WAilddvBeinbtleures
Elementary Station Leader Manual
Group resources really work!
This Group resource incorporates our R.E.A.L. approach to ministry. It reinforces a growing friendship
with Jesus, encourages long-term learning, and results in life transformation, because it’s:
Relational—Learner-to-learner interaction enhances learning and builds
Christian friendships.
Experiential—What learners experience through discussion and action sticks
with them up to 9 times longer than what they simply hear or read.
Applicable—The aim of Christian education is to equip learners to be both
hearers and doers of God’s Word.
Learner-based—Learners understand and retain more when the learning
process takes into consideration how they learn best.
Wild Bible Adventures
LEADER MANUAL
Copyright © 2019 Group Publishing, Inc./0000 0001 0362 4853
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any
manner whatsoever without prior written permission from the
publisher, except where noted in the text and in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For a permission
request form, go to group.com/permissions.
|Visit our websites: group.com group.com/Roar
We’re wild about this amazing VBS crew: Laura Baldwin-Stout,
Jody Brolsma, Stephen Caine, Shelly Dillon, Lyndsay Gerwing, Elisa
Hansen, Jan Kershner, Laycie McClain, Michael Paustian, Kelsey
Perry, Mike Porter, Joani Schultz, Patty Smith, Rodney Stewart, and
Gabriele Woolever.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living
Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House
Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-4707-5595-9
Printed in the United States of America.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 21 20 19
Before You Roar… Bible
•• Choose a room for your Wild Bible Adventures. Since you’ll PAWS HERE!
actually be experiencing the Bible stories, you don’t want to
be right next to a room with a lot of noise. Ideally, your room It’s so important—and
should be large and off by itself a little, with an unused room easy!—to create a new
and hallway nearby—because you won’t be sitting still or setting in the Wild Bible
staying put during Wild Bible Adventures! Adventures room each day
so kids can experience the
•• Create a unique setting each day. One big difference Bible stories in fresh and
between Roar VBS and other VBS programs is that kids exciting ways. It’s worth the
become part of the Bible story—with their hearts, minds, and minor setup time to hear
emotions. Part of that experience comes when you create “Awesome!” and “Wow!”
a unique setting each day. But don’t worry—we’re The Easy when kids walk in!
VBS. So setup is…well…easy! At our field test, we used few
decorating supplies. The ones we did use, we used again and Gazelle Bell
again to create different settings. Who knew you could do so
much with greenery and “stones”?
•• Work with the VBS Director to collect necessary supplies.
Almost all the supplies we used are easy to find around the
church, from church members, or from Group. (Okay, we did
have the Big Blue Sky Fabric Wall Hanging from past field
tests. You may already have supplies from past summers with
Group, too!) You might want to list supplies in your church
bulletin and ask church members to donate or lend items
such as foam slabs, cardboard boxes, and plastic greenery.
In the supply lists, items shown with an asterisk are available
from Group Publishing or your Group VBS supplier.
•• Determine the number of Crews you’ll have in each rotation.
At Roar VBS, kids join mixed-age Crews—groups of up to five
elementary-age kids and one adult or teenage leader. Plan
on having one-fourth of the total number of Crews in each of
your rotations. For example, if your VBS has 20 Crews, you’ll
be working with five Crews (approximately 25 kids and five
leaders) during each session.
•• Use an attention-getting signal. Attention-getting signals
let kids know when it’s time to stop what they’re doing and
look at you. You can use the Gazelle Bell (available from
Group Publishing or your Group VBS supplier) or another
signal of your choice. The first time kids come to your station,
introduce and rehearse your attention-getting signal. Once
kids are familiar with the signal, you will automatically regain
their attention when you use it.
1
“God is good!” •• Repeat the daily Bible Point often. Every activity at Roar
VBS focuses on one simple, memorable daily Bible truth
called the Bible Point. Repeating the Bible Point again and
again will help children remember it and then apply it to their
lives after VBS. Each time kids hear the day’s Bible Point, they
punch a fist in the air and shout, “God is good!”
•• Call on kids’ Crew roles. Every day, kids within a Crew choose
one of five jobs: Guide, Kit Carrier, Prayer Person, Schedule
Supervisor, or Thank You-er! Kids love having a special job
every day, especially when those jobs get called on. To ensure
that everyone gets a turn during Roar VBS, each Station
Leader will call on the same role every day. Since kids can
switch roles daily, you’ll give everyone a chance to participate
in a special way. During Wild Bible Adventures, you’ll call on
the Schedule Supervisor.
•• Get Crew Leaders involved! Be sure Crew Leaders
understand that you expect them to participate right along
with the kids. Over the years, we’ve discovered that when
Crew Leaders listen, get involved, and have fun…kids do too!
So get everyone in on the fun!
2
Day 1
Bible Story: The Israelites are slaves for the Egyptians. (Exodus 1; 5; 6)
Key Verse: “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes.” (Nahum 1:7)
Consider This…
• The Israelites had identified themselves as God’s people since
God initiated his covenant with Abram—centuries before! Yet this
story finds God’s chosen people surviving as subjugated slaves.
• More than 400 years before this story, Joseph’s family moved to
Egypt and stayed there for three generations. During Joseph’s life,
Pharaoh looked favorably on Joseph and his family.
• Moses’ mother placed her baby in a basket, or tebah in Hebrew.
This word is used only in reference to Moses’ basket and the ark
built by Noah!
• Raised in Pharaoh’s courts, Moses had the advantage of a higher
education. Acts 7 tells us that Moses “was powerful in both
speech and action.” In spite of this, he still hesitated when God
commanded him to lead the Israelites and speak to Pharaoh.
• Brick makers had a dirty, demanding job. Builders required
millions of bricks, so brick makers had daily quotas to meet. Each
brick measured approximately 13 inches long, 6 inches wide, and
6 inches thick. Chopped straw acted as an acid and held the
bricks together.
Why It Matters…
The Israelites understood injustice, as they struggled to endure backbreaking labor and
suppression at the hands of the Egyptians. After all, weren’t they God’s chosen people? Hadn’t
God made a covenant with their ancestors? The Israelites definitely had reason to cry out “Hey,
this isn’t fair!” Today, how many times do kids proclaim their protest at life’s injustices?
When someone gets away with rule-breaking…it’s not fair.
When someone has less homework…it’s not fair.
When hard times come to one child and not another…it’s not fair.
Through Moses, God reassured his people that he hadn’t forgotten them. His mighty plans were
still at work! At VBS today, you can be “Moses,” sharing the hopeful news that God is still good,
even in the midst of circumstances that don’t seem just.
Bible Point:
When life is unfair…God is good!
3
Day 1 WhGeondlifiesisguonofdai!r…
Sing & Play Roar Wild Bible
Adventures
· Learn the Day 1 Bible Point
Make bricks for Pharaoh, and
and key verse, and meet discover how unfair life was for
Bible Memory Buddy Mack. the Israelites as slaves in Egypt.
· Sing Roar songs. KidVid™ Cinema
· Meet Irving Carter, a
Gift goes to a small school
gamekeeper who warns where they listen to a teacher
them to be quiet or on a radio. Nearby, there’s a
risk waking up some bigger school where kids have
sleeping hyenas. uniforms, desks, and a real
teacher. That may seem unfair,
Hungry but Gift knows he’s loved and
Herd Café that God is always good.
Build-a-Bug
Imagination Safari
Station Celebration
Tip the Tumble Drum and Discover how our perspective
remember that when life is makes a difference in how we
unfair and knocks you down, see God’s goodness.
God is good and will put you
back on your feet.
Stampede Nchuba Royally Unfair Water You Focused On?
Sports
At Roar VBS, the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into
each station’s activities for unforgettable Bible learning. See
how your station reinforces today’s Bible Point.
4
Day 1 Supplies You’ll Need
Every Day
Before Today’s Trek
••Hands-On Bible*
•• Creating today’s Bible setting is super simple! First, hang the ••Gazelle Bell*
Big Blue Sky Fabric Wall Hanging to cover the walls of your ••small blankets or throw rugs
room. Hang the backdrop from the ceiling using Magnetic
Hooks or binder clips. This simple step gives your room instant (1 per Crew per rotation)
atmosphere! Each day you can add to the environment in the ••Big Blue Sky Fabric Wall
room as the Bible story changes.
Hanging*
•• Before today’s session, make “mud” following the Mud Recipe ••Magnetic Hooks*
on page 6. If possible, enlist extra helpers to make the mud ••helper (more than 1 would
with you. (We used a few youth volunteers, and the mud-
making went super fast.) be great!)
••poster paper and marker
•• For each Crew in your largest rotation, lay a yellow plastic
tablecloth on the floor near a side wall. (The yellow can (optional)
remind kids of the sand in Egypt.) On each tablecloth place a
large plastic bowl, a small empty basket, and enough 3-ounce * available from Group Publishing
paper cups for each Crew member to have at least one. or your Group VBS supplier
•• Empty a bag of mud into each Day 1 Supplies
bowl. Pull the edge of the
tablecloth toward the wall over ••yellow plastic tablecloths (1
the bowl and basket. per Crew per rotation, plus a
•• Place the other bags of mud PAWS HERE! few extras)
out of sight in your room so
you can replenish the mud Having a dedicated helper ••playground sand (see Mud
between rotations. in Wild Bible Adventures Recipe on p. 6)
•• Place another plastic tablecloth is essential. Because so
along the end wall in your room. much goes on behind the ••all-purpose flour (see Mud
Kids will place their finished scenes to make each day’s Recipe on p. 6)
Bible story leap to life,
••salt (see Mud Recipe on p. 6)
bricks here. Place the cut you’ll need someone at the ••cream of tartar (see Mud
raffia in a large basket, and ready. Bible teaching is a
place the basket of raffia on team sport! Recipe on p. 6)
••vegetable oil (see Mud
this tablecloth.
