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swingjunkie New user 83 Posts |
I am just starting out with gospel magic/shows and I've seen several story-esqe effects which look wonderul for teaching kids the bible stories. I was wondering, however, if any of you do shows for older crowds (14ish-18ish). I have had and seen a few good ideas for routines with a message, but it's some more serious stuff that I'm not sure if younger children would fully get or care about. Any ideas on performing for the older crowds too, or should I stick with the children adn "This Little D'lite of Mine"?
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leftytheclown Loyal user Illinois 255 Posts |
You can perform straight (clean) magic first and then give a sermon, testimony, etc. Or you can use tricks as object lessons. Which one is your preference? Teens are a tough crowd, but you have a great opportunity to share Chist.
Lefty (aka) Sterling Dare
Author: Money Menagerie Book and DVD |
swingjunkie New user 83 Posts |
I'm a magic with the message guy, very object-oriented. For example, one idea I had was to use have everyoen write down something they're struggling with or that they don't like about themselves. Then I would take them up and read them out (no names) and for everyone put on an extra lock or chain or cuff or rope. Then talk about how when we dwell in these things we are bound by satan and cannot worship Christ to the fullest, but (escape here) Jesus set us fre to leave all our burdans behind and not worry about anything but worshiping him.
Very object-oriented. |
Christian Illusionist Special user Ohio (currently located in Missouri) 503 Posts |
I like to do it like Kirby Vanburch does it.
There may be others who do it this way, but this is the first one who came to mind. I deliver my whole show and then, I use my last effect to slow it all down and really put forth the message.
We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.
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Witness4him New user 71 Posts |
I saw a magician four to five years ago, who used some message in every effect, they were well thought out and each fit together, not just random ideas. I wish I remembered his name. Some were very strong points, some just kinda fun. Each led along a path toward the message. Some pointing out sins, some talking of Jesus,etc. At the end there was a salvation message and invitation.
He borrowed a ten dollar bill and asked the person if they wanted it back. He then asked if they wanted it back in the same condition it was when they got it back. To both they said yes. He then turned it into a 100 hundred dollar bill. But since you said you wanted it back the way it was when you gave it to me, let me change it back. This got a good laugh. As he was handing the bill back to the disapointed person, he remarked to the pastor I think he may have some greed issues. The strongest thing I remember though, was a dramatic straight jacket escape. He stuggled for probably five minutes or more without comments, really stuggling and sweating. Finally getting loose he threw the jacket on the ground and stomped on it. Then he asked how many of us struggle just like that with sin, for months years, a lifetime, when Jesus says He will give us the power to overcome. He doesn't want us to stuggle with it, He wants us to have the victory over the things that hold us back, and we can call on Him at any point. We can say Lord, I want to be free to work for you. I don't want to be bound up and struggling with this sin. Show me how to overcome. He used a couple of verses as well. After the impact of the escape you could tell those words really sunk in. I like your idea about the escape involving everyone, you could add, "I could show you how that was done, if I was willing too. However, I couldn't tell you how to escape from your particular sin, yet Jesus can no matter what it is, and more important He is willing to do it." Pete |
paulmagic Loyal user Malaysia, now In New Zealand 290 Posts |
I've tried various ways.
1. entertain then last few tricks gospel oriented message (as I learnt from Laflin DVDs) - generally good response 2. series of gospel magic tricks (every trick has a lesson etc) - I don't do this anymore as I now think this is overkill 3. object lessons (using magic) - I think this is great for many occasions and gets a good response 4. sermon with a magic trick as opener 5. sermon with a magic ttick as finisher - both have had good response as they enhance the message but doesn't overwhelm the message 6. Of late, trying full sermon that is interwoven with a magic routine. Entertain - move into gospel routine, Bible passage, sermon and then complete with 2nd half of gospel routine. - I have found the response very good (shared this on another thread here - under Gospel routine with a full sermon). Still working out the approaches. I think differnt approaches work better for different situations
Many Blessings!!
