Director s Plan Book

Transcription

1 EDITOR IN CHIEF: Larry E. Clements BUSINESS MANAGER: Wayne Sewell PRODUCTION EDITOR: Sally McInvale ADULT EDITOR: Jim Jones CHILDREN S EDITOR: Libby Gill ILLUSTRATOR: Connie Spears GRAPHIC ARTISTS: Shawn Blase, Jeff Allen, Greg Hilterbrand, Ashley Carozza COVER DESIGN: Shawn Blase LAYOUT DESIGNERS: Bonita McKnight, Kyle Elkins, Cindy Butler CONTENT EDITORS: Terry McKellar, Carolyn Burks, Deby Turrentine PRINT PRODUCTION: Charles Easley Copyright 2010 Bogard Press 4605 N. State Line Ave. Texarkana, TX Director s Plan Book Contents Writer Ordering Information and Order Form Introduction Promotional Items VBS Overview Daily Lessons Titles Lesson Materials Sample Kits Planning Calendar VBS Schedule Options Job Responsibilities Danger Island Workers Sharing Christ with Children Survival Kit Publicity/Pre-Event Rally Ideas Assemblies (Opening, Closing, Final) Music Ideas Snack Ideas Danger Island Mission Project Banner Making Directions Bulletin Board Ideas Decoration Art/Photo Spot Decorations Record Keeping Charts/Forms News Release Letter to Parents Skits Director s Suggestions

2 Marty Lane has been married to the man of her Director s Plan Book Written by Written by Marty Lane dreams for twenty-five years. She is employed at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas, as the Director of Special Programs. Marty has a bachelor s degree in elementary education and master s degree in Christian education. She has taught in both public and private schools and was director of Hand N Hand Preschool and children s director at Calvary Baptist Church in Henderson, Texas. Marty s husband, Frank, serves on staff at Calvary as the associate pastor of education. Marty and Frank have four children: Jake, Lauren, Christian and Gracie. Marty loves to read, travel and watch her children do their stuff.

3 Introduction The theme this year is based on the adventures on an island. From a director s stand point, this will be an easy theme to work with and filled with extra excitement for the students. Decorations for the island are easy and cheap. As the director, begin to explore all of the ideas here and see how God leads you to make it work for your church. Life is filled with many dangers. A single event can quickly change the entire course of a person s life. During our time on Danger Island we will study the lives of seven incredible men and how they navigated the dangers in their lives. We will then recognize spiritual dangers and learn how to conquer the enemy with God s help. Remember to pray for God s help as you begin the process of preparing your church for this major training and outreach time. You, the director, are the key. If you have a passion for this year s VBS to be successful, then all of the teachers and helpers will follow in your desires and passion. Don t forget to enjoy your process of preparing for VBS and plan events to help the students have fun. If they have fun while they are learning, then they will want to attend and bring friends with them. Use this book early in your preparation and remember to mark on the pages as you familiarize yourself with the curriculum. If you are able, take a pre-trip to the beach to begin your process of preparation. You will be surprised at the ideas you can come up with as you place yourself in the real island atmosphere.

4 Bible Story Joshua Learns To Overcome His Fears Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 23; 34:5-9; Joshua 1:1-9 Memory Verse My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth, Psalm 121:2. David Faces Huge Obstacles 1 Samuel 17:32-51 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, Psalm 56:3. Hezekiah Conquers the Fear of Defeat Isaiah 37:1-20, In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me, Psalm 86:7. Shadrach and Friends Defeat Peer Pressure Daniel 3:1-30 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Psalm 46:1. Gideon Conquers Discouragement Judges 7:7-21 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me, Psalm 56:11.

