DISCIPLE LAND-Preschool Program Overview Thank you for teaching the Preschool VBS Program! You ll be blessed with a lot of fun, learning, and special moments with these little people and you ll be amazed at how much you can learn from them about God as you re teaching them! The program includes the lesson, crafts, and games. Each of these areas runs about 20 minutes, depending on how much you include and how long you d like to spend in each area. Also included are songs and if possible find some time for unstructured play either indoors and outdoors. Remember to have some time for them to get up and move around, preschoolers do well when able to move and get some energy out. If all else fails, put on some great Christian music and get up and dance! Each day begin with introducing yourself and the other teachers and helpers in your area. Welcome the children and let them know how happy you are that they are there. Talk about any guidelines or rules, such as the kids needing to stay with the leaders, and how they can ask for help or to use the restroom. Also talk about what they will be doing each day, so they understand the schedule. It s fun to talk about how they have their own special group just for their age, and learn their names as well. LESSON: The lesson time is approximately 20 minutes. This includes your welcoming, talking about this day s lesson, and reviewing the previous day s lesson. Questions leading up to the story are also included, and questions reviewing the story after it. You can also include any songs or poems here. Having a Bible for them to see visually is great and emphasize that this is where our lessons come from, from God. Having a few different Bibles-like your own Bible and a children s Bible- is great as well. If you have your own version of the story for the day, please feel free to use it as well. Incorporating your own resources is a great way to add to the program.
CRAFT: The craft time really can vary depending on the size of your group and if you choose to do one or more crafts. 20-30 minutes is a good time frame for crafts, feel free to adapt to what best fits your needs. It s a good idea to have lots of helpers for craft time. Coloring pages are also included and can be used during this time or during a free time. GAMES: Game time should also be about 20-30 minutes, but again can be adapted to best fit your group. You can replay a game, play two games, or fill this time with unstructured play time. Often midway through VBS preschoolers will be a bit restless and it s a great idea to just let them play rather than structuring this time. If games from another night were a big hit, feel free to replay those on other nights. Do what works best for your VBS program. PRAYER: Prayers are included, and can either be read by you as the children pray silently, or you can do a repeat prayer where you say a few words and wait for the children to repeat them. (ie. You say Dear Jesus, (children say Dear Jesus ), Thank You so much (Children say Thank You so much ), for bringing us (children repeat for bringing us ), to VBS (children repeat to VBS). Amen. (children repeat Amen. ) You can also end prayers each day by saying And all God s Children Say Amen and have the children join in on the word Amen. Wishing you blessings on your VBS week, and most of all, HAVE FUN!
Lesson (20 minutes): Disciple Land VBS DISCIPLE LAND-PRESCHOOL PROGRAM DAY 1-RUN Resurrection/Peter Runs to the Tomb Luke 24:1-12a Welcome, boys and girls! I am so happy you all came to VBS today! Did you know we are going to be learning about God this week? Do you know what the word Resurrection means? Do you know what happened on Easter? We are going to hear the story about what happened on Easter morning and what Jesus friends did! After Jesus died, some of His friends placed His body in a big tomb. A tomb is like a cave. It was sealed shut with a big stone. Soldiers stood outside to guard the tomb. Three days after Jesus died, some ladies who were his friends, went to the tomb. When they got there, they saw that the stone had been rolled away and Jesus s body was not there. They saw two angels and were so afraid they fell on the ground. The angel said, Do not be afraid. Jesus is not here. He has risen! Jesus friends went back and told the others what they had learned. When Peter heard this, he ran all the way to the tomb to see for himself what had happened. What had happened? What did Jesus friends see and hear when they went to the tomb? What did Peter do when he heard? Why do you think he ran instead of walked? Songs and Fingerplays 1-2-3-4-5 I Know Jesus is Alive (to the tune of 1-2-3-4-5,Once I Caught a Fish Alive ) 1-2-3-4-5, I know Jesus is alive. 6-7-8-9-10, He died for me, then rose again. Why did He have to die? So I could have eternal life. Where does He live today? In heav n, but He hears me when I pray.
