LION OF JUDAH MOVIE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Once Upon A Stable DVD (where the story began)

Eternal Productions, #0183892000058 (it can also be found as a bonus on some "Lion of Judah" DVD releases).

In the prequel to "Lion of Judah" word on the street is that a King is coming to visit, but why to a stable? What kind of gift could they present to the King? A hilarious and uplifting tale of the very first Christmas and learn that there's more to life than being able to burp the loudest, be the party clown, or even give the nicest gift!
(Length 23 mins.)

Follow-Up Activities see this Post here at Rotation.org

Lion of Judah DVD

* DVD - Warner Home Video, #088392901976.
* Blu-Ray DVD 3D - Warner Home Video, #0883929222858.
* DVD - Casscom Media, #0736211705266 (this one also includes "Once Upon a Stable").

In the sequel to “Once Upon A Stable”
The lion of Judah tells the story of a group of stable animals who get a lot more than they bargained for when a boisterous lamb called Judah enters their lives(30 years after Jesus was born in their stable).

Upon Judah and their friend Drake being taken to Jerusalem and they learn Judah faces the possibility of being the sacrifice at the annual festival of Passover, the stablemates leave their cozy home and embark on a life-changing journey to find and free their friends. During their numerous attempts to find Judah, a wonderful story emerges as they intercept, interact and entwine with history finally seeking out the King who was born in their stable more than 30 years earlier.
(Length 87 minutes)

Lion of Judah Website

MAJOR CHARACTERS

Boss
Boss the raven, heads the notorious “Uncleans” gang that rule the streets in Jerusalem. “The Uncleans” have been named so because of the Jewish belief in what is and what is not 'kosher'. Boss misinterpreted a dream that he believes to be prophetic, and has his mob of ravens stealing sheets in an effort to cleanse themselves. Behind the tough exterior, Boss has a sincere heart.

Drake
A rooster who’s the kid who never keeps quiet, who needs to know everything, can’t remember anything, and who keeps getting into trouble…and getting others into trouble.

Esmay
Esmay a cow and the mother of all those in the stable. She is full of a mother’s wisdom and corrects anyone who is not being kind or respectful.

Horace
Horace a pig, is very much a pig, he has the worst of manners but a very big heart. He can be a little clumsy, gets a little scared on occasion, but in the end can always be counted on to help out a friend.

Jack
Jack is a donkey colt. Abused and misused. He is bitter and broken and cares only for himself. But, his life turns when 'the King' removes his ropes and loves him, he goes from hopeless to hopeful, from broken to leader, from rebel to friend.

Judah
A lamb with the heart of a lion whose believes his purpose is to set others free. He is brave, spunky, full of life and invincible…or so he thinks.

Monty
Monty is a horse who’s strong in stature but really a pushover. He gets frightened very easily and if he’s knees aren’t knocking he’s likely to faint at the drop of a hat.

Slink
Slink, the rat is the smallest in the stable but also the natural leader of the group, a loveable, grandfatherly character.

MINOR CHARACTERS

Helda – a wise chicken who lives in the stable in Bethlehem and knows the importance of Jesus.

Tony – a raven, who wears a silly eye patch, a member of the “Uncleans” & Boss’ sidekick.

Hornsby & Wallace – dove buddies who believe it is an honour to be chosen as sacrifices for the Passover Festival.

KEY WORDS AND PLACES

Altar
A place of sacrifice or worship. An altar could be a simple pile of rocks like Noah built after unloading the Ark or like the elaborate bronze altar Moses’ had the Israelites build to God’s specifications. Offerings (sacrifices) were always to be burnt on the altar.

Bethlehem
A town six miles south-west of Jerusalem, known as the City of David. David and Jesus were both born there.

Cleansing
We “cleanse ourselves” by going to Christ by faith and appropriating His blood, which sanctifies us.

Jerusalem
Located in the hills of Judah between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. When Jesus lived it was the center of Jewish worship and life although it was ruled by the Romans.

Kosher
A term used to describe food that has been prepared according to Jewish dietary laws, meaning the food is ritually correct or pure as directed by God to the Israelites. (Leviticus 11)

Martyrs
The term martyr is most commonly used today to describe an individual who sacrifices his or her life (or personal freedom) in order to further a cause or belief for many.

Passover
Feast that began as a celebration of the night God delivered His people from Egyptian slavery (Ex. 12). God gave Moses instructions to give to the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so the death angel would pass over their home and spare their oldest child. Also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Still celebrated today by the Jewish faith and was why Jesus was in Jerusalem the week he died.

Sacrifice (Sacrificial Lamb)
Something offered in worship (Gen. 31:54, Mark 12:33). In the OT, sacrifices expressed repentance from sin and obedience to God. A bull, goat or lamb without blemish were considered an excellent sacrifice; doves, pigeons or fine flour were used by those who could not afford the larger animals. Jesus Christ became our Sacrificial Lamb so that we cold receive God’s gift of grace, which takes away our sin (John 1:29).

Salvation
Salvation comes only by God’s grace and through Jesus Christ when a person accepts Christ as Lord and Saviour (Acts 4:12; Titus 2:11). Salvation involves four truths: all people have sinned, the penalty for sin is death, Jesus died for our sins (past & present), to be saved people must believe in Christ and confess that Jesus is Lord.

Sin
Through out own human weaknesses we may break one of God’s commandments or fail to do good by our actions, attitude, or our behaviour.

Temple
A place of worship. King Solomon built the first Temple, located in Jerusalem, which he finished around 950 B.C. The temple was rebuilt by Herod and is the one that Jesus would have visited and where he over threw the moneychangers.

