Day 1 Destination:
Creation
Time Tracker
Jesus Before and at Creation (Eternity Past to c. 4000 BC)
Bible passage
Genesis 1
Animal Pal
Flutter the Sparrow 
Lesson Focus
Jesus always has been, always will be with us.
Today's C
Creation
High Voltage Verses
"All things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16
Apologetics focus
Jesus as a member of the Trinity
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Play Clay Critters
Touch Table: Shaping Up
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Coloring Corner: Colossians 1:16
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Time Tracker Stop 1: Creation
Teach It!
Part 1: Back to the Beginning
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Always and Forever
Apply It!
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “The Trinity”
Song 2: “What Is Something that God Made?”
Optional: Playacting Review
Preparing for the Lesson 
Read Genesis 1 and John 1 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
For more information on the Son of God, the Trinity, and creation, visit answersvbs.com/tlfaq.
Pray.
Lesson Materials
From Teacher Resource kit
Theme Verse poster
Day 1 Memory Verse poster
Day 1 Animal Pal poster
Time Tracker poster 
Day 1 Sim Station posters
Day 1 Timeline posters
From Resource dvD-ROM
Exploration Station Names signs 
Day 1 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Expl. Station)
Sim Station sound effect (and player)
Days of Creation pictures
2 copies of today’s puppet script
Simple songs: "The Trinity" and "What Is Something that God Made?" (also available on a separate CD, 11-6-141)
Other Materials
Exploration Station supplies (see back cover)
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Optional: flashlight (for daily time simulation)
Cover for Sim Station posters
Clock and watch
Boy or girl puppet (in costume) and puppet stage
Clipboard
Mounting putty or tape
Apply It! section supplies
Memory Verse music CD and player
Student extras
Student guides (11-6-073, 11-6-134), 1 per child
Time Traveler Guides (11-6-090, 11-6-138), 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides (11-6-093)
Flutter bookmarks (11-6-078, 11-6-140), 1 per child
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Play Clay Critters
Materials
Play dough
Animal cookie cutters
Small plastic animals
Real or fake leaves, pinecones, safe nature items
Pre-prep
Make or buy play dough (see recipe on the next page) and gather the other supplies. 
Directions
The time travelers use the cookie cutters to make animals. They can also press the small plastic animals and the nature items into the play dough to make impressions. 
Note: You may want to keep this up all week. Play dough is always a hit. See suggestions in the "Additional Exploration Station Ideas" section. 
Teaching Tie-In
Did you know there was a time when the earth wasn’t there? This was before time began. But when God began creating the universe, he created time, too! Jesus made all the plants and animals and stars and planets and people! That’s our C word of the day—creation! Let’s say it together. Do so. God created all things during Creation Week!
Touch Table: Shaping Up
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)
Cookie cutter shapes (circles and triangles needed in particular)
Wet wipes for cleanup
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 and cookie cutter shapes in the table. 
Directions
The time travelers enjoy using the cookie cutters to make shapes in the sand.
Teaching Tie-In
Can you find a circle? Have them try. Circles don't have a beginning or an ending. God never started, and he will never end! 
Can you find a triangle? Have them try. Let's see if we can figure out how many sides are on the triangle. Do so. This triangle can remind us of God because there are three persons who make up one God—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Materials
Time Warp panels (see Decorating Decisions)
Time machine with control panel (see Decorating Decisions)
Light brown roll paper or light brown plastic tablecloths (see Decorating Decisions)
Stuffed or rubber animals, fake trees and plants (to simulate the Garden of Eden)
Pre-prep
Put up the time machine and the Time Warp panels as suggested in Decorating Decisions. These will be used all week. 
Also put up the light brown backdrop on the walls behind the Time Warp panels. This backdrop will be used all week, but can have a few different things added in front of it to make it look like the time period of the day. For example, today you can add fake trees and plants and stuffed or rubber animals to suggest the Garden of Eden.
The props listed each day can be borrowed, made, or bought from thrift stores, garage sales, or online companies like Oriental Trading Company or Rhode Island Novelties. 
Directions
Pretend to be time travelers heading back to the beginning of time at the Garden of Eden.
Teaching Tie-In
At the beginning of time, God created everything. His Son (later called Jesus) was creating with him. They made a beautiful place called the Garden of Eden, and they put plants and animals and the first two people there. Can you think of something God made on one of the days of creation?
Note: You may want to go over what was made on each day.
Coloring Corner: Colossians 1:16
Materials
Time Tunnel supplies (see Decorating Decisions)
Day 1 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Resource DVD-ROM)
Markers or crayons (possibly glow-in-the-dark or neon)
Optional for marker and crayon storage: glow-in-the-dark pails or pails with glow-in-the-dark stars on them
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 coloring sheet, 1 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
Tinker Time—Gather child-safe creating supplies with which kids can make "inventions." Possible items include boxes of all sizes and shapes, lids and caps, clean yogurt cups, pipe cleaners, mini plastic or condiment cups, and craft sticks. Include child-safe glue, paper, child-safe scissors, and washable markers. Keep this available all week for open-ended creating. It's good to remind kids that we can create with supplies but only God can create from nothing. He's the Master Inventor. (You may also want to add in a child play board with locks, zippers, etc. or a play work bench with play tools.)
Texture Trays—Provide various textures on which and in which they can trace the name of Jesus. Possible textures include shaving cream or hair gel in zippered baggies that are duct-taped shut (we colored the hair gel bright green), 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.) Then try tracing other names of Jesus, such as Son, Christ, God, and Lord. It is helpful to have these names of Jesus written on paper for them to see. Provide wipes for clean-up.
Marble Runs—Search online for "Homemade Marble Runs." Make several different kinds and let the kids have fun playing with them. One test church made handheld mazes with cardboard tubes taped into boxes and spray-painted black. They added star stickers and used table tennis balls to run through the maze.
Nature Nook—Gather nature items that Jesus created. If fragile, place in clear, plastic storage containers or zippered baggies. Monitor carefully and remind the children of the Lord's wonderful creations. 
Book Nook—Make a cozy reading spot. Add children's picture Bibles and books with individual Bible accounts of Jesus in them. You may also want to include some children's books about various time periods from the past, such as life in Ancient Rome or during the Middle Ages.
Play Dough—The Play Clay Critters station is suggested for the Discovery Center on the first day. It utilizes play dough, animal cookie cutters and things to press into the play dough. Play dough is also used on the third day with the Christmas Creations center. But, you may want to keep it up all week, adding additional thematic supplies on the other days such as letter cookie cutters to spell the name of Jesus on Day 2, encouragement to make a "house" out of their play dough on Day 4, and large, play jewels to press into it on Day 5.
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!

Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Mounting putty or tape (for hanging posters)
Optional: flashlight (for daily time simulation)
Clock and watch
Sim Station sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM) and player
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Time Tracker poster
Day 1 Sim Station posters (and cover)
Day 1 Timeline posters, cut apart
Pre-Prep
Prepare your costumes. Dr. Slime may want to have slime for a prop (see craft guide for recipe), and Professor Time may want to wear an armful of watches.
Prepare and mount the Time Tracker poster (see Decorating Decisions), then point the arrow to 4000 BC.
Mount and cover the Sim Station posters. 
Cue the Sim Station sound effect.

 Time Tracker Stop 1: Creation (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 science and clock stickers.
The Bible and mounting putty or tape are usually listed just once in each day’s lesson, but plan to use them throughout. 
One test church teacher pretended to arrive from the time machine (coming out from behind it) each day as if she had just arrived from that time period. ("I was stuck in time!") It was lots of fun!

 As the time travelers come in and get settled, say something like the following:
Teacher One: Hi, time travelers! Welcome to Time Lab! I'm Dr. _____ and this is my assistant, _____. (You may want to adopt fun names like Dr. Slime and Professor Time.) 
Teacher Two: We're glad you're here! Are you ready for a super fun time? Take responses.
Teacher One: Show a clock. Does anybody know what this is called? Take answers. What does it do? Take answers. Let's pretend our arms are the hands of a clock going around. Do so.
Teacher Two: Show a watch. How about this? Take answers. What does it do? Take answers. Point to where you normally put a watch on your body. Do so.
Teacher One: Did you know there was a time when there weren't any clocks or watches? That's because there wasn't such a thing as time.
Teacher Two: There weren't trees, animals, and people either, because there was no earth. Before time began, there was only God! He's been around forever!
Teacher One: Show the Day 1 Trinity Timeline poster. God has a Son who is also God, and his name is Jesus. He's been here forever, too. There's also a third member who is God. His name is the Holy Spirit, and he's been here forever, too! They are three, but they make up one God. You may want to sing "The Trinity" song here found at the end of this lesson. 
Teacher Two: At one point, God decided to make time. Let's pretend to travel back in time in the time simulator machine to the beginning of time! 
Teacher One: Okay, let's first pretend to put on our seat belts. Do so. Now let's put on our goggles in case it's windy. Do so. Is everyone strapped in and ready to go? Now, follow my directions and prepare to take off!  
There are a couple of ways to do your "time travel" effect each day. A simple way is to flick the lights (or turn off the lights and use a flashlight that you shine around) while the kids stomp their feet and make time machine noises (whatever their imaginations come up with). 
A more involved way is to turn off the lights, play the Sim Station sound effect provided, and turn on the rope lighting or Christmas lights that are around your screen. (See Decorating Decisions for specifics.) 
Now have them close their eyes and pretend to be heading back in time. (They can continue making time machine noises if doing so.) While their eyes are (hopefully) closed, remove the black cover to reveal the Sim Station poster scene on the simulator screen. Have them open their eyes, show them the date on the Time Tracker (4000 BC), and tell them to imagine they're back at the beginning of time in the Garden of Eden.
Teach It!

Days of Creation pictures (Resource DVD-ROM) 
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 1 Timeline poster—leaf, cut apart
Day 1 Animal Pal poster
Pre-Prep
Photocopy the Days of Creation pictures.

