I had set up a small 'cave' in one corner, with a circle of cushions - this became home-base, where we told the story between activities. I started by reading Judges 6:1-9, explaining who the Midianites were and why we were hiding from them. Then I explained that God was about to raise up a new judge for Israel. |
Still in the cave, I continued to read Judges 6 - verses 11-16 and then 36-40. Giving each child a piece of cotton wool, I told them that this was their chance to ask God a question. We sat in silence for several minutes and during that time the children talked to God and asked Him a question. If God answered their question they came to a jug of water and dropped the cotton wool in it. If they didn't recieve an answer right then, they kept the cotton wool to remind them to keep asking.
Back in the cave, I read verses 12-16. We left the cave and divided into two groups to make 'jars' (decorated styrofoam cups) and 'torches' (paper cones and red cellophane). Once they were made, we returned to the cave where I handed out the 'trumpets' aka party blowers. Explaining that we had to remain quiet so we didn't tip off the Midianites I read verses 17-21. Dividing into three groups, we stationed ourselves around the room, hiding our torches in the jars and keeping our trumpets silent, but ready. I chose Isaac to be Gideon and at his signal we blew our trumpets and samshed our jars. After that chaos reigned for several minutes :-). Time was up, so I set them loose (trumpets in hand).