5 Lesson Aim The student will learn, like Joshua, to abide in God when he is fearful. Life Application When the student is fearful, he will ABIDE in God. Survival Kit Map/Small Bible The student will learn, like David, to trust God when he is threatened. When the student is threatened, he will TRUST God. Flashlight The student will learn, like Hezekiah, to pray when he is frightened. When the student is frightened, he will PRAY. Rope The student will learn, like Shadrach, to stand for God when he is tempted. When the student is tempted, he will STAND for God. Solid Rock The student will learn, like Gideon, to obey God s Word when discouraged. When the student is discouraged, he will OBEY God s Word. Compass

6 VBS Overview Setting Danger Island, where there are extreme survival conditions and many hazards. The setting for each lesson is in a different part of the island. In each setting the pupil will learn how to survive and thrive as a Christian. There are daily dangers facing Christians that steal their joy and hinder their walk with God. But each soul can survive and thrive as he or she learns and applies God s Word. Each lesson will share the life application to the problems. Theme Verse In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us, Romans 8:37. Series Aim The student will recognize spiritual danger and will learn how to conquer the enemy with God s help. Life Application How will your soul survive the dangers of life? How will your soul survive on Danger Island? Theme Poster: included in each age group s visual aids. 9

7 Lesson 1: Soul Survivors at Shipwreck Point Map/Small Bible Joshua Learns To Overcome His Fears My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth, Psalm 121:2. Abide Lesson 2: Soul Survivors at Big Shadow Cave Flashlight David Faces Huge Obstacles What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, Psalm 56:3. Trust Lesson 3: Soul Survivors at Quicksand Cove Rope Hezekiah Conquers the Fear of Defeat In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me, Psalm 86:7. Pray Lesson 4: Soul Survivors at Hot Rock Volcano Solid Rock Shadrach and Friends Defeat Peer Pressure God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, Psalm 46:1. Stand Lesson 5: Soul Survivors at Boggy Swamp Compass Gideon Conquers Discouragement In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me, Psalm 56:11. Obey 12

8 Soul Survivors on Danger Island Planning Calendar As the director, planning for VBS is the hardest part. Once you have good plans made, all of the details will fall into place. The calendar below is especially for those who are first timers to the VBS director s chair. There are many details to VBS. Let this be a guide to get you going WEEKS BEFORE Get church approval of VBS director. Choose VBS dates for church approval. (Avoid conflicts by checking church, schools and community schedules for other summer programs offered for children.) Begin regular prayer support for VBS by enlisting all church members who will commit to pray until the program is over, including follow-up. Order Soul Survivors on Danger Island VBS Starter or Deluxe Kit. (Call ; order on the Internet at or write/visit Baptist Book Store, 4605 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, TX ) Begin recruiting VBS staff. With pastor and VBS staff, set goals and write a mission statement for your VBS. Make plans to take volunteers to the publisher s VBS seminar in Texarkana, on February 27, (Get details in the Christian Education Bulletin, a free magazine from Bogard Press office of Public Relations at the above contact options.) If distance prohibits travel there, plan to attend a VBS seminar in your area. Add it to the church calendar and encourage all workers to attend WEEKS BEFORE Select schedule times (time of day) and format (rotational or traditional). Choose VBS promotion team members and plan publicity strategy. Study previous VBS records, current Sunday School and children s ministry records to estimate enrollment and determine class organization. Enlist volunteers for all key positions (coordinators, teachers, directors, records). Give each a copy of the job description for his position. Put a sign-up form in a high-traffic area for those who want to order a VBS T-shirt children or adults. (See VBS 2010 Catalog or Order Form on pages 3-4.) See ready-to-use transparencies from the Room Decorations Transparency Book or use the Resource CD. Make them accessible to all volunteers who need to use them WEEKS BEFORE Conduct training/planning meeting with all volunteers. Distribute literature, discuss scheduled work sessions and announce dates of future staff meetings. View Lesson and Music DVD with staff. Purchase craft supplies, extra teaching aids and other materials needed by teachers. Plan Soul Survivors on Danger Island Family Night. Schedule and conduct work sessions to use the transparencies or the Resource CD to make theme decorations, a bulletin board display, backdrops and a photo spot. Counsel with Missions Coordinator and pastor to select the mission goal for VBS offerings. Help collect pictures, objects and information about the mission goal to use in VBS. (See Missions Web site See also Mission Projects DVD inside the cover of the Director s Plan Book. Plan VBS schedule. Distribute copies at second workers planning meeting. Give copies of skits to the skit s director. 6-8 WEEKS BEFORE Distribute supplies to teachers who requested them. List VBS staff in church bulletin, asking prayer for them. Make room assignments. Plan for preregistration of as many children as possible. (See X817 Registration Cards or Resource CD X836CD10.) Plan opening and closing assembly procedures. Order T-shirts for staff members. (See Order Form on pages 3-4.) 17

