Day 1: Atomic Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
Each day, this quick, easy, wacky welcome introduces the kids to an invention and the theme of the day. You will need two people for the Welcome—one who is the wacky scientist and one other. You can use teens, team leaders, or your assembly leaders for this fun beginning. The welcomes take between one and three minutes, depending on the day. 
Note: We used two assembly leaders. The one who played the scientist talked in a crazy accent. At the end of the welcome, he ran backstage, took off the lab coat and wig, then ran back to rejoin the other leader.
PROPS: Big glob of Play-Doh® and a wacky scientist costume (lab coat, crazy hair or wig) 
PERSON 1: Welcomes everyone to Time Lab.
PERSON 2: Enters in the wacky scientist costume, holding the big glob of Play-Doh®. Look what I’ve invented! I’m so excited! It may be a favorite invention of all time! I predict children will love it! 
PERSON 1: What is it?
PERSON 2: It’s a dough-like substance that children can play with. I will put it in little cans to keep it fresh and make it in lots of colors. Then the kiddies can mold it and make it into all kinds of interesting shapes.
PERSON 1: What’re you going to call it? 
PERSON 2: I was thinking about calling it play . . . dough. Play dough. Isn’t that clever?
PERSON 1: Well, Dr. Mister, I don’t think you did your research about this because somebody already invented Play-Doh®.
PERSON 2: What? That’s impossible!
PERSON 1: It’s true. Play-Doh® was an accidental invention. A man named Noah McVicker made a substance that was first used as a wallpaper cleaner. It was great because it was safe and didn’t stain the wallpaper while getting the marks off. Over time, it became popular in schools, and the company decided to market it as something children could play with. They changed the name to Play-Doh®, and the rest is history!
PERSON 2: And here I thought I had an idea that was brand new.
PERSON 1: Well, it’s great that you tried, Dr. Mister! But the Bible tells us there’s really no completely new idea under the sun. Only God, the original and perfect Inventor and Creator, is able to create things from nothing. The rest of us just use the materials God has already created and the creative abilities he’s given us to repurpose things into new inventions. The most amazing inventions of all occurred at the beginning of time, when God created the universe. We’ll talk more about that today, but first, let’s all stand and sing our theme song, “Time Lab!”
PERSON 2: Runs offstage, takes off the lab coat and wig, then runs back on and joins the song.
Song (3 minutes)
“Time Lab” 
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Alpha and Omega” / T: “God of Wonders”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
SHOW: “It’s About Time” slide
This week at Time Lab, we’re learning that Jesus, the Son of God, existed before all of time and creation! Before the world began, Jesus was God and he was with God. The Son of God took part in creating the universe. Along with the earth, he created the sun and the moon to mark the days and seasons, and man and animals to live on the earth. In his loving care, he gave plants to feed the people that he created. Even at the beginning of time, the Son of God has been man’s perfect Provider! 
All over the world, and even in our own neighborhoods, there are kids just like us whose families don’t have enough to eat every day. Jesus tells us that if he gives food to the birds that he created, he will surely give food to his people, whom he died for. More importantly, he offers eternal life to everyone and wants them to know him as the Son of God and the great Creator. Read Luke 12:24–31. 
The Son of God loved us by giving up his life for us so that we could be forgiven and have eternal life with him in heaven. He gave his life without asking for anything back from us. The Bible tells us to give to others because we have received, and that when we give to the poor, it is an act of love to the great Creator. Read Proverbs 14:31.
Each day this week, we’re going to learn about Jesus’ goodness toward his people in the past, present, and future. Since Jesus has been so good to us, we are called to do good to others by meeting their needs. So, we’re traveling through time to give meals to kids who don’t have enough to eat. 
We’re teaming up with Children’s Hunger Fund to deliver food and hope to children all over the world! Each day, we’ll learn about a special girl or boy in a different part of the world and the unique problems they face. Then, after learning about them, we’re going to do something to help them! 
SHOW: “It’s About Time—Esther” slide
Today, we’re meeting a very special little girl in Haiti, named Esther. We’ll see how Esther learns about the great Creator, who knows and loves her. 
SHOW: Video 1—Esther
Child’s Name: Esther
Country: Haiti
Problem: Disaster
Haiti is a little island in the Caribbean. In 2010, Haiti experienced a big earthquake. A lot of homes and buildings were destroyed in the earthquake, and many people were left without food and shelter. Not only did Esther and her family lose their home, but her father died in the earthquake as well. Esther and her family now have to live in a tent.
Even many years after the earthquake, life is still difficult for Esther and her mom. Thankfully, through the support of Children’s Hunger Fund and kids like you, a pastor in Haiti visits the tent city where Esther lives to bring food and share the hope of the gospel with Esther and her mom. The Son of God, the Creator, is not only providing for her physical needs through this pastor, but also her spiritual needs. 
Now it’s time for us to make a difference and deliver hope to kids like Esther! Here’s our plan. Thanks to Children’s Hunger Fund, churches deliver Food Paks to hungry kids and share the gospel with them—and we can help by raising money for meals to go in the Food Paks. Each meal only costs 25 cents!
We’re each going to take one of these Coin Paks home (show Coin Pak), and you’re going to show the coin boxes to your family and friends and tell them about kids like Esther! Ask them to help you donate coins for meals. Remember, every 25 cents provides one meal for a hungry child! 
