Day 1
GR+8
 God is Great!

Today's Medallion
Number 1
Bible Passage
Paul in a City of False Gods
Acts 17:16–34
Animal Pal
Camo the Chameleon
Lesson Focus
God is GREAT! He is the one and only God, the awe-inspiring Creator. 
Apologetics Focus
There's only one God as revealed in the Bible. You can't make up a god of your own choosing.
Treasured Verse
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. Psalm 145:3

Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Mystery Box
Touch Table Water: Ocean Animals
Touch Table Sand: One and Only God
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Coloring Corner: Psalm 145:3
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Day 1 Mystery Clue
Teach It!
Part 1: Acts 17
Part 2: Puppet Pal—One and Only God
Apply It!
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah"
Song 2: “Praise Him, Praise Him, All You Little Children"
Wrap-Up Review
Preparing for the Lesson 
Read Acts 17:16–34 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials as outlined in the brown Pre-prep text.
Visit AnswersVBS.com/mifaq for more information on there being only one God—the God of the Bible.
Pray.

Devotion 1 God Is Great
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10
At Mystery Island, we’re encouraging our kids to discover the one true God. But . . . how do we know the one true God even exists? It’s a question that has crossed the mind of every believer at some point—sure, I believe in God, but how do I know the God I love and serve is truly the one true God?
Before we answer that question, let’s go a bit further by asking another question: how can we know anything? How do we even know to question the surety of God’s existence? Here’s the answer: apart from the perfect, truthful, unchanging, eternal God of the Bible, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3) and from whom come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 9:10), we cannot know anything.
Think about it.
If, as some suggest, there is no god—no ultimate standard of truth and knowledge—and we are simply the product of random processes operating on chemicals over time, then the thoughts in our brains are nothing more than the product of random chemical interactions. How could we know anything?
If, as others suggest, our universe is ruled by a god who is not eternal (Mormonism, History of the Church, vol. 6, ch. 14, p. 305–6) or who is deceptive (Islam, Koran 3:54, 8:30), how could we be sure that what we know is true today will still be true tomorrow?
The one true God of the Bible has created each person in his image and given us the ability to think rationally, to question thoughtfully, to know truth fully. And he has revealed himself to everyone so that no one is without excuse (Romans 1:18–21). Those who deny his existence or seek to change him into a false version of himself are willfully ignorant, suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
We can know the one true God exists because we have the ability to know in the first place. And we can praise him that he freely gives wisdom to those who ask for it (James 1:5). This week, let’s be quick to seek wisdom from the one true God as we teach our children to know the one true God and embrace him fully.
May we be thankful as the Puritans were, not only that we can know things, but also that the one true God has enabled us to know him.
Glorious God,
I bless thee that I know thee.
I once lived in the world, but was ignorant of its Creator,
was partaker of thy providences, but knew not the Provider,
was blind while enjoying the sunlight,
was deaf to all things spiritual, with voices all around me,
understood many things, but had no knowledge of thy ways,
saw the world, but did not see Jesus only.
O happy day, when in thy love’s sovereignty
thou didst look on me, and call me by grace.
Grant that I may always weep to the praise of mercy found,
and tell to others as long as I live,
that thou art a sin-pardoning God,
taking up the blasphemer and the ungodly,
and washing them from their deepest stain.
—(Excerpt from “The Great Discovery” 
in The Valley of Vision)

Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Mystery Box
Materials
Shoebox
Piece of fabric, duct tape, and scissors
Safe island items to put in the mystery box, such as a leaf, seashell, banana, toy boat, play fish or other ocean animals, piece of rope, flip flop, pool toy, swim goggles, sunglasses, lei, sand pail, sand shovel 
Pre-prep
Cut a hole in the side of the box that is big enough for a child's hand to fit through. Duct tape a small piece of fabric inside to cover the hole, taping it just at the top so the kids can't see the items inside the box, but can get their hands in and out.
Directions
The islanders take turns putting their hand in the box and picking one object. While it's still in the box, they feel the item and try to guess what it is and then pull it out and see if they guessed right. 
Teaching Tie-In
We've been pulling items out of our mystery box. All these things are found on tropical islands. God is the one who made the ocean, the plants, the birds, the lizards, and the ocean animals we find on tropical islands. God is so great!   
Touch Table Water: Ocean Animals
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Water
Plastic ocean animals
Pre-prep
Cover the floor under the touch table with a tarp or plastic tablecloth. This will be used all week. Put water in the table, along with the plastic ocean animals. 
Directions
The islanders play with the animals in the water.
Teaching Tie-In
God is great! He's the only one who can create animals, like these animals that live in the ocean. I'm going to pick up one animal from the water at a time, and we'll say, "God made this ___ (turtle, fish, or whatever it is)," and God is great!" Do so.   
Touch Table Sand: One and Only God
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Play sand, available from hardware stores (make sure it's marked play sand, not regular sand)
Wet wipes for cleanup
Craft sticks
Set of four flashcards on white card stock: #1, 1, one, only
Pre-prep
Cover the floor under the touch table with a tarp or plastic tablecloth. This will be used all week. Put the play sand in the table. Make the flashcards with the words or numbers on them.
Directions
The islanders look at each flashcard, and then, using the craft sticks as a writing utensil, they try to write in the sand what it says on the card.
Teaching Tie-In
Let's see if you know what each card says. Go through each one. Explain that all the words have to do with the number one. Ask how many gods there are. Yes, there is only one true God. Some people try to make up other gods, but there's only one, and we can learn about him in the Bible. God wrote the Bible, and it's all about him! 
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
This station, which will be a hit all week, can be as low-key or as elaborate as you'd like. There are a number of suggestions; choose what you would like to do. See Decorating Decisions for specifics on the suggestions below.
Materials
Beach area backdrop
Low beach chairs or kids' fold-up beach chairs
Beach towels
Beach toys/sand toys 
Beach ball
Stuffed animal beach animals
Dress-up clothes (tropical shirts, leis, grass skirts, sunglasses, swim goggles)
Picnic basket with play food
Optional: snack shack to "sell" play food snacks
Optional: souvenir shop to "sell" souvenirs
Pre-prep
Put together the beach backdrop. This will be used all week. Check the Decorating Decisions for specifics. 

Decide what you want to have in your center. Gather the supplies/props. These can be borrowed, made, or bought from thrift stores, garage sales, or online companies like Oriental Trading Company or Rhode Island Novelties. Our test churches found that dollar stores had what they needed for the dress-up costumes.
Choose which items you want to put out. You may want to put out some today and save some to add in as the week goes by. Doing so keeps this center fresh and full of discovery all week. 
Directions
Pretend to be enjoying a day at the beach.
Teaching Tie-In
Have you ever been to the beach before? Can you think of something God made at the beach? Take responses. He's so great! 
Coloring Corner: Psalm 145:3
Materials
Under-the-sea decorating supplies (see Decorating Decisions)
Day 1 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet
Markers or crayons
Optional for marker and crayon storage: sand pail
Optional: additional supplies to glue on, glue sticks, and stickers
Pre-prep
Make or gather the decorating supplies and set them up. These will be used all week. Photocopy the Day 1 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet, one per child. Gather additional supplies to glue on to the coloring sheets if desired, such as cotton balls for "clouds" or blue cellophane pieces for "sky." 
Directions
Color the sheet. Add additional supplies if desired.
Teaching Tie-In
Practice saying the memory verse on the sheet. Discuss its meaning.
Additional Exploration Station Ideas
Live Animals—Bring in an aquarium, a turtle, or a hermit crab, and talk about God's amazing design of each creature.
Seashells by the Seashore—Find a variety of seashells of different kinds, shapes, and sizes. Set up a station with the shells and have the islanders complete different tasks such as sorting the shells into small, medium, and big categories, sorting into like shell categories, making a line of shells going from smallest shell to biggest shell, making shell imprints by pressing the seashells into play dough or salt dough, doing a shell rubbing, tracing around a shell, and reading books about animals that live in seashells. 
A to Z Creation—Have magnetic ABC letters attached to a cookie sheet. Teachers name something God made, and the kids have to find the first letter of that item. For example, if the teacher says angelfish, the child finds an A. Emphasize that Creator God made all these things.
Boat Dock Book Nook—Make an exciting spot for reading by bringing in a real boat (canoe, kayak, rowboat), a blow-up raft, or a play boat. It can even be a play pirate ship! Or, make your own play boat, using a large cardboard box fashioned into a boat shape with small children's chairs inside. Put children's picture Bibles and books with individual Bible accounts in the boat, and have kids go in to look at the books or be read to. You may also want to include some children's books about tropical islands or animals God has made. Answers in Genesis has several good ones for this theme. .
Texture Trays—Provide various textures on which and in which the kids can trace words or pictures of key Bible items they will learn about, such as the daily medallions—number 1, letter O, crown, heart, and diamond. Possible textures include shaving cream or hair gel in zippered baggies that are duct-taped shut (try coloring the hair gel bright yellow), burlap, trays of salt, thick fleece, magic slates, or chalkboards and chalk. Supervise carefully and make sure they know not to put their hands in their mouths. You may want to put out different textures on different days. Provide wipes for cleanup.
Play Dough—Play dough is always a favorite, so you may want to feature a station with it all week, adding thematic supplies each day, such as island nature items to press into the play dough for Day 1 (palm leaves, shells, etc.), a cookie cutter O (God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent) for Day 2, play jewels to press into the play dough for Day 3, heart and cross cookie cutters for Day 4, and island cookie cutters (sun, flip flops, palm tree) for Day 5. Note: Gluten free play dough is available on Amazon.
How to Make Play Dough
2 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
2 c. warm water
4 t. cream of tartar
2 t. oil
Food coloring
Mix the first five ingredients in a saucepan, blending well. Stir over low to medium heat until the dough is formed and is no longer sticky. Remove from the pan, add the food coloring, and knead until smooth. After it has cooled, store in an airtight container.

Introduce It!
Treasure Map Poster, preferably laminated
Day 1 Large Medallion, preferably laminated
Day 1 Animal Pal Poster
Bible or children's Bible
Costumes for teachers (see #8 on page 5)
Treasure chest
Mounting putty or tape for hanging things
Number 1s for hiding around the room
Day 1 Mystery Clue (5 minutes)
Be familiar with the lesson, but don’t memorize it. Place it on a clipboard to use as a reference. You may want to decorate the back of your clipboard (the side the kids will see as you hold it) with beachy stickers.
The Bible and mounting putty or tape are usually mentioned just once a day but are used throughout each day.
There are bonus puzzle cards on the Digital Resources that you may want to show daily. They have an attribute of God for each day in picture puzzle form.
Pre-prep: Gather your tropical island costumes, which you'll wear all week. Either buy a fake treasure chest or make one as directed on page 10, and put the Bible in it, bookmarked at Acts 17. Laminate and hang the treasure map poster. Cut out and laminate the day 1 large medallion and put it on the treasure map poster at Chameleon Cave. Cut out and post some number 1s in various colors and sizes around the room so they are visible. 
Greet the islanders at the door as they come in. Once they are settled, begin with the following.
Teacher 1: Aloha, islanders! Welcome to our Lighthouse Lessons. I'm _____ and this is my assistant, _____. You may want to adopt fun names like Surfin' Sarah, Captain Karl, Luau Lindsey, or Flip Flop Frank. Have you ever seen a lighthouse? Take answers. Lighthouses are important because they keep ships and sailors from losing their way when the waters are stormy. 
Teacher 2: Here at Mystery Island, we want to keep the light of God's Word, the Bible, shining brightly so you can know the way through life. 
Teacher 1: So let's dive right in and play a game called If I Say. When one of us says a word, you need to shout out the very first word that comes to your mind. For instance, if I say red, what's the first thing you think of? Take responses. Okay, I think you're ready! Here we go.
Teacher 2: If I say sun, what do you say? Have them shout out answers.
Teacher 1: If I say ocean, what do you say? Shout out answers.
Teacher 2: If I say sand, what do you say? Shout out answers.
Teacher 1: If I say oranges, what do you say? Shout out answers. 
Teacher 2: If I say pirate, what do you say? Shout out answers.
Teacher 1: Okay, here's the last one. If I say God, what do you say? Shout out answers.
Teacher 2: People have lots of different ideas about God, but we're going to learn who God really is and what he's like this week. I'm so excited to talk about this, because God is more important to me than anyone or anything else in the whole wide world! He's wonderful!
Teacher 1: We've hidden a clue about God around the room. Let's see if we can play I Spy to find any number 1s that are hidden. Have them look around the room and point them out to you as they find them. Then have them sit down. What do you think the number 1 has to do with God? Take answers.  
Teacher 2: Point to the treasure map poster. Now look at our treasure map. Can you find a number 1 hidden somewhere there? Take answers and point out the number 1 hidden on Chameleon Cave and the large medallion. Today, we're going to find out God is the one and only God. There are no other gods. Let's put up our pointer finger and say, "There's only one true God!" Do so.
Every day, there's a hidden symbol in the Animal Pal Poster that is the same as the daily medallion. Today's is a number 1. See if they can find it each day.
Teacher 1: Where do you think we should go to find out what God is like? Take answers. Yes, the Bible! The Bible is our greatest treasure on earth. Because God wrote it and he always tells the truth, we can trust the Bible to help us see who God really is and what he's really like. Show the Day 1 animal pal poster. Camo the chameleon is always changing, but the God of the Bible doesn't change. He was and is and always will be the same. Let's get the Bible out of our treasure chest and learn more about this wonderful God.
Pull your Bible from the treasure chest carefully and respectfully, and open it to Acts 17. Then share Option 1, 2, or 3 below.

