Survivor - Out of Egypt
VBS ProgramLast year I put together the VBS material for our church from material on the internet. The main theme was Survivor - Out of Egypt. We focused on Moses as he lead his people out of Egypt. The stories for each day were: Crossing the Red Sea, Manna and Quail, Jethro visits Moses, 10 commandments part 1, 10 commandments part 2. We opened with Tribal council where the entire group met with the pastor at the front of the sanctuary and she explained the "tribal" symbols of our church. We also had a teambuilding challenge center where each group performed challenges that made them work as a team. Crafts were all related to the stories. For attendance records, each child was given a foam board torch where we put a new flame on for each day they were there. Everyone had a great time!
To get you started, here are a few sample lessons:
Create a Tribal Banner
Each class or tribe will make a banner for their door and take it with them to tribal council and the team building center.
What you need: wooden dowel, a roll of craft paper or white drawing paper, glue, markers, construction paper or paint, string.
Tell the learners that they will be one of the tribes of your church. Each tribe has been given a name. We are all excited to let everyone know what our tribe is and to welcome anyone who is the right age to join our tribe.
Our task is to create a banner for our tribe - put the name of your tribe on the banner and brainstorm about what else the class would like to include. Think about putting the names of the members of your tribe on the banner also.
Cut a piece of craft or white paper twice the length of your banner. Fold it in half so it marks the top of each side of the banner.
Draw, paint, or glue construction paper on both sides of the banner to create your design.
Turn the banner over when it is dry. Spread the back with white glue.
Fold the craft or white paper over the dowel with glue sides together and press under heavy objects until dry.
Tie the string to each end of the dowel to make a hanger.
Lesson 1: Crossing the Red Sea
Included at the end of the material for day one are the following items that you can use as study helps or games with your class. I have included everything for all age groups and you can adapt as needed to your class. You have only 45 minutes of class time I don't believe you will have time to do all the activities included with this lesson. Things included are:
Telling the story - an overview of the bible story with questions for you to use with your class
Red Sea Escape - and alternate way to tell the story.
A pattern for a Crossing the Red Sea Story telling aid -- If the teacher or helper would like to make this and then they can act out the story as they tell it and/or the kids can use it to retell the story.
Harm Removed - a fun little experiment that shows how something impossible is possible.
The Red Sea Run - an action poem - Good to use with the younger kids to run off a little energy.
Memory verse footprints and God Guides Game - some fun activities that help "show kids the way" using their own footprints.
Pencil games and coloring sheets - If you let me know before June 1st, what you plan on using with your class, I will just copy those exercises for the student survival manual for each class.
Telling the Story:
The Pharaoh of Egypt let the Israelites go. But it was only after God sent ten plagues on Egypt, and in the end, the Pharaoh's son was even killed. The Israelites obeyed God, and left right away. They left so quickly, they didn't even have time to let the yeast rise for the bread they were baking. They called it unleavened bread, and it is still used today by Jewish people to celebrate God's protection from the tenth plague. Our story today finds the Israelites once again in a predicament. Many people thought it was a trap. Read from the Bible to see what happened. Exodus 15:5-31. The older kids can start at Exodus 13:17 if they would like a little more lead into the story.
Discussion questions:
1. At first the Pharaoh let the Israelites people go, why did he change his mind? (He wanted his slaves back)
2. What did the Israelites do when they saw the Egyptians? (Complained and blamed Moses, said they would rather go back and serve the Egyptians then die in the dessert)
3. Who did Moses say would fight for the Israelites? (God)
4. What would the Israelites need to do? (Nothing, just be still)
5. How did God keep the Egyptians away from the Israelites before they crossed the Red Sea? (He placed a pillar of fire on one side and cloud of smoke on the other between the two camps)
6. What happened when Moses stretched out his hand over the sea the first time? (The red sea parted) The second time? (The waters returned and Pharaoh's entire army drowned)
7. How did the attitudes of the Israelite people change at the end of this story? (Instead of being afraid, they trusted God)
8. How do we see God's protection in this story? (He performs a miracle to stop and enemy from doing harm to His people)
Conclusion:
We use many things to protect us, like helmets, gloves and heavy coats in the winter. People also protect us from harm, such as firemen and lifeguards. But God's protection is always there, even when we don't know it. He has a plan for us just like He did for Moses. Although things may seem difficult at the time, God is always working in us for the good. The Bible says, and we know that in all things God works for the food of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).
Activity:
Make a poster with two headings: What did the Israelites fear? How did God Help? Post images or write down what the Israelites feared and How God helped. Ask the kids what they are afraid of and how God can help them. Be sure to pray for strength and protection for each child's fear in the closing prayer.
Lesson 5: Jethro Visits Moses
Included at the end of the material for day one are the following items that you can use as study helps or games with your class. I have included everything for all age groups and you can adapt as needed to your class. You have only 45 minutes of class time I don't believe you will have time to do all the activities included with this lesson. Things included are:
Telling the story - an overview of the bible story with questions for you to use with your class
Parable of the Talents - a skit that will show students that they should use the talents they are given.
What's My Talent - help kids recognize their own talents
Knock -Knock - Each child gets a chance to be judge.
Help the Missionaries - This little game makes the children realize that it is not always easy to set up a new church as a missionary.
Answers Without Speaking - Body language and unspoken words also send a message to the world.
Selling God's Word - Your class does a commercial announcement, which could be presented in church on Sunday.
Helping Hands - a neat little craft to remind the students that we are all God's helpers.
Telling the Story:
Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people. Jethro traveled to see Moses and warned him that what he was doing was not good. Find out why, and what Jethro suggested by reading Exodus 18:9-26
Discussion questions:
1. Could you ever imagine that some one thought that Moses work could be seen as bad?
2. What did Jethro think Moses was doing wrong?
3. What should Moses do to help himself help God?
4. List some ways you can help God's leaders on earth.
5. Do you think Moses helped the people more before he talked to Jethro, or after he made the changes Jethro suggested?
Conclusion:
Everyone needs help sometimes. Sometimes we don't realize it until someone else points it out to us. God's helpers on Earth need help to. God gave us each special talents and we all can use our talents to spread the word of God.
Activity:
Good news telephone relay. Invite the learners to sit in a circle. Whisper a "good news message" to one learner. This learner is to whisper it to the next learner in the circle. Repeat this until the message is whispered to the last learner. The last learner is to say the message to the group. The fun will be to see if the message is the same, or if it changed. To continue the game, invite the learners to think of their own good news messages and send them around the "telephone circle."
Pass it on. Share with the children how this weeks stories provided us with examples of how god will be with us when we follow his rules. During Bible times most news was shared by people talking to each other. Today news is shared in many ways. Ask what are some ways news is shared today. Create a newsletter article for the church's newsletter, sharing what you've learned this week.
Copyright 2001 Amy Asmus
For a more detailed description, e-mail me and I will put it together for you. aasmus@wctatel.net
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