Unit 4, Lesson 1 the Great Adventure of the Salvation Army

Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 1 The great adventure of The Salvation Army

Guiding Principle: God always moves His people forward to begin something new.

Memory Verse: “He told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.’” Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Leader’s Background Information: The story of the beginning of The Salvation Army is the story of God making all things new. This lesson will focus on the conversion of Paul and the call of William Booth to show how God can use people from all walks of life to be the vessels of His message.

In this lesson, you will ask the junior soldiers to be quiet and listen for what God might say to them. It is valuable to start teaching children at a young age to listen for God’s voice and to give them time to practice. It can also be confusing for some children because especially younger junior soldiers are concrete thinkers. They want to hear God’s voice in their ears. Some might think they don’t really love Jesus if they don’t “hear” anything. It’s important that these young ones don’t get discouraged. Guiding Principle: God always moves His people forward to begin something new. Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Activity What Kids Do Preparation Materials

See Ya!: Junior soldiers answer Create an open space for IMPACT • None (8-10 min) questions in groups to learn play. about each other.

• Lightbox • Action Figures Junior soldiers learn that Review lesson. • Flashlight ILLUMINATE God changed the life of Saul Review verse. • Cardboard box (10-15 min) to begin a movement that Make a lightbox using the • Craft knife continues today. instructions on Worksheet #1. • Tape • Scissors • Bibles

Junior soldiers watch the members of the SRT in the Treehouse as they Have PC/tablet ready to • Video INVEST learn how The Salvation play the video. • Small group questions (10-15 min) Army got started. Read through the questions • Small notebook Junior soldiers reflect on the ahead of time. • Small reward lesson and the things God may be saying.

• Copies of Worksheet #2 on acetate paper or overhead Read through project projector sheets directions. • Fine-tipped Sharpies® Story Viewer: Lay out the supplies for each (variety of colors)

INSPIRE Junior soldiers make a junior soldier. • Scissors (10-15 min) story viewer. Print Worksheet #2 on • Toilet paper tubes acetate sheets. • Craft knife Copy Take Home Worksheet. • Glue • Tape • Take Home Worksheets

One idea to keep the junior soldiers engaged is to set up stations! If you have a large group, play the game and teach the lesson with the junior soldiers all together, then divide into two groups. The first group will watch the video and go through the small group questions, and the second group can work on the craft; then switch. IMPACT

See Ya! Group size: 8-50 Preparation Time: 5 minutes Time Needed for Activity: 15 minutes

Materials: • None.

Preparation: • Prior to class create an open space for play. If you are indoors, put chairs around the perimeter of the room. If you are outside, find an open space to play that is free of debris or obstacles.

Directions: 1. The junior soldiers will be divided into small groups of 4-5 people and will stand in a circle. 2. The object of the activity is to have participants discuss some things that they may have in common, and then to decide which person has the most (or least, or best, etc.) of these. For example, in your groups of four or five participants, find out who has the most brothers and sisters. The facilitator should allow the group about a minute or so to discuss this; leave a bit of time to learn the names of everyone in the circle. 3. Then, the facilitator says loudly, “one, two, three,” and the rest of the group says loudly, “See ya!” as they bid farewell to the person with the most brothers and sisters. This person then moves on to another circle. For those circles where a member has left, but a new member has not yet joined, encourage them to say loudly, “Over here, over here, over here!” 4. Once a new member joins a group and learns the names of the others, a new question is given to the group, such as, “Who has traveled to the most states in the US?” which typically not only brings about the number of states, but perhaps a few stories about some unusual or interesting locations that the junior soldiers in the group have visited. After a few minutes, say, “One, two, three…See ya!”

Say: Let’s form a circle to hear the directions for our game. First, I need everyone to get into small groups of four to five people and stand in a circle. Let’s have the groups be about 15 feet apart from one another, if possible. First, we need to teach everyone a couple of rules. Count how many people you have in your group right now. This is the number of people that you always need to have. For example, this group here has five people in it. It will always need to have five people in it. Okay? In a minute, we’re going to be

M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army 3 IMPACT

switching up people in our groups, so we need to make sure that all groups have the right number of people in them.

I’m going to give you a question to discuss in your small circle, for example, “Who has the most siblings in your group?” Once you decide who the person is, you wait for me to say “READY?” When you hear me say that, the group will all say, “See ya!” and the person who the group indicated had the most siblings will leave the group and find a new group to join. It is important that no one leaves the group until they hear the words "See ya!." Once this person leaves your group, you then say, “Over here, over here, over here!” until a new person joins your group. Let's pretend that someone has just left your group, and you are wanting to welcome a new person into your circle. Yell "Over here, over here, over here!" Remember, only one person can join a group each time we switch. Are there any questions? Let’s begin.1

Try some of the following questions or think of your own: • Who has the most pairs of shoes? • Who is the tallest person in the group? • Who has the most cousins? • Who has the most pets? • Who has the largest pet? • Who has watched the most videos or movies this month? • Who has the most books in their room? • Who is wearing the most jewelry? • Who has the whitest socks on? • Who has traveled the farthest distance from here?

After the game, say: In this game we started in one circle, then had to move to a new circle and meet new people. In today’s lesson we are going to talk about how God moved people to cross new boundaries to meet new people and to visit new places. God always moves His people forward to begin something new. Let’s learn more about this.

1 Cain, James and Thomas Smith. The Book on Raccoon Circles. (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, July 2010), 46.

4 M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army ILLUMINATE

Before class, create a lightbox using the guide on Worksheet #1.

Say: Today, we are going to talk about how God is about new beginnings. Let’s say a prayer before we get started.

Dear Jesus, we praise You because You are a God who is always making all things new. Open our eyes to the things that are broken, and how we might help in situations that need attention. Help us to always ask for Your help. In Your name we pray. Amen.

God always moves His people forward to begin something new. He moves them to cross new boundaries, to meet new people, and to visit new places. God began something new when He sent His Son, and His Son Jesus, in turn, sends us to be His ambassadors (John 20:21; 2 Corinthians 5:20).

God is a God of new beginnings. From the beginning of time, God has been creating new things. In the very beginning, He created the world and all that filled it. The story continues today with each new generation, in new places and with new stories of God's redemption. YOU are a part of that story.

Let’s look at the Bible to read about someone who had a pretty crazy transformation. We are going to read about the conversion of Saul. But first, I need some helpers!

Choose three junior soldiers: one will be Saul, one will be Ananais, and one will be the blinding light. You will need your light box that you created using the instructions on Worksheet #1. Use two action figures for Saul and Ananais and a flashlight for the blinding light. Once your junior soldiers have their characters, read the Scripture and instruct them to act out their part in the story inside the lightbox. The blinding light will be a flashlight given to one junior soldier to hold and turn on during the story. Later, you will need another action figure to be William Booth.

Read Acts 9:1-19.

Say: Thank you, everyone! That was great acting. So what was interesting about what happened to Saul? How did God come to him?

When God moves His people to begin something new, He uses many different people and circumstances to do it. Who else did God use in this story? (Ananais) Saul was once a man who hated Christians, who persecuted them. He held the coats of the men that stoned and killed Stephen, a follower

M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army 5 ILLUMINATE

of Jesus. But God always has a loving plan in motion! He decided that the man who had been the worst would become God's best. And so Saul met God and was changed on that little road to Damascus. He became the author of half of the New Testament, a witness for Christ, a missionary, and a prisoner for God.

Many other stories could be told about how God began new things and used ordinary people to do it. Remove Paul and Ananais from the light box.

The same Jesus who spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus some time around 33-36 AD is the same Jesus who spoke to William Booth in the early years of his life, and it is the same Lord who invites you and me into His mission today. The truth is that when God begins something new, He often creates new life and hope in hopeless situations.

