Lesson 26 The Life of Jesus Ages 6-11 Unit 5 The King Who Teaches: Parables Part One Camp Venture Counselor s Guide The Workers in the Vineyard KINGS & KINGDOMS PART 1 THE WORSHIP, THE WORD, & THE WAY Camp Games Fair Foot Ball At the Campfire Worship Jesus as our Teacher Camp Critter: Ant Parable Point: What others have got we envy not. Bible Memory Verse You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 Tent Time Kingdom Parable: Matthew 20:1-16 CAMPING SUPPLY CHECKLIST [] Set out mats or sit-upons in a semicircle, Counselor s camp chair [] Camp Venture Counselor s Guide on a clipboard and a Counselor s Bible [] Camp Games: One ball for each team [] At the Campfire: Lesson 26 Critter Kingdom Sketch or Storybook [] Camp Cooler: Parable Pal s Letter, Grinners & Grumblers Cards, one denarius coin (both available for download at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net) [] Got Time? Gear: Chocolate-covered raisins (or other fresh or dried fruit), juice, napkins, plates, cups, ribbon, large wood bead, glue, tape, markers, scissors, hole punch, large flat buttons, yellow and/or brown paper, pencils, purple paper, heavy string, paper clips or clothespins, Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse poster, colored paper [] Parable Poster Project: One piece of poster board, pencil, crayons, markers or paint, Bible Memory Verse Song. Optional: Use a silver button or aluminum foil as the denarius coin. [] Extra Kingdom Parables Books for children just joining camp [] Kingdom Parable Card: The Workers in the Vineyard [] Bonus Kingdom Parable Card: The Two Sons [] Daily Way Lesson 26 ADD-A-VENTURE Use additional items to create the Camp Venture experience. For example: set up a camp tent, Camp Venture Photo Board or photo album including photos of each camper, fire logs surrounded with stones as a flameless campfire, etc.
Camp Games (30 Minutes) Welcome to Camp Venture! Each time before we worship, we get to know each other better and have some fun with our camp games. First, let s dedicate this day of camp to King Jesus. (Pray.) We have been learning some of Jesus parables. Why did Jesus tell parables? (To teach lessons about God s Kingdom.) Today, we will hear Jesus parable of the workers in the vineyard. Before we begin, let s play a game. Pretend your team is working in the vineyard. Your team s job is to pass a giant grape around your circle three times. Do your best; there will be lots of points awarded at the end of the game. FAIR FOOT BALL GETTING STARTED ACTIVITY PURPOSE: To play a game to introduce the concept that God is fair and generous. SUPPLIES: One ball for each team 1. Each team forms a circle. Campers lay down on their backs with their legs in the air towards the middle of the circle.* Place a ball as a giant grape between the feet of one camper on each team. 2. On your signal, each team passes their giant grape around the circle using only their feet. If they drop the giant grape, they must pick it up with their feet and continue playing. 3. When the giant grape reaches the starting point after being passed around the circle three times, the team signals it has finished by standing up. 4. Give each team the exact same number of points. Start by announcing and awarding the team who finished last and finish by awarding the same prize to the team who finished first. *Counselor Clue: Girls wearing dresses may sit up and pass the ball with their elbows. Did you expect to all get the same reward? (No.) Who did you expect to get the biggest reward? (The team who finished first.) Often, the first-place winner is given the greatest reward, but this time, I only asked for you to finish the job and to do your best. You all passed the grape three times and you did your best. Do you think it is fair that I gave you all the same reward? (Respond.) In Jesus parable, the owner of the vineyard was fair and generous. Let s find out what he did for his workers. 2
At the Campfire (15 Minutes) We gather at the campfire to worship the Lord. Let s start our worship time by giving our offering. (Collect offering.) We have chores to do because we are part of a family. All who believe in Jesus are also part of a bigger family God s family. In God s family, we build His Kingdom together, worship together, and learn the parables of Jesus together. Today we ll hear the parable of the workers in the vineyard. We ll see that God is fair and generous. Generous means giving freely. God gives us so much. He gives us wonderful friends and families, a place to learn about Him, fun times, and all kinds of treasures and blessings! Today s Camp Critter is the ant. Ants are hard workers! Meet and Greet Question: What kind of chores do you do? Worship Elements: Collect and lead prayer for an offering. Read Critter Kingdom Storybook or perform Sketch which includes the Camper s Code and Critter Kingdom Song. Camper s Code I will love God with all my heart. I will love my neighbor as myself. I will be a light wherever I go. Praise Song Suggestions Select songs containing lyrics about God s generosity and grace. God Is So Good Praist The Lord, O My Soul You Are Good More Than Enough Amazing Grace Critter Kingdom Song I spied an ant overhead. Here is what that ant said, What others have got we envy not. I spied an ANT, who followed the BEAR, who followed the EARTHWORM, who followed the FALCON And the falcon hollered, Yippee-kigh-yay! At Camp Venture today! Bible Memory Verse Song Yahweh Everyday: You Shall Love The Lord Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) Verse You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself: the best commandments you ll find. Chorus Yahweh! I know I can go to Yahweh! She can, he can go to Yahweh! We know we can go to Yahweh everyday! Repeat Verse and Chorus faster. Repeat Verse and Chorus faster. Sheet music and recordings available at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net 3
