Puppets of the Caribbean

SPECIAL PUPPET NOTE: Don't worry about money. If you just tell kids it's like the movie they will understand and use their little imaginations (provided they seen the movie or been on the ride).

Captian Depp: All rightey, matey. Walk the plank! Orlando Florida: But Captain Depp, why do I have to walk the plank? I'll surely be eaten by the sharks. Captian Depp: Exactly my lad! Tis because you don't have the same religion as meself. Argy, argy, argy. Orlando Florida: But this is a free ocean. You should be able to pray in any way you want. Captian Depp: But when we were in the ship's church I heard you praying and it sounded different than the way I pray. Orlando Florida: That doesn't mean I'm not a good Christain, just like you Captain Depp. Kiera Knightly: Boys, boys. Getting along in church can be tricky because we are sometimes the most critical of those we love. For tips on getting along in church I would suggest reading Romans 15: 1-5 in the Bible. Orlando Florida: "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus" Captian Depp: But I'm not sure about all this. Can ye spare more info? Kiera Knightly: In order to get along in church, Christians should remember three things. One, it is okay for Christians to differ in their convictions. This occurs frequently in church and it doesn't mean someone has to be wrong. Two, as Christians, we need to ask what would please Christ, others and then me, in that order. Too often we put them in the order of Me, Christ and others. ΚΚ And three, we must "bear with the failings of the weak." In other words, different Christians are at different levels of maturity (this has nothing to do with age) in the church. Instead of trying to change a person, we need to ask "how can I build this person up?" We don't need to "assert our own rights." We need to look out for others first. Orlando Florida: "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers." If God calls us to love lost people, surely we can love saved people who we disagree with! Captian Depp: Ye be pretty sure of this? Kiera Knightly: But this gets me to thinking about the responsibilities of church membership also. As I see it, when you unite with a church it is because there is a need in your soul for the message and the inspiration of the church. You also are uniting with it because there is an innate need to give and to do. Christ's work is unfinished. This unfinished work is for us to do. When you unite with a church you accept a sacred responsibility to do your part for your Master and for others. Captian Depp: I think I get it now. The responsibilities of membership include the following: Serving. There is a place of service awaiting you somewhere in the church. God has given you a talent to be used. Orlando Florida: So far so good! Captian Depp: Learning. Anyone who helps others must first develop a growing faith and be able to articulate it. Participating in Bible study groups and developing the habit of daily Bible study are ways to continue learning about the character of God. Kiera Knightly: Go Captain Depp! Go! Captian Depp: Giving. You are expected to do your fair share in supporting the budget of your church's ministry. You should give freely and cheerfully without any thought of reward. Your giving should besystematic and proportionate to your income, not giving what you can spare, but according to what God has entrusted to you. Kiera Knightly & Orlando Florida: Go Captain, Go Captain... Captian Depp: Witnessing. At the same time that Jesus commissioned His disciples He set forth your responsibility to spread the gospel everywhere. This does not mean you have to stand on street corners reading scripture, but you can be an effective witness to friends, co-workers, and family members. Kiera Knightly: Yes! Captian Depp: Praying. The highest and deepest benefit you can receive from prayer is strength and courage to live triumphantly each day. Start the practice of daily prayer at a time that is best for you. The worth of a prayer is not determined by its grammatical correctness, but by its sincerity. Orlando Florida: Right on! Captian Depp: Worshipping. Worship keeps your soul, and the soul of your church, alive. Your church is set in your community to shine as a lighthouse for Jesus Christ and will shine as long as its members remain faithful in the matter of public worship. When people of God begin to forsake the house of God on the Lord's Day, God's work begins to languish and the light begins to fail. Kiera Knightly: By George, I think he's got it! Orlando Florida: This calls for Hot Chocolate in the ship's gallery!