The great adventure of The Salvation Army began in the East End of London in 1865, in the slums, where poverty and crime were all around. The Salvation Army began with street preaching and inviting people into rented buildings where William Booth would preach to them. When he later reflected on the early days of The Salvation Army he said, “When I saw those masses of poor people, so many that they so readily and eagerly listened to me, following from open-air to tent, and accepting, in many instances, my invitation to kneel at the Savior’s feet there and then, my whole heart went out to them. I walked home and said to my wife, 'these are the people for whose salvation I have been longing for all these years.’”1 Place the William Booth figure in the light box.

After passing by the bars, he reflected to Catherine that “where is there so great a need for our labors? And there and then in my soul I offered up myself and you and the children to this great work. Those people shall be our people, and they shall have our God for their God.” He recalls, “She smiled and took my hand, and we knelt together. That was the first meeting of The Salvation Army.”2 Shine the flashlight down into the light box.Just like God met Saul on the road to Damascus, God met William Booth in the East End of London and gave him a vision for the last, the lost, and the least. And that was the beginning of The Salvation Army.

If you have a small group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to watch a video to teach us more.

1 Gariepy, Henry. Christianity in Action: The International History of The Salvation Army. (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans 2009), 7.

2 Ibid.

6 M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army ILLUMINATE

If you have a large group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to divide into two groups. Half of you will watch a video to teach us more, and the other half will work on the craft. Then, we’ll switch.

If applicable, divide your junior soldiers into two groups. Settle one group in front of the TV or tablet to watch the video and the others can begin working on the craft. If you have only one leader, try following these instructions: while the video is playing, go over the instructions of the craft with the craft group. When the video ends, go through the small group questions with the video group. After both groups have completed their activity, switch.

M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army 7 INVEST

Say: This unit’s Scripture memory verse is Matthew 13:31-32. Let’s read it together.

This verse will be reviewed each week throughout this unit. Teaching truth to our junior soldiers is one of the most practical ways we can lead them into a relationship with God and His Word.

Say: This week, the members of the Salvation Response Team are in the treehouse when Bram shows them a Salvation Army historical artifact. They learn about how the Army got started and some of the challenges it met along the way.

Play Video

• What kind of work was Saul doing before he was blinded by the light of God? • Who helped Saul after he was blinded? • God begins new things in some of the worst circumstances. Where have you seen God begin something new? • God changed Saul from being one of the worst men into being one of the best. What does that tell us about God? • What are some things you see around your neighborhood or school that might need changing? • How does it make you feel that God is working behind the scenes, even now to maybe change some of those things? • How is God asking you to contribute to fixing what’s broken?

Note: Our junior soldiers might share some heavy situations they see that need

8 M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army INVEST

change. Take each one seriously. If any such situation arises, consider talking to the corps officer.

We’re going to take a quiet moment to listen for God’s voice. Whenever we try to quiet our minds, it often feels like a lot of thoughts and feelings come rushing in all at once. Slowly ask God to help you focus on Him. Sometimes God wants us to help fix things that we see are broken at school or in our neighborhood. So we’re going to take a moment of silence to try and listen for God’s voice. If it helps, you can pray something like, “Help me see what You see.” After a few moments, I’ll close in prayer. Allow a time of silence.

Note: Taking moments of silence is difficult for adults, and even more so for children! But quieting our hearts and minds is a discipline that needs to be cultivated to make room to hear God speak. If we begin a regular practice of taking a few moments to listen, we begin to poke little holes in that wall of busyness and activity, and slowly let the presence of God shine through. So while this may seem too difficult for your junior soldiers, be encouraged that this is exactly the sort of practice that is needed for them to begin to let their lives be shaped into the likeness of Jesus.

Dear Jesus, please open our eyes to see You all around us, in our homes, in our schools and in our neighborhoods. Help us to see that even though things may need changing, that You are always making all things new. Help us to understand that our hearts also need help in becoming new. Help us to trust You and to be a part of Your plan to redeem the world. In Jesus’s name, amen.

M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army 9 INSPIRE

Story Viewer

Materials: • Worksheet #2 printed on acetate paper or traced on overhead projector sheets • Fine-tipped Sharpies® (variety of colors) • Scissors • Toilet paper tubes • Craft knife—please use safety with this tool • Glue • Tape • Take Home Worksheets

Preparation: • Print Worksheet #2 onto acetate. If you can’t find acetate paper you can use overhead projector sheets. You can just trace the template with a Sharpie®. The PDF has enough images for 2 viewers. • You can have your class do a different Scripture that relates to this lesson so each tube will look different. • Copy Take Home Worksheet.

Directions: 1. Give each junior soldier a set of 3 circles. Have them put a different scene in each circle. The first one can be the setting—maybe a building, trees, or clouds. The second one can be the main character in your story. The third circle can be any other characters that may be in your story (i.e. Ananais). 2. Make 3 slits in the tube with a craft knife; these need to go halfway through the tube and stop. Don’t put them too near the edge or you will lose your images. 3. Carefully slip the slides into the holes. The tabs should stick out allowing you to line up the images. You can use a little glue or tape to fix the images permanently in place 4. Enjoy looking at your story as you look through the tube. 5. Pass out the Take Home Worksheets.

Say: Remember that these viewers work best when held up to the light. God always moves His people forward to begin something new and our view of the world is best when we look to God.

10 M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army Materials needed: Step 1 • Cardboard Box • Poster Board • Craft Knife • Tape • Flashlight • Scissors

Step 2 Cut off tops of box. Step 4 Step 5 Cut poster board to fit the Place the object (your Paul box. Place the poster board Figure) inside the box on the in the box so that it curves flat part of the poster board. inside the box.

Step 3 Step 6 Cut a hole in the top. Shine the flashlight through the top of the box onto the object and see how it becomes brighter.

M1U4L1, Worksheet #1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army Each junior soldier gets one set of three. Have them cut out on the dotted lines. Slide each tab in the three slits you make in your toilet paper roll.

M1U4L1, Worksheet #2: The great adventure of The Salvation Army Take Home Worksheet Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 1 The great adventure of The Salvation Army

Trace the dots to see William and Catherine Booth from the early days of The Salvation Army.

Start

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army Family Bible Reading Plan This week in Junior Soldiers, we learned about Saul in the Book of Acts. He used to kill Christians, but God met him on the road to Damascus. Through a blinding light, Saul learned the message of Jesus and started working for Him instead of against Him. In the same way, darkness covered the East End of London in the 1860s. It was in this darkness that God sent a light to William Booth and gave him a calling for the last, the lost, and the least. And through a blinding light, God called him to create The Salvation Army.

Read through the following verses with your junior soldier this week.

DAY ONE Acts 9:1-6 In these verses, God comes to Saul through a blinding light. What was Saul known for? Why do you think God chose to use him? DAY TWO Acts 9:10-15 God used a man named Ananais to go and meet with Saul and tell him about Jesus. DAY THREE How would you have felt if you were Acts 9:17-19 Ananais? How did God use his obedience? Ananais prayed over Saul and explained to him what had happened. Saul immediately believed and became a Christian. Do you think it DAY FOUR took courage for Ananais to pray over Acts 9:17-19 Saul? Sometimes God uses other Saul stayed for several days and learned people to help us know Him. Is there all about Jesus. From there, he began someone you think God may want to teaching about Jesus in several of the use to bring the message of Jesus? large cities, and started churches in many countries. Sometimes God meets us and calls us to do big things. Take some time to pray with your family about God using each of you in a big way.

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L1: The great adventure of The Salvation Army Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 2 The Christian Mission

Guiding Principle: Jesus sent out the disciples on a Christian mission. William and Catherine Booth used these very same methods to start a ministry that would become the foundation of The Salvation Army.

Leader’s Background Information: Jesus commanded His disciples to go out on the edges of the town and reach the lost of Israel. It is among these people that the disciples were able to perform miraculous deeds, displaying the power of Christ. William and Catherine Booth felt a call to reach those not welcome in any church building and not welcome in many parts of society. These lost people became the very first members of the Christian Mission, laying the foundation for what would eventually become The Salvation Army.

