VBS Tips

Recruiting and Training Preschool Leaders and Helpers

2012-03-02T05:30:00.000-08:00

The adult leaders and helpers have some of the most important roles in starting and running your preschool program. They are the ones who will provide the very early church experiences for your preschoolers and will act as guides to help the children explore Bible truths.

"You may feel that because you are teaching twos and threes, you don't need much wisdom or spiritual discernment," says Mary A. Barbour in her book You Can Teach 2s & 3s. "But you soon discover you need a great deal, for you are working with children while they are at their most impressionable level of development.

"Your responsibilities are great to keep yourself growing in Christian virtues and to know the Saviour better day by day. This you may do with an open Bible, an open heart, and an open line of communication with the Lord through frequent, earnest prayer. And the more you grow as a Christian, the better teacher you will be."*

To ensure your preschoolers the very best experiences in your program, look for leaders and teachers with the following qualifications:

Are dedicated Christians who seek to live for Christ daily, who study God's Word, and who know the plan of salvation
Are tuned in to kids, and able to build upon their natural interests
Enjoy sharing in the children's joy of discovery
Are warm, outgoing, and have a genuine love and sensitivity for children
Have a basic understanding of children in terms of their physical, mental, and emotional development, and their spiritual needs
Are reliable and disciplined to prepare for each meeting
Are suitable role models for children

How to Recruit Preschool Leaders

Prayerfully and with a lot of help! This is a big job, so meet with your Christian education director, children's pastor, or Sunday school superintendent. Begin with prayer, asking the Lord to direct you to the people whom He wants to teach your precious preschoolers. Ask Him to prepare the hearts of these people to be receptive to becoming preschool leaders or helpers.

Then make a list of qualified people who might be interested, and make an appointment to visit them in their homes. Explain the preschool program and the responsibilities of a preschool leader or helper. Ask him or her to pray about the decision, and if desired, leave a specific job description with him or her.

It is good to involve a variety of people in working with your preschool program: fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, college students, or adults with older children may all enjoy working with twos and threes. Make a concerted effort to get men involved in the program—particularly fathers of twos and threes. They will love it, and so will the kids. A man in the classroom often helps to reduce discipline problems, too.

Organize a list of "substitute" teachers from which to draw when a regular leader or helper is unable to attend. Be sure to fill each vacancy as soon as possible.

There are most likely people in your church who aren't available on a weekly basis or just don't want to be tied to a schedule, but do like to help when presented with a special need, such as VBS. These are the people who can help you by preparing handcraft materials, cutting out visuals, or making or providing snacks. Senior citizens and singles are particularly receptive to this idea. Show your appreciation for their help, just as you show your appreciation to your regular leaders and helpers.

The leaders are the most important part of your preschool program—not because they do everything themselves, but because they are the only means through which children can be truly involved and discipled. The most successful preschool group is usually the one where the adult leaders do less so the children can do more. This is the toughest kind of leadership, but it's the kind that produces disciples and leaders in your students.

*Mary A. Barbour, You Can Teach 2s & 3s (Wheaton, IL: Victor books, 1987), 33.

Should You Include Preschoolers in Your VBS Program?

2012-03-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

If you've been debating whether or not you should include preschoolers in your VBS program—you're not alone! If you do include preschoolers, you'll want to be sure they have their own age-appropriate programming.

Some VBS programs include preschool, but for those that don't, you'll need to figure out how to include these precious little ones.

Preschoolers are wiggly, giggly, and filled with enthusiasm. We've created 3 VBS preschool programs with all of these characteristics in mind. Each one will work as a stand-alone program, or along with whatever VBS program you're using. They're buzzing with fun for little ones, helpers, and everyone involved. Children will explore God's Word and learn how to apply it to their lives.

The special summer edition of the Preschool All-in-One Kit includes a VBS option. Each quarter of this preschool curriculum can also be used for any time you have preschoolers (children's church, midweek, MOPS, or more). The curriculum contains a full quarter (13 weeks) of lessons, with instructions on how to adapt for a 5-day or 10-day vacation Bible school program. Plus, there's an optional Awards Program available if you'd like to supplement your kids' Bible learning. It is totally flexible and designed to work with whichever elementary program you choose.
Each day, preschoolers will:

Participate in age-appropriate, hands-on learning centers
Watch a brief puppet show that introduces them to the Bible theme of the day
Do a finger play or action rhyme to help get the wiggles out before the Bible story
Hear a Bible story written for their age level
Learn short Bible memory words
Do coloring activities
Play games
Make a simple craft to take home
Have yummy snacks (suggestions are given in the Leader's Guide, or you may choose to use some of the snack ideas from your elementary VBS program)

The Preschool All-in-One Kit includes everything you need to teach children ages 2-5 in one classroom! More information & samples >

The Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS is designed to supplement your elementary VBS program. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals. Your little ones can travel to the Marketplace before the older children but can also enjoy the stories of Jesus written at their own level. Crafts and games in the Preschool Leader’s Guide are preschool-friendly. The preschool VBS program is completely flexible.

This VBS is available with a Preschool Leader’s Guide plus CD-ROM. Or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version. This is a great way to include your younger children with activities written just for them.

Each day, preschoolers will:

Hear a Bible story about Jesus written for their age level
Learn short Bible memory words
Do coloring activities
Play games
Make a simple craft to take home
Have yummy snacks (suggestions are given in the Snack Leader's Guide, or you may choose to use some of the snack ideas from the marketplace in your elementary VBS program)

The Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS includes everything you need to give children ages 2-5 their own VBS. More information & samples >

This Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS is also a great program to supplement your elementary VBS program this summer. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals. Your little ones can travel to the Marketplace before the older children but can also enjoy the stories of Joseph written at their own level.

The Preschool Leader’s Guide includes decorating ideas, tips for working with preschoolers, a suggested rotation schedule, and a preschool sign-in sheet. The download contains separate job descriptions for your Snack Leader, Bible Story Leader, Games Leader, and Crafts Leader. You can print instructions for the leaders each day of your VBS so they can collect any needed supplies and decide which options to use. The download also includes registration cards, safety tips, a course overview, coloring pages with NLT and NIV memory verses, “How to Lead a Child to Christ,” recruiting tips, and lots more.

Available as a Program Book with CD-ROM or as a download.

The Joseph in Egypt Preschool VBS includes everything you need to give children ages 2-5 their own VBS. More information & samples >

Whichever program(s) you decide to use, you may want to begin each day of your VBS with elementary children and preschoolers together for a time of opening music. Be prepared to have one or two helpers take the two-year-olds to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting becomes overwhelming. We recommend ending each day with a prayer time especially for your preschoolers and then letting the preschool children have free play until their parents arrive.

So, our answer to the question, "Should we include Preschoolers in our VBS?" Yes. If you can recruit the volunteers to do so (more on that tomorrow)...you'll be glad you did when you see their eyes light up throughout the week. You'll be planting seeds in those precious little hearts, and if even one of those children comes to know Christ, it's all worth it for His kingdom.

Your VBS 2012 Headquarters

2012-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

The best place to save!

Our VBS Store is up and running with all the 2012 VBS programs in stock—kits and supplies are now shipping! Plus we guarantee you won't find better service or prices anywhere! Give us a call at (800) 854-1531 or place your order online at VBSstore.com.

Still Need your VBS Kit?

Sky VBS Starter Kit ~~$157.99~~ only $142.19 Shop Supplies >	Rocky Point Lighthouse Weekend VBS Starter Kit ~~$64.99~~ only $58.49 Shop Supplies >
SonRise National Park VBS Starter Kit ~~$79.99~~ only $63.99 Shop Supplies >	Adventures on Promise Island Starter Kit ~~$69.99~~ only $55.99 Shop Supplies >
Babylon VBS Starter Kit ~~$124.99~~ only $112.49 Shop Supplies >	Amazing Desert Journey VBS Starter Kit ~~$129.99~~ only $103.99 Shop Supplies >
Bug Zone VBS Starter Kit KJV \| NKJV ~~$79.99~~ only $71.99 Shop Supplies >	IncrediWorld Amazement Park VBS Starter Kit ~~$99.99~~ only $89.99 Shop Supplies >

Shop all VBS >

Use Our Helpful Online VBS Tools

VBS Planning Timeline: will help you stay on track as you plan VBS.
VBS Tips Blog: Hints & tips to help you choose and run a successful VBS. Topics for directors, teachers, and parents.
7 Steps to a Successful VBS: Report created to help you plan your most successful VBS ever.

Group's 2012 Weekend VBS: Rocky Point Lighthouse

2012-02-15T22:36:00.000-08:00

Rocky Point Lighthouse, Group's Weekend VBS™, is designed for churches that haven't done VBS, are considering skipping VBS, or can't get enough VBS! Kids learn to shine God's light during this easy VBS.

Perfect for churches where a traditional 5-day VBS isn't the answer!
Fits any church's schedule and budget!
Plan for just 6 hours total! (includes a 1-hour Sunday Celebration)
Use as a preview for your 5-day summer VBS—to attract visitors

Your Weekend VBS Kit comes complete with all you need to get started. Director and Leader Manuals provide step-by-step instructions. Plus, you’ll get student resource samples and essential media tools.

You can do a weekend VBS as a 3-day preview to get families excited about your traditional VBS. It also works great to hold before your back-to-school fall events to introduce neighborhood kids to the wonderful programs your church offers its families.

Helpful music & media tools are included in your Starter Kit! The Music Leader Version CD includes all 5 Rocky Point Lighthouse songs, and the 2-disc set gives you instrument-only tracks and bonus "Seacoast Sounds". Plus, the Program Resources DVD will allow you to see Rocky Point Lighthouse in action, includes 2 "kid story" segments to show during each session’s Lighthouse Landing...and more!

Your student resource samples will guide you in selecting the most critical (and fun) program products for your VBS kids. Inside your sample pack you’ll find Rocky, the Bible Memory Buddy, a "Shine God’s Light" Wristband, a "Shine God’s Light" Poster & Sticker set...and four other great samples!

Rocky Point Lighthouse Starter Kit: $58.49

Check back for VBS updates and new blog posts each week. Visit VBSstore.com to see all of the 2012 VBS programs and special offers. Plus download your FREE VBS Planning Guide.

2012 VBS Timeline: 4-6 Months Before Your VBS

2012-02-05T21:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to February! It's not too early to begin planning for your 2012 Vacation Bible School program. After all, summer will come sooner than we think.

Here are some things to begin doing now in preparation for your 2012 VBS. First, start praying. You may want to organize a prayer team to start praying for potential leaders and workers for your VBS. Then set a budget. Take a look at all the VBS options available and start deciding which ones look best for your church and community. Start choosing VBS Starter Kits to preview. Visit VBSstore.com to select several kits to preview for 30 days, risk free. Starter Kits have already started shipping and will continue to ship this month and those following.

Decide how many VBS programs you will hold this year. Will you do a traditional VBS plus a sports camp? Perhaps a weekend VBS? Some churches hold a VBS week during Easter break in addition to one over the summer. You may want to keep several Starter Kits so you can plan for multiple special events throughout the year.

Also pray about whether to include preschoolers in your VBS program this summer. Many of the VBS Starter Kits come with a separate preschool director's guide. Pray about who will lead your preschoolers and who God is calling as your preschool helpers. Including preschoolers can become a great way to meet new families in your neighborhood. Visit VBSstore.com to preview some of the VBS programs written especially for preschoolers such as Jesus in Nazareth and Joseph in Egypt. If you decide to hold a completely separate preschool VBS, either of these All-in-One Preschool VBS Programs will fit the bill.

Click on the VBS Planning Timeline below to see the larger and expanded view. Print a copy for each of your VBS team members.

When you order your VBS Starter Kit from VBSstore.com, you'll be guaranteed of the best price anywhere. When you spend over $99 you'll also receive FREE shipping! Visit VBSstore.com to listen to music and video clips, see the daily Bible lessons and Bible points, and download the complete VBS Planning Timeline. Watch for a VBS Comparison Chart we're putting together to help you decide which program(s) you'd like to review.

Go Fish Guys 2012: Praise VBS

2012-01-23T05:00:00.001-08:00

Praise VBS: Where Kids Get Down And Lift God High

How do you give kids a high view of God? Go Fish believes it is by modeling a high view of Scripture. As churches have come to expect, the complete curriculum kit contains everything you need to run your VBS program, including all print and promotional materials on an easy to use CD-ROM.