Teach It!
Paul in Athens Poster 
Supplies for the Paul monologue (see Pre-prep)
Optional: Pictures of ancient Greece and Greek gods
Part 1: Acts 17 (10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Choose which option you will do for the telling of Acts 17, and prepare accordingly. All three options can use pictures of ancient Greece and ancient Greek gods to enhance the telling of the account. Search online for images, and make sure the Greek gods are modestly dressed. Someone (the second teacher) can hold the pictures up at the appropriate times as they are mentioned in the puppet show or live monologue. Option 1 also needs a Paul puppet, the paul in athens script—audio version, found on the Digital Resources, and a player for the audio script. Option 2 needs a Bible. Option 3 needs a willing actor in a Bible time costume and the paul in athens script below.
Option 1—Puppet Version of Passage
Cue the paul in athens script—audio version and play it for the islanders while working the Paul puppet. 
Option 2—Reading from the Bible
Open your Bible to Acts 17 and paraphrase the Acts 17:16–34 account. Read or tell it with emotion and interest. 
Option 3—Live Monologue
Find someone to play Paul and learn the paul in athens script below. Then have him share the Acts account expressively as a first person narrative. Before he begins, show the islanders where this account is found in Scripture.
PAUL IN ATHENS SCRIPT 
Grace and peace to you! I'm Paul, a servant of the Lord from long ago. I've been traveling around, starting churches and telling people about our amazing God.
This is where you may want to show pictures of ancient Greece.
In my travels, I arrived in a beautiful city called Athens. As I was waiting for my friends, I decided to walk around the city, and as I did, I started to feel upset, because everywhere I went, I saw idols. Do you know what an idol is? Take answers. 
This is where you may want to show pictures of Greek gods.
An idol is an image or statue of a false god—a pretend god. The people here have made up all kinds of ideas about pretend gods, and they've made statues out of wood, silver, and gold. They even have a place that says, "To the unknown god." But we know there's only one true God—the God of the Bible.
Seeing all these idols upset me, because I want everyone to know the one and only God. So I decided to go to the marketplace and the synagogue, which is kind of like a church, to tell people about the one true God. 
Gospel Opportunity
One day, some of the men of Athens asked me to meet them up on a rocky spot looking over the city. While I was there, I told them I had spotted their idols, their false gods, and I even saw an altar that said, "To the unknown god." I told them that God doesn't live in temples, and he isn't a statue made by people. God is the Maker of the whole world! He made us and gave us life. And the awesome thing is, God wants to have a relationship with each of us. God sent his Son, Jesus, who lived and died and was raised from the dead, so we can have that relationship if we turn from our sins and trust him.
Well, when I finished speaking, what do you think the men said?
Some of them made fun of me. Has anyone ever made fun of you? It's not nice! Some of them said they'd like to hear more, and some of them came with me right then and there because they realized I was right—there really is only one God—the great and awesome Creator!

Of course, we can never know absolutely everything about God—he's too big and great—but we can know him enough to have a relationship with him. This week, I hope you get to know God! 
Thanks for having me in. Shalom! 
Continue with the following paragraph after doing Option 1, 2, or 3.
Teacher: Wow, that was cool hearing from Paul! Let's take a minute and see what we can remember about what he said. Show the Paul in Athens poster. Here's a picture of Paul in Athens telling the men about God. Why was Paul feeling upset? What did the people there believe? How many true gods are there? Take answers and review. Remind them there's only one true God and he is great. 
Part 2: Puppet Pal—One and Only God (5 minutes)
Day 1 Animal Pal Poster 
Day 1 Puppet Script (2 copies)
Puppet (girl or boy) in costume
Clipboard
Picture of a surfer
Pre-prep: See Decorating Decisions to set up the puppet stage. Tape one puppet script inside the puppet stage, and place the other on the clipboard. Dress the puppet in a mini VBS T-shirt, a tropical shirt, or a lei. You may want to add a visor or mini sunglasses. Find a picture of a surfer.
Each day, the puppet pal will be used to teach or reinforce the lesson. It's always a favorite, so try to include it even if you have to cut something else. 
If you don’t have a teaching assistant or co-teacher, enlist someone (a group guide or other volunteer) ahead of time to work the puppet each day. If you’re alone, have the puppet come up from behind a suitcase with the lid flipped up, or just stand and work the puppet.
You can use either a boy or a girl puppet. Use a consistent voice for the puppet all week. Speak clearly and exaggerate words and expressions. For instance, draw out certain words for emphasis, or make an exaggerated action for things like groaning, turning its head, or sneezing. Use your free hand to do things with the puppet’s hands or arms. For example, if the puppet is “thinking,” put the puppet’s hand on its chin. When the puppet is talking, make sure the mouth is open. (This is the opposite of what people often do!) In other words, the mouth should be open on most syllables. You don’t have to open very wide, which will help you move the mouth faster and more naturally. 
Your puppet should come out from behind the puppet stage. When the puppet is entering, hold your arm back and down, and have the puppet take three steps up, getting higher each time, until the puppet is out and visible. When exiting, turn the puppet toward you and take three steps down until out of sight.
Teacher: Now let's see if we can get our puppet pal, Sunny, to come out. On the count of three, let’s all call to him (her). Ready? 1, 2, 3—Sunny!
Puppet: Come up. Aloha! Welcome to Mystery Island!
Teacher: Yeah, this is an awesome place. What do you like to do here?
Puppet: Well, one of my favorite things to do is to hang ten.
Teacher: Hang ten? What's that mean?
Puppet: Ever surfed before?
Teacher: Nope. But I know what a surfer looks like. Show the picture of a surfer.
Puppet: Well, surfers like to have their 10 toes hang over the front of their surfboard while they're riding the waves. It's cool.
Teacher:  Pretend to surf. That would be amazing! But there's a different number I'm thinking about today besides 10. 
Puppet: Oh yeah? What is it?
Teacher: One. 
Puppet: Say dramatically. The number one. Numero uno. One and only. The big O. O-n-e. 

Teacher: I think we get the idea. Number 1. 
Puppet: It sure wouldn't work to hang one. Can you imagine having just my big toe hanging over a surfboard? Flip over backwards and laugh uproariously. Or maybe my pinkie toe. Now that would be a trick.
Teacher: Sunny, I wasn't talking about toes. 
Puppet: Well, then, what are you talking about?
Teacher: God.
Puppet: God? What does God have to do with the number 1?
Teacher: Maybe the boys and girls out here can help us with that. Boys and girls, do you remember what the number 1 has to do with God? Take answers. 
Puppet: Oh, I get it. There's only one God. But wait a minute. I have a friend who believes in lots of gods.
Teacher: Well, Sunny, there's only one true God. 
Puppet: How do you know?
Teacher: Because the Bible tells us. It's the only perfect book in the world, written by God himself. So if the Bible says it, that settles it.
Puppet: What's God like? Can he curl his tongue into a tube shape? My friend Herbert can do that.
Teacher: Well, good for Herbert, but God isn't like any person. He's different. First of all, he can never make a mistake. Ever. 
Puppet: You mean he's perfect? 
Teacher: Forever perfect!
Puppet: Wow, that would come in handy when I'm doing my math homework. It's so hard to remember the addition facts.
Teacher: God invented math, so he knows everything about math and everything else. God also can't lie.
Puppet: You mean he always tells the truth? 
Teacher: Always.
Puppet: My big brother doesn't always tell the truth. He told someone he's in fifth grade, but he's only in third!
Teacher: Well, you can count on God to always tell the truth. And God never changes. Camo the chameleon changes colors a lot, doesn't he? Point to the Day 1 animal pal poster.
Puppet: Yeah, I like to watch the chameleons that live on the island. They're green one minute, then change to blue or orange or a mixture. 
Teacher: When I say God doesn't change, I'm not talking about what he looks like, because God is invisible. But I do mean what God is like always stays the same. He is forever kind, good, loving, truthful, and perfect. That will never change. And he made everything and everyone. He's the Creator!
Puppet: He sounds great!
Teacher: God is great! He's amazing! He's wonderful! He's better than you can even imagine. He's more important than anybody else to know—by far—and I can't wait to share more about him with you this week!
Puppet: Thanks for sharing about the great one. Now I'm going to go try to hang ten!
Teacher: You do that, Sunny, and we'll see you tomorrow!

Apply It!
Day 1 Student Guides, 1 per child
Trail Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Trail Guides
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. You won't have time to do them all, but these ideas are also on the back of the Student Guides. Send the Student Guides home each day as a fun review, and also encourage the islanders to do the practical ideas (the Go and Do sections) that apply today's lesson to real life. They're important!
Put a stamp in the Trail Guides, or have group guides do so as the kids first arrive at VBS each day.
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Theme Verse Poster and Day 1 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music CD and player
Footprints in the Sand supplies—10 footprint cutouts from card stock or construction paper (preferably laminated), plus extras if doing other verses
Pre-prep: Cue the memory verse song. Hang up the day 1 memory verse poster and the theme verse poster.  Prepare the footprint cutouts for the Challenge below.   
Today’s Verse: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. Psalm 145:3 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the day 1 memory verse poster as a reference. Then try the following Challenge.
Challenge: Footprints in the Sand—Make 10 footprint cutouts and put them down in a path in order. Jump from one to the next, saying a word from the verse as you step on each footprint. 
Another idea for learning memory verses is to make up motions to the key words of the verse. This can be done with any verse, any day. 

Tomorrow’s Verse: Behold, I am the Lord . . . . Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27
Try the Challenge again, this time with tomorrow’s verse. You may also want to practice the week’s theme verse, using the theme verse poster as a reference.
Part 2: Go and Do
Have someone read Psalm 145:8–9, 17–18 to you. Did you hear at least three great things this psalm says about God?
Talk to God (that’s prayer!) and tell him how great he is and why you think so. Remember some of what you heard from Psalm 145!
Ask an adult what the first thing is that comes to mind when he thinks of God.
With an adult, check AnswersVBS.com/mikids for more fun information!
Ask yourself these questions: How would I describe God to someone? Is this what the Bible teaches about God?
Song 1: “Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah”  
“Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah” song 
“Praise Him, Praise Him, All You Little Children” song
MP3 or CD player
Also available on Simple Songs CD (11-8-141)
Before singing, explain that "hallelujah" means (basically) "Praise the Lord." In this song, one group stands and sings "Hallelujah" while the other group sits. Then the other group stands and answers back "Praise ye the Lord." Traditionally, kids like singing as loud as they can.
Verse
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah
(Half the kids stand up and sing.)
Praise ye the Lord (Other half stands up and sings.)
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah
(Half the kids stand up and sing.)
Praise ye the Lord 
(Other half stands up and sings.)
Chorus
Praise ye the Lord ("Praise ye" group stays standing and sings.)
Hallelujah 
("Hallelujah" group stands up and sings.)
(Repeat those two lines two more times.)
Praise ye the Lord
(Everyone stands and sings together on the last one.)
Song 2: “Praise Him, Praise Him, All You Little Children” 
Verse 1
Praise him, praise him all you little children (Wave hands back and forth in the air.)
God is love, God is love 
(Point to God, then your heart.)
Praise him, praise him, all you little children (Repeat first motion.)
God is love, God is love 
(Repeat second motion.)

Verse 2
Praise him, praise him all you little children (Wave hands back and forth in the air.)
God is good, God is good 
(Pretend to blow kisses.)
Praise him, praise him, all you little children (Repeat first motion.)
God is good, God is good 
(Repeat second motion.)
Verse 3
Praise him, praise him all you little children (Wave hands back and forth in the air.)
God is kind, God is kind 
(Make "kind" hands to symbolize someone giving something. To do so, put out your left hand, palm up, then do the same with right hand.)
Praise him, praise him, all you little children (Repeat first motion.)
God is kind, God is kind 
(Repeat second motion.)
Verse 4
Praise him, praise him all you little children (Wave hands back and forth in the air.)
God is great, God is great 
(Make strong muscles.)
Praise him, praise him, all you little children (Repeat first motion.)
God is great, God is great 
(Repeat second motion.)
End each day’s Lighthouse Lesson with prayer!
Wrap-Up Review
As your islanders prepare to leave, do this quick and fun review. Have them stand up if the answer is yes and sit down if it's no. 
Is there only one God? (yes—stand up) 
Can God change? (no—sit down)
Did God make you? (yes)
Did God make all the world? (yes)
Can God lie? (no)
Is God great? (yes—review Psalm 145:3 once more: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.)

Day 2
ALL+MY+T
God is Almighty!

Today's Medallion
Letter O
Bible passage
Jonah and God Almighty
Book of Jonah; Psalm 139
Animal Pal
Flip the Flapjack Octopus
Lesson Focus
God is ALMIGHTY! He is all knowing, all powerful, and all present.
Apologetics Focus
Nothing is too hard for God.
Treasured Verse
Behold, I am the Lord . . . . Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27

Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Mystery of the Missing Objects
Touch Table Water: Play Boats and Jonah
Touch Table Sand: Hidden Shells
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Coloring Corner: Jeremiah 32:27
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Day 2 Mystery Clue
Teach It!
Part 1: Jonah
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Super Power
Apply It! 
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Jonah and the Fish"
Song 2: “My God Is So Great"
Wrap-Up Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read the book of Jonah and Psalm 139 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials as outlined in the brown Pre-prep text.
For more information on God's omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, visit AnswersVBS.com/mifaq.
Pray.

