VBS material 1-3rd Grade

May 2009
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Posted on May 5, 2009 by 佳樂人

____________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 58 Vacation Bible School Early Childhood Bible Teacher—Older Years. “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. 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.

Vacation Bible School

Early Childhood Bible Teacher—Older Years

(Entering Kindergarten and First Grade)

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

Concept Area:	The Bible
Overview:	This week the children will hear stories from the Old and New Testaments about the Bible. Through various activities, the children will hear and learn that the Bible is a special book.
Session 1:	The Bible Is From God
	(Exodus 19—20)
Session 2:	The Bible Helps Us Live (2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3)
Session 3:	The Bible Tells of Jesus
	(Matthew 5—7)
Session 4:	The Bible Promises a Savior
	(Luke 4:14-21)
Session 5:	The Bible Is for Telling Others (Acts 8:4-6, 26-30)

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 Center activity was written by DeRema Dunn. She is a retired elementary school teacher. She is also an experienced writer and conference leader. She has taught preschool Sunday School for seventeen years. 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.

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VBS Unit Overview

Session 1	Session 2	Session 3	Session 4	Session 5
Session Title	Session Title	Session Title	Session Title	Session Title
The Bible Is	The Bible Helps	The Bible Tells	The Bible	The Bible Is for
from God	Us Live	of Jesus	Promises a Savior	Telling Others
Bible Truth	Bible Truth	Bible Truth	Bible Truth	Bible Truth
Moses received	Josiah read the	Jesus told the	Jesus read the	Philip helped the
the Ten	Bible scroll and	people that the	Bible scroll and	man understand
Commandments	told the people	Bible was true and	told the people that	the Bible.
from God.	how to obey God.	from God.	God had promised
			he would come.
Bible Story	Bible Story	Bible Story	Bible Story	Bible Story
Moses and	King Josiah Helps	Jesus Tells the	Jesus Reads the	Philip Helps the
the Ten	the People Love	People What the	Bible Scroll	Man Understand
Commandments	and Obey God	Bible Says	(Luke 4:14-21)	the Bible
(Exodus 19—20)	(2 Kings 22:1-13;	(Matthew 5—7)		(Acts 8:4-6, 26-30)
	23:1-3)
Bible Verses	Bible Verses	Bible Verses	Bible Verses	Bible Verses
We will obey God	All God’s	Love God and	I will remember	Go and tell others
(Joshua 24:24).	words are true	love others	what the	about Jesus
	(Psalm 119:160).	(Luke 10:27).	Bible says	(Matthew 28:19).
I will do what the			(Psalm 119:93).
Bible says	The Bible is true	Be kind to		People at church
(Psalm 119:44).	(John 17:17).	one another	Jesus read the	told others about
		(Ephesians 4:32).	Bible at church	Jesus (Acts 5:42).
Central Verse:	Central Verse:		(Luke 4:16).
God said, “Do	The Bible is useful	Central Verse:		Central Verse:
what I tell you to	for teaching us	Love God with all	Central Verse:	Philip told the
do” (Exodus 19:5).	how to live	your heart	Jesus said, “The	good news about
	(2 Timothy 3:16).	(Deuteronomy	Bible tells about	Jesus (Acts 8:35).
		6:5).	me” (John 5:39).
Learning Aims	Learning Aims	Learning Aims	Learning Aims	Learning Aims
Feel: God’s rules	Feel: God’s rules	Feel: Children will	Feel: Children will	Feel: Children will
help us feel safe and	make us feel happy;	feel that being kind	feel that the Bible is	feel that Bible
happy.	disobeying make us	is one way to be like	important.	stories are important
Know: Children will	feel sad.	Jesus.	Know: Children will	by the way adults
hear the word obey	Know: Children will	Know: Children will	know that the Bible	use the Bible.
and know that God	know that the Bible	know that Jesus tells	promised that Jesus	Know: Children will
wants them to obey	is a book from God	us how to live.	would come to teach	know that we can
his rules.	and helps us know	Do: Children will	them how to live.	use the Bible to tell
Do: Children will	how to live.	identify ways to be	Do: Children will	people about Jesus.
identify ways they	Do: Children will	kind to others.	identify ways to use	Do: Children will
can obey God.	identify ways the		the Bible.	identify ways to tell
	Bible helps them.			Bible stories to
	know what to do.			friends.

