VBS team at Craig, AK Our fourth year of VBS, included three locations: Bethel, Craig, and Ketchikan, AK.
This year's theme was once again inspired by reading with our church's Bible study group which focused on Genesis. Originally the plan had included a night for Moses and Joshua (to extend our story into the promise land), but quickly it became apparent that our stars this year would be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. This year also marked another creative inspiration that we called OT News. Want more? Read below
This year's theme was once again inspired by reading with our church's Bible study group which focused on Genesis. Originally the plan had included a night for Moses and Joshua (to extend our story into the promise land), but quickly it became apparent that our stars this year would be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. This year also marked another creative inspiration that we called OT News. Want more? Read below
Lesson Inspiration
We recommend you read Genesis 12-50. Yes that is chapters not verses. This will help set up the background so that you can tell the story effectively.
Schedule- 5-6 day VBS
Games- 10-15 min
Songs- 10-15 min
Group time & Memory Verse- 5 min- 10 min
Craft- 15 min
(rotate for larger groups)
Activity-15 min
Lesson- 20 min
Q&A- 5 min
Snack time/Prize bag- 5 min
Total: 1. 5 hours
Songs- 10-15 min
Group time & Memory Verse- 5 min- 10 min
Craft- 15 min
(rotate for larger groups)
Activity-15 min
Lesson- 20 min
Q&A- 5 min
Snack time/Prize bag- 5 min
Total: 1. 5 hours
Lessons
Reporters Rebekah and Rachel at the station with roaming reporter Leah This year we decide to present the story in two formats. The first way was in the activity where the kids got to listen to the story of the day while coloring. The second way was in the lesson time where we shared the lesson in a news story format. Each night we had three newscasters at our Old Testament News Channel (OT News) who reported on the story. The two in the studio, who set up the background for our story, and then a roaming reporter who met with the characters. Below is a copy of the scripts that we made. Feel free to use!
 Reporter Leah interview Abraham and Sarah Day 1: Abraham Emphasis: God leads His people to trust Genesis 18:1-15 | This year's tag line: We say: GOD LEADS... Kids say: HIS PEOPLE! |
Reporter Leah speaks with Abraham and Isaac Day 2: Isaac
Emphasis: God leads His people to obedience
Genesis 22:1-19
Emphasis: God leads His people to obedience
Genesis 22:1-19
Jacob by the "Jacob's ladder" of his dream Day 3: Jacob
Emphasis: God leads His people in determination
Genesis 27-28
Emphasis: God leads His people in determination
Genesis 27-28
Report Leah talks to Joseph on his way to meet his brothers Day 4: Joseph Pt. 1
Emphasis: God leads His people in faith
Genesis 37
Emphasis: God leads His people in faith
Genesis 37
Joseph speaks from Jail to Reporter Leah Day 5: Joseph Pt. 2
Emphasis: God leads His people to listen to His voice
Genesis 39-40
Emphasis: God leads His people to listen to His voice
Genesis 39-40
Joseph leaving his palace to speak with Reporter Leah Day 6: Joseph Pt. 3
Emphasis: God Leads His people to be strong
Genesis 41-50
Emphasis: God Leads His people to be strong
Genesis 41-50
| Alternate scheduling option 1: Day 1: Abraham Day 2: Isaac Day 3: Jacob Day 4: Joseph Pt. 1 Sabbath School: Joseph Pt. 2 Church: Joseph Pt. 3 | Alternate scheduling option 2: Day 1: Abraham Day 2: Isaac Day 3: Jacob Sabbath School: Joseph Pt. 1 Day 4: Joseph Pt. 2 Day 5: Joseph Pt. 3 | We used alternate schedule 1 in Craig and Ketchikan where we didn't have six nights. At Bethel we used alternate schedule 2 as we had an extra night. This was because of our travel schedule. |
Small Group TimeSmall group time was a way to get the kids ready for the lesson of the day. We split them into 2- 3 groups with a leader to go over questions and also the memory verse in a smaller setting. It worked well.