Tomorrow, bring the coins you’ve collected. Each day, we’ll count how many meals you’ve raised so far! Together, we can deliver hope to kids in need all over the world. Not only are we raising meals for them to eat, but we’re also helping them hear about the good news of the Son of God, who is the great Creator and has existed for all of time! 
Send each child home with an “Esther” profile sheet and a pop-up coin collection bank. Sturdy, pop-up collection banks are available for purchase from Children’s Hunger Fund. See Mission Moment page for ordering instructions. Printable sheets and banks are included on the Resource DVD-ROM.
Announcements (time varies)
Announce anything pertinent to your situation and that you’ll be having daily contests. Explain how they work. Announce the Cool Contest for today: Back in Time Candy Contest. See the Cool Contests section in this guide for more details. Share that those participating in this contest get credit on their team roster.
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
C: “Glory Be to Jesus” / T: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” / Memory Verse Song: “Revelation 1:8”
Day 1: Atomic Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Jesus Reigns” / T: “He Is King”
Song (3 minutes)
“Time Lab” / Memory Verse Song: “Colossians 1:16-17”
Creature Feature: Sparrow (5 minutes)
In each day’s Creature Feature, PERSON 1 does most of the talking, with PERSON 2 chiming in and giving goofy answers or doing something goofy as noted.
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Buzzer sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM), bag or bottle of something gross to eat or drink (we used clam juice); multi-tool, feather, chair
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
It’s Creature Feature time, so let’s get started! Every day we’ve got a special animal pal we’re highlighting. Today’s animal pal is Flutter the Sparrow. 
SHOW: Flutter the Sparrow slide
A sparrow is a kind of bird. Now I’ve got a question for you. Tell someone sitting by you the answer to this question. 
Who made birds and all animals?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
How many said God? Take a show of hands. 
How many said Jesus? Take a show of hands. 
Both answers are correct because Jesus is God! Did you know Jesus was actually present when God created everything at the beginning of time and that he is the Creator?
Now think about this: when we try to invent something, we use the materials that are already there and come up with a new way to use them, right? But when God invents things, he starts with nothing! He made the original kinds of birds from nothing! If you really think about it, it’s crazy amazing. In the beginning, there was nothing, then . . . BAM! A bird! 
We’ll talk more about Jesus creating later, but for now, let’s check out some cool design features God gave sparrows! 
NOTE: Do as many as time allows. They are written in sections so you can delete parts. 
FEET
SHOW: Slide of a sparrow perched on a branch
Sparrows are known to be perchers. Perchers have 3 toes in the front and 1 long toe in the back. Their toes can wrap around branches. 
Why do you think Jesus created perchers with toes that can wrap around branches? 
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
They have toes like that so they won’t fall off a branch—they don’t fall off even while they’re asleep!
PERSON 2 asks how many of them have ever fallen out of bed, then relates a story about falling out of bed. PERSON 1 reminds them that wouldn’t happen with a sparrow. 
BEAKS
PERSON 2 gets out a bag or bottle of something gross (we used clam juice) and starts eating or drinking it. PERSON 1 asks what it is and PERSON 2 tells what he is eating. 
You’ll eat anything, won’t you? That’s kind of like sparrows. They’re not picky—they’ll eat just about anything. And God gave them a special beak to help them do so. 
PERSON 2 holds up a multi-tool and demonstrates while PERSON 1 talks. 
Their beaks are like a multi-tool. First, they use them sort of like a hammer to pound and crush seeds. 
They also use them like a chisel to peck away at bark to get to insects hidden in there—yum.
And they also just open up nice and wide and let moths fly in!
Now check out your fingernails. 
Sparrows’ beaks are made out of the same stuff as your fingernails. Our fingernails keep growing, and so do their beaks! God designed them that way so as they wear down from such hard use, a new part grows!
FEATHERS
PERSON 2 starts blowing a feather around and continues for a few seconds while PERSON 1 asks the question. 
Birds have light feathers. Why do you think it’s important for their feathers to be light? 
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
SHOW: Slide of feather 
Their feathers are light so they can stay up in the air. God designed birds’ feathers in amazing ways. They’re lightweight, as you can feel, but they’re strong, too. If you look at them under a microscope, you’ll see that they have barbs coming off the main stem. Off of those barbs, there’s an amazing set of hooks on the left side and ridges on the right side that lock together, sort of like Velcro®. It lets the feather bend easily, but stay locked in place and lightweight for flight. And God put an oil gland in the midst of the feather to keep the bird’s feathers in good shape. This also makes them waterproof. So if it’s raining or a bird is in the water, the feathers won’t get weighed down by water! Feathers couldn’t have just happened. God designed them that way!
HOLLOW BONES
Birds have hollow bones. Why do you think that is?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
Their bones are lightweight so the birds can get off the ground to fly. Even though God made them lightweight and hollow, he also designed them to be very strong. 
PERSON 2 jumps off a chair, flapping as hard as he can. Comment that no matter how hard he tries, it won’t work because God didn’t give him feathers or hollow bones like birds. 
WRAP UP
SHOW: Slide of Orville and Wilbur at Kitty Hawk with their plane. 
Two inventors named Orville and Wilbur Wright studied the birds God made because they wanted to invent a machine that would fly. When inventors try to copy something God created, it’s called biomimicry. The Wright brothers mimicked what God made, and they designed the first airplane! But of course, God the Creator thought of flight first.
Birds in general, and sparrows in particular, are fabulous inventions of God. Sparrows are very common birds, but God uses that to drive home a point to us. He tells us that he knows the number of feathers a sparrow has and cares about it, and that we are much more valuable than sparrows. 
