WELCOME HOME! VBS Leader's Guide. Room#: Name:

Transcription

1 WELCOME HOME! VBS 2015 Leader's Guide #: Name:

2 SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Vacation Bible School 2015 Table of Contents Title Page Curriculum 1 Overview - Theme Verse Leader s Guide 2 Overview Rotations 3 Lesson Plans 4-5 Monday 6-9 Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Key Information 26 for VBS Volunteers Teach Tips 27 for Classroom Management Heart Verse 29 Strategies Maps Lyrics VBS 2015: Welcome : Making a with Christ invites children into God s story as we discover that Christ is at home in God s house, with people who are sick and with people who make mistakes, with his friends and in our hearts. We come to know that where Christ is at home, we can be at home too, for Christ is with us wherever we go.

3 SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Vacation Bible School 2015 Curriculum Overview WELCOME HOME: Making a with Christ I was glad when they said, Let us go to the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1 Theme Verse Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Stories Where is Jesus? Luke 2:41-52 Through the Roof! A Son Comes! Dinner is Served Mark 14:12-25 and On the Road We Met a Man SSB 230 Mark 2:1-12 Luke 15:11-32 John 13:1-17 Luke 24:13-35 SSB 348 SSB 378 SSB 462 SSB 488 Jesus is at In God s House With the Sick With Sinners With Friends In our Hearts We are at with Jesus when we... come to God s house.... are sick and when we are helping those who are sick.... are forgiven and when we forgive others.... share a meal with others and when we serve others.... know that Jesus is with us wherever we go and that we will be welcome in Jesus heavenly home. Heart Verse Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Psalm 23:6 Come to me all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 Page 1

4 Children of God, WELCOME HOME! Leader Guide Overview TERM Story: Jesus is at home: We are at home with Christ when we... Heart verse: Who is God? Who am I? I Wonder: At : Hoping That: The Hard Things: Gathering Time: : Bringing it : DEFINITION This lists the story of the day and where it can be found in the Bible. Reading the scripture from your Bible & the Spark Story Bible, will be good preparation for each day. Welcome Curriculum is founded on theology related to the Sacrament of Communion. We are all welcome at God s table! Each story focuses on a particular place where Christ is at home. This is the main idea for the day. It is the take away. Teachers should emphasize this idea all day long. This is the memory verse for the day. This is the first of the two questions that people of faith are always asking. The answer to this first big question can be discovered in scripture and applied to our lives. Teachers may choose to incorporate this information into their daily lessons, or simply employ it as background information This is the second of the two questions that people of faith are always asking. The answers about our identity that we find in scripture inform us of our relationship to God, to one another and to God s creation. Teachers may choose to incorporate this information into their daily lessons, or simply employ it as background information I wonder questions help children find their place in the story, to make the story their own. Teachers will use these to initiate conversations about the story. This area contains more information about the story. It helps clarify what exactly to focus on with the children and what we experience and learn when we step into the living water of God s love. Here teachers will find the goals for the day. These points can help guide discussion in the classroom. Teachers can use these pointers to help answer some difficult questions that may come up from the day s lesson. This is the first time that the class gathers for the day. It is a time to connect with classmates and trusted adults. It is a time to anticipate the day. This is the time when the class enjoys snack and table conversation together to discuss or work with the Story, the Big Idea and the Heart Verse. This is the last time the class gathers for the day. It is a time to help children remember the memory verse and the take-away for each day. Page 2

5 Rotation Classroom Worship Children of God, WELCOME HOME! Description Here we connect with friends and trusted adults. We make life connections between the Big Idea and the Story. Activities and discussions here help children to see how this story is their story. This is where we get a chance to wonder about the story. Here we gather with the whole VBS community to praise God! As classes gather, they will enjoy hearing our band play and seeing the slide show of pictures from previous days. This 20 minute worship service is punctuated with lots of singing and dancing. A mini-sermon/skit introduces the big idea for the day. This daily worship time concludes with children bringing forth offerings and praying for our day together. This is a place to create a reminder of the day s lesson or the lesson of the week. The finished product will be a conversation starter once children take them home. It is a good way for the lesson to be shared with others. Rotations Rotation Bible Land Mission Description This is a place to experience the Story. Here we are drawn into the story with an object lesson, witness the drama, and begin to understand our place in God s story. This is a place where we can play with the story. Here we learn more about our mission projects and how we can make a difference in the world. Here we respond to and celebrate the Big Idea and Story. This is the place to cement the story and the lesson in our hearts. Page 3

6 ART Children of God, WELCOME HOME! Lesson Plans MONDAY Glue scraps of paper to make a collage cross. TUESDAY Paint popsicle sticks and paper to make a house. Lift the roof to show the sick friend. GAMES What time is it Jesus (like Mr Fox). Tap on someone and ask can I come into Jesus house. Water Balloons MUSIC Song: Growing in Wisdom & Stature (Jesus at the Temple) Activity: Song: Faithful Friends (Mark 21:12) Through the Roof! Activity: Percussion/Clapping Song Page 4

7 Children of God, WELCOME HOME! WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY Assemble pre-cut pieces to make a man with open arms. Lesson Plans Work with friends to fill a heart with fingerprints. Use watercolor to paint a paper and reveal a secret message. Different types of tag. Running Away. Like It, Love It, Never Tried It. Ask questions like. How do you feel about: broccoli, fish, bread, grape juice, ect. Relay Race. Working together as a team. Song: Sweet (The Prodigal) Activity: Song: Loaves were Broken, Words Were Spoken Activity: Song: Let s Go for a Walk (The Road to Ammaeus) Activity: Page 5

8 MONDAY'S DAILY SCHEDULE 8:30 Volunteer Check-in 8:40 Volunteer Prayer & Announcements in Atrium 9:15 Student Arrival & Gathering Time 9:30 Transition to Next Activity 9:35 VBS Worship in McFarland Hall 9:55 Transition to Next Activity Three s Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 10:00 Video Children s Chapel Playground east 10:15 Transition to Next Activity 10:20 10:35 Transition to Next Activity 10:40 10:55 Transition to Next Activity 11:00 Playground east 11:15 Transition to Next Activity 11:20 Playground east 11:35 Transition to Next Activityl 11:40 Page 6 12:00 Student Dismissal

