Vacation Bible School « 佳樂文庫

May 2009
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Apr		Jun »
	1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

Vacation Bible School

Posted on May 5, 2009 by 佳樂人

Vacation Bible School

Middle Children Bible Teacher

(Entering Fourth and Fifth Grades)

Wilderness Mountain Adventure— Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word

Session 1:	The Bible Is from God
	(Exodus 18—20)
Session 2:	The Bible Helps Us Live (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11)
Session 3:	The Bible Tells of Jesus
	(Matthew 5—7)
Session 4:	The Bible Promises a Savior
	(Matthew 26:31-32; 27:1—28:10)
Session 5:	The Bible Is for Telling Others (Acts 17:16-34)

The Teacher Devotional material was written by Tommy Sanders, director of the Master of Christian Education: Childhood Ministry program at Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, Texas.

The Mission Story and Activity was written by Derema Dunn. She is a retired elementary school teacher who is currently working part time in schools to help students develop reading skills. She is also an experienced writer and conference leader. She and her husband have three children and three grandchildren.

BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® Team: Debbie Bertrand, Editor Diane Lane, Preschool/Children Consultant, Ministry Team Ross West, Publisher, BAPTISTWAY PRESS^®Phil Miller, Ministry Team Leader Wayne Shuffield, Director, Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry Team Charles Wade, Executive Director, Baptist General Convention of Texas

These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^®based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 42

Vacation Bible School Middle Children Bible Teacher. “Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word.” Copyright © 2007 BAPTISTWAY PRESS^®. Not to be sold. A ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. www.baptistwaypress.org. These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version (North American Edition), copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

VBS Middle Children Curriculum Overview

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

Session 5

The Bible Is from God

The Bible Helps Us Live

The Bible Tells of Jesus

The Bible Promises a Savior

The Bible Is for Telling Others

Bible Story

God Gives Moses

Jesus Used

Jesus Taught

The Bible

Paul Told People

the Ten

Scripture to Make

Us How We

Promised Jesus

About Jesus

Commandments

Good Choices

Should Live

Would Come and

(Acts 17:16-34)

(Exodus 18—20)

(Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11)

(Matthew 5—7)

Die for All (Matthew 26:31-32; 27:1—28:10)

Biblical Truth

God gave Moses the

Jesus made good

Jesus taught his

Jesus, who never

Paul told others

Ten Commandments.

choices by using

followers how they

did anything wrong,

about Jesus.

Moses explained

Scripture.

Should relate to

died for us so that

God’s rules to the people, and they said they would obey the

self, to the law, to God, and to others.

we could learn to love and live for him on earth and

rules.

live in heaven with him when we die.

Memory Verse

Then he took the

Direct my footsteps

Jesus answered, “I

I tell you the

For we cannot help

Book of the

according to your

am the way and the

truth, whoever

speaking about

Covenant and read

word; and let no sin

truth and the life.

hears my word

what we have seen

it to the people.

rule over me

No one comes to

and believes him

and heard

They responded,

(Psalm 119:133).

the Father except

who sent me has

(Acts 4:20).

“We will do

through me”

eternal life and

everything the Lord

(John 14:6).

will not be

has said; we will

condemned; he

obey”

has crossed over

(Exodus 24:7).

from death to life (John 5:24).

Teaching Aim

Children will

Children will learn

discover that God

discover that

discover that God

discover that

that God wants us

gives us rules in the

knowing verses in

has a plan for how

Jesus, who had no

to tell others about

Bible so that we

the Bible can help

we are to live as

sin, died for us so

Jesus.

will know how we

them make good

told in the Sermon

that our sins

should live.

choices.

on the Mount.

would be forgiven.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 42

Large Group	Large Group	Large Group	Large Group	Large Group
Activities	Activities	Activities	Activities	Activities
*Gear Up!*	*Gear Up!*	*Gear Up!*	*Gear Up!*	*Gear Up!*
Sit Around the	Sit Around the	Sit Around the	Sit Around the	Sit Around the
Campfire	Campfire	Campfire	Campfire	Campfire
*Trailhead!*	*Trailhead!*	*Trailhead!*	*Trailhead!*	*Trailhead!*
Memory Verse	Memory Verse	Memory Verse	Memory Verse	Memory Verse
*Take the Trek!*	*Take the Trek!*	*Take the Trek!*	*Take the Trek!*	*Take the Trek!*
Bible Story	Bible Story	Bible Story	Bible Story	Bible Story
*Trekking to*	*Trekking to*	*Trekking to*	*Trekking to*	*Trekking to*
*the Summit!*	*the Summit!*	*the Summit!*	*the Summit!*	*the Summit!*
Bible story	Bible story	Bible story	Bible story	Bible story
review game	review game	review game	review game	review game
*Happy Trails!*	*Happy Trails!*	*Happy Trails!*	*Happy Trails!*	*Happy Trails!*
(Closing Activity)	(Closing Activity)	(Closing Activity)	(Closing Activity)	(Closing Activity)
Write missing	Make a footprint	Make a Bible	Make ABC sticks.	Make a
words on a stone.	Bible verse reminder.	verse puzzle.		megaphone.
Small Group Bible Activity Plan Memory Verse Board. Rotating Activities Point the Compass Books of the Bible *Mission Story and Activity* Mission East Dallas *Recreation/ Snack*	Small Group Bible Activity Work on Memory Verse Board. Rotating Activities Point the Compass Books of the Bible *Mission Story and Project* Mission Lubbock *Recreation/ Snack*	Small Group Bible Activity Work on Memory Verse Board. Rotating Activities Point the Compass Books of the Bible *Mission Story and Project* Mission Appalachia *Recreation/ Snack*	Small Group Bible Activity Work on Memory Verse Board. Rotating Activities Point the Compass Books of the Bible *Mission Story and Project* Mission Iraq *Recreation/ Snack*	Small Group Bible Activity Finish Memory Verse Board. Rotating Activities Point the Compass Books of the Bible *Mission Story and Activity* Mission New Orleans *Recreation/ Snack*

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 42

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 42

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 42

Session 1 The Bible Is from God

Biblical Truth	God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Moses explained God’s rules to the people, and they said they would obey the rules.
Teaching Aim	Children will discover that God gives us rules in the Bible so that we will know how we should live.
Memory Verse	Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey” (Exodus 24:7).
Bible Story	God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 18—20)

Prepare to Teach

Teacher Devotional

[The comments in this devotional provide an overview of the studies for all ages in this Vacation Bible School and will help you know what is being taught in the various age groups. Give special attention, of course, to the emphases for the age group you are teaching.]

Thank you for being a part of one of your church’s ministries to the community. Vacation Bible School is the equivalent to three months of Sunday School for preschoolers and children. You will have boys and girls who hear the gospel for the first time and think that you are part of God’s plan for them. You chose to be used and God chose you to use.

On Monday, younger preschoolers will hear that Timothy heard the Bible stories from his mother and grandmother. Middle preschoolers, older preschoolers, and children will be hearing how God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the people of Israel. It is easy to think of the Ten Commandments or even the Bible as some relic to be placed under glass to be cherished or saluted, but that would not be what God had in mind. When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, it was the first written words of God. Up to that point, most of what people knew about the Bible was oral tradition that was passed down from generation to generation. The Ten Commandments represented God’s direction for his people. He wanted the people to have clear guidance for living day by day. He wanted them to know how to enjoy safe and happy lives.

