Elementary Permission to photocopy this resource from Group s Everest VBS granted for local church use. Copyright 2015 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs
The Crew Family Every member of your mixed-age Crew adds something to every activity. I m going into fourth grade. I m a unique and important part of my Crew because I like to be challenged. I can help younger members of my Crew with challenging projects. I m going into sixth grade. I m a unique and important part of my Crew because I like to make choices. I can help younger Crew members with tasks and help the Crew Leader guide everyone in showing Jesus love. I m going into fifth grade. I m a unique and important part of my Crew because I like to ask questions. I can help my Crew ask questions to make sure we understand what we re learning. I m going into first grade. I m a unique and important part of my Crew because I have a great imagination. I can help my Crew dive into each Bible adventure! I m going into second grade. I m a unique and important part of my Crew because I like to be the best. I can help encourage my Crew to be the best it can be. I m going into third grade. I m a unique and important part of my Crew because I want everything to be fair. I can help make sure we all take turns and treat one another fairly. Permission to photocopy this resource from Group s Everest VBS granted for local church use. Copyright 2015 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs
The Worship Rally (Summit Celebration) will be moving to 6:50 PM, June 8-12, Fellowship Hall. The materials will be in H-182 (first room in the back of the Fellowship Hall). We will provide: Flipper Flappers to do the Wordless Book or you can use the Dr. Dan Allen booklet. If you have never used the Wordless Book or counseled children, I would suggest that you watch the Child Evangelism training. You are not required to do the CEF training. But it would be beneficial in using words that children will understand. We will have tracts to give to each child who comes back. A letter for those who make a decision to take home to their parent. This talks about their decision and the special VBS baptism on Friday night. Children must be counseled prior to baptism with a parent present. The parent is their Spiritual leader, not us. Clip boards and pens will be provided. They will have a campus map attached and decision cards will be at each station. We will pray as a group inside the Fellowship Hall at 6:40 PM if you can join us. The time of invitation will follow the drama each night. Pastor David Miller will give the invitation. Counselors will move into the aisles to greet the children at they come back for the invitation. When you come into the counseling rooms, please help to divide up the children into small groups. We would love to be able to counsel one on one! So your prayers for lots of counselors is appreciated. Introduce yourself to the child and ask his or her name. Then try to call the child by name while counseling. Ask questions as you go through the Gospel to make sure they understand and are engaged. You will have from about 7:30 to 7:55 to counsel. Then you will need to fill out the decision card and have the child back to their room by 8:05. Decision Card Please complete a decision card for each child. If you are short on time, the name and phone number are the most important information and your name, so we can call if we have questions. All notes are appreciated so we can complete our data base.
Bibles will be given to children who DO NOT have one at home and will be taken to their classroom on Thursday evening. Please remember to ask and put on the decision card. Every child should leave with a tract. There is room on the tract to put the date if they make a decision. Children who make a decision for Christ should get one of the letters to take home. These explain the decision to their parents and talk about the special baptism on Friday evening. You will walk the children to the classroom on their name tag (the pick-up room). 1-4 grade will be on the second floor of the Hope Building (Hope Theater, Activity 208 A or B or H-219/220) and 5 th grade in the Faith Building, F-209 or the blue gym. They will have a registration team at the desk in the Children s Lobby if a child has lost their name tag. For security reasons, please wear your name tag and never be alone with a child. That is why we counsel in a large room. Follow-up Each night after VBS, we will create a list of the previous night s decisions. If a child has made a decision in the past, we will change your recorded decision from salvation to rededication or assurance. If a child you counseled is not on the list, it is because they are not yet in the church data base. We would love for you to make a follow-up call to those you have counseled. We will have two lists and one can be cut up and you can take their phone numbers home. The call can just be as simple as Did your child tell you of their decision? and then Do you have any questions? Family Night, June 12, 6:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall Counselors will be needed for last minute walk-ins at 5:30 PM. Counselors can use the Dr. Dan Allen booklet in a question type format to make sure the child understands first their salvation decision and the reason to follow in believer s baptism. Last year, I had the joy to lead 3 children to Christ after the program! So, if you love to lead kids to Christ, let me know of your availability and hang out near the sound booth in the Fellowship Hall following the program.