Tent Time (15 Minutes) (Tent time should take place in a corner of the classroom, under a tent or any covered space. Remove chairs and have children sit on mats or sit-upons.) Kingdom Parable Welcome to Tent Time! At the campfire we heard about the workers in the vineyard who worked to be paid a denarius coin. That was an ancient, Roman coin made of silver. It worth the cost of 10 donkeys. Let s read the parable for ourselves. You ll find it in Matthew 20:1-16. If you brought your Bible, you may read along silently with me. (Read Matthew 20:1-16.) Why did some workers choose to grumble? (They thought the landowner was being unfair.) The owner promised a denarius to the workers who started working in the morning. Did the owner keep that promise? (Yes.) The owner was very generous to the workers who came last. Was it unfair for the owner to be generous? (No.) Is it unfair for God to be generous? (No.) 4
Tent Time continued (15 Minutes) Cabin Cooler During Tent Time, we always open our Cabin Cooler to find something from our Parable Pal about the Kingdom of heaven. Let s see what our Parable Pal can show us about the workers in the vineyard. (Volunteer opens cooler and reads the letter. Cooler also contains two Grinners & Grumblers cards and one denarius coin.) Hello Campers, I really like this parable because it s all about choices! Some of the workers chose to grumble. But they could have chosen to grin about getting the pay they were promised AND to be thankful that God was generous to the other workers. Have you ever grumbled because someone else was given something special? Just like the workers, we each have a choice to make when we feel like God is being more generous with others than with us. This game of Grinners & Grumblers helps us see how to turn our grumbles into grins, and our frowns upside down! Let s play right now! (Play Grinners & Grumblers. ) 1. Divide the campers into 2 teams: Grinners and Grumblers. 2. Read Grinners & Grumblers Card A. 3. Have one camper toss the denarius coin in the air to see how it lands. 4. If the denarius lands frown-face up, the Grumblers go first with 10 seconds to say what seems unfair about the situation read from the card. If the denarius lands smile-face up, the Grinners go first with 10 seconds to say how God was generous in the situation read from the card. 5. The opposite team now has 10 seconds to respond with a reason why their team would choose to grin or grumble in that same situation. 6. Now switch the teams Grinners are Grumblers, Grumblers are Grinners. 7. Repeat steps 1-7 using Grinners & Grumblers Card B. So, do you get the idea? We have a choice. We can either put ourselves first and grumble, or we can smile with a big grin about how generous our God is. Keep cool, campers! Your Parable Pal 5
Tent Time continued (15 Minutes) Grinners & Grumblers Card Directions (Cards available for download at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net or create your own according to the following directions.) Using two, standard size sheets of paper, print or draw the following on the front of each paper: Card A: Picture of two girls working in a yard Card B: Picture of a boy working in a science lab Below the picture on the front of each card, print or write the following corresponding information: Card A: Beth helped her dad with yard work for three hours. Kristen helped them for the last 10 minutes. Their dad gave them both an ice cream treat for helping him. What were Beth s choices when the ice cream treats were served? Card B: Benjamin worked hard on his team science project. The others on his team did not do their part. The teacher gave everyone the same good grade for the project. On the back of each card, print or write the following corresponding information: Card A: GRINNERS Smile at how the dad was so generous and kind to include Kristen in the treat. GRUMBLERS Grumble that dad was unfair to give them the same treat when Beth did most of the work. Card B: GRINNERS Smile at how Benjamin did such a great job on the project. GRUMBLERS Complain that it was unfair. He expected to get the mot credit and a higher grade than his teammates because they did not do their part. *Counselor Clue: Create additional cards using situations relevant to your campers. Denarius Coin Directions (Coin sample available for download at www.childrensministrywarehouse.net or create your own according to the following directions.) Cut two circles equal in diameter to any coin available. On one side of one circle, draw a happy face and write or print the word GRINNER. On one side of one circle, draw a grouchy face and write or print the word GRUMBLER. With tape or glue, adhere the blank sides of the circles to opposite sides of a coin. 6