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Session 1	Session 2	Session 3	Session 4	Session 5
*Meet at the Trailhead* (Welcome Activity) Add paper doll people to the mural.	*Meet at the Trailhead* (Welcome Activity) Add compasses to the mural.	*Meet at the Trailhead* (Welcome Activity) Add baskets to the mural.	*Meet at the Trailhead* (Welcome Activity) Add animal footprints to the mural.	*Meet at the Trailhead* (Welcome Activity) Add horses to the mural.
*Lookouts Along*	*Lookouts Along*	*Lookouts Along*	*Lookouts Along*	*Lookouts Along*
*the Trail*	*the Trail*	*the Trail*	*the Trail*	*the Trail*
(Bible Learning	(Bible Learning	(Bible Learning	(Bible Learning	(Bible Learning
Activities)	Activities)	Activities)	Activities)	Activities)
Art: Make a	Art: Make Bible	Art: Make Bible	Art: Make a	Art: Make stick
backpack.	scrolls.	verse bandanas.	picture frame.	horses.
Blocks: Pack for	Blocks: Repair	Blocks: Go on a	Blocks: Build a	Blocks: Play
a trip.	the church.	camping trip.	church.	with road mats
Dramatic Play:	Dramatic Play:	Dramatic Play	Dramatic Play:	and
Make trail mix.	Clean the church.	and Snack:	Experience how	transportation
Missions: Make	Missions: Learn	Make and eat	it feels to be	vehicles.
a medical collage.	about Mission	pancakes.	different.	Dramatic Play:
Nature: Draw on	Lubbock.	Missions: Learn	Missions: Draw	Write and mail
chalkboards.	Nature: Find a	about missions in	a picture for	letters.
Puzzles: Play a	Bible.	Appalachia.	soldiers in Iraq.	Missions: Learn
matching game.	Puzzles: Sort	Nature: Make a	Nature: Make	about missions in
Bible Memory:	screws, nuts,	prayer booklet.	bird feeders.	New Orleans.
Dig for treasure.	bolts, and	Puzzles: Play a	Bible Memory:	Nature: Play
Snack: Eat trail	washers.	bird and flower	Place Bible	with sand.
mix.	Bible Memory: Play a team Bible memory game Snack: Eat Fruit Roll-up® “scrolls”.	matching game. Bible Memory: Play “Trace a verse” game.	verses in order. Snack: Make corn dogs.	Puzzles: Play a matching game. Bible Memory: Play “Add a word” game. Snack: Make S’mores.
*Trail’s End Backpack Adventure Game* (Closing Activity) Review Bible stories and truths.	*Trail’s End Backpack Adventure Game* (Closing Activity) Review Bible stories and truths.	*Trail’s End Backpack Adventure Game* (Closing Activity) Review Bible stories and truths.	*Trail’s End Backpack Adventure Game* (Closing Activity) Review Bible stories and truths.	*Trail’s End Backpack Adventure Game* (Closing Activity) Review Bible stories and truths.

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Dear Parent,

We are so excited to have your child in VBS this week! Our unit title this week is Wilderness Mountain Adventure—Trekking Through the Truths of God’s Word. We will take a trip through the Old and New Testaments this week and hear stories about the Bible.

Each day, your child will participate in Bible learning activities that are designed to help your child apply the Bible story and Bible concepts to everyday life. Your child will hear a paraphrased version of the Bible verses in language appropriate for the age group. Please read these verses and help your child understand the meaning and application for his or her life!

The following Bible stories and Bible verses are given so you will know how to talk with your child about his or her day at VBS!

Session 1: Moses and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19—20)

Bible Verses: God said, “Do what I tell you to do” (Exodus 19:5). We will obey God (Joshua 24:24). I will do what the Bible says (Psalm 119:44).

