SLIDE 1 - Series theme slide

Home > Teaching > Themed Series > ‘Who Am I’ Intro > Week 1

‘Who Am I’ series      
                     including
   Ed’s adventures around Hope Island

    Week 1 - I AM THE GATE

There is a set of PowerPoint slides for week 1 to accompany the series intro, lead-in session drama and this week’s teaching material.
PowerPoint, Leaders notes and other items downloadable from the bottom of this webpage.

Series & Theme Introduction

(Week 1 PowerPoint slide 1 - ‘Who Am I’ series theme slide)

Kids In our new series ‘Who Am I?’ Jesus uses everyday words and objects to help us understand who He is and what He is like. 

SLIDE 3 - This sessions key slide

Do you have a nickname? Do you like it? When I was young, I had a few nicknames, some I liked, others I didn’t. We should never call people nicknames that they don’t like. Remember, Jesus wants us to always be kind and caring. Sometimes people have nicknames that tell us something about themselves.
My name is Nick, people at work sometimes used to call me ‘Swift Nick’. The word swift suggests fast, quick, speedy, although I’m not sure why, I’m really not that fast! (Option here to show a PowerPoint slide indicative of your nickname. Slide 2 ‘Swift Nick’ is given purely for example.)  

So sometimes we use words or objects to describe what people are like. In our series ‘Who am I’ we’ll see Jesus doing this to tell us all about Himself.

Ed’s gear

(Week 1 PowerPoint slide 3 – Jesus said “I Am the Gate”) This week we are going to hear all about how Jesus is like a really cool gate. See if you can spot the word gate in today’s drama. 

PART 1 - LEAD-IN SESSION Drama

Outline for Leaders

The old Hope Island guide book cover.
Make one or Download from the bottom of this page.

Week one begins with Ed telling the children briefly what his journey is all about and asking them to go along with him. Ed then sets off and meets a prospector who is on his way to Golden Valley in search of his fortune. The prospector tries to distract Ed but doesn’t succeed. Ed Journeys on to Gateway and meets the Gatekeeper. He is disappointed when he sees a sign on the gatehouse indicating that it costs £100 to take the journey around Hope Island. However, he is really cheered when the Gatekeeper tells him that someone has been in front of him and already paid for his ticket!

Parts, props, background pictures and Sound Effects:

SLIDE 4 - Hope Island Map. Arrows denote Ed’s progress around Hope Island

Ed – kitted out with rucksack, rope, water bottle, guide book, walking stick, boots, cap.
Prospector – kitted out in boots, back pack, small shovel…
Gate Keeper – possibly some kind of official’s hat / plain T-Shirt or uniform.
General Props – gatehouse window (the gatehouse window can be represented in many ways using painted cardboard or a simple table with a sign on it, (see image and comments on webpage), bench (couple of chairs), Gateway / Golden Valley signpost, big Hope Island ticket (downloadable from webpage) (Ed will use the ticket most weeks in the drama).

SLIDE 5 - Ed’s boat to Hope Island down in the harbour.

PP SLIDE 4 - Hope Island Map. Arrows denote Ed’s progress around Hope Island
PP SLIDE 5 - Ed’s boat in the Hope harbour and the path from the boat up onto the island.
Suggested sound effects – out of doors background noise of birds singing etc. for when the travellers are walking.

ED’s Arrival on Hope island

Gateway sign with Hope Island gatehouse

ED - Hi there my name is Ed and I found this old guide book and map back home in my attic. It was a bit dusty and old but it’s all about what seems to be a very interesting journey around this place called Hope Island, so I’ve decided to explore the island using this guide. I came here on a boat and it’s going to take me eight days to get all around the island, I hope you’ll join me on my travels!
(As part of Ed’s introduction, he can show the kids on screen, the map of the island Slide 4 and the boat he’s left in the harbour slide 5. They can also see the path up to the island on slide 5. )  

Hope Island gatehouse window. See ‘Backdrops Showcase’ for more images.

Narrator: So, Ed sets off, the first place he’s heading for is Gateway. He can see the signpost coming up, but who’s that sitting on the bench? Oh, it’s a prospector. Ed’s caught up with him now. He’s telling Ed that he’s going to Golden Valley looking for gold and that he can get rich quick in Golden Valley, which will make him far happier than going up to Gateway. He’s asking Ed if he’s going to go along with him.

Prospector: So you coming along Ed, you can get very rich and be happy ever after.

Ed: We...ll I don’t know, I really think I should follow this guide book, it’s got some interesting stuff in it you know.

Narrator: The prospector continues to try to get Ed to go with him, but finally he goes off in a huff and leaves Ed standing at the signpost.

Prospector: (Prospector not happy, stamps his foot on the floor) well I don’t know about you Ed but I’m off to make my fortune!

Hope Island ticket Ed will need this each week as he travels around Hope Island. Download Jpeg of ticket from the bottom of this page

Narrator: Ed, glances once more across at the prospector, but carries on walking the other way and soon arrives at Gateway. But as he gets there he has a bit of a shock. To enter the town and start his adventure, he has to pay £100 at the gate.  Oh no, does Ed have the money?

