The Gospel Wagon is a group of free-to-the-public
interactive exhibits to introduce children to various concepts of the ministry
of Jesus Christ. The exhibits relate information about Jesus himself, expose
children to his teachings, or give opportunity for Jesus’ healing ministry.
The exhibits do all these things in interactive play format. The time to complete
each exhibit ranges from 3 to 5 minutes. Most of the exhibits are in a
bilingual
format. At this time, there are approximately 18 exhibits, with the final 2
exhibits in progress. For the safety of the children, all facilitators should
be registered with the Community of Christ as Youth Workers (interviews and
reference checks are done as a part of this process). Two versions of the Children’s
Activity Booklet are available so that the Gospel Wagon can be used multiple
times in the same geographic location.
The Gospel Wagon can be used in many formats. It is most often presented like
the exhibits in an elementary school carnival. In this format, the Gospel Wagon
is an excellent missionary tool as the children receive 2 items that can have
church contact information placed on them. The children begin by receiving an
activity book relating to the exhibits and a passport to be stamped at each
exhibit. Approximately, 20-25 facilitators are used to present the 18 –
20 exhibits. For smaller groups these “carnival” presentations can
contain as few as 5 to 10 exhibits at a time and can be done in multiple events
over the course of the year. This smaller presentation is an excellent way to
begin or end a Vacation Church School event.
The exhibits can also be used in a Vacation Church School setting using the
Jesus and Me Jamboree curriculum available from Herald House. The curriculum
includes lessons, crafts, music and stories to compliment various exhibits.
Finally, the exhibits can be used one at a time to enhance and add delight to
a given worship service. The exhibits have been used in this manner to provide
“blessing” time for older children during baby blessing services.
Give children’s time to illustrate the gifts we receive from God, to provide
opportunity to experience divine grace inherent in forgiveness, or to add drama
and fun to scripture stories.
The costs of using the Gospel Wagon exhibits include a small user fee ($5.00
to $50.00 depending on the number of exhibits used), a fee for each Children’s
Activity Booklet used, and a fee if Polaroid film and frames are used with the
“A Child Shall Lead Them” exhibit. The costs of transportation and
presentation promotion are also borne by the group using the Gospel Wagon. No
costs should be borne by the children and families experiencing the Gospel Wagon
Ministries. As an example, New
Braunfels congregation presented 17 exhibits in September 2003
for under $100 in user fees.
Groups wanting to know more about the Gospel Wagon Ministries or would like
to use them should contact CMBC
Consultation on the best ways to use the Gospel Wagon Ministries in your area is available. If your group would like to see a demonstration of a cross section of the Gospel Wagon Ministries in your local area, that can also be scheduled.
Its Free! Its Fun! Its for Families!
The Gospel Wagon is Coming! Go! Witness!
A small table with colored hand bells. The children learn that making harmony with others is fun. Picture
A small table with about 6 kaleidoscopes. Different types of kaleidoscopes
are used to illustrate and describe the Spirit of God, the Spirit in all creation,
and the unique Spirit of each child or individual. Picture
A “Concentration/Memory-Type” game board on a table. The children take turns choosing cards to make a match. When a match is made, the facilitator describes an activity that is usually found in society, then talks about what Jesus taught on the subject. Ex. Card 1 – A picture of a king on a throne – “Kings are important and should be served.” Card 2 – A picture of the washing of feet – “The most important person is the one who serves others.”
A large wagon with a stuffed lion and lamb. The facilitator has the child sit in the wagon with the lion and lamb. They talk about peace in our world. The facilitator tells how the Bible describes peace. The child then receives a Polaroid picture of him/her in the wagon as proof that he/she is a leader in the peace process. Picture
Ye are the Branches – A 5’ x 4’ fabric hanging of an olive tree. The facilitator talks about the negative things in our lives – things we don’t want in our lives. They talk about how Jesus can help us forgive others who hurt us and help us change things we do ourselves which we don’t want to do anymore. The children write or draw their negatives on index cards and place them in the “ground” of the hanging. A dove puppet (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) comes and takes the negatives to God. A paper “good fruit” is given to each child to fill the void left by the removed negative.
The children sit on a blanket and listen to the story of the Velveteen Rabbit while cuddling beany bunnies. The facilitator reinforces that it is the love in our hearts that is real, not the material things of life. Picture Picture
The children sit on a blanket while the facilitator takes little figurines
out of a big wrapped present and talks about the gifts we have from God. After
the 7 gifts are discussed, each child gets to peek
into the box and see one of God’s greatest gifts (a mirror is at the bottom
of the box) and see themselves as one of God’s gifts.
large foam/vinyl blocks. The children use the blocks to build a bridge to “Community”.
Each block represents a tool that God gave us to use to create loving communities.
A 5’ x 4’ fabric hanging. The children step up to the hanging
and poke their heads
through one of the holes.
In the mirror
on the other side, they see themselves in a meadow with Jesus. They can see
themselves as a baby, a person of a different skin color, or as a boy or girl.
They experience being with Jesus and that Jesus loves all people.
A large bean bag dressed as Jesus. Children get to sit in Jesus’ lap and wrap his loving arms around them. They then get to spend a few private, quiet moments with Jesus.
Children lie on a blanket with a lion or lamb pillow and cuddle a stuffed lion or lamb. The child can then read a book themselves or have the facilitator read one to them. The books are about Jesus, good virtues, families (of all types). The books are multicultural/multiethnic in representation.
The children sit in a 4’ nest under the protection of a 4’ white dove. They can get under an afghan, if they wish. The children then listen to a meditation CD with nature sounds in the background, on headphones. The children then discuss how they can spend quiet time with God.
Another “Memory-type” game. Children match the cards, then the facilitator talks about what Jesus did when he was alive to help people, and what we (children and adults) can do for others. Example: Card 1 – “Jesus healing the leper.” Card 2 - “One child pulls another child with a hurt knee in a wagon.”
A small table with washable ink pads and rubberstamps with Christian symbols. The children can stamp a page in their Activity Book with stamps of their choosing. The facilitator explains the symbols, as necessary. Ex. Dove, candles, cross, smiling Jesus, etc. Picture
Up to 12 children stand around a parachute lying on the ground. Half the children go to the center and hear a story about Jesus, they then follow a path to a child on the outside of the parachute and tell them the story and give them a “Jesus Loves You” sticker. They then invite the child to go to the center and hear more about Jesus. The children switch places and repeat the process. The children then play a short game with the parachute and soft balls. Children practice telling about Jesus and experience the joy when other people know about Jesus.
The children get to jump rope and learn a rhyme about Jesus to go along with their jumping.
A table with a game board. The children choose cards that direct where they should move their markers along the board. There are scriptures that teach good character traits along the path of the game. They win when all the children reach Jesus.
The children sit in a wooden boat and listen to a CD with the story of Jesus calming the storm. The boat rocks while the storm blows. The Jesus Doll awakens and calms the storm. The children then discuss how Jesus can help them with their fears.
Two children sit at table where they look through a window. The window is designed with clear glass and mirror material in such a way that when the children look at each other through the window, their faces blend to form one face. The children get to explore our physical similarities and diversities as a springboard for exploring our spiritual connections. (Exhibit in progress.)
A puppet show relates the familiar Good Samaritan scripture story in a way children can quickly see that everyone is our neighbor. Leads to a discussion about how we treat others, how we feel about others, tolerance, acceptance and love. (Exhibit in progress.)