Session 2: King Josiah Helps the People Love and Obey God (2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3)

Bible Verses: All God’s words are true (Psalm 119:160). The Bible is useful for teaching us how to live (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is true (John 17:17).

Session 3: Jesus Tells the People What the Bible Says (Matthew 5—7)

Bible Verses: Love God and love others (Luke 10:27). Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32). Love God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Session 4: Jesus Reads the Bible Scroll (Luke 4:14-21)

Bible Verses: I will remember what the Bible says (Psalm 119:93). Jesus read the Bible at church (Luke 4:16). Jesus said, “The Bible tells about me” (John 5:39).

Session 5: Philip Helps the Man Understand the Bible (Acts 8:4-6, 26-30)

Bible Verses: Go and tell others about Jesus (Matthew 28:19). People at church told others about Jesus (Acts 5:42). Philip told the good news about Jesus (Acts 8:35).

Blessings,

Your child’s teachers

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Session 1: The Bible Is from God

Bible Truth	Moses received the Ten Commandments from God.
Bible Verses	We will obey God (Joshua 24:24). I will do what the Bible says (Psalm 119:44). Central Verse: God said, “Do what I tell you to do” (Exodus 19:5).
Learning Aims	Feel: God’s rules help us feel safe and happy. Know: *Children will hear the word obey* and know that God wants them to obey his rules. Do: Children will identify ways they can obey God.**
Bible Story	Moses and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19-20)

Preparing for the Session

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.

As you teach preschoolers and children on Monday, please focus each word, thought, and prayer on helping them understand that the Bible and the Ten Commandments help us know how to

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Bible Memory: Dig for Treasure.

Team member responsible: ______________________

Materials needed: Cat litter box; play sand; plastic shovels; small stones or rocks; permanent marker; drop cloth

Preparation: Place the drop cloth on the floor. Fill the litter box with sand and place it on the drop cloth. Write the words of the Bible verse, “Do what God says” (Exodus 19:5), on the small stones with a permanent marker (one word per stone). Bury the stones in the sand. You may also write the words of the other Bible verses on the stones.

Guide the activity: Have the children sit around the box filled with sand. Read to the children a paraphrase of Exodus 19:5: “Obey me . . . and you will be my special treasure.” Tell the children that we are very special to God and he wants us to do what he tells us to do. Say the Bible verse, “Do what God says” (Exodus 19:5) together as a group several times. Let one child dig in the sand with the shovel until he finds a stone. Read together what the stone says. If it is the first word of the verse, the child will lay the stone on the table. If not, he will bury it back in the sand. Let each child take a turn digging until each stone of the verse is found in the correct order. Do the same activity for the other Bible verses. For children entering kindergarten, the teacher may pre-print the verses on construction paper and simply match the stones to the words as the children find them.

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Bible conversation: As the children find the verse, open your Bible to each of the verses and show the children where it is found in the Bible.

Campfire Story Time (Bible Story Group Time)

Materials needed: Resource Item 7: Stone Bible Markers; gray or tan 8 ½” x 11″ copy paper; brown or gray poster board (2 or 3 pieces) ; teaching picture of Moses and the Ten Commandments; compass; 9″ x 12″ construction paper

Teacher preparation: Create a story time area that you will use every day. You may want to find a “stump” to sit on, create a “campfire” from sticks and paper, or set up a tent. Create stones for the children to sit on by drawing a 12″ circle or oval shape on brown or gray poster board. Laminate the poster board, and then cut out each stone shape. Each child’s name could be put on the stone if desired. Help each child find a special stone on which to sit for story time. Copy the stone Bible markers on gray or tan copy paper. Place them in your Bible. Hide a Bible somewhere in the room, and prepare a simple set of clues using the directions north, east, south, and west to help locate the Bible. Write the directions north, east, south, and west individually on construction paper. For example, Go west until you reach a table. Go north to the wall.

