I hope that we can build onto this theme a great week for the children. One in which they shor' have barrels of fun While larnin' from the good book! -- Yo'r feedback and ideas are most welcome!!
Life is not easy and we often find ourselves in troublesome situations where we have to make difficult decisions. These stories focus on a series of difficult times in David’s Life. And on the ways his character was after God’s own heart. An present Saul in contrast. Lessons should highlight similar situations children may find themselves in and discuss the good or bad of these character traits. There is an emphasis in these situations on dealing with these "showdowns" - confrontations - as God would have us do. "Saul" may be for a child - an abusive parent, or a bully or gang, or an unfaithful friend. Violence is a significant part of our world, and many children live in constant fear. Some are tempted to flee, and some to respond in kind. David presents us with godly responses to trouble both courageous, trusting God and merciful towards his foes. In presenting the Gospel during the week, we will want to highlight God’s Character traits as He similarly expresses them toward us.
David’s "outlaw" years - "... doing the right things in bad situations."
should furnish us some straight shootin' Bible Lessons! [1 Sam 16 - 31]
Here are some pictures of the VBS children and the Melodrama Players.
We used plenty of Staff for a full evening's Schedule!
We had a Bar-be-Cue Hoe-down -- a Barn Party with plenty of hay and western music in a member's hayloft to kick off the week!
My Western Ideas and fun activities file shows ways to enhanced the Cowboy theme such as Cowboy Bandannas [stamped with "Brands" as the memory verses were learned], Wanted! Poster T-Shirts and posters with the children's faces on them; as well as some available resources for doing VBS Graphics and Fonts.
Our programs began with plenty of Cowboy songs most with a spiritual emphasis - including our own lyrics for Davy, Son of Jesse, King of the wild Frontier!
We presented an original full length "Melodrama" The Ballad of Davy the Outlaw with a different act presented each evening that highlighted the story of Saul and David. Read through the Script, it was both fun and demanding for our "troop" of actors. Even if you don't use the Melodrama, be sure and look it over!
Our class times offered lessons and applications developed by the teachers. (Click that link for some guidelines for developing lessons for your particular classes) in the tents and teepee, while the parents attended a workshop on Christian Family Finances. To help you study this portion of 1 Samuel there is an Interpretive Outline of Samuel and a comparision of David and Saul.
For a package of Western fonts to use for materials and posters, consider purchasing the Wild West Font Collection by Scriptorium. However, there are quite a few free Western fonts available on the internet. Here are some free western fonts on the web:1001 Fonts , and Rattlesnake Jack's have lots, also Simply the Best,
and others can be found I am "shor".
So many in past years have used my material with only a word of thanks, or less. But even small donations to our mission fund would much appreciated. I am currently preparing for a mission trip to Uganda in the Fall 2007 or Winter 2008. I ministered in Uganda for three weeks in March 2003, and again in 2005. My wife has done three trips to Hungary assisting my daughter who is a missionary there. Your donations can help a great deal. Send your requests, ideas and any and all feedback to Windy (aka eldrbarry)
Curriculum and Lesson Overview: (5/26/99)
Scripture Memory Passages from Psalm 34 - a Psalm which was written in the context of 1 Sam 21:10-15 - David at his lowest point in fleeing Saul! Key Verse: A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19
Developing the Western Theme
We at Chapel Hill came up with a western "town" campus complete with a Western Gate and fence, tents (including a teepee) for the classes and crafts, and an Amplitheatre complete with hay bales for seating for the Cowboy Revue and Melodrama! Putting this together took a lot of energy and creativity, but our children were worth it! Our Sanctuary and dining area was ringed with Wanted! Posters with all the children's and Staff's pictures in western costume, done with a digital camera, and computer. 
Each evening began with our Church Wagon offering simple and inexpensive meals for busy families before the activities started, and a wild west games and crafts activities time!
We gave out daily handouts to the children in an "old time newspaper" format with "frontier news, stories, and advertizing" related to the daily lessons - They are Adobe Acrobat PDF files that you can read and print out with an Adobe Acrobat Reader. 
They are rather large files, sometimes a long time to download depending on modem speeds, so be sure and give them plenty of time. The Parent file is much smaller and loads fairly quickly. Expect to look at a blank screen till the downloadings done! The .gif files are a bit less in quality and much smaller files, but should work. (Right Click and) Save the each graphics file to disk and use a graphics program to print them. I use Paint Shop Pro 5.0. They are about 1173 by 1524 pixels and hopefully will print out on a 8.5 by 11 sheet.
You are welcome to explore and use these curriculum in your ministries, but please e-mail Barry McWilliams (Eldrbarry) for permission and include my name and and copyright on materials you take from my site.
