SYSTEMS REQUIREMENTS
THRU THE BIBLE with BOOT THE MULE
A Junior Church Curriculum for the Local Church
Puppets and Stage

At Glory to Glory Ministries, we must admit that THRU THE BIBLE with BOOT THE MULE has certain systems requirements which do not fit every church. As you consider whether this new curriculum fits your church, please consider the following systems requirements:

Spiritual Requirements
  1. A love for Jesus. “We love him, because he first loved us” (I John 4:19).
  2. A love for children. “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
  3. A burden to reach children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).
  4. A burden to teach God’s Word to children. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (II Timothy 3:15).
Staffing Requirements
A minimum of four or five regular workers are required for THRU THE BIBLE with BOOT THE MULE.
One person could hold one or more of the following positions.
  1. Director. The overseer of Junior Church assures that the staff is properly supplied with lessons, music, and puppets.
  2. Teachers. The teachers conduct opening exercises, teach the Bible message, and give the invitation.
  3. Puppeteers. Puppeteering is a great training ground for older teens and adults to become involved in “the work of the ministry” at the local church.
Supplies
  1. Puppets. Your church should purchase Boot the Mule, Oscar the Pig, and Smithfield the Swine to get your Junior Church started. At the end of the first year, the church also needs to purchase a fourth puppet, Cecilia Swine.
  2. Puppet stage.
  3. Outfits for Mrs. Gloria VanderBoot and other mule characters. Each church should select a crafts-oriented lady to produce two or three mule hats (see photo above).
  4. Sufficient copies of weekly curriculum for each staff member.
  5. The annual songbook, in the event that the church chooses to use a pianist.
  6. The quarterly CD, in the event that the church chooses to use the CD accompaniment.
  7. A CD player, in the event that the church chooses to use the CD accompaniment.
How to Get Started

Step One: Decision
After prayer and consideration, the pastor decides to use the THRU THE BIBLE with BOOT THE MULE Junior Church program to reach and teach boys and girls in your community about Jesus. The church must then purchase the Basic Junior Church Package.

Step Two: Selecting the Director
The pastor must select the Junior Church Director, who will be responsible for the entire program -- consulting with the pastor about staffing, selecting the physical location of Junior Church and the puppet stage, making mule hats and costumes, etc.

Step Three: The Adopt-a-Puppet Program
An excellent way to promote the new program in your church, and to seek special funding, is to announce the Adopt-a-Puppet program, whereby an individual or a family adopts (buys) one of the puppets (Boot the Mule, Oscar the Pig, or Smithfield the Swine).

Step Four: Selecting and Training the Staff
The pastor must select three or four other individuals to be teachers or puppeteers. The Junior Church Director must acquaint the staff with the curriculum and make such decisions as to which staff members will play which mule and pig roles, who will operate the CD player, who will play the piano, etc.

Step Five: Advertising in the Community
The pastor may decide to use the occasion of the launching of THRU THE BIBLE with BOOT THE MULE to advertise the new Junior Church program via local media or a special church bus promotion.

Step Six: Training for the First Sunday
The Director may wish to spend some special time on the Wednesday night or Saturday before the first Sunday to practice the skit with Boot the Mule and Gloria VanderBoot. The Director should also assure that each teacher is prepared to teach the Bible message. Each week thereafter, the Director must find the time -- on Wednesday night, on Saturday, or even on Sunday morning -- for the mule and pig characters to practice the skit and songs.

Step Seven: The First Sunday
After conducting the opening exercises, the skit must be introduced with great enthusiasm. Boot the Mule and Gloria VanderBoot must be highly energized and excited, especially in that first week.

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