Devotion 2 God Is Almighty
Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end. Psalm 102:25–27
Almighty (Genesis 35:11); Beautiful (Psalm 27:4); Comforter (Isaiah 66:13); Defender (Psalm 68:5); Everywhere (omnipresent, Psalm 139:7–12); Father (Matthew 6:9); Great (Psalm 48:1); Healer (Malachi 4:2); Incomprehensible (Romans 11:33); Just (Deuteronomy 32:4); Kind (Ephesians 2:7); Love (1 John 4:8); Mighty (Psalm 50:1); Never-ending (Isaiah 9:6); Omnipotent (all-powerful, Jeremiah 32:27); Provider (Genesis 22:9–14); Quiet (1 Kings 19:11–13); Righteous (Psalm 7:17); Sovereign (Psalm 97); Trinity (Matthew 3:16–17); Unparalleled (Jeremiah 10:7); Victor (1 Chronicles 29:11); Wonderful (Isaiah 9:6); Excellent (Psalm 150:2); Yes (2 Corinthians 1:20); Zealous (Isaiah 9:7).
The Great I AM.
These are just a few of the many attributes of our one true God. In fact, someone once said that because God is infinite, his attributes are infinite. Imagine spending all of eternity discovering more and more about our amazing Creator, only to find out you still haven’t uncovered everything about him and need the rest of eternity to find out even more reasons to love him!
Today, you have the great privilege of imparting a deeper understanding of the one true God to your students, focusing on his omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience. As with every other aspect of the one true God, Satan twists these into lies. One we’re all familiar with is the lie of “Mother Nature.”
Think about it.
The one true God is omnipresent—he is present everywhere in the universe all the time (Psalm 139:7–12). He is not part of his creation; but he sees it all, all the time (Deuteronomy 4:39). How easy is it to morph this into the idea that god is in all and all of creation is god? An episode of Sesame Street (watched by many children) featured a survival guy who discussed all the ways “Nature” gives us what we need—food, water, clothing, shelter. Even Christians carelessly use the term “Mother Nature” in such ways as, “Boy, Mother Nature really packed a wallop with that storm!” When we do this, we point others to a false view of God and encourage them to worship and serve created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:22–25).
Let’s make sure we consistently point our children to the one true God and talk about his attributes in real, true ways that help us make sense of the world around us. The one true God is the almighty Creator of the universe—not us and not the creation itself. May we expand our vision of God’s sovereignty and power over all with this prayer: 
King of glory, Divine Majesty,
every perfection adorns thy nature and sustains thy throne;
The heavens and earth are thine,
The world is thine and its fullness.
Thy power created the universe from nothing;
Thy wisdom has managed all its multiple concerns,
presiding over nations, families, individuals.
Thy goodness is boundless;
all creatures wait on thee
are supplied by thee,
are satisfied in thee.
How precious are the thoughts of thy mercy and grace!
How excellent thy lovingkindness that draws men to thee!
We are weary, give us rest,
knowing that thou hast said,
‘I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.’
Blessed be thy name!
—(Excerpt from “Fourth Day Evening: God All-Sufficient” from The Valley of Vision)

Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Mystery of the Missing Objects
Materials
Plastic tray
Dish towel
Mystery box items from yesterday, minus the mystery box
Pre-prep
Arrange 6–8 of the island items from yesterday on the tray, and cover them with a dish towel.
Directions
Take the dish towel away, and give the islanders a little time to look at the tray, then hide them again with the towel. Take one item away. Uncover the tray, and see if they can figure out which item disappeared. Continue to do so. 
Teaching Tie-In
There are some island items hiding under this tray. But even though you can't see them, God can! Nothing and nobody can hide from God. He knows where everyone is at all times, and he's actually with everyone and everything at the same time. He loves you! Only God can know where everyone is and be everywhere at the same time, because God is almighty!
Touch Table Water: Play Boats and Jonah
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table with water
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Toy boats (plastic ones or DIY versions out of foil)
Play people out of corks (can also use LEGO® people with one designated to be Jonah)
Permanent markers
Optional: Plastic marine animals (ones that are large enough to "swallow" a play person)
Pre-prep
Color the corks with permanent markers to look like little people. Make one look different. This one will be Jonah. Either make foil boats (see YouTube for how to make a simple foil boat), or buy small plastic ones. Put a shallow amount of water in the water table, along with the toy boats and the play people.
Directions
The islanders play with the crew of the boat, including Jonah.
Teaching Tie-In
Did you know the Bible tells about a man named Jonah who tried to run away from God? He got on a boat where he thought he could hide. But can anyone hide from God? Pause for answers. No! God knows everything, including where everyone is. So God sent a big storm, and Jonah was thrown off the boat and into the sea where he was swallowed by a big fish. Do you think God knew Jonah was inside the big fish? Pause for answers. Yes! In fact, God sent that fish to Jonah! God knows everything and is with everyone. He is almighty. We can be thankful that God is always with us and cares about what's going on with us!
Touch Table Sand: Hidden Shells
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table with play sand
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Wet wipes for cleanup
Seashells
Pre-prep
Hide the seashells in the sand. 
Directions
The islanders see if they can find the seashells in the sand. They can just randomly try to find them, or pairs can take turns having one of them hide a shell in the sand, then the other tries to find it.
Teaching Tie-In
There are seashells hidden in our sand today. We can't see them, but who do you think can? Pause for answers. Yes, God! He knows exactly where each seashell is. He knows how many there are. He even knows how many grains of sand are in this sand table. God knows everything and sees everything. God is almighty! 
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Materials
Day 1 items and any new item(s) you may want to introduce
Pre-prep
Add in any new items.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be playing at the beach.
Teaching Tie-In
We're going to the beach again today. Isn't it incredible to think God knows how many drops of water are in the whole ocean? And not only in one ocean but in all the oceans and rivers in the whole world. God knows everything and is very great!
Coloring Corner: Jeremiah 32:27
See Day 1’s directions, but use the Day 2 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.

Introduce It!
Treasure Map Poster  
Day 2 Large Medallion, preferably laminated
Bible or children's Bible
Costumes for teachers
Treasure chest 
Mounting putty or tape
Mystery Clue materials—white crayon, white copy paper, small bowl of water, child's watercolor paint set, paintbrush or cotton swab
Day 2 Mystery Clue (5 minutes)
Pre-prep: Using a white crayon, prepare the hidden message by writing a big O on a piece of white copy paper. When it's time to reveal the hidden message, dip a paintbrush or cotton swab in a small bowl of water and then in a child's watercolor paint set, and paint over the paper. Make enough so you have one for each rotation. Practice once beforehand to make sure it's working well. Cut out and laminate the day 2 Large medallion and place it on the treasure map poster at the Octopus Inlet.
An alternate way to do invisible ink is to mix 1/4 c. baking soda with 1/4 c. water then dip the cotton swab into the mixture to make the O. When it's time to reveal, use a small bowl of dark juice and a cotton swab or paintbrush to gently paint over the O.
Teacher 1: Welcome back, islanders. Yesterday, we talked about how great God is, and we played I Spy to find the number 1 around the room. Do you remember what the number 1 has to do with God? Take responses. Yes, there's only one God. Let's put up one finger and say, "There's only one God!" Do so. 
Teacher 2: Now today, let's gather around and watch and see what happens when I paint over this blank piece of paper with this paintbrush. Dip the paintbrush or cotton swab into the water and then the watercolor, and gently paint over the paper. What do you see appearing? Take responses. Yes, the letter O! 
Teacher 1: Let's see if we can find a big O on our Treasure Map. Does anyone see it? Take responses, and point out that it's on the large medallion and also hidden at the Octopus Inlet.
One test church liked the I Spy activity in the Day 1 intro so much they did it every day during the intro time with different things they hid for the kids to spy: letter Os on Day 2, crowns on Day 3, hearts on Day 4, and diamonds on Day 5. 
Teacher 2: I wonder what an O has to do with God? Well, there are three big words about God that start with the word omni, and the word omni starts with what letter? Right, O! Omni means "all." Did you know God is all knowing, all powerful, and all present? Pause for responses.
Teacher 1: It's true! God knows all things. Nobody else knows everything—only God. He knows where every star is and how many blades of grass there are in the whole world. He knows what's at the top of every mountain and what's at the bottom of the ocean. He knows how many grains of sand there are on the beach and when each animal is born. He knows every word you have ever said and every word you ever will say. In fact, he even knows what you're thinking right this very second! 
Teacher 2: And God has all the power in the whole world, too. Nobody else has all the power in the world—only God. He can make it snow or calm a storm. He can heal someone who is sick or make someone's eyes work that are blind. He creates every animal and every person. He can do anything he chooses. 
Teacher 1: And God is everywhere at the same time! Nobody else can be everywhere at the same time—only God! He's with you always, wherever you are. There's nowhere you can go to get away from God. A man named Jonah found that out the hard way. Let's get our Bible out of the treasure chest and learn more about Jonah.
Again, carefully and respectfully get out the Bible, and open to the book of Jonah so they see you using your Bible.
Teach It!
Jonah Poster
"Boat" (see Pre-prep)
Part 1: Jonah (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Make a boat that all the kids can fit in. This can be done by making a boat outline on the floor using painter's tape. Or use large corrugated boxes or sheets of corrugated cardboard to fashion the boat so it has sides, making it big enough for the class to sit inside.
Teacher 1: Our account starts with God telling Jonah to go to a place called Nineveh. Let's point over here to Nineveh. Have everyone point in one direction. God wanted Jonah to go there because it was a bad city and the people didn't know about the one true God. So Jonah was supposed to go and tell them God wanted them to turn from their sin. 

