This file is provided for those who want to modify the lessons to suit their time frame. This is not meant to be used as a printed copy of the teacher guide. Digital copies of the guides are available through Digital Pro (myanswers.com).
Day 1
The Wonder of His Birth
Bible passages
Jesus Is Born
Matthew 1–2; Luke 2
Lesson Focus
The baby King’s birth was a wonder. What amazing happenings surrounded it?
Apologetics Content
Is Jesus the most important person ever born?
Memory verse
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14
Names of Jesus
Creator, Immanuel
Animal Pal
Tiny the Cougar Kitten
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Creation Rubbings 
Wet Touch Table: Wash the Babies
Dry Touch Table: Christmas Fun
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Coloring Corner: John 1:14
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce it!
Wonder Junction Train Depot and Chapel
Teach it! 
Part 1: Wonder of Jesus’ Birth
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Jesus Is a Treasure
Part 3: Animal Pal Review
Apply It!
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Go Tell It on the Mountain” 
Song 2: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Jesus’ Star”
Preparing for the Lesson 
Read Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2 several times. 
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials. 
For more information on Jesus’ birth, visit AnswersVBS.com/wonderfaq.
Pray.
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Creation Rubbings
Materials
Variety of creation-oriented items such as leaves, thin bark, flattened flowers and clovers, craft feathers, fun foam sun and stars, fabric with a reptile texture, etc.
Crayons
White paper, at least 1 piece per child
Optional: parchment paper and heavy books 
prep
Remove wrappers from the crayons. Gather the creation supplies. These can be items like fun foam creation shapes, or they can be real items. To use real items, flatten them ahead of time between two pieces of parchment paper placed beneath a heavy book for a few days. 
Directions
Students put the items under the paper. Show them how to rub their crayons sideways over the paper to get the creation impressions. Write their names on their papers when they’re done.
Teaching Tie-In
The Bible tells us Jesus is the Creator! He made leaves, and bark, and flowers, and animals, and the sun, moon, stars, and people! Jesus and his creation are a wonder!
Wet Touch Table: Wash the Babies
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Water
Waterproof dolls and baby bath supplies such as plastic cups, play soap or baby bath, bath toys, washcloths and towels
prep
Partially fill the touch table with water. Add the items into the touch table.
Directions
Students enjoy giving the babies a bath.
Teaching Tie-In
Do you think Jesus ever needed a bath when he was a baby? Pause for responses. Jesus got dirty just like we do, because he was a person like us. We all were babies at one time, and so was Jesus! But there’s one big difference. He was the most special baby ever born because he is also God!
Dry Touch Table: Christmas Fun
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Generic filler (crinkle shred or Easter grass—red and green would be fun today)
Plastic, safe Christmas items such as plastic nativity pieces, nonbreakable ornaments, Christmas cookie cutters, etc. 
prep
Put the filler in the table along with the Christmas items. 
Directions
Students play with the Christmas items.
Teaching Tie-In
When do we use these items? Christmas. Right, at Christmas! But what does Christmas have to do with Jesus? Pause for responses. We celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas time. People all over the world celebrate the birth of Jesus because it’s a wonder that God came down to earth in the form of a person, Jesus! God actually had skin and elbows and fingerprints!
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Materials
This station can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Leave it set up all week. Add in new items each day. Choose from the following or add in your own ideas. Make sure all items are safe for young children. 
Clapboard house interior backdrop as listed in Decorating Decisions
Old West house items (e.g., small wooden table and chairs, barrels, baskets, lanterns, play food [eggs, cheese, bread, etc.], stick horses, tin plates, bowls, cooking utensils, broom, blankets, play tools, family Bible—note: it could get damaged)
Old West dress-up items (e.g., bandanas, boots, cowboy hats, flannel shirts, pioneer bonnets, dresses, aprons, vests [see toddler crafts for vest instructions])
Day 1 items: baby cradle, baby dolls, and old-fashioned baby supplies
prep
Set up the area to look like the inside of an Old Western house. Add some Old West house items, dress-up items, and Day 1 items. 
Vests can be made from bolts of felt (from the fabric store) or, for a more inexpensive version, from large brown grocery sacks. Ask your local grocery store to donate the sacks. Cut a neck hole in the “bottom” of the sack and armholes on the sides. Cut down the middle front from the neck hole to the top of the sack. Make sure to not cut the back of the sack. 
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be living in the Old West. Have some dolls to play with today to coordinate with the teaching.
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus came to earth as a baby. Do any of you have little baby brothers or sisters? Pause for responses. What are things you need to do to take care of them? Pause for responses. Jesus had to be fed and rocked and cared for, too, even though he was God! What a wonder!
Coloring Corner: John 1:14
Materials
Day 1 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet
Decorating supplies to make a train as listed in Decorating Decisions
Markers or crayons in a small galvanized bucket
Optional supplies: glue sticks, stickers, and items to glue onto the coloring sheet (e.g., cotton balls, pompoms, feathers, sand paper, and tissue paper)
prep
Set up the Old West train decorations. Print the Memory Verse coloring sheet, 1 per child. Gather the decorating supplies and set them out to use all week.
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
Campfire Reading—Make a fake campfire with seating around it. Place a basket or pail nearby with a variety of children’s books, including children’s picture Bibles and accurate books about creation, Jesus, and the Old West.
Old West Animals—Borrow or buy stuffed or plastic animals and free play with them. See a possible list on the Old West A to Z page in the Director Guide.
Flannel Board Fun—Provide a flannel board with people and items from each day’s Bible lesson, along with animals and Old West items.
Panning for Gold—Place a wading pool with a tarp underneath on the floor. Add play sand, gold coins, and other trinkets. Have kids “pan for gold” using sand sifter/sieve beach toys.  
Weigh the Gold—Gather various gold and silver items, such as play coins, painted rocks, jewelry, etc., along with a pan balance (available online or at teacher stores or search online for “how to make a balance scale”). Kids have fun weighing items and trying to get them to balance.  
Texture Trays—Provide various textures for kids to trace words or pictures with their fingers. Use key words of Bible concepts they’re learning about. Possible textures include shaving cream or hair gel in zippered baggies (duct-taped shut), burlap, trays of salt, thick fleece, magic slates, or chalkboard and chalk. Supervise carefully and make sure they know not to put their hands in their mouths. You may want to put out different textures on different days. Provide wipes for cleanup.
Play Dough—Play dough is always a favorite, so feature a station with it all week, adding thematic supplies (e.g., cookie cutters and plastic toys) that have to do with the day’s teaching, such as nature items on Day 1 (Jesus is Creator); construction items on Day 2 (Jesus is a carpenter); boats, fish, and storm/weather items on Day 3 (Jesus is Almighty); hearts and crosses on Day 4 (Jesus is Savior); and crowns on Day 5 (Jesus is King of kings).
Introduce It!

Wonder Junction Poster
Bible
Old West costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape for posters
Optional: train whistle
Baby doll

 Wonder Junction Train Depot and Chapel (5 minutes)
At the start of each day’s lesson, you will introduce the kids to different places in Wonder Junction. Today, it’s the train depot and chapel.
Prep: Prepare your costumes. Bookmark all the Scripture verses used in today’s lesson. Hide the baby doll so it is still partially visible. Remember to hide it again for the next group coming in. 

A shortened, one-person script is available to download.
Think of fun names for yourselves: Cactus Kate, Cowboy Joe, Prospector Pete, Rattlesnake Rachel, or Doc Henry.
The Bible is listed just once daily in the supply list but is used throughout, so keep it handy and marked to the correct passages ahead of time.
Be familiar with the lesson, but don’t memorize it. Place it on a clipboard to use as a reference.
If working as co-teachers, decide daily which parts of the lesson each of you will be responsible for.
The mounting putty is listed just once in the supply list but will be used whenever you hang up posters. Hang them up as you talk, or just hold them up while teaching and hang them up after class.

Teacher 1: Well howdy, y’all! It sure is good to meet ya. I’m ___, and this here is ___. This week, we’re going to pretend we’re living in the Old West. When you think Old West, you’ve gotta think cowboys, and horses, and gold mines, and old towns like this. Show the wonder junction poster.
Teacher 2: And trains! Trains were a new invention back then. Point out where the train depot is on the poster. Come on! Let’s take a ride on the train and head to the town of  Wonder Junction! Have everyone get up and pretend to do so. Have them grab their luggage, get on board as you say, “All aboard!” and pretend to chug around the room. Blow the train whistle if you have one. Come to a screeching halt at Wonder Junction, ending in front of the chapel, where they sit down.
Teacher 1: Now here we are in Wonder Junction. Isn’t it awesome? We’ll be meeting right here each day at High Point Chapel, a mighty important building in our town. Point to the church on the wonder junction poster.
Teacher 2: You know, it’s a wonder to see the West with all its gold and beautiful land, don’t you think? But you know what? We’re going to be talking about something even more wonderful—the wonder of Jesus!  
Teacher 1: Have y’all ever heard of Jesus before? Pause for nods. Let’s first talk about the wonder of Jesus’ birth. Being born has to do with babies. Look around the room. Can you find a baby doll? Have them point to it. Get the doll and hold it up.
Teacher 2: Now listen to this wonderful thought. Jesus, who is God, became a baby! Jesus creates babies because he’s the Creator of all people! But then Jesus became a baby himself, the most special baby ever! There’s never been such an important person born, and there never will be again.
Teacher 1: You mean Jesus, who is God and who lived in heaven, became a little baby who cries and spits up and needs to be fed and changed and cared for?
Teacher 2: Yes, siree! It’s a wonder to think on, for sure. Let’s talk about it more as we hear how he came to earth as a baby.
Teach It!

Wonder-Filled Birth Poster 
4 sheets of copy paper and tape
Props: white robe (or something white), shepherd staff, stuffed toy sheep, wise man gift, large star