Today’s lesson employs a flair for the dramatic. As a teacher, it is your responsibility to en- gage your junior soldiers in the message of Jesus, as well as teach them the history of our church. Use props and illustrations to help your junior soldiers understand the lesson. You might need a larger space this week, as the junior soldiers will be using a parachute. Guiding Principle: See page 1. Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Activity What Kids Do Preparation Materials

Create an open space. Place one hoop in the Bond of Agreement Game: middle. • 5 hula hoops or rope circles Junior soldiers try to get IMPACT Arrange the other four in the • 30 small items like bean all of the objects into their (10 min) corners. bags circle. Place all items in the center hoop.

Junior soldiers learn how, • Parachute ILLUMINATE just like the disciples, God Review lesson. • 12 Small balls (10-15 min) gave William and Catherine Review verse. • Mustard seed Booth a vision for ministry. • Bibles

Junior soldiers watch the SRT send out a broadcast Have PC/tablet ready to • Video that tells some history of INVEST play the video. • Small group questions (12-14 min) the beginnings of our Army. Read through the questions • Small notebook Junior soldiers reflect on the ahead of time. • Small reward lesson and the things God may be saying.

• Newspaper • Large pan/container, at least 3 inches tall • 1 empty liter water bottle • A small glass Cover tables with • 1 packet of active dry yeast God at Work: newspaper. • Warm water to dissolve the Junior soldiers conduct Prepare the carafe and water yeast INSPIRE a science experiment that bottle. • 40 volume of clear hydrogen (10-15 min) teaches about how the right Cut neck holes in bottom of peroxide climate allows big things to trash bags (optional). • Red food coloring happen. Copy Worksheet #1 • Dish soap Copy Take Home Worksheet. • Glass carafe to hold peroxide • Labels "YOU" and "God at work" from Worksheet #1 • Funnel • 40 gallon trash bags (optional) • Take Home Worksheets

Bond of Agreement Game Group size: 10-30* Preparation Time: 5 minutes Time Needed for Activity: 10 minutes

Materials: • 5 hula hoops or rope circles (made from rope about 15 feet in length) • 30 small items like Hackey SacksTM, bean bags, or other soft items

Preparation: • Prior to class, create an open space for play. If you are indoors, put chairs around the perimeter of the room. If you are outside, find an open space to play that is free of debris or obstacles. • Place one hoop in the middle of the area. Arrange the other four hoops with several feet between them in the four corners of the space provided. Once the hoops are placed, it should look like the number five on a dice (the hoop in the middle is the middle spot; the other four hoops are the exterior four corners). • Place all of the tossable items in the center hoop.

*If your brigade is smaller, you can do this game with one person at each hoop instead of one team at each hoop.

Directions: 1. The junior soldiers will be divided into four groups and will stand around one of the four exterior hoops. 2. The point is to get all the items from the center hoop into your own hoop. 3. Each person may carry only one item at a time. 4. Items may not be tossed or thrown. 5. Once the center hoop is empty, players may take items from any other hoops. 6. No one may guard any of the hoops. 7. A player wins when ALL the items are in their hoop. 8. Without giving the junior soldiers any time to strategize, the leader yells “Ready? GO!” The resulting frenzy will go on for about 1-2 minutes before the leader stops the activity. The leader explains to the group that they will have 2 minutes to strategize before round 2 begins. At the end of the 2 minutes, another round begins. If more rounds are necessary for the participants to make the shift from competition to cooperation, continue the sequence of 1-2 minutes of activity, and then 2 minutes of strategy. 9. Most groups “win” by everyone placing their hoops on top of each other

M1U4L2: The Christian Mission 3 IMPACT

and putting all the objects in them. Everyone wins! 10. Suggestion: If nobody seems to be catching on, say “Stop. Work together as a team.” 11. Ask the debriefing questions following the game to tie the activity to the lesson.

Say: : I need everyone to divide into four groups and stand around one of the four exterior hoops on the ground. You’ll notice that there are several items in the center circle. This activity is over when ALL of these items are in your circle. Gesture toward the center circle, then to the outer circles when describing this. There are a few rules to follow during the game, so listen carefully:

1. Each person may carry only one item at a time. 2. You may not throw items. 3. The activity is over when ALL the items are in your circle. 4. Keep in mind that you are all on one big team.

Ready? GO!

Typically, what will happen is that groups will rush to the center circle and start a “fireman’s chain” and will start passing items down a row and dropping them into their circle. Once all of the items are gone from the center circle, they will start stealing items from the other circles. Allow the resulting frenzy to continue for about 1-2 minutes, and then stop the activity.

Say: Hey everyone! Let’s “freeze” for a minute. Let me review the rules one more time in case you might have missed something. You may only carry one item at a time, and you may not throw any of the items. This activity is over when ALL of the items are in YOUR circle. You are all on one big team. Ready? GO!1

Eventually, a few of the participants will make a shift from competition to cooperation. Most groups “win” by everyone placing their circles on top of each other and putting all the objects in them. Everyone wins! Another common strategy that is still permissible, if using rope circles, is for groups to tie their individual circles into one large circle with all of the center items inside the large circle.

There are other ways a group can “win.” One group can intimidate the others or outlast them. There could also be an alliance formed between two groups that can win by working together against the other two groups. These scenarios are rare.

1 Sikes, Sam. Executive Marbles. (Tulsa, OK: Learning Unlimited Corporation, 1998), 94.

4 M1U4L2: The Christian Mission IMPACT

On very rare occasions, one individual might “see” the answer very quickly and immediately move their circle onto the center circle. If that happens, it greatly diminishes the impact of the exercise. You will have to explain to the group what “normally” happens.

Encourage the group to celebrate their “win” and give themselves a round of applause.

Debriefing Questions: Say: • What were some of the thoughts that went through your head as soon as I said “Ready? GO!”? • Did you catch the part of the instructions where I said that you were all on one big team? Some people catch that and some people don’t. In American society, we are taught to be competitive; we are taught to be number one. How did that play out here? • What happened to make a shift in the activity from competition to cooperation? Who first came up with the idea? How did you come up with this idea? How did you communicate that idea to the rest of the group? How did the group respond to this idea?

After the game, say: William Booth knew that people needed to belong to something bigger than themselves and he called them to commit to it. Booth began to have people sign pledges committing themselves to the beliefs of the ministry and to a Bond of Agreement. The beliefs are in one way or another the eleven doctrines of The Salvation Army, and the Bond of Agreement would, over time, be turned into something similar to the Soldier's Covenant. This is what people sign when they become senior soldiers in The Salvation Army. It’s very similar to your Junior Soldier Promise. It was a commitment both to FAITH and ACTION. A commitment both to doctrine and the living out of that doctrine. In this game, we all started out with our own mission to have our team win. As Christians, we all need to work together and have a similar mission or Bond of Agreement so we can win more people to Christ. Let’s go learn more about this.

M1U4L2: The Christian Mission 5 ILLUMINATE

Say: In the Gospels, Jesus traveled throughout many cities and villages, telling people about the Good News of the Kingdom and healing every disease. Jesus soon sent out His disciples to do the same thing. They went out to preach, to tell people about the Good News of Jesus, and they were given the ability to heal people and cast out demons. When we preach the truth of Jesus, the Holy Spirit demonstrates His power to change lives and to transform people's hearts.

Jesus sent out the disciples on a Christian mission. William and Catherine Booth used these very same methods to start a ministry that would become the foundation of The Salvation Army.

If you are able, stand on a non-folding chair as you teach the next few paragraphs.

Before The Salvation Army was actually called The Salvation Army, it was called the Christian Mission. William and Catherine Booth traveled throughout the streets in the East End of London. There, they saw some of the most heartbreaking scenes. People were going hungry, men were rioting in the streets, and this made the hearts of the people feel very heavy. William and Catherine felt that these were the very people who needed the message of Jesus.

Close your eyes and imagine what this must have been like to see—people going hungry, people with heavy hearts. What would you have done?