Gather together: Hold up a compass for the children to see and explain to the group how a compass works. Review the directions north, east, south, and west, and place a sign on each wall to show these four directions. Read the first direction and call on a child to follow that direction. Then read the second clue, calling on another child to take the first child’s place and follow that direction. Continue until the Bible is located. Tell the group that the Bible is a very special book

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and that God gave it to us to teach us how to live. This week in VBS we will be learning more about this special book, the Bible.

Tell the Bible Story: Open your Bible to Exodus 19-20. Try to be familiar enough with the story that you are telling it and just not reading it.

Moses and the Ten Commandments

Walking, walking, walking, the people were following Moses to a new place to live. God had promised this place would have sweet honey and wonderful pastures for their animals.

On their journey, the people had faced many problems, but each time God had helped them through their problem. In the desert they had been afraid, but God protected them. In the wilderness, they had no food, and God gave them food. In the heat of the journey, they had no water, and God gave them water. They did not know which direction to go, and so God helped Moses know what direction to go.

The people of Israel walked near a large mountain. The mountain was called Mount Sinai. Moses told the people to make a camp near the mountain. While the people made a camp, Moses went to the top of the mountain to talk and listen to God. He walked and climbed. He hiked and pulled his way to the top of the mountain. In a special place, God told Moses that he loved the people of Israel. He wanted them to be like a special treasure to him. God gave Moses a list of rules to help the people know how to live, how to treat other people, and how to love God. Moses walked and hiked down the mountain.

Moses gathered the people together and told them how much God loved them. He told them he had a list of rules that would help them know how to make good choices. Moses read the list to the people, and they listened.

1. Worship God only.

2. Do not worship anyone or anything else.

3. Always say God’s name in a kind and loving way.

4. Each week have one day to rest and worship God.

5. Love and obey your father and mother.

6. Do not kill anyone.

7. Husbands and wives should love each other and keep their wedding promises.

8. Do not take something that belongs to another person.

9. Always tell the truth.

10. Be happy with what God has given you, and do not wish for things that belong to other people.

God loved the people and gave to them rules or commandments to know how to live so they could be happy and safe.

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Gather together: Tell the group that the Bible is a very special book and that God gave it to us to teach us how to live. This week in Vacation Bible School we will be learning more about this special book, the Bible.

Review the Bible story and read Bible verses: Show the picture of Moses and the Ten Commandments to the children. Review the story as you point to different items in the picture. Place die-cut stone Bible markers in the Bible at the correct references for today’s Bible verses. Invite a child to select a marker from the Bible. Read the Bible verse aloud to the group several times. Repeat the Bible phrase together as a group. Repeat until all verses have been read.

Make life application: God gave us the Bible so we can know how he wants us to live and how to please him. We make God happy when we do what he tells us to do. What are some of the rules God gave Moses? How can we worship God? What are some ways to show love to our parents?

Pray: Dear God, thank you for giving us the Bible. Help us to listen to your words and obey them. Amen.

Life application: What are some rules your mom and dad have at your house? What are some rules in our room at church?

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Session 2: The Bible Helps Us Live

Bible Truth	Josiah read the Bible scroll and told the people how to obey God.
Bible Verses	All God’s words are true (Psalm 119:160). Central Verse: The Bible is useful for teaching us how to live (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is true (John 17:17).
Learning Aims	Feel: God’s rules make us feel happy; disobeying make us feel sad. Know: Children will know that the Bible is a book from God and helps us know how to live. Do: Children will identify ways the Bible helps them know what to do.
Bible Story	King Josiah Helps the People Love and Obey God Again (2 Kings 22:1-13; 23:1-3)

Preparing for the Session

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

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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.

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.

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Bible Memory Activity: Play a team Bible memory game.

Materials needed: Permanent markers; poster board (6 different colors); masking tape

Preparation: Laminate the poster board before cutting it. Cut the poster board into large stone shapes, using one-fourth sheet of poster board per stone. Write the Bible verse words on the stones—All/God’s/words/are/true/Psalm 119:160; The/Bible/is/useful/for/teaching/us/how/to /live/ (2 Timothy 3:16); The/Bible/is/true/ (John 17:17). Tape one Bible verse to the floor at a time.

