leader’s guide for episode 10 - catholicvideo.com · for the tower of babel game you will need...

Leader’s Guide for Episode 10

Leader’’s guide for

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

Welcome to the fun-filled world of Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew!

We are so happy you have decided to share the goodtimes with us! We created this DVD and teachingseries to plant and nurture the seeds of a relationshipwith God that children can relate to, using fun, com-edy, drama, songs, and arts and crafts to revealGod’s truth and goodness to kids in relevant scenar-ios they can make sense of.

Within these programs you will find a treasure troveof helpful teaching, especially created to enable chil-dren to connect with the Christian faith andunderstand it in the context of their everyday lives.

Inside this guide you will find a range of fun and helpful activities, engaging questions,and leader’s notes to help you and your kids get the most out of the time you spend withJovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew!

These resources are geared for children 3-7 years old, but you may feel they are suitablefor older children, too.

FFun and Faith, Hand in Handun and Faith, Hand in Hand !!

SHORTER OR LONGER SESSIONS:

We’ve created these lessons to be flexible and easy to use, with minimal preparationrequired. Just check the ‘Preparation’ section in advance, and you’ll find deliveringthese sessions straightforward and enjoyable, with all the hard work done for you!

Each guide will contain various elements which will amount to well over 90 minutesworth of material, allowing you to select and tailor your sessions to fit your time slot,teaching preferences, and group requirements.

Apart from the DVD, which will take up about half an hour of group time, all of the ele-ments of this study guide can be expanded and contracted, and used or discarded asrequired.

Leader’s Guide to accompany the DVD Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew: Episode 10

Episode 10: How Do I Pray? 2

Episode 10:I'm so Important!

THEME: Mr. Bon-Hovis has a puffed up sense of his own importance, and doesn’twant to listen to anyone else!

LEARNING OUTCOMES:• We shouldn’t think of ourselves as more important than other people.• Thinking of ourselves as superior to others can isolate and alienate us from our friends.• If we are not gentle and humble in our relationships, we may end up missing out on

blessings in ways we’ll never even understand.• Being humble and considerate of others helps us to serve God better.• If we don’t listen to others we can miss out on things, even more so, if we think we

are too important to listen to God, we will miss his blessings.

PREPARATION:1. For the Arty Crafty Time card-making activity you will need paints and brushes, col-

ored pens or pencils, stiff paper or thin card, scissors, and either glue or sticky tape.2. Print the illustrations from the back of this guide and photocopy onto larger paper for

better results if you wish to paint them.3. For the bonus activity you will need two very strong magnets which can attract

through a wooden table. Otherwise, use a thinner surface for the activity to still worksuch as a sheet of thin MDF. You will need some sticky tack to hold various obsta-cles in place. Alternatively you can draw a path to follow (see activity).

4. For the Tower of Babel game you will need several packs of spaghetti and at least twopacks of gummi candy per pack of spaghetti.

*TOP TIP* Have the children think about who they might be making the card for beforethey start. Do they have anybody in their lives they may have been taking for granted?

SECTIONS/ELEMENTS FOR THIS EPISODE:• DVD VIEWING• GUIDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS• OPEN DISCUSSION QUESTIONS• ARTY CRAFTY TIME ACTIVITY• SONG TIME WITH DANCE ACTIVITY• SCRIPTURE TIME SHARED STUDY• COLORING FROM STORY TIME• BONUS ACTIVITY: ATTRACTED TO GOD• GAME-TIME ACTIVITY

*TOP TIP* Try entering the room with your nose in the air, wearing a crown and holding asceptre. Explain that although you’re not a King or queen, you feel you deserve more respect!



DVD VIEWING

Introduction to today’s show: Explain to the children that Mr. Bon-Hovis is beingvery silly again! Tell them that at first it might not be obvious what’s going wrong, sothey’ll need to keep their eyes peeled!

Tell them you’ll be pausing the DVD just before the story to have a chat about whatthey’ve just watched, and that you’ll be asking them some questions about it.

Play the DVD until 6:53, just as the ‘Story Time’ stars appear on the screen.

GUIDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

In this episode Mr. Bon-Hovis seems to recognize the error of his ways quite early on.Let’s not cover the whole topic too quickly, ask the children questions about the situa-tion and the scenario rather than the concepts and their resolution at this point. Usequestions like these:

• Why does Mr. Bon-Hovis make those silly noises when he’s playing with that silver thingy?

• Does anybody remember what it’s called?• Who kept interrupting him?• Why did Jovis tell Stripy Monkey to shush?• What happened when Early Bird joined in?• Why do you think Mr. Bon-Hovis was getting so upset?• What did he say he was trying to do?• What did Dora Mouse have to say?• Why were Stripy Monkey and Early Bird interrupting after all?• What did Jovis do then?

Please note, these questions are only suggestions, feel free to explore the show in yourown way and with your own style.

*TOP TIP* If you don’t have a crown and sceptre, why not tell all the children toaddress you as ‘Sir Awesome Amazing’ or ‘Madame Wonderful’?

Play the DVD until 17:18, just as the ‘Scripture Time’ writing appears on screen.



Story Time: No Trousers on Zargon 9Teacher’s notes: Captain Rock Zoomspace clearly doesn’t value his crew, and sees him-self and what he is doing as far more important than anything they have to say!

However, without his team around him working together, the captain soon finds out thathe needed them a lot more than he thought!

The story seeks to illustrate that the sense of pride and superiority we sometimes feel overothers is something of an illusion. When we behave differently because we think we’remore important than others we can isolate ourselves, cut ourselves off, and miss out.

Captain Rock Zoomspace also seems, rude, mean spirited, and cold, making him verydifficult to like and be friends with. Can God do his best work with people like CaptainRock Zoomspace?

GUIDED DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• What was the name of Captain Rock Zoomspace’s rocket? (Intrepidator)• Where were they going? (Zargon 9)• What was the planet made of? (Chocolate and Camembert cheese)• What happened when his crew tried to talk to him?• Should he have listened to them? Why?• What happened when they got to the planet?• What do you think Captain Rock Zoomspace should have done differently?• What were the Creation Crew Kids doing today?• Why do they all get on so well together?• Did you see anybody being too bossy?• What would have happened if one of them had said they didn’t need the others?• Do you think they all try to be kind to each other? Why?

Play the DVD until the end.

OPEN DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

After you have watched the whole show try to lead a more open discussion about thegeneral topics covered today. Now is a good time to start wrestling with the issues cov-ered, after they’ve been clearly opened up in the Creation Crew house. Try leading withsome questions like these:

• If we don’t listen to our friends, won’t we miss out? What sorts of things might we miss out on?

o Parties o Warningso Sports o Helpo Games o Reminderso Stories o Anything else?

• Do you think some people think they don’t need to listen to God? Why?





• What might we miss out on if we don’t listen to God?• How can we listen to God?• Is it more difficult to follow God if you always think your way is the best?• There is a saying ‘Empty kettles make the most noise.’ What does that mean? (If

you are always the one doing all the talking, you are never doing any listening,so your mind will be empty!)

*TOP TIP* Hide some ‘treasure’ somewhere in the room. Explain that you’ll tell thechildren where, but they have to shout at the tops of their voices as you speak! Ofcourse, they can’t hear you! When they are totally silent, whisper, and they will be ableto hear you and find the treasure.

ARTY CRAFTY TIME ACTIVITY: MAKING CARDS

*TOP TIP* For a longer session, decorate the fronts of the cards so they’re ready to giveto a friend or loved one!

This is a nice, simple activity which really is suitable for all ages. Older children will enjoyquick results, and younger children should be able to follow the instructions without toomuch advance preparation.

You can probably go ahead and do this activity without reviewing the DVD as you work,it’s simple enough to create having just seen it the once.

Mr. Bon-Hovis has just done a simple red heart. Why not go ahead and do something moreelaborate and decorative? Express yourself!

SONG TIME WITH DANCE ACTIVITY

Select the song from the DVD menu and play.