Take a few moments and read the Ten Commandments. These rules, laws, and guidelines are often seen as a list of Don’ts, but God wanted the people to see all the good things that they can and should be doing. God wanted them to find contentment in what he had given them.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 42

Prepare the Room

Resources needed: Resource Item 1: VBS Logo and Unit Title; backpack or hand-made backpack; brown butcher paper or poster board; 5′ – 6′ bulletin board or wall space; 5′ – 6′ butcher paper (any light color); Resource Item 3: Session Titles and Memory Verses; 8½” x 11″ cardstock; Resource Item 27: Clip Art

Prepare: Enlarge the VBS logo and unit title (Resource Item 1) to fit the bulletin board or wall space in your room. Cover the bulletin board or wall space with butcher paper. Staple or glue the VBS logo and the unit title to the board or wall. Provide a backpack or construct a large backpack of poster board or butcher paper to fill the space in the center of the bulletin board. Print the session titles and memory verses (Resource Item 3) on cardstock and place them in the backpack. Create five fence posts with the brown butcher paper and attach them to the bulletin board. Each day, the session titles and memory verses will be placed on the posts. Use the clip art (Resource Item 27) as needed.

Guide the Session

Large Group Activities

Gear Up!

(Welcome Activity)

Resources Needed: Newspaper; large grocery sacks; tissue paper (red, yellow, orange); 9″ x 12″ construction paper (dark and light gray); Resource Item 2: Name Tags; 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock (three-four colors); lanyards or yarn; permanent marker

Prepare: Before the session, print the name tags for the children and teachers, using at least three different colors of cardstock. Laminate the name tags and use a permanent marker to write the names of the children and teachers. The name tags may be used to divide the children into small groups. The children will be assigned to the teacher with the same color of name tag. Attach the lanyards or yarn to the name tags. Select a corner area and create a “campfire.” Make “logs” for your campfire by putting newspaper inside brown paper bags then twisting the bags into a log shape. Add flames using tissue paper in red, yellow, and orange. Make rocks by wadding up gray construction paper into balls to surround the campfire.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 42

Teach: As children enter the room, make sure that each child is enrolled and has a name tag. Direct the children to join you “around the campfire.” Using one of the rocks, toss it to a child who will say his or her name when it is caught. Then, instruct the child to toss the rock to another friend who will say his or her name. Continue until all children have had a turn. There will be a different variation for this game each day.

Trailhead!

(Memory Verse Activity)

Resources needed: Brown butcher paper; gray poster board or cardstock

Prepare: Cut the poster board or cardstock into twelve 8″ oval or round shapes. Write one word from the memory verse on each stone. Write the Bible passage on a separate stone. Place the session title and memory verse (Resource Item 3) in the backpack on the focal wall.

Teach: Draw attention to the bulletin board or focal wall. Explain the theme to the children. Tell them that during this week they will learn about mountain climbing as they learn about the book God gave us, the Bible. Reveal the session title and memory verse as you remove the signs from the backpack. Read the verse together several times after it is removed from the backpack. Attach the verse and the session title to the sign post. When the children are able to say the verse easily, show the stones containing a word from the verse. Place the stones in random order on the floor near the “campfire,” and then direct partners to take turns arranging the stones in the correct order to complete the verse. Invite the whole group to say the verse aloud after it has been arranged correctly. Allow all children to have a turn arranging the stones.

Take the Trek!

(Bible Story)

Resources: 3 ½” x 5″ index cards; backpack

Prepare: Write each of the following rules on separate index cards and place them in a backpack: “Walk in the hall”; “Raise your hand before you speak”; “Talk one at a time”; “Look both ways before crossing a street”; “Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself”; “Wear a helmet when skating or riding a bike.”

Teach: Tell children that they will read some rules that they have probably heard before. Select a child to reach into the bag and take out one card. Help the child to read as needed. Discuss the meaning and reason for the rule. Continue until all are read. Say, God gave us rules to follow. He knew that for people to get along with each other and do what he wanted them to do, they needed rules to guide them. Today we will hear the story of how God gave the rules to Moses.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 42

God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments (Exodus 18—20)

Resources needed: Styrofoam^® blocks (2); poster board; thumb tacks

Prepare: Trim two blocks of Styrofoam^® into the shape of stone tablets. Write each commandment as it appears in the story on separate strips of white poster board. Place the thumb tacks close by.

Teach: Open your Bible and tell the story from memory. Tell the children that this story is found in Exodus, which is the second book of the Bible. The Book of Exodus is found in the Law Division of the Old Testament. Place the stone tablets, the strips containing the Ten Commandments, and the thumb tacks on an easel.

The people of Israel traveled for three months before they reached Mount Sinai and made camp in front of the mountain. Moses climbed up the mountain by himself to be with God.

God told Moses to remind the people of what they had seen him do to the Egyptians to gain their freedom from slavery. He told Moses to tell the people of Israel that if they would keep their agreement to always love and obey him, he would make a great nation of them. Of all the nations on earth they would be his treasured possession. They would be a nation of priests to God and holy to him.

So Moses went back down the mountain and told the people what God had said. All the people said, We will do everything the Lord has said. Then Moses went back up the mountain to tell God that the people were willing to do what he had asked.

Then God told Moses something amazing. He said, In three days, I am coming down from heaven to see you. I will appear as a dark cloud so the people can see me. They will also hear me speaking with you so they will trust you. Make sure everyone is wearing clean clothes. Tell the people not to touch the mountain, for it is a holy place. They should gather at the bottom of the mountain, but whoever touches the mountain or sets foot on it will be killed.

Moses returned to the bottom of the mountain and instructed the people to wash their clothes and make everything clean. He told them to prepare themselves for meeting God on the third day. So everyone washed their clothes and got ready to meet God.

On the third day there were huge bolts of lightning and loud claps of thunder along with a thick cloud over the top of Mount Sinai. There was a loud trumpet blast, and all the people trembled. Moses led the people from the camp to the foot of the mountain to meet with God. The mountain was covered with smoke because the Lord had come down to it in fire. The smoke billowed up like smoke from a furnace and the whole mountain trembled violently. The sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. The people were terrified and thought they would die. They begged Moses to ask God not to speak to them, but only to Moses and they would listen. Moses told __________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 10 of 42

them not to be afraid. God wanted them to know of his great power so they would follow his rules.

Moses climbed higher on the mountain to be closer to God. Here, God himself wrote his rules on tablets of stone that all people had to obey if they wanted to be the children of God. These are the Ten Commandments of God. (Attach the strips of poster board to the stone tablets.)

1 You shall have no other gods before me.2 Do not make or worship an idol of anything in the heavens, the earth, or the water.

3 You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

4 Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

5 Honor your father and mother.

6 You shall not murder.

7 You shall not commit adultery. (Husbands and wives should love each other and keep their marriage promises.)

8 Do not steal.

9 You shall not give false testimony. Always tell the truth.

10 You shall not covet. (Be happy with what God has given you. Do not be jealous of anything belonging to your neighbors.)