Temple Curtain
Upon Jesus death the temple curtain was torn in two showing that God has crossed the rift. With the death of Jesus the sin that separated man and God has been bridged.

It means that there is no distance now to stop God and His people from interacting, and pictures God as a God who is no longer distant, but has made the move to tear away the obstacles between man and God. Christ's sacrifice didn't just atone for sins, but removed them; now mankind can enter God's presence freely.

Unclean
Defiled, impure, polluted. (Lev. 5:2; Rom. 14:14) Under Jewish law a person became ceremonially unclean by eating certain food, having contact with the dead, having leprosy, having a bodily discharge, or having undergone childbirth. The unclean person had to go through a ceremony of purification before they were allowed to worship with others in the temple.

Sources

• The Baker Bible Dictionary for Kids, by Daryl J. Lucas, 1997, Baker Book House.
• The Student Bible Dictionary, by Karen Dockrey, Johnnie Godwin & Phyllis Godwin, 2000, Bourbour Publishing,Inc.
• www.thefreedictionary.com
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Sacrificial Offerings (Leviticus)
- The Sin Offering: Leviticus 4:1-5 — 5:13
- Unacceptable Sacrifies: Leviticus 22:17-25

Clean / Unclean Food(see Leviticus 11)
- Pig: Leviticus 11:7
- Raven: Leviticus 11:13-15

Feast of Passover / Unleavened Bread
- Leviticus 23:4-8

Boss’ Dream (Peter Visits Cornelius)
- Acts 10:9-16

Lamb Of God
- John 1:29
- 1 Peter 1:19

Ravens in the Bible
- Noah sends out a raven: Genesis 8:1-8
- Elijah fed by ravens: 1 Kings 17: 1-6

Palm Sunday
- Matthew 21: 1-9
- Mark 11:1-10
- Luke 19:28-38
- John 12:12-19

The Triumphal Entry
- Mark 11:1-10

Jesus Cleanses The Temple
- Matthew 21: 10-17
- Mark 11:11
- Luke 19:45-46

Jesus Arrested
- Matthew 26:47-56
- Mark 14:43-52
- Luke 22:47-53
- John 18: 1-14

Peter Disowns Jesus

Peter’s Predicted Denial
- Matthew 26: 30-35
- Mark 14:26-31
- Luke 22:31-34
- John 13:31-38

Peter’s Denial
- Matthew 26:57-75
- Mark 14:53-72
- Luke 22:54-71
- John 18:15-18,25:27

Crucifixion
- Matthew 27:33-44
- Mark 15:22-32
- Luke 23:33-43
- John 19:17-27

Death on the Cross
- Matthew 27:45-56
- Mark 15:33-41
- Luke 23:44-49
- John 19:28-37

The guard at the tomb
- Matthew 27:62-66

The Empty Tomb (The Resurrection)
- Matthew 28:1-10
- Mark 16:1-8
- Luke 24:1-12
- John 20:1-18

Games

Ages 8-12

Who Could This Possibly Be? (AGES 8-12)

Use the List of Characters for this game. You can also add some of the minor characters and what you see their traits as.

Supplies: index cards, pen/pencil

Method:

• On separate index cards, place the names of each character.
• On (example – Drake’s) card, number 1 through 4, and list traits of that character with the #1 trait being the most obscure clue and #4 as being the “dead give-away clue”.
• To the group say: “I’m going to read out some personality traits of the cast of characters from The Lion of Judah. Your job is to try to guess who I’m describing. If you don’t get the right answer on the first clue, I’ll read the next clue. You’ll have four opportunities to guess who it is. Are you ready?”
• This can be played as a whole group or as teams.

Human Tic-Tac-Toe (AGES 8-12)

Supplies: question sheet, X and O signs, 9 chairs

Method:

• Use the question sheets for this game.
• Make signs for the “O” team and the “X” team.
• Place 9 chairs in the Tic-Tac-Toe game formation.
• Divide children into the two teams, mixing ages in each group.
  Note: before the game begins, have the children if they wish to answer individually or as a group based on a consensus.
• On a correct response, the O or X member will sit in a chair.
• First team to get their 3 in a row wins the game.

Judah’s Memory Game (AGES 8-12)

A movie twist of the tried and true “Kim’s Game” for memory building.

Supplies: large tray, cloth to cover tray, objects relating to The Lion of Judah (example: copy activity sheets with animal characters and cut out separately, items from Resurrection Eggs set or use your own nail, piece of cloth, rock, etc.), clock/watch with timer or second hand.

Method:

• Explain to the group that they will have 20 seconds to carefully look at the items on the tray. After 20 seconds, the tray will be covered and an item will be removed. They will try to guess what item is missing.
• Play this a couple more times. Then – with the tray covered, switch the items around and remove an item.
• Increase the degree of difficulty by removing more than one item at a time and switching items around on the tray.
• You can really kick it up by adding some new items off and on during the game.

All Ages Games

Stable Animal Toss TOSS (All Ages) 

4-18 players. Can be played with more players if able to divide playing space safely into more than 1 playing court. Indoor or outdoor play.

Object of this game: fun & getting the wiggles out!