 Part 1: Back to the Beginning (10 minutes)
Teacher Two: Let's see what the Bible says happened at the beginning of time! Open to Genesis 1:1 and read the verse. Have them stand up and say it with you. Do motions together, pointing up for "heavens" and making a circle for "earth."
Teacher One: "In the beginning" means there was a beginning—time did start at one point. 
Teacher Two: But remember, God the Father and Jesus his Son and the Holy Spirit didn't start. They have always been.
Teacher One: God invented time, and then for six days, during Creation Week, he worked to make the earth and the whole world. Creation is our special C word for today. Let's make a C in the air with our finger. Do so. Let's say that word together. Do so. Can you help me figure out what God created on each day of Creation Week?
Teacher Two: Let's shout out the number 1 as we jump up 1 time. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 1 and say the following. 
On Day 1, God made light and dark. Cover your eyes for dark. Do so. Now open them to see light! Do so.
Teacher One: Let's shout out the number 2 and jump 2 times. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 2 and say the following. 
On Day 2, God made the seas. Pretend you're on the wavy ocean water. Do so.
Teacher Two: Let's shout out the number 3 and jump 3 times. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 3 and say the following. 
On Day 3, God made the plants. Pretend you're smelling a pretty flower. Do so. 
Teacher One: Let's shout out the number 4 and jump 4 times. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 4 and say the following. 
On Day 4, God made the sun, moon, and stars. Let's look up and pretend to see the stars. Do so.
Teacher Two: Let's shout out the number 5 and jump 5 times. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 5 and say the following. 
On Day 5, God made the fish and other sea creatures, and the birds and other flying creatures. Let's pretend we're fish swimming around. Do so. Now let's pretend we're birds flying around. Do so.
Teacher One: Let's shout out the number 6 and jump 6 times. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 6 and say the following. 
On Day 6, God made all the kinds of land animals, like the cow and the kangaroo. Let's pretend to be a cow! Do so. Now a kangaroo! Do so. After God made the land animals, he made the first two people—Adam and Eve! We don't have to pretend on this one because we're people! 
Now God was done creating. Can you remember what our special C word is? Take responses. Yes, it's creation! God created everything the first week of creation. 
Teacher Two: Let's shout out the number 7 and jump 7 times. Do so; then have them freeze for a few seconds while you hold up Days of Creation picture 7 and say the following. 
On Day 7, God rested. Let's sit down and rest. Do so. 
Teacher One: Show Day 1 Timeline poster—the leaf. It's cool to think that Jesus, as Creator, knows every little detail of every leaf and every bug and every single thing he's ever created. For instance, the Bible tells us he knows every bird, like Flutter the Sparrow here. Show Day 1 Animal Pal poster and read Matthew 10:29–31. (Put the Animal Pal poster across the room so the kids look way over there while Teacher Two is getting behind the puppet stage.)
It's wonderful to realize that if Jesus cares about every tiny little bird, he cares ever so much more about you! He loves you and will never leave you. He's always with you. Isn't that great news? Let's meet our Puppet Pal and talk more about it!
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Always and Forever (5 minutes)

Boy or girl puppet (in costume) and puppet stage
Clipboard
2 copies of today’s puppet script (Resource DVD-ROM)
Pre-Prep
Photocopy the script. Tape one inside the puppet stage and place the other one on the clipboard.
Dress the puppet in a mini VBS T-shirt and/or lab coat with science/time symbols. You may want to have mini goggles and a little watch as well.
One teacher should be in front of the puppet stage with the clipboard, and one should be behind it, ready to work the puppet.

 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 time keeper 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. (See Decorating Decisions for more info about the puppet stage.)
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 of a portal on the set. When the puppet is entering, hold your arm back and down and have the puppet take three steps forward, 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: Boys and girls, let’s see if we can get our Puppet Pal, Skye, to come out. On the count of 3, let’s all call to him (her). Ready? 1, 2, 3—Skye!
Puppet: Come up out of breath and rushed but full of excitement and energy.  Hey, everybody! I’m all packed for my trip. 
Teacher: Where are you going?
Puppet: Well, I want to go on an adventure back in time to when Jesus, the Son of God, began. 
Teacher: Ummm . . . there’s a little problem with that.
Puppet: What?
Teacher: Boys and girls, Skye said he wants to go back in time to when the Son of God (Jesus) started. Does the Son of God have a beginning? Take responses. The Son of God never started. He’s always been.
Puppet: But wait! You’re saying the Son of God didn’t begin? That’s impossible! Every one of us has a beginning. 
Teacher: It’s true that people have beginnings. But God didn’t begin. He always has been and always will be. When you don’t have a beginning or an ending, it’s called being eternal. 
Puppet: Eternal. So because he doesn’t begin or end, God is eternal? 
Teacher: Yep! And the Bible says he will never leave you. If you hide under your bed, in your closet, or in the basement, God is still with you. If you climb to the highest heights, go to the deepest depths, or travel to the farthest corner of the universe, he's still with you. So anywhere you go, Jesus is with you. He always is!
Puppet: Look all around, up and down, etc. But I don’t see him here. Where is he? Jesus! Jesus!
Teacher: We can’t see him, but he’s here. It’s kind of like air. Take a deep breath, everyone. Do so.
Puppet: Act like you’re holding it for a really long time, then squeak out: Can I let it out yet?
Teacher: Okay, let it out.
Puppet: Dramatically let it out and gasp for breath. Whew!
Teacher: Just like we know the air is here, even though we can’t see it, we also know God is here, even though we can't see him! So even though Jesus isn't standing here as a person right now, he’s still here—he’s just invisible. But this week, we’ll be traveling to time periods when people actually did see Jesus as a real live man! And we’ll talk about how someday, we’ll get to actually see Jesus, too! Won’t that be incredible?!
Puppet: It sure will! I can’t wait to hear more as we travel through time this week!
Teacher: It’s gonna be fun! But just remember, Jesus always has been and always will be. He’s never going away. 
Puppet: That makes me feel good. When I feel lonely or sad or in trouble, I’ll remember to talk to Jesus in prayer.
Teacher: Yep! He’s with you, and he hears you. Well, you better get going, Skye! Let's say bye to Skye, everyone! Do so. 

Memory Verse music CD and player
Simple songs (Resource DVD-ROM) 
Student guides and supplies for Part 1 and Part 2
Time Traveler Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides
Flutter bookmarks, 1 per child
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 1 Memory Verse poster
Theme Verse poster

 Apply It!
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. Supplies for this section are not included in the supply list on the back cover since they will vary depending on the activities you choose, so decide what you will do and add them to your supply list accordingly. 
Pass out the Flutter bookmarks, one per child, or have leaders do so at the end of the day. Put a stamp in the Time Traveler Guides (or do so at snack time), and/or review the student guides.
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Today’s Verse: “All things were created through him and for him." Colossians 1:16
Explain the following: 
You may want to make up motions to the key words of the verse every day.

the him this verse is talking about is Jesus, who is God the Son. 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and by using the Day 1 Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the following challenge.
Challenge: Find something that is a circle, like a hula hoop, a pool ring, or a jewelry ring. Circles have no beginning and no end, like the Son of God (Jesus). He has no beginning and no end, too. As you say today's verse, toss your circle up and try to catch it. Do this over and over and see how many times you can toss it without dropping it. Don't forget to say your verse as you toss your circle.
Tomorrow’s Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Try the challenge again, this time using 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
Go on a treasure hunt outside to see how many plants and animals you can find. Jesus, the Son of God, created all of them!
Talk to God (that’s prayer!) and thank him for his Son, Jesus, and for the Bible that teaches us about Jesus.
Ask an adult if he knows anything about the day he was born. Isn't it amazing to think God never started but always has been?
With an adult, check answersvbs.com/tlkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Who needs to hear about this wonderful Creator?
Song 1: “The Trinity”
Here's a fun song to incorporate into any part of your day. Sing this one to the tune of “Are You Sleeping?"
God the Father, God the Father 
(Point index finger up to heaven.)
God the Son, God the Son 
(Point two fingers up to heaven.)
God the Holy Spirit, God the Holy Spirit
(Add a third finger.)
Three in one, three in one
(Keep all three fingers up, then on the word "one," keep only the index finger up.)
Song 2: “What is Something that God Made”

Simple sing-along versions of the songs listed here are available on the Resource DVD-ROM. Download them to an MP3 player and use them as accompaniment to your song time. They are also available for purchase on a CD (11-6-141).

You may want to use all the songs suggested this week (found at the end of each day’s lesson), or just repeat the same one or two all week long. There are lots of options! 

 Sing this one to the tune of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes.” Remind them that our C word today is Creation, because God created everything. 
What is something that God made, that God made  (Fling your arms out wide.)
What is something that God made, that God made  (Fling your arms out wide.)
Shout it out, don't be afraid (Cup hands around mouth.)
What is something that God made, that God made (Fling your arms out wide.)
After each time through, during the interlude, have kids shout out things God made. 

One test church teaching team ended each day having the kids do the time machine again (lights flashing, foot stomping, etc.), telling them it was time to leave the Garden of Eden and go back to VBS time.

End each day’s Simulation Station Lesson with prayer!

 Optional: Playacting Review
Today, if you have time, the time travelers can pretend to be various animal kinds that God created in the Garden of Eden (e.g.: a bear, a cat, a dog, etc.).
Day 2 Destination:
Old Testament Locations
Time Tracker
Jesus in the Old Testament
(c. 4000 BC to End of BC)
Bible passage
Exodus 3
Animal Pal
Lottie the Lamb
Lesson Focus
Jesus always has been, always will be a promise keeper, from Old Testament times to forever. 
Today's C
Christophany
High Voltage Verse
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
Apologetics Focus
Prophecies made and fulfilled about Jesus
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Tick Tock Clocks
Touch Table: The Desert
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Coloring Corner: Hebrews 13:8
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Time Tracker Stop 2: Old Testament Times
Teach It!
Part 1: Son of God Sighting
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Promise Keeper
Apply It! 
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: "Jesus Keeps His Promises"
Song 2: "M-O-S-E-S"
Optional: Playacting Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Exodus 3 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
For more information on fulfilled prophecies, Christophanies, and types of Christs, visit answersvbs.com/tlfaq.
Pray.
Lesson Materials
From Teacher Resource kit
Day 2 Memory Verse poster
Days 1–2 Animal Pal posters
Time Tracker poster  
Day 2 Sim Station posters 
Day 2 Timeline poster
From Resource DVD-ROM
Day 2 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Expl. Station)
Sim Station sound effect (and player)
2 copies of today’s puppet script
Simple songs: "Jesus Keeps His Promises" and "M-O-S-E-S"
Other Materials
Exploration Station supplies (see back cover)
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Cover for Sim Station posters
Hebrew headdresses
Optional: Bible-time costumes
Fake jewels or play crown
Shepherd's staff or play lamb
Burning bush supplies (see text)
Boy or girl puppet (in costume) and puppet stage
Clipboard
Mounting putty or tape
Apply It! section supplies
Memory Verse music CD and player
Student Extras
Student guides (11-6-073, 11-6-134), 1 per child
Time Traveler Guides (11-6-090, 11-6-138), 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides (11-6-093)
Lottie bookmarks (11-6-078, 11-6-140), 1 per child
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Tick Tock Clocks
Materials
Variety of safe time pieces such as rubber stamp clocks (a favorite), educational clocks with movable hands (found online and at teacher supply stores), watches, stopwatches, play clocks, egg timers, sand timers from games, and alarm clocks. (Note: These need to be non-valuable since little hands will be playing with them.)
Optional: paper and washable ink pads
Pre-prep
Organize the supplies. If you have rubber stamp clocks, also gather washable ink pads and paper. You may want to take the back off of one of the clocks so they can see how it works. Supervise carefully. 
Directions
Time travelers play with the time pieces. You may want to ask if they know where 1 o'clock is or other time-related questions. 
Teaching Tie-In
People have divided time into two big parts. One part is called BC and that’s the time before Jesus was born. The other part is called AD and that’s the time after Jesus was born.  AD means "in the year of our Lord." We are living in the AD time since we are living after Jesus was born and lived on earth. Isn't it amazing that all of time has to do with Jesus' birth?
Touch Table: The Desert
Materials
Yesterday's supplies minus the cookie cutter shapes
Sand toys (rakes, buckets, funnels, plastic cups, etc.)
Pre-prep
Take out the cookie cutter shapes and add in the sand toys.  
Directions
The time travelers play in the "desert" sand.
Teaching Tie-In
Some accounts in the Bible take place in sandy deserts, like the one we talked about (will talk about) today. Do you remember the name of the guy who saw a burning bush? Take responses. Do you remember who it was who spoke from the burning bush? Take responses. Yes, it was God the Son. We know he was alive and active in the Old Testament times, not just the New Testament times.
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Materials
Time machine and Time Warp panels
Bible-time props, including baskets and play food ( a favorite add-in—particularly play food that conveys Bible times like fruits, veggies, and grains)
Bible-time headdresses (see craft guide) and tunics
Pre-prep
Add in the Bible-time props and costumes. These will be used tomorrow as well.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be back in Bible times.
Teaching Tie-In
During Bible times, God chose a special people for himself called the Israelites, or the Hebrews. These clothes are kind of like the clothes the Hebrews wore back then. We don't dress like this, do we? But even though clothing styles and many other things change, one thing doesn't change. That's God. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Coloring Corner: Hebrews 13:8
Materials
Day 2 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Resource DVD-ROM)
Markers or crayons
Optional: Additional supplies to glue on, glue sticks, and stickers
Pre-prep
Photocopy the coloring sheet, 1 per child. Gather additional supplies if you want them.
Directions
Color the sheet. Add additional supplies if desired.
Teaching Tie-In
Practice saying the memory verse on the sheet. Discuss its meaning.
Introduce It!

Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Mounting putty or tape
Sim Station sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM) and player
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 1 Animal Pal poster
Time Tracker poster 
Day 2 Sim Station posters (and cover)
Pre-Prep
Prepare the Time Tracker poster with the arrow pointing to 1490 BC. 
Mount and cover the Sim Station posters on the set.
Cue the sound effect.

 Time Tracker Stop 2: Old Testament Times (5 minutes)
Teacher One: Hi again, time travelers! Are you ready to take off on another exciting adventure through time? Yesterday, we went back to the beginning of time when God was creating. Do you remember who our animal pal was? Show the Day 1 Animal Pal poster and take responses. Right, Flutter the Sparrow! Let's fly around the room and then come back and sit down. Do so. Flutter reminds us that just as God cares about every little bird, he cares ever so much more about you. He loves you! 
Now today, we're going to go ahead in time a bit. Let's strap on our seat belts, put on our goggles, and get ready for take off. Pretend to do so.
Again, do your "time travel" effects as you did yesterday with either them stomping their feet and making noises as you flash the lights, or you turning on the lighting around the screen and playing the Sim Station sound effect. 
Have them close their eyes as you remove the cover so the next Sim Station scene is showing. Have them open their eyes, show them the date on the Time Tracker (1490 BC), and tell them to imagine they're in a desert wilderness.
Teach It!

Hebrew headdresses and (optional) Bible-time costumes
Fake jewels or play crown
Shepherd's staff or play lamb
Burning bush supplies (paper towel tubes, tissue paper "flames," and a flashlight)
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 2 Animal Pal poster 
Day 2 Timeline poster, cut apart 
Pre-Prep
Prepare your costumes.
Make the burning bush by taping together paper towel tubes to look like sticks. Add yellow, red, and orange tissue paper to the bundle to look like flames. Put a flashlight underneath it and turn it on at the appropriate time.

 Part 1: Son of God Sighting (5 minutes)
Teacher Two: Here we are in the desert wilderness during Old Testament times. Does anybody know what I mean when I say the Old Testament? Take responses and show where that section is in the Bible. Yes, it's this first part of the Bible. The Bible is God's special book he wrote to us. All the events that are written about in the Old Testament part of the Bible happened a long time ago. The people who lived back then wore different clothes from what we wear today. Let's put on their type of head covering. Then we'll start! 
A scarf works for a simple head covering, or both teachers can put on Hebrew headdresses. See the craft guide for a how-to example. If you want, you can also add a Bible-time costume as well. 
(If you want to get really into it, have the kids also put on Bible headdresses, too. Check with your craft leaders to see if they plan to make them and if they will be ready in time.)
Take turns telling the account as you have the kids move to the four corners of the room or to four spots that work for your situation. Teacher Two should go to Corner 1 while Teacher One begins. 

For a more sensational burning bush prop, check YouTube.com/AnswersVBS for a video that shows how to make one. It really kept the kids’ attention!
You can also have a guest speaker come in and share this account, dressed in a Bible-time costume.
A test church teacher brought in a large braided rug for the kids to sit on to give it even more of a Bible-time feel.

 Teacher One: Shalom! That means peace in Hebrew, one of the languages of Old Testament times. Let’s discover something amazing that happened back then. It took place with a famous man named Moses. Let’s walk over to this corner to hear more. Have everyone walk to Corner 1 where Teacher Two is and sit down. 
Teacher Two: Moses was born to a poor Hebrew woman, but when his life was in danger, God wonderfully protected him. Hold up fake jewels or a crown. He ended up living in King Pharaoh’s palace, where he was very rich. He was raised by Pharaoh’s daughter as a prince of Egypt. 
Eventually, Moses ran away from the palace. Let’s get up and pretend we’re running away from the palace as we go to the next corner. Move to Corner 2 and sit down. 
Teacher One: Moses found himself in a desert wilderness, working as a shepherd. Hold up a shepherd’s staff or a play lamb. A shepherd looks after sheep, like our little animal pal here, Lottie the Lamb. Show Day 2 Animal Pal poster. Let’s pretend we’re sheep! Do so, then sit back down.
After many years of being a shepherd, Moses had a one-of-a-kind experience. Let’s go to our next spot and see what happened. Move to Corner 3 and sit down.
Teacher Two: Show the Day 2 Timeline poster—the burning bush—and hold your Bible open to Exodus 3. The Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of a bush. The bush was burning, but it wasn’t burning up! Let’s turn on our bush. Turn off the lights and turn on the burning bush prop. 
Did you notice the Angel of the Lord appeared to Moses? Who do you think the Angel of the Lord is? Take responses. He is the Son of God, Jesus! The Angel of the Lord isn’t a normal angel. He is God—the Son of God—showing up before he was actually born as baby Jesus. When Jesus Christ shows up in the Old Testament part of the Bible before his birth, we call it a big, big word, Christophany. Christophany starts with a C. Let's make a big C in the air with our finger and say, "Christophany." Do so. There are lots of times he appears in the Old Testament before he's born as a baby. Leaf through the pages of your Bible gently. This whole book is all about Jesus, from beginning to end! Now let’s move to our next spot and hear more! 
Teacher Two should get behind the puppet stage as the kids move to Corner 4. 
Teacher One: The Bible goes on to say that God told Moses to go back to Egypt where he used to live, go to Pharaoh, the king, and tell him to let the Hebrew people go. You see, Pharaoh was treating the Hebrew people very, very badly and was making them work as slaves. So God promised Moses that he would be with Moses, and Pharaoh would let the people go. And guess what? Moses did just what God asked, and Pharaoh did let the people go. Isn’t that cool? Say, “God’s a promise keeper!” Do so. Let’s move back to our puppet stage area to hear more about this! Maybe Skye will tell us where he wants to travel next, also! Move to puppet stage area.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Promise Keeper (5 minutes)

Boy or girl puppet (in costume) and puppet stage
Clipboard
2 copies of today’s puppet script (Resource DVD-ROM)
Pre-Prep
Photocopy the script. Tape one inside the puppet stage and place the other one on the clipboard.
One teacher should be in front of the puppet stage with the clipboard and one should be behind it, ready to work the puppet. 

 Teacher: Hi, Skye! Hey, I’m wondering something.
Puppet: What’s that?
Teacher: Is Skye your full name?
Puppet: No, my full name is Skylar Thompson, but Skye is my nickname. But it’s not my only nickname. My dad calls me Pie in the Skye.
Teacher: Oh, my ______ used to call me a nickname, too. Mine was _______.
Puppet: That’s fun!
Teacher: Yeah, sometimes we have more than one name we go by, huh? Like, in the Bible, there are lots of different names for Jesus, but they’re all describing the same person.
Puppet: Like what?
Teacher: He’s called Jesus, the Son of God, Christ, the Lord, and the Savior.
Puppet: Cool!
Teacher: And sometimes, back in Old Testament times, he was called the Angel of the Lord. He showed up even before he was born as a baby! Isn’t that something? 
Puppet: It really is!
Teacher: He appeared and promised people that various things would happen in the future. Like, he promised Moses that the bad ruler, Pharaoh, would let the Hebrew people go, and that’s just what happened. And he promised other people things in the Old Testament, and they all happened, just as he promised. God always, always, always keeps his promises! 
Puppet: That makes me feel good to know I can count on God and his Word. If the Bible says it, that settles it. It will happen just as promised! 
Teacher: It sure will! In fact, long before Jesus came to earth, promises were recorded that he would come, and he came just as promised. For instance, one promise was that he would be born as a baby, and he was. Another promise was that he would be born in a town called Bethlehem, and he was. Another promise was that there would be a special star, and there was.
Puppet: Jesus is a promise keeper!
Teacher: He sure is!
Puppet: Well, I’m going to go read some more about Jesus in the Bible.
Teacher: Great idea, Skye. You do that, and we’ll see you tomorrow. Bye for now!

Memory Verse music CD and player
Simple songs (Resource DVD-ROM)
Student guides and supplies for Part 1 and Part 2
Time Traveler Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides
Lottie bookmarks, 1 per child
Day 2 Memory Verse poster (Teacher Resource Kit)

 Apply It!
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. Supplies for this section are not included in the supply list on the back cover since they will vary depending on the activities you choose, so decide what you will do and add them to your supply list accordingly. 
Pass out the Lottie bookmarks, one per child, or have leaders do so at the end of the day. Put a stamp in the Time Traveler Guides (or do so at snack time) and/or review the student guides.
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Today’s Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
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: Ask an adult to put down a long line on the floor using tape, string, or yarn. Walk along the line as you say your verse. Think about Jesus being around forever and never changing.
Tomorrow’s Verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Try the challenge again, this time using tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Ask an adult to read Exodus 3 to you. What do you find interesting about Jesus here?
Talk to God and ask him to help you be a person who keeps your promises.
Ask an adult who follows Jesus to share a favorite Bible account about Jesus. Why does he like that one?
With an adult, check answersvbs.com/tlkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: With God's help, do I try to keep my promises?
Song 1: “Jesus Keeps His Promises”
Sing to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb."
Verse 1:
Jesus keeps his promises, promises, promises (Make the sign for Jesus. See page 44.)
Jesus keeps his promises 
(Make the sign for Jesus.)
Written in God's Word
(Make a Bible with your hands.)
Verse 2:
Always has and always will, always will, always will 
(Put left palm up to the left side, then right palm up to the right side.)
Always has and always will 
(Put left palm up to the left side, then right palm up to the right side.)
Jesus never fails
(Make the sign for Jesus.)
Song 2: “M-O-S-E-S” 

For a simpler version, repeat Verse 1. Each time you sing the verse, take another letter out and clap.