9 MONDAY... AT HOME IN GOD'S HOUSE - WHERE IS JESUS? (LUKE 2:41-52)) Day 1: Jesus is at home in God's House. Big Idea: We are at home with Jesus when we come to God's house. Focus Verse: Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? Luke 2:49 Heart Verse: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Psalm 23:6 The Story: Where is Jesus? Luke 2:41-52 Story Overview: Jesus' family and their neighbors are on their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem, for the Passover. Can you imagine the joy the children experienced as they helped their parents prepare for the journey? They would talk together about the friends they would see again, the foods they would eat, the things they would do at the temple? Jesus was twelve. He was looking forward to many things he had experienced, but he was also looking forward to asking the teachers in the temple the questions he had been weighing in his own mind. So, when the sacrifices had been made, when the feast had been eaten and the prayers said, Jesus remained, to listen and to ask. While Jesus stayed, his parents returned to Nazareth with the crowds. It was three days later that his parents realized that Jesus was not with them and so they returned to Jerusalem and searched three more days, until they finally found him, talking with the teachers in the temple. Jesus wondered that Mary and Joseph had not known where to find him, "Did you not know I must be in my Father's house?" After this, Jesus went home with his parents to Nazareth and the Bible tells us that there "he grew in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and humanity." Jesus knew that he had an earthly home with Mary and Joseph, and a place where he was at home with his larger family of faith. God was with Jesus in both homes. Who is God? God is our loving parent. Who am I? I am a child of God. I Wonder: I wonder what it means to feel at home? I wonder if there are places besides your house where you feel "at home?" I wonder how church can be like home? In the story we hear about Jesus, his parents are worried because he is lost. I wonder if Jesus was worried? Why? or Why not? At : in God s House Jesus was at home in His Father s house, the temple. It was the place where Jesus had been welcomed with joy as a baby (Luke 2:22-38), where he went with his friends and family to celebrate special days in the life of their community (Luke 2:41), where he was taught the truth about God and the stories of God s people, and where he was able to ask important questions (Luke 2:46). For Jesus, the temple was not just God s house, it was his home, and God was his loving parent. The children who gather this week may have been welcomed here with joy as infants, may have been coming to church with their family on Sundays, may look forward each year to joining the throng coming to Vacation Bible School... for them, Second Presbyterian will be their home. BUT, some children may enter our doors for the first time. Our space and our ways are not familiar to them. Whether it is a child s first of fifty-first visit to church, we have the chance to welcome these children with joy as Simeon and Anna welcomed Jesus. We can teach them the truth about God s love and the stories of God s people. We can help them know that this is a safe place to ask their important questions. At the end of the day, we hope that each child will begin to know Second Presbyterian Church as a place where Jesus is at home, and where they can be at home too. For here they will be called by name and claimed as God s children. Here they will make friends. Here they will be safe. Here they will be fed. Here they will be loved. Hoping That: Children will think about what makes a house a home. Children will know that Jesus was at home in God s house, the temple in Jerusalem. Children experience God s house, the church as their home: a place where they are safe, where they are known, where they are loved, where their needs are met, where they can ask their important questions. The Hard Things: This story might cause children to be afraid of being lost. This can be a helpful place to start talking with children about safe places. What can they do if they are afraid or lost? Who are some people they can trust to care for them until their parents find them? This might also be a good time to talk with children about the importance of communicating with their parents about where they will be. Page 7

10 MONDAY... AT HOME IN GOD'S HOUSE - WHERE IS JESUS? Daily Classroom Activities Monday, June 22 Heart Verse: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long (Psalm 23:6) TOP GOALS FOR FOR TODAY: TODAY: Make students feel welcomed and loved at VBS Teach them the class signal and the class mascot Discuss 1) What makes a house a home? and 2) Jesus is at home in God s house GATHERING TIME: What Makes a House a? Greet students with a warm smile and direct them to start coloring your class mascot page with crayons. Explain that this is the picture they will look for as they move through their day. Help students come to know themselves as part of the (mascot s name) group. You can say to the children: You belong in the (mascot s name) group! This is your VBS home! Introduce the class signal (i.e., flipping lights on and off or repetitive clapping, etc.) -- so children come to recognize this as the time to pay attention! signal throughout the week. Next, introduce yourself and welcome your students to class. Invite a student to stand next to you and tell you his/her name. Introduce this student to the class by saying, this is my friend, (student s name). He/she is a child of God, and greatly loved by God. Ask the class to respond by saying, welcome, (student s name)! Repeat until all students have been introduced. After introductions, direct attention to the large house (provided) taped up on the wall. Engage students in conversation about what makes a house a home. You could say, I wonder what makes your house a home? I wonder if it s your favorite toy? Or your mom and dad? Maybe your pet? What are your ideas? As students share, either draw or write their ideas within the house. To close the activity, encourage students to reflect on the love, friendship and forgiveness that live within a home. Share how you know that you are loved within your home (give examples such as, I know I am loved because I remember my mom tucking me in at night or reading my favorite book, etc.) You could say to students: I wonder how you know you are loved within your home? What does mom or dad do to show their love? What do you do to show love to your brother or sister? Explain VBS rotations. Tell children they will be going to many fun activities during the day. Describe each one and what they will be doing there. Let them know that their parents will pick them up when they come back to the room at the end of the day. Lastly, explain and model what students should do if they get separated from the group. Say, if you get separated from our group, find a grown-up with a t-shirt like this one (show your t-shirt). Tell the grown-up you have lost your group. Be sure to give the name of our group who are we? We are the (mascot name)! We are children of God and are greatly loved by God! The grown-up will help you find your group. Page 8