Following the leader (you!) as they do the actions is great fun for the kids. Just play thesong and read along below, doing the actions as they are written. Ask the kids to copyyou! Don’t worry about looking silly! Kids just love to dance and move about. Theywill just think it’s great fun and will respond much better if you lead with energy.

Why not consider practicing the song over a few sessions and doing a performance at thefront of your church?

Younger children can follow the dancing; older children may enjoy following the wordson-screen and singing along.

*TOP TIP* Why not get everybody to draw and color golden tickets like the CreationCrew Kids have in the video? Then everybody can wave real tickets while they dance!Don’t forget that for older or more confident children you can always throw in your owndance steps and wiggles, or even get the children to suggest some!



Here are the lyrics with actions and performance suggestions so that you can facethe group:

It’s not about me, (point to yourself)It’s not really about you, (point around the room)It’s not about what we want, (reach out and grab)Or what we want to do, (arms out and shrug)Because it’s all about him, (point to the sky)It’s all about Jesus, (jump around and celebrate)It’s all about what he did, (arms out like the cross)And what he wants for you! (point to the sky, point around the room)

You know it hurts to kick against the goads, OUCH! (kicking and hopping)So pick up your tickets (pick up a ticket)And put down your heavy loads, (take off a bag and put it down)Get on board, get on board, (face the side, move your arms like a steam train)The glory train, the glory train, (jump and turn, steam train facing the other way)You’ve got a one way ticket to heaven. (wave your tickets)Get on board, get on board, (jump and turn, steam train facing the other way)The glory train, the glory train, (jump and turn again, steam train facing the other way)You’ve got a first class ticket to ride! (wave your tickets)

Get on board, get on board, (face the side, move your arms like a steam train)The glory train, the glory train, (jump and turn again, steam train facing the other way)Get on board you’ve got a first class ticket to ride. (wave your tickets)Get on board, get on board, (face the side, move your arms like a steam train)The glory train, the glory train, (jump and turn again, steam train facing the other way)Get on board we got a first class ticket to ride. (wave your tickets)

Yes, awesome! (big thumbs up to God)Where’s it going? Straight to heaven? (clapping side to side)Oh my goodness! (clapping side to side)Woo woo like that! Here we go: (pulling the train whistle)Woo woo, woo woo, (turn to the side, pull the train whistle twice)Woo woo, woo woo, (jump to the other side, pull the whistle twice)Woo woo, you’ve got a one way ticket to ride! (wave your tickets)Woo woo, woo woo, (turn to the side, pull the train whistle twice)Woo woo, woo woo, (jump to the other side, pull the whistle twice)Woo woo, you’ve got a one way ticket to ride! (wave your tickets)GET ON BOARD! (jump and clap, celebrating!)Awesome, when’s it leaving?



SCRIPTURE TIME SHARED STUDY

Explain to the children that our Bible has all the same things in as Mr. Bon-Hovis’ Bible. Tellthem you are going to have a look at what he saw inside and then talk about its meaning.

Jeremiah 29:11“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and notto harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

*TOP TIP* Bring the learning objectives into sharp focus here. Don’t tell the children tobe quiet before you read. If they aren’t paying attention then whisper until they realizethey can’t hear you.

EXTRA REFERENCES FOR LONGER STUDY:

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, Iwill come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”

Explanation for little ones: Jesus is right near you all the time. Sometimes, peopledon’t hear him because they don’t want to know what he has to say. We shouldn’t thinkwe are more important than him. We must always open the door to Jesus, which meanslistening to him and allowing him to be our friend.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Explanation for little ones: It’s as if being alive is like a journey down a road. Withoutlistening to God it’s as if it’s night time and we can’t see where we are going. But if welisten to God it’s like there is a light on the road ahead and we can see our own feet sowe don’t trip up! We should ask God what’s right and what’s wrong, what is kind andwhat is unkind, how to treat our friends and how to be a good person.