God told Moses to build a tabernacle (tent church) which would be used for a place to worship him while they were traveling in the wilderness. He also instructed him to build the ark of the covenant (a special box) in which to place the stone tablets so they would always have the Ten Commandments and could know the rules given by God.

Trekking to the Summit!

(Review Bible Story)

Resources needed: Sticky note pad

Prepare: Provide four sticky notes on which “God” is printed and six on which “Others” is written.

Teach: Review the story, explaining that the ten rules can be divided into two sections. Four of the commandments or rules (the first four) tell us how we are to relate to or honor God. Six of them (the last six) tell us how we are to live with others. As you read each of the commandments on the “stone tablets,” invite children to consider how they relate to God and others. Guide discussion that will help children understand each commandment. As the commandments are discussed, attach the sticky notes appropriately.

Transition to Small Group Activities: After the review of the Bible story, introduce the Bible Learning Activity for the week. The children will divide into groups according to their name tags. The teacher with the same color name tag will lead the group all week. Optional idea: The

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 11 of 42

Bible Learning Activity may be done by a separate group of teachers in a different room. The children would move to the room to work on their activity each day.

Small Group Bible Learning Activity

Memory Verse Board (Bible Learning Activity)

Purpose: This activity will help the children memorize one of the memory verses for the week.

Resources needed: Black poster or core board; Christian magazines; scissors; glue; light gauge wire; ten to twenty colorful beads

Description: The children will decide which memory verse they would like to memorize. They will search for the words or letters of the words in magazines and glue the words in their verse to the board. They will have time each day to work on their board. On Day 5, the beads should be placed on the wire and then inserted into the board to make the hanger.

Happy Trails! (Closing activity or activity at the end of group time)

Resources needed: Resource Item 12: Stone Memory Verse; pencils; 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock

Prepare: Print out the stone shapes and cut them apart. Provide pencils for each child.

Teach: Review the story by asking questions. Give each child a stone shape and a pencil. Explain that today we learned that “The Bible Is from God.” Guide the children to write the missing words from the verse, “We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey” (Exodus 24:7b). As they fill in the missing words, direct them to say the verse from memory. Let them take their copy of the verse home.

Closing prayer: Pray that we will let the Bible be our guide and that we will obey the words in the Bible.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 14 of 42

Vacation Bible School Middle Children Bible Teacher. “Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of

God’s Word.” Copyright © 2007 BAPTISTWAY PRESS^®. Not to be sold. A ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. www.baptistwaypress.org. These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

Session 2 The Bible Helps Us Live

Biblical Truth		Jesus made good choices by using Scripture.
Teaching Aim		Children will discover that knowing verses in the Bible can help them make good choices.
Memory Verse		Direct my footsteps according to your word; and let no sin rule over me (Psalm 119:133).
Bible Story		Jesus Used Scripture to Make Good Choices (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11)

Prepare to Teach

Teacher Devotional

The Wilderness Mountain Adventure takes a turn today from the Ten Commandments to see the importance of the Bible. Preschoolers will hear the amazing story of how the first version of the Bible and the Ten Commandments were lost—lost from the memory of the people and lost from the temple. Elementary-age children will hear about the temptation of Jesus. They will discover that when tempted, Jesus, the Son of God, relied on the Bible to deal with tough choices.

In the times of Josiah (2 Kings 22—23), the people had forgotten God. He became a part of a tradition but not a part of their lives and actions. Josiah wanted to restore the temple in hopes that the people would again want to follow God. In the process, the workers found the text for the first five books of the Bible, which contained the Ten Commandments. He gathered the people together and read the books of the law. He and the people responded by repenting or turning back to God and doing things God’s way instead of doing things their own way.

In the story of Jesus and his temptations (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus faced three different temptations. The first temptation was to turn stones into bread. Jesus was hungry from his fast, and Satan thought he could take advantage of Jesus’ weakened state. He tried to trap Jesus by twisting the Bible verses. We are all tempted by physical wealth, beauty, and food. The test for all Christians is to avoid making the physical trappings of this world more important than God. The question for all of us is what is in your life that is replacing God. Food, clothing, cars, and houses last only for a little while. God lasts forever. Jesus responded by telling Satan that people live by the word of God.

The second temptation deals with Satan tempting Jesus to perform a miracle that would only glorify Jesus. Jesus never performed a miracle that glorified him. His miracles were meant to glorify God and to bring healing into the lives of broken people. Jesus lived a life of sacrifice. He gave his life for others. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 15 of 42

In the last temptation, Jesus was tempted by power and fortune. Satan offered to give Jesus the world. The paradox of this offer is that Jesus already had the world, but Satan was offering Jesus the easy way, not the right way. Jesus responded by saying that worshiping and serving God was his only mission.

As you look at these temptations and the story of Josiah, remember the importance of God’s word in your life. It provides guidance that will help you when tempted and help the boys and girls when tempted. The biggest temptation of all is to replace God with something or someone else. The Bible helps us keep our priorities right. Blessings on you as you teach today.

Guide the Session

Large Group Activities

Gear Up!

(Welcome Activity)

Resources needed: 9″ x 12″ gray construction paper; name tags

Prepare: Cut the construction paper in the shape of a small rock. Write the title of the session on it and hide it under the paper rocks surrounding the campfire.

Teach: As children enter the room, make sure that each child is enrolled and has a name tag. Children who are new today should be added to a small group. Try to place children who bring their friends in the same group with their friends. Direct the children to join you either on the floor or in the group time circle. Toss a paper rock to a child. Instruct the child to say the name of the person who tossed the rock and then his or her own name. Conclude when all have had a turn. Call attention to the gray rocks. Explain that the rocks are a fire ring and help to contain the fire and provide safety. Explain that one of the rocks has the title of today’s session written on it. Choose children to look for the rock with the title. Instruct them to come one at a time and pick up a rock to see whether it is the one with the title. Read the title when it is found.

Trailhead!

(Memory Verse Activity)

Resources needed: 9″ x 12″ construction paper (brown); Resource Item 3: Session Titles and Memory Verses; black marker

Prepare: Cut out eight construction paper footprint shapes from the brown construction paper. Write one word of the memory verse on each shape. Place the signs with the session title and memory verse in the backpack on the focal wall. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 16 of 42

Teach: Review the title and memory verse from Session 1 by referring to the focal wall. Remove the signs with the title and memory verse from the backpack and attach them to the focal wall. Explain today’s theme and memory verse. Distribute a footprint to eight children. On the command “start,” have them arrange themselves in order to complete the verse. Instruct each child to say the word on his or her footprint in turn to complete the verse. Redistribute the footprints so all children have the opportunity to arrange and read the verse. Collect the footprints, and lead everyone to repeat the verse in unison from memory.

Take the Trek!

(Bible Story)

Resources needed: Resource Item 13: Bible Verse Cards; 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock

Prepare: Print the Bible verse cards onto cardstock.

Teach: Explain that words in the Bible can help us know what we should do in certain situations. Read the following situations one at a time. After reading the first situation, show the verses on Card 1. Direct children to read them and decide which two verses give guidance for the situation stated. Continue with situations two and three.