Teacher 2: But Jonah didn't want to go there. He didn't care about the people who lived there. Let's point over here toward Tarshish. Have everyone point in the other direction. Jonah paid some money and got on a boat to go to Tarshish. Let's go over here and get on this boat. Do so. 
Teacher 1: Well, the boat started out. Let's pretend we're rowing the boat to get it out to sea. Do so.
Teacher 2: But the Lord sent a big wind and storm on the sea. Let's make wind and storm noises and pretend the boat is rocking. Do so.
Teacher 1: The sailors were really afraid. They thought the boat might break into pieces because the storm was so bad. Let's look like we're really afraid. Do so.
Teacher 2: They started throwing all the supplies off the ship to lighten the load. Let's pretend to throw the supplies off the ship. Do so.
Teacher 1: During this whole time, guess where Jonah was. Asleep! The captain went and got him up and told him to call on God. You see, the sailors realized the storm had come about because Jonah was trying to get away from God. 
Teacher 2: Jonah knew God had sent the storm because Jonah was trying to run away from God. But you can't run away from God, can you? He always knows where you are. So Jonah told the sailors to throw him overboard and God would stop the storm. Let's pretend to throw Jonah overboard. Do so.
Teacher 1: As soon as Jonah was thrown overboard, the storm stopped. Let's make loud storm noises, and then everyone get quiet right away when I say, "Stop!" Do so.
To accentuate how gross it probably was to be in the belly of a big fish, our test churches made slime ahead of time and mixed fish sauce in it the day of this lesson, then had the kids smell it. Check online for slime recipes.
Teacher 2: Guess what happened to Jonah when he fell in the sea? God sent a big fish to swallow him. Show the Jonah poster. Can you imagine being in the belly of a big fish for three days and three nights? That's where Jonah was. Do you think God knew Jonah was there? Take responses. Yes, God knew, because God knows everything at all times. He knows where we are, and he's even with each person all the time. If you're hiding under your bed, God knows and is there. If you're hiking in the woods, God knows and is there. If you're at day care or school, God knows and is there. If you're playing hide-and-seek, God knows and is there. Wherever you are, God knows and is there.
Teacher 1: So God knew where Jonah was and God was with him, even though Jonah thought he was dying. But then he prayed to God, and God heard his prayer and commanded the big fish to throw Jonah up onto the shore. Can you imagine a God so powerful that a fish does what it's commanded to do? God can stop a storm, God can cause a fish to swallow Jonah, and God can command it to throw him back up. God is almighty!
Teacher 2: Let's go back to our seats now. Do so. I've got a question for you. Do you think anything is too hard for God? Take responses. No, nothing is too hard for God, as the Bible tells us. He can do anything he wants to do. Do you think it's hard for God to make a star or a planet? Pause for responses, and tell them to shout out, "No!"
Teacher 1: Is it too hard for God to see in the dark? No!
Teacher 2: Is it too hard for God to be at the bottom of the ocean and on top of the highest mountain at the same time? No!
Teacher 1: Is it too hard for God to make a person? No!
Teacher 2: Is it too hard for God to stop a storm or put a rainbow in the sky? No!
Teacher 1: Is it too hard for God to bring Jesus back to life? No!
Teacher 2: God is almighty! He has all the might in the world! He is our amazing, all knowing, all powerful, always present God. And the great news is, he's also kind and loving and cares about us, so he always uses his power for our good. It would 
be a little scary if God had all power, but he wasn't kind and loving. But he is! He's a wonderful God! Let's call on Sunny and hear a little more about this.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Super Power (5 minutes)
God's Power Poster 
Day 2 Animal Pal Poster 
Day 2 Puppet Script (2 copies)
Puppet and clipboard
Puppet-sized superhero shirt or prop (see text)
Pre-prep: Tape one puppet script inside the puppet stage and place the other on the clipboard. Get the superhero shirt or prop organized. 
Teacher: On the count of three, let's stand up and call our puppet pal. Ready? 1, 2, 3—Sunny!
Puppet: Come up with a superhero shirt, shield, or other superhero prop.
Teacher: What in the world are you wearing (holding)?
Puppet: This is my superhero costume. I'm pretending to be ____ (name of the superhero you are using). 
Teacher: What are you pretending you can do? 
Puppet: I have the power to stop a speeding train with my bare hands, and ____ (make up a pretend power).
Possible superhero powers could be super strength, super speed, super stretchy, x-ray vision, ability to leap high, etc.
Teacher: It's fun to pretend, but you don't think you really have super powers, do you?
Puppet: No, I don't. But ___ (name of a superhero) sure does! Have you seen how he ___ (ability of that superhero)?
Teacher: Well, guess what? That's just pretend, too! The superheroes on TV, in the movies, and in your computer games are just make believe. They aren't real.
Puppet: Awww . . . so there's nobody who has super powers for real?
Teacher: Yes, there is. There is one. Only one.
Puppet: Who? I bet it's ___ (name of a superhero).
Teacher: Nope.
Puppet: Maybe ___ (name of a superhero). 
Teacher: No. Remember, those are just pretend, but the one with true super powers is God. God isn't like anyone else. God can do anything. 
Puppet: Like what?
Teacher: Well, he knows everything. He's never had to go to school to learn anything. He's known everything forever. 
Puppet: You mean God has never learned anything new?
Teacher: That's right! We're learning new stuff all our lives, and even then, we only know a bit of all there is to know. But God always has known everything. He knows how many drops of water come to earth in each rainstorm. He knows where each bird is and how many feathers it has. He knows when a ear of corn is picked on the other side of the world. The Bible says he even knows when you sit down and when you get up in the morning—every day. He knows when you go to bed. He knows what you're going to say before you say it. He even knew you before you were born, because he made you!  
Puppet: What a mighty God! 
Teacher: Yes! And God not only knows everything, but he has the power to do anything he wants to. He's loving and kind, so of course everything he does is for a good reason.
Puppet: What kind of power does he have?
Teacher: Show the God's Power Poster. He has power over the weather. He has the power to make it rain or stop raining, send a rainbow, or make a beautiful, sunny day. He has the power to heal boo boos and sicknesses. He has the power to come 
back to life. He has the power to forgive us when we sin. And he even has the power to make animals, plants, and people out of nothing!
Puppet: Incredible!
Teacher: God is also everywhere at the same time.  
Puppet: You mean God is here and God is across the world with the boys and girls there, too?
Teacher: Yep! The Bible tells us if we go to the highest spot, the lowest spot, the farthest spot across the world, or anywhere, God is there. Show the Day 2 animal pal poster. He is even deep, deep down in the sea where Flip the flapjack octopus lives. It is pitch black down there, but God knows where every creature is, including Flip.
Puppet: It's really great news that God is always with us. That's something to remember when I get scared and feel alone.
Teacher: Remember that you're never alone. You can't see God, but he's there, loving you and watching over you.
Puppet: God is great. God is good. God is almighty.
Teacher: Yes. He is both great and good, all the time. If we are his children, we can know he's our kind and loving Father who is always with us and knows all about us. That's awesome!
Puppet: That's so awesome! I'm gonna go sit in the dark for a minute and remember God is with me. 
Teacher: Okay, Sunny, you do that, and we'll see you tomorrow. Let's say goodbye to Sunny, everyone! Do so. 
Apply It!
Day 2 Student Guides, 1 per child
Trail Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Trail Guides
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. Remember to send home the Student Guides and encourage the islanders to complete them!
Put a stamp in the Trail Guides, or have group guides do so as they first arrive at VBS.
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Day 2 Memory Verse Poster 
Memory Verse Music CD and player
Pre-prep: Cue the memory verse song. Hang up the Day 2 memory verse poster.
Today’s Verse: Behold, I am the Lord . . . . Is anything too hard for me? Jeremiah 32:27
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the day 2 memory verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Disappearing Voice—Say the verse first in a loud voice. Then, say it a little softer. Continue to say it softer and softer until you are just whispering it.
Tomorrow’s Verse: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord. Isaiah 6:3
Try the Challenge again, this time with tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Have someone read Psalm 139:1–14, 17 to you. What did you eat today? God knows it! What did you did today? God knows all about that and he was there with you! 
If you are a child of God, thank him for knowing you, watching over you, and caring for you.
Tell somebody something amazing about God! 
With an adult, check AnswersVBS.com/mikids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: What can I see outside that is an amazing creation of God's?
Song 1: “Jonah and the Fish”
“Jonah and the Fish” song 
“My God Is So Great” song
MP3 or CD player
Sing this to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat.".
Verse 1
Row, row, row your boat (Pretend to row.)
On the stormy sea (Pretend to be tossed about on the sea.)
Jonah is thrown overboard (Jump sideways to the right.)
This is not a dream (Hold the sides of your head and move it back and forth.)
Verse 2
Row, row, row your boat (Pretend to row.)
Now the storm is still (Sweep your hand from left to right.)
Jonah’s in the great big fish (Hold your arms wide open to make a big mouth, then close the “mouth.”)
God is with him still (Point up, then hug yourself.)
Verse 3
Row, row, row your boat (Pretend to row.)
Now he’s on the shore (Jump sideways to the left.)
Jonah learns the Lord is near (Put arms up to heaven and down to your heart.)
With him evermore (Keep hands on your heart and sway from side to side.)
Song 2: “My God Is So Great”
Remind them that God is so great and is the one who made the whole world and every person. He loves everyone and has everything under his perfect control. 
My God is so great 
(Stretch arms wide open.)
So strong and so mighty 
(Make strong man muscles.)
There's nothing my God cannot do 
(Shake your head and pointer finger "no.")
(Repeat that.)
The oceans are his 
(Make a rippling wave motion with your hand.)
The mountains are his 
(Bring your hands together to form a mountain peak.)
The stars are his handiwork, too 
(Point up to the stars.)
My God is so great 
(Stretch arms wide open.)
So strong and so mighty 
(Make strong man muscles.)
There's nothing my God cannot do, for you 
(Shake your head and pointer finger "no," then point to the kids on "you.")
Wrap-Up Review
Day 2 Animal Pal Poster 
Day 2 Memory Verse Poster
Have the islanders start low and stretch up higher and higher with each answer. You may also want to have them start with soft voices and get louder with each answer.
Look for the hidden O in today's Animal Pal Poster.  
Our animal pal today is Flip the flapjack _____. Show the Day 2 animal pal poster. 
Our Bible verse says: Is anything too hard for _____? Show the Day 2 memory verse poster.
How much does God know? (everything)
How much power does God have? (all power)
Where is God right now? (everywhere)

Day 3
RUE+LEARN-N
God is Ruler!

Today's Medallion
Crown
Bible passages
Isaiah's Vision of God
Isaiah 6:1–3; Psalm 8
Animal Pal
Clark the Great White Shark
Lesson focus
God is RULER! He is the majestic king who is holy and perfect.
Apologetics Focus
God is the same in the Old Testament as he is in the New Testament. He was and is and always will be in charge.
Treasured Verse
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord. Isaiah 6:3

Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: I Spy a Crown
Touch Table Water: Fish in the Sea
Touch Table Sand: Sand Castles
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Coloring Corner: Isaiah 6:3
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Day 3 Mystery Clue
Teach It!
Part 1: Isaiah 6
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Ruler of All
Apply It!
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “What a Mighty God We Serve"
Song 2: “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Wrap-Up Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Isaiah 6:1–3 and Psalm 8 a couple times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials as outlined in the brown Pre-prep text.
For more information on the holiness, perfection, and sovereignty of God, visit AnswersVBS.com/mifaq.
Pray.

Devotion 3 God Is Ruler
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. Psalm 95:3
Throughout the Old Testament, the revealed God of the Bible is contrasted to the gods worshipped in the ancient Near East. The point of these passages is to reveal the sovereignty of our God over all creation and to discredit the gods of other peoples as impotent and worthless and to direct mankind to the one true God.
Think about it. 
What separates the God of the Bible from the gods of this world? After God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, Moses wrote, “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11). 
The emphasis of accounts like these is that when we compare other so-called gods (e.g., their creative acts, motives, and eternality) to the Lord, we find they are bankrupt in majesty and power. In addition, the morality of the false gods is vastly different from the one true God, as our Bible account about Isaiah shows. 
In the myths, gods are depicted as selfish, arrogant, sadistic, lustful, drunken, vain, or hateful. In other words, they mirror humanity. These gods are just powerful mortals with the same desires, character flaws, sins, and objectives as their lesser-powered creations. 
For example, in the Egyptian mythologies, which Isaiah would have been familiar with, there was war between Seth and Osiris. Seth slew and dismembered his older brother Osiris and ruled Egypt in his stead. When Osiris’ son Horus claimed the throne, Seth fought with him as well. Eventually a tribunal of gods decided the dispute over who should rule Egypt. After much politicking and quarreling, Horus was granted the throne and Seth was given the position of thunder god. 
Unlike these wicked gods, the one true God has no sin in him (Habakkuk 1:13; James 1:17). He is perfect, holy, and righteous. He never changes or reneges on his promises. In this context, we can think of Isaiah’s description: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” We see this refrain echoed throughout the New Testament, as well. Jesus Christ is holy and without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Revelation 3:7).
In fact, it is precisely because of the holy nature of the biblical God that we have a basis for morality. He is the ultimate lawgiver and has given us standards by which we are to live. Apart from the good God of the Bible, we have no logical basis upon which to claim, for example, that murder is wrong, while helping others is right. Take a look again at the character and nature of the gods mentioned above—are any of them capable of dispensing a logical system of morality, where good is defined by their very nature? Their followers, acting consistently with their belief in their gods, show that their moral code left something to be desired—human sacrifice, murder, adultery, continual war, lying, scheming, and the like were all the norm, rather than sinful behavior to be punished.
What we do not see in Scripture is an ultra-powerful mortal bully. We see a transcendent God who is infinitely wiser and higher than man, yet visits us in order that we might know him (Psalm 8:3–4).
The God of the Bible is not merely one of a plethora of gods from which we may pick and choose to worship; nor is he to be put on par with other supposed deities. He is the omnipotent Creator and Redeemer of mankind. Truly we worship a great God, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and a great King above all gods.
In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, to the glory of God the Father. Today, let’s point our kids to the one true God, holy and sovereign over all, and their Savior. 

Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: I Spy a Crown
Materials
Spot the Different Crown pattern 
Crayons or markers
Yellow and gray or white card stock
Pre-prep
Make copies on yellow card stock of the Spot the Different Crown pattern. Decorate each one, making them all the same except for one, which should be slightly different. Make another set on gray or white card stock and do the same. Hide them all around the room.  
Directions
First, the islanders find the hidden crown cards. Then they look at the yellow set of crowns and try to decide which one is different. Then they look at the gray or white set and try to figure out which one of those is different. 
Teaching Tie-In
We're trying to figure out which crown is different today. Who wears a crown? Yes, a king or queen! Did you know God is the greatest king ever? He's called the King of kings in the Bible. The Bible also tells us a man named Isaiah saw a vision of God sitting on a great throne, wearing an amazing robe. God is a loving, kind, good, great ruler and king, and we can trust him with our lives.
God is the King of kings. He has a throne and the most special robe of all. Every person who has turned from their sin and trusted Jesus will get to see God someday in heaven.
Touch Table Water: Fish in the Sea
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Water
Play ocean animals (shark particularly helpful)
Little fish nets
Pre-prep
Put the ocean animals and little nets in the water table. 
Directions
The islanders play with the animals and fish nets in the water.
Teaching Tie-In
Does anyone remember who our animal pal is today? Take responses. Yes, Clark the shark! Great white sharks are nicknamed the king of the sea or the ruler of the sea because they are the most mighty animal in the ocean. But who do you think is the king of the whole universe, including the sea? Take responses. Yes, God! He made the sharks, ocean animals, ocean water, sun, islands, and everything else! God is the one who is truly the ruler of everyone and everything! We can trust him with our lives. Sharks can't help us, but God can!
Touch Table Sand: Sand Castles
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Play sand
Wet wipes for cleanup
Sand castle molds
Pictures of real castles photocopied on white card stock
Squirt bottle
Optional: Fake jewel 
Pre-prep
Find pictures online of real castles and print them. Put the sand castle molds in the sand table. Squirt the sand with water so it is moldable.  
Note: This is messy but really fun. The kids love it! However, if you want a less messy option, keep the sand dry and put LEGO® pieces in the sand for them to build castles from.
Directions
The islanders make sand castles.
Teaching Tie-In
Look at our sand castles! Do you know anybody who lives in a real castle? Take responses, and show pictures of real castles. Kings and queens live in castles, don't they? They're in charge of their kingdoms, aren't they? Pause for response. But kings and queens on earth are just people, and they have limited power. Only God, the King of all kings, knows everything and has all power to do anything. There's nothing impossible for God to do! Do you remember our Bible verse for today? Let's say it together. Do so.  
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Materials
Day 1 items and any new item(s) you may want to introduce
Pre-prep
Put in any new items.

Directions
Islanders play with the beach items.
Teaching Tie-In
When we get in the ocean, we swim around on the top part of the water. But the water in the ocean goes down very, very deep in places. At the bottom of the ocean, it's completely dark. Even though we can't see in total darkness, God can! He knows where every animal big and small is that's hiding or swimming or crawling along the ocean floor, and he is with all of them at the same time. But that's not all! He's with all of us wherever we are, too! God is great! He's the king of everything!
Coloring Corner: Isaiah 6:3
See Day 1’s directions, but use the Day 3 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.

