IDEAS UNLIMITED

Samuel & Eli Interactive Bible Story

2012-01-16T09:53:00.000-08:00

Children in grades 1 and up can take turns reading the script below and manipulating the figures. Beds are made from heavy cardboard.

Eli: Good night, Samuel.

Samuel: Good night, Eli.

Narrator: The mother of Samuel had taken him to the temple to help Eli the priest. Eli was like a father to Samuel. All was quiet in the temple.

Voice: Samuel.

Samuel (getting out of bed and running to Eli’s bed): Here I am. You called me.

Eli: I did NOT call you, Samuel. Go back to bed and lie down.

Narrator: Samuel went back to bed. All was quiet in the temple.

Voice: Samuel.

Samuel (getting out of bed and running to Eli’s bed): Here I am. You called me.

Eli: I did NOT call you, Samuel. Go back to bed and lie down.

Narrator: Samuel went back to bed. All was quiet in the temple.

Voice: Samuel.

Samuel (getting out of bed and running to Eli’s bed): Here I am. You called me.

Eli: Now I know who is calling you. Go and lie down. If God calls you again say, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Narrator: Samuel went back to bed. All was quiet in the temple.

Voice: Samuel

Samuel: Speak, for your servant is listening.

Making Bible Memorization Fun: Place Mats

2012-01-08T11:55:00.000-08:00

Bible Verse: Trust in Him at all times. Psalm 62:8a

Materials Needed: construction paper; markers or crayons; scissors; clear contact paper.

Directions:
1. Give each person a piece of construction paper.
2. use a marker or crayons to write Bible verse on the paper. Decorate as desired.
3. Laminate place mats or cover with clear contact paper. Review the verse at mealtimes.

Bible Fun Verse: Take Away

2012-01-08T11:48:00.000-08:00

Bible Verse: Love the Lord your Godwith all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5

Materials Needed: Soup, vegetable and/or fruit cans; strips of paper to fit cans; markers; tape.

Directions:
1. Use markers to write a word from the Bible verse on each paper strip.
2. Tape one paper strip to each can.
3. Stand the cans in correct order and read the verse.
4. Take away cans with three-letter wordd and ask children to recite the verse. Continue taking away cans until the verse is said from memory.

Bible Story "The Sun Stood Still" (Joshua 10)

2011-11-15T08:58:00.000-08:00

Have the children make 5 standups to represent the five armies who were attacking Gibeon and 1 standup to represent Joshua's army. Use Trix to represent the hail stones which God sent down from the sky against the enemy armies. The children can rain down the hail the the 5 enemy armies. Attach a round sun to a popsicle stick to reinforce about God stopping the sun in the sky so the daylight would last longer. God can do anything!

Bible Verse Fun

2011-10-15T06:22:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 5:32 - "Walk in all the way the Lord your God has commanded you."

Children line up the words in the correct order and then play "Take Away" by removing one Little People figure at a time and saying the verse from memory.

NEVER GIVE UP ON KIDS!

2011-03-22T04:28:00.000-07:00

In this video clip, two television personalities tell about their early learning disabilities. Mary Rice Hopkins and Darcie Maze are now featured weekly on TBN: "Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart". We can never give up on kids!

Easter Surprise Picture - Art Project

2011-03-20T04:38:00.000-07:00

Have children fold a white sheet of paper in thirds. On the front side they can draw the 3 sad women and the stone over the tomb. For the inside surprise picture, they can draw the 3 women with happy faces -- the open tomb -- and a Bible verse.

JESUS IS ALIVE! Easter Bible Story

2011-03-20T04:36:00.000-07:00

Based on Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1010; Luke 24:1-12
“Is it really true?” Joel asked.

“I don't know but that's what I heard, Ethan replied. “My dad was there.”

“Then it's really true that they killed Jesus?”

Ethan looked at Joel and said: “I was already in bed Friday night, but I heard my dad and mother talking. They crucified Jesus, buried Him in a tomb, and rolled a great, huge stone in front.”

“Didn't that make you upset, hearing all that?” Joel asked.

“I was so worried I couldn't sleep,” Ethan confided in his friend.

“Why would they kill Jesus, after all the great things He did for people?” Joel wondered aloud.

“Because they didn't understand Him,” Ethan explained. “And they were afraid.”

With his head in his hands, Joel sorrowfully said: “I just can't believe that Jesus is dead.”

Ethan replied: “Me either. I’m so sad. Did you know that Jesus brought my 12-year old cousin back to life?”

“That was your cousin?” Joel responded surprised.

“Yes,“ Ethan said. “She had been really sick. My aunt and uncle had the best physicians, but she died. My uncle Jairus raced from the house one day. Everybody knew where He was going.”

“To find Jesus?” Joel asked.

“Yes.”

“Did your Uncle Jairus find Him?”

“Yes,” Ethan replied, “and Jesus went to their home. He told her to get up. And she jumped up and walked around! My aunt and uncle couldn't get over it!”

Joel lifted his head from his hands and said: “Jesus really was the Son of God!”

“Yes, Joel, He was.“ Ethan said. “He performed SO many miracles and healed SO many people and changed SO many lives.”

“And now He's gone forever.”

(KNOCK -- KNOCK -- KNOCK)

“This is the Sabbath. Who in the world would that be?” Ethan wondered. I’ll go see who is there.”

“He's alive!” Jason exclaimed as Ethan opened the door.

“Hi, Jason! Come in,” Ethan said. “Who’s alive?”

“JESUS!” Jason shouted in his excitement.

“Jesus? Ethan repeated.

Jason excitedly continued: “Yes! The women had gone to the tomb.”

“What women?” Ethan interrupted.

“Mary Magdalene, and James' mother Mary, and Salome. The stone had been rolled away!”

“ROLLED AWAY?” Ethan could not believe what he was hearing.

“And the tomb was empty!” Jason said as he tried to catch his breath.

“EMPTY?” Ethan questioned.

“And there they saw …”

“WHAT?” Jason interrupted again.

“Two men in shining garments! They were angels! And the angels said, ‘Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? He is RISEN - just as He said He would. Don't just stand there. Go - tell His disciples.’”

“JOEL, did you hear that? JESUS IS ALIVE!” Ethan exclaimed. ““He’s alive. He’s alive! He’s alive!”

SONG: “Rolled ‘em Away” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Come Meet Jesus album. (Available from www.MaryRiceHopkins.com or call 818-790-5805.

BIBLE VERSE: “Jesus is alive” (Luke 24:23b, NLT)

BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: “Each One Tell One”

Have the boys and girls stand in a circle. The teacher starts and says to the child to her right: “Jesus is alive.” That child tells the next person: “Jesus is alive.” Continue until each one has told one. At the end, say the verse together 3 times.

New Testament Bible Books Order Game

2011-03-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Learning the books of the Bible is important for children so they can look up scriptures throughout their lives.

New Testament Order Game is a helpful resource.

Wow! What a Catch! Luke 5:1-11 Lesson Art Idea

2011-01-09T10:59:00.000-08:00

Here's an art idea to use with the Bible lesson found in Luke 5:1-11, "Wow! What A Catch".

How to Teach Children A New Song

2011-01-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

Before you can teach a song, you as the leader must know it. Listen to it over and over until you can sing the song spontaneously. As leader, you want to enjoy yourself as enthusiasm spreads! Even if you don’t have musical talent, you can teach a new song!

Provide opportunities for the boys and girls to hear the song before singing. The music can be playing in the background as children arrive, while engaging in craft activities, and also during snack time.

Children learn a song by hearing it many times, as memorization occurs via repetition. Knowing a song by heart, so the melody and lyrics will stay with children forever, is the goal.

Before actually singing the song together, ask questions. Be sure boys and girls know the song’s meaning and also the significance of unfamiliar words.

Perhaps you will enjoy using some of these ideas for helping children learn a new song:

1. A Mr. Echo puppet could be brought out. He sings one line; the pupils echo it.

2. Have the children make sock puppets, paper bag puppets or puppets on a stick. The children learn the words of the song as they have their puppets sing one verse or chorus at a time.

3. Play "Follow the Leader." The leaders sings one line, the children follow.

4. Use key words. Print key words of the song to be learned on slips of paper. Pass these out to the children. As the song is sung, pupils stand as their word is sung. This keeps the boys and girls alert to the words and helps them learn faster.

5. Have children illustrate various key phrases of the song. Photograph and transfer to PowerPoint.

6. Videotape the boys and girls singing. Play it back and let the children sing along.

7. Use the American Sign Language. Go to their user-friendly site which gives easy-to-follow instructions.

8. When the body moves, the brain remembers. Discuss with the boys and girls possible hand motions. Accept all contributions and then come to a consensus as to which ones will be used. Verbs and nouns often spark ideas for gestures.

9. Younger children will enjoy using rhythm instruments which will help them learn the rhythmic phrases of the song.

10. Have the children hum the tune before singing the words. Humming is a great way for learning a tune before memorizing words.

Keep singing new songs on a regular basis so the music will always bounce around in the children‘s heads.

Encourage parents to purchase the CD so the children can listen to the songs other than when at church. All songs by Mary Rice Hopkins can be purchased through her web site: or by calling 818-790-5805.

Be sure parents are aware the same puppets which are seen on “Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with A Heart” television program (TBN) can be purchased at Amaze Healing Wings. Children can use their puppets at home when singing.

Bible Handprints Calendar

2011-01-01T03:50:00.001-08:00

Watch the video on YouTube to learn how to create this meaningful Bible Handprints Calendar.

More great ideas at Little Blots of Faith.

Read and Share Bible

2010-12-31T13:36:00.000-08:00

The Read and Share Bible is perfect for sharing the amazing joy and wonder of God’s Word with children in a whole new way. Some of the Bible features include:
• More than 200 beloved Bible stories in short-form
• Bold, bright illustrations
• Discussion starter with each story
• Stories adapted from the International Children’s Bible
• Ideal for guided learning

Available from Tommy Nelson.

Zacchaeus Meets Jesus Bible Story & Lesson

2010-12-13T02:41:00.000-08:00

BIBLE STORY: The Short Man In A Tree (Luke 19:1-10)

Preparation: Have the children stand an arm’s length from each other, if possible. Explain they are to move about in their own personal space and make any motions which fit the action of the story as they listen to it being told.

Story: Zacchaeus was sitting at his tax collector’s table counting money when he heard people around him say, “Jesus is coming. Jesus is coming here to Jericho.”

Zacchaeus pushed back his chair and jumped up! He wanted to see Jesus.

He started running in the direction the people were pointing. He ran and ran and ran until he came to a crowd of people. Zacchaeus was a short man and he could not see over the heads of the people in front of him.

So he stood on his tiptoes. He still could not see.

He stretched his neck up as high as he could while standing on his tiptoes. He still could not see Jesus.

Zacchaeus shrugged his shoulders and thought to himself: “What am I going to do? The people in front of me are bigger and taller than I am and I REALLY, REALLY want to see Jesus.”

Then -- over the heads of the people he saw a sycamore-fig tree. He didn’t take his eyes off that tree as he made his way around the crowd. He climbed up on a branch, sat down and waited for Jesus to come by.

When Jesus arrived at the tree, He looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, come down. I want to be a guest in your home today.”

Zacchaeus’ eyes got big! Jesus was talking to HIM!

Zacchaeus scrambled out of the tree. He skinned his knee getting down but he didn’t care. He was so happy Jesus wanted to go to his home! Zacchaeus could not stop smiling.

Zacchaeus’ life changed that day. Before he met Jesus, Zacchaeus was one of the biggest sinners in town. He took more money from the people than he should have. He ended up being rich because he cheated others.

Zacchaeus looked at Jesus and said: “I will give half of my wealth to the poor. I will also give back four times as much to those I have cheated.”

Jesus smiled at Zacchaeus and said, “You have been saved today. I have come to seek and save people who are lost.”

SONG: “Zacchaeus” (ABC’s of Praise album by Mary Rice Hopkins)

BIBLE VERSE: “The Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 1:10, NLT). Explain that “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for Himself.

BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: Follow the Leader

Explain that you are the leader and everyone is to follow what you do. Walk to a corner of the room and say the verse together. Walk to another area of the room, sit on the floor and quote the verse together. If possible, go out in the hallway and other areas. At each new location, say the verse. Continue as time allows.

MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: Zacchaeus In Sycamore Tree

Materials Needed for Each Child: Two pieces white cover stock paper, scissors, crayons, washable markers.

Activity: The children fold one sheet of the paper in half the long way, cut out a tree, and then color it. On the other sheet of paper they can draw and cut out Zacchaeus. He will need a slit between his legs so he will be able to sit in the tree. Encourage the boys and girls to take their project home and re-tell the Bible story to their families.

SNACK: Sycamore Tree

Needed for Each Child: Graham crackers broken into 1“ x 2 ½” pieces , white icing, green fruit loops, plastic knife, one sheet construction paper.

Activity: The children create trees from the graham crackers on a piece of construction paper. Icing is spread on the crackers and then green fruit loops placed to make leaves.

Christmas Joy - New Song by Mary Rice Hopkins

2010-12-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

"Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with A Heart" are featured weekly on TBN's "Smile of a Child." The program schedule on Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. (PST), 9:30 a.m. (MT), 10:30 a.m. (CT), and 11:30 a.m. (EST).

The complete segment of CHRISTMAS JOY can be found on YouTube.

The First Christmas Day - Children's Lesson

2010-12-03T10:36:00.000-08:00

BIBLE STORY: A Special Baby Is Born

Preparation: Make a sheep stick puppet. Pattern.
Story (Told by the sheep puppet): I was all tucked in for a good night’s sleep on the fields outside Bethlehem. The sky was really dark but I wasn’t afraid because our shepherds were watching over us. It was quite -- really, really quiet.

I was just about asleep, when I heard one of the shepherds say: “Do you see what I see?”

Another shepherd said, “Yes, and I’m scared.”

By now I was wide awake. So were my mommy and daddy and aunts and uncles and cousins. We were all looking up at the light in the sky!

An angel said: “Do not be afraid. I have good news! A Baby has been born tonight.”

I was thinking, “You woke me up to say a baby has been born?”

The angel continued talking: “This is a very SPECIAL baby -- a Savior. His name is Jesus.”

And now the shepherds were talking: “A Savior? Can this be true?”

The angel said to the shepherds: “It's true. Baby Jesus is in Bethlehem. He's in a stable - all wrapped up in strips of cloth -- tucked in -- lying in a manger.”

And then suddenly the sky was FULL of angels! Angels everywhere! I looked up at my mommy and said: “Do you hear what I hear? The angels are all praising God!”

They were saying: "Glory to God in the highest.” Would you boys and girls say that with me: “Glory to God in the highest.” Let’s say it together again: “Glory to God in the highest.”

The shepherds fell on their knees to the ground in worship.

Then the angels in the sky left. The light disappeared. It was dark again. And quiet.
Then one of the shepherds said: “I wonder if what we just heard is true?”

Another responded: “It MUST be true! An angel told us! There's only one way to be sure. We must go to Bethlehem and find out.”

I scampered along with the shepherds as they hurriedly walked to Bethlehem and sure enough -- just as the angel had said -- there was Mary and Joseph. I quietly walked over to the manger and peeked in. And there was baby Jesus all wrapped up warm and sleeping.

After seeing baby Jesus, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about the Child. Then we all went back to our hillside. The shepherds were praising God and saying wonderful things about Him.

SONG: “The First Christmas Day” (by Mary Rice Hopkins - Mary Christmas album)

BIBLE VERSE: “A Savior has been born.” (Luke 2:11, NIV)

BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: Verse Tag

The teacher quotes the scripture and reference and tags a child who then repeats the verse with the teacher. The tagged pupil tags someone else and all three say the verse. Continue until all have been tagged.

MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: Sheep Stick Puppet (See Picture)

Materials Needed for Each Child: Sheep pattern found at: http://www.cdkenterprises.com/coloring/animals/sheep.gif; white cover paper; cotton balls; crayons; masking tape or glue; scissors; tongue depressor.

Activity: The children cut out the sheep pattern, glue on cotton balls and color as desired. The tongue depressor can be attached to the back side with masking tape or glue. Encourage the boys and girls to tell the Bible story to their families using their puppets.

EXTENDED ACTIVITY: Play-Doh Fun

Allow children to re-create the Bible story using Play-Doh. They can make sheep, a star, the manger with Baby Jesus, sheep, etc. Homemade Play-Doh recipes can be found at: http://www.applesaucekids.com/LinkPage/PlayDoug.html

SNACK: Sheep Sugar Cookies

Needed for Each Child: A sheep-shaped sugar cookie; white icing, white miniature marshmallows, one M & M candy; plastic spoon

Activity: The children spread icing on the sheep with the back of a plastic spoon and then add marshmallows for the wool and an M & M candy for the eye.

LITTLE LOST SHEEP - Bible Story

2010-08-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Use whatever you have around your home to make the story come alive. The shepherd took the sheep to eat grass (green towel) - each night he counted the sheep (Fisher Price animals)as they went into sheepfold (fence from a playset) - one sheep was missing so the shepherd went to look and found it in a bush (made from sticks stuck in a piece of styrofoam with tissue paper green leaves).

Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with A Heart - New Episodes Airing on TBN

2010-08-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

The top-rated children's program on TBN is "Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with A Heart" by Darcie Maze.

Program schedule on Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. (PST), 9:30 a.m. (MT), 10:30 a.m. (CT), and 11:30 a.m. (EST).

PREVIEW OF UPCOMING EPISODES

Crossing the Red Sea - Interactive Bible Story - Exodus 14:13-31

2010-08-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Color one side of a sheet of white construction paper brown for dirt. Color both sides of another piece of white construction paper blue to represent water and then cut in half to form two 4 ¼” x 11” pieces. These two pieces are taped to the brown sheet.

At the place in the story when the wind began to blow and blow and blow until the water piled up and up and up - the child lifts back the 2 strips of blue paper and then march the Israelites (Little People figures or any people you want to use)through the path to the other side.

Create mountains on both sides, because the Israelites were trapped with the Red Sea in front of them and mountains on both sides and the Egyptians behind them.

The children's song "What Seems Impossible" is perfect for this lesson (from the newly released album DANCING IN THE DESERT by Mary Rice Hopkins.

A Dad Like You - Father's Day Song

2010-05-05T13:40:00.000-07:00

"A Dad Like You" from the GOOD BUDDIES album is perfect for Father's Day and can be made extra special when you create your own slide or video presentation to accompany this Mary Rice Hopkins classic song. Order album from: 818-790-5805.

Select-A-Song

2010-04-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

Print words to favorite songs and place in a decorative bag. Children can take turns drawing out a card and singing the song together. This can be done in a classroom setting and/or for family devotions.

Visit Mary Rice Hopkins: Children and Family Music

ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR AN AWESOME VBS

2010-04-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

By Betty Robertson. Permission granted to copy for local church use.

TO THE DIRECTOR

Isn’t being a Vacation Bible School Director a fulfilling ministry opportunity? The responsibility is tiring, at times frustrating, and often difficult. But you play a key role in directing your church’s largest outreach program for children and their families.

What a terrific way to impact the boys and girls of your church, their friends, and your community. In one week, every child receives the time equivalent of an entire quarter of Sunday School instruction.

As you press through the challenges, you’ll sense God depositing something priceless and eternal within you. When the exhaustion passes, you’ll realize your life has been changed forever. And won’t it be fun when we all get to heaven and attend the great VBS Directors’ Reunion in the sky!

The task before you is an awesome one, with a variety of components needing to mesh together for a great VBS experience. There are so many people with whom you will need to work in accomplishing this task, and to whom you must convey your passion for this event and its life-changing possibilities.

As VBS Director, your agenda will be filled with exciting challenges and necessary deadlines. But leave yourself open to the wonderful blessings that will occur in the lives of everyone touched by this ministry, including you!