VBS Registration Childcare is available for children of volunteers who do not meet the minimum age requirement during VBS week, but you must register them by May 25 to reserve a spot. Reserve Childcare by providing your information at the end of your training session or by contacting Candi Girtman by May 25. Please pre-register your older children online by June 1. T-Shirts When you complete your training by May 25, you will receive a free VBS 2015 t-shirt. After you have read through the leader guide and completed the online training, make sure to submit your answers, along with your t-shirt size, so that you can pick up your VBS t-shirt at the Ticket Counter on Main Street on Wednesday, June 3, from 5:30PM to 6:30PM or on Sunday, June 7, from 8:30AM to 12:30PM. Pre-ordering for children s shirts is available online when you register your children and is strongly encouraged, as there will be limited quantities available during VBS week. If pre-ordered, the cost will be $10 for youth sizes and $12 for adult sizes. The week of VBS, all shirts will be $12. VBS Times Be in place at 5:30PM on Monday and no later than 5:50PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Childcare will open at 5:15PM on Monday and 5:45PM on Tuesday through Thursday. All other drop-off begins at 6:00PM. HeBrews Café For your convenience, HeBrews will be open on Main Street in the Hope Building nightly from 5:00PM to 8:00PM with VBS-friendly menu items available for purchase. Family Night The whole family is invited Friday night at 6:15PM in the Fellowship Hall. Preschool and Children s Worship Teams will lead a fun-filled evening of music and baptisms to wrap up the week. We will also learn the winner of the missions challenge and finish with ice cream on Main Street for everyone. 5
Bible Story: Bible Point: God provides for Elijah. God has the power to provide. (1 Kings 17) Key Verse: And God will generously provide all you need. DAY 1 (2 Corinthians 9:8) Did You Know? s Elijah was a prophet in Israel during the rule of King Ahab, whose reign is placed around 874-853 B.C. Elijah called for people, specifically the rulers of Israel and Judah, to put their faith in God rather than the false god Baal. s Elijah s name means my God is Yahweh. Yahweh, meaning Lord, is the Hebrew word for God. Another way to phrase it is the Lord is my God. Even Elijah s name reminded God s people to repent and once again worship God. s Elijah spread his message about God throughout the capital and major cities of the kingdom. The Bible says Elijah came from a land east of the Jordan River, from a place called Gilead. This means that the urban people Elijah spoke to probably looked down on him, regarding him as a simple, uneducated country man. What a great reminder that God can use anybody to do His work! s Baal was known as the god of lightning and storm; he was believed to have control over the fertility of the land and crops. God sent a great drought over the land by withholding the rain, showing King Ahab and the people of Israel that Baal had no power. Why It Matters Although most kids at your VBS probably have a place to sleep and food to eat, they still have other real needs maybe a child s parent lost his or her job, or perhaps a child feels friendless at school. Help children understand that God is bigger than any of those needs, and He has the power to provide. Give kids the reassurance that they can hold on to God s mighty power to provide for their needs. You ll also have the opportunity to encourage kids to recognize and thank God for providing their most fundamental blessings things like clean drinking water, the privilege of coming to church to learn about Jesus, and love from friends and family members. Permission to photocopy this resource from Group s Everest VBS granted for local church use. Copyright 2015 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs 7
Bible Story: God speaks to Elijah. Bible Point: (1 Kings 19) God has the power to comfort. Key Verse: He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. DAY 2 (2 Corinthians 1:4) Did You Know? s As Elijah fled from King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, Elijah hit one of the lowest points in his life he even told God he had had enough and asked God to end his life! No wonder Elijah desperately needed God s comfort. Jezebel, the powerful queen of Israel, wanted to kill him; he was the only prophet in Israel serving God, as Jezebel tried to have all the other prophets of God killed, and the few who were left were in hiding; and even after God had demonstrated his great