Situation 1: You and your friends are at the skating rink. You go to the snack bar. One of your friends says she thinks she can take a bag of chips off the counter without getting caught. She wants to share them with you. You are very hungry, and the chips look good. Which verses on Card 1 will help you know what to do?

Situation 2: You have always wanted to skateboard. Your parents won’t let you until you are older because they are afraid you will get hurt. You are playing at a friend’s house whose older brother has a skateboard. Your friend tells you it will be all right to try out his skateboard in their driveway. You really want to skateboard and you want your friend to like you. Which verses on Card 2 will help you know what to do?

Situation 3: Your class is taking a math test in school. The ones who make a 100 will get a special sticker to take home. You have finished all of your problems, but you are not sure whether number five is right. You can see the answer to number five on a friend’s paper. Your friend is very good in math. You really want that sticker. Which verses on Card 3 will help you know what to do?

Jesus Used Scripture to Make Good Choices (Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11)

Prepare: Make four signs that say “Jordan River,” “Wilderness,” “Pinnacle,” and “Mountain.” Attach them in four different locations in the room. Interactively tell the story by moving to the locations. Use your Bible to read the Scriptures. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 17 of 42

Teach: Today we are going to hear a story about three situations in Jesus’ life and what he did by knowing which Bible verses to use. This story is found in the book of Matthew, the first book in the New Testament. It is in the Gospels’ Division.

(Start with the sign “Jordan River.”) Jesus had grown from a child to a man. He obeyed his Father in everything, even in waiting to the right time to start his ministry. At the right time, Jesus began his ministry by being baptized. John the Baptizer was preaching that people should change their ways and begin following God’s commands. People were doing just that. Jesus went to John to be baptized. John did not want to baptize Jesus because Jesus was God’s Son. John felt that he was not good enough. Jesus told John that this was the right thing to do. When Jesus came out of the water, the sky opened and a dove came down. A voice from heaven said, “This is my son whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Jesus obeyed God by being baptized, but there would be other tests of his obedience.

After Jesus had been baptized, he was led by the Spirit of God into the wilderness to be tested by Satan (the devil). (Move to the sign “Wilderness.”) Jesus had been in the wilderness, a desert-like place, for forty days and forty nights. He had not had anything to eat all this time. He was very hungry. Satan came to him and said (read from the Bible), “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Satan was reminding Jesus that since he was God’s Son he had the power to end his own hunger. Jesus knew he could turn the stones into bread, but he would not do it. He answered Satan by saying (read from the Bible), “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Jesus’ answer meant that it is more important to obey what God wants you to do than what you want to do for yourself.

For the second test, Satan took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem. (Move to the sign “Pinnacle.”) The pinnacle was the highest point on the temple. From here Satan said to Jesus (read from the Bible), “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Satan was telling Jesus that if he would jump off this high place and land unhurt, all the people would believe that he was God’s Son. This would be an easy way for Jesus to win huge crowds of people, for it would be a fantastic miracle. Jumping from a place that high and not being hurt would cause people to believe.

Satan quoted a part of the Bible found in Psalm 91:11-12. However, he left out a part of the verse on purpose. The part he left out said, “In all your ways.” The psalm said that God would protect a person if that person was following God’s will. It was not God’s will or plan for Jesus to win the world by doing amazing acts. Jesus answered Satan by saying (read from the Bible), “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” This verse was from Deuteronomy 6:16.

Satan was saying that leaping off the temple would be a way for Jesus to show his faith in God. Jesus knew it would not be an act of faith, but of tempting God. It would be trying to force God into a certain action or to test God. Testing God was forbidden, and Jesus reminded Satan of that.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 18 of 42

A very high mountain was the place for Satan’s third test. (Move to the sign “Mountain.”) Jesus and Satan were on the top of the mountain. Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. Satan said (read from the Bible), “All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me.”

Satan was telling Jesus that he could provide a shortcut to what God wanted him to do. If Jesus would just worship him, Satan would give Jesus the world. This offer meant that Jesus would not go to the cross and Jesus would not have suffered or died for us. It also meant that Jesus would not be doing the will of God and following God’s plan. Jesus said to Satan (read from the Bible), “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Jesus used scripture from Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20. He told Satan that only God was to be worshiped and served. God, who created everything and is in charge of the universe, demands our obedience to him alone.

Then Satan left and angels came and cared for Jesus. Jesus had passed all three tests. He showed that he did not give in when offered something to make his body feel good (bread when he was hungry), or following his own plan instead of God’s (leaping from the temple), or worshiping someone other than God (bowing to Satan). He showed that he was exactly who he claimed to be. (Move to your original position.)

Trekking to the Summit!

(Review Bible Story)

Resources needed: Resource Item 14: Ten Commandments (altered version); 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock

Prepare: Print the altered version of the Ten Commandments onto cardstock. Cut the cards apart. Display the stone tablets with the commandments from the previous day’s story.

Teach: Ask whether the children noticed that Satan said a Bible verse to Jesus in the story. Ask whether they know what was wrong with the way Satan said it. (He left a part out) Explain that the Bible can help us live if we know what it says. State, When we face situations like those we read before the story, we can pass those tests as Jesus did if we know Bible verses to help us. Our story yesterday told us about rules God gave Moses called the Ten Commandments. We will see how well you know them by telling what is wrong with the ones I show you today. Display one card at a time, read what it says, say the commandment correctly, and discuss why the one today is wrong. Restate the importance of knowing Scripture and knowing it correctly.

Transition to Small Group Activities: Tell the children to move to their Bible activity teacher to continue working on the Memory Verse Board activity. Make sure new children are assigned to a group.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 19 of 42

Small Group Bible Learning Activity

Memory Verse Board (Bible Learning Activity)

Session 2 Instructions:

Continue the activity by using the instructions given in Session 1.

Transition to Rotating Activities: At the end of the small group activity, the children will remain with their team for the rotating activities. Different teaching teams could be assigned to the rotating activities or your teaching team could be assigned one of the following rotations: Point the Compass (Bible Skills), Snack and Recreation, or Missions. These three rotations may be in the classroom or in different classrooms in your church. Decide which will work best for your setting.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 20 of 42

Happy Trails!

(Closing activity or activity at the end of group time)

Resources needed: Footprint shapes; markers (one per child)

Prepare: Write this altered version of the memory verse on footprint shapes for each child: Follow my footsteps according to my word (Psalm 119:133). Provide markers.

Teach: Review the story by asking questions. Give each child a footprint shape and a marker. Remind them that today we learned, “The Bible Helps Us Live.” We learned that we need to memorize Scripture and that we must memorize it correctly. We don’t change words so that the meaning is different. Guide them to tell which words are not correct on the footprint shape. Then have them mark out Follow and change it to “Direct,” and change the second my to “your.” Repeat the verse several times after it has been corrected. The children will take the footprint home.