Recipe on p. 6)
Field Test Tip ••glycerin (see Mud Recipe on
CtHthroheeefewreppq’asLaupepaeaeesgrdrt.rieooRernanesstvaaeoknwaipddlatseiklolaw,idnacisahlnllcddqiadiucsneoecaruvse.tesfOisroeinnritntpwwotohhiitsteeht.inerEarCaintprs’oseaytwaphrseesekf.rr,eeHswrdhearsneniotecgeet! p. 6)
••boiling water (see Mud
Recipe on p. 6)
•• large pot and stove for
boiling water
•• large plastic bowls for mixing
“mud” (1 for each helper)
•• large mixing spoons (1 for
each helper)
••measuring cups
••tan raffia cut into small
pieces (small handful per
Crew)
••scissors
••small baskets (1 per Crew per
rotation)
•• large plastic bowls (1 per
Crew per rotation)
•• large basket
••3-ounce paper cups
(1 or 2 per person, plus
several extras)
••wet wipes (1 container per
Crew per rotation)
••gallon-size resealable plastic
bags (1 per Crew)
••extra helpers (optional)
5
FIELD TEST FINDING Mud Recipe
We tested several recipes Each batch will make enough “mud” for approximately 4
for making the mud and Crews. Mud can be made the day before and placed in
liked this one the best. resealable plastic bags.
The grittiness made one
boy exclaim, “This mud is 4 cups playground sand
real!” (You could also use 4 cups flour
your favorite modeling 1 cup salt
dough recipe, but keep the ¼ cup cream of tartar
color neutral.) ¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup glycerin
PAWS HERE! 3 cups boiling water
Boil water in a large pot. Mix the other ingredients in a large
Knee-to-knee Crew circles bowl, then add the boiling water. Mix with a large spoon until
ensure that kids are sitting mixture has cooled. Then use your hands to mix thoroughly.
close enough together to Divide the mixture into fourths, and place each part in a
hear each other during gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
discussions. If necessary,
demonstrate what “knee- Welcome Crews
to-knee” looks like. Having
Crews automatically form For each rotation, you’ll greet Crews outside the Wild
these circles will make Bible Adventures room. When all Crews have arrived,
your sessions run much introduce yourself.
more smoothly. Say: Welcome to Wild Bible Adventures! I’m [your name], and I’m
so glad you’re here! Each day at Wild Bible Adventures, we’ll
explore a different totally true story from God’s Word, the
Bible. Hold up your Bible.
But you won’t just hear the Bible stories—you’ll get to
experience them! We’ll travel back in time, meet Bible
characters, and discover what their adventures were really like.
Are you ready for our first wild Bible adventure? Great! Come
on in and sit in a circle with your Crew!
Discuss Unfair Situations
Say: I’m so excited to share today’s totally true Bible story with you!
Pause and pull at your collar. But…quick question…is it hot in
here? Is anyone else hot? It seems so hot. Oh well, never mind—
let’s get back to the Bible story.
God’s people, the Israelites, were slaves in Egypt. In fact, they
had been slaves for 400 years. That’s a long time! That must
have felt pretty unfair, don’t you think? Having to do whatever
the Egyptians told them to do? Working in the hot Egyptian
sun? Not being allowed to leave Egypt, and not being allowed
to worship God the way they wanted to?
6
Like I said, really unfair! But today we’re learning
that when life is unfair…God is good! So let me
ask you something. Ask:
When is a time your life felt unfair? Maybe you
had to do your brother’s chores because he had
a soccer game, and that wasn’t fair. Or maybe
you got in trouble for something you didn’t even
do, and that was unfair. For me…[give a
personal example].
Tell your Crew about a time your life felt unfair. Crew
Leaders, you can briefly share first. Then make sure
everyone in your Crew gets a turn to talk. Pause
as kids talk. When discussions seem to be winding down, give
a 30-second warning to wrap up. Then call attention back
to yourself.
I was listening in, and it sounds like we’ve all felt life was unfair
at times. Things don’t always go our way, do they? But that
doesn’t mean God isn’t good. God is good! All the time! He
always knows what’s happening to us, and he’s always with us.
Introduce the Bible Story
Say: And it was the same for the Israelites. God saw their suffering
in Egypt, so he told an Israelite man named Moses to stand up
to Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt. He told Moses to tell Pharaoh
to let God’s people go.
But while Moses went to Pharaoh, the Israelites still suffered
under that hot Egyptian sun. Pull at your collar again. Boy, it
really seems hot in here. Don’t you think it’s hot? Anyway, day
after day, God’s people had to work in the heat to make bricks
for Pharaoh.
Make Bricks
Say: I told you we’re going to experience the Bible story, so hop
up! You’re going to be Israelite slaves! And I’ll pretend to
be a mean Egyptian guard. Ready? Here we go!
Get to work, you slaves! Pharaoh needs more bricks! Get
over to one of those sand-colored tarps and get busy
mixing that mud! Direct each Crew to a plastic tablecloth,
and have Crews uncover the bowls, baskets, and cups.
Get busy and mix that mud! What’s the matter? Afraid
of getting your hands dirty? Too bad! You’re all slaves,
you know. You have to do what I say. So mix that mud!
Faster! Pharaoh needs lots of bricks, and we don’t have
all day. Walk around the room, urging kids to mix the
mud faster.
7
PAWS HERE! Wait! Stop! Hold on! Wait for everyone to stop and look at you.
What are you doing? Don’t you slaves know anything? You
Even though it was more need straw to make bricks! It’s the only way to get a good,
expensive, we opted for strong brick. I want the Schedule Supervisor in each Crew of
raffia instead of real straw slaves to come over here and get some straw. Point to the
because many people are large basket of raffia “straw.” Bring one of those little baskets
allergic to straw. with you and grab a small handful of straw for your Crew.
Pause as Schedule Supervisors each put a small handful of
FIELD TEST FINDING raffia straw in their baskets to take back to their Crews.
Now mix that straw with the mud! And be quick about it.
We tested several kinds of You’re the slowest slaves I’ve ever seen! Walk around the room,
small cups, and the pliable telling Crews to work harder and faster. Then use the Gazelle
paper cups worked best to Bell to call attention to yourself. Now pack the mud and straw
dislodge the bricks. mixture into one of those cups. Wait! I’ll show you. Do I have
to do everything around here? Hold up a small paper cup, and
demonstrate how to pack it with the mud and straw mixture.
Once you’ve packed the brick, bring it over here and dump it
out to dry in the sun. Point to the tablecloth with the basket of
straw, where each child will dump out a finished “brick.”
When kids have each placed at least one brick on the tablecloth,
call time.
Make Bricks Without Straw
As kids work, abruptly tell everyone to be quiet and turn to you.
Say: Quiet! Everyone be quiet! Tiptoe toward the door of your room,
and open it slightly. Cup a hand to your ear as if listening to
a conversation just outside the door. I can’t believe what I’m
hearing! This is incredible! That Moses guy—he’s one of your
people, right? He’s actually telling Pharaoh to let you slaves
go so you can worship that God of yours! Can you believe it?
No one talks to Pharaoh that way! Pretend to listen some more.
Oh, this is going to be good! Keep listening, pretending to laugh
and snicker.
Then close the door and turn toward kids.
Just as I thought! You’re in trouble now! Pharaoh is furious with
Moses! Pharaoh says you’re nothing but a bunch of lazy slaves.
And now he won’t give you any straw to make the
bricks. You’ll have to find your own straw! And
you’ll have to make just as many bricks as before!
Without straw! So get back to work! But no more
straw from Pharaoh, do you hear?
What are you waiting for? Spread out and try to
find your own straw! I don’t think you’ll find much,
but you can try. Find some straw and then get
back to work! Let kids briefly hunt around the room
for straw—they won’t find much and should be
feeling somewhat helpless. Then call time.
8
That’s all! Stop! Forget the bricks! You’re the most hopeless
slaves I ever saw. Just go back and sit in a circle with your
Crew. Maybe the next batch of slaves will be better.
When Crews are seated in Crew circles in the middle of the room,
away from the brick-making supplies, continue.
Discuss Talking to God
Say: Whoa! That was some story! Those poor Israelites. Not only
were they slaves, but Pharaoh got mad at Moses and wouldn’t
give them any straw. But they still had to make as many bricks.
It wasn’t fair!
And the Israelites were upset with Moses for making things
worse. So Moses went back to God and said, “Lord, why did
you ever send me to Pharaoh? Now he’s being even meaner to
your people. And you don’t seem to be helping much.”
Hmm…I wonder…have you ever felt like God’s people did?
Maybe you were in a tough situation that seemed unfair, so
you prayed to God for help, but things didn’t get better right
away. Ask:
How did you feel then? What did you say to God? Have
kids talk briefly in their Crews.
You know, it’s okay to talk to God about how we’re feeling,
even if we’re feeling upset with God. That’s what Moses did.
And we can do the same. God loves us, and he’s always with us.
And even when life is unfair…God is good!
When Moses complained to God, God said, “I am the Lord. I will
rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. Now you will see what I
will do to Pharaoh.”
Tomorrow we’ll find out how God was
good to the Israelites. I hope you’ll
come back to see what happens!
Thank kids for coming to Wild Bible
Adventures, and invite them back for
tomorrow’s totally true Bible experience.
When you hear your Director’s signal,
dismiss kids to their next destination.
9
Day 2
Bible Story: God sends plagues on Egypt. (Exodus 7:14–12:32)
Key Verse: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for
you are close beside me.” (Psalm 23:4)
Consider This…
• God’s displays of power—plagues and
miraculous signs—didn’t just make
life miserable for the Egyptians. These
demonstrations also countered symbols of
power in Egyptian culture. Some scholars
suggest that God targeted things such as
frogs, cows, and the sun to display God’s
power over Egyptian gods that often had
similar physical manifestations.
• Scripture is unclear whether the Israelites
suffered the plagues along with the
Egyptians. Exodus specifically states that
God spared his people from the plagues of
livestock, hail, and darkness, and he gave
the Israelites instructions for how to prepare
themselves and their homes for Passover. It is evident that the Israelites saw firsthand the
frightening and awesome power of God’s signs against Egypt.