Guide the activity: This is a movement activity designed to encourage retention and understanding of the memory verse. Show the children how to hop along the stones. Encourage the group (not individuals) to repeat the words as the child hops to each successive stone. At the final stone, the group (not individuals) will repeat the entire verse in unison. Sit on the floor near the words to assist guiding the children in saying the verse.

Bible story conversation: We know that everything in the Bible is absolutely true. All of God’s words help us know how to live and we know that they are true. Thank you, God, for teaching us how to live.

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Campfire Story Time (Bible Story Group Time)

Materials needed: Bible; Resource Item 11: Bible Verse Markers; 8 ½” x 11″ colored copy paper; teaching picture of King Josiah and the lost Bible scroll

Preparation: Follow instructions given in Session 1 for preparing for group time. Place the stones in a circle on the floor for the children to sit on. Copy the Bible markers on colored paper. Cut them apart and place them in the Bible.

Gather together: Tell the group that the Bible is a very special book and that God gave it to us to teach us how to live.

Listen to our story about the lost Bible. Listen to see who found the Bible.

Tell the Bible story: Open your Bible to 2 Kings 22:1-3; 23:1-3.

King Josiah Helps the People Love and Obey God Again

Josiah became king when he was eight years old. He was a good king and tried to love and obey God, but the people in his country did not love and obey God. They did not go to the temple (church). They did not pray to God. They did not obey God. King Josiah wanted to help them

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learn to love and obey God again. He decided that he wanted to rebuild the temple (church) in Jerusalem. He called his secretary, Shaphan, and told him to command Hilkiah, the priest, to begin rebuilding the temple (church).

Hilkiah, the priest, gave the Bible scroll to Shaphan. Shaphan, the secretary, took the lost Bible scroll to King Josiah. When Shaphan read the Bible scroll, King Josiah became very sad. He began to see how poorly the people were acting and how God must have been very unhappy with how the people were not loving and obeying him. Josiah called all the people together at the temple (church).

All the people began to arrive. There were older people. There were big people. There were small people. All the people came. The moms, the dads, and the children came to hear what the king had to say. King Josiah told the people to listen to the rules from the lost Bible scroll. The people listened. They heard the words from the Bible scroll. They heard how they had stopped obeying God and worshipping him. They made a promise to God that they would obey him. All the people made this promise.

King Josiah rebuilt the temple (church), but that was not the only change. The people changed and began to love and obey God again.

Review Bible story and read Bible verses: Show the teaching picture of King Josiah and review the Bible story. Place the Bible markers in the Bible at the correct references for today’s Bible verses. Invite a child to select a marker from the Bible. Read the Bible verse aloud to the group several times. Repeat the Bible phrase together as a group. Repeat until all verses have been read.

Make life application: Can you imagine how hard it must have been to find things among all of the dust and trash? What do we do to help clean up when there is a big mess at our house? Have you ever lost anything in your messy room? Encourage children to talk about how they can help clean up at home. What does it mean to obey God? What are ways that we can obey God? How can you obey your parents and teachers? Encourage children to talk about how they can obey their parents, teachers, and other adults. Talk about how we can make good choices in our everyday lives.

Pray: Thank you, God, for teaching us how to obey you. Thank you for teaching us to make good choices.

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Vacation Bible School Early Childhood Bible Teacher—Older Years. “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.Early Childhood Bible Teacher—Older Years. “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.

Session 3: The Bible Tells of Jesus

Bible Truth	Jesus told the people that the Bible was true and from God.
Bible Verses	Love God and love others (Luke 10:27). Be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32). Central Verse: Love God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).
Learning Aims	Feel: Children will feel that being kind is one way to be like Jesus. Know: Children will know that Jesus tells us how to live. Do: Children will identify ways to be kind to others.
Bible Story	Jesus Tells the People What the Bible Says (Matthew 5—7)

Preparing for the Session

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.

In the middle section of the sermon (Matt. 6), Jesus reminded the people to depend on God. The best way to grow in our dependence on God is to pray sincerely and follow the Word of God.

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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.