9 Traditional vs Rotational Lessons There are always many different ways to teach Bible lessons and the correct way is only known by the teacher who is doing the teaching. In other words, teach the way that you like and that works for you. If you are new to VBS or directing and don t have any idea what to do, you can use one really good teacher who teaches all the lessons (rotational). You can use lots of different teachers teaching smaller groups of children (traditional). Again, do what you like and what works for your church. If you are blessed with lots of great teachers you might prefer the traditional method for the lessons. However, you can rotate to music, crafts, snacks and games. So one teacher teaches the same group of children but travels with the children to the other areas and helps to work with them at that location. This does not or will not work for everyone. Below is a basic breakdown so that is will be easier for you to understand and decide. Traditional VBS Sample Schedule Preschool/ Kindergarten Beginner Primary Junior Young Teen/ Teen 6:00-6:15 Opening Assembly Opening Assembly Opening Assembly Opening Assembly Opening Assembly 6:15-6:35 Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Bible Lesson Bible Lesson 6:35-6:55 Student Activity Pages Student Activity Pages Student Activity Pages Student Activity Pages Student Books 6:55-7:15 Music Snacks Crafts Games Mission Project 7:15-7:35 Snacks Crafts Games Mission Project Music 7:35-7:55 Crafts Games Mission Project Music Snacks 7:55-8:15 Games Mission Project Music Snacks Crafts 8:15-8:35 Mission Project Music Snacks Crafts Games 8:35-8:50 Closing Assembly Closing Assembly Closing Assembly Closing Assembly Closing Assembly 22

10 Rotational VBS Sample Schedule Preschool/ Kindergarten Beginner Primary Junior Young Teen/ Teen Opening Assembly 6:00-6:15 6:00-6:15 6:00-6:15 6:00-6:15 6:00-6:15 Music 6:15-6:35 6:35--6:55 6:55-7:15 7:15-7:35 7:35-7:55 Bible Lesson 6:35-6:55 6:55-7:15 7:15-7:35 7:35-7:55 7:55-8:15 Student Activity Pages/Books 6:55-7:15 7:15-7:35 7:35-7:55 7:55-8:15 8:15-8:35 Snacks 7:15-7:35 7:35-7:55 7:55-8:15 8:15-8:35 6:15-6:35 Crafts 7:35-7:55 7:55-8:15 8:15-8:35 6:15-6:35 6:35-6:55 Games 7:55-8:15 8:15-8:35 6:15-6:35 6:35-6:55 6:55-7:15 Mission Project 8:15-8:35 6:15-6:35 6:35-6:55 6:55-7:15 7:15-7:35 Closing Assembly 8:35-8:50 8:35-8:50 8:35-8:50 8:35-8:50 8:35-8:50 23

