setting and the time you have.
Week 1
Part 1 Lead-in Session (Sketch)
Bible Verse Proverbs 3 v 5
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t rely on your own intelligence.”
Props Scene 1 – Home living room
Wardrobe – time machine, table / table cloth, standard lamp (or table lamp on small table) vase on table, couple of chairs, small stand with candle or ornament. We adapted an old wardrobe by taking out the back panel and braced the sides (see photos). We then placed it between the backdrop panels so that someone could go behind the panels each week and make their entrance through the wardrobe.
Props Scene 2 – Workman in street
Workman’s kit – hard hat, hi-viz vest, boots, kango hammer, ear protectors, roadwork cones, City of Trusting name sign. We made a kango from cardboard (see photo).
Scene 1 - Home living room
Character: Ed, narrator, workman
ED - Hi Kids I’m Ed, the other day I bought this old second hand wardrobe. You’ll never guess what I found hidden inside – a secret code and instructions of how to use the wardrobe to travel to six places, crack a code and get wise. I thought it was a joke left in there by the previous owners but I’ve thought about it and I’m prepared to give it a go! Afterall, what have I got to loose.
Narrator: Oh my! Now Ed’s inside the wardrobe. It sounds as if it’s taking off. What’s going on – wow, maybe it is a travelling machine?
(Sound effect of wardrobe taking off)
Street Scene 2 (dimmed lights quick stage change by helpers)
Street Scene – workman drilling the road with kango. cones, workman in high-viz vest, boots, hard hat. Road sign and signpost on the street.
Scene opens with kango (kango sound effect)
(Ed opens the wardrobe door and looks around in absolute amazement. Stopping his kango the workman looks at the wardrobe in utter shock)
Ed: (shouting) Wow! Where am I?
Workman: (with a look of stark amazement) you’re in the City of Trustington – America. Where have you come from?
Ed: That is cool! A few minutes ago I was in England. .
Workman: Well you’re not there now, you’re right in the middle of the street and one with a big hole in it! Better watch where you’re treading.
Ed: OK I’ll be careful.
(Ed walks over and greets the workman, they shake hands.)
Workman: Wardrobes landing in the street from nowhere, what on earth is going on?
Ed: Sorry, take too long to explain, but I’m trying to crack a code and somewhere around here there must be clues I need.
Workman: (gesturing as if this is all a bit much) You’ve gotta be joking! This all sounds completely cuckoo to me mate – you off TV or something?
Ed: (Having a good look around as he speaks) Hey, get serious, no joke, I need the first piece of the code it’s really important – the instructions were whoever cracks this code gets wise.
Workman: This is so crazy – you expect me to believe this stuff? (with emphasis) hey wait a minute, earlier one of my blokes dug up a box full of junk. Here it is.
Ed: (franticly opens the box – rummages through contents) yes! yes! Fantastic!
Workman: OK, OK, want to let me in on it?
Ed: (holding it up for kids) A piece of the code XXIII and a clue. “The first part of this city – 5 letters” what could that mean? City of Trustington 5 letters – City doesn’t fit – Trustington doesn’t fit – (kids do you know what word this could be?) But wait TRUST that fits, that’s the word I need 5 letters - trust. Trust that’s an important word to get wise but who do we trust – I’ll find out later.
Narrator: And with that Ed thanks the workman for his help and gets back into the wardrobe.
(Sound effect of wardrobe taking off)
Workman: (shaking his head and looking dazed) Did all of that just happen?
Narrator: Wow, what an adventure. I wonder where Ed is off to now. We’ll have to join him again next week.
Part 2 Bible Chat
Bible verse: Proverbs 3 v 5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t rely on your own intelligence.
Over the next six weeks we are going to be looking at some very wise sayings found in the Bible, mostly written by a king called Solomon. When he became king of his people, the Israelites, he asked God to give him wisdom so that he could help and lead his people wisely. God answered his prayer and he became the one of the wisest men that has ever lived.
Here is one of his wise sayings:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t rely on your own intelligence. (Use the power point provided.)
We all put our trust in people every day without even thinking about it (power point slide 1). When we step on a bus, we put our trust in the bus driver that he will drive safely and get us to where we want to go.
(Power point slide 2) When we go to the doctors we trust they are right, when they tell us what is wrong with us and what the remedy is.
(Power point slide 3) When we go to the supermarket to buy our food we trust that it has been processed safely.
