day 3 devotional

ALL WE LIKE SHEEP

Today’s Overview:

Day	Theme	Bible Memory	Bible Story
3	The Good Shepherd provides for us!	Ps 23:1 The lord is my Shepherd I shall not want	Genesis 30 God provides for Jacob even when he is being tricked

I am sitting outside with my laptop writing, in the shade a tall tree. I can hear the birds singing, and my children playing. As I look up at this giant tree, I just simply enjoy the serenity of the moment.  Into my spirit the Good Shepherd whispers to me. “I thought of you when I planted that tree.”

Wow…the profoundness of this. That God would in his intimate wisdom provide me with at tree to write under.  This tree of provision is probably 50-60 years old! Before I was conceived or even thought about by humankind, God was already providing for me.  I love that! I wonder as I sit here what other kinds of provision The Good Shepherd has given me that I don’t even think about, much less thank Him for, yet he has still provided for me.  

Of course there are the obvious provisions that I can rattle off without thinking to hard….food, shelter, health, etc….and it is true that I am very grateful for these. Many people in other locations of the world are not so fortunate, but what of the other ‘trees’ in my life that the loving Good Shepherd has lavished us.  Today why not start of list of your ‘trees’.

  I will give you some of mine to help get you started.

·         The resources available while writing this curriculum.

·         The  laptop I am typing on right now.

·         The song bird that is serenading me as I write.

·         The laughter of my children.

·         The comfort of the sweater I am wearing.

   And the list could go on and on!

Today in our Bible story we will learn about Jacob. (Genesis 30) God in his mercy provided for Jacob and his family with some unusual methods. An overview of the life of Jacob, would show a man who many might not view as worthy of God’s gracious provision. He could easily be thought of as schemer, liar, trickster, and even a thief. Yet still we can see God’s hand on his life and provision for Jacob and his family.

I am so grateful that even in the moments when my behavior says I don’t deserve it. The Good Shepherd still provides for me. Now it’s time to start your own provision list.

Day 1 preschool

Day 1

 The Good Shepherd knows me

Preschool

Active Learning Time

·         Set up chairs/furniture to make an imaginary sheep fold. (There will be different times during the week when the children could play ‘pretend sheep’ so if you want to make the sheep fold something that just stays up for the week of vbs, that would be fun as well.)

Let the children pretend to be sheep and go in and out of the sheep fold. Assign a child(or you could do this) to be the ‘shepherd’. Have the shepherd call each child by name to come out of the sheep fold.  Then let the sheep follow the shepherd around.  

·         Help the children play a variation of the game ‘Simon says’  really to focus on the things that make each child unique in the calling of the children .

For example

Shepherd says, “If you are wearing red, jump up and down”

Shepherd says, “If you have long hair, touch your nose.”

Shepherd says, “If you like to watch TV, turn around in a circle.”

Carpet Learning Time

Call each child by name to join you on the carpet for story time. 

Today we are learning that Jesus the Good Shepherd knows us! He knows us from the top of our head all the way down to the tips of our toes!

I want you all to wiggle your toes. Are your toes dirty? Do some of you have colors on your toes? Are your toes in shoes?  (allow for responses)

Did you know what?  Jesus the Good Shepherd knows what each one of your Toes looks like even when they are in socks and shoes!

Now I want you to think about your legs. Can you feel the pants you have on? Does anyone have scrapes on your knees or band aids on?

Did you know what?  Jesus the Good Shepherd sees every boo boo you ever get? And he likes to watch you run and play with your legs?

Everyone put your hands on your belly, and rub it. Does your tummy feel hungry sometimes?

Do you know what? Jesus the Good Shepherd knows when you are hungry.

Everyone put your hand where your heart is.

Do you know what? Jesus the Good Shepherd knows how many times your heart has beat since we got to VBS today!

Everyone wiggle your fingers and bend your elbows! Sometimes it can be hard to keep our fingers to ourselves. Sometimes we can do fun stuff with our fingers like pet the dog, or paint a picture.

Do you know what? Jesus the Good Shepherd knows all about your fingers! He knows when it is hard to keep your fingers to yourself. He knows when you use your fingers to be kind and gentle. He is sad if you use your fingers or hands to hurt or hit someone.