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Bible Memory Activity: Play “Trace a verse” game.

Team member responsible: _________________

Materials needed: Resource Item 15: Bible Verse Markers; 8 ½” x 11″ copy paper; markers, crayons, or colored pencils; Bible

Preparation: Make a copy of the Bible verse markers. Tape a piece of white copy paper to the paper. Trace the letters of the words in “dot” letters so the children can trace the letters. Make copies for each child.

Guide the activity: Allow children to use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to trace the letters of the Bible verse. Demonstrate for the children how to trace the letters if needed. Then, find the Bible verses in the Bible.

Bible conversation: God has given us so many important verses in the Bible. I’m glad you’re learning those verses this week.

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Campfire Story (Bible Story Group Time)

Materials needed: Bible; Resource Item 15: Bible Verse Markers; bird and flower stickers; gift bag; 8 ½” x 11″ colored copy paper; teaching picture of Jesus teaching on the mountain

Preparation: Copy the Bible verse markers on colored paper. Put bird and flower stickers on the Bible markers. Place them in the Bible. Place one Bible marker with a bird sticker and one Bible marker with a flower sticker in a gift bag.

Gather together: Follow instructions given in Session 1 for preparing the group time area. Gather children together for group story time. Signal the activity transition by playing a game of “Follow the Leader” to the campfire area. Talk to the children about how some people who wanted to be near Jesus followed him up a hill.

Tell the Bible Story: Open your Bible to Matthew 5—7.

People began to hear about Jesus. They traveled from long distances to hear him talk about God’s love. Sick people came to have Jesus make them well. They packed their food and clothes. They brought blankets to sit and sleep on for their trip. Jesus wanted to teach the people about the Bible. He gathered the people on a mountain. The people could see and hear Jesus at the top of the hill.

Some of the people would get angry when someone else would do something wrong. These people wanted the people who did wrong to be punished. They were happy when the people were punished. Jesus told the crowds to forgive people. Jesus said that we should say, “It’s okay,” when someone apologizes. We should not be angry with them. Jesus wanted the people sitting on the mountainside to know that God loves everyone, even those who make bad choices. He wants us to love them, too.

Jesus also wanted the people to know how to pray and give to others. He told the people to give money to the church, not because it would make people happy or because they want people to say, “thank you.” He said to give to poor people and to the church because it would please God.

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When Jesus finished teaching on the mountainside, the people were amazed. They could not believe that someone could explain the Bible so well. The people understood the Bible better when they listened to Jesus. They had never had a teacher like Jesus.

Review the Bible story and read Bible verses: Show the picture of Jesus teaching on the mountain. Review the Bible story. Place in the Bible at the correct references Bible markers for today’s Bible verses. Invite a child to select one of the markers from the gift bag. If the child chooses a marker with a bird sticker, he or she may choose a Bible verse marker from the Bible that has a bird sticker. If a child chooses from the gift bag a marker with a flower sticker, he or she would choose a marker with a flower sticker from the Bible. Read the Bible verse aloud to the group several times. Ask the group to repeat the Bible phrase. Repeat until all verses have been read.

Make life application: Jesus taught us how to talk to God or pray. What are some of the things we can tell God when we pray? (how we feel, thank him for things, tell him that we love him, ask him for help, etc.) When can you talk to God? Help children understand that we can pray to God any time we feel like praying. Most of the time when we see people praying they bow their head and close their eyes. Why do you think we do these things when we pray? Allow children to respond. Closing our eyes and bowing our heads can help us to concentrate on talking to God and not be distracted by things around us. Let’s pray together to God now. Instruct the children to bow their heads and close their eyes as they pray.

Pray: Thank you, God, for the Bible and for Jesus. Help us to be kind and to show love to you and other people.

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Session 4: The Bible Promises a Savior

Bible Truth	Jesus read the Bible scroll and told the people that God had promised he would come.
Bible Talk	I will remember what the Bible says (Psalm 119:93). Central Verse: Jesus read the Bible at church (Luke 4:16). Jesus said, “The Bible tells about me” (John 5:39).
Learning Aims	Feel: Children will feel that the Bible is important. Know: Children will know that the Bible promised that Jesus would come to teach them how to live. Do: Children will identify ways to use the Bible.
Bible Story	Jesus Reads the Bible Scroll (Luke 4:14-21)

Preparing for the Session

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.