This is the third curriculum from Go Fish and it is evident that churches have gravitated to their unique approach to VBS. Each day kids will focus on an attribute of God (Greatness, Authority, Providence, Power & Love) and then praise Him in response. Kids will be actively using their Bibles during Praise VBS. Through the daily skits, karaoke, crafts, snacks, games, and music, kids will have an awesome time while giving God the praise only He deserves.

Featuring music from Go Fish along with Denver and the Mile High Orchestra, your kids will be movin’ and groovin’ to the praise music. Kids will love the animated character DJ Pray-Z as he leads them each day in learning some sweet new moves while learning that they exist to give God praise!

Praise VBS challenges kids to respond to God's sacrificial love with love, trust, and courageous obedience.

Praise VBS Starter Kit: $159.00 (Reg. $199.00) #794504182026

Take a look at the Praise VBS course overview below. Check back for VBS updates and new blog posts each week. Visit VBSstore.com to see all of the 2012 VBS programs and special offers.

Praise VBS Course Overview

Day 1 - Praise God For His Greatness
Scripture Focus: Daniel 2-3, Isaiah 42:8
There is no object in heaven or on earth that is worthy of our praise. After studying the biblical account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, kids will see that even King Nebuchadnezzar ended up giving praise to the one true God.
Day 2: Praise God For His Authority
Scripture Focus: Daniel 6, 2 Chronicles 20:6
There is no man that is worthy of our praise. After studying the biblical account of Daniel and the lion’s den, kids will see that even King Darius ended up giving praise to the one true God.
Day 3: Praise God For His Providence
Scripture Focus: Acts 16:16-34, Psalm 121
Even evil spirits acknowledge that there is only one true God. After Paul and Silas are thrown into jail for confronting an evil spirit they were beaten, put into shackles, and imprisoned. Once again the result was praise to God by Paul, Silas, their jailer and even his family!
Day 4: Praise God For His Power
Scripture Focus: Luke 24:1-8, Romans 6:22-23
There is nobody else who has the power to save. We are all prisoners to sin, but just like Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Daniel, Paul, and Silas we can be rescued from our shackles and give God the praise only He deserves.
Day 5: Praise God For His Love
Scripture Focus: Romans 8:39, 1 John 4:9-10, Galatians 4:6-7
God is love. His ultimate demonstration of this was sending Jesus to earth to take the punishment we deserve for our sin. By providing a way for us to be forgiven, God’s love naturally results in our giving praise back to Him. The gospel will be clearly presented on this most important day.

Regular Baptist Press: BugZone VBS 2012

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

New for 2012, BugZone VBS: Transformed by Our Big God challenges students to respond to God's wonderful love with love, trust, and courageous obedience. The BugZone theme verse expresses the desires of a person whose life has been transformed by God to thank Him, call upon Him, and tell others about Him. Starter Kits are available in KJV and NKJV Bible verse versions.

BugZone VBS challenges kids to respond to God's sacrificial love with love, trust, and courageous obedience.
BugZone VBS KJV Ultimate Starter Kit: $71.99 #9781607763727
BugZone VBS NKJV Ultimate Starter Kit: $71.99 #9781607763734

Take a look at the BugZone VBS course overview below. Check back for VBS updates and new blog posts each week. Visit VBSstore.com to see all of the 2012 VBS programs and special offers.

Concordia Publishing 2012 VBS: Amazing Desert Journey

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Take your students on an Amazing Desert Journey with Jesus in 2012. Together they will sing, pray, and play as they learn how Jesus leads and goes with them on the journey of life. These new materials from Concordia Publishing will help your volunteers plan, prepare, and produce a VBS with purpose—to teach children about their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Amazing Desert Journey Starter Kit includes everything you need to start your adventure, including sample student materials, leader materials, publicity, and crafts.

Director Materials

Director Guide (includes CD)
Preschool Leader Guide (includes CD)
Publicity Sample Pack (includes Publicity Postcard, Publicity Poster, Caravan Name Tags)

Leader Materials

Oasis Opening/Closing Leader Pack (with DVD)
Tent of Meeting Storytelling Leader Pack
Desert Travel Tunes Music Leader Guide
Desert Journey Bible Challenge Leader Pack (with CD)
Craft Bazaar Leader Pack
Marketplace Munchies Snack Leader Pack
Desert Games Leader Pack

Student Materials

Student Sample Pack (includes Student Travel Journal: Preschool Leaflets, Student Travel Journal: Elementary Leaflets, Desert Doodads Student Identifiers, Caravan Collectibles)
Craft Sample Pack (includes Share Jesus Flyer Craft, Light of Life Lantern Craft, Jesus Saves Me Sand Art Craft)

Amazing Desert Journey Starter Kit: $103.99
Take a look at the Amazing Desert Journey Starter Kit. Check back for VBS updates and sneak previews each week. Then visit vbsstore.com to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your starter kits.

2012 VBS Timeline: 6-9 Months Before Your VBS

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Begin your VBS planning with prayer. Pray with your ministry staff, organize a prayer team, and begin asking God to guide and direct your VBS planning. Next, choose your dates and time for your VBS program. If you do a VBS plus a sports camp, choose the dates for both. Put them on the church calendar and add them the church website.

Click on the VBS Timeline above to see the larger and expanded view. Visit VBSstore.com to see the VBS overviews and Scripture themes for 2012. At VBSstore.com you can listen to music and video clips, see the daily Bible lessons, find VBS hints and tips, and read our report, "Seven Steps to a Succesful VBS." You can also download a VBS Comparison Chart we've put together to help you decide which program(s) you'd like to review.

Celebrating Jesus' Birth

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

For many of us, the Christmas season is a hectic time with too much to do and not enough time to do it all. But the Christmas season is really a time of preparation for Jesus’ birth. Beginning the fourth Sunday before Christmas and continuing through Christmas Eve is a time often called the advent season. The word advent is derived from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.” The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is recognized as the first advent. The advent season is a time to prepare spiritually for the birth of Christ.

Set aside family and/or Sunday school or children’s church time to read about the preparation for Jesus and His birth in Luke 1:1-80 through 2:20. Read a few verses at a time, letting some of your good child readers alternate with adults to take turns reading the verses. Talk about how the people of so long ago must have felt as they prepared for the birth of Jesus.

You may also want to read Matthew 1:18-24. Explain that when the angel appeared to Joseph, he told him to name the Baby Jesus, “because He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means the LORD saves. (You may need to explain that "sins" are the wrong things we say and do.) This took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah: “The virgin will … give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel —which means, 'God with us.'” This Scripture is taken from Isaiah 7:14.

Let each person describe how he feels as Christmas approaches. Take time together to remember all of the reasons you have to be joyful. Sing a favorite Christmas carol or two. Close with a prayer of thanks to God for sending His Son, Jesus, to earth.

Ten Creative Ways to Thank Your Volunteers This Christmas

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here are ten simple ways to say "thanks" to your volunteers and coworkers this Christmas. Choose one or more to try with your own group. (You may want to save some for the new year.) But remember, a simple word of encouragement or a handwritten note during the year can go a long way toward boosting your volunteers' spirits while showing your appreciation for a job well done.

Ten Creative Ways to Thank Your Volunteers

1. Send each of your volunteers a Christmas card (add a few jewels or sparkling Christmas tree stickers to give your store-bought cards a hand-made flair). In addition to your hand-written greeting on the card, type a special note of appreciation highlighting the contributions of each volunteer.

2. Print a personalized Christmas certificate for each volunteer. Come up with a list of characteristics to describe each of your helpers such as, "Most thoughtful, quickest diaper changer, most organized, best hugger, most grandmotherly, calmest rocking chair moves, most soothing singer, craziest, most fun-loving, best hat-wearer, most prayerful, best game leader, fastest runner, best air-guitar player, most artistic, best finger-painter, etc.) Decorate the certificates with Christmas stickers, and have the children's director and pastor sign them. Present each certificate along with a handshake as you read the description for all to hear.

3. Have a "Build Your Own Taco" night. Provide sides of tomatoes, cheese, olives, cilantro, salsa, onions, sour cream, guacamole, and lettuce. Brown ground beef or turkey and warm up flour and corn tortillas (soft and/or hard shells). You may want to ask some parents of your students to supply beans, corn, rice, and brownies (or churros) for dessert. Say a prayer of thanks for your team before letting them fill their plates. After they eat, say a brief word of appreciation about each volunteer.

4. Purchase an inexpensive Christmas mug for each volunteer. Use a gold pen or green permanent marker to add the person's name to the mug. Fill it with a tea bag or individual coffee and a few candies.

5. Purchase a large box of inexpensive Christmas glass ball ornaments. Use a gold pen or red and green permanent markers to add the person's name to the ornament along with the word THANKS! You may want to have your church's children's director or pastor sign it. Wrap it in an attractive gift bag and tie it with a festive ribbon.

6. Have a Christmas tea for your volunteers. Serve muffins or scones along with various flavors of tea. Provide lemon, honey, cream, and sugar cubes. Borrow tea cups and saucers from church members. Let your parents decorate the tables with a festive centerpiece or small Christmas tree. Have each person at the table print his or her name on a slip of paper and place the slips in an envelope (one envelope per table). Draw one slip from each envelope and let the winners take home the centerpieces.

7. Let your students trace their handprints onto green paper and cut them out. Glue 7-8 handprints into a circle (overlapping, with the fingers pointing out) to form a wreath. Have the children print THANKS on each of the wreaths, add a red bow, and tape a ribbon hanger to the back. Have the children sign their names on the back and present the handprint wreaths to your volunteers.

8. Collect small fabric bags with ribbon drawstrings. Let your students fill each bag with chocolate Hugs™ and Kisses™ and pull the drawstring (or tie the bag with a ribbon). Have the children make small cards that say, "Hugs to you, our wonderful volunteer." Punch a hole in the corner of each card. Help the child tie the card to the ribbon. Present the candy bags to your volunteers with a word of thanks.

9. Ask your church members and parents of your students to donate $5.00 or $5.00 gift cards to your local coffee house, music store, Christian bookstore, or department store. Use the money to buy additional gift cards so you have one for each of your volunteers. Place each gift card in an envelope labeled THANKS. Let your students decorate the envelopes with drawings and stickers of Jesus' birth or nativity scenes.

10. Make traditional Christmas crackers filled with small trinkets. Collect empty toilet tissue rolls and paper towel rolls cut in half. Gather small wrapped candies, Christmas trinkets, small notepads or sticky notes, lip balm, pins, small pens, etc. Cover one end of the cardboard roll with tissue paper and secure it with a rubber band. Let your students make a small card of thanks for each of your volunteers. Fill the tube halfway with the items you have collected. Cover the entire tube with tissue paper that's longer than the tube. Twist the ends and tape them shut or use twist ties on each end. Tape a card to each Christmas cracker and give them to your volunteers with a Christmas greeting.

However you choose to thank them, Christmas is a wonderful time show your appreciation and to thank God for blessing you with your volunteers!

Celebrate Christmas with an Outreach to Your Community

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

The Church Family Christmas Celebration is a complete program book with CD-ROM to help you easily plan and organize a complete Christmas outreach to your church and community. The easy-to-use instruction guide tells you all you need to know—whether you've been planning church events for 25 years or this is your first time! Includes worship ideas, an instant Christmas pageant, promotion and programming ideas, printable family devotions, recipes for refreshments, craft instruction sheets, CD-ROM, and lots more:

Step-by-step instructions for planning and set-up
Reproducible instruction sheets and patterns
Christ-centered crafts
Worship service guides
Quick and easy decorations and centerpieces
Nativity Pageant scripts
Missions project ideas
Printable family Christmas devotions
CD-ROM included!

The Church Family Christmas Celebration can be used during the advent season to prepare the hearts of your congregation and community for Christmas. You choose the time frame and programming options that work best for your church.

The reproducible bulletin inserts, posters, song sheets, recipes, pageant instructions, and much more will help you put this memory-making event together in no time at all. When your volunteers see how well organized you are, recruiting will practically take care of itself. (The Church Family Christmas Celebration — Save $10 with Item #3031SPEC — Now just $19.95!)