God wants us to trust Him with all our heart. That means trust Him with our very lives. Trust Him to guide us in every decision we have to make in life. As we grow up there will be lots of things we have to decide on. Ask the children what sort of decisions they will have to make as they are growing up, have possible examples written on card and place on a board: where we go to college/university, who our friends are, where we live, what job we have, who we will marry and lots more. We can think that we know best and trust in our own understanding. But in our wise saying today we are told not to trust in our selves. When we trust God He is really pleased.
As we grow up we think we know what’s best for us but only Jesus knows the future and what really is the best path for us to follow. God wants us to make good choices in life. When we trust Him we become wise and we stay away from bad choices that spoil our lives and make us unhappy.
part 3 Response time in small groups
1. Ask the children who they put their trust in. Write down their responses on a white board.
2. Explain that trust is like faith and faith pleases God.
3. Sometimes we may have doubts about trusting God. Does anyone have doubts? Discuss their responses. Give out large post-its and ask them to write a short prayer asking God to help them trust in Him more.
WEEK 2
Lead-in Session (sketch)
Bible Verse 1 Corinthians 15 v 33
“Don't be fooled. Bad company ruin good character.”
Ed lands on a ship
Props: H. M. S. Friendship Life buoy, H. M. S. Friendship sign, Ship items, rope, boxes, wheel, anchor, background picture on screen of ship’s deck, use kiosk as ship’s bridge, mast and radar.
Drama setting: Wardrobe on the stage, ship’s bridge but covered in black sheet. At some point early in the session's programme (could be during a song) team transform platform to ship’s deck scene removing sheet and adding various other ship items.
Narrator: Last week we saw Ed land in America. I wonder where he’ll touch down today.
(Sound effect time travelling wardrobe)
Ed: (Opening wardrobe doors and wobbling about a bit as he comes out onto the ship’s deck)
(Sound effect ship at sea noise )
(swaying a little) It’ll take me a while to get used to this thing landing, not the smoothest you know . Brr it’s a bit breezy out here better get a coat on. Oh my goodness we’ve landed on a ship out in the ocean, no wonder I’m swaying about.
(Captain approaches Ed.)
Captain: Hey, what are you doing on my ship and what is that? You’re a pirate, I knew it.
Ed: (Gesturing by putting his hands up to the captain) Now, just hang on a minute, let’s not get too excited. I’m no pirate, I landed on your ship in a travelling wardrobe – I’m looking for clues, and there’s one somewhere on this ship. I need it to help me crack a code.
Captain: A likely story, you’re a pirate. I should have you thrown overboard.
Ed: Don’t you think you’re over reacting a little captain? And, considering the name of your ship is (with real emphasis) – H. M. S. Friend-Ship, you don’t seem very friendly to me.
(Captain turns his face apologetically)
Ed: Now I’ve got to find this clue, are you going to help me or not?
Captain: We’ll alright, I’ll help, but this does all sound a bit of a ridiculous tale. Yes the ship is named H. M. S. Friendship but you do have to be careful who your friends are, because pirates are not nice people.
Ed: OK captain but I’m no pirate and you’re safe being friends with me.
Narrator: Ed and the captain look all over the ship, searching high and low, they go down below deck (exit the stage at opposite ends down the steps and bump into each other across the front) they return back up on deck, turn crates over but can’t find anything that looks like a clue.
Ed: It’s just got to be here somewhere but where?
Ed deep in thought picks up the life buoy off deck and unknowingly turns it so that the back faces the audience. On the back of the life buoy is a piece of the code once again in Roman numerals and a clue. Hopefully at this point the kids will shout out, if they do Ed can play along pretending he doesn’t understand what they are saying. If the audience don’t shout out the narrator will need to step in.
Narrator: (If needed) – hey, Ed, there’s something on the back of the life buoy, is that what you are after?
Ed: (turning the life buoy around) Hooray! What do you know, that’s it, a piece of the code and a clue to the important word. A seven letter word that’s part of the name of this ship?
What can it be? (the kids might have a go here, if so Ed will oblige) yes H. M. S. Friendship. The word is friend. I need to go. Need to choose your friends carefully captain, make sure they’re not pirates. Sorry captain, I’m starting to get a bit sea sick, must go – thanks for all of your help.
Narrator: And with that, Ed shakes the captain’s hand, gets back into the wardrobe and he’s off again.