Pray that we will learn God’s word and use it when we have times of testing.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 21 of 42

Session 3 The Bible Tells of Jesus

Biblical Truth		Jesus taught his followers how they should relate to self, to the law, to God, and to others.
Teaching Aim		Children will discover that God has a plan for how we are to live as told in the Sermon on the Mount.
Memory Verse		Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Bible Story		Jesus Taught Us How We Should Live (Matthew 5—7)

Prepare to Teach

Teacher Devotional

The Sermon on the Mount helps us know how to love others and to love God. The hard part of the Sermon on the Mount is that it deals with attitudes. It is easier for people to learn and memorize the verses of the Bible. Attitudes are very hard to change. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus dealt with our attitudes in a major way. He said it is not enough to just avoid killing someone. People who hate others or hold grudges will face judgment. It is not just the actions of a person that God cares about. He cares about how we feel about people and how we forgive others.

Our relationship with God is more than skin deep; it goes to the very heart. He wants us to love each other, our spouses, and our children because he loves us. Our actions, even when right, become cheap and worthless when we do them for the wrong reasons. We should follow Christ’s example in all areas of life—in mind, heart, hand, and soul.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 22 of 42

Jesus ended the sermon with a story of a wise builder who built his house on the rock. Jesus reminds us to build our lives on a living relationship with God and a dependence on his word. As you teach preschoolers and children, check your actions, check your thoughts, check your heart. Help the children you teach learn to value the Bible as a source of knowing, loving, and following God.

Guide the Session

Large Group Activities

Gear Up!

(Welcome Activity)

Resources needed: Same as Day 1 and 2

Prepare: Check to see that the campfire area is ready.

Trailhead!

(Memory Verse Activity)

Resources needed: Resource Item 3: Session Titles and Memory Verse; brown butcher paper; markers; sentence strips; stones with memory verse (Session 1); footprints with memory verse (Session 2)

Prepare: Use the brown butcher paper to make a “log” pocket chart. Make it long enough to hold sentence strips with the memory verse for today. Secure it to the wall or bulletin board. Cut sentence strips into six-inch sections. Print one word of the verse at the top of each card so the word will show when placed in the pocket chart. Hide the cards around the room. Place the signs with the session title and memory verse in the backpack on the focal wall.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 23 of 42

Teach: Review the titles and verses from the previous days by referring to the focal wall and putting the rocks and footprints in order. Remove the signs with the title and memory verse from the backpack. Explain today’s theme, and read the memory verse. Say: The words to the verse are hidden all over the room. See how well you can find them. When you find a word, pick it up, and place it in the pocket chart in order to complete the verse. There are twenty-two cards to find. Twenty-one cards have words and one has the Bible reference. Instruct children to get only one card at a time and to share with those who need help in finding one. When all the cards are in the pocket chart, read the verse together in unison several times. Randomly turn some of the cards around so the word cannot be seen, and repeat the verse. This can be done until all of the cards are backwards if time allows.

Take the Trek!

(Bible Story)

Resources needed: Resource Item 16: Skits; 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock; Resource Item 17: Bible Story Questions and Answers; backpack; Bible; table and two chairs

Prepare: Copy the skits (Resource Item 16) onto the cardstock, and cut each card apart. Print two copies of Resource Item 17 onto cardstock. One set will be used in the Bible story review game. Cut apart the questions and answers. Place the questions in a backpack and give the answers to the two teachers answering the questions on the panel. Enlist three teachers. Two will be on the panel, and one will be the moderator. Provide a table and two chairs for the panel members. The moderator will stand. The panelists will have their Bibles open to Matthew 5—7. They will also have copies of the answers to the questions. One teacher can respond to the even-numbered questions and the other to the odd-numbered.

Teach: Jesus taught his disciples what God expected them to do. As you watch and listen to the skits, put your thumbs up if you think this is what Jesus taught. Put your thumbs down if you think it is not what he taught. We will see whether you were correct as we look into the Bible today. Our Bible story for today is found in the Book of Matthew, the first book in the New Testament. It is in the Gospels’ Division. The information is from chapters five, six, and seven in Matthew.

Jesus Taught Us How We Should Live

(Matthew 5—7)

When Jesus was on the earth, the only people who had copies of a written Bible were the religious leaders, the Scribes and Pharisees. They had taken the Ten Commandments and added things to them. They were teaching these additions to the people. Jesus wanted his disciples to know the truth about what God had said.

One beautiful day Jesus saw the crowds of people, and he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came and gathered around, and Jesus began teaching them. This passage of

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 24 of 42

Scripture is known as the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus was teaching from the side of a mountain. We will learn what Jesus taught them.

Show the backpack, and state that there are questions inside that the children will read to the panel members. Introduce the panel members. The panel members will share the answers by telling what Jesus said. The moderator will call children’s names for them to have a turn. The order in which the questions are asked does not matter. The panel members will need to know the number so they can respond correctly and refer to the verses in the Bible. Place the questions on the table with the panel members after they are read.

Trekking to the Summit!

(Review Bible Story)

Resources needed: Resource Item 16: Skits; Resource Item 17: Bible Story Questions and Answers; dry erase board or chalkboard; dry erase markers or chalk; four gift bags

Prepare: Write the numbers 1-4 on the gift bags. Print out the Bible story questions and answers. Place the numbers 1-4 (1: easy; 4: hardest) on the cards. Cut apart the game questions (without the answers), and place the question cards in the corresponding gift bag. The teacher will use the page with the questions and answers. Provide a dry erase board or chalkboard to tabulate the points.

Teach: Review the five skits and see whether the thumbs up or down have changed. Say, We learned today that Jesus taught his disciples and us many things about what we should do to live the way God wants us to. We will work as a group to see whether we can earn ____ points (designate a number appropriate to your group). Children may be chosen to pull a question card out of the bag. Ask the questions on the cards. As the questions are asked and children respond, record the points earned. (This activity will encourage all children to work together to achieve a score, rather than pitting teams against each other.) You may not have time to answer all the questions.

Transition to Small Group Activities: Give directions about moving into small groups. Make sure you add new children to a group.

Small Group Bible Learning Activity

Memory Verse Board (Bible Learning Activity)

Session 3 Instructions:

Continue the activity using the instructions given in Session 1.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 25 of 42

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 26 of 42

Happy Trails!

(Closing activity or activity at the end of group time)

Resources needed: Resource Item 20: One Way Bible Verse Puzzle; 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock; plastic zipper bags (one per child); permanent markers; child-sized scissors

Prepare: Print Resource Item 20 on cardstock. On the back, draw cutting lines to make a six- to eight-piece puzzle. Provide scissors and plastic zipper bags.

Teach: Tell the children that today we learned that “The Bible Tells of Jesus.” Following Jesus is the only way one can be a part of God’s family. Show the verse and read it together. Distribute scissors and instruct children to cut the page apart to create a puzzle by cutting on the lines on the back. Allow the children to work the puzzle after it is cut. Place the pieces in the bags to take home and use again.

Pray that we will remember what Jesus taught his disciples and that we will do those things in our lives each day.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 27 of 42

Session 4 The Bible Promises a Savior

Biblical Truth		Jesus, who never did anything wrong, died for us so that we could learn to love and live for him on earth and live in heaven with him when we die.
Teaching Aim		Children will discover that Jesus, who had no sin, died for us so that our sins would be forgiven.
Memory Verse		I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life (John 5:24)
Bible Story		The Bible Promised Jesus Would Come and Die for All (Matthew 26:31-32; 27:1—28:10)

Prepare to Teach

Teacher Devotional

Of all the days of Vacation Bible School, today is one of the most important. Today is the day that preschoolers will hear that God promised to send his Son, Jesus. Preschoolers will hear that Jesus came to show us how to love and live for God. Elementary-age children hear that God promised to send Jesus to die to take the punishment for our sins. The heart of the biblical story is that humankind, despite God’s love and protection, has chosen to go their own way and in the process has become lost. God continued to love people and sent his one and only Son to take the punishment of death for sin.