 Part 1: Wonder of Jesus’ Birth (10 minutes)
Prep: Think through your costumes/props ahead of time and have them ready to have the kids put on or hold at the right time. Cover each section of the Wonder-Filled Birth Poster with a sheet of copy paper.
Wonder 1: Angel
Teacher 1: The Bible tells us right here in the beginning (point to your open Bible at the book of Genesis) that God created the heavens and the earth. Jesus, who is God and God’s Son, created everything with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit! Jesus made the birds (let’s be a bird!), and the fish (let’s be a fish!), and the horses (let’s slap our legs to gallop like a horse), and people (let’s say hi to each other!). But if we skip over to here (point to your open Bible at the book of Luke), we find out that at one point in time, Jesus the Creator came down from heaven to live in his creation. That is a wonder! 
Teacher 2: Let’s begin at the place when it’s almost time for Jesus to be born. We’ll need someone to help us out. Would anyone like to come up and be an angel? Choose someone and have them stand up front until the next direction. 
Teacher 1: Angels came from heaven when God sent them to earth with special messages. Jesus’ birth account starts with a visit from an angel. That doesn’t happen every day, does it? We can see Jesus’ birth is going to be different. Let’s put a white robe (or something white) on the angel. Do so.
Teacher 2: The Bible tells us the angel’s name was Gabriel. Address the angel. Angel, what’s your name? Have the angel say “Gabriel.”  Everyone say, “Hi, Gabriel!” Do so.
Teacher 1: Read Luke 1:28. Angel, can you greet Mary? Do so. 
Teacher 2: Well, this made Mary afraid. Can you imagine all of a sudden if an angel from heaven was in a room with you? Make a face to show how you might feel. Do so. 
Teacher 1: The angel told Mary not to be afraid because God had chosen her to be Jesus’ mother. Now, do angels normally come to our houses and announce that a family will have a baby? No! This doesn’t normally happen. But it did for Jesus’ birth, and it was a wonder! Uncover the wonder-filled birth poster: Angel.
Teacher 2: Everything happened just as the angel said.   
Teacher 1: She married a man named Joseph, and they traveled to a city called Bethlehem because the government wanted to count all the people. 
Teacher 2: While they were there, it was time to have baby Jesus. Because their family’s home was filled with people, they were given an area in the lower level of the home that sometimes had animals in it. Let’s make donkey and cow sounds. Do so. 
Teacher 1: Mary had the baby and laid him in an animal’s feeding stand, called a manger. 
Teacher 2: This sure wasn’t the nicest place for the King of the world to be born, was it? He could have been born in a palace or had fireworks or a big parade. But instead, he came quietly and was placed in a manger. Now think about how amazing it is that God himself came as a baby. God had fingernails! God had elbows! God had toes! What a wonder!
Wonder 2: Shepherd
Teacher 1: Let’s have our angel sit down and have a shepherd come up now to hear the next thing that happened. Choose someone to be a shepherd. Give her the staff.
Teacher 2: Do you know what a shepherd does? Take responses. Shepherds take care of sheep. Give her the toy sheep. Taking care of sheep is hard work. The shepherd has to make sure there’s plenty of grass and water for the sheep. Can you pretend to feed your sheep, Miss/Mr. Shepherd(ess)? Do so.
Teacher 1: And the shepherd has to make sure the sheep don’t wander off or get eaten by wild animals. Shepherds can have some pretty exciting times! But I know for sure what I’m about to tell you is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to any shepherd. Let’s make an excited face. Do so.
Teacher 2: The Bible tells us on the night Jesus was born, the shepherds, who were nearby, were watching over their sheep. Can you pretend you’re watching over your sheep, Miss Shepherdess? Do so. Suddenly, they saw something that scared them. Look scared, Miss Shepherdess! Do so. 
Teacher 1: What do you think it was? Take responses. Yes, it was an angel! The angel said not to be afraid because a Savior, Jesus, was born. Let’s jump up and down and shout, “Hooray!” Do so. 
Teacher 2: The angel told them they would go and find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
Teacher 1: Then guess what happened next? Uncover the wonder-filled birth poster: SHepherds. A whole bunch of angels filled the sky, celebrating Jesus’ birth! What a wonder! Everyone, pretend to look up and ooh and aah at a sky full of angels. Do so.
Teacher 2: The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to see the baby. Miss Shepherdess, can you run around the room as you pretend to hurry to Bethlehem? Do so or have everyone do so. When they got there, it was just as the angel said it would be. They found baby Jesus in the manger, and they worshipped him.
Teacher 1: Have any of you visited a newborn baby? Pause for responses. Was the baby in a hospital? Pause for responses. There certainly weren’t angels and the baby wasn’t in a manger, right? Does this sound like a normal birth? Pause for responses. No! Only Jesus’ birth! What a wonder! 
Wonder 3: Wise Men and a Special Star
Teacher 2: Our shepherd can sit down now, and we need a wise man to come up. Choose someone and hand him a gift.
Teacher 1: Jesus continued to have amazing things happen. When he was a little older, wise men with special gifts came to visit. Let’s say hi to our wise man. Do so. 
Teacher 2: The wise men came because they had been watching for a special star to appear. When they saw it, they followed it to find Jesus. Can you follow me around, Mr. Wise Man? Hold up the star and walk around leading just the Wise Man (or everyone). If you have time, you may want to weave around a bit. Then uncover the wonder-filled birth poster: Wise men with gifts/special star.
Teacher 1: Wow! Jesus even had his own special star in the sky. Do you think there’s ever been a special star for anyone else’s birth? Pause. No! Only Jesus!  
Teacher 2: The star led the wise men along until it stood over the house where Jesus was. When they saw the star, they were so, so happy! And they came into the house and saw Jesus and his mother, Mary. They worshipped Jesus and gave him expensive treasures—gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   
Teacher 1: That would be like rich, important people showing up at your house after you were born and giving you expensive gifts. How would you like that? Pause for responses. 
Teacher 2: Have you noticed how Jesus’ birth was different from the very beginning? His birth was not like any other person’s birth ever. He had angels. He had shepherds. Later, he had wise men bringing gifts. He even had his own special star!

Sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.

 Teacher 1: Jesus’ birth was so special because God himself came to earth and was born. His birth is what we celebrate every Christmas Day! No one else has a day like this that people all over the world celebrate. Only Jesus! What a wonder! Our wise man can sit down as we talk about one more wonder of Jesus’ birth. 
Wonder 4: Jesus Came!
Teacher 2: Maybe the most amazing wonder of all is Jesus wanting to come. Remember, he was in heaven in a beautiful, perfect place, and he left that for our world.
Teacher 1: Uncover the wonder-filled birth poster: Mansion. That might be like us leaving a nice home—like a mansion—to go to a dirty, smelly place. And not only that, but he is a king. Imagine a king with all his riches in a beautiful castle. The king gives all that up to become a poor person in a place where nobody knows he’s the king.

Gospel Opportunity

 Teacher 2: Jesus did that because he loves you and knows you need him. We’ll hear more about that this week. Move behind the puppet set while Teacher 1 finishes this section.
Teacher 1: But let’s end by cheering for Jesus and his amazing birth! Do so. There has never been a more important person born, and there never will be again. God himself came and is with us now. Jesus is called Immanuel, which means “God is with us!” If you ever feel scared or alone, remember—Jesus is always with his children who trust in him. Even though you can’t see him, he’s right here. Let’s talk to our puppet pal about Jesus.
This can be a good time to sing one of the songs found at the end of today’s lesson.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Jesus Is a Treasure (5 minutes or less)

Prophecy Poster 
2 copies of Day 1 Puppet Script 
Boy or girl puppet and puppet stage
Clipboard
Mini shovel and tape
Optional: Old West costume for the puppet

 Prep: Tape one Puppet Script inside the puppet stage and attach the other to a clipboard for reference. Dress the puppet in either a VBS T-shirt (see Teaching Tip in the sidebar) or in an Old West costume such as a mini vest and a little bandana. Tape the mini shovel to the puppet’s hand.

The puppet can be dressed in a small VBS T-shirt or a mini cowboy hat and little bandana. To make a small T-shirt, print, cut out, and laminate a color copy of the VBS logo and tape it to a baby-sized T-shirt.
If you want to get snazzy, use a quick musical introduction and exit when it’s time for the puppet to come and go.

Each day, the puppet pal will teach part of the lesson or reinforce what the kids just heard. It’s always a favorite, so try to include it even if you have to cut something else. 
Decide which of you will be the puppet and figure out when you need to leave the previous teaching so you will be positioned in time for the start of the Puppet Pal time.
If you don’t have a teaching assistant or co-teacher, enlist someone (a group guide or other volunteer) ahead of time to work the puppet each day. If you’re alone, have the puppet come up from behind a suitcase with the lid flipped up or just stand and work the puppet. (It’s fine if your lips move. No need to be a ventriloquist.)
You can use either a boy or a girl puppet named Sam (short for Samuel or Samantha). 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 in through the chapel window or from behind an outcropping of rocks. (See Decorating Decisions.) When the puppet is entering, hold your arm back and down and have the puppet take three steps up, getting higher each time, until the puppet is out and visible. When exiting, turn the puppet toward you and take three steps down until out of sight. 
Teacher: Our puppet’s name is Samuel (Samantha). He (she) likes to be called Sam for short. Let’s all call for him (her) now. Do so.
Puppet: Come up acting dejected with a mini shovel taped to your hand.
Teacher: Hi there, Sam. Is something wrong? You seem a bit upset.
Puppet: Well, my friend was supposed to go digging for gold treasure with me today at the Wonder Junction Gold Mine, but now he’s too busy.
Teacher: Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.
Puppet: Yeah. He promised he’d come.
Teacher: Well, when people make promises, hopefully they keep them. But once in a while, they don’t.
Puppet: That’s terrible!
Teacher: Yes. But I have good news for you.
Puppet: What? Did you find some gold treasure?
Teacher: No, but in a way, I found a treasure much better than gold. I found the one person who always, always, always keeps his promises. He’s a treasure.
Puppet: Goody! Who is he?
Teacher: Jesus. Jesus never fails. People in this world may let you down, but Jesus never will. He always keeps his promises.
Puppet: How do you know that?
Teacher: Well, you know how we talked about his birth today? All those things that happened when Jesus was born had been promised in the Bible long before they happened. Point to each one on the prophecy Poster as you mention it. Jesus was born in a town called Bethlehem, just as the Bible promised. His mother laid him in a manger and named him Jesus, just as promised. Later, wise men followed a special star and came with gifts, just as the Bible promised. All these promises happened just as the Bible said they would. 
Puppet: Jesus even left the beauty of heaven to come to earth. He’s a promise keeper. That’s a much better treasure than finding gold. 
Teacher: Jesus is a treasure because he loves us, and he’s with us—Immanuel. 
Puppet: Jesus really is a wonder, isn’t he?
Teacher: He’s the treasure of all treasures—better than ___ mention some things and have them come up with several, too, like: Jesus is a better treasure than living in a castle, having all the toys in the world, etc. Always treasure Jesus, Sam. 
Puppet: I will! Well, I think I’m going to try to dig up some gold treasure on my own now, but I’ll remember—Jesus is our true treasure!
Teacher: Okay! Bye for now, Sam! See you tomorrow.

If you don’t have time to play the review game, skip to the Nugget of Truth question, ending with this important thought. Try to include it even if you must cut something else.

 Part 3: Animal Pal Review (5 minutes or less)

Day 1 Animal Pal Poster
Wonder Junction maps and Tiny stickers (1220780), 1 per person

 Take a couple minutes to summarize the lesson today using the Day 1 Animal Pal Poster, using any or all of the questions below. Pass out the Wonder Junction maps and Tiny stickers (available to purchase from AnswersVBS.com), one set per person. This week, children will add one animal pal each day as they learn about them. If you have a larger group, you don’t need to put names on them—this saves time passing them out each day.
Let’s take a look at our animal pal poster to remember what we talked about today. What kind of animal is our animal pal? Cougar kitten. Cougars are a kind of wild cat. If you lived out West in the olden days, you may have run into one! Now—what’s our cougar’s name? Tiny. What does a tiny baby cougar have to do with Jesus? Both of them were tiny and newborn. Tiny the Cougar reminds us of Jesus coming as a tiny baby. What wonderful things happened when Jesus was born? Answers will vary.
Continue reviewing with the following questions. Be sure to give the correct answer for any “no” questions. Have the kids meow like a cougar kitten if the answer is yes and pretend to sleep if it is no.
Yes or no: Jesus didn’t start as a baby. He has always been alive. Yes—meow like a cougar kitten.
Yes or no: Jesus is Creator of the world. Yes—meow.
Yes or no: Jesus is not God. No—pretend to sleep like a cougar kitten. Jesus is God the Son.
Yes or no: Jesus’ birth was just like everyone else’s birth. No—pretend to sleep. He’s the most important person to ever be born and his birth was the most special birth ever.
Yes or no: Jesus had angels, shepherds, wise men, and a special star involved with his birth. Yes—meow.
Yes or no: People all over the world celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas. Yes—meow.
Nugget of Truth
Ready for an important question? Yes or no: Should we always be in wonder when we think of Jesus? Yes! Jesus is amazing! He knows exactly how many hairs are on your head . . . right now! He knows what you’ll be wearing 10 years from now on a Thursday! He knows how you’ll be feeling tomorrow morning. You can talk to him. He is with everyone that trusts in him. Remember, his name Immanuel means “God is with us.”
Apply It!

