Vacation Bible School (Book 1)

Book 1 Theme “The Gifts of the Spirit” in a Series of Five Themes. These ideas are available for any Church group to utilize for their own programs.

 

 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

 

By

Esther and Richard Provencher

 

 

COPYRIGHT:

 

© 2016 by Esther and Richard Provencher

Dester Publications. All rights reserved.

 

These ideas are available for any Church group to utilize for their own programs. There are five themes, one per book, and each one designed to apply to the 3 appropriate age groups which run concurrently, each day.

 

 

DEDICATION;

 

For all children who attended and graduated from God’s plan for a fun filled, Christian learning experience at Abundant Life Fellowship Church, in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. Some of these boys and girls are now adults.

 

 

CONTENTS:

 

One main Bible Theme for each Day Program, Monday to Friday, 9-12 noon.

 

Day Programs run concurrently for all Levels: (ages 3-5); (ages 6-8; (ages 9-12).

 

 

THEME: THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

FOR AGES 3 - 5

 

Lesson 1:

 

A Gift from God -- LOVE

 

TV programs talk about love. They show off fancy

clothes the actors wear. Sometimes there is a love

for these clothes. There is also a lot of love for a

very fancy home, even toys. And feelings become

a sort of love. They are some of the types of love.

And God’s Word helps us understand the differences.

 

Memory Verse:

“Love Never Ends” (1 Cor 13:8)

 

Explain:

How much does God love you?

Is mercy part of God’s Love?

What is your love for parents and friends?

 

 

LESSON 2:

 

A Gift from God – PATIENCE & SELF-CONTROL

 

The Bible talks about patience. And testing our faith.

God has a different kind of watch. His time is the right

one. We live in a world that is like a race. Quick, eat, to

the bus, get to school, homework, hockey, karate, and

swimming  lessons. Follow God’s Laws, to live properly.

His way is listening, proper eating, and sharing things.

 

Memory Verse:

“…the race before us…” Hebrews 12:1

 

Explain:

How long does it take God to do something?

Do you get upset if someone gets ahead of you?

Are you nice to others when you are sad?

 

 

LESSON 3:

 

A Gift from God – GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS

 

Be a great example to others. And use what you learn

about God to help them. He loved to be around children.

Why? Because they are without sin. And they ask lots

of neat questions. God gave us words to live by – “Treat

others as you want them to treat you.” Try not to use

any excuses that take away good things in our hearts.

 

Memory Verse:

“Your gentleness has made me great” (Psalm 8:35)

 

Explain:

Do you ever boast about your parents?

Why is it important to forgive your friends?

What do you do if someone is not nice to you?

 

 

LESSON 4:

 

A Gift from God – FAITHFULNESS & GOODNESS

 

God is always with us, in everything we do. He is not just

our friend. He gives us hopes and dreams. Why is that?

Some people give up too easily. Do you? Jesus proved he

was no quitter. He carried the cross to the top of the hill.

We know He rose from the dead like He promised. His

Goodness will always be with us, to help us and love us.

 

Memory Verse:

“…your Goodness and Love will be with me all my life” (Psalm 23:6)

 

Explain:

Do you think God keeps His Word?

Why does God keep forgiving us?.

How does God want us to live each day?

 

 

LESSON 5:

 

A Gift from God – JOY & PEACE

 

God is like a hockey coach. He teaches us through His

Word and there is joy when the game is won. And each

of us shares in the victory when the team wins. There is a

peace that follows with satisfaction after the training and

the practices. It is the same way to learn about the Bible.

Then we can follow God’s ways like when He lived on earth. 

 

Memory Verse:

 

“The joy of the Lord will make you strong.” (Neh. 8:10)

 

Explain:

When do God’s people shout with joy?

Why does God want to help you overcome any worries?

Jesus died for us so we would have a better life. Why?

 

 

FOR AGES 6-8

 

Lesson 1:

A Gift from God -- LOVE

 

TV gives children a wrong idea about love.

It’s more than fancy clothes or how much

they cost. It’s more than love of expensive

toys, computers or a nice house with a

swimming pool. God wants us to live more

than just by our feelings. He gave us the Bible.

 

Memory Verse:

“Love Never Ends” (1 Cor 13:8)

 

Explain:

How does God show His love for you?

Is mercy a part of God’s Love?

How do you show love for parents and friends?

 

 

Lesson 2:

 

A Gift from God – PATIENCE & SELF-CONTROL

 

The Bible talks a lot about patience through testing our

faith. God’s wrist watch is different than ours. His time

is the correct one. He knows every step we take. We

live in a world, fast as a speeding car. Quick, eat, run, to

hockey, swimming, ballet lessons, karate and more.

Follow God’s laws, live properly, and learn from others.

 

Memory Verse:

“…the race before us…” Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)

 

Explain:

How long should we wait for God to do something?

Do you get jealous when someone gets ahead of you?

Do you help others when you feel forgotten?

 

 

Lesson 3:

 

A Gift from God – GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS

 

We can be an example to others if we use what we learn

about God. Some of your friends are not so strong and

need you to be gentler with them. He always loved to be

around children. And He gave words to help everyone live

a good life. He wants each of us to treat others as we want

them to treat us. Excuses take away good things in our hearts.

 

Memory Verse:

“Your gentleness has made me great” (Psalm 8:35)

 

Explain:

Do you like to brag about anything?

Do you forgive your friends or parents for what they have done?

Do you pay back someone who is not nice to you?