Supplies:

• 1 flat white sheet cut in half horizontally
• Stuffed toys (use movie brand toys if they are marketing the characters)
• Masking tape or sidewalk chalk
• Water available

Method:

• Use masking tape or sidewalk chalk, if permitted) to divide your playing space in half
• Divide children into 2 teams mixing ages of players
• Give each team 1 white sheet
• Explain to children that this game is just like volleyball – except you will be using sheets and stuffed animal(s).
• Have children use both hands to hold on to 3 sides of the sheet so no one is going backwards.
• Have the team centred and close to masking tape (or chalk) line.
• When everyone is in place, the leader will toss the stuffie into the air and each team will play together to capture the stuffie in their sheet.
• Once caught, the team will launch the stuffie in the air toward the other team, who in turn will try to catch it.
• Play goes back and forth.
• When the stuffie is missed, the opposite team scores the point.
• Play until the children have had enough or are pooped out!
• If you want to make the game more challenging, add more stuffed animals so the kids have to really stay alert and expend more energy!
  
  

The Uncleans’ Game (All Ages) 

Any number of players, indoor or outdoor if safe, enclosed environment

Object: – fun and sensory skills

Supplies:

• 1 flat white sheet or inexpensive hankies
• Index cards
• Pencils
• permanent marker
• smelly stuff
• sealable plastic baggies

Method: (numbers 1- 8 are prepared ahead of time)

• If using sheet, cut into a number of squares (you can determine number based on “smelly stuff” you have available to use)
• Use permanent marker to number each piece of fabric/hankie.
• On index card, put numbers you are using on the left side in descending order.
• Based on the number of children playing, divide them into teams. 2-4 players is ideal.
• Prepare index card as in #3, one card for each team.
• Now comes the fun part – smear or soak each piece of fabric/hankie with one of a number of smelly stuff you have around. Example: lemon juice, cinnamon mixed with water, vanilla extract, almond extract, coffee, peppermint oil, etc. Keep any food allergies in mind when doing this – for instance you may need to stay away from peanut butter.
• As you soak/smear each piece, write the smell beside each number on your index card. Example: #1 – lemon juice, #2 – cinnamon, #3 vanilla extract.
• Place each piece of fabric/hankie in its own baggie.
• When ready to play, remove each piece of fabric/hankie from the baggie and safely hide around your playing area. If you’re like me, you may need to write down where these places are!
• Prepare the children to play. Explain that the Uncleans (Ravens) have stolen white sheets from all over the neighbourhood. They’ve washed these sheets all right – but not in clean water! Now, we (leaders) need you to do two things: find the ___ (number of sheets you’ve hidden) sheets, smell them and on the index cards you’ll be receiving, write down beside the sheet # what your team thinks it’s been washed in! When all ___ sheets have been found, return to us and we’ll see how many of you are correct!
• Hand out 1 index card and 1 pencil to each team.
• If you are placing a time limit on the search, tell the kids they have ___ number of minutes to do this. Tell them you’ll let them know when there are only 5 minutes left to play.

Judah! (All Ages) 

Can be played indoors or outdoors in safe environment

Object: fun and reinforce names of characters in the movie

Supplies: 1 chair per team

Method:

• Divide children into teams mixing ages
• Have children form single lines, standing behind each other. Leave about 6’ (2 m) between teams.
• Place 1 chair in front of each team, at least 30’ (10 m) from first player in line.
• Naming the players – the first players in each line are (example) Monty, all the second players in each line are (example) Slink, all the third players in each line are (example) Esmay. Continue naming all the children without using the name “Judah”.
• Explain to the children that when the leader calls out a name (example) Esmay, all the Esmays run toward their team’s chair, around the chair and back to their place in line.
• Explain to the children that when the leader shouts out “Judah!”, all the children run up to their team’s chair, around the chair and back into line. Fun!
• Leader will call out names, inserting “Judah!” every now and then (do it back to back, they won’t expect that!).
• Play until all have had a turn or until they get pooped out.

Lion of Judah Question Set

For use in discussion or as a QUIZ GAME.

1. Question Set - questions with answers for teacher’s use below.
   
   
2. Printable Quiz Cards - The questions used for the “Fall of Jericho” CD (Sunday Software) are also available in a game card format. Available as a free download for those of you who do not have access to computers. Game Cards can be used for games such as a life size Tic-Tac-Toe game. (See follow-up Activities for Older Children above).
   
   Printable Quiz Cards are an attachment below - print both front and back.

Questions/Answers (Teacher’s Copy) 

I'd broken the questions into sections prior to the DVD being made: 

     - Scenes listed in Black are directly related to the Scene Index on DVD.
     - Titles in RED are mine to break down the different areas/characters, for your use
        should you wish to focus on specific areas easily.

Note: there are way too many questions here for you to have time to ask, so I suggest you print these off and highlight a selection of ones you want to be sure to ask. 

Scene 1

Judah

• 1. What is inside the crate tossed into the stable with the animals? Judah (lamb)
• 2. What things do we learn about Judah’s character? He’s happy, playful, optimistic, and he thinks he’s as brave as a lion and that he can do anything.
• 3. Who ends up accidentally trapped in the crate with Judah? Drake (the rooster)
  
  Scene 2
• 4. What is the word printed on the side of the box where Judah & Drake are now trapped? Jerusalem
• 5. What does Helda (the hen) say is going to happen in Jerusalem? Passover Festival
• 6. What is a Passover Festival? Each year people go to Jerusalem to share a meal together and celebrate God’s love for them. It is also a time to ask for God’s forgiveness for the things they’ve done wrong
• 7. Why do the animals believe Drake is going to get killed? Helda said for people the wages of sin is death, but God has allowed people to sacrifice something else instead
• 8. If people are not to die for sinning, what do you think is to die for their sin in their place? unblemished animal sacrifice
• 9. Who do the animals think is the intended sacrifice?
  Drake
• 10. Who do you think is the intended sacrifice? Judah
• 11. What do the animals decide they must do for their friend Drake? save him
• 12. Slink, immediately heads out the door to rescue Drake. What is the reaction of the other animals? They are all afraid to go and it’s takes a great deal of persuasion from Slink to get them to go Would you be afraid to head off to the unknown?
• 13. Helda’s last words to the others as they leave are important? What did she say? “Only the King can help, only the King can set them free”
• 14. Who is the King she is talking about that is the only one who can set them free? Jesus
  