(The captain throws his hands in the air and just smiles)
(Sound effect time travelling wardrobe)
Bible Chat
Bible Verse: Proverbs 13 v 20, 14 v 7, 12 v 26, 1 Corinthians 15 v 33
Dont be fooled. Bad company ruin good character.
Things needed:
A fruit bowl of good apples and one badly bruised apple. Bury the bruised apple in the fruit bowl of good apples.
Does anyone here like apples? Apples are one of my favourite fruits. Does anyone have an apple tree in their garden? My brother-in-law had an orchard and he grew apples and pears. I loved to go after the summer and pick a basket full. Yummy! There are lots of things you can make with apples - ask the children for their ideas (pies, juice, upside down cake, strudel). Apples generally will stay fresh for a couple of weeks if you keep them cool.
Here’s my fruit bowl of apples, I’ve had them for a couple of weeks now but when I picked one up to eat earlier today I found that it was all bruised and soft, it had gone bad. Then I looked at the one next to it and it too was starting to go bad. I’m glad I didn’t take a bite of it!
Did you know that if a rotten apple is touching another apple the good apple will start to rot too? And then it spreads quickly from apple to apple. Before you know it all the apples in the fruit bowl will be bad and bruised!
The Bible says that, ‘bad company ruin good character’. That means when you hang around people who are a bad influence it will begin to affect you. You might not even notice it at first, but you will start picking up their bad habits and acting like them. Before you know it you will be a bad influence too! Jesus wants us to be a good influence in this world and His way is the way of love and kindness towards others.
So be very careful when you are around people who are a bad influence. Don’t hang out with them because they will begin to pull you down and before you know it you may be acting just like them. So choose your friends wisely.
part 3 Response time in small groups
Have prepared pieces of paper one for each child in your group with the outline of a ship on it.
1. Discuss with the children what a good friend is like.
2. Ask the children to think about their friends and whether they fit the description of a good friend. If not, ask them to think what they should do about it.
3. Use the ship outline and add the word friend to ship (friend-ship) and write in characteristics of a good friend.
WEEK 3
part 1 lead-in Session (sketch)
Bible Verse Proverbs 15 v 1
“A soft answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs it up.''
Props: Black sheets, explorer’s backpack, lunch box, fold-up seat, cardboard stand-up rocks, bottle with message inside, map, torch, Calm Bay map.
Characters: Ed, narrator, explorer - Jo(e).
Drama setting: wardrobe on stage, black sheets thrown over Kidz Klub backdrops and draped over prize table, a few imitation stand-up cardboard rocks, a small seat, bucket turned over as table, back-pack, bottle of water, map.
Lights down and fairly dark on stage.
Narrator: Last week we left Ed as he was taking off from a ship in the travelling wardrobe, I wonder what this week’s adventure will be.
(Sound effect time travel wardrobe)
Scene set: Cave
Ed: (Opening wardrobe doors and wiping his brow) Phew, that was a bit of a bumpy one. Awh, it’s a bit dark in here where’s that torch? Got it! (looking around and picking up a map from the table). It’s a cave and someone’s around, I can hear footsteps, better hide (Ed stoops down behind a rock he still has the map in his hand).
(The explorer enters the cave)
Explorer: – Wow! Where did that come from? (looking at the wardrobe astonished and then looking around suspiciously. Picking up a piece of wood like a sword – in a stern voice). OK you can come out, I know there’s someone hiding back there, and you’ve got my map.
(Ed remains still and quiet)
Explorer: It’s no good, you’ll have to come out sooner or later and I’m armed.
Ed: Ah, ah, ah – achoo (coming out sheepishly, with a hand gesture) Err, hi there.
Explorer: (Still brandishing stick and roughly speaking) who are you? And what are you doing in my cave?
Ed: Oh it’s your cave is it? (looking around) Sorry, you don’t look much like a cave man.
Explorer: (still holding stick and in a rough voice) OK there’s no need to be funny. It’s not quite my cave exactly, but I did discover it.
Ed: Oh, so it’s not your cave? Maybe we could start again. I’m Ed, pleased to meet you.
Explorer: (looking at the stick, putting it down, holds out hand) Jo(e). Sorry for being a bit unfriendly, harsh words are not the way to greet someone. Glad you didn’t get angry.
Narrator: Once again Ed explains about the travelling wardrobe and how he’s looking for pieces of code and a clue for a really important special word.