 Sing this to the tune of “B-I-N-G-O.” As you take out a letter with each verse, clap in place of it. 
Verse 1:
There was a man who heard from God
And Moses was his name-OH 
M-O-S-E-S 
M-O-S-E-S
M-O-S-E-S 
And Moses was his name-OH
Verse 2:
In a bush the Lord did come
And spoke his words to Moses  
(Clap)-O-S-E-S 
(Clap)-O-S-E-S
(Clap)-O-S-E-S
And spoke his words to Moses
Verse 3:
Moses was to ask the king
To let God's people go
(Clap, clap)-S-E-S 
(Clap, clap)-S-E-S
(Clap, clap)-S-E-S
To let God's people go
Verse 4:
He obeyed what God had said
And Pharaoh let them go
(Clap, clap, clap)-E-S 
(Clap, clap, clap)-E-S
(Clap, clap, clap)-E-S
And Pharaoh let them go
Verse 5:
Promise made and promise kept
God kept his word to Moses
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-S 
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-S
(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-S
God kept his word to Moses 
Optional: Playacting Review
Today, the time travelers can act out the account of Moses in the desert wilderness with the burning bush. Use the burning bush prop again.
Day 3 Destination:
Visitation
Time Tracker
Jesus in the New Testament (End of BC to Early AD)
Bible passages
Selected Verses
Animal Pal
Sergeant the St. Bernard
Lesson focus
Jesus always has been, always will be ready to love and forgive those who truly want to become his children.
Today's C
Cross
High Voltage Verse
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Apologetics Focus
Jesus is fully man and fully God
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Blind and Now I See
Touch Table: Christmas Creations
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Coloring Corner: John 3:16
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Time Tracker Stop 3: Beginning of New Testament Times
Teach It!
Part 1: Gospel Presentation (Option 1 or Option 2)
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Gospel Presentation Continued
Apply It!
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “If You Know That Jesus Loves You”
Song 2: “Happy Birthday”
Optional: Playacting Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Luke 2, Mark 6:3, Mark 1, and Mark 15–16  several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
Read “Leading a Child to Christ” found on the inside back cover of this guide.  
For more information on Jesus' life and on his being fully God and fully man, visit answersvbs.com/tlfaq.
Pray.
Lesson Materials
From Teacher Resource kit
Day 3 Memory Verse poster
Day 3 Animal Pal poster
Time Tracker poster
Day 3 Sim Station posters
Days 1–3 Timeline posters
From Resource DVD-ROM
Day 3 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Expl. Station)
Sim Station sound effect (and player)
2 copies of today’s puppet script
Admit, Believe, Forever Receive sheets
Simple songs: "If You Know That Jesus Loves You" and "Happy Birthday"
Other Materials
Exploration Station supplies (see back cover) 
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Cover for Sim Station posters
Option 1: Scratch art timelines and craft sticks, OR paper timelines and markers, 1 of each per child (see text), plus extra craft sticks
Optional: paper to cover Timeline posters
Dry erase board or chalkboard for up front 
OR Option 2: Mystery bag (opaque) with the following: baby doll, play hammer, adhesive bandage, something heart-shaped, cross, round, flat stone
Boy or girl puppet and puppet stage
Clipboard
Mounting putty or tape
Apply It! section supplies
Memory Verse music CD and player
Student Extras 
Student guides (11-6-073, 11-6-134), 1 per child
Time Traveler Guides (11-6-090, 11-6-138), 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides (11-6-093)
Sergeant bookmarks (11-6-078, 11-6-140), 1 per child
Optional: Gospel bookmarks (11-6-076), 1 per child
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Blind and Now I See
Materials
Blindfold
Pillowcase or mystery box with safe items to feel, such as a soft brush, spoon, plastic cup, ball, stuffed animal, sock, and washable marker
Pre-prep
Put the items in the pillowcase or mystery box. If you have lots of kids, you may want to make several pillowcases or boxes with items.
Directions
This station works well to do as a group.
The time travelers take turns putting on the blindfold, trying to guess what one of the objects is, then taking the blindfold off to see if they are right. 
Or, if you want to skip the blindfold, have them just put their hand in the pillowcase and feel an item, trying to guess what it is before pulling it out to see if they are right.
Teaching Tie-In
It sure is great to have eyes that see, isn’t it? Jesus healed people who were blind. Just a touch or a word was all it took to heal them completely. He healed other people who couldn’t hear or were sick or couldn’t walk. He did all kinds of miracles. No one else ever has or ever will have that kind of power—only Jesus! 
Touch Table: Christmas Creations
Materials
Red and green play dough (see recipe on p. 15)
Christmas cookie cutters such as stars, angels, bells, and candles
Safe Christmas items to press into the play dough to make impressions
Pre-prep
Take out yesterday’s supplies and put in today’s. Have some red and green play dough in reserve in case the colors get mixed and you still have more groups coming through after that.
Directions
The time travelers play with the play dough and cookie cutters.
Teaching Tie-In
When you see the colors red and green, what holiday does it make you think of? Take responses. Yes, Christmas! Did you know there was no such thing as Christmas before Jesus was born? There wouldn't have been any reason to have it because Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' special birth. People all over the world celebrate it. Nobody else has a birthday people celebrate all over the world, throughout time. Only Jesus!
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Materials
Time machine and Time Warp panels
Bible-time costumes and supplies from yesterday
Props: Manger and baby doll, baby supplies
Manger animal costumes such as a lamb, cow, etc. (can use yesterday's lamb headband craft—see Toddler Crafts in Toddler Guide or craft guide)
Pre-prep
Add in the baby doll, baby supplies, and animal costumes.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be back in Bible times at the time of Jesus' birth.
Teaching Tie-In
The Son of God was born about 2,000 years ago and was given the name "Jesus" at that time. When Jesus came to earth, it was like God put on skin!
Coloring Corner: John 3:16
Materials
Day 3 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Resource DVD-ROM)
Markers or crayons
Optional: Additional supplies to glue on, glue sticks, and stickers
Pre-prep
Photocopy the coloring sheet, 1 per child.
Directions
Color the sheet. Add additional supplies if desired. Remind them that our C word today is "cross." Jesus loved the world so much he died on the cross.
Teaching Tie-In
Practice saying the memory verse on the sheet. Discuss its meaning.
Introduce It!

Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Mounting putty or tape
Sim Station sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM) and player
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Days 1–2 Timeline posters (for review)
Time Tracker poster
Day 3 Sim Station posters (and cover)
 Pre-Prep
Prepare the Time Tracker poster with arrow pointing to the end of BC.
Mount and cover the Sim Station posters on the set.
Cue the sound effect.

 Time Tracker Stop 3: Beginning of New Testament Times (5 minutes)
Teacher One: Welcome, time travelers! Hey, I've got a question for you. Who remembers when Jesus started? Take responses. He never started! He's always been!
Jesus created time and everything else. Show the Day 1 Timeline poster—the leaf. This leaf can remind us that he is the Creator of all plants and animals and people. Can you think of an animal he created? Take responses. Let's fly around the room like Flutter the Sparrow. Jesus created the birds like Flutter! He loves every little bird, but he loves you so, so much more!
After creation, we see Jesus showing up all through Old Testament times. He showed up in an unusual bush, for instance. Show the Day 2 Timeline poster—the burning bush. What was happening to that bush? It was burning but not burning up. The Lord was in that bush. Remember, we can read about him over and over in this part of our Bibles. Show the Old Testament. He's the most important person ever, and the whole Bible is about him, from this first page to this last! Leaf through the whole Bible.
Teacher Two: So we last saw Jesus in Old Testament times. Are you ready to go on our next adventure and see where Jesus is now? Let's strap on our seat belts, put on our goggles, and get ready to take off. Pretend to do so.
Do the "time travel" effects as you did yesterday. 
Have them close their eyes as you remove the cover so the next Sim Station scene is showing. Have them open their eyes, show them the date on the Time Tracker (end of BC), and tell them to imagine they are back in Bible times around the time of Jesus' birth. 
Teach It!
Part 1: Gospel Presentation (10 minutes) 

Scratch art timelines and craft sticks OR paper timelines and markers, 1 of each per child (see Pre-Prep), plus extra craft sticks
Day 3 Timeline posters (Teacher Resource Kit), cut apart
Optional: paper to cover Timeline posters
Dry erase board or chalkboard for up front
Pre-Prep
Check YouTube.com/AnswersVBS for a video demonstration of  how to make the timelines. Cut a piece of scratch art paper or copy paper in four vertical strips. Tape two together to form a long strip. Tape the other two together. Now accordion-fold each one into 6 sections.

 There are two options for Part 1 of the gospel presentation. You can do it with the timelines (using scratch art or copy paper timelines), or you can do it with mystery bag items and acting things out. After completing Option 1 or Option 2, go on to the puppet script (Part 2), the important ending of the gospel presentation.
Option 1: Timelines
Put their names on the back and pass out the scratch art timelines and craft sticks OR the paper and markers, 1 of each per child. The kids will scratch or draw each symbol onto the right spot on their timeline at the appropriate time. One teacher can share the info, and the other can show the timeline picture and draw a sample of it on the dry erase board or chalkboard. You'll need to keep this section moving! 
You may want to hang the posters in a line and cover them, unveiling each as you get to it. 
1. Birth of Jesus 

Remind leaders to help as needed.
For the scratch art option, provide extra sticks in case the ones in use get coated with scratch art residue.

 At the end of Old Testament times, the most amazing thing happened! God sent his Son, Jesus, to the earth as a baby, just as he had promised. Jesus was born! Let's sing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus! Do so.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command in the beginning, their sin caused a problem for all of us. That first sin broke the perfect world, and now we all sin (Romans 3:23). Adam and Eve sinned, then their children sinned, and their children, and on and on, including us! We all disobey God. And the punishment for sin is death and separation from God forever. But God sent his Son Jesus because he so loved the world that he wanted to save us from our sin and provide a way for us to be with him forever. Let's say John 3:16 to remind ourselves of that. Do so. 
Jesus came into the world as a baby. Think about that—the Creator of the universe became a person! Wow! When he was born, he wasn't part man and part God. He was still completely God, but he was also completely man. 
At his birth, he was given the name "Jesus" as told in Matthew 1:21. Read verse. 
Show the cradle Timeline poster. Let's scratch a baby's cradle (a manger) to remind us of Jesus' birth. 
Scratch Art: Cradle 
2. Jesus Grows Up 
Well, time went on, and Jesus grew up. Not a lot is written about his growing-up years, but we do know he was the son of a carpenter (Joseph), so he would have learned how to hammer, saw, and build things. He went to the synagogue often, which is kind of like us going to church, and he grew greatly in wisdom. He had brothers (James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas) and sisters. His quiet, growing-up years lasted until he was about 30. 
Show the hammer Timeline poster. Let's scratch a hammer to remind us that he grew up around carpenters. 
Scratch Art: Hammer
3. Jesus Heals Many 
Around the age of 30, Jesus began to show everyone he was God. Jesus started doing many, many miracles. Miracles are things that no person can do—only God. Jesus healed many people, allowing blind people to see, disabled people to walk, sick people to get well, and even dead people to come back to life! It was an amazing time like no other. 
Show the happy face Timeline poster. Let's scratch a face with the eyes wide open to remind us that Jesus healed many people and had supernatural power like no one else.  
Scratch Art: Happy Face with Eyes Open 
4. Jesus Teaches 

To shorten this, take out #3 and #4 and briefly mention the points.