Now everyone put your fingers up in your hair.

Do you know what? Jesus the Good Shepherd knows exactly how many hairs are on your head. Isn’t that neat?

Do you know what else? 

Jesus the Good Shepherd knows when you are happy! (Get all the children to make a happy face)

Jesus the Good Shepherd knows when we are sad. (Get everyone to make a sad face)

Jesus the Good Shepherd knows when we are angry (get everyone to make angry faces)

Jesus the Good Shepherd knows when we are surprised! (get everyone to show you a surprised face)

Jesus the Good Shepherd knows us!

Now let’s all stand in place and review our Bible verse again!

I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me John 10:14

Invite the children to repeat after you and add actions!

I am the Good Shepherd

(kids make a shepherd staff with their hands)

I

(point at self)

Know my sheep

(point at each other)

And my sheep

(point at each other)

Know me

(point to self)
John 10:14

Table Learning Time

Supplies needed

-Sheep to decorate template here

-Pom poms  and cotton balls

-Glue

-Markers/Crayons
-handouts for Day 1
-Sheep stickers

Hand out project:

·         Give each child their hand out for today. Have them put sheep stickers on the hills on page 2.

·         Talk about how Jesus the Good Shepherd knows where each of the sheep are and he knows where each of us is too!

·         Make sure you put each child’s name on their take home page.

Craft project:

Instructions:

·         Have the children make the sheep by gluing pom poms /cotton balls onto the sheep body. Allow the children to color the cotton balls with markers if the would like to.

·         Decorate and glue on head(add goggle eyes if wanted)

·         Remind the children just like our sheep all look different, we all look different too. But Jesus the Good Shepherd knows exactly who we are.

·         Put each child’s name on their sheep craft.

Snack Time

Depending on how you have arranged to do things with the snack department, either have snack time in your room or go to where the watering hole is for snack. 

craft and snack

INTRODUCTION

           In this curriculum we will take a week (5 days) to discover what it means to be part of God’s flock, and learn about the Good Shepherd who leads us!  From the Old to the New Testaments the Bible continuously refers to us as sheep, and God as our Good Shepherd. This week we will go on a journey, to discover first, that the Good Shepherd knows us. Then we will learn how the Good Shepherd protects, provides, and loves us. The last day will come full circle as we come to realize that the Good Shepherd invites us to know him!

We are all like sheep!  So fluff up your wool and get ready for some fun!

Welcome to the Craft Barn (craft time)

The Craft Barn is a place where the kids can use their creativity to continue learning about the day’s theme. Each craft is designed to go along with that day lesson/theme and will encourage the child to further understand the lesson. 

We all learn differently. For some children God will really reinforce the lesson in craft time, and for others they might learn more through the game time. That’s okay, it is your job as the Craft Instructor to provide a place where the Children can come and have fun with their creativity!

Please take the time before each lesson to review the theme of the day as well as the memory verse, so that you can direct conversation and questions in such a way that reinforce the lesson.

You are the Craft Barn, so take the time to be as creative as you can at making your space feel like a Barn where you do crafts. 

You will be sharing 30 minutes of time with the Watering Hole (snack time). This means you will have approx. 15 minutes with the children, so plan accordingly, and keep in communication with the snack director.

Here is a pintrest list of ideas to spark your inspiration!

As the Craft Instructor we ask that you:

Prepare! Read through your lesson and make sure you are prepared for your time with the children.

Pray! Pray for the children you will be in contact with this week and ask God to use you to touch their lives in a special way.

Be creative!  After all this is the craft barn! 

Have Fun!  If you are having fun, the children will have fun too!

Welcome to the Watering Hole (snack time)

The Watering Hole is a place where the Children can come and have a snack break during their time at VBS. The snack suggestions for each day fit in with the theme of the lesson each day.

Please take the time before each lesson to review the theme of the day as well as the memory verse, so that you can direct conversation and questions in such a way that reinforce the lesson.

Your space is the Watering Hole and the theme of VBS this year is sheep, so use your creativity to make the space you have feel like a sheep watering hole.  Perhaps this is a good time to dig out your churches manger (from Christmas) and serve your snacks from there??  Be creative and let God inspire you!