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.

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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.

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Bible Memory Activity: Place Bible verses in order.

Team member responsible: __________________

Materials needed: 9″ x 12″ construction paper (yellow, blue, and red); masking tape

Preparation: Cut a strip 3″ x 12″ from each color of construction paper. Write each Bible verse on a different colored strip of construction paper, and display the verses on the wall. Write each individual word of the verses on the corresponding color of construction paper.

Guide the activity: Give each child one word of a verse. Read each verse and point to each word you read. Ask children holding “yellow” words to come forward. Ask them to arrange themselves in the correct word order for the verse. Remind them to look at the verse on the wall. When the words are in sequence, lead the group to say the verse together. Proceed with the “blue” words and then the “red” words until all verses have been completed and reviewed. Assist as needed.

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Campfire Story Time (Bible Story Group Time)

Materials needed: Bible; 8 ½” x 11″ colored copy paper; Resource Item 18: Bible Verse Markers; “Jesus” stickers; teaching picture of Jesus reading the Bible scroll

Preparation: Follow instructions given in Session 1 for preparing the group time area. Copy the Bible verse markers onto colored copy paper. Cut them apart, place a sticker of Jesus on the end of the strip and place the Bible markers in the Bible so the picture of Jesus sticks out of the Bible.

Gather together: Ask whether anyone has ever made a promise. Select a child to give you an example of a promise. Talk about what promise means. When you make a promise, it means you will do what you said you would do. For example, I promise to put my dirty clothes in the

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hamper. Or, you might promise not to do something. For example, I promise not to hit Ricky. God promised that Jesus would come to tell us how to live. Jesus told the people at the church (synagogue) that he was the one God had promised would come. Listen to our story. God promised that Jesus would come to tell us how to live.

Tell the Bible Story: Open your Bible to Luke 4:14-21. Try to be familiar with the story so you can tell it and not read it.

The Bible Promised that Jesus Would Come

Jesus walked back to his hometown of Nazareth. Jesus had been near the Jordan River, so he had to walk a long distance to arrive at home. He had to walk along dusty trails and rocky roads. Along the way, he began to teach others about God. The news spread through the area.

When Jesus came to his hometown, he went to the church (synagogue). The people were so happy to see him. He was a special guest because he had grown up in this town and now he had come home. The leaders at the church (synagogue) wanted Jesus to read the Bible scroll for everyone to hear. They gave Jesus the Bible scroll with the words written by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah wrote the words many years before Jesus was born. The people loved to hear these words because Isaiah promised that God’s Son would be born. The people looked forward to that day.

Jesus began to read words that said “God is with me. He has sent me to teach the good news. He has sent me to help blind people see. He has sent me to make sick people well.” When he finished reading the words of Isaiah, he rolled up the Bible scroll and sat down. Everyone was staring right at him to see what he would say next. It was so quiet. They could not believe this was Joseph’s son. He read the words from the Bible as if they were his very own words!

Jesus began to speak. He told them that this was the day they had waited for many years. This was the day Isaiah said would come. This was the day when God’s Son would come to show them how to love God and how to live for God. The people had waited many years for God to send his Son and now he was sitting among them.

Review the Bible story and read Bible verses: Show the picture of Jesus reading the Bible scroll. Review the story as you point to the picture. Invite a child to select a Bible marker. Ask whose picture is on the marker. Read the Bible verse aloud to the group several times. Repeat the Bible phrase together as a group. Repeat until all verses have been read.

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Make life application: God’s promise to send Jesus really happened. In the Bible, Jesus explains to us how we should live to have a good and happy life. How do we show love to God? How do we live for God? Jesus wants us to live as he told us in the Bible.

Pray: Dear God, thank you for sending Jesus to teach us how to make good choices so that we can have a happy and loving life. Thank you for the Bible, whicht tells us about Jesus. Amen.

