God's Word and Me!

A Vacation Bible School Curriculum by Barry McWilliams
an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America

Curriculum Overview

Overall Theme: God's Word is My Way to Life in Jesus.

Daily Sub Themes:
1. God gave His word to me to use.
2. God's Word must be obeyed by me.
3. God's Word is a guide for me.
4. God's Word shows me my sin.
5. God's Word brings me to Jesus.

Bible Lessons

Day One: The Word of God must be used.
Main Texts: Duet 6:1-9 (Psalms 19, 119; 2 Tim 3:5-17)
Story: "THE CHILDREN WHO WORE GOD'S WORD"
Teaching Method: A "Participation" story

Day Two: The Importance of Obedience to the Word of God
Texts: 1 Kgs 10:23-11:13; Dt 17:14ff (James 1:22-25, 1 Jn 2:3-6)
Story: "THE WISE KING WHO BECAME FOOLISH"
Teaching Method: Pictures-in-Sequence

Day Three: The Bible gives us direction for how we live
Texts: 2 Kings 22, 23 (Gal 3:21-25; I Peter 1:22-2:3)
Story: "THE BOY WHO FOUND GOD'S WORD"
Teaching Method: Flannelgraph

Day Four: The Bible shows us our sin and need
Texts: Jeremiah 36 (Hebrews 4:12-13, 2 Peter 1:15-21)
Story: "THE MAN WHO BURNED GOD'S WORD"
Teaching Method: Storytelling

Day Five: The Bible Shows us Jesus our Savior
Texts: John 5:19FF, 1:1-18 (Jn 5:19-47)
Story: "THE MAN WHO WAS THE WORD"
Teaching Method: Puppet Story

[Back]

Memory Passage: Psalm 19:7-11

One of the main goals of the VBS is the memorization of Psalm 19:7 - 11. This passage will be worked on as a whole during the entire week of the VBS in a variety of fun ways. The detailed description of the method will show you how this will be accomplished. Learning sessions will define the various names given for Scripture and its purposes and value to me.

Object Lessons:

The Object Lessons illustrate aspects of the Memory Verses and are to be given by the Pastor or VBS Team Leader during the Morning Assembly.

Day One: Pot metal and Gold - God's word is to be Treasured - Psalm 19:10

With the help of some volunteers play "Let's make a deal" offering swaps for items desirable and undesirable. Emphasize why we "value" some things and not others. Gold is one of the most valued substances. God's word is more valuable. (Psa 19:10). Why? Not even Gold can keep us from sin and death. God's word offers us life in Jesus which lasts forever.

Day Two: Sweet and Sour - God's Word makes my sour life sweet - Psalm 19:10

Mix up strong, but safe solutions of Salt water, lemon juice, vinegar, and a jar of honey. Have three volunteers come forward, and one by one give them a "taste" test (What is the solution? Do you like the taste?) With each one explain how sin in our life makes us sour, thirsty, even ill. God's word helps us realize just how bitter our sin is. The Gospel given in God's word can take away the bitterness. (Psa 19:10) Sweeten up your "puckered up" volunteers with a spoonful of honey.

Day Three: Perfect and imperfect - God's word is Truth, not to be mixed Psalm 19:7,8

Have a variety of Mixable and unmixable solutions. (Cooking Oil, and Several Colors of dyed Water) God's Word is perfect (Oil), man's word is imperfect (Various colors mix into "yuk"). However We Cannot and must not try to mix man's ideas with God's Truth. God has given us the Truth in the Word and in His Son.

Day Four: Warning and Reward - There is reward in heeding its warning - Psalm 19:11

Warnings are useless if not heeded. Hold up several homemade warning signs, including a DANGER, STOP, a WRONG WAY sign and a ONE WAY sign. God's word is sharp like a sword in showing me what I am like, but if I pay attention to it, it will bring the reward of eternal life in Jesus, and His forgiveness of my sins.

Day Five: Light and Dark - leads me in the right ways - Psalm 19:8b

Walking in the darkness of sin will only cause me to stumble and fall. Blindfold someone and give them a flashlight and let them try to find their way. God's word gives me the light to know how I am to live and believe. Then take off the blindfold. Jesus is the light of the World.

[Back]

Decorations

Decoration Hints To add to the atmosphere, perhaps you can make "scrolls" with butcher paper with Scripture verses written out to hang on the walls. Use the additional verses at the ends of the Lessons or verses from Psalm 119. Don't use the memory passage, however, for obvious reasons. You could also do pictures of "illustrative objects" representing the "Word of God" such as a lamp, a ruler, a jar of honey, etc. Make a flannelboard for the front outlined in the shape of an open Bible.

[Back]

© 1991 Barry McWilliams and Mission Church Fellowship, Hypertext Version © 1996 Barry McWilliams
This Curriculum may be downloaded, copied and used with permission of the author
by any Church or Christian Organization - Donations accepted.
For Permission and other information contact Barry McWilliams at eldrbarry@eldrbarry.net

This page is: http://www.eldrbarry.net/vbs/1/word3.htm

Follow These Links to:
Eldrbarry's HOME Page . . . God's Word and Me: INDEX . . . MORE About Eldrbarry