Warehouse Sale This Week!

2011-11-30T21:36:00.000-08:00

Visit ChristianEdWarehouse.com for 99¢ specials on last year's VBS materials plus curriculum, music, and books. You can save up to 80% on worship bulletins, music CDs, resource books, and lots more! These items are going fast, and many are limited in quantity.

Sale items are offered on a first-come, first served basis. So hurry on in to our warehouse and get some great deals. This is an awesome way to stock your resource room before the new year at incredible prices.

Please note: These items are offered on a final sale basis, no returns, credit card only. Expedited and Priority shipping are not available.

Amazing Wonders Space Flight VBS 2012

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

New from Lifeway for 2012, Amazing Wonders Aviation VBS will take children and leaders on a tour of the wonders of God's creation. As they explore God's awesome power, you'll see lives changed. This exciting VBS program is:
Evangelistic

Shares the message of God's love with all ages
Provides witnessing resources to help kids share their faith with others
Teaches the ABCs of Becoming a Christian to grade-school kids

Easy

Serve based on your gifts and interests
Scheduling option to meet your church's needs
Easy-to-implement lesson plans
Ready-to-use decorations and crafts

Life-Changing

Sound, relevant Bible teaching
Classes & age-appropriate activities for all stages of life
Encourages real-life application; you'll see results

Kid-Friendly

Creates a themed learning environment
Provides energetic site rotations
Reinforces biblical content with hands-on activities
Scripture-based music and videos

The Sampler (Starter) Kit includes one Leader and Learner Guide for each age group from babies through preteens. Plus, it's packed with planning resources, promotional helps, music, and more to help you successfully plan your VBS.

The Super Sampler (Starter) Kit includes one Leader and Learner Guide for each age group from babies through preteens. Plus, Worship Rally resources, the Music Book, a Preschool Rotation Pack, accessories, craft pack samples, decorations, and more to help make planning VBS easy and fun. It's everything that comes in the Sampler and much more. An amazing value!

Company: Lifeway

Item #: WW857794 or ISBN L10128449X
Super Starter Kit Price: $239.99
Starter Kit Price: $84.99

Take a look at the Amazing Wonders VBS course overview below. Check back for VBS updates and sneak previews each week. Then visit vbsstore.com to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your Starter Kits.

Amazing Wonders Aviation: Awesome God! Amazing Power!

This summer, watch amazing things happen as your kids encounter God like never before. You’ll see lives changed as kids tour some of the world’s most marvelous natural wonders and learn to trust and recognize God as they explore His awesome power.
Amazing Wonders Aviation has your ticket—book your Vacation Bible School today with a VBS 2012 Super Sampler.
Watch the Amazing Wonders Aviation Overview Video

Theme Verse:

Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite. Psalm 147:5 (HCSB)

Motto:

Awesome God! Amazing Power!

Rotations:

See lives changed as kids tour some of the world’s most marvelous natural wonders and encounter God like never before.

Worship Rally Hangar
Bible Study at Victoria Falls
Missions Under the Northern Lights
Music at the Matterhorn
Crafts at the Great Barrier Reef
Recreation at the Grand Canyon
Snacks at the Paricutin Volcano

Space Quest VBS from Lifeway

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Space Quest™ VBS is a great way to give kids an out-of-this-world adventure with Jesus. The Starter Kit is jam-packed with all the samples you need to assess the needs of your church and plan a Vacation Bible School of your own. Simply order curriculum and other supplies for each class separately. Club VBS is designed for a two-hour schedule for five days or one-hour schedule for ten days and includes Bible study, crafts, and recreation/snack rotations.

Club VBS: SpaceQuest™ can be used with any Bible translation and is ideal for traditional week-long Vacation Bible School, spring or fall break events, day camps, mission trips, and any mid-week programs. As kids orbit to new heights, they will explore the mission Jesus has for them in John 14:6.

The Starter Kit contains one Leader and Learner Guide for ages babies through grade six. Order other curriculum and supplies for each class separately.

Company: Lifeway

ID #: WW7190105 or ISBN L10339457X

Space Quest™ VBS Starter Kit

Price: $119.99

Take a look at the Space Quest™ course overview below. Check back for VBS updates and sneak previews each week. Then visit vbsstore.com to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your starter kits.

Kids will have a galaxy full of fun as they learn all about Jesus’ mission for them in John 14:6. Club VBS®: SpaceQuest™ is sure to be a hit wherever you use it—whether it’s Vacation Bible School, Spring Break, Fall Break, or a midweek gathering.

Motto

Jesus: The Way, the Truth, the Life!

Scripture Verse

I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14:6

Club VBS offers:

Two-hour schedule for five days, or one-hour schedule for ten days
Bible study, crafts, and recreation/snacks rotations
Materials usable with any Bible translation
Missions stories available on the Web site as a free download
Adult SpaceQuest Bible study available on the Web site as a free download

Club VBS is ideal for:

Traditional week-long summer Vacation Bible School
Spring or fall break events
Day camps
Mission trips
Midweek programs

Rotations:

During the two-hour daily SpaceQuest™ plan, kids will attend Worship Rally and travel to three rotation sites:

Bible Study
Crafts
Recreation and Snacks

Rotation site names:

Bible Study Site
Snacks Space Station
Recreation Space Station
Crafts Space Station

Answers in Genesis: IncrediWorld VBS

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

IncrediWorld Amazement Park VBS

The mouth-watering smell of cotton candy. The electrifying sound of thrill rides. The mesmerizing sight of animal shows. Adventure at every turn!

It’s excitement galore as we head to Answers in Genesis’s IncrediWorld Amazement Park. So strap yourself in and get ready for the ride of your life!

Monday is Creation Day. They go “back to the beginning” and learn all about how God created our incredible world in six actual days. They realize that God crafted this world for His glory and to provide a place for us to live and enjoy. And you know how our kids hear time and again that over millions of years, one kind of animal has changed into another kind? At IncrediWorld, they find out that God created all plants and animals “after their kind” and that those molecules-to-man evolutionary stories are simply not true! They hear that they can trust the Bible when it says, “In the beginning, God created...”!

On Day 2, kids learn the importance of using the Bible to help us understand the world around us. They'll find out what a "worldview" is and how we need to always, always use the Bible to help us learn what is true. They'll learn to put on their "Bible glasses" so they can know right from wrong!

Day 3 at IncrediWorld is Gospel Day. Your kids will take a thrill ride through the Bible as the begin with the bad news of Genesis 3 (we're all sinners in need of a Savior) and end with the good news of the New Testament-that Jesus came to die on the cross in our place and make a way for us to spend eternity in heaven with the Creator! They'll be challenged to think about how their "ride" will end and will learn how they can receive the gift of eternal life so that they can go to heaven!

Day 4 is Design Day. They'll explore God's incredible world of wonders and learn how He amazingly designed the animals. As they look for the evidence of God's handiwork, they'll be encouraged to praise the Creator for His wonderful works. They'll learn that "it couldn't just happen-God made them that way!"

For many, Day 5 will be the most exciting day of all! It's Dinosaur Day! Dinosaurs are some of God's most amazing and BIG creatures! And kids love 'em! They'll learn all about how God created dinosaurs in the beginning and why they're not around any more. Any mystery surrounding those monstrous beasts will be cleared up in a snap! The Bible gives us the truth about dinosaurs!

IncrediWorld Amazement Park VBS Super Starter Kit

Price: $159.99

Standard Publishing 2012 VBS: Adventures on Promise Island

2011-10-24T18:27:00.000-07:00

Each day on Promise Island, kids will see God at work in the lives of Old and New Testament Bible people and realize that God’s promises are for us, too!

Kick off your sandals, sit back in the sand and explore the resources below. God’s promises never change, but your life definitely will!

The Power Pak includes:

Ultimate Decorating Pack & Guide
Publicity & Recruiting CD
God’s Promises Poster Pack
Lifeguard Lagoon Bible Story Poster Pack
Super Fun Activity Tablecloth
Activity Pad
Coconut Café Apron
Art & Decorating CD
Kid Views DVD

PLUS everything in the Starter Kit:

Director’s Guide
Preschool Director’s Guide
Planning DVD
Get Started Instructions
Samples Pack
All five site leader’s guides
Seaside Celebration Dual CD Set (Music & More)
Teacher guides for four age levels
Student books for four age levels
Exclusive Director’s Bible Pin Pal

Adventures on Promise Island:

Power Pak $199.99

Starter Kit $69.99

Take a look at the overview:

Click on the image above for a larger view.

Abingdon Press 2012 VBS: No Friend Like Jesus

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

From the African talking drum to the smart-phone, people like to stay connected with friends and family. With this new VBS program from Abingdon Press, No Friend Like Jesus: Get Connected, participants will connect with God and community in a Bible-based, social networking progression from image to profile to update to friends, ultimately sending a message about faith in Jesus Christ.

Through Scripture, music, tech-speech, movement, crafts, app daps, video, skits, and games, kids will:

Grow in positive self-image and self-worth through Jesus Christ!
Experience Christian community face-to-face and with technology!
Discover a Black Tech connection!
Be encouraged to believe that Jesus is their BFF (best friend forever)!

“Become friends with God, [God] is already a friend with you.” (2 Corinthians 5:20b, The Message)

No Friend Like Jesus VBS: Starter Kit $74.99

Take a look at the No Friend Like Jesus course overview. Check back for VBS updates and sneak previews each week. Then visit vbsstore.com to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your starter kits.

Group's Babylon VBS

2011-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

New for 2012, Group's Babylon VBS is the Bible in motion! Your kids will experience the ultimate VBS Bible-times adventure. They will learn that Daniel was way more than the guy who survived a den of hungry lions. At Babylon VBS, kids and adults will find that they're not much different from Daniel and his friends, who kept their faith in a faithless culture.

The Babylon Ultimate Starter Kit comes complete with step-by-step instructions for planning your event, recruiting and equipping volunteers, setting a daily program schedule, and turning your church into a Bible-times adventure.

Babylon VBS Ultimate Starter Kit: $112.50 (Reg. Price $124.99)

Take a look at the Babylon VBS course overview below. Check back for VBS updates each week. Visit VBSstore.com to see all of the 2012 VBS programs and descriptions.

Bible Point: When things change, God is with you.

Key Verse: "For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.' " (Hebrews 13:5)

Bible Point: When you need help, God is with you.

Key Verse: "God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." (Psalm 46:1)

Bible Point: When you're afraid, God is with you.

Key Verse: "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God." (Isaiah 41:10)

Bible Point: When you're lonely, God is with you.

Key Verse: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

Bible Point: When you're thankful, God is with you.

Key Verse: Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Group's Sky VBS

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine kids trusting God forever... the sky's the limit!

New for 2012, Group's Sky VBS transforms your church into the boundless blue sky! Your kids will discover that by trusting God, everything is possible:

No matter who you are...
No matter how you feel...
No matter what people do...
No matter what happens...
No matter where you are...

Trust God!

Sky VBS Ultimate Starter Kit comes complete with step-by-step instructions for planning your event, recruiting and equipping volunteers, setting a daily program schedule, and turning your church into an awesome, high-flying adventure.

Sky VBS Ultimate Starter Kit: $157.99

Take a look at the Sky VBS course overview below. Check back for VBS updates each week. Check back here at vbstips.blogspot.com for VBS updates and more VBS sneak previews. We're adding more every week. Then visit vbsstore.com to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your starter kits.

Sky VBS Bible Points

You'll reinforce Bible learning in a big way because the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into each activity. That's why each day is so important to the overall learning experience.

	Bible Point: No matter who you are…trust God! Bible Verse: "People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 7) Bible Story: A Roman officer has faith in Jesus. (Matthew 8:5-13)
	Bible Point: No matter how you feel…trust God! Bible Verse: "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God..." (John 14:1) Bible Story: Jesus brings Lazarus back to life. (John 11)
	Bible Point: No matter what people do…trust God! Bible Verse: "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles." (Isaiah 40:31). Bible Story: Jesus is arrested and put on trial. (Matthew 26:36-27:31)
	Bible Point: No matter what happens…trust God! Bible Verse: "And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love." (Romans 8:38) Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life. (Matthew 27:32-28:20)
	Bible Point: No matter where you are…trust God! Bible Verse: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) Bible Story: Jesus makes a beachside breakfast for his friends. (John 21:1-14)

Gospel Light's VBS Sneak Preview: SonRise National Park

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Next summer, get ready for exciting wilderness thrills as you take your kids to beautiful SonRise National Park VBS. Kids will be awestruck by snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls, flowering meadows, soaring eagles, and herds of caribou.

