Day 1
The Beginning of Life
Made in God’s Image
Bible passageS
Creation of Man
Genesis 1:26–28; 2:7–23
APOLOGETICS FOCUS
They can’t make a monkey out of me! 
(Ape-men Frauds)
FAIR DINKUM VERSE
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Area of Australia
Outback Life—Uluru
Animal pal
Jumpin’ Jack the Kangaroo
LESSON Focus
The Creator created you special! You didn’t evolve from an apelike creature. 

Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Destination 1: The Outback—Uluru
Teach It!
Part 1: The Creation Account—True!
Section 1—Genesis 1–2
Section 2—”Made in God’s Image” Game
Part 2: Human Evolution—False!
Section 1—Doodle Pattern
Section 2—Missing Links
Part 3: Talk it Over Time
Part 4: Review Game
Option 1—Zoom–A–Round
Option 2—Flip the Flop
Apply It!
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Preparing for the Lesson
Watch Three Ways to Make an Ape-Man DVD by Dr. David Menton.
Read Genesis 1–2 to prepare for teaching about the creation of man.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
Visit AnswersVBS.com/zrfaq for more information on ape-men.
Pray.

Day 1 Destination Poster with arrow, preferably laminated
Day 1 Animal Pal Poster
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for teachers (see #8 on page 5)
Mounting putty or tape for hanging posters
Piece of dark paper that is at least 17x22
Optional: Pictures or slides of the outback
Optional: Boomerang

GOSPEL NOTE: Although the gospel is presented in detail during Day 4, other opportunities are provided to share the gospel. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as to which of these opportunities to use.
Introduce It!
Note: These lessons are packed, so keep them moving!
 Destination 1: The Outback—Uluru (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Put up the Australia map scene setter (11-9-126) and any other decorations. (See Decorating Decisions for more info.) Gather your Aussie tour guide costumes, which you’ll wear all week. Laminate and hang the Day 1 Destination Poster next to the big map or actually on it at Uluru, and cover it with a piece of dark paper. Cut out and laminate the “You are Here!” arrow and have it handy to put on the map when noted. 
Optional: Find additional pictures or slides to show (besides the destination poster) while talking about the outback, and gather a boomerang (11-9-157).
As the mates come in and get settled, say:
Tour Guide 1 (Teacher): G’day, mates, and welcome to amazing Australia! My name is ____, and I’ll be your tour guide 
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 rather than as a lead teacher and an assistant, decide which parts of the lesson each of you will be responsible for teaching.
The Bible is listed just once a day in the materials list but is used throughout each lesson at various times, so have it handy and marked to the correct passages ahead of time each day.
Teachers can adopt fun names like Dingo Dan or Outback Ellie.

this week.
Tour Guide 2 (Teacher or Teaching Assistant): And I’m ___. We can’t wait to show you around because Aus-tralia is totally “aus-some!”
TG1: Something cool that was invented in Australia is the boomerang. Do you know how it works? Show the boomerang. When you’re outside, you can throw it, it zooms around, then ends up back where it started. Well, just like a boomerang, we’re going to start in the outback today, then zoom around Australia all week, and end up in the outback on our last day.
Uncover and highlight the day 1 destination poster as you share the following. Share any additional pictures or slides, as well.
Point to the Australia scene setter. There’s a section on this map called the outback. Thumbs up or thumbs down—do you think the outback covers most of the country? Pause. It sure does—about 70 to 80%. Show the area. It’s most of the inside part, but not the perimeter.
Thumbs up or thumbs down—do you think you’d want to live there? Pause. Let’s see if you change your mind after I tell you more. 
It contains ten deserts—yes, ten! It has some of the hottest weather on earth—as high as 122 degrees F (50 degrees C)!
Point to the rancher on the Day 1 Destination Poster. There aren’t many people living in the outback, but some brave it and work there. One job is sheep or cattle ranching. The sheep and cattle stations are huge and spread out. In fact, one cattle station is the size of the whole country of Belgium! Workers have to fly around in helicopters to check on their cattle. Thumbs up or thumbs down—do you think you’d like that job? Pause. 
You’re more likely to die from heat or lack of water than from poisonous animals in the outback, but there are lots of venomous snakes and spiders, like the taipan (a snake) and the redback spider. Point to the thorny devil and the dingo on the Day 1 Destination Poster. There are other animals like the thorny devil, dingo, frilled-necked lizard, and wombat (whose droppings are cube-shaped). And, of course, there’s the kangaroo, like Jumpin’ Jack, our animal pal for today. Show the Day 1 Animal Pal Poster. Thumbs up or thumbs down—would you like to see those animals in the wild? Pause.
TG2: There’s a lot of other cool stuff in the outback, too, like the world’s biggest single rock, which is today’s destination. It’s called Uluru (oo·lar·oo), or Ayers Rock. Place the “You are Here!” arrow by the Day 1 Destination Poster.
TG1: Uluru is taller than the Statue of Liberty, the Great Pyramid, and the Eiffel Tower! Thumbs up or thumbs down—do you think you’d like to climb it? Pause. 

The ancestors of the Aboriginal people had migrated to Australia from the tower of Babel at some point during the past 4,300 years. The people at Babel had heard the truth about creation and the flood from Noah and his family. Over time, the true account changed into what is now part fact (man was created and didn’t evolve), and part fiction.

 TG2: People used to climb it but are no longer permitted to because many Aboriginal people of Australia believe Uluru is a sacred place that’s actually alive. They believe the spirits of their past relatives woke up at one point and created the world, including animals and people, and then went back to sleep in places like the Uluru rock.
TG1: This particular idea about the beginning of the world is called Dreamtime. Because the ancestors of the Aboriginal people came from Noah and his family after the tower of Babel, they had learned the truth about God and his creation. But, sadly, the truth has been changed by people’s ideas over time.
TG2: Where can we go to find the true, original, perfect account of the beginning of life? Take responses. Right! The Bible. There’s no other book on the planet written by God except the Bible. Because God is perfect and true, we know his Word is true and the Bible is the place to go to find out how life began. Let’s check it out. 
Teach It!

Made in God’s Image Poster
C-R-E-A-T-E-D Letters, 1 of each
Chenille stems, 8 per person (any colors)
Dry erase boards and markers, or paper and writing utensils, 1 of each per person or team

 Part 1: The Creation Account—True! (15 minutes)
Pre-prep: Bookmark the Bible passages listed below. Make chenille stem bundles for each person by twisting one stem around the others to hold each bundle together. (Do not try to reuse for new teaching groups. Each child will need his own bundle.) Print the C-R-E-A-T-E-D Letters  (download digital resources from AnswersVBS.com/zoomresources or ask your director to send you the files from the Resource USB).
Section 1—Genesis 1–2

It goes faster each day if you have all supplies for each person already passed out, especially if the kids are sitting on chairs or in a pew. Put them underneath and tell them to leave them there until you tell them what to get out. 
One test church did the “Made in God’s Image” Game as a whole group using just one large marker board.

 Teacher 2 can pass out a chenille stem bundle to each person while Teacher 1 tells them they are going to make something based on what you are reading in the book of Genesis, which is the true account of how life began. You’ll read three passages. Suggest they use two or three chenille stems per reading. 
Take turns reading the following passages from the Bible in the order listed. Stop after each section and have the kids share what they made with the chenille stems. Emphasize that they are creating with materials that are already created. Only God can start with nothing when he creates!
Genesis 1:26
Genesis 2:7
Genesis 2:15–23
Section 2—”Made in God’s Image” Game
Next, Teacher 2 can pass out dry erase boards and dry erase markers or paper and writing utensils either to individuals or small groups while Teacher 1 explains the directions below. For each right answer, they’ll be earning a letter for each person or team, which they can write at the top of their dry erase board or paper. Letters are awarded in random order, as described below. (Hold up the E after answer 1, for instance.) Those who got the answer wrong should close and cover their eyes for a moment so they don’t see the letter. At the end, have everyone unscramble the letters. The first to get the word correct wins. 
If you’re short on time, move quickly through the first six questions or skip questions to allow time to discuss question 7. This is the most crucial—make sure to prioritize it. If you skip any questions, give everyone that letter right before unscrambling the letters.
TG1: So, we’ve seen what God has revealed in his Word about where people came from. Let’s take a quick quiz. I’ll ask a question and you write down your answer. If you get it right, we’ll show you a letter that you’ll use to form a word at 
Teachers can take turns reading questions during any game.

the end of the game. If you got it wrong, just close your eyes when we say. Okay, here we go.
 Q. We just read a verse in the Bible that says, “Let us make man in our image.” Who is us?
A. God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. There is one God who exists in three persons. 
Letter if they got the answer right: E 
Q. What was Adam made out of?
A. God formed Adam of dust from the ground (Genesis 2:7). God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and he became a living creature. This means Adam’s respiratory system, the system that helps you breathe, was fully formed and working perfectly right away. Our good Creator God designed Adam and all his parts to work together right from the start! 
Letter if they got the answer right: A
Q. Yes or No: Did Adam share an ancestor with an ape? 
A. No. God made different kinds of apes and monkeys on day 6 (Genesis 1:24–25), the same day he made Adam in his image. No animal kind, including apes, can change into a different animal kind or into a person.
Letter if they got the answer right: E
Q. God gave the first man, Adam, a job. What was it?  
A. Naming all the animals and taking care of the garden (Genesis 2:15, 19). Work, in the beginning, was a good part of God’s design for people.
God created Adam to know how to do this. Adam wasn’t an apelike creature who couldn’t talk, like some people suggest. He was fully functional and intelligent from the very beginning. He communicated with God and had an important job. Also, from studying the Bible, we learn God created Adam about 6,000 years ago. The first people didn’t come about millions of years ago.
Letter if they got the answer right: D 
Q. Who was the other person God made?
A. Eve. Both Adam and Eve were made in God’s image. Adam wasn’t able to find a helper from the animals. Adam was a human man and he needed a human woman to be his special mate. 
Letter if they got the answer right: R
Q. What does it mean to have dominion over the animals?
A. People are to take care of the animals and have authority over them. We are to be kind stewards of the animals. We can use animals for our benefit but we are not to abuse them. People are not just another animal—we are made in God’s image and set apart from the animals. 
Letter if they got the answer right: T
Q. What might it mean to be made in God’s image?
A. Answers will vary, but discuss the following. Use the prompts to have the students finish the first six sentences below, and then continue.
God has many qualities or characteristics, all of them good and perfect. Each person, made in his image, can reflect those good qualities—not perfectly and not in all ways, but to some degree. Help finish the sentence when I pause. 
God is love. People are able to ___. (love) 
God cares for us. We’re able to ___. (care for others) 
God is creative. We’re able to be ___. (creative) 
God communicates with us. We’re able to ___. (communicate/talk) 
God made and enjoys beautiful things. We’re able to enjoy ___. (beautiful things)
God has authority over all. We have authority over the plants and the ___. (animals) 
Now, let’s think about animals. Write down one thing people can do that animals can’t do on your dry erase board (or paper). Discuss responses, then show the made in god’s image poster and add any of the following, depending on what they said.
Animals can’t write poems or letters. (If my dog ever wrote me a letter—whoa! But he won’t, because he can’t.) People can form letters, combine them to form words, and use them to write poems and books. 
Animals can’t make the notes on a piano into a beautiful song. People can design, build, and play instruments.  
Animals don’t use the Bible to figure out right and wrong. People do look to their Creator and his guidelines given in his Word to determine what’s right and wrong. 
Animals don’t enjoy and appreciate beauty. (Have you ever seen Fido getting excited about listening to classical music or wanting to watch the sun set? And what about beautiful flowers? Fido is more likely to eat them!) People can appreciate a beautiful sunset or a piece of artwork.  
Animals can’t invent new tools to make other tools. (And now, the latest invention by Ellie the Elephant—I don’t think so.) People can design and invent new machines. 
Animals can’t cook or bake in an oven or on a stove. People can use a variety of different foods to come up with a delicious meal. 