Introduce It!
Treasure Map Poster
Day 3 Large Medallion, preferably laminated 
Bible or children's Bible
Costumes for teachers
Treasure chest
Mounting putty or tape
Opaque bag for a "mystery bag" with pictures of animals, other nature items, and people (cut these from magazines or from online sources), along with a paper (not in bag) that says "God the Father"
Day 3 Mystery Clue (5 minutes)
Pre-prep: Print pictures of animals, other nature items, or people and put them in a "mystery bag." Write the words "God the Father" on a paper, but do not put it in the bag. Put the Bible in the treasure chest, with the Bible bookmarked at Isaiah 6. Cut out and laminate the day 3 Large medallion and place it on the treasure map poster at the Great White Gulf.
Teacher 1: Aloha, islanders, and welcome back! Remember how we were talking about how God is the only God? Let's put up one finger and say, "There's only one God!" Do so. And yesterday, we talked about God being all knowing, all powerful, and all present? Let's make big muscles and say, "Nothing is too hard for God!" Do so.
Teacher 2: Now today, we're talking about God being the ruler of the world. Let's play a little game to find out more. I have a mystery bag here. Let's take turns pulling out a picture and deciding if it's an animal, something else in nature, or a person. Do so. 
Teacher 1: Here's our last one. Does God the Father fit in any of these categories—animal, something in nature, or a person? Take responses. No! God the Father is not like anyone or anything else. He's extremely wonderful—more wonderful than you can ever imagine! In fact, he's the king of the whole world! What do you think of when you think of a king? What makes a good king? Take responses, and reinforce that God is the most loving, caring, and kind king ever.
You may want to hide a crown or crowns for an I Spy activity to reinforce the king idea.
Teacher 2: Kings wear crowns, don't they? Let's check on our treasure map and see if we can find a king's crown over near the Great White Gulf. Do so. Yes, there it is on the medallion and at the Great White Gulf! The king's crown reminds us God is king of the universe. He's king over everything.
Teacher 1: Now we're going to check in our precious Bible to learn what the Bible says about God being the king. 
Carefully and respectfully pull your Bible out of the treasure chest, and open it to Isaiah 6. 
Teach It!
Isaiah 6 Poster (with each picture covered)
Dry erase marker
Thrones Poster
Robes Poster
One or more pictures of kings from famous children's movies or books
Optional: Pictures of plants, animals, and the cosmos
Part 1: Isaiah 6 (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Cover each section of the isaiah 6 poster with a blank piece of paper to work as a lift-the-flap activity. The islanders will be making word associations to remember what was happening in the Isaiah 6 account. Print one or more pictures of kings from various children's movies or books and (optional) pictures of plants, animals, and the cosmos to use as noted below. 
1: King Uzziah died. God is alive!
Teacher 1: Name a king from a popular children's movie or book, such as the father in Cinderella. Hold up the picture/pictures. Have you ever seen this king? Take responses. 
Teacher 2: Well, the king in this picture is pretend. He didn't ever really live and rule. Someone just made him up and drew him. But our Bible account starts with a king who wasn't pretend. His name was King Uzziah. Isn't that an unusual name? King Uzziah. King Uzziah was a real person who lived on this earth a long time ago. Let's all pick up our pretend crowns and put them on our heads to remind us of King Uzziah. Pretend to pick up a crown and put it on your head. Well, guess what happened to King Uzziah? The answer is under this covered picture. What could it be? Take responses, and lift the flap on Picture 1. King Uzziah died! Kings on earth die and stay dead, don't they? They aren't like the greatest king ever, God. God is alive forever!
Teacher 1: Let's all lie down on the ground and say together, "King Uzziah died." Then we'll jump up and down and say, "But God is alive!" Do so.

2: Looked heavenward. Throne of the Lord.
Teacher 2: After King Uzziah died, God gave a man named Isaiah a vision, which is kind of like a dream, but you're still awake. And in his vision, he saw the Lord God sitting on a throne. Do you know what a throne is? Take responses. They're the special, fancy seats that kings and queens sit on. Show the thrones poster. Here are some thrones. Then, ask what they think is under the flap, and lift the flap on Picture 2. Read Isaiah 6:1a.
Teacher 1: So Isaiah saw the Lord God sitting on a special throne. Let's all look up toward heaven and say, "Looked heavenward. Throne of the Lord." Do so. Now let's see if we can do the motions and say the whole thing from the beginning. "King Uzziah died." Get down on the ground. "But God is alive" Jump up and down. "Looked heavenward." Look toward heaven. "Throne of the Lord." Pretend to sit down. 
3: Temple with robe. Could fill the globe.
Teacher 2: The next thing Isaiah saw will blow you away! Listen carefully and see if you hear what God was wearing in Isaiah's vision. Read Isaiah 6:1. 
Teacher 1: Did you hear what he was wearing? Take responses. Yes, a robe. Show the Robes poster. Here are some pictures of kings wearing robes. 
Teacher 2: Ask what they think is under the flap, and lift the flap on Picture 3. But God's robe wasn't like any other king's robe. It was special because God is special. His robe was so long and great that it filled the whole temple. A temple is kind of like a church. Can you imagine a robe being so long it would fill a whole church?
Teacher 1: It used to be that a king's robe showed how important he was. The longer the robe, the more important the king. Wow, God is the most important king ever! His robe filled the temple!
Teacher 2: Let's pretend to put on a robe as we say, "Temple with robe." Do so. Now let's make a big earth with our hands as we say, "Could fill the globe." The globe means the whole world. Do so, then try to say the whole thing with all the motions. 
4: Angels fly. Covered their eyes.
Teacher 1: It gets even more amazing! Do you know what an angel is? Take responses. Well, in this vision, Isaiah saw a special kind of angel called a seraphim flying around. What do you think the next picture is going to be? Take responses, and lift the Picture 4 flap. 
Teacher 2: Here's what the Bible says. Read Isaiah 6:1–2.
Teacher 1: Let's flap our wings while we say, "Angels fly." Do so. Now let's cover our eyes while we say, "Covered their eyes." Do so, then try to say it all with motions from the beginning.
5: Holy was heard. Super important word.
Teacher 2: Okay, on to the next part. So far, Isaiah has been seeing some amazing things. Now he's going to hear something amazing. Touch the part of your body that you hear with. Do so. Right! Let me read what the Bible says and see if you can hear the special word Isaiah heard three times. Read Isaiah 6:2–3a, stopping before "the whole earth is full of his glory." Ask what word they heard three times—holy. Lift the flap on Picture 5.
Teacher 1: Holy doesn't mean it's full of holes. Donuts have a hole, and bagels have a hole. But the word "holy" means something else. It means there is nothing bad in God. It's impossible for him to ever do anything bad or wrong, or even think anything bad or wrong! It's impossible for him to make a mistake. He's all things perfect and good.  

Teacher 2: Let's put our hands to our ears and say, "Holy was heard." Do so. Now let's put up 1, 2, 3 fingers as we say, "Super important word." Do so, then try to say it all with motions from the beginning.
6: Tell your story about God's glory.
Teacher 1: Now let's find out the end of what Isaiah heard. Read Isaiah 6:3. First, we heard the word "holy." Now here's another big word—"glory." It says the whole earth is full of God's glory.
Teacher 2: This means every single thing God has created shows us how amazing God is in some way. Lift the flap on Picture 6. Raise your hand if you’ve ever gone outside at night and looked at the stars. Do so. Put the blank piece of paper back down and draw a couple stars in the upper part of the paper while talking. The stars are amazing, and God made them. It's like they are saying, "Look at me! I show how amazing God is! I show his glory!"
Teacher 1: Nod your head if you have ever played in the ocean. Have them do so. The ocean is big and beautiful, isn't it? Draw a couple waves. The ocean shows God's glory.
Teacher 2: Stand up if you've ever seen a little bug or bird flying around. Have them stand, while you draw a couple bugs/birds. Every little bug and bird is made by God. Each one shows God's glory.
Teacher 1: Sit down if you've ever seen a fish. Have them do so, while you draw a couple fish. The fish and all animals are each perfectly made by God. They show God's glory.
Teacher 2: All of these examples and many, many more show God's glory. Everywhere we look around the earth, we see how amazing God is—every tree, every bird, every flower, every person. The whole earth!
Teacher 1: Let's see if we can think of some animals and plants and people God has made. Do so. Either let them think of some, or give clues or show pictures if you printed them off, and have them guess. Comment that each one shows how amazing God is. The whole earth is full of his glory!  
Teacher 2: Now let's say our rhyme. Point to yourself and say, "Tell your story about God's glory." Do so, then have them try to say it all with motions from the beginning.
Teacher 1: So there you have it! I think Sunny may want to chime in about this, so let's call him (her) now. Do so.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Ruler of All (5 minutes)
Day 3 Animal Pal Poster
Day 3 Puppet Script (2 copies)
Puppet and clipboard 
Pre-prep: Tape one puppet script inside the puppet stage and place the other on the clipboard.  
Puppet: Pop up. Oh, hi! I was just watching ____ (name of children's movie with a king in it).
Teacher: Was it good?
Puppet: Yeah! In fact, it's fun to play kings and queens with my friends.
Teacher: You know, we've been talking about a king who isn't like any other king. This king is perfect and good and rules the whole universe. He's alive forever! 
Puppet: Do you mean God? 
Teacher: Yep! He's the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Puppet: That reminds me of a song. It's called _____. (Two possibilities are "He Is the King of Kings" or "All Creatures of Our God and King." Check YouTube music and lyrics, and plan to sing it when noted below.)
Teacher: Hey, I like that song! Let's sing it with the boys and girls! Do so. 
Puppet: That's fun to sing to God! 

Before the next class, prepare a new blank piece of paper for this last square.

Teacher: It sure is! Singing praises to God is a great way to show how great and wonderful and loving we think God is! 
Puppet: I'm going to try to sing a song every day. How about this one? Sing a silly, made-up song that has nothing to do with God. 
Teacher: Well, that's a fun song, but it doesn't have anything to do with God. You may want to try to sing songs about God to God. And besides singing, another way to show how much we honor and worship him is to praise him as we pray to him. 
Puppet: What does "praise" mean?
Teacher: It's telling God how amazing he is. We can do this as we pray to him.
Puppet: How do we pray to God?
Teacher: We just talk to him. We can't see him, but he's listening! 
Puppet: Cool beans! Shout heavenward. God, I think you're an amazing ruler and king! Look back at the teacher. Did he hear that?
Teacher: He sure did! But you don't have to shout up to heaven. Just talk in your normal voice and he'll hear you. You can even think praises to God. He knows what you're thinking! And you know what else we should want to do when we find out how great God is? 
Puppet: Do the chicken dance? I love the chicken dance. Hum the first stanza and have everyone clap. Check YouTube for the music.
Teacher: No, silly, I'm not talking about doing the chicken dance. Instead, we should want to tell others about God and his wonders!
Puppet: Oh, right! God is the incredible ruler of the universe! He's the king of everything!
Teacher: He sure is! Show the day 3 animal pal poster. You know, Clark the shark here is nicknamed the ruler of the sea. That's pretty cool, but that's nothing compared to being the ruler of everything! God made everything and is in charge of it all. Can you think of something God has made that you think is fabulous?
Puppet: Yeah, yeah. I know what . . . ear wax. You know, that gooey yellow stuff that's in your ears. Now I think that's fabulous.
Teacher: Sunny, be serious.
Puppet: I am being serious! Did you know ear wax helps protect your ears from getting bad germs and water in them? God was really smart to have made that. I think it's wonderful! 
Teacher: I guess you have a point there.
Puppet: And how about our eyelashes? They help to protect our eyes from getting things like sand or dust in them.
Teacher: Okay, I think we hear what you're saying. God made all that and so much more! We can talk to other people about our amazing God and never run out of great things to say about him! 
Puppet: That's for sure! I think I'm going to tell my mom how amazing God is to have made ear wax. 
Teacher: Okay, Sunny, go for it, and we'll plan to see you tomorrow! Let's say goodbye to Sunny, everyone. Do so.
Apply It!
Day 3 Student Guides, 1 per child
Trail Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Trail Guides
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. 
Put a stamp in the Trail Guides, or have group guides do so as they first arrive at VBS.