power, Jezebel still wouldn t worship God. s Before Elijah began his 40-day trek to Mount Sinai, he stopped to rest under a broom tree. The broom tree is common in this desert wilderness (modern-day southern Palestine), and it would have been the only shrub big enough to offer Elijah any shade. The broom tree can grow to be 10 feet high. s Instead of appearing in the mighty wind, earthquake, or fire, God presented Himself in a gentle whisper. Why? God had just shown His great power to the people of Israel by withholding the rain to create a significant drought and by sending down fire to consume the sacrifice offered by Elijah at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). But God revealed that He is more than just a powerful God who can control the elements of nature He is a God who is always present, sometimes revealed in overwhelmingly astounding ways and sometimes in the quiet. Why It Matters Our world is an imperfect place, and it s filled with things that make kids scared or sad or fearful hurtful words from a child at school, a frightening storm, a fight between parents. Kids find comfort in things like a warm hug, an encouraging word, or a cozy stuffed animal, but nothing compares to the comfort of knowing God is always by their side they are never alone! Today at VBS share with kids the encouraging message of God s peace and His ability to comfort us no matter what we might face in life. 8 Permission to photocopy this resource from Group s Everest VBS granted for local church use. Copyright 2015 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs
Bible Story: Jesus dies on a cross to take away our sins, then comes back to life. Bible Point: Key Verse: God has the power to forgive. You are a God of forgiveness. Day 3 (Nehemiah 9:17) (Luke 22:31 24:12) Did You Know? s The Romans reserved crucifixion a cruel, painful, and slow way to die for criminals without Roman citizenship. Usually only slaves, rebels, and the worst political offenders received such a gruesome sentence. This horrible public punishment was meant to deter crime throughout the empire. s After being cruelly beaten, Jesus was forced by guards to carry one of the beams of the cross, a common practice in Bible times. Jesus carried this beam about a third of a mile, and the wood beam could have weighed as much as 125 pounds. s Luke is the only book of the Gospels that tells about Jesus forgiving the thief. Jesus tells the thief, I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43). The word paradise is only used three times in the New Testament. (It s also in 2 Corinthians 12:4 and Revelation 2:7). Some scholars believe the word refers to a place of rest between death and resurrection. s When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the inner sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two. This inner space, the Holy of Holies, was the earthly dwelling place of God s presence. God ordained that only the high priest could go past this curtain once a year. The torn curtain revealed that now, because of Jesus sacrifice, anyone who puts their faith in Jesus has access to God. Why It Matters Jesus lived a perfect life and was wrongly put to death. Everyone who witnessed Jesus death knew a great injustice had taken place. Jesus didn t deserve to die, but He still forgave the people who crucified him! Today help kids understand that because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, we have been forgiven for our sins too. Share with kids the wonderful news that there is nothing they can do to make God love them less and nothing they can do that God won t forgive them for. God is able to forgive us an infinite amount of times He is the ultimate forgiver! Permission to photocopy this resource from Group s Everest VBS granted for local church use. Copyright 2015 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs 9
Bible Story: Bible Point: Jesus promises us an eternal home. (John 14:1-3) God has the power to love us forever. Key Verse: "Everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life." (John 3:15) Day 4 Did You Know? s Jesus described heaven as a house filled with many rooms, an expression meaning unlimited space. So we know heaven is really big big enough for everyone who believes in Jesus! s Jesus gave is disciples this message of comfort and the assurance of heaven to help prepare them for what was ahead. He knew the disciples would soon face many trials and persecutions, beginning with is own betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. s Jesus mentioned heaven many, many times in the Gospels. But e