Gospel Opportunity

Animals can’t talk in full sentences. People can form words into sentences to communicate. 
 Animals can’t have a relationship with God through Jesus. People can have a personal relationship with their Creator through belief in Jesus Christ. 
Letter if they got the answer right: C
Have them now try to unscramble the word. The correct answer is CREATED. Announce the winners of the game and remind them of the following.
People and animals are very different. People are unique—we’re made in God’s image. No other creature is. And because you’re 
Monkey-to-Man Poster, laminated, and dry erase marker
Missing Link Poster Set
Doodle Pattern, 1 per person
Doodle Pattern Answer Key
Drawing utensils, 1 per person
Optional: Nebraska Man picture by Forestier
Optional: Picture of Aboriginal people in chains

made in God’s image, you have value and dignity—and so does every other person. That value’s not because of something you’ve done (your abilities) or what you look like. Your value is given to you by God as his image-bearer. 
So we’ve studied the truth about the beginning of human life. Now let’s take a few minutes to talk about a false idea of how human life began.  
Part 2: Human Evolution—False! (15 minutes) 
Pre-prep: Cut the Monkey-to-Man Poster and the Missing Link Poster Set into individual posters. Laminate the Monkey-to-Man Poster. 
Optional: Print the Nebraska Man picture by Amedee Forestier and a historical picture of Aboriginal people in chains.
Section 1—Doodle Pattern
TG1: We already mentioned the Dreamtime, which is one idea about where people came from. It acknowledges people are created but has sadly lost the truth about who the Creator is. Now let’s look at another popular idea called human evolution. You may have heard of evolution at school, at the zoo, on TV, or in a museum. “Molecules-to-man evolution” is the idea that people evolved from apelike creatures.
Put up the monkey-to-man poster.
TG2: Some people and books will tell you we didn’t start out as humans but as some kind of ape. Point to the picture on the far left. Have you ever heard that? Take responses. Some people believe monkeys and apes came from the same ancestor, and an apelike creature turned into an ape-man, who then turned into modern humans. This gradual change from apelike creatures to man is called human evolution.
TG1: To try to prove this idea of human evolution, scientists have searched for a missing link, something they need for evolution to be true. A missing link would be a creature that’s in between an animal and a person. Point to the 
A faster version of this activity is to hold up the doodle pattern for all to see and take suggestions as to what it might be. If time, however, have the kids draw it. It was great fun and an impactful teaching moment at the test churches.

examples on the poster. It wouldn’t be fully animal or fully human. It would be a transitional form in between. Let’s try a little drawing activity to explain this more.
Pass out the doodle pattern and writing utensil to each child. When everyone is ready, hold up the doodle pattern and say:
TG2: How many of you like to doodle? Pause. Well, this looks like it’s just a doodle right now. But it’s part of a creature. I want you to imagine what that creature is and quickly draw the rest of the creature from the doodle. Don’t let anyone else see what you’re drawing.
Give them a minute to do so. Then briefly check out the pictures and discuss the possibilities of what creature the doodle belongs to. Show them the doodle pattern answer key and say that’s what it was supposed to be. Then say:
TG1: Look at the various ways you interpreted that little part of a picture. Some of you thought the doodle belonged to a _____. Knowing that it was just a doodle, your imagination took over and created the rest of the animal, didn’t it? But look what it really was!
TG2: In the same way, scientists may find a tooth, a bone, or an entire skeleton and then try to figure out what type of animal it belonged to. Nobody was there, so they try to use other ideas to reconstruct the animal. Sometimes the scientists have artists draw what they think the creature looked like from just one tooth or bone. Well, as you can probably imagine, in some cases, the drawing of the creature doesn’t look anything like what it actually was. But these drawings are then used to support evolutionary ideas about missing links.
TG1: Let’s check out some supposed missing links to hear more about this, remembering that the Bible is the final 
This can also be done using one large whiteboard up front, with the whole group deciding together which column each fossil find goes in.

authority.
Section 2—Missing Links
 Have the kids flip over their doodle paper and use the back to make a chart with three columns labeled APE/ANIMAL, APE-MAN, and MAN. Share several or all of the following fossil finds and how they were really fakes or mistakes. Decide which key pieces of information you want to share about each one, but don’t feel compelled to share everything written here. It is suggested to include the last one, Aboriginal 
If you are running short on time, skip having them make a chart, but instead just share some or all of the examples. You can move fast through the info—they will catch on and be interested!

people. Use the Missing LInks Poster SEt as you discuss. At the noted time, have them determine which column each goes in. (Spoiler alert for teachers: None goes in the ape-man category.) They can write abbreviations for the terms, such as RAM for Ramapithecus. By the end, they will see no ape-men have ever been found and none ever will be. 
 For more information on these finds, visit answersingenesis.org/missing-links.
Tour Guides 1 and 2 can take turns reading these. 
Lucy
One possible “missing link” is named Lucy. What’s a missing link, again? Take answers. Here’s info about Lucy you may have heard.
Where it was found: Ethiopia in 1974
What was found: Some bones
What was said about it: Lucy (named after a Beatles’ song) could walk upright, had a hairy body, and had human hands and feet. Do you think Lucy was an ape/animal, an ape-man, or a man?
Have them write their guess on their chart at this point. When done, show the missing link poster—Lucy.
The real story: All the bones found of Lucy were very obviously bones from an ape. However, the scientist who found Lucy falsely said her knee bone showed she walked standing up, like men. When the bones were measured, they showed she didn’t walk upright but walked more like a chimp or an orangutan—an ape. A scientist also said her hip bone showed she walked upright, but he actually had to grind away parts of the bone and glue them together to make it look like she walked upright. Lucy was actually a type of chimp! 
Where it goes on the chart: APE/ANIMAL—Have them give themselves a star if they got that right.
Ramapithecus 
Ramapithecus, or Ram for short, is another possible “missing link.”
Where it was found: India in the 1930s
What was found: A few teeth and a jawbone about two inches long
What was said about it: Ramapithecus was the first ape to walk standing up on two legs. He was thought to be a missing link that helped prove that human evolution was true. Where do you think Ram belongs on the chart?
Have them write their guess on their chart at this point. When done, show the missing link poster—ramapithecus. 
The real truth: This picture shows Ramapithecus looking more like a person, like you’d see in a textbook or in a museum. However, scientists later found the whole jaw of Ramapithecus and proved it was just an ape after all. The jaw matched up perfectly with apes still alive. And yet we still see pictures today of Ramapithecus walking upright, even though it’s a well-known fact it was just an ape. When you see pictures like this, you can know they are based on imagination and not truth. Ramapithecus was just an ape.
Where it goes on the chart: APE/ANIMAL—Have them give themselves a star if they got that right.
Neanderthal (knee-ANDER-thall)
Another possible “missing link” is Neanderthal man. 
Where it was found: In a cave in the Neander valley in Germany beginning in 1856
What was found: Skulls, shoulder bones, hip bones
What was said about it: This was labeled as an early, apelike man who was stooped over, hairy, primitive, and swinging a club. Where do you think he goes on the chart?
Have them write their guess on their chart at this point. When done, show the missing link poster—neanderthal.
The real truth: Neanderthals were people who sometimes lived in caves. They were our relatives (just as all humans are our relatives). They were descendants of people who had moved from the tower of Babel about 4,200 years ago during the ice age. We know that some may have had rickets or arthritis, and so some were a bit stooped over in posture because of those conditions. It makes sense that they would get those diseases after living in cold, damp caves with little sunlight and a poor diet.
Living in a cave doesn’t make a person an ape-man. People today in various areas of the world, including Australia, live in caves. People have lived in caves throughout time because this is a reasonable shelter at times. Living in a cave does not make you an animal!
 Neanderthals were intelligent.
They buried their loved ones and had elaborate funerals. 
They had many tools and worked with skins and leather. 
They played instruments. (A flute was recently found.) 
They wore jewelry.
Where it goes on the chart: MAN—Have them give themselves a star if they got that right.
Piltdown Man
Another supposed “missing link” is Piltdown Man.
Where it was found: Near the town of Piltdown, England, between 1908 and 1912
What was found: A human-looking skull and an ape-looking jawbone
What was said about it: At the time, this was supposedly the oldest man ever found. Where do you think it goes on the chart?
Have them write their guess on their chart at this point. When done, show the missing link poster—piltdown man.
The real truth: Piltdown Man was a complete fake. The jawbone was from an orangutan (ape), but chemicals had been used on it to make it look old, and the teeth were filed down to fit the skull, which was a human skull. When you see pictures like this, you can know they are based on someone’s imagination and not on scientific truth. 
Where it goes on the chart: NOWHERE—it is disqualified because it was a complete fake. Have them give themselves a star if they got that right.
Nebraska Man
We also have one called Nebraska Man.
Where it was found: In Nebraska in 1922
What was found: A tooth
What was said about it: The tooth found for Nebraska Man was used as proof for human evolution. He was drawn as a hairy ape-man. You may want to show the famous picture of Nebraska Man drawn by Amedee Forestier. Where do you think it goes on the chart?
Have them write their guess on their chart at this point. When done, show the missing link poster—nebraska man.
The real truth: It was discovered that the tooth was from a rare pig! Yet, from just that one tooth fossil, the artist drew Nebraska Man and his surroundings. Drawings like this are based on someone’s imagination and are not scientific truth.
Where it goes on the chart: APE/ANIMAL—Have them give themselves a star if they got that right.
Aboriginal People 
Aboriginal people are the last example we’re going to talk about. For a long time, people have thought wrongly about Aboriginal people. But in the 1800s, a man named Charles Darwin made popular the idea of human evolution and missing links. As his ideas spread, the mistreatment of the Aboriginal people increased. They were nicknamed “savages” and were considered less human and more apelike than other humans. You may want to show a picture of Aboriginal people in chains.
What was done: As settlers came to Australia, they believed it was okay to treat the people who had been living there for a long time (called Aborigines or native Australians) the same as wild beasts or birds. Their homes and property were taken. Their children were taken. Aboriginal people were killed and some were shipped to museums as exhibits in the name of evolutionary ideas. 
What was said: Men would put them on display, trying to demonstrate that they were sub-human and not as smart as other humans. 
After hearing this, where do you think Aboriginal people belong on the chart?
Have them write their guess on their chart at this point. When done, show the missing link poster—aboriginal people.
The real truth: Aboriginal people were and are fully human! They’re made in the image of God. This mistreatment of them is sickening and evil and was done in the name of human evolution, which asserts that some people are better than others because they’re higher on an imaginary evolutionary chart. That idea is totally false. Each person is created equal and precious, including every Aboriginal person.
Where it goes on the chart: MAN—Have them give themselves a star if they got that right and add up how many they got.
If time, have the kids share their thoughts and conclusions about their charts. Then say:
The truth of the matter is no true ape-men fossils have ever been found, and they never will be, because there’s no such thing. God created different kinds of apes and different kinds of monkeys on day 6. The same day, in his most special act of creating, God made the first two people in his image.  Don’t be thrown if you hear reports of new fossil finds. Just remember that these finds always have an untold story behind them and are really either apes or men. These drawings are from someone’s imagination because they don’t believe the Bible. They aren’t based on truth. So whenever you see a drawing like this, you can do this. Draw a big X over the monkey-to-man poster. Remember to erase the X before the next class.
If anyone says you evolved from an apelike creature or are related to monkeys, you can say: They can’t make a monkey out of me! Say this together.
Part 3: Talk It Over Time (5–10 minutes)
Take a few minutes to ask one or more of these questions to the class. If short on time, just wrap up your Teach It! section by focusing on one of these questions with application, such as question 5.
Have you ever heard the idea of molecules-to-man evolution or that it took millions of years for life to come about? What have you heard? Where have you heard it?
Is the fact that we have amazingly complex and intricate bodies consistent with the idea that we came about through random processes or that we were designed by God?
If a person thought he came from an animal, how do you think he would behave? When someone knows she has been made by God, in his image, how do you think she might behave?
Why do you think the idea of molecules-to-man evolution leads to some people being mistreated by other people?
Knowing we are made in God’s image, how do you think God wants us to treat others?
Do you think it’s important to tell others that God is the perfect Creator and he made people in his image? Why?
Part 4: Review Game (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Choose an option below. Option 1 requires no pre-prep except gathering the timer. Option 2 needs the supplies listed in the sidebar. 