  Jack
  
  
• 15. On their way to find Drake who do the animals meet on the road? donkey named Jack
• 16. What is Jack like? Very rude, doesn’t respect anyone
• 17. What place is Jack coming from? Jerusalem
• 18. Does Jack go willingly back to Jerusalem with the others to help find Drake? No, he’s forced against his will, when his rope gets stuck in Horace’s nose ring
  
  Scene 3
  Jerusalem
  
  The animals pause on the road overlooking Jerusalem. Here you might wish to ‘pause’ the movie and point out the temple. You might even wish to show the children a picture or diagram of the temple layout and go over the different areas and their meaning (especially the altar and temple curtain) for these are important later in the movie.
• 19. The crate with Drake & Judah inside ends up in a stable. Who else is in the stable and what has happened to them? Lots of other animals who are all in cages or tied up
• 20. The doves (Wallace & Hornsby) say they are Martyrs. What is a martyr? Someone who dies for a good cause
• 21. What do the doves say that Judah is? A pure lamb, the chosen one (John 1:29)
  
  Raven Alley
  
  
• 22. What is the reaction of the animals when they enter the city gates of Jerusalem? Fear, except Jack who’s not happy to be there, but knows he’s way around
• 23. After the animals get separated who does Monty meet in the alley? Two Ravens (Boss & Tony)
• 24. What does Jack say is the name of the Raven gang? “Uncleans”
  Let’s find out how why the ravens got their name - open your bibles to Leviticus 10:13-15 – have a child read the verses.
  
  Scene 4
  Boss’ Dream
  
  
• 25. Boss, leader of the “Uncleans”, had a dream. What happened in the dream? He was in a sheet being lowered down then he heard a voice.
• 26. What did the voice in the dream say to Boss? ”Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
• 27. Now let’s see who in the bible had the same dream (or vision) that Boss did - open your bibles to Acts 9:9-16 – have children each read a verse.
  So who had the same dream as Boss? Peter
• 28. In the dream, who else does Boss remember was in the sheet with him? Monty (horse)
• 29. In his dream Boss misunderstood what the voice was telling him about how he could stop being called the "Uncleans". So what has Boss been doing with the sheets he's been stealing? He’s been trying to get ‘CLEAN’, he thinks that what the voice meant so his gang would no longer be called the UNCLEANS. So he’s been getting them dirty and cleaning them and taking clean sheets and making them dirty, but it’s not made a difference either way.
  
  Birth of The King
  
  
• 30. Pause, after Helda says her line, ask the following question even if they remember the answer, then re-watch the scene.
  “Boss now remembers Monty was in his dream. He asked Monty to tell him what the dream meant. Monty remembers he’s heard the word cleansing before, then tells Boss the story of when he was in the stable when a baby was born.
  What did Helda (the chicken) say that day about that baby?” Behold the Lamb of God. Come to cleanse one and all.
• 31. Now let’s check in our bible to hear about the Lamb of God - open your bibles to John 1:29 – have a child read the verse.
  Who is the Lamb of God? Jesus
• 32. So Boss says the time of the SHEETS is over and the time of the CLEANSING is near, who does he need to find to get cleansed? Jesus
  
  Famous Ravens
  
  
• 33. Boss and his gang go looking for Drake & Judah and end up in the temple where the caged animals become upset that any uncleans should be in this holy place.
  What famous ravens do we hear about?
  Noah sent a raven out to look for land first before a dove (Genesis 8: 1 – 8)
  God sent a raven to feed Elijah in the wilderness (1 Kings 17: 1 – 7)
  
  Scene 5
  Found
  
  
• 34. Why does the dove say that a swine (pig) isn’t Kosher?
  Have a child read (Leviticus 11:7)
• 35. While the other’s attempt to escape what is Judah doing? freeing the caged animals
  
  Scene 6
  Judah’s Story
  
  
• 36. Judah believes he was sent to help because he’s mother told him he had a noble calling and he was going to set people free. Judah thinks his noble calling was to free the animals, what did his mother really mean? He was to set people free from their sins by being their sacrifice to God
  
  Lamb of God
  
  
• 37. Esmay remembers that Helda said something important just before they left the stable in Bethlehem.
  Do you remember who she said was the only person who could set you free? Helda said, “Only the King could help. Only the King could set you free”.
• 38. Who is the King Helda was talking about? Jesus
• 39. What happened to Jack to make him act the way he does? He has been a slave to selfish and cruel people who always mistreated him. He’s never known freedom only the rope around his neck. He’s lost his heart and doesn’t believe a King born in a stable could set him free
  
  Palm Sunday
  
  
• 40. Who does Jack meet outside the city gates of Jerusalem and what does that person do for Jack? He meets Jesus, who shows him love and kindness and unties his rope (setting him free)
• 41. When Jesus touch heals Jack's heart, who does Jack realize Jesus is? The King the other animals told him about
• 42. What big change do you see in Jack right after he meets Jesus? Instead of running with his new found freedom he chooses to help the others by taking Jesus to them
• 43. Do you remember the name of the special day that a donkey carried Jesus into Jerusalem and people sang Hosanna? Palm Sunday (Mark 11:1-10)
  
  Scene 7
  Court of Gentiles
  
  
• 44. Jesus is very upset when he enters the temple, why is he upset and what does he say?
  This is a place of prayer and they have made it a den of robbers (Matthew 21: 10-14)
• 45. Poor Judah who was once brave as a lion is now a lost a very frightened little lamb as finally realizes how much trouble he’s in. Are the animals able to free Judah? NO
  Who do they go to find to help them? Jesus
• 46. What becomes different about Jack & the other animal's behaviour now that Jesus has freed them all? Before Jack would not have helped, now he’s leading the rescue. The other’s also seem to have lost their fear, Monty never faints and Horace ignores a pile of food, as they each go off in search of Jesus.
  