Explorer: OK I think I get the picture, wacky story but I’ll take your word for it. What does the code look like?
Ed: (Reaching into the wardrobe) here’s a piece I’ve already collected. It’s a kind of puzzle. There must be a piece around here somewhere.
(Ed and Jo(e) look around the cave but find nothing. They look disappointed)
Explorer: Wait a minute, (rummaging through backpack) I wonder. I found this earlier on the beach (Joe pulls an old bottle from his back-pack) but couldn’t get the cork out, could it be...
Ed: I can get it out, fantastic! It’s the third piece of the code and clue. Another name for this place with 4 letters and beginning with ‘S’. What’s the name of this place Joe?
Explorer: Calm Bay, the water is outside the cave entrance, it’s a really peaceful place..
Ed: Another name for ‘calm’ beginning with ‘S’. Can’t be still that’s 5 letters, I know it’s got to be ‘soft’! I need to go Joe.
Explorer: Sorry you’ve got to go Ed but take care. Sorry I didn’t greet you with softer words.
Ed: (shaking hands with Joe) That’s OK, you’re a star Joe, thanks so much for everything.
Narrator: (Ed gets into the wardrobe) There Ed goes, off again on his amazing adventure. Later we will find out why the word ‘soft’ is so important.
(Sound effect time travel wardrobe)
part 2 Bible Chat
Bible Verse: Proverbs 15 v 1
A soft answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs it up.
Introduction for Drama Sketch
This week’s Bible chat opens with a short drama. It starts with someone pretending to be walking along a street looking down on his phone when a skater comes flying by and almost knocks him over. They both shout at each other and get really angry.
The drama is then replayed but this time the skater talks softly and says sorry asking whether he is hurt. The man’s anger quickly subsides.
Drama
A man is walking down the road looking at his phone. A skater comes whizzing by and almost knocks him over.
Man: (shouts) hey watch where you’re going you almost knocked me over!
Skater: (shouts) you watch where you are going!
Man: I was just minding my own business.
Skater: (picks up his skate and walks over to him shouts in an angry tone) you were looking at your phone!
Man: you were going too fast, you’re a menace on the pavement.
Skater: (puts his face close to the man) Oh yeah!
Man: (angry tone) yeah!
Replay take 2
A man is walking down the road looking at his phone. A skater comes whizzing by and almost knocks him over.
Skater: (concerned tone) Oh sorry mate I didn’t see you there.
Man: (angry tone) you should look where you’re going!
Skater: (calm tone) yeah I’m so sorry are you hurt at all?
Man: (calming down) luckily for you I’m not. You must be more careful on the pavement.
Skater: you’re right I will be from now on. See you around.
Man: yeah well, see you.
In the first drama we saw the two people became very angry with one another and it seemed that they both made each other angrier, as they shouted and said unkind things. Not good.
The take two showed a very different situation. Were they both as angry this time – no, why do you think that was? Yes, firstly the guy said sorry straight away and he said it in a soft manner, he didn’t shout or say unkind things, and he didn’t put the blame on to him. By acting in a very different way the skater calmed everything down and the anger soon melted away.
The wise saying this week tells us that a soft answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs it up. When you are next in a difficult situation and people are getting angry remember the advice of this saying and do what it says, you will see the difference it makes.
We see a lot of anger and violence on our televisions every day. Sometimes people who can’t control their anger end up doing things that they regret for the rest of their lives. For some people their anger has led them to a prison cell.
Try it for yourself next time you are in the playground or with a brother or sister, the advice really does work.
Jesus said ‘’happy are the peacemakers’’, He wants us to be peacemakers but He knows that there are times when we all get angry over something but we need to control that anger. We can ask Jesus to help us to control our temper.
part 3 Response time in small groups
Have prepared pieces of paper, one for each child with an outline of a bridge on. Write the word sorry on the middle of the bridge.
1. Have you ever lost your temper?
2. Use the bridge picture with the word ‘sorry’ – ask the children to draw themselves at one end and a person they have been angry with the other end. Then write a simple prayer underneath the bridge asking God to help them control their temper and be a peacemaker.
WEEK 4
part 1 lead-in Session (sketch)
Bible Verse Proverbs 16 v 3
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will help you to get your plans right.''
Props: Table and a couple of chairs, computer, piles of plans, two easels and flip chart with plans and maps on them, door with sign saying 'planning office' on it.
