It's a proven fact that the least effective way to teach and communicate is through monologue.
If you want kids to really get into the lesson, then you've got to go beyond lecturing and make it an experience.
Here's an example. You can tell the kids that Moses lead the Israelites through the Red Sea.
or
You can make it a learning experience that the kids will never forget.
For this to happen, you need to immerse the kids into the story. Here's how.
Get a large, blue tarp.
Lay it flat on the ground.
Have 3-4 volunteers pick up the tarp on the two sides. Leave the middle of the tarp on the ground. It will be the bottom of the Red Sea.
Have some watery, ocean sounds playing through the speakers.
Have the kids walk through the middle of the blue tarp. As they are walking through the Red Sea, have some more volunteers spray the kids with a mist from a water bottle.
The volunteers holding up the four corners of the tarp can also shake the tarp to make the water come alive.
Here is a simple diagram of the props.
After the kids have walked through the Red Sea, have them get into small groups and discuss thiese questions:
- How do you think the Israelites felt walking through the Red Sea?
- How do you think you would have felt walking through the real Red Sea?
- How did God show the Israelites that He was with them?
- How does God show you that He is with you in tough or scary times?
One last thought - don't feel like you have to come up with expensive experiences. You can use simple items that cost very little. And many times people on your team will have an object you need to use.
Our goal should be creating learning experiences that kids love being a part of and then using that experience to talk and debrief on what they saw, felt and experienced. This is the diving board that moves kids into discussing deeper Bible truths based not just on the experience, but on what God's Word says as well. Get both working together and you'll create a dynamic spiritual growth opportunity for children.
Your turn. What are some other simple, but cool, interactive object lessons you have used that worked well? Share with us in the comment section below.