  Peter’s Denial
  
  
• 47. When they find Jesus what has happened to him? He’s tied up and being pushed along the street (John 18:12-14)
• 48. In the temple after Jesus is arrested someone denies knowing Jesus?
  Let’s check our bibles to find out the name of that person – have the children read Matthew 26: 69 – 75
  Who denied knowing Jesus? Peter
  How many times does Peter deny knowing Jesus? 3 times
  Why do you think Peter denied knowing Jesus? let children tell you there thoughts
  
  Scene 8
  Golgotha
  
  
• 49. We hear hammering, what is happening? Jesus is being nailed to the cross
• 50. What is happening to Judah while Jesus is being crucified? He is tied up and placed on the altar in the temple
• 51. After Jesus’ last words, “It is finished”, what happens outside and inside the temple? There is thundering and shaking of the ground, the animals cages break open, the temple curtain tears in two and the altar breaks apart and Judah is freed. (John 19:30)
  
  Freedom
  
  
• 52. Why is Judah so happy? He knows in his heart that Jesus set him free
• 53. Why are the other animals so sad? They witnessed Jesus being crucified and are afraid to tell Judah, they don’t believe he’ll come back
• 54. Who is the only one that believes Jesus will come back? Judah
• 55. Whose faith believes that Jesus’ love can’t be held by death or a stone, and refuses to leave, even though it’s been three days?
  Judah
  
  Resurrection
  
  
• 56. What miracle is witnessed by all the other animals?
  The tomb rolls away, Jesus appears, and Judah leaps into His arms
  
  Home
  
  
• 57. Where does Judah end up at the end of the movie? Back home with his mother
• 58. Where do Esmay, Drake, and the other animals go? They head back to their stable in Bethlehem
• 59. Where does Jack decide to go? Back to Jerusalem to help Jesus’ friends
• 60. Why does Jack want to help Jesus’ friends? Because Jesus freed his soul
• 61. Tony says they’re no longer unclean, what is Boss’ reply? Now they can be eaten
• 62. What changes did you see take place in Jack from when we first met him and then after Jesus set him free? Discuss - his life turns when 'the King' removes his ropes and loves him, he goes from hopeless to hopeful, from broken to leader, from rebel to friend.
• 63. What do each of us need to do in order for Jesus to free us? Discuss salvation with the children

“Printable "Lion of Judah" Quiz Cards 

• The questions written above have also been made into printable quiz cards.
• Each question comes with 4 answers to choose from (so a wide age range of kids can play).
• I like doing quiz's as my style of Jeopardy.  Pick your questions you want to ask, line them up in columns of 5 - 6 or 7 questions in each column.  Give each column a fun name - related to the movie.  Have paper or whiteboard on hand to keep score.  Divide the kids into two teams.  They can answer individually or work as a team to answer each question.

Directions for printing:  

 

1. Print them on "Avery" Name Badge Inserts #05392. They are available at any Office Supply store and come in packages of 50 sheets.  You will need 10 sheets.
2. Front file prints "Game Name" on one side.  Print 10 copies.
3. Back file prints the "questions/answer choices".  Put the 10 sheets back into your printer and print file.  Make sure first that they will print the correct side and direction, so back and front are facing in the same direction.
4. These Badge Inserts are perforated, that's why I love using them.  They are quick & easy to separate (no cutting required) and are made of heavyweight cardstock.

Lion of Judah: Follow-up Activities - YOUNGER CHILDREN

Centers

Teaching Using Centers (Ages 4-7)

Rotating the children through centers (workshops) is a great way to involve all different styles of learning (sight, sound, touch, smell, etc.). Most kids need and love repetition, which also develops a lasting memory and understanding of content. So don’t spend one Sunday on Easter, spend a minimum of four. Below are listed several different centers you can select from. Designate areas of your room for different centers (depending on room size) and have the children rotate every 10-15 minutes (depends on centers you are using). You won’t loose their attention and each center reinforces your lesson. Do it all again the following week, maybe add one new center, but the children will be excited to see and play with materials from the week(s) before. A variety of center ideas are listed below. Some work well for an entire class to participate, while others work well if you break your class into smaller groups and have them rotate through the different centers.

Block Center #1 - Building Temples (Ages 6-7)

Block Centers (Smaller Groups)

Who doesn’t love to build with blocks and you’d be surprised how effective it will be and the discussions that can take place, just with a bucket of blocks. In this center the children will be learning what faith is. 

Materials:

• wooden, foam, Duplo®, or any other building/stacking blocks
• picture of the temple
• small plastic lamb

Object: Have children build a temple and discuss all the different feelings Judah experienced: meeting the other animals, learning he was to be a sacrifice, finding himself on the altar, being freed, waiting at the tomb, then seeing Jesus.
What does it mean to have “Faith”.

Faith: Trusting in God, who you cannot see or touch. Believing that God will do what he has promised and doing whatever he may ask of you even though you don’t know the reason why.