Three Days (fingerplay original author unknown) Day one-hold up one finger The guards watched the tomb--put hand above eye, pretend to watch something All was quiet hold finger to lips Day two hold up two fingers The guards watched the tomb put hand above eye, pretend to watch something All was quiet hold finger to lips Day three hold up 3 fingers The guards watched the tomb put hand above eye, pretend to watch something All was quiet hold finger to lips SUDDENLY jump as if surprised The stone rolled from the door of the tomb make a rolling motion with hands Jesus stepped out! walk fingers across palm God s Son was alive! point to sky GAMES/ACTIVE PLAY 20 min (add add l free time/outside time) GAMES Peter Says Played just like Simon says..make sure to incorporate Peter running to the tomb run slow, run fast, run in place, etc Looking for Jesus Play a simple game of hide and seek to help explain Jesus rose from the tomb. Use a large cardboard box as the tomb. Tape a stone cut out of paper to the opening. Have several simple pictures of Jesus and hide them around the room. Have the children look for the pictures, telling them that Jesus friends did not know where He was. Lead them to discover that Jesus is not in the tomb, He has risen
CRAFTS: 20 minutes (approx.) CRAFTS The Angel Rolled the Stone Away Craft Materials: large paper plate Black paint or crayons Brown or gray paint or crayons Brown paper lunch bag Scissors Stapler Masking tape Instructions: 1. Paint or color the bottom/underside of the plate brown or gray, and the top brown. 2. Cut the plate in half and staple them together. It should be able to stand and have a space in the middle. 3. Have the children draw an angel or have small pictures of angels available. 4. Cut a doorway and stick the angel at the back. 5. Crumple up the paper bag as the stone. You can bind it together with masking tape 6. Have the children roll the stone away. Jesus is not there. He is risen.
Handprint Suns and Crosses Materials: yellow paint White paper or cardstock Green paper Scissors Glue sticks Crosses Instructions: 1. Paint hand and place on paper. 2. Cut out a hill from the green paper. 3. Glue on paper and then glue a cross.
DISCIPLE LAND-Preschool Program Day 2 Trust Ruth (Ruth 1:12-22; 4:14-17) Hello boys and girls! Welcome back to Disciple Land! I am so happy you came to VBS today! Does anyone remember what we learned yesterday? (Let the children take turns answering, and prompt with clues if they are stumped. Be sure to talk briefly about Easter and Jesus Resurrection as a reminder.) (This is also a good time to go over the names of the group leaders and helpers, and then the children s names. Any instructions/rules can be given at this time. A fun activity to get the kids involved is to ask who was at VBS the day before, and then to ask who is new each day. This can be done each day of the week.) Today we are going to continue to learn about God through another story. What book do we read to learn about God? The Bible! (Having a Bible to show them is helpful, and talk about how there are Bibles for adults and for children.) Today s story is about a woman named Naomi, and her daughterin-law Ruth. Tell me about your families? Who is in your family? How do you help each other in your family? Today we are going to learn about Naomi and Ruth s family, and how they trusted in God to take care of them and how they helped each other. Ruth & Naomi Naomi lived with her husband, who was from Bethlehem, her two sons, and their wives. They had moved to Moab, which was far away from Bethlehem. Sadly, Naomi s husband died, and then her two sons also died. Naomi and her two daughters-in-law were left alone. Do you know what daughter-inlaw means? It means they were women married to Naomi s sons. At the time that her husband and sons died, there was a famine in the land. A famine is when the crops are unable to grow and there is little or no food to eat. Naomi and her daughters-in-law were scared because they did not have husbands or food to eat. Naomi heard that the Lord had visited His people and had given them food, so she decided that she would travel back home to Bethlehem where her other family lived. She told her daughters-in-law that they could move home to their own parents. But they said to her, No we will return with you to your people. Naomi said, Return home, my daughters. Why would