Jesus said: read Luke 12:6. 
And he also said: read Matthew 10:29–31.
The Creator cares more about you than any other thing in the universe! Isn’t that awesome?! 
We’ll talk more about that later, but for now, let’s check out what’s happening in our drama. 
Drama (15 minutes)
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winner. Explain tomorrow’s contest: Backwards Day and Team Cheers. Kids wear something backwards as we head back in time. Also, encourage them to make up songs, posters, cheers, or chants to show their team spirit. They can share these during the opening or closing assembly tomorrow. Anyone who participates in the contests gets credit on the team roster. Give extra credit for doing both.
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Time Lab” 
Day 2: Atomic Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: Wacky scientist costume, pretend or real microwaveable food item (breakfast item for a morning VBS, dinner item for an evening VBS) and a microwave oven
PERSON 1: Good morning (evening), everyone! Are you ready for another exciting day at Time Lab? Well hey, I’ll be ready in just a minute after I heat up this food. I didn’t have time to eat breakfast (dinner) yet. Let’s see . . . I think I’ll put it in the microwave for a few seconds. Do so. There. 
PERSON 2: Comes out while food is in the microwave, acting excited. I’ve been working on a new invention, and I am so excited! I just got to thinking . . . what if I invented a machine that would rapidly heat food? Of course we have ovens, but I was thinking we could use microwaves to heat the food and call it a microwave oven. It would work much faster than a normal oven.
PERSON 1: That is a fantastic invention idea! They sure could have used that back in Bible times. We’ll be talking today about a Bible account when Abraham and his wife prepared a meal for some very interesting strangers, and I’m sure it took a very long time! 
PERSON 2: I know! I know! The microwave oven is so useful!
PERSON 1: But there’s just one problem with your microwave oven idea.
PERSON 2: What? 
PERSON 1: Somebody already invented it. His name was Percy Spencer. He was testing something during World War II times (a military-grade magnetron, to be exact) when he realized the candy bar he had in his pocket had suddenly melted. He was curious to see if that melted candy bar had anything to do with the invention he was testing, so he stuck an egg in the machine and guess what happened?
PERSON 2: Ka-boom-a-tee-boom?
PERSON 1: Yep, ka-boom-a-tee-boom! It exploded right in his face!
PERSON 2: I guess he had egg on his face. Hee-hee!
PERSON 1: Next, he tried some popcorn kernels, and guess what happened?
PERSON 2: Ka-pop-a-tee-pop?
PERSON 1: Ka-pop-a-tee-pop! Those kernels popped, and the microwave oven, which was first called the Radarange, was born!
PERSON 2: So does this mean I must go back to my laboratory and think of a new invention?
PERSON 1: Yes, Dr. Mister, but don’t give up! Keep working on it! Here, you can have my food. It will give you brain strength! And you’ll need it for today because we are learning about a big word that describes when Jesus appeared to people during Old Testament times—Christophany! Encourage kids and Dr. Mister to try to say that word. Hand Dr. Mister the food. He walks off munching while PERSON 1 introduces the song.
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Rock of Ages” / T: “The Promise Keeper”
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Fairest Lord Jesus” / T: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” / Memory Verse Song: “Hebrews 13:8”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
SHOW: “It’s About Time” slide
Hey kids, as we learned yesterday, our mission project for the week is called It’s About Time. We’re working together to raise meals that cost 25 cents to help children who are hungry and hurting all over the world. 
Every quarter we raise for Children’s Hunger Fund will provide one meal for a kid just like you! These meals will be delivered by local church volunteers who care for them and want to share the good news of the Son of God! 
The clock is ticking—how many of you have started to collect coins to raise meals already? Wait for participation. 
Fantastic! We’re already off to an amazing start. Determine with your director when you will announce the amount of money raised each day. If you decide to do that during this time, say the following; otherwise, modify this to fit your schedule. I’m so proud of how many meals we’ve already raised—and we’ll hear that number . . . after we travel in time to our next destination for the day!
Remember yesterday’s report about Esther in Haiti? Well, today we’re meeting another special child, this time from the European country of Ukraine. His name is Dmitry.
SHOW: “It’s About Time—Dmitry” slide
Like Esther, Dmitry and his family lost their home. But, Dmitry was forced out of his home after war began in Ukraine in 2014. Since the family had to leave their home, Dmitry’s dad has not been able to find a job, and his family does not have enough money to buy food or fix the heater in the new place where they’re living. 
Let’s learn more about Dmitry and how we can help kids like him by going back in time with Dr. Wen II!
SHOW: Video 2—Dmitry
Child’s Name: Dmitry 
Country: Ukraine
Problem: Refugee
Dmitry and his family were forced to flee their home after a war broke out in Ukraine in 2014. It is very cold during wintertime in Ukraine, and the heater in Dmitry’s new home is broken. Not only that, but Dmitry’s dad has been unable to find a job in their new community. There is not enough money to buy food and fix the heater. 
Dmitry must be very scared living in a new place, in an uncomfortable home, and without enough food. But, there is a church near Dmitry’s new home. A few volunteers from the church heard that Dmitry and his family were refugees and started visiting their house with Food Paks. Since they are receiving meals, they have been able to save money to buy a new heater. Dmitry now goes to church, where he has made friends and heard about the God who is in control of everything. Even though Dmitry’s life has changed, his hope can rest in the great I AM who never changes! 