As kids explore SonRise National Park, they'll learn the most important survival skill of all: they can always depend on Jesus and His promises of true peace, true riches, true power, true love, and true hope!

Best of all, as kids journey through the park, they will learn to trust Jesus as their all-powerful guide and Savior.

SonRise Super Starter Kit ($300 value): $199.99

SonRise VBS Starter Kit ($150 value): $79.99

Take a look at the SonRise VBS course overview. Click on the image below for a larger version. Check back here at vbstips.blogspot.com for VBS updates and more sneak previews each week. Then visit vbsstore.com to compare VBS programs, view details, and order your starter kits. Most kits ship in December.

Preparing for Harvest

2011-09-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

Use harvest season decorations to give your church a new, inviting look for fall. Add borders such as this Autumn in Clay Border around doorways and windows as well for traditional bulletin board trims.

Choose creative church members to select ideas from the following suggestions. They also may have some creative ideas of their own, using items available in your community. The helpers can do the decorations themselves or form a decorating committee. Have your Sunday school classes, Bible clubs, mom's groups and others meeting at your church make harvest decorations to spruce up your church.

Cut leaf shapes in various colors and sizes to use as wall decorations and name tags for your harvest events. (Or, if you prefer not to have to cut out leaves yourself, pick up a few Falling Leaves Designer Cutouts instead. They come in a package of 36.)

Make pumpkin garlands from orange construction paper. Use the garlands along with orange, green, and brown crepe paper around doorways, windows, hung from the ceiling, and as runners across table tops. Decorate your bulletin boards with Pumpkin Borders (35 feet of trim).

Ask families to bring in harvest items from home to decorate hallways, windowsills, shelves, and table tops: pumpkins, gourds, miniature bales of hay, colorful leaves, nuts, apples, squash, dried corn husks, scarecrows, baskets, bushel barrels, cornucopias, colorful rocks, pussy willows, fall flowers, etc. Make a large banner for one or more walls that reads, "The Harvest Is the Lord's." Post a similar banner at the children's eye level for your young students to decorate with crayons or markers.

Have children draw pictures of people for whom they are thankful. Hang the pictures on the walls after they are signed by their artists. Hang Harvest Attendance Charts in your classrooms. These come with 1400 matching stickers.

Draw harvest fruits and vegetables onto construction paper. Cut them out and hang them from drinking straws or dowel rods to make mobiles. Hang extra shapes from ceilings, windows, and in doorways.

Collect canned food to give to a local homeless shelter or food pantry. Let your students decorate large collection boxes to place around your church campus. Have bundles of dried corn stalks standing nearby. Arrange pumpkins, squash, and dried gourds around the base. Use these as collection spots for your food drive.

For more harvest decorating and outreach ideas, take a look at A Church Family Harvest Celebration program book with CD-ROM from Christian Ed Warehouse.

If your church holds a harvest festival or other fall event, invite your community to join your congregation. Then invite the visitors to return for worship, Sunday school, and Bible clubs!

Choosing Teams Creatively

2011-08-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few creative ways to let your students choose teams or partners so nobody is left out or chosen last.

Use a deck of children's playing cards such as GO FISH or OLD MAID. Hand out a card to each student and have them pair up with the person who has a matching card.
Cut several cereal box fronts into four or five large puzzle pieces. Hand one piece to each child. The children with the interlocking pieces are on the same team. Have a race to see which team can complete its puzzle first.
Group students according to birth months. If you have a smaller group of students, have January through June form one team and July through December form the other.
Ask students to hold one hand behind their backs with 1-4 fingers pointing out. Group students in odd or even groups or group by numbers if you need four groups.
Line up students alphabetically and split the line into equal groups. Vary lining up by first, last, and middle names.
Give each child a piece of hard candy (red, purples, yellow, green, etc.) to eat. Have the children stick out their tongues to form groups of similar colors.

Main Street VBS: Prodigal Son Craft

2011-08-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Let your students make a story wheel to help them remember the story of the Prodigal Son from Day 4 of Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street VBS. Bring a dinner-size paper plate and a paper fastener for each child and copy the pattern page below. Provide scissors, crayons or markers, and glue. Talk about the story of the Prodigal Son to help the children review the story events.

Have the children cut out the word strips, the arrow and the story circle. Let them glue the story circle in the middle of the paper plate and glue the corresponding word strip next to each picture. Let older children help younger ones read the word strips and match them to the pictures. Punch a hole in the arrow as indicated. Poke a hole in the middle of the paper plate. Help each child add the arrow to the plate with the paper fastener.

Talk about the events in the Bible story as the children move their arrows to the appropriate picture. Then say the memory verse together a few times.

Click on the image below to download the craft pattern for just $3.99. Then make as many copies as you need for your students.

Click on the image above to download the craft.

VBS Appreciation Idea & Thank-You Note

2011-07-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Print this thank-you card to let your VBS volunteers know they are appreciated. Feel free to replace the star with your own VBS logo. Then copy or print the page for every two workers and cut the page in half. Fold each card in half and add a personal note or VBS memory inside.

For an inexpensive gift, purchase an All-Stars for Jesus water bottle for each of your volunteers. Place a plastic bag of chocolate hugs or jellybeans or a single-serving sports drink mix inside. Twist the lid back on. Punch a hole in the card and slip a ribbon through the hole. Tie the ribbon around the water bottle. Give a bottle to each of your workers on the last day of VBS (or midweek so they can use the water bottle during VBS). Explain that you appreciated the way the volunteers helped the children feel like stars in Jesus' eyes. Then present a bottle to each worker.

Click on the image above to download the card.

VBS Clearance Sale This Week

2011-07-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

We're clearing out our warehouse and you'll save 30%-50% on leftover VBS items this week. Hurry! Quantities are extremely limited. We have Pandamania Memory Buddies, Bamboo Border Trim, Pal's Bible Play Pack, Gold Rush Super Starter Kits, MegaSports Go the Distance Water Bottles with Gospel Balls, SonSurf Magnets, High Seas Outdoor Banners, and lots more!

These items will sell out quickly so don't miss the chance to save big. As our blog readers, we're giving you advance notice of the sale. For you, it begins today. Visit our VBS Sale now.

VBS Follow-Up Program: All-Stars for Jesus

2011-07-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

Winding down your VBS program? Looking for a way to invite those same children back to your church for another exciting event? Take a look at All-Stars for Jesus Bible Clubs. There's a Bible club program for children from age two through grade six. Plus, Christian Ed. Publishers has downloadable programs for middle school and high school with the reproducible Bible Basics and Christian Basics curriculum.

God loves his children. He commanded parents to "train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6). We want each child to know that he or she is a star in Jesus' eyes, no matter what the child's skills and abilities are. Jesus loves children just as they are. Share that love with the children in your community. Begin a Bible club program at your church or in your neighborhood. It's easy to get started.

All-Stars for Jesus Bible Clubs are designed to help churches and parents teach children to know God, to believe in Jesus as their Savior, and to live for Him. All-Stars for Jesus Bible Clubs help children to feel loved and accepted so they, in turn, can share the love of Jesus with their friends and families. Researchers say that 43% of people who are Christians accepted Christ as Savior before the age of 13! We want to help you reach that 43%...and more!

Bible clubs also offer a non-threatening place for children who might never attend a regular church service or Sunday school class to learn about Jesus in a fun, casual atmosphere. In a whole where children are exposed to a variety of bad influences coming from all directions, All-Stars for Jesus Bible Clubs are places of love and encouragement, where kids can safely learn how to say no to those bad influences and learn how to live a victorious life in Christ!

So...what exactly IS All-Stars for Jesus?

All-Stars for Jesus provides everything you need for an exciting ministry to children!

All-Stars for Jesus is:

A multi-use Bible curriculum in a fun club environment for age 2 through grade 6, with an optional awards program.
A program that provides solid Bible teaching in a fun and interesting way for kids—one that directs them to know and follow Jesus.
Curriculum that is easy to teach and includes helpful options for teachers, giving you maximum flexibility.
Age appropriate memory verses to help children hide God's Word in their hearts.
Bible- and curriculum-based, rather than activity-based. Each part of the lesson focuses on God, Jesus, and God's Word.
Age appropriate and fun for kids of all ages.
Bible-centered—every activity helps kids focus on God's Word and begin to share what they learn with others.
A way to help churches reach the children and families in their communities for Christ.

The All-Stars for Jesus Bible Club program is designed to lead children from age two through sixth grade to a personal faith in Jesus, to teach them about God's love and care, to encourage them to grow spiritually, and to give them a solid biblical foundation for their lives.

All-Stars for Jesus partners with churches to extend their outreach from just Sunday school to mid-week, Sunday evening, or other times children can gather to learn about Jesus. All-Stars meetings are fun, less formal time with a variety of interesting and fun activities to direct the child's attention to God's Word. The optional awards program offers a further way to extend the Bible learning into the home.

What unique features does All-Stars for Jesus have?

Each All-Stars for Jesus age-level Flex-lesson Leader's Guide has everything you need for two meetings a week—to use for Sunday morning and mid-week, Sunday evening and after-school Bible club, or whenever great Bible lessons are needed. Or, you have extra options for one meeting a week!

Easy-Trac meeting plans direct the leader step-by-step through each weekly program, and let you see at a glance which activities and materials to use.
The optional awards program provides more opportunities for kids to learn about Jesus by completing Bible learning activities in their award books at home. When each activity is completed, children earn colorful awards to place on a cap or pennant. Plus, each child could have ALL first-year awards for as low as 82 cents per week!
All-Stars for Jesus offers not only five age-level programs for children age 2 through grade 6, but also the All-Stars Explorers program for combined grades 1 through 6 in one classroom and the Preschool All-in-One Kit for combined ages 2-5 plus reproducible activity sheets.
There are no membership fees, dues, or doctrinal requirements—just fun, Bible-based, solid Christian learning.
The All-Stars Promo Kits (included with your Starter Kits) offer great resources to promote your clubs: promotional posters, clip art, fundraising ideas, and club kickoff plans!
All-Stars for Jesus offers lots of colorful "fun stuff" as gifts, awards, and promotions.
All-Stars for Jesus is an affordable program. The Flex-Lesson Leader's Guide provides two lessons a week!
Christian Ed Warehouse offers Standing Orders on All-Stars for Jesus quarterly curriculum so you don't even have to remember to order! Plus, Standing Orders receive FREE shipping on their orders over $150.
There is no requirement that you use all available materials—just choose the options that will work best with your group and your finances.

Does all this sound like something you would like for your church? Visit AllStarsforJesus.com and order your Starter Kits for a 60-day risk-free review! Or download FREE samples of each age level before you purchase the kits. Use Coupon Code ASFJ10 to save $10 on each age level Starter Kit. May God bless you as you lead children and their families to a personal relationship with Jesus.

Go Fish Guys: Kickin' It Old School VBS Snacks

2011-07-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

These are the daily themes that go along with each day of the Kickin’ It Old School VBS. You can also download the Day 1 Bible Lesson for FREE by visiting our website,ChristianEdWarehouse.com. We've written some snack ideas for each of these lessons. Feel free to modify them as you wish. Some of your creative volunteers may come up with additional snack ideas to reinforce each day's theme. Here are a few to get you started:
Day 1 - This Is My Father's World - God Is Our Creator
Serve fresh fruit and vegetable sticks with ranch dip or yogurt. Talk about how God planned for good foods to grow for us to eat. Let the children name some of God's other wonderful creations as they eat.

Day 2 - Before The Throne Of God - God Is Our King
Serve rice cereal and marshmallow treat bars. Cut each rectangular bar in half with a zig-zag to create a crown shape. Then let the children decorate their crown snacks with colorful candies or small pieces of colorful dried fruit. Talk about God as our King as the children eat.