11 Job Responsibi l i ties Director (Travel Agent) (one for the VBS maybe one assistant) This person will lead out in the organizing and running of VBS. This person is responsible for securing the curriculum, getting needed supplies, finding teachers and workers, organizing the schedule and handling the entire events associated with the week. He or she may also be given any other duties as delegated by the pastor. This person must work directly with the pastor to make plans for VBS. The assistant will do any of these items as delegated by the director and may be in training for the director for the future. Teacher (Traditional) (Teaching Guides) (one for each age-group of about twelve to fifteen children depending on age) The teacher s main responsibility is to teach the lesson. This person must be able to teach in a way that children can understand. The teacher will stay with a group of assigned children and be with them for the entire VBS time. The teacher will teach one lesson each night. The teacher will let the helpers with him know how to help. The teacher is the connection for the child to come back to church. The teacher needs to care for each student the best he can. Teachers need to let the director know what supplies are needed to teach their class. These teachers are usually responsible for setting up their own classrooms. Group Leaders (Leading Guides) (helpers) (one for each group of seven children) These leaders help the teacher. They will stay with the students at all times and assist the teacher as needed. They will get to know the students and help with crowd control. They can help with projects, restroom and games. These adults are truly helpers and should be able to work well with the teacher in charge of them. If the church is using the traditional method, then, these people will be the connection to the children and be the ones who travel around with the children. These leaders are very important as they are the connection to each of the children. These leaders will get to know each child and see what needs each family may have. They will also know which children are truly church prospects. Music Teacher (one for the VBS maybe one assistant maybe one for younger and older children) This person is responsible for the music time for each class. He will prepare the songs that will be sung during the final program. He may be responsible for putting the final program together and doing the opening and closing assemblies. This person may need a helper. During music time, we assume that each class will have a teacher and at least one helper with them who knows the children and who can assist with the children so that the music teacher can focus on teaching. 28

12 Sharing Christ with Children Sharing Christ with children is one of the most awesome privileges and is also one of the scariest responsibilities that we have in Vacation Bible School. Children are trusting and want to please those adults around them. They will do anything to please you, make you happy or make you pleased with them. With this in mind, you need to be careful about how you approach presenting Christ. The people who talk to your students need to be trained so that they feel confident, and you, as the director, feel good about the decisions that are made. The first thing to know, when talking to a child, is the reason he wants to talk to you. He may just want to talk about his dog, day at the park and not about being saved. Once you have established that the child would like to be saved, you may use one of the several ways to share with the child. If you have a preferred method of sharing, use what you are comfortable with. Many will use the Roman Road while others prefer to explain about sin and confession. The main thing is that the child understands he is a sinner and Jesus died for him. Once this has been established, you may see whether he would like to receive Christ. You may lead him in a prayer or have him pray. One should have the child repeat after or have him pray himself aloud. Remember that sometimes you may talk to a child several times before he has the understanding to want to receive Christ. We want him to understand as much as possible for the age. After he receives Christ, you can share about security in his salvation and being baptized. The younger a child is, the more it is best to talk with a child before he prays to receive Christ. Faith as a child is saving faith. If you have a question about this within your church, you should talk with your pastor to see how your church wants to handle the salvation of children. ABC s of SALVATION Admit A person needs to admit that he is a sinner. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Believe A person needs to believe that Jesus died for him and paid for his sins on the cross. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. Acts 16:31 Confess Confess Christ as Savior and Lord. Tell Jesus in prayer that you are a sinner and want Him to forgive you of sin. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 Salvation Tract 32

13 Survival Kit When hiking or exploring a new area students should always be prepared with some basic survival supplies. Depending on the terrain and weather conditions the supplies will vary. The survival kit for Soul Survivors on Danger Island may include basic supplies that will be used to reinforce the lessons. Feel free to add extra items to your kit as you would like. Each kit contains: Bag to hold supplies Small Bible (Lesson 1) Small flashlight (Lesson 2) Rope (Lesson 3) Solid rock (Lesson 4) Compass (Lesson 5) 33

14 Closing Assembly (Daily) At the end of each day, it helps to have the entire group of students gather for a closing assembly. At this time you can reinforce the lessons that have been taught that day. You will need to adjust your closing to meet the various needs of your church and VBS. This is a sample of activities that might be included in the closing. On the final day, you may need to lengthen the closing so that you can practice for the closing program. Sample Schedule Music Children with teachers Collect name tags Prayer Theme song Review of lesson or pastor lesson Song Announcements: mission offering, attendance Prayer Closing remarks Dismiss to parents 38