There are many other kids like Dmitry who need our help! It’s time for us to raise meals so that they, too, can hear about the gospel of Jesus Christ and find hope in him! But first, did I forget something? Was I supposed to tell you something? Oh, that’s right! Who’s ready to hear how many meals we’ve raised for kids like Dmitry so far? Well, we counted the coins you brought in and so far, we’ve raised ____ Food Pak meals! Remember, every dollar provides 4 meals. To calculate your VBS meal progress, multiply the dollars raised by 4.
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 2, with current meal count filled in 
Awesome! Don’t forget to bring your coins tomorrow so we can keep delivering hope to hungry kids around the world!
Send each child home with a “Dmitry” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Time Lab”
Day 2: Atomic Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
Memory Verse Song: “Colossians 1:16–17” 
Song (2 minutes)
C: ”Rock of Ages” / T: “The Promise Keeper”
Creature Feature: Lamb (5 minutes)
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Buzzer sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM)
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
It’s Creature Feature time so let’s talk lambs today . . . 
SHOW: Lottie the Lamb slide
Because our animal pal is Lottie the Lamb. First of all . . . 
Do you know the difference between a lamb and a sheep?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
Well, a lamb is a young sheep less than a year old. A sheep is like a “teenager” or “adult” in age. Now how about this question?
What’s a ewe?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
SHOW: Slide of sheep family
A ewe is a girl sheep.
How about a ram? 
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
A ram is a boy sheep. 
Girls, stand up and say, “How are ‘ewe’?”
PERSON 2 then has boys stand and say “I’m ‘ram’ tough! Humph!” while making muscles. 
ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE BAA
Now let’s travel back in time to when you were toddlers. Here’s your question.
What sound does a lamb make?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
A lamb says “Baaa . . . .”
But did you know that when female sheep baaa for their young, each young lamb can identify his particular mama by the sound of her baaa? God gave each one of them a unique baaa, and he gave lambs the ability to recognize that. 
THINGS HUMANS USE FROM SHEEP
What is something we use that comes from a lamb or sheep?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right anwer or a goofy wrong answer. 
SHOW: Slide of sheep cheese
We can drink milk that comes from ewes. And we can use that milk to make cheese. We can also eat lamb or mutton as meat.
SHOW: Slide of wool yarn
We can make yarn from their wool. In fact, one pound of wool can make ten miles of yarn! Wool is the most commonly used fiber in the whole world! Some of your clothes may be made from wool!
And here are just a handful of other cool things we can make from various parts of lambs and sheep: instrument strings, charcoal, shampoo and conditioner, piano keys, marshmallows, fertilizer, crayons, candles, make-up, shaving cream, and hand lotion.
FOUR-CHAMBERED STOMACH
Now, on a different note, raise your hand if you’ve ever thrown up. 
PERSON 2 raises his hand, jumps up and down, and says he has, then shares a throw up story. 
Listen to this! Sheep throw up on a daily basis! They are ruminant animals. This means they eat their food in stages. We eat food, and it goes to our stomachs, right? Well, they have a specialized stomach with four compartments! First, they chew and swallow the food, and it goes into one compartment. Then they throw up, chew, and reswallow the partially digested food known as the cud. Ooooo!
And guess what? They spend about one third of their lives ruminating! When lambs are born, all four chambers of their stomachs aren’t quite developed yet, but it doesn’t take long before they’re busy chewing their cud. 
LIP
And boy, do they love the taste of grain! What’s your favorite candy? Well, grain is like candy to them!
SHOW: Slide of lamb
But they also eat leaves. God designed them with a split in their upper lips. This allows them to pick their favorite leaves off of plants. 
WRAP UP
The Bible talks about lambs and sheep over 200 times! Lamb is even used as a title for Jesus—the Lamb of God. In John 1:29, we find that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I wonder why Jesus is called the Lamb of God?
In the beginning, after Adam and Eve sinned, God killed at least one animal to make clothes for them to cover what they had done. Since that time, people sacrificed animals—often lambs—to cover their sin. But the blood of lambs can’t take away sin once and for all. Only someone who is like us but perfect could give himself in our place and take the punishment for sin that we each deserve. Jesus is called the “Lamb of God” because he sacrificed himself on our behalf. He is the last and perfect sacrifice.
Now let’s find out what’s happening in the laboratory.
Drama (15 minutes) 
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners and explain tomorrow’s contest: Christmas in ______ (month of your VBS). The kids should wear something red or green, or something Christmas-y. Anyone who participates gets credit on the team roster.
Prayer
Song (play as children leave)
Memory Verse Song: “Revelation 1:8” 
Day 3: Atomic Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: Wacky scientist costume, a wad of Silly Putty® and a newspaper.
PERSON 2: Plays with his newest “invention” (Silly Putty®) bouncing and stretching it. Welcome back to Time Lab, everyone! 
PERSON 1: Walks in on PERSON 2: Hey, that looks like fun!
PERSON 2: It’s amazing! I’ve come up with a goo that can be stretched, bounced, played with, and even has an amazing special use.
PERSON 1: What’s that?
PERSON 2: Watch and learn. Puts the Silly Putty® against a newspaper and lifts the picture off. Shows it to PERSON 1.
PERSON 1: Wow, look at that! It captured the headline exactly!
PERSON 2: Yes, yes, it can lift any picture off a printed page. If you want to have a picture of your favorite super hero, for instance, just put it against the comic book picture, and voila! You’ll have it!