Theme and Day 1 Memory Verse Posters
Optional: Student Guides and supplies
Optional: Memory Verse music and player

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. You won’t have time to do them all, but these ideas are also on the back of the Pre-Primary Student Guide. Send the student guides home each day as a fun review and also encourage the kids to do the practical ideas (the Go and Do sections) that apply today’s lesson to real life. They’re important! 
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 any items to your supply list accordingly.
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Today’s Verse: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14
Practice the verse several times by using the day 1 memory verse poster as a reference and playing the song from the Memory Verse music if you have it.
Challenge: Move like a baby while saying the verse. First, roll over and over and over while saying it, then crawl around while saying it.
Tomorrow’s Verse: And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor. Luke 2:52
Try the challenge again, this time with tomorrow’s verse. You may also want to practice the week’s theme verse, using the Theme Memory Verse Poster as a reference.
Part 2: Go and Do
Jesus is Creator of the universe. Go on a walk with a grown-up and find at least 10 things Jesus created. What a wonder!
Ask an adult who has taken care of babies (maybe even you!) what they needed to do to care for the babies. Isn’t it a wonder to think of the care Jesus would have needed as a baby, yet now he cares for you and the entire universe?
Talk to God (pray) and thank him for sending his Son, Jesus, from heaven to earth as a person yet still God. Thank him for loving you that much. Thank him for understanding what you go through because he went through it too.
With someone’s help, check AnswersVBS.com/wonderkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: What amazes me about Jesus’ birth?
Song 1: Go Tell It on the Mountain

“Go Tell It on the Mountain” song
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Jesus’ Star” song 
MP3 download or Simple Songs CD (1221410)
Device to play songs

 Chorus
Go tell it on the mountain 
(Make a mountain shape with arms.)
Over the hills and everywhere 
(Move hand up and down over hills.)
Go tell it on the mountain 
(Make a mountain shape with arms.)
That Jesus Christ is born (Rock a baby.)
Verse 1
While shepherds kept their watching
(Put flat hand above eyes as if searching.)
Over silent flocks by night (Put finger to your lips and turn head back and forth.)
Behold throughout the heavens 
(Raise arms up and open wide.)
There shone a holy light
(Raise one arm with hand open and pull down.)
Repeat Chorus
Verse 2
Down in a lowly manger (Bend down and move hand back and forth.)
The humble Christ was born (Rock a baby.)
And God sent us salvation (Point up for “God,” to yourself for “us,” and cross hands over heart for “salvation.”)
That blessed Christmas morn
(Clap four times with the beat.)
Repeat Chorus
Song 2: Twinkle, Twinkle, Jesus’ Star

The front page of each day’s student guide is an overview of today’s lesson. The back page matches this section. 

 chorus
Twinkle, twinkle, Jesus’ star 
(Wiggle fingers above head.)
Wise men followed from a far 
(Walk in place.)
Up above the world so high 
(Make a big world with your arms.)
Like a diamond in the sky 
(Put your loose fist up in the sky and then flick one finger up to point to a pretend diamond in the sky.)
Twinkle, twinkle, Jesus’ star 
(Wiggle fingers above head.)
Wise men followed from a far 
(Walk in place.)
Repeat
Day 2
The Wonder of His Childhood
Bible passage
Jesus at the Temple
Luke 2:39–52
Lesson Focus
The young King’s childhood was a wonder. What was he like as a child and teen?
Apologetics Content
Is Jesus God or man—or both?
Memory Verse
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor. Luke 2:52
Name of Jesus
Carpenter
Animal Pal
Junior the Wolf Pup
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Family Fun
Touch Table Wet: Family Trip
Touch Table Dry: Build-It-Yourself Woodworking
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Coloring Corner: Luke 2:52

Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce it!
Wonder Junction Schoolhouse
Teach it!
Part 1: Jesus at the Temple
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Jesus as a Child
Part 3: Animal Pal Review
Apply it!
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Jesus Was a Child, Jesus Is God”
Song 2: “Jesus Is a Wonder”
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Luke 2:39–52 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials. 
For more information on Jesus’ childhood, see AnswersVBS.com/wonderfaq.
Pray.
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Family Fun
Materials
Plastic family toy figurines
Play dollhouse furniture
prep
Put out the assorted supplies.
Directions
Kids play with the families.
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus grew up in a family. Did you know he had (half) brothers and sisters? Take responses. Do any of you have brothers or sisters? Take responses. Sometimes we aren’t as nice as we should be to our family members, but Jesus was always perfectly kind. What a wonder!
Wet Touch Table: Family Trip
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Water
Plastic family toy figurines
Plastic boats and cars
prep
Partially fill the touch table with water. Add the figurines, boats, and cars.
Directions
Play in the water with the toys.
Teaching Tie-In
What is this family doing together? Take responses. Maybe they’re going on a trip. Sometimes families go on trips together. Jesus’ family took a trip together for a celebration. They went to a city called Jerusalem.
Dry Touch Table: Build-It-Yourself Woodworking
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Safe play woodworking supplies, such as smooth wood pieces in various small sizes, building blocks, egg cartons (flipped upside down) 
Play hammers, screwdrivers, and woodworking tools
Play tool belt or carpenter’s apron
prep
Put the assorted supplies in the table.
Directions
Explain what a carpenter is. Instruct the kids to pretend they are a carpenter and to build something.
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus’ earthly father was a carpenter. That’s a person who makes things out of wood or stone. He may have taught Jesus a lot about being a carpenter. The Bible calls Jesus a carpenter. What kinds of things do you think Jesus made out of wood or stone? Take responses. Do you think it would be fun to be a carpenter? Take responses. Jesus was a real person like you. But he is also God. What a wonder!
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Materials
Materials from previous day
Wooden, old-fashioned-looking toys (e.g., animals, tops, train, blocks) 
Carpenter aprons with tool pockets
prep
Use previous day materials. Add in the wooden toy items and aprons.
Directions
Kids dress up and play with the items.
Teaching Tie-In
Kids during Jesus’ time would have had a lot to do, but they would have played a little too. Same with kids in the Old West. All kids like to play, right? I wonder what Jesus liked to play. What do you like to play? Take responses.
Coloring Corner: Luke 2:52
See directions for Day 1, but use the Day 2 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.

Wonder Junction Poster
Bible 
Old West costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape

 Introduce It!
Wonder Junction Schoolhouse (5 minutes)
As we explore this topic, we have looked only to the Bible for our source material. Check out AnswersVBS.com/wonderfaq for more info.
Prep: Bookmark all the Scripture verses used in today’s lesson.
Teacher 1: Howdy again, partners! Glad to see ya back at Wonder Junction. Yesterday, we talked about Jesus, the Creator, coming to his creation as a baby. How many of you have had a baby in your house? Pause for nods. Well, after a bit, that newborn baby grows into a little kid, right?
Teacher 2: And kids go to school, right? Sometimes it’s in a school building and sometimes it’s at home, but still, kids are learning!
Teacher 1: Do any of you go to preschool? Pause for nods. Well, in our pretend town of Wonder Junction, some of the kids go to school in the one-room schoolhouse. Miss Winnie Griggs is the teacher. She used to live out east, but she took the train here and arrived with her trunk full of books and papers and even a globe! Show the schoolhouse on the Wonder Junction Poster. 
Teacher 2: Kids during Bible times would have been learning too. Jesus himself, even though he was God, was learning things because he was also a kid! In fact, at one point, Jesus was the same age you are now. Isn’t that a wonder to think about?  
Teacher 1: It is a wonder! Jesus was like you in many ways. For instance, stand up if you like to eat yummy food. Do so. Turn around if you like to play. Do so. Wave your hand if you like to get a nice hug. Do so. Jesus would have liked to experience things like that too.
Teacher 2: But there was one huge difference. Jesus wasn’t just a kid—he is also God! That made for a childhood that was different than any other child’s. Let’s hear more about it!
Teach It!

Jesus at the Temple Posters
Carpenter’s apron
Props for the apron: Hammer and paper rolled like ancient scroll 

 Part 1: Jesus at the Temple (5–10 minutes)
Prep: Make or buy a simple carpenter’s apron with pockets that can hold the props/pictures mentioned in this section. At the time of this writing, they are available at Walmart under the name “Hyper Tough Cotton Canvas 2 Pocket Apron.” Cut apart the Jesus at the Temple Posters, and put the props and poster pictures in the apron. To make a scroll, roll up a piece of paper from both ends and tie it with a ribbon. Optional: Laminate the posters or roll them up. 
Teacher 1: ___ (Teacher 2) is going to put on this carpenter’s apron to tell you more about Jesus’ childhood because guess what job Jesus’ dad had? Take responses. He was a carpenter! Jesus grew up as a carpenter’s son in a town called Nazareth. 

The word carpenter (texton in Hebrew) refers to a craftsman, so Jesus may have worked with wood, metal, and/or stone.

 Teacher 2: Take a hammer out of the apron pocket and have them all pretend to hammer something. Now, if you are a boy, stand up. Do so. What’s something you like to do? Take quick responses or give prompts. Well, Jesus would have been a normal boy in many ways. The Bible tells us he grew and became strong and full of wisdom (Luke 2:40). Let’s all scrunch way down and pretend to grow taller and taller and taller! Do so. 
Teacher 1: Can you think of any first words little kids say when they are learning to talk? Take responses. Yes, mama, dadda, bye-bye, etc. Well, Jesus learned to talk, too, and would have continued talking throughout his whole childhood. 
Teacher 2: But guess what? The Bible only has one thing written down that Jesus said while he was a child. This happened when he was 12. Let’s count to 12 as we jump 12 times. Do so. 
Teacher 1: Jesus’ family traveled a long way to a festival in a city called Jerusalem. Let’s walk around the room and pretend we’re heading to Jerusalem. Do so and stay standing. 
Teacher 2: When they got there, they went to the temple, which is kind of like our church. Take the Jesus at the temple Poster 1 out of your apron pocket and show it. Let’s sit back down at our High Point Chapel. Do so. 
Teacher 1: There were some really smart teachers there who read and taught God’s Word.
Teacher 2: Take a scroll from your apron. Nowadays, God’s Word, the Bible, is a book. Back then, it was a scroll. The shape is different, but the words we read are still the same.
Teacher 1: Jesus sat in the temple, learning more about God. At the same time, he was also teaching the teachers, even though he was only 12! The Bible says they were completely amazed (astonished) at him. 
Teacher 2: Finally, it was time to go home. But guess what happened? Jesus’ parents couldn’t find him in the traveling group they were with. Have you ever gotten lost or separated from your parents? Pause for nods. It’s so scary! 
Teacher 1: Jesus was not with his parents! Yikes! In fact, they couldn’t find Jesus for three whole days! 
Teacher 2: The good news is, they finally found Jesus safe and sound. Where do you think he was? Pause for responses. In the temple, still teaching the teachers! Take the jesus at the temple Poster 2 out of your apron pocket and show it.  
Teacher 1: Jesus told his parents that he had to be doing his Father God’s business. Even when Jesus was a child, he knew he was on a special mission for God.
Teacher 2: Then Jesus left the temple with his parents, and they all went home together. Let’s pretend to walk back to Jesus’ home in the town of Nazareth. Do so, discreetly moving behind the puppet stage while Teacher 1 takes the kids around the room.
Teacher 1: Now let’s hear a little more about Jesus’ childhood with our puppet pal.
This is a good transitional time to sing one of the songs found at the end of this lesson.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Jesus as a Child (5 minutes)

2 copies of Day 2 Puppet Script 
Boy or girl puppet and clipboard
Play food cracker (or other play food, not pizza)
Tape

 Prep: Tape one Puppet script inside the puppet stage and attach the other to a clipboard for reference. Get the play food ready with a piece of tape on the back, but don’t tape it on the puppet’s hand yet.
Teacher: Let’s do something silly and call for Samuel (Samantha) 12 times since we just talked about Jesus being 12 years old. Do so, counting on your fingers.
Puppet: Come up grumbling and grumpy.
Teacher: What’s the problem, Sam? You don’t seem happy today.
Puppet: I’m not! I’m just sooo hungry. And being hungry makes me grumpy.
Teacher: Well, how about a cracker? Would that help? Stick the play food to the puppet’s hand.
Puppet: Oh, yes, thank you! Nibble on the food while the conversation continues.
Teacher: You know, even though Jesus is completely God, he was also completely human, so he got hungry too.
Puppet: He got hungry like I do?
Teacher: He sure did. 
Puppet: I wonder if he ever had pizza? Boy, would I love a pizza right about now!
Teacher: Pizza wasn’t popular yet, but he definitely would’ve needed to eat something.
Puppet: Well, how about this: Did Jesus ever get tired?
Teacher: Yep. The Bible tells of lots of times Jesus was tired.
Puppet: Wow. God got tired and hungry. That’s a wonder.
Teacher: It is. And that’s not all. He had feelings like you do. Jesus sometimes got sad and even cried. Of course, he was happy too.
Puppet: Did he get scared or worried? Sometimes I do when I’m alone in my dark bedroom and I start thinking about monsters under my bed. Shiver.
Teacher: No, Jesus didn’t get scared or worried. He had feelings like you, but because he is God, he is perfect. He never complained, and he never got mad about something selfish.
Puppet: That doesn’t sound like me. I know I’m not perfect. I get scared and complain a lot when I’m unhappy.
Teacher: Well, let’s talk about a few ways Jesus would have been like us, because he was also a person. And think of a few ways he wouldn’t have been like us, because he is also God. First of all, Jesus would have had birthdays. 
Puppet: Fun! My birthday is February 12th. I wonder what day his birthday was. 
Teacher: We don’t know exactly which day, but we celebrate it on December 25, Christmas Day. Isn’t it a wonder to think of God having a birthday?
Puppet: What else?
Teacher: Like some of us, Jesus had (half) brothers and sisters. Kids, do you have any brothers or sisters? Pause for nods.
Puppet: If you do, you have something like Jesus had!
Teacher: He also came from a poor family. Many people don’t have lots of money.
Puppet: Yeah. My family can’t go on fancy vacations and buy special stuff all the time.
Teacher: That’s true of lots of people. Now here’s a super amazing thought that makes us understand how different Jesus was. Because he is God, he always obeyed his parents. He never rolled his eyes or had a bad attitude. He didn’t grab the last cookie for himself, because he was perfect and always did the right thing. Can you imagine never, ever, ever hitting your brother or being grumpy or fussing about something? What a wonder!
Puppet: I don’t even make it through a day without fussing or complaining. And I sometimes snatch the last cookie so my brother won’t get it.
Teacher: Me too. But the most amazing thing is that although Jesus was a child, he was also King of the whole world! He made the world.
Puppet: Wow, that is crazy amazing!
Teacher: Jesus is a wonder—fully God and fully man. We should love him, adore him, and be in awe of him.