To Do:

• Children work individually or in groups.
• Give them a time frame and say we’ll create for 10 minutes.
• Use a toy Lamb to represent Judah – have the children tell you about what happened to Judah in the temple and how Jesus saved him.

To ask:

• How do you think Judah felt being placed on the Altar?
• What was his reaction when Jesus set him free?
• How does it make you feel to know that Jesus’ loves you so much that he would sacrifice himself for you.
• Judah was the only animal that day who had faith that Jesus would rise again!
  
  

Block Center #2 - Building Stables (ages 4-5)
 

Materials:

• wooden, foam, Duplo®, or any other building/stacking blocks
• Baby Jesus & Manger
• Stable Animals & Judah

Object: The children will each build the stable Jesus was born and then using the animals discuss what Faith is.

To do:

• Have each child build the stable that Jesus was born in.
• Tell them this is also the stable were Esmay and Drake and the other animals live.
• Give them a time frame and say we’ll create for 10 minutes.
• Once time is up have the children stop (you may want to give them a two minute warning), then go around to each child having them pick out a favourite character from a container you have, and placing that character in their stable.

To ask:

• Why did they choose that character?
• What kind of animal was he/she (their characteristics)?
• How did that character feel when Jesus died?
• Did that character believe that Jesus would rise again? (none of the stable animals believed, only Judah)?
• SAY: Yes, Judah was the only one who believed because he had faith. Faith is believing in something you can’t see or that hasn’t happened yet. We know that Jesus rose again because the Bible tells us so, but the animals didn’t know, only Judah believed because in his heart he knew he would see Jesus again, he had faith!

Book Center 

Find good books!

Go through the books you have at church for Easter. Sort them into the different Easter stories and then make a list of stories you may be missing or need to update.

Check your local Christian bookstore prior to Easter and browse through their Easter display or go on-line to a Christian web site and browse through the Easter section for children.

On some good sites like Christianbook.com you get good descriptions along with age ranges and sample pages to view.

Board books, colourful pictures, flaps they can look behind, large size for easy viewing when reading to a small group are all excellent qualities to have in an Easter book.

No flaps - Make them Interactive

When reading the book to the children make it more interactive.

• They can “boo” or “yea” when they hear the name of the bible hero.
• Make movements with their hands or arms or feet during action scenes.
• Play instruments to represent moods or sound effects. Be creative.
• Older children, if in a small group, can actually read the story, passing it around, each child doing a page.
• Books are also great for acting out the story as it is read.

A few Book Suggestions:

• “The Very First Easter”, By: Paul L. Maier, Concordia, 2004, HC – 9780570070535, PA - 9780758606273, BB - 9780758607171 (Ages 9 to 12)
  Offers a historically accurate description of the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection through Scripture and beautiful artwork. Ten-year-old Christopher wants to know the story behind the story and learns important details about this miraculous event that help him understand the season's celebration. He also discovers his own special link to the very first Easter.
• “The Sparrow's Easter Song”, By: Michelle Adams, illustrations by Marion Eldridge, Ideals, 2009, Paperback, 9780824956080. (Ages 4-8)
  The story of Christ's death and resurrection is told by an eyewitness who happens to be a sparrow. Sparrow calls all his friends together to tell them how Jesus was crucified, was buried, and rose to live again.
• “Read and Share: The Story of Easter”, By: Gwen Ellis, Thomas Nelson, 2008, Hardcover, 9781400308552 (Ages 3 to 7)
  Simple retelling of the Easter story with bright illustrations and easy-to-understand text trace Jesus' journey from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his glorious ascension.
• “The Story of Easter Giant Flap Book”, by Vic Mitchell, Concordia, 1999, 9780570055518. (Ages 4-6).
  Keeps children's attention with flaps. Great large size 10.78” X 13.44”, one of my favorites!
• The Lion of Judah: The Movie Storybook, by Ruth Graham and Mae Archila, 21st Century Press, 2011, 9780982761649, Hardcover.
• The Lion of Judah Action Storybook, by Casscom Media, available: April 28, 2012, 9781936081509, Hardcover.

Dress-up/Storytelling (Large OR Small Group )

God’s Big Surprise! (Ages 4-7)

Here’s a really cool idea shared by a dear friend, Nancy Clements.

Supplies:

• Tomb - large box or cover table or chairs with a blanket
• Stone – cut from cardboard or use sheet
• Angel – extra large doll that will stand, dressed in flowing white material, wings & halo.
• Flashlight
• White Blanket
• Palm trees (available over internet or party stores/ or make out of carpet rolls)
• plastic plants and lilies (ask the congregation – maybe you’ll be able to borrow some)
• grass (green blanket or piece of outdoor carpet)
• spice jars (I’ve picked up neat, old looking, clay pots in dollar stores – keep a lookout).
• Costumes and props for: angel, women (3), disciples, soldiers.

To do prior to class:

• Hang a large cross (cut from paper or cardboard) somewhere in the room.
• Set-up your tomb scene.
• Inside tomb lay white blanket on floor.
• Place angel (doll) inside tomb in corner with flashlight under her dress (this will make her glow).
• Cover tomb entrance with stone or blanket.
• Note: if taking pictures of children – have photo releases signed by parents or guardians.