 

 

Lesson 4:

 

A Gift from God – FAITHFULNESS & GOODNESS

 

God is always with us, in all we do, even in our hopes

and dreams. Once in a while he whispers something in

your heart. He does not want you to give up on your

plans. Jesus proved He is no quitter. Think of the trip He

took to the cross, while He was cut and bleeding. And His

goodness is still with us even after all the terrible suffering.

 

Memory Verse:

 “…your goodness and love will be with me all my life” (Psalm 23:6)

 

Explain:

Do you trust in God’s word?

Why is God a forgiving God?

How does God want you to live?

 

 

Lesson 5:

 

A Gift from God – JOY & PEACE

 

With God we have strength especially when things

are tough, like a close hockey game. God teaches us

we can have joy, even if we lose. When we study His

Words in the Bible, God gives us understanding. We

know He will take care of us, since He is always beside

us. If we abide by His ways we can have a good life.

 

Memory Verse:

“The joy of the Lord will make you strong.” (Neh. 8:10)

 

Explain:

What makes God’s people shout with joy?

Why does God want you to have peace in your heart?

Jesus died for us so we could have a good life.

 

 

FOR AGES 9-12

 

Lesson 1:

 

A Gift from God -- LOVE

 

Sometimes we can love clothes too much. Even the

price attracts us and gives a false feeling. We may

brag to friends about what we have. Maybe it’s a love

of our fancy computer and the games we have, or

the beautiful home, with a swimming pool. We have

to be thankful for simple things, like family, and friends.

 

Memory Verse:

“Love Never Ends” (1 Cor 13:8)

 

Explain:

How much does God love you?

Is mercy part of God’s Love?

What is love for our parents and friends?

 

 

Lesson 2:

 

A Gift from God – PATIENCE & SELF-CONTROL

 

The Bible talks a lot about patience through testing

our faith. God has a different watch. His time is the

right one. We live in a fast world, quick to eat, run,

play hockey, take ballet, swimming lessons and more.

If we follow His Commandments we can live a good

life.  Follow His laws, live properly, and help others.

 

Memory Verse:

“Do all I command and good things will happen” (Jer 7:23)

 

Explain:

How long should we wait for God to do something?

Do you get jealous when someone gets ahead of you?

Do you help others when you feel forgotten?

 

 

Lesson 3:

 

A Gift from God – GENTLENESS AND KINDNESS

 

Try and be a good example to others. Use what you

know about God and His precious Words. He loved

to be around children because they are so eager to

learn. God wants us to treat others as we want them

to treat us. We don’t want silly excuses to take away

good feelings in our hearts. Also read the Bible often.

 

Memory Verse:

“Do for others what you want them to do for you.” (Luke 6:31)

 

Explain:

Is there anything you like to brag about?

Should you forgive friends who do anything to you?

Is it okay to be nice to people? Why?

 

 

Lesson 4:

 

A Gift from God – FAITHFULNESS & GOODNESS

 

God is always with us, in all we do, even in our hopes

and dreams. Like an angel He hovers close by. Some

people quit their plans too easily, but Jesus proved

he was no quitter in his mission to the cross. Even though

He was bruised and bleeding He went through with a

plan for our salvation. Now we have a real hero to copy. 

 

Memory Verse:

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all my life” (Psalm 23:6)

 

Explain:

Are you trustful of God’s word?

Can you be a forgiving person like God?

How does God want you to live?

 

 

Lesson 5:

 

A Gift from God – JOY & PEACE

 

Joy is the same as strength when times are tough.

God takes us through hard times through trial and

tribulation. We can endure through good times and

bad times. We know and understand by God’s

word He will take care of us. He is always there for

us. But we must abide by His ways as in the Bible.

 

Memory Verse:

“God’s peace will keep hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:7)

 

Explain:

When do God’s people shout with joy?

Why does God want to help you overcome worry?

How did the death of Jesus help us have a better life?

 

 

NOTES:

 

This Summer program opened up with prayer, words of welcome and a brief introduction of 3 Program leaders for each of the age groups. They were responsible to stay with their age group and to participate with them as they went to each of the four locations below where other volunteers waited:

 

Bible Study based on Biblical Theme;

Art & Table Fun;  

Outdoor Games; and

Treat Time.

 

Prizes and certificates of accomplishment were handed out at the end of the week. Sing-songs and gifts for special achievement were given, and all received a small bag of treats. Many volunteers donated holidays and spare time for this exciting program of activities. We averaged around 50 children each of the five mornings.

 

 

AUTHOR INFORMATION

 

Esther and Richard Provencher are President and Vice-President, respectively, of Dester Publications. They are a husband and wife team, married March 27, 1975 in Sarnia, Ontario, and currently live in Truro, Nova Scotia.

 

They have four grown children, have been foster and adopting parents and helped establish, along with four other families, Abundant Life Victory Church almost 30 years ago, in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. They have been very involved in community youth work, and church outreach, including visiting nursing home residents, and providing meals to those less fortunate, with another church.

 

Esther and Richard co-authored many books for all ages, especially to help Richard focus on something challenging after his aneurysm-stroke. He continues to progress very well. Esther has been a volunteer Bookkeeper, the past 20 years at Abundant Life, an inter-denominational church, and Richard was the Bulletin Editor for three years. Both authors are “born-again” Christians.   

 

NOTE: 

This Christian program is one of 5 different themes written by Esther and Richard L. Provencher for five consecutive Vacation Bible School summers at Abundant Life Victory Church in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia, Canada. They are now available at no charge for use by any interested group, and all posted on FaithWriters.com site. Have fun.