If you are a new VBS Director, this manual is your guidebook. If you are a veteran, you will find exciting ideas to enhance your efforts. May you, your staff, your church, and the children and families impacted be blessed by this endeavor.

VALUES

“Should we have a VBS this summer?” Vacation Bible School is often viewed through the distorting lens of problems, hassles and disorganization. VBS should be the core of every church’s summer ministry to children.

To obtain a clear focus, it helps to take a panoramic view of the values:

1. Concentrated Bible study for pupils and a unique evangelistic tool. More children make a decision for Christ during VBS than at any other time during the church year.

2. Opportunity to strengthen the spiritual life of teachers as they present God’s Word and to increase their concern for children’s needs.

3. A passport into unchurched homes.

4. Increased Sunday School and church attendance.

5. A demonstration to your community that your church chooses to care by providing a ministry designed for their children.

DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE

If a genuine “WOW! I’M SO EXCITED” doesn’t well up within your spirit as you think about directing VBS this year, you may need to prayerfully define, or re-define, your purpose for having Vacation Bible School. Perhaps the overwhelming responsibility of planning has blotted out your vision of sharing with boys and girls a living, loving Jesus.

God knows the best way to get things done at your church. God knows the most effective method for reaching children within the sphere of your church's efforts. Ask Him! Pray until you receive a God-given, clear vision of how to reach the boys and girls in your community.

Then always make a connection between your prayers and what you hear people saying. For instance, maybe you’ll start hearing: “We sure have lots of kids in our neighborhood. Sure wish there was some way to reach them.” Perhaps this year, instead of a traditional VBS, you feel God leading your church to sponsor one or more backyard Vacation Bible Schools. Your major purpose would then be community outreach and evangelism.

Or maybe after praying, you’ll realize your biggest headache each year are the crafts which means getting the needed personnel to help and rounding up the supplies. By eliminating crafts, this time slot can be used for playing Bible games to reinforce concepts, showing biblical DVD’s, and presenting special features.

To stay focused on your purpose, write down what God tells you through prayer and use it as a standard of measurement. An example might be, “To bring as many children to salvation in Jesus Christ as possible.” Karen Brinkman set four basic VBS goals at her church: (1) education--the children will learn about God, (2) witness--the children will take home crafts and newsletters to share with family members, (3) community--program will include children from outside the church, and (4) recreation--the children will have fun.

The “We’ve Always Done It This Way” syndrome can quench what God wants to accomplish at your church this year. Complacency stands as an enemy to change. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone? Are you willing to be flexible? Are you willing to try something only God can do? Are you willing to accept His purpose for your VBS? Are you willing to do everything possible to make this event life-changing?

Once you have a clear vision, then share it passionately with your volunteers. Repeatedly communicate the vision with clarity and purpose, until your staff becomes of one mind and heart together and rises to the challenge ahead.

CHOOSE WHAT KIND OF VBS YOU'RE GOING TO HOLD

2x4x4
This equation stands for "2 days a week, 4 hours a day, for 4 weeks." First Baptist Church in Pleasant Grove, Alabama, offers this VBS option for grades 1-6.

A Traditional VBS
“Traditional” used to mean a two-week school held during the day. Now “traditional” usually means a 5-day VBS either in the morning or at night.

Advent Adventures (Submitted by Lynne L. Iversen)
Instead of a traditional Vacation Bible School during summer months, our church created a Bible School during the advent season. "Advent Adventures" for children aged two years through sixth grade, was offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the first three Saturdays of Advent.

The leaders divided each session into 20-minute segments that included crafts, a Bible story, singing of Christmas carols, story time, snacks, recreation, and hand bell instruction. Each age group rotated through the various activities. At the end of the morning, the children met in the dining hall for lunch. In addition to providing the kids with worthwhile instruction, the school allowed the parents some "kid-free" Christmas shopping time!

Adventure Week
A.K.A. Vacation Bible School

Backyard Bible Blast
An effort to get outside the church walls and reach children of the community and neighborhoods. Families in the church
are invited to host a Backyard Bible Blast which is an hour of exciting activities focusing on God's love. The purpose is to create memorable events that plant seeds which can easily be watered in the future.

Camp MAD
Camp focused on Music And Drama which takes the place of a traditional VBS.

Church Camp for Kids
The purpose is to attract community boys and girls to the church for a week so they can learn Bible lessons plus receive special training, but it isn't called VBS. Rather, it's announced, advertised, and presented as "camp." The program offers everything from soccer and basketball to science and drama, plus lessons from the Bible which are adapted from VBS programs offered by Christian publishers.

Kid’s Crusade
In most cases, the differences between a VBS and a Kids’ Crusade are much like the differences between Sunday School and children’s church. Typically, a VBS program involves multiple VBS workers teaching individual age groups, with a complete offering of activities. The typical Kids’ Crusade utilizes less hands-on workers. Names of evangelists who hold children’s crusades can be found at childrensministry.net and childrensministry.org.

Kids' Reachout Roundup (KRR)
An action-packed week of Bible teaching, singing, activities, and crafts.

Kidventure
Summer day camp program which replaces the traditional VBS.

Kidz Blast
An incredible week in the summer designed especially for children, Kindergarten to 6th grade, to experience the truth of God's Word through Bible stories, dramatic adventures, crafts, games, snacks, and more.

Marketplace VBS
This unique, innovative concept offers hands-on learning experiences in addition to family-building time, faith-sharing,
storytelling, drama, music, and outdoor games. For more information, visit: marketplace29ad.com.

Modular VBS
This program runs for 2 hours with a 15-minute combined opening and a 15-minute closing. Children are divided into groups by age and rotate to 3 modules:
(l) Bible Adventure - Bible story/study and life application; (2) Singing and Memory Fun - teach songs and verses; and (3) Special Features - beach ball, volleyball, relays, films, videos, crazy contests, hat day, etc. Preschool children follow traditional VBS scheduling.

Monthly VBS
Schedule one month for preschool and kindergarten children; another for primary and middlers; and the final time slot for junior and teens. This alternative plan works great for churches short on space and staff.

Musical Mania
Select a children's musical with a good message and spend at least two intensive weeks learning it, preparing for presentation. Present the musical on a Friday night or Sunday morning, inviting parents and friends. During practice sessions, you may want to include a brief devotional, activities, crafts, or games.

Neighborhood Bible Club
A Neighborhood Bible Club is similar to VBS but instead of meeting in a church building, it takes the Gospel to where the children live, right into their neighborhood. This 5-day summer ministry meets Monday through Friday for 1 hour, 15 minutes. A clear Gospel message is presented at each meeting, along with a Bible lesson, upbeat musical memory verses with hand motions, a review game, and a hands-on craft activity that the children take home daily.

There are four primary goals for the clubs:
Salvation: The children will hear a clear Gospel message and be encouraged to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Growth: The children will seek to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, and might.
Witness: The children will share their faith in Christ through personal witnessing and by bringing their friends to Bible club where they, too, can hear the Gospel message.
Family Involvement: The families of children attending will become involved in a local church where the Bible is believed and taught.

Praise and Play
VBS for preschoolers with a program including Bible stories, crafts, music, outdoor play, observing nature in God's great world, and guided indoor play.

Site Rotation VBS
Students rotate to teaching teams, who present the same Bible story to five different groups in five separate sessions. Activities vary by age group. Adult or youth guides accompany students to each team’s area. If you have large numbers of children, you may need multiple teaching teams for each lesson. Preschoolers have separate classes. Specialty teachers may lead select activities.

Key benefits to this option include: learning activities which are age-appropriate; teachers learn and prepare less content since they focus on one story, instead of five; fewer teachers may be needed; students meet and work with many different adults and youth; specialty teachers can lessen the workload. Many VBS curriculums now provide needed resources for implementing site rotation.

Special Guest VBS
Hire a ventriloquist, Christian clown, puppet team, or other children's ministries specialist to be your special guest. You might invite a children’s pastor or weekday religious education teacher from a neighboring area. Conduct an internet search on google or alternate search engines to locate entertainers and speakers, such as: Adams Family Ministries, Alan Root, Chip Richter, Dave Winchell, Doug Larson, Gary and Alisa Linn, Gene Cordova, Hamilton Family Ministries, Jamie Doyle, Jubilee Gang, Mark Thompson, Mr. Bill, Scott Humstom (Pro Kids Show), Ronnie Caldwell, Steven James, Susie Keown, Ted Jordan Family Ministry.

Summerama
Another name for VBS.

Summer Fun Week
The week is packed with games, crafts, music, and creative learning opportunities. Each day, children learn a different truth about God, Jesus, and the Bible.

Summer Kinder Camp
VBS alternative for preschoolers.

Summer Sunday School
VBS curriculum is used both during the regular Sunday School hour and children’s church time for 5 weeks in the summer.

SUMMER VBF (Vacation Bible Fun)
Youngstown Baptist Church conducts a VBF each summer, built around a central theme and that includes skits, great kids’ music, fun games, crafts, and a grand finale on Sunday with a Family Fun Fair.

Sum-Time Fun
Plan a series of five field trips to places of interest in your area. Take along a special guest for each day to present the devotional. Work on Bible memory verses as you travel to the places of interest, and have your music time in transit, too. Concentrate on kids bringing friends and making new contacts for your church.

Sunday Morning VBS (Submitted by Teresa Higgins)
Because many members of our congregation are employed on weekdays, they are not available to teach a traditional Monday through Friday VBS. So our church conducts VBS every Sunday in July from 9 a.m. to noon. Student attendance
has increased and teachers are easier to recruit. In addition, several non-parent church members volunteered to assist because the Sunday timing suited them.

Super Summer Saturdays
All age groups meet on Saturday for a 5-10 week period, using VBS curriculum.

Super Summer Spectacular
Conduct VBS for five weeks during the summer on Sundays, combining Sunday School and morning worship. Encourage church members to bring neighborhood children. Besides the regular program, add videos or special speakers. Option: Give your regular Sunday School teachers a break by recruiting a "Super Summer Spectacular" staff.

Vacation Bible Experience
A traditional VBS, but the negative word "school" has been eliminated.

Vacation Bible Fun
Removing the negative context of "school" from the traditional VBS.

VBS Day Camp
Day camping involves a planned program of experiences for children in an out-of-doors setting during the day. It can be conducted at the church, making use of the parking lot and other available nearby space; at a local park; at a nearby state park or resort area; or anywhere that camp-like activities can be conducted.

The director has overall responsibility for the camp. Duties include: (1) stating the basic objectives of the camp; (2) deciding upon the location of a campsite and becoming familiar with this area; (3) outlining a suggested schedule of activities; (4) reading the curriculum materials which are to be used; (5) organizing the publicity; and (6) correlating the day-camp activities with the total Christian education program of the local church.

VBS Day Camp is an open-ended program, offering many of the opportunities of resident camping (nature study, recreation, crafts, outdoor education, and fellowship) without the extended absence from home.
Program activities include:

Bible Adventure Time: Usually the regular VBS curriculum materials are used. The counselors are responsible for telling the Bible story each day, making maximum use of visual aids. They help the campers learn the suggested Bible memory verses and carry through on other activities as suggested in the teacher's manual. Classes are informal and are held outdoors to make it more like "camp."

Worship: The program should include both planned times of worship and spontaneous worship. (The outdoor setting will prompt the latter.) Counselors who are alert will find many opportunities when campers can be led into a genuine experience of recognizing the presence of God.

Singing: Appropriate songs help lead into a worship experience. Singing also helps to bind the campers into a whole unit.

Games and Recreation: These should be well-planned, have a definite purpose, and be supervised carefully.

Crafts: Materials found in an outdoor environment should compose the basis for the craft activities. Possible projects are making a nature collage, a terrarium, spatter leaf-prints, nature boxes, and seed pictures.

Outdoor Fun: Various activities centering around the study of nature/God’s creation give the campers opportunities to use their God-given senses of seeing, hearing, feeling, touching, and smelling. Examples are: following nature trails, flying kites, studying the growth of trees, taking discovery hikes, bird watching, plant observation, and so on.

Field Trips: Opportunities in a local area might include trips to a museum, art gallery, planetarium, newspaper office, zoo, or manufacturing plant.

Special Feature Time: The creativity of the director and counselors may be given full use here. Some ideas which have been used successfully are: Hat Day (everyone wears a hat, and the hats are judged in such categories as funniest, most original, ugliest, prettiest, and campers' choice); Peanut Hunt (some peanuts are marked with numbers; when time is up - teams count the number of peanuts found and get a bonus for the specially numbered ones); Treasure Chest Day (everyone receives a free gift); videos; and lunch hike.

Lunch: Each camper brings a sack lunch. Drinks are provided.

Group vs. Activity Organization - Most day camps are organized for programming either according to age-grade groups or according to activities.

Group Organization - Major part of program handled by regular counselors:
1. Since the counselors are constantly with the same children, they become well-acquainted with the individual challenges and habits of each camper.
2. Tends to develop well-rounded counselors.
3. Group sizes can vary.
4. Allows a camp to handle a much larger enrollment of children.
5. Easier to set up and administer. Movement to and from each area,

Organization by Activities - Children move from place to place and counselors remain at a specific area as specialists:
1. Counselors work in activities for which they are particularly well-qualified and which they enjoy.
2. The children are exposed to many talented teachers, rather than just the one who heads their group.
3. Limits enrollment, as no group can be any larger than can be comfortably accommodated in the smallest specialty area.

Combinations and variations of these two types of programs are often most practical!

VBS Summer Day Camp
Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church offers children an exciting summer full of fun, and nurtures spiritual growth in a loving, Christian environment. They balance arts, crafts, recreation, and sightseeing with nature, reading, relaxing, and devotions each week to ensure variety. VBS Summer Camp is open to children ages 4-13 who are entering grades pre-K through 8th. It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended care hours are available at no additional charge. Children may come as early as 7 a.m. and stay as late as 6:15 pm. Campers are placed in appropriately-sized groups according to age.

The Pre-K / Kindergarten group consists of 4 & 5 year-olds who learn to sing, play, and grow together through the summer as they participate in art, recreation, rest time, story time, play time, and an occasional field trip. While VBS Summer Day Camp workers provide plenty of activity for these campers themselves, they also bring puppet shows, storytellers, bubble fun, and a whole lot of laughing to them. Their daily routine is one of comfortable structure and is sensitive to the needs of these younger children.

The Elementary ages (grades 1-5) are always on the go. Each age group participates in arts & crafts, recreation, and devotions on a daily basis, and goes swimming and on one or two field trips each week in conjunction with weekly themes. Each grade's schedule, trips, and curriculum are unique and tailored to the needs of that particular age group. These groups develop lasting friendships and make great memories as they go through their summer camp adventure together.

Very Big Sports (VBS) Camp (submitted by Justeen Hill)
One year, instead of the usual VBS we introduced Very Big Sports Camp. We rented a junior high for one week which offered a large gym, small gym, tennis courts, track field, swimming pool, soccer field, etc. The day began with wacky games in the big gym and then the kids were able to sample a sport of their choosing for one hour. Each sport was staffed with volunteers from the church. Fun was emphasized rather than drills and skills. A snack was served and then campers were off to the gym bleachers for the Bible lesson. We closed the day with a 15-minute message from a well-known Christian athlete highlighting the importance of keeping one's Christian integrity and attitude while playing sports. The event pulled in kids who normally would never have attended a regular VBS. T-shirts were included in the $25.00 registration fee.

Video Series
A children's video series could be used as the basis for a VBS.

Weekend VBS
The hours can be on Friday (6 a.m. - 9 p.m.), Saturday (9 a.m.-3 p.m.), and Sunday (9:15 a.m.- noon) or whatever works best for your situation. The VBS refreshment team can prepare a simple lunch on Saturday for the children, with many of the items donated by Sunday School classes or individuals in the church. Adult classes are usually open to relocating and making the necessary adjustments for this once-a-year program. Having the VBS during the Sunday morning service attracts non-Christian parents and those who do not have a church home. To provide enough time for Bible stories, songs, and Scripture memorization, the crafts and recreation periods are shortened. There are two major advantages to this option: (1) the schedule rarely competes with Vacation Bible Schools at other churches since most are held Monday through Friday and (2) more men are usually willing to help on the weekend.

Winter Vacation Bible School
Activities include: mini carnival, crafts, games, Bible stories, music, videos, and snacks.

SELECT DATES

When choosing a date for your VBS, check not only your church calendar but such conflicting events as sports or other community traditions which would compete for your participants. Determine the normal pattern of family vacations based on past Sunday School attendance. Find out the availability of volunteers for proposed dates. After accumulating this information you will be ready to set the date for the school, and put it on the church calendar.

ESTABLISH A TIME LINE

Five Months In Advance
 Prayerfully set goals
 If you are a new director, meet with former directors and volunteers
 Talk with VBS director from other churches to get ideas
 Choose format
 Determine site
 Decide target group
 Preview curriculum options
 Develop workable budget and set into motion necessary fund-raisers
 Establish and maintain good communication with all areas of your church affected by your VBS

Four Months In Advance
 Pray for guidance in finding the people God wants to serve in this ministry
 Design organization
 Estimate attendance
 Order curriculum
 Write job descriptions
 Enlist department leaders

Three Months In Advance
 Continue to pray
 Complete recruitment
 Outline advertising plan
 Order T-shirts for staff

Two Months In Advance
 Keep praying
 Provide staff training for all those persons involved in VBS. By holding trainings on more than one date, more people may be able to attend. Also, consider videotaping training for those unable to attend on your scheduled dates. Consider serving a light lunch following worship service or prior to a weeknight event to encourage staffers to attend training.
 Outline ways to increase enrollment
 Begin publicity
 Make room assignments
 Meet with department leaders
 Keep VBS in front of your people through announcements and advertising

One Month In Advance
 Pray for staff and students
 Determine offering incentives
 Purchase supplies
 Complete final details
 Finalize follow-up plans
 Work on closing program or VBS wrap-up event
 Organize transportation
 Designate entrance and exit doors for all activities
 Arrange traffic patterns for moving children
 Print facility maps
 Develop specific prayer guide and put as bulletin insert until VBS opens

One Week
 Pray without ceasing
 Make necessary adjustments
 Conduct final staff meeting and have prayer time
 Canvas a 3-mile radius around your church
 VBS decorating
 Post facility directory at multiple sites, listing room locations and ages of children

The Day Before
 Double-check everything!
 Contact leaders for any last-minute problems
 Have leaders check with their workers to be sure all assigned responsibilities have been fulfilled

During
 Pray constantly
 Provide extra greeters for Day One
 Supervise
 Encourage
 Assist
 Pray daily with staff
 Keep necessary records
 Make necessary adjustments

After
 Collapse!
 Organize a clean-up party
 Pray for the children who accepted Jesus as personal Savior
 Contact every child who attended (write, call, and visit)
 Give names of VBS visitors to appropriate Sunday School teachers for follow-up
 File records
 Store materials
 Express appreciation to staff, including a post VBS staff party
 Evaluate and make notes for next year and file in your church office

PRERVIEW CURRICULUM OPTIONS

Choose biblically-based, powerful lessons that will have a lasting impact on children’s lives.

The Christian Ed Warehouse is the #1 source for Vacation Bible School materials. You can also go directly to these web sites to check out curriculum offerings: Augsburg Fortress, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Cokesbury, Concordia Publishing House, Cook Communications, Gospel Light, Group, Jericho Junction, Marketplace 29 A.D., Regular Baptist Press, Standard Publishing, Truth Quest, Veggie Town Values, WordAction.