11 MONDAY... AT HOME IN GOD'S HOUSE - WHERE IS JESUS? TABLE TIME (Snacks) Being at Daily routine during snack time: open mailbox provided in each classroom. Everyday this is where your heart verse will be mailed from God a postcard to the children teaching them His word and His lessons. Today s heart verse (Psalm 23:6) reiterates that the children are at home in God s house. As students enjoy their snack, read the entire heart verse aloud and practice singing the very end: I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Tune: If You re Happy and You Know It I shall dwell in God s house my whole life, I shall dwell in God s house my whole life, I shall dwell in God s house, I shall dwell in God s house, I shall dwell in God s house my whole life. {FOR SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: No tune necessary; practice memorizing entire Heart Verse by playing Erase-a-Word}. Erase-a-Word Procedure: 1. After introducing the Bible memory verse, write it on the dry erase board. 2. Have the children read the verse together several times. 3. Ask for a volunteer to read it aloud. This child is then allowed to erase one word from the verse. 4. Call on another child to read the scripture as it was originally written. Then allow him/her to erase a word. 5. Repeat this process as the children remove more and more of the verse, making it increasingly more challenging and fun to remember the original verse. Tell students that during today, they are going to hear a story about how Jesus knew from a very young age that he was at home in God s house, and that he was the son of God. In the story, the children will learn about one time when Jesus stayed in God s home just like our church here for three days. Jesus spoke with the leaders of the church to learn more about God and to begin teaching God s lessons. BRING IT HOME: We are at home with Jesus Give each student the provided picture of a house ready to color (crayons and stickers provided). Tell children to make this house their home. Remind them of the large house you created together. {FOR SECOND FOURTH GRADE: Students will receive a blank canvas a drawing of only the frame of a house. They can add windows, doors, garden, chimney, etc. to make this their home} Encourage students to reflect on the ways that Jesus showed he was the Son of God. What did Jesus do to show his love for God? How did Jesus show others that he loved God? Circle back to the house you completed earlier in the morning echo some of the ways the children said they show their love in their homes. Draw the parallels between how Jesus was at home in God s house and how we know we are home in our houses. What are the similarities? Love. Friendship. Forgiveness. These things bring God into OUR homes. AND, we can feel at home in God s house here at church too just like Jesus did! Closing prayer: God, thank you for always being in our homes through our love for Jesus, your son. Through Jesus, you have taught us that a home is filled with love, with friendship and with YOU. Jesus teaches us that you love every child and that you invite everyone to come to your home. Thank you for our new friends today and for our families, and for YOUR love that makes all of us feel at home. Amen. Page 9

12 TUESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH THE SICK -THROUGH THE ROOF! 8:45 Volunteer Prayer & Announcements in Atrium 9:15 Student Arrival & Gathering Time 9:30 Transition to Next Activity 9:35 VBS Worship in McFarland Hall 9:55 Transition to Next Activity Three s Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 10:00 Video Children s Chapel Playground east 10:15 Transition to Next Activity 10:20 10:35 Transition to Next Activity 10:40 10:55 Transition to Next Activity 11:00 Playground east 11:15 Transition to Next Activity 11:20 Playground east 11:35 Transition to Next Activityl 11:40 12:00 Student Dismissal Page 10

13 TUESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH THE SICK -THROUGH THE ROOF! Big Idea: We are at home with Jesus when we are sick and when we are helping those who are sick. Focus Verse: When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven... stand up, take your mat and go to your home. Mark 2:5, 11. Heart Verse: Come to me all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28. The Story: Through the Roof! Mark 2:1-12 Story Overview: Jesus was born in Bethlehem, spent his early years in Egypt, grew up in Nazareth, and now as an adult made his home among friends in the town of Capernum, by the Sea of Galilee. When our story begins, Jesus has been out on a preaching tour where his reputation as a great teacher and healer had grown. When everyone heard that Jesus was back at home in Capernum, they came, young and old, rich and poor, men and women, the scholars and the illiterate, fishermen and farmers to hear what he had to say, to experience his healing touch. Four friends knew that this was their chance to bring their friend to Jesus. You see, their friend was unable to walk, and spent his days lying on a mat. When they arrived at the house where Jesus was, it was so crowded that they could not bring their friend to Jesus, and so they put their heads together and decided that they would try something different. They climbed up on the roof, dug a hole through the roof and lowered their friend on his mat through the hole until he lay on the ground right in front of Jesus. The Bible says that when Jesus saw the faith of the friends, he said to the man on the mat, Your sins are forgiven. This surprised the crowd and especially the scribes who believed that only God could forgive sins. Jesus knew that they were surprised and so he said, What is harder, to forgive sins, or to say... get up and walk? So that you will believe that the Son of Man has the power to forgive sins, he said to the man on the mat, I say, stand up, take your mat and go to your home. And the man did! The whole crowd was amazed at what they had seen. Who is God? God in Jesus is a teacher and healer. Who am I? I am someone who needs the help of friends and of Jesus. I am someone who can help my friends and bring them to Jesus when they need help. I wonder? I wonder if you have ever been sick. How did you feel? I wonder who helps you when you are sick? I wonder if you can think of someone who needs Jesus help? At with the Sick Just as the people in Galilee and Capernum were learning about Jesus, so are the children who come to Vacation Bible School. Today they are learning that Jesus is a powerful teacher and healer. Today they are also learning along with the crowd in the house at Capernum about the power of friendship to carry us through the hard times, and to carry us to Jesus, who can forgive and heal! Jesus saw the faith of the friends. Where do we see faithful friends? What are some ways that we can be faithful friends? Who do we know who needs to know Jesus forgiveness and healing touch? Hoping That: Children will remember times when they were sick and others helped them. Children will be able to think of ways they can work with others to help others, remembering that the four friends worked together to bring their friend to Jesus. Children will bring their friends to Jesus in prayer. The Hard Things: We know that often we bring our friends to God in prayer, asking for healing, and that sometimes healing doesn t come. It is okay to let children know that we struggle with that too. That doesn t mean that God does not have the power to heal, but that God has another plan that we may not yet understand. It is okay to wonder about that plan together, remembering that God s love never ends, and that God wills our ultimate good. Page 11

