William Booth Leader's Guide
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Leader’s Guide to accompany the DVD The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story Table of Contents Introduction to the Torchlighters Series . 3 Synopsis of The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story . 4 Teaching Plan for The William Booth Story . 5 Session 1 - No Compromise: Called! . 6-8 Session 2 - No Compromise: Courage! . 9 Session 3 - No Compromise: Commitment! . 10 Session 4 - No Compromise: Continue! . 11-12 Letter to Parents . 13 Supplementary Materials Key People in The William Booth Story . 14 The Nineteenth-Century World of William Booth . 15-16 Timeline of the Booths and The Salvation Army . 17-18 Additional Materials . 19 The Torchlighters Series . 20 Answer Key for Select Student Pages . 21 © Christian History Institute Learn more about The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith programs at www.torchlighters.org.2 Leader’s Guide to accompany the DVD The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story Introduction to the Torchlighters Series Torchlighter: One who commits to serving God and passing on the light of the Gospel, even if the going gets tough. Kids today have no shortage of heroes. From Hollywood celebrities to music artists and sports figures, it would seem that there are plenty of heroes to go around. The heroes being offered by popular culture are teaching children that physical perfection, financial success, and fame are the most important goals in life. The morals and values presented by these heroes are often in direct opposition to the standards parents want to pass on to their children. So, while there is no shortage of heroes, there is a dreadful shortage of heroes worth emulating. The Torchlighters video series offers children real heroes that they can depend on. These heroes have lived truly great lives marked by moral depth, strength of character, and an unswerving commitment to Christ. By sharing in their struggles and small steps of obe- dience, we are all challenged to live lives of faith. It is our sincere desire that as children get to know these “torchlighters,” they will be challenged to follow in the footsteps of the greatest torchlighter of them all, Jesus Christ. Learn more about the mission behind this series and find more free resources at: www.torchlighters.org Learn more about The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith programs at www.torchlighters.org.3 Leader’s Guide to accompany the DVD The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story Synopsis of The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story With the industrial revolution fully under- way by the mid-19th century, many people in England enjoy a higher stan- dard of living than has ever been known. Yet, in a hidden corner of London, a dif- ferent story unfolds. In the down-and-out “East End” of London, some folks are hungry, desperate, and largely forgotten by the rest of the city. Children as young as six are already addicted to alcohol, while others scour trash cans for food. The only thriving businesses seem to be the bars where young and old come to drown their troubles or watch men fight The pub owners in London's East End prepare to kick William for a meager wage. Booth and his followers out of their territory once and for all. In 1865, the young, talented preacher William Booth happens upon this forgotten territory, where vice runs rampant. Booth stumbles along, astonished at the needs he sees and feels. Later that night William anxiously explains to his wife Catherine that he has found his life’s mission. Declaring the hurting souls of East End as “our people,” William and Catherine dedicate their lives to serving those who need God the most. But reaching the people of the East End with the Gospel will take more than determination and hard work! The suspicions of the people are a big challenge, but it’s the opposition of the pub owners that brings the most conflict. This is their territory, and they will stop at nothing to defend it from these “intruders” who march in with Bibles and talk of faith. Watch as William and Catherine follow the Lord on a remarkable journey, as one by one the folks of the East End respond in faith and join in the work of bringing God’s redemption to their needy friends. The Booth’s legacy continues to this day through the organization they founded, The Salvation Army. Learn more about The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith programs at www.torchlighters.org.4 Leader’s Guide to accompany the DVD The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story Teaching Plan for The William Booth Story No Compromise! Follow these easy steps to get the most out of this episode of The Torchlighters! 1. PREVIEW The William Booth Story before showing it to your students. This will help you to rec- ognize the major themes and teachable moments that occur throughout the video, while equipping you to answer student questions. Our theme for this series is No Compromise! Four sub-themes will be explored: • Called! God calls each of us to a unique task in His Kingdom. He gives us all we need to complete those things he asks us to do. • Courage! It takes courage to leave behind our own comfort and go where God calls us. • Commitment! When the going gets tough, God still uses us for good. • Continue! Jesus asks for a lifetime dedicated to serving Him. 2. REVIEW the Supplementary Information. Become more informed on this true story by reading through “Key People in The William Booth Story,” “The Nineteenth-Century World of William Booth,” and “Timeline of the Booths and The Salvation Army,” beginning on page 14. On your DVD you will also find an informative 30-minute documentary, which is abridged from a more extensive documentary entitled Our People: The Story of William and Catherine Booth, available through www.visionvideo.com. 3. SELECT and PREPARE Teaching Material. Our four lesson plans lead children on a faith journey with the Booths, while incorporating scriptural lessons from the life of the Apostle Peter. Feel free to mix and match the material to best suit your group and the time available. All material is reproducible and designed to help children apply the teaching themes. NOTE: Special supplies are needed for activities in each session. Also, If you plan to conduct the interview as part of Session 3, give your guest plenty of advance notice. 4. VISIT www.torchlighters.org. The materials in this guide and the Student Pages are just the begin- ning. Visit our website for other free resources, such as unique ministry ideas, publicity posters, interactive Kids Zone, and the “Carry the Torch” theme song, craft and relay! If you are planning a teach- ing series based on The Torchlighters, consider using the theme song, craft, and relay as part of an introductory session focused on the question “What is a Torchlighter?” Are you planning a Torchlighters showing or event? Publicity is easy when you download free posters at www.torchlighters.org Learn more about The Torchlighters: Heroes of the Faith programs at www.torchlighters.org.5 Leader’s Guide to accompany the DVD The Torchlighters: The William Booth Story Session 1 – No Compromise: Called! FOCUS: God created each of us in a unique and special way, and He calls us to important work in His Kingdom! NO COMPROMISE BIBLE VERSE: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 PREPARATION: If possible, prepare your teaching space with a tent theme. You could set up a larger tent in your classroom or outside, display a small pup tent, or simply stretch fabric over your story area, to create a tent feel. Use your tent space for all Bible discussion times throughout this four-week teaching session. BLANKET NAME GAME: Materials needed: Two chairs and a blanket are needed for this activity. Playing the Game: 1. Set up two chairs about 6 feet apart. Select two helpers and have them stand on the chairs and hold a blanket between them, as a wall dividing the space. 2. Divide your class into two teams, placing the teams on opposite sides of the blanket wall. Instruct them to go into a “huddle” a few feet away from the wall so the other team cannot see them. 3. Each team sends one person up to the blanket wall. This must be done silently so the other team does not hear who is sent. 4. Once the two representatives are at the wall, the blanket holders count to three and drop the blanket. The two people facing each other must now race to say each other’s names. The first one to correctly say the other’s name wins a point for their team. 5. Continue until each team member has had a turn. ASK: Why is it sometimes hard to remember names, especially when asked to do it quickly? Have you ever been surprised by someone you don’t know that well remembering your name? How did that make you feel? SAY: Jesus knows everything there is to know about each one of us and He always knows our name! Introduce Ephesians 2:10 as the theme verse for this week. SAY: Not only does He know us, but He made us and He has plans for each one of us to serve Him! TENT TALK BIBLE TIME: Invite your students into the tent for Bible Time. SAY: We are beginning a study on the life of William Booth, a faith hero who lived in England in the 1800s. William Booth often preached in a tent, so for this series, we will hold our discussion times in the tent! William Booth was called by God for a special purpose.