Unfold a parachute and ask the junior soldiers to lift it high over their heads, as if they are in a tent meeting.

Say: Both William and Catherine Booth were good preachers. Before they moved to London, they both traveled around England preaching in churches and smaller chapels and in revival meetings. They learned to speak the language of the common people and used illustrations that made sense to them. For ten years, from 1860-1870, the Booths preached to thousands of people. Usually they started on the street and sought to gather a crowd of people. If enough people were interested and listened, they invited them to a bigger hall, a big tent, or a rented building where they would hold a longer meeting. Not everyone liked William's method. At one point, the tent they were using had its ropes cut while William was inside preaching!

Instruct the junior soldiers to let go of the parachute so that it collapses. Afterward, have them grab hold of the handles as you toss balls onto the

6 M1U4L2: The Christian Mission ILLUMINATE

parachute. Tell them to try and keep the balls afloat!

Say: Gradually, they started using indoor facilities. They used a dance academy and a theater called Effingham that could hold many people. Throw a ball into the parachute. In February 1868, the Christian Mission was regularly using eleven halls providing accommodation for 7,000 people. Toss 11 balls onto the parachute. In fact, they were conducting 120 services, outdoor and indoor, on a weekly basis, at which the Gospel was preached to an average of 14,000 people!

Let the junior soldiers play with the parachute for a few moments before you collect the balls. Take a deep breath—the kids might be a bit wound up. Have the junior soldiers stand up and face toward the left. Instruct them to walk in a circle with one hand on the parachute.

Say: Before the name of the Christian Mission was given to William Booth's ministry, it was called several other names like the Christian Revival Association, then the East London Mission. But, just like in the New Testament in both Jesus’s time and in the time of the apostles in Acts, the Good News spreads to new places. People hear the message of Jesus and tell others about it.

Tell the junior soldiers to stop and then reverse, switch hands, and now walk to the right.

Say: In Acts 8:26-40, a man named Philip had been appointed by the apostles to care for the Christian community. He was traveling and came across a caravan with a man who worked for the Queen of Ethiopia. That man was reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip ran up to his chariot and asked if he understood what he was reading. Then, Philip shared with the man the story of Jesus. They came to some water, and the man asked Philip if he could be baptized, and Philip baptized him. He then went back to his home country of Ethiopia rejoicing and sharing what God had done.

Sometimes a visitor from another area hears the message and returns home to tell a friend. William and Catherine’s ministry began to spread outside of East London in 1870, and when it did they began to call it simply the Christian Mission. It spread throughout the country of England and to the rest of the world.

Now have your junior soldiers sit on the floor with their feet out in front of them, holding the parachute in their laps, with their legs and feet underneath the parachute. Have them kick their legs.

Say: First, God's Spirit was awakening people to His truth through the messages that William and Catherine preached. The Booths preached a

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simple message that was based on the Bible. Jesus came to save sinners from their sin, Satan and hell were real, and heaven was only a possibility if one was forgiven of one’s sins and turned to God.

Secondly, William and Catherine knew that growth could only happen if there was a strong organization. So, they decided to appoint people to go and open “mission stations” with the same methods. First, preach in the streets; second, invite people to a larger hall; and third, if enough people stayed and committed to the ongoing ministry, open a mission station.

Third, William Booth knew that people needed to belong to something bigger than themselves and he called them to commit to it. Booth began to have people sign pledges committing themselves to the beliefs of the ministry and to a Bond of Agreement. The beliefs are in one way or another the eleven doctrines of The Salvation Army, and the Bond of Agreement would over time be turned into something similar to the Soldier's Covenant. It was a commitment to both FAITH and ACTION.

Collect the parachute. Let’s take a moment to think about this. What does a commitment of faith and action mean to you?

The Christian Mission was a ministry of multiplication, not addition. It was a springboard effect, where one mission station would be established, and then someone from that mission station would be sent to open another. The Booths did not simply want to add more and more people and make a big church in one location. They wanted to multiply their efforts. Let’s get our Bibles and turn to Matthew 13:31-32. Have one of the junior soldiers read it out loud. God uses things that are very small to produce great results. Not only did The Salvation Army become big, it also traveled to other countries and spread the message of Jesus to the last, the lost, and the least.

Show your junior soldiers an actual mustard seed so they can see how small it is.

Say: What do you think about this? Why do you think God uses small things for BIG results?

God directed the Christian Mission, and He still directs mission-outreach today. The Booth's ministry started small like the mustard seed. They were faithful with the preaching gifts God had given them, and slowly, over time, God directed them to other opportunities. They listened to the voice of the Lord, they watched for evidence that God was working, and they followed and joined Him in His work.

8 M1U4L2: The Christian Mission ILLUMINATE

If you have a small group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to watch a video to teach us more.

If you have a large group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to divide into two groups. Half of you will watch a video to teach us more, and the other half will work on the experiment. Then, we’ll switch.

If applicable, divide your junior soldiers into two groups. Settle one group in front of the TV or tablet to watch the video and the others can begin working on the experiment. If you have only one leader, try following these instructions: while the video is playing, go over the instructions of the experiment with the experiment group. When the video ends, go through the small group questions with the video group. After both groups have completed their activity, switch.

M1U4L2: The Christian Mission 9 INVEST

Say: This unit’s Scripture memory verse is Matthew 13:31-32. Let’s read it together. Just like the mustard seed, something small can grow into something big. Who can say it from memory?

Allow a time for junior soldiers to recite this verse from memory. Review it again, providing a small reward for those who have memorized the verse. This verse will be reviewed each week throughout this unit.

Say: Watch the members of the Salvation Response Team (SRT) broadcast to junior soldiers all around the world. We’ll get a little history lesson about what the Christian Mission was really all about.

This is a time of reflection for your junior soldiers. Allow them space Play Video to process the lesson and video. The goal is not to get through all of the questions, but to be present Small Group Questions with your junior soldiers as they Say: Now we are going to take some time to think about what we learned deepen their understanding today. I’m going to ask a few questions. Try to answer each question honestly, of Christ and the church. The purpose of small groups will not and respect one another by listening to each other with patience and without be accomplished if we are merely judgment. viewing Junior Soldiers as simply a class. We are trying to nurture • How did it feel when we let go of the parachute and it collapsed on all a community of kids into a loving of us? What do you think it was like to be in a tent meeting when that relationship with Christ. Keep this happened to William Booth? in mind during the discussion. • What was it like trying to keep all of those balls afloat? Did any fall out? What do you think it would have been like to be a part of a church that had 14,000 people? • What is something new you learned today about the beginnings of The Salvation Army? • What are some things the Bible said about the mustard seed? • Have you ever seen God use something small in a big way? What happened?

10 M1U4L2: The Christian Mission INSPIRE

God at Work

Materials: • Large pan/container (must be at least 3 inches tall) • 1 empty liter water bottle • A small glass • One packet of active dry yeast • Warm water to dissolve the yeast in (no more than a 1/4 cup) • 2 cups of 40 volume clear hydrogen peroxide; also known as stabilizer formula (This can be purchased at a beauty store. This chemical is what people use to bleach their hair with. Do not use regular peroxide.) • Red food coloring • A teaspoon of liquid dish soap • Glass/carafe to hold the peroxide • Funnel • Labels: “YOU” and “GOD AT WORK” from Worksheet #1 • Plastic garbage bags (optional) • Take Home Worksheets

Preparation: • Attach the two labels from Worksheet #1 to the carafes. • Pour the hydrogen peroxide into the carafe and add the drops of food coloring to make it a nice blood red. • Pour the dish soap into the empty water bottle. • Place the water bottle in the middle of the pan/container and set the carafe and glass of yeast and funnel to the side of the pan. • Copy Take Home Worksheet.

Say: Let’s let this empty bottle remind you of you…or you…or you. Let’s let this pretty bottle remind us of how God uses small things for big results.