 During this time, Jesus taught amazing things. Nobody had ever heard anything like this before. The Bible says in Mark 1:22: Read verse.
What he said amazed them! For instance, people said to hate your enemies, but do you think Jesus said to hate your enemies? Take responses and ask what they think Jesus said instead. He said to love your enemies! (Matthew 5:43–44) And people said that children were a bother, but did Jesus think kids were a bother? Take responses and ask what they think Jesus said instead. Jesus said to love the little children! Jesus loves children so, so much! (Mark 10:13–16)
Show the scroll Timeline poster. Let's sketch a scroll, which was what Bible passages were written on, to remind us of Jesus' wonderful teachings.  
Scratch Art:  Scroll
5. Jesus is Crucified 
For three years, Jesus healed, taught, and cared for people. It was an amazing time. What's even more amazing is that he lived a completely perfect life. He always obeyed God. He never did one thing wrong. He never sinned even once. That means he never once thought a mean thought, had a temper tantrum, disobeyed his parents, called his brother a name, yelled at someone, was unkind or selfish, or even thought something bad. Wow! Nobody ever has or ever will live a perfect life. Only Jesus. 
However, some bad men didn't like Jesus, so they decided to put Jesus to death on a cross. Cross is our C word today. Let's make a big C in the air with our finger and say the word cross. Do so. 
When Jesus was on the cross, he could have called 10,000 angels to come and take him off that cross. He could have taken himself off if he wanted to, but he didn't because he loves us and chose to take the punishment we deserve. So he stayed on that terrible cross and took all our sin upon himself. Can you imagine someone loving you that much? 
After he died, they took him off the cross and put him in a tomb, which is like a cave where dead people are buried. They rolled a heavy, huge stone over the front of the tomb and left him there for what they thought would be forever.
Show the cross Timeline poster. Let's scratch a cross to remind us of Jesus' death on a cross.  
Scratch Art: Cross 
6. Jesus Comes Back to Life 
I'm so excited to tell you what happened next—Jesus didn't stay dead! He didn't stay in that tomb. He came back to life! Nothing's impossible for Jesus because he's not only completely  man, he's also completely God. 
Jesus is alive! Show the stone (tomb) Timeline poster. Tomorrow we'll talk more about where Jesus is now, but first, let's scratch a stone to remind us that Jesus isn't in the tomb anymore—he's alive!
Scratch Art: Stone (Tomb)
Option 2: Mystery Bag/Act it Out

Day 3 Timeline posters (Teacher Resource Kit), cut apart
Optional: paper to cover Timeline posters
Mystery bag (opaque) and the following items: baby doll, play hammer, adhesive bandage, something heart-shaped, cross, round, flat stone
Pre-Prep
Mount the Timeline posters in a line on the wall and cover them. As you go through each numbered point, uncover that poster.
Put the items in the mystery bag.

 1. Birth of Jesus
Teachers can take turns with this section, or one teacher can share the comments and the other work the mystery bag.
Jesus has always been around, as we’ve talked about. He lived up in heaven. But then, at the end of Old Testament times, the most amazing thing happened!
I have my mystery bag here, and it has some things in it that will help us find out what happened. 
Pull out a baby doll. Let them touch it, if time. Uncover the manger poster.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command in the beginning, their sin caused a problem for all of us. That first sin broke the perfect world, and now we all sin (Romans 3:23). Adam and Eve sinned, then their children sinned, and their children, and on and on, including us! We all disobey God. And the punishment for sin is death and separation from God forever. But God sent his Son Jesus because he so loved the world that he wanted to save us from our sin and provide a way for us to be with him forever. 
Jesus came into the world as a baby. Isn’t that something to think of God becoming a person? Wow! Jesus was still completely God when he came, but he was also completely man. 
At his birth, he was given the name “Jesus.” Let’s say the name “Jesus.” Do so.
2. Jesus Grows Up 
Well, time went on and Jesus grew up. Let’s crouch down really low and slowly stretch up to get really tall! Do so and sit down. 
Pull out a play hammer. Let them touch it, if time. Uncover the hammer poster. 
Not a lot is written about his growing-up years, but we do know he was the son of a carpenter (Joseph), so he would have learned how to build things. Let’s get out our pretend hammers and pretend to build something. Do so and sit down. 
He went to the synagogue often, which is kind of like us going to church, and he grew in wisdom. He had brothers and sisters. How many of you have brothers or sisters? Take responses. His quiet, growing-up years lasted until he was about 30.
3. Jesus Heals Many
Around the age of 30, Jesus began to show everyone he was God. Jesus did many, many miracles to make people better. Miracles are things that no person can do—only God. Jesus healed people who couldn’t see so that they were able to see. Let’s cover our eyes with our hands, and when I say, “See!” let’s take our hands away and look all around. Do so.
Jesus also made people well who had never been able to walk. Let’s get up and walk around! Do so, then sit back down.
Pull out an adhesive bandage. Let them touch it, if time. Uncover the happy face poster.
Jesus also made many, many sick people well. He even brought some dead people back to life. 
4. Jesus Teaches 
During this time, Jesus was also teaching amazing things. Nobody had ever heard anything like it before.
Pull out something heart-shaped. Let them touch it, if time. Uncover the scroll poster.
For instance, people said to hate your enemies, but did Jesus say to hate your enemies? Take responses and ask what they think Jesus said instead. He said to love your enemies (Matthew 5:43–44)! Let’s stand up and hug our neighbor. Do so and sit down. Jesus' teachings were written on scrolls like this one. 
5. Jesus Dies 
For three years, Jesus healed, taught and cared for people. It was an amazing time. What’s even more amazing is that he lived a completely perfect life. He always obeyed God. He never did one thing wrong. He never sinned even once. That means he never had a temper tantrum, disobeyed his parents, called his brother a name, fussed about something, or even thought something bad. Wow! Nobody ever has or ever will live a perfect life. Only Jesus.
Pull out a cross. Let them touch it, if time. Uncover the cross poster. 
However, some bad men didn’t like Jesus, so they decided to put Jesus to death on a cross. Cross is our C word today. Let's make a big C in the air with our finger and say the word cross. Do so. 
When Jesus was on the cross, he could have called 10,000 angels to come and take him off that cross. He could have taken himself off if he wanted to, but he didn’t because he loves us and chose to take the punishment we deserve. So he stayed on that terrible cross and took all our sin upon himself. Can you imagine someone loving you that much?
Pull out a round, flat stone. Let them touch it, if time. Uncover the tomb poster.
After he died, they took him off the cross and put him in a tomb, which is like a cave where dead people are buried. They rolled a huge stone over the front of the tomb and left him there for what they thought would be forever.
6. Jesus Comes Back to Life 
I’m so excited to tell you what happened next—Jesus didn’t stay dead! He didn’t stay in that tomb. He came back to life! Let’s stand up and celebrate! Do so and sit down. Teacher Two should get behind the puppet stage while they are celebrating. Let’s call for Skye and talk a little bit more about this. Do so. 
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Gospel Presentation Continued (5 minutes)

Boy or girl puppet (in costume) and puppet stage
Clipboard
From Resource DVD-ROM:
2 copies of today’s puppet script
Admit, Believe, Forever Receive sheets
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 3 Memory Verse poster
Day 3 Animal Pal poster
Pre-Prep
Photocopy the script. Tape one inside the puppet stage and place the other one on the clipboard.
One teacher should be in front of the puppet stage with the clipboard and one should be behind it, ready to work the puppet. 

 Puppet: Come up. Hey there! What’s happenin’?
Teacher: We’re just talking about when Jesus came to earth.
Puppet: I would love to travel back in time to see Jesus as a baby and a child and a man! 
Teacher: Wouldn’t that be something? His birth, life, death, and coming back to life were one-of-a-kind experiences.
Puppet: That’s because Jesus is God! 
Teacher: You’re right! He’s completely God, and he’s also completely man. He was a perfect man, not like any other person ever. He never did anything wrong.
Puppet: Wow, I wish I could stop doing wrong stuff!
Teacher: Well, the Bible tells us we all sin. That means we all disobey God. The Bible also says the punishment for sin is death. That’s why it’s such good news that Jesus came! He took the punishment for sin! If Jesus hadn’t come, we would be forever separated from God in a bad, bad place. We wouldn’t have any hope of eternal life in heaven with Jesus.
Puppet: I sure am thankful Jesus came!
Teacher: I know! It’s kind of like what Sergeant the St. Bernard does. Show the Day 3 Animal Pal poster. Sergeant goes out on rescue missions to seek out and save the lives of those who are lost in the wilderness. Well, Jesus came to seek us out and save our lives because even though we may not realize it, we’re all born spiritually lost. We aren't able to find our way to heaven on our own.
Puppet: So it’s really good news that Jesus came, lived, died, and came back to life!
Teacher: Yes! It’s the best news ever. Jesus came, lived, died, and came back to life because he loves you soooo much. That reminds me of our memory verse. Let’s stand up and say (or sing) it together. Recite (or sing) John 3:16 together using the Day 3 Memory Verse poster.
Puppet: In our verse, Jesus says that whoever believes in him will have eternal (forever) life.
Teacher: Show the Admit, Believe, Forever Receive sheets. That’s right. To become a child of God and receive the gift of eternal life, you first have to admit you’re a sinner. 
Puppet: What’s that mean?
Teacher: It means you tell God you realize you sin (disobey God), like saying unkind words, hitting someone, or not doing what you’re told to do.
Puppet: I think we’ve all done all those things.
Teacher: That’s right! All those things and more are sins. When you admit to God that you’ve sinned and you want to turn from those sins, that’s called repenting. That doesn’t mean you stop sinning. That’s impossible. But it means you want to please God, obey him, and not keep sinning. 
Puppet: Then what do you do after you admit you’re a sinner?
Teacher: You must believe and trust that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and came back to life to take the punishment for your sins in place of you receiving the punishment.
Puppet: And after that?
Teacher: You ask God to be his child and be part of his forever family. So you admit, then believe, then forever receive him. In fact, if any boys and girls are 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. 
Puppet: It sure is a good thing Jesus came to rescue us!
Teacher: It sure is! We need it!  
Puppet: Well, I need to get going, but I’ll plan to see you tomorrow.
Teacher: Okay, Skye, we’ll look forward to seeing you later. Let’s say goodbye to Skye, everyone.  
Apply It!