DEVLOP WORKABLE BUDGET AND PLAN FUND-RAISERS

If your church has had VBS before, you will probably be given an estimated budget figure based on previous years. If you find there are no designated or an inadequate amount of funds, you will need to come up with your own estimate of costs. Write down the price of each item you’ll need, then tally the total cost to set your budget.

If your church doesn’t have a VBS budget in place, don’t worry! Inadequate fund for a quality VBS program needn’t be a stumbling block. Under “Search” on The Egad Ideas internet site ( www.egadideas.com ), type in “Fund Raisers” and you’ll find a huge collection of ideas. There are countless ways to painlessly raise the funds you need: collect an offering to cover expenses; charge a per-child registration fee; invite congregation members to “sponsor” children by contributing a per-child amount; sponsor a yard sale; or sell items on eBay.

Pastor Amy Alletzhauser shares that for several weeks, members tried to unravel the acronym "T.G.I.L" that was written on posters throughout the church. Finally, they revealed the title of their fund-raiser: "Thank God I'm Living!" Everyone was encouraged to donate one dollar for each year of life to the VBS fund. Although they were a small congregation with many older members on fixed incomes, everyone responded to this challenge. The event raised $3,200!

Another way to save money is to start cleaning out the closets and cupboards at your church. Often hidden cob-webbed covered crannies you’ll find useable supplies. A resource center is not only a money-saver, but a time-saver.

Once you’ve determined your needs, get the budget approved by church leadership. Know which areas you can reduce, if needed. You may want to find someone to serve as your VBS financial coordinator to keep track of monies received and sent, to handle reimbursements, and to make sure that you stay within your budget.
Write Job Descriptions

Potential volunteers often misunderstand the task they are asked to perform. No one can satisfactorily function in a given role unless it is clearly understood what is expected. Included in the job description should be some indication of what the volunteer may expect from the church, as well as what the church expects from the volunteer.

A job description is a list of the general tasks, essential functions, and responsibilities of a ministry area. Each description should include: position title, essential duties to be performed, and to whom the position reports.

It’s helpful to begin each responsibility with an action verb, such as: approve, assist, conduct, coordinate, delegate, design, establish, evaluate, facilitate, guide, handle, implement, improve, instruct, maintain, manage, operate, plan, prepare, present, recruit, schedule, strengthen, teach, train, troubleshoot.

For instance, for your Recreation Director you might write: Select age-appropriate games and activities for the 30-minute recreation time; demonstrate games and activities to the VBS staff at the training session - so teachers and helpers are familiar with the rules; direct each recreation segment.

The Music Director job description might say: One of the most effective ways to learn Christian truths is through music. Words or concepts which are difficult to memorize in prose form may be learned quickly when combined with a memorable tune. Long after VBS is over, many children will still be singing the songs they have learned. You have the opportunity to select the songs which each group will be learning during the Music Segment and to creatively teach them. You are responsible for obtaining needed audio and/or visual equipment for use during the Music Segments. You will lead each age group in performing at the VBS Closing Program.

Here are more Vacation Bible School Ministry Opportunity Job Descriptions to assist you:

Class Guide: Sits with children during opening and closing, leads the children to each of their activities; no preparation needed.

Craft Team: Helps prepare the needed items for the children’s crafat projects; preparation dates to be set by craft team leader; work in the craft room each morning of VBS.

Snack Team: Help prepare snacks needed each morning at VBS; serve and clean up snack area each morning of VBS; may work one or more mornings during the week.

Recreation Team: Work with the children during recreation time; games to be prepared by the Recreation Team Leader; help with "crowd control".

Activity Room Coordinators: Attend training meeting; prepare daily lessons in cooperation with the other coordinators in your age group for each day of VBS (ideas will be given); purchase materials needed (will be reimbursed from the church); work with two groups of children each morning of VBS.

Story Tellers/Skits: Act out or tell the story of the day (at several different times during the morning) to a large group of children; volunteers one or more days depending on availability; will need to be available for practice prior to the day your skit is performed, time to be determined by Story Room Coordinator.

Making Scenery: Trace and paint scenery needed for VBS week; work will be done during May and the first week of June, times to be set by Decorating Coordinator.

Registration: Help prepare nametags and signs needed for VBS; volunteer during the week of VBS to help children that need to register.

Nursery: Provide tender loving care to the children of VBS workers.

Decorating Team: Help decorate the church during the week prior to Vacation Bible School.

Follow-Up Team: Contact each child who prayed and asked Jesus into his heart during VBS.

ENLIST STAFF

Enlist Staff
People are often reluctant to help in VBS because they feel unqualified; think someone else can do the job better; fear the unknown; are afraid they will fail; do not understand what is involved in the specific assignment; or are turned off by the poor enlistment technique of “there’s no one else who will do it.”

If VBS is God's work, you can count on Him to provide the needed help. Rather than a general call from the pulpit
(“anyone interested in working in VBS see so-and-so after church“), directly contact people. Sixty percent of people in any congregation do NOT respond to general announcements! One-on-one recruitment is always the most effective, and also eliminates the possibility of individuals responding for a position who are not qualified. Ask specific people for a specific job.

Running an effective Vacation Bible School requires an excited, dedicated and coordinated staff. Have in hand a list of all needed positions, such as: advertising, Bible discovery, nursery child care, class coordinator, crafts, decorating, games, mission project, music, photography, preschool, puppetry, registration, set-up/dismantling cew, supplies shopper, snacks, teacher assistants, transportation, etc.

Prayer is the foundation and cornerstone of everything which is done and is the source of each staff member’s energy, strength and direction. Consider recruiting a prayer partner for each member of the VBS team.

STAFF DEDICATION

Speak to your pastor about a staff dedication before your VBS begins. The dedication will only last a few minutes, but it serves as a powerful reminder of whom we go to for our strength and guidance, as well as the purpose of our service.

ORGANIZE PRAYER EMPHASIS

Enlist a personal prayer partner for each worker from those not directly involved in VBS.

Ask your congregation to under-gird your school and it’s staff in prayer. Feel free to adapt the following VBS Prayer List (used with permission from www.sschool.com/vbs ):

God’s guidance for faculty and staff as we prepare for VBS this year.

Spiritual understanding of the content of the Bible passages to be taught.

Physical stamina for the workers during the week of VBS.

Safety and health for all our workers and students.

Spiritual direction in discerning the “teachable moment” for each child and the extent of each child’s readiness for salvation.

God’s watchcare, to avoid accidents, trials, temptations, and distractions.

Wise use of time in planning, preparing, and teaching.

Positive attitude of excitement and enthusiasm for each teacher and helper.

Understanding, loving, helping relationships with the children in each department.

Supportive team relationships with other workers in the department and school.

Strengthened relationship with God.

Relationships with spouse and family.

Developing relationships with the parents of each child enrolled, particularly the unchurched.

VBS publicity as we attempt to reach the children from our community.

Follow-up efforts to contact every child enrolled with an invitation to Sunday School.

Children will learn more about the Bible; learn that God loves them and that our church family loves them as well; and come to know Jesus as their personal savior or build the foundation for that experience.

EFFECTIVE ADVERTISING

Keep the word “pizzazz” in the forefront of your mind when planning your publicity! Video games, shopping malls, and swimming pools now compete with VBS each summer. Vacation Bible School must be publicized with enough "whiz-bang" excitement and enthusiasm to attract prospective children and parents. Include in your promotional materials such things as: action-packed activities, unforgettable special events, fun and safe environment, caring adult team leaders, valuable life principles, FREE gifts!

Don’t forget to raise visibility of your VBS among your congregation through promotion. The more excited people become, the more likely they will want to be involved.

Check that each promotional piece is:

 Attractive
 Clear (all pertinent information is available and clearly understood)
 Relevant
 Personal
 Colorful
 Unusual (Creativity forces readers to take a second look)
 Accurate (Have someone who has never seen the copy proofread it. Don’t rely upon a computer spellcheck.)

Ideas

Banner
A large, colorful banner on the outside of your church building or on the lawn helps to attract attention.

Direct Mail
Send direct mail letters to all church families with children and all on your church prospect list.

Early Publicity
Start publicizing VBS as soon as you have confirmed the dates. Alert members through your church bulletin, newsletter and phone tree.

Free Tickets
For maximum effectiveness, people in the community must be aware of your upcoming VBS. There is something about "free" which captures attention. Print tickets on heavy, bright paper with the heading: FREE ADMISSION to Vacation Bible School. Include the name, address, and phone number of your church along with the dates and times of the event. Distribute these within a 3-mile radius of your church, at parks and swimming pools.

Neighborhood Outreach
Prepare and distribute attractive flyers to homes within a 3-mile radius of your church. It's often helpful to make these interactive by offering a FREE PRIZE to everyone who attends the first night of VBS. Don't forget to also target any parks or community swimming pools in the area.

If you plan to canvas your church neighborhood with VBS flyers, do not put them in any type of mailbox. Mailboxes are considered government property and are designated for postal mail only. If you place literature in a mailbox and the recipient reports it to the authorities, you could find yourself and your organization in some legal trouble.

Newspaper Ad
To catch attention with your ad, be creative. One church bought a small space in their community newspaper. In the center of the space, was a black dot approximately one-inch in diameter. Under the dot it said: "Blow on this dot. If it turns red, go to your doctor. If it stays black, bring the dot to Vacation Bible School at (name of church) on (date) at (time) and receive a FREE GIFT!"

Newspaper Article
A newspaper article is often more effective than an ad and it's free! Let your religion editor know about any special feature that could be highlighted in such an article.

One-on-One
Word of mouth is still the most effective advertising method. Motivate children in your church to tell their school and neighborhood friends by giving prizes for each new child brought on the first night of VBS.

Phone-A-Thon
Enlist volunteers to call all members of the children's division Sunday School and all boys and girls who attended your VBS last year. The first call should be made two weeks prior to the event. The last call needs to be made two days before the event starts.

INCREASING ENROLLMENT

Balloon Burst
Write names of prizes on paper, fold, and insert into balloons. Blow up the balloons, tie a string on the end, fasten to a long string stretched across the room. All who qualify can break the balloon of their choice with a hat pin, and receive the prize listed inside. (Adult supervision is required to ensure safety with the pin.)

Battle of the Sexes
Have the boys and girls compete against each other. Award 500 points for individual attendance by sexes and 1,000 points for each new visitor brought by either a boy or girl.

Bring 3
Thomas Road Baptist Church implements a "Bring 3" campaign. They encourage church members to build relationships with friends, relatives, associates, and neighbors; find prospects; and bring three new children to VBS. This has proven to be an effective way of boosting VBS attendance; finding unchurched children; and growing their overall children's ministry.

Buddy System
The theme one summer for the First Evangelical Congregational Church of Reading, Pennsylvania was “The Ten Commandments.” They had over 100 children and most of them did not attend any Sunday School or church. Each new child who attended was given a T-shirt with the Ten Commandments printed on the front and a picture of their church on the back. In order to pay for the shirts, they developed a sponsorship program called the “Buddy System.” All children had their pictures taken when they enrolled in VBS and each picture was made into a name tag which also included the name, address, and birthday of the child. Sponsors contributed $5.00 to pay for the T-shirt and receive a picture of the child they were sponsoring. Sponsors were given the responsibility to pray for the child and were asked to send a card on the child’s birthday and for special holidays. When contacting the children, many sponsors included their own phone numbers and told the children to call if they needed a ride to church. Numerous new children started attended this church as a result of this effective program.

Free Gifts
In your VBS publicity, announce a free gift to all who attend the first session.

Gift Pyramid
Businesses in the community will often donate items for you to use as prizes. Be sure there is an extensive display of prizes, so numerous children can receive something. The person who brings the most friends may choose first what they want. The next runner-up may then choose. This way, a child can select a gift they will really enjoy and use.

Kid-to-Kid
The children who regularly attend your church are the best outreach tools you have! Plan a pizza party before your public school is out for the summer where you educate them on helping their friends hear and learn about God. Have each child write down as many names of friends as they can think of who they would like to invite. Have prayer together for these prospects. Before they leave, give them invitations to give to their friends (regardless of when your VBS is scheduled). Save all these names and a week before VBS, have them re-invite their friends.

Millionaire Acres
Print play money in $10 denominations. In the center of each piece write, "This is valuable to you! You may spend it at Millionaire Acres the last day of VBS." Award the money daily for attendance and visitors brought. Set up a bank where children may turn in their money and accurate records are kept. Organize Millionaire Acres with gifts containing price tags. Each child may withdraw his money the final day of VBS and "shop" for items at Millionaire Acres.

Mystery Names
Daily select mystery names from the VBS enrollment. Each child who is present receives a small gift.

Newspapers
Let people in the community know you care about their children. Do one or more of the following:
1) News item or release - double-spaced with one-inch margin around. In the upper left corner type "For Immediate Release" or give a future date if you want the information held. Under these words type the name and address of the church. In the upper right corner, place the name and telephone number of a contact person.

2) Feature Story - longer and more informative than a news release.

3) Paid Advertisements - arranged attractively using key information.

Operation: Invasion
The Saturday prior to VBS, distribute promotional flyers within a 3-mile radius of the church, at shopping centers, playgrounds, and parks. Enlist commitments from children and parents by pre-registering the boys and girls.

Person-to-Person Contact
No greater communication system exists than one person telling another. Get the boys and girls excited so they will invite their friends. Be sure parents and adults in the church are aware of your program and dates.

Pre-registration
The week prior to VBS, start pre-enrolling children in their Sunday School classes or at a special booth set up in the church foyer. This not only reminds the boys and girls of the upcoming event, but serves to decrease the first-night registration hassle line.

Promotional Flyers
Send out at least two colorful, attractive publicity flyers.

Radio Spots
Send basic information to the "community calendar" of your local radio station, including the who, what, when, and where details of your event.

Signage
Place an attractive sign in your church yard.

Telephone
Call all Sunday School members and those who attended last year's school and let them know about the exciting, upcoming VBS. Extend a personal invitation. Talk with parents to see if transportation is needed or if they can be involved in helping.

Tickets
On the Saturday after VBS, you can have a "Fun Fest" and invite the parents. During the week, the children attending Vacation Bible School are awarded tickets for attendance and bringing friends which they can spend at the fair. Adult Sunday School classes can sponsor booths.

Trophies
Boys and girls love to receive trophies. Award trophies to all who bring three friends who have never attended VBS before.

VBS Pre-Registration Carnival
Held the Saturday before VBS, the carnival provides an opportunity for attracting neighborhood children to the church.

REFRESHMENTS

Be sure on your registration forms to include a place for parents and/or children to indicate allergies to such things as nuts, peanut butter, milk, etc.
Alternate snacks should be available.

Ants on A Log
Spread peanut butter on celery; top with raisins.

Apple Krispies
Slice apples. Spread with peanut butter. Dip in Rice Krispies.

Banana Popsicles
Cut each banana in half. Dip in a mixture of half lemon juice and half water. Insert a popsicle stick into each banana. Roll in crushed Grape Nuts. Freeze.

Bananawich
Slice bananas thin and place between two vanilla wafers to form a sandwich.

Catch A Fish!
On each child's plate, place 1/3 cup Goldfish crackers, 10 pretzel sticks and 2 tablespoons peanut butter. The kids can pretend the pretzels are fishing poles and by dipping the "poles" in peanut butter, they can then "catch" fish!

Cheese and Crackers
Cheese with whole wheat crackers is delicious and easy to fix.

Cheeze Pretzels
Melt Cheese Whiz in the microwave or on top of the stove, according to directions on the jar. Allow the cheese to cool slightly. Dip and twist the tip of each pretzel stick into the cheese, lift out, wait twenty seconds, then dip again. Set onto a sheet of waxed paper. Allow to cool at room temperature for ten minutes or until cheese is firm. Gently pull off waxed paper.

"Cinna"-pedes
Use cinnamon stick cookies! Lay one cookie upside down and frost with brightly colored icing. Then, cut red licorice pull apart candy approximately 1 1/2 inches long and place them crosswise for legs. Top the cinnapede with another cookie right side up.

Gorp
1 box unfrosted cereal; 1 large box raisins; 1 jar dry roasted peanuts; 1 large package candy-coated chocolate pieces.

Jell-o Cones
Make Jell-o. Once it sets, cut into small squares. Fill ice cream cones. Top with whipped topping. Insert a plastic spoon.

Kix Balls
Melt 6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips. Pour over 5 cups of Kix cereal. Stir gently to coat the cereal. Form into balls. Place on waxed paper. Chill for at least 24 hours. Makes about 60 balls.

Oatmeal Chocolate No-Bake Cookies
2 cups white sugar; 1 stick margarine; 1/2 cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/2 cups peanut butter; 2 tablespoons cocoa; 3
cups oatmeal. Mix the first three ingredients in saucepan. Boil for one minute. Remove from the heat. Add the remaining ingredients. Mix all ingredients together. Scoop and drop by tablespoon onto waxed paper and cool.

Peanutwich
Spread peanut butter on Ritz crackers. Top to form sandwiches.

Popcorn in a Cup
Pop popcorn and put into a large paper cup.

Popsicles
Make with fruit juice.

Pretzels
The children can be involved in making these, if so desired. Soften a package of yeast in 1 1/2 cups warm water. Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar. Mix in 4 cups of flour. Knead into a soft, smooth dough. The children can roll and mold to their hearts content. Place shapes on a cookie sheet. Brush with a beaten egg. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Pudding Treat
Follow instructions on the sugar-free pudding package. Pour into Styrofoam cups, about half-full. Top with whipped topping. Insert a plastic spoon.

Rice Krispies Pops
You will need: 5 cups of Rice Krispies; 1/4 cup of butter or margarine; 4 cups of small marshmallows; Popsicle sticks.
Melt margarine or butter in a saucepan. Add marshmallows, stirring constantly until melted. Remove from the heat, add the Rice Krispies and stir until coated. Shape an oval around a Popsicle stick.

Snack Mix
½ cup butter or margarine - melted; 2 tablespoons Cocoa; 2 tablespoons sugar; 4 cups Apple Cinnamon Cherrios; 4 cups Crispex; 1 cup almonds - silvered; 1 cup raisins. In 4-quart microwave-safe bowl, melt butter. Stir in sugar and cocoa. Add cereals and almonds. Stir until evenly coated. Microwave on high 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Stir in raisins. Microwave at high 3 minutes more, stirring every minute. Cool completely and store in airtight container in cool, dry place.

SAFETY

Churches of all sizes must take the welfare of children seriously. Sadly, when churches are held to the standards our culture now expects for child-care facilities, most ministries fail to achieve even the minimum standards in terms of child registration procedures and documentation.

Our challenge today: Is the church willing to do what it takes to meet and exceed all applicable child-care safe practices, not because we have to, but because we're committed to demonstrating to the world that it's Christ's church that best loves and cares for children?

Make plans for keeping your children safe. Regarding safety of the children, put on the registration form a section saying, "Who will pick up your child at the end of the day?" Parents receive a letter 1-2 weeks before VBS stating they will need to park and come in the building to pick up their child/children from specified rooms. To avoid confusion as to where to go, send a map of the church to the parents clearly labeled as to where to pick up the different grade levels. Maps and signs all over the church also eliminate confusion. Requiring parents to come inside to pick up their children also provides the opportunity for you and the pastor to make contact with them.

Child abuse is a real issue today. Be sure your entire staff are screened so a known abuser is not involved with the boys and girls. With ACCUFAX (www.accufax-us.com ), getting records is quick and easy, and you can be confident the information you get is complete, compliant, and accurate.

Because of the complexity of these issues and due to the changing nature of state and federal laws, it is helpful for churches to utilize legal help in this area.

STAFF APPRECIATION

Appreciation Dinner
Enlist help from those who were unable to serve during VBS. A slide-show presentation could be a fun special feature.

Certificates of Appreciation
Perfect way to say, “Thank You!” for devoted ministry and extra hours of labor.