Directions: Note: The ingredients 1. During each of the following three statements, pour some of the peroxide will expand to create into the empty bottle. You will see some bubbling because of the dish an overflowing foam. soap, but don’t bring any attention to it, even though the junior soldiers If you don’t want the might say something. Keep your focus on your talk. kids to get messy, cut 2. God uses the mustard seed, which is one of the smallest seeds in all of a hole in the bottom of plant life. Pour some peroxide into the glass. plastic garbage bags 3. God used Philip while he was traveling to share the message of Jesus they can slip over with a man from Ethiopia. Pour more peroxide into the glass. their heads. 4. And God used William and Catherine Booth to begin a movement in East London that now stretches all over the world. Pour in the rest of the

M1U4L2: The Christian Mission 11 peroxide. 5. Learning about early Army leaders can help us see that God may have started The Salvation Army with just the Booths, but it took people, young and small, to keep things going. And God continued to spread the message of Jesus from England to the United States and to over 127 countries! 6. I have here a glass of dissolved yeast. Hold up the yeast. Yeast makes things grow. Now let this yeast represent how The Salvation Army expanded into countries across the globe. 7. Add the dissolved yeast to the peroxide and pretty much right away you will have a wonderful eruption that keeps going and going. It can actually continue for several minutes. 8. God can use just a few small ingredients to make something so big it overflows! 9. Pass out the Take Home Worksheets.

Say: Just like in the parable of the mustard seed, God uses small things to produce big results. This was a fun science experiment that showed how a few simple ingredients can create the climate for something big to happen.

12 M1U4L2: The Christian Mission YOU

GOD AT WORK

M1U4L2, Worksheet #1: The Christian Mission Take Home Worksheet Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 2 The Christian Mission

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L2: The Christian Mission Family Bible Reading Plan This week in Junior Soldiers, we learned about the beginnings of The Salvation Army and how something small can be used by God for big results.

Read through the following verses with your junior soldier this week.

DAY ONE Matthew 13:31-32 A mustard seed is one of the smallest seeds in all of agriculture. But it grows into one of the largest trees. Have there ever been times when you have felt small? What was that like? DAY TWO Matthew 13:31-32 Coming back to this Scripture, we read about how the mustard seed grows into such a large tree that birds come and DAY THREE perch in its branches. How is that like the Matthew 9:35-38 Kingdom of God? Have you ever seen In these verses, we read that Jesus something small be used by God? taught and healed people in many villages, but then sent His disciples out to do the same. How are we to follow the example of Jesus? How is that like what William and DAY FOUR Catherine Booth did in the early Matthew 10:5-8 days of the Christian Mission? Here, Jesus is instructing His disciples to go specifically to the lost sheep of Israel. Who do you think is lost in your city? What are some ways you, as a family, can reach out to them?

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L2: The Christian Mission Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 3 Early Army leaders, young and old

Guiding Principle: God used children and young people in the early days of The Salvation Army to spread the message of Jesus.

Leader’s Background Information: God used many individuals in the early days of the Army, both in England and the United States. The message of Jesus and His Kingdom has a place for people of all ages. In this lesson, we will highlight some of the early leaders of The Salvation Army and how God used their bravery and faith to enlarge His ministry. Guiding Principle: God used children and young people in the early days of The Salvation Army to spread the message of Jesus. Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Activity What Kids Do Preparation Materials

Stand Up with Courage: Junior soldiers play a game Create an open space for IMPACT where they learn what it play. • None (10 min) means to acknowledge their courage.

Junior soldiers learn about Minnie Browell, who asked Review lesson. ILLUMINATE • Bibles (10-15 min) if there could be meeting for Review verse. the children.

Junior soldiers watch members of the SRT talk Have PC/tablet ready to • Video INVEST about their favorite early play the video. • Small group questions (12-14 min) Army leaders. Junior soldiers Read through the questions • Small notebook reflect on the lesson and the ahead of time. • Small reward things God may be saying.

Flashlight Faith: Set up a time for the junior • Small flashlights (1 for each INSPIRE Junior soldiers use soldiers to go into the junior soldier) (10-15 min) flashlights to teach younger nursery and lead a lesson. • Paper, pens or pencils kids about Jesus. Copy Take Home Worksheet. • Take Home Worksheets

One idea to keep the junior soldiers engaged is to set up stations! If you have a large group, play the game and teach the lesson with the junior soldiers all together, then divide into two groups. The first group will watch the video and discuss the small group questions, and the second group can work on the Inspire activity; then switch. IMPACT

Stand Up with Courage Group size: 1-50 Preparation Time: 5 minutes Time Needed for Activity: 10 minutes

Materials: • None

Directions: 1. The junior soldiers will spread out and put their arms out to the side. 2. Then, they will turn in a circle with their arms out and create enough space between each person that their hands do not touch another person when they are turning in a circle. 3. Next, junior soldiers kneel down in place.* 4. The leader will read off a statement that might require courage. 5. If the statement you read applies to them, they should stand up. If it does not apply to them, they remain kneeling down. 6. After each statement, the leader says, “Notice how it feels to honor and acknowledge your courage.” 7. Participants kneel back down after each round. 8. After 6-8 statements, debrief the activity.

*If you have junior soldiers who have difficulty kneeling and standing up, this game can be played by placing chairs in a circle and having the kids sit down and stand up for each round.

Say: Let’s stand up and spread out to where you are an arm’s length away from everyone.

Demonstrate with putting your arms out and turning in a circle to show how much space is needed between each person.

Say: Great! Now I need everyone to kneel down in place. Today, we will learn about Minnie Browell and the courage it took for her to ask if she could attend a church meeting to learn more about God. I’m sure each of us have been courageous at different times in our lives. I’m going to read off a few statements of courage. If the statement I read applies to you, then I want you

M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old 3 IMPACT

to stand up with courage. I will then say, “Notice how it feels to honor and acknowledge your courage.” And then I will ask you to kneel back down. I will then read another statement and we will do the same thing. Are there any questions? Let’s begin.

• Stand up with courage if you’ve ever invited a friend to church. • Stand up with courage if you’ve ever asked someone for help when you were scared. • Stand up with courage if you’ve ever stood up for a friend when someone was not nice to them. • Stand up with courage if you’ve ever shared how you came to know Jesus with a friend. • Stand up with courage if you’ve ever apologized for a mistake you made. • Stand up with courage if you’ve ever prayed to God in a public place.

These prompts are examples. You may add other prompts to this list.

After the game, say: Let’s talk about what we just experienced. Did everyone stand up at least one time? What did it feel like when you stood up and acknowledged your courage? Why is it important to be courageous for Jesus? In today’s lesson, we will talk about the courage it took Minnie Browell to stand up and ask if she could attend a church lesson. How does your courage relate to Minnie’s courage? Sometimes we stayed in the kneeling position during the questions. That’s also a position you can use when you pray. It becomes easier to stand up with courage when you have been kneeling down and praying for God’s help. Let’s go back to our seats for the lesson.

4 M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old ILLUMINATE

Say: Did you know that when The Salvation Army started there weren’t any meetings for children? In fact, it took the courage and bravery of one little girl to change the minds of the leaders. Today, we are going to learn about how God used children and young people in the early days of the Army to spread the message of Jesus.

John Roberts was born on the Isle of Wight off the southern English coast. He heard William Booth preach in Portsmouth in 1873 and soon joined The Salvation Army. He was known as “The Children's Captain” as it is believed he was the first Salvation Army officer to conduct meetings for children. He began these meetings in Blyth, Northumberland in 1880. A year later he published the first edition of “The Little Soldier,” a manual for students learning to become Salvation Army officers.

In the early days of the Christian Mission, Catherine and William Booth saw little value in Sunday Schools or children's ministries. In a speech at the laying of the foundation stone at Penzance in 1882, William said, “We have tried Sunday Schools, in the ordinary acceptance of the term, and have not found them successful.”1 Catherine's objections were much stronger. She fervently believed that childhood training ought to take place in the home.