• A plague of locusts would devastate an agricultural community, when you consider that a
locust can eat its weight each day! Locust swarms are formidable, and even one square mile
of a swarm can contain more than 100 million hungry insects!
• In a bit of prophetic foreshadowing, the spotless lamb (or kid) took the place of the firstborn
son, protecting him from the plague of death. Similarly, Jesus became our spotless lamb,
sacrificing his life and allowing his blood to be shed for our protection and life.
Why It Matters…
The children at your VBS may not face plagues of hail, darkness, or frogs, but they do live in
a world of scary news headlines, hopeless environmental predictions, and even frightening
nightmares. These fears can seem like plagues that overwhelm kids, blocking out the truth
that God is still good. Some kids may wonder if God is even present when life gets scary.
Today you’ll explore what kids are really afraid of and have the opportunity to reassure
them that when we’re plagued by fear, our good God is still present and in control.
Bible Point:
When life is scary…God is good!
10
When life is scary…
Day 2 God is good!
Sing & Play Roar Wild Bible
Adventures
· Learn the Day 2 Bible Point
Try to convince Pharaoh to let
and key verse, and meet Bible God’s people go, and watch as
Memory Buddy Hooper. God protects the Israelites when
he sends 10 scary plagues on
· Sing Roar songs. Egypt.
· Watch as Irving helps the
leader, who’s afraid of one
of the many creatures on
the savanna.
Hungry KidVid™ Cinema
Herd Café
Honest gets to hunt at night
Mystery Mash with his father—which is
a little fun but can also be
scary. He remembers God’s
goodness, even when he’s
afraid.
Imagination Safari
Station Celebration
It can be a little scary waiting Watch Irving give the
for the Hungry Hoopoe to fly. leader the courage to try
But kids can remember that something brave.
when they’re scared, God is
always with them. Toppling Tubes Stampede! Savanna Scare
Stampede
Sports
At Roar VBS, the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into
each station’s activities for unforgettable Bible learning. See
how your station reinforces today’s Bible Point.
11
Day 2 Supplies Day 2
•• brown butcher paper Before Today’s Trek
•• red paint
•• paintbrush •• Decide where Pharaoh’s palace will be. Pharaoh needs to be
•• fly swatter able to come out and interact with kids, then retreat out of
•• painter’s tape or colored sight. A closet in your Wild Bible Adventures room would be
perfect! If that’s not possible, lead kids into the hallway and
duct tape let Pharaoh use an unused room as his palace. If you have
to stay in your room without the use of a closet, hang Stone
•• Water Fabric* Wall Plastic Backdrop from ceiling to floor across one corner
•• short length of red fabric of your room, creating a small space behind the plastic for
•• 2 small fake fish Pharaoh to retreat to out of sight.
•• 2 larger fake fish
•• white scrap paper (several •• If using a closet or unused room as Pharaoh’s palace, cover
the door with Stone Wall Plastic Backdrop. Outside the door
pieces per person) on either side, stack boxes wrapped in the Stone Wall Plastic
Backdrop. Add gold accents and plastic greenery near the
•• 2 baskets for “hail” boxes to complete the “palace.”
•• T-pins and binder clips
•• gold fabric •• Create a “throne” for Pharaoh. Cover a folding chair with gold
•• folding chair fabric, and pin or clip the fabric in place from behind. Place
•• Stone Wall Plastic Backdrop* the gold throne inside the palace in such a way that kids will
•• sheet of paper be able to glimpse it when the door is opened.
•• clear duct tape
•• paint stirrer •• Use painter’s tape or colored duct tape to mark off an area
•• black marker about 5 or 6 feet away from the palace door. This will allow
•• clear plastic 12-ounce cup enough space for Pharaoh to step out and interact with
•• red permanent marker kids, but kids won’t be allowed to step over the line toward
•• plastic plant with leaves the palace.
cut off •• Have Pharaoh pace out how many steps it takes to get from
the palace to the tape line. He’ll need to know how far he can
•• Flicker Light* walk without stepping on kids during the plague of darkness.
•• several boxes
•• “palace” accents, such •• Near the palace but in the area where kids won’t step, create
the Nile River. Lay Water Fabric on the floor in the general
as gold charger plates, shape of a rectangle. (It doesn’t have to be very big.) Then lay
gold goblets, and plastic red fabric on top as “blood.” Place the two larger fake fish on
greenery top of the red fabric, and cover with more Water Fabric.
•• copy of Day 2 lesson for •• Use a red permanent marker to color the inside of a clear
Pharaoh plastic 12-ounce cup. Place the two small fake fish inside
the cup.
•• male volunteer to play
Pharaoh •• Use a black marker to write “NO!” in large letters on a sheet
of paper. Use clear duct tape to attach the paper to a paint
•• Pharaoh costume* stirrer as a sign for Pharaoh to use.
*a vailable from Group Publishing •• Crumple white scrap paper to make “hail.” Put the hail in two
or your Group VBS supplier baskets for easy distribution.
12
•• For the last plague, make an Israelite “doorway” for each FIELD TEST FINDING
Crew in your largest rotation. For each doorway, twist three
lengths of brown paper. Then pin the lengths to the Big We originally created a
Blue Sky Fabric Wall Hanging on the wall, with two lengths separate script for Pharaoh
hanging vertically as doorjambs and one horizontally across but realized it was much
the top as the top of the door frame. Brush a small amount of easier for him to simply
red paint on the top and sides of each door frame. follow along with the same
manuscript the leader
•• Print a copy of today’s session for Pharaoh. His lines and was using.
actions are printed in light blue.
•• Place all Pharaoh’s plague props—red cup, small fake fish,
fly swatter, sign, plastic plant, and Flicker Light—inside his
palace. Practice the session with Pharaoh so you’re both
comfortable with the cues and timing.
Welcome Crews
Greet Crews outside your Wild Bible Adventures room. When all
Crews have arrived, say: Welcome to Wild Bible Adventures!
Remember, this is the place each day where you get to
experience God’s Word, the Bible. Hold up your Bible.
We have a lot of ground to cover today, and I can’t wait to get
started. Come on in!
Lead kids into your Wild Bible Adventures room, and have Crews
sit in knee-to-knee circles.
Introduce the Bible Story
Say: Today we’re discovering that when life is scary…God is
good! Do the Point response. I’m curious—does anyone here
ever get scared? Anyone? Well, I know I get scared sometimes.
In fact, just recently…[share a personal story]. Ask:
When is a time you were scared? Talk in your Crew
about that.
Allow time for discussion, then give a 30-second warning to
wrap up conversations.
I was listening, and it sounds like we all get scared sometimes.
And God’s people, the Israelites, were just the same. Ask:
Who can tell me where we left off yesterday in Wild Bible
Adventures?
That’s right! The Israelites were slaves in Egypt. God had
just told Moses to go before Pharaoh and ask him to let
the Israelites go. Pharaoh said no and got mad, and now
things were worse than ever for the Israelites. It was a scary
situation! But as we’re learning today, when life is scary…
God is good! Let’s see what happened!
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FIELD TEST FINDING PLAGUE 1: Water Turns to Blood
We were worried about Say: The Bible says Moses went before Pharaoh 10 times. Each time
time in the first rotation, so Pharaoh refused to let the people go, God sent a plague on
Pharaoh rushed through Egypt. Ask:
his lines and not all kids Does anyone know what a plague is? Take a response
were able to interact with or two.
him. But we discovered
there was plenty of time for A plague is a bad thing that happens to a whole land or
Pharaoh to come up to the country. Since we’re experiencing this Bible story, we’ll have to
tape line and really ham it go before Pharaoh and see what those plagues are all about.
up for kids. Point to Pharaoh’s palace. But Pharaoh can be a mean guy, so
I have to admit I’m a little scared. But wait—we’re learning
that when life is scary…God is good! Okay, we can do this.
Come on.
Have everyone stand and follow you toward the palace. When I
count to three, let’s all shout the same thing Moses said: “Let
my people go!” 1, 2, 3! Let my people go!
Pause as Pharaoh comes out of the palace and stares at kids
with arms crossed. Pharaoh says, “Aren’t you slaves supposed
to be making bricks? Get back to work! I won’t let you go. The
answer is no!” Pharaoh returns to the palace and shuts the door.
Turn to kids and say: When Pharaoh said no, God sent the first
plague. He turned all the water in the Nile River to blood! Pull
off the top length of Water Fabric from your Nile River to reveal
the “dead fish” and “blood.” Then all the fish died and the river
smelled awful! Everyone hold your nose with me and shout,
“EEEYEW!” Lead kids in holding their noses and shouting.
As you shout, Pharaoh opens the door and shouts, “This is
disgusting!” as he holds up the cup colored red. Then he plucks
the plastic fish out of the cup and tosses them at the leader. He
takes the cup with him as he returns to the palace.
PLAGUE 2: Frogs
Say: Well, Moses went to Pharaoh again, so we’d better do the same.
When I count to three, shout, “Let my people go!” Ready? 1, 2,
3! Let my people go!
Pharaoh opens the palace door, sticks his head out, and shouts,
“No!” As he starts to shut the door, he sticks his head out again
and shouts, “And go away!” Then he closes the palace door.
Pharaoh still wouldn’t let the Israelites go, so God sent a
plague of frogs! There were frogs everywhere! Frogs in the
streets, frogs in the houses, frogs in the ovens, even frogs in
the beds! Quick—crouch down and hop like a frog as you shout,
“Ribbit! Ribbit!”
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As kids pretend to be frogs, Pharaoh rushes out, jumps up and
down, and screams, “Frogs! I hate frogs! Go away! All they do
is hop all around! This is horrible! I hate frogs!” Then he rushes
back into the palace.
PLAGUE 3: Gnats
Say: So Moses tried again. Lead kids in shouting, “Let my people go!”
Pharaoh pokes his head out of the palace and shouts, “N-O
spells NO! Now go away!”