PERSON 1: That is super cool! I would love to have seen what headlines it picked up during the time that Jesus walked the earth. Can you imagine? Jesus born in a manger! Jesus heals the sick! Jesus raises the dead! Jesus the greatest teacher ever! Jesus dies on a cross! Jesus comes back to life!
PERSON 2: It would’ve been amazing, I do have to say. That was the most incredible series of events that have ever happened on earth. 
PERSON 1: Today, we’ll talk more about when Jesus walked the earth, but in the meantime, I’ve got to let you know that your goo has already been invented. It’s called Silly Putty®. It was another accidental invention. 
During World War II, America needed more rubber, so inventors were trying to come up with a way to make a fake rubber. Then along came an engineer named James Wright who came up with this compound. It didn’t quite do the trick to help with fake rubber during the war, but it caught on as a play thing. It was packaged in plastic eggs because it started selling near Easter. In no time at all, it became one of the fastest selling toys in US history!
PERSON 2: I knew this would have been a good idea! I just didn’t know somebody else already thought it up!
PERSON 1: I have faith in you, Dr. Mister. One of these days, you’ll think up a great invention using God’s materials and the creativity he’s given you. Just keep trying! PERSON 2 walks off stage. In the meantime, we are going to learn more about our amazing Creator, Jesus, today! We’re going to learn another name for him and that is “Savior.” We’ll be finding out how Jesus, who is the Creator, is also our Savior! 
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Light of the World” / T: “Behold the Lamb” 
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Glory Be to Jesus” / T: “He Is King” / Memory Verse Song: “John 3:16”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
SHOW: “It’s About Time” slide
Okay, time travelers! Do you know what time it is? It’s time for our Mission Moment again! We’re halfway through our destinations and just about ready to meet our third friend for the week. 
Every day this week, we’re working together to collect coins that will raise meals for children in need all over the world. These meals will be packed in Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks and hand delivered by local church volunteers to the homes of kids across the globe. And, every meal is a chance for a child to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Let’s get ready to travel back in time! 
SHOW: “It’s About Time—Tombe” slide 
Today, Dr. Wen II is going to tell us about a little boy who lives all the way on the other side of the world, in Uganda! Kampala, the capital of Uganda, is a bustling city center with a modern clock tower. But not all of Uganda looks like Kampala. In fact, Uganda is a country that has a lot of poverty.
Ready to travel back in time to our next destination? Let’s join Dr. Wen II, high up in her clock tower!
SHOW: Video 3—Tombe 
Child’s Name: Tombe
Country: Uganda
Problem: Extreme Poverty 
Tombe has eight brothers and sisters. His dad left their family in search of a job but never came back. His mom had to start working two jobs so that she could make enough money to bring food home for her family. Because of this, Tombe had to stop going to school so he could take care of his siblings while his mom was working. Tombe’s family is facing extreme poverty that has changed their lives forever. 
The meals that we raise will allow local church volunteers to help families like Tombe’s. By hand-delivering Food Paks, a pastor was able to build a relationship with Tombe and his family. He would bring them meals and share the gospel of Jesus, or Immanuel—God with us! 
Every 25 cents raised provides one meal for a child in need and gives the opportunity for pastors and church volunteers to tell people about the God who will never leave them or forsake them.
But, before we set out to collect more meals, who wants to hear how many we’ve raised so far? Okay, in just two days time, you’ve all raised ___meals! Remember, every dollar provides 4 meals. To calculate your VBS meal progress, multiply the dollars raised by 4. That’s incredible! These meals will go directly to kids all over the world who need food and hope. 
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 3 with current meal count filled in
We’re on track to make a difference in the lives of kids in need all over the world! We still have time to make an even bigger difference! Keep up the great work as you collect more coins to give meals to children in need.
Send each child home with a “Tombe” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
C: “Fairest Lord Jesus” / T: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” / Memory Verse Song: “Hebrews 13:8”
Day 3: Atomic Closing Assembly
Song (2 minutes)
C: “Alpha and Omega” / T: “God of Wonders” 
Song (3 minutes)
C: ”Light of the World” / T: “Always the Same”
Creature Feature: St. Bernard (5 minutes)
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Buzzer sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM), swim goggles
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
It’s Creature Feature time again. How many of you out there have a dog? Well, our featured creature today is . . . 
SHOW: Sergeant the St. Bernard slide 
Sergeant the St. Bernard. St. Bernards are a type of dog. Now, for the first question today.
What are St. Bernards famous for? 
Pause while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
SHOW: Slide of a real St. Bernard with the barrel
They get their name from a famous mountain pass in the Alps in Switzerland called the St. Bernard Pass. This is an area that gets massive amounts of snow. Many years ago, St. Bernards were sent out on search and rescue missions to find people who were lost in snowstorms. They often traveled in pairs. One dog would stay with the person who was stranded, lying on top of him to keep him warm, and the other ran to get help. 
St. Bernards are credited with saving over 2,000 lives during the 150 years they were used as search and rescue dogs. 
But it’s cool to realize that God designed them with special features that made them perfect for the task. 
STRONG AND WITH A BUILT-IN GPS
First, they’re big and strong! Why would being big and strong be helpful? 
Pause while the kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
That God-given feature helps them muscle their way through snowy areas—not an easy task! 
And they’re really smart. They have an incredible sense of direction. Think how helpful that would be to have a built-in GPS!