Booth’s right-hand man, George Scott Railton, held similar views. He admitted that there were earnest soul-winners in the Mission Sunday Schools and that there were children saved who later became gloriously useful in the work, but he was never a supporter of children's work.

In 1876, General William Booth admitted that he had no real plan for dealing with the young and ordered the ending of Sunday Schools, saying, “So far as our experience of Sunday Schools has gone, they have been an injury to the Mission wherever they have existed.”2 So he ordered that no new schools or new work with children were to be started.

The Salvation Army's popularity in Blyth was growing. Captain John Robert’s diary said, “No place of worship in Blyth was big enough for the crowds who wanted to come to the Army so, whenever possible, the Central Hall,

1 Excerpt from The Crest: News and Views of the Salvation Army Historical Society of Canada and Bermuda. Vol. No. 3, Fall 2009.

2 Rohu, Ethel B. “Roberts, John, Evangelist: The Beginnings of Children's Work.” The Salvation Army and the Children. Compiled by John D. Waldron. (London: Salvationist Pub. 1985), 3.

M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old 5 ILLUMINATE

a building that held a thousand people, was secured for the Sunday night meeting.”3 Children in the town of Blyth were everywhere. The population of the port city of Blyth was growing rapidly; because of the many jobs, it brought families from all around. One little girl named Minnie Browell was among the many children of this small but growing northern England town.

At these large meetings, children were not allowed to enter so that more adults could find seats. But Captain Roberts realized that the “mothers cannot come – in many cases – unless they bring their children.” One day, as the open-air workers came toward the chapel, a little girl asked the Captain, “Please can I get into the meeting tonight?” “Certainly, if there is room,” replied Captain Roberts. “Ah that's just it,” she said, “The door-keeper tells me there is no more room.” Finally, Captain Roberts made the decision to not allow her to come in, and his diary says, “the light died out of her face.” She turned to walk away, and the Captain, watching the little figure with sadness thought suddenly of his Lord's words, “Let the little children come to me.”4

“Look here!” he said, and the child turned around. “Would you like to come to a special meeting for children only in The Salvation Army hall, next Friday evening at six?” When Friday came, Minnie had invited all of her friends and had spread the word that a special meeting was designed just for children to attend. When Captain John arrived that night, he was afraid that no one would come. To his surprise, he found 70 children waiting. His diary says, “I was able to hold their complete attention for half an hour!”5

John's biographer writes, “The children's week-night meetings were becoming the talk of the town. On the following Friday, the congregation of boys and girls had risen to 120, and on the third occasion 150 were present. That night John said, 'I want those children for God's service. I am asking the Lord for direct guidance on this important matter.’”6

From that time on, news spread of Captain John Roberts's dedication to children and to the junior soldiers. General Booth even changed his mind. From then on, The Salvation Army has had services for children. Pause for a time of reflection.

3 Rohu, Ethel B. “Roberts, John, Evangelist: The Beginnings of Children's Work.” The Salvation Army and the Children. Compiled by John D. Waldron. (London: Salvationist Pub. 1985), 3.

4 Ibid.

5 Ibid.

6 Ibid.

6 M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old ILLUMINATE

What did you notice in the story? Allow for a response.

Let’s turn to some verses in the Bible to read how Jesus responded to children.

Have your junior soldiers turn to Matthew 19:13-14. Have a volunteer read it.

Say: Sometimes it seems like everything is made for grown ups. Even in the Bible, the disciples tried to keep the children away from the important work of Jesus. But it was Jesus who asked that the children come to Him. He laid His hands on them and prayed for them. Jesus wanted to make it clear that kids are not to be left out. They too are an important part of God’s plan.

If you have a small group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to watch a video to teach us more.

If you have a large group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to divide into two groups. Half of you will watch a video to teach us more, and the other half will work on the Inspire activity. Then, we’ll switch.

If applicable, divide your junior soldiers into two groups. Settle one group in front of the TV or tablet to watch the video and the others can begin working on the Inspire activity.

M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old 7 INVEST

Say: This unit’s Scripture memory verse is Matthew 13:31-32. Let’s read it together. Just like the mustard seed, something small can grow into something big. Who can say it from memory?

Say: This week, let’s listen to the members of the SRT as they talk about their favorite early Army leaders that helped bring the work of The Salvation Army to the US.

Play Video

Small Group Questions Say: Now we are going to take some time to think about what we learned today. I’m going to ask a few questions. Try to answer each question honestly, and respect one another by listening to each other with patience This is a time of reflection for your and without judgment. junior soldiers. Allow them space to process the lesson and video. • Have you ever asked your corps officers if they could change The goal is not get through all of something? What was the result? the questions, but to be present • Minnie Browell not only displayed courage, she also invited her with your junior soldiers as they friends. Where do you think she got her courage from? deepen their understanding of Christ and the church. The • What did Jesus say about children? purpose of small groups will not • What’s it like to know that God has a plan for you to be involved in be accomplished if we are merely His work? viewing Junior Soldiers as simply • What are some ways we can follow Minnie’s example? a class. We are trying to nurture • What did some of the characters from the video do to spread the a community of kids into a loving message of Jesus? relationship with Christ. Keep this in mind during the discussion. • What are you learning about the early days of The Salvation Army?

Let’s pray. Dear Jesus, help us to be brave like the many leaders we learned about today. Help us to know You and seek You even when we are afraid. In Jesus’s name, amen.

8 M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old INSPIRE

Flashlight Faith

Materials: • Paper • Pens or pencils • Small flashlights (1 for each junior solider) • Take Home Worksheets

Preparation: • Make preparations for your junior soldiers to visit the nursery or junior church. • Copy Take Home Worksheet.

Directions: 1. Before you go into the classroom with the younger kids, have the junior soldiers take some time to write down why they think God is important to them. 2. Distribute flashlights among the junior soldiers (one per child). 3. Have the junior soldiers enter a classroom with a younger group of kids; this could be the nursery or junior church. 4. Ask the junior soldiers to sit with the younger kids. 5. Turn off the lights in the classroom. 6. Wait until the room has calmed down. 7. Have the junior soldiers take turns sharing with the younger kids why God is important to them. 8. When each junior soldier is done they can turn on their flashlight, and shine it on the ceiling. 9. At the end, the room will be lit up because of the flashlights. This helps the younger kids see that without God in our life, it’s dark, but with His love and guidance, things are bright and He always lets His light shine. 10. After everyone has had a chance to participate, sing a song with the younger kids. 11. Pass out Take Home Worksheets.

Say: This activity was a chance for you to put this lesson into action by helping out kids younger than you.

M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old 9 Take Home Worksheet Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 3 Early Army leaders, young and old

See if you can find Children Railton Brave the words from our Minnie Eliza Shirley Courage lesson this week! Jesus Disciples Come to me

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old Family Bible Reading Plan This week in Junior Soldiers, we learned about some of the early leaders of The Salvation Army. Some of these leaders were kids who bravely challenged the officers to include children in the work of The Salvation Army.

Read through the following verses with your junior soldier this week. DAY ONE Matthew 19:13-4 This passage of Scripture tells us that the disciples tried to limit the children from getting to Jesus, but He welcomed them in. What do you think that says about Jesus? What do you think that says about how he loves?

DAY TWO 1 Timothy 4:8-12 These days it seems that there is a large focus on physical fitness and training. But these DAY THREE verses teach us that there are other things that 1 Timothy 4:8-12 bring us more value, both in this life and the life Why do people often look down to come. What are those things listed in verse on people who are younger than 12? Are they easy or hard? How can you, as a them? How can we change the family, help each other develop those qualities? way they see us?

DAY FOUR Philippians 2:14-15 Why do these verses begin by telling us to do things without grumbling or arguing? In this Scripture passage, we learn that God has further instruction for children. What are some ways we can shine? What does it look like when someone shines?

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L3: Early Army leaders, young and old Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 4 Opponents of the early Army

Guiding Principle: God can save anyone.

