Corral workers

INTRODUCTION

           In this curriculum we will take a week (5 days) to discover what it means to be part of God’s flock, and learn about the Good Shepherd who leads us!  From the Old to the New Testaments the Bible continuously refers to us as sheep, and God as our Good Shepherd. This week we will go on a journey, to discover first, that the Good Shepherd knows us. Then we will learn how the Good Shepherd protects, provides, and loves us. The last day will come full circle as we come to realize that the Good Shepherd invites us to know him!

We are all like sheep!  So fluff up your wool and get ready for some fun!

Welcome to the Corral

The Corral is where the children will gather at the beginning of the VBS time and at the end.  It is where the kids will have the theme introduced, have an opportunity to worship, hear a bible lesson, as well as some skits.  It is at the Corral where the foundation for the VBS time is set when the kids first arrive and where it is reinforced before the kids go home.

There are several roles that are involved in making the Corral happen. Some of these roles can be performed by the same people, so make sure you know what your responsibilities are.

Director NOTE: Make sure you go through and clarify with each helper what their role in the corral is.

The Announcer is kind of like the ‘MC’ of the Corral.  They start off each day with a welcome and a short skit (of sorts). They need to be fun and energetic.  The announcer will also work closely with Jake the Sheep dog, in the Sheepology skit each day. It would be a good idea to find a few minutes before each day to run through and practice your skit with each other.  I know it might seem like a lot of things for the announcer to do, but remember you are not expected to memorize each skit word for word. You want them to feel natural and get the heart of the message across.  Your role as the Announcer is to be the fun loving and sometimes silly ‘MC’.  I would encourage you to read through all the Corral lessons prior to VBS starting so you have an understanding of personality, and direction you role will take throughout the week.  Clarify with the VBS director first but it is assumed that as the MC you will be responsible for the offering project, drama intro, memory verse, response and closing, and sending out of kids.

Jake the Sheepdog is a sheepdog that tends to be on the serious side. He is ALL about sheep and following his shepherd.  Although this part could be done by a puppet if needed. It can also be done by another adult dressed in a simple dog outfit.  It can be as complex or as simple as you desire.  I would recommend getting a set of ‘dog ears’ to help  give the impression of a dog. Remember that in the last skit Jake receives his own dog collar so that isn’t part of the outfit for the first four days.  As you read though the skits you can get the feel for the personality of who Jake is. I would recommend reading through every skit before VBS starts so that you can have  a feel for the direction the skits are going through the week.  Try to make your character feel natural, and work with the Announcer so that you can do your best together. It would be a good idea to find a few minutes before each day to run through and practice your skit with each other.

The worship leader is the individual that leads the children in song time. I have included several songs in a YouTube play list that you can utilize if you would like. If you look at the general overview of the lesson each day, then you can pick songs accordingly.  Song time comes right after the opening skit (done by the announcer) so if you read that skit for each day you will have a good idea of the thoughts going toward each day.

Sound and technology    Understanding the locations that videos and so on need to be played will help the Corral time run smoothly.  Please read through each corral and take notes of the places where you will need to play a video/slideshow/music etc.

Offering project

I have included two offering project ideas for you to consider.  Both offering projects are connected with the Samaritan’s Purse organization.  I would encourage you to make offering time an exciting challenge.  Let the kids know how much they have raised as the week goes on and help them to get excited.

Drama extras

Aside from the daily skits between Jake and the Announcer, there are a few times during the Corral where additional actors are needed:

o   The Day3 intro skit ‘friend’

o   Day 3 Jacob and Esau skit (if not doing it as an impromptu drama)

Memory Verse

Every day a new Bible memory verse is introduced to the children in Corral. There is a slide show of the memory verses that you may utilize if you would like.

Response and Closing

It is generally understood that the Announcer would be responsible for the response as closing(as well as the Bible memory verse.)

As Corral Staff we ask that you:

Prepare!  Read through the day’s corral plan. Understand where you fit in and how the day is going to play out.  Work on making your time with the kids run as smoothly as possible.

Pray! Pray for the children you will be in contact with this week and ask God to use you to touch their lives in a special way.

Enjoy! Enjoy the opportunity to teach the children something new!

Have Fun!  If you are having fun, the children will have fun too!