Part 1: Treasured Verses
Day 3 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music CD and player
Bat the Beach Ball supplies—beach ball or other lightweight ball
Pre-prep: Cue the memory verse song. Hang up the Day 3 Memory Verse Poster.
Today’s Verse: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord. Isaiah 6:3 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the Day 3 Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Bat the Beach Ball—Get a beach ball or other lightweight ball. Bat it around as you say the verse. Can you keep it in the air until you've said the whole verse from memory?
Tomorrow’s Verse: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Try the Challenge again, this time with tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Ask an adult to read Psalm 95:1–6 or Isaiah 55:8–9 to you. What do these verses say about God?
Talk to God and praise him for being the King of kings. Tell him how great he is! 
Sing a praise song to God. 
Ask an adult what qualities make a good king.
With an adult, check AnswersVBS.com/mikids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Do I know that God loves me?
Song 1: “What a Mighty God We Serve” 
“What a Mighty God We Serve” song 
“Holy, Holy, Holy” song
MP3 or CD player
Sing one of the songs suggested in the puppet script ("He Is the King of Kings" or "All Creatures of our God and King"), or try one of the following.  
What a mighty God we serve 
(Clap with the beat. Repeat.)
Angels bow before him (Bow.)
Heaven and earth adore him (Make a big circle with your arms for "earth.")
What a mighty God we serve 
(Clap with the beat.)
Song 2: “Holy, Holy, Holy” 
Remind them what "holy" means about God: nothing bad in God, perfect, good, no sin.
Verse 1
Holy, holy, holy 
(Bow and put hands together.)
Lord God Almighty 
(Raise hands to heaven.)
Early in the morning 
(Move your arms around like they are the hands on a clock face.)
Our song shall rise to Thee 
(Put your hands to your mouth and move them outward.)
Only Thou art holy 
(Bow and put hands together.)
There is none beside Thee (Shake head "no" and move hands to signal "no.")
Perfect in power (Raise hands to heaven.)
In love and purity (Put hands over your heart, then raise skyward.)
Wrap-Up Review
Day 3 Animal Pal Poster
Day 3 Memory Verse Poster
Have the islanders whisper each answer.
Look for the hidden crown in today's Animal Pal Poster. 
Our animal pal today is Clark the great white ___. Show the Day 3 animal pal poster. 
Our Bible verse says: Holy, holy, ___. Show the Day 3 Memory verse poster. 
God is the King of ___. (kings) 
He is the ruler of ___. (everything)

Now have the islanders shout out the answer to each rhyme. Give them the beginning of the missing word as a help. 
King Uzziah died. God is a-___! (a-live)
Looked heavenward. Throne of the L-___. (L-ord)
Temple with robe. Could fill the gl-___. (gl-obe)
Angels fly. Covered their e-___. (e-yes)
Holy was heard. Super important w-___. (w-ord)
Tell your story, about God's gl-___. (gl-ory)

Day 4
E+MAN+YOU+L
God is Emmanuel!

Today's Medallion
Heart
Bible passage
God Comes to Earth (Gospel Presentation)
Select Scriptures
animal Pal
Jam the Immortal Jellyfish
Lesson focus
God is EMMANUEL! He is the loving, good Savior who came to earth.
Apologetics Focus
God is three-in-one—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Even though there is mystery in this, God is knowable.
Treasured Verse
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Play Creche
Touch Table Water: Fishing Fun
Touch Table Sand: Crosses Memory Match
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Coloring Corner: Romans 5:8
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Day 4 Mystery Clue
Teach It!
Part 1: Treasure Hunt Gospel Presentation
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Review Game
Apply It!
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me”
Song 2: “God Is So Good”
Wrap-Up Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read “Leading a Child to Christ” found on the inside back cover of this guide. 
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials as outlined in the brown Pre-prep text.   
For more information on Jesus being the only way to heaven, visit AnswersVBS.com/mifaq. 
Pray.

Devotion 4 God Is Emmanuel
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14
From the beginning, the enemy of our souls has known there is only one true God. Even his henchmen believe in the one true God—and shudder (James 2:19). And over the years, he has used his knowledge to distort and deny this truth and draw people away from the one true God.
One of the more insidious lies he has told—and that even some Christians believe—is that all monotheistic religions believe in the same God; he just goes by different names. The god of Islam (Allah), Mormonism, and Jehovah’s Witnesses (Jehovah) is the same as the one true God of the Bible, right? 
 The doctrine of the Trinity helps us separate the one true God from the fakes. The one true God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), the Holy Spirit. Each is fully God and manifests all the attributes of the one true God. For example, in the Bible, each is called the Creator (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1–3; Job 33:4); each is unchanging and eternal (Psalm 90:2; Hebrews 13:8; Hebrews 9:14); and each is called God (Philippians 2:11; Titus 2:13; Acts 5:3–4).
If a religion denies that any member of the Trinity is God, then its “god” is a fake and is based on a lie from the devil himself. It’s that simple.
Islam teaches that Jesus was a man, not God nor the Son of God. Mormonism teaches that Jesus is a created being who became a god. Those in the Jehovah’s Witness cult also believe that Jesus was created and thus is not infinite or eternal.
Think about it.
According to the Bible, Jesus suffered the punishment of death that human beings deserve as a result of their sin against a holy God. Because God is infinite, his punishment of sin is infinite. Can a created being—one that is not infinite—endure the infinite punishment from an eternal God and satisfy—eternally—God’s wrath on our sin? Of course not. This is why the blood of bulls and goats could never take away all sin (Hebrews 9:13–15).
In order to spend eternity in the presence of the holy and righteous God, we need a perfect infinite sacrifice to take the punishment we deserve. Those religions that deny that Jesus is God (and thus, that he is eternal) offer a limited sacrifice for sin that does nothing to satisfy the infinite wrath of God and is no better than a sheep.
The Jesus described in the Bible is infinite and is God. The infinite Son, in his death on the cross, suffered the infinite punishment that we deserve from the infinite Father and infinitely satisfied the wrath of God on sin. A “created Jesus” could never do such a thing.
As you teach that God is Emmanuel to the children today, think about the vital importance—with infinite ramifications—of embracing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the triune God, the one true God of the Bible.
May we rejoice, as the Puritans did, in the way each member of the Trinity works to bring about our salvation.
THREE IN ONE, ONE IN THREE,
GOD OF MY SALVATION,
Heavenly Father, blessed Son, eternal Spirit,
I adore thee as one Being, one Essence,
one God in three distinct Persons,
for bringing sinners to thy knowledge and to thy kingdom.
O Father, thou hast loved me and sent Jesus to redeem me;
O Jesus, thou hast loved me and assumed my nature,
shed thine own blood to wash away my sins,
wrought righteousness to cover my unworthiness;
O Holy Spirit, thou hast loved me and entered my
heart, implanted there eternal life,
revealed to me the glories of Jesus.
Three Persons and one God, I bless and praise thee,
for love so unmerited, so unspeakable, so wondrous,
so mighty to save the lost and raise them to glory.
O Triune God, who commandeth the universe,
thou hast commanded me to ask for those things
that concern thy kingdom and my soul.
Let me live and pray as one baptized into the threefold Name.
—(Excerpt from “The Trinity” in The Valley of Vision)

Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Play Creche
Materials
Play creche set
Pre-prep
Set up the creche. One test church used a Playmobil® Nativity set.
Directions
The islanders play with the creche set.
Teaching Tie-In
Do you know who the baby is in this set? Take responses. Yes, this is baby Jesus. Do you know who Jesus is? Take responses. Yes, he is God the Son! He left heaven and became a baby so he could be with us. God didn't just stay in heaven not caring about us. Jesus came here to rescue us! That's because God loves us so very much. 
Touch Table Water: Fishing Fun
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table with water
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Fun foam hearts with a hole punched in each
Mini fishing pole supplies (see Pre-prep)
Pre-prep
Buy mini fishing poles from a dollar store, or make your own using small dowel rods or pencils with a piece of fishing line attached to each. Tie an opened paper clip to the end of each piece of fishing line. Put the fun foam hearts in the water table.
Directions
The islanders "fish" for the hearts, trying to catch one by getting the paper clip through the hole in the heart. 
Teaching Tie-In
What shape are we "fishing" for today? Yes, these are hearts! What do hearts remind you of? Yes, love. People can love each other and care for each other on earth, but nobody loves you like God does. He loves us. He cares so much about us and wants us to be his child. Explain the gospel. You can tell them your testimony.
Touch Table Sand: Crosses Memory Match
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table with play sand
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Wet wipes for cleanup
Cross pattern
5 colors of card stock (see Pre-prep)
Pre-prep
Photocopy the cross pattern onto five different colors of card stock, and laminate each page. Cut them out, and hide the crosses in the sand.
Directions
The islanders reach into the sand and pull out a card. They pull out another and decide if the color matches. If it doesn't, they can put the card back in the sand and pull out another one. They can keep pulling out cards until they find one that matches. 
Teaching Tie-In
What shape did you find? Take responses. Yes, a cross! Do you know why the cross is so important to us? Take responses, and explain that Jesus died on the cross because he loves each one of us so much. And then he rose from the dead! Jesus is God's one and only Son, and he is God himself!
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Materials
Day 1 items and any new item(s) you may want to introduce
Pre-prep
Put out any new items.
Directions
Dress up, and pretend to be playing on the beach. 
Teaching Tie-In
When we go to the beach during the day, the sun may be shining brightly. When we go at night, it's beautiful to look up at the moon and stars. Did you know God made the sun, the moon, and the stars? Pause for responses. The Bible tells us he even named each star! But did you know there's another word that sounds like sun, but means something else? Can you think of a person who is a son? Take responses. Now here's the really amazing part. God the Father has a Son! Does anybody know the Son's name? Take responses. Yes, Jesus! Jesus is God's Son, and he is God himself. Jesus lived and died, but he didn't stay dead. Only God could make himself come back to life! Wow! 
Coloring Corner: Romans 5:8
See Day 1’s directions, but use the Day 4 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.

Introduce It!
Treasure Map Poster 
Day 4 Large Medallion, preferably laminated 
Optional: Days 1–3 Animal Pal Posters 
Bible or children's Bible
Costumes for teachers
Treasure chest
Mounting putty or tape
Construction paper or card stock hearts
Pre-prep: Put the Bible in the treasure chest, with the Bible bookmarked at the appropriate passages. Post some hearts around the room so they are visible. Cut out and laminate the day 4 Large medallion and place it on the treasure map poster at the Jellyfish Lagoon.
Day 4 Mystery Clue (5 minutes)
Teacher 1: Welcome back, islanders! Let's see if we can remember what each medallion stands for. Go over each of the treasure map poster spots. See if they can remember what the number 1 stands for at Chameleon Cave, the letter O at Octopus Inlet, and the crown at Great White Gulf. You may want to also go over the animal pal posters as a review and look for the hidden items again in each poster.  
Teacher 2: Now we're going to play a little round of I Spy to find an important clue for today. Have them look (without moving) to see if they can find any hearts around the room.
Teacher 1: What do you think hearts stand for? Take responses. Yes, love! Do you know where love came from? Take responses. God! Love is from God, and God himself is love. Read 1 John 4:7–8. 
Teacher 2: Let's check out our treasure map today and see what our medallion is. Find it at Jellyfish Lagoon and comment on it being a heart. See if they can find the heart shape on the poster at Jellyfish Lagoon. Now let's get our Bible out of the treasure chest as we go on a treasure hunt to hear more about God's love.  
Teach It!
Gospel Jewel Posters
ABFR Poster, in a plastic bottle, like a note in a bottle
Day 4 Animal Pal Poster
Tri-fold Clues 1–6
Part 1: Treasure Hunt Gospel Presentation (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Print and fold the tri-fold clues 1–6. Put the abfr poster in the bottle. Cut out the gospel jewel posters, and strategically place each jewel on the walls, using mounting putty so they are in plain view but still blend in. Hide the bottle so it is in plain sight.
Teacher 1: We're going on a treasure hunt around the room to find jewels of various colors. We'll read you a clue, and then you hunt with your eyes until you see it. Point when you think you've found it. Ready? Here's the first clue. Open each clue and read it as you come to it.
Clue 1—Green
Think of the color of grass and trees 
And look for a jewel in that color, please 
Teacher 2: The islanders stay seated and look for the right jewel on the wall. They point when they find it. You were looking for a jewel the color of grass and trees. What color is that? Pause for responses. Yes, green! The Bible tells us right here (point to Genesis 1) that God made the world, and in the world, he planted a green tropical paradise called the garden of Eden. Then he placed the first two people there to live. Do you know what their names were? Pause for responses. Yes, Adam and Eve.
Teacher 1: Everything was very good in the garden of Eden. It was beautiful and nothing bad had happened. But let's listen to our next clue and find our next jewel so we can hear what happened next.
Clue 2—Dark
Jewel number 2 is the color of night  
Find one that's dark, not light
Teacher 2: The islanders look and point to the jewel. You were looking for a jewel the color of night. What color was that? Pause for responses. Yes, it was a dark color because it's dark at night. Our dark color reminds us that something happened in the garden 
of Eden that wasn't so beautiful. You see, a serpent came along and played a bad trick on Eve. He told her to eat a piece of fruit God told her not to eat.
Teacher 1: Eve ate a bite and then so did Adam. And guess what? The beautiful world changed. They didn't obey God, and this is called sin. Sin is when we say or do something God commands us in the Bible not to. 
Teacher 2: Well, this was very sad. Adam and Eve sinned first, and the children they had sinned, and their children sinned, and on and on, until our time. Guess what? Because we are part of Adam and Eve’s family, we sin, too. Read Romans 3:23. And the punishment for sin is death and eternal separation from God's goodness.
Teacher 1: If you think you’ve never sinned against God, think about this. God says to be kind. Nod your head if you’ve ever gotten in a fight with a brother or sister or friend. Pause for responses. God says to obey your parents. Have you ever not obeyed your mom or dad when they asked you to do something? Pause for responses. Was there ever a time you didn’t pick up your toys right away when your parents asked you to? Pause for responses. God says to do all things without grumbling and complaining. Have you ever complained about the food you’ve been given? Pause for responses. All these, and many more, are examples of sin.
Teacher 2: Our sin created a problem because God is perfect, so we can’t be with God because he can’t allow sin in his presence. So none of us could be with God forever. But God loves us and wants us to be with him someday, so he did something amazing. Let's find our next jewel and see what happened next. 
Clue 3—Blue
What color does a baby boy wear?
Find that jewel over there (The teacher should point near where the blue jewel is.) 
Teacher 1: The islanders look and point to the jewel. You were looking for a jewel the color of baby boy clothes. What color is that? Pause for responses. Yes, blue.
Teacher 2: According to the Bible, God sent his Son, Jesus, from heaven to earth, as a little baby boy. That’s what we celebrate at Christmas! God didn’t stay in heaven and leave us here on earth and in trouble. He sent Jesus to be with us. Jesus is God and one of his names is Emmanuel. Emmanuel means “God with us.” 
Teacher 1: Jesus was born on earth and lived a perfect life. He was loving and kind and good, and he always obeyed his Father, God.  
Teacher 2: Okay, let's hear the next clue so we can find out what happened next.
Clue 4—Red
Now it's time to look around
Until the color of a heart is found
Teacher 1: The islanders look and point to the jewel. You were looking for a jewel the color of a heart. What color is that? Pause for responses. Yes, red. Hearts remind us of love, and what I'm about to tell you shows how much God loves you. You see, God sent Jesus because he loves us so much and wants us to be part of his family and live with him in heaven someday. Because we’re sinners, we aren’t part of God’s family. But Jesus did something that has given us the opportunity to be part of God’s family. Does anyone know what Jesus did at the end of his life here on earth? Take responses.
Teacher 2: Yes, Jesus died on a cross. He didn't deserve to, but do you know why he did? Take responses. Because he loves us and wanted to take the punishment we deserve for the sins we do. 
Teacher 1: Have you ever gotten in trouble for doing something? Pause for responses. Did your mom or dad punish you? Pause for responses. Well, Jesus died on the cross 
for our sins and shed his red blood to take the punishment for sin that we deserve. Isn't that so kind and loving of Jesus?
Teacher 2: Because Jesus is God, he was able to do something only God can do. He came back to life! He didn't stay dead! Isn't that amazing? Now let's hear the next clue so we can find out what happened next. It's exciting!
Clue 5—Yellow
Hope you're having lots of fun 
Look for a jewel the color of the sun
Teacher 1: The islanders look and point to the jewel. You were looking for a jewel the color of the sun. What color is that? Pause for responses. Yes, yellow. Yellow reminds us of heaven with its streets of gold, where there won't be anything sad or bad. It will be a beautiful and perfect place like the garden of Eden was. And all the children of God will live there forever with God.
Teacher 2: Living with God is the ultimate treasure and the best news ever. In fact, it's the most important thing in your life. Let's listen for the next clue and find out how we can become part of God's family. This one is not a colorful jewel you will look for, but a bottle.
Clue 6—Admit, Believe, Forever Receive
To end our hunt, look for the letters ABFR
Find those letters on a paper in a jar
Teacher 1: The islanders look and point to the jar (bottle). This one will be sitting somewhere rather than on a wall. You were looking for a jar with the letters ABFR in them, and here it is! It's a note in a bottle! Isn't that cool? Let's solve the mystery of what these letters stand for.
Teacher 2: First, the A. Stand up if you can think of a word that starts with A. Have them share words that start with A, then tell them your word—admit. A stands for "admit." If you admit you sin, that means you tell God you haven't always obeyed him. You feel sorry for those sins and want to repent, or turn from, doing those sins.
Teacher 1: That doesn't mean you never sin again. Only God is perfect and doesn't sin. But it means you want to please God, obey him, and not keep sinning.
Teacher 2: The next letter is B. Stand up if you can think of a word that starts with B. Have them share words that start with B, then tell them your word—believe. B stands for "believe." To become a child of God, you must believe God sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and then rose from the dead to save you from sin.
Teacher 1: The next two letters are F and R. Stand up if you can think of a word that starts with F. Have them share words that start with F, then tell them your word—forever. F stands for "forever" and the R stands for "receive." Forever receive. If you are sorry for your sin and trust in Jesus for eternal life, you can become a child of God forever. You can forever receive the gift of eternal life.
Teacher 2: Being a child of God is the most awesome thing ever! You have God's love and forgiveness here on earth, and you will live forever with God in heaven someday. Show the day 4 animal pal poster. Jam the immortal jellyfish is a good reminder of this. The word "immortal" means to never die—to live forever. God's children live forever with God! It's the greatest news ever.  
Teacher 1: If anyone is interested in learning more about this, make sure you talk to your parents, your leaders, or me today. We'd love to tell you more about it. 
Teacher 2: Now let's check in with Sunny and see what he's (she's) been up to.

