Oct 30, 2009
Getting Started With Puppets
As my friend and I put the finishing touches on the puppet stage, we stood back to admire it. “I’ll have great fun using that in my teaching someday,” I said. But someday came sooner than I expected.
Only one week later my husband and I were leading a VBS group with a number of energetic children from the inner city. We had a lot of difficulty keeping their attention and we knew that it was going to be a challenge to get them to come back every day for the week.
To my husband’s surprise I announced to the group, “Come back tomorrow, we’ll be having a puppet skit!”
“Who is going to do this puppet show?” he inquired calmly.
“I will!” I responded with confidence.
Although it wasn’t planned, at that time we learned what a powerful and productive tool puppets can be for teaching and children’s ministry. Even with simple skits that week we focused just on helping the children with memory verses and re-enforcing the lessons of the day, and the children kept coming back because of the puppets. We realized then that puppets brought a great deal of potential.
Puppets make listening enjoyable. Because they are “alive,” they grab and hold attention. Even hum-drum announcements can be intriguing when puppets are used. For a captivating opening to your children’s meeting, have a puppet sing a welcome song and call the roll. Be sure to notice any new children. (You’ll have to observe the group carefully before you begin if you’re working behind a stage.) Let the children answer as the roll is called. They’ll love talking to the puppet.
Memory verses and lesson applications are easily related through animated characters. Puppets can also get children involved and thinking and can help to maintain discipline. We have discovered that using puppets is more than just fun. It is an effective way to share biblical principles and stimulate growth.
The wonderful thing about these little critters is that they don’t have to be expensive to be useful. They can be made from almost anything.
Although there are some great resources available for puppet ministries (particular resources available online), most importantly you will benefit from simply having excitement and commitment to starting the puppet ministry.
Lord, please show me if You would like me to begin using puppets in the children’s ministry. If it is Your will I will follow the calling and pursue it will enthusiasm and conviction.