Memory Verse music CD and player
Student guides and supplies for Part 1 and Part 2
Time Traveler Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides
Sergeant bookmarks, 1 per child
Optional: Gospel bookmarks, 1 per child
Day 3 Memory Verse poster (Teacher Resource Kit)
Simple songs (Resource DVD-ROM)

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. Supplies for this section are not included in the supply list on the back cover since they will vary depending on the activities you choose, so decide what you will do and add them to your supply list accordingly. 
Pass out the Sergeant bookmarks, one per child, or have leaders do so at the end of the day. Put a stamp in the Time Traveler Guides (or do so at snack time) and/or review the student guides. If giving each a gospel bookmark, show at this time, and then have leaders give them out at the end of the day.
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Today’s Verse: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 
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: Have an adult time you to see how fast you can say this verse!
Tomorrow’s Verse: "I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
Try the challenge again, this time using tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Ask an adult to read Matthew 5:43–44 and Matthew 6:25–33 to you. Aren't Jesus' teachings amazing?
While he was on earth, Jesus loved and cared for people, showing kindness. To whom can you show kindness today? Think of someone and something kind you can do. Then do it!
Talk to an adult about how he came to follow Jesus.
With an adult, check answersvbs.com/tlkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Am I part of God's family?
Song 1: “If You Know That Jesus Loves You”
Sing this to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” 
Verse 1:
If you know that Jesus loves you, clap your hands (Clap, clap.)
If you know that Jesus loves you, clap your hands (Clap, clap.)
Jesus died for all your sin 
(Wave your hands over your head to the left, then the right.)
And in three days rose again 
(Raise your arms from waist to head.)
If you know that Jesus loves you, clap your hands (Clap, clap.)
Verse 2:
If you know that Jesus loves you, stomp your feet (Stomp, stomp.)
If you know that Jesus loves you, stomp your feet  (Stomp, stomp.)
Jesus died for all your sin
(Wave your hands over your head to the left, then the right.)
And in three days rose again 
(Raise your arms from waist to head.)
If you know that Jesus loves you, stomp your feet (Stomp. stomp.)
Continue with other motions, or do verse 3 as “say Amen” and verse 4 as “do all three.” 
Song 2: “Happy Birthday”
Remind them that this song has our C word of the day in it. Ask them what that word is. Encourage them to listen for it.
Verse 1:
Happy Birthday to you (Bounce on each word and point up on "you.")
Happy Birthday to you (Bounce on each word and point up on "you.")
Happy Birthday, dear Jesus (Bounce on each word and point up on "Jesus.")
Happy Birthday to you (Bounce on each word and point up on "you.")
Verse 2:
Jesus died on a cross (Put head down on "died" and back up, then extend arms out to the sides on the word "cross.")
Jesus died on a cross (Put head down on "died" and back up, then extend arms out to the sides on the word "cross.")
Jesus died on a cross (Put head down on "died" and back up, then extend arms out to the sides on the word "cross.")
Jesus died on a cross (Put head down on "died" and back up, then extend arms out to the sides on the word "cross.")
Verse 3:
Jesus came back to life (Act as if rolling back the stone, then jump up and down and raise hands in the air on "life.")
Jesus came back to life (Act as if rolling back the stone, then jump up and down and raise hands in the air on "life.")
Jesus came back to life (Act as if rolling back the stone, then jump up and down and raise hands in the air on "life.")
Jesus came back to life (Act as if rolling back the stone, then jump up and down and raise hands in the air on "life.")
Verse 4:
Happy Birthday to you (Bounce on each word and point up on "you.")
Happy Birthday to you (Bounce on each word and point up on "you.") 
Happy Birthday, dear Jesus (Bounce on each word and point up on "Jesus.")
Happy Birthday to you (Bounce on each word and point up on "you.")
Optional: Playacting Review
Today, the time travelers can act out different scenes from Jesus' birth, life, and resurrection.
Day 4 Destination:
Preparation
Time Tracker
Jesus Now 
(Early AD to Present)
Bible passages
Acts 1; John 14:2–3
Animal Pal
Bucky the Beaver
Lesson focus
Jesus always has been, always will be caring for his children— even now from heaven.
Today's C
Clouds
High Voltage Verse
“I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
Apologetics Focus
Evidences of the resurrection of Jesus
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Cloud Creations
Touch Table: Nuts and Bolts
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Coloring Corner: John 14:2
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Time Tracker Stop 4: Nowadays
Teach It!
Part 1: Acts 1:1–11 with Mystery Bag
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Love and Care
Apply It!
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Jesus Loves Me”
Song 2: “This Little Light of Mine” 
Optional: Playacting Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Acts 1 and John 14:2–3 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials. 
For more information on what Jesus is doing now, visit answersvbs.com/tlfaq. 
Pray.
Lesson Materials
From Teacher Resource Kit
Day 4 Memory Verse poster
Days 3-4 Animal Pal posters
Time Tracker poster
Day 4 Sim Station posters
Day 4 Timeline poster
From Resource DVD-ROM
Picture of types of clouds (Expl. Station) 
Day 4 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Expl. Station)
Sim Station sound effect (and player)
Picture of amazing houses and picture of praying hands (to put in mystery bag—see Other Materials)
2 copies of today’s puppet script
Simple songs: "Jesus Loves Me" and "This Little Light of Mine" 
Other Materials
Exploration Station supplies (see back cover)
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Cover for Sim Station posters
8 or so items on a tray, plus a dish towel
Mystery bag (opaque) with the following: play fish, 2 play men, nail, cotton ball, picture of amazing houses, picture of praying hands 
Boy or girl puppet and puppet stage
Clipboard
Mounting putty or tape
Apply It! section supplies
Memory Verse music CD and player
Student Extras
Student guides (11-6-073, 11-6-134), 1 per child
Time Traveler Guides (11-6-090, 11-6-138), 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides (11-6-093)
Bucky bookmarks (11-6-078, 11-6-140), 1 per child
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Cloud Creations
Materials
Picture of types of clouds (Resource DVD-ROM)
Cotton balls
Blue paper
Crayons
Glue sticks
Pre-prep
Photocopy the picture of clouds. Set out the supplies.
Directions
Time travelers learn about the different types of clouds. Then they take cotton balls and pull and stretch them, shaping them into whatever type of cloud they want and gluing their clouds onto paper. (Remember to write their names on their papers.)
Teaching Tie-In
After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to many people. Then, 40 days after he rose from the dead, the Bible tells us he was taken up to heaven in a cloud (our C word of the day), where he is now seated next to God the Father. He watches over us and prays for us from heaven!
Touch Table: Nuts and Bolts
Materials
Nuts, bolts, screws, gears, washers, etc.
Plastic clear cups and/or buckets
Optional: egg cartons
Pre-prep
Take out yesterday's supplies and put in today's. Monitor this station carefully since there are small items.
Directions
Time travelers work on sorting the building supplies into various cups, buckets, or egg cartons. All the bolts go in one, all the gears in another, etc. Remember to supervise carefully. 
Teaching Tie-In
Have you ever built anything with any supplies like these? Take responses. Did you know the Bible tells us Jesus is in heaven preparing a place for his children to live someday? It will be the most amazing place ever!

Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Materials
Time machine and Time Warp panels
Variety of building supplies (possibilities include cardboard bricks, blocks, lunch bag blocks [see below], milk carton blocks [rinse milk cartons well], play tools, play workbench, carpenter's toolbelts or aprons, and play hard hats)
Pre-prep 
Take out the Bible-time supplies and put in the building supplies. These will be used for two days. Make lunch bag blocks by stuffing lunch bags with crumpled up newspaper, then folding over and flattening the open end and taping it shut.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be builders—lots of fun! 
Teaching Tie-In
Did you know Jesus was the son of a carpenter when he lived on earth? Do you know what carpenters do? Take responses. They build things! And Jesus is in heaven preparing (building) a place for his children right now, as our memory verse says. Let's say it together! Do so.
Coloring Corner: John 14:2
Materials
Day 4 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Resource DVD-ROM)
Markers or crayons
Optional: Additional supplies to glue on, glue sticks, and stickers
Pre-prep
Photocopy the coloring sheet, 1 per child.
Directions
Color the sheet. Add additional supplies if desired.
Teaching Tie-In
Practice saying the Bible verse on the page. Discuss its meaning.

Introduce It!

Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
8 or so items on a tray, plus a dishtowel 
Mounting putty or tape
Sim Station sound effect (Resource DVD-ROM) and player
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 3 Animal Pal poster 
Time Tracker poster
Day 4 Sim Station posters (and cover)
Pre-Prep
Prepare the tray with the objects. These can be random items that are easily identifiable from either around the house (plastic cup, fork, brush, etc.), science items, or even 8 Timeline posters. 
Prepare the Time Tracker poster with arrow pointing to 2000 AD. 
Mount and cover the Sim Station posters on the set.
Cue the Sim Station sound effect.

 Time Tracker Stop 4: Nowadays (5 minutes)
Teacher One: Hi again, time travelers! Here we are on Day 4 at Time Lab. It's been a great journey so far, hasn't it? Yesterday, we talked about Jesus coming to earth, living, dying, and coming back to life. Sergeant with his cross reminds us Jesus was on a rescue mission to seek and save the lost. Show Day 3 Animal Pal poster. (If you have time, you may want to review Days 1 and 2 as well.) 
After he came back to life, do you know what happened to Jesus? And where he is now? Take responses. Let's play a little game, then we'll talk more about it.

You may want to tell them this game tests their "Noticing Stuff Abilities," which scientists call "observation." Good scientists are good at noticing stuff.

 Play the "What's Missing?" game starting with 8 items on a tray. Give the kids a little time to stare at the tray. Then have them put their heads down and close their eyes while you remove one item and put it somewhere else in the room. Then they open their eyes and try to figure out what's missing and guess where it is now. 
In case little eyes are peeking, you may want to stand in front of the tray or have Teacher Two hold up a dish towel in front of it as you take the item off the tray.
Teacher Two: You were looking at something and then it was gone and located somewhere else. And Jesus was on earth again after he came back to life, and then he was gone and busy somewhere else. Let's check out the time machine and find out more!
Again, do the "time travel" effects as you did yesterday. 
Have them close their eyes as you remove the cover so the next Sim Station scene is showing. Have them open their eyes, show the date on the Time Tracker (2000 AD—the present). Ask where they appear to be (in the clouds—heaven).
Teach It!
Part 1: Acts 1:1–11 with Mystery Bag (10 minutes) 

Mystery bag (opaque) with the following: play fish, 2 play men, nail, cotton ball, picture of amazing houses, and picture of praying hands (Resource DVD-ROM)
Day 4 Timeline poster (Teacher Resource Kit), cut apart
Pre-Prep
Photocopy the picture of the amazing houses and the praying hands. Put them and the other items in the bag. (Make sure the bag isn't see-through. It can be a tote bag, gift bag, etc.)