Part 2: Puppet Pal—Review Game (5 minutes)
Day 4 Puppet Script (2 copies)
Puppet and clipboard
Pre-prep: Tape one puppet script inside the puppet stage and place the other on the clipboard. 
Puppet: Come up. Hey! 
Teacher: Hey! What have you been up to?
Puppet: I was just playing a game. I love games!
Teacher: I do, too! They're so much fun. Would you like to play a game with the kids?
Puppet: I sure would! How do we play?
Teacher: I'll ask a question, and you decide on two possible answers. Then the kids will have to figure out which one is right.
Puppet: Oh, that sounds fun! Let's try it.
Teacher: Okay, the first question is this. God made the world a beautiful and perfect place and put the first two people in a garden called what?
Puppet: Let's see, it was either the garden of eating or the garden of Eden. 
Teacher: Boys and girls, which do you think it was? The garden of eating or the garden of Eden? Take answers and tell them it was the garden of Eden.
Teacher: Question 2: The first people, Adam and Eve, ate something God told them not to. What was it?
Puppet: I think it was either a piece of fruit or a pepperoni pizza. Boy, do I love pepperoni pizza.
Teacher: Boys and girls, do you think it was fruit or pizza? Take answers and tell them it was fruit. 
Teacher: Question 3: When you don't obey God, it's called what?
Puppet: It's called either sin or smiles. Pretend to pose for a picture. CHEESE!  
Teacher: Calm down over there, Sunny. Anyway, do you think it's called sin or smiles when you don't obey God? Take answers and tell them it was sin.
Teacher: Okay, here's the next question. God's Son, Jesus, came to earth to save sinners. Jesus is called Emmanuel, which means what?
Puppet: It means either God with us or man with us.
Teacher: Boys and girls, which do you think? Take answers and tell them it's God with us.
Teacher: Okay, here's our last question. We talked about A standing for Admit. We admit we sinned. What does B stand for?
Puppet: It means either banana or believe.
Teacher: Boys and girls, do you think the B in ABFR stands for banana or believe? Take answers and tell them it's believe. 
Puppet: Well, this sure was fun to play our game.
Teacher: Yep! And I hope all our boys and girls know God loves them and wants them to be children of God. Well, we'll see you tomorrow, Sunny. Thanks for playing with us! 
Puppet: You bet! I'm gonna go surfing now. See you later. 
Apply It!
Optional: Gospel bookmarks, 1 per child
Day 4 Student Guides, 1 per child
Trail Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Trail Guides
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class.
Put a stamp in the Trail Guides, or have group guides do so as they first arrive to VBS. If giving each child a gospel bookmark, show at this time, and then have guides give them out at the end of the day.
Part 1: Treasured Verses
Day 4 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music CD and player
Pre-prep: Cue the memory verse song. Hang up the Day 4 Memory Verse Poster.
Today’s Verse: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the Day 4 Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Action Reaction—Try different actions while saying the verse. First, try it while hopping. Next, say it while turning around. Continue with other motions such as jumping, sitting, and skipping. 
Tomorrow’s Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Proverbs 3:5
Try the Challenge again, this time with tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Ask someone to read John 3:16–17. What does it mean? Pray and thank God for sending his Son, Jesus, to be God with us.
Tell someone how Jesus came to earth and how to become a child of God.
Ask an adult if she is a child of God, and if so, how she became one.
With an adult, check AnswersVBS.com/mikids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Am I a child of God?
Song 1: “I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me”
“I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me” song
“God Is So Good” song
MP3 or CD player
I am so glad that Jesus loves me
(Sway a little, then hug yourself.)
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me 
(Sway and hug yourself.)
I am so glad that Jesus loves me 
(Repeat motions.)
Jesus loves even me (Point to yourself.)
Song 2: “God Is So Good”
God is so good (Point up, then make the sign for "good" by placing the fingers of your right hand against your mouth then moving them into the upright palm of your left hand.)
God is so good (Repeat motions.)
God is so good (Repeat motions.)
He's so good to me (Repeat motions, and point to yourself on "me.")
He loves me so (Point up, then cross your arms over your heart, then fan arms out.)
He loves me so (Repeat motions.)
He loves me so (Repeat motions.)
He's so good to me 
(Repeat previous verse's last motion.)
He died for me (Make a cross with your wrists crossing each other.)
He died for me (Repeat motions.)
He died for me (Repeat motions.)
He's so good to me 
(Repeat previous verse's last motion.)
God is so good (Point up, then make the sign for "good" by placing the fingers of your right hand against your mouth then moving them into the upright palm of your left hand.)
God is so good (Repeat motions.)
God is so good (Repeat motions.)
He's so good to me (Repeat motions, and point to yourself on "me.")

Wrap-Up Review
Have the islanders sit down on the questions and stand up as they shout out the answer "Jesus" to the following questions. 
Who loves us?
Who came to save us?
Who died on the cross for us?
Who wants us to be in God's family?

Day 5
TRUST+WORD-D+THEE
God is Trustworthy!

Today's Medallion
Diamond
Bible passage
David Trusts God
1 Samuel 17
Animal Pal
Trusty the Macaw
Lesson focus
God is TRUSTWORTHY! He is our rock, and we should praise, thank, worship, adore, and live for him.
Apologetics Focus
God is bigger and greater than our unanswered questions. We can trust him.
Treasured Verse
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Proverbs 3:5

Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Sling It 
Touch Table Water: Sink or Float
Touch Table Sand: Cookie Cutters
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Coloring Corner: Proverbs 3:5
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It! 
Day 5 Mystery Clue
Teach It!
Part 1: David and Goliath
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Trust Fall
Apply It!
Part 1: Treasured Verse
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: "If You Trust God and You Know It"
Song 2: “Here Comes David”
Wrap-Up Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read 1 Samuel 17 a couple times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials as outlined in the brown Pre-prep text.
For more information on how we can trust God, visit AnswersVBS.com/mifaq. 
Pray.

Devotion 5 God Is Trustworthy
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10
Today, as we examine the account of David and Goliath, consider that David was likely in his late teens when he went against the giant. Not too much older than some of the kids in your classes. Perhaps the age of the teen volunteers on your crew. Yet, even by that age, David had learned so much about the one true God that his trust in his God was firm. He knew that God was living and active (1 Samuel 17:26), he was the ruler over all (v. 45), and he was mighty to save (vv. 46–47). He had experienced God’s massive power throughout his life (v. 37), and he was confident enough to confront those who didn’t believe (vv. 26–30). 
Throughout the rest of his life, David would write of his trust in God based on what he knew to be true about his Creator. Consider all the attributes of God that David included in just one psalm (25): God is deliverer, truth, salvation, merciful, loving, good, eternal, upright, faithful, a friend, gracious, forgiving, the Redeemer. He proclaims, “O my God, in you I trust” (Psalm 25:2). Take a glance through David’s psalms, and notice how often he rehearses God’s attributes to himself and how often he reminds himself to trust in God, no matter his circumstances. In times of trouble or times of ease, David trusted God. Because he knew the Word of God, he knew who God is and trusted him because of it.  
Think about it.
How well do you know the one true God? Do you know enough about him and his attributes to trust him completely with your life? Do you rehearse God’s attributes to yourself (and your family and the children in your care)? 
Consider what we’ve studied about God this week: he is great, almighty, ruler, Emmanuel, and trustworthy. How does embracing and clinging to these attributes change your perspective on your job, your relationships, your bank account, your home, your family, your life? What fears keep you from trusting God more fully? Is there one attribute that you need to meditate on to help you overcome those fears? Are there other attributes you need to remind yourself of or uncover through Bible study? 
Today, let’s make sure our hearts are firmly trusting in the one true God as we encourage the children toward trusting God. May we pray with the Puritans:
Thou art all my good in times of peace,
my only support in days of trouble,
my one sufficiency when life shall end.
Help me to see how good thy will is in all,
and even when it crosses mine
teach me to be pleased with it.
Grant me to feel thee in fire, and food and every providence,
and to see that thy many gifts and creatures
are but thy hands and fingers taking hold of me.
Thou bottomless fountain of all good,
I give myself to thee out of love,
for all I have or own is thine,
my goods, family, church, self,
to do with as thou wilt,
to honour thyself by me, and by all mine.
If it be consistent with thy eternal counsels,
the purpose of thy grace,
and the great ends of thy glory,
then bestow upon me the blessings of thy comforts;
If not, let me resign myself to thy wiser determinations.
(Excerpt from “The All-Good” from The Valley of Vision)
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Sling It
Materials
Plastic spoons
Safe items to "sling"—cotton balls, different sized pom poms, foam balls
Masking tape or painter's tape
Optional: 3 pool inner tubes
Pre-prep
Gather the suggested safe items to sling. (These will not cause any problems if they accidentally hit someone.) Put down a masking tape or painter's tape start line. If using the pool inner tubes, blow them up and hang or hold them as targets. 
Directions
Take turns standing at the tape line. Everyone else should stand behind the line. The person who is up tries to "sling" a cotton ball, pom pom, or foam ball to see how far it goes, or to get it through one of the inner tubes. To do so, they should put the safe object in the spoon, pull back on the top of the spoon, and let go. Continue taking turns. 
Teaching Tie-In
We're trying to "sling" some safe items today like cotton balls, pom poms, and foam balls. The Bible records a time when a teenager named David used a sling when he was fighting a giant named Goliath. David aimed and hit Goliath right between his eyes, and Goliath fell down dead. Goliath didn't believe in God, but David surely did. He trusted God, just like we should! You can read many of David's words in the Bible in the book of Psalms.
Touch Table Water: Sink or Float
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table with water
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Water
Safe items to test for sinking or floating, such as a plastic spoon, comb, plastic cup, pool toy, sunglasses, orange, play jewels, and a rock
Pre-prep
Gather the safe items.
Directions
As a group, decide if they think an item will sink or float. Then put it in the water and see what happens. End with the rock and jewels, and then share the teaching tie-in.
Teaching Tie-In
We tested some things to see if they would sink or float. The last ones were the rock and jewels. Did they sink or float? Rocks and jewels are known for being sturdy and long lasting. There's one rock in particular that's a jewel called a diamond. It's the strongest and most valuable rock in the world. 
Like a diamond, God is much stronger and more valuable than anything else in the world. No amount of money is greater than God. No treasure chest of jewels is greater than God. No other person is greater than God. He is our rock, and we can trust him!
Touch Table Sand: Cookie Cutters
Materials
Under-the-bed storage container, small wading pool, or “official” touch table
Tarp or plastic tablecloth
Play sand
Wet wipes for cleanup 
Variety of heart and cross cookie cutters
Pre-prep
Smooth out the sand, and put the heart and cross cookie cutters in the sand table.
Directions
Islanders make impressions in the sand with the heart and cross cookie cutters.
Teaching Tie-In
When we see a heart it can remind us that God loves us so much and wants to have a special relationship with us. And when we see a cross it reminds us that God loves us so much he came to earth and died on a cross to take the punishment for our sin.
Dramatic Play: Beach Fun
Materials
Day 1 items and any new item(s) you may want to introduce
Pre-prep
Put any new items out.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to have fun at the beach.
Teaching Tie-In
We've had fun at Mystery Island this week, haven't we? Can you remember anything you learned about God this week? Take responses.
Coloring Corner: Proverbs 3:5
See Day 1’s directions, but use the Day 5 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.