E-’em
It doesn’t take long to E-mail words of appreciation to your staff each day of VBS.

Pay Day Candy Bar
Attach a note which reads: “Thank you for all the seeds you planted this year in the lives of boys and girls during VBS. Your real Pay Day will come when Jesus tells you ‘Well done’.”

Treat ‘Em Right: Tasty Ideas for Encouraging Volunteer
This creative resource by Susan Cutshall is full of ideas for 70 different “tasty” notes. These notes to accompany the treats are arranged four to a page and are easy to reproduce. Just copy, cut, and add a tasty treat to complete the message of appreciation. Order from your Christian bookstore or www.Amazon.com.

You've Made a Difference Poem (Copyrighted by Linda J. Stevenson. May copy for local church use.)

Thank you for the time you give
To each child who looks to you;
You truly make a difference
By all you say and do.
For as you touch each tender heart,
You leave your imprint there;
And always they'll remember you--
How much you really cared.
Keep on loving, keep on caring,
Sharing Christ as you do,
For one day they'll return to say,
“Teacher, I do thank you.”
“You've made a difference in my life.
I'm who I am today,
Because you gave your time to teach
And show to me God’s Way.”

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLOSING PROGRAM

Parents, grandparents, and family members love seeing their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews on stage! A closing program provides this opportunity and allows many who have never attended your church to come for this event.

The electronic equipment explosion enhances your ability to quickly produce a professional presentation of slides and/or video of your Vacation Bible School highlights. The children can share Bible verses they memorized and songs they learned. A special puppet presentation, Bible story, or other special feature will make for an unforgettable program.

Some churches are successfully concluding VBS with a Family Festival, which combines a program, special speaker or musician, carnival-type games, and a meal on the grounds.

FOLLOW-UP

Few ministries of the church have the evangelistic impact and potential of VBS. However, the number of decisions recorded during VBS is really just the tip of the iceberg for churches that follow-up well with children, parents, grandparents, and siblings of children discovered through VBS.

In the week or two following VBS, the family of every new child who attended should receive a personal visit from someone in the church who shares information about children’s programs and other ministries in which the family might be interested. It’s an all-out effort to let first-time visitors know they are welcome and that church members really care about them and their children.

You may want to have your regular church visitation team handle the VBS visitation follow-up, as they are trained to share their witness and the plan of salvation with people who don’t know the Lord. Family members often accept Christ due to the message, excitement and involvement of their children in VBS.

A part of VBS follow-up is informing your congregation of various highlights. For example, one church published this information: "The purpose of our VBS was to spread the message of God's love and forgiveness through a children's ministry that would also reach families. The city 'zones' around our church is approximately 7,000 homes. Our goal was to have 120 children attend. Through the use of school newsletter announcements, flyer distribution, local posters, newspaper announcements, and personal contact we achieved a registration of 100 children. The following data was gathered from registration information: total attendance was 98; number of families reached was 56 and of these 34% have no church home.”

HOW TO AVOID DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS RATHER THAN BEING FORCED TO DEAL WITH THEM

1. Prepare thoroughly.
Lessons should be action-packed with creative, exciting presentations

2. Anticipate problems and act to prevent them.

3. Have the room prepared when that first pupil arrives.
The children must have something constructive to do immediately. Those first few minutes set the tone for the class time which follows.

4. Give choices within acceptable limits.
In this way you are setting up the environment to make positive encounters more likely. With young children you might say, "Would you like to draw a butterfly or bird?" With older children, "Would you like to research these questions in the Bible dictionary or draw an illustration from the story?"

5. Determine how your actions and responses can be carried out in love.
When disciplining children, they should be corrected in a way that shows them they are loved. When boys and girls sense our loving concern, they're much more willing to emulate our values and our relationship with God. The key to discipling children is to model Christ-like behavior for them while assuring them in every way possible that we truly love them.

6. Evaluate the reasons for misbehavior.
It could be a need for attention, boredom, upset emotions, insecurity, illness, hunger, or inner tension expressed by wiggles.

7. Make your children feel valued.
Use such phrases as: "I'm glad you're a part of our class"; "You are important to me"; "How special you are"; or "Do you know that God created you one of a kind?"

8. Pray regularly.
Ask God to give you wisdom to respond, not react, to situations and that your inner attiude will always be appropriate when exercising authority.

9. Pray for each child by name and need.
God created the boys and girls in your class. He knows them better than anyone else. When your heart yells, "I don't know what to do" -- go to God and seek His wisdom. If we go to Him seeking answers, we will find them!

10. Make expectations clear by setting up a few classroom rules.
a. Follow directions
b. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
c. Be respectful - that includes respecting the teacher, visitors, other students, and property

11. When giving the rules, explain reasons behind.
Children have a right to know that when we all obey the rules we are safer and have more fun. The goal of discipline is to teach children and to lead them increasingly toward self-discipline.

12. Share consequences of not following the rules.
Specific positive and negative consequences will be different at each age and stage of development. What works in the preschool class will need to be different in the middler group.

13. Once policies have been stated, allow no infringements.
Be consistent.

14. Talk less, act more.
Instead of asking children to be quiet over and over, wait for them to give you their attention. Or flip a light switch if it gets too noisy.

15. Follow a set plan for desirable behavior.

a. Deal with the problem individually.
b. Have the child tell what he did and share "What rule was broken?"
c. Ask what rule was broken.
d. Be sure child understands why the behavior is not acceptable.
e. Let the child experience the consequences of his behavior.
f. Give love and reassurance.
g. Redirect the child into positive activity.

Juggling Mom - Songs for Mother's Day

2010-04-07T13:03:00.000-07:00

Songs on this album are perfect for Mother's Day! This also makes a meaningful gift for moms and grandmothers on Mother's Day!

Order from www.maryricehopkins.com or call 818-790-5805

Music By Mary Rice Hopkins to Supplement VBS Lessons

2010-03-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

Mary Rice Hopkins has been in the music industry performing for 30 years. She has a new TV program on TBN's "Smile of a Child" each Saturday: "Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart." CLICK HERE to order any of the music listed below to supplement your VBS lessons.

"Baobab Blast" by Augsburg Fortress

Day 1: “Abraham” (In the Beginning)

Day 2: “Love With The Love” (Miracle Mud)

Day 3: “I Will Follow You” (Come Meet Jesus); “Different Drum” -- Following Jesus (Get On Board)

Day 4: “Who Is Your Neighbor?” (Come On Home); “The Good Samaritan” (Come Meet Jesus); “Boomerang” -- Give God‘s Love Away (In My Garden)

Day 5: “Little Is Much” (15 Singable Songs, Big Steps for Little Feet, Dancing in the Desert, Kids Kamp); “Wherever You Go” --Take God’s Word (Get On Board)

Deep Sea Adventure by Word Action

Day 1: “Come Meet Jesus” (Come Meet Jesus); “Jesus Loves Me” (ABCs Of Praise); “Jesus Cares for Everyone” (Come Meet Jesus)

Day 2: “Jesus Bright Morning Star” (Get on Board)

Day 3: “Come On Home” (Come on Home), “Forgive” (Come On Home)

Day 4: “The Good Samaritan” (Come Meet Jesus); “Who Is Your Neighbor?” (Come On Home)

Day 5: “Sharing Comes Round Again” -- Fish/loaves (15 Singable Songs)

"Galactic Blast: A Cosmic Adventure in Praising God" by Cokesbury

Day 1: "God Did" (15 Singable Songs, Come Meet Jesus); "God Made A Great Big World" (In the Beginning); "God of Creation" (In the Beginning); "Hip Hip Hooray: Hippopotamus" (15 Singable Songs, ABCs of Praise); "Oh What A Variety" (In the Beginning).

Day 2: “God Can Do Great & Mighty Things” (Dancing In The Desert); “Great Big God That I Know” (Fingerprints, Get On Board)

Day 3: “He Forgives Me” (Come Meet Jesus)

Day 4: “Bartimaeus” (Miracle Mud)

Day 5: “God’s Not Finished” (Lighthouse)

"Hero Headquarters" by Standard

Day 1: “God Can Do Great & Mighty Things” (Dancing In The Desert)

Day 2: “Best Story of All” (Sing Through the Year)

Day 3: “Called On Jesus” (Miracle Mud); “Jesus Can” -- Miracles (Miracle Mud)

Day 4: “Sharing Comes Round Again” (15 Singable Songs, Fingerprints)

Day 5: “Mind Of Christ” (Get on Board); “You Are Light” (Whispering Wind)

"Planet Zoom" by Concordia

Day 1: “Step by Step” -- Jesus going to temple (In My Garden)

Day 2: “Jesus Can” (Miracle Mud); “Sharing Comes Round Again” (Fingerprints)

Day 3: “Called On Jesus” (Miracle Mud); “Bethesda: Walk On” (Miracle Mud); “Jesus Can” (Miracle Mud); “Walking and Singing” (Miracle Mud)

Day 4: “He Made Him” -- Jesus’ death/resurrection (Workmanship); “Rolled ‘Em Away” (Come Meet Jesus)

Day 5: “God Can Do Great & Mighty Things” (Dancing In The Desert)

"Route 254" by Lifeway

Day 1: “Best Story Of All” (Sing Through the Year)

Day 2: “Say Thank You” (Miracle Mud); “Wanna Say Thank You” - (Sing Through the Year)

Day 3: “He Forgives Me” (Come Meet Jesus)

Day 4: “Come Meet Jesus” (Come Meet Jesus)

Day 5: “Different Drum” (Get On Board); “I Will Follow You” (Come Meet Jesus)

"Saddle Ridge Ranch" by Lifeway

Day 1: “God Knows What’s Best” (In the Beginning)

Day 2: “He Cares for You and Me” (ABCs Of Praise)

Day 3: “Zacchaeus” (ABC’s of Praise)

Day 4: “A-Wanna Be Like Jesus” (Workmanship)

Day 5: “Hold Onto Your Horses” (Get On Board)

SeaQuest: Diving for God's Treasure by Regular Baptist Press

Day 1: “God’s Love” (Big Steps for Little Feet, Good Buddies)

Day 2: “Farmer & Sheep” (Come On Home); “Oh Honey” -- woman searching for lost coin (Come On Home)

Day 3: “Come On Home” -- Prodigal Son (Come On Home)

Day 4: “You Are The Rock” -- Build your house on Jesus (Come On Home)

Day 5: “What’s In Your Hand?” (Dancing in the Desert)

SonQuest Rainforest by Gospel Light

Day 1: “Grow Me Up Like You” -- Sower and seeds (Come On Home, In My Garden)

Day 2: “He Made Him” -- Jesus’ death/resurrection (Workmanship)

Day 3: “Who Is Your Neighbor?” -- Good Samaritan (Come On Home); “The Good Samaritan” (Come Meet Jesus)

Day 4: “At Midnight” (Come on Home)

Day 5: “Got It All Backwards” -- Serving (Get On Board)

Baby Moses in Basket Surprise Picture - Art Project

2010-03-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

Needed for Each Child: 8 ½” x 11 white construction paper; scissors; markers or crayons.

Activity: Help the children make 2 ½” folds on the 8 ½” sides of the construction paper. Then show them how to cut away 2” x 4” pieces on both sides to make the surprise picture. Print “God protected Moses” (Exodus 2:1-20) on the inside top. The boys and girls can draw tall grass on the front flaps, with baby Moses on the river inside.

Baby Moses in Basket - Craft

2010-03-22T15:39:00.000-07:00

Needed for Each Child: 7 x 8 ½” piece of sturdy brown construction paper; 40 toothpicks; glue; clear tape; white construction paper; 3 ½” x 4” piece of cloth; crayons or makers; sticker on which has been written: “God Protected Moses” - Exodus 2:1-20.

Activity: On each corner of the brown construction paper cut away a 2” x 2” square. Fold and tape to create a basket. Place sticker on inside of basket. Glue toothpicks on outside of basket. Children draw and cut out a baby Moses, wrap him in a blanket and place him in the basket. Encourage the children to share this Bible story with their families.

Jesus Quiets the Bad Storm - Bible Story & Lesson: Luke 8:22-25

2010-02-24T10:22:00.000-08:00

Lesson by Betty Benson Robertson

BIBLE STORY: Based on Luke 8:22-25

Preparation: If possible, designate an area large enough where all children can sit and pretend to be disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.

Instructions: When the boys and girls hear you say “the disciples rowed and rowed and rowed”, they are to make rowing motions. (Demonstrate.)

One day Jesus and his disciples got in a boat. Jesus was tired and laid down. They were all going to cross the lake, so the disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.

Soon Jesus fell asleep. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.

Suddenly, clouds covered the sky until it was dark. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.

It started to rain. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.

The storm got worse. Lightening flashed in the sky. Loud thunder boomed. The disciples rowed and rowed and rowed.

The boat rocked back and forth. The waves rose higher and higher. Water splashed into the boat. They rowed and rowed and rowed.

The disciples were really scared. More water came into the boat. They were afraid the boat would tip over and they would all end up in the water.

They woke Jesus and said: “Master! Save us! We’re going to drown!”

When Jesus sat up, He saw the dark clouds and lightning. He heard the thunder. He felt the boat rocking, and He saw how afraid His disciples were.

Jesus told the wind, “Silence!” and the waves, “Quiet down.”

Immediately, the wind stopped blowing. All the dark clouds disappeared. The sea became quiet and still again.

Jesus looked at His friends. “Why were you so afraid?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know I would take care of you?”

The disciples talked among themselves. “Who is this Man?” they asked each other. “Even the winds and the waves obey Him. He must be the Son of God.”

SONG: “Jesus Can” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Miracle Mud album.

BIBLE VERSE: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7, New Living Translation).

BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: “Say It Loud, Say It Quiet”

Have the boys and girls quote the verse together in unision. Then ask the children to say the verse loud; quiet; loud with their eyes closed; quiet with their hands on their hands; loud with their hands behind their backs; quiet with hands touching their toes.

MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: “Story In A Box” (See Photo)

Needed for Each Child: Shoebox; 1 sheet brown construction paper; 3 sheets white construction paper; 14 craft sticks; 13 circles; clear tape.

Preparation: Cut 1 slit in the shoe box lid at the front of the boat where Jesus will stand; 1 slit at the back of the boat where the rain/lighting stick will be insert; 12 slits for the disciples.

Activity: Children draw and cut out a brown boat shape and glue to the side of the box.
Faces are drawn on the circles and the circles attached to the 13 sticks with tape. Children draw lighting/rain and attach to a stick with tape.

Before taking their “Story In A Box” home, allow children to practice re-telling by following your lead. The 12 disciples get in the boat (place sticks). Jesus gets in the boat and lays down. The disciples row the boat. A storm suddenly comes up (insert lightening/rain picture). The disciples are afraid and wake up Jesus. (Insert Jesus in slot at front of boat.) Jesus says: “Peace be still.” The winds and waves are quiet (remove storm picture).

EXTENDED ACTIVITY: Learn names of the disciples using the “12 Disciples Song” from: ChristianPreschoolPrintables.com. This song uses the “10 Little Indians” tune which makes memorizing easy.

SNACK 'N YAK: If at all possible, go to the area of your room where you told the Bible story in the “boat”. The children pretend to be the disciples, eating a snack of crackers, cheese, and grapes. While eating, ask: Have any of you ever been outside in a bad storm? How did you feel? Have there been any others times you been really scared? When we are afraid, what can we do?

IF YOU TEACH PRESCHOOLERS:

http://preschoollearningideas.blogspot.com/

Jesus Heals A Paralyzed Man - Bible Story & Lesson

2010-02-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

BIBLE STORY: based on Mark 2:1-12

Instructions: Make a New Testament home from a box (see picture). Cut open a door and cut out a hole in the roof. Make one mat of cloth and craft sticks. Create a second mat with four pieces of yarn attached to each corner. Gather together play people. Use these props for telling the story.

Everyone wanted to see Jesus! There were lots and lots and lots of people around the house.

At the edge of the crowd was a man who could not walk. He was lying on a stretcher.
His friends had taken him to see Jesus.

They looked and looked and looked around. There were SO many people! HOW were they going to get their friend close to Jesus?

Suddenly one of them had an idea! They got their heads together in a huddle and talked.

Finally one said: “Okay! Let’s try it!”

They climbed up the steps on the outside of the house, removed some of the tiles from the roof, placed the paralyzed man on a mat, and lowered him down through the roof into the house where Jesus was.

Jesus said to the paralyzed man: “Get up. Take your mat and go home.”

The man was so excited that Jesus had healed him! He got up and all the way home he said: “Glory to God. I’m healed. Glory to God!”

SONG: “Jesus Cares for Me” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Come Meet Jesus album.

BIBLE VERSE: “(Jesus) healed all the sick.” (Matthew 8:16b).

BIBLE MEMORY ACTIVITY: “Nerf Ball Throw”

Have the children stand in a circle. Say the Bible verse in unison 3 times. The teacher throws a nerf ball to a child. That child and the person standing to his/her right, say the verse together with the teacher. The ball is thrown back to the teacher. Continue until all have had a chance to catch the ball and quote the verse.

MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY

Needed for Each Child: 3” x 4” piece of material; 4 craft sticks; glue; construction paper; crayons; scissors.

Activity: Each child creates a stretcher like the one used in the Bible story, by gluing the cloth between 4 craft sticks. The children then draw, color and cut out a paralyzed man.

EXTENDED ACTIVITY

Allow the children to re-tell the story, using the props.

SNACK 'N YAK

Have the children cover a graham cracker with frosting and place a small gingerbread man on top. As they review the story, have them think of ways they can bring their friends to Jesus.

CLOSING PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father: Just like the men carried their friend to Jesus for healing, we want to bring our friends to Jesus, too. We can do this by telling our friends about Jesus and bringing them to Him in prayer. Thank you so much for hearing and anwering our prayers.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER - Good Samaritan Bible Story Lesson

2010-02-07T12:28:00.000-08:00

BIBLE STORY: “Loving By Helping” (based on Luke 10:30-37)

Instructions: Every time the children hear the word “walking” in the story, they stand when you signal by raising your hand and walk in place. Boys and girls are to be seated by watching your hand go down.

A man was walking from Jerusalem to Jericho. Suddenly, robbers attacked him. They beat him up, took his clothes, and left him there.

A priest came walking down the same road. The man thought, “Great! Someone will help me.” But the priest was in a hurry and didn’t take the time to stop and help the injured man.

A Levite came walking down the same road. The man thought, “Great! I hope this person will help me.” But this teacher in the temple did not stop and help the injured man either.

A Samaritan came walking down the same road. The injured man probably thought, “The first two people who came by didn’t help me. This person probably won’t either.”

But when the Samaritan saw the man lying there all beaten and bloody, he wanted to help him. He gave him first aid and placed bandages on the wounded man’s body. Then he carefully helped the injured man get on his donkey, took him to a place to stay for the night and continued to take care of him.

(Open your Bible to Luke and show the children.) This is a story Jesus told which is found in Luke in the Bible to tell us the importance of showing our love by caring and helping when we can.

DISCUSSION: What are some ways we can show our love to others by caring and helping?

SONG: “Love with the Love of Jesus” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Miracle Mud album.

BIBLE VERSE: “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17).

Directions: Cut a large red heart from construction paper. Write the verse on the heart.

Clap ‘N Pass Activity: Show the heart and have the class repeat it 3 times together. Ask the children to sit in a circle. As you clap, boys and girls pass the heart to their right from person to person. When you stop clapping, that child and the ones sitting to the right and left of that child, all stand and say the verse with the teacher.

MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: “Heart Flowers”

Needed for Each Child: Construction paper of assorted colors, including red, pink and green; scissors; glue; pens or fine-tipped markers.