Gospel Opportunity: You can talk about our need for God (Jesus). Becoming one of his children is the first step to loving, adoring, and obeying him.

 Puppet: And obey him!
Teacher: Yes, and obey him! Well, it’s time to move on, so let’s say goodbye to Sam for now. Talk to the puppet. I think you should go get that pizza you were craving. 
Puppet: Pepperoni and double cheese, here I come! Bye! Exit.

If you don’t have time to play the review game, skip to the Nugget of Truth question, ending with this important thought. Try to include it even if you must cut something else.

 Part 3: Animal Pal Review (5 minutes)

Day 2 Animal Pal Poster
Wonder Junction Maps and Junior stickers, 1 per person

 Share the day 2 Animal pal poster to summarize the teaching of the day. Pass out the Wonder Junction Maps and Junior stickers to each person and have them put on today’s animal pal. 
What kind of animal is our animal pal today? Wolf pup. And what’s our wolf pup’s name? Junior. Junior is a nickname we sometimes give to a kid. Why do you think our wolf pup is named Junior? Junior is not a grown up yet. He reminds us there was a time when Jesus was a child. Do you see Junior’s dad in the picture? What does it look like they’re doing together? Howling at the moon. Wolf fathers teach their young pups lots of things, just like Jesus’ dad would have taught him lots of things about carpentry and about God. What can you tell me about Jesus’ childhood? Answers will vary.
Continue reviewing with the following questions. Be sure to give the correct answer for any “no” questions. Have the kids pretend to lap up water if the answer is yes and howl if it is no.
Yes or no: Was Jesus always a grown-up? No—howl like a wolf. Jesus was a baby and then a child. He went through the normal growth stages.
Yes or no: Was Jesus a little bit God and a little bit man? No—howl. He was all God and all man at the same time.
Yes or no: Was Jesus’ dad a carpenter? Yes—lap up water.
Yes or no: Did Jesus get hungry and thirsty? Yes—lap up water.
Yes or no: Did Jesus ever cry? Yes— lap up water.
Yes or no: Did Jesus’ parents know where Jesus was when they found out he was missing? No—howl. They were frantically looking for him for three days before finding him in the temple.
Did Jesus always obey his parents? Yes—lap up water.
Nugget of Truth
Ready for an important question? Yes or no: Should we forget about how special Jesus is? No! Jesus is amazing! He is God, but he also was a person. He even had a belly button! And he is the only perfect person ever. Always keep thinking of things that make you say, “Wow!” about Jesus.
Apply It!

Day 2 Memory Verse Poster 
Optional: Student Guides and supplies
Optional: Memory Verse music and player

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. These are also on the Pre-Primary Student Guide and can be done at home with a parent or caretaker if you are out of time.
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 any items to your supply list accordingly.
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Today’s Verse: And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor. Luke 2:52
Try the following challenge, using the day 2 memory verse poster as a reference and the Memory Verse music if you have it.
Challenge: Play the Popcorn Game. Squat and say the first word of the verse. Pop up (“grow”) as you say the next word. Continue squatting and growing through the whole verse. Get taller each time you “grow” up.
Tomorrow’s Verse: Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. John 21:25
Try the challenge again, making up new motions, this time with tomorrow’s verse.
Part 2: Go and Do
Jesus was taught the Scriptures when he was young like you. Jesus wants you to learn his Word too. What questions do you have about God? What book contains the answers? How can you know the Bible better?
Jesus always obeyed God. Ask someone to read Romans 12:9–21. How can you obey God today?
Tell God what you learned about Jesus as a child that makes you say, “Wow!” Ask him to help you to love him and his amazing Bible more each day.
Check AnswersVBS.com/wonderkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself these questions: What amazes me about Jesus being a child? Do I like to learn about Jesus and God’s Word?
Song 1: Jesus Was a Child, Jesus Is God

“Jesus Was a Child, Jesus Is God” song
“Jesus Is a Wonder” song 
MP3 download or Simple Songs CD (1221410)
Device to play songs

 Sing to the tune of “Farmer in the Dell.”
Verse 1
Jesus was a child (Touch the tip of your right middle finger to the center of your left palm, then vice versa for “Jesus.” With open palm facing down, pat up and down on the word “child.”)
Jesus was a child (Repeat.)
Hi, ho, the derry-o (Clap four times.)
Jesus was a child (Repeat first motion.)
Verse 2
He ate like you and me (Pretend to eat.)
He ate like you and me  (Repeat.)
Hi, ho, the derry-o (Clap four times.)
He ate like you and me 
(Repeat first motion of verse 2.)
Verse 3
He laughed and cried and slept 
(Pretend to laugh and cry and sleep.)
He laughed and cried and slept (Repeat.)
Hi, ho, the derry-o (Clap four times.)
He laughed and cried and slept 
(Repeat first motion of verse 3.)
Verse 4
Jesus is God’s Son (Make the “Jesus” sign described in verse 1, then point up with both hands on “God.”)
Jesus is God’s Son (Repeat.)
Hi, ho, the derry-o (Clap four times.)
Jesus is God’s Son 
(Repeat first motion of verse 4.)
Verse 5
He always does what’s right (Make the “Jesus” sign, then thumbs up on “right.”)
He always does what’s right (Repeat.)
Hi, ho, the derry-o (Clap four times.)
He always does what’s right 
(Repeat first motion of verse 5.)
Song 2: Jesus Is a Wonder
Sing to the tune of “Froggy Went a Courtin’.”
Verse 1
Jesus is a wonder, yes he is (Make “Jesus” sign described in previous song, then nod head.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus is a wonder, yes he is (Repeat first motion.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus is a wonder, yes he is (Repeat motion.)
That’s J-E-S-U-S, it is
(Put up one finger with each letter.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right, then center.)
Verse 2
Jesus taught the teachers, yes he did (Open hands like a book, then nod head.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus taught the teachers, yes he did (Repeat first motion of verse 2.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus taught the teachers, yes he did (Repeat motion.)
That’s J-E-S-U-S, it is
(Put up one finger with each letter.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right, then center.)
Repeat Verse 1

Day 3
The Wonder of His Ministry Years
Bible passages
Selections from the book of Mark
lesson Focus
The grown-up King’s ministry years were a wonder. What astonishing things occurred?
apologetics content
Has anyone else had the power to raise himself from the dead?
Memory verse
Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. John 21:25
Name of Jesus
Almighty
Animal Pal
Mighty the Bison
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Power over Sickness/Sight
Wet Touch Table: Power over Nature
Dry Touch Table: Power over Death
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Coloring Corner: John 21:25

Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce it!
Wonder Junction General Store
Teach it!
Part 1: Wonder-Working Power!
Part 2: Puppet Pal—All the Books in the World
Part 3: Animal Pal Review
Apply it!
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “What a Mighty God We Serve”
Song 2: “Jesus Is a Wonder” (extended version)
Preparing for the Lesson
Read all or part of Mark 1–6.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
For more information on Jesus’ wondrous ministry years, see AnswersVBS.com/wonderfaq. 
Pray.
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Power over Sickness/Sight
Materials
Bandanas (for blindfolds)
Pillowcase or burlap sack filled with safe items to feel (e.g., hairbrush, spoon, doll, plastic cup, toothbrush, marker, pacifier)
prep
Put the items in the sack. If you have lots of kids, you may want to make more than one sack.
Directions
Take turns putting on the blindfold, pulling an object out, and trying to guess what it is. Talk about how awesome it is to have eyes that can see each item (but be sensitive if anyone can’t see).
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus has amazing power! He has all power, so he can make sick people well and give sight to people who can’t see! In the Bible, we read about Jesus healing blind people with his incredible power. Jesus is God the Son!
Wet Touch Table: Power over Nature
Materials
Wet touch table materials
Toy boats
Play plastic people 
prep
Put the toy boats and plastic people in the water.
Directions
Play with the people and boats. Have the children reenact the Bible account of Jesus calming the storm by making waves in the water (Mark 4:35–41). Then have them stop at the appropriate time.
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus has amazing power! He has all power so even the wind and sea and all of nature listens to him. One time, he told a storm to be still and it stopped! Nobody else can do that. Only Jesus! He is God the Son!
Dry Touch Table: Power over Death
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Play sand or soil
Play plastic people
Play plastic shovels
prep
Put the sand or soil in the table, and “bury” the plastic people.
Directions
Find and “unbury” the people.
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus has amazing power! He has power over death. In the Bible, we read about a few times when he brought dead people back to life. He even brought himself back to life! Nobody else can do that. Only Jesus! He is God the Son!
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Materials
Materials from previous days
Play doctor kit or stethoscope
prep
Use materials from previous days. Add in doctor kit items.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be doctors helping sick patients in the Old West.
Teaching Tie-In
Life in the Old West was hard. A lot of people never even made it to the West because they got sick and died along the way. Can you imagine if Jesus had been traveling with them? While he was on earth, he healed people just by speaking. Now that’s power! No one else can do that. Only Jesus! He is God the Son!
Coloring Corner: John 21:25
See directions for Day 1, but use the Day 3 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.
Introduce It!
Wonder Junction General Store (5 minutes)

Wonder Junction Poster
Bible
Old West costumes
Mounting putty or tape

 Prep: Bookmark all the Scripture verses used in today’s lesson.
Teacher 1: Welcome back, partners! Come on in and sit for a spell. I’ve got a question for you. What do you want to be when you grow up? Take a few responses.
Teacher 2: Now here’s another question. If you lived in the Old West, what do you think you would have wanted to be when you were grown up? I’ll give you some choices, and you move to the spot that fits your answers as I point to it. Point as you say them—one in each corner of the room. Say them twice at least. The choices are: cowboy or cowgirl, Pony Express rider, general store owner, or gold miner. Okay, move to your spot! Do so, then have kids sit back down.
Teacher 1: Well, you know, the owner of the general store is the one that has everything you might need. Wonder Junction’s general store owner is Mr. Percy Jones. Good ol’  Percy. He’s always ready to help ya out. Show the general store on the wonder junction Poster. If yer sick, he has medicine. If you need food, he has flour, sugar, and other stuff for making pancakes, and chili, and yummy food. If you need clothes, he has sewing supplies. But as helpful as all that can be, it’s nothing compared to all the ways Jesus was able to care for people while he was on earth. Whatever you needed, he could supply it!
Teacher 2: Yes, he can supply it! Which leads to this here wonder-filled thought: Nothin’ is too hard for Jesus! And I mean nothin’! Now that’s a wonder!
Teacher 1: It sure is! He’s the Almighty, which means he has all power! Let’s check out four different ways he showed his wonder-working power to people while he lived here on earth.
Teach It!
Part 1: Wonder-Working Power! (10 minutes)