Paul |
Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-06-15 13:39, paulmagic wrote: Here's a question - If your child had a math teacher who spent the majority of the class time entertaining the students with games and songs and such, but nothing to with math, and then spent the last 5 minutes trying to teach them the lesson, would you say that was a good idea? Why do you then say that this would be acceptable in Gospel shows? It is possible to script an entertaining show AND fill it with the message. |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I think there are two different ideas at work here. A successful math teacher teaches math using whatever tools are at her disposal. If games, songs, and other activities support that teaching, then that makes it even better. Games, songs, etc. are not her primary occupation, but just tools.
My wife is a Kindermusik teacher and uses songs, games, etc. to teach musical concepts to small children. It just so happens that the concepts she teaches also help the children to be better readers, better at math and schoolwork, more socially interactive, etc. The math teacher uses "side" techniques that reinforce the math; my wife primarily teaches music, but the music has other beneficial side effects. Christian magicians can either be full gospel magicians, weaving the gospel message amongst the tricks to better convey what they're trying to teach, or they can use the magic to get the audience's attention so that they can share the message. Both approaches are valid. With the ages of the crowd you are catering to, I would think that you have to hit 'em hard, get their attention, give them the message, and get out. Watch Christian (and MTV, VH1) videos and see what you have to "compete" with. Also watch some of the television shows they watch to see what their important issues are. They expect edgier entertainment than we did. They expect to have hard issues addressed. But most important, they want to know that God loves them. By concentrating first on giving them quality magic, you make a name for yourself as someone to be paid attention to. Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
>I would think that you have to hit 'em hard, get their attention, give them the message, and get out.<
I am weary of the propaganda that the youth of today are incapable of a prolonged attention span. Yes, they are bombarded with ADD-like electronic media and games and have become accustomed to rapidly shifting points of focus. However, they are equally capable of becoming immersed in a hobby or project that interests them. It is our job to hold their interest while we share the Gospel. >By concentrating first on giving them quality magic, you make a name for yourself as someone to be paid attention to.< It doesn't have to be one or the other. The message (patter) assists the illustration (magic) and both are on equal footing. Yes, the magic should be quality, but the patter is equally important. You're going to be saying something anyway, a story line or some other reason to go along with the effect, why can't/shouldn't it be Gospel focused? And no, it doesn't need to be "preachy". |
ClintonMagus Inner circle Southwestern Southeast 3997 Posts |
I have no arguments with anything you said. Nowhere did I say (nor did I mean to imply) that "the youth of today are incapable of a prolonged attention span". My fourteen-year-old can sit and read for hours. My eleven-year-old can similarly do gymnastics or crochet for hours. If they are interested, they will pay attention.
I personally prefer the magic and the message to be separate, simply because I have seen very few gospel magicians that could do both well. I would be interested in hearing more about how you weave the message into your magic. Amos McCormick
Things are more like they are today than they've ever been before...
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magicalbear New user Missouri, USA 32 Posts |
Well I am new here, and may not be helping anthing, but here ya go anyway:)
I started magic several years ago, and enjoy it alot. I recently got in with a good church, and was saved. I really want to do some gospel magic. The church asked me to do some walk around magic for a special day we had. I did it, and then adapted the patter of some of my favorite tricks. For example: virginia city shuffle is one of my all time favorites, and I use the Ace of hearts. When I told one of the deacons that this is the card you want to follow, he said "like Jesus" so from there on, it was the Jesus card, Cause he is the one you want to follow. That is some of the things I have done, but I am always looking for more. If anyone has any gospel patter for any of Ammar's stuff, I would love to look at it. Hope this helps, Bear |
Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-10 11:38, amosmc wrote: If you write your own patter then you already know how to weave the message into the magic. It's the same as writing any other story to go along with an effect. Look at what the effect is/does, brainstorm different ways that it relates to Biblical principle(s) and then write and re-write until it becomes something that's made from you. Personally, I like to record my voice while I practice the effect and then transcribe it, do some re-writes, record it again and do this over and over until I'm satisfied. |
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