Activity: Have children make as many heart flowers as time allows, by cutting out heart shapes and attaching stems and leaves. On each flower they can write a message, such as : “I love you”, “Thank you for being my friend”, etc. Encourage them to give to family members, relatives, friends and neighbors.

SNACK: Heart Cookies

Needed for Each Child: Large heart-shaped sugar cookie; various colors of icing; sprinkles and M&M’s®; plastic knives

Activity: Allow the boys and girls to decorate their cookies.

CLOSING PRAYER

JESUS IS BORN - Children's Bible Lesson

2010-02-05T10:36:00.000-08:00

BIBLE STORY (based on Luke 2:8-18)

Instructions: Ask the children to copy your gestures throughout the story.

Imagine in your mind that it's the middle of the night.

You are a shepherd - a person taking care of sheep - outside the city of Bethlehem.

It's dark. It's quiet except for an occasional "Baaaaa".

(Warp arms around yourself.) It's a little chilly. You are sitting around a campfire with the other shepherds, keeping warm.

Then suddenly, you see an unusual light in the sky.

(Put one hand above eyes, looking up) "Do you see what I see?"

(Point up) "Yes! Look at the light", another shepherd replies looking at the sky. "I wonder what it is?"

The light was an angel sent by God who said: "Don't be afraid. I have good news! A Baby has been born tonight. A very special Baby whose name is Jesus. He is in the town of Bethlehem right now in a stable -- all wrapped up and tucked in a manger.

Suddenly, the sky was full of angels all praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest."

Let's say that together boys and girls: "Glory to God in the highest."

Let's say it again: "Glory to God in the highest."

(On knees showing worship with hands together) The shepherds got on their knees on the ground in worship.

Then the angels disappeared and the sky was dark again.

The shepherds talked to one another and decided they would quickly go to Bethlehem and see for themselves what the angel had just told them about.

(Walk in place) They walked as fast as they could! They walked and walked and walked until they reached the town of Bethlehem and found the stable.

Jesus' mother, Mary, and Mary's husband, Joseph, greeted the shepherds. When they saw baby Jesus wrapped in a blanket and sleeping in the manger, the shepherds (on knees showing worship with hands together) got on their knees and celebrated the birth of Jesus by worshipping Him.

SONG: "Manger of My Heart" by Mary Rice Hopkins (from A Very Mary Christmas album)

Following the song, you may want to take an opportunity to share with your class that the reason God sent Jesus to earth as a baby was so He could die on the cross for our sins. If there are boys and girls in your group who have not accepted Jesus as their personal Savior, this could be a great opportunity if you sense the Holy Spirit leading in that direction.

BIBLE VERSE: "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).

Directions: Cut out 10 yellow stars. Write one word from the verse and reference on each star. Attach the stars to a wall or bulletin board.

Activity: Say the verse together 3 times. Ask children to remove one star at a time, reciting the verse each time a star is removed.

MAKE 'N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: Baby Jesus In A Manger

Needed for Each Child: A heavy piece of paper 5" x 81/2"; 2 pieces of white construction paper 21/2" x 3" for the ends of the manger; straw (if available) or brown paper which has been shredded or cut into small pieces for hay; clear tape; crayons; small pieces of material for a blanket.

Activity: Color the manger. Fold the 5" x 81/2" piece into thirds. Tape on the manger sides. Drop in the hay or shredded brown paper. Draw, color and cut out baby Jesus. Wrap the baby in cloth and place in manger.

SNACK: Star-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Needed: A star-shaped sugar cookie for each child; yellow icing; sprinkles.

Activity: Allow the children to ice and decorate their own cookies.

EXTENDED ACTIVITY: Allow children to re-create the Bible story using Play-Doh. They can make sheep, a star, the manger with baby Jesus, sheep, etc. (There are numerous easy-to-make recipes for making various colors of modeling compound online.)

Teacher's Prayer

2010-01-22T07:32:00.000-08:00

Lord, help me be aware of the potentiality
That lies within each precious child that You have sent to me.
Help me to see through Heaven's eyes their possibility
And daily instill values that will last eternally.

You've shown Your faith in me with this responsibility
And, Lord, I pray You'll never be dissatisfied with me.
But, Lord, I must ask You for Your strength to meet the task,
That daily You will help me--that's all I really ask.

For when I grow impatient, slow me down and speak to me
And remind me of the child taht I once used to be.
Lord, grant to me the wisdom that I need to thus impart
And nurture the potential You have planted in each heart.

For they're like a tender flower awaiting to unfold
And, oh, the awesome beauty that one day we will behold.
So, Lord, I want to thank You for Your trust and confidence,
And for the opportunity to make a difference.

The task will not be easy; but, if You will work through me,
Together we will change a life for all eternity.

Copyrighted by Linda J. Stevenson.
For permission to use, please contact: Ljstevenson1@juno.com
http://lindajstevenson.blogspot.com/

"That's Right!" Bible Verse Review Idea

2009-12-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Needed: A puppet (one can be made from a lunch sack, moveable eyes and yarn for hair); a simple stage which the puppet can hide behind (a large box can be used or a card table turned on it’s side).

Activity: Let the children take turns “teaching” the Bible verse to the puppet. The puppet repeats the verse correctly and then everyone in the class says together: “That’s right!” Boys and girls can take turns both “teaching” the puppet and being the puppeteer.

* * * * * * * *

"Mary Rice Hopkins and Puppets with a Heart" is the newest children's program being aired on TBN (or view online). This show deals with tough issues kids are facing today and will change children's hearts for a lifetime. Click here for a sample of program.

Christmas Day Family Worship

2009-12-16T11:19:00.000-08:00

Read together the Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 2:1-11) from The Living Bible, The Message or Contemporary English Version, if possible.

~~ Family Discussion ~~

1. If you could be something or someone in the Christmas story, what or who would that be? Why?

2. How would you have felt if you were one of the following:

a. A shepherd when the angels appeared to you?
b. A wise man seeing Jesus after two years of journey?
c. Mary, the mother of Jesus?
d. The innkeeper after finding who was born in your stable?
e. Joseph, the father of Jesus?

3. If you were one of the wisemen, what would you have brought Jesus?

~~ Possible Projects ~~

1. Select pictures from old magazines that represent something you would like to give each member of your family, if money was no object.

2. If you were a newspaper reporter when Jesus was born, what headline would you have written in the Bethlehem Daily News?

3. On a large sheet of paper, have each family member draw different parts of the Christmas scene, such as: manger, Mary, Joseph, animals, shepherds, and baby Jesus.

~~ Prayer Time ~~

1. Have each family member select a Christmas card, and pray for the sender.

2. Sit in a circle with hands joined and pray for the person on your right.

3. Sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus and pray thanking Him for His love.

4. Write a Christmas prayer with everybody in the family contributing one sentence. Read the prayer.

Paralyzed Man Let Down Through Roof Bible Story Art & Craft Project

2009-12-08T12:09:00.000-08:00

Scenic Background ~ Art

Needed for Each Child: 1 sheet of light cardboard or heavy construction paper, crayons, glue, sand or oatmeal.

Activity: Fold the paper in half. The top half becomes a backdrop for the craft activity with the children drawing a background scene of trees, bushes, sun, clouds, etc. The bottom half is the ground where the house from the craft activity will sit. Have the boys and girls put glue on this half and then sprinkle with sand or oatmeal.

Playdough House ~ Craft

Needed for Each Child: A chunk of playdough approx. 3” x 1” x 1” in size; 2 drinking straws, scissors.

Activity: The children can create a biblical house from the playdough which has steps on the outside leading to the roof. (If possible, show a picture of a house in New Testament times.) The straws can be cut to fit on the roof for tiles. The houses are then placed on the scenic background the children made during art.

JESUS IS IN HEAVEN - Children's Sunday School Lesson

2009-12-03T06:30:00.001-08:00

Lesson by Betty Benson Robertson

BIBLE STORY: “Jesus Tells About Heaven” (based on John 14:1-7; Acts 1:9-11;
1 John 2:28)

Instructions: If your situation allows, have the children walk with you as you tell the story to a predetermined “Mount of Olives” location where they will sit. Explain prior to the story they will be walking quietly as they listen to the story.

Jesus and His disciples were going on a walk. What a great time they were having together! Jesus had risen from the dead. His friends were so excited to be with Him again.

As they walked along together, the disciples asked Jesus questions. There were still many things they did not understand.

“How long are you going to be with us?” they wanted to know.

“Don’t’ be troubled,” Jesus said to his disciples. “Just trust in Me. There are many homes in heaven, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, then I will come and get you, so you can be with Me where I am.”

As they continued walking, Jesus led the disciples along a road that wound around the side of a hill called the Mount of Olives. They climbed until they came to the top. There Jesus stopped. (Ask children to sit.)

Lifting up His hands, Jesus blessed His disciples and then He began rising into the sky and went on to heaven. Up, up, up Jesus went until a big cloud covered Him from sight.

The disciples just stood there staring at the sky. They were hoping to catch one more glimpse of Jesus. As they were straining their eyes for another look, two angels suddenly stood right alongside them.

“Why are you staring up into heaven?” the angels said. “Jesus is coming back again. Don’t you remember what He told you? He’s coming back exactly the same way you just saw Him go.”

Someday Jesus will return to take all those who love Him to live with Him forever in heaven.

PRAYER: “Thank You, Jesus, that you are in heaven preparing a place for everyone who loves and trusts You. Help us to ‘stay in happy fellowship with You so when You come we will be sure all is well’ (1John 2:28, TLB). Amen.”

SONG: “Jesus” by Mary Rice Hopkins from Miracle Mud album.

BIBLE STORY REVIEW GAME:

Preparation: Cut 7 cloud shapes. Number the front sides 1-7. Write the questions on the backs. Attach to blue poster board with tape, numbers facing out.

1. What were Jesus and His disciples doing? (Taking a walk)
2. Where did Jesus take them? (To a hill)
3. What was the name of the hill? (Mount of Olives)
4. What happened on the Mount of Olives? (Jesus rose into heaven)
5. After Jesus went into heaven, who came alongside the disciples? (Two angels)
6. What did the angels say? (Jesus is coming back again)
7. Where is Jesus today? (In heaven)

Activity: Choose children to take down the shapes in order from 1-7. Read the question. On a 3-count, ask the boys and girls to give their answer in unison.

BIBLE VERSE: “Behold, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:7).

Directions: Cut out 6 cloud shapes from construction paper. On each one write a word from the verse and the reference. Hide around the room.

Activity: Ask the children to raise their hands when they see a piece of the verse. Have one child at a time get a cloud and attach it to the bulletin board in the right order.

MAKE ‘N TAKE CREATIVE ACTIVITY: Jesus Going to Heaven Collage Picture

Needed for Each Child: Construction paper, crayons, markers, glue, scissors, cotton balls, cloth scraps, construction paper scraps.

Activity: The children draw a picture of Jesus going to heaven and turn it into a collage by adding cotton clouds, putting clothes on the people, etc.

JESUS IS IN HEAVEN - Children's Bible Lesson

2009-12-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

Get A Discount on Your VBS Supplies!

2009-11-30T07:20:00.000-08:00

VBS supplies can be ordered cheaper at Discount VBS.

Easy Christmas Ornament

2009-11-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

This is an easy Christmas ornmanet which children can make and parents will cherish. Have the boys and girls paint a paper doiley and then paste their photo in the center. Help them insert a string for hanging.

Pom-Pom Creations

2009-11-02T08:05:00.000-08:00

Every early childhood classroom should have a large container of pom-poms for the children to create with.

In this picture are items which God created: flower, giraffe, snake, lake with fish.

CHRISTMAS NATIVITY CRAFT: Shepherds Watching Sheep

2009-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

To make shepherds which will stand on their own, attach with tape to a large paper cup. The sheep will stand on their clothespin legs.

The boys and girls can be encouraged to retell the Bible story at home using these visuals.

CRAFT: Baby Jesus in Manger - Nativity

2009-10-30T11:07:00.000-07:00

Needed for Each Child: A heavy piece of paper 5” x 81/2”; 2 pieces of white construction paper 21/2“ x 3“ for the ends of the manger; straw (if available) or brown paper which has been shredded or cut into small pieces for hay; scotch tape; crayons; small pieces of material for a blanket.

Activity: Color the manger. Fold the 5” x 81/2” piece into thirds. Tape on the manger sides. Drop in the hay or shredded brown paper. Draw, color and cut out baby Jesus. Wrap the baby in cloth and place it in the manger.

SONG: “Manger of My Heart” by Mary Rice Hopkins from A Very Mary Christmas album.

SURPRISE BOX - Creative Sunday School Lessons

2009-10-30T10:55:00.001-07:00

SURPRISE BOXES can be used in so many ways when presenting your Sunday School lesson or for use in review.

As seen in the picture, a lot of time does not need to be spent in creating one. All ages of boys and girls enjoy surprises!

Jonah & Whale Craft Activity

2009-10-30T10:48:00.001-07:00

Older boys and girls can draw and cut out the fish. You need two fish which are the same. Glue at the edges (except around the mouth.) The children can draw a figure of Jonah and use it to put in and out of the whale's mouth.

Younger children can decorate a whale (as seen in picture) which you freehanded. Biblical pictures can be found on the internet to represent Jonah.

March to Beat of Different Drum - Mary Rice Hopkins

2009-10-13T03:50:00.000-07:00

This is an outstanding song by Mary Rice Hopkins for use in Sunday School, children's church, mid-week programming, VBS, or camp.

DIFFERENT DRUM

Children will easily learn the words and the message will stay with them for a lifetime.

ONE LEPER SAYS "Thank You" Bible Story Skit

2009-09-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

By Betty Benson Robertson based on Luke 17:11-19

Preparation: Up to 10 bells of any kind for the lepers to ring; 1 eye patch; stick to use as a crutch; 15 copies of the skit. Perhaps older children who can read could present the skit for the younger boys and girls. (If doing a skit is not possible in your situation, the Bible story can easily be adapted for a storytelling presentation.)

Cast of Characters: 10 lepers (If possible, they should all have bells to ring; or at least some. Leper # 6 should have a patch over the eye; if possible, Leper # 7 should have a stick using it as a crutch; Lepers # 9 and 10 should limp); crowd (all remaining students); Jesus (played by an adult); narrator (teacher or another adult).

At Rise: Lepers are on one side of stage; crowd on opposite side.

Bible Story Skit:

Narrator: Lepers were people who had a horrible disease that made sores all over their bodies. Sometimes it crippled them. Sometimes they were blind. But always it made them lonely because leprosy was catching. They always carried bells to ring, warning others to stay away. They couldn't work or live with their families. All the lepers could only stand by the roadside or outside the gates of the city and beg. Then, one day, something happened that changed their lives!

(Lepers ring their bells softly so dialogue can be heard, but the bells ring all the time.)

Leper 1: Did you hear the good news?

Leper 2: What good news?

Leper 3: I haven't heard anything.

Leper 4: Me either.

Leper 1: Jesus is coming to town!

Leper 5: Wow!

Leper 6: Really?! I can't wait to see Him!

Leper 7: We'll never be able to get close enough.

Leper 8: Yeah, you're right.

Leper 9: We can't get near the crowd of people.

Leper 10: No, but we can shout!

Lepers 1,2,3: Jesus, have mercy on us!

(The adult playing the part of Jesus comes down aisle to center of stage while following dialogue takes place.)

Person # 1 in Crowd: Jesus is coming!

Person # 2 in Crowd: Look, there's Jesus with some of His disciples

Person # 3 in Crowd: I see Jesus!

(Crowd whispers "Jesus is coming" to one another.)

Lepers 4,5,6: Jesus, have mercy on us!

Lepers 7,8,9,10: Jesus, have mercy on us!

(Jesus looks at the lepers. Lepers look surprised with eyes wide open - mouths open.)

Leper 1: Jesus is looking at us.

Leper 2: Yeah, I know!

Leper 3: He's looking RIGHT at us!

(Jesus walks up to the lepers.)

Jesus: Go to the temple and show the priests that you are healed.

(Jesus leaves them and heads toward the crowd.)

Leper 4: What?

Leper 5: What does Jesus mean we are healed?

Leper 6: I still have all my sores.

Leper 7: Yeah, me too!

Leper 8: What are we supposed to do?

Leper 9: I don't know.

Leper 10: I think we need to do what Jesus said.

(Lepers leave stage and head down center aisle ringing their bells.)

Leper 1: Wait a minute!

Leper 2: What is it?

Leper 1: My sores are gone!

Leper 3: Mine, too!

Leper 4 (turning to Leper #5): Mine are gone and so are yours!

Leper 5: You're right! Wow!

Leper 6 (taking off eye patch): I can't believe it! I can see!

Leper 7: This is unbelievable! I don't need this crutch anymore.

Leper 8: My skin looks so healthy.

Leper 9: I don't limp anymore!

Leper 10: Jesus has healed us!

(Lepers # 1-9 walk fast and excited. Leper # 10 goes back to where Jesus is.)

Leper 10: Jesus! Thank You! Thank You for healing me!

Jesus: Stand up. Go on your way now. Your faith has made you well. But didn't I heal TEN lepers? Where are the other 9?

Narrator: How has Jesus helped you recently? Have you remembered to thank Him?

NOAY OBEYED GOD - Bible Story & Lesson - Genesis 7-8

2009-09-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

Needed for Story: Pictures of axe, hammer, raindrops

Instructions:

When children see AXE picture they say "Chop-chop, chop-chop." When HAMMER picture is shown the boys and girls say: "hammer-hammer, hammer-hammer." At the sight of the RAINDROPS they say: "Pitter-patter, pitter-patter."

Story

Noah and his sons cut down trees. (Show AXE picture.) They cut down MORE trees. (AXE picture). And MORE and MORE trees (AXE picture). They needed to make boards. Lots and lots of boards (AXE picture).

Noah and his sons put the boards together (Show HAMMER). They put more and more boards together (Show HAMMER).

God had asked Noah to build an ark -- a really, really BIG boat. Noah obeyed God. It took a long time to build the ark, the really big boat. (Show HAMMER).

They worked (Show HAMMER) and worked (Show HAMMER) and worked (Show HAMMER).

The ark was going to be SO big that there would be room for two of every kind of animal in the whole world and seven of certain types of animals and all of Noah's family. When everyone was inside the ark, God closed the door.

Listen. I hear something!

RAINDROPS! (Show RAINDROPS picture.)

For 40 days it rained (Show RAINDROPS). And rained. (Show RAINDROPS). And rained (Show RAINDROPS).
For 40 nights it rained (Show RAINDROPS). And rained (Show RAINDROPS). And rained (Show RAINDROPS.)

When the rain stopped, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a promise that He would never again destroy the whole earth with a flood.

SONG: "Noah" from In the Beginning CD by Mary Rice Hopkins.

BOOK: "Noah" available from Crossway Books (ISBN1-58134-002-8)

BIBLE VERSE: "We must obey God" (Acts 5:29).

Activity to Learn Verse: "Verse Tag"

The teacher tags one child and both quote the verse. The teacher and child tag a third person. All three say the verse. Continue until all in the group have been tagged. (If you have a large group, tag 2 or 3 people at one time.)

CRAFT: Ark with Animals

Needed: One large sheet of construction paper for each child; animal stickers; crayons or washable markers; "Noah Obeyed God, Genesis 7-8" strips, glue.

Activity: Children draw and cut out an ark on large paper. For younger boys and girls, a teacher may need to provide the boat. Each child glues the "Noah Obeyed God, Genesis 7-8" strip to the ark. Children attach animal stickers. Older boys and girls could draw their own animals, if preferred.

Discussion While Children Work: Talk about how Noah was both obedient (as story talks about) and faithful (which book and song highlight) and how they can do both on an everyday basis.