Drama setting: planning office setting with flip charts and easels set up with maps and plans on them. Wardrobe with black sheet over it.
Characters: narrator, Ed, office worker 1, office worker 2
Narrator: Last week we left Ed as he was taking off from a cave in Clam Bay. He’s on the move again and we’re waiting to see where he’ll touch-down this time, here we go again.
Office worker: So glad its Friday, can’t wait for the weekend.
(Someone will need to pull the black sheet from the wardrobe as it lands) -Sound effect travelling wardrobe
Office worker 1: (looking at wardrobe and lifting hand to eyes) Oh my, what’s going on, I think I’m going to faint.
Office worker 2: (rushing into the office) Hey, you OK – oh my word, where did that wardrobe come from?
Office worker 1: (in a trembling voice) I don’t know, but it sounds like there’s someone inside trying to get out!
(The two office workers look on as inside the wardrobe Ed struggles to open the door – but then suddenly he bursts out and the office workers nearly pass out)
Office worker 1: Help, we’re being invaded by aliens, help!
Ed: (gesturing for the office workers to calm down) hey guys, it’s OK – calm down, I’m human and very friendly.
Narrator: Ed explains to the two office workers all about the travelling wardrobe and how he is looking for a piece of code and a clue for an important word. They calm down and are now at ease, even though they think Ed’s story is a bit far fetched.
Ed: So you see it’s all OK no need for any panic. Anyway, what is this place? I’ve never seen so many drawings and plans, they’re everywhere.
Office worker 1: That’s because this is a planning office. All around you are plans of things people want to build.
Office worker 2: Whenever anyone wants to build a new house or building or road they have to send us the plans for checking.
Office worker 1: We make sure the plans are right and that someone’s house or school isn’t going to fall down.
Office worker 2: It’s always really important to have good plans, good plans keep people safe and doing things right.
Ed: OK guys I get it – plans are very important, we need to have good plans! Now I have a plan I need to find that piece of code and my next clue. Will you help me?
Narrator: The two office workers nod simultaneously and they all set about looking for Ed’s clues. (Ed and helpers start looking around the office but can’t find anything and shake their heads)
Ed: What about us looking through the plans? I know that seems a bit impossible but the code has to be somewhere right here.
(The three start looking through the piles of plans, when suddenly Office worker 1 with a massive smile on their face finds a drawing with a code on it and shouts out.)
Office worker 1: got it! – but how ever did that get in here?
Ed: Oh, don’t worry about how it got there – that’s it, just what I need, the piece of code and a clue. The clue is the first four letters of this office name (Ed walks over to the office door) Planning Office – first four letters, that's it the word is 'plan'.
Thanks so much for your help, I’m so grateful!
Narrator: Well Ed’s found his next clue and is off again, leaving two very puzzled office workers. I can't wait to see where he lands next week, can you?
(Sound effect travelling wardrobe)
part 2 Bible Chat
Bible Verse: Proverbs 16 v 3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will help you to get your plans right.
Have you ever made plans for something? Can you think of times when people need to make plans?
(Use the power point pictures provided)
Examples:
A wedding, a holiday, a celebration, a birthday etc.
You will need to find someone in your team who has had to plan an event and use their photos.
Last year we planned a special birthday occasion for a family member. We first of all had to find a venue to hold the party, then decide on how many people to invite and who they would be, what food we should buy, what time to have people arrive, what to wear! And how much to spend. There was lots to plan (put up on screen photos of the event).
Throughout our lives we make lots of plans and in this verse we are told that if we commit our plans to Jesus He will help us get our plans right. How we do that is to ask in prayer for His help each day and follow in His footsteps. God so wants us to put our trust completely in Him and not in ourselves. He knows what is best for us.
part 3 Response time in small groups
1. Have you ever had to make an important decision? Discuss their responses.
2. What kind of plans do you think God wants to help you with? (planning of our time, time for helping others, coming to Kidz Klub, who our friends are).
3. Why do you think it is important to ask God to help us make our plans (He will help us get our plans right).
WEEK 5
part 1 lead-in Session (sketch)
Bible Verse Proverbs 18 v 10
“The Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower the righteous run into it and are safe.”
Props: Wardrobe time machine on stage, kiosk or similar prop to look like a stone tower, covering sheets, storm image on screen, lunch box.
Sound effects: Travelling wardrobe, storm, suspense.