14 TUESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH THE SICK -THROUGH THE ROOF! Daily Classroom Activities Tuesday, June 23 Story: Jesus is at with the Sick Through the Roof! (Mark 2:1-12) Heart Verse: Come to me, all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28) TOP GOALS FOR TODAY: Greet students warmly and with excitement for their return to VBS Reflect on two key topics: 1) Yesterday s lesson about God inviting ALL of us to his home through our love for Jesus, and 2) Jesus and God are ALWAYS with us whether we are healthy or sick. GATHERING TIME Jesus Is at with the Sick As students arrive, direct children to color in the cutout figure provided on each table. {SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE each student will receive a clothes pin and pieces of felt. Students will use the felt to wrap the pin and create a person sample provided} When the students complete their coloring, teachers should glue the paper around the provided toilet paper roll. Once all completed, invite students to gather for circle time. (Leave person at table) Reflect on yesterday s lesson o God invites all of us to his home through our love for Jesus. You can say: Yesterday we learned about how Jesus is at home in God s house, and how we are at home with Jesus when we come to God s house. o Today, we re going to learn that whether you are healthy or you are sick, God is always there for you and he can send Jesus to always help you. You will hear a story about a time when Jesus was at home preaching and some people brought their very sick friend to see him. The sick friend needed God s love and healing. And because we know that Jesus is the Son of God, we know Jesus can help. How have you helped someone or how has a friend helped you when you were sick? o You can say: I wonder if you can think of a time when you were sick or when you knew someone who was sick how did you help that person? I wonder how Jesus might help? Jesus wants you to know that you are at home with Him even when you are sick and when YOU are helping others who may be sick. Before departing class, briefly remind students of VBS rotations and fun activities ahead. Finally, remind students to find a grown-up with a t-shirt like yours and to ask for help if they get lost. TABLE TIME Open mailbox to find postcard from God. Today s heart verse is Matthew 11:28 Come to me all who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest. Page 12 Practice learning the heart verse by singing the words to the tune Mulberry Bush: Come to me, all of you All of you, all of you. Come to me, all of you And I will give you rest.

15 TUESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH THE SICK -THROUGH THE ROOF! {FOR SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: No tune necessary; practice memorizing entire Heart Verse by playing Word Card Scramble}. Word Card Scramble Procedure: 1. The teacher writes each word of the verse on separate index cards and mixes them up. 2. Distribute the cards to the children. 3. The children spread their cards out on the table or floor face-up and try to unscramble the words and put the verse in the correct order. *To add interest, this activity can be timed if your class enjoys competition. The teacher makes two sets of the index cards. Divide the class into two groups and distribute the cards. Which group can put the verse together in the least amount of time? BRING IT IT HOME: Jesus Jesus can can heal heal us because because He is He the is Son the of Son God of God Return cutout persons from earlier this morning to each student. {SECOND THROUGH FOURTH RETURN CLOTHES PIN PEOPLE}. Beginning with teachers, go around and ask each student who they created (you might say, tell us who you created! I wonder if it s your mom or your friend?) Tell students that this person will be an important part of today s story. When snack is done, gather for Godly Play (script provided) bring cutout / felt person. Godly Play will build on the story and very simply illustrate the power Jesus has to heal and the role each of us can play in witnessing Jesus power as he is the Son of God and we are all God s children. Teachers conduct Godly Play {script provided} Closing Prayer Lord, thank you for giving us rest when we need it. Thank you for your awesome love and for your powers that can heal us and make us strong again in our hearts and in our minds. Thank you for giving us friends and important people in our lives who help us when we are sick. May we be like you Jesus, and when we know someone who is sick, may we remember to love that person and to help them heal by teaching them about you. Thank you for loving us always. Preparations for Wednesday: On Wednesday, students will create decorations for a homecoming party (to re-enact the story of the Prodigal Son). They will also create the cover page for the book they re working on in art class. To enable this to happen quickly, you will want to lay out materials for the book cover on separate table/area from where they will be decorating spirals for the homecoming celebration. As some students are still decorating, others will be finishing, and you can call them over to get their book covers made. You will need to set out: a sample book cover (provided by art teacher) different shapes that represent the house (roof, door, windows, chimney, grass, etc., also provided by art teacher) glue Page 13

16 WEDNESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH SINNERS A SON COMES HOME! 8:40 Volunteer Prayer & Announcements in Atrium 9:15 Student Arrival & Gathering Time 9:30 Transition to Next Activity 9:35 VBS Worship in McFarland Hall 9:55 Transition to Next Activity Three s Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 10:00 Video Children s Chapel Playground east 10:15 Transition to Next Activity 10:20 10:35 Transition to Next Activity 10:40 10:55 Transition to Next Activity 11:00 Playground east 11:15 Transition to Next Activity 11:20 Playground east 11:35 Transition to Next Activityl 11:40 12:00 Student Dismissal Page 14

17 WEDNESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH SINNERS A SON COMES HOME! Big Idea: Jesus loves us even when we make mistakes. We are at home with Jesus when we are forgiven and when we forgive others. Focus Verse: For this son of mine was dead but is alive again, he was lost and is found! Luke 15:24 Heart Verse: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 The Story: A Son Comes! Luke 15:11-32 Story Overview: We have come to know Jesus this week as a child at home in God's house, as a teacher and healer at home with the sick, and now as a storyteller at home with sinners. It has been said that truth is told best through story, especially when telling the truth to powerful people. Today, some powerful people, scribes and Pharisees are wondering why Jesus is so at home with sinners. And so in answer to their wondering, Jesus tells them three stories, two of them short and one of them long. One story is about a lost sheep, one about a lost coin, and one about a lost son. All are about the joy of finding that which was lost! All are about the truth of God's steadfast love. Who is God? God is a loving Father who has given us everything we have, who loves us and forgives us. Who am I? I am sometimes lost and far from God. I need God's love and forgiveness. I wonder? I wonder how the father felt when the son left home? I wonder if you have ever really been sorry about something you have done? I wonder if someone has ever forgiven you? I wonder how that felt. At with Sinners We have all made bad choices and sometimes cannot imagine ourselves worthy of love. We often look at others and judge them for their bad choices as the Pharisees did. This story gives us a glimpse of God s unimaginable, unending love. It is good to know that Jesus was at home with sinners. It is good to know that no matter what we have done, we can come to God, admit our mistakes, and God will embrace us with love. This is what we practice each week during our time of confession, when we recognize our separation from God and from our community, where we confess our sins, and hear God s forgiveness as we are restored to friendship with God and with one another. In the third and longest story, there is a father, a man of some means, respected in his community, an employer of many, a raiser of livestock. This father has two sons. The younger asks his father for his inheritance and with it, he leaves home, squandering everything in bad choices. When the boy has lost everything, Jesus tells us, "he came to himself," and remembers his home, and his father. He cannot imagine that his father will have him back as a son, but does imagine that he might return home as a hired hand. What he does not know is that his father has been waiting, worrying, looking every day for his son and when he does see him, still at a distance, he runs to him, embraces him with joy and calls for signs of honored sonhood to be brought, a ring, a robe, a feast. For Vacation Bible School, this is where the story stops, so that we can focus on the steadfast love of the father, rather than the resentment and lack of understanding from the older brother. Jesus knew that no matter what bad choices we have made that God is happy when we make our home with him, that God is waiting, looking, hoping to welcome his beloved children home. Hoping That: Children will know the truth of God s love for them. Children will know the truth of God s enduring love even when we make mistakes or bad choices. Children will practice sharing this generous, forgiving love with others. The Hard Things: Many of us, children included, live with shame. It is hard for us to believe that we are worthy of God s love. Some children may not have experienced this love in their own homes or among their friends. It is hard to love like God loves. It is hard to forgive like God does. If a child brings up a story that seems deeply painful, it may be best to talk with that child in a more private setting than in a large class discussion. Sharing our story with someone we trust can be the beginning of healing and new understanding. Page 15

