Here's the link to the original Christmas story called "Dan's Christmas Surprise."
See the video below that I created based on the story.
See the video below that I created based on the story.
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🐰🐺🐒 Rabbit, Fox, Monkey — The Animal Game
( If you've ever played Paper, Scissors, Rock - You'll love this adaption!) How to play:
1. Players count to three and show one of the three animals using hand gestures: Animal How to Show It with Your Hand Rabbit Make two fingers up like rabbit ears 🐇 Fox Make a hand shape like a fox’s snout 🦊 (thumb and index finger forming a muzzle shape) Monkey Make a fist and wiggle your thumb like a monkey’s tail 🐒 2. Compare the two animals shown. 3. The winner is decided by the rules:
Digger Digs Deep (for Kindness!) This puppet script has the theme of kindness and was used in a Family Worship Service where the Bible Reading was
2 Samuel chapter 9 David&Mephibosheth Don & Dog Puppet (Digger) [Don enters with Digger the puppet. Children are seated in front.] Don: Good morning, friends! I’ve got someone here who’s been very busy lately... Digger: (pops up, tail wagging): Busy? Busy?! Don, I’ve been digging like a dog on double snacks! Don: Uh-oh... more tunnels in the backyard? Digger: Don, I’ve expanded my secret tunnel empire! One goes under the veggie patch, one loops past Bentley’s kennel, and one... Don: ...goes all the way under the neighbour’s garden? Digger (guilty): I may have... accidentally popped up in Fifi’s flower bed. She was not impressed. She said I ruined her roses. Don: Oh, Digger... Digger: I tried to say sorry, but I don’t think a bouquet of half-chewed sticks counted. Don: Well, what do you think might help fix it? Digger (thinks):Hmm... Maybe... real flowers? A heartfelt howl? Or... maybe I need to do something really kind. Don: That’s a great idea, Digger. Today’s big people story is all about kindness, even when people expect the opposite. It’s the story of a king named David... Digger: Wait—is he the one with the slingshot? I love a good underdog story! Don: That’s the one. But later, David becomes king, and instead of being mean to someone from his enemy’s family, he does something amazing. Digger (gasps): He buries a bone in his garden for them? Don (laughs):Even better. He invites Mephibosheth—a man who couldn’t walk and was probably scared of the king—to live in the palace and eat at his table every day. David showed kindness and reconciliation. Digger (softly): Wow… like... welcoming someone home instead of shutting the doggy door on them. Don: Exactly. David gave him a place of honor, not because he had to—but because *grace* says, “You’re worth it.” Digger: Like how Bentley chewed my tennis ball, but I still let him play fetch with me later? Don: That’s kindness. Digger (nodding): Or when I dig up Fifi’s petunias… again... but this time, I plant tulip bulbs after! Don: That’s reconciliation, Digger. Making things right and choosing kindness, even after things go wrong. Digger: Don... I think I’m gonna dig a kindness tunnel today. Straight from my kennel to Bentley’s bowl... with a note that says, “You’re pawsome!” Don (laughs): That’s the spirit. What about you guys—can anyone think of a way to be kind this week? [Pause for one or two responses from children.] Digger: Kindness makes the world a better place. Or at least a better backyard. Don: Let’s pray that we can be like King David—and like Digger—bringing kindness where it's needed most. Digger: And maybe fewer holes. Except the kindness kind. Amen! © Don Stott Eliab.com , June 2025 Leadership Leads
YOU AS THE LEADER Maintain your relationship with God – devotional life, quiet days, reading and prayer. Understand your leadership style and value it. Do things you are good at- find and develop others to do those things you find harder. Develop a support network – mentors, friends, parent support group, administrators, prayer team. Limit the number of programs and ministries you are involved in. YOU AS THE LEADER TO LEADERS Know your vision, mission, values, strategy and goals Communicate these to the Church and your leaders -continually evaluate these with your teams - reports to Church Board or Council. Newsletter items, reports to other staff members, meeting notes or email. Develop a structure of carers for your teams (80/20 principle) Encourage your volunteers – hold celebrations, write notes to them, phone-text email. Give them chocolate and lots of it! FINDING, RECRUITING AND DEVELOPING LEADERS When recruiting leaders - Pray for the right leaders. Some people have the gift of recruiting. Find them and use them well. Know the task you are asking them to do. Spend time getting to know your congregation well Work out whether you are a phone, letter, email or face to face recruiter. As you ask them to be involved remember you are doing them a favor not the other way around. Describe the task in way that appeals to them and is also truthful regarding time commitment, skills needed etc.. Are the right people in the task already or is it hindering you finding volunteers? What is the environment like you are asking your leaders to work in? Have job descriptions Encourage leaders to fill out an application form and code of conduct form Provide training and support for your leaders Liase with other staff members so that you all have a balance of leaders. Put people in the right ministries Include your leaders in the decision making process. First give each child a deflated balloon. Each time the leader pauses in the following prayer invite the children to blow gently into their balloons. Get them to hold them carefully but not tie them.
Now say this prayer ( or use your own), pausing at the end of each line. " Thank you, God, that you are with us always. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, who gives us power to live our lives for you. Help us to follow you this week and to do the things you want us to do at home, at school, and with our friends." Finally invite the children to call out "Thank you God!" and let their balloons go. You may like to give them another balloon to blow up and take home. Write on it in 'texta' pen, 'God is with me."( As a reminder of God's presence and power for them this week). |
AuthorDon Stott- 'Aussie' teacher, pastor and children's worker. Archives
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