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Session 5: The Bible Is for Telling Others

Bible Truth	The Bible is important, and we can use it to tell others about Jesus.
Bible Verses	Go and tell others about Jesus (Matthew 28:19). People at church told others about Jesus (Acts 5:42). Central Verse: Philip told the good news about Jesus (Acts 8:35).
Learning Aims	Feel: Children will feel that Bible stories are important by the way adults use the Bible. Know: Children will know that we can use the Bible to tell people about Jesus. Do: Children will identify ways to tell Bible stories to friends.
Bible Story	Philip Helps the Ethiopian Man Understand the Bible (Acts 8:4-6, 26-30)

Preparing for the Session

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.

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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.

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Bible Memory Activity: Play “Add a word game.”

Team member responsible: _____________________

Materials needed: Sentence strips; Bible

Preparation: Write the Bible verses on separate sentence strips.

Guide the activity: Ask a child to choose one of the sentence strips. Read the Bible verse to the children three or four times. Tell the children that you will start the game by saying the first word of the Bible verse. Then, the next person will say the first and second word, etc. Add a word each time until the whole verse has been recited. Try to say each Bible verse at least one time. This activity can be repeated over and over, but begin the verse with a different child each time.

Bible story conversation: Review the main parts of the Bible story of how Philip met a friend who had not heard the good news about Jesus. We have talked about lots of different ways to tell others about Jesus. Who can remember some of those ways?

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Campfire Story Time (Bible Story Group Time)

Materials needed: Bible; Resource Item 23: Bible Verse Markers; 8 ½” x 11″ copy paper (four colors); transportation stickers; teaching picture of Philip and the Ethiopian Man; picture of a chariot

Preparation: Follow instructions given in Session 1 for preparing the group time area. Copy the Bible verses on four colors of paper. Cut the verses apart and place a “transportation” sticker on each one. Place the Bible markers in the Bible so the transportation sticker sticks out of the Bible.

Gather together: Signal it is time to listen to the Bible story by “riding” a stick horse around and around and announcing for the children to gather in a circle around the campfire.

Tell the Bible Story: Open your Bible to Acts 8:4-6, 26-30 and tell the story in your own words.

Philip Tells Others About Jesus

Philip was traveling from town to town telling people about Jesus. All kinds of people wanted to hear about Jesus. Philip was busy walking from place to place and telling people about Jesus. An angel appeared to Philip and told him to pack his belongings and go south to a road that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza. When he arrived at the location, a very important person was waiting there. He was riding in a fancy carriage or chariot pulled by horses. Philip could tell that this was an important person. He was an important man from Ethiopia. This man helped take care of the money for the queen. The Ethiopian man had come to Jerusalem to worship God, but he did not understand how to worship and love God.

The man from Ethiopia wanted to know who Isaiah was writing about in the Bible scroll. Philip told him that Isaiah was writing about God’s Son, Jesus. He told the man from Ethiopia about

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The man from Ethiopia believed what the Bible scroll said. He wanted to love Jesus and obey him. Philip helped the man know how to be like Jesus. The man from Ethiopia was happy to read the Bible scroll and hear about Jesus.

Review Bible story and read Bible verses: Show the picture of Philip and the Ethiopian man and the picture of the chariot. Review the story as you point to the pictures. Place the Bible markers in the Bible at the correct references for today’s Bible verses. Invite a child who is sitting with hands in his or her lap and being very quiet to select a Bible marker. Read the Bible verse aloud to the group several times. Repeat the Bible phrase together as a group. Repeat until all verses have been read.

Make life application: Review how “Philip told the good news about Jesus to his friend” (Acts 8:35). Discuss ways the children can share the Bible with their friends. Talk about how it is important to know what is in the Bible so we can share it with others. Talk about ways they can be an example to their friends and family of the truths that are in the Bible.

Pray: Thank you, God, for giving us the Bible to help us learn more about you. Help us to tell people about Jesus. Amen.

Thank the children for coming to VBS and for helping make this a special week.

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