Directions:

1. You may wish to darken the room and you and your helper will both have a flashlight. As you tell the story shine the flashlight on the different objects, cross, then tomb.
2. Read them an Easter storybook, one that includes the empty tomb story.
3. When you get to the part about the tomb being empty, pause cause here’s the BIG SURPRISE.
4. Pick a couple of children to go and see if Jesus is inside.
5. Take turns having the children see what the BIG SURPRISE is.
6. When you’re done, ask them:
   Why did Jesus have to die?
   Did Jesus stay dead after he died on the cross?
   What happened?
   Where is Jesus today?
7. Now break into smaller groups and send all but one group off to the other centers.
8. The group that stays behind can dress-up and re-enact the story or you can take simple freeze shots of action that can be used the following week in your “Puzzle Center” – a sequencing game and they’re the stars!
9. Or run through a simple narrative and have the children do the actions and show the emotions – prompt them if needed.
10. You may also choose to take photos of the children and import them into Kid Pix Deluxe 4 (see computer centers), or show them to the children (from your digital camera to the audio/video input jack of the T.V). They will love to see themselves in action!

Play Center (Small Group)

The Empty Tomb (Ages 4-7)

Supplies:

• Toy animals to represent characters from the movie (Sheep, Donkey, Horse, Rooster, Cow, Pig)
• Jesus
• Tomb/Stone (make your own)
• Palm trees (make your own)
• Piece of white cloth for inside tomb
• Digital camera and A/V Cable or Computer/Printer

What to do:
Have children pose characters for different scenes. Some scene suggestions are: animals on road to tomb, waiting outside the tomb, stone rolled back, Jesus seen inside tomb standing, Jesus outside tomb reaching for Judah (can be more than one shot in different positions of same scene – also use a piece of black paper in your background to represent nights).

For each scene teacher takes a photo with a digital camera. Then, either print to make storybooks, or import pictures into Kid Pix Deluxe 4 (see Computer Centers), or do a slide show on the T.V. (using an A/V connecting cable from your digital camera to the audio/video input jack of the T.V). Gather around the T.V. and as you flip each picture have the children do a running commentary on what’s happening, a child per picture.

You do the first picture’s commentary so they get the idea of what a commentary is. You could even assign each child a character (voice).

Example: Teacher says, “The animals were so surprised when Jesus walked out of the tomb and Judah said…..” giving the child doing Judah their opening. When they’re done, the teacher says, “Well, Esmay the cow was so shocked all she did was ……… “ and the child doing Esmay can fill in the blank. “Well, all Drake could only get out one loud Cock-a-doodle-do” …….

You may want to tape record them in action to playback afterwards so they can hear themselves.

Others stories to do:
Stable in Bethlehem – Road to Jerusalem – Lost in Jerusalem – Caged in Jerusalem – Freedom – Home Again – and other scenes from the movie. Supplies: toy barn (stable), shoeboxes (temple/bible time houses/alleyways).

Sandbox Center (Small Group)

The Journey (Holy Week) - Ages 4-7

Supplies:

• Sandbox & Play Sand
• Small Wooden Cross
• Plastic Sand Shovels
• Two Spray Bottles
• Toys – Blocks, Palm Trees, farm animals, (could assign each child a character and let their fingers walk the journey)
• Stones or Toy Lambs (for treasure hunt)

What to do:

Treasure Hunt
Always a great way to start and helps get the wiggles out. Ideas for the treasure hunt: (rocks – tomb), lambs (Judah). Be sure to make a note of how many items you buried!

The Journey:
To recreate the animals journey in the sandbox.

1. Ask the children: Where does Judah first meet the other animals? Stable (Bethlehem)
2. Add – Block (Stable).
3. Where do the animals meet Jack? On the road
4. build a road.
5. Now Judah and Drake end up locked in a crate that is taken to what city? Jerusalem
6. Now what was all around Jerusalem (a wall).
7. Have them build the wall around Jerusalem.
8. What is inside Jerusalem? the temple
9. add blocks to show temple
10. Raven Alley
11. make alleys in sand
12. Where did Jack first meet Jesus"?
13. Place Jesus figure outside gates.
14. Where did they crucify Jesus?
15. make hill & place cross there.
16. Continue until you’ve covered the different areas and events you want to focus in on.
17. Afterwards, remove items, smooth out sand and get ready for next group, if you’re rotating groups.

How to make a simple Sand Box

Supplies:

• Under the Bed Storage Tub (with a flat bottom).
• Heavy Blue Vinyl Fabric - cut to the size of tub bottom (find on rolls at fabric store) Tarp or Drop Cloth (from Hardware, Farm, or Camping Store).
• One bag of Play Sand for sandboxes (purchased at building supply store).
• Two Spray Bottles
• Broom/Dust Pan
• Toys – will depend on story.

Instructions:

• Place drop cloth/newspaper under table you’re using.
• In bottom of tub lay the blue vinyl or blue tarp, cover with bag of sand.
• Place tub on table children can easily reach into.
• Have a Water Spray Bottle on hand to wet down sand each week, as it will dry out.

Notes:
- he reason for the blue vinyl is the kids can part the Red Sea, have Jesus preach from a boat, no water needed, just part the sand!
- See if you can find someone in the congregation who has an old coffee table to donate for a stand.

Clean up: Water spray bottle containing water mixed with a bit of disinfectant to sterilize sand – spray at final clean up each Sunday. Replace sand and clean tub at least twice a year. Shake out or sweep up sand from drop-cloth or newspaper.

Games Center (Large OR Small Group)

Case of the Missing Dove Eggs (Ages 4-7) 

What to say:

Hornsby & Wallace have been collecting dove eggs to tell the Easter story, but Drake was playing with the eggs and now they’ve gone missing. Now we all love Drake, but he tends to be very forgetful, and now he can’t remember where he put the eggs, but it appears he’s been just about everywhere with them (name areas of church where you’ve hid the eggs). So poor Horace and Wallaby need help locating the missing dove eggs and have sent me this

* NOTE….
Mrs. __________ (name of teacher), we’ve lost our eggs, there are #_____ eggs missing, please help. Can you please find the eggs and reveal the secrets inside them. Signed Horace & Wallaby (draw little dove footprints beside their names).