SNACK: If possible, provide a large bag(s) of animal crackers. Dump them out on a tray. Let the children select 6 to eat, 2 of a kind.

A NIGHT WITH THE LIONS - Bible Story & Lesson

2009-09-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

BIBLE STORY: "A Night with Lions" (Daniel 6:1-28)

Instructions: Every time the children hear the word "pray" or "prayed", they stand, fold their hands, bow their heads, and then sat back in their seats.

God blessed Daniel. He made Daniel wise. The king of Babylon was a good king and soon put Daniel in charge of the whole kingdom.

The officials of the king became jealous. They tried to find something bad about Daniel. But Daniel was a good man. He always prayed to God. He always obeyed God. The men could not find anything bad.

So the officials got together and said, "We've got to come up with an idea. We've got to find a way to get rid of Daniel because he prays to his God." They thought and thought and thought and finally came up with a plan.

The officials went to the king. "Let's make a new law," they said. "Let's say that for the next thirty days, no one is to pray to any god except you. Anyone who disobeys will be thrown into the lions' den."

That sounded good to the king, so he made a new law. But he had forgotten about Daniel and how he always prayed three times a day to his God.

Daniel heard about the new law. He knew this would be hard, but he was going to do what was right. He went to his window in the morning and prayed to God like he always had. All the people saw Daniel.

At noon, he went to his window and prayed to God like he always had. All the people saw Daniel.

In the evening, he went to his window and prayed to God like he always had. All the people saw Daniel.

The king didn't know what to do. He was so upset. He wanted to get Daniel out of the mess he had gotten him into, but the king knew he couldn't change the law he had just made. He said to Daniel: "Your God, to whom you are so loyal, will get you out of this."

The soldiers grabbed Daniel and put him into the lions' den.

The lions were hungry! The lions got closer and closer to Daniel.

But none of the lions opened their mouths. God had sent an angel to close their mouths, so they could not eat Daniel.

The next morning, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. As he came near, he called out: "Has your God, whom you serve so loyally, saved you from the lions?"

"Yes, He has!" Daniel replied and he told the king about God sending the angel who shut the lions' mouths.

Daniel had trusted God and God had saved him. God was with Daniel and watched over him. God helped Daniel.

DISCUSSION: Talk with the boys and girls about situations in their lives where God will help them. Discuss how things work together for good if we trust God and always do what is right.

SONG: "All Things Work Together for Good" by Mary Rice Hopkins (from Lighthouse album)

PRAYER

BIBLE VERSE: "I am with you and will watch over you whever you go" (Genesis 28:15).

ACTIVITY TO LEARN VERSE:

Younger Children: Use motions when saying the verse, for key words such as "I", "watch", "you" and "go".

Older Children: Print the scripture verse and reference on a chalkboard or whiteboard. Read the verse together. Choose a child to erase one word. Read the verse together again. Choose another child to erase another word and continue until the scripture has been erased and the verse is being said from memory.

CRAFT: Daniel in Lion's Den

Needed: 1 tissue box for each child; construction paper; scissors; glue; crayons.

Activity: Older children can draw their own lions and a picture of Daniel. For younger boys and girls, you may want to provide the pictures. The children can make a den from the tissue box and place the lions and Daniel inside.

Funtastic Bible Investigators

2009-09-03T05:03:00.001-07:00

Faith Fellowship in Jefferson,North Carolina challenges their children to join the FBI (Funtastic Bible Investigators) -- to chase clues to some of the most exciting truths hidden in the most ancient text written by holy men and porphets of old.

PUPPETS WITH A HEART - Creative Way to Teach Children

2009-08-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

If you really want to make a difference in teaching and reaching children, use PUPPETS WITH A HEART. Boys and girls are captivated by these unique characters who seem to relate to their everyday problems.

Darcie Maze is the creator of this distinctive line of Puppets With A Heart -- which all have removable hearts which are used for guiding children through the challenges of today's world, including healing broken hearts.

For over 30 years Darcie has captivated the hearts of children and adults with her exceptional gift of puppetry. In addition, she is known nationally for her teacher-training workshops and seminars, crossing many denominational lines.

You can purchase Darcie's lessons or create your own when using the puppets.

In 2003, Darcie teamed with Mary Rice Hopkins who is internationally known for her music ministry to children and families. They have combined their unique gifts to provide exciting family concerts and much-demanded creative teacher-training workshops that are ministering to the church at large.

Their newest release, Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart, is a high-definition DVD with two hours of captivating topics about: choices and character, peer pressure, being yourself, brokenness, serving with our talents and values. Mary and Darcie's desire is to give hope to families that are broken and dealing with tough stuff. There is always something in the puppet's heart to illustrate how they are feeling and the negative is replaced with a Bible verse. Their new DVD has received the Dove Foundation "5-Star Seal of Approval" and "Parent's Choice Award." It is receiving rave reviews, and TV stations across the world are waiting to air their new program.

Currently, TBN is airing segments from the DVD. Brenda Rossman, Children's Program Director for TBN, says the shows are receiving outstanding ratings and in response to the new show she says "Darcie's Puppet's with a Heart are going to give Elmo and Kermit a run for their money. Mary Rice Hopkins and Puppets with a Heart is the Christian version of Sesame Street ."

WOW! WHAT A CATCH! Children's Bible Story Lesson

2009-07-25T03:58:00.000-07:00

By Betty Benson Robertson (Based on Luke 5:1-11 )

BIBLE STORY

STORY PREPARATION

On a sheet of red construction paper, print "No." On a sheet of green paper print "Yes." Show the words to the boys and girls, reminding them "No" is on red and "Yes" is on green. Tell them during the story you will be asking questions, holding up one of the signs, and they are to say in unison either "yes" or "no."

STORY

"I am SO tired!" Peter, one of Jesus's disciples, said wiping his hand across his forehead.

"Me too," James replied.

"What a night. A long night," John said with a sigh.

Peter and his friends had fished and fished and fished. They had worked all night long. Do you think they caught 50 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 25 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 12 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 6 fish? NO!

Do you think they caught 0 fish? YES!

"Let's wash our fishing nets," James said to the other disciples.

"Here, I'll help you spread it out to dry," John replied.

"I am NOT happy that we didn't catch any fish," Peter said.

"Here comes someone," James announced. "I wonder who it is?"

John replied, "It's Jesus!"

Jesus told the disciples to put their boat back into the water, go out to where it was deep, and throw out their nets.

Do you think Peter was happy to hear that? No!

Do you think James was happy to hear that? No!

Do you think John was happy to hear that? No!

Peter said to Jesus, "We already fished all night and didn't catch anything."

"Yeah! Not a thing," James added.

"But If you say so, we'll try it again," Peter responded. Peter knew it was important to obey Jesus.

The disciples got back into their boat, went out to where Jesus told them to, and dropped their net into the water. When they started to bring the net up, there were so many fish the net started to break and the boat filled up. Peter yelled to more of his friends on the shore to bring another boat. They went and both boats had so many fish they began to sink. They had to row back to shore slowly.

Do you think Peter was happy about all the fish they caught? Yes!

Do you think James was happy about all the fish they caught? Yes!

Do you think John was happy about all the fish they caught? Yes!

When Peter got back to land, he fell at Jesus' feet. He and his friends were amazed at what had just happened. He knew only Jesus could have done a miracle like that.

SONG: "Come Meet Jesus" (from Come Meet Jesus CD by Mary Rice Hopkins)

BIBLE VERSE

"God helps me." (Psalm 118:7)

To learn the scripture, have the children play "Everyone Who..." The leader says such statements as: "Everyone who is wearing red repeat the verse"; "Everyone who likes pizza..."; "Everyone who has a pet dog or cat at home"; "Everyone who has two eyes", etc.

CRAFT

Supplies Needed: Blue, brown, gray, yellow construction paper; magic markers or crayons; scissors; glue; fish-shaped crackers.

Older children can cut out their own boat, net and sun shapes to glue on the picture. Younger boys and girls can glue on the shapes which an adult has cut. The children draw Peter, James and John in the boat and then glue on the fish crackers.

ACTIVITY

Children cut out a sail for their boat from construction paper. The Bible verse is taped to the sail. The sail is then taped to the straw. The straw is adhered to the bottom of the plastic container with play dough. Encourage the boys and girls to take the boat home and use as a centerpiece on their kitchen table so they can re-tell the story and verse to their family.

SNACK AND LESSON REVIEW

Give each child a small empty bowl. Say: "This is what the disciples' boat looked like after they had fished all night. It was empty! I am now going to fill your bowl with fish crackers. This is how the boat looked after Jesus told them to go back out onto the lake and fish again."

PRAYER BEFORE EATING

Thank you, Jesus, for providing what we need. Help us to always obey You.

JESUS CALMS THE STORM - Lesson

2009-07-10T11:31:00.000-07:00

By Betty Benson Robertson

SONG: "Everywhere" from ABC's of Praise CD (by Mary Rice Hopkins)

BIBLE STORY
Jesus Calms the Storm
(By Betty Benson Robertson, based on Luke 8:22-25)

STORY PREPARATION

Using masking tape, make the shape of a boat on the floor. At the approriate time in the story, the children go to the boat, get in, and sit down.

INSTRUCTIONS

Tell the children every time they hear the word "LOOK" or "LOOKED" in the story, they are to use their pointer finger and point, following your lead.

STORY

"Let's go to the other side of the lake so we can rest," Jesus said to his disciples after He had been teaching all day.

"That's a great idea!" one of the disciples said.

"Really! I'm tired," another responded.

Jesus and the disciples climbed into the boat and soon were headed toward the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

(Boys and girls, let's pretend we are disciples. Let's walk over to the boat and everyone find a place to sit.)

"I'm really tired," Jesus said. "I'm going to the back of the boat to lie down." Before long Jesus was fast asleep.

Soon the disciples noticed the weather changing. "The wind sure is getting stronger," one of them said.

Suddenly, they were in a terrible storm. The wind blew harder and harder. "LOOK at the waves," a disciple said. "They are getting higher and higher."

The boat rocked and pitched in the waves. (Everyone rocks back and forth.)

The disciples were worried. "Storms like this don't usually come at night," one of them said. "In all the times we've fished at night, we've never been in a storm like this," another disciple added.

"LOOK at the lightning in the sky," one of the disciples said as the thunder roared.

"And just LOOK at the waves. They are getting higher and higher," another disciple replied as water splashed into the boat. The boat rocked and pitched in the waves. (Everyone rocks back and forth.)

"LOOK at the water coming into the boat. This boat may sink."

"Where's Jesus?" one of the disciples yelled above the noise of the storm. "Maybe He can do something."

"LOOK! He's still asleep," another answered. "Well, go wake Him up! We're going to drown!"

When Jesus sat up, He LOOKED at the dark clouds and lightning. He heard the thunder. He LOOKED at the boat rocking, and He saw how afraid His disciples were. Then Jesus stood up and spoke to the wind and the waves. "Be still," He said.

Immediately, the wind stopped blowing. And LOOK! All the dark clouds have disappeared. And LOOK! The sea is quiet and still again.

Jesus LOOKED at His friends. "Why were you so afraid?" He asked them. "Didn't you know I would take care of you?"

The disciples talked among themselves. "Who is this Man?" they asked each other. "Even the winds and the waves obey Him. He must be the Son of God."

STORY FOLLOW-UP

Have you ever been afraid? How do you feel inside when you are afraid? When you are afraid, what can you do?

Questions Which Can Be Used
With a Review Game for Older Children

1. Jesus had been teaching all day and was tired. Where did He want to go? (To the other side of the lake)

2. What was the name of the lake? (Sea of Galilee)

3. When Jesus got into the boat, what did He do? (Went to sleep)

4. What happened after Jesus went to sleep? (Bad storm came up)

5. How do you think the disciples felt when the storm suddenly came? (various answers)

6. What was Jesus doing during the storm? (Sleeping)

7. What did the disciples say to Jesus when they woke Him up? (Don't you care that we're about to drown?)

8. What did Jesus do? (Told the wind and waves to be still)

9. What did the wind and waves do when Jesus spoke to them? (Quieted down)

10. Who is Jesus? (Son of God)

11. When we are worried or afraid, what should we do? (Talk to Jesus and ask Him to help us)

SONG: Everywhere from ABC's of Praise (by Mary Rice Hopkins)

BIBLE VERSE

"When I am afraid, I will trust in You." (Psalm 56:3)

To learn the scripture, boys and girls can sing the words to the tune of "London Bridges":

When I am afraid I will trust in You
Trust in You, trust in You
When I am afraid I will trust in You
Psalm 56:3

CRAFT: Sailboat

(To be used with Bible story)

Materials Needed for Each Child: Small plastic container (ones which baby food comes in are perfect size); 1/2 straw, play dough, construction paper, scissors. and scotch tape.

PREPARATION

Type the words to Psalm 56:3 and cut out as shown in photograph.

ACTIVITY

Children cut out a sail for their boat from construction paper. The Bible verse is taped to the sail. The sail is then taped to the straw. The straw is adhered to the bottom of the plastic container with play dough. Encourage the boys and girls to take the boat home and use as a centerpiece on their kitchen table so they can re-tell the story and verse to their family.

SNACK

Use the same type of pudding containers as used in the craft above to fill with your favorite icecream. Add your favorite topping to make a sailboat dessert. Use a banana slice, pretzel and marshmallow to make a sail. Precut the marshmallow for the sail. Insert one end of the pretzel into the marshmallow and the other end into the banana slice. Add the sail to the top of the icecream and serve.

CLOSING PRAYER

Thank You, Jesus, for always being with us. "When I am afraid, I will trust in You." Thank you for always hearing and answering our prayers. In Jesus Name, Amen.

New Family / Children's Television TV Program

2009-07-01T04:53:00.000-07:00

New family / kid's TV show begins Saturday, July 4, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific coast time on TBN. Tune in every week for great family values and character lessons with Mary Rice Hopkins & Puppets with a Heart.

For more information, visit www.MaryRiceHopkins.com.

Lessons from the Book of Genesis Curriculum

2009-05-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

This resource is hot off the press! Great for Pre-K through Second Grades.

Includes song and lyrics singing through God's Word, object lessons, Bible applications, crafts, activities, snacks, story times and simple prayers.

See more information at www.MaryRiceHopkins.com!

"Come Meet Jesus" - Mary Rice Hopkins Music - Great for Easter!

2009-05-19T09:55:00.000-07:00

COME MEET JESUS:

1. Come Meet Jesus
2. Easter Rise Up (Great for Easter!)
3. He Forgives
4. Rolled 'Em Away (Great for Easter!)
5. Talk To You
6. Wanna Be A Sheep

+ 9 More Songs!

Listen to songs and order from www.MaryRiceHopkins.com

Songs to Correlate with Creation Lessons and Stories from Genesis - "In the Beginning" - Mary Rice Hopkins

2009-05-19T09:54:00.001-07:00

The album "In The Beginning" has songs which correlate with lessons on creation and other stories in Genesis.

Listen to samples and order from www.MaryRiceHopkins.com.

SONG TITLES INCLUDE:

God of Creation
God Knows What's Best
I Can Obey
I Saw Esau
Noah
Raising Cain
Rebekah
Abraham
Oh What A Variety
Babbling On
+ 3 More Songs!

Children's Music to Correlate With Bible Stories - Mary Rice Hopkins "Miracle Mud"

2009-05-19T09:52:00.000-07:00

Many songs on the album "Miracle Mud" correlate with stories told in Sunday School or VBS.

Listen to samples and order at www.maryricehopkins.com

1. Miracle Mud
2. Say Thank You
3. Coin In A Fish's Mouth
4. Bartimaeus
5. Love With The Love
6. Called On Jesus
7. Jesus Can
8. Jesus
9. A Little Bit of Love
10. Praise Him
11. Walking & Singing

+ 2 More Songs!

Great Songs for MOPS Events or MOTHER'S DAY -- Mary Rice Hopkins "Juggling Mom"

2009-05-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

This album has songs which are perfect for MOPS events or Mother's Day. Listen to samples and order at www.maryricehopkins.com:

1. Fingerprints (Duet Version)
2. Feed My Lambs
3. First Heartbeat
4. For All The Children
5. Growing Up
6. Hugs Are Free
7. If I Could Give You
8. Juggling Mom
9. Miracle of Life (Adoption Song)
10. Mother's Prayer
11. No Greater Joy
12. Piddily Things
13. Streets of Gold

In The Beginning

God of Creation
God Knows What's Best
I Can Obey
I Saw Esau
Noah
Raising Cain
Rebekah
Abraham
Oh What A Variety
Babbling On
+ 3 More Songs!

Whispering Wind

1. Jesus
2. To Reign With Majesty
3. Will Of The Father
4. You Are My God
5. You Are Light

+ 8 More Songs!

In My Garden

Boomerang
The Fish Are Gonna Bite
In My Garden
A Little Bit Of Love
Gimme Self Control
We Are Your Children
It Started With An Egg
Call Upon The Lord
Step By Step
Give Em To Jesus
Grow Me Up Like You
Sowin’ Seeds
Gonna Go Fishin’

If I Knew How To Moo

Animal Aerobics (Great for P.E.)
Animal Alphabet
The Bear Song
Local Giraffe
If I Knew How To Moo
Jake The Snake
Boy And His Dog
Clucking Theodore
Herbie The Worm
Moose On The Loose
Matilda The Gorilla

Mary Christmas

The Best Gift
The First Christmas Day
Jingle Bells (Like you've never heard!)
Joseph & Mary Blues
Mistletoe
Wrap It All Up
Follow That Star
Glory
Grandpa's Hands
Little Baby
Away In A Manger/Silent Night
Never Wanna Grow Up
We Three Kings

Lighthouse

1. Everybody Has A Body
2. All Things Work Together For Good
3. Hold On
4. Lighthouse
5. You Are My Shepherd
6. Whale of a Tale

+ 7 More Songs!

Good Buddies

1. Two Steps Forward
2. Co-opersaurus
3. Watch It Grow
4. Pray
5. Chicken Lips
6. A Dad Like You
7. Good Buddies
8. Little Miracle
9. No One Else I Know

+ 3 More Songs!

15 Singable Songs

1. Walk Like Jesus
2. Hip Hip Hooray (Hippopotamus)
3. Superman
4. Gramma's House
5. Create In Me/Children of the King
6. Little Is Much
7. It Is Good

+ 8 More Songs!

Come Meet Jesus

1. Come Meet Jesus
2. Easter Rise Up (Great for Easter!)
3. He Forgives
4. Rolled 'Em Away (Great for Easter!)
5. Talk To You
6. Wanna Be A Sheep

+ 9 More Songs!

Song for Learning Books of the Bible - Mary Rice Hopkins "Workmanship"

2009-05-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

WORKMANSHIP album:

Books of the Bible (Learn the books in order!)
The Lord's Prayer
A-Wanna Be Like Jesus
All We Like Sheep
Be Strong
Eye Has Not Seen
In My Father's House
He Made Him
For I Am Not Ashamed
Workmanship
John’s Song
Let Your Light Shine
Wages

Order from www.maryricehopkins.com.