Tent Time continued (15 Minutes) Share A Prayer Let s thank Jesus for finding and loving each one of us! We can pray for each other and thank God for sending His Son to us and to the world. (Ask campers for individual praise and prayer requests.) Father in heaven, thank You for being generous to each of us. You know our needs the ones we just shared out loud and the ones that we hide in our hearts. We lift all these up to Your throne now. (Pause of silence.) We can t wait to see the way that You will answer each one. Together, we close this prayer with the words Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Final Five (When only five minutes remain, begin this segment.) Kingdom Parable Card As you leave today, you ll receive The Workers in the Vineyard Kingdom Parable Card. Put it in your Kingdom Parable Book at home. Collect ten cards by joining us here each time we meet at Camp Venture. Plus, each time you complete a Daily Way, you ll receive a Bonus Kingdom Parable Card, too! (This week s Bonus Kingdom Parable Card is The Two Sons.) Prayer Requests How can I pray for you this week? (As campers work on their Letters from Camp, write individual requests in your teacher s prayer notebook.) Letter From Camp Write a Letter from Camp to We someone can also in your thank home God to for let creation them through know what prayer. you did We today. can pray Write for each your favorite other and thing all who about live today in this world and something He has given special us. about (Ask campers the for parable individual you praise just learned. and prayer Sign re-iquests.) and take Let s it home. pray. Camper Challenge (Hand out Lesson 26 Daily Way.) Complete your Daily Way at home and bring it back next week to win points for your team here at Camp Venture and you ll receive a Bonus Kingdom Parable Card! 7
Got Time? (If time remains, choose from the connected activities in this segment.) GIFTS FROM GOD DISCUSSION PURPOSE: Campers will recognize generous gifts from God in their own lives. SUPPLIES: A Bible open to John 3:16 The landowner gave the late workers a denarius they had not fully earned or deserved. That is called grace. In God s grace, He gives us blessings that we have not earned. What are some examples of gifts of grace things He has given you that you did not earn? If you need a hint, check out John 3:16. (Personal examples of unearned gifts from God, Bible Story examples, and salvation: God sent His Son to give us life forever with God, even though we did not earn or deserve it.) FAIR AND GENEROUS SNACK SNACK PURPOSE: Campers will eat a snack to help them remember God is fair and generous. SUPPLIES: Chocolate-covered raisins (or other fresh or dried fruit), juice, napkins, plates, cups We are learning Jesus parable about the workers in the vineyard. The owner of the vineyard was fair and generous when he paid his workers. Jesus wants us to know God is fair and generous, too! Let s eat chocolate-covered, dried grapes. I will make sure you each get a fair and generous number of raisins. 1. Pass out snack and juice. Campers help count out an equal, generous number of chocolate-covered raisins for each child. 2. Camper prays to thank God for the snack. 3. Ask the Meet & Greet Question: What kind of chores do you do? BONUS PARABLE: THE WISE BUILDER DISCUSSION PURPOSE: To introduce and discuss another parable Jesus taught His followers. SUPPLIES: A Bible open to Matthew 7:24-27 Today s bonus parable is the story of the wise builder. (Volunteer or teacher reads Matthew 7:24-27.) What happened to the wise man s house when the wind and rains came? (It did not fall.) What does it mean to put Jesus words into practice. (To do what Jesus says.) What are some things Jesus has told us to do? (To love God, love our neighbor, stay close to Him, pray, give, believe, don t be greedy, don t worry, follow Him, make wise choices, etc.) The wind and rain in the story stand for hard times in our lives. When we do what Jesus says, we will be able to make it through those hard times. What do you think happens in hard times, when we haven t been doing what Jesus says? (Respond.) 8
Got Time? continued PARABLE WIND CHIMES: WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD APPLICATION PURPOSE: Create a wind chime strand to remember the workers in the vineyard parable. SUPPLIES: Ribbon, large wood bead, glue, tape, markers, scissors, hole punch, large flat buttons, yellow and/or brown paper, pencils PREPARE: Cut one 20-inch ribbon for each child. To maintain balance, punch today s ribbon hole directly opposite the strand attached on previous lesson, approximately one inch in from the edge. Create a sample craft to display. Today we heard the story of the workers in the vineyard. What did the vineyard owner pay the workers? (The same amount: One denarius.) The vineyard owner was fair because he paid the first workers what he promised to them. How was he generous? (He gave the full day s pay to all of the workers, even the workers who only worked one hour.) Who is like the vineyard owner in the parable? (God.) God is also fair and generous. Let s make a strand of coins for our wind chimes. Let the coins help you remember the vineyard owner gave fair and generous pay to his workers. Remember God is always fair and generous. 1. Thread the 20-inch ribbon up through the hole on the edge of the plate. 2. Tie a knot in the 20-inch ribbon on the top of the plate large enough to prevent the ribbon from pulling back through the plate. 