 Teacher One and Teacher Two can take turns with this section, or one can share the comments and one work the mystery bag. I have my mystery bag here, and it has some things in it that have to do with Jesus after he came back to life. After he rose from the dead, the Bible tells us he was seen by people many times. Let's pull out some things from the mystery bag that have to do with these appearances.
Pull out the play fish. Let them touch it, if time.
Do any of you like to eat fish? One time after Jesus came back to life, some of his friends were fishing, and he came and ate fish with them!
Pull out the 2 play men. Let them touch them, if time.
Do you like to take walks? Well, one day after Jesus had died and come back to life, two men were walking along a road called the Emmaus Road. And guess who appeared to them? Jesus! They walked and talked together for a long time and Jesus explained many things to them.  
Pull out a nail. Let them carefully touch it, if time.
Did you know that when they decided to put Jesus on the cross to kill him, they put nails through his hands to attach him to the cross? This was an absolutely terrible, painful thing to do! It hurt Jesus horribly. After Jesus came back to life, he appeared to a friend named Thomas, He showed Thomas the holes in his hands where the nails had been. Thomas even touched the holes.
Pull out the cotton ball or fleece cloud. Let them touch it, if time.
Jesus showed himself to people many times after he died and came back to life. Then, something completely amazing happened! Forty days after he came back to life, it was time for him to leave the earth and go to heaven. And guess how he went to heaven? Show the Day 4 Timeline poster. As Jesus was standing on earth, while his friends were watching, he just lifted off the earth, and a cloud took him out of sight!  That’s our C word of the day—cloud. Let's make a big C in the air with our finger and say cloud. Do so. Jesus went to heaven, which is where he is now. He's in heaven doing things for us. Let's check out two things he's doing in heaven today.
First, let's talk about where we live. How many of you live in an apartment? A condo? A house? How many of you share a room? Have your own room? 
Pull picture of houses with amazing things out of the mystery bag.

Teacher Two should get behind the puppet stage during this time.

 Can you imagine if you had a house with a swimming pool or your very own playground? Wouldn't that be amazing? Well, guess what? The Bible tells us Jesus is in heaven getting a place ready for all those who are his children. We don't know exactly what it's going to look like, but we know it's going to be the most amazing, beautiful, fun, and wonderful place ever! He's getting it ready for everyone who is part of God's family so they can someday live there. So one thing Jesus is doing now in heaven is preparing a place for his children! 
Guess what else he's doing in heaven?
Pull a picture of praying hands out of the mystery bag.
Jesus is praying for us, too! When he prays for you, it means he listens to you and talks to God the Father about you. Did you know that? He cares so, so much about you! He cares about every little thing going on in your life. You can always talk to Jesus through prayer! Let's talk to Skye a little more about this. 
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Love and Care (5 minutes)

Boy or girl puppet (in costume)
Clipboard
Day 4 Animal Pal poster (Teacher Resource Kit)
2 copies of today’s puppet script (Resource DVD-ROM)
Pre-Prep
Tape one script inside the puppet stage and place the other one on the clipboard.
One teacher should be in front of the puppet stage with the clipboard and one should be behind it, ready to work the puppet.

 Puppet: Hey!
Teacher: Hi, Skye! Have you thought any more about your next travel destination?
Puppet: Well, I was thinking about . . . (let out a big sneeze) . . . aaahhh! aaahhh! choo!
Teacher: God bless you! Are you getting sick?
Puppet: I don’t think so. I was just planning my trip and then . . . (let out another big sneeze) . . . aaahhh! aaahhh! choo!
Teacher: I think you are getting sick. Let me check your forehead. Do so. You’re warm all right. You have a fever.
Puppet: But what about my trip?
Teacher: You’re not going anywhere!
Puppet: I do feel pretty lousy.
Teacher: I’ll tell you what. How does some chicken noodle soup sound?
Puppet: Good.
Teacher: And your nice comfy bed?
Puppet: Really good.
Teacher: Okay, you head home and hop in bed. I’ll be over soon with some soup. And I’ll be praying for you to feel better. 
Puppet: Thank you. Hey, that’s like what you were talking about a minute ago.
Teacher: What’s that?
Puppet: While you’re caring for me, Jesus is always caring for me, too!
Teacher: That’s right! Jesus is always caring for his children and praying for them, too! And he’s even preparing the best place ever for them to live someday!
Puppet: Cool!
Teacher: And you know what’s the best thing?
Puppet: What?
Teacher: When we get to the new heaven and new earth someday, Jesus will always be there, and there won’t be any more sickness! In fact, there won’t be anything bad or sad at all—only good things!
Puppet: That will be amazing!
Teacher: It will! But until then, let’s get you feeling better.
Puppet: Okay! Thanks for caring for me, just like Jesus does. See you soon!
Teacher: So boys and girls, let's meet our animal pal for today, and he can remind us of all these wonderful things we just talked about that Jesus is doing in heaven now. 
Show Day 4 Animal Pal poster. Today's animal pal is named Bucky and he's a beaver. Do any of you know what beavers do? Take responses. They like to make homes for themselves in streams. They are busy preparing their place. Who else did we talk about who is busy preparing a place? Take responses. Yes, Jesus! So when you see Bucky, let him remind you of Jesus, who is also busy getting a place ready for all his children.

Memory Verse music CD and player
Student guides and supplies for Part 1 and Part 2
Time Traveler Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides
Bucky bookmarks, 1 per child
Day 4 Memory Verse poster (Teacher Resource Kit)
Simple songs (Resource DVD-ROM)

Apply It!
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. Supplies for this section are not included in the supply list on the back cover since they will vary depending on the activities you choose, so decide what you will do and add them to your supply list accordingly. 
Pass out the Bucky bookmarks, one per child, or have leaders do so at the end of the day. Put a stamp in the Time Traveler Guides (or do so at snack time) and/or review the student guides.
Part 1: High Voltage Verses
Today’s Verse: “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the challenge.
Challenge: Pretend to build a "mansion" with many rooms as you do so.
Tomorrow’s Verse: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” Philippians 2:10
Try the challenge again, this time acting out tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Ask someone to make a special place for you, such as a "fort" made with a sheet over a table. Take paper and crayons into your special place and draw what you imagine the place looks like that Jesus is preparing for his children. Show it to someone and tell him about it.
Talk to God about anyone you know who may not know about Jesus and the wonderful place he is preparing for his children.
Ask an adult if he ever thinks about heaven. What does he think it will be like? Read Revelation 21 together.
With an adult, check answersvbs.com/tlkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Does heaven sound exciting to live in some day?
Song 1: “Jesus Loves Me”
Jesus loves me this I know (Make the word “Jesus” with left middle finger touching the palm of the right hand and vice versa, then put hands over your heart.)
For the Bible tells me so (Put hands together to form a Bible.)
Little ones to him belong (Put your hands down low as if patting a young child.)
They are weak but he is strong (Act weak, then strong.)
Yes, Jesus loves me (Nod head “yes," then the word “Jesus” with left middle finger touching the palm of the right hand and vice versa, then put hands over your heart.)
Yes, Jesus loves me (Nod head “yes," then the word “Jesus” with left middle finger touching the palm of the right hand and vice versa, then put hands over your heart.)
Yes, Jesus loves me (Nod head “yes," then the word “Jesus” with left middle finger touching the palm of the right hand and vice versa, then put hands over your heart.)
The Bible tells me so (Put hands together to form a Bible.)
Song 2: “This Little Light of Mine” 
Before singing this, tell the kids that someday, Jesus will come back in the same way he left—in the clouds. The last verse of this song reminds us of the time he will come back!
Verse 1:
This little light of mine 
(Make a candle with your index finger and move it in a circular motion.)
I'm gonna let it shine 
(Continue to move it in a circle.)
This little light of mine 
(Make a candle with your index finger and move it in a circular motion.)
I'm gonna let it shine 
(Continue to move it in a circle.)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine 
(Repeat.)
Verse 2:
Hide it under a bushel? No!
(Cup one hand over your index finger. Pull your hand away when shouting, "No!")
I'm gonna let it shine 
(Make a circular motion with index finger.)
Hide it under a bushel? No! 
(Cup one hand over your index finger. Pull your hand away when shouting, "No!")
I'm gonna let it shine 
(Make a circular motion with index finger.)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
(Repeat.)
Verse 3:
Shine until Jesus comes
(Wave your "candle" back and forth.)
I'm gonna let it shine
(Make a circular motion with index finger.)
Shine until Jesus comes
(Wave your "candle" back and forth.)
I'm gonna let it shine
(Make a circular motion with index finger.)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine 
(Repeat.) 
Optional: Playacting Review
Today, the time travelers can act out building a house as you talk about Jesus preparing a place for his children in heaven.
Day 5 Destination:
Celebration
Time Tracker
Jesus in the Future 
(Eternity Future)
Bible passage
Revelation 21–22
Animal Pal
King the Lion
Lesson focus
Jesus always has been, always will be in charge, including when he reigns as King of kings in the new heaven and new earth.
Today's C
Crown
High Voltage Verse
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow." Philippians 2:10
Apologetics Focus
Jesus on the New Earth
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Foil Inventions
Touch Table: Celebration Station
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Coloring Corner: Philippians 2:10
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It! 
Time Tracker Stop 5: The Future
Teach It!
Part 1: Puppet Pal—Perfect Place
Part 2: Heavenly Dash
Apply It!
Part 1: High Voltage Verse
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Amazing Grace”
Song 2: “When We All Get to Heaven”
Optional: Playacting Review
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Revelation 21–22 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
For more information on the new heaven and new earth, visit answersvbs.com/tlfaq. 
Pray.

Lesson Materials
From Teacher Resource Kit
Day 5 Memory Verse poster
Day 5 Animal Pal poster
Time Tracker poster 
Day 5 Sim Station posters
Day 5 Timeline poster
From Resource DVD-ROM
Day 5 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Expl. Station)
Sim Station sound effect (and player)
2 copies of today’s puppet script
New Heaven, New Earth cue cards
New Heaven, New Earth title strips
Simple songs: "Amazing Grace" and "When We All Get to Heaven"
Other Materials
Exploration Station supplies (see back cover)
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Cover for Sim Station posters
Boy or girl puppet and puppet stage
Clipboard
Mounting putty or tape
Apply It! section supplies
Memory Verse music CD and player 
Student Extras
Student guides (11-6-073, 11-6-134), 1 per child
Time Traveler Guides (11-6-090, 11-6-138), 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides (11-6-093)
King bookmarks (11-6-078, 11-6-140), 1 per child
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Foil Inventions
Materials
Foil, cut into small squares
Paper
Glue sticks
Pre-prep
Cut up the foil and put the supplies out. Make a couple sample rockets and robots.
Directions
Time travelers use the foil to make foil creation pictures on their paper. You may want to make a rocket or robot along with them so they see how you are doing it.
Teaching Tie-In
Can you make a rocket out of your foil? How about a robot? Take responses. What inventions do you think people will make in the future? No matter what it is, nothing will be better than the new heaven and the new earth that God is going to make!
Touch Table: Celebration Station
Materials
Play gems (large enough to not be a choking hazard)
Crowns
Glow sticks
Party supplies
Pre-prep
Take out yesterday's supplies and put in today's.
Directions
The time travelers play with the supplies.
Teaching Tie-In
Do you see all the things in this touch table? They all have something in common. Where will there be beautiful colors, jewels, crowns, bright lights and a wonderful celebration? Take responses. Yes, in the new heaven and new earth! Jesus will be there, and it will be so fun and happy and wonderful!  
Dramatic Play: Time Travel
Materials
Time machine and Time Warp panels
Streets of gold (yellow sheets or tablecloths taped down, or corrugated cardboard sheets painted yellow and taped down)
Play gems (large enough to not be a choking hazard)
Party hats
Pre-prep
Put down the streets of gold (make sure they are secured well) and put the jewels and party hats around.
Directions
Time travelers dress up and pretend to be in the future on the new earth.
Teaching Tie-In
The Bible describes the new earth, and it sounds like the most beautiful place ever. It will have what may be streets of gold with jewels on walls and pearls on gates and many other beautiful things. But the best part of all is that our King, Jesus, will be there. What does a king wear? Take responses. Yes, a crown! Crown is our C word today, to remind us of King Jesus and the new heaven and new earth!
Coloring Corner: Philippians 2:10
Materials
Day 5 Memory Verse coloring sheet (Resource DVD-ROM)
Markers or crayons
Optional: Additional supplies to glue on, glue sticks, and stickers
Pre-prep
Photocopy the coloring sheet, 1 per child.
Directions
Color the sheet. Add additional supplies if desired.
Teaching Tie-In
Practice saying the Bible verse on the page. Discuss its meaning.
Introduce It!

Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for scientists (teachers)
Mounting putty or tape
Sim Station sound effect (and player)
From Teacher Resource Kit:
Day 5 Timeline poster, cut apart
Time Tracker poster
Day 5 Sim Station posters (and cover)
Pre-Prep
Prepare the Time Tracker poster with arrow pointing to Eternity Future.
Mount and cover the Sim Station posters on the set.
Cue the Sim Station sound effect.

 Time Tracker Stop 5: The Future (5 minutes)
Note: Since the puppet pal is at the beginning of the lesson today, one teacher may want to get behind the puppet stage before the kids enter the room or slip behind it during the time simulation part.
Teacher One: Here we are on our last day, time travelers, and it's our last chance to take a trip on our time machine. Let's go somewhere amazing. In fact, let's go to the best place ever—to a place that blows away by far even the most fun, interesting, beautiful places on earth. It's a place Jesus has been getting ready for all his children called the new heaven and new earth. Listen to what 1 Corinthians 2:9 says about it. Read the verse and show the Day 5 Timeline poster. Are you ready? Okay, buckle up! Goggles on! Here we go!
Do the "time travel" effects as you did yesterday. 
Have them close their eyes as you remove the cover so the next Sim Station scene is showing. Have them open their eyes and show them the date on the Time Tracker (Eternity Future). Make a big deal about it being the future.
Teach It!
Part 1: Puppet Pal—Perfect Place (5 minutes)

Boy or girl puppet (in costume)
Clipboard
Day 5 Animal Pal poster (Teacher Resource Kit)
2 copies of today's puppet script (Resource DVD-ROM)
Pre-Prep
Tape one script inside the puppet stage and place the other one on the clipboard.
One teacher should be in front of the puppet stage with the clipboard and one should be behind it, ready to work the puppet.

 Puppet: Pop up. Hey, everybody! What’s going on? 
Teacher: Hi, Skye! Are you feeling better?
Puppet: I sure am. Jesus made me better!
Teacher: That’s great!
Puppet: And I decided where to travel to.
Teacher: Where?
Puppet: To the best place in all of time—my grandma’s house! 
Teacher: I’m sure your grandma’s house is fun, but I don’t agree it’s the best place ever.
Puppet: Why not? Where could be better than Grandma’s?
Teacher: Well, there’s a better place coming. Think of every fun and wonderful place in the world, every person you love, and everything you love to do, and guess what? The place I’m thinking about is still better.
Puppet: Impossible!
Teacher: No, it isn’t.
Puppet: What’s this place called?
Teacher: It’s the new heaven and new earth. It’s where we’ll live someday if we're children of God.
Puppet: What makes it the best place ever?
Teacher: Well, the Bible tells us there will be no more crying, sadness, or bad things there. It’s a beautiful place with all good things.
Puppet: That’s exciting! That means I’ll never be scared or sad again!
Teacher: Exactly. And you'll get to hang out with all the other Christians who have ever lived—people from Bible times like Moses, Mary, King David, and anyone else who looked to Jesus for salvation, including people you've known on earth.
Puppet: Wow! I'll get to see my grandpa again!
Teacher: Yep, he was an amazing believer! But you know what the best part of all will be?
Puppet: Oohhh, I know! Jesus will be there! He’ll be my Lord and my friend!
Teacher: That’s right! You’ll love hanging out with him! He'll reign on the new earth as the King of kings. Show Day 5 Animal Pal poster. Our animal pal, King, is here to remind us of that! When you see King, remember that Jesus is the King of all kings. There's never been a perfect, loving, kind, wonderful King like him. Isn't that exciting that we'll get to live with a king forever?
Puppet: Whoa! This is gonna be a—mazing!
Teacher: It really is. I’m really, really, really, really, really, really looking forward to it someday.
Puppet: But I do have one question. Do you think it will get boring? I mean, it’s going to last forever.
Teacher: No, we won’t get bored. It will be like all the wonderful things on earth, only better!
Puppet: I think I’m going to go draw a picture of what I imagine the new heaven and new earth to look like. 
Teacher: That sounds fun! Well, I’m glad you stopped by. Let’s say bye to Skye. Do so.

From Resource DVD-ROM:
New Heaven, New Earth cue cards
New Heaven, New Earth title strips
Pre-Prep
Photocopy the cards and title strips and cut apart.

 Part 2: Heavenly Dash (5–10 minutes)
Let's play a little game to check out what the Bible says the new heaven and new earth will be like! We're going to hold up pictures, one at a time. If you think it's something that will be in the new heaven or new earth, go to this side of the room. If you think it's something that will not be in the new heaven or new earth, go to this side of the room. If you were listening carefully to our puppet, you may have gotten some good clues! Let's stand up here in the middle and begin!

You may want to put a line of painter's tape down the middle of the room.

 One teacher can hold up each picture and the other make the comments, then say, "Go!" and have them walk to whichever side they think is the right side. Once everyone is settled on one side of the room or the other, tell them the answer and put the picture up under the correct title strip.
Happy face emoji cue card
Do you think the new earth will be a happy place? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. Yes, it will be a wonderful, happy place!
Scary face emoji cue card
Do you think the new earth will have anything scary on it? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. No, it won't have anything scary. There won't be anything sad or bad on the new earth. There won't be any sin!
Crying face emoji cue card
Do you think people will cry because of sad things on the new earth? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. No, as mentioned, there won't be anything sad or bad. Revelation 21:4 says there will be no more crying, sadness, or pain!
Crown cue card
Do you think Jesus will be there and will be the King? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. Yes, the Bible tells us Jesus will be there, and he will be called the King of kings!
Tombstone cue card
Do you think people will die on the new earth? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. No, there won't be any more death on the new earth. God's children will live forever in the most wonderful place ever!
Wolf and lamb together cue card
Do you think the animals will all get along? Even the ones that don't get along on this earth? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. Yes, all the animals will get along! Nowadays, a wolf would try to eat a lamb! But on the new earth, the Bible tells us the wolf and the lamb will get along, as will all the animals. We won't have to be scared of lions, tigers, bears, snakes, or any other animal that can hurt us on this earth.
Boring symbol cue card
Do you think it will be boring and no fun on the new earth? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. It won't be boring for one second! All God's children will be busy doing things they enjoy, including spending time with people they love. It's going to be active and interesting and fun and all things wonderful! Sometimes people imagine that people will sit around on clouds strumming harps forever, which doesn't sound too interesting. But that's not what it's going to be like at all! It's going to be a real place, with real people, with a real city called the New Jerusalem.
Gold, jewels, and gates with pearls cue card
Do you think the city called the New Jerusalem is going to be beautiful with something like gold, jewels, and gates made of pearls? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. Yes, it's going to be beautiful! We don't know exactly what it's going to look like, but we know it's going to be more beautiful than we can ever imagine!
Lamb's Book of Life cue card
Do you think there will be a special book there written by God that has the names written of every person who is allowed to live on the new earth? If so, go to this side. If not, go to this side. Do so. Yes, there is a book called the Lamb's Book of Life. To live in the new heaven and new earth, your name must be in the book. Do you know for certain that your name is in the Book of Life? 

Gospel Presentation

Review the gospel here. Teachers and leaders may want to share how they know for certain that their names are written in the Book of Life. Then close by saying what a special place it will be and those who are God's children can really look forward to living there someday.
Apply It!

Memory Verse music CD and player
Student guides and supplies for Part 1 and Part 2
Time Traveler Guides, 1 per child
Stamp for Time Traveler Guides
King bookmarks, 1 per child
Day 5 Memory Verse poster (Teacher Resource Kit)
Simple songs (Resource DVD-ROM)

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. Supplies for this section are not included in the supply list on the back cover since they will vary depending on the activities you choose, so decide what you will do and add them to your supply list accordingly. 
Pass out the King bookmarks, one per child, or have leaders do so at the end of the day. Put a stamp in the Time Traveler Guides (or do so at snack time) and/or review the student guides.
Part 1: High Voltage Verse
Today’s Verse: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” Philippians 2:10 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and by using the Day 5 Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the challenge.
Challenge: Bow as you say this verse.
Part 2: Go and Do
Tell someone something you learned about the new heaven and new earth. What sounds exciting about it?
Talk to God about whether or not you are his child. If you are, thank him for the exciting future you have! If you aren't sure, talk to someone who loves God about it.
Ask an adult to read 1 Peter 4:7–11 and Psalm 90:12 to you. Talk about them.
With an adult, check answersvbs.com/tlkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself these questions: What words would I use to describe Jesus? What did Jesus teach me this week?
Song 1: “Amazing Grace”
Verse 1:
Amazing grace 
(Make praying hands.)
How sweet the sound 
(Put your hands up to your ears.)
That saved a wretch like me 
(Cross your arms over your heart.)
I once was lost
(Turn around with back to the audience.)
But now am found
(Turn back around.)
Was blind but now I see
(Put your arm over your eyes and take it away.)
Verse 2:
When we've been there ten thousand years
(Put your fingers up and pump them opened and closed over and over.)
Bright shining as the sun
(Make a sun with your hands up in the sky.)
We've no less days to sing God's praise
(Put up one finger at a time till all ten are up.)
Than when we first begun
(Make a circle with your hands.)
Song 2: “When We All Get to Heaven”
When we all get to heaven  
(March and put arms up to heaven on the word "heaven.") 
What a day of rejoicing that will be
(Jump up and down like you're rejoicing.)
When we all see Jesus
(Make the "Jesus" sign language symbol.)
We'll sing and shout the victory
(Point to your mouth on "sing" and shout the word "shout.") 
Optional: Playacting Review
Today, the time travelers can act out living in the new heaven and new earth, where they will be able to pet lions like King, hang out with all kinds of special people, and experience the most wonderful things ever.