Leader’s Background Information: In the early days of The Salvation Army, people who were opposed to its ministry and message about Jesus formed a “Skeleton Army.” Charles Jeffries was one of their leaders. These people actively tried to block the ministry of The Salvation Army through propaganda, dis- ruption of meetings, and even violence. In the book of Acts, Paul and Silas faced similar persecution and were even imprisoned! This parallel between Charles Jeffries of the Skele- ton Army and Paul and Silas helps us understand some of our history and also that God can powerfully use ANY individual to help further His Kingdom. Guiding Principle: God can save anyone. Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV)

Activity What Kids Do Preparation Materials

Ah So Ko: Junior soldiers repeat Create an open space for IMPACT • None (10 min) motions and try not to be play. distracted.

Junior soldiers learn about Review lesson. • Copy of Worksheets #1-2 the story of Paul and Silas in Review verse. • Duct tape prison and how facing their Use templates on • Styrofoam or cardboard ILLUMINATE opponents mirrors the way Worksheets #1-2 to • Scissors (10-15 min) early Salvationists create prison shackles and • Box cutter responded to the Skeleton prison doors • Paint (optional) Army. out of duct tape. • Bibles

Junior soldiers watch the SRT learn about Have PC/tablet ready to • Video the Skeleton Army and how INVEST play the video. • Small group questions (12-14 min) early Salvationists came Read through the questions • Small notebook under attack. Junior soldiers ahead of time. • Small reward reflect on the lesson and the things God may be saying.

• Copies of Worksheet #3 • Pencils Place one piece of wood at Cross String Art: • 12x12 pieces of wood each seat. Junior soldiers make a • Wire brads or nails Divide wire brads or nails for INSPIRE cross out of string art to • Hammers (10-15 min) each seat. remind them of how we must • Scissors Copy Worksheet #3. all stand firm in our faith. • Embroidery thread (many Copy Take Home Worksheet. colors) • Take Home Worksheets

One idea to keep the junior soldiers engaged is to set up stations! If you have a large group, play the game and teach the lesson with the junior soldiers all together, then divide into two groups. The first group will watch the video and discuss the small group questions, and the second group can work on the Inspire activity; then switch. IMPACT

Ah So Ko Group size: 2-50 Preparation Time: 5-15 minutes per group; multiple groups play at one time Time Needed for Activity: 15 minutes

Materials: • None

Directions: 1. The group sits or stands in a circle. 2. Junior soldiers use three motions in order. The first is using either arm with the hand on the chest, fingers pointing to the left or right (depending on what arm is used). The sound associated with this motion is “AH!” 3. The second motion is an open hand on the head with fingers pointing to the left or the right – depending on the arm used. The sound associated with this motion is “SO!” 4. The third motion is arm out, hand open, fingers pointing. The sound associated with this motion is “KO!” 5. The motions always follow this order. After the third motion, the junior soldier pointed to performs the first motion and so on. 6. One person will start the game and choose which arm to begin the "AH!" motion. They will make the action and exclaim, “AH!” Whichever direction their hand is pointing indicates the next person that will perform the "SO!" action. 7. The person doing the "SO!" action picks which arm to use. They will make the action and exclaim, “SO!” Whichever direction their hand is pointing indicates the next person that will perform the "KO!" action. 8. The person selected to perform the "KO!" action can point at anyone in the circle while exclaiming, “KO!” 9. The game continues with the first motion again. If a mistake of any kind—incorrect motion or an incorrect sound—is made by a junior soldier, he or she will be eliminated from the circle and become a heckler.

M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army 3 IMPACT

10. Hecklers run around the outside of the circle and make noises to try to distract the players and get them to make a mistake. 11. Fun factor: This game is meant to be played with gusto! Speed increases the number of mistakes. 12. If time allows, play a few rounds so everyone can have an opportunity to try again. 13. Debrief the game.

Say: Let’s form a circle to hear the directions for the game.1 This game has three specific actions and noises that go with each action. The first one looks like this. Make the hand over chest motion and the noise "AH!" The second one looks like this. Make the hand over head motion and the noise "SO!" The third one looks like this. Point at someone across the circle and make the noise "KO!"

Be sure to make these noises with GUSTO! Your audience will mirror your enthusiasm level.

Say: Let’s practice these! Practice each one; "AH! SO! KO!" Great! Now these actions will go in this order every time. First comes "AH!," then comes "SO," then comes "KO!" Now in a minute, but not yet, we will select one person to start the game. They will choose which arm to use when making the "AH!" noise. Whichever direction their hand is pointing indicates the next person that will perform the "SO!" action.

In the following directions insert the name of specific junior soldiers to illustrate how the game will be played.

Say: For example, if ______started the game and she used this arm for the motion and yelled “AH,” her fingers are pointing at______. ______will be the person to do the "SO!" noise and action. Whichever arm ______uses to do the "SO!" noise and action indicates who will be doing the "KO!" action. Great! Now see how ______fingers are pointing to ______? She will be the one to do the "KO!" action. ______can choose anyone around the circle to point at and do the "KO!" action and noise. Whoever she points at will start over with the "AH!" noise and action. Does that make sense? Are there any questions on this part so far? Okay, let’s practice one round doing it this way, then I will add a new rule.

Now that we understand the basic process, I am going to add a new rule. If you make a mistake during the game, say for instance you make the wrong noise or you do the wrong action, then you are eliminated from that round

1Rhonke, Karl. Funn N Games. Vol. 1. (Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2004), 3.

4 M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army IMPACT

and you become a heckler. What a heckler will do is step out of the circle and begin jumping around and making noise to try to make someone else make a mistake and become a heckler. Demonstrate this. We will play this way for a few minutes and see how many hecklers we can get! Are there any questions? Let’s begin!

After the game, say: In this game, we had multiple hecklers trying to distract us from what we were supposed to do in the game. In today’s lesson we are going to talk about the Skeleton Army and how they tried to disrupt and mock The Salvation Army’s ministry. Let’s go learn more about this.

M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army 5 ILLUMINATE

Before class, use the diagrams on Worksheets #1-2 to create shackles and prison doors.

Say: In the early days of The Salvation Army, thousands of people were learning about Jesus and being saved. The Salvation Army used bold methods to reach the lost. William Booth had children’s choirs perform outside of bars singing about the dangers of alcoholism. They held meetings in the parks, standing on bass drums, loudly preaching to people, telling them to turn from their sinful ways. They held parades, marching down the streets with bands and singing. Many of the traditions we take part in today began on the streets of London 150+ years ago.

People had never seen a church like this. They had never heard of a God that would go to such extremes. The Salvation Army became a very effective ministry. However, not everyone was on board with what God was doing through The Salvation Army. The restaurant and bar owners of the city started realizing that if people were no longer coming into their places of business, they would lose money. So they took action. The bar owners paid people – either in money or in beer – to organize and try to stop the work of The Salvation Army. These people formed their own group called The Skeleton Army and referred to themselves as “the unconverted Salvation Army.”

The Skeleton Army used several tactics to mock and disrupt The Salvation Army ministry: they used noise—such as banging pots and pans while Army soldiers and officers preached; flags and parades—in an attempt to slow down or halt the procession of Army parades; anti- Army leaflets and newspaper ads; and violence, like throwing rocks and tomatoes. In other words, the Skeleton Armies used a modern-day smear campaign against The Salvation Army in order to disrupt, devalue, and destroy Army work.

There’s a story like this in the Bible, where Paul and Silas were preaching the message of Jesus and were unjustly persecuted. Let’s explore what happened.

If you are able, use the items on Worksheets #1 and #2 to decorate another classroom. Then lead the junior soldiers into this other classroom, decorated like a prison cell to tell the story of Paul and Silas in prison.

Say: Let’s read Acts 16:16-40.

6 M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army ILLUMINATE

Have your junior soldiers take turns placing the shackles around their ankles.