This part of God’s story in the Bible makes Christianity unique, for Christianity is not about where we go to church, what nation we belong to, or how much volunteer service we perform. The pathway to heaven is not paved with our good intentions, service, or beliefs. This pathway is made available to us because Jesus died for us, and only in that way. It is this act of grace in dying for us that restores our relationship with God and provides abundant life as well as eternal life. Our response should be to admit our sins to the Father and claim his Son as Savior and Lord. This is also the story we have to share with children.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 28 of 42

Take a few moments to write your story of coming to Christ. If you teach elementary-age children this week, be prepared to share that story. Boys and girls look up to you when they hear how God has worked in your life, and it will make the Bible become real right before their eyes. Remember, what Christ did for you, he can do for them.

A few years ago, I was counseling a fourth grader about becoming a Christian. I asked him, Robby, do you know God loves you and has a great plan for you? He responded, Yes, Mr. Tommy. I have known that forever. I smiled and reflected on the fact that he had known it forever. His parents, his baby teachers, his preschool teachers, and his elementary teachers had told him since his first days. No wonder he had known this truth forever!

Today, you will help boys and girls know and understand that the Bible promised a Savior and that Savior is Jesus Christ, the only way to God.

Guide the Session

Large Group Activities

Gear Up!

(Welcome Activity)

Resources needed: Same as Days 1, 2, and 3.

Prepare: The campfire area should be set up as on the previous days.

Teach: As children enter the room, make sure that each child is enrolled and that the child has a name tag. Direct the children to join you either on the floor or in the group time circle. Call the name of a child, and toss the rock. When the child catches the rock, the child states his or her name and one of the following: favorite color, favorite food, favorite TV program, or favorite restaurant, etc. Continue until all children have had turns.

Trailhead!

(Memory Verse Activity)

Resources needed: Resource Item 3: Session Titles and Memory Verse

Prepare: Be sure the signs with the memory verse and session title are in the backpack on the focal wall. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 29 of 42

Teach: Review the previous verses and titles by referring to the focal wall. Remove the signs with the memory verse and session title for today from the backpack. Read aloud and attach them to the focal wall. Teach the memory verse by using hand motions to aid memory, as follows:

“I tell you the truth”: Point index finger ending up with a fist in the palm of the

other hand.

“Whoever hears my word”: Cup your right hand to your right ear.

“And believes in him who sent me”: Touch the index finger to the forehead

and clasp hands; direct open palm outward and upward.

“Has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death

to life”: Make the letter L using both hands by putting index finger out and

thumb up. Place both hands in at your waist and pull up like drawing a

gun, but your palms should be exposed. You are drawing life out and

giving it away.

Practice the verse several times until they can say and do it well.

Take the Trek!

(Bible Story)

Resources needed: 3 ½” x 5″ index cards (7); marker

Prepare: Turn the index card vertically. Print the following letters on the top part of each card making them two inches tall: f, o, r, g, i, v, e. Place them in the “log” pocket folder (used on Day 3) in ABC order (e, f, g, i, o, r, v), with the printed letters at the top.

Teach: Show children the letters, and give them opportunity to unscramble them to spell a word. Be sure they know that all letters will be used. If after several attempts they are unsuccessful, give a clue, such as, The first letter is f; this is two little words put together; the last letter is e.

When the word has been unscrambled, discuss the meaning. (Give up angry feelings toward someone who hurt you or did something wrong to you; have no desire to hurt them back or punish them.)

Instruct children to share experiences when they forgave someone. Also, share experiences when someone forgave them. Direct them to tell why we need to forgive. Ask for responses to the question, What is the greatest forgiveness of all? (Jesus’ forgiveness of our sins)

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 30 of 42

The Bible Promised Jesus Would Come and Die for All (Matthew 26:31-32; 27:1—28:10)

Prepare: Open your Bible to the passage. Practice telling the story so that you can share it from memory with great expression.

Teach: Our Bible story is found in chapters 26, 27, and 28 in the Book of Matthew, the first book in the New Testament. It is in the Gospels’ division. Gospel means good news, and here we learn how God offered forgiveness so that those who believe will live with him in heaven forever. That is good news!

After Jesus and his disciples had shared the Passover meal, they went to the Mount of Olives, a mountain with olive trees growing on it. On the way, Jesus told his disciples that this very night they would all leave him and run away. He was quoting a verse from the Book of Zechariah in the Old Testament. This verse was written in the Bible many years before Jesus was born. The verse promised that the Good Shepherd would die and that his followers would run away. Jesus reminded them of this verse. However, Jesus gave them hope when he said that he would go ahead of them and be in Galilee after he had risen.

Early the next morning, the chief priests decided Jesus should die. They were afraid that people would follow Jesus and that they would no longer be in charge. The chief priests held places of importance. They did not want to lose any of this, and so they paid thirty pieces of silver to Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, to betray him. Even though they had decided he should die, they were not allowed to put him to death. Only the Roman government could sentence a person to death. They arrested him and took him to Pilate’s palace.

They brought Jesus in front of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. Pilate asked Jesus whether he was the King of the Jews. Jesus said, “Yes, it is as you say.” Pilate couldn’t believe Jesus’ answer. Jesus did not say anything else.

Pilate did not believe Jesus was guilty of any crime against his country, but the Pharisees were determined to have him killed. During the Passover season, it was the custom for the Romans to set one prisoner free. Pilate thought Jesus would be a good choice to be given his freedom. The other prisoner being considered was a known criminal named Barabbas.

Pilate left it up to the crowd who was gathered all around his palace. When Pilate asked who should be released, the crowd screamed, “Barabbas”! So Barabbas was set free. Then Pilate asked what should be done with Jesus. They screamed again, “Crucify him!” Crucifixion was the way the Romans executed, or killed, their prisoners. They were nailed by their hands and feet to a wooden cross and would hang there until they died.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 31 of 42

Pilate asked why he should be crucified. What crime had he committed? This only made the crowd scream more. Pilate was fearful the crowd would riot, and so he ordered Jesus to be whipped and then turned over to the Roman guards to be crucified.

After the Roman soldiers whipped him, they dressed Jesus in a purple robe and put a crown of thorns on his head. They made fun of him, spit on him, and pretended to worship him. Then they gave back his own robes to him and led him away to be crucified. Those who were going to be crucified had to carry their own crosses. Jesus was too weak to carry his cross, and so the guards grabbed a man in the crowd named Simon, from Cyrene, to help him.

Jesus was crucified between two robbers. A sign was placed at the top of the cross. It read “King of the Jews.” The soldiers rolled dice to see who would get to keep his clothes.