you come with me? Naomi knew that if they returned home to their parents they would be able to find new husbands. They were very sad at the thought of leaving each other, but one of her daughters-in-law, Orpah, kissed her goodbye and went home to be with her parents. Her other daughter-in-law, Ruth, said that she would stay with Naomi, that she loved her and they were family and she would help to take care of her. So, Naomi and Ruth went to Bethlehem. Naomi and Ruth went to live near Naomi s family member Boaz. They did not have much food to eat or a lot of money and they asked God to provide for them. They would be able to go to Boaz s fields to pick up the leftover grain. This was called gleaning. So, Ruth went to the fields each day to gather the leftover grain that she could find. She worked hard to help her mother-in-law so that they would have food to eat. Naomi asked God to bless Boaz, and soon Boaz noticed Ruth working in the fields. He asked who she was, and they learned that as a family member of Naomi, Boaz was a protector of them. Soon, Boaz asked to be married to Ruth, and they later had a son, named Obed. Ruth trusted in God, to provide for her and for her mother-in-law Naomi. Not only did God provide food for them to eat, he also brought Ruth and Boaz together, so that Ruth would be able to be married again and to have a son. This Bible story shows us that even when things seem scary, we can turn to God and ask him to help us. We can trust that he will give us all we need, because he loves us. We can show love to our family and friends just like Ruth and Naomi. What are some ways you can help and show love to your family and friends? "Sticking With My Friends" Song Written by Nancy Foss (Sing to the Tune of "I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumblebee") I'm sticking with my friends 'till the end. Won't my Jesus be so proud of me. I'm sticking with my friends 'till the end. Won't my Jesus be so proud of me. I'm sticking with my friends 'till the end, Forever and ever Jesus, Amen. I'm sticking with my friends 'till the end, Ahhh, Amen.
Prayer Disciple Land VBS Dear God, Thank you so much for bringing us together for VBS. Thank you for your Word. Help us to be love and help our friends and family just like Ruth. We love you God! Amen. Games/Activities: Bible Verse Activity: The Gleaning Game Scatter the paper squares all over the floor, mixing the colors well. Form 3 groups, and assign each group a color (red, blue or yellow). You may want to use a marker to mark the hands of each of the children to remind them what color they are. In this game, pretend you re like Ruth, gathering pieces of wheat for your supper. You can only gather the paper pieces of wheat that match your group s color. So if you re in the red group, only gather the red wheat. After you ve gathered a handful, take them over to your team s colored bag and put them in. Are you ready? Let s go! (from ministry-to-children.com) (more games/activities next page)
"Stick Together" Relay Disciple Land VBS Preparation: Before class blow up balloons and mark off a start line with painter's tape at one end of the room. Place a chair or chairs at the other end of the room. How to Play: 1. In class divide your children up into teams of two. 2. Give each set of children a balloon. 3. Tell your children that they should try to get the balloon down to the other end of the room around a chair and back to the start line, without using their hands, arms, mouths, or feet except to pick up and place the balloon between them at the beginning of the game. 5. Tell your children that they can decide where they want to place the balloon, but they must do it as a team and remember to "Stick Together" just like Naomi and Ruth did in the Bible lesson. Children may want to place the balloon between their arms, on their hips, between their shoulders, etc. 6. If the balloon falls to the floor on their journey, they must pick it up, and return to the start line before continuing the race. 2004, Digital by Design, Inc.
Crafts Supplies Needed: Brown Cardstock Green (or other color cardstock) Yellow Pipe cleaners Glue Disciple Land VBS Cut out a basket out of brown cardstock and cut a slit in the basket. Then glue the basket onto paper. Cut yellow pipe cleaners into various lengths for "grain" and then stick the grain into the basket. (from nurseryrhymesandfuntimes.blogspot.com) Crafts (cont.) Friendship Bracelet Supplies: String, cord, or plastic cords Colorful beads Discuss how Ruth and Naomi were not only family, they were also good friends who took care of each other. Help the children make bracelets by knotting one end of their cord and having them put their beads on the cord. Then not the other end when finished and tie on their wrists. Tell them the bracelet is a reminder of how important it is to be a good friend and family member and to trust that God will take care of us just like Ruth and Naomi.