Christian Music for Children - Mary Rice Hopkins - "Come On Home"

2009-05-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

SONGS ON THIS ALBUM INCLUDE:

Farmer & Sheep
Don't Dig A Hole
Wedding Feast
Greedy Guy
Who Is Your Neighbor
At Midnight
Come On Home
Forgive
Grow Me Up Like You
Lord I Need You
Oh Honey
You Are The Rock
You're Gonna Grow

Listen to song samples and order at www.maryricehopkins.com

Canciones para toda la familia - Christian Spanish Music - Mary Rice Hopkins

2009-05-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

You can listen to samples of this album of Christian Spanish music for children and order at www.maryricehopkins.com

Caminare Como (Walk Like Jesus)
Los Peces Llegarán (The Fish are Gonna Bite)
Fue Dios (God Did)
Matilda La Gorila (Matilda the Gorilla)
Bueno Es (It is Good)
En Casa De Abuelita (Gramma’s House)
En Mi Corazón (Down in My Heart)
Hipopótamo (Hippopotamus/Hip, Hip, Hooray)
Milagrito (Little Miracle)
In Mi Huerto (In My Garden)
Cristo Me Ama (Jesus Loves Me)
Un Corazón Limpio (Create In Me)

Patriotic Song

Easter Celebration Songs

Rolled 'Em Away
The Donkey Song
Rise Up

Sleep Little One

1. Sing to the Lord (Instrumental)
2. Resting
3. Bear Song
4. Night Light
5. Sleep Little One
6. Hold Her Dedication Song
7. He Never Sleeps
8. Another's Arms
9. Come to Me
10. Praying
11. Dear God
12. Peace of God
13. Love With The Love
14. Sing to the Lord Goodnight

Come On Home

Farmer & Sheep
Don't Dig A Hole
Wedding Feast
Greedy Guy
Who Is Your Neighbor
At Midnight
Come On Home
Forgive
Grow Me Up Like You
Lord I Need You
Oh Honey
You Are The Rock
You're Gonna Grow

Teacher Thank You Song

Wendy & Mary Collection

I Am My Beloved's
The Lion & The Lamb
We Really Do Need Each Other
A New Song
The Wind Came Singing
Wedding Prayer
+ 8 More Songs!

Workmanship

Books of the Bible (Learn the books in order!)
The Lord's Prayer
A-Wanna Be Like Jesus
All We Like Sheep
Be Strong
Eye Has Not Seen
In My Father's House
He Made Him
For I Am Not Ashamed
Workmanship
John’s Song
Let Your Light Shine
Wages

Miracle Mud

1. Miracle Mud
2. Say Thank You
3. Coin In A Fish's Mouth
4. Bartimaeus
5. Love With The Love
6. Called On Jesus
7. Jesus Can
8. Jesus
9. A Little Bit of Love
10. Praise Him
11. Walking & Singing

+ 2 More Songs!

Kids Kamp

1. Celebration Song
2. Fingerprints (Mary solo version. See duet version on Juggling Mom album)
3. He Can Do
4. Just A Little Person
5. Hippopotamus
6. Grandpa's Charm (Great for Grandparent's Day!)

+ 7 More Songs!

Juggling Mom

1. Fingerprints (Duet Version)
2. Feed My Lambs
3. First Heartbeat
4. For All The Children
5. Growing Up
6. Hugs Are Free
7. If I Could Give You
8. Juggling Mom
9. Miracle of Life (Adoption Song)
10. Mother's Prayer
11. No Greater Joy
12. Piddily Things
13. Streets of Gold

In The Beginning

God of Creation
God Knows What's Best
I Can Obey
I Saw Esau
Noah
Raising Cain
Rebekah
Abraham
Oh What A Variety
Babbling On
+ 3 More Songs!

Whispering Wind

1. Jesus
2. To Reign With Majesty
3. Will Of The Father
4. You Are My God
5. You Are Light

+ 8 More Songs!

In My Garden

Boomerang
The Fish Are Gonna Bite
In My Garden
A Little Bit Of Love
Gimme Self Control
We Are Your Children
It Started With An Egg
Call Upon The Lord
Step By Step
Give Em To Jesus
Grow Me Up Like You
Sowin’ Seeds
Gonna Go Fishin’

If I Knew How To Moo

Animal Aerobics (Great for P.E.)
Animal Alphabet
The Bear Song
Local Giraffe
If I Knew How To Moo
Jake The Snake
Boy And His Dog
Clucking Theodore
Herbie The Worm
Moose On The Loose
Matilda The Gorilla

Mary Christmas

The Best Gift
The First Christmas Day
Jingle Bells (Like you've never heard!)
Joseph & Mary Blues
Mistletoe
Wrap It All Up
Follow That Star
Glory
Grandpa's Hands
Little Baby
Away In A Manger/Silent Night
Never Wanna Grow Up
We Three Kings

Lighthouse

1. Everybody Has A Body
2. All Things Work Together For Good
3. Hold On
4. Lighthouse
5. You Are My Shepherd
6. Whale of a Tale

+ 7 More Songs!

Good Buddies

1. Two Steps Forward
2. Co-opersaurus
3. Watch It Grow
4. Pray
5. Chicken Lips
6. A Dad Like You
7. Good Buddies
8. Little Miracle
9. No One Else I Know

+ 3 More Songs!

15 Singable Songs

1. Walk Like Jesus
2. Hip Hip Hooray (Hippopotamus)
3. Superman
4. Gramma's House
5. Create In Me/Children of the King
6. Little Is Much
7. It Is Good

+ 8 More Songs!

Come Meet Jesus

1. Come Meet Jesus
2. Easter Rise Up (Great for Easter!)
3. He Forgives
4. Rolled 'Em Away (Great for Easter!)
5. Talk To You
6. Wanna Be A Sheep

+ 9 More Songs!

ABC's of Praise - Children's Music - Mary Rice Hopkins

2009-05-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

Awesome songs for boys and girls on this album. Listen to samples.

If I were a Butterfly
My God is So Big
Hip Hip Hooray (Hippopatumus)
Turn Your Frown
Joy Joy Joy/This Little Light
Happy You are Mine (Inright, Outright, Upright)
Zaccheaus
He Cares for You and Me
Everywhere
Deep and Wide
This is my Father’s World
The Lord is My Shepherd
Run like the Wind
Jesus Loves Me

SING THROUGH THE YEAR - Mary Rice Hopkins

2009-05-19T09:40:00.000-07:00

Every church should have a copy of Mary Rice Hopkins' SING THROUGH THE YEAR:

Best Story Of All (Christmas)
Pumpkin Patch (Harvest)
Seasons Come and Go (All)
My Valentine (Valentine's Day)
Why do Ya Worry (April 15th)
Patriotic Medley (4th of July in U.S.A./President's Day)
Palm Sunday Celebration (Easter/Palm Sunday)
Easter Rise Up (Easter)
Teacher Thank You (Teacher Appreciation)
It is Good (Thanksgiving)
Wanna Say Thank You (Thanksgiving)
Moms Are Made That Way (Mother's Day)
A Dad Like You (Father's Day)
Gramma’s House (Grandparent's Day)
Training Wheels (Father's Day)

BEmpowered CONFERENCES

2009-04-15T03:26:00.000-07:00

The focus of BEmpowered Conferences is to resource parents and ministry workers who are on the frontline to support children and young adults with special needs.

Ministry leaders will learn ideas to make their church and class a place where those facing unique physical, mental, or emotional challenges are welcome.

Would you like to host a BEmpowered workshop or conference? Write for information about how to bring this to your area. debgoodwin@comcast.net

SPECIAL NEEDS SMART PAGES

2009-04-15T03:11:00.000-07:00

Packed with ideas and helps from safety to evaluating how disability-aware/friendly your church is, this reproducible book has the potential of being the most comprehensively helpful resource a church could make available.

Joni and Friends published this through Gospel Light. A CD-rom allows you to print any article, worksheet or min-poster. The enclosed DVD has inspirational and teaching presentations to share.

Order from Joni and Friends.

A Great Teaching Tool

2009-04-09T08:31:00.001-07:00

The video editing software called Crazy Face allows you to take any still photo and create a digital puppet out of it. You can record a specific voice/lesson and sync the audio and video or you can pick a song or an already created audio file and sync the video with it. The end result is a digital puppet that you can make say anything or sing anything - a great teaching tool for today's technology dependent kids! the best part is it's only about $75!

Easter Ideas

2009-03-18T03:16:00.000-07:00

Maurice Sweetsur has compiled helpful Easter ideas:

http://www.ms-easter.blogspot.com/

CHILDREN'S CHURCH: Vision Statements

2009-02-21T08:10:00.001-08:00

Keep your children’s church vision clearly in mind as you prepare from week-to-week.

If you have not yet written down your vision, perhaps these ideas below will help you:

“Our vision for children’s church is to see our children receiving Christ and growing in Him and developing an intimate relationship with God through prayer, reading God's word, worship and learning to serve Him. We involve children in evangelism and church ministry through music, puppets, drama, Scripture memorization and games. Our future vision is: to touch the future generations; reach out to other children beyond our local church; train the children to evangelize; and to involve the children through participation in children's rallies and outreach.” (Gateway Community)

“Through being sensitive to the Holy Spirit, the teachers and helpers of the Children's Church will endeavor to teach the Word of God to the children so that they will have a strong foundation and their relationship with God will grow, and so that, as we teach the children, they may apply it to every aspect of their lives, both at home and at school. We will nurture and develop their love for God and each other, as well as for the Scriptures. They will also be given the opportunity to develop their prayer life. Every new child will be given the opportunity to ask Jesus into their life as their Lord and Savior” (Living Word Baptist Church)

Sunday School Offering Incentives

2009-02-21T08:09:00.001-08:00

Giving, as well as everything which happens in Sunday School, should be fun! Here are some ideas you might want to try!

A QUARTER FOR EVERY . . .

Bring in a quarter for every beanie baby you have, for every pillow in your house, for every window in your house, for every pet you own, for every pair of shoes you have.

BANK

A bank with moving parts motivates children, and adults, to give.

BOZO CIRCUS GAME

Place several buckets in a row and play a type of Bozo circus game.

MILE OF PENNIES CAMPAIGN

Requires 84,440 pennies, laid edge to edge, to stretch a mile. The "Mile of Pennies" campaign is a great theme for a special campaign for children.

OFFERING CONTAINERS

Make different, creative offering containers each week to correlate with the lesson that Sunday. This makes giving fun!

QUARTER FOLDERS

Send home quarter folders that hold $10.00 when full. Have contests to see who can fill theirs the fastest, who can fill the most, etc.

SCALES

Have someone make a balance - an upright piece of wood with a piece of wood screwed across (about 2 inches from the top). Attach buckets to each side of the cross piece. It will lower to whichever side had the most money in the bucket. The kids quickly learned to bring change and not dollars!

BIBLE STORY: Queen Esther (Monologue)

2009-02-21T08:07:00.002-08:00

I'll never forget the day my friend, Rebecca, said, "Esther, I heard the most exciting news. There's trouble at the palace. The king ordered the queen to appear before all his guests and she refused! Just flatly refused and he was very angry."

And, sure enough, the king sent the queen back to her home. An edict was sent out that all the most beautiful girls in the empire were to be gathered together.

My cousin, Mordecai, raised me like his own daughter after my parents died. He kept telling me that because of my beauty and loveliness, I could be the next queen. He had told me often that I was special - unique - created for a purpose and that God had a special plan for my life.

I never believed Mordecai because I was only a Jewish orphan. Well, it ended up that I was one of those kept in the palace for a year, given beauty treatments and trained to meet the king.

It's been years ago, but I'll never forget how scared I was to met the king! I was just a plain girl and I chose not to wear elaborate clothes like all the others. The only jewelry I put on was this bracelet that had been my mother's.

The king said, "Esther, you are the loveliest thing I've ever seen. You're the first to make me laugh and to make me curious about what goes on in your mind. You have captured my heart. You will become the new queen."

The king appointed Haman as prime minister. All the king's officials bowed before Haman in deep reverence whenever he passed by, as the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow, saying he did not have to because he was a Jew.

Haman was so angry! But he decided rather than to punish just Mordecai, he would destroy all the Jews in the whole kingdom.

The king had no idea I was a Jew. Mordecai had always told me to keep that a secret.

The king agreed. He took off his own ring from his finger and gave it to Hamen to seal the edict which meant it was final and could not be changed.

I was frantic! Young and old, women and children were all to be killed on the 28th day of February of the following year, and their property given to those who killed them. Throughout the kingdom, there was great mourning among the Jews, fasting, weeping, and despair at the king's decree.

Immediately Mordecai sent word to me that I must go to the king and plead for my people.

I sent back the message that said, "All the world knows that anyone who goes into the king's inner court without his summons is doomed to die unless the king holds out his golden scepter; and the king has not called for me to come to him in more than a month."

Mordecai sent another message to me which said: "Do you think you will escape there in the palace, when all other Jews are killed? Perhaps God allowed you to become queen for just such a time as this."

You know the rest of the story, for it has been told throughout history. Because I did what was right, regardless of the consequences, the Jews did not perish.

God engineers circumstances just as He requires, to accomplish His perfect will and purpose. God is sovereign. All nations, people and lands are under His control.

Present world happenings may upset us, but they never take God by surprise. God is never taken unaware by the events of history, for He makes history! He knows the end from the beginning. What a comfort to know our God is not only the Master Designer, but also the Master of detail!

TO ENCOURAGE YOU: "From the Good Shepherd"

2009-02-21T08:07:00.001-08:00

FROM THE GOOD SHEPHERD
by Sherri Langton
(Used by permission)

To the sheep with the heavy heart
Who wets pillows with your tears;
I have arms to wrap around you,
I have strength and listening ears.

To the sheep with the empty eyes
Bruised and battered from the fight;
I have hours of compassion
To soothe you through the night.

To the sheep with the trembling voice
Who wonders which way to go;
I have eyes that see the valleys
Where the tattered breezes blow.

To the sheep with the weary soul
Who can hardly more endure;
I have quiet flowing rivers
With water tasting pure.

I have pockets full of sunshine
When your autumn turns to brown;
In your winter I will hold you
And in My pastures lay you down.

PEW PARTNERS - CHILDREN'S CHURCH ALTERNATIVE

2009-02-17T15:11:00.000-08:00

If your church does not have children’s church yet ministers to children whose parent’s do not attend, you may want to organize a “Pew Partners”program.

Secure volunteers in your congregation who are willing to sit with one or more children.

This will maintain a semblance of order in the church, as well as provide these children with loving “faith models” with whom they can relate.

TEACHER APPRECIATION POEM by Linda Stevenson

2009-02-17T15:10:00.001-08:00

FROM HEAVEN'S POINT OF VIEW

If you could only see right now
From Heaven’s point of view,
You’d witness mighty miracles
From what you say and do.

Jesus said, “You’d hear the prayers
That fall upon My ear.
You would see souls daily growing
As My Word from you they hear.”

“The gift that I have given you
Will forev’r change man’s heart
And help him grow deep in his faith
As Truth you will impart.”

“Each man and woman, boy and girl
To whom you’ve shown the way
Will stand up for you in Heaven
With thankful hearts one day.”

“They’ll tell you how they came to know
The Truth that set them free,
Because you took the time to teach
And tell them about Me.”

So thank you for your faithfulness.
One day you’ll fin’ly see,
From the fruit of all your labor,
Great your reward will be.

By Linda J. Stevenson

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) PLANNING

2009-02-17T15:09:00.001-08:00

Vacation Bible School continues to be the most effective tool a local church has in the areas of evangelism, outreach, extended ministries, training, and nurturing.

1. PRAY

Spend the month of January praying for God to reveal what He wants for your summer programming. God knows the best way for reaching children within the sphere of your church's efforts. Ask Him!

2. DECIDE YOUR PURPOSE

Put in writing your purpose for conducting VBS. Ask: "Why are we doing what we're doing?"

3. SET THE DATE

Set the date for the school, and put it on the church calendar.

4. ORDER CURRICULUM MATERIALS

5. PRAYERFULLY ENLIST STAFF

If VBS is God's work, you can count on Him to provided the needed help. List all needed positions and have the church as a whole pray for people to respond. Rather than a general call from the pulpit (anyone interested in working in VBS see so-and-so after church), contact people individually. Ask specific people for a specific job. Avoid appearing out of nowhere with a help request! Build relationships first.

6. PROVIDE CLEAR, DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Many potential workers misunderstand the task they are asked to perform. No one can satisfactorily function in a given role unless it is clearly understood what is expected. Included in the job description should be some indication of what the worker may expect from the church, as well as what the church expects from the volunteer.

7. RAISE VISIBILITY OF VBS THRROUGH PROMOTION

The more excited people become, the more likely they will want to be involved.

8. TRAIN YOUR STAFF FOR SUCCESS

Training helps ensure that what you delegate will get done because your volunteers will know how to do it. Plan individualized training sessions, if necessary. Have seasoned teachers mentor new ones.

9. MAKE PLANS FOR KEEPING YOUR CHLIDREN SAFE

Regarding safety of the children, put on the registration form a section saying, "Who will pick up your child at the end of the day?" Parents receive a letter 1-2 weeks before VBS saying you will need to park and come in the building to pick up your child/children from specified rooms. To avoid confusion as to where to go, send a map of the church to the parents clearly labeled as to where to pick up the different grade levels. Maps and signs all over the church also eliminate confusion.

What Does the Bible Say?

2009-01-29T05:47:00.001-08:00

Awesome new book published by Crossway - WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THAT? This book for ages 8-12 will have a tremendous impact on the life of a child beginning his or her walk with God.

Bible Picture Story Bible

2009-01-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

The simple words and striking illustrations make this a MUST-HAVE resource! The stories are from Genesis to Revelation for all ages.

http://www.crossway.org/product/1581342772

Online Store for Children's Ministry

2009-01-01T03:44:00.001-08:00

Great resources for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School!

http://www.christianarea.com/

NOAH BIBLE STORY - For Preschoolers

2008-11-22T05:39:00.000-08:00

By Betty B. Robertson

God told Noah, "Build a BIG boat." (Move arms showing "big").

God told Noah, "This needs to be a REALLY BIG boat." (move arms showing "really big").

Noah obeyed God.

Noah worked and worked. (Say: "Hammer - hammer, Hammer - hammer" and do motions).

Noah worked and worked. (Say: "Hammer - hammer, Hammer - hammer" and do motions).

Hurry, Noah, Hurry. It's going to rain. (Say: "Hammer - hammer, Hammer - hammer" and do motions).

Noah worked and worked. (Say: "Hammer - hammer, Hammer - hammer" and do motions).

Hurry, Noah, Hurry. God is going to send lots and lots of rain. (Say: "Pitter-patter , pitter-patter" & do rain motions).

Noah finshed the big boat. (Say: "Whew" - do motion of hand across forehead in relief).

It rained. (Say: "Pitter-patter , pitter-patter" & do rain motions).

And rained. (Say: "Pitter-patter , pitter-patter" & do rain motions).

And rained. (Say: "Pitter-patter , pitter-patter" & do rain motions).

It rained for 40 days. (Say: "Pitter-patter , pitter-patter" & do rain motions).

It rained for 40 nights. (Say: "Pitter-patter , pitter-patter" & do rain motions).

Finally the rain stopped. It was the biggest flood the world ever had.

God promised He would never send that much rain again.

He put a beautiful rainbow (arc motions) in the sky as a reminder of His promise.
God keeps His promises.

The story is found in the Bible. (Show a Bible.)

SONG: "God Keeps His Promises"

(Tune: Chorus of "Jesus Loves Me")

Yes, God keeps His promises.
Yes, God keeps His promises.
Yes, God keeps His promises.
The Bible tells me so.

A CHILD LEARNS WHAT HE LIVES

2008-11-10T09:45:00.001-08:00

A Child Learns What He Lives
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism,
they learn to condemn.

If children live with hostility,
they learn to fight.

If children live with ridicule,
they learn to feel shy.

If children live with shame,
they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance,
they learn patience.

If children live with praise,
they learn appreciation.

If children live with fairness,
they learn justice.

If children live with security,
they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness,
they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

DAVID AND GOLIATH Bible Story (For Young Children)

2008-11-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

By Betty Benson Robertson

Preparation: Find a picture of Goliath in your files or on-line. Cut out the face and paste on a wall 9 feet up, if your room is that big!