Ed: I didn’t realise I’d got to pay, it didn’t say anything about that in the guide book. I’ve come all this way and now I can’t do the journey around Hope Island and the boat to take me back won’t return for eight days!

Narrator: Ed is looking very disappointed, he’s turning out his pockets but he only has £20 spending money and he needs that to buy food and supplies along the way.

Back of Hope Island ticket. Ed will need these stars on his journey. Download Jpeg of back of ticket from the bottom of this page.

Ed:  What can I do, maybe I should have gone with that prospector to Golden Valley and got more money first.

Narrator: Ed is filled with disappointment that he can’t continue on his journey. Hey, wait a minute the gatekeeper is calling him over. Can we hear what’s going on? Ed is explaining to the gatekeeper that he knows it’s a brilliant trip but he just can’t afford to go on it as he only has £20.

Gatekeeper: Oh, don’t worry about that mate, yes it’s very costly to go on this amazing journey but you don’t understand, you see someone already came this way before you and has paid for your ticket!

Narrator: Ed’s face is really lighting up now.

Ed: You mean I get to go free! –  that’s amazing!

Narrator: The gatekeeper nods and smiles, he’s giving Ed a ticket and shakes his hand. Ed is quite shocked at the size of the ticket. The gatekeeper also gives Ed a piece of advice.

Gatekeeper:  Look Ed, no matter what people tell you or who you meet along the way there will always be signposts for you to follow and a good firm path. Stick with it, you’ll be so pleased with all you see and hear. Don’t let anyone put you off, just make sure you follow that guide book. Oh, yes and keep this ticket safe because you might find it very useful.

Narrator: So off goes Ed into Gateway. Next week Ed’s heading for Truthville, I wonder what he will find there.

PART 2   

BIBLE CHAT (Listen-up Time – slide 6)

THE GATE

Scripture reference for Leaders
John 10 v 9 - I am the Gate. Whoever comes in by Me will be saved; he will come in and go out and find pasture.

Bible Chat

Slide 7 Bible chat theme reminder

Ed’s story that we saw earlier is a made-up story, but it is based on real truths that Jesus taught His followers and wants to teach us today – we can all learn from them. The first place Ed came to was the gatehouse, this was a very important place on Hope Island as it was the way in, we’re going to talk a little more about some other gates now.

SLIDE 7 - Remind the children of today’s theme using - Jesus asking the question “Who Am I” – and His reply “I Am the Gate”.

(SLIDE 8 – Mini gates quiz)

Let’s see what you know about gates, here’s a little quiz.
Can you say what type of gates they are or where they lead? Also, what is it that all gates actually do?
(1) Footpath (coastal path)
(2) Kissing gate
(3) Gates to a church
(4) Gate into a stately residence
(5) Field / farm gate
And yes, gates let people in and out into something or somewhere. 

(The next part of the chat is all about the Good Shepherd and the Gate. Use the Video or Bible chat PowerPoint here.

Video

 
 

PowerPoint - downloadable from the bottom of this page

Featured
SLIDE 1 Jesus said ‘I Am the Gate’. Now that seems a strange thing to say doesn’t it. What did He mean? All around us there are different types of gates, you may have one by your house or in your garden. To understand what Jesus meant by calling

SLIDE 1
Jesus said ‘I Am the Gate’. Now that seems a strange thing to say doesn’t it. What did He mean? All around us there are different types of gates, you may have one by your house or in your garden. To understand what Jesus meant by calling Himself ‘The Gate’ we need to hear something about shepherds, their sheep and the sheep gate.

SLIDE 2 In Jesus’ time and still in some places in the world today, shepherds look after sheep. A shepherd would spend all day with their flock, taking care of them and making sure they were well fed and kept safe from any danger.

SLIDE 2
In Jesus’ time and still in some places in the world today, shepherds look after sheep. A shepherd would spend all day with their flock, taking care of them and making sure they were well fed and kept safe from any danger.

SLIDE 3 Every morning a shepherd would lead his sheep out of the sheepfold where they had spent the night and take them to a place where they could eat fresh grass. At some times of the year there was not a lot of grass to be found, so the shephe

SLIDE 3
Every morning a shepherd would lead his sheep out of the sheepfold where they had spent the night and take them to a place where they could eat fresh grass. At some times of the year there was not a lot of grass to be found, so the shepherd would have to search carefully to find new grass.

SLIDE 4 The sheep knew the shepherd’s voice and would follow him, trusting him to lead them safely to the place where they would eat that day. The sheep would not follow anybody, they would only follow their own shepherd.

SLIDE 4
The sheep knew the shepherd’s voice and would follow him, trusting him to lead them safely to the place where they would eat that day. The sheep would not follow anybody, they would only follow their own shepherd.

SLIDE 5 When they got to the right place, the sheep would graze whilst the shepherd watched over them. The shepherd cared very much for his flock and there were dangers around, things that he would need to protect the sheep from, wild animals wer

SLIDE 5
When they got to the right place, the sheep would graze whilst the shepherd watched over them. The shepherd cared very much for his flock and there were dangers around, things that he would need to protect the sheep from, wild animals were always looking for a tasty meal.