15 Final Assembly (Closing Program) The closing program is important. This is where your church has the opportunity to present the gospel to parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors of the VBS explorers. How you design your closing program could greatly affect the way these people will view your church. Make sure that your regular church members are at this closing program and focused on meeting and finding out about those who visit. Some important considerations for the closing program are length of the program time the program is presented and participation of children. Most people cannot sit longer than forty-five minutes to an hour for a special program of this kind. Be sensitive to time. When you have your program is important. If you want the most people to come, you must have it in the evening or weekend. If you have it during the day, that will eliminate all the people who are working regular day jobs. Parents come to the closing program to watch their children be involved in a program. Make sure that you fashion the program so that the parents will get to see their children do something. Children can sing, hold the flags, say verses or perform a skit. Remember to use pictures from the week in your program. Make sure you have at least one picture of each child who attended during your VBS time. Sample Closing Program Schedule Music playing with pictures of week showing before the program begins Welcome with pledges and prayer Younger children sing a few songs Older children sing a few songs along with saying the Bible verses for the week and points from the daily lessons Skit either live or from the DVD Certificates could be handed out during this time Pastor words or closing Prayer of dismissal Refreshments and tour of classrooms and meeting of the teachers Certificate of Achievement Certificate of Appreciation (See Resource CD for printable Closing Program invitations.) 39

16 Music Ideas This year is music from the islands. Bring in lots of drums, if this is acceptable in your church context. Enjoy using grass skirts and leis during your music time. Make up arm motions to go with the songs. 40

17 Snack Ideas These snack ideas include things that would be easy to carry when exploring an island or what would be provided at a luau. Pineapple Coconut Assorted fruit Fruit smoothies Trail mix Power bars Cookies Nuts Melons Travel yogurt Travel cereal Bottled water Juice boxes Allergies: Always be aware of allergies. Keep a substitute available for explorers who need it. You should consider posting items that could cause allergy sensitivity. Serve drinks in pineapple cups Serve drinks in coconut cups Tiny umbrellas in drinks Colored straws If your church has the place to host it, why not do a luau? Make a cake in the shape of a volcano. Make the icing red and have it ooze over the sides for Hot Rock Volcano. Make pudding with Oreos sticking out for Quicksand Cove with Pop Rocks sprinkled on top. 41

18 Bulletin Board Ideas Attractive bulletin boards will begin to generate interest in your Vacation Bible School months in advance. Use all the areas available to you and change the boards every month to keep interest high. Three dimensional bulletin boards attract more attention. Is there something you could put on the bulletin board that would really stand out? What about grass, leaves, shells? 48

19 Decoration Art Clip art is a great way to add pictures to all of your VBS areas. The Room Decorations Transparency Book is available with decoration art. Use an overhead projector to make the art any size you desire. You may trace the art onto banners, cardboard, poster board or just regular paper. You may use pencils or trace them with a Sharpie marker. The pictures may be colored with markers, tempera paint, colors or chalk. Many times outlining your finished picture will make it stand out. The Resource CD is also available with art, songs, pledges and more. Photo Ideas See the Room Decorations Transparency Book or Resource CD for artwork. Daily Location Icons (Only available on Resource CD) Resource CD 51

