Ministering Through the Arts
Lesson 3

Ministering Through Balloon Art

There are many ways to tell people about Jesus. Making balloon creations is one of them. Tonight we will be discussing how to minister to children through balloon art. During tonight’s workshop, we will get practical experience making balloon creations and sharing information about God while we do.

Balloon art is a great way to minister to children. The free balloon creations draws kids to you like magnets. You have their full attention while you form their balloon. This gives you opportunity to talk to them about God. This is not the time to preach a sermon or even try to lead them to Christ, but rather a time to plant seeds of truth into their hearts in a light hearted and fun way. Those seeds of truth will teach them about God and prepare their hearts to receive Him if they have not already.

As a balloon minister, your job is to: 1.) show the child love 2.) break the ice between you and the child 3.) plant some good “gospel seeds” 4) bless the child with a great balloon creation 5.) have fun and see that the child you are ministering to does as well.

Reasons to use Balloon art to Minister:

• Kids love the balloon creations.
• Kids love to get anything free.
• The balloon creations can be a powerful witnessing tool in themselves.
• You get the child’s undivided attention for the length of time it takes you to make their balloon creation, enabling you to lightly tell them about Jesus or impart some spiritual truth to them.

What do you need in order to do balloon art?

• A pack of long balloons. They can be purchased in a bag of 100 for around eight dollars at a party shop or in smaller bags at Wal-mart for a couple dollars.
• A balloon pump: Dual action is best, and can be purchased for less than five dollars at a party shop. A great investment!
• A book teaching how to make balloon creations. There are many great web sites with very good free “how to” instructions and even demonstrations. Many of them are animated.
• Practice and patience.

When Ministering with balloon art, try to use the balloon you are making to talk about God. For example, if you are making a sword you can talk about the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. You can also talk about being in the army of the Lord. If you are making a hat, you can talk about wearing a halo like an angel and talk about what it means to be angelic. (being good) If you are making an animal, you can talk about creation, and how God made all the animals and people too. You could also talk about Noah and the Ark. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and talk what you know about God. It doesn’t need to be theologically deep, you are ministering to children.

Balloon Art Ministry Tips:

• Balloon ministry is normally one on one. However, you probably will have a group of kids around you listening and that is good, but focuses on the child you are making the balloon for. Make him feel he is the only person on the planet. Children individually should get your full attention while you are making their balloon creation.
• Ask the child what he or she would like. If they want something you cannot do, make suggestions of things you can make. Kids usually are easy going and will take whatever you can do.
• You don’t have to be good at every balloon creation but you should pick a couple and become good at those, then add more over time.
• While you minister, always be happy and upbeat. Talk with enthusiasm.
• Always be kind.
• Encourage the children to be patient and orderly while they wait their turn. It is best to have an assistant to help, but not necessary.
• When you practice, think of ways you can share God’s truths with each of the balloon creations you make. The more you do it, the easier it will get.
• You don’t have to talk about God the entire time; however, try to talk about Him some every time.
• Always pray before ministering. Ask God to help you and to give you the right words to say. Pray for the kids you will be ministering to. Ask God to prepare their hearts for His word.
• Always remember, Love is the most important thing. When we go out to minister, we are taking the love of Christ to people. You represent Chosen Explosion, but more importantly, you represent God. For the time you are ministering, leave your troubles at home, put on a happy face and be the walking, talking, love of Jesus. God will see your work and reward you justly.
• Remember, every time you minister to a child, you have the opportunity to impact a life, to make your world a better place one life at a time. In doing this, you lay up treasure for yourself in heaven.
• While you are ministering, be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Trust Him to help you, He will!

Sample Balloon Ministry Dialogues

There are many ways to minister to children while you make balloon creations for them. Following are a couple samples. Use your own words while ministering.

Sample 1

Minister: Hi, what would you like?

Girl: A Crown

Minister: A princes crown?

Girl: Yes

Minster: (smiling) I think I can do that. What color would you like?

Girl: Pink

Minister: (Minister takes out a pink balloon and begins to stretch it, pump and form it.) Did you know that in God’s eyes you are a princess? He loves you so very much. You are the apple of God’s eye.

Minister: (smile and place the crown on her head) A crown for a beautiful princess!

Sample 2

Minister: Hi, what would you like?

Boy: A gun.

Minister: Well, I can’t do a gun, but how about a sword.
Boy: Okay

Minister: (begin making the balloon creation, talking while you do) Did you know the bible is like a sword?
Boy: no

Minister: God’s word is a sword that cuts our greatest enemy to pieces. Do you know who our greatest enemy is?
Boy: no

Minister: Our greatest enemy is Satan! And with God’s word you can slay Him! (Take the sword and playfully stab the boy’s belly. Laugh and hand the sword to him.)

Minister: Go slay some enemies!

Sample 3

Minister: Hi, what would you like?

Boy: A sword
.
Minister. Okay. (Begin making the sword)

Minister: Have you ever heard of David in the bible?

Boy: yes.

Minister: He was just a boy about your size. He loved God very much. God gave him courage and strength. David took a small stone and used it in his sling shot to slay a giant that wanted to kill God’s people. Then he took a sword and cut off that giants head. David was a mighty man of God.

Minister: (finishing the balloon and handing it to the boy) Don’t cut anybody’s head off with this, okay? (laughing)

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