So God sent a plague of gnats! Gnats are annoying little bugs
that fly all around your head and get in your eyes and nose. All
the dust in Egypt turned into gnats and covered the people
and animals. Pretend to be gnats! Lead kids in pinching their
fingers together and making high-pitched buzzing sounds.
As they do, Pharaoh rushes out of the palace, waving his hands
around his head, coughing, and shouting. Then he returns to
the palace.
PLAGUE 4: Flies
Say: Then Moses tried again. Count to three and lead kids in
shouting, “Let my people go!”
Pharaoh pokes his head out of the palace and shouts, “N-O! No!
No, no, no, no, no, no, NO!”
So God sent a plague of flies on the Egyptians, but they didn’t
touch God’s people. A thick swarm of flies filled Pharaoh’s
palace and the houses of his officials. Let’s hear some buzzing
flies! Lead kids in putting their fists on their hips to make “wings”
and buzzing in a lower pitch than the gnats.
As they do, Pharaoh runs out of the palace with a fly swatter,
yelling and swatting wildly in the air. Then he rushes back inside
the palace.
PLAGUE 5: Livestock
Say: You’d think Pharaoh would have had enough, but not so. Moses
again tried to get Pharaoh to let the people go. Count to three
and lead kids in shouting, “Let my people go!”
Pharaoh comes out of the palace and stands with his arms
crossed. He says, “What is it with you people? No, no, no, no,
NO! A million times—NO!” Then he returns to the palace.
So God sent a plague against the livestock of the
Egyptians! All the Egyptians’ horses, donkeys, camels,
cattle, sheep, and goats died. But none of the Israelites’
animals died. Quick—pretend to be sick cows! Lie on the
floor with your arms and legs sticking straight up, and
moo like you’re sick.
15
As they do, Pharaoh rushes out of the palace with his hands on
the sides of his head. He moans and shouts, “Oh, no! Not Bessy,
my favorite cow! Oh, Bessy! No!” Then he staggers back to
the palace.
PLAGUE 6: Boils
When everyone is standing again, say: Well, you can probably
guess what happened next. Moses went before Pharaoh again.
Count to three and lead kids in shouting, “Let my people go!”
Pharaoh opens the palace door just a crack and shouts “NO!”
several times.
So God sent a plague of boils on the Egyptians! A boil is like
a nasty blister or sore. Pharaoh and the Egyptians and their
animals all broke out in festering boils. Yuck! Pretend to
scratch like you have a million mosquito bites.
As they do, Pharaoh rushes out of the palace, furiously
scratching his arms and legs and yelling, “Ow! Gross! These boils
hurt! This really itches! I need a back scratcher!” Then he rushes
back to the palace.
PLAGUE 7: Hail
Say: You know, these plagues are getting old. Just imagine how the
Egyptians felt! They were probably so scared when all these
awful things happened, one right after the other. I’m glad we
know that when life is scary…God is good!
And God was good. He kept giving Pharaoh chances to change
his mind. Let’s try to change his mind, too. Count to three and
lead kids in shouting, “Let my people go!”
Pharaoh opens the palace door and holds up a sign with a giant
“NO!” on it.
So God sent another plague. This time it
was hail! Has anyone ever been in a storm
that had hail? It’s pretty scary. Have your
helper walk around with the baskets of
small paper wads and let kids each grab
a few. Here! Grab a handful of hail and
be ready to throw it at Pharaoh when he
comes out. Pause as kids get ready. Okay,
does everyone have some hail?
When Pharaoh hears that question, he
steps out of the palace, saying, “What’s
all the commotion about?” Kids pelt him
with “hail,” and he rushes back inside.
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PLAGUE 8: Locusts FIELD TEST FINDING
Say: Okay, we’re up to the eighth plague. This is exhausting! It was so helpful that our
Moses went back to Pharaoh again! Count to three and Pharaoh had paced out
lead kids in shouting, “Let my people go!” his steps to the tape line
before today’s session. He
Pharaoh bursts out of the palace and shouts, “Why won’t came close to the kids but
you listen? What is wrong with you people? No, no, a didn’t step on any toes!
thousand times NO!” Then he returns to the palace. And the kids held their
So God sent a plague of locusts! Locusts are like breath and tried to keep
grasshoppers, and they eat plants. God sent so many from giggling the whole
locusts that you couldn’t even see the ground in Egypt! time. So much fun!
The locusts ate whatever crops hadn’t been destroyed
by the hail, and they even ate the trees! Then the locusts
swarmed inside the houses and the palace! Pretend you’re
locusts eating the crops, like this! Make “munching mouths”
with your hands and say, “munch, munch, munch, munch” over
and over.
When Pharaoh hears the munching, he steps out of the palace
holding a bedraggled plant stripped of its leaves. He shakes his
head and says, “Really? Really? This is all that’s left of my crops?
It figures. It just figures.” He keeps shaking his head as he turns
back to the palace.
PLAGUE 9: Darkness
Say: Number nine—we’re getting near the end of these plagues.
You’d think Pharaoh would have let the people go by now. But
no. Let’s try again.
Count to three and lead kids in shouting, “Let my people go!”
Pharaoh wearily comes out of the palace, shaking his head. He
shrugs his shoulders and says, “What can I say? No.” Then he
mutters loudly to himself so kids can hear him saying, “I keep
telling them and telling them. No! Is that so hard to understand?
No. It’s a simple word…one syllable…”
So God sent a plague of darkness. For three days a thick
darkness covered Egypt. It was so dark that the Egyptians
couldn’t even see each other! But there was light as usual
where the Israelites lived. Let’s see what the Egyptians’
darkness was like. Turn off the room lights, and caution kids to
keep quiet when Pharaoh appears.
When Pharaoh knows the room lights have been turned off, he
emerges from the palace holding a lit Flicker Light. He walks
with an arm outstretched as if unable to see anything. He
says, “Hello? Is anyone there? I can’t see anyone, but I can hear
breathing. Is that you, slaves? Why aren’t you making bricks?
Get back to work! Wow, it really is dark out here—I can’t see a
thing. Ouch! What was that? Did one of you slaves just trip me?
Ow! This is ridiculous. I can’t see a thing! Where’s my palace?
17
I need to get back to my palace!” He turns in a circle and then
pretends to grope his way back to the palace, pretending to trip
over obstacles on the way.
When Pharaoh has returned to the palace, turn the room lights
back on.
PLAGUE 10: Death for Egypt’s Firstborn
Say: Well, we’re finally here. The 10th and last plague. And this was
a scary one. I think you’d better find a house where you can
huddle with your Crew. Have Crews each choose a door frame
to sit by. This last plague is scary, but don’t worry. We know
that when life is scary…God is good!
God knew this plague would be so bad that it would force
Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. In fact, Pharaoh would order
them to leave! Most of this plague happened at night, so I’m
going to dim the lights. Dim the lights in your room, but allow
some light so it’s not scary for younger kids.
God said the people should be dressed and ready to leave in a
hurry. Quick—look around and gather up all your stuff. Crew
Leaders, make sure your bag is packed and ready to go. Urge
Crews to make sure they’ve gathered their belongings.
God said each Israelite family should kill a perfect lamb and
roast the meat. Then they should use the blood of the lamb
to paint on their door frames. Point to the red paint on the top
and sides of one of the door frames. The blood would show they
were God’s people.
At midnight an angel of the Lord would pass through Egypt,
killing all the firstborn sons—even the firstborn of all the
livestock animals would die!
Have you ever heard the word Passover at church? That word
comes from this last plague. The angel of the Lord would pass
over the houses with blood painted on the door frames. No one
inside those houses would be harmed. The angel would see the
blood on the door frames and know that God’s people lived in
those houses.
Passover
Say: I think those Israelites must have been praying for their
families as they painted blood on their door frames and waited
for midnight. Huddle with your Crew in a tight circle and hold
hands. As you wait like the Israelites did, whisper the names of
the people in your family. Each person can take a turn, starting
with the Crew Leaders. When you finish, sit very quietly, just
as God’s people probably did that night.
18
Have each Crew huddle together. Pause as Crew Kid Quote
members whisper the names of their family members.
When everyone seems to have finished whispering, We can’t overemphasize
continue. how much kids enjoyed this
That night, after the Passover meal, it was dark in Bible story. In every single
Egypt. I would guess that none of the Israelite parents rotation we overheard
slept that night, knowing that the angel of death was “This is so much fun!” We
coming! Can you imagine what it must have been love making the Bible fun
like, knowing what was about to happen? That night for kids!
probably seemed to last forever! Let’s sit silently and
wait, just as God’s people did that night. Wait in silence
for about a minute. Then continue the story in a hushed
voice, but with feeling.
The people waited in silence. It probably seemed as
if they had been waiting forever. Then it was midnight. For a
little while, they heard nothing. Then, in the distance, they
heard a father cry out (pause) and a mother scream. Soon it
seemed like all of Egypt was filled with crying and screaming.
But in the houses of God’s people, it was peaceful and quiet.
Not even a dog barked. It was just as God had promised—the
angel had passed over the Israelite houses! God’s people
learned in a huge way that when life is scary…
God is good!
Exodus From Egypt
Pharaoh emerges from the palace looking distraught, sad,
and a little bit angry. He points into the distance and shouts,
“My son is dead! Did you hear what I said? Dead! I’ve had
enough! Get out! Leave Egypt at once! Take your flocks and
your herds and all your people. And take your God. Be gone!
Now! Leave Egypt!”
Say: There was no time to waste! The people knew that
Pharaoh might change his mind at any moment, so they
had to hurry! Get up! Hurry! Let’s go! Let’s exodus out of
Egypt! There’s a whole book in the Bible about this exodus
from Egypt. You can read it when you get home. But right
now we have to hurry!
Motion for Crews to hurry toward the door. As kids leave, say:
I hope you’ll come back tomorrow to see what happened to
God’s people. But for now, you’d better hurry and leave. I’ll
see you tomorrow! And remember, when life is scary…
God is good!