20 Decorations Decorations are an important part of your VBS. As much as we might not like it, people are impacted by what they see. Next to curriculum, decorations will probably be your second greatest expense. When money becomes an issue, think how you can reuse. Reuse, reuse, reuse. The problem with reusing is storage. If you have storage availability, organize your storage well and save items from year to year. These island decorations will be used again. Save what you can. Some of the items are specific to the year and would be best shared with other churches. If you haven t, partner with another church to share VBS decorations. Stage Décor You will need a large area where you can assemble with the whole group. If you have a stage in this area make it look great. This will be the most seen room. One idea would involve building a hut and the other would involve building a mountain or beach scene. In this area you need to include the theme logo and daily verses. Use lots of green plants as filler in bare areas. Fake rocks will work great in this area as well. Make them from crumpled paper or foam. Bamboo, tiki torches and wooden crates will all add interest to your stage. If possible include a boat. Room Décor You have been given many options for room décor. This is the area that many directors worry about the most. Choose a theme for the rooms or let your teachers choose their own ideas. These are not to limit your ideas but to give you choices and a beginning place for ideas to form within your teaching team. It is possible to change the classrooms each day but this is not recommended. If you rotate classrooms, you can set up five different rooms using a different theme in each room. Lesson 1 could be a beach scene. Lesson 2 could be a cave scene. Lesson 3 could be a cove type area with some sand. Lesson 4 could be a mountain or volcano scene. Lesson 5 would be a swampy area with lots of trees and blue material or cloth for water. Let your imagination soar. Drawings of Décor on the following pages

21 Stage Island Scene Theme Tan colored paint drop cloth 54

22 Sign up to help with VBS. Sign up to help with VBS. Please fill out this card and return it to I will help with VBS Name Address Phone # Cell # Area that you would like to help with. Please fill out this card and return it to I will help with VBS Name Address Phone # Cell # Area that you would like to help with. Sign up to help with VBS. Sign up to help with VBS. Please fill out this card and return it to I will help with VBS Name Address Phone # Cell # Area that you would like to help with. Please fill out this card and return it to I will help with VBS Name Address Phone # Cell # Area that you would like to help with. *See also Resource CD. 63

23 Daily VBS Attendance Record 2010 Class Teacher/Guide Child s Name Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day

24 OPENING PROGRAM SKIT These skits are designed to be acted out each evening of your VBS. They are written to introduce the idea and lesson for each night. They are a teaser to get the children to begin thinking about the topic for the evening and some of the verses that will be covered. It is to build excitement and interest in the evening. This is not to replace your lesson time but is designed to be a supplement and added bonus to your evening. The skits are written to be changed as needed to meet your church s need. Feel free to change characters, scenes and dialogue based upon your particular desires. Props: Small plastic bug Map Bible Lauren s backpack to hold supplies Flashlight Microphone (for use when they are off stage) 2 big globs of goo 2 bags of trail mix Way for Jake to sink Rope Pop Rock candy Compass Cell phone Characters: Narrator: Gives details to fill in for parts of the story. Lauren: girl older teen. Lauren is sweet but able to hold her own with her brother. She is bossy yet humble with respect to God. Jake: boy older teen brother. He likes to be the leader and wants to take control. He is unsure of his decisions and needs the reassurance of his sister before deciding things that affect others. Setting: Danger Island beach You need to make the area for the skits look like a beach. I don t recommend real sand in the entire area but having a little available in a small box will be helpful. Use light brown material or plastic to cover the main floor area. Secure it to the floor as needed so that it is not slippery or a tripping hazard. Use lots of green plants as filler in bare areas. Fake rocks will work great in this area as well. Make them from crumpled paper or foam. Bamboo, tiki torches and wooden crates will all add interest to your stage. If possible include a broken boat on your stage area. Your backdrop could be trees, sky or even water. You will need an area for a cave entrance. One option for your stage area would involve building a hut and the other would involve building a mountain or beach scene. In this area you need to include the theme logo and daily verses. You will need to build an area that is Shipwreck Point, Big Shadow Cave, Quicksand Cove, Hot Rock Volcano and Boggy Swamp. These areas can be different areas on the stage or you can set up a little differently each day to have that area if your stage is very small. Background: The two main characters have been shipwrecked while out practicing boating skills for one of their classes. They got off course and got too close to a small island near the 72

