Added on 20 Jan 2009
Aim
To think again about the meaning of Freedom.
Introduction
We heard that you were thinking about freedom this month so that is what we will make the theme of this assembly. However it might not be freedom as you usually think of it!
First I want 12 volunteers to work in four teams of 3.
Activity
Once volunteers are at the front give each a supply of toilet roll. Two of the team then have 2 minutes in which to 'mummify' the third team member, making sure that their arms are bound to their side.
Ask the rest of the children to vote for best 'mummy' by cheering.
We are now going to hear a conversation that could have taken place in any playground in the country when the pupils returned from their Christmas holiday.
Sketch
Player 1: What’s that you’ve got there?
Player 2: A yoyo, it was in my Christmas stocking.
Player 1: Oh, I got a yoyo too but mine’s got a light that shines as you throw it and it makes a wicked buzzing sound and I’ve learnt to do 15 different tricks already.
Player 3 places jumper on Player 1 (ensuring his arms are pinned to his side) with sign that
reads Lie No.1
Player 2: I don’t play with my yoyo much anyway. I was given a Nintendo DS Light for Christmas so I’m busy playing games on that.
Player 1: I got a Nintendo DSI. Much better than the Light version of course. And I got over 30 games to play on it. Ant and Dec are even coming to my house next week to film an advert.
Player 3 places jumper on Player 1 with sign that reads Lie No.2
Player 2: Hm. When it’s light on the weekend I’m going out on my new mountain bike. It’s a top of the range model with 15 gears and spring suspension.
Player 1: A mountain bike eh? I could have had one of those but all that pedalling is hard work. So I got a Quad Bike. It’s got loads of gears, goes 80kph, has wishbone suspension, can climb up or over just about anything and I’ve already won 3 races and I’ve only been on it 5 times.
Player 3 places jumper on Player 1 with sign that reads Lie No. 3
Player 2: But the very best thing I was given I haven’t even had yet. Mum and Dad have promised to take me to Euro Disney at Easter. Were going by Eurostar and staying 5 days. I can’t wait.
Player 1: Euro Disney! Euro Disney! That’s not real Disney. Everyone knows that the real Disney is in America and my Mum and Dad are taking the whole family there in the summer. Flying First Class in a Jumbo jet, 14 days in a five star hotel, all the food we can eat, tickets for all the theme parks and the film studios and I’m going to swim with whales and dolphins, have tea with all my favourite characters and I’m going to be the star of the daily pageant, at Disney World. It will be awesome!
Player 3 places another jumper on Player 1 with a sign reading Lie No.4
Reflection
Oh dear children, that wasn’t very good was it. Did you see what happened? Player 1 started off by telling a little lie about a yoyo and then found himself having to tell even bigger, more outrageous lies as the conversation went on. And now look at him, all bound up in his lies, unable to break free.
You know it’s not just lies that can tie us up or make us feel trapped. So can fighting, stealing, being angry or doing things we know we shouldn’t. Because what happens is we tend to get in more fights, steal more valuable things, get angrier by the day or do even worse things just because our behaviour takes over and we feel we have to act as other people expect us to.
Let’s see if we can set p1 free. (Walks over and stands behind him).
What’s this, there is a sign on his back. What does it say (turns p1 around).
That’s right The Truth. Takes off jumper.
What about this one (will)
And this one (set you)
And finally (no sign but as jumper is removed p1 lifts up arms)
The truth will set you….. Hm, I think there is a word missing at the end, does anyone know what it might be?
That’s right, well done. The truth will set you free.
John 8:32
This is a verse in the bible, it’s in John’s gospel.
Let’s read it together.
So you see, freedom isn’t always about being able to do just what we want. It’s about being true and honest with each other and with God. That way, you don’t have to always create bigger lies or get into more fights. Just be honest and then you will be free.