As Jesus hung on the cross, people in the crowd yelled insults at him. Some of them said that they would believe on him if he would come down from the cross. Others said that he saved others, but he couldn’t save himself. Even the robbers insulted him.

From noon until three in the afternoon, a strange darkness came over all the land. Jesus cried out to God, “Why have you forsaken me?” Someone gave Jesus something to drink. Then Jesus cried out again and died. Immediately the huge curtain in the temple was torn from the top to the bottom and an earthquake started. Jesus had willingly died for our sins. This made it possible for us to have forgiveness from God.

Pilate gave permission for a rich man named Joseph from the town of Arimathea to get Jesus’ body. Joseph had become a follower of Jesus. He took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that had been cut out of rock. A large stone was rolled in front of the opening.

The Pharisees went to Pilate and requested a guard to be placed at the tomb to be sure that Jesus’ disciples didn’t steal the body and pretend that he had risen. Pilate granted their request.

At dawn after the day of worship, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel had come, rolled back the stone, and was sitting on it. The angel’s appearance was “like lightning and his clothes were as white as snow.” The guards were so scared they couldn’t move.

The angel spoke to the women and told them not to be afraid. He said he knew they had come looking for Jesus, but Jesus was not there. He had risen, just as he said. He told them to hurry back to the disciples and tell them that Jesus had risen and would see them in Galilee.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 32 of 42

As the women were leaving, Jesus suddenly met them. They hugged his feet and worshiped him. Jesus told them to go and tell his disciples to go to Galilee, where they would see him.

Trekking to the Summit!

(Review Bible Story)

Resources needed: Poster board (light blue); black marker; four gift bags (from Session 3); Resource Item 21: Game Questions; 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock

Prepare: Draw a mountain the size of the poster board. Draw a winding path to the top of the mountain. Divide the winding path into forty sections (like a game board). Copy questions onto cardstock. Cut apart the questions (without the answers), and place the questions in the appropriate bag. The questions are grouped according to their point value. Copy the questions and answers for the teachers. The mountain poster board is a game board. Markers, such as coins or buttons, can be used to move up the mountain to indicate the success of the trek.

Teach: Place the mountain in the center of the large group. Divide the children into their small groups.Children take turns selecting the point value question they want to answer. Read the question, and instruct all children in the group to work together to state the answer. The point value of the questions will indicate how many spaces they move up the mountain when they answer the question correctly. The object is to “trek” to the summit as one team. Questions from the previous day’s story can be used if desired or needed. Play the game as you did on Day 3. Ask the questions from today’s session, and then move to review questions from the previous sessions.

Transition to Small Group Activities: Give directions about moving into small groups. Make sure you add new children to a group.

Small Group Bible Activity

Memory Verse Board (Bible Learning Activity)

Session 4 Instructions:

Continue the activity by using the instructions given in Session 1.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 33 of 42

Happy Trails!

(Closing activity or activity at the end of group time)

Resources needed: Tongue depressors or large craft sticks (3 per child); fine point permanent markers; brads (1 per child)

Prepare: Drill a small hole at the end of the three tongue depressors (large enough for a brad to go through the hole and hold the three sticks together).

Guide the Activity: Review the memory verse using the hand motions. Explain that today we learned that “The Bible Promises a Savior.” This Savior is Jesus. He never did anything wrong. He never sinned, and he was willing to die for us so that when we believe, God forgives us.

Direct the children to print “A/Admit” on the first stick, “B/Believe” on the second stick and “C/Confess” on the third one. Join the sticks together with the brad. Tell the children that A means that you admit or say to God that you have sinned. The B means that you believe that Jesus is God’s Son. The C means that you confess or say that Jesus is your Savior. When you confess you are also saying that God is in control of your life and everything you do. The choices you make should be what God wants you to do. He is the boss.

Tell the children that if they have questions about becoming a Christian that you will be glad to talk with them after the session. Tell your pastor or childhood minister if there are any children who asked about becoming a Christian. Pray with the children, thanking God for sending Jesus to die for us. Collect children’s name tags at the end of the session. Allow the children to take the ABC sticks home.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 35 of 42

Session 5 The Bible Is for Telling Others

Biblical Truth		Paul told others about Jesus
Teaching Aim		Children will learn that God wants us to tell others about Jesus
Memory Verse		For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard (Acts 4:20).
Bible Story		Paul Told People About Jesus (Acts 17:16-34)

Prepare to Teach

Teacher Devotional

Today is the last day of Vacation Bible School. You have worked so hard to prepare for this week. Every moment of preparation, minute of teaching, and thought in prayer is a tangible investment in our children and in the kingdom. What you do this week, however small or seemingly insignificant, becomes significant in the fact that you did this in the name of Jesus Christ.

During this session, young children will hear the story of Philip and the man from Ethiopia (Acts 8). Elementary-age children will hear the story of Paul at the Areopagus (Acts 17), where he told the people of Athens about Jesus. Boys and girls in our secular world are bombarded with messages that shape their worldview. They attend school with children of many different faiths and children with no faith background. Children hear the message that there is not just one way to God but many ways. Families live in such affluence that it is very easy for materialism to become the religion of our children—worshiping the god of fashion, technology, credit cards, and sports.

In both of these stories, Philip and Paul encountered people who were searching for the truth. The adviser from Ethiopia was searching for the God of the Bible. The people at the Areopagus were attempting to avoid offending a god that they did not know, and so they made a statue to the unknown god. In their respective encounters with people, Philip and Paul seized the opportunity to point them to Scripture and to the God who sent his one and only Son.

Finish off your week ensuring that boys and girls know and hear how important the Bible is and the Savior it tells of within its pages. Also, help boys and girls know that they can help others

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 36 of 42

Know that we love you and appreciate all your work on Vacation Bible School. Without you, children would go untaught and live unchanged. God has used you this week. I am reminded of the stories of early Christians who lived in a world where children were not valued or loved. As a matter of fact, Roman fathers could discard and abandon an infant for any reason, and the child would be left to starve at the city dump. Christians in the first centuries would rescue these babies and give them not only homes but the opportunity to know Christ. This week you have continued a rich heritage of Christians who have rescued, if not physically but spiritually, children from being lost for eternity.

Guide the Session

Large Group Activities

Gear Up!

(Welcome Activity)

Resources needed: Same as Days 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Prepare: Check the campfire area to be sure things are in place.

Trailhead!

(Memory Verse Activity)

Resources needed: Resource Item 3: Session Titles and Memory Verses; poster board or large piece of butcher paper

Prepare: Place the session title and memory verse in the backpack on the focal wall. Write the memory verse in the colors indicated for a choral reading on a large piece of butcher paper or poster board:

Red: “For we” Blue: “cannot help” Red: “speaking about” Blue: “what we”

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 37 of 42 Vacation Bible School Middle Children Bible Teacher. “Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word.” Copyright © 2007 BAPTISTWAY PRESS®. Not to be sold. A ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. www.baptistwaypress.org. These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

Red: “have seen and heard.” Black: Acts 4:20

Teach: Review the verses and titles of sessions completed this week. Remove the verse and title for today from the backpack. Attach it to the focal wall. Read the entire verse together several times. Then divide the children into a red group and a blue group to read chorally. All the children will state the reference. Alternate the groups so all children can read both parts.