Introduce It!
Treasure Map Poster
Day 5 Large Medallion, preferably laminated
Picture Puzzle Poster, laminated
Optional: Animal Pal Posters
Treasure Maps, 1 per child (color versions of these are also available to purchase and include a set of stickers; see page 8 for more information)
Days 1–5 Sticker Medallions, 1 set per child 
Bible or children's Bible
Costumes for teachers
Treasure chest
Mounting putty or tape
Real diamond (like a ring) or picture of a diamond
Day 5 Mystery Clue (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Put the Bible in the treasure chest, bookmarked at 1 Samuel 17. Laminate the picture puzzle poster. Cut out and laminate the day 5 large medallion and place it on the treasure map poster at the Macaw Mountain.
Technically, a diamond is considered a gemstone rather than a rock, but they are often called "rocks."
Teacher 1: Hello, everyone, and welcome to our last day on Mystery Island. Let's see if we can remember our four past medallions and what they stand for. Show each one and see if they can remember. Review the animal pal posters as well.
Teacher 2: Now let's discover today's mystery clue that's in the form of a picture puzzle. Let's figure out the letter each picture starts with, and then it will spell today's clue word. Show the first picture on the picture puzzle poster and have them figure out what the first letter is. For example, the first picture is a dolphin, so they say "d." When it is done, it spells "diamond."
Teacher 1: Our clue word is diamond. Do you know what a diamond is? Take responses. If anyone is wearing a diamond ring, show the kids, or show them a picture of a diamond. 
Teacher 2: People wear diamonds because they're worth a lot. They're very valuable. They're also a strong and steady rock that won't break.
Teacher 1: God is like a diamond because he's by far the most valuable of all on earth. He's much, much more valuable than a diamond or any other jewel or even all the money in the world. He's a steady rock of love, kindness, and goodness. We can trust him. 
Teacher 2: Let's check out our last spot on our treasure map today and see what our medallion is. Look at the medallion at Macaw Mountain, and comment on it being a diamond. See if they can find the diamond on Macaw Mountain. Then pass out the Treasure maps and sticker medallions for the five days. Have them put the proper stickers on the proper spots as you review what each means. They will take these home today. If you are short on time, send them home for a fun review. Now let's get out our Bible from the treasure chest and hear more about a guy who trusted God with his life. Pull the Bible out of the treasure chest, and open to 1 Samuel 17.
Teach It!
David and Goliath Poster
Knotted tube sock
Measuring tape to measure 9 feet tall
Optional: play "armor" for child and teacher playing David and Goliath, plus a low step stool
Part 1: David and Goliath (10 minutes)
Teacher 1: Point to 1 Samuel 17. It tells us here in 1 Samuel 17 that there were two armies who were fighting. One army, the Israelite army, was for God, and the other, the Philistine army, was against God. Let's divide into the two armies and face each other. Do so. Leave a space in between the armies in the middle of the room.
Teacher 2: The army that was against God had a giant of a man called Goliath. I'm going to pretend to be Goliath. Teacher 2 places a step stool in between the two armies and gets up on it, boasting about how great he is. (Only the teacher should be on the step stool.)
Teacher 1: Goliath was over 9 feet tall! Show how tall that is using the measuring tape. Nobody's that tall anymore, but Goliath was huge. Let's all look up at Goliath and say, "Wow! You're tall!" Do so. Now let's put some pretend (or real) armor on Goliath. Do so.
Teacher 2: Goliath's army, let's cheer for Goliath. Do so.
Teacher 1: All the people in the Lord's army were scared of Goliath. Goliath kept shouting at them every day and trying to get someone to fight him. Teacher 2 interjects some taunts about somebody coming to fight him. This was making the Israelite army scared. Israelite army, let's shake and look like we're scared. Do so. The Israelite army was forgetting they had God on their side! Should they have been scared? Pause for responses. No!

Teacher 2: I know you have God on your side, but look at me! I'm the greatest!
Teacher 1: A teenager named David came along one day to bring food to his brothers. Who would like to be David? Choose someone. David heard Goliath yelling out mean words. Teacher 2 should yell out some more taunts and get his army cheering for him.
Teacher 1: David knew who God is and he trusted God, so when he heard Goliath saying things against God, he knew God would fight the battle and win, because God is more powerful than Goliath or anyone else. God's the greatest, so let's cheer for God! Do so. David asked who was going to fight Goliath. Have David ask who is going to fight Goliath.
Teacher 1: David was taken to the Israelite king named Saul. Choose a group guide to be Saul, and have him (or her) stand in between the two armies, but opposite of Goliath. Take David to Saul. David told Saul he would fight Goliath. Have him say so. At first, Saul didn't think it was a good idea because David was young, but then he agreed. Have Saul agree. Israelite army, let's cheer for David. Do so.
Teacher 2: So they dressed David in a helmet and armor. Someone other than Goliath pretends to put armor on David or really puts something on him. But David wasn't used to all that, so he took off the armor. Do so. Can you believe David wanted a sling and some stones? Teacher 1 hands David a tube sock that's knotted.
Teacher 1: Now it was time for David and Goliath to fight each other. Goliath, come front and center here. Goliath gets off the step stool and moves front and center. Goliath's army, let's clap and stomp for Goliath. Do so. David, come front and center across from Goliath. Do so. David's army, let's clap and stomp for David. Do so.
Teacher 2: Who do you think is going to win? Jump up and down if you think your side is going to win. Do so.
Caution the kids not to try this at home.
Teacher 1: Goliath came running toward David, shouting at him and ready to hurt him. Teacher 2 pretends to start running, but either jog in place or run in extreme slow motion. But David told him the battle was the Lord's. Have David say the battle is the Lord's. David took a stone out of his bag and put it in his sling. He sent a stone flying right at Goliath. Instruct David to sling the sock around and around over his head. It hit Goliath right on his forehead, and he fell on his face and died that very minute. Goliath pretends to be hit and falls on his face.
Teacher 1: Which army do you think was cheering now? Israelite army, let's cheer. Do so. Goliath's army, let's gasp in shock. Do so, then have everyone applaud for the end so Teacher 2 can get back up.
Teacher 2: So David won for his army because he trusted in God. And David continued to trust in God the rest of his life, even though he didn't obey God all the time. You can read much more about David in the Bible, including songs he wrote in the book of Psalms. They show that even if he started doubting a little, he always came around and remembered that he could trust in our wonderful, loving God.
Teacher 1: Let's check out this poster and see what you can tell me from the account. Show the David and goliath poster and have kids share what they learned. Now let's talk to Sunny a little more about trusting God.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Trust Fall (5 minutes)
Day 5 Animal Pal Poster 
Day 5 Puppet Script (2 copies)
Puppet and clipboard
Pre-prep: Tape one puppet script inside the puppet stage and place the other on the clipboard. 
Puppet: Pop up. Hey, everybody! What’s going on? 
Teacher: Hi, Sunny! We were just talking about trusting God.
Puppet: Hey, I just learned a Bible verse about that! It goes: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart."

Teacher: Let's say that together, boys and girls. Do so.
Puppet: But I'm not sure what the word "trust" means.
Teacher: It means you know you can believe someone will do what he says he will do. Like, maybe you trust your mom to always pick you up at preschool. Or maybe it's like a pirate who trusts his parrot friend, like Trusty the macaw here. Show the day 5 animal pal poster.
Teacher: Well, Sunny, just like the pirate trusts his bird, let's see if you trust me. If I asked you to turn around and fall backwards, would you trust me to catch you? Do you believe I will do what I say I'll do?
Puppet: I trust you. 
Teacher: Then let's try it.
Puppet: Turn around to try to fall backwards, but then turn back around facing frontwards. Well, wait a minute here. This is kind of scary.
Teacher: Do you trust me to catch you?
Puppet: Hesitantly. I guess so.
Teacher: Boys and girls, do you trust me to catch Sunny? Take responses.
Puppet: All right, let's try this. Turn around, and after a few seconds, "fall" backwards. Teacher catches the puppet and straightens it back up. 
This can be a little tricky to comfortably do, but one way is to leave your hand in the same position within the puppet, but use your other hand (which should be hidden behind the puppet stage) to flip the puppet around so its back is now facing the kids. Then "fall" toward the kids.
Teacher: There! I caught you!
Puppet: You sure did! Wow, I can trust you.
Teacher: You sure can. But there's someone you can trust even more than me, and that's God. He's perfect, so he can never make a mistake with your life. He has all the power and knowledge in the world, and yet he uses it with love and goodness, not ever in a bad way. He always has your best interest at heart.
Puppet: I can trust him even though I can't see him and don't always understand what's happening?
Teacher: Yes, you can trust him, because the Bible tells us we can. And since the Bible was written by God, it's perfect, too, and perfectly trustworthy. So just remember—God can never, ever do anything wrong. Whatever you're going through in life, whether it's something scary, sad, crazy, or glad, you can trust God.
Apply It!
Day 5 Student Guides, 1 per child
Trail Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Trail Guides
Attributes of God bookmarks, 1 per child
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. 
Put a stamp in the Trail Guides, or have group guides do so as they first arrive at VBS. If giving out the bookmarks, do so.
Part 1: Treasured Verse
Day 5 Memory Verse Poster 
Memory Verse Music CD and player
Draw It! supplies—paper and markers, 1 of each per child
Pre-prep: Cue the memory verse song. Hang up the Day 5 Memory Verse Poster.
Today’s Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Proverbs 3:5
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the Day 5 Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Draw It!—Draw a heart to help you remember the verse!

Part 2: Go and Do
Ask someone to read Psalm 9:10 and Psalm 20:7. What do these verses say about trust? What is trust?
With an adult, go outside to a safe spot, and sit and watch for tiny bugs and birds. Watch the blades of grass, the leaves, and the sky. Think about God making and knowing every detail about those. God is great!
Brainstorm with your parent or guardian as many attributes of God as you can think of. Here's one: God is almighty!
With an adult, check AnswersVBS.com/mikids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: What do I think is amazing about God?
Song 1: “If You Trust God and You Know It”
“If You Trust God and You Know It” song
“Here Comes David” song
MP3 or CD player
Verse 1
If you trust God and you know it, 
clap your hands (Clap twice after singing the word "hands.")
If you trust God and you know it, 
clap your hands (Repeat claps.)
If you trust God and you know it, then your life will surely show it 
(Wave your hands back and forth.)
If you trust God and you know it, 
clap your hands (Repeat claps.)
Verse 2
If you trust God and you know it, 
stomp your feet
(Stomp twice after singing the word "feet." Then repeat in a similar manner to verse one, inserting stomps instead of claps throughout.)
Verse 3
If you trust God and you know it, 
nod your head
(Nod your head twice after singing the word "head." Then repeat in a similar manner to verse one, inserting nods instead of claps throughout.)
Verse 4
If you trust God and you know it, 
do all three
(After the word "three," clap twice, stomp twice, then nod your head twice. Continue on throughout the verse.)
Song 2: “Here Comes David”
Sing to the tune of "Are You Sleeping?"
Here comes David, here comes David (Scrunch up and pretend to walk forward.)
Now Goliath, now Goliath (Look as big as possible and pretend to stride forward.)
David takes his slingshot, David takes his slingshot (Whirl a pretend sling round and round over your head.)
Down comes the giant, down comes the giant (Fall down.)
Wrap-Up Review
Have the islanders jump up and shout "yes" if they think the answer is "yes." Have them stay seated if they think it is "no." (All the answers are "yes.")
Is God mighty?
Does God know everything?
Is God here right now?
Can I trust God?
Does God love us?