Drama setting: Open outdoor space, with a ‘strong tower’ on one side, wardrobe on the other, possibly a tree or other outdoor items. Wardrobe and tower covered by black sheets, which are removed just before the drama starts.
(Sound effect of wardrobe taking off / landing followed by storm sound effect)
Characters: Ed. housekeeper, narrator.
Narrator: Wow, looks like Ed’s landed right in the middle of a storm. I don’t think he wants to come out.
(Ed opens the door cautiously, peeps out and shuts it)
Ed: (from inside the wardrobe) Oh no, looks like I’m off course and have landed in the wrong place (peeping out again) there’s a real storm out there, not sure what I should do now. I wonder where the code is?
Narrator: Oh dear, is Ed stuck, can he get out?
(Sound effect - suspense)
Ed: I can’t see much out there but I’ll take another look (peeping through the door again) what awful weather – but wait, what’s that over there? I wonder if I make a run for it, I can get to that building? I’m going to try – here goes!
(Ed dashes across to the tower and bangs on the door) hello, hello, anybody there? Oh no, can’t make anyone hear me (banging on the door again) hello, is there anyone in?
Housekeeper: (opening the door) oh dear, have you been there long, come inside quickly.
Ed: thanks so much, such awful weather out there.
Housekeeper: Yes, you are not the first person to come running for shelter. The weather can get very rough here by the sea, many houses have been destroyed over the years by storms, but not this one, even though it is hundreds of years old. You see this house was originally built as a lookout tower across the sea – it’s as solid as a rock. That’s why it’s named Mighty Tower. It’s a safe place to be in a storm.
Ed: I’m glad I found you then. Mighty Tower certainly is a safe place to be in a storm.
House keeper: Yes, but why are you here? And what about your vehicle?
Ed: Oh don’t worry about my vehicle, it can look after itself, it’s rather special actually.
Housekeeper: Ah I see, then I think I know why you are here. Is this what you’re looking for?
Ed: Yes that’s exactly what I’m after but how did you know?
Housekeeper: Let’s just say I know.
Ed: So that’s the piece of the code and the clue is – what is another name for ‘mighty’. Let’s think, another name for mighty – kids can you think of another name for mighty? Big, powerful but this word has 6 letters – YES it could be STRONG. Another name for Mighty Tower is Strong Tower. Today has shown me just how important a strong tower is.
Housekeeper: The storm has calmed, you must be off. Take this for your lunch.
Ed: Thanks so much for all of your help and for lunch.
(Ed leaves the house and gets into the wardrobe, he closes the door and is off again)
Narrator: I’m glad the storm has calmed down for Ed to leave, I wonder where he will land next?
(Sound effect of wardrobe taking off / landing)
Week 5
part 2 Bible Chat
Bible Verse
Proverbs: chapter 18 v 10
''The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe.''
You will need some large wooden jenga blocks.
Ask two boys and two girls to build a strong tower with the blocks, then test if they can take the weight of a bucket of stones.
Use the power point provided.
Slide 1
A tower – ask the children what makes a tower strong? The bricks and a good foundation.
Slide 2
A tower is a shelter from a storm, where you can feel secure and safe.
Slide 3
Here the verse reminds us that God is strong, just like a tower and He can shield us from harm making us secure and safe. Sometimes we can find ourselves in situations where we may not feel safe and at those times we can pray and ask Jesus to be with us, and help us, and He will. He is always watching over us as we place ourselves in His care. Jesus is described as the rock on which we can build our lives, you can’t get stronger than that!
part 3 Response time in small groups
1. Ask the children if they have ever felt afraid, discuss sensitively their responses.
2. Give out a piece of paper and ask the children to draw their own tower and then write a prayer that they can keep for whenever they feel afraid.
WEEK 6
part 1 lead-in session (sketch)
Bible Verse Proverbs 4 v 23
“Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.’’
Props: Wardrobe time machine, policeman’s hat, boots, cuffs, radio, notebook and pencil, white shirt, ‘No Parking’ sign, street direction pole sign.
Sound effects: Travelling wardrobe
Drama setting: Open outdoor kerbside street space. The scene set is the Policeman’s beat.
Characters: Ed, policeman, postman, narrator.
(Sound effect of wardrobe taking off / landing)
Narrator: Woops, that’s an interesting place for Ed to land he’s landed in the middle of a street. .