(Another option for showing the children how tall Goliath was -- use long wrapping paper cardboard tube to show the size of Goliath up against a small TP cardboard roll.)

Teacher asks the class: "Who is the tallest person you can think of?" (Show me with your hand about how tall you think they are.)

All of these people you know are very, very tall.

But the Bible tells us about a man who was even taller -- he was this tall (point to face of Goliath). His name was Goliath. He was a soldier for Philistine army.

Soldiers often wear uniforms. Have you ever seen a solider dressed in an army, navy, air force or marines uniform? (Perhaps show pictures of these uniforms.)

Goliath also wore what would be like a uniform -- a heavy coat that protected him - brass on his legs for protection - a really, really big spear. (Show picture of Goliath.)

Only a very strong man could fight with such heavy armour and weaponry.

Because he was such a tall, huge man - he was not afraid of anyone.

He would yell to the armies of Israel -- "I'm ready to fight. Pick a man from your army and have him come and fight me."
Goliath was SO big. So very, very big.

King Saul and the soldiers fighting for Israel were afraid. What were they going to do?

Here was this great big man -- he was called a giant he was so big. No one was brave enough to fight him.

Someone HAD to fight the giant. Because the solider who won, would win the battle for his whole army!

There was a young boy named David who was at the battefield because his older brothers were fighting there.

When David saw Goliath, his eyes got big and wide. This man was really, really, really, really, BIG!

But David did not like the way the giant was talking to the armies of the living God.

And since none of his brothers -- none of the soliders were volunteering to fight the giant -- David went to the king and said, "I'll fight the giant Goliath."

Everyone watched as David stopped alongside a small brook and took five stones.

They saw him open his shepherd's bag and put the stones inside.

Everyone watched as David started marching toward the giant with only his staff and his sling.

Eeryone watched as David marched and marched and marched and marched.

God gave David a super special dose of super courage that day.

David said to the giant: "You come at me with a sword and spear. But I come to you in the name of the Lord. Today the Lord will conquer you. This battle is the Lord's."

David loaded his sling.

David took aim.

David slung his sling in a circle.

David let it go.

The stone streaked through the air and hit Goliath square between the eys with a THUNK.

David, the shepherd boy, killed the great, big giant Goliath and won the battle for the king of Israel.

God had a special job for David to do and He gave him the courage to do it.

Joshua 1:9 -- "Be strong and courageous ... for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

E-Couragement: Meditations for Leaders

2008-11-03T11:09:00.000-08:00

"E-Couragement: Meditations for Leaders" is a 192 page paper-back with 68 essays that are designed to inspire leaders--lay and clergy.

It lists for $14.99 but can be purchased via Amazon.com for less than $9, plus shipping. Amazon offers free shipping to buyers who purchase $25 or more of their books.

A great book for children's ministry leaders to give their staff!

YOU ARE THE KEY

2008-10-25T08:45:00.001-07:00

©2007 Linda J. Stevenson

Linda has given permission for you to reproduce this poem for local church use.
Please include the copyright information above .

One day I dreamed I stood before
A tightly locked closed door,
And I then began to question,
“Lord, what am I here for?”

Right then my eyes were opened
To see behind the door
Souls in need and reaching out,
And God said, “Look, there’s more.”

There were lost and lonely people
Who couldn’t find their way,
The sick and the afflicted
Crying out to me that day.

The hopeless and forsaken,
Imprisoned and sin-bound,
There was no one to help them,
Not a willing soul was found.

I asked the Lord, “Who holds the key?”
With tears I did implore.
And God said, “Child, you are the key
To open this locked door.”

I said, “Oh, Lord, then I must go,
I cannot bear to see
Souls in need of someone
To love them desperately.”

And then I saw an endless hall
All filled with doors locked tight.
Overwhelmed, I bowed right there
At this heartrending sight.

God said, “There is a perfect key
That I uniquely made,
Ready to unlock each door,”
And this is what I prayed:

“Lord, help each one to see today
That they’re a special key
Uniquely fashioned and designed
To set the captive free.

“To heal the broken hearted,
To feed a hungry soul,
To lead someone to the Way
Where they can be made whole.”

TEN LEPERS - Thanksgiving Skit

2008-10-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

10 Lepers: (If possible, they should all have bells to ring; or at least some.
Leper # 6 should have a patch over the eye; if possible, Leper # 7 should have a stick using it as a crutch; Lepers # 9 and 10 should limp).

Crowd: All remaining students.

Jesus: Played by an adult.

Narrator: Teacher or another adult.

AT RISE: Lepers are on one side of stage; crowd the opposite.

Narrator: Lepers were people who had a horrible disease that made sores all over their bodies. Sometimes it crippled them. Sometimes they were blind. But always it made them lonely for leprosy was catching. They always carried bells to ring, warning other stay away. They couldn't work or live with their families. All they
could do was stand by the roadside or outside the gates of the city and beg. Then one day something happened that changed their lives!

(Lepers ring their bells softly so dialogue can be heard. But bells ring all the time.)

Leper 1: Did you hear the good news?
Leper 2: What good news?
Leper 3: I haven't heard anything.
Leper 4: Me either.
Leper 1: Jesus is coming to town!
Leper 5: Wow!
Leper 6: Really?! I can't wait to see Him!
Leper 7: We'll never be able to get close enough.
Leper 8: Yeah, you're right.
Leper 9: We can't get near the crowd of people.
Leper 10: No, but we can shout!
Lepers 1,2,3: Jesus, have mercy on us!

(The adult playing the part of Jesus comes down aisle to center of stage while following dialogue takes place.)

Person # 1 in Crowd: Jesus is coming!
Person # 2 in Crowd: Look, there's Jesus with some of His disciples
Person # 3 in Crowd: I see Jesus!

(Crowd whispers "Jesus is coming" to one another.)

Lepers 4,5,6: Jesus, have mercy on us!
Lepers 7,8,9,10: Jesus, have mercy on us!

(Jesus looks at the lepers. Lepers look surprised with eyes wide open - mouths open.)

Leper 1: Jesus is looking at us.
Leper 2: Yeah, I know!
Leper 3: He's looking RIGHT at us!

(Jesus walks up to the lepers.)

Jesus: Go to the Temple and show the priests that you are healed.

(Jesus leaves them and heads toward the crowd.)

Leper 4: What?
Leper 5: What does Jesus mean we are healed?
Leper 6: I still have all my sores.
Leper 7: Yeah, me too!
Leper 8: What are we supposed to do?
Leper 9: I don't know.
Leper 10: I think we need to do what Jesus said.

(Lepers leave stage and head down center aisle ringing their bells.)

Leper 1: Wait a minute!
Leper 2: What is it?
Leper 1: My sores are gone!
Leper 3: Mine, too!
Leper 4 (turning to leper # 5): Mine are gone and so are yours!
Leper 5: You're right! Wow!
Leper 6: I can't believe it! (Take off eye patch.) I can see!
Leper 7: This is unbelievable! I don't need this crutch anymore.
Leper 8: My skin is smooth and healthy.
Leper 9: I don't limp anymore!
Leper 10: Me either!
Leper 1: It's true! Jesus has healed us!
Leper 2: We're healed!
Leper 3: We can go back to our families!

(9 of the lepers walk out faster and faster, but one goes back to where Jesus is.)

Narrator: What's this? Only one? One out of one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten lepers. Only one leper remembers that he should go back and thank Jesus. The other nine didn't even look back.

Leper 10: Jesus!

Person # 4 in Crowd: That man used to be a leper.
Person # 5 in Crowd: He's healed.
Person # 6: Be quiet! What is he saying?
Person # 7: I can't hear.
Person # 6: Shhhh!

Leper 10: Jesus, thank you. Oh, thank you for healing me! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Jesus: Didn't I heal TEN lepers?

(People in crowd all shake their heads in affirmative.)

Jesus: Where are the other nine? (Looking at leper still kneeling before Him) Stand up. Go on your way now. Your faith has made you well.

(The leper walks through the crowd - he walks faster and faster heading home.)

Narrator: At this Thanksgiving season of the year, let us reflect on what Jesus has done for this year.

(Closing as you choose.)

Jesus

and the

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10

Lepers

Based on the story from Luke 17:11-19

CHRISTMAS PARTY - Game and Craft Ideas

2008-10-12T05:14:00.000-07:00

Candy Cane Relay - Divide the children into 2 teams. Give each team 5 small candy canes. On signal, the team members pass their canes to the end of the line and then back again.

Christmas Charades - Divide children into groups. Each team acts out something which relates to Christmas. The others try to guess what the group is acting out.

Christmas Package - Wrap a small gift in several layers of paper. The children sit in a circle. When music begins, the gift is passed to the right. When music stops, the child who has the package begins to unwrap it. When the music begins, the gift is passed. This continues until the gift has been completely unwrapped. Whoever has the gift, when it is finally unwrapped, gets to keep it. If you have a larger group, use 2 or more gifts.

Christmas Stocking Hang - Put a piece of masking tape on the wall to represent a fireplace mantel. Give each child a paper stocking. One at a time, blindfold each child. Play as “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”

Christmas Story Draw - When the leader says “Go”, the first person in each line goes to the paper taped on the wall and starts to draw something from the scene of Jesus’ birth in the manger. When the leader says “Change” the next person goes and draws. This continues until the leader says, “Stop.” Have the children sit, as the leader reads the Christmas story from Luke 2.

Gift Exchange - Form a circle and give each the name of something relating to Christmas - star, tree, manger, angel, etc. “It” calls out two such names. The children with these names try to exchange places before “It” can get one of their places.

Name That Tune - Pianist plays a few measures of a Christmas song on the piano. Two contestants are up front. The first to raise his hand and give the correct answer wins. Alternate the contestants.

Singing Carols - Sing favorite carols together.

Snowball Relay - Make circles on the floor with masking tape. Put 12 cotton balls inside each circle. Each team lines up facing their circle. The first person runs to the circle, picks up the snowballs and puts them outside the circle. The next team member runs to the circle and puts cotton balls all back inside the circle. Continue until all have played.

Tree Ornament Relay - Paper trees are taped to the wall. Each child has an ornament made of paper. One at a time, each team member runs to the tree, attaches an ornament, and returns to their team. The first group getting all the ornaments attached to their tree wins!

Craft Ideas - Clink on the "crafts" link at www.kidsdomain.com

INTERACTIVE BIBLE STORY: A Boy and His Lunch

2008-10-12T05:13:00.001-07:00

John 6: 1-14

by Betty Robertson

Interactive Bible stories create enjoyable learning, which follows the Biblical principle found in Proverbs 15:2, "A wise teacher makes learning a joy." Here is one your students may enjoy:

Instructions: Every time you hear the word "sleeping", put your hand on your lips and say, "Shhh." Every time you hear "see Jesus" raise both arms upward and yell, "Yeah!" (If you think a visual reminder would be helpful, hold up placards with a picture of eyes closed when you say "sleeping" and a picture of a smiley face when you say "see Jesus". Placards can be made on paper plates with a stick attach to the back side.)

It was dark outside. The moon and stars were shining. The sun was not yet up.

Everyone was still sleeping. (Shhh)

Daddy was sleeping. (Shhhh)

Mother was sleeping. (Shhh)

The boy was sleeping. (Shhh)

Pretty soon mother rolled over. But she did not wake up. She was still sleeping. (Shhh)

The Daddy pulled the covers up around his neck. But he did not wake up. He was still sleeping. (Shhh)

The boy had a nice dream. But he did not wake up. He was still sleeping. (Shhh)

Now it was not so dark outside. The sun was just starting to shine. Mother got up.

But Daddy did not. He was still sleeping. (Shhh)

The boy did not get up. He was still sleeping. (Shhh)

The mother went to the kitchen. She found 5 small barley loaves of bread and 2 fish. She put them in a sack. She worked quietly. Everyone was still sleeping. (Shhh)

She went to the boy's room. She gently woke him and said: "Today you can go see Jesus!" (Yeah!)

The boy quickly jumped out of bed. He wanted to shout, "WOW. I can't wait to see Jesus." (Yeah!)

But his daddy was still sleeping. (Shhh)

As the boy dressed he thought about all the things he had heard about Jesus. Jesus told stories. Jesus healed people who were sick. Jesus raised to life a little girl who had died. Jesus took children in his arms and showed how much He loved them. Today, Jesus was going to be close to where He lived and His mother and Daddy said he could go. He dressed hurriedly because he just couldn't wait to see Jesus! (Yeah!)

He told his mother good-bye. He told his father good-bye. He headed down the road to where he had Jesus would be today. He just couldn't wait to see Jesus! (Yeah!)

Pretty soon he saw a large crowd of people. Instead of walking fast, he started to run. He didn't want to miss anything. He just couldn't' wait to see Jesus! (Yeah!)

All day long he watched as Jesus healed sick people. Pretty soon his tummy started to growl. He was hungry. It was past supper time. He opened up his sack and took out the bread and fish. He was just about ready to take a bite when Andrew, one of Jesus' disciples said to him: "I notice you have a lunch with you. There are 5,000 men here, plus women and children. We have no food for them. Jesus has asked that I bring him your lunch. Is that okay?"

The boy put the 5 barley loaves and the 2 fish back into his sack and handed it to Andrew. Andrew took the lunch to Jesus. He opened the lunch and said to Jesus, "All we have are these 5 small loaves of bread and 2 fish."

Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up into the sky and asked God's blessing on the meal.

Then He broke the loaves apart and gave them to the disciples to pass out to the people.

Then he took the fish and gave thanks to God and the fish was passed out to the people. Everyone ate and ate and ate and ate until they were full! When everyone was done and the scraps were picked up, there were 12 baskets left over!

The little boy was so excited that he had given his lunch to Jesus and that he had been there on this day to see this miracle and to see Jesus! (YEAH!)

Early Childhood Midweek Program

2008-09-28T03:47:00.000-07:00

Benson's Buddies is an early childhood midweek program which is biblically based -- presenting Christian moral standards to young children. Its focus is to develop the whole child -- spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially. It emphasizes Christian character and lifestyle through Bible and contemporary stories, experience-oriented activiteis, and Scripture memorization. (www.nph.com)

Four New Christmas Books for Use At S.S.

2008-09-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

AWAY IN A MANGER captivates readers with the drama and excitement of that amazing night when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

FEAR NOT, JOSEPH attempts to "fill in the blanks" of what the experience may have resembled for Joseph and his wife. God often chooses the humble and unassuming to be His hands and to share His mercy with others. Joesph was one such person.

THE WONDER OF CHRISTMAS draws young readers into the events of the night Jesus was born.

THE CHRISTMAS LIST encourages children to focus away from materialism by remindng them of the meaning of Christmas, the day God sent His Son to be our Savior, who is the best gift of all.

All 4 of these books are available from Concordia Publishing House.

Thank You For Thanksgiving - Book

2008-09-27T07:20:00.001-07:00

THANK YOU FOR THANKSGIVING is a delightful book for children ages 4-7. Author Dandi Daley Mackall has penned more than 400 Christian books that have sold over 4 million copies. Illustrator John Walker has provided vivid, colorful art. You will enjoy using this book both at church and at home. Available from Concordia Publishing House.

CHRISTMAS PROMISES - Great Gift Book

2008-09-14T08:44:00.000-07:00

Regal has just released a new book, CHRISTMAS PROMISES, which will be perfect for your gift-giving this season. Within the pages you will find refreshment for your heart, mind and soul -- reminders of God's provision and restoration even in life's bleakest moments.

CRAFTS FOR GIFTS

2008-08-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

Step-by-Step Crafts for Gifts is a book published by Boyds Mills Press which has easy-to-make projects for use at home and/or church.

Each craft is made from readily available materials.

Detailed color illustrations and clear step-by-step instructions assure enjoyment for making the projects.

ISBN: 13:978-1-59078-478-5

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

2008-08-29T10:17:00.001-07:00

This awesome book from Boyds Mills Press has everything you need to create a wonderful holiday celebration. Directions are easy-to-follow and full-color photographs help with the creation process.

ISBN: 1-56397-373-1.

HOLIDAY CRAFTS: Easy-to-Do

2008-08-29T10:14:00.001-07:00

EASY-TO-DO HOLIDAY CRAFTS FROM EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD ITEMS has over 1,000 pictured crafts in a collection of 6 books. All the crafts are made from easy-to-find household materials, using simple techniques that really work! Clear color photos of the finished products make it even easier to follow the step-by-step instructions.

ISBN # 13:978-1-59078-316-0

PUBLISHER: Boyds Mills Press

MOTHER'S DAY - Craft Ideas

2008-04-20T05:55:00.000-07:00

Amazing Moms.com

Family Fun.go.com

Apples4TheTeacher.com

homeschooled-kids.com

BALLOON POP - Bible Memorization Idea

2008-04-12T13:26:00.002-07:00

Blow up long balloons and write the day’s memory verse on slips of paper.

Insert into the balloons.

Child # 1 pops a balloon and reads the verse.

Child # 2 pops a balloon and reads the verse with Child # 1.

Child # 3 pops a balloon and all three read the verse together.

By the time all balloons have been popped in this manner, the verse for the day will have been memorized!

BIBLE PASS - Memorization Idea

2008-04-12T13:26:00.001-07:00

Seat the children in a circle and give one child a Bible.

Start music playing.

Children pass the Bible until the music stops.

Whoever is holding the Bible and the child on his/her right and left say the verse together.

Continue until the verse has been repeated several times.

BIBLE VERSE FUN

2008-04-12T13:25:00.001-07:00

Write each word of the Bible verse on a 3” x 5” card.

Put the reference on a separate card.

Make two sets.

Divide the class into two teams.

Place a set of word cards on the floor in front of each team; mix them up.

At a signal, the first child on each team gets the card with the first word on it, runs to the goal line, and puts the card down.

The second team member gets the card with the second word, runs to the goal line, and places it to the right of the first card.

Continue until one team has all of its cards in correct order.

Give time for the other team to complete their verse.

Say the verse in unison.

BIBLE VERSE VIDEO RECORDING

2008-04-12T13:24:00.001-07:00

Children enjoy seeing themselves on video.

Divide the children into teams of 3 or 4 and have them quote the Bible verse for the day while someone records on video.

Play it back.

BIBLE WORM - Scripture Memorization

2008-04-12T13:23:00.000-07:00

Make a segmented worm from construction paper, by drawing circles (tracing around the bottom of a glass works great!).

Put eyes and a smile on one for the head.

Write the verse, one word per segment, on the "worm".

Hand out segments of the worm to class members and have them put it in order.

Say the verse together each time.

CALL TWO - Bible Memorization Idea

2008-04-12T13:22:00.000-07:00

Have each child write his/name on a 3” x 5” card and put it into a box.

Choose a student to pick out two names from the box.

These two pupils stand and say the verse together.

Pick another child to pull out two more name cards; they read the verse.

Continue until all of the name cards have been used.

Then have all the pupils say the verse in unison several times.

CUP TAKE AWAY - Scripture Memorization

2008-04-12T13:21:00.004-07:00

Use Styrofoam cups.

Print one word of the Bible verse on each cup.

Line them up on a table in the correct order.

Choose one pupil to take away one cup.

Everyone in the class says the verse.

Choose another child to take away another cup.

Continue saying the verse until there are no more cups left and it is being quoted by memory.

"EVERYON WHO..." - Bible Memorization Game

2008-04-12T13:21:00.003-07:00

"Everyone who has a pet at home stand and say the verse."

"Everyone who likes to play soccer, stand and kick your right leg back and forth while saying the verse."

"Everyone who plays a musical instrument, stand and raise both arms toward the ceiling while you say the verse."

"Everyone who loves summer vacation, stand and face the back of the room while waving both arms to the side and quote the verse."