Day 3 - I Love To Tell The Story - Jesus Is Our Savior
Cut cheese slices into cross shapes or use pretzel sticks stuck through a mini-marshmallow to let each child make a cross. (Make the crosses beforehand for your preschoolers. Use three pretzels for each cross. Break one pretzel in half for each of the cross beams. Break the top off another pretzel and eat the top. The whole pretzel will be the bottom section and the broken pretzel will be the top. Stick each section into the marshmallow to make the cross.) Let the children explain that Jesus died on a cross and came alive again to save us from sin.

Day 4 - I'm A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord - God Is Our Truth
Today's theme is God's power. So serve power bars or fruit bars along with power shakes (frozen fruit mixed with yogurt or ice cream in a blender). Talk about God's power and what it means to be a soldier in the army of God.

Day 5 - The Solid Rock - God Is Our Rock
For your final VBS day, let the children make edible cinnamon bread rocks. Prepare a mixture of one tablespoon cinnamon with one cup of granulated sugar. Stir until mixed well. In a separate bowl, melt one stick of butter or margarine. Give each child a small amount of bread dough on a piece of parchment paper. Have the child print his name on the paper. Let the child knead the dough, forming it into a rock shape. Have him dip the bread dough into the butter (or spray it with cooking spray) and then roll it in the cinnamon mixture and place it back on his parchment. Place all parchments on a cookie sheet. Bake 8 minutes at 400º, then reduce heat to 350º and bake an additional 2-3 minutes, until bread is done. Let the rocks cook before eating. Let the children describe how God is our solid Rock while the bread cools.

TIP: Use registration cards when children sign up for your VBS to record any allergies they may have. See the VBS Registration Ideas post for registration cards you can print out for your VBS program. Include any allergy information on the child's name tag so all VBS helpers are aware of the allergy. You can substitute items or omit dairy products from the snacks if you have children who are allergic to milk or dairy.

Follow Up VBS with a Harvest Outreach Program

2011-06-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

VBS may be just around the corner, but it's not too soon to start planning for a follow-up program. Get new families to come back to your church with a fun, faith-building fall festival or Halloween alternative. On the last day of your VBS program, hand out invitations to your fall festival. (Reproducible bulletin inserts, posters, and flyers are included on the CD-ROM.)

This flexible program can also be used for a Thanksgiving service of Psalms, an easy-to-do pageant about the story of Ruth, an optional puppet skit, ice-breakers, service projects, and more!

If you're looking for harvest ideas, a Thanksgiving program, fall festival games, crafts, and outreach ideas, take a look at the Church Family Harvest Celebration outreach program with lots of reproducibles on CD-ROM. (Including the coloring pages shown below.)

This easy-to-use instruction guide tells you all you need to know—whether you've been planning church events for 25 years or this is your first time! Includes promotion and programming ideas, recipes for refreshments, games, craft instruction sheets, recipes, and lots more. Take a look at the contents and view sample pages from the Church Family Harvest Celebration.

Here are just a few of the ways you can use this flexible program:

Perfect for Back-to-School, Thanksgiving, or Halloween alternative
Step-by-step instructions for planning and set-up
Reproducible instruction sheets and patterns
Christ-centered games and crafts
Quick and easy decorations and centerpieces
Missions project ideas

Try out these coloring pages from the Church Family Harvest Celebration. There are two separate coloring pages in this file. Each coloring page has a memory verse. There is a coloring page in the file for the New International Version and a separate page for the King James Version. If you use a different Bible version than the ones given, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer.

You can make as many copies of these coloring pages as you need for your children's program. Click on either image below to download the harvest coloring pages. Visit our Sunday school downloads store for more coloring pages, crafts, and puzzle downloads—many as low as $1.99 each! We even have coloring pages and crafts designed especially for your VBS program. Visit our VBS downloads store for more downloads especially for vacation Bible school. May God bless you as you prepare to teach children (and their families) about the harvest season and how much God loves them.

Go the Distance Coloring Pages

2011-06-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for Go the Distance, the Mega Sports Camp VBS. There is a coloring page for each day—a total of five plus a cover page. The coloring pages have the daily memory verse portion and the lesson focus and Scripture. Each day we've added a few more words to the verses so by Day 5 both verses, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, are shown in their entirety.

This set of coloring pages contains memory verses in the New International Version. If you use a different Bible version than the onesgiven, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer. Each coloring page shows a picture of the Bible story about Paul being taught that day. There are five coloring pages plus a cover page—all for just $4.99 per set. Best of all, you can make as many copies of these pages as you need!

You may want to make a coloring booklet for each child with coloring pages for each day stapled together. At the end of your VBS week, your students will have a booklet with the entire VBS Bible stories and memory verses—a fun keepsake reminder of their week at your Go the Distance Vacation Bible School.

If you have another VBS program for which you’d like coloring pages, just leave a comment. (Hometown Nazareth coloring pages were posted October 11, SonSurf Beach Bash coloring pages were posted October 19, 2010, coloring pages for PandaMania were posted November 9, 2010, and Main Street coloring pages were posted April 11, 2011.)

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit VBSstore.com for more information and to order your Starter Kits. To view additional reproducible coloring pages, crafts, and puzzles, visit our VBS Downloads Store.

You can make as many copies of these coloring pages as you need for your VBS program. May God bless you as you prepare to teach children (and their families) about Jesus' love for them!

(Click on the image above to download the pages.)

Creating a Preschool-Friendly VBS

2011-06-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Setting up VBS for Preschoolers

Young children who have not attended VBS before may not be comfortable with some of the large group activities planned for your elementary VBS. You can help by setting up specific preschool areas for the Bible story, free play, crafts, games, and snacks. It may help to divide your preschoolers (or any of your young students from age two to five) into groups of 8-10, with an adult or youth leader for each group. The groups can rotate through each activity station, combining with other preschool groups for the Bible story, games, and snacks.

It may also help to have a "quiet room" with puzzles, coloring pages, and picture books for your toddlers and preschoolers. Children who finish the craft early or who tire of the large-group activity can spend time in the quiet room reading picture books or doing quiet activities with an adult or youth helper.

If your VBS begins with elementary children and preschoolers together for a time of opening music, be prepared to have one or two helpers take younger children to your preschool classroom for free play if the large group setting (or the loud music) becomes overwhelming.

Use similar VBS-themed decorations for your preschool rooms as you use for your elementary VBS. Just make sure to use decorations without small parts that your little ones can swallow. A good test is to use only those items that are too large to fit inside a cardboard paper towel tube.

Place an attendance chart in your preschool area(s). Give each child a sticker as he enters and help him place it in the appropriate square on the chart. (Some children may prefer not to do this, which is fine. A helper can add stickers for them instead.) An attendance chart can be a wonderful distraction for your twos and threes who may have difficulty saying goodbye to Mom. Greet the child by name (stoop down so you can look him in the eye), help him say goodbye and give Mom a hug, then hand him a sticker and help him find his name on the chart. You can purchase themed VBS stickers as well as Bible stickers, cross stickers, glitter stickers, and colorful attendance and memory verse charts from ChristianEdWarehouse.com.

Free Play for Preschoolers

Provide the following toys and supplies for your preschool free play area(s). Ask church members and preschool leaders for donations. Make sure they label their items if they want them to be returned after VBS. Conclude your free-play time with a bathroom break.

Blocks: Wooden, plastic, or cardboard blocks in different sizes, shapes, and colors; toy people and animals; toy vehicles; manipulative building toys; but nothing with sharp edges or small parts.

Art: Crayons, washable markers, and chalk; white paper and construction paper; poster paper taped along a wall and over tables for murals; paper shapes for coloring and decorating; stickers; tape for hanging artwork from walls and ceiling.

Disguises: Costumes, shoes, masks, scarves, capes, plastic sunglasses, purses and bags, and dress-up clothes for boys and girls.

Dramatic Play: Dolls, doll clothes, plastic cell phones, toy cameras, stuffed animals, small chairs or large pillows, doll beds, dishes, toy food, doll strollers, plastic shopping carts.

Books: Various picture books showing items familiar to young children such as nature, farm animals, pets, friends, family, church, preschool, etc. Include several VBS theme-related picture books, if available.

Puzzles: Colorful cardboard and wooden framed puzzles with 25 pieces or less, some with knobs.

Use the new Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS from Christian Ed. Publishers this summer to supplement your elementary VBS program from Group, Hometown Nazareth. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. You can view samples and take a look at the contents and course overview for the Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS. Order the spiral-bound book with CD or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version.

Now you're on your way to a fun-filled, stress-free VBS for your young toddlers and preschoolers!

SonSurf Beach Bash VBS Active Relay Game

2011-06-06T05:00:00.001-07:00

Here's a fun, active relay for your SonSurf Beach Bash VBS. Divide the students into teams. Provide a sponge and a clear jar for each team. Mark a start line at one end of the play area. Place a bucket of water for each team at the start line.

Place a clear jar for each team at the other end of the play area. Give the first player on each team a sponge. At your signal, the players, dip their sponges in the water, race to the clear jar, and squeeze out as much water as possible into the jar.

The players then race back to the next player on their team and hand him the sponge. That player dips the sponge into the water, races to the clear jar, and squeezes out as much water as possible into the jar. The player then runs back and hands the sponge to the next player on the team. Play continues until one jar is filled to overflowing with water. That team wins the game. Pour out the water from the jars and play as many rounds as time allows.

Encourage good sportsmanship and teamwork as the children play. Compliment those who cheer on others and use kind words.

Jesus in Nazareth VBS Snack Ideas

2011-05-30T19:23:00.000-07:00

We've created some snack suggestions for your Nazareth VBS. Feel free to modify them as you wish. Some of your creative volunteers may come up with additional snack ideas. Here are a few to get you started:

Day 1

Serve fruit such as apples, grapes, figs, berries, and dates. Give each child a paper bowl and spoon. Let the child choose which fruits to add to his bowl. The fruit can be accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt (optional). Explain that these fruits are similar to those Jesus and his family may have eaten in Nazareth.

Day 2

Serve birthday cake and ice cream. Let the children sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus before you serve the cake. As the children eat, talk about what a special snack this is. Remind them that God planned for Jesus to be born and God gave Him the name "Jesus." Explain that each child was given a name when he was born, too. Talk about how special each person is in God's sight. Say the Bible verse (Isaiah 43:1) together.

Day 3

Prepare small pita pockets cut in half. Let each child fill the pocket with cheese, ham, or turkey (or have them already filled). You may want to provide olives, tomatoes, and lettuce for condiments. As the children eat, talk about how God gave Jesus a home. Explain that these foods are things Jesus may have eaten at his home. Let the children thank God for their homes before eating.

Day 4

Today’s story is about how Jesus went to the temple-church. Provide flatbread with tomato sauce and melted cheese on top (or serve flatbread cheese pizza cut into small pieces). As the children eat, talk about how they can go to church just as Jesus did. Include an invitation to your church services for each child to take home.

Day 5

Cut cheese slices into fun shapes. Serve with crackers and grapes. Talk about the memory verse (Galatians 5:13) as the children help put out napkins and cups. Let the children take turns serving others crackers, cheese, and grapes before they eat their own snacks. Compliment those children who serve cheerfully.

TIP: Use registration cards when children sign up for your VBS to record any allergies they may have. See the previous post for registration cards you can print out for your VBS program. Include any allergy information on the child's name tag so all VBS helpers are aware of the allergy. You can substitute items or omit dairy products from the snacks if you have children who are allergic to milk or dairy.

PandaMania Ideas

2011-05-19T21:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun decorating idea for your PandaMania VBS program. Have a creative member of your church or community paint a large mural backdrop. This one is from the San Diego Zoo. Then use the backdrop as a background for group photos during your VBS week.

Bible Memory Buddies are definitely must-haves for your VBS week. Each child receives one buddy each day during your PandaMania VBS. You might give them out each day after the children attempt to say the daily memory verse. Kids love the fun shapes and bright colors of the buddies, plus the day's Bible verse helps them hide God's Word in their hearts. They often keep the buddies for years to come. The memory verse is included on the colorful Bible Memory Buddy, giving the children a Scripture reminder of what they learned during the day. The memory makers can be strung on a chenille stem half (pipe cleaner) so they can be taken home as a keepsake at the end of your VBS week.