Disciple Land VBS
DISCIPLE LAND-Preschool Program Day 3 Learn Jesus (Luke 2:41-52) Hello boys and girls! Welcome back to Disciple Land! I am so happy you came to VBS today! Does anyone remember what we learned yesterday? (Let the children take turns answering, and prompt with clues if they are stumped. Be sure to talk briefly about Ruth and Naomi and trusting in God as a reminder.) Who remembers what book we find our stories about God in? The Bible! Today we are going to learn a story about Jesus, when he was a boy. Who knows what the name of the building we are in is? Yes, a church! When Jesus was young his church was called a temple. We are going to hear about Jesus learning in his church, just like you are learning in this church. What are some ways we learn in church? (Talk about learning from our Pastor in the sermon or children s sermon if you have it, from our Sunday School teachers, from parents, and learning during VBS.) The Boy Jesus in the Temple When Jesus was a boy He lived in a small town called Nazareth with Mary and Joseph. Every year, Joseph and Mary would travel to Jerusalem for the Passover feast to visit the temple there. Remember, the temple is a church. When Jesus turned 12, He went too. Many other people traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast too. When they got to the temple, God s house, they worshiped and prayed and sang praises to God. They listened to God s Word and learned as much as they could. After this, it was time to return home. Joseph and Mary left the temple with others, and when it was time to stop for a rest they could not find Jesus. They looked all over for him, asking others if they had seen him. They were worried because they could not find him and did not know where he was. So, they turned around and went back to Jerusalem to find him. Finally, they found him! He was in God s house, the temple, listening to the teachers and priests and asking them questions. Joseph and Mary were surprised, they asked him Son, why have you done this? Your father and I have been sad. We searched for You. Jesus answered, Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father s house? God the Father s house is the church, and
Jesus wanted to be there to learn more about God and be close to Him. Jesus went home with Mary and Joseph and He loved his parents and obeyed them. He grew bigger every day, and kept learning more about God from His Word, the Bible. Later when he was grown up, he taught many people about God and His love, and teaches us today through His Word! Like Jesus, you grow every day. Every day you can learn more about God, through His Word and from your parents, and in your churches, just like here at VBS. We can all learn about how much God loves us, and show that love to others. How can you learn more about God? How can you teach others about God? Prayer Dear God, thank you for our churches and your Word in the Bible and all the people who help teach us about you. Help us to learn more about you and to teach others about you. We love you God! Amen! Song To the tune of "Frere Jacques" or "Where is Pointer"? Here is Jesus Here is Jesus. Growing Up Growing Up Going to the temple going to the feast He is 12 He is 12. Where is Jesus Where is Jesus Is he lost? Is he lost? Everyone is looking Everyone is looking Where is he? Where is he?
In the temple In the temple He is there He is there Talking to the teachers Talking to the teachers In God's house In God's house Disciple Land VBS By: Barbara Wulliman Philippines
Games/Activities Disciple Land VBS Can You Help Me Find My Friend? Supplies: Puppet Directions: Have the children sit in a circle. Choose one child to wear the puppet and stand in the center. Begin the game this way: Mary and Joseph looked for Jesus. Let s play a game where you help me find my friend. (Puppet s name), can you help me find my friend? My friend has Give a couple details about one of the children in the circle. Add details about that child until the puppet can identify your friend. The friend becomes the next child to wear the puppet. Continue until all children have a turn at being the friend. If you have a large group you may want to split into two circles. Additional: Free play/outside/repeat games from previous days
Crafts Scroll coloring The first idea is to turn a coloring sheet of young Jesus in the temple into a scroll. All you need for this craft is: this coloring page, which I modified (I found the coloring sheet on Pinterest but I was unable to trace it back to its original source.) two jumbo craft sticks for each child glue crayons yarn or string Trim off the wide margin of the coloring page. Glue one craft stick on the top, the other on the bottom, color, roll, and tie with string or yarn. Very simple, but I promise you the children will love their "scrolls." The coloring page template is on the following page:
Disciple Land VBS
I Spy Jesus Bottle Disciple Land VBS *This craft involves small objects that may be a choking hazard, and a hot glue gun. Be sure that children are monitored at all times. For this craft you will need: an empty, dry, clean water bottle for each child a funnel (A paper made one will work just as well.) enough rice to fill each water bottle about 3/4 full the miniature pictures of Jesus (on the following pages) tape a variety of small objects such as foamie shapes, beads, buttons, pompoms, sequins, jewels, etc. (Use whatever you have on hand and whatever you can find at the dollar store.) a hot glue the label (on the following pages) -Cut out the picture of Jesus in pairs as demonstrated by the red box. Fold each picture in half and tape it to make it a double-sided picture. -Use a funnel to pour the rice into the water bottles. -Allow the children to choose objects, and put them into their bottle. Just be sure every child has a picture of Jesus. Use a hot glue gun to glue the cap to the bottle. Tape the label to the bottle. Shake and mix up the contents of the bottle. Can you find Jesus?