Timer

 Option 1—Zoom–A–Round
This is the faster option each day. Put 60 seconds on the timer. Quickly read a question, and have everyone shout out their answers as soon as you finish reading the question. As soon as you hear someone say the right answer, 
Flip-flops, 1 per team
Cone or ball

affirm that answer and move to the next question. The group as a whole wins if they get through all the questions in one minute.
Option 2—Flip the Flop
 Some Australians like to play a version of this game. Gather one small cone or ball and one flip-flop per 
One test church used painter’s tape on the floor for the target rather than a cone or ball.

team. Divide into two or more teams. Ask a question. On the count of three, have the teams shout out their answers. Each team that answers correctly gets to flip the flip-flop, meaning throw a flip-flop at an established target (the cone or ball that is a distance away). Any team that has their flip-flop land so it is touching the target gets a point. If nobody does, the closest team to the target gets a point. 
Questions
Who is today’s animal pal?
Answer: Jumpin’ Jack the kangaroo. Jumpin’ Jack is hopping by to remind us we are created special by a special Creator. We haven’t evolved from animals.
What is a “missing link”?
Answer: In this context, a “missing link” is a supposed apelike creature that is in between an ape and a human. No such thing exists.
Yes or no: People share an ancestor with apes.
Answer: No. God created apes, and then he created people in his image.
In what kind of place did some Neanderthal people live?
Answer: A cave. It’s not unusual for people to live in caves.
Why are some Neanderthal fossils found with curved spines, meaning they were stooped over?
Answer: The people had arthritis or rickets.
Where should we start when wanting answers about the past?
Answer: The Bible. God is the one who has always been and always will be. He is the Creator and we can trust him. 
Give an example of how people can reflect God’s image.
Answers will vary.
Name something people can do that animals can’t.
Answers will vary.
Name something people can do that animals can’t.
Answers will vary.
Yes or no: People are just another animal.
Answer: No. People are God’s special creation. We are made differently from the animals. We are made in God’s image.

Day 1 Student Guides, 1 per child
Adventure Journals, 1 per child
Stamp for Adventure Journals

Apply It!
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. You won’t have time to do all of them, but these ideas are also on the back of the Student Guides. Send the guides home each day as a fun review, and also encourage the mates to do the practical ideas (the Go and Do sections) that apply the lesson to real life. They’re important!
Put a stamp in the Adventure Journals, or have the group guides do so as the kids first arrive at VBS. 
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses

Theme Verse Poster and Day 1 Memory Verse Poster 
Memory Verse Music and player

 Pre-prep: Cue the memory verse song. Hang up the Day 1 Memory Verse Poster and the Theme Verse Poster.
Today’s Verse: So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27  
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate memory verse song and using the day 1 memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Check Your Hearing—Say the verse first in a very loud voice. Next, say it a little softer. Continue to say it softer and softer until you are just whispering or mouthing it.
Tomorrow’s Verse: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
Try the Challenge again, this time saying tomorrow’s verse, which is also the week’s theme verse.

End each day’s Land Down Under Lesson Time with prayer. 
One test church gives bonus contest points for every Go and Do the kids complete at home on their Student Guides.

Part 2: Go and Do
Look up Isaiah 64:8 and Psalm 100:3. Who made you? Get some play dough and form it into a person. You are the creator of that person, but you can’t bring it to life, can you? How is God’s creation of you so much greater than your play dough creation?
Pray and tell God what an amazing Creator he is and why you’re thankful you’re specially made in his own image. Remember: God doesn’t make any mistakes! He does all things well—including making you!
Sadly, many Aboriginal people were treated poorly because other people thought they were better than them. Can you think of anyone you know who is looked down on and treated poorly for some reason? What can you do to encourage that person?
With your parent or guardian, brainstorm things people can do that animals can’t. For inspiration, you may want to observe your pet, animals at a zoo, or animals online. Remember—you don’t come from an animal! 
Check AnswersVBS.com/zrkids for more fun information!

Stand at the door and say goodbye as the mates leave.

Ask yourself this question: Am I prepared to treat every person with kindness and respect, knowing each one is made in God’s image?
Day 2
The Wonder of Life 
Made with Amazing Design
Bible Passage 
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made 
Psalm 139:13–16
APOLOGETICS FOCUS
God thought of everything! 
(Design Features of Our Bodies)
Fair Dinkum Verse
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
Area of Australia
Great Barrier Reef
Animal pal
Shimmer the Coral
LESSON focus
You are fearfully and wonderfully made, with a body full of awe-inspiring design features.

Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Destination 2: Great Barrier Reef
Teach It!
Part 1: Parts of the Body Stations
Part 2: Talk it Over Time
Part 3: Review Game
Option 1—Zoom–A–Round
Option 2—Egg and Spoon Race
Apply It!
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Psalm 139 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
Visit AnswersVBS.com/zrfaq for more information on design features of our bodies.
Pray.

Day 2 Destination Poster with arrow, preferably laminated
Day 2 Animal Pal Poster
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape
Dry erase boards and markers, or paper and writing utensils, 1 of each per team
Piece of dark paper that is at least 17x22
Timer
Optional: Turtle, fishbowl, or aquarium with fish
Optional: Pictures or slides of the Great Barrier Reef

Introduce It!
 Destination 2: Great Barrier Reef (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Move the Day 1 posters to a side wall or panel. Hang the Day 2 Destination Poster next to the big map or actually on it at the Great Barrier Reef, and cover it with a dark piece of paper. Take the “You are Here!” arrow off the map and have it ready to use again today. 
Optional: Find additional pictures or slides to show while talking about the Great Barrier Reef. Bring a turtle, a fishbowl, or an aquarium with fish to have up front as a fun visual.
Tour Guide 1: G’day, mates! We’re going to start our day off with a quick game. Let’s divide into pairs or threesomes, each with a dry erase board and marker (or paper and a writing utensil).
When I say “Go!” your group has 45 seconds to whisper and write down as many key words as possible from yesterday’s lesson. Remember that we talked about the true account of how man began and the false account of human evolution and missing links. Okay, I’ll give you one to start—Ramapithecus. Go ahead and write down “Ram” for short. And by the way, spelling doesn’t count. 
On your mark, get set, go!

Remember: It’s faster if each day’s supplies are under the chairs or pews so you don’t have to pass them out.

Have them write down their words. After 45 seconds, quickly go through some of the words they came up with. Make brief comments on some—don’t take long—then move on.
Tour Guide 2: Now on to our Australian destination for today. Do any of you think you know where it is? Yes, the Great Barrier Reef, which is right here. Uncover the day 2 destination poster and place the “You are Here!” arrow by it. 
Highlight the pictures on the day 2 destination poster as you share the following. If you gathered additional pictures or slides, share them as well.

The kids and teachers at one test church marveled at the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef and imagined how beautiful heaven is going to be if there’s a place so beautiful on earth.

The Great Barrier Reef is sometimes called one of the seven natural wonders of the world because it’s, well, such a wonder! 
How many of you like football? Pause. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef in the world and it’s huge—the size of 70 million football fields! That’s bigger than the whole country of Italy!
It’s so big, it can be seen from outer space.
Point to the fish and turtle. There are cool animals living in it—whale sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, sea snakes, dugongs, giant clams, seahorses, mantis shrimp, and giant tritons. One out of every ten fish in the whole world live here, including the maori wrasse fish that’s 6 feet long, the damselfish, and of course, the clownfish.
Do you think you’d want to go scuba diving there? Pause for responses. Well, this may change your mind! It’s also home to some of the deadliest creatures on the planet, like the stonefish, the blue-ringed octopus, and the box jellyfish.
Point to the coral. And, of course, it has coral—miles and miles and miles of coral. 
TG1: Show the day 2 animal pal poster. Our animal pal, Shimmer, reminds us that God created all those amazing animals that live there. And they’re a wonder. But nothing comes close to God’s greatest creation—people! We are the greatest wonder of all! Each one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made by God.  
TG2: Did you hear that word “fearfully”? What do you think it means? Take answers. “Fearfully” doesn’t mean being afraid. It’s really like saying, “You’re a WOW! You’re a one-of-a-kind creation! You’re a masterpiece made by God, who should be praised and honored for his incredible creation of you!”
TG1: The Bible tells us God designed you and knit you together in your mother’s body (womb). Let’s read Psalm 139:13–16 together. Do so. 
TG2: Each and every part God made is for a special purpose, so let’s check out the wonder of you as we travel around to some stations today and see how your bodies showcase an amazing Designer.
Teach It!
Part 1: Parts of the Body Stations (20–25 minutes)
Pre-prep: Cut apart the Parts of the body poster set. Gather the supplies for each station you plan to do. Supplies are listed by each station.
There are six options listed below. Allow about five minutes per station. Choose as many as time allows. Present them in one of two ways.
Option 1: Stations in Small Groups
Divide kids into small groups and have them rotate from station to station. For example, group one starts at the bones station, group two at the nose station, etc. This works well if you have enough adults or teens to man each station. It allows for more interaction and hands-on fun. Make sure all equipment and the teaching information for each part of the body are at the appropriate locations.
Option 2: Whole Group
Keep everyone together as a large class. This option is fun and may need less preparation ahead of time. It also requires less supervision and goes faster.

Parts of the Body Poster—Bones
Rag doll
Grain of rice
Timer

Station 1: BONES

God has wonderfully created us. Yet, in this sin-cursed world, we experience much sickness and suffering. As you point out the incredibly designed features we have, be mindful of those who may have a disability in some area (for example, some are unable to feel pain, some may not be able to smell, some may have brittle bones) and, as questions arise, gently teach the truth about why such things exist in God’s creation. For more information, see answersingenesis.org/articles/hcalg/.
Teachers can go back and forth on sharing these bulleted points or take turns with the stations—one does the bones, the other the nose, then back to the first teacher for the DNA, and so forth.

 Show the kids a rag doll and emphasize how floppy it is. Have them pretend to flop like a rag doll, then have them stand up straight and tall. 
Rag dolls can’t stand up straight and tall like we can, can they?
Challenge them to hold their arms out for as long as they can. Stop after 30 seconds.
Rag dolls can’t hold their arms out to their sides, can they?
Challenge them to see how long they can stand on one leg. Stop after 30 seconds. Then try standing on the other leg with eyes closed for 20 seconds.
Rag dolls can’t stand on one leg, can they?
Explain that we can stand straight and tall and hold our arms out to our sides and stand on one leg because God created us with bones. Our bones are like a frame that holds us up. We’d be like a floppy doll without them. All our bones together make our frame, which is called a skeleton.
Hold up the Parts of the Body POSTER—Bones. God thought of everything when he made bones. For instance, did you know: 
Your bones are stronger than steel or concrete (four times stronger than concrete!) and can handle tremendous pressure, yet God designed them to be lightweight.
Bones come in all different shapes and sizes. Hold up a grain of rice. The smallest is about this size. Point to where you think it’s found. Do so. It’s in your ear! Point to where you think your longest bone is. Do so. It’s in your leg. Every bone has its own special function. For instance, God designed your leg bones to be long and thick so they can carry the weight of your body. 
God made some bones to protect squishy parts of your body. Feel the top of your head. Do so. Those bones protect your brain. Feel your ribs. Do so. Those bones protect your heart. What would happen if you didn’t have those hard bones 
Before class, make an example of bones and cartilage using spools of thread, round make-up pads or sponges, and heavy duty string. Place the pads between each spool of thread, and take the string up through them all, making a column that alternates spools of thread and soft pads. Keep it loose enough so the whole stack can bend a little.

protecting your brain and heart? Take responses.
Move your nose. Do so. Your nose isn’t a bone but is made of cartilage. God designed your nose out of cartilage, and he also placed cartilage between your bones to keep your bones from rubbing against each other. For instance, you have cartilage between each of the bones in your back. This cartilage is like having a cushion between two bones. Show an example if you made one. See the sidebar for directions, or just have several kids make fists and stack them on top of each other with make-up pads or sponges in between each fist.
Here’s something crazy—your skeleton can renew itself! God created your bones to heal on their own. Yes, doctors can set them in a splint or cast, but the healing that’s happening inside is part of God’s design.
There’s no way your skeleton just came together by chance, or evolved, over millions of years. It was wonderfully designed by God, and God thought of everything! 