SonSurf Beach Bash VBS Sand Candle Craft

2011-05-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Before your VBS begins, cut the bottom two inches off an empty water bottle for each child. Cover the cut edge with electrical tape to prevent scratching. Do not use masking or painter's tape, since they are flammable. Save the top portion of the bottle for a future craft. (Cover the cut edge of the top with tape, too.)

Cover the work area with newspaper. Give each child a water bottle bottom with the cut edge taped. Let each child use a permanent marker to print his name on the outside. Then help him fill the bottle with colored sand or salt (or rice) to the halfway point. If you have time, bring 2/3 cup of sand (or salt or rice) in a sealable plastic bag for each child, let him add several drops of food coloring, and knead it until it is all colored. Children may alternate colors of sand, if they wish. Talk about Psalm 139:17-18 as the children work.

Say, "God’s thoughts of love toward us are more numerous than these grains of sand. We are so precious to Him! He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us -- He loves us so much!" Give each child a tea light candle (optional). Say, "Only light your candle with your parent’s permission. Never leave a burning candle by itself. When you see your candle, remember that Jesus died and came alive again just for you, and you are very precious to Him."

VBS 2011 Coloring Pages

2011-05-02T05:00:00.001-07:00

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for the 2011 VBS programs.

For each program, there is a coloring page for every day of VBS—a total of five pages. Each coloring page has the daily memory verse and the Bible theme. If you have younger children, you can feel free to shorten the verse by whiting out (or taping over) the final phrase before copying the coloring page. Each coloring page shows a picture to complement the Bible memory verse or Bible point for that day. The coloring pages come in sets of five pages for just $4.99 per set. The best part is, you can make as many copies as you need!

For Nazareth, there is a set of coloring pages for the New Living Translation, a separate set for the New International Version, and a separate set for the King James Version. (The NLT is the version used on the Bible memory makers.)

(Click on the images above to go to the download pages—NLT is on the left, NIV is on the right, and KJV is on the bottom.)

For your SonSurf VBS, there is a set of coloring pages for the New International Version and a separate set for the King James Version. (The NIV verses are used on the Connection Cards and other SonSurf printed materials.)

(Click on the images above to download the pages—

KJV is on the left and NIV is on the right)

For the Main Street VBS, every coloring page has a portion of the daily memory verse, I Timothy 4:12. Each day we've added a few more words to the verse so by Day 5 the entire verse is shown. There is a set of coloring pages for the New International Version and a separate set for the King James Version. (These are the versions used on the Bible memory posters.)

(Click the images above to download the pages—

KJV is on the left and the NIV is on the right)

For the PandaMania VBS, there is a coloring page for the New International Version and one for the New Living Version. At the end of your VBS week, your students will have all five of the memory verses—a fun keepsake reminder of their week at vacation Bible school.

(Click images above to download the PandaMania coloring pages—

NLT is on the left and the NIV is on the right)

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit VBSstore.com for more information and to order your starter kits. Watch for more coloring pages coming soon (Gold Rush, Mega Sports Camp: Go the Distance, and Kickin' It Old School).

PandaMania VBS Snacks

2011-04-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun snacks you can make for your PandaMania VBS.

The Bible Point for Day 3 of PandaMania VBS is "God watches over you." The Bible story is about Jonah trying to run from God. Prepare your snack in clear plastic cups. Use blue gelatin and fill the cup about half way. Let the gelatin sit for 10-20 minutes. Then add gummy fish and cover with the rest of the gelatin. After the gelatin sets, serve the snacks. You may want to add a few goldfish crackers on top. Add a dollop of whipped cream on top for any children who would like their snack to look like the stormy waves in the water before Jonah was tossed overboard. Talk about the story of Jonah and the big fish as the children enjoy their snack.

For another fun snack, make your favorite cupcakes. Use green muffin liners, if you have them. Let the cupcakes cool completely. Then decorate them with green frosting. Place the frosting in a plastic bag, snip off the end, let out most of the air, and seal (or almost seal) the bag. Pipe onto the cupcake, lifting straight up to form grass-like strands of frosting. To make a Panda face, place a large marshmallow on top of the cupcake. Use white frosting to add two chocolate chips (upside down) for eyes and two pieces of a chocolate cookie for ears. Combine this sweet snack with pretzel sticks or fruit.

SonSurf VBS Ideas

2011-04-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

The large SonSurf Coloring Mural is a great way to involve all your kids in your beach bash! Let your students color the large 77" x 44" mural before VBS to introduce them to the theme (and to help decorate your hallways). Or you can hang the mural during VBS and have children color it as they arrive each day. Place some old boogie boards or subskates near the mural for kids to stand on while they color.

Tape one mural to the wall in your preschool room (at the children's eye level) and let your little ones add SonSurf Stickers (pack of 10) and color the mural during their free play times.

Nazareth VBS Ideas

2011-04-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bible Memory Makers are a great way to help reinforce the memory verse each day during your Nazareth VBS. Every child receives one memory maker each day. The memory verse is included on the colorful Bible Memory Maker—giving the children a Scripture reminder of what it means to follow Jesus. During the home-town huddle, the tribe leader presents the daily Bible Memory Maker to each child who makes an attempt to say the memory verse. The memory makers can be tied together with a chenille stem half (pipe cleaner) so they can be taken home as a keepsake at the end of your VBS week.

Reinforce good behavior with this tip: Use the shekels as rewards for kind, helpful behavior during each day of your VBS. Explain to the children that those who are caught being helpful each day will receive an extra coin for that day. Then encourage tribe leaders and shopkeepers to reward thoughtful behavior with a shekel (one extra coin for each child each day). Shekels can be used in the marketplace—children give each shopkeeper a shekel as they enter the shop. Have shopkeepers recycle the coins back to tribe leaders (or to the designated Nazareth Tax Collector) at the end of each day so the tribes have plenty for the next day.

Let each child decorate a coin pouch with fabric paint and markers during your first day of VBS. (Or have a few crafty church members sew a small pouch for each child). Make sure the child puts his name on the pouch (you may also want him to add his tribe name or give each tribe a different color coin pouch). Once the pouch dries, let the child carry his shekels in his pouch each day. But have the children leave their pouches in a designated place at the end of each day so the pouches aren't forgotten at home. The final day of your Nazareth VBS the children can take home their pouches along with the crafts they've made during the week.

Preschool Jesus in Nazareth VBS

2011-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Use this new Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS from Christian Ed. Publishers to supplement your elementary Hometown Nazareth VBS program this summer. Written especially for 2- to 5-year-olds, this five-day preschool VBS program from Christian Ed Publishers includes Bible stories, snacks, crafts, and games with reproducible student sheets and colorful visuals on CD-ROM. Your little ones can travel to the Marketplace before the older children but can also enjoy the stories of Jesus (from birth to resurrection) written at their own level. Crafts and games in the Preschool Leader’s Guide are preschool-friendly.

The preschool VBS program is completely flexible and makes a wonderful supplement to your elementary program. So if you want to have your preschoolers play some of the “Pyramid Playground” games planned for the elementary children, they can! (The Fun and Games Leader Manual and the Shopkeeper Leader Manual for the Marketplace are sold separately.) Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS is a great way to include your younger children with activities written just for them.

The Preschool VBS Leader’s Guide includes decorating ideas, tips for working with preschoolers, a suggested rotation schedule, and a reproducible preschool sign-in sheet. The CD-ROM contains separate job descriptions for your Snack Leader, Bible Story Leader, Games Leader, and Crafts Leader. You can print instructions for the leaders each day of your VBS so they can collect any needed supplies and decide which options to use. The CD-ROM also includes registration cards, safety tips, a course overview, coloring pages with NLT, NIV and KJV memory verses, “How to Lead a Child to Christ,” storytelling tips, recruiting ideas, and lots more.

Preview samples and take a look at the contents of this VBS written especially for preschoolers. Jesus in Nazareth Preschool VBS from Christian Ed. Publishers includes a Preschool Leader’s Guide plus CD-ROM...all for only $29.95! Or, if you need it tomorrow, order the download version. Bring the feel of ancient Nazareth to your preschool VBS this summer, and help your little ones understand that God sent His Son to live and die and come alive again for them. May God bless you as you begin your VBS adventure in Nazareth and teach children (and families) about God's Son, Jesus!

Main Street Coloring Pages

2011-04-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some coloring pages we’ve created for Main Street VBS. There is a coloring page for each day—a total of five plus a cover page. The coloring pages have the daily memory verse portion and the lesson focus. Each day we've added a few more words to the verses so by Day 5 both verses, Psalm 25:4-5, are shown in their entirety.

There is a set of coloring pages for the New International Version and a separate set for the King James Version. If you use a different Bible version than the ones given, feel free to cut off or white out the verse and replace it with the version you prefer. Each coloring page shows a picture of the Bible story being taught that day or Jesus teaching that Bible point. There are five coloring pages plus a cover page—all for just $4.99 per set. Best of all, you can make as many copies of these pages as you need!

Check back each week for additional coloring pages—we’re working on a set for the other 2011 VBS programs, too. (Hometown Nazareth coloring pages were posted October 11, SonSurf Beach Bash coloring pages were posted October 19, and coloring pages for PandaMania were posted November 9.) If you have another VBS program for which you’d like coloring pages, just leave a comment.

If you’d like to take a look at any of these VBS Starter Kits, visit VBSstore.com for more information and to order your Starter Kits.

You can make as many copies of these coloring pages as you need for your VBS program. May God bless you as you prepare to teach children (and their families) about Jesus' love for them!

(Click on the images above to download the pages—KJV is on the left and NIV is on the right)

PandaMania VBS Decorating Ideas

2011-03-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Dye old bed sheets shades of green. Ask your church members…they may have old sheets with rips or stains they no longer use. Staple or pin the washed and dyed sheets to the ceiling for a jungle canopy effect. Tape some of the sheets to your walls (about waist high) to resemble tall grass.

Twist green and black or brown streamers to look like vines. Drape them around the room. Tuck plush jungle and rainforest animals among the vines. Scatter a few green or brown shag area rugs around the room. Use the Vine Pop-It Border to decorate your hallways and classroom walls with a 3-D vine look.

Mosquito netting can hang from a wall or corner of the room with a few plush animals tucked in it. Bring in a hammock or two for children (or volunteers) to relax in during their free time.

Hang the Bamboo Fabric Backdrop as room dividers, wall coverings, or backdrops for your photo display. An instant, panda-pleasing bamboo forest! Has button holes to hang from hooks. You get a huge 8-ft. x 30-ft. fabric roll. (This is an outlet item so quantities are limited.)

Put together PVC pipe to form bamboo stalks. Connect them on the bottom so they can stand. Cover the bottom stands with green shag rugs or grass borders. Then cover the pipes with Bamboo Wrap. Use this paper wrap on carpet tubes as well as PVC pipes to create an instant 3-D bamboo forest. Four rolls of wrap give you a forest! Each roll measures 3 ft. x 15 ft. Comes in a set of 4 rolls. (This is an outlet item so quantities are limited and it is currently backordered from the publisher.)

Need more decorating ideas? Take a look at the Monkey Bulletin Board Set with 55 pieces of vines and monkeys. Visit our Classroom Decorations Store for even more bulletin board trims, borders, banners, and classroom decorations. Also watch the creative decorating options on the Decorating Places: PandaMania DVD. Now you're ready to begin a wild celebration of God's unconditional love at PandaMania!

Hometown Nazareth VBS Craft: Riding to Nazareth

2011-03-22T05:00:00.003-07:00

The Bible Point for Day 3 of Group's Hometown Nazareth VBS is "Jesus had a home...we do, too." The Bible story is about Joseph and Mary escaping to Egypt with little Jesus.

Before your VBS, collect a small, empty gelatin box for each child. Print stickers with the Bible point, "Jesus had a home...we do, too." Print one sticker for each child. Also print the craft page below for each child. Cut a 10-inch length of yarn for each child. Cut out the pattern beforehand and prefold it if you have younger children in your group.

During the lesson, give one child a sticker with the Bible point. Have the child read the Bible point aloud. Talk about how God gives us each a home. (Be sensitive to children who may come from a difficult home situation.)

Then tell the story of Jesus' family escaping to Egypt from Matthew 2:13-14 and 19-23. Point out that God was with the family wherever they went and God is with us, too. After you tell the story, hand out scissors, crayons, glue, tape, a 10-inch length of yarn, and an empty gelatin box to each child. Let each child cut out the pattern and print his name on it. Help the child fold the pattern on the broken lines. Then help him glue the folded pattern around the gelatin box and tape each end of the yarn around the donkey's neck to Mary's hands.