didn t give many details of what heaven is like. This is because Jesus was more concerned with making sure people knew how to spend eternity with im by believing in im! I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me (John 14:6). s Jesus used parables often during is ministry to explain truths to is followers. But during his last night with the disciples, described in John 13-17, Jesus spoke very plainly. This was Jesus last chance to make sure the disciples understood who He was, the work He had for them, that He would have a place waiting for them in heaven, and that He would one day return to earth! Why It Matters Sometimes the Bible can seem like a big history book filled with stories from a long, long time ago. But our God is not a character in a story from once upon a time. God always has been and always will be He is forever! Use today s lesson to help kids discover the hope they have in a heavenly future. Share the excitement Jesus followers have and the unimaginably wonderful forever home we have waiting for us in heaven 10 Permission to photocopy this resource from Group s Everest VBS granted for local church use. Copyright 2015 Group Publishing, Inc., Loveland, CO. group.com/vbs
Hope Theater Epic Bible Station Hope Theater Homeroom & H-208B pick up Check In Check In H-208A Imagination Station H-208A Homeroom & 219 & 220 pick up H-208B Imagination Station H-208B Homeroom H-219 & 220 Epic Bible Check In Check In & Hope Theater Pick up Station 219 & 220 Homeroom & H-208A Pick up 5th Grade is in Faith, 2nd floor, blue gym
1, 2, 3, Jesus Loves Me Instructor Notes 1 Super Seminars #1 1, 2, 3, Jesus Loves Me Objectives: (Helping Children Understand the Message of Salvation) The teacher will: 1. Be familiar with the message of salvation, understanding how to clearly share it with children. 2. Feel encouraged by the simplicity with which the message can be shared with boys and girls. 3. Effectively share the message of salvation using an evangelistic tool in his/her children s class. #2 I. Why lead children to Christ (3 min) A. God commands it (Matt. 28:18, 19). B. Spiritual condition demands it. s #3-4 1. He is a sinner (Rom. 3:23). 2. He cannot understand spiritual truths (1 Cor. 2:14). #5 II. A brief overview of the message of salvation (10-12 min) Note: This section is designed to strengthen the teacher s own understanding of the message of salvation as it relates to mankind. It should be presented as a devotional, with illustrations or quotes that would minister to the heart of the teachers. References to children should not be made until section III. #6 A. The foundational truths God is 1. Creator of all things (Gen. 1:1). 2. Love (1 John 4:7-8). 3. Holy, without sin and just He is perfect (Acts 3:14). 1994, 2009, 2013 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved.
2 1, 2, 3, Jesus Loves Me Instructor Notes Super Seminars #7 Man is 1. A sinner by nature and by act (Rom. 3:23). 2. Separated from God because of sin (Isa. 59:2). 3. Unable to save himself (Titus 3:5). #8 #9 B. The Gospel 1. The person of the Lord Jesus He is God, the Son (Acts 9:20). He is perfect man (2 Cor. 5:21). 2. The work of the Lord Jesus He willingly died on the cross, giving His blood as payment for your sin (1 Peter 1:18-19; 3:18). He came back to life again (1 Cor. 15:4). He lives in Heaven with the Father. s #10-11 C. The appropriation 1. God s invitation is to come to Christ (Rev. 22:17). 2. Man s responsibility (John 1:12). Note: Look at John 1:12, explaining it phrase by phrase, not just the condition/promise. Remember to keep this explanation focused on the adult teacher. Link: Now that we have looked at the message of salvation as it relates to mankind, let s think about how this could be shared with children in a way that would be easy for them to comprehend. We ll use symbols to help present the concepts to children. III. Presenting the message of salvation on a child s level (15-17 min) Use the Gospel Flipper-Flapper, the Gospel Turnaround or symbol flashcards. Keep in mind whichever you use should be available for the students as well. Patterns and instructions for the symbol flashcards are provided at the end of this subject and also in the students notes. s #12-13 #14 A. Gold circle 1. God made all things (e.g., trees, animals, stars) He made you. 2. God loves you very much (John 3:16a). 3. God is perfect He never does anything wrong. 4. God has made a perfect place in Heaven for you. Link: There is one thing that can never be in Heaven. That is sin. 1994, 2009, 2013 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved.