FURRY
And of course, they’re really furry. Why would it be helpful that St. Bernards are super furry? 
Pause while the kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
Their fur kept them warm on the cold and snowy rescue missions.
WRAP UP
SHOW: Slide of Barry the St. Bernard 
The most famous St. Bernard was named Barry. There’s a statue of him in Switzerland. He rescued about 40 people! One story says he rescued a child who had been lost in the snow by licking his face and hands to warm him up. Then he carried the boy on his back all the way back to the rescue spot. He wouldn’t give up on that boy!
You know, today we talked about how Jesus also came to earth on a search and rescue mission. He came to seek and save people who are living without him. Jesus said in John 3:16: share verse.
I hope you know for certain that Jesus is your Savior. If you don’t, find an adult here to talk to. But first let’s check to see what’s going on in the lab. 
Drama (15 minutes) 
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners and explain tomorrow’s contest: Dress-Up Day and Design-the-Time Challenge. Kids can dress up as scientists or people from different time periods (i.e.; a Roman soldier, a knight, a princess from the Middle Ages, a Bible times person, a famous inventor, etc.) 
For the Design-the-Time Challenge, kids design their own “time machines” out of materials they can find at home, like boxes, plastic lids, buttons, foil, pipe cleaners, etc. 
Anyone who participates in the contests gets credit on the team roster. Give extra credit for doing both.
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Time Lab” 
Day 4: Atomic Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROPS: Wacky scientist costume, , craft sticks and a plastic spoon, big tube of something that’s supposed to be super glue. Optional: craft stick catapult (check how to make online—easy to make with craft sticks, a spoon, and rubber bands). 
Note: We used a caulking gun for our “super glue” and taped the words “Super Glue” to it.
PERSON 1: Welcome back to Time Lab, where we are discovering Jesus from eternity past to eternity future! Today we are learning about another animal pal, Bucky the Beaver. Beavers are know for being busy building. And guess who else is building something? Jesus! He’s in heaven right now, and today we will learn about how he’s preparing a place for all his children! All this talk of building got me in the mood to build something.
PERSON 2: What do you have here?
PERSON 1: Holds up the craft sticks and the spoon. I’m trying to build a craft stick catapult. But I’m having a problem. I can’t get it to stick together.
PERSON 2: Oh! I know! My latest invention will do just the trick. Let me get it! Runs off the stage.
PERSON 1: Can’t wait to see what it is! We already saw the Play-Doh®, then the microwave oven. Wonder what he’s up to now?
PERSON 2: Returns and holds up a tube of pretend super glue. I’ve created a compound that is the strongest glue ever. It holds better than any other glue. It’s made from strong and fast-acting adhesives called cyanoacrylates. See? Pretends to put some on the crafts sticks.
PERSON 1: That’s most impressive and actually just what I need! That’s the good news.
PERSON 2: But let me guess. There’s bad news. 
PERSON 1: Yeah, I hate to say it, but super glue has already been invented. A guy named Dr. Harry Cooper accidentally invented it twice! Once, during WWII, he was trying to make something that went on guns, but his compound was too sticky. It didn’t work well on guns, but it worked great as a glue! He wasn’t thinking about glue right then, though, so he let it go. Years later, after the war, he was working on another project, and lo and behold, he remembered that formula he’d made years before and how helpful it would be now, so he again formulated the “super glue” and it was marketed and sold.
PERSON 2: Well, I guess that means back to the drawing board for me.
PERSON 1: Famous inventors have to work very hard and try lots of things, Dr. Mister. Just keep at it! We’ll see you tomorrow!
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Light of the World” / T: “Behold the Lamb”
Song (3 minutes)
C: “High Places” / T: “Always the Same” / Memory Verse Song: “John 14:2”
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
SHOW: “It’s About Time” slide 
It’s time for us to go to our fourth destination! Who’s ready to travel back in time to 2015 to meet our new friend? Pause for participation. Great! I am, too! 
Hasn’t it been fun traveling in time to learn about kids just like you? Remember, the coins we collect don’t just give children a meal to eat, but also allow them to hear about the everlasting love of the Son of God. We can be thankful that he has never left us or forsaken us because he has been with us forever!
Before we join Dr. Wen II, I have a couple questions for you. First, how much does it cost to raise one meal? That’s right! 25 cents! Okay, second, if you have five dollars, how many meals does that provide? Yes! 20 meals! Isn’t that amazing?
Now, let’s go back in time with Dr. Wen II and learn about how our coins can help a little girl who lives in Thailand, a country in Southeast Asia. 
SHOW: “It’s About Time—Isra” slide
Are you ready to hear about Isra? 
SHOW: Video 4—Isra
Child’s Name: Isra
Country: Thailand
Problem: Generational Poverty 
Isra is part of a family that has faced poverty for many generations. She was born into poverty. Since her family does not have enough money for food, Isra was sent away to sell candy so that she could send money back to her family. Sadly, she is far from home and is treated poorly by the person that makes her sell candy.
But, the Son of God, who has loved Isra for all of time, sent Christians to rescue Isra and bring her to safety. These Christians fed Isra with food from Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks and told her about Jesus. She learned that he is our High Priest and our Intercessor.
Do you want to know how many meals we have raised for Food Paks to give to children like Isra? A lot of time has passed and we have one more day to collect coins. So far, we have collected enough coins to give ___meals to kids in need! Praise God! Remember, every dollar provides 4 meals. To calculate your VBS meal progress, multiply the dollars raised by 4.