SLIDE 6 The shepherd would not let the sheep out of his sight. He knew that sheep can sometimes be quite silly and wonder off on their own.

SLIDE 6
The shepherd would not let the sheep out of his sight. He knew that sheep can sometimes be quite silly and wonder off on their own.

SLIDE 7 If he saw a sheep doing this he would quickly bring them back to the safety of the flock.

SLIDE 7
If he saw a sheep doing this he would quickly bring them back to the safety of the flock.

SLIDE 8 Before dark the shepherd would gather the sheep together and lead them back to the sheepfold. Very often they would travel over the hills and through valleys. All the time the sheep would listen out for the shepherd’s voice.

SLIDE 8
Before dark the shepherd would gather the sheep together and lead them back to the sheepfold. Very often they would travel over the hills and through valleys. All the time the sheep would listen out for the shepherd’s voice.

SLIDE 9 In some places, the sheep had to go in single file following the shepherd very carefully indeed.

SLIDE 9
In some places, the sheep had to go in single file following the shepherd very carefully indeed.

SLIDE 10 Somewhere along the way the shepherd would lead the sheep to water where they could drink, after the day’s munching.

SLIDE 10
Somewhere along the way the shepherd would lead the sheep to water where they could drink, after the day’s munching.

SLIDE 11 Finally, before dark they would arrive back at the sheepfold where they would bed down and spend the night together in safety.

SLIDE 11
Finally, before dark they would arrive back at the sheepfold where they would bed down and spend the night together in safety.

SLIDE 12 Now about that special gate. Well, the sheepfold didn’t actually have any kind of normal gate; you see the shepherd himself was the gate.

SLIDE 12
Now about that special gate. Well, the sheepfold didn’t actually have any kind of normal gate; you see the shepherd himself was the gate.

SLIDE 13 When evening came and all of the sheep were safely gathered in, the shepherd would lay down across the doorway into the fold. And, he would spend the night there. If some wild animal should come hunting for a meal during the night, the s

SLIDE 13
When evening came and all of the sheep were safely gathered in, the shepherd would lay down across the doorway into the fold. And, he would spend the night there. If some wild animal should come hunting for a meal during the night, the shepherd would be right there to protect them.

SLIDE 14 Bears certainly were always on the lookout for a meal and if they could get into a sheepfold, they wouldn’t be short of one.

SLIDE 14
Bears certainly were always on the lookout for a meal and if they could get into a sheepfold, they wouldn’t be short of one.

SLIDE 15 Lions too would be on the prowl for a tasty bite at the end of the day and a sheep would do nicely. But with the shepherd on guard the sheep were safe, even against lions and bears.

SLIDE 15
Lions too would be on the prowl for a tasty bite at the end of the day and a sheep would do nicely. But with the shepherd on guard the sheep were safe, even against lions and bears.

SLIDE 16 With the danger past, the shepherd would once again lay himself across the entrance to the sheepfold. When Jesus said “I Am the Gate” he was likening Himself to the gate of the sheepfold. Just like the shepherd looked after his she

SLIDE 16
With the danger past, the shepherd would once again lay himself across the entrance to the sheepfold.

When Jesus said “I Am the Gate” he was likening Himself to the gate of the sheepfold. Just like the shepherd looked after his sheep, Jesus wants to look after us too. The shepherd led the sheep in and out of the gate each day, taking them to eat and drink and bringing them safely home for shelter at night. Jesus wants to look after us. Jesus knows what’s good for us and not so good. He wants to guide us in our daily lives, and show us how to live an abundant life following Him. That’s just great, isn’t it.

I’d say Jesus was a pretty cool gate, wouldn’t you.

You may wish to wrap this chat up here or take it on a little deeper as below.

When we decide that we want to follow Jesus and become a Christian, it’s like we are deciding to go through a very special gate, Jesus’ gate and begin a new life with Him. When Ed got to the gatehouse on Hope Island, he thought he couldn’t go through because he hadn’t got enough money but then he found out someone had already paid for him.

Sometimes people think there are things that stop them becoming a Christian, like they’re not good enough or they have done bad things, lying, cheating, being unkind. But there’s Good News Jesus died so that all the wrong things we’ve ever done would be taken away. It’s like Jesus has already sorted everything out, He’s already paid, so that we can go through His amazing gate and freely start a new life with Him. 

PART 3   

RESPONSE TIME IN SMALL GROUPS

Earlier we heard that gates lead us into and out of places. We also heard that Jesus called Himself a Gate as He is the way into the Christian life. Being a Christian is simply becoming a follower of Jesus.

Very briefly tell the story of what or who it was that caused you to decide to go through Jesus’ Gate and become one of His followers. Ask the children if they have any questions.   

_______________________________________________________

WK 1 DOWNLOADS

Week 1 Lead-in drama script, Bible chat & response time Leaders’ notes
Week 1 PowerPoint Slides
Hope Island guide book cover
Hope Island Ticket
Back of Hope Island ticket
Hope Island Gateway sign
Hope Island Golden Valley sign
Hope Island gatehouse kiosk sign
Hope Island gatehouse kiosk tickets sign