Welcome to Keepers of the Kingdom!
Huzzah! 
It’s time to charge into medieval times—a world brimming with breathtaking castles, regal kings and queens, fire-breathing dragons and brave knights, and epic battles.
Amid the pages of Keepers of the Kingdom: Standing Strong in Today’s Battle for Truth, your knights will learn how to be part of God’s kingdom and wear the armor of God. Our Royal Majesty’s kingdom is under attack, and we must prepare for battle!
Day 1: The Two Kingdoms—We will discover there are just two kingdoms—the kingdom of light versus the kingdom of darkness. One is ruled by the good King, Creator God. The other is ruled by the enemy, Satan.
Day 2: The Belt—We must decide our side. Those who become citizens of God’s good kingdom need to wear the armor of God daily, starting with the belt of truth that helps us have an unshakable trust in God’s Word, along with helping us live as truthful people.
Day 3: The Breastplate and Shoes—The breastplate helps God’s children put on Christ’s righteousness and grow in right living. The shoes show us we can be at peace with God, which helps us stand firm in our Christian convictions and share Jesus with others.
Day 4: The Shield and Helmet—The shield and helmet protect us from the enemy’s attacks—wrong thinking, discouragement, and deception. We will learn to discern!
Day 5: The Sword and Prayer—The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, which helps us train our brains to know, memorize, love, and obey God’s Word. And as we battle, we must pray!
Excitement and adventure await from the first minute of each day when kids meet in traveling troupes. The troupes gather at the Apprentices’ Assembly in the Great Hall, a high-energy beginning that includes wacky intros, lively songs, a missions moment, and prayer.
Then they’re off to rotate through five fun sites:
Truth Talks in the Keep, where God’s Word is taught in hands-on ways.
Kieran’s Science and Crafts in the Courtyard, where kids are bedazzled making special craft and science creations of their own.
Tessa’s Treats in the Town, where kids can feast on tantalizing treats and eats.
Griffin’s Games on the Green, where there are plenty of old-world games with new fun twists.
Minerva’s Missions, Music, and Memory Verses at the Manor, where kids can sing songs, learn their memory verses with fun games, or go in-depth with the mission moment featuring Children’s Hunger Fund and the Wild Brothers.
Finally, everyone heads back to the Apprentices’ Assembly in the Great Hall for the closing, where there’s more singing, contest results, and the highly anticipated daily drama. This is situated in the royal chambers and features some regal (and not so regal) characters who are engaged in a classic battle between good and evil.
So prepare to step back in time, embark on the journey, and partake in one royally fun time!
Daily Overview
Day 1: The Two Kingdoms
Bible Passage: Creator King and prince of darkness; John 18:37–38; Ephesians 6:10–14
Lesson Focus: We’re in a battle between two kingdoms—God’s good kingdom that is based on truth and the enemy’s bad kingdom that is based on lies.
Apologetics Focus: Absolute truth is true for all people, for all times, for all circumstances.
Animal Pal: Winifred the Warhorse
Toddler/Pre-Primary Memory Verse: 
Put on the whole armor of God. Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)
Primary/Junior Memory Verse:
Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10–11 (ESV)
Day 2: The Belt
Bible Passage: The Savior King; Genesis 1–3; Gospels; Ephesians 6:14
Lesson Focus: Each child of the King needs to fasten on the belt of truth.
Apologetics Focus: Build a biblical worldview to stand strong in the truth.

Animal Pal: Wily the Fox 
Toddler/Pre-Primary Memory Verse: 
Having fastened on the belt of truth. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)
Primary/Junior Memory Verse:
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14 (ESV)
Day 3: The Breastplate and Shoes
Bible Passage: King Josiah; 2 Kings 22–23; Ephesians 6:15
Lesson Focus: Put on the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes of peace.

Apologetics Focus: Put on what’s right (Jesus’ righteousness), then do right.

Animal Pal: Grimwald the Dragon
Toddler/Pre-Primary Memory Verse: 
Put on the breastplate of righteousness, and . . . shoes . . . of peace. Ephesians 6:14–15 (ESV)
Primary/Junior Memory Verse:
And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 (ESV)
Day 4: The Shield and Helmet
Bible Passage: King Solomon; 1 Kings 2–11; Ephesians 6:16–17a
Lesson Focus: Take the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation. These will guard you from the enemy’s attacks. 
Apologetics Focus: Guard against false teachings and temptations.

Animal Pal: Byron the Ironclad Beetle
Toddler/Pre-Primary Memory Verse: 
Take up the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)
Primary/Junior Memory Verse:
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:16 (ESV)
Day 5: The Sword and Prayer
Bible Passage: King of Kings vs. Prince of the Air; Matthew 4:1–11; Ephesians 6:17-18a

Lesson Focus: Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and pray at all times. 

Apologetics Focus: Be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in you.

Animal Pal: Skye the Peregrine Falcon
Toddler/Pre-Primary Memory Verse: 
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit . . . praying. Ephesians 6:17–18a (ESV)
Primary/Junior Memory Verse:
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Ephesians 6:17–18a (ESV)
News You Need to Know
T-Shirt Info
VBS T-shirts are available in the foyer for $5 each. They are a nice quality, 100% pre-shrunk cotton shirt. Sizes available are: Youth extra-small, Youth small, Youth medium, Youth large, Adult small, Adult medium, Adult large, Adult XL, Adult XXL, Adult XXXL, Adult XXXXL. Limited quantities available, so get yours now!
Music CDs for Sale
Music CDs featuring songs from this year’s VBS are also for sale. These are $2 each and are available in the foyer. 
Treasure Hunts and Contests
We will be having exciting daily treasure hunts and contests this week for ages 4–12. Your child can earn individual and team points each day by participating in the following:
 	[INSERT YOUR CHOSEN TREASURE HUNT AND CONTEST INFO HERE]
VBS Bookstore
Our bookstore this year will have a fantastic assortment of both children and adult Christian resources for sale at great prices. The bookstore will be open Monday through Friday and the Sunday morning following VBS. It will be located in the foyer, so stop and have a look.
Games
Sturdy shoes are recommended every day so your children can freely run and play without twisting an ankle.
Craft Alert
Our crafts are awesome, fun, and potentially messy! Please make sure your children wear play clothes that can get dirty. 
Mission Moment—Food Paks with Children's Hunger Fund
Our mission project this year is called Forged in Hope. We'll be raising money for a ministry called Children’s Hunger Fund that delivers the hope of the gospel in a special way. During mission time, your kids will set off on a treasure hunt to collect quarters to support local churches delivering hope and food to children in need all over the world. Your mission is to collect coins for meals that will be delivered in Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks. 
A Food Pak is a 20-pound box of nutritious food that is hand-delivered to the home of a needy family by a trained volunteer from a local church in their community. 
Rally your kids to raise funds for the meals that go in every Food Pak. Each meal costs only 25 cents! So, every dollar that’s raised can provide four meals for hungry kids—and each meal represents an opportunity to proclaim the gospel!
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Arrival: Insert your specifics here.
Dismissal: Insert your specifics here.
Closing Program
On Sunday morning we will host a closing program. 
[INSERT SPECIFICS HERE]
This will be a big, exciting time for the children, so we’re looking forward to seeing you on Sunday morning!