(Ed opens the door and comes out of the wardrobe, just as the local policeman comes onto the stage)
Policeman: (Taking out his notebook and pencil) hello, ello, ello – what have we here then? Parking your vehicle in a no parking space. That is against the law, in case you don't know.
Ed: Yes, but it’s not a car or a van.
Policeman: Sorry son, I don’t care if it’s a jumbo jet, you can’t park it against a ‘No Parking’ sign. These signs are here to help and protect the local residents.
Ed: But this is a wardrobe, it doesn’t have wheels.
Policeman: I can see that, but a boat doesn’t have wheels either and if you parked that here I’d have to give you a ticket.
Ed: But officer, it’s not a boat or a jumbo jet – it’s a wardrobe and I can’t control where it lands.
Policeman: Now why didn’t you say that in the first place?
Ed: Say what?
Policeman: That you can’t control where it lands. You mean you’ve broken down?
Ed: (scratching his head) well no, not really, you see the wardrobe just lands where it’s supposed to and I don’t know where that is until I get there.
Narrator: Ed explains to the policeman all about the wardrobe and that he’s after the last piece of code and an important clue. The policeman shakes his head in disbelief but says that he will give Ed thirty minutes to move the wardrobe.
Ed: Phew, that’s not long but will you help me look please?
Narrator: The policeman agrees and Ed and the policeman start looking around.
Ed: (looking at his watch) Oh dear, I’ve not got much time.
Narrator: As Ed and the officer are searching for the code the Postman stops by and shows the policeman something he found in the post box. Ed, can’t believe it, it’s the code and clue piece he’s been looking for: But the policeman is not prepared to hand the items over to Ed unless he can prove that they do belong to him. Ed goes back to the wardrobe and shows the officer the other pieces of the code and the policeman is satisfied.
Policeman: Now son, I hope you don’t think I’ve been too hard on you but I do have to look after the people on my beat. They’re all very important you see and they look to me to keep an eye on them. I’ve got a special place for these people in my heart you see, that’s why I call my beat my ‘Heart Beat’. Hearts are very important things to look after you know.
Ed: (excitedly) that’s it, that’s the answer to this last clue (policemen looking puzzled) ‘HEART’ the clue is what does the policeman call his beat? ‘Heart – Beat’. And what’s in your heart is so important, what you think, what you say, how you treat people.
Thanks officer, just made it in thirty min's. Must go.
Narrator: And with that, very excitedly Ed takes off for the last time to return home. He now has the full code, so with a little help from us – he can crack it later and all will be revealed.
(Sound effect of wardrobe taking off / landing)
part 2 Bible Chat
Bible Verse: Proverbs 4 v 23
'Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.'
For this you will need to draw a large body outline on a piece of paper or card and cut it out. Draw a heart on the chest of the body and then use it as a focal point to say that this week’s saying is all about the heart.
Also use the Power Point provided.
Slide 1:
A girl with her hand on her heart. Ask what is she doing – touching her heart, maybe she is thinking or praying.
Slide 2:
Ask what they think this picture means – a broken heart. If someone has a broken heart what has happened to them? Something that has upset them and made them sad.
Slide 3
What does it mean when a person is said to have a heart of gold? They are very kind and generous.
Slide 4
What does it mean to have a heart of stone? People are cold and unfeeling and they don’t care about others.
Slide 5
Explain that the saying talks about guarding our heart. Now what does our heart do inside our bodies? It pumps the blood around, if it stopped pumping we wouldn’t be alive. But this wise saying isn’t talking about our physical hearts, it’s talking about who we are inside, our personality what makes me, me, and you, you. But just as your physical heart is so important - vital for life, your mind and personality is also vital for life and we are told in the saying to guard it because it affects everything we do.
So how can we guard it? We need to be careful what we watch on TV and video games that show us violent and unkind images. We need to put on what Paul, a follower of Jesus, tells us is the armour of God, the breastplate of rightness - so our hearts are protected. In other words, we need to ask every day for Jesus to help us to do what is good and right and walk away from any bad influences that want to lead us astray. Stay away from things such as ouija boards, and anything that can disturb and worry us, that might include horror films.
Jesus said, happy are the people who want their heart’s to be right.
part 3 Response time in small groups
1. Can you think of ways that you can guard your heart?
2. Ask the children to draw the outline of a heart and write inside words that they want to use to describe what they want to be like, for example: kind, caring, loving, honest, thoughtful...