Parts of the Body Poster—Nose
4–6 zippered baggies or condiment cups with lids, one set for demo or one set per person
4–6 cotton balls (for demo or per person)
4–6 of the following scents (for demo or per person): pickle juice, lemon extract, coffee, peppermint extract, pineapple juice, liquid garlic, or vanilla extract; or use 4–6 essential oils
Quart jar

Station 2: NOSE
Pre-prep: Dip or sprinkle each cotton ball in one of the suggested scents and put into a snack-sized zippered baggie or condiment cup. You can either make one set that everyone will smell or individual sets for each child. If making individual sets, to make it go fast, one test church filled squeeze bottles and squirted a couple drops on each cotton ball, then numbered each lid—all the pickle juice cups with a #1, for instance. They then put one set with four different condiment cups in a zippered baggie for each child. Don’t do this too much in advance or the smells will dissipate.
 Pass around one baggie or cup at a time and have kids try to guess the mystery smell. Or have each child smell the first cup if they have individual sets. Then say: 
Our bodies have a part that allows us to smell. What part of the body is it? Nose. 
Hold up the Parts of the Body POSTER—NOSE. God thought of everything. God gave us a nose, and it does a great job of smelling. In fact, did you know . . .
Your nose can distinguish between 1 trillion different smells! Being able to smell protects you from danger (just think if you couldn’t smell smoke?) and helps to keep you alive. God put it right above your mouth for a reason. It warns you of danger, smelling moldy or rotten or poisonous things before you put them into your body.
There are tiny hairs inside your nose. They filter out dirt and germs so they don’t pass into your body.
You also have mucus in your nose, which you might call something else—snot! Hold up the quart size jar. Your nose and sinuses make about a quart of this every day! Do you think mucus seems gross? Pause for responses. It has the important job of keeping the lining of your nose moist. It also warms the air you breathe so your lungs don’t freeze. Good thing God made mucus!
The part of the brain that processes smells also deals with memories, so often when you smell a certain scent, it’ll 
Parts of the Body Poster—DNA
Long paper strips, 1 per child
Writing utensils, 1 per child

remind you of a memory. Have you ever walked into a room and thought it smelled just like Grandma’s house?
There’s no way your nose just happened by chance. It was wonderfully designed by God, and God thought of everything!
 Station 3: DNA
Pre-prep: Cut paper into long strips.
Pass out one long strip and a writing utensil to each child and have them write a long, scrambled code of letters without looking at anyone else’s. They can use any letters they want, in any order they want, as often as they want. Assure them there is no right or wrong answer. When done, compare each other’s and see if any two are in the identical order (extremely improbable). 
Hold up the Parts of the Body poster—DNA. 
Inside each of your bodies is a set of coded instructions called DNA (which stands for deoxyribonucleic acid). The code determines if you have red hair, black, brown, or blonde hair; if you have small feet or larger feet; if your hair grows fast, or if you hardly ever need haircuts. These and so many more things make each of you unique. Like your alphabet string, nobody else has the same coded information as you. God placed the coded information for you in a special order inside your body. This information gives instructions not only about your hair and eye color, but also about whether you’re a boy or a girl, whether you’ll be tall or short, and tons of other details. Also, did you know . . . 
DNA is like a library, storing piles of information, except DNA is far more complicated and stores far more information in each cell than the biggest library or the biggest, fanciest super-computer man has ever made.
Adam and Eve had perfect bodies and great variety in their DNA. They passed that variety on to their children, and so on. Some of the DNA variety was lost during the flood of Noah’s day since only eight people survived to repopulate the earth, but there’s still an amazingly beautiful variety today.
There’s no way your DNA code just happened by chance. It was wonderfully designed by God, and God thought of 
Parts of the Body Poster—Hands
Ball(s)

everything!
Station 4: HANDS
First, with hands behind their backs, have two volunteers come up front and try to pass the ball using 
One test church used tennis balls.

any part of their bodies but their hands. Or have all the kids try, if time.  
Hold up the Parts of the Body poster—HANDS. Then say:
 The hands are a wonderful invention of God. Did you know . . .
God designed your hands with many special features. They’re very flexible (have everyone flex their hands) because God put many joints in them. They’re highly sensitive to hot, cold, and pain because there are many nerves running through them—more than anywhere else in the body. 
They have special skin on them called friction skin that’s designed to help with gripping objects. These ridges are what make your fingerprints and act sort of like the grippy socks that help you not slip when you’re walking. 
Your fingers have fingernails at the tips which protect the fingers from getting injured. 
Have all the kids bend their thumbs inside their palms. Try to do something without using those thumbs, such as writing, buttoning a shirt, or tying a shoe.
The thumbs are quite unique. Thumbs enable humans to build and invent and move things around in ways animals can’t. They allow you to do delicate jobs, like threading a needle, or big, tough jobs, like picking up heavy bricks.
You use over 30 joints and 50 muscles in your hands and arms just to put one bite of food into your mouth. That’s a lot of complex design right there!
There’s no way your hands just happened by chance. They were wonderfully designed by God, and God thought of everything!

Parts of the Body Poster—Eyes
1 small non-breakable mirror for every 1–2 children (or a big mirror they can all look in)
Onion, knife (adult only) and cutting board

Station 5: EYES
First, pass out the small mirrors. Then say:

You may want to cut up the onion ahead of time.
If you have time, darken the room so they can see how their pupil changes.

 Your eyes are incredibly complex. Read Proverbs 20:12. Look at your eyes in the mirror.  
Did you know . . .
Your eye is like a camera but can do much more than any man-made camera. It’s constantly taking pictures and sending them to your brain.
Look at the clear part of your eye. That’s the cornea. It’s like a window to look through. Did you know it’s really part of your skin? God designed this particular patch of skin to be crystal clear and with no hair or glands so you can see right through it. 
Do you see the little dark circle in the center of your eye? That’s called the pupil, the part of your eye that lets light in. When light is really bright, your pupil gets smaller, because it doesn’t want all that bright light in. In darkness, the pupil gets really big so as much light as possible can shine through. God thought of everything and made your pupil adjustable. You don’t even have to think about it!
How long would it take you to do a flip? Take responses or have someone demonstrate one carefully! You’re doing flips constantly with your eyes. Your eyes picture everything upside down, but your brain makes the pictures flip over. It happens so fast you don’t even realize it!
Now flex one of your muscles. Do so. Did you know your eyes have muscles? In fact, they’re some of the busiest muscles in your body. If your leg muscles worked as hard as your eye muscles, they’d have to walk 50 miles a day.
God designed the eye muscles to move in perfect coordination so you can see what you’re looking at. Move your eyes to the right and the left. Do so. You have eye muscles that are like the reins on a horse, directing your eyes to move right and left. Now move them up and down. Do so. You have other muscles that move the eyes up and down. Now move them around. Do so. And you have muscles that rotate the eyes, sort of like how a doorknob rotates. All these work together quickly to give you the gift of sight.
If time, next cut up the onion and have a volunteer or all of them smell it. Try to get the tears flowing! Then tell them the following information about tears:
God also gave you eyelids, eyelashes, eyebrows, and tears. These all work together to keep your eyes clean and protect them from getting infected. 
Tears also keep your eyes smooth so you can see well. Did you know that without tears, you would go blind? 
Normally, you have just the right amount of tear fluid in your eyes so you can see at your best. But once in a while, when you cry, more tear fluid builds up. Then you can’t see as well. God put little pumps in that remove the extra tear fluid. The tears drain down the back of your throat, and you get the sniffles. If a lot of extra tears build up, they spill over the side of your eyelids and flow down your cheeks.
Hold up the Parts of the Body poster—EYes.
There’s no way your eyes just happened by chance. They were wonderfully designed by God, and God thought of everything! Doesn’t this put you in awe of the Creator? Wow!
Station 6: MOUTH

Parts of the Body Poster—Mouth
1 small non-breakable mirror for every 1–2 children (or a big mirror they can all look in)

 Pass out mirrors, then say:
When God made our mouths, he thought of everything. Let’s look at your teeth. Did you know God gave you more than one kind of tooth? You have different kinds of teeth for different kinds of jobs.
Hold up the Parts of the Body poster—MOUTH.  
Incisors have sharp, straight edges. What do you think they’d be good for? Take responses. They’re good for cutting and biting food.
Canines are pointed for tearing food.
Bicuspids and molars are bumpy and large, which make them good for grinding up food.
When you were a baby, your mouth was little. As you grow, your mouth gets bigger. God thought of everything by designing your mouth to first have a set of tiny teeth, then a set of bigger teeth.
Another cool part of your mouth is your tongue. Did you know God designed your tongue with some really cool sensors on them?
You have about 10,000 taste buds in your mouth, mostly on your tongue.
One kind of taste bud is highly sensitive to bitter-tasting things. Bitter things are often toxic, so in this fallen world, this taste bud serves as a super important warning system.
You also have taste buds that taste sweet, salty, sour, or savory things. Without taste buds, eating food wouldn’t be fun!
You have a flap of tissue at the back of your mouth (the soft palate) which is pressed upward when you swallow so food won’t get into your nose.

Make “mirrors” using shiny, metallic poster board cut into squares and attached to large craft sticks.
If you aren’t using mirrors, have the kids feel their teeth with their tongues.

God also designed a flap called the epiglottis that tilts down and stops food from entering your voice box (larynx) when you swallow, which would choke you.

Bring in a quart jar as a visual for the amount of saliva.

God put a special liquid in your mouth called saliva. Have them squish some around in their mouths. You produce a quart of it a day. In the course of a normal lifetime, you’ll produce enough to fill two swimming pools! If you didn’t have saliva, you wouldn’t be able to taste anything. Try drying off your tongue before tasting something, and you’ll see that it’s true. 
Your tongue also has some germ-fighting tissue on the back of it that protects your body from getting infections.
There’s no way your mouth just happened by chance. It was wonderfully designed by God, and God thought of everything!
Part 2: Talk It Over Time (5–10 minutes)
If you have limited time, prioritize question 3. 
What’s something cool you learned about your body?
Think about something you like to do. It could be a sport, a hobby, etc. Have you ever thanked God for giving you the mind and body to be able to do your favorite activity?

This is a simplified explanation. For more information, see the article “An Unlikely Masterpiece,” posted at answersingenesis.org/sanctity-of-life/ and also availble on the Resource USB.

We have amazingly designed bodies. However, there are some people whose eyes can’t see (they are blind) or whose ears can’t hear (they are deaf). Some aren’t able to use their legs to walk. Did God make them with great care and purpose? After you discuss this, say: God creates each person “fearfully and wonderfully” for his glory. He doesn’t make mistakes. In fact, each of us has limitations on what we can do because we live in a world that has been affected by the curse God placed on it after Adam sinned. None of us is able to perfectly fulfill God’s original mandate to care for his creation in all ways at all times. But we can know that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made by God in his image with infinite value.
Thinking about what we talked about today, what word would you use to describe God?
How does it make you feel knowing you’re wonderfully made?

Timer

Part 3: Review Game (5–10 minutes)
 Option 1— Zoom–A–Round
Put 60 seconds on the timer. Quickly read a question, and have everyone shout out their answers as soon as you finish reading the question. As soon as you hear someone say the right answer, affirm that answer and move to the next question. The group 
Large spoons, 1 per team
Plastic eggs, 1 per team
Cones or tape for start and finish lines

as a whole wins if they get through all the questions in the time allotted.
Option 2—Egg and Spoon Race
This is a favorite game of many Australian kids. Gather a large spoon and a plastic egg for each team. Divide into two or more teams and have a start and finish line. Ask a question and on the count of three, have teams shout out their answer. If right, the first person in line goes down and back without dropping the egg. If they make it, their team gets a point. If it drops, they don’t. Continue with subsequent questions and kids taking turns. The team with the most points at the end of the time wins. 
Questions
Who is today’s animal pal? 
Answer: Shimmer the Coral. Shimmer reminds us that animals are special creations, but people are God’s most special creation. 
What two words are used in Psalm 139:14 to describe how you are made? 
Answer: Fearfully and wonderfully
Yes or no: Does “fearfully” mean you should be afraid?
Answer: No. It means you’re a WOW, a masterpiece. You’re exceptionally, remarkably made with great care and purpose, and you should be in awe of God for his great creation.
Yes or No: Are people who live with disability created in God’s image with great care and purpose?
Answer: Yes. (See Talk It Over Time question 3 for more on this.)
To keep your bones from rubbing against each other, God designed c___.
Answer: Cartilage
God put tiny hairs inside your nose to keep what from getting in your body?
Answer: Dirt and germs
The special liquid in your mouth that helps you taste is called s___.
Answer: Saliva
God put special coded information inside your body called ___.
Answer: DNA
Which finger enables you to move things around, doing both heavy and delicate jobs that animals can’t do?
Answer: Thumb
Yes or no: Would you say God is an amazing Creator?
Answer: Yes! He wants us to praise him (Psalm 139:14).
Apply It!

Day 2 Student Guides, 1 per child
Adventure Journals, 1 per child
Stamp for Adventure Journals

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class.
Put a stamp in the Adventure Journals, or group guides can do so as the kids first arrive at VBS.
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Pre-prep: Hang the day 2 memory verse poster and cue the memory verse song. 