25 shore where they lived. They were not far from their own boat dock. They can see it in the distance but it was too far to swim. Jake and Lauren are going to have to figure out how to work together to repair their boat or build another floating device to sustain them while they travel back to shore. Lauren does have her cell phone but service is limited and the battery life is running low. Jake is unaware that Lauren has the cell phone. They must contact their parents so that they do not worry; however, their parents are out of town for the week and are themselves out of cell phone range. Props for Lesson 1: Small plastic bug Map Bible Lauren s backpack to hold supplies LESSON 1 SKIT Lesson 1 begins with Jake and Lauren walking onto the stage and looking around at their surroundings like they have never seen them before. Both are dressed in boating attire such as would be acceptable in your church s setting. Maybe wet hair, a little scattered looking. Jake: Lauren, where are we? Lauren: I don t know. What happened anyway? Jake: Well, we were on the boat and then we ran into something. We must have been knocked out. Lauren: I don t know... last thing I remember I was leaning over the boat looking at that awesome, cool dolphin that was swimming beside us then... I don t know... Jake: Maybe the boat hit a rock or something. You know I never paid attention to this island over here. Lauren: Yes, I can even see our dock from here (looks off into the distance) but that is too far to swim. Jake, I m scared. What are we going to do? Jake: Don t worry. I will protect you! (showing his muscles). That is what big brothers are for. (He sees a little bug scurry across the sand and he runs over to Lauren in a scared manner.) Aaaaaaaaah... what is that? Lauren: (leaning down to pick up the little bug) I thought you were going to protect me? (holding up the little bug) Jake, it s just a cricket! Come on we need to find out where we are and come up with a plan. Jake: Good idea! I think though that we should stop first and pray. (pray here) Lord, thanks for always knowing where we are and what we need. Give us help to overcome our fear and stay close to You for help. In Jesus name, Amen. Lauren: I remember a time when Joshua in the Bible was afraid. Jake: Yes, well what happened? Lauren: I don t know for sure. I just remember that our teacher gave us a verse that we were to remember when we were afraid. Let s see... oh, yes, My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Jake: Is that in Psalms or something? Lauren: Psalm 121:2. Now I remember. I liked the way that sounded. 121:2. 121:2. 121:2. 121:2. 73

26 Jake: Enough, already. I m gonna be saying 121:2, 121:2, 121:2 in my sleep! Lauren: Psalm 121:2, My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. Jake: What do you see that will give us any clues as to where we are? Lauren: Well, we are kind of close to the shore of our dock. But it s way too far to swim. Jake: (looking around) And, it does appear to be an island. Boy, I wish we had a map! Lauren: (Lauren reaches into her backpack which has been concealed and hands him a map.) Jake: Where did you get this? Lauren: Part of our training in Brownie Scouts is to always be prepared! And, here is a Bible. I think that we might need this. You know I don t know all the verses. Jake: Good job, Brownie Scout! Lauren: (both of them looking at the map) Hmmm... It looks like this is our boat dock here. (pointing on the map) Jake: (looking at the map) And... we went this direction... Lauren: That s east. Jake: East... and there is a little island over here. (reading slowly) D... a... n... ger... I... s... land. Da... n... ger I... s... land. Both: Danger Island! (looking at each other) Danger Island! (looking more at map) Shipwreck Point. (looking at each other) Shipwreck Point! Jake: Well, at least that makes sense... we did shipwreck at this point. I guess we aren t the first. Lauren: (holding onto Jake s arm) Jake, I m scared! I ve heard about this island. It s full of all kinds of dangers. Jake: Look, Lauren. Keep your head on. (Lauren adjusts her head like she is putting it back on.) Remember what our pastor taught us just this week, Romans 8:37... let me see... it is here somewhere... (opening the Bible.) Here it is... In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. We can conquer this if we recognize the dangers and stay close to God for help! Lauren: I remember... what he said... Abide. We must abide. Jake: Abide? Lauren: Yes, you know... kinda just stay close to God and wait. Jake: Isn t that what I just said? Lauren: O... Jake... you are a good brother. (pause) Waiting on Danger Island; I wonder what is going to happen next? Jake: Can t wait. (walking off the stage) I hope there aren t any more of those bug things around here. Lauren: O... Jake... you are a funny brother! 74