Scripture Time Questions for discussion: • What kind of a person is God?• Does everybody want to listen to him? Why not?• What would happen if we didn’t listen to God?• Why does God want us to listen to him?• How can we be friends with God?• How can we listen to somebody we can’t hear?• Would it be more fun to do things our way? Why/Why not?• Are we cleverer than God?• Is anybody more clever than God?• How can we be sure we are hearing God’s voice? • What should we do when we aren’t sure?• Will God ever tell us to behave badly? Why not?



COLORING FROM STORY TIME

Ask the children to select and color their favorite illustration fromthe ‘Story Time.’ Do you still have the paints out from the ArtyCrafty Time? Why not do some painting today? Perhaps youcould print the illustrations off on larger paper.

BONUS ACTIVITY: ATTRACTED TO GOD

This fun activity will strengthen the concept of following a God whom we can’t see, butthat if we stick with him and follow his path we will be joined with him in heaven!

On a board or table, arrange a path with some obstacles along the way which are to beavoided. Simple paper labels will work fine as the obstacles. You can write on theseobstacles words like, ‘Stealing, lying, not listening to God, bad choices, pride, beingmean...’ or any things you can think of which might lead us away from God.

Draw a line or path which has to be followed between the obstacles.

The start of the board should be ‘The day I am born.’ And the end of the board shouldbe ‘Off to heaven!’

The point of the activity is that the magnet under the table represents God leading usand helping us avoid life’s obstacles. Although we can’t see him, at the end of thecourse we will see him and be joined together with him, when we get to heaven!

When you get to the end of the course and the top magnet reaches the edge and goesover, there should be a satisfying click of the two snapping together. Make sure yoursurface doesn’t have a rim or lip which would prevent the magnets slipping together.

Let the children take turns using the magnet under the table to guide the magnet on thetop of the table. Make the point that although the two can’t see each other, but they arestaying connected and close through the whole course, and the bottom magnet is helpingthe top magnet, just like God helps us through our lives.

*TOP TIP* For a longer session, why not have the children draw pictures of themselves which they canattach to the top magnet when it’s their turn to play?



GAME-TIME ACTIVITY: THE TOWER OF BABEL

Genesis 11You may want to share this story with the children. God had told people to spread over thewhole earth, but they decided they had a better idea, to all stay in one place. So God confusedtheir languages so they had to split up and go and do what he’d asked them to do in the firstplace. Even if we are daft enough to go against God and choose our own ways instead, it willwork out rather pointless in the end!

1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward,[a] they found a plain in Shinar[b] and settled there.3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” Theyused brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar.

4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to theheavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scatteredover the face of the whole earth.”

5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to dothis, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.

7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand eachother.”

8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building thecity.

9 That is why it was called Babel[c]—because there the Lord confused the language ofthe whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

This fun game is a great opportunity to share with the children what happened at theTower of Babel.

Working alone or in groups, give each team to same quantity of Spaghetti and JellyBabies. The object of the game is to build the tallest tower possible in the allotted time,pushing the ends of the spaghetti into the candy to join it together.

You could have winners for style and design as well as height!

*TOP TIP* If you’re struggling to get off the ground, try making the structures entirely oftriangles, and you should have more success.

Once the children have all attempted the first tower and seen how the winning design works,have a speed trial. Give the children a meager one-minute event, and see who can build thebiggest.



In conclusion:

We shouldn’t think we are more important than we are. Listening, and especially listen-ing to God, should be a core principal of our entire lives.

Pray together to finish:

Dear Lord, we thank you that you are here to guide us, and that you have given us yourHoly Spirit to lead us until we meet you face to face. We pray Lord that you will continue toteach us your ways, lead us on your path, and give us ears to hear you all through our lives.In Jesus’ name, amen.

We would really enjoy seeing your photos and videos of your groups at work. Why notfollow Jovis Bon-Hovis on Facebook? You’ll find lots more regular games and activitiesto share with your kids, and it’s a great place to join together with other Christian teach-ers, caretakers, parents, and leaders who are raising children in the Christian faith.http://www.facebook.com/jovis.bonhovis or search Facebook for Jovis Bon-Hovis.

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