You will be sharing 30 minutes of time with the Craft Barn (craft time). This means you will have approx. 15 minutes with the children, so plan accordingly, and keep in communication with the craft instructor.

Here is a pintrest list of ideas to spark your inspiration!

 

As the Snack Director we ask that you:

Prepare!  Look at the snack suggestion, and how it fits in with that day’s theme. Then plan accordingly.

Pray! Pray for the children you will be in contact with this week and ask God to use you to touch their lives in a special way.

Enjoy! Enjoy the opportunity to serve the children and interact with them.

Have Fun!  If you are having fun, the children will have fun too!

VBS  Overview

Day	Theme	Bible Memory	Bible Story
1	The Good Shepherd knows us!	John 10:14 I am the Good Shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.	John 10 Jesus teaches us that he is the Good Shepherd and he knows each one of us by name!
2	The Good Shepherd protects us!	Psalm 122:7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life.	Psalm 23 David is a good shepherd and he protects his sheep just like the God protects us
3	The Good Shepherd provides for us!	Ps 23:1 The lord is my Shepherd I shall not want	Genesis 30 God provides for Jacob even when he is being tricked
4	The Good Shepherd loves us!	Isaiah 40:11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart.	Luke 15 The Good Shepherd will go out searching for a lost sheep because he loves them.
5	The Good Shepherd invites us to know Him	John 1:29 Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!	Luke 2 God invites the shepherds to see the baby Jesus

schedule

devotions day 2

ALL WE LIKE SHEEP

Today’s Overview:

Day	Theme	Bible Memory	Bible Story
2	The Good Shepherd protects us!	Psalm 122:7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life.	Psalm 23 David is a good shepherd and he protects his sheep just like the God protects us

Devotional insights from the author:

Safety—it is a powerful thing to feel safe. As humans we often first need feel safe before we allow ourselves to feel anything else.  Even our ability to feel love must often be prerequisite by our need to feel safe. Think of a tiny baby nestled up against her mother or father in a sweet parent child love moment.  If that parent was yelling or screaming, then the child would not be able to allow themselves the freedom of snuggle or love . That baby would most likely be pushing away at the parent and have a reaction of fear. In order for that child to feel love they must first be embraced by safety and protection.

As adults we are the same with God. We need to embrace the safety and protection of our Heavenly Father before we can allow ourselves to feel all the positive things he has for us. The Bible paints us pictures over and over of way that he is willing to provide us with the protection our humanity so very much needs.

Psalm 23:2-3 is one of these places

He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.

God wants us to feel confident in his presence and experience him as he leads us calmly through the green meadows and peaceful streams of life.  These are the moments of rest in our lives when God impart refreshment into our lives.

Obviously life is not always calm and peaceful.  There are moments of chaos, moments of sorrow, moments of darkness, and confusion. As we continue to read verse 4 of this passage our Good Shepherd addresses this as well.

Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,^[a]
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me

It isn’t the lack of hard things in life that gives us safety, but rather the person who we are walking with.  It isn’t the lack of dangerous experiences, but instead the one whom we put our trust in for protection.  

How about you?  Are you in a place of calm, when you need to embrace the Good Shepherd as your safety and experience the refreshment he has for you? Are there areas in your life that seem frightening right now that you need to give to the Good Shepherd and let him lead you through?  Are you able to allow the Good Shepherd to be your protection?

Just as a good shepherd tries to provide safety for his flock, pray and ask God for ways that you can offer safety for the children today in VBS. Be open and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Safety for one person might not feel safe to another person. A gentle hug for one child might be what they need, but to another that might seem scary. 

Worship Time

Sheep Fold day 5

The Sheep Fold(Bible Lesson)

Day

Supplies needed:

• glass of plain water
• food coloring
• glass of bleach water
• the present and invitation for each child
• hand outs for each child

Advance preparation:

• Familiarize yourself with the story and theme of the day 
• I would highly recommend practicing this story with some bleach water at home first
• This might be a good class to have the pastor or some church elders available in case there are children who need some one on one.