Wow! That’s a crazy story of how God caused an earthquake to release the chains of Paul and Silas! Why didn’t they run away? Allow a response. What would you have done? Allow a response. Because Paul and Silas were obedient, God was able to do more than they could ever imagine. Not only were the jailer and his family saved, Paul and Silas were released from jail! This story and the story about the Skeleton Army teach us an important lesson about how we should respond to those who persecute us.

Let’s take a look at some verses that might help us understand how we are to interact with those that are against us. Read Ephesians 6:12-13.

Just like a single coin has two sides, our lives are also two-sided. One side is physical and the other is spiritual. In the case of opposition by the Skeleton Army, it was certainly physical. It consisted of real people throwing real stones at Salvation Army mission workers. But it was also spiritual.

In England, these “powers” were not simply demonic powers working behind the scenes; they were the very people that had the most to lose when The Salvation Army came to town. These people included the bar owners who made money from selling people alcohol. They relied on people’s addictions. That gave them power to ruin the lives of many working-class people.

Ephesians 6:13 tells soldiers what to do: “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

How do we stand firm? Allow a response. • By standing in faith and believing the truth against lies. • We fight with our lives. Our example should shine so bright that others can’t deny that we serve a great God. • By taking action to help reverse things that hurt others, harm their spirits, or keep them from being able to hear and understand the message of Jesus.

Besides standing firm, we must look to God for salvation. He is the God of salvation even in the most difficult circumstances. In the story in Acts, after Paul and Silas were thrown in prison, a mighty earthquake broke open the jail causing great fear to come over the jailer. God could have simply rescued Paul and Silas, but He didn't. He did it in such a way that the jailer came running to Paul and Silas saying, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved...” God is a God of salvation even in the most difficult situations.

In the case of The Salvation Army, God's mission went forward—sometimes

M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army 7 ILLUMINATE

even stronger—because of persecution. One example is the story of Charles Jeffries, a Skeleton Army leader in Whitechapel, who gave his heart to Jesus at a meeting he was sent to disrupt. He had plans to cause a riot, but God had plans to save the rioter. This is God's style. He did it with the man Saul, who became Paul; He did it with the Jailer; and He did it with Charles Jeffries. In fact, Charles Jeffries, the Skeleton Army leader, became Commissioner Jeffries and the principal of the International Training College. We can always look to God for salvation even during evil or opposition. He is able to save and use everyone who comes to Him. God can save anyone.

Let’s pray. Dear Jesus, help us to stand firm when we meet people who oppose us. Help us to understand that You have a plan greater than we could possibly imagine. Help us to follow the example of Paul and Silas, believing that You are in control even when we are scared. In Your name we pray, amen.

If you have a small group of junior soldiers, say: Now we’re going to watch a video to teach us more.

If applicable, divide your junior soldiers into two groups. Settle one group in front of the TV or tablet to watch the video and the others can begin working on the Inspire activity. If you have only one leader, try following these instructions: while the video is playing, go over the Inspire instructions with the second group. When the video ends, go through the small group questions with the video group. After both groups have completed their activity, switch.

8 M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army INVEST

Say: This unit’s Scripture memory verse is Matthew 13:31-32. Let’s read it together. Just like the mustard seed, something small can grow into something big. Who can say it from memory?

Allow a time for junior soldiers to recite this verse from memory. Review it again, providing a small reward for those who have memorized the verse.

Watch the members of the SRT as they learn about the Skeleton Army and what it was like to be a Salvationist under attack.

Play Video

Small Group Questions Say: Now we are going to take some time to think about what we learned today. I’m going to ask a few questions. Try to answer each question honestly, and respect one another by listening to each other with This is a time of reflection for your patience and without judgment. junior soldiers. Allow them space to process the lesson and video. • In Ephesians, we read about how we do not wrestle against flesh and The goal is not get through all of the questions, but to be present blood, but against spiritual powers. Are there any evil places you see with your junior soldiers as they around you today? deepen their understanding • If we look carefully, can we see God working even within some of of Christ and the church. The those places? Where? purpose of small groups will not • What do you think it would have been like to be under attack from be accomplished if we are merely the Skeleton Army? viewing Junior Soldiers as simply a class. We are trying to nurture • What are some ways we can stand firm? a community of kids into a loving relationship with Christ. Keep this in mind during the discussion.

M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army 9 INSPIRE

Cross String Art

Materials: • Copies of Worksheet #3 • Pieces of wood 12x12 (1 for each junior soldier) • Pencils • 5/8" wire brads or nails (18 per junior soldier) • Hammers (1 for each junior soldier) • Variety of colors of embroidery thread • Scissors • Take Home Worksheets

Preparation: • Copy Worksheet #3. • Copy Take Home Worksheet.

Directions: 1. Have the junior soldiers use a pencil to make a design on their board. They can use the template given on Worksheet #3 to help them make their marks. have them mark along the edges of the cross every half inch so they know where to place the nails. 2. Have the junior soldiers hammer nails into the wood. They do not have to be perfect. 3. Now the junior soldiers will pull out their thread and start wrapping. The body of the cross will be first. Have them tie the end of the thread to a nail. Then, trim the end with scissors so it won’t be noticed. There is no specific process for doing this. Just make sure that each nail is wrapped around, the outline of the cross is clear, and the space within the cross is relatively filled. 4. When done, have them tie the end of the thread to a nail and trim short. 5. Pass out Take Home Worksheet.

Say: Our string art crosses to remind us of how we all must stand firm in our faith in God.

10 M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army SHACKLES Supplies Needed: Cardboard or Styrofoam Directions: Use a rectangular piece of cardboard or two pieces of Styrofoam to create these shackles to be used when teaching Acts 16, when Paul and Silas are released from prison. Cut along the dotted line so that the cardboard or Styrofoam can be easily opened. Flaps on a cardboard box work well for this, so does Styrofoam that comes as packaging with electronics. If using Styrofoam, paint the shackles black or brown. The round openings are for the junior soldiers ankles, a four-inch diameter works well. This shackle holds the ankles of two junior soldiers.

M1U4L4, Worksheet #1: Opponents of the early Army PRISON DOOR Supplies Needed: Duct Tape Directions: Use the following diagram to create a mock prison door using duct tape. Place this duct tape prison door over the door of the classroom so that junior soldiers have to enter underneath it to get into the classroom.

M1U4L4, Worksheet #2: Opponents of the early Army M1U4L4, Worksheet #3: Opponents of the early Army Take Home Worksheet Module 1, Unit 4, Lesson 4 Opponents of the early Army

Label the the Armor of God using the Word Bank.

WORD BANK: Belt of Truth Breastplate of Righteousness Gospel of Peace Shield of Faith Helmet of Salvation Sword of the Spirit

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army Family Bible Reading Plan This week in Junior Soldier we learned about the Skeleton Army, a group of people organized to disrupt the ministry of The Salvation Army. We read about Paul and Silas in prison and how God can save anyone.

Read through the following verses with your junior soldier this week.

DAY ONE Ephesians 6:10-11 These verses are the beginning of one of the most famous portions of Scripture. What does it mean to “be strong in the Lord?”And what is the armor of God? Does God give us tools to help us in our faith?

DAY TWO Ephesians 6:12-13 This verse tells us that our fight is not against flesh and blood, but that it’s DAY THREE spiritual. What does a spiritual fight look Ephesians 6:14-17 like? What does this mean when others These verses teach us about the are against us? How should we respond? tools God has given us to spread There are things at work, things that were His message. If you notice, all of not created by God, that sometimes go them serve to protect us; only one against the things Jesus stands for. We are is a weapon we are to use to fight to be strong junior soldiers and take up the back. Which is it? How can we use spiritual fight. the Word of God in a fight? What will the Word of God give us?

DAY FOUR Ephesians 6:18 This chapter ends by instructing us to pray. How can prayer be used in our battle? Do you believe that prayer changes things? How can listening to the Word of God prepare us for battle?

Take Home Worksheet, M1U4L4: Opponents of the early Army