Take the Trek!

(Bible Story)

Resources needed: Resource Item 23: Paul’s Monologue; 11″ x 17″ copy paper (2 sheets); marker

Prepare: Write “God” at the top of one 11″ x 17″ paper and “Jesus” at the top of the other.

Teach: Show the paper to the children and read the two words. Explain to the children that it is important for us to be aware of what we know about God and Jesus so we can tell other people. Instruct children to brainstorm and state what they know about God and Jesus. Record their responses.

Paul Told People About Jesus (Acts 17:16-34)

Prepare: Enlist a teacher to portray the Apostle Paul. Ask the teacher to dress in a biblical costume and present the story as a monologue. “Paul” is to remain outside the classroom until the cue to enter.

Teach: Our Bible story today is from the Book of Acts in the New Testament. Acts is found after the four Gospels and is the only book in the History division in the New Testament. This story is about a man named Paul. Paul knew many things about God and Jesus and wanted to share with people who did not know anything. Paul believed that Jesus was God’s Son who had died and risen from the dead. I wish Paul could be here himself to tell you about this exciting time in his life.

(The following monologue is printed as Resource Item 24 for the teacher to use as he or she prepares for the monologue.)

Paul: (Paul enters.) Hello, (teacher’s name). I can grant your wish because here I am. I would be glad to tell the children about my time in Athens. (Greet the children.)

In my travels to tell about Jesus, I went to the city of Athens. Many different kinds of people lived there. Most of them liked talking about and learning new things. There were beautiful buildings and even a university. It was the intellectual, artistic, and religious capital of the world.

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 38 of 42 Vacation Bible School Middle Children Bible Teacher. “Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word.” Copyright © 2007 BAPTISTWAY PRESS®. Not to be sold. A ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. www.baptistwaypress.org. These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

These people believed in many gods and goddesses and had statues all over the city to honor them. There were almost more idols than people. This distressed me, and I felt very sad.

I went to the synagogue, or place of worship, where there were Jews and those who were not Jewish but did worship God. I used the teachings in the Old Testament to show them that Jesus was the Messiah, or Savior, told about in the Old Testament Scriptures. I also went into the marketplace where people met to talk, buy, sell, and trade things. I talked to everyone I could and told them that Jesus had died for their sins and had risen from the dead. Many philosophers were there talking about what they believed. The philosophers were people who liked to talk about and try to understand various ideas about the meaning of life. They had never heard what I was saying about Jesus, and they wanted to know more.

I was taken to the Areopagus, an open-air meeting place where people talked about important matters. The philosophers said they wanted to know about this new teaching I was presenting. They said I was bringing some strange new ideas to their ears, and they wanted to know what they meant. The Athenians, people who lived in Athens, and visitors from other places spent their time talking and listening to the latest ideas.

There were two main groups of philosophers, or thinkers, who were curious. One group was the Epicureans. They believed that people should just seek pleasure and happiness. To them, if there really were any gods anywhere, they were not part of the happenings in human lives. The Epicureans did not believe in life after death, and so the idea of heaven was not acceptable. The other main group of philosophers was the Stoics. They believed that God existed in everything and everyone and that each event in life happened because it was supposed to happen. The Stoics did not believe in good or evil, and they just ignored the concerns of others. These are the people who wanted me to explain more about Jesus.

I started by giving them a compliment. I told them that I could tell that they were religious because of all their objects of worship. Remember, statues and idols were everywhere. I told them I noticed an altar that said, “To an unknown God.” I said that I would tell them about this “unknown God.” They were pleased by this and were ready to listen. So this is what I told them.

This “unknown God” is the God who made the world and everything in it. He is the Lord of heaven and earth. He does not need these statues or anything humans can make. He is the one who gives life and breath and all things. God made all the different races of people and decided when and where they would live on earth. He did this so people would search, reach out, and find him. He is close to all of us. “In him we live and move and have our being.” Some of your own poets have said this very thing. They wrote, “We are his children.” Since we are God’s children, how can God be a stone figure or shrine which was made by people and comes from human imagination? God is patient and has overlooked the idols because you were ignorant or did not know the truth. But now God commands all people to repent, which means to change your minds. He has set a day when the world will be judged. God has chosen this man Jesus to be the judge. He proved this when he raised Jesus from the dead.

At this time some of the listeners laughed out loud. It was more than they could understand, and

__________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 39 of 42 Vacation Bible School Middle Children Bible Teacher. “Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word.” Copyright © 2007 BAPTISTWAY PRESS®. Not to be sold. A ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. www.baptistwaypress.org. These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

they were not ready to believe. Some of the listeners were a bit more polite and told me they would like to hear more about it later. A few heard and believed that Jesus was God’s Son and had been raised from the dead. A man named Dionysius and a woman named Damaris were among those who became followers.

After this I left the city of Athens and went to Corinth. I hoped more people would believe, but I knew that I had done what God wanted me to do. It is important to know about Jesus and God and be able to tell others what you know so others will come to believe also. Thank you for letting me tell you about my experience in Athens. (Paul exits.)

Trekking to the Summit!

(Review Bible Story)

Resources needed: Resource Item 24: Game Questions; four gift bags (used in Sessions 3 and 4); 8 ½” x 11″ cardstock; mountain game board (used in Session 4); button or penny

Prepare: Print Resource Item 24 on cardstock. Cut them apart. Place the questions in the appropriate numbered bag.

Teach: Review the information children stated about God and Jesus. Tell them to indicate information on their lists that Paul used in Athens. Divide the children into their small groups. Children will take turns selecting the point value question they want to answer. Read the question, and instruct all children in the group to work together to state the answer. The object is to “trek” to the summit as one team. Questions from the previous day’s story can be used if desired or needed. Play the game as you did on Day 4. Ask the questions from today’s session, and then move to review questions from the previous sessions.

Transition to Small Group Activities: Give directions about moving into small groups. Make sure you add new children to a group.

Small Group Bible Activity

Memory Verse Board (Bible Learning Activity)

Session 5 Instructions:

Finish the activity today. Place the beads on the wire and then insert the wire into the board to make the hanger. Happy Trails!

(Closing activity or activity at the end of group time)

Resources needed: Resource Item 26: Megaphone Memory Verse; pencils

Prepare: Print the megaphones and cut them apart.

Teach: Tell the children that today we learned that “The Bible Is for Telling Others.” Just as Paul went to Athens, we go to places in our community. Distribute a megaphone and a pencil to each child. Repeat the verse in unison several times. Instruct children to write on the back of the megaphone the name of one person they want to tell about Jesus.

Vacation Bible School Middle Children Bible Teacher. “Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word.” Copyright © 2007 BAPTISTWAY PRESS®. Not to be sold. A ministry of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. www.baptistwaypress.org. These VBS materials are produced by BAPTISTWAY PRESS^® based on materials developed by Park Cities Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: 2009Info, 2009Mission

« 實用的中醫網站 VBS material 1-3rd Grade »

佳樂文庫

North Texas Chinese Pastors

Blogroll

Planting church

Top Posts

Top Clicks

Authors

Pages

Blog Stats

Spam Blocked

Recent Comments

Categories

Tags

Meta

Archives