18 WEDNESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH SINNERS A SON COMES HOME! Daily Classroom Activities Wednesday, June 24 Heart Verse: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love (Psalm 103:8). TOP GOALS FOR TODAY: Greet students warmly and with excitement for their return to VBS Children should leave today knowing that Jesus will ALWAYS love and forgive us, even if we don't make the best choice. Jesus is kind (merciful) and forgiving (gracious). GATHERING TIME Jesus is at with Sinners Today students will prepare the classroom for a party! We will create a welcome home celebration within the classrooms, just as the father welcomed his son back home in the story of the Prodigal Son. We will also have pudding (with sprinkles!) for a snack! As students arrive, have them decorate the provided cutout spirals using crayons, stickers, etc. Once completed, help each student hang or display their spiral somewhere in the classroom (door, wall, etc.) {SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: Students will make spiral decorations by using the scissors and paper plates provided. Cut circles/spirals using the paper plates and then decorate (color, glitter, etc.)} Book Cover: as students finish, call them over to the area you have prepared for making their art book covers. Students may choose the colors of shapes they would like to use to make a house. Students will glue the shapes onto their blue paper covers. Instruct them to glue the grass first. Once shapes are glued down, have students take the white paper and write (first name) is at home with Jesus. Glue this paper inside the door, so that it only appears when the door is open. When book covers are complete, please attach a sticky note with teacher and room number and bring to the art room. Once party set up is complete, gather for circle time. Begin the discussion by talking about a time when you had a friend or a relative visit from far away. Then ask students: I wonder if you remember a time when you welcomed a friend to your home? I wonder how you greeted them? Did you have a party or a special dinner and dessert? Next, ask students if they would still have a celebration if that friend or relative had done something disobedient maybe they had hurt someone s feelings or not been very kind. Would you still welcome that friend into your home? Finally, shift the conversation to our story and to Jesus. o You can say: I wonder what Jesus would do if a friend came to visit Him and that friend had not made the best choice or had been disobedient. How do you think would Jesus want us to treat that friend? Page 16 o o Remind students what we ve learned this week about Jesus being home with God and at home with someone who is sick. Today we are celebrating the lesson of forgiveness. Jesus is at home with us and with others even when we don t make the best choice. Jesus always forgives.

19 WEDNESDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH SINNERS A SON COMES HOME! TABLE TIME Jesus Forgives Students will have sprinkled pudding for a snack. Each student can decorate their pudding with a spoonful of sprinkles and then join the class at a gathering spot for learning the heart verse. Open mailbox to find postcard from God. Today s heart verse is Psalm 103:8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Teach children that merciful means KIND and gracious means FORGIVING. Practice learning the heart verse by singing the words to the tune The Bear Went Over the Mountain: The Lord is full of mercy, The Lord is full of mercy. He is kind and patient. His love it never fails. {FOR SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: No tune necessary; practice memorizing entire Heart Verse by playing Post-It Cover-Up}. Procedure for Post-It Cover-Up: 1. Write the memory verse on the front board of the classroom. Practice reading it once together. 2. Use a Post-It note to cover up one of the words. Then, practice reading the verse again. 3. Continue this pattern of covering one word at a time, until the entire verse is covered and the children are saying the verse from memory. 4. You could also reverse the game beginning with some words covered and have children guess the missing words. BRING IT HOME: Jesus Forgives Gather students together on the floor. Teachers will show and tell the story of the Prodigal son by reading from the Bible Stories Volume II (provided in classroom). This is a wonderful picture book and allows students to really see the story and engage in a thoughtful discussion about the son s homecoming. Take your time and ask students what they see on the pages perhaps they can tell YOU the story as they see the pictures! {SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: Teachers will show and tell the story of the Prodigal son using the felt board and pieces provided. Instructions will be included}. Closing Prayer Lord, Thank you for forgiving us when we don t always make the best choice. And thank you for teaching us to always forgive others. Jesus thank you for loving everyone all the time, even when we make a mistake or need extra help, we thank you for giving us another chance to show your love and to keep you at home in our hearts. Amen. **Before students leave, ask them to bring one canned good to Vacation Bible School tomorrow. Tell them we will be sharing a special meal much like the father and his sons shared in the Bible story today. Tell them our special meal will be part of tomorrow s story.** Prep for Thursday: Each classroom should be prepped with two soaking buckets, bubble bath and a towel. This will be used to build background on washing feet in tandem with Thursday s Bible lesson of the Last Supper. Each classroom will also be given a Story Bag. The components of this bag will illustrate the story of the Last Supper. Each bag will contain: Burlap to represent a table Purple felt to represent table runner Snack bag Cups Napkins Page 17

20 THURSDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH FRIENDS - DINNER IS SERVED 8:45 Volunteer Prayer & Announcements in Atrium 9:15 Student Arrival & Gathering Time 9:30 Transition to Next Activity 9:35 VBS Worship in McFarland Hall 9:55 Transition to Next Activity Three s Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 10:00 Video Children s Chapel Playground east 10:15 Transition to Next Activity 10:20 10:35 Transition to Next Activity 10:40 10:55 Transition to Next Activity 11:00 Playground east 11:15 Transition to Next Activity 11:20 Playground east 11:35 Transition to Next Activityl 11:40 12:00 Student Dismissal Page 18