Introduction:

All week we have been learning about how we are like sheep and God is our Good Shepherd.  We have heard stories about Shepherds in the bible so we could understand how much

The Good Shepherd Knows us

The Good Shepherd Protects us

The Good Shepherd Provides for Us

The Good Shepherd Loves us

BUT

There is a BIG problem. The Good Shepherd is GOOD. Another word for Good is also Holy. The Good shepherd isn’t just a little bit good or holy, like when we get a good grade or act good one day.  The good shepherd is ALL THE WAY good and holy! That means that there isn’t a place for anything thing bad near him.

If I have a cup of water. And it is all the way clean. And I put just one tiny drop of food coloring into it. Is it still clean?  God is the same way. He is all the way Good (pull out  a thing of bleach water.) He won’t let ANYTHING bad come into him!

Bible Time:

 Another word for ‘bad’ is also sin.   A sin is doing something that God says is wrong…like stealing or lying or disobeying our parents. The Good shepherd is so Good that the punishment for sin is death.

Lets read some verses:

Romans 3:23 NKJV  – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:10 NKJV  – As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;

Romans 5:12 NKJV  – Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned–

Romans 6:23 NKJV  – For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now you can see why this is a problem. Because all of us have ‘bad’ or sin in us.  So each one of us deserves the punishment of sin, and none of us can really get close to the Good Shepherd (God)

But the Good Shepherd loves us SO MUCH that he made a plan to save us from our own sin and  take away our ‘bad’ or sin so we could come to him and know Him.

Do you know what his plan was?

The Good Shepherd became a sheep. Not a real sheep that says baaa, but one of us…God the Good Shepherd became a person. That person’s name was Jesus.  Jesus the Good Shepherd came to earth and never ever sinned. Then when he grew up to be a man he took the punishment that we should have had and died on a cross, so that he could save us from our sins. 

Romans 5:8 NKJV  – But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

And then there is our memory verse John 1:29

Behold

(pointing)

the Lamb

(cradle a baby)

of God

(pointing up)

Who takes away

(act like your are taking something with both your hands)

the sin

(make ‘devil’ horns with your fingers on your head)

of the world

(make a ‘globe’ with your hands)

John 1:29

Because Jesus came to earth and took the punishment for our sins, when receive his gift, and ask him to forgive us for the wrong things we have done, He comes into our lives and makes it clean.(pour God water into the dirty cup). Then we can know him because he has made us clean.

Now I have something for each one of you. (Open the box that the announcer had and give each child a ‘gift’.

I want you to open this Christmas present. (in each present there will be a manger scene and a invitation) you see the Good Shepherd became the Lamb of God for each one of you, and He wants to invite each one of you to know him and follow him. He wants to be your Savior and friend. He wants to make you clean like the water so you can know him.   It is his free gift to you, but he won’t make you accept his invitation. Its your choice.

If this is a choice you would like to make then I would ask you to say this simple prayer with me.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for becoming the Lamb of God so you could save me from my sin.

I accept your invitation.

Please be my friend and my savior.

Please forgive me of the wrong things I have done.

Help me to get to know you more and more each day.

In Jesus name

Amen

For closing encourage the children who have prayed that prayer with you for the first time to talk to you or one of the leaders about their decision. 

Let the kids work on their take home sheet if there is extra time.

Day 5 closing

Day 5 The Good Shepherd Invites me to know him

1)      Welcome back

As the students come back into the Corral welcome the back class by class. 

Announcer: Hey everyone one MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2)      Closing Song(optional)

Pick one or two of the songs from the worship time..

3)      Offering and Attendance report

Okay it’s time for our Offering and attendance report!

Tell the kids how many boys versus girls attended vbs and report on the offering totals(if you are having a boy versus girl contest with this you can discuss this as well)

3)      Bible Memory review

     Behold

(pointing)

the Lamb

(cradle a baby)

of God

(pointing up)

Who takes away

(act like your are taking something with both your hands)

the sin

(make ‘devil’ horns with your fingers on your head)

of the world

(make a ‘globe’ with your hands)

John 1:29

4)      Closing Prayer

It has been so much fun with all of you this week.

I hope you always remember this VBS!

Let’s close our VBS this year out with prayer!

Good Shepherd,