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Get Me Out of Here!

To reflect upon our attitude to testing experiences

by The Revd Alan M. Barker

Suitable for Key Stage 2

Aims

To reflect upon our attitude to testing experiences.

Preparation and materials

  • You will need to be familiar with the format and outcome of the television programme I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
  • Prepare a covered plastic bowl containing sweets resembling maggots, fish-eyes and other gruesome fare (e.g. gum worms; place a dot of food colouring onto white mints for fish-eyes; make worms out of red liquorice strands. It is also possible to obtain green-coloured chocolate frogs!).
  • You will need the help of a few other teachers in 2. below.
  • A modern version of the Bible to read the story of Jesus' temptation (Matthew 4.1-11). Or prepare a group of children to present the version in 4. below, taking the following parts: Voice 1, Voice 2, Tempter, Jesus.
  • A recording and lyrics of the song 'Search for the Hero' by M People (optional).
  • If you are using this assembly just before Easter, you might add that for many Christians, the celebrations of the good news at Easter are all the better as Easter comes after they have just been through the difficult season of Lent. Some people find that chocolate tastes even better on Easter Sunday if they have not eaten any for a while!
  • Note: We have other assemblies suitable for Easter on the site. Please go to our Search Archive and enter the word Easter.

Assembly

  1. Ask what the children remember about the TV show I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Ten people were challenged to live in a remote part of the Australian jungle for two weeks. The challenge involved a daily bush-tucker trial - horrible ordeals such as eating grubs and fish-eyes! One by one, the contestants were voted to be eliminated, until only one remained - the 'Queen of the Jungle'. Reflect that being together in such difficult conditions revealed 'what people were really made of'.

  2. Suggest that some of your colleagues might wish to participate in I'm a Teacher, Get Me Out of Here! Challenge them to eat a maggot, or fish-eye, etc. from the container. Can they show strength of character? (After the fun, reassure the children that the challenge actually involved sweets.)

  3. Ask the children to sit quietly and invite them to consider the hardest ordeal or challenge that they have ever faced. Reflect that sometimes life together at school or home can be very difficult. There are circumstances that make us all want to shout - or cry: 'Get me out of here!'

  4. Introduce a story from the Bible. It tells how Jesus faced the ordeal of spending forty days in the wilderness and describes a struggle between good and evil. Read Matthew 4.1-11 or use the version below using volunteers.

    Voice 1: Jesus went into the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil, or tempter.

    Voice 2: For forty days and nights, he went without food and became very hungry.

    Voice 1: The tempter came and said to him:

    Tempter: If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.

    Voice 2: But Jesus replied:

    Jesus: The Scriptures say: 'It's not just bread that is important, but obeying God's word.'

    Voice 1: Then the tempter took him to Jerusalem and to the highest point of the temple.

    Tempter: If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. He will take care of you.

    Voice 2: Again, Jesus replied: Jesus: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

    Voice 1: The tempter then took Jesus to a very high mountain and showed him the wealth of all the kingdoms in the world.

    Tempter: I will give you all this, if you will give in and worship me.

    Jesus: Go away, Satan! The Scriptures say: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'

    Voice 2: Then the tempter left Jesus, and angels came and helped him.

  5. Reflect that Jesus was faced with some difficult tests (or temptations). He could have taken the easy way out, but instead chose the tough path of being true to himself and his faith in God.

    Conclude that the story of Jesus in the wilderness is remembered by Christians during the season of Lent (the forty days before Easter). It speaks to anyone going through testing times, and who might be thinking: 'Get me out of here!'

Time for reflection

Father God,
When we face testing times,
help us to discover the inner strength we need
to do the right thing.
Amen.

Song/music

Invite the children to listen to the words of 'Search for the Hero', and to join in the chorus. Or, 'Father, hear the prayer we offer' (Come and Praise, 48)

Publication date: April 2004   (Vol.6 No.4)    Published by SPCK, London, UK.
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