21 THURSDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH FRIENDS - DINNER IS SERVED Big Idea: Jesus shares meals with his friends and serves others. We are at home with Jesus when we share a meal with others and when we serve others. Focus Verse: So, if I your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done for you. John 13:14-15 Heart Verse: This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 The Story: Dinner is Served Mark 14:12-25, John 13:1-17 Story Overview: Today we hear about the last time Jesus would celebrate the Passover meal with his disciples. Jesus shows them how they will care for one another when he is no longer with them in the same way that he has been and he gives them a meal to share so that they can remember him and look forward to the time when they will be with him again in heaven. Remember on Monday when we heard about Jesus going with his parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover? Today he is there again, this time with friends. The city is crowded, but a guest room has been provided where Jesus and his friends might celebrate the Passover meal. The Passover meal is a time when God s people remember the blessings of grain and vine, when God s people remember the story of their deliverance from the angel of death and the journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the promise land. And they remember that after the Hebrew slaves were freed from Egypt, they received 10 commandments, new laws for their lives of freedom. Jesus actions and words at this special meal, add a new layer to the family story, for soon Jesus will be the sacrifice for all people, to free them from death and from slavery to sin. Here too, Jesus gives his friends a new commandment, a way to live as God s people: to love one another, as he has loved them. In the gospel of Mark, we hear about this special meal. We hear how Jesus broke the bread and gave it to his friends and how he poured out the wine for them. As we share this story with the children, we are focusing on the shared meal with Jesus, not so much on the sacrifice represented by the elements. In the gospel of John, we hear how Jesus left the table and became a servant to his friends (and enemies), washing their feet as a demonstration of how they ought to care for one another. Who is God? God is the one who feeds me and cares for me. Who am I? I am one who has been loved by God. I can love others in the same way. I wonder? I wonder if you share special meals in your home? I wonder what happens at the table when you share a special meal? I wonder if people ever tell stories? I wonder who serves the special meal? I wonder how it would feel if someone very important washed your feet? I wonder if you know someone you could care for the way Jesus cared for his friends? At with Friends Sometimes we become so at home with friends, we forget to take care of them, to treat them with love and respect. Sometimes we limit our definition of friends to people who are kind to us. Jesus shared this meal with people who would hurt him, people who disagreed with him, people who would abandon him. Today we have the chance to think about how we treat the people who are close to us and the people we may not like very much. Jesus shows us how to share his love with everyone. Hoping That: Children will remember the story of Jesus special meal with his friends. Children will think of ways that they can care for others. The Hard Things: On Thursday and Friday of this week, we will touch on Jesus death and resurrection. These are hard concepts for children and may bring up the death of family members of pets. It is a good time to listen, and to share your confidence in God s love and your hope in God s promise through Jesus of everlasting life. It is good also, to refer back to the story. Jesus knew he would die, and he knew he would be with God in heaven. Before he died, he wanted to share this meal with his disciples, so that when they shared this meal in the years to come, they would remember him. And he showed them how he wanted them to live every day, caring for one another. When we share this meal in church, we can remember too that Jesus promises to be here with us and that we will be in heaven with him someday. Page 19

22 THURSDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH FRIENDS - DINNER IS SERVED Daily Classroom Activities Thursday, June 25 Story: Jesus is at with Friends Dinner is Served (Mark 14:12-25 and John 13:1-17) Heart Verse: This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12). TOP GOALS FOR TODAY: Teach children about washing one another s feet and what that represents (shows our love and our desire to serve others) Jesus teaches us to love one another as He loved us GATHERING TIME (Collect canned goods upon arrival and set aside): Jesus is at with Friends As students arrive, we want to build background on the act of washing feet an important component of the Last Supper, which is today s Bible lesson. Your two soaking buckets should be filled with bubble suds. Place one on a table to wash students hands. Place the second in the center of the circle time area (where one teacher will have his/her feet washed by the students!) Upon arrival, have each student come to the circle time area and help wash one of the teachers feet. We want to stimulate curiosity, a little silliness and a lot of wondering why are we washing our teacher s feet?! Once students are gathered in the circle and have helped with washing: Teachers should explain WHY we are doing this! Make it fun! o You can say: A long time ago when Jesus walked the earth, did you know that no one wore socks? They either walked barefoot or only wore sandals! I wonder what your feet would look like if you never had socks or shoes on?! (The silliness and fun answers make this activity memorable!) Tell students that washing a friend s feet was a way to show your love to that friend and a way to welcome someone into your home. Tell students that today in Bible land, they will learn about a time when Jesus washed ALL of his friends feet when they gathered together to share a special meal. This was how Jesus showed his love for his friends. And he wants us to do the same for our friends. Next: Tell students that instead of washing feet, today we are going to wash each other s hands. This will show that we can serve others and show our love to our friends just like Jesus did. One by one, teachers will wash each student s hands in the second basin (on table) and have another student help dry their friend s hands. Page 20 For conversation, say to students: I wonder what another way might be to show our love for others or another way we might serve others? How do others serve you and show their love for you? Encourage students to think about loving and serving one another throughout today. Tell students that during snack time they will all serve one another just as Jesus served his friends.

23 THURSDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME WITH FRIENDS - DINNER IS SERVED TABLE TIME Jesus Serves Begin by opening the mailbox to find postcard from God. Read aloud This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12) Practice learning the heart verse by singing the words to the tune Row, Row, Row Your Boat: This is my command My command to you, That you love each other As I have loved you {FOR SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: No tune necessary; practice memorizing entire Heart Verse by allowing student to choose and play their favorite heart verse game from prior days this week (Erase-a-Word, Word Card Scramble, or Post-It Cover-Up)}. BRING IT HOME: Jesus Serves Upon return to the classroom, teacher should collect Story Bag and prepare to demonstrate the story of the Last Supper. All should sit in a circle together where the class will serve one another and share a meal. Next, one element at a time, teacher should remove pieces from the story bag. o First remove the purple felt; students help unroll o Next, have students help lay the burlap over the purple felt o Have students each take and pass a cup (to be used for snacks) o Next, pull out the snack bag and share in each of the kids cups o Pass napkins around students take one and pass Prayer: Lord, thank you for sharing so much of your love and your kingdom with us. Thank you for serving us with food and with the shelter of our homes. Teach us Lord to do for others what you have done for us, and help us to remember that we are home with you when we are serving others. May we remember your commandment to love one another as you have loved us. Amen. Engage students in conversation about today s activity and ask if they witnessed a friend serving or helping another friend. Ask students to share stories about how they have served others before (and how others have served them). Page 21