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Day 3
Bible Story: The Israelites enter the wilderness. (Exodus 14–17)
Key Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love
endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)
Consider This…
• The Israelites had barely stepped one toe
out of Egypt before they began worrying
and wishing to return to the way things
were…even when those ways included brutal
slavery. In Exodus 14:11-12, God’s people
make it sound as if Moses forced them out
of Egypt: “What have you done to us? Why
did you make us leave Egypt?”
• Prior to leaving Egypt, the Israelites would
likely have not “seen” God’s presence. Once
they began their exodus, God appeared as a
visible pillar of cloud. The Israelites saw this
as a pillar of light, and the Egyptians saw it
as a pillar of darkness.
• Scientists estimate that a person can go
about a week without water, although that depends on the surrounding temperature
and the age and health of the person. The Israelites walked for three days without water, only
to arrive at an unusable water source.
• Nothing on earth exactly replicates all the descriptions of manna. The Bible describes it as
“grain of heaven” or “corn of heaven,” and some scholars think it sounds similar to liquid found
on tamarisk trees or hammada plants. However, neither of these plants is available year-
round.
Why It Matters…
There’s no doubt about it—change is hard. When kids have to change schools, they likely
long for the familiarity and routine of their old school. Sometimes friendships change and
kids miss the easy laughter with a longtime buddy. And sometimes divorce causes home
life to change, making kids wish they could return to life the way it was. How wonderful,
then, that God’s Word is filled with promises and examples of God’s everlasting, enduring
faithfulness. Today encourage kids that God’s goodness never changes! God is faithfully
beside us, pouring out his love and strength every day.
Bible Point:
When life changes…God is good!
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When life changes…
Day 3 God is good!
Sing & Play Roar Wild Bible
Adventures
· Learn the Day 3 Bible Point
Escape from Egypt, cross the
and key verse, and meet Bible Red Sea, and wander in the
Memory Buddy Marge. wilderness while God provides
through all the changes.
· Sing Roar songs.
· Hear from Irving that they
have to pack up and leave…or
get trampled by rhinos!
Hungry KidVid™ Cinema
Herd Café
Roleen’s life is filled with
Animal Cracker Dippers changes! Every week, she
leaves home and takes a long
Imagination boat ride to a school where
Station she stays. Even though it’s
hard to be away from her
Create this amazing changing family, Roleen loves God and
Presto Chango! Use it to celebrates his goodness.
remember that even when life
changes, God is good. Safari
Celebration
Use a balloon experience to
explore how God is our rock
when life gets wild.
Stampede Challenges Change Stick Jump Goal-Swapping Soccer
Sports
At Roar VBS, the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into
each station’s activities for unforgettable Bible learning. See
how your station reinforces today’s Bible Point.
21
Day 3 Supplies Day 3
••Water Fabric* Before Today’s Trek
••Undersea Plastic Backdrop*
••brown craft paper •• Arrange small blankets or rugs in your room for Crews to
••clear packing tape sit on.
••Electric Campfires* (1 per
•• Place Electric Campfires against the walls at various points
Crew per rotation) around the room, one per Crew. Leave them unplugged for
the start of the session.
••extension cords (if needed)
••marshmallow Peeps •• Lay lengths of crumpled Desert Sand Plastic Backdrop
around the room at the base of the walls, covering the
(1 per person) Electric Campfires. Your helper will uncover and plug in the
campfires while Crews are out of the room.
••straws (non-bendy are best)
(1 per person) •• Near your room, choose a spot for the Red Sea. You can hang
Water Fabric or Undersea Plastic Backdrop from the ceiling
••small baskets (1 per Crew to cover the walls along a short stretch of hallway. Or recruit
per rotation) four volunteers to stand on stepstools in the hallway, two
on each side. Have them hold two lengths of Water Fabric
••gluten-free cornflake cereal or Undersea Plastic Backdrop high in the air to create walls
(about 3 pieces per person) of water that undulate as they gently move them. For extra
effect, tape brown craft paper to the floor as dry ground.
••brown or yellow plastic
tablecloths (at least 2) •• Hang Water Fabric or Undersea Plastic Backdrop across the
entrance of your Red Sea so kids can’t see the walls of water
••Desert Sand Plastic until you want them to. Your helper can pull the backdrop
Backdrop* (about 4 aside so Crews can enter.
packages)
•• You’ll be traveling in the wilderness today like the Israelites!
••small plastic wading pool Lay lengths of crumpled Desert Sand Plastic Backdrop at the
••clean, empty plastic base of the walls on your route.
shoeboxes (4 or 5) •• About halfway along your route, set up the oasis of Marah.
Place a small plastic wading pool in the center of the hall. Lay
••bottled water (about Water Fabric inside the pool and over the edges. Then set four
two 16-ounce bottles per or five clean, empty plastic shoeboxes in the pool on top of
rotation) the Water Fabric. Partially fill the shoeboxes with water, and
set the extra bottles of water out of sight. Place the small
••small paper cups piece of wood and a supply of small paper cups nearby, plus a
(1 per person) basket to use as a trash can.
••small piece of wood
••wet wipes
•• large basket to use as a
trash can
••4 helpers with stepstools
(optional)
•• long wooden stick as a
staff (optional)
* available from Group Publishing
or your Group VBS supplier
22
•• Find a spot near your Wild Bible Adventures room where PAWS HERE!
you can prepare the “manna and quail” out of sight. To save
time later, open all the packages of marshmallow Peeps If you can’t travel through
you’ll need. Count enough Peeps so each person in your first a hallway or two, at least
rotation can have one, then add a few extras. Place all those try to leave the room
Peeps in the center of a plastic tablecloth and gather the briefly—even if you just
edges for easy transport. Open the cereal so you’ll be ready circle around and come
to pour it on the other tablecloth. right back in. Not only
does actually “traveling”
•• Run through the session with your helper(s) so each person reinforce the story, but it
knows what to do and when to do it. also engages kinesthetic
learners. If you absolutely
Welcome Crews can’t leave your room for
today’s adventure, set up
Greet Crews outside your Wild Bible Adventures room. When all the Red Sea and oasis of
Crews have arrived, say: Welcome to Wild Bible Adventures! Marah in different corners
I’m so glad you’re here. When I count to three, shout out your of the room.
favorite part of Roar VBS so far. Ready? 1, 2, 3! Pause. It sounds
like you’re really having fun. So am I! I can’t wait to experience
today’s wild Bible adventure with you! Let’s get started!
Lead kids into your Wild Bible Adventures room, and have Crews
sit in knee-to-knee circles.
Talk About Change
Say: Today we’re discovering that when life changes…God is
good! You know, change happens to everyone. For me…[give a
personal example of life change]. Ask:
W hen is a time you had a big change in your life? Maybe
you had to move and change schools or a baby brother or
sister was born in your family. Tell your Crew about a time
your life changed.
Thanks for sharing. Like I said, we all experience change. That’s
why I’m so glad that when life changes…God is good! Let’s
get back to the Bible and see what the Israelites are up to. The
last time we saw them, their lives were about to change in a
big way! Ask:
Who can remember where we left off
yesterday at Wild Bible Adventures?
Take responses.
That’s right! God sent 10 plagues to Egypt.
Finally, after the 10th plague, Pharaoh
ordered the Israelites to leave. So they
hurried and got out of Egypt. Come with
me, and let’s find out what happened!
Have Crews join you at the door, and lead
them out to the edge of your Red Sea.
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PAWS HERE! Cross the Red Sea
While you travel in the Say: The Israelites leave Egypt, and soon they come to the shores of
desert, your helper will dim the Red Sea. But look! Oh no! Point to the covering of the Red
or turn off the room lights Sea. The Red Sea is too big and too deep to get across!
and uncover and plug in And Pharaoh has changed his mind about letting all the
the Electric Campfires. slaves go. In fact, he’s on his way with his whole army! We’re
trapped! We can’t get across the Red Sea. But we can’t turn
back because Pharaoh and his army are coming after us! Did
you feel that? Pause. I thought I felt something. I can almost
feel the ground tremble as the Egyptian chariots get closer
and closer!
And listen—the people are panicking! They’re crying out to
God and yelling at Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die
in the wilderness? What have you done to us?”
But Moses said, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch
the Lord rescue you today.” God told Moses to raise his
wooden staff (raise your arm or staff) and the water would
divide. The people would be able to walk through on dry land!
Uncover your Red Sea. Look! The water in the Red Sea has
parted! We can walk through on dry ground! Come on! Lead
Crews through the Red Sea, urging kids to hurry.
After you pass through the sea, gather everyone in a big huddle.
Did we all make it? Is everyone safe? I can’t believe God parted
the Red Sea like that for us! That was a miracle! Look back
at the sea. Then God told Moses to raise his hand over the
sea again, and the water rushed back into place, drowning
the Egyptians.
Wow! God was so good to his people! Just think of all the
changes they went through! They weren’t slaves in Egypt
anymore. They didn’t even live in Egypt anymore. And
they weren’t trapped at the Red Sea anymore. They were
discovering that when life changes…God is good! But as
it turned out, the Israelites had a little trouble remembering
that. I’ll show you what I mean. Come with me.
Oasis of Marah
Say: The Israelites set out on their journey through the hot desert.
Begin to lead Crews through the hallway. They hoped to find
water along the way, but they couldn’t find any.
While you travel, have your helper dim or turn off the room lights
and uncover and plug in the Electric Campfires.
Keep stopping here and there to look for water. Pretend to be
really thirsty, making statements such as “I know it’s the desert,
but there should be water somewhere,” “I’m really getting thirsty,”
“I’m hot and I’m tired and I’m thirsty, aren’t you?” and “I don’t
know how much longer I can go without water. I’m really thirsty!”
24
The Israelites traveled in the desert for three whole days
without finding any water! Well, you can imagine how they felt.
They were really upset! They mumbled to each other, and they
mumbled against Moses. Let me hear you mumble. Lead kids
in a low mumbling sound. Mumble, mumble, mumble.