Day 2 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music and player
Check Your Sight supplies—mirror or cell phone camera, 1 per person or small group

 Today’s Verse: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate memory verse song and using the day 2 memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Check Your Sight—Look at yourself in a mirror or a cell phone camera and say the verse. Now make a funny face and try it again.
Tomorrow’s Verse: And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31
Try the Challenge again, this time saying tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Read Psalm 139:13–16, then pick one or more parts of your body and thank God in prayer for something each part can do. Here’s an example: “Thank you, God, for my nose so I can smell pizza and flowers.”
Check out AnswersForKids.org. Read about some of the parts of the body God has created and marvel at how great he is.
Do you know someone who is sick or has a special need? Use your amazing hands to do something for them, or use your words to encourage them.
Ask a parent or guardian what part of the body he or she would like to thank God for, and why.
Check AnswersVBS.com/zrkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: How can I honor God with how I use my body?
Day 3
The Value of Life 
Made With Worth
Bible Passages
Jesus’ Birth and Herod’s Reaction
Matthew 1–2; Luke 2
APOLOGETICS Focus
Be a defender of the defenseless!
(Protecting and Respecting Life)
Fair Dinkum Verse
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31
Area of Australia
Coastal Life
Animal pal
Bill the Platypus
LESSON Focus
God values you greatly. Each and every person—young, old, healthy, sick—is a priceless treasure.
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Destination 3: The Coast
Teach It!
Part 1: Jesus’ Birth
Part 2: Boomerang Game
Part 3: Talk it Over Time
Part 4: Review Game
Option 1—Zoom–A–Round
Option 2—Platypus Power
Apply It!
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Matthew 1–2 and Luke 2 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
Visit AnswersVBS.com/zrfaq for more information on bioethics issues regarding life.
Pray.

Day 3 Destination Poster with arrow, preferably laminated
Day 3 Animal Pal Poster
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape
Piece of dark paper that is at least 17x22
Optional: Pictures or slides of the coast

Introduce It!
 Destination 3: The Coast (5–10 minutes) 
Pre-prep: Move the Day 2 posters to a side wall or panel. Hang the Day 3 Destination Poster next to the big map or actually on it at Sydney Harbour, and cover it with a dark piece of paper. Take the “You are Here!” arrow off the map and have it ready to use again today. 
Optional: Find additional pictures or slides to show while talking about the cities and beaches of the coast.
Tour Guide 1: G’day, again, mates! Yesterday, we saw how brilliantly God made us. Let’s do a quick activity for a minute to remind us of that. I’ll say a fact and you need to do something silly with the part of the body I’m talking about. For example, if I’m talking about my big toe, you do something silly with your big toe. Here we go.
God designed these to be long and thick so they can carry the weight of your body. Leg bones—they should do something silly with their legs.
God designed this thing in your mouth with germ-fighting tissue on the back of it to protect you from getting infections. Tongue
God made this part adjustable to let different amounts of light in. It gets small in bright light and larger in darkness. Eyes—pupil
God designed these ten limbs with something special on the ends to protect them from getting injured. Fingers with fingernails on the ends
God made two sets of these—one for when your body is little and one for when you are bigger and need a larger set. Teeth—baby teeth and permanent teeth
 God made this part that’s on your face to warm the air you breathe so your lungs won’t freeze. Nose
Tour Guide 2: Now on to our next Australian destination. Do any of you think you know where it is? It’s the coast, which is right here. Uncover the Day 3 destination poster and place the “You are Here!” arrow by it. 
Highlight the pictures on the day 3 destination poster as you share the following. If you gathered additional pictures or slides, share them as well.
Point to where you think the coast is. Have them do so. The coast is the area all the way around the edge of Australia. 
Out of every 10 people in Australia, how many live along the coast? Take guesses. Most people—9 out of 10—live along the coast—especially around the cities like Sydney or Melbourne. 
Point to the Sydney Opera House. Sydney is one of the most famous cities in Australia, and the Sydney Opera House is one of the most famous buildings in the world. Its roof is designed to look like seashells or sails on a ship. 
There are over 10,000 beaches along the coast. No wonder so many people want to live there! If you visited a new beach every day, it would take you 27 years to get to all of them.
Point to the surfer and snorkeler. Beach life is a big deal in Australia. People love surfing, sailing, snorkeling, and all that fun stuff. What beach activity do you enjoy? Take a couple quick responses. Wouldn’t it be fun to be near a beach all the time? Some Australians even celebrate Christmas at the beach! Do you think you’d like to do that? Have them shout 
One test church gave clues for the words such as, “All the blokes stand up.” “Now all the sheilas.” “Show us what you would do with a bikkie.”

out yes or no.
A favorite beach activity is to have a barbie. Can you guess what that is? Take guesses. 
 TG1: A barbie is just one of many fun words Aussies use. Australians have their own special dialect that’s unique to Australia. Let’s see if you can guess what these words mean. One key is they shorten some words to make them more fun and casual.
Bloke (guy)
Sheila (girl)
Bikkies (cookies) 
Mate (friend)
Nana (banana)
Uni (university)
Lolly (candy)
Sunnies (sunglasses)
Brekkie (breakfast) 
Takeaway (to-go orders) 
TG2: That was fun to guess those unique words. And something else that’s unique to Australia is our animal pal, Bill the playtpus. Show the Day 3 Animal Pal Poster. Bill reminds us that although he’s a unique creature, it’s nothing like the uniqueness of people. We are of great value.
TG1: But even though God values each person, people haven’t always treated other people with value. That’s been a 
Baby Jesus/Young Jesus Poster Set, laminated
Dry erase boards and dry erase markers, or paper and drawing utensils, 1 of each per child

problem since the beginning, after Adam sinned. 
TG2: Let’s hear an example in today’s Bible account.
Teach It!
Part 1: Jesus’ Birth (10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Cut apart the pieces from the Baby Jesus/Young Jesus Poster set and laminate them. 
TG1: We’re going to check out the birth of Jesus. He came to earth as a baby about 2,000 years ago. We celebrate his birth at Christmas. We normally celebrate Jesus’ birth as a happy event—and it was. But in the account of Jesus’ birth we read about a bad guy who didn’t treat people well. We don’t normally talk about this guy, but we will hear more about him today.
TG2: Let’s start at the part of Jesus’ birth we may be most familiar with. It is recorded in the books of Matthew and Luke. You’ll need to divide your paper into three sections, and you’ll be drawing what you hear when we tell you to. Pass out and divide paper now.
Scene 1: Manger (Luke 2:1–7)
TG1: Tell them to draw the Jesus in the manger scene (simply, quickly) in space 1 as you read/tell the account below. 
TG2: According to the Bible, at the time Jesus came to earth, the government said everybody had to be counted. This was part of God’s plan. Let’s stand up and count together to see how many of us are here. Do so, then have them sit down. 
TG1: What’s the name of your hometown? Take a few responses. At that time, everyone had to go to his hometown to be counted, so a couple named Mary and Joseph went to their hometown of Bethlehem. Mary was going to have a baby. (Read Luke 2:1–5.) Every baby is special, but this one was really special—the most special baby ever.
TG2: Put Joseph and Pregnant Mary near the manger scene poster. 
TG1: While Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem, the time came for Mary to have the baby. And she gave birth to her son and wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, which was a feeding place for animals (Luke 2:6–7). 
TG2: Put baby Jesus and the donkey on the manger scene. Take away Pregnant Mary and use the other Mary, moving Joseph and her into the middle of the manger scene on either side of Jesus.
TG1: Mary and Joseph were likely staying in the larger lower room of the house of a relative, the place where the animals typically stayed for the night. The family gave them this larger area because the rest of the house was full of people who were there for the census. 
Scene 2: Field (Luke 2:8–12, 16)
TG2: Tell them to draw the shepherd scene (simply, quickly) in space 2 as you read/tell the account below. 
TG1: Read Luke 2:8–12 while they draw.
TG2: Put up the field scene and put the shepherds and sheep on it. Leave the manger scene up. At the appropriate time, put the angel on the field scene. 
TG1: The angel told them they would find Jesus wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, just as the angel had said (Luke 2:16). 
TG2: Move the shepherds to the manger scene. 
Scene 3: House (Matthew 2:1–3, 8–16)
TG2: Tell them to draw the wise men scene (simply, quickly) in space 3 as you read/tell the account below. 
TG1: Now fast forward a bit. Jesus was a year or two old and was living in a house with his parents. Wise men were coming. 
TG2: Put Mary and Joseph and young Jesus on the house scene. 
TG1: Read Matthew 2:1–3, 8. King Herod was a mean man. He told the wise men he wanted to worship Jesus, but really, Herod wanted to kill him! He realized Jesus was somebody special, and he only wanted one special person around— himself!
Do you think God liked the idea of Herod wanting to kill Jesus? Take responses. God always wants us to love and care for children, never to hurt them.
The wise men continued to follow the special star. Read Matthew 2:9–10. 
TG2: Put the star in the window of the house scene. 
TG1: They found Jesus inside. They gave him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. Read Matthew 2:11.
TG2: Put the wise men with their gifts on the house scene. 
TG1: God warned the wise men in a dream not to return to King Herod, so they went home another way (Matthew 2:12). 
TG2: Take the wise men off the house scene.
TG1: That’s where we often stop when we’re talking about Jesus’ birth, but now let’s talk about the mean king. King Herod doesn’t make it into the nativity sets. Let’s listen to what happened by order of King Herod after the wise men left. 
TG2: Read Matthew 2:13–16, and take Mary, Joseph, and Jesus off the house scene.
TG1: Wow! Because Herod wasn’t sure where Jesus was, he had all the boy children in Bethlehem who were two years old or younger killed. But Jesus wasn’t there. He was in Egypt. 
Share the following comments, then move into Part 2: Boomerang Game.
TG2: Herod and many of the people of that time didn’t have the right view of life. They believed it was okay to own people. Do you know what an enslaved person is? Take responses. An enslaved person is someone who is forced to work for someone else without pay and is typically mistreated.
TG1: Do you think God wants people to be sold and treated poorly? Take responses. Sadly, throughout history, slavery has existed. Many Aboriginal people (indigenous Australians) were sold and treated poorly. Slavery also has existed in the United States and other countries. But each person is made in God’s image, and we’re to treat others the way we would want to be treated. Say Luke 6:31 together.
TG2: Not only did Herod allow slavery, he also had baby boys killed. Read Genesis 9:6, Exodus 20:13, and Romans 13:9. The Bible makes it very clear that, as individuals, we’re not to kill others, or even treat them poorly, because each person is made in God’s image.
TG1: Throughout time, people have not treated others with love, care, and respect. They’ve treated people in bad and mean ways. King Herod is an extreme case, but people treat others poorly in many other ways, too, then and now. Can you think of any? I’ll give you one to start—saying mean things. Read James 3:9–10. Discuss this. Additional possible responses may include bullying, cutting in line, tripping someone, being disrespectful, making fun of someone, taking 
Gospel Opportunity

something from someone that doesn’t belong to you, lying, or gossiping.
 TG2: However, God is love (1 John 4:8). Those who follow Jesus are called Christians. Everywhere that true Christians have taken the message of God’s love throughout the world, cultures have been transformed. This message has enabled people to be loved, cared for, and respected. For example, Christians have started hospitals and orphanages to care for the sick and for orphans, as Jesus commanded us to (James 1:27).
TG1: So if you want to find the right view of human life, which comes from what the Creator has said about those who bear his image, you need to go to the Bible and find out what God says! 
TG2: With these thoughts in mind, we’re going to play a game called Boomerang to learn more about protecting and respecting human life.
Part 2: Boomerang Game (20 minutes)

Boomerang Game Poster, 1 per class, or Boomerang Game Pattern, 1 per person
Boomerang Clue Sheet
Game pieces, 1 per team or person
Dice, 1 for the teacher or 1 per person

 You can either play as teams or allow the children to play individually. For team play, use the poster from the teacher kit, two game pieces (1 per team), and a die. For individual play, give each child a Boomerang Game Pattern, a game piece, and (optional) a die. To play, read a question from the Boomerang Clue Sheet. Each team or person gives a thumbs up or a thumbs down depending on whether they think God would say the person (or people) acted in a way that valued others or if they acted in a way that didn’t value others. After they’ve decided, share the Scripture and tell them if they were right or wrong. Teams or individuals roll the dice. (Or you roll it, if each person doesn’t have their own die. It’s 
Mini or regular dice in bulk are available online.