Disciple Land VBS
Labels for Can you find Jesus bottles, cut into strips: Disciple Land VBS Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus? Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple talking with the teachers about God s Word. Luke 2:46 Can you find Jesus?
Disciple Land VBS
DISCIPLE LAND-Preschool Program Day 4 Obey Hezekiah-Boy King (2 Kings 18:1-7a) Hello boys and girls! Welcome back to Disciple Land! I am so happy you came to VBS today! Are you having fun here? Does anyone remember what we learned yesterday? (Let the children take turns answering, and prompt with clues if they are stumped. Be sure to talk briefly about the boy Jesus in the temple as a reminder.) HEZEKIAH Need: One Puppet Have children sit in a circle. Hold up a puppet. Have the puppet greet the children, then go through the following puppet skit. Encourage children to help the puppet understand why it's important to have rules. Teacher: (Name of puppet), why don't you tell us about some of the rules you have at your house? Puppet: We have lots and lots of rules at my house. My dad says that I have to pick up my toys before I go to bed. I think that's a silly rule, don't you? Teacher: Maybe your dad wants you to pick up your toys at night so you don't trip on them when you wake up in the morning. Puppet: Well, I guess that's a good idea. But let me tell you about another rule. I have to ask my mom before I eat a cookie from the cookie jar. What's good about that rule? Teacher: Children, why is it a good idea to ask your mom or dad before you eat cookies? Pause for children's responses. Puppet: I did eat too many cookies once, and I had a whopping stomachache. But what about all the rules for going outside? I have to look both ways before I cross the street and hold my babysitter's hand all the time. Why can't I just walk by myself? Teacher: Children, why is it a good idea to hold a grown-up's hand when you're walking outside? Pause for children's responses. You see, (name of puppet), our parents give us rules because they love us and want to keep us safe. God's rules help keep us safe too. Children, can
you name some rules that God wants us to follow? Pause for children's responses. Puppet: OK, OK. I guess rules aren't that bad. I'll try to obey the rules this week. I want to stay safe. Will you obey the rules at your homes this week, too? Pause for children to answer, then say: When we obey the rules, we stay safe and happy. When we disobey the rules, we displease our parents and God, and sometimes we even get hurt. It's important to obey our moms and dads, and it's important to obey the Lord your God. Today we are going to learn about a young man who was a king. His name is Hezekiah. He lived in Jerusalem. God s city Jerusalem did not look like a city where His people worshiped the One True God. Judah s king Ahaz was wicked and disobeyed God s laws and led God s people to worship false gods. He closed the doors of the temple where God s people were supposed to worship a holy God. Ahaz allowed altars to be built on every street corner in Jerusalem where people would bow down and worship false gods. Does God want us to worship other gods? After Ahaz died, his son Hezekiah became king. He was only 25 when he was crowned king. Although his dad was a very bad example as a king the Bible tells us that Hezekiah did not follow his father s example. Hezekiah obeyed God. Read 2 Kings 18:1-7 from the MESSAGE). Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple and had the Levites (men who worked in the temple) repair and remove every wicked thing that did not belong in the Lord s temple. Every man, woman, boy and girl is a sinner. In our own strength we cannot live a life that pleases God. There is only one who has lived a perfect life in this world and never sinned against God the Father (Heb. 4:15). Jesus, God s Son was born as a baby in a manger. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He hung on the cross and God put all my sins, and yours, and every person who ever lived or will live on His perfect Son. Jesus was punished by death for my sins. He was buried and on the third day God raised Him from the dead. When I put my faith in Jesus that He died on the cross for my sins I will be rescued from the punishment of sin-death/separation from God.