SHOW: Progress Tracker slide Day 4 with current meal count filled in
The clock is ticking, but there’s still time for us to collect more coins! Let’s make tomorrow our biggest impact! Remember that 25¢ equals one meal—let’s collect those coins!
Send each child home with an “Isra” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
“Time Lab” / Memory Verse Song:“Colossians 1:16–17” 
Day 4: Atomic Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
“Time Lab” 
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Rock of Ages” / T: “The Promise Keeper”
Creature Feature: Beaver (5 minutes)
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Buzzer sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM) 
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
Let’s check out today’s Creature Feature! Our animal pal today is Bucky the Beaver. 
SHOW: Bucky the Beaver slide
Beavers are cool because they’re builders! You think Bob is a builder? Well, he hasn’t met God’s original builder, the beaver!
SHOW: Real beaver slide
There’s a reason people say they’re busy as a beaver, because beavers are busy building dams and lodges, their homes. They must live in water to do so. But God equipped them perfectly for this.
TEETH
What is something that would be helpful for an animal to have if it needed to be able to cut down trees for building?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
Yes, Jesus created beavers with amazing teeth! They’re self-sharpening, which means they’re always sharp! This allows them to gnaw down trees quickly. They chop them down in an hourglass shape, then they carry them to their watery homes. 
FLAPS IN MOUTH/VALVES IN EARS AND NOSE
Raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten water in your mouth while swimming. 
Well, God gave beavers special flaps in their mouths that allow them to chew underwater without getting water in their mouths. And God also gave them special valves in their ears and noses that close when they dive down into the water so no water enters their bodies. 
TRANSPARENT EYELIDS
Anybody out there wear swim goggles?
Maybe the coolest invention God gave beavers is their transparent eyelids that they can see through. When they’re underwater, they have an extra eyelid that is clear that allows them to see everything without getting water in their eyes! It’s like God designed them with built-in goggles!
EXTRA LARGE LUNGS
Beavers can swim underwater for a really long time.
How do you think God designed beavers to enable them to breathe underwater for a long time?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
They have extra large lungs that let them store more air, and their hearts beat slower, too, which conserves oxygen. 
BUILDING THEIR LODGE
SHOW: Beaver lodge slide
Now here’s something I think is particularly amazing. Beavers seal their homes with mud to keep the cold air and water out. They enter from underneath the lodge. Wouldn’t that be fun? But they have more than one entrance usually. They have a secret, back entrance in case they need to escape quickly!
WRAP UP
Beavers are busy building, and today, we learned that Jesus is even now preparing a place for his children to live in forever. He is building his church and is interceeding for his children. Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus is working on our behalf right now?
Let’s check in with the laboratory and see what’s oging on.  
Drama (15 minutes) 
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners and explain tomorrow’s contest: Mission Money Mania and Names of Jesus Challenge. Bring in your final mission offering. Double bonus points for participating! No amount is too big or too small! 
Also, challenge the kids to look up names of Jesus in the Bible and see how many they can find. You may want to teach them about a concordance or show them how to look them up online. Anyone who brings in at least 5 written down gets credit for participating.
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
C: “High Places” / T: “Always the Same” 
Day 5: Atomic Opening Assembly
Welcome (2 minutes)
PROP: Wacky scientist costume,
OPTIONAL PROP: A contraption that has a space to put something in and another space where something comes out. Check YouTube.com/AnswersVBS for a video of the contraption we made, but use your imagination. We made ours so we could really put food in one end and take a different food out the other end. If you do that, you need to slightly alter the wording at the end of the script. The kids loved it! Loads of fun. 
PERSON 1: Welcome back to Time Lab, where we are discovering Jesus from eternity past to eternity future! I wonder where Dr. Mister is? 
PERSON 2: Enters with his contraption.
PERSON 1: Oh, there you are, Dr. Mister. What’s happening?
PERSON 2: Well, I’m trying to work on my latest invention, but I’m not feeling so great. I have a terrible sore throat.
PERSON 1: Oh, I’ve got a great invention for that! A doctor named Alexander Fleming lived about 100 years ago. He went away on vacation at one point. When he came back, he discovered a mold growing in his petri dish. Upon further experimentation, he found out this mold was killing and preventing bad bacteria that makes us sick. Up until that time, many infections would cause death. But this new discovery made a huge difference so people could take medicine and get well when they were sick. And it’s interesting to note that Alexander Fleming recognized God as Creator and Designer.
PERSON 2: All these accidental inventions I’ve learned about this week! It’s amazing! Well, I’ll have to get some penicillin medicine when I leave here.
PERSON 1: It will make you feel so much better! But what’s really amazing to think of is there’s going to come a time when we no longer need medicines because we’ll no longer get sick. Revelation 21:4 tells us in the new heaven and new earth, there will be no more tears, no more crying, and no more death. It will just be all good forever! Today at Time Lab, we are going to learn about Jesus in eternity future when his children will live with him forever in the beautiful new heaven and earth!
PERSON 2: How wonderful! Well, I’ll work more on my latest invention later after I get some medicine!
PERSON 1: What is it, anyway?
PERSON 2: It’s going to be a machine that can change one food into another. So for instance, you can put Brussels sprouts in there and punch in what you want to come out, like cotton candy.
PERSON 1: Now that’s an invention that hasn’t been thought up yet, Dr. Mister! I told you you’d find one! Go and get well soon so you can keep working on it.