better, however, if they have their own if playing with individual boards.) Teachers can alternate reading the questions. 
If they got the answer right, they move forward the number on the die, except 5s and 6s don’t count. They will move either 1, 2, 3, or 4. 
If they got the answer wrong, they have to go back to the start. (They may get them all right. The questions are easy.)
Continue to play as time allows. The winners will be whichever group (boys or girls) that have all their players finish first. 
Note: There are many serious issues surrounding the value of human life. Keeping in mind that we are working with children, this game has been prayerfully written to impart a beginning awareness of what the Bible has to say about the value of life in an age-appropriate, interesting way, without getting into frightening or inappropriate details that are too heavy for children.
After playing, wrap up with the following. 
TG1: God considers every life valuable. 
TG2: He values every person who lives along the coast of Australia.
TG1: He values every person who lives in the outback. 
TG2: He values every person who is young, old, preborn, healthy, sick, living with disability, brilliant, poor, or whatever.
TG1: He values every person who lives anywhere on this planet. 
TG2: He values you!
TG1: God values every person and we should, too. We should treat each person with respect and kindness. 
Part 3: Talk It Over Time (5–10 minutes)
It’s particularly important to do Talk It Over Time today. Cut something else to make sure you have time to talk about these. Numbers 5  and 6 are important application questions.
Let’s take an inventory. Which person is more important in God’s eyes—a healthy 25-year-old or a sick 95-year-old? Discuss and conclude that one is not more important than the other, but they are both equally valuable. Your value is not based on if you are healthy or sick. Your value comes from the fact that you are made in God’s image.
Which person is more important in God’s eyes—a baby who is still in his mom’s tummy or a three-year-old? Discuss and conclude that one is not more important than the other, but they are both equally valuable. Your value is not based on your age. Your value comes from the fact that you are made in God’s image.
Which person is more important in God’s eyes—a person with light brown skin or a person with dark brown skin? Discuss and conclude that one is not more important than the other, but they are both equally valuable. Your value is not based on your skin shade. Your value comes from the fact that you are made in God’s image.
Which person is more important in God’s eyes—a person who is talented at sports or a person who’s not physically able to play sports? Discuss and conclude that one is not more important than the other, but they are both equally valuable. Your value is not based on your abilities. Your value comes from the fact that you are made in God’s image.
Have you ever avoided talking to someone who lives with disability, is sick, or uses a wheelchair to get around? Why? What do you think you should do? Discuss and conclude that every person is valuable and can be a potential friend. Can you find out what you may have in common with them? You may have something to learn from them—they may be gifted in ways that you aren’t!
What can you do for someone in need of a friend?
Part 4: Review Game (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Choose an option below. Option 1 requires no pre-prep except gathering the timer. Option 2 requires the Platypus 
Timer

Power sheets, 1 for every pair or small group of students. 
 Option 1— Zoom–A–Round
Put 60 seconds on the timer. Quickly read a question, and have everyone shout out their answers as soon as you finish reading 
Platypus Power Sheet, 1 per team
Drawing utensils, 1 per team

the question. As soon as you hear someone say the right answer, affirm that answer and move to the next question. The group as a whole wins if they get through all the questions in the time allotted.
Option 2—Platypus Power
Divide into small teams or pairs. Give each team a Platypus Power sheet. To play, say the question and on the count of three, have each team shout out their answer. If they get it right, they quickly color in one part of the platypus—it doesn’t matter which one. The possible parts to color are: bill, head, body, right front paw, left front paw, right back paw, left back paw, and tail. Continue asking questions and coloring one part at a time for right answers. If they get it all colored before you’re out of questions, they win. There are 8 parts to color and 10 questions. 
Questions
Who is today’s animal pal?
Answer: Bill the Platypus. Bill reminds us that although he is unique, each of us is unique and of far greater value to God than an animal ever will be.
Who is the bad guy who tried to kill Jesus?
Answer: King Herod.
Yes or No: Is slavery, when people own other people, God’s design for how we should live?
Answer: No. God wants us to treat others as his image-bearers and to love others. 
Yes or No: A healthy 25-year-old is more valuable to God than a sick 90-year-old. 
Answer: No. Every life is precious to God. We should care for those who are sick or need help because God cares.
True or False: When you bully someone, you’re acting as if your life is more valuable than theirs.
Answer: True. Any time you put someone else down, you’re trying to build yourself up.
Besides bullying, name an action that shows someone doesn’t value others.
Answers will vary. Possibilities can include gossiping, tripping someone, cutting in line, or lying about someone.
There is a beautiful variety of skin shades among people groups around the world. Which shade of skin is the most important? 
Answer: No shade is more important than another shade. Our value is not based on what we look like or what we can do. We have value because we’re made in God’s image to glorify him. 
Name an organization Christians have started that helps people in need.
Possible answers: orphanages, hospitals, Red Cross, other Christian mercy ministries.
How does God want us to treat others?
Answers will vary, but with kindness and respect, since every person is made in his image.
What’s an example of a kindness you can show someone?
Answers will vary.

Day 3 Student Guides, 1 per child
Adventure Journals, 1 per child
Stamp for Adventure Journals
Day 3 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music and player

 Apply It!
In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class. 
Put a stamp in the Adventure Journals, or group guides can do so as the kids first arrive at VBS.
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Pre-prep: Hang the day 3 memory verse poster and cue the memory verse song. 
Today’s Verse: And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31 
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate song from the Memory Verse CD and using the day 3 memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Check Your Touch—Say your verse while touching your elbow to your knee, your hand to your foot, your nose to your leg, your ear to your wrist, your ring finger to your middle back. Now try to come up with some ways yourself while saying the verse.
Tomorrow’s Verse: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
Try the Challenge again, this time saying tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Check out Psalm 41:1, Psalm 82:3, Proverbs 31:8–9, Isaiah 1:17, Matthew 25:40, and James 1:27. What do these verses teach us about protecting and helping those in need?
Think of someone you know who lives with a disability. Have you found out what you may have in common with them? Take some time to get to know them! (Depending on the level of ability, this may require adult supervision.) You may have something to learn from them—they may be gifted in ways you aren’t.
Think of someone who needs some special care, such as someone in a nursing home, someone in the hospital, someone who uses a wheelchair to get around, a newborn baby, a pregnant mom, or a single mom trying to care for her family by herself. Talk to your parent or guardian about ways you can get to know them, and find out how you can help.
Talk to God and ask him to help you know how to help others. Use Luke 6:31 to guide your prayer. 
Check AnswersVBS.com/zrkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself these questions: How can I be a defender of the defenseless? How can I be a friend to someone who is lonely, sick, sad, or living with disabilities?
Day 4
Eternal Life 
Made For Relationship
Bible passages
The Gospel Presentation
Select Scriptures
APOLOGETICS Focus
SMYLE! God loves you! 
(Only One Way to Eternal Life)
Fair Dinkum Verse
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
AreA of Australia
Forest Life
Animal pal
Paula the Koala
LESSON AIM
God loves you! He loves you so much he sent his only Son to die for you.
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Destination 4: Eucalypt Forest
Teach It!
Part 1: SMYLE! Gospel Presentation
Part 2: Password Game or Salvation Counseling
Part 3: Talk it Over Time
Apply It!
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Genesis 3, Romans 3:23, 6:23, and John 1:14 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
Visit AnswersVBS.com/zrfaq for more information on Jesus being the way—the only way—to eternal life with God.
Read “Leading a Child to Christ,” found on the inside back cover of this guide.
Pray.
Introduce It!

Day 4 Destination Poster with arrow, preferably laminated
Day 4 Animal Pal Poster
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape
Pictures or slides of a variety of people
Eucalyptus leaves (teacher only)
Piece of dark paper that is at least 17x22
Picture of a rainbow eucalyptus tree, koala, sugar glider, and ringtail possum
Jelly beans, 1 per person
Optional: Pictures or slides of the eucalypt forest

 Destination 4: Eucalypt Forest (5 minutes)
Pre-prep: Move the Day 3 posters to a side wall or panel. Hang the Day 4 Destination Poster next to the big map or actually on it at the eucalypt forest and cover it with a dark piece of paper. Take the “You are Here!” arrow off the map and have it ready to use again today. Gather pictures or slides of a variety of people—a very old person, a pregnant mother, a person in a wheelchair, a person with darker skin, a person with lighter skin, a person wearing leg braces, a blind person walking with a cane, etc. Also, gather pictures of a rainbow eucalyptus tree, a koala, a sugar glider, and a ringtail possum.
Optional: Find additional photos or slides of the eucalypt forest and of koalas.
Tour Guide 1: G’day, again, mates! Yesterday, we talked about how God made each person, and each person has great value. Let’s remind ourselves of this. I’m going to show you pictures. When I do, I want you to say, “You are made in God’s image! You are valuable!” 
Show pictures of a variety of people. Then point to each child in the room and have them say, “I am made in God’s image! I am valuable!” If you do this, include every student. 
Remind them that every person is precious and each should be treated with kindness and respect. We can learn from others who may have differences from us and find what we have in common with them as we become friends. We can also look for ways to help and be kind.
Tour Guide 2: Hey, what’s that I smell? Eucalyptus leaves? Pull some out and take around, allowing them to smell but not touch them. (Eucalyptus leaves are poisonous to humans if ingested.) This reminds me of our next Australian destination. Do you think you know where it is? Yes, the eucalypt forest, which is right here. Uncover the day 4 destination poster and place the “You are Here!” arrow by it. 
Highlight the pictures on the poster as you share the following. If you gathered additional pictures or slides, share them as well. 
TG1: Listen to these cool, fun facts about the forests in Australia!
Did you know there are different kinds of forests in Australia, including rain forests, acacia forests, mangrove forests, and eucalypt forests?
Which kind of forest do koalas live in? Take guesses. Koalas live in eucalypt forests.
Why are they called eucalypt forests? Take guesses. Because there are lots of eucalyptus trees, which are what koalas eat.
One variety of eucalyptus tree is known as the rainbow eucalyptus. Look at this picture! Show picture if you have it.
A nickname for some eucalyptus trees is gum trees because they exude a gummy sap from the bark.
Did you know eucalyptus leaves are poisonous to most animals? Only a few can survive on them. But they’re yummy and safe to koalas, sugar gliders, and ringtail possums! Show pictures if you have them.

One test church put individual jelly beans in pill zippered baggies and sent them home with each child with the challenge to tell someone what the jelly bean had to do with a koala. Also, licorice jelly beans weren’t a favorite flavor.

 TG2: And speaking of koalas: 
Guess how big they are when they’re first born? Take guesses. The size of a jelly bean! Give each person a jelly bean to eat.
They have no hair or ears, and they’re blind.
Each baby lives in its mom’s pouch for about six months.
The babies stay close to their moms for another six months before going off on their own.
TG1:  Show the Day 4 Animal Pal Poster. Our animal pal today is Paula the koala. Paula reminds us that God gave koalas a parent who takes good care of them. That makes me smile. But no father takes better care of his children than God. Talking about how to become a child of God through his Son Jesus makes me smile the most. Let’s check that out now!
Teach It!