24 FRIDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME IN OUR HEARTS 8:45 Volunteer Prayer & Announcements in Atrium 9:15 Student Arrival & Gathering Time 9:35 Transition to Next Activity Three s Pre-K K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 9:40 Video Children s Chapel Playground east Mission Common 9:55 Transition to Next Activity 10:00 10:15 Transition to Next Activity 10:20 10:35 Transition to Next Activity 10:40 Playground east 10:55 Transition to Next Activity 11:00 Playground east 11:15 Transition to Classroomsl 11:25 Transition to McFarland Hall 11:30 Family Worship 12:00 Return to Classroom for Immediate Student Dismissal 12:30 Clean Up Your Classroom Before Leaving (see checklist) Page 22

25 FRIDAY... JESUS IS AT HOME IN OUR HEARTS Big Idea: Jesus is alive and makes his home in our hearts. We are at home with Jesus when we know that Jesus is with us wherever we go and that we will be welcome in Jesus heavenly home. Focus Verse: They said to each other, Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us along the road? Luke 24:32 Heart Verse: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. Rev. 3:20 The Story: On the Road we Met a Man. Luke 24:13-35 Story Overview: This story takes place on the afternoon of the first Easter. The disciples have witnessed Jesus crucifixion and burial. They have heard that this very morning, some women had gone to the tomb where Jesus had been buried and found it empty! And that some of them had reported seeing Jesus alive! Many of the disciples were confused and afraid, for nothing like this had happened before. Two of the disciples had left Jerusalem and were walking on the road to Emmaus when they were joined by a stranger. The stranger asked them why they were so sad and they wondered that he did not know all that had happened in the past days with Jesus. When the stranger had heard the story, he began to tell them all about what the scriptures has said about Jesus. As they drew close to their destination, the disciples invited the stranger to come into the place where they would stay the night and to share a meal with them. He agreed and once they were at the table, the stranger took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. When he did this, the disciples recognized that the stranger was Jesus! But, then Jesus disappeared. I wonder? I wonder who you talk to when you are sad or confused? I wonder what it would be like to share a meal with Jesus? I wonder what you would say? I wonder what he would say? At in my Heart Because of the resurrection, we know that Jesus is with us always. We can talk to Jesus when we are sad or confused, when we are happy and excited! We can ask Jesus help when it is hard to do the right thing. A good way to get to know Jesus better is to read the scriptures and to talk to others who know him. Hoping For: Children to know that Jesus is with them always. Children to know that they can talk to Jesus about anything. Children to imagine how they might see Jesus in others and others might see Jesus in them. The Hard Things: One thing we learn from this story, is that we might meet Jesus in a walk and a talk with a stranger. We want to keep children safe even as they practice the radical hospitality of Jesus. With the proper safety precautions, we can reach out to strangers too, sharing the love we have received from Jesus and perhaps getting a glimpse of Jesus is our new friend! The two disciples ran all the way back to Jerusalem to tell all of Jesus friends what they had seen and heard. Who is God? God is the one we have heard about in the scriptures. God is the one who walks with us wherever we go. Who am I? I am one who is looking for God wherever I go. I am one who is telling others about the places where I have seen God. I am a witness to the truth, He is alive! and He lives in me. Page 23

26 FRIDAY... AT HOME IN OUR HEARTS - ON THE ROAD WE MET A MAN Daily Classroom Activities Friday, June 26 Story: At in our Hearts On the Road we Met a Man (Luke 24:13-35) Heart Verse: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20) TOP GOALS FOR TODAY: Greet students warmly and with excitement for their last day of VBS! Reflect on VBS Bible lessons from the week Jesus is ALWAYS at home in our hearts and with us WHEREVER we go! GATHERING TIME Jesus is at in our Hearts As children arrive, allow them to choose THREE colored rectangles from the provided plastic baggy. From the second baggy, tell them to choose ONE gold rectangle. Teachers should then glue the gold rectangle to the back of one colored piece. Each student will put all rectangles in their own baggy and set aside for later. Once baggies are made, students can play with provided play dough, coloring pages, etc. (The second craft will happen during circle time see large cutout heart taped to wall) Circle Time: {SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: Students will cut out their own rectangle pieces and glue the gold piece to the back of another. Then set aside in bag} Encourage students to spend a little time reflecting on all they ve learned this week. Invite them to share their favorite moments/activities/lessons. o o o You can say: I wonder if anyone can tell me something that they learned this week? Teachers give first examples. Other examples: I wonder if you remember learning where Jesus was at home? Was he at home in the church? Was he at home in the sick friend s house? Where else? Was he at home serving his friends dinner and washing their feet? *Use Bibles in classrooms to show stories learned during VBS* Page 24 As each student reflects upon a place or story where Jesus was at home, trace their hand (write name inside hand) within the large cutout heart taped to the classroom wall. Complete activity until every hand is traced. Ask students: How can we make a home for Jesus in our hearts? (WE can serve others. WE can help friends who are sick. WE can forgive our friends, etc.).

27 FRIDAY... AT HOME IN OUR HEARTS - ON THE ROAD WE MET A MAN By remembering and practicing these lessons, we are keeping Jesus alive and at home in our hearts. That means Jesus is with us WHEREVER we go and that we will be welcome in Jesus Heavenly home! TABLE TIME (Snacks) Jesus Showed He is Risen So We Would Know that He is with us ALWAYS! Open mailbox to find postcard from God. Today s heart verse is Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. Practice learning the heart verse by singing the words to the tune of Father Abraham: Here I am, I stand Here I am Here I am I stand at the door and knock. If anyone Who hears my voice And opens up the door I will come In and eat With him And him with me {FOR SECOND THROUGH FOURTH GRADE: No tune necessary; practice memorizing entire Heart Verse by allowing student to choose and play their favorite heart verse game from prior days this week (Erase-a-Word, Word Card Scramble, or Post-It Cover-Up)}. BRING IT HOME: Jesus lives! Lives Have one teacher read aloud from Spark Bible, Luke 24: Once complete, teachers should use colored cards to illustrate the story of the Road to Emmaus. o {Directions for teachers will be provided with daily teaching materials} After the family worship service in McFarland Hall, return to classroom for immediate student dismissal. Please clean your classroom before leaving (checklist will be provided). Page 25