Wonder-Working Power Poster
4 sheets of copy paper and tape
Towels, 1 or 1 per person
Optional: damp paper towels, 1 or 1 per person
2 flashlights
Pan and spoon 
Spray bottle with water

 Prep: Cover each section of the wonder-working power poster with sheets of copy paper. Get the other supplies ready, including dampening a paper towel for each child or for just one person who will demo it up front.
Four accounts follow, illustrating four categories of wonder-working power that demonstrate Jesus is God. Do as many as time allows.
Teacher 1: When Jesus was about 30 years old, he chose some men to be his students. He taught them amazing truths, and they were filled with wonder at who Jesus was. 
Teacher 2: One of those amazing truths is that Jesus said he is God. Listen to this! Read or paraphrase John 8:58–59. Jesus was saying that he is the “great I am,” which is a title God used for himself. So Jesus was claiming to be God!  
Teacher 1: Now, if you or I claimed to be God, people would think we were crazy. But Jesus showed he is God by doing miracles that only God can do. Let’s take a look at a few of those miracles that show Jesus is who he claimed to be—God the Son.
Wonder-Working Power 1—Power over Sickness and Disease (Mark 1:29–31): Either have one person demo it or give each child a towel to lie on and (optional) a damp paper towel “cloth.” Have them lie down as if they’re sick. Ask if they’ve ever had a fever. Discuss what it would be like if their mom came along and said, “Fever, go away right now!” Would it go away? Then read or paraphrase Mark 1:29–31, uncovering the wonder-working power poster: sickness, and have them get up and start serving you at the appropriate time. Jesus has power to heal sickness and disease, which is a wonder! Nobody else has power over sickness and disease! Only Jesus—he is God the Son!
Wonder-Working Power 2—Power over Nature (Mark 4:35–39): Have the kids sit close together as if in a boat. Turn the lights off, and flash the flashlights on and off for lightning, bang a pan for thunder, lightly spray mist for waves crashing, and have them gently blow to simulate the wind blowing. Tell the Bible account, uncovering the wonder-working power posteR: NATURE, having them make a fierce storm at the appropriate time. Continue and have them get completely still at the right time. Jesus has power over nature, which is a wonder! Nobody else has power over nature! Only Jesus—he is God the Son!

Gospel Opportunity: We all need forgiveness because we are all sinners and sin separates us from God.

Wonder-Working Power 3—Power over Sin (Mark 2:1–12): Have the kids use their towels again. Explain what it means to be paralyzed and have them lie down, trying not to move at all. Tell the Bible account, uncovering the wonder-working power poster: sin, and have them pick up their “mats” and walk at the appropriate time. Sin is disobeying God’s commands—such as lying or being unkind. Jesus forgave the man of his sins. What a wonder to be able to forgive sins! Nobody else has power to do that. Only Jesus—he is God the Son!
Wonder-Working Power 4—Power over Death (Mark 5:21–24, 35–42): Using one towel, have a teacher/adult lie down and be still, as if she had died. (You can make this a fun challenge by seeing just how still she can be!) Have everyone else gather around and act as if they’re sad. Tell the Bible account, uncovering the wonder-working power poster: DEATH, having the teacher/adult rise at the appropriate time. Discuss how Jesus has power over death. This is a wonder! Nobody else has power over death! He even had power over his own death. Jesus died and then came back to life. What a wonder that is! 
Teacher 2: As you can see, Jesus’ power is different than anyone else’s power. Is there any other king as powerful as Jesus? No! Move behind the puppet stage while Teacher 1 finishes. 
Teacher 1: Other leaders have lived, died . . . and stayed dead! They couldn’t bring themselves back to life. Only Jesus! He’s a wonder! We’ll hear more about that tomorrow.
This is a good transitional time to sing one of the songs found at the end of this lesson.

2 copies of Day 2 Puppet Script 
Boy or girl puppet and clipboard 
Little book and tape

 Part 2: Puppet Pal—All the Books in the World (5 minutes)
Prep: Tape one Puppet script inside the puppet stage and attach the other to a clipboard for reference. Tape the little book to the puppet’s hand.
Teacher: Kids, help me call for Samuel (Samantha). On the count of 3, let’s yell, “Sam!” Ready? 1, 2, 3—Sam? Hello? Are you in there? Hello?
Puppet: Come up holding a little book. Oh, hey, everyone!
Teacher: Sam, where’d you get your book?
Puppet: Oh, it’s from the library. It’s about the Old West. Did you know the Old West was also called the Wild West? That’s because, well, it was wild out there.
Teacher: I didn’t know that.
Puppet: Or that there were a lot of cowboys in the Old West? Most of them were young guys who worked on ranches and rode horses. That would have been cool to have your own horse!
Teacher: Yes, it would.
Puppet: When I finish this one, I’m going to go back for more. There’s a whole row of books about the Old West. Mention a couple titles: Rowdy Rachel’s Lasso Tricks; The Adventures of Mustang the Horse; Cookin’ for Cowboys.
Teacher: Well, now you’ve got me wonderin’. How many books do you think are in that library?
Puppet: In the whole library? I don’t know—10?
Teacher: I bet it’s at least 40,000.
Puppet: That’s sooo many books!
Teacher: And I wonder how many libraries there are in the world.
Puppet: 100?
Teacher: Way more!
Puppet: 1,000?
Teacher: Not even close. It’s going on half a million!
Puppet: That’s crazy!
Teacher: Yeah, and you know what else? The Bible tells us that Jesus did so many amazing things that the world couldn’t even hold all the books that would be written about them!
Puppet: We just talked about him having power to calm the storm, and heal sick people, and raise people from the dead.
Teacher: That’s just a drop in the bucket of all the wonder-filled things he did. He walked on water . . .
Puppet: Walked on water, did you say? That’s impossible!
Teacher: Not for God! And he fed 5,000 men plus women and children with only two fish and five little loaves of bread.
Puppet: That doesn’t even sound like enough for my little family and especially not thousands of people.
Teacher: Yeah, and the amazing thing is, there were even lots of leftovers! More than what he started with! 
Puppet: Wow!
Teacher: He did so many wondrous things, we can’t count them all. 
Puppet: Nothing is too hard for God!
Teacher: That’s right, Sam. Nobody else can do these things. Only Jesus because he’s God. He’s a wonder!
Puppet: He’s mighty!
Teacher: He is! The Bible even calls him the Almighty! We should be completely amazed by him!
Puppet: I’m going to go lie down on my back outside and look up at the clouds. They always remind me of how mighty God is.  
Teacher: Great idea! I’ll join you in a bit, but bye for now.
P
NOTE: If you don’t have time to play the review game, skip to the Nugget of Truth question, ending with this important thought. Try to include it even if you must cut something else.

art 3: Animal Pal Review (5 minutes)

Day 3 Animal Pal Poster
Wonder Junction Maps and Mighty stickers, 1 per person

 Share the Day 3 Animal Pal Poster to summarize the teaching of the day. Pass out the Wonder Junction Maps and Mighty stickers and have the kids add today’s animal pal. 
What kind of animal is our animal pal today? A bison. And what’s our bison’s name? Mighty. Why do you think our bison is named Mighty? Bison are powerful, mighty animals. Jesus is the most powerful, mighty person who ever has lived or ever will live. He is called the Almighty. He is the Son of God, and nothing is too hard for God. How did Jesus use his mighty power to help people? Answers will vary.
Continue reviewing with the following questions. Be sure to give the correct answer for any “no” questions. If the answer is yes, have the kids run in place fast. (Bison can run faster than horses!) If it is no, have them say “moo.” (Bison are from the same animal kind as cows.)
Yes or no: Jesus had trouble healing people. No—moo. Because he is God, he has all power to heal just by speaking or touching someone. 
Yes or no: Storms obeyed Jesus and got quiet. Yes—run in place fast. Think about how amazing that is!
Yes or no: If Jesus told someone who had died to get up, they would stay dead. No—moo. Jesus raised people from the dead!
Jesus has the power to forgive people of their sins. Yes—run in place fast.
Nugget of Truth
Ready for an important question? Yes or no: Is anything too hard for Jesus? No! Jesus is Almighty! Is it too hard for him to keep the world spinning? No! To always know what  you are doing? No! To make a storm or to calm a storm? No! Always keep thinking of things that make you say, “Wow!” about Jesus. 
Apply It!

Day 3 Memory Verse Poster 
Optional: Student Guides and supplies
Optional: Memory Verse music and player

 In any remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. These are also on the Pre-Primary Student Guide and can be done at home with a parent or caretaker if you are out of time.
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 any items to your supply list accordingly.
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Today’s Verse: Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. John 21:25
Try the challenge using the day 3 memory verse poster as a reference and the Memory Verse music if you have it. 
Challenge: Get an armful of books. Add a book as you say each word, making a tower. Can you make it to the end of the verse before the book tower falls over? All the books in the world can’t tell all the amazing things Jesus has done if they were all written down.
Tomorrow’s Verse: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John 20:31
Try the challenge again using tomorrow’s verse.
Part 2: Go and Do
Draw a before-and-after picture—first, Jesus in the boat asleep while it stormed, and then, the storm calming down. Tell a friend about what Jesus did.
Have someone read Mark 6:30–44 and talk about Jesus’ power. He used his power to take care of others. How does he care for you? How can you care for someone else?
Thank God for his amazing power. He has power to forgive your sins (when you disobey his commands)! Ask him to help you to obey him.
Check AnswersVBS.com/wonderkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: In scary situations, how does it help to remember Jesus is all-powerful?
Song 1: What a Mighty God We Serve 

“What a Mighty God We Serve” song
“Jesus Is a Wonder” extended version song 
MP3 download or Simple Songs CD (1221410)
Device to play songs

 What a mighty God we serve 
(Make big muscles, then raise arms up on the word “serve.”)
What a mighty God we serve (Repeat.)
Angels bow before him (Bow.)
Heaven and earth adore him
(Point up, then raise arms in a circle.)
What a mighty God we serve 
(Repeat first motion.)
Repeat
Song 2: Jesus Is a Wonder
Sing to the tune of “Froggy Went a Courtin’.”
Verse 1
Jesus is a wonder, yes he is (Make “Jesus” sign described in previous song, then nod head.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus is a wonder, yes he is (Repeat first motion.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus is a wonder, yes he is (Repeat motion.)
That’s J-E-S-U-S, it is
(Put up one finger with each letter.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right, then center.)
Verse 2
Jesus taught the teachers, yes he did (Open hands like a book, then nod head.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus taught the teachers, yes he did (Repeat first motion of verse 2.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus taught the teachers, yes he did (Repeat motion.)
That’s J-E-S-U-S, it is
(Put up one finger with each letter.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right, then center.)
verse 3
Jesus calmed the storm, oh yes he did (Make waves with hands, then nod head.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus calmed the storm, oh yes he did (Repeat first motion of verse 3.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus calmed the storm, oh yes he did (Repeat motion.)
That’s J-E-S-U-S, it is
(Put up one finger with each letter.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right, then center.)
verse 4
Jesus raised the dead, oh yes he did (Stretch forearm horizontally and raise it up straight, then nod.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus raised the dead, oh yes he did (Repeat first motion of verse 4.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right.)
Jesus raised the dead, oh yes he did (Repeat motion.)
That’s J-E-S-U-S, it is
(Put up one finger with each letter.)
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Look left, then look right, then center.)
Repeat Verse 1

Day 4
The Wonder of His Death & Resurrection
Bible passage
Jesus Dies and Lives Again
Select verses; Matthew 27–28
lesson focus
The risen King’s death and resurrection were a wonder. How were they like no other?
Apologetics content
Was Jesus completely dead?
Memory Verse
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John 20:31
Name of Jesus
Savior
Animal Pal
Champ the Grizzly Bear
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Lacing Card Crosses
Wet Touch Table: Easter Eggs
Dry Touch Table: Snakes in the Sand
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Coloring Corner: John 20:31

Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce it!
Wonder Junction Gold Mine
Teach it!
Part 1: Truth Hunt Gospel Presentation
Part 2: Puppet Pal—Wild West Bad Guys
Part 3: Animal Pal Review
Apply it!
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “Did You Know?”
Song 2: “There Is Power in the Blood”
Preparing for the Lesson
Read “Leading a Child to Christ,” found on the inside back cover of this guide.
Read Matthew 27–28 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
For more information on Jesus’ death and resurrection, see AnswersVBS.com/wonderfaq.  
Pray.
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Lacing Card Crosses
Materials
Cross Pattern
Corrugated cardboard
Hole punch and scissors
Shoelaces, yarn, or ribbon, 30-inch pieces
Tape
prep
Trace the cross pattern onto corrugated cardboard and cut out as many as needed. Hole punch where indicated. If using yarn or ribbon, tape the threading end to make it easier to lace through the holes. Tape the other end to the back of the cross.
Directions
Lace in and out on the crosses with the shoelaces, yarn, or ribbon.
Teaching Tie-In
What shape is this? Take responses. What does it have to do with Jesus? Take responses. Isn’t it a wonder that Jesus didn’t stay dead? He came back to life and is alive now! Jesus is the Son of God!
Wet Touch Table: Easter Eggs
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Water
Plastic Easter eggs
Fun foam or rubber crosses that fit in the eggs
Tongs
Baskets
prep
Partially fill the touch table with water. Place the crosses in the eggs and put the eggs in the water.
Directions
Use tongs to retrieve the eggs out of the water. Open them up to find the crosses. Put them in the baskets.
Teaching Tie-In
Let’s see what we can find in the Easter eggs. Do so. What does Easter have to do with crosses? Discuss that we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for sin at Easter. Jesus went through great pain and sadness when he was on the cross. That is amazing, that God feels pain! Why did he do it? Because he loves you. That’s amazing! It’s also amazing that Jesus came back to life. He was completely dead—he didn’t just go to sleep or faint. He died and came back to life! What a wonder!
Dry Touch Table: Snakes in the Sand
Materials
Touch table and tarp underneath
Sand or soil (whatever you used yesterday)
Play rubber snakes
Play shovels and pails
prep
Put the snakes in the sand or soil.
Directions
Play with the items.
Teaching Tie-In
Out West, there are snakes called rattlesnakes. They’re called that because their tails rattle. There are other kinds of snakes in other parts of the world. God created snakes with the other animals in the beginning. In fact, the first woman, Eve, met a snake in the garden of Eden. But Satan used the snake to trick Eve. Then Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that’s called sin. We all sin. That’s why we need Jesus!
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Materials
Materials from previous days
Play gold coins or gold/yellow Easter eggs
Pillowcases or small burlap bags
prep
Use previous materials. Add the gold items, spreading them around, partially hiding them. Add the pillowcases or bags.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be gold miners by collecting the hidden “gold” in the pillowcases or bags.
Teaching Tie-In
Wouldn’t it be great if somebody gave you a bag of gold as a gift? Well, I know an even better gift. Jesus wants to give you the gift of living forever! Discuss the gospel here.
Coloring Corner: John 20:31
See directions for Day 1, but use the Day 4 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.
Introduce It!
Wonder Junction Gold Mine (5 minutes)

Wonder Junction Poster
Bible
Old West costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape

 Prep: Bookmark all the Scripture verses used in today’s lesson.
Teacher 1: Welcome back, partners. It’s good to see you again at Wonder Junction! You know, Wonder Junction is a mighty special place, with the train depot, the bank, the school, and of course, this church! I’m so glad we get to learn more about Jesus here at High Point Chapel.

You may want to get a headlamp and put it on your head while telling your mining story. Embellish a little if desired.

 Teacher 2: Hey, have any of you hiked out to the old gold mine? Take responses. It’s way over yonder. Show the gold mine on the Wonder Junction Poster. That was quite the exciting place a while back when people were finding gold there. That is until Carson got stuck down in the mine. 
Teacher 1: Oh, I remember that. It was a beautiful, sunny day up above, but down in the mine, it was dark. Carson went into the mine, lit his lamp, and started digging for gold. Suddenly, there was a cave-in with big rocks falling down all around. Carson was stuck! In fact, he was stuck down there for three days in a cold, dark space—all by himself—while he waited for someone to rescue him.
Teacher 2: Thankfully, Fearless Abner volunteered to make the dangerous trip down into the mine to find Carson and rescue him. Do you think Fearless Abner found him and got him out of there? Woo-whee, you bet he did! And you better believe there was a lot of celebrating that night! The whole town came out. Carson was lost and in trouble, but then he was found! What a rescue!
Teacher 1: Today, we want to tell you about another rescue mission. We’ve got some gold nuggets hidden around to help us do that. This rescue mission has to do with Jesus. He’s our Savior because he can save us from sin. The Bible says so right here. Point to Matthew 27–28 in your open Bible.
Teacher 2: We’ve already talked about how he came to earth as a baby, grew into a man, and lived a perfect, wonder-filled life. Now let’s here more about his rescue mission.
Teach It!

Nuggets of Truth Posters
Admit, Believe, Forever Receive Posters
Visual clues that fit in the eggs: leaf, play snake, game sand timer, baby item, hammer, tiny boat, cross, or pictures/stickers of each 
9 large gold plastic eggs
Permanent marker

 Part 1: Truth Hunt Gospel Presentation (10 minutes)
Prep: Cut apart the Nuggets of Truth Posters and Admit, Believe, Forever Receive Posters. Gather gold plastic eggs (“nuggets”). Bigger eggs are better. Gather the visual clues or use pictures or stickers. Put one visual clue in each egg and number the eggs from 1–8 with a permanent marker. The eighth egg should be empty (no visual clue) to represent the empty tomb. The ninth will be held up just as a sample. Hide the “nuggets” so they are still partially visible. After you use them in this lesson, gather them and quickly re-hide them before the next group comes in. 
Teacher 1: We’re going to look for some gold in these here parts. You’re searching for something that looks like this, which we’re calling our gold nuggets. Hold up the extra egg. If you find a gold nugget, bring it to me (just one), then sit back down. Don’t open it. Ready? Go! Do so.
Nugget 1: Garden

You can open the eggs, or if time, you can call someone up to do it. Someone who didn’t find an egg may be a good choice.

 Teacher 2: Let’s open up nugget 1. Hold up the leaf. Jesus has always existed, even before time. He didn’t have a beginning. But he created time, and he created the world and everything in it. He placed animals and people and plants in a beautiful, perfect garden called Eden. So why do you think there’s a leaf in there? Take responses. It reminds us of a garden. Show the Garden poster.
Teacher 1: Jesus is beautiful and perfect, and everything he does is good, so his creation was very good. Do you know the names of the first two people God made? Pause for responses. Adam and Eve. God gave them a perfect world to live in and everything they needed.  
Teacher 2: God gave them a rule—not to eat from one tree in the garden. God warned them if they ate from that one tree they would die. 
Nugget 2: Snake
Teacher 1: What comes after 1? Pause for responses. Right, 2! Let’s jump up and down and count to 2, then we’ll open up nugget 2. Jump and then open the nugget and show the snake.
Teacher 2: Satan took the form of a snake in the garden. Let’s hiss like a snake. Pause. He tempted Eve, trying to get her to eat some fruit that God said not to eat. Eve listened to the snake and ate the fruit. Show the snake Poster. Then Adam disobeyed God and ate some too. Because they sinned, God placed a curse on his creation, and it was no longer very good. Let’s make a motion like the world broke. Do so, acting like you’re breaking a stick.
Teacher 1: Do you know what sin is? Sin is when we don’t obey God. Sometimes we don’t obey, right? Well, this is where that started. Adam and Eve didn’t obey God, and the perfect world wasn’t perfect anymore. Now we have bad things, like sickness and sadness.
Nugget 3: Waiting
Teacher 2: What comes after number 2? Pause for responses. Correct, 3! Let’s jump up and down and count to 3, then we’ll open nugget 3. Jump and then open the nugget and show the game sand timer (hourglass).
Teacher 1: What’s this? Pause for responses. It’s called an hourglass. It’s kind of like a watch or a timer. After Adam sinned, he and Eve had children and grandchildren. And each person was born a sinner. God told them he would send someone to save them from the mess the world was in. Show the hourglass poster. This hourglass reminds us of time passing while people waited and waited for the Savior to come. 
Nugget 4: Baby in a Manger
Teacher 2: What comes after 3? Pause for responses. Yes, 4! Let’s jump up and down and count to 4, then we’ll open up nugget 4. Jump and then open the nugget and show the little baby item.
Teacher 1: Well, after waiting for a long, long time, the Savior came! He is Jesus! Let’s cheer! Do so. Now God was with us—Immanuel! But he didn’t come as a grown-up. He came as a baby! Show the baby in a manger Poster. What a wonder that was! Remember his special birth? Remember the angels, the wise men, and the special star? Jesus’ birth was a wonder.
Nugget 5: Hammer
Teacher 2: What comes after 4? Pause for responses. Right, 5! Let’s jump up and down and count to 5, then we’ll open up nugget 5. Jump and then open the nugget and show the little hammer.
Teacher 1: Jesus’ dad was a carpenter. Jesus grew up like you did and learned things, like carpentry. Show the hammer poster. But he also wasn’t like you because he was completely God and completely man at the same time. And he is perfect. What a wonder!
Nugget 6: Calmed the Sea
Teacher 2: What comes after 5? Pause for responses. Correct, 6! Let’s jump up and down and count to 6, then we’ll open up nugget 6. Jump and then open the nugget and show them the tiny boat.
Teacher 1: Jesus grew up and began teaching people that he is God. He did many awesome miracles, like calming the sea. Show the calming the sea poster. Can you imagine if you were in the boat with Jesus? He told the storm to stop, and it did! What a wonder!
Nugget 7: Cross
Teacher 2: What comes after 6? Pause for responses. Yes, 7! Let’s jump up and down and count to 7, then we’ll open up nugget 7. Jump and then open the nugget and hold up the small cross.
Teacher 1: Even though Jesus lived a perfect life, some men put him on a cross to die. He said he is God, and they didn’t like that. Wow! Jesus—who is God—allowed them to put him on a cross. Show the cross poster. It’s a wonder he chose to do it! He could’ve called 10,000 angels to come if he wanted to. But he didn’t. He died to take our punishment for the wrong things we do. 
Teacher 2: The Bible tells us that the punishment for our sin is death. When we die, we are separated away from God forever in a terrible place called hell. Remember we said each of us sins? 
Teacher 1: God tells children to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:1). Have you ever not obeyed your mom when she asked you to clean your room? Have you ever thrown a fit? God says we are to be kind (Ephesians 4:32). Have you ever be unkind to someone? Just one sin is enough to separate you forever from God!
Teacher 2: That’s because God is holy, which means he’s perfect and doesn’t sin. He can’t allow sinners into heaven because heaven is perfect.
Teacher 1: But God loves us so much, and he had a rescue plan to save us. That plan was sending Jesus to save us. That’s why Jesus came!
Teacher 2: You aren’t automatically saved and going to live with God someday. You need to be part of God’s family for that to happen. If you really do want to be part of God’s family and belong to God, then you can!
Teacher 1: If you don’t like your sin and want to be part of God’s family, you need to admit to God that you sin—tell him you know that you don’t obey all the time—and tell him you’re sorry for it (repent). Show the Admit Poster. 
Teacher 2: Then you must believe what the Bible says, that Jesus died on the cross to pay the punishment for your sin. But then, he rose from the dead. This shows us that God was pleased with his payment. Show the believe Poster.
Teacher 1: And finally, you need to forever receive Jesus by asking him to forgive you and make you part of his family. Show the forever receive Poster. It’s an amazing gift to be part of God’s family and to live with him in heaven someday.
Nugget 8: Empty Tomb
Teacher 2: What comes after 7? Pause for responses. Right, 8! Move behind the puppet set while Teacher 1 finishes out this section.
Teacher 1: Let’s jump up and down and count to 8, then we’ll open up nugget 8. Do so, recognizing that it’s empty. Now here’s something incredible to hear! Jesus had been completely dead. He didn’t just faint or fall asleep. He . . . was . . . dead. But, wonder of wonders, he came back to life! Show the empty tomb poster. Jesus is alive and can be our Savior forever. Let’s gather up our gold nuggets and then talk more about this with Sam.
This can be a good transitional time to sing one of the songs found at the end of this lesson.