Gospel Poster Set
Optional: SMYLE! Handprint Pattern, 1 per person 
SMYLE! Poster (see Pre-prep)
Writing utensils, 1 per person
Gift-wrapped box (lid separate)
Red heart

 Part 1: SMYLE! Gospel Presentation (10 minutes)
Pre-prep: For the SMYLE! poster, draw a large handprint (see illustration in the sidebar) on a piece of poster board or a dry erase board. Laminate the poster board. You will be writing/drawing on the fingers and palm when noted in the presentation below, but it should start out with just the handprint. Cut apart the Gospel Poster Set. Gift wrap a box, wrapping the lid separately. Cut out the heart and write “SMYLE! God loves you!” on it. Place the heart inside the gift-wrapped box. 
Optional: Photocopy the SMYLE! Handprint Pattern. 
Pass out a writing utensil and the SMYLE! Handprint Pattern to each child. Or pass out one washable, nontoxic marker or pen per child so they can write the SMYLE! acronym directly on their hand.
Picture 1: Creation
TG2: Put up the Gospel Poster Set—Creation at the top of what will become a cross shape.
TG1: The Bible clearly explains what a person must do to become part of God’s family and, someday, live in heaven.
God created the first man from the dust of the earth and breathed into him the breath of life. His name was Adam, and he was perfect. Adam was supposed to live forever with God in a perfect world. Now that would make you smile! Let’s draw a smiley face on our left thumb (or on the smyle! Handprint Pattern).
TG2: Using a marker or pen, draw a smiley face on the thumb of the SMYLE! drawing or directly on your left thumb. Kids do so, too. Tell them this is to remind us of the perfect world.
Picture 2: Fall of Man
TG1: But Adam disobeyed God. Disobedience to God’s commands is called sin. After God created Adam and Eve, the Bible records a very sad account. 
TG2: Read or paraphrase Genesis 3:1–13 aloud. Leave words out occasionally and have them shout out the missing words. When finished, continue with the following.
TG1: This event is called the fall of man because Adam went from being perfect to being a sinner—he “fell” from perfection.
TG2: Put up Gospel Poster Set—Fall of man at the left of what will become the cross bar of the cross shape. 
TG1: From this point on, people were no longer perfect. Each of Adam and Eve’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and so on were born as sinners. Every person has been born a sinner—including you and me. Everyone disobeys God’s commands. We all do and say and think things that aren’t pleasing to God.
TG2: Write an S on the handprint pattern or directly on your left pointer finger. Kids do so, too. Tell them the S stands for SIN.
TG1: Think of a time you’ve done something in disobedience to God’s commands. Here are a few examples.
God says children are to obey their parents (Ephesians 6:2). Have you talked back to your mom? Or rolled your eyes at your dad?
God says we are to be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32). Have you been unkind to anyone?
God says we are to always tell the truth (Ephesians 4:25). Have you ever lied? 
God says we are not to steal (Ephesians 4:28). Have you ever taken something that didn’t belong to you? 
Give them time to think.
Did you think of something? Listen to this. Read Romans 3:23. Every single person has sinned, including you.
There’s a big problem with this. Sin separates us from God and his great love for us. God is holy, which means he is set apart from sin. Our sin keeps us away from him now, for our whole life on earth, and for all of eternity. 
When I sin, I choose MYself and what I want over what God wants. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be separated from my loving Creator now and forever.
TG2: Write MY on the left middle finger. Kids do so, too. Tell them this stands for MY sin. 
Picture 3: Jesus as a Baby
TG1: God doesn’t want us to be separated from him, though. He loves us! And he offers us his amazing love.
TG2: Write an L on the ring finger. Kids do so, too. Tell them this stands for LOVE.
TG1: God is love (1 John 4:8). He sent his Son, Jesus, from heaven to earth. Jesus was born as a baby. This is what we celebrate at Christmas! 
TG2: Put up Gospel Poster Set—Jesus as a baby at the middle spot of the cross bar.
We’ve been talking about the human body this week and how wonderfully designed it is. It’s wild to think that Jesus, God himself, took on a human body and lived on earth. Think about this: Jesus had fingers and toes, arms and knees, a nose and eyes, just like us.
Read John 1:14. It’s absolutely amazing to think of God living in skin!
Picture 4: Jesus as a Man
TG2: Put up Gospel Poster Set—Jesus as a man at the far right spot of the cross bar.
TG1: Jesus, who is God the Son, lived a perfect life as a man here on earth. He always obeyed God the Father. He loved people, cared for people, valued people. He healed sick people and touched people with diseases that nobody else would touch. He ate meals with the poor and people nobody else would have anything to do with. And he made the hugest sacrifice ever for people—he died for us. 
Picture 5: Jesus Carrying the Cross
TG2: Put up Gospel Poster Set—Jesus carrying the cross under the middle cross bar. 
TG1: Read Romans 6:23a. The punishment for sin is death and eternal separation from God forever in hell. Jesus came to take the punishment that you and I deserve for our sin. He died on a cross in the place of sinners and was buried and sealed in a tomb.
Picture 6: Jesus Risen
TG1: But the amazing thing is, he didn’t stay dead! That’s because he’s God! On the third day, he rose from that tomb. 
TG2: Put up Gospel Poster Set—Jesus risen under the last one.
TG1: The reason Jesus did this was to offer you the gift of eternal life. When you tell God you’re sorry for your sins (repent), and believe in Jesus and that his death on the cross paid for your sins, and believe that he rose from the dead, God forgives you of your sins. To be forgiven means God will look at you as if your sin has been erased. He puts your sin on Jesus on the cross and gives you Jesus’ perfection. This is incredibly good news! 
God forgives MY sins and yours and welcomes us into his family. We’re still part of our families here on earth, but when we trust in Jesus, we can also be children of God and part of his family forever. We have the gift of eternal life! 
And God the Holy Spirit will live in us as a sign that we’re part of God’s family.
TG2: Write an E on the baby finger. Kids do so, too. Tell them this stands for ETERNAL LIFE. Read all of Romans 6:23. 
Picture 7: Gift
TG2: Now, let’s close our hands (or cover our papers), then put one finger up at a time as we tell our neighbor what each of these words means. Do so. 
TG1: Romans 6:23 says the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus. Have you ever received a gift you loved? Take responses.
TG2: Put up the Gospel Poster Set—GIFT under the last one to complete the cross shape.
God offers the best gift we can ever receive (John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8–9). 
Get out the gift-wrapped box and have a volunteer come up and hold it.
TG1: Imagine someone offered you this gift. You were so excited about it, and you took it to your room and put it on your desk. You knew something wonderful was in there, but you didn’t open it. You just let it sit there unopened. Would that gift help you at all? What if you let it sit there unopened year after year? The only way that gift is going to make you SMYLE is if you open it and receive it. 
TG2: Call on a volunteer to open the box and take out the heart with “SMYLE! God loves you!” written on it. Have everyone draw a gift on the palm of their hand or on the handprint pattern.
It’s important to note that this gift cost Jesus his life, and we shouldn’t take it lightly. Following Jesus doesn’t mean our lives will always be happy and perfect on earth. We live in a sinful world, and good and bad stuff happens to all of us. When we receive God’s gift and become part of God’s family, God will be with us through everything and for all of eternity (John 11:25).
So remember our phrase SMYLE. I know I’ve SINNED, and MY sin separates me from God. Jesus died to take the punishment for my sin and then rose from the dead. He did this because he LOVES me. He offers the gift of ETERNAL LIFE when I turn from my sin and trust in him. 
TG1: That’s the most important thing you can ever think on. If you have questions or want to talk to somebody about this, we’re here! You can talk to one of us or your leaders, you can talk to your parents, or you can even talk to God when you’re alone.
TG2: If they have questions or want to talk to someone right now, point them to a trusted pastor, leader, or teacher who knows 
Optional: Large dry erase board and marker, or chalkboard and chalk

how to counsel a child about salvation.
The rest of us are going to stay here and play a game called Password.
 Part 2: Password Game or Salvation Counseling (10–15 minutes)
While any interested children leave and receive salvation counseling in a safe place, play Password with the rest. 
Divide into two teams—boys and girls. Give a clue to the girls first and have them quickly and quietly consult, then give their answer. Allow 10 seconds for consulting. If they answer incorrectly, give the next clue to the boys. They consult and give their answer. Continue until someone gets the password correct. You may want to use a large dry erase board to write each clue as it 
 Another way to play is to give every child a piece of paper and writing utensil and have them divide it into five sections. As you give each clue, they write what they think the answer is. Their answer may change in each section as they hear more clues. Players keep their own score on their paper. This worked great with our test churches.

comes up.
 Award points each time a team gets a correct answer.
5 points if they get it on Clue One
4 points for Clue Two
3 points for Clue Three
2 points for Clue Four
1 point for Clue Five
0 points and move on to the next password if they don’t get it by Clue Five 
Keep the passwords top secret. Do not divulge the passwords until they guess them. When they guess a correct answer, briefly review that concept, then move to the next password. Play as long as time allows. If you run out of passwords, make up more using key words or phrases from the week’s lessons or memory verses.
Password 1: ETERNAL LIFE (Sshh! Don’t let the kids see this answer.)
Clue One: Jesus 
Clue Two: Whoever believes in him
Clue Three: Shall not perish
Clue Four: Live Forever
Clue Five: John 11:25
Say the whole verse together—John 11:25.
Password 2: VALUABLE
Clue One: You
Clue Two: Preborn babies 
Clue Three: Old men
Clue Four: People with disabilities
Clue Five: Precious
Password 3: EVOLUTION
Clue One: Ape
Clue Two: Missing links
Clue Three: Made by chance
Clue Four: False idea
Clue Five: Monkey-to-man
Password 4: ABORIGINAL PEOPLE 
Clue One: Early people
Clue Two: Mistreated
Clue Three: Dreamtime
Clue Four: Australia
Clue Five: Uluru
Password 5: DNA
Clue One: Order
Clue Two: Code
Clue Three: Instructions
Clue Four: Hair color
Clue Five: Unique
Password 6: SMYLE
Clue One: Sin
Clue Two: My
Clue Three: Love
Clue Four: Eternal life
Clue Five: Gift
Password 7: BONES
Clue One: Lightweight
Clue Two: Harder than concrete 
Clue Three: 206 of them
Clue Four: Skeleton
Clue Five: Your frame
Password 8: NEBRASKA MAN
Clue One: Missing link
Clue Two: United States 
Clue Three: Pig tooth
Clue Four: Fossil
Clue Five: Fake
Password 9: IMAGE
Clue One: God
Clue Two: Created
Clue Three: People
Clue Four: In his likeness
Clue Five: Genesis 1:27
Say the whole verse together—Genesis 1:27.
Password 10: FEARFULLY
Clue One: I
Clue Two: Wonderfully
Clue Three: Made
Clue Four: Praise
Clue Five: Psalm 139:14
Say the whole verse together—Psalm 139:14.
Password 11: BABY
Clue One: Person
Clue Two: Precious
Clue Three: Young
Clue Four: Newborn
Clue Five: Cries
Password 12: NEANDERTHAL
Clue One: Fossil
Clue Two: Germany
Clue Three: Cave
Clue Four: Human
Clue Five: Neander Valley
Password 13: REEF
Clue One: Australia
Clue Two: Destination
Clue Three: Fish
Clue Four: Coral
Clue Five: Great Barrier
Part 3: Talk It Over Time (5–10 minutes)
What are some things in life that make you smile?
Can you remember what the SMYLE acronym stands for? Have you ever heard about Jesus coming to earth, dying, and coming back to life to save you?
Do you have any questions about becoming a child of God? 
Is there anyone you want to share the good news of Jesus with?
Apply It!

Optional: Gospel bookmarks, 1 per child
Day 4 Student Guides, 1 per child
Adventure Journals, 1 per child
Stamp for Adventure Journals
Day 4 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music and player

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class.
Put a stamp in the Adventure Journals, or have group guides do so as the kids first arrive at VBS. Pass out the gospel bookmarks, or have group guides do so at the end of the day.
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Pre-prep: Hang the day 4 memory verse poster and cue the memory verse song.
Today’s Verse: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate memory verse song and using the Day 4 memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Check Your Heart—Get your heart pumping while you say your verse. First, say it while you’re jogging in place. Next, try jumping jacks. Finally, try an exercise of your choice—planks, burpies, push-ups, etc. Did you get your heart pumping a little faster while you said the verse?
Tomorrow’s Verse: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Try the Challenge again, this time saying tomorrow’s verse. 
Part 2: Go and Do
Read Luke 2:11, 1 Timothy 1:15, and Acts 4:12. What do these verses teach us about God as our Savior?
Pray and thank God for sending his Son, Jesus. Use John 3:16 to guide your prayer. 
Can you think of someone you’d like to share the good news with about God loving them?
Ask an adult if he has trusted in Jesus Christ as his Savior.
Check AnswersVBS.com/zrkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: Am I a child of God?
Day 5
Using Your Life
Made For a Reason
Bible passages
Jesus Leaves—We are Here for a Reason (Acts 1:6–11)
God Uses the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–26)
aPOLOGETICS focus
All I want to do is live each day for you! 
(Life has Meaning and Purpose)
Fair Dinkum Verse
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Area of Australia
Outback Life at Coober Pedy
Animal pal
Ringo the Dingo
LESSON focus
You are made on purpose for a purpose.
Today’s Lesson at a Glance
Introduce It!
Destination 5: The Outback—Coober Pedy
Teach It!
Part 1: Jesus’ Ascension
Part 2: Body of Christ
Example 1—Paint a Masterpiece
Example 2—All Parts Needed
Part 3: Talk it Over Time
Part 4: Using Your Life Stories
Part 5: Review Game
Option 1—Zoom–A–Round
Option 2—Flip the Flop
Apply It!
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verses
Part 2: Go and Do
Preparing for the Lesson
Read Acts 1:6–11 and 1 Corinthians 12:12–26 several times.
Read this lesson several times and prepare the materials.
Visit AnswersVBS.com/zrfaq for more information on life having meaning and purpose.
Pray.