Memory Verse Memory verse on display in the activity room "Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior" Psalms 25:5a - NIV Tip: Post the memory verse in all areas so that readers can look at it in passing and also use it for memorizing the verse. | <- Scripts for all the lesson written by the VBS team Activity Time Activity time: Story and coloring During the activity/lesson time our story teller borrow resources from here: https://freesundayschoolcurriculum.weebly.com/old-testament-lessons.html We used lesson titles: Abram Travels, Isaac, Jacob Tricks Isaac, Joseph's Brothers Sell Him, Joseph Interprets dreams, and Joseph Forgives His Brothers. But you can also make up your own based on the story. Registration Preparing registration This year we had some exciting stuff such as a key ring full of characters for each night. Each key ring has the theme for the night as well as where the nightly story it can be found in the Bible. See below.
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Crafts
| Day 1: Memory Verse/Compass Supplies: Paper plates, crayons, brads, arrows, stickers Day 2: Altar Supplies: Paper plates, tissue paper (orange and yellow), Popsicle sticks, glue Day 3: Jacob's Ladder Supplies: Ribbon, foam, glue (or self adhesive foam), scissors Day 4: Coat of Many Colors Supplies: Paper plates, cut out people, crayons, glue, construction paper pieces Day 5: Joseph in Jail Supplies: Construction paper, cutout or coloring page of Joseph in jail, glue, pipe cleaner, crayons Day 6: Pharoah's Headdress Supplies: Headdress cutout, crayons, scissors, staplers, strips of paper for the bands |  Heart string art Bonus craft: String art Supplies: Foam block, small nails, string, templates Because we had extra time to fill at Bethel we threw in this extra craft rotation for fun. It was a huge hit with the kids. We used hearts and crosses for templates. We also did a little kid variation where we used a paper plate instead of foam and nails. |
Music
 Music at Craig VBS Theme song: Thy Word And we used On Fire for Him to fill in after our main lesson time. If you'd like to know more about this ministry click here: (OFFH) | On Fire for Him performed during the week: |
Games
 Ball and Sheet Day 1: Ball and Sheet How to: Using a ball and sheet have the kids toss a rubber ball back and forth to each other |  Isaac says Day 2: Isaac says How to: Similar to Simon says |  Determination Stones Day 3: Determination Stones How to: Using rope build a course that the kids have to learn to jump from step to step | Day 4: Pick Joseph How to: Similar to duck, duck, goose Day 5: Jail Break How to: Kids line up at one end and someone calls jail break and they try to run for the other side without getting caught. If caught they help the jailer. Last person standing is it next time. Day 6: Relay Race How to: Create whatever team related relay you'd like. |
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Goodies
Fruit cups Snacks: Fruit was the order of the day. Fruit cups worked well because then kids could pick out what they liked to eat. Apples and grapes are a hit. And of course we had some cookies. Word of caution: remember to check for food allergies.
Goodie bags: Brown paper bags again. We decided on only putting in 3-4 items each especially at some of the locations where they had easier access to fun little items in their town.
Prize box: We used our prize box for both answering questions at the end of the night and memory verse memorizers. We had our highest number of participants this year for memorizing the memory verse.
Goodie bags: Brown paper bags again. We decided on only putting in 3-4 items each especially at some of the locations where they had easier access to fun little items in their town.
Prize box: We used our prize box for both answering questions at the end of the night and memory verse memorizers. We had our highest number of participants this year for memorizing the memory verse.
Decoration
This year we were inspired by our studio set up for OT News. And we tried to keep everything else deserty since these stories were in the desert areas. So we decorated in the main room for the desert with a image for each night of story on the wall, except the jail which we put up the night of during the Joseph 2 story. We especially liked the "V" formation this year with the streamers. We had to get creative as we use them every year. We also like the decorative balls . We made signs for the different rooms as well such as "crafts" and "story." We made sure to post the memory verse all over and also have a couple of signs for our theme "God Leads His People."
Ta-Dah! A God Leads His People DIY VBS
We had tons of fun this year creating everything from the story lines and OT News, which was a big hit with the kids, to the activities and crafts which the kids really got into. We hope we have inspired you to try to your hand at your own variation of a God Leads His People DIY VBS. And don't forget the materials that we have post are yours to use and make your own.
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