Show the child how to pull the yarn gently to make Mary and Joseph move. As you retell the story, have him pretend to pull the family to Egypt then to Nazareth. Say, "Just as God took care of Jesus' family and gave them a home, God cares for us and gives each of us a home, too. God is with us wherever we go." Encourage the children to take home their crafts and tell the Bible story to their family members and friends.

Click the image above to download the craft

PandaMania VBS Craft: Jonah Puppet

2011-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Bible Point for Day 3 of PandaMania VBS is "God watches over you." The Bible story is about Jonah trying to run from God. Download this Jonah craft for just $1.99 and make as many copies as you need for your students.

Before your VBS, print stickers with the memory verse in the Bible version you use for Psalm 139:12 — "Even in darkness I cannot hide from you." Print one sticker for each child. Also print the craft pages below for each child. Cut a slit in the boat on each first page. Have fabric scraps and craft sticks available.

During the lesson, have a child read the memory verse aloud from the Bible. Say it together a few times.

Then tell the story of Jonah and the big fish. After you tell the story, hand out scissors, crayons, glue or tape, and a craft stick to each child. Let each child cut out the Jonah puppet and add a craft stick handle to it. The child can glue a fabric scrap on the sail and print his name on the puppet and the boat. Older children can print the memory verse on the back of the boat.

Show the child how to slide the puppet into the slit to show Jonah on the boat. As you retell the story, have him jump Jonah out of the boat and into the waves. Explain that God took care of Jonah and provided a big fish to carry him to land. Say, "Just as God took care of Jonah and watched over him, God cares for us and watches over us." Say the memory verse together once more. Explain that God is with us wherever we go. Encourage the children to take home their crafts and tell the story of Jonah to their family members and friends.

Click here to download the craft.

You may also want to download the PandaMania Coloring Pages—a set of five coloring pages with the Bible Point and daily memory verse for just $4.99. Available in NIV or NLT memory verses. Just copy as many as you need each day.

Nazareth VBS Decorating Ideas

2011-03-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

Give your Nazareth VBS rooms the look and feel of Nazareth in Bible times. Ask for the loan of large potted plants from your church members. Paint packing boxes to look like stones. Stack boxes and paint them to look like Bible-time homes.

Decorate large poster paper to look like a stone wall for backgrounds. Hang some sheets to use as dividers in your larger rooms. Scatter a few throw pillows and rugs on the floor.

Collect baskets and plastic fruit and vegetables. Hang some baskets from the walls or display them on shelves. Low tables make great work areas (or lay an old door on top a few two-by-fours). Toy animals add a fun touch, too. If you have outdoor areas, bring in clean sand or sandboxes and potted trees and ferns. Also bring large clay or plastic pots.

Do not bring in any poisonous plants or anything that has sharp edges or splinters. Also avoid small objects that can become choking hazards for small children. Any item that can fit into an empty paper towel tube is too small for your toddlers and preschoolers.

Collect colorful blankets to decorate your floors and walls. Place wicker baskets of various sizes and shapes around your VBS rooms. Staple or tape the Giant Decorating Posters to your walls to give your hallways and rooms the feel of Bible times.

Cover one wall with green poster paper so it looks like grass. Fringe strips of green paper for a 3-D effect along the top. Then staple it to the bottom of your wall or bulletin board so the fringe sticks out slightly (roll it over a pencil). Or use a scalloped grass border. Children can add their God Sightings Sheep to the grass wall each day during your VBS program. Preschool children can draw their God sightings on the sheep or have an older child or adult helper write the sightings for them.

Create a photo area with some large potted plants, clay pots, and toy sheep. Old sheets make wonderful backdrops and room dividers. Have the child stand next to a Bible times home or hillside (or stone wall). Take a picture of the child wearing his tribe belt along with a prayer shawl and holding a scroll. Send the picture to the child the week after your VBS with an invitation to your next children's ministry or family event (Bible club, fall festival, or Sunday school kick-off). Include a note reminding the child (and his parents) about the fun time they had at your Nazareth VBS.

Need more decorating ideas? Take a look at the Nazareth Clip Art and Resources CD Set for signs, posters, publicity pieces, and costume patterns. Also watch the creative decorating options on the Decorating Places DVD. Now you're ready to travel back to Bible times for the VBS journey of a lifetime!

Big Wave Discovery

2011-02-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

Take a look at this all-purpose beach-themed course for your preschool and elementary kids. Big Wave Discovery is part of Gospel Light's KidsTime program, and is great as summer Sunday school or as follow-up to your SonSurf Beach Bash VBS. Keep your kids riding the wave of Jesus' love with this 13-week course for preschool and elementary children ages 3 to 12.

This reproducible curriculum includes high-energy games, art, and worship plus creative Bible storytelling ideas and reproducible music. The entire manual comes on a reproducible CD-ROM. Combine the fun and excitement of being at the beach with answers to questions kids have about God, Jesus, the Bible, prayer, the church, and more.

All this makes it easy for you to get the same excitement from the beach theme, decorations, and publicity used for your summer VBS—plus get your VBS visitors back to church for Sunday school and children's church! Here are just a few ways you can use this course:

1. Summer Sunday school or children's church curriculum
2. Once a month as follow-up in Sunday school, children's church or second hour to keep the excitement of VBS going all year long.
3. An after-school program for neighborbood outreach.

You can use the Big Wave Discovery program even if you don't use SonSurf VBS. You can also use it during Spring break to get children coming to your church before VBS. Then invite them back during the summer for SonSurf VBS (or whichever VBS program you decide to use).

Catch a wave for an exciting faith journey this summer! Your students will learn how the truths found in God's Word serve as a guide for any situation in their lives.

Main Street VBS Ideas

2011-02-21T05:00:00.001-08:00

The large Main Street Color-It Mural for Inside Out and Upside Down on Main Street is a great way to involve all your kids! Let children color it before VBS to introduce them to the theme (and help decorate your VBS rooms). Or you can hang it during VBS and have students color it as they arrive. Tape one to the wall in your preschool room (at the children’s eye level) and let your little ones add Main Street Stickers and color the mural during their free play times.

Cover your tables with the Super-Fun Activity Tablecloth. Keep kids active and engaged with this 47" x 72" tablecloth that can be used again and again. Provide dry-erase markers for the children to use to do the puzzles while they wait for the next activity or after finishing their snack or craft.

These bus passes (with lanyards) are great name tags! Use them to help kids get to Main Street and use stickers on the backs of name tags when kids report how they're living out the Word on the Street.

Kids will love collecting the Bible Pin Pals to wear on their ball caps or lanyards. There is a pin for each day of your 5-day VBS program. Each pin includes the Scripture reference for the day and a fun logo to help the kids remember the daily Bible story. Pin Pals come in sets of 5 different pins. Order one set for each child. Each day, have a leader show the children the pin for that day and help them review the Bible story (and memory verse portion) that goes with it.

Before VBS begins, gather additional pins for each of your leaders to wear. Give your leaders a Main Street Hat (blue ball cap), too. (Ask church families to donate old pins; make sure none have sharp edges.) Display the pins on the leaders' ball caps. Watch for kids who are being kind and helpful each day during your VBS. Then let the kind child choose a pin from those his leader is wearing. Some children may want to trade pins with VBS leaders during the week. Build excitement by featuring a pin trading post that children can visit during their snack time or before and after VBS each day. Kids love to collect pins to wear on their ball caps or lanyards during the week.

Gold Rush VBS Decorating Ideas

2011-02-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

Grab your bandanas and dust off your boots. Use your favorite western props to make your Gold Rush VBS come alive for your students this summer. Use large barrels and wagon wheels along with some wooden benches along the walls of your classrooms or outside your campus areas.

Paint some small stones gold. Place them near a blue paper or fabric stream lined with ferns or other small plants and wooden logs. Also use rocks to line the river bed. Near the river areas, post some Tree Borders on the wall. Set some pie tins nearby so children can "pan for gold."

Set up some small tents and hang ropes, cowboy hats, and aluminum pie tins on the walls. If you have some saddle bags, place them near the tents. You could also place an old saddle on a bench to give the feel of the old west.

Line the walls of your hallways with Fence Borders. Overlap or layer the fence pieces for a 3-D effect. Hang a small flannel shirt just above one of the fence posts so it appears to hang from the fence. Place some large rocks or stones nearby. (Spray paint crumpled newspapers to look like rocks.) A toy snake could peer out from behind a large rock.

Set up a corner of one of your rooms to look like a campsite. Place some tin cups nearby. Be sure to include lots of nature items so your students can see who Jesus is—our Creator and Redeemer.

Gather your gear and join us for unforgettable discoveries!

SonSurf VBS Decorating Ideas

2011-02-07T05:00:00.001-08:00

Hang netting from the walls (soccer nets can be used as fishing nets) and place sea stars and shells in the netting and on the floor beneath it. Use parts from the Sea Life Bulletin Board Set to decorate the walls around the nets. Toy sea animals add a fun touch, too. If you have outdoor areas, bring in clean sand or sandboxes with shovels, pails, and more shells. Paint a large box with smaller boxes stacked on top to look like a large sand castle. Have plastic pails, shovels, sea stars, and sea shells around it. You can also place several foam subskates, boogie boards, plastic rafts, beach balls, inflatable dolphins, colorful flip-flops, and inner tubes around your VBS area.

Mount a Beach Mural or Surf Mural on a wall in each of your VBS rooms. These large 90" x 54" beach scenes come with three panels. Use some of the patterns from the Beach Decor & More CD to create additional backgrounds. Hang some small surfboards or boogie boards (or the Big Question Surfboards), goggles, visors, snorkels, and swim fins on your other walls or around the murals.

Ask church members for old beach chairs, beach balls, blankets, and umbrellas you can use to decorate your rooms. Drape beach towels over some of the chairs or spread beach towels or blankets out on the floor for kids to sit on. Staple ocean wave borders, blue fabric, blue streamers, or waves of blue borders to your walls for an ocean effect. Let children who arrive early add Wall Clings to the murals and walls.

Fish squirts are fun decorations that can be placed in a tub of water for a wet play area. This also makes a great place for cooling off the children on a hot day. Give your student leaders and adult helpers spray bottles of water to squirt children who get warm during your game time and need a way to cool off.

If you have a sandbox, have buckets and shovels nearby. Place an old inner tube in it for the kids to sit on while they dig. Sand tables also make fun play areas. Shells, sea stars, and colorful stones can be buried in the sand for children to dig up and rebury for the next person to find.

Create a photo area with a surfboard or boogie board, seashells, beach balls, and anything else reminiscent of the beach you can find. Post a Beach Mural in the background. Take a picture of each child standing beside a boogie board or holding a bucket and shovel (and wearing goggles on top of his head) and send it to him the week after VBS. Include an invitation to your next children’s ministry event (Bible club, fall festival, or Sunday school kick-off) and a note reminding the children (and their parents) about the fun time they had at VBS.

Now you’re ready to catch a wave for an exciting SonSurf VBS beach adventure!

2011 VBS Themes

2011-02-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

New for 2011, Gold Rush VBS: Discovering the Rock of Ages from Answers in Genesis helps kids learn the answer to the most important question Jesus asks: “Who do you say that I am?”

Howdy, Partner!

Grab your bandana, dust off your boots, and get ready to mine for true gold.

Our children must decide among many “gods” every day. In media, in school, and in books, they’re taught that all roads lead to heaven. They’re told to “believe what you want and it will be true for you.” These dangerous lies are drawing our kids away from the truth—that Jesus, the Rock of Ages, is the way, the truth, and the life! Salvation is found in Jesus alone! Gold Rush VBS uses the New King James Version for Bible memory verses. A KJV Supplement has student books and posters in the King James Version for just $19.99 (works with the Super Starter Kit and the Starter Kit).