Wild West Bad Guys Poster
Admit, Believe, Forever Receive Posters
2 copies of Day 2 Puppet Script 
Boy or girl puppet and clipboard

 Part 2: Puppet Pal—Wild West Bad Guys (5 minutes)
Prep: Tape one Puppet script inside the puppet stage and attach the other to a clipboard for reference. 
Teacher: Boys and girls, help me call for Sam. Do so.
Puppet: Come up pretending you’re riding a horse.
Teacher: Hey, Sam, what are you doing?
Puppet: I’m pretending to ride my horse and catch a bad guy. 
Teacher: What bad guy?
Puppet: There were some bad guys who really lived in the Old West.
Teacher: Tell me more . . . 
Puppet: One was named Billy the Kid. He started out stealing some laundry. He had to go to jail for that.
Teacher: God says not to steal.
Puppet: I know. But when he got out of jail, he kept stealing stuff, and he even killed some people and robbed some banks and trains.
Teacher: Whoa, God says not to kill.
Puppet: Right! And there were other bad guys, too, like Jesse James and Butch Cassidy. They robbed banks and killed people too.
Teacher: I’ve heard of them. Show the Wild West Bad Guys Poster and point out each one. That sure is sad to be sooo bad like those guys. But you know what?
Puppet: What?
Teacher: All of us have the same problem Billy the Kid and Jesse James and Butch Cassidy had. They were sinners, and so are we.
Puppet: Act shocked. But I don’t go around robbing banks and killing people!
Teacher: Thankfully, you don’t! But the Bible tells us all of us sin. Some, like these bad guys, sin by robbing and killing. We may sin by telling a lie or not being kind. The Bible says nobody is born good—not even one of us (Romans 3:23). Only God is good. Kids, can you think of a time you have sinned? Take responses. 
Puppet: I didn’t know everyone sins.
Teacher: Yep! That’s why we need Jesus to save us! And he will if we ask to be in his family.
Puppet: That’s the Admit, Believe, Forever Receive we just talked about, right?
Teacher: Show the admit, believe, forever receive posters again during this paragraph. Right! Admit you sin, believe in Jesus, and forever receive him. This makes you his child. You’ll still be your parents’ child. But this means you’ll have God as your heavenly Father, and you’ll be part of his family.
Puppet: I hope the kids believe in Jesus and want to be his child!
Teacher: I do too. Turn to the kids. If you want to be a child of God, make sure you talk to your leader or parents or me today. 
Puppet: Admit you sin, believe in Jesus, and forever receive him. That’s the most important nugget of truth ever.
Teacher: It sure is! Well, bye for now, Sam! See you tomorrow!

Day 4 Animal Pal Poster
Wonder Junction Maps and Champ stickers, 1 per person

 Part 3: Animal Pal Review (5 minutes)
Share the Day 4 Animal Pal Poster to summarize the teaching of the day. Pass out the Wonder Junction Maps and Champ stickers and have the kids add today’s animal pal. 
What kind of animal is our animal pal today? A grizzly bear. And what’s our grizzly bear’s name? Champ. Champ stands for the word champion. Why do you think our bear is named Champ? Champ is a champion. He’s the king of the forest. During cold months, he sleeps in a cave, and in the spring, he wakes up and comes out. Jesus is a champion. He died and was put in a tomb (like a cave), but he was not just asleep like Champ. He was dead and came back to life. Nobody else can do that—only Jesus! He’s the ultimate champion. He is the Son of God. What can you tell me about Jesus’ death and resurrection? Answers will vary. How can we be part of his family? Admit, believe, forever receive.

If you don’t have time to play the review game, skip to the Nugget of Truth question, ending with this important thought. Try to include it even if you must cut something else.

 Continue reviewing with the following questions. Be sure to give the correct answer for any “no” questions. Have the kids put their arms up and act big like a bear if the answer is yes and pretend to sleep if it is no.
Yes or no: Jesus is the Son of God. Yes—jump up and look big like a bear.
Yes or no: People were waiting for Jesus to arrive. Yes—jump up and look big like a bear.
Yes or no: Jesus came as a grown-up. No—pretend to sleep. He came as a baby. 
Yes or no: Jesus lived a perfect life and took the punishment for your sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead. Yes—jump up and look big like a bear. Remind them that all people sin, and all need Jesus.
Yes or no: To be part of God’s family, you must first admit you are a sinner. Yes—jump up and look big like a bear.
Yes or no: Do you have to work hard to become a child of God? No—pretend to sleep. Mention it’s not about working to earn God’s love. He already loves you! We need to repent of our sin and believe that Jesus paid the penalty for sin through his death and resurrection. No good works are involved in receiving the gift of eternal life. 
Yes or no: To receive eternal life, you must believe what the Bible says, that Jesus died and rose from the dead for you. Yes—jump up and look big like a bear.
Nugget of Truth
Ready for an important question? Yes or no: Does Jesus love you? Yes! Other people love you, too, but nobody loves you as much as Jesus. Think how amazing that is—the God of the universe loves you! He loves you so much he even died for you! Always keep thinking of things that make you say, “Wow!” about Jesus.
Apply It!

Day 4 Memory Verse Poster 
Optional: Student Guides and supplies
Optional: Memory Verse music and player

 In any remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. These are also on the Pre-Primary Student Guide and can be done at home with a parent or caretaker if you are out of time.
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 any items to your supply list accordingly.
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Today’s Verse: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John 20:31
Try the challenge using the day 4 memory verse poster as a reference and the Memory Verse music if you have it.
Challenge: Make a gold nugget by crumpling a yellow piece of paper. Find a spoon. Put the nugget on the spoon and walk across the room, saying your verse the whole way. If the nugget falls off before you finish the verse, start over. Can you make it the whole way through the verse before it falls off?
Tomorrow’s Verse: Your kingdom come, your will be done. Matthew 6:10
Try the challenge again with tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Ask a grown-up to hide five objects around the room, then look for them. Each time you find one, tell Jesus thank you for something he’s done (coming as a baby, loving us, dying for us, coming back to life).
Talk to God and thank him for sending Jesus to be the Savior who can save us from the punishment of sin so we can go to heaven someday.
Tell a friend about Jesus and the wonder of his death and resurrection.
Check AnswersVBS.com/wonderkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Do I want to be a child of God?

“Did You Know?” song
“There Is Power in the Blood” song 
MP3 download or Simple Songs CD (1221410)
Device to play songs

 Song 1: Did You Know?
Sing this to the tune of “Did You Ever See a Lassie?”  
Verse 1
Did you know that Jesus died 
(Point to head.)
He died, he died 
(Hang head and look sad.)
Did you know that Jesus died 
(Point to head.)
Well, that’s not the end 
(Smile and clap four times on last four words.)
Verse 2
Did you know that he was buried 
(Point to head.)
Was buried, was buried 
(Close one cupped hand over the other.)
Did you know that he was buried 
(Point to head.)
Well, that’s not the end 
(Smile and clap four times.)
Verse 3
Did you know he rose again 
(Point to head.) 
Again, again 
(Open hands and move upward.)
Did you know he rose again 
(Point to head.)
Well, that’s the best news 
(Smile and clap four times.)
Verse 4
And now he is alive 
(Pump fists above head in victory.)
Alive, alive 
(Raise up open hands.)
And now he is alive 
(Repeat first motion.)
Yes, that’s the best news 
(Smile and clap four times.)
Song 2: There Is Power in the Blood 
Verse 1
There is power, power, wonder-working power (Show muscles and shake arms.)
In the blood of the Lamb 
(Wiggle fingers for blood trickling down.)
There is power, power, wonder-working power (Show muscles and shake arms.)
In the precious blood of the Lamb 
(Wiggle fingers for blood trickling down.)
Verse 2
There is pow–power, pow–power, wonder-working power 
(Continue verse 1 motions throughout, adding an extra “pow.”)
In the blood of the Lamb
There is pow–power, pow–power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb 
Verse 3
There is pow–pow–power, pow–pow–power, wonder-working power 
(Continue verse 1 motions, adding “pow–pow.”)
In the blood of the Lamb
There is pow–pow–power, pow–pow–power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb

Day 5
The Wonder of His Return
Bible passages
Jesus Is Coming Back
Select verses; Matthew 25:14–29
LESSON Focus
The return of the King of kings will be a wonder. What should we be doing in the meantime?
apologetics content
How will Jesus return?
Memory verse
Your kingdom come, your will be done. Matthew 6:10
Name of Jesus
King of Kings
Animal Pal
Mission the Horse
Today’s Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Double It!
Wet Touch Table: Time Well Spent
Dry Touch Table: Coming in the Clouds
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Coloring Corner: Matthew 6:10

Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Wonder Junction Bank
Teach It!
Part 1: Jesus’ Return and the Parable of the Talents
Part 2: Puppet Pal—On a Mission
Part 3: Animal Pal Review
Apply It!
Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Part 2: Go and Do
Song 1: “On a Mission” 
Song 2: “This Little Light of Mine”
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Matthew 25:14–29 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials. 
For more information on Jesus’ return, see AnswersVBS.com/wonderfaq.  
Pray.
Exploration Stations
Discovery Center: Double It!
Materials
Play cash register
Play money—coins and bills
prep
Gather the supplies.
Directions
Kids play with the money. They can even pretend it’s a bank. At some point, give them a certain amount of money and see if they can figure out how to double it. For instance, count out two coins and ask them to double it with two more. Now how many do they have?
Teaching Tie-In
In our Bible account today, two of the servants worked hard and doubled the coins the master gave them. The servant with five got five more and ended up with ten. The servant with two got two more and ended up with four. But the servant with one buried his and didn’t get any more. This reminds us to work hard for God and use our lives for him.
Wet Touch Table: Time Well Spent
Materials
Touch table with no water today
Play plastic people
Optional: play accessories that go with plastic people
prep
On this last day, dry out the touch table and put the plastic people in.
Directions
Share the Teaching Tie-In and have the kids play with the people, taking care of each other, saying kind words, and telling each other about Jesus.
Teaching Tie-In
Jesus, who will forever be God and man, is in heaven right now. While we wait for him to come back, we can love others, care for them, be kind, and tell them about Jesus. That’s our mission!
Touch Table Dry: Coming in the Clouds
Materials
Touch table with tarp underneath
Tons of cotton balls
One figure or picture to represent Jesus
Optional: assorted tongs, spoons, scoops, buckets, baskets
prep
Put the cotton balls in the table, along with the other items. Use either a laminated picture of Jesus or something like a clothespin with a face drawn on it to represent a grown-up Jesus.
Directions
Students play with the items, trying to find “Jesus.” Continue to hide the figure throughout the playtime, or they can do so.
Teaching Tie-In
After Jesus rose from the dead, he went back to heaven by going up in a cloud. He will come back in the same way at some point. We can be busy working for him while we are waiting. Let’s try to find Jesus among all these “clouds.”
Dramatic Play: Old West Dress-Up
Materials
Materials from previous days
Any items you want to add in
prep
Use the materials from previous days. Add in any last supplies today you held back.
Directions
Dress up and pretend to be living out West.
Teaching Tie-In
It’s been an amazing week at Wonder Junction.  Who can tell me something they learned about Jesus this week?
Coloring Corner: Matthew 6:10
See directions for Day 1, but use the Day 5 Memory Verse Coloring Sheet.
Introduce It!

Wonder Junction Poster
Bible
Old West costumes
Mounting putty or tape
Optional: gold nuggets from yesterday

 Wonder Junction Bank (5 minutes)
Prep: Bookmark all the Scripture verses used in today’s lesson.
Teacher 1: Well, here we are, partners, on our last day at Wonder Junction. It sure has been a mighty fine time, hasn’t it? Yesterday, we were looking for gold nuggets. Anyone remember what were in any of those gold nuggets? Take responses for a minute as review, and then move on. You may want to show the nuggets again.
Teacher 2: Those gold nuggets came from the gold mine. And when miners found gold, guess where they took it to keep it safe? To the bank, of course. Mr. Daly, the banker, counts it out and puts it in the big safe so no one can steal it. Show them the bank on the Wonder Junction Poster. 
Teacher 1: Finding gold is one way to make money out West. But there are other ways too! Some people run the store, or do laundry, or own a train! People use their talents well and make more money than when they started.
Teacher 2: Today, we’ll be talking about how to wisely use the talents God has given us as we wait for Jesus to come back. 
Teacher 1: Because guess what? Jesus is going to come back! Did you know that? He came the first time as a baby, but when he grew up, he died to save sinners. Then he came back to life and went up to heaven. 
Teacher 2: He’ll come again as the King of kings. Let’s talk more about what happened after Jesus died and rose again.
Teach It!

