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Types of Introductions Part 3

The last two posts have focused on three of four types of introductions. This will finish the series by discussing the fourth type, an object lesson.

Read over your play and determine the main point you want it to convey. Brainstorm possible objects you could use for your introduction that you can tie to that main point.

In one of our plays, the puppet shares a story about how he was camping and on a hike. He decided to take a shortcut back to camp, but got lost and picked up a bad case of poison ivy in the process. An object you could use to introduce the play is a road map.

Unfold the map and briefly talk about how to use it. Then you could ask “What would happen if you chose not to use a map but went out on your own? Well, our friend Skip is about to find out. As you watch the play, look to see what the consequences are of not following the right path.”

When the play is finished you can apply it a couple of ways. One would be to talk about shortcuts we take in life that wind up causing us a lot of problems. Or, you could talk about the path that God wants you to take in life and the importance of staying on that path and not getting sidetracked.

(If you are interested in learning more about object lessons, I have an article on them as well as several examples at the following website: http://www.enynechildrensministry.com/training.htm.)

Well, that’s four types of introductions: a question, a short story, directly setting the scene, and an object lesson. There are more you can use, but these are a great start and give good variety. Notice how in each one, when the play was finished the introduction was revisited and an application was given. That is a great formula to see active learning take place within the audience.

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