Mega Sports Camp: Go the Distance from Gospel Publishing House encourages kids to run the race of life God's way, all the way. Five sessions focus on key character traits that help the students become better athletes and followers of Jesus. Welcome kids into the ultimate sports-camp experience. Everyone will learn Bible truths and good sportsmanship as they participate in a sports camp led by Christian mentors. The theme verse for 2011 is "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day." — 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

In a world that's always searching for the "next big thing," some things will never change and can never be improved upon. God, His promises, his Word, and the Gospel are unchangeable, which is why the Go Fish Guys invite you to KICK IT OLD SCHOOL! With Kickin’ It Old School, the Go Fish Guys continue their concert theme, but with an 80s, retro hip-hop influence! Once again, your leaders and kids will be “hands on” with the Bible.

Using classic hymns from their new CD Kickin’ It Old School, your kids will love the new songs, videos, and karaoke times! Watch the videos. You can also download the Day 1 Bible Lesson for free by visiting our website, ChristianEdWarehouse.com. Here are the daily themes:

Day 1 - This Is My Father's World - God Is Our Creator

Day 2 - Before The Throne Of God - God Is Our King

Day 3 - I Love To Tell The Story - Jesus Is Our Savior

Day 4 - I'm A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord - God Is Our Truth

Day 5 - The Solid Rock - God Is Our Rock

New for 2011, Group's Hometown Nazareth VBS helps kids walk with Jesus. It's the Bible in motion! Welcome kids into the ultimate VBS Bible-times experience. They'll visit with Mary, Jesus' mom, and hear about Jesus' childhood adventures. Everyone will learn Bible truths that they can't wait to apply to their lives and share with others.

Take a look at the Hometown Nazareth VBS course overview. Click on the image to the right for a larger version. Nazareth VBS teaches kids to love God and His Word . . . like you do.

With Main Street VBS from Standard Publishing, kids will be drawn into stories Jesus told about everyday people in everyday situations. But His stories were anything but ordinary! Jesus turned lives upside down and hearts inside out through parables that challenged people to look at themselves and others in new and unexpected ways.
So come join us on Main Street, for an inside-out, upside-down experience like no other...and let Jesus make a difference in YOU! Here are the Bible points kids will learn each day on Main Street. Click on the image below for a larger view.

Answers in Genesis: Gold Rush VBS

2011-01-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

New for 2011, Gold Rush VBS: Discovering the Rock of Ages from Answers in Genesis uses Bible verses from the New King James Version. Gold Rush VBS helps kids learn the answer to the most important question Jesus asks: “Who do you say that I am?”

Howdy, Partner!

Grab your bandana, dust off your boots, and get ready to mine for true gold. We’re headed to the Old West in Gold Rush: Discovering the Rock of Ages.

With Gold Rush VBS, kids will be saturated with the truth as they discover the biblical responses to questions such as:

Is Jesus the only way to heaven? This lesson expands on Jesus' claim, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Older children will be taught to refute the idea that all roads lead to heaven, and various other religions are discussed briefly in relation to Jesus' exclusive claim.

Who did Jesus say He is? This topic teaches kids some of Jesus' amazing claims and that He is superior to all others (all other people/religious leaders, etc.) -- He never sinned, He is God, He forgives sins, He is the Creator.

What was unique about Jesus’s birth, life, death, and resurrection? These lessons focus on teaching kids the prophecies Jesus fulfilled with his birth, life, and death. They showcase that He is the Messiah promised hundreds of years before He came. The lessons also sample some of His amazing teachings in contrast to what the world teaches: love your enemies, serve God/not money, children are precious, look out for others (not yourself). Children will discuss His radical power that demonstrated He is God: He has power over sickness/disease, power over nature, power to forgive sins, power over death.

What is salvation, and how can I be saved? Gold Rush begins with the Genesis account of Adam's fall into sin, explains what sin is (disobedience to God's commands), that we're all sinners, and all need salvation from sin's punishment -- eternal separation from God in hell. The lessons share God's provisions of salvation through Jesus and teaches kids to answer such questions as: did Jesus really die on the cross, or did He just faint? Did the disciples steal Jesus' body from the tomb? Did anyone see Jesus after He rose from the dead? He is the only one who has ever died and now lives!

How can I share the good news of Jesus’ life changing power? This lesson focuses on providing examples of those whose lives have been radically changed by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit—specific examples include the disciples (former cowards, they become bold preachers of the gospel to the point that they're willing to sacrifice their lives for Christ); George Mueller; Gladys Aylward. Kids are challenged to share the life-changing power of Jesus with others.

Filled with the rich content you’ve come to love from Answers in Genesis, Gold Rush VBS provides lots of fun and games—still your kids will beg for more! From daily games to snacks to crafts to Bible time, all parts of this VBS work together to teach your children about Jesus, the one and only Rock of Ages!

Each day, children will see more of the truth about who Jesus is—our Creator and Redeemer. They’ll hear the Gospel and will be challenged to follow Jesus. Gather your gear and join us for unforgettable discoveries!

Gold Rush VBS Super Starter Kit: $189.99
Gold Rush VBS Starter Kit: $99.99
Gold Rush KJV Supplement: $19.99
(The supplement works with both the Super Starter and Starter Kits.)
Super Starter Kits are available with your choice of contemporary or traditional music recordings.

Check back for VBS updates each week. Visit VBSstore.com to see all of the 2011 VBS programs and special offers.

2011 VBS Timeline: 5-6 Months Before Your VBS

2011-01-18T05:00:00.002-08:00

Welcome to the new year! It's not too early to begin planning for your 2011 Vacation Bible School program. After all, summer will come sooner than we think.

Here are some things to begin doing now in preparation for your 2011 VBS. First, start praying. You may want to organize a prayer team to start praying for potential leaders and workers for your VBS. Then set a budget. Take a look at all the VBS options available and start deciding which ones look best for your church and community. Start choosing VBS Starter Kits to preview. Visit VBSstore.com to select several kits to preview for 30 days, risk free. Starter Kits have already started shipping and will continue to ship in January.

Click on the VBS Planning Timeline below to see the larger and expanded view. Print a copy for each of your VBS team members.

When you order your VBS Starter Kit from VBSstore.com, you 'll receive FREE Classroom Decorations plus a FREE book download, "Learning About God" for Grades 1-2. You'll also receive up to $150 of coupons when you order by April 30, 2011. Visit VBSstore.com to listen to music and video clips, see the daily Bible lessons and Bible points, and download a VBS Comparison Chart we've put together to help you decide which program(s) you'd like to review.

Here are some Vacation Bible School coupons you can use over at VBSstore.com.

Coupons Expire 4-30-11.

Click on the image above for a larger view.

VBS Registration Ideas

2011-01-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most-asked questions for Vacation Bible school planning is, "How will I know how many kids to expect for VBS?" You can help solve this problem by registering kids early and offering a free gift when they sign up. A bookmark, pencil, T-shirt, discount, or CD of the VBS music encourages parents to register early. Plus, giving an incentive builds excitement for your theme. As other families see the incentives you're giving, they also become eager to turn in their own registrations.

Of course, you'll want to order plenty of supplies for those kids who register at the last minute and for visitors who show up on the first day of VBS. Here's a registration form you can copy and use with your own VBS program. Cut the cards apart and give them to parents when they register their children.

The card contains a place to record emergency information and has a section to list allergies and other medical conditions your students may have. For any child with allergies, create a special, brightly colored name badge with the allergies listed so all leaders and helpers are aware of the allergies and don’t inadvertently give the child something that might cause an allergic reaction.

Click on the image above for a larger view.

If you're still trying to decide which VBS to choose for 2011, visit VBSstore.com for free samples, music and video clips, and Scripture listings. You'll also find money-saving coupons and special offers. Having your theme picked out and your director's manual in hand will help you with recruiting volunteers and planning.

SonSurf VBS Craft: Egg Carton Jellyfish

2011-01-04T05:00:00.001-08:00

The theme for Day 2 of SonSurf VBS is "Look up to Jesus." The Bible memory verse for this day is Psalm 56:3 — "When I am afraid, I will trust in you" (NIV), and the Big Answer is "I can look up to Jesus and ask His help because He is trustworthy." Let your students make an egg carton jellyfish to help them remember to trust Jesus.

Collect an egg carton for every 12 children. Cut the carton cups apart so each child can have one cup. Also bring thick yarn, scissors, glue, wiggle eyes, markers, construction paper, tape, and string. If you use a cardboard egg carton, let the children paint the cups. If you use foam egg carton cups, the colored ones look best. If you use white, you can tell the children they are making moon jellies.

Help each child trim the egg cup to even out the edges. Let him glue two wiggle eyes on the cup (after painting it). Cut eight pieces of thick yarn into 6- to 8-inch lengths for the tentacles. If you use thin yarn, have the children braid three strands of yarn together for each tentacle. In that case, cut 24 pieces.

Spread a generous amount of glue inside the egg carton cup. Stick one end of each yarn piece into the glue. Let dry. Glue a piece of yarn or string to the top of the jellyfish for hanging. Give each child a slip of paper on which to print the memory verse, Psalm 56:3. As the children work, talk about trusting Jesus. Tape the memory verse to the yarn or string hanger, just above the jellyfish. Have the children say the verse together.

Say, "God did not create you to be like the jellyfish—with no backbone. God promises to help you overcome your fears when you trust in Jesus. God will give you strength and courage when you ask Him and then trust Him." Review the Day 2 Bible story of Jesus healing the official's son (from John 4:45-54), if you have time.

Visit VBSstore.com to order your SonSurf Starter Kit and supplies. Starter Kits have already started shipping and will continue to ship in January.

SonSurf Beach Bash VBS Snack

2010-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun snack to help your students remember the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15:11-24. This story is the theme for Day 4 of SonSurf VBS. Use this snack to help the children understand that Jesus can change people's lives. Let your students help you combine in a large bowl 20 ounces of crushed pineapple with one cup mini marshmallows and an 8-ounce tub of whipped topping. Pass around the bowl so each child can help stir the mixture.

As the children work, talk about how Jesus changes lives. Provide some examples from your own life. Let your students share their own examples. Now let the children help sprinkle a 3.4-ounce box of pistachio pudding mix over the top of the mixture and watch the white change to green as they stir it. If you use this snack with your preschool group, add just a small amount of the pudding mix at a time, letting the children stir it after each addition. (Pass around the bowl once more so each child can help stir the mixture.) Serve cookies, juice, and a small amount of "green surprise" to each child.

If you have students interested in learning more about how Jesus can change their lives, talk with them individually and explain the plan of salvation. For helpful tips on discussing salvation with children, see the blog post from February 8, 2010 on "Leading a Child to Christ."

Free Christmas Lesson: Jesus' Birth

2010-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a Bible lesson and some activity pages you can use with your students to help them understand the story of Jesus' birth. Have several children play the parts of an angel, Mary, shepherds, wise men, and King Herod. They will act out the story as it is read by you or one of your older students. Simple costumes are optional.

Click on the image below for a larger view and to download the teacher's lesson page along with the student pages. Feel free to copy these pages for your students and coworkers.

May God bless you this Christmas!

Click on the image above for the complete file.

Mega Sports Camp 2011 VBS: Go the Distance

2010-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

New for 2011, Mega Sports Camp: Go the Distance from Gospel Publishing House encourages kids to run the race of life God's way, all the way. Five sessions focus on key character traits that help them become better athletes and followers of Jesus. Welcome kids into the ultimate sports-camp experience. Everyone will learn Bible truths and good sportsmanship as they participate in a sports camp lead by Christian mentors.

A simple Key Point each day helps kids remember the point of the day, even if they have no prior church attendance or experience. The theme verse for 2011 is "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day." — 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

Go the Distance Mega Sports Camp can be used in addition to your traditional VBS, providing a way to reach neighborhood kids who might not attend Vacation Bible school, but who would be interested in signing up for a sports camp. It's also a great way for kids to invite their friends who wouldn't be willing to come to a weekly church event.

Go the Distance Mega Sports Camp teaches kids to run the race of life God's way, all the way.

Go the Distance Starter Kit: $129.99

Take a look at the coloring pages we've included for the Go the Distance Mega Sports Camp. There are six pages: a cover plus a coloring page for each day of your VBS. Each page has a picture of Paul from the daily Bible story plus a portion of the memory verse in the New International Version. Day 5 includes the entire verse, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV). You can copy as many of the coloring pages as you need each day—all for just $4.99 for the set! Visit VBSstore.com to see all of the 2011 VBS programs and special offers.