Spring Puppets Gospel Magic (Rocky Raccoon, Sammy Skunk, Trixie Fox, Sweet Pea the Skunk)

Age: all ages
Prep Time: none (just grab it and your ready to go)
Cost: anywhere between $8-$60

Here is some links to a few of them on Amazon

Roxie Raccoon  (Low cost Raccoon puppet costs $12-$15)
Sweet Pea, the Skunk (for those on a budget... the one I currently use cost $8-$10)
Robbie Raccoon Jr.(the compact version costs about $20-$30)
Robbie the Raccoon (the original and classic $30-$45)
Tricky the Fox(cute face costs around $35-$40)
Sammy the Skunk(...its a skunk $38-$45)

Stinky is definitely one of my better buys for magic. If you didn't know Stinky is Sweet Pea the Spring puppet skunk.  I love to use it whenever I can because it is so easy to use and generates a lot of attention and laughs with this little thing. After a few minutes of practice you can learn the simple moves of a spring puppet. A spring puppet is exactly as it sounds its a puppet that has a giant spring inside it that gives it lifelike movements. Here is a routine by David Williamson who uses a Robbie Raccoon really well! (which is a spring puppet like Stinky) If you watch his hands you will see how easy it is to use it! Many people imitate David Williamson when it comes to their Rocky Raccoon Routine.

                                    Remember! Look at his hands and see how he makes it move

I recently found a magic trick where you can take your robbie the raccon and have his middle portion split from him like the picture to the right shows. For spring puppet fanatics looks like a good find.
Here is the link to it on amazon.-------> Zig Zag Raccoon






Here is one bible lesson I put together for teens and adults. (I have one farther down that is for children.)

Lesson Version 1:
(FYI I named my spring puppet Stinker)

After awhile of playing with your spring puppet and interacting with your audience ask the question.
Isn't Stinker the Skunk Cute? (make puppet shake head up and down and wag tail to get crowd reaction) Yet at the same time it's just a puppet (Make the puppet look down like its disappointed)... it can't do anything without me bringing it to life. (set the puppet down on its back where it looks dead) without me it appears lifeless, but when it's in my hands it has life! Kinda like when we give our life to Christ. We are given new life...and apart from Christ we are dead (point at stinky)

Read Romans 6:6-11 and 13

Vs. 7 This means your new pattern for life should be progressive or continuous growth towards Maturity in Christ...Or aka being Sanctified (basically it means God is setting you aside and revealing sins you need to get rid of through the holy spirit work. Remember God will give you the strength to take care of it). Your going to mess up along the way, but you shouldn't use your human nature as an excuse to sin…When you mess up there should be something telling you that you need to get things right with God. We are free from sin but not excused to sin!

 (look at the puppet and ask:  Stinky are you doing OK?...of course it doesn't respond... say: if you are doing ok to stay still...pause for a second looking at Stinky...and say GOOD!

Vs 8-11 The one who has died in this verse is your old nature. Kinda like Stinky here might represent your old self when you give your life to Christ. Your old self is dead...it no longer is able to control you because You are made alive through what Christ has done on the cross. So you must consider your old self dead and made alive through what Christ has done in your life.

Vs.13  If you are a Christian you shouldn't live the same way as those who are not. So don't let your body be used for Sin. You should repent and get rid of it. James 4:17 Says if you know the right thing to do and don't do it then its a sin. Give people opportunity to think on what was said.
After awhile 
Pick up Stinky and have it start wagging its tail looking around talk bout You are made to be alive through Christ. Present your self as one who has crossed over from death to life. 

Version 2:  for Kids

(FYI I named my spring puppet Stinker)

After Awhile of playing with your spring puppet and interacting with your audience ask the question.
Isn't Stinker the Skunk Cute? (make puppet shake head up and down and wag tail to get crowd reaction) Yet at the same time it's just a puppet (make puppet look down like its disappointed)... it cant do anything without me bringing it to life. (set the puppet down on its back where it looks dead) without me it appears lifeless, but when it's in my hands it has life! Kinda like when we give our life to Jesus. We are given new life...and when we don't have Jesus we cant do anything  (point at stinky) we have no life unless we are in Gods hands.

Read Romans 6:13

 If you are a Christian you shouldn't live the same way as those who are not. So don't let your body be used for Sin or do bad things. You should repent which means not to do bad things anymore. James 4:17 Says if you know the right thing to do and don't do it then its a sin. 
(Pick up Stinky and have it start wagging its tail looking around) 
You are made to be alive through Christ. If you have given your life to Jesus you need to do your best to be more like Jesus because he died on the cross for our sins he payed the ultimate price. We can go from no life to having life because if you have given your life to Jesus we are in his hands now.

Leave a comment if this article was helpful or if you have any ideas or questions.