28 Key Information for VBS Volunteers Vacation Bible School 2015 Page 26 When should I arrive? Please arrive on Monday morning at 8:30am in the atrium. All volunteers will gather for a group prayer and brief announcements. Your children will be with you in the atrium at the time. After we gather go directly to your classroom to prepare for your students to arrive. You will need to alternate with your teaching team to take your own children to their classrooms if needed. Please arrive at 8:45am Tuesday through Friday in the atrium for prayer and announcements. What should I bring with me each day? 1. Please bring your cell phone and turn on vibrate. We will all use the clock on our phone as a master time for moving from station to station. Please be sure to add the important phone numbers in case of emergency. 2. Please wear your VBS volunteer t-shirt every day. Wear comfortable, casual shoes and clothes as you will be moving throughout the church all morning and participating in lots of activities with the children. 3. If you are a teacher, be sure to have your VBS teacher guide with you every day which includes your lesson plans and schedule. Don t forget the classroom tote bag as well. Who do I call if I have an emergency and can t volunteer as planned? Call our Volunteer Director, Christy Herris at AND call the lead/assistant teacher in your classroom or in your area Who do I call during VBS if there is an emergency or important question or concern? Caroline Dennis: Anna Ratliff: Christy Herris: Connie Price: What children are in my class and should I contact them? Using the classroom list file that will be ed to you, look at your list and divide it between you and your co-teacher to call each child s family. Tell each family (can be left on voice mail) the following: Your name and that you are their child s teacher for VBS. Tell them that you look forward to seeing them next week. Provide them with the classroom number. Remind them of the Sunday VBS kick-off that begins with a fun family worship at 4:00 in McFarland Hall. The children will also get to see their classrooms, meet their teachers, get their t-shirt and CD and have some ice cream. What is the student drop-off and pick-up procedure? The children will come directly to the classrooms in the morning and parents will sign in by writing their initials next to the child s name on the class list. Please also have the parents note if someone else will be picking up their child. For Pre-K and Kindergarten students, please have the parents fill out a security tag. At pick-up please match the security tag number to the tag kept by the adult. Please note that the security tag includes very important information about allergies and the person who will be picking up the child. All students will be picked-up from the classrooms at the end of the day.

29 Teacher Tips for Classroom Management Establish simple rules on Day #1: Listen when someone is talking. Keep your hands to yourself. Respect each other. Use a transition signal: When moving from one activity to another, use this signal. The children should stop and look at you when the signal occurs. Practice this with them the first day. The signal can be: turning off the lights; ringing a bell; doing a clap-and-response. Keep it consistent from day to day and activity to activity so the kids know what to expect next. Wait to speak until the children are quiet and listening. Comment on children who are ready: I like the way Tony is listening. I can see that Sara is ready now. I like the way Andrew is listening. I like how EV- ERYONE is ready to listen now. Kids want to hear you say their name, acknowledging that they are doing what is expected. This is positive attention for positive behavior. Try to catch children in positive behaviors during the day and mention lots of kids. :) State expectations in a positive way: Tell the children what they SHOULD be doing: We walk in the hallways or Running is for outdoors instead of Don t run! Darin, one of our rules is that everyone keeps their hands to themselves instead of Darin, quit bothering Joey! I can see that Ella is ready to listen instead of Stop talking so I can begin the story! Compliment leadership in students: "Oh, I like the way Antonio is sharing!" will cause everyone to turn to look at the sharing student. This motivates other children toward positive behaviors as well and the children will look to you to verbally acknowledge them. Focus your attention on positive behaviors: Overlook the small disturbances to keep your class rolling along. By not stopping to focus on minor infractions, you're able to focus more attention on positive behaviors, showing students that to get attention they should do the "right" things that seem to catch your attention. Standing/sitting near a child while placing a hand on his/her shoulder can discourage/interrupt disruptive behavior: It s not even necessary to say anything to the child; just the near presence of the teacher is all that is usually required. This way no one is singled out, no negative attention is given, and the class doesn t have to stop their activity while the teacher deals with a disruption. Show the love of Jesus: A great way to help children feel that they belong is to spend one-on-one time with them. Jesus gathered the children to Him; spend a few minutes with the child who is having difficulty. Simply share with each other what you like to do for fun. We never know how we can touch the life of a child who yearns to feel that he/she belongs with a simple, sincere conversation; a smile; or a pat on the shoulder with a meaningful compliment for positive behavior. Page 27

30 Page 28 Notes

31 Heart Verse Strategies: 1. Post-It Cover Up Write the heart verse on the board. Practice reading it once together and then use Post-It Notes to cover up one of the words. Practice reading the verse again; then cover up a second word. Continue practicing and covering until the entire verse is covered and children are saying it from memory. 2. Move It or Lose It Young children tend to learn best by moving. Invite students to help think of motions to go with each word of the heart verse. 3. Sparkle This is a whole group game to use as a review of verses already learned. Children stand in a circle, facing each other. The teacher says a reference for a recent heart verse. The game begins with one child saying the first word of the verse. The next child says the next word, and so on until the verse is completed. After the last word is spoken, the next child says Sparkle and the next child is sits down. Start the verse over with the next person having all those who are sitting sparkle each time another person sits down. The last person standing says the whole verse and everyone sparkles! 7. Erase - a - Word 1. After introducing the Bible memory verse, write it on the dry erase board. 2. Have the children read the verse together several times. 3. Ask for a volunteer to read it aloud. This child is then allowed to erase one word from the verse. 4. Call on another child to read the scripture as it was originally written. Then allow him/ her to erase a word. 5. Repeat this process as the children remove more and more of the verse, making it increasingly more challenging and fun to remember the original verse. 4. Word Card Scramble Write each word of the verse on separate index cards and mix them up. Give pairs of students a set of cards that comprises an entire heart verse. Students turn the cards over and try to unscramble the words, and put the verse in order. 5. Sticky Note Scramble Write each word of the verse on a Post-It Note. Scramble the notes on the board. Invite students to rearrange the words into the correct verse order. 6. Jumbled Letters Jumble up the letters of each word and let the kids solve the mystery. For example, het rlod si ym ghitl. (The Lord is my light) Page 29

32 MAPS MUSIC 45 D Page 30

33 MAPS Reception McFarland Hall 355 The Center Parlor 312 Sanctuary Level Sanctuary & Chapel Chapel McFarland Hall Sanctuary Center for Family Life Ministries Reception Elementary Classrooms Meeting s Porte Cochere Narthex Page 31