They began to grumble. Let me hear you grumble. Lead kids
in a louder grumbling sound. Grumble, grumble, grumble. Then
they actually started whining! Let me hear you whine. Lead
kids in whining to Moses in a singsong voice: Moses, we’re
thirsty! Moses, we need water! Moses, do something! Moses!
Let kids complain for about 20 seconds. Okay, okay, you can
stop. You were really convincing! Maybe you’ve had some
practice with that whining thing before. Continue on your way
through the hallway, leading kids in mumbling, grumbling, and
whining as you travel.
Finally, they came to the oasis of Marah. Stop at the oasis
you set up. Yes! Water! At last! Fill a small cup with water and
take a sip. Pretend the water is so bitter you have to cough and
spit it out. Eww! Gross! I can’t drink this water! It’s too bitter!
It’s undrinkable! Show me what your face might look like if
you tasted something bitter. Pause. Those were some really
bitter faces!
Well, now the Israelites were beyond upset! They mumbled
and grumbled and whined even louder! Lead kids in loudly
mumbling, grumbling, and whining.
Because the people were complaining so much, God
told Moses to toss a piece of wood into the water.
Toss the small piece of wood into the pool, avoiding
the water containers. Then take another drink of water,
swallowing it this time. Suddenly the water was good
to drink! Another miracle! Who wants a drink of fresh,
good water?
Invite kids to each dip a paper cup into one of the
containers of water for a small drink. They can place
their empty cups in the basket.
We’d better keep traveling. It’s not safe to stop in the
desert, you know. Lead kids back to your Wild Bible
Adventures room, pretending to be hot and tired. Lead
Crews in complaining and whining the entire way. As
you enter your Wild Bible Adventures room, turn to
everyone and say: I think we need a rest. Let’s stop
and camp here for the night.
25
FIELD TEST FINDING Manna Meal
A few kids gathered While you were traveling in the desert, your helper will have
more than two pieces of dimmed or turned off the room lights and uncovered and
manna, so we used that plugged in the Electric Campfires. Now your helper will be out
as a teaching moment, of sight, getting ready to put out the manna in the hallway.
explaining that some of the Close your door so kids won’t see your helper set up.
Israelites gathered more Say: I don’t know about you, but all that traveling made me
manna than God advised. kind of tired. It’s time to hit the hay…or well…the sand, I
Unfortunately for those guess. Let’s sleep. I can’t wait to see what God does in the
Israelites, the manna rotted. morning! He said there will be something like bread, and
God always does what he says he’ll do.
Have everyone lie down and pretend to sleep. After a minute
or so, softly say that you’re going to check outside. Step
outside the room briefly, then rush back in. Wake up! Wake
up! Come see! God did what he said! The ground is covered
with some kind of strange bread! I’ve never seen anything
like this! Go out and gather two pieces of this strange stuff,
then come back to your campfire.
Let Crew members go out to the wilderness and each retrieve
two pieces of “manna” from the plastic on the floor. After they
return to their campfires and are sitting in circles, say: Go
ahead and eat! This is unusual bread, isn’t it? The Israelites
decided to call it manna—which actually means “what is it?”
I think that’s a good name, since no one had ever seen this
special kind of bread before. In fact, it was so special that
God told Moses to put some in a jar and keep it to show to
future generations!
Meanwhile, your helper will quickly remove the plastic with
manna and replace it with the plastic tablecloth holding the
marshmallow Peeps.
Quail Landing
As kids are eating the manna, say: This manna is amazing! I
can’t wait to see the birds God said he’d rain down for us. Let
me see if anything’s happening outside. Open the door and
peek into the hallway. If your helper has laid the
“quail” in place and moved out of sight, continue.
If your helper is still working, close the door and
tell kids that you don’t see anything yet but you’ll
check again in a minute or so. After your helper has
finished, continue.
Wow! When God says he’ll do something, he really
means it! You have to see this! The ground is covered
with quail—birds we can eat! Are you hungry? Come
on—each person can gather one quail and bring it
back inside!
26
Have Crew members go out into the wilderness again FIELD TEST FINDING
and each gather one marshmallow Peep. Encourage
each person to take just one quail and return to We were amazed that not
the room. one person—not one!—
Have Crews return to their campfires. Give each Crew a stepped on the plastic
basket containing straws and a container of wet wipes. when picking up manna
Encourage kids to each put a bird on a straw “stick” and and quail. And there were
pretend to roast it over the campfire. so many smiles and laughs
when kids saw the cereal
Closing and marshmallow Peeps!
Say: Wow! The Israelites went through so many changes! FIELD TEST FINDING
They definitely learned that when life changes…God is Since today’s Bible story is
good! I want to tell you something. If you’re going through a packed with adventure, you
can simplify by combining
change in your life right now—especially if it’s a hard change— the gathering of quail
please remember today’s Bible story. and manna into the same
God heard and helped the Israelites, even when they activity, if desired. However,
complained. God will hear and help you, too. God has a good we found we had plenty of
plan for your life! And it’s not just me saying that—the Bible time to do them separately.
says so! Open your Bible to Jeremiah 29:11. Listen to this: “ ‘For
I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans
for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’ ”
God is good, and he loves you! I hope you’ll come back
tomorrow for another wild Bible adventure! See you then!
When you hear your Director’s signal, dismiss kids to their next
destination. Repeat today’s Point as kids leave.
Save the supplies you used to make the Red Sea—you’ll use
them again for Day 5.
27
Day 4
Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life. (John 16–21)
Key Verse: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” (Psalm 34:18)
Consider This…
• There’s interesting symbolism to Jesus carrying his own cross
outside the city. In Genesis 22, Isaac carried the wood that
Abraham would use to sacrifice Isaac…until God provided the ram
as a sacrifice. And Leviticus 16 commands the priests to take the
sin offering outside the camp or city. Jesus—the Lamb of God—
became our sin offering!
• Roman soldiers usually crucified only non-citizens, lower-class
citizens, or those accused of high treason or desertion (in wartime).
The accused died a shameful, disgraceful, and agonizing death.
• Continuing the shame and disgrace of crucifixion, soldiers usually
tossed the body of the crucified person into a pit. And Jesus, being
penniless, didn’t have the money to pay for a formal burial. Yet
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus—both members of the
Sanhedrin—stepped in. They took Jesus’ body and prepared it for
burial themselves.
• Scholars estimate that a typical stone that was rolled over the
opening of a tomb cave weighed anywhere from 1 to 3 tons!
• Although we usually think of angels with halos and wings, most
times angels appear in the Bible, people describe them as looking
like men. When Mary saw two angels near the tomb, she didn’t
even realize they were angels!
Why It Matters…
On the surface, it may seem odd that we call Good Friday “good.” Yet without Jesus’ death,
there would be no payment for sin. And there wouldn’t have been the triumphant, joyful
resurrection!
Kids—and adults—find it hard to imagine anything good in the midst of sad times. What
good can come from a loved one dying? How can a child find any good in a bully? And what’s
so good about being left out or alone? God never promises that this life will be pain-free. But
he does promise to be near when we’re hurting. And, more important, he showed that there’s
always hope—always joy—to come. Use today’s experiences to give kids the strength to rely
on God’s power in sadness and to look forward to the time “He will wipe every tear from their
eyes” (Revelation 21:4).
Bible Point:
When life is sad…God is good!
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Day 4 When life is sad…
Sing & Play Roar God is good!
· Learn the Day 4 Bible Point Wild Bible
Adventures
and key verse, and meet
Bible Memory Buddy Zion. Give their “stone” sins to Jesus,
thank him for taking their
· Sing Roar songs. punishment, and celebrate that
· Watch as the leader he came back to life.
comforts Irving, who’s sad to
see his friend Gregory leave.
Hungry KidVid™ Cinema
Herd Café
Fortune’s life may seem a little
Frown-Upside-Down sad. He doesn’t have a dad,
Snack Mix and his mom can’t walk. But
Fortune has seen so much of
God’s goodness that his heart
is full of joy!
Imagination Safari
Station Celebration
Use the color-changing Celebrate the joy we can have
Optichrome to remember that because Jesus came back to life.
God can turn sad to happy!
Stampede Bowled Down Blinding Bluff Dive and Capture
Sports
At Roar VBS, the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into
each station’s activities for unforgettable Bible learning. See
how your station reinforces today’s Bible Point.
29
Day 4 Supplies Day 4
••free-standing wooden cross Before Today’s Trek
••small plastic wading pool
••circle of chipboard or other •• Cut a piece of chipboard into a circle that will fit inside your
small wading pool. This step is optional, but we found that
wood to fit inside the pool having wood under the cross instead of the pool’s plastic
(optional) greatly changed the sound when a stone was dropped in.
•• brown sheet or fabric
••small smooth stones (1 per •• Place the wading pool near a corner of your room. Cover the
person per rotation, plus pool with a brown sheet or piece of fabric. Then stand the cross
several extra for you) on top of the sheet or fabric.
•• baskets (1 per Crew per
rotation) •• In an adjacent corner, build a simple tomb using foam slabs
•• bucket of heavy stones painted to look like stone and cardboard boxes wrapped in
••Stone Wall Plastic Backdrop* Stone Wall Plastic Backdrop. Place a lantern flashlight out of
••cardboard boxes wrapped in sight in the tomb and turn it on. Place the white cloth inside
Stone Wall Plastic Backdrop the tomb, and cover the entrance with a foam slab or box. Add
••foam slabs painted to look plastic greenery around the tomb.
like stone
••plastic greenery •• Partially fill a bucket with heavy stones. Place the bucket near
••white cloth and slightly behind the cross.
•• large lantern-type flashlight
••red washable markers (1 per •• Place small, smooth stones in a basket for each Crew in your
Crew per rotation) first rotation. You’ll need a stone for each person. Place a few
••white rope lights small stones near the wading pool for you.
*a vailable from Group Publishing •• Place white rope lights around the perimeter of the room, and
or your Group VBS supplier dim or turn off the overhead lights.
Introduce the Bible Story
Greet Crews outside your Wild Bible Adventures room. Wait until all
Crews have arrived; then say: Welcome to Wild Bible Adventures!