Today we learned how Hezekiah trusted God and prayed for help. God heard his prayers and rescued him from his enemy, Sennacherib. Today if you have never asked God to forgive you for your sins and by faith believed that Jesus died in your place, you can pray and God will rescue you from the punishment for your sins. If you have believed in the Lord Jesus, you can pray confidently about whatever you need because God hears all of your prayers. Prayer Dear God, help us to be like Hezekiah and follow your teaching. Help us to do good, and to obey your rules. Thank you God, for your love and forgiveness. Amen. Songs Jesus Loves Me Jesus loves me this I know For the Bible tells me so Little ones to him belong They are weak but he is strong Yes Jesus loves me Oh, yes Jesus loves me Yes Jesus loves me, for the Bible tells me so! Hezekiah (by Ronda Duvall (sung to the tune of If You re Happy and You Know It) Hezekiah was a good and righteous king. Hezekiah was a good and righteous king. He obeyed God and lived faithfully. Hezekiah was a good and righteous king.
Games/Activities God Says (like Simon says, except using God) Have the children stand as they would for Simon Says. Make sure they have a bit of space around themselves. Then say God says with different actions. God says smile. God says hug a friend. God says shout Amen! Come up with different actions that are God pleasing. If you d like you can add in actions without saying God says and have the children sit in their spot if they do the action when you haven t said God says. Some preschoolers (especially younger children) will have trouble with this, so you can either use or not, depending on your group. Games (cont.) Celebration of the Clean Temple! After the temple was clean, King Hezekiah led the people in a celebration where they rejoiced that could worship God as He had directed. Use the tambourines from the craft and put on some Christian music and have a dance party!
Crafts Tambourine (use for the Celebration of the Clean Temple game) Supplies: -2 paper plates per child -dried beans -a stapler -crayons, markers, stickers, etc. What You Do: 1. Set one paper plate on the table and have each child drop a handful of beans on it. 2. Top with the other plate, face side down, and staple the edges of the plates together. 3. When the tambourine is fully constructed, let the children decorate it! Ribbons, streamers, or yarn can be added to the edges as well. Crafts (Cont.) Paper Crown (from DLTK Kids) Supplies: -thin cardboard (poster board or old cereal boxes work well) Foil gift wrap or construction paper Scissors Paint, crayons, or markers Glue Stapler Stickers or glitter (instructions on next page)
Instructions: Disciple Land VBS Cut a strip of cardboard long enough to go around your head and overlap slightly you may need to staple two pieces together to make it long enough. The strip should be 3 or 4 inches wide and long enough to go around the head Cut a piece of construction paper or foil gift wrap the same length but slightly wider (2 inches or so wider) again you might need to staple two pieces together to make it long enough cardboard so the bottom edge lines up Glue the construction paper to the construction paper Cut a zigzag in the top edge of the Note: the reason I make the construction paper wider is that I found it difficult for the children to cut the zigzag edge from the cardboard. With the wider construction paper, they can just cut the zig zag through the paper cardboard side) using markers, glitter or stickers Decorate the paper side (not the
Make a ring with the cardboard facing in (toward the head) and the paper facing out and staple to make a crown - adult assistance required for this step.