Can you help Hornsby & Wallace find their eggs?”

Game play for 1-10 children

If more than 10 children you’ll need teams and you’ll need to increase the number of materials by the number of teams you will have. With all the types of plastic eggs available, if there is more than 1 team use pastel coloured eggs for 1 team, marbleized for another, deeper colours for another, etc. The leader can hold up a pastel egg to show team 1, marbleized egg for team 2, etc. so they know what they are searching for and that way the eggs can all be hidden in the same areas.

Materials (for 1-10 Players –double for each additional team):

• * NOTE (Small scroll) – write words as written above
• 10 Plastic Eggs (assorted colours, do not include egg ** colour below)
• 10 Plastic Eggs (all the same colour, example BLUE **)
• The following small toy animals (one of each): donkey, lamb, rooster, hen, cow, horse, pig, rat or mouse, 2 doves (check wedding supplies/crafts or use small cookie cutters or feathers)
  Note: it will be handy to keep an egg in your purse for right size when shopping for supplies.
• Ravens will be represented by 10 pieces of white cloth, placed in each of the same coloured eggs (BLUE).

To do prior to class:

• In the (BLUE) same coloured eggs place the pieces of white cloth.
• In the other coloured eggs place the other characters from the movie.
• Have a list of eggs and what is in each and make note where you hid them (if the kids can’t find it, you’ll be able to remember where you hid it).
• Hide the eggs.
• Have this paper handy and the NOTE.

Directions:

1. Greet children, tell them today you need their help with the "CASE OF THE MISSING DOVE EGGS". Tell them what’s happened (read above – The Case of the Missing Eggs and the "Note").
2. Tell the children they each need to find two eggs, one egg must be "BLUE" or whatever colour the Raven egg is and the other egg can be any other colour (except blue).
3. Tell them once they’ve found the eggs, bring them back and sit down; and that once everyone has found their eggs we will see what Horace & Wallaby have hidden inside for us.
4. Once all eggs have been collected gather in a circle and have each child open, in turn, their coloured egg (not the BLUE EGG).
5. With each child ask: what did they find inside, who is it, what can they tell you about that character (ages 4-5), what was their favourite part of the movie that had that character in it.
6. Older children (6-7) you can ask more details and what part that character played in the story in connection to Jesus.
7. Next have everyone as a group open their BLUE eggs (Ravens).

Say: "Well my goodness, it looks like everyone has the same thing. What in the world do you think it is?"
See if the children make a connection to Boss and the ravens and the sheets.

Say: "Well, I've heard that you’ll always know where a ravens been if he’s left behind bits of sheets they no longer need.
The Ravens used to be called what? "The Uncleans "

That’s right, and they're no longer called the "Uncleans" because someone set them free – who set them free?" Jesus

Let the children take home the white cloth to remind them that Jesus died so that they could be set free!

Raven Game (Ages 4-7) 

Supplies:

• painters tape or chairs
• roll of toilet paper.

Children become turn into ravens by flapping their arms, squawking and flying around the room.

Set-up

• Raven Alley - make a square on the floor with painter’s tape (enough for all children to sit in) or use a circle of chairs (enough for all children).
• Optional: Place sheets of bathroom tissue around the room for ravens to collect (steal).

Play

• Have children gather and sit in area you’ve prepared. Tell them they are now in Raven Alley.
• Tell the children when you say “Fly Boys” they are to fly around the room stealing sheets (toilet paper).
• When they hear you shout “Only the King can help. Only the King can set you free!”.
• The children then fly back and land in Raven’s Alley, and shout “Jesus set me Free, Alleluia!”
• Continue until you’ve used up your allotted time or they become bored.

Additional Games - All Ages

Look under “Follow-up Activities for Older Children” – Games – All Ages

1. Stable Animal Toss
2. The “Uncleans” Game
3. Judah!

Computers - All Ages

The attached txt file has been created specifically to be used with the “Fall of Jericho”, a computer quiz game by Sonsoft. In 2020, Sonsoft donated this program to rotation.org.

  Fall of Jericho is now free to the supporting members of Rotation.org!

Learn more

Fall of Jericho (Ages 4-12)

Play Summary:
One to four teams or players race each other across the Sinai Wilderness answering quiz questions YOU have typed into the question editor ahead of time. ...First one to Jericho makes the walls come tumblin' down!  Note: younger children (4-7) will enjoy it, but will need questions & answers read to them.

• up to 4 players or 4 teams.
• can be used for any lesson or subject you want it to teach.
• Great for playing immediately after watching the movie, and weeks later to enhance student memories of your lessons.
• Program comes with a question editor, so you may edit any of the questions yourself or add comments to questions, or add additional questions of your own.

The "Lion of Judah" Question Set

prepared for "Fall of Jericho" above

Important Notes

• The Fall of Jericho Quiz I wrote has 58 questions.  You will not get through all of them in a single game. I believe around 25 to 30 questions is best.  I wrote questions to cover the entire movie, but you may want to concentrate on certain areas.
• How to edit the questions suggestions:

Help notes on downloading prepared question set:

• when downloading, save in your Jericho directory on your hard drive.

“Printable "Lion of Judah" Quiz Cards

No computers – no problem.

• The questions written here have also been used to create printable quiz cards.
• Each question comes with 4 answers to choose from (so a wide age range of kids can play).
• For more details and to download the printable "Quiz Game Cards" – see GAMES above.