I’m so glad you’re here for today’s Bible story! This whole week
at Roar VBS, we’ve been learning about God’s goodness. We saw
how God was good to the Israelites, and today we’ll see how God
was good to the whole world. Today’s Bible story is the most
important news you’ll ever hear in your life, so I hope you listen
carefully. I don’t want you to miss any of it.
And today if you hear me say “When life is sad…” I want you to
whisper “God is good,” okay? Let’s practice. Whisper the Point and
have kids whisper the response.
Then lead kids into your room and have them sit quietly.
We’ve been following the Israelites this week, but today we’re
going to jump ahead many years to when Jesus was on earth.
Jesus is God, and he came to show us God’s goodness. Jesus had
been traveling around, teaching people about God’s love. But his
time on earth was almost over, and he knew it.
30
On his last night, Jesus had a special dinner with his best friends, Kid Quote
the disciples. Jesus knew that one of those friends would betray
him. Ask: Child to Crew Leader:
They’re going to talk about
What does it mean to betray someone? the cross and Jesus dying,
and I cry every time.
To betray someone means to turn your back on that person in
a time of need. It can also mean to turn that person over to an
enemy. Jesus knew one of his friends would betray him, and he
knew it would happen soon.
After dinner, Jesus and a few friends went to a quiet garden so
Jesus could pray. Jesus already knew it would be in that very
garden that he’d be betrayed, but he went anyway. Ask:
I f you knew that something really bad was going to
happen to you at a certain place, would you still go there?
What would you do? Take a few responses.
Jesus went to the garden, even though he knew something
terrible would happen to him there.
Discuss Sad Times
Say: Jesus knew that after he was betrayed, he’d
be arrested. He knew that he’d be beaten and
mocked. And he knew that after all that, he’d
be crucified—nailed to a cross to die.
Jesus’ friends and family watched it happen.
Can you imagine? They were so upset and sad!
Ask:
When is a time you were really sad? What
happened to make you sad? For me…[give
a personal example].
Give kids time to talk. Then give a one-minute
warning to wrap up discussions.
It sounds like we’ve all gone through sad times. But we’re
learning about God’s goodness, and…are you ready to
whisper? Continue in a whisper: We’re learning that when life
is sad…God is good. Then continue in a regular voice.
Jesus knew we’d be sad sometimes. Listen to what he told his
disciples not long before he was arrested. Jesus said, “Here on
earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I have overcome the world.”
Wow—Jesus has overcome the world. What does that mean?
It means that Jesus was willing to go through incredible
hardship and pain for us. He was willing to die to take the
punishment for our sins—the wrong things we do.
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Compare Stones and Sin
Give each Crew a basket of stones, and have each person take one.
Say: Let’s think about sin for a minute. Hold your stone tightly in
one fist, and don’t let it go. Now everyone stand. Pause. Have
Crews stand near you, facing you and the cross. Hold up a
stone for everyone to see.
You know, this stone kind of reminds me of sin. Stones are usually
kind of dirty, aren’t they? That’s like sin—sin makes our hearts
dirty. And if our hearts are dirty, we can’t be close to God. Sin
separates us from God. Take a step back, away from the cross.
Pause as Crews step back.
Another thing about a stone is that it’s hard. Is anyone’s stone
soft? No? That’s like sin, too. Sin can make our hearts hard. It can
make us turn away from God. Remember Pharaoh? His heart
was hard, and he turned away from God. Take a step back, away
from the cross. Pause as Crews step back.
Weigh the stone in your hand. You know, this one stone isn’t too
heavy, is it? After all, it represents just one sin. But imagine if you
had to carry around a stone for every wrong thing you do. Pick
up another stone. A stone every time you disobey your parents.
Pick up another stone. A stone every time you’re not nice to your
brother. Pick up another stone. A stone every time you think a
mean thought.
Point to the bucket of stones. What if you had to carry the weight
of every sin, every day of your life? Try to pick up the bucket of
stones with one hand. Make it seem as though the bucket is
very heavy. Imagine how heavy that would get. It would be
unbearable! But Jesus made a way for us to be forgiven for our
sins. Point to the cross. When Jesus died on the cross, he took the
punishment for our sins. We don’t have to carry them anymore.
Jesus overcame the world!
Give Sins to Jesus
Have Crews remain standing.
Say: Let’s give our sins to Jesus right now. Hold your stone and
close your eyes. Think about how heavy your sins would be
without Jesus. I’ll call Crews up to the cross one at a time.
When it’s your turn, gently drop your stone at the foot of the
cross, and whisper, “God is good.” Like this. Demonstrate.
Did you hear that sound when I dropped my stone? Drop
another stone. It sounds like a nail being hammered into
wood—like nails into a cross.
After you give your sin to Jesus, sit quietly with your Crew.
Close your eyes and listen to the sound of other people giving
their sins to Jesus.
32
Play “Good Good Father” (track 8) softly in the background.
Invite each Crew in turn to the cross, and have kids gently drop
their stones at the foot of the cross as they whisper, “God is
good.” Then have Crews sit. When everyone has had a turn at
the cross, turn off the music.
Draw Crosses
Say: Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to be nailed
to a cross so he could carry our heavy sins. What
amazing love! I want you to have a reminder of that
love. Give each Crew Leader a red marker. Explain that
Crew Leaders will draw a cross on the back of each
child’s hand. Then they’ll look the child in the eyes and
say, “[Child’s name], Jesus loves you and died for your
sins.” Say that a child can draw a cross on the Crew
Leader’s hand, too.
Play “Good Good Father” (track 8) softly in the
background. When everyone has a cross, collect the
markers and continue.
Jesus Is Alive!
Say: What a sad, sad day it was when Jesus died. Say the
Point in a whisper: But we know that when life is
sad…God is good. And God was very good because
that wasn’t the end of the story!
Three days after Jesus was buried, a few of his
friends went to the tomb and were amazed! Remove
the door of the tomb so light is visible. There was an
angel in the tomb who said, “Why are you looking
among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t
here! He is risen from the dead!” Jesus was alive! That
tomb made of stones couldn’t hold him. Come, look! Invite Crews
to join you in looking inside the empty tomb.
Okay, no more whispering—let’s shout the good news! Let’s
shout today’s Point. Ready? 1, 2, 3. Have your helper turn on
the lights, and lead kids in shouting today’s Point. When life is
sad…God is good! That was okay, but I think we can shout
louder. 1, 2, 3. When life is sad…God is good!
Yay, that was better! Because of Jesus, we can remember that
God is good! Jesus gives us a reason to celebrate every day!
Loudly play “Good in Every Way” (track 4), and invite kids to sing
and do the song motions.
Keep the stones handy for use on Day 5 in Wild Bible Adventures.
33
Day 5
Bible Story: The Israelites build a memorial to remember God’s goodness.
(Joshua 3–4)
Key Verse: “Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious.” (Nehemiah 4:14)
Consider This…
• God tasked Joshua with finishing the job
Moses had started—leading the Israelites
into the land God had promised. While
many battles still lay ahead, the Israelites
could celebrate after such a long time
wandering without a homeland.
• Immediately following the spies’ return
from Jericho, Joshua and his leaders
prepared for a procession that would be
holy and sacred while also awe-inspiring
and unforgettable.
• The Ark of the Covenant contained
reminders of God’s provision, promise,
and power: the stone tablets inscribed
with God’s law, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff. The Ark acted as something like a portable
sanctuary and was a representation of God’s presence.
• The Bible shows that Jacob (Genesis 28:18-22; 31:45-46), Joshua (Joshua 24:26-27), and
Samuel (1 Samuel 7:12) all used stones as symbols that memorialized God’s hand in their lives.
Why It Matters…
Like the Israelites, the kids at your VBS probably have reasons to celebrate. After all, God
has poured out blessings such as health, friendships, food, safety, and loving families. Yet
all too often we forget that these good things come from God, who gives them out of his
goodness and love. Today will be an excellent opportunity to show kids what praise looks
like, what it means to remember God’s blessings, and how to pour out our thanks to our
good, good God.
Bible Point:
When life is good…God is good!
34
Day 5 When life is good…
Sing & Play Roar God is good!
· Learn the Day 5 Bible Point Wild Bible
Adventures
and key verse, and meet Bible
Memory Buddy Savanna. Cross the Jordan River, build a
memorial in the Promised Land,
· Sing Roar songs. and thank God for all the good
· Watch as Irving shares things he does.
his enthusiasm about red
jungle skimmers.
Hungry KidVid™ Cinema
Herd Café
Ruth sees God’s blessings and
Savanna’s Celebration Cakes goodness in everyday life—a
bountiful crop, a loving family,
and fun friends!
Imagination Safari
Station Celebration
Watch hidden pictures appear, Share God’s goodness, and plan
and remember to look for God for ways to “launch” God’s love
and thank him for his goodness. into our world.
Stampede Say It With Feeling Pin the Tail on the Giraffe Sponge Tag
Sports
At Roar VBS, the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into
each station’s activities for unforgettable Bible learning. See
how your station reinforces today’s Bible Point.
3355
Day 5 Supplies Day 5
••stones from Day 4 (1 per Before Today’s Trek
person, plus 1 for you)
•• Make your own Ark of the Covenant by wrapping a cardboard
••fine-tipped permanent box in gold wrapping paper or gold fabric. Turn the box over
markers (metallic work well) and use clear duct tape to attach two broomsticks to the box
(1 per person per rotation) as carrying handles.
••Undersea Plastic Backdrop* •• Along the same route you traveled in the wilderness on Day
•• brown craft paper 3, create a Jordan River to cross. (You can use the same
••clear duct tape supplies you used to make the Red Sea on Day 3.) Tape a
•• baskets (1 per Crew per length of brown craft paper to the floor. Kids will cross at the
center of the length. On either side of the center, lay a length
rotation) of Undersea Plastic Backdrop, overlapping the two lengths
••cardboard box slightly in the center. Tape the ends to the floor just beyond
••gold wrapping paper or the ends of the brown paper. You’ll pull back both lengths of
plastic from the center to reveal “dry ground” that kids can
gold fabric walk on.