3. Tie a bead to bottom of the 20-inch ribbon. 4. Choose three buttons. 5. Use a pencil to trace each button onto a piece of yellow or brown paper. 6. Cut out the circles. 7. Decorate one side of each circle to look like a coin. 8. Glue the back of the circles onto buttons to finish coins. 9. Glue the back of the coins to the center of ribbon. Allow glue to dry before picking up the ribbon. Option: Before attaching any of the ribbons, decorate the paper plate wind chime base. Knot ribbon above plate around a large bead. Use gold, silver, or brown ribbon and beads to match the coins. Substitute beads with any materials available: buttons, shells, small stones, small metal objects, etc. Substitute paper glued on the buttons with aluminum foil wrapped around the buttons. *Counselor Clue: Parable Wind Chimes is a craft that will be completed throughout Lessons 23-32 as the parables of Jesus are taught. Each week a new strand representing the parable taught that week will be added to the paper plate base of the wind chimes. To maintain balance in the wind chimes as they are being created, punch holes directly opposite from each other when adding a new strand. Be sure to have extra paper plates and 30-inch ribbon hangers for campers that are joining the camp after this week. 9
Got Time? continued PARABLE POSTER PROJECT CAMP CRAFT (10 LESSON PROJECT) PURPOSE: Campers collaborate to create a picture of each parable to hang around the room or to create an oversized book. SUPPLIES: One piece of poster board, pencil, crayons, markers or paint, Bible Memory Verse Song. Optional: Use a silver button or aluminum foil as the denarius coin. PREPARE: Place the piece of poster board where all the campers can reach to have a turn drawing or coloring. Camp Counselor may draw a pencil outline of a frowning worker s face in the top left half of the poster and a smiling worker s face in the top right half of the poster. 1. Campers take turns adding a body and two hands to each worker. Draw one denarius coin in each worker s hand. 2. Play Bible Memory Verse Song as campers wait for their turn to draw. 3. Assign one camper to print Workers in the Vineyard on the poster. BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 HIDDEN GRAPES OBJECT: Campers will find hidden Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse grapes and put the words in order. SUPPLIES: Purple paper, scissors, marker, heavy string, paper clips or clothespins, Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse poster PREPARE: Cut the purple paper into sets of 27 circles as large grapes. Write one Bible Memory Verse word on each grape. Hide the grapes in various locations around the room. Display the Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse poster. Campers search for hidden grapes and work together to place the Bible Memory Verse words in the correct order in the center of the room. God is fair and generous to you. We can be fair and generous, too. Think about our Bible Memory Verse. How does it say we are to be fair and generous to God? (We should love God with all our hearts, souls and minds.) How can we be fair and generous to others around us? (Love them as much as we love ourselves.) *Counselor Clue: You may use the Memory Verse grapes created for the Message on the Vine game in Lesson 25. 10
Got Time? continued BIBLE MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITIES continued... Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 THE WAVE PURPOSE: To help campers memorize the Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse. 1. Assign one phrase from Matthew 22:37-39 to each camper or team. 2. As helper directs, each camper or team quickly stands, says assigned phrase while raising both hands up to the sky and then down to thighs and sits down. 3. Repeat three times, faster each time. COLOR DECODE OBJECT: Campers unscramble and learn the words to the Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse. SUPPLIES: Colored paper, scissors, Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse poster PREPARE: Cut each sheet of colored paper into four equal-size cards. Divide the Unit 5 Bible Memory Verse into four phrases. Write one phrase on each set of four cards of one color. Create one set of a different color for every four campers. Mix up all of the sets. Display the Bible Memory Verse poster. 1. Say the Bible Memory Verse together. 2. Distribute the cards in random order. 3. Each camper searches for the other three campers with matching color cards. 4. Once together, the campers put their cards in the correct order of the Bible Memory Verse and sit down. (They can use the Bible Memory Verse poster as a reference.) 5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to play again. How should we love God? (With all our heart, soul and mind.) How should we love our neighbors? (As ourselves.) Jesus told parables to teach us how to live together in God s Kingdom. The parables teach us how to love God and each other. GETTING TO KNOW YOU PURPOSE: Campers get to love their neighbors by learning about their favorite things. Gather in a circle and discuss some of the camper s favorite things. What is your favorite thing about: getting a new gift? sharing a new gift with someone else? learning parables? being with your friends? going on a vacation? 11