Disciple Land VBS
Disciple Land VBS
DISCIPLE LAND-Preschool Program Day 5 Go Disciples of Jesus (You and Me too) Acts 1:6-11 Hello boys and girls! Welcome back to Disciple Land! Can you believe this is our last day of VBS? I am so happy you are here! Does anyone remember what we learned yesterday? (Let the children take turns answering, and prompt with clues if they are stumped. Be sure to talk briefly about King Hezekiah cleaning up the temple as a reminder.) Do you know what a disciple is? (They are men who followed Jesus when he was on earth and learned how to teach others about God s love and about Jesus.) Today we are going to learn about a pretty great lesson from the Bible, about when Jesus went up to heaven after he died for our sins. There is a big word for this, it is Ascension. Can you say Ascension? Jesus disciples, or followers, loved him very much and were very sad when Jesus died on the cross. Then they were amazed when he rose from the tomb-remember when we learned about that on the first day of VBS? After he rose from the tomb he spent forty days on earth teaching his disciples so that they could go and teach everyone else about Jesus and God s love. After 40 days it was time for Jesus to go back to Heaven to be with God. Jesus took them to the Mount of Olives. He told the disciples that the Holy Spirit is with them and gives them power and helps them to teach about God s Word. Jesus told the disciples they will be His witnesses on earth. This meant that they would tell others about God. As the disciples were looking, Jesus was lifted up and then a cloud took Him out of sight. The disciples were gazing into heaven as Jesus went up. And suddenly two men stood by them in white robes and told the disciples that Jesus was in heaven, but that one day he would return to them the same way he left. The disciples did as Jesus had told them and went to tell as many people as they could about Jesus and to show God s love to others. And now we too know about Jesus, and we also can tell others about God s love. How can you tell others about God?
Wouldn t it be amazing to see Jesus lifted up to heaven like the disciples did? Isn t it awesome that we know about God and his love for us? Poem SAY & DO: ACTS 1:4-11 Purpose: This pantomime version of the Bible Story helps children remember the story details. Supplies: None Directions: With each phrase, the teacher says the phrase and acts it out with hand motions; then repeats the same phrase and motions with the children. Jesus was born as a gift from God. (Pretend to hold a baby.) He gave His life to save everyone. (Put hands on heart.) He rose again and promised His friends: (Point to heaven.) Wait for the gift of the Spirit to come. (Whisper Verse sign language.) Then Jesus was taken up into heaven, (Point to heaven.) Everyone stared up at the clouds. (Look straight up.) Two men said, Why are you looking up there? (Palms open as if asking.) In the same way, one day He ll come back down! (Point up, then point to ground.) Prayer Dear God, the Bible is amazing. Jesus is amazing. You are amazing. Thank you for your love and for helping us to learn about you. Thank you for our new VBS friends. Help us to share your love with others. Amen.
Games/Activities GAME: UP AND DOWN Purpose: Children remember Jesus went up to heaven and promised to send a gift to His friends. Supplies: 1 Non-helium balloon per child Prepare: Inflate one balloon for each child. Optional: If you have a large class, you may prefer to have children take turns with 1-3 balloons. Jesus went up to heaven. One day, He will come back again! Jesus said He would send a special gift down to His friends while they were waiting for His return. What did He say that gift would be? (The Holy Spirit.) Directions: 1. Give an inflated balloon to each child. 2. Jesus went up into the clouds. Raise your balloons like Jesus went up. 3. Jesus said He would send down a gift. Lower your balloons like the gift coming down. 4. Repeat steps two and three. 5. Let children tap the balloons to send them high up into the air. Challenge them to send the balloons as high as they can, and then encourage them to wait patiently for the balloon to come back down. 6. Jesus went up higher than our balloons. He went up through the clouds to heaven. He promised to send down a gift. What was that gift? (The Holy Spirit.) GAME: CLOUD HOP Supplies: Sturdy white paper or paper plates Prepare: Cut cloud shapes from white paper or white paper plates. After He promised to send the Holy Spirit, Jesus was taken up through the clouds. Let s say each Bible Memory Verse word as we hop from cloud to cloud. Directions: 1. Lay the clouds on the floor in a line or in a circle around the play area. 2. As you say each word of the Bible Memory Verse Go, make disciples. (Matthew 28:19), children repeat after you and hop from one cloud to the next.
Crafts Jesus Ascension craft Supplies: Card Stock Image of Jesus and clouds Crayons Glue or stapler Cotton Yarn or string streamers How to Make: 1. Copy image onto card stock. 2. Color image of Jesus and clouds. 3. Glue or staple a 2nd piece of card stock to one side. 3. Glue streamers to the back of each piece of card stock. 4. Glue cotton for clouds around the top. 5. Curve the paper into a circle and staple it together. 6. Add a card stock handle or strings to the top.
Disciple Land VBS
Disciple Land VBS