••2 broomsticks (from Day 2
•• Scatter stones on the brown paper, under the overlapped
KidVid Cinema) lengths of Undersea Plastic Backdrop. You’ll need a stone for
* available from Group Publishing each person, but your helper can replenish between rotations
or your Group VBS supplier so your dry ground isn’t too rocky.
PAWS HERE! •• Place fine-tipped permanent markers in baskets, one basket
per Crew per rotation.
As on Day 3, if you can’t
travel through a hallway Introduce the Bible Story
today, do try to leave
the room briefly—even if Greet Crews outside your Wild Bible Adventures room. When all
you have to circle around Crews have arrived, say: Welcome to Wild Bible Adventures! I
and come right back in. can’t believe it’s our last day together! I’ve had so much fun
Not only does actually exploring God’s goodness with you! Are you ready for our final
“traveling” reinforce the totally true Bible story? Good! Let’s go!
story, but it also engages Lead Crews into your room, and have them each sit in a knee-
kinesthetic learners. If you to-knee circle.
absolutely can’t leave your
room for today’s adventure, Today we’re learning that when life is good…God is good!
set up the Jordan River at
one end of your room. My life is good right now because I get to be here with you at
Wild Bible Adventures!
36
Ask:
How is your life good right now? Maybe it’s good because
school is over or you’re going on vacation soon. Or maybe
it’s good because you got to come to Roar VBS! Tell your
Crew what’s good in your life right now.
Give kids time to talk, then ask for a few reports.
I’m glad you have good things in your life. All good things come
from God, you know. Listen to what the Bible says in James
1:17. Open your Bible to James 1:17 and read the verse aloud:
“Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our
Father.” I’m so thankful to God for all the good things he gives
us, aren’t you?
Now it’s time to dive into today’s totally true Bible story. Let’s
go back in time to catch up with the Israelites. As I remember,
we left them wandering in the desert after God rescued them
from Egypt. But I don’t want you to think they were wandering
around because they were lost. Nope, they weren’t lost.
God had led them to the Promised Land, just as he said he
would. But remember how the people complained all the time?
Well, this time they really complained and they refused to trust
God. And God decided he’d had enough. God said that because
they didn’t trust in him, only their children would be allowed to
enter the Promised Land when they grew up. Until then, they’d
all have to live in the wilderness for 40 years. So that’s why
they were wandering in the wilderness. And that’s where we
find them today—almost ready to enter the Promised Land!
Back to the Wilderness
Say: Well, I guess we’d better finish wandering with the Israelites.
We’ll need four people to be the priests who carried the Ark
of the Covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was a special,
sacred box that contained things that were important to
the faith of the Israelites. Remember the other day how I
said God told Moses to save a jar of manna? Well, that jar of
manna was in the Ark of the Covenant. So were the stone
tablets with the Ten Commandments written on them. The
Ark of the Covenant was so special that it always went
ahead of the people, so we all need to walk behind it. Usually
when they traveled, they covered the Ark with leather and a
piece of blue cloth. But since we’re not going outside, I think
we’re okay.
First we need four priests to carry it. Point to four Crews.
Whoever’s wearing the most blue in those Crews will be
the priests.
Have the four priests each hold one end of the Ark’s poles. Lead
Crews out of the room and along your wilderness route, letting
the kids carrying the Ark of the Covenant lead the way. Travel
37
around the halls, then stop before you get to the banks of the
Jordan River you created.
Stop for the Night
Say: We’re near the river we have to cross to get to the Promised
Land! But it’s getting late, so let’s camp here for the night. Have
Crews sit. Joshua, the new leader of the Israelites after Moses,
told the people that the next day they would see God do great
wonders. I wonder what kind of wonders we’ll see. We’ll find
out soon! But first let’s get some sleep. Have kids lie down and
pretend to sleep. After a minute or two, wake them up.
Wake up! It’s time to get going. I can’t wait to see what God is
going to do! Have everyone stand, and let the kids with the Ark of
the Covenant lead Crews to the Jordan River you created. When
you arrive at the river, have everyone stop before touching the river.
Cross the Jordan River
Say: Halt! Everyone halt! Stop! Point across the river. We’re here—
we’re finally here! This is it! When we cross the Jordan River, we’ll
be in the land that God promised his people long ago!
Walk back and forth next to the river. Um…there seems to be a
slight problem—one tiny, little problem. It’s harvest season, and
the river is overflowing its banks! The water’s way too high for us
to cross! Turn to kids with your arms outstretched. Now what are
we going to do? We’re so close to the Promised Land!
Let kids call out a few suggestions. Hmm…I seem to remember
being in a similar situation not too long ago. Weren’t we up
against some other water we couldn’t cross? Let kids call out
comments. Yes, the Red Sea! That was it! And how did we get
across the Red Sea? Let kids call out responses. Right! God
parted the water so we could walk across on dry land. And that’s
exactly what God did here at the Jordan River!
As soon as the priests’ feet touched the water, God stopped the
river from flowing! You and your helper can each pull back a side
of the Undersea Plastic Backdrop to reveal the brown paper and
stones. Another miracle! We’ll be able to walk across on dry land!
God told each of the 12 tribes of Israel to pick up a stone from
the river. The stones must have been big because the Bible says
that each man should carry the stone on his shoulder. But since
our stones are small, let’s have each of you pick up a stone as
you cross the river and then hold it tightly in your hand.
In the Bible, the priests with the Ark of the Covenant stood in
the river as all the other Israelites crossed. But our river isn’t
big enough, so we’ll let the priests cross first, then we’ll follow.
Remember, pick up a stone and hold it tightly in your hand—no
letting it go. Have the kids carrying the Ark of the Covenant each
38
pick up a stone and then carry the Ark across the river. Then have FIELD TEST FINDING
the rest of the Crews follow.
Wait for all Crews to cross the river; then continue. We made Our space didn’t allow us
it! We finally made it to the Promised Land! Let’s celebrate! to build a river big enough
When I count to three, shout, “God is good!” Ready? 1, 2, 3. God for the priests to stand on
is good! dry ground as everyone
else crossed, so we had to
Build Memorials improvise a little. If your
river is big enough, allow
Have Crews sit on the floor. the priests to stand in
Say: When the Israelites got across the Jordan River into the the river with the Ark of
the Covenant.
Promised Land, God told them to build a memorial with the
stones they had picked up. Ask:
Does anyone know what a memorial is?
Take a few responses.
A memorial is something designed to keep a memory alive. It
can be a building, a statue, or in this case, a stone memorial.
The 12 men piled the stones on top of each other as a
memorial to mark God bringing his people into the
Promised Land. Let’s build our own memorials.
Let’s remember all the good things we’ve learned about
our good God this week. For each thing I say, pile one of
your stones on your Crew’s memorial. Ready? First we
learned that when life is unfair…God is good! Have
a member of each Crew place a stone in the center of the
Crew circle. We learned that when life is scary…God
is good! Have another Crew member place a stone on
top of the first. We learned that when life changes…
God is good! Have another Crew member place a stone
on top of the others. We learned that when life is
sad…God is good! Have another Crew member place a
stone on top of the others. We learned that when life is
good…God is good! Have another Crew member place
a stone on top of the others. If you still have any stones,
go ahead and place them on your memorial. Pause.
Look at all of God’s goodness that we can remember forever!
God really is so good! You know, I have an idea. Instead of
leaving our memorials here, let’s take our stones home as
reminders of God’s goodness. Everyone take a stone from your
memorial and follow me. Let the Ark of the Covenant go first,
then everyone else can follow.
39
FIELD TEST FINDING Remember God’s Goodness
Lots of kids couldn’t restrict Have Crews head back to your Wild Bible Adventures room, with
themselves to writing the Ark of the Covenant leading the way. Have Crews sit on their
just one good thing, so blankets, and give each Crew a basket of fine-tipped permanent
they wrote as many as markers. You know, I keep thinking of today’s special Bible
would fit on the stone. So verse. It’s from the book of Nehemiah and says, “Remember
many good things—thank the Lord, who is great and glorious.” Let’s remember our great
you, God! and glorious God right now!
Think of one good thing God has done for you or your family.
On your stone, write a word or draw a picture of that good
thing from God. Maybe you’ll write the word “family” because
God’s given you a family who loves you. Or maybe you’ll write
the name of someone you’re thankful for. Or maybe you’ll
write your own name because it’s good that God made you!
You can even just draw a heart if you want.
Give kids time to write or draw. Then have kids show and explain
their stones to their Crew members.
Close in Prayer
Say: Thank you so much for going on adventures with me this
week to discover God’s goodness! Let’s thank God for being so
amazingly good.
To close your time together at Wild Bible Adventures, have
everyone hold his or her stone in cupped hands as you pray.
Pray: Dear God, thank you for all the good things we wrote or
drew on our stones. And thank you for all the good things we
learned about you this week. Please help us remember your
goodness every day. And please help us show your goodness
to others after we leave VBS today. We love you, God. In
Jesus’ name, amen.
Thank you so much for coming to Wild Bible Adventures this
week! I’ve had a great time learning about God’s goodness
with you! Remember, when life is good…God is good!
Play “I’m Trusting You” (track 1) as kids leave, dismissing them
with high-fives and smiles.
40
Wild Bible Adventures
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Make bricks for Pharaoh, and Try to convince Pharaoh to let Escape from Egypt, cross the Red
discover how unfair life was for God’s people go, and watch Sea, and wander in the wilderness
the Israelites as slaves in Egypt. as God protects the Israelites while God provides through all
when he sends 10 scary plagues the changes.
on Egypt.
Day 5
Day 4
Give their “stone” sins to Jesus, Cross the Jordan River, build a
thank him for taking their memorial in the Promised Land,
punishment, and celebrate that and thank God for all the good
he came back to life. things he does.
Questions: The Easy VBS® 978-1-4707-5595-9 Printed in the U.S.A.
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