1, 2, 3, Jesus Loves Me Instructor Notes 3 Super Seminars Emphasize the need for using a link sentence which will help the presentation flow smoothly from one card to the next. s #15-16 B. Dark heart 1. Sin is anything that displeases God It can be wrong things that you think, say or do. It can be not doing what you know you should. 2. Give specific examples that a child can relate to. Let the class share some possible examples they could use. 3. Everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23) You were born with a want to to do things your own way. 4. Sin separates you from God and keeps you from going to Heaven God s perfect place for you. #17 s #18-20 #21 #22 Link: But God has a wonderful plan so that you can have your sins forgiven and go to Heaven some day. C. Red cross and tomb 1. Jesus is God, the Son (Acts 9:20). 2. He lived a perfect life. 3. He willingly took the punishment you deserved. 4. He is the only one who could take your place on the cross. 5. He gave His blood so your sins could be forgiven (Heb. 9:22b). 6. He died and came back to life again (1 Cor. 15:3, 4). 7. He is now in Heaven with His Father. D. Clean heart Link: Now because of what the Lord Jesus did, you can have your sins forgiven and be ready for Heaven. John 3:16 Explain this verse phrase by phrase: For God so loved the world (The One True God loves you) That He gave His only begotten Son (only Son He had, Jesus) That whosoever (if you) Believeth in Him (trust completely that Jesus was the only one who could die for your sins, taking the punishment you deserve) Should not perish (Will not be separated from God forever) But have everlasting life (God by His Holy Spirit will come to live in the real you. He will help you to live a life that pleases Him and someday you will be able to live with Him in His home in heaven.) 1994, 2009, 2013 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved.
4 1, 2, 3, Jesus Loves Me Instructor Notes Super Seminars #23 After explaining the verse, ask, Will you believe on the Lord Jesus as your Savior? or Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose again so your sins could be forgiven? If the child responds, yes, review the truths taught on each flashcard by asking some thought-provoking questions, letting the child tell you what he/she understands. You may then ask the child, Would you like to tell God you believe the Lord Jesus was punished for the sinful things you have done? Then let the child tell God. Note: If Guiding a Child to the Savior is included in your training schedule, it is not necessary to spend time on the next section as this will be covered in detail in that session. s #24-26 After the child prays, give him the assurance of salvation based on the Word of God. Return to John 3:16. Insert the child s name in the verse. Ask: What does the Bible say God just did for you? (review condition/promise) Take the child to Hebrews 13:5b, 6a s #27-31 Note: Jesus will never leave [child s name] (Heb. 13:5b) Discuss what the promise means. The Lord is my helper (Heb. 13:6a) Discuss that Jesus is the child s helper to do what is right. If using the Gospel Flipper-Flapper or Gospel Turnaround you will want to use the color green to teach some basic steps for growth. 1. Discuss that the child must confess his sin to God (1 John 1:9). 2. Discuss ways to grow: G Go to church and Sunday school or a Bible club. R Read God s Word and pray. O Obey God s Word. W Witness tell others how they can be saved from sin. #32 (optional symbols) Do a brief demonstration of how you would present the message of salvation to a child using the Gospel Flipper-Flapper, the Gospel Turnaround or the symbol flashcards located in the notes. This should take 8-10 minutes. For optimal learning, focus the students attention on the main parts of the message of salvation and then after the presentation, go over what they heard, making any clarifications needed. The demonstration, including focus/observation time, should be between 12-15 minutes. Note: If Guiding a Child to the Savior is not going to be taught, then the demonstration should also include the counseling portion as outlined above. If this is true, allow at least four more minutes (15 minutes for the demonstration and 3 or 4 minutes for the focus/observation time). Be sure to adjust other times in the session to allow for this. 1994, 2009, 2013 Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc. All rights reserved.
Notes