Jesus Returning Poster
Play action figures like Playmobil people, Lego or Duplo people, or Ken-type dolls
Optional: Bible-time costumes for action figures
Real or play coins

 Part 1: Jesus’ Return and the Parable of the Talents (5–10 minutes)
Prep: Gather the items listed. Fold the JESUS RETURNING POSTER in half to show one side at a time. Optional: make Bible-time costumes for the action figures.
Teacher 1: The Bible tells us after Jesus rose from the dead, he showed himself to some people for a number of days (Acts 1:1–11). And then guess what happened? He went back up to heaven in a cloud! Show the first scene in the Jesus Returning Poster. Let’s say, “Whoosh!” Do so.
Teacher 2: That’s where Jesus is now. He is still fully God and fully man in heaven—forever. Jesus is getting things ready for his children to live with him someday. Then, at some point, Jesus will come back down to earth. We don’t know when, but we do know how.

If you have a large class or large space, you may want to act this out instead of using the action figures.
Gospel Opportunity: Are you ready?
Answers in Genesis, the producer of Answers VBS programs, is a nondenominational ministry and doesn’t hold to a specific end-times position. As you have time, feel free to share your church’s position on end times.

 Teacher 1: He’ll come back down just like he went up—in a cloud (Matthew 24:27, 30). Let’s stand up (Jesus went up!) and then sit back down (and he’ll come back down). Do so, and point to the second scene in the Jesus Returning Poster. What a wonder that will be! The Bible says it will be like lightning—fast and bright. And it will happen, because Jesus promised he will return, and he always keeps his promises.
Teacher 2: While we’re waiting for him to come back, what should we do? Well, let’s see what the Bible says we should do. We’re going to need some action figures to help us out. Place the figures on a table and have the kids circle around. 
Teacher 1: In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a story (called a parable) about a man who is going on a journey and leaving his servants in charge of his stuff. Before he leaves, he calls his servants together. We’ll pretend this is the man who’s leaving, and these are his servants. Hold up the man, then the three servants, one at a time—Servant 1, Servant 2, and Servant 3.
Teacher 2: He gives one servant five coins. Let’s count to five as I give him five coins. Do so, with them counting, as you put five coins in a pile. He gives another servant two coins. Let’s count to two. Do so, with them counting as you put two in a pile. And he gives the other servant one coin. Let’s count to one as I give him one coin. Do so. Each servant should end up with his own pile.
Teacher 1: Then the man goes away. Let’s say bye to the man as he leaves on his journey. They say bye as you walk the man out of sight.

Another way to do this is to have Teacher 1 do all the talking parts and Teacher 2 do all the movements of the action figures and counting of the coins.

 Teacher 2: While he’s gone, Servant 1 gets busy. Make Servant 1 look busy. He works hard and gets five more coins. Let’s count out five more. Have them count as you put five more coins in his pile.
Teacher 1: Same with Servant 2. He gets busy (do so with Servant 2) and gets two more coins. Let’s count out two more. Have them count as you put two more coins in his pile.
Teacher 2: What do you think happens with Servant 3? Do you think he works hard like the others and gets one more coin? Pause for responses.
Teacher 1: Actually, he digs in the ground and hides his master’s money. Pretend to do so with Servant 3. He doesn’t work hard to double it.
Teacher 2: Now, after a long time, the master comes back. Here he comes! Let’s say hi! They say hi as you walk the master back into the scene.
Teacher 1: He calls Servant 1 (walk him in), and Servant 1 tells him he was given five coins, and he has made five more. The master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Let’s say that together. Do so.
Teacher 2: Next, the master calls Servant 2 (walk him in), and Servant 2 tells him he was given two coins, and he has made two more. The master says, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Let’s say that together again. Do so.
Teacher 1: Finally, Servant 3 comes to the master (walk him in) and tells him he was given one coin, which he buried. Do you think the master was happy about that? Pause for responses. 
Teacher 2: No! The master tells him he should have put it in the bank where it could have made a little more money. Move behind the puppet set while Teacher 1 finishes.
Teacher 1: The master takes the one coin from him and gives it to Servant 1. Take the coin and put it in Servant 1’s pile. Hmmm . . . what do you think of that? Let’s talk to Sam to hear a little more about what this story means for us.
Part 2: Puppet Pal—On a Mission (5 minutes)

2 copies of Day 5 Puppet Script
Boy or girl puppet and clipboard
Mini gold miner’s pan 
Tape

 Prep: Make a mini gold miner’s pan, using either a mini tart pan or foil. Or buy a mini pie and use the foil pan from it. Attach it to the puppet’s hand.
Teacher: Let’s call for Sam. Do so, and have Sam come up. Hey, what are you up to, Sam?
Puppet: I’m on a mission.
Teacher: What kind of mission?
Puppet: Well, the other day, I was going to dig for gold, but it didn’t work out, so today I decided to pan for gold instead. 
Teacher: Have you ever found any gold nuggets?
Puppet: Yes! I have three from my last try at panning for gold. I’m hoping with some hard work, I can find three more.
Teacher: That sounds like the story Jesus told in the Bible. A master left his servants with some coins. Two of the servants used their time wisely and earned more, but one servant didn’t.
Puppet: I want to be like the ones who earned more!
Teacher: For sure! What God is saying is that while we’re waiting for Jesus to come back, his children should use their time and talents wisely and work hard for him. We bring him glory when we love him and obey him. 
Puppet: What are some ways we can do that?
Teacher: Well, I like to say our mission is to know, grow, and go.
Puppet: What’s that mean?
Teacher: The first part of our mission is to get to know God. Become part of his family by believing in Jesus and get to know all about Jesus by reading the Bible.
Puppet: Know Jesus. Okay. What does the grow part mean? Should I grow taller to please God?
Teacher: No, that’s not what it means. It means to grow in your love for Jesus and all the things Jesus loves.
Puppet: What does Jesus love?
Teacher: Well, he loves people—all people—so we should love people too. Jesus wants us to love one another. And Jesus loves it when we love and obey him.
Puppet: Get to know him, grow to love and obey him, and then go. What does the go mean?  
Teacher: He wants you to go and live for him. Tell others about him. Show others you care, just like Jesus did when he was here. Jesus isn’t on earth right now, but you are. Let your life show others how wonderful Jesus is!
Puppet: When I think of what a wonder Jesus is, I want everyone to know that he’s amazing!
Teacher: Awesome! 
Puppet: Powerful!
Teacher: Loving!
Puppet: Kind!
Teacher: He’s the Creator!
Puppet: Immanuel!
Teacher: Carpenter!
Puppet: Almighty!
Teacher: Savior!
Puppet: King of kings!
Teacher: Let’s get out there and share the good news that Jesus offers eternal life to all who believe in him. Let’s remember our mission and use our days wisely for him. 
Puppet: I will! Know, grow, and go. That’s our mission! I won’t forget. Well, speaking of going, I’m actually going to go right now to tell my friend Charley about Jesus, but thanks for sharing so many special memories with me this week at Wonder Junction! It’s been a great week!
Teacher: It has been a great week. Let’s say “bye” to Sam, everyone. Do so.

If you don’t have time to play the review game, skip to the Nugget of Truth question, ending with this important thought. Try to include it even if you must cut something else.

 Part 3: Animal Pal Review (5 minutes) 

Day 5 Animal Pal Poster
Wonder Junction Maps and Mission stickers, 1 per person
Optional: Bookmarks

 Share the Day 5 Animal Pal Poster to summarize today’s teaching. Pass out the Wonder Junction Maps and Mission stickers, and have kids add today’s animal pal. They can take these home today. You may want to show them the bookmarks that are available if you plan to give these out.
What kind of animal is our animal pal today? A horse. And what’s our horse’s name? Mission. Mission is on a mission. He’s got a job to do, just like the Old West circuit riders who came to town to share the good news of Jesus. They would ride on their horses from town to town to tell people about Jesus and to care for people. They were on a mission, and we should be too!
Continue reviewing with the following questions. Be sure to give the correct answer for any “no” questions. Have the kids gallop in place like a horse if the answer is yes and stand still if it is no.
Yes or no: Jesus will come back someday. Yes—gallop.
Yes or no: He’s going to come back in a plane. No—stand still. He’s going to come back in the clouds.
Yes or no: We know the day he’s coming back. No—stand still. We don’t know when he’s coming back, but he promised he will, so he will.
Yes or no: Jesus always keeps his promises. Yes—gallop.
Yes or no: In our Bible account today, the master had three servants. Did all three use their time wisely to get more coins? No—stand still. Two of them did, but one of them didn’t.
Yes or no: The master said, “Well done, good and faithful servant” to the first two servants. Yes—gallop.
Yes or no: The master was pleased with Servant 3 who buried his one coin. No—stand still.
Yes or no: While we’re waiting for Jesus to come back, we should waste time and do nothing. No—stand still.
Yes or no: God wants us to get to know him, grow to love him more, and go tell others about him. Yes—gallop.
Nugget of Truth
Ready for an important question? Yes or no: Is Jesus the King of kings? Yes! Jesus is the best king ever. He’s the King over all other kings. In fact, he’s King over the whole universe! If you think of the most loving, kind, forgiving king who ever lived, Jesus is even better! Keep living in wonder of Jesus!
Apply It!
In any remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. These are also on the Pre-Primary Student Guide and can be done at home with a parent or caretaker if you are out of time.
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 any items to your supply list accordingly.

Day 5 Memory Verse Poster 
Optional: Student Guides and supplies
Optional: Memory Verse music and player

Part 1: Gold Mine Memory Time
Today’s Verse: Your kingdom come, your will be done. Matthew 6:10
Try the challenge using the day 5 memory verse poster as a reference and the Memory Verse music if you have it.
Challenge: Get ready to gallop! Start at one side of the room and gallop across the room. Can you say the verse perfectly before reaching the other side?
Part 2: Go and Do
God made you on purpose for a purpose with your own abilities and talents. What do you like to do—draw, do math, build things, sing, bake, talk to others? How can you use what God has given you to please Jesus?
Who can you tell about Jesus and what he’s done for us?
Ask God to help you live in wonder of him and live for his glory.
Check AnswersVBS.com/wonderkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: I’m amazed at Jesus! How can I live to please him and bring him praise?

“On a Mission” song
“This Little Light of Mine” song
MP3 download or Simple Songs CD (1221410)
Device to play songs

 Song 1: On a Mission 
Sing this to the tune of “Oh My Darling, Clementine.”
On a mission (March to the left.)
On a mission (March to the right.)
On a mission for the Lord 
(March to the center and point up.)
Get to know him (Open hands for Bible.)
Grow to love him 
(Cross arms over heart.)
Go and tell about the Lord (Put hands to
mouth and move outward.)
Repeat
Song 2: This Little Light of Mine
Verse 1
This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine (Use index finger as a candle moving in a circular motion.)
This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine (Circular motion.)
This little light of mine I’m gonna let it shine (Circular motion.)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine (Continue circular motion.)
Verse 2
Hide it under a bushel? No! (Cup one hand over index finger. Pull hand away and shout, “No!”)
I’m gonna let it shine (Move index finger in a circular motion.)
Hide it under a bushel? No! (Cup hand, then pull away.)
I’m gonna let it shine (Circular motion.
Hide it under a bushel? No! (Cup hand, then pull away.)
I’m gonna let it shine (Circular motion.)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
(Continue circular motion.)
Verse 3
Shine all over ____ (Name of your town—move index finger in a big circle.)
I’m gonna let it shine (Smaller circular motion.)
Shine all over ____ (Name of your town—move index finger in a big circle.)
I’m gonna let it shine (Smaller circular motion.)
Shine all over____ (Name of your town—move index finger in a big circle.)
I’m gonna let it shine (Smaller circular motion.)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
(Continue circular motion.)