Song (3 minutes)
Memory Verse Song: “Philippians 2:9–11” 
Song (3 minutes)
”Time Lab” 
Mission Moment (4 minutes)
SHOW: “It’s About Time” slide 
Where has the time gone? Today is our last day and we have traveled all over the world and throughout time! We have learned so much about Jesus, whose kindness, love, and faithfulness has never changed!
On our first day, we learned about how the Son of God loved us by giving up his life for us. When we give to others, we are loving and obeying the Son of God in our service to others. This week, we’ve been doing just that by collecting coins for Children’s Hunger Fund Food Paks, and I’m so proud of how everyone has joined in. 
It’s important to remember that we can always be serving others, both people we know and people we may not know, that are in need. Ask your family to help you find ways to help the poor even after VBS is over. You can still deliver hope from home! 
Okay, we still have time to meet one more little boy. It’s been so much fun to travel through time with Dr. Wen II this week. Today, she’s going to take us back in time to 2017 to meet a little boy named Jeremy.
SHOW: “It’s About Time—Jeremy” slide
Jeremy lives right here in the United States, in the city of Chicago. His dad lost his job and Jeremy and his family had to move into a small apartment. They had a hard time paying their electricity bills and didn’t have enough money for food. Let’s hear how we can help kids like Jeremy, who might even live in our own neighborhood.
SHOW: Video 5—Jeremy
Child’s Name: Jeremy
Country: United States 
Problem: Invisible Poor
Isn’t it great that a church in Jeremy’s neighborhood was able to share the good news of Jesus with Jeremy and his family? Thanks to Food Paks, Jeremy’s family was able to save money to pay for their electricity bills, and they came to know the hope of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 
Did you know that there may be children in your neighborhood or at school who are facing poverty? People all over the world are suffering from poverty. But with your help, they can be fed and hear about the love of Jesus. All it takes is one quarter to give them one meal!
Well, it looks like our time is almost up! Who wants to see how many meals we raised this week? Wait for participation.
The grand total for the number of meals we provided this week at It’s About Time is _____meals! Remember, every dollar provides 4 meals. To calculate your VBS meal progress, multiply the dollars raised by 4.
Wow! God has used you in such an amazing way to help children in need. But, you can keep making a difference in the lives of children by helping Children’s Hunger Fund. Ask your parents about more ways you can share a meal and the love of Jesus with children in poverty. 
Send each child home with a “Jeremy” profile sheet.
Announcements (time varies)
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
Memory Verse Song: “John 3:16”
Day 5: Atomic Closing Assembly
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Jesus Reigns” / T: “He Is King”
Song (3 minutes)
C: “Light of the World” / T: “Behold the Lamb”
Creature Feature: Lion (5 minutes) 
PRESENTATION SLIDES: See Resource DVD-ROM
PROPS: Buzzer sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM) 
SHOW: Creature Feature title slide
Let’s check out today’s Creature Feature! Our animal pal today is King the Lion. 
SHOW: King the Lion slide 
Lions are magnificent creatures, known as the “King of the Jungle.” That’s because no other animal is a predator of a lion except man. 
If you were going to be the king of the jungle, what is something you might need?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer. 
Here are some of the amazing features God gave lions so they can be king. 
ROAR
First, a lion’s roar is amazing! It can be heard up to five miles away! That would be like if we were here, we could hear a roar all the way from (pick a recognizable place about five miles away).
SHOW: Lion slide 
ABILITY TO JUMP
How far do you think a lion can leap? About 16, 26, or 36 feet?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer.
A lion can leap 36 feet! That’s from up here to here! Measure 36 feet ahead of time and go into the crowd to show how far it is. 
How far do you think a lion can vertically leap up into the air?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer.
A lion can jump 12 feet in the air! That’s like from here to here. Measure 12 feet going up ahead of time, and demonstrate.
SPEED
A lion can chase down its prey and run the length of a football field in what amount of time—seconds or minutes?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer.
Seconds. Six seconds! God designed the king of the jungle to be fast and powerful. Lions can overpower any animal, from mice to elephants to giraffes! They’re even strong swimmers, so they can get water animals. No animal is too small or too big for them!
MANES
SHOW: Lion family slide 
God also invented their awesome manes. Only male lions have manes. When the baby cubs are about one year old, they start to grow fuzz that eventually turns into manes. A lion’s mane serves a purpose. It protects them from getting clawed in the neck during a fight. 
WRAP UP
Lions are nicknamed king because they are considered the most majestic animals. But it’s interesting that Jesus is also called a king in Revelation 19:16—the King of kings and Lord of lords. And he’s got another name in the Bible spoken of in Revelation 5:5—the Lion of Judah. 
Why do you think Jesus would be represented as a lion?
Pause a moment while kids share answers with their neighbor, then PERSON 2 gives an answer. Do the right or wrong buzzer sound effect depending on whether he said the right answer or a goofy wrong answer.
Yes, he is the most majestic of all who have ever lived. He is the head. He is the King of all kings. And, as we learned in our memory verse, one day everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all. I truly hope that you have already repented of your sin and confessed that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. If you haven’t already, please talk to one of us so we can show you from the Bible how to become a child of God. 
Now, let’s check out what’s happening in the lab.
Drama (15 minutes)
Announcements (time varies)
Cool Contest (2 minutes)
Announce today’s contest winners.
Prayer
Dismissal
Song (play as children leave)
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