Day 5 Destination Poster with arrow, preferably laminated
Bible or children’s Bible
Costumes for teachers
Mounting putty or tape
Piece of dark paper that is at least 17x22
Optional: Pictures or slides of Coober Pedy
Optional: Opal or picture of an opal

Introduce It!
 Destination 5: The Outback—Coober Pedy (5 minutes)
Pre-prep: Move the Day 4 posters to a side wall or panel. Hang the Day 5 Destination Poster next to the big map or actually on it at Coober Pedy, and cover it with a dark piece of paper. Take the “You are Here!” arrow off the map and have it ready to use again today. 
Optional: Find additional pictures or slides of Coober Pedy, and of an opal.
TG1: G’day on our last day, mates! All week we’ve been learning about the value of life, and we’ve also been boomeranging around Australia. Can you remember where we’ve traveled? Use the map to review the outback at Uluru, then the Great Barrier Reef, then Sydney along the coast, then the eucalypt forest. Explain that now we’re boomeranging back to the outback to a place called Coober Pedy. 
TG2: Coober Pedy is a special place. It’s right here. Uncover the day 5 destination poster and place the “You are Here!” arrow by it.  
Highlight the pictures on the poster as you share the following. If you gathered additional pictures or slides, share them as well. 
Coober Pedy is a mining town where most of the world’s opals are mined (95%). Opals are gems. Show an opal or a picture of an opal. 
That’s super cool, but what’s even more amazing about this place is the people not only work underground but also live underground. It’s very hot above ground, so they built their town down there. 
There’s a hotel, a bank, a restaurant, a library, several churches, many homes (which are called dugouts), and much more.
TG1: Would you like to live in an underground town? Discuss for a minute. Everybody has a job to do there, just like in a regular town. There are people who run the hotel, and people who work at the bank, and people who make the food, and so forth.
TG2: Coober Pedy has lots of people working together to make their town function well. In a similar way, God has given each of us a purpose and job to do for him, and we all need to work together so everything gets done! Let’s pretend to go underground as we talk about what happened after Jesus rose from the dead, and how he left us here for a reason.

Gospel Poster Set
Mini Gospel Poster Sets, 1 set per person or pair
Rubber bands, 1 per person or pair
Sheet, tarp, or dropcloth

Teach It!
 Part 1: Jesus’ Ascension (5—10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Set up the sheet, tarp, or dropcloth somewhere in the room like a lean-to, with one side taped down and leaders holding the other side up. Take the Gospel Poster Set down and have it ready to use again today, with the three additional posters. Print the Mini Gospel Poster Sets on white cardstock, 1 set per person or pair, and cut out. Put a rubber band around each set.

One test church made a set of mini poster cards for each child to use and take home. They were really excited and into it!

Have everyone sit under the lean-to-like tarp as if underground as you share this next section.
TG1: We’ve got some cards here, and we want to see if you can arrange them in order. 
Divide into pairs with each getting a Mini gospel poster set. Or give each child their own set. Have the kids put the cards in order in a horizontal line (rather than a cross shape).
TG2: So you put your cards (Mini gospel poster set) in order. Let’s see if you’re right. We’re going to come above ground again and check them. Take down the blanket, tarp, or dropcloth, or have kids move to an “above ground” area. I’m going to put my big set in order, and you see how you did. Do so in a horizontal line, leaving off the last three until noted below. The correct order is: Creation (making Adam and Eve in his image), Fall of Man, Jesus as a Baby, Jesus as a Man, Jesus Carrying the Cross, Jesus Risen (empty tomb), Gift. 
Picture 8: Jesus with Others
TG1: Does anyone know what Jesus did after he rose from the grave? Take guesses. After he rose from the dead, he showed himself to many people over 40 days (Acts 1:3). Show gospel poster set—Jesus with others.
Picture 9: Jesus Ascends
TG2: Does anyone know what Jesus did after that? Take guesses. It was time for him to go back to heaven, so he left earth. This is called the ascension. Show gospel poster set—Jesus Ascends. Listen to how it happened. Read Acts 1:3, 6–11. Wow! Can you imagine being there to see that? 
Picture 10: Jesus in Heaven
TG1: Since then, Jesus has been in heaven with God the Father. Show gospel poster set—Jesus in heaven. Some day, those who are his children will get to be with him! That’ll be so fantastic—better than your very favorite things about earth! But until that time, God has placed us here on earth for a reason. 
TG2: Those who believe in molecules-to-man evolution don’t have a good reason or purpose for living because they think random chemicals have evolved into people, so we’re just a collection of random chemicals. This idea about the past influences the way people live. With no real purpose, people don’t need to do anything except try to get the best out of this life, no matter what it costs.
TG1: But God’s Word shows us the truth. We’ve already learned that we were created in God’s image and are fearfully and wonderfully made. We know that we can have the gift of eternal life and that our lives have value. God’s Word also tells us a great and hopeful promise: Read or have the kids recite Ephesians 2:10. 
TG2: God has a purpose and plan for each person’s life. Let’s illustrate this with . . . an illustration!

Body Poster
Day 5 Animal Pal Poster
Paper, 1 piece per person
Kids’ small paintbrushes or cotton swab “paintbrushes,” 1 per person
1 box of watercolor kids’ paints
1 small bowl of water
Writing utensils, 1 per person

Part 2: Body of Christ (10 minutes)
Example 1: Paint a Masterpiece
Pre-prep: Cut out the parts of the body on the BODY POSTER. Laminate the BODY POSTER and then put the parts on the correct spots.
Pass out paper and a paintbrush or cotton swab “paintbrush” to each child. 
TG1: Let’s take a minute to paint a quick masterpiece. You can make your painting anything beautiful that God has created. Brainstorm for a moment what you’re going to paint. Do so. Okay, go ahead and start.
The kids will immediately realize the paint is missing. Play it up for a moment, then say:
Does it work to paint without paints? Take responses. What if I had given you the paints but no paper? Take responses. 
Show each supply as you say the following: You can paint a beautiful masterpiece only if you have all the supplies, right? Pause. You need paper, a paintbrush, paints, and water. If you have all the needed supplies, you can get the job done.
TG2: In the same way, God created each of us on purpose for a purpose. He has special jobs just for you (point to each person) and you and you and you. Every one of us is needed. Every believer is part of God’s team. We could say that we are the hands and feet of Jesus on earth because we do what he would want us to do. In this way, we’re part of his body. When we all work together as the body of Christ, we can get amazing things done for his glory! 
Example 2: All Parts Needed
TG1: Now let’s think of this. Put up the BODY poster. Take away the heart. 
TG2: Could our bodies function without our hearts? Take responses. 
TG1: Take away the lungs. Could our bodies function without our lungs? Take responses, and take away the other parts, discussing whether the body could function without them. We need all our body parts to function the way God designed us to. 
 TG2: The Bible talks about people belonging to the body of Christ. In this context, “the body of Christ” is all the people who are part of God’s family. Do you know for certain that you are part of God’s family? We talked about that 
Gospel Opportunity

yesterday. If you are, the Bible explains that every member of the body of Christ is important. Let’s check out 1 Corinthians 12:14–26.
Depending on time, read it, take turns reading it, or everybody can read it out loud together. You may also want to paraphrase it. After you finish reading, show the Day 5 Animal Pal Poster. 
TG1: Ringo the Dingo has a purpose in the animal kingdom, and each of us has a special purpose in God’s kingdom. We were created on purpose for a purpose. Everyone has different jobs and talents, and God wants us to work together, like our human body does, to get things done for him. For instance, let’s imagine what VBS would be like if every person was a song leader, but nobody could do any of the other jobs. What would be missing? How fun would it be? Discuss this. 
TG2: So God made us to all have different jobs. But there’s one job we all have in common. And Jesus gave it to his disciples before he returned to heaven. Read Matthew 28:19–20. Jesus wants everyone who is part of his body to share the good news about him to others so that they, too, can become part of his family and have eternal life. No matter what else we do with our lives or how we may serve Jesus, our main job is pointing others to him. 
Move into Talk It Over Time. These are important questions to talk about.
Part 3: Talk It Over Time (5–10 minutes)
Can you think of a way someone has helped you? Was it a teacher, a policeman, a cook, a parent?
How would you like to use your abilities for God when you grow up? 
How do you think God can use you now to help others? What are some acts of kindness you can do to help others?
What ideas do you have on ways to share Jesus with others?

Using Your Life Pictures

Part 4: Using Your Life Stories (as time allows)
 Pre-prep: Decide whose stories you want to share (see below), and gather pictures of them. If choosing the ones written here, the pictures can be printed from the Digital Resources. 
Allow time at the end to share these or other real life stories. Feel free to use what we’ve provided, or think of people you know and how they’re using their lives for God. You may even want to share yours!
TG1: God doesn’t want us to compare ourselves to other members of the body of Christ. He wants us to work together to bring glory to him and tell others about Jesus! Just like we needed every one of the supplies to be able to paint a masterpiece, we need every member of the body of Christ. If you’re part of God’s family, God has a special purpose and plan for your life. Let’s check out some real people and how God is using them!
Stories
This is Miss Pat. Miss Pat has loved to cook all her life. She makes food almost every day for people who are sick or in need. She uses her time, money, and talent doing good works for God that bless others in need. She’s not doing these good works to earn a ticket to heaven. She’s doing them because God created her to do them, and it brings her joy to do so.
This is Jefry. Shortly after he was born, something happened that caused his brain to be damaged. This affects how he moves, stands, hears, and talks. He’s learned to use signs to communicate, and when he was 7, he learned how to walk, even though his movements are difficult for him to control. The way he walks doesn’t look like how many of you walk. Jefry likes to help out in different ways—sweeping the floors when he goes to therapy sessions and helping at church with his dad. Jefry is made in God’s image. 
This is Miss Pattie. She’s 90 years old and stays at home now. She can’t drive or get out much, but you know what good works she can do for God? She can pray. And she does. She prays for hours a day. She prays for children just like you!
This is Kieran. You and Kieran may be a lot alike in many ways. He loves to listen to music, swim, and eat chips and guac. You may notice some differences, too. Kieran is missing a small section of DNA and that causes him to need more help with school, with his speech, and with his heart. He covers his ears when noises get too loud because the sounds hurt his ears. Just like you, though, Kieran is made in God’s image. Kieran likes to tell people about Jesus and prays for his friends who don’t know Jesus. He shares the truth of God’s creation in his school with his teachers. God is using Kieran to teach many people about trusting in God and about loving and caring for each other.
If time, have the students share people they can think of, and ways these people are using their lives for the Lord.
Part 5: Review Game (5–10 minutes)
Pre-prep: Choose an option below. Option 1 requires no pre-prep except gathering the timer. Option 2 needs the supplies listed in the sidebar. 

Timer

Option 1— Zoom–A–Round
 Put 60 seconds on the timer. Quickly read a question, and have everyone shout out their answers as soon as you finish reading the question. As soon as you hear someone say the right answer, affirm that answer and move to the next question. The group as a whole wins if they get through all the questions in the time 
Flip-flops, 1 per team
Cone or ball

allotted.
Option 2—Flip the Flop
Let’s return to this fun outback game today. Gather one small cone or ball and one flip-flop per team. Divide into two or more teams. Ask a question. On the count of three, have the teams shout out their answers. Each team that answers correctly gets to flip the flip-flop, meaning throw a flip-flop at an established target (the cone or ball that is a distance away). Any team that has their flip-flop land so it is touching the target gets a point. If nobody does, the closest team to the target gets a point. 
Questions
Who is today’s animal pal?
Answer: Ringo the Dingo. Ringo reminds us we all are created on purpose for a purpose.
What is the ascension?
Answer: When Jesus went back to heaven.
Where is Jesus now?
Answer: In heaven.
What would happen to our body if we didn’t have our heart?
Answer: We would die.
What would happen to our body if we didn’t have our lungs?
Answer: We couldn’t breathe and we would die.
How does that compare to us being part of the body of Christ?
Answer: Every believer is needed and has special jobs God has planned.
Recite Ephesians 2:10.
Answer: In ESV, it says: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
What is a job God might have for someone who likes to serve others?
Answers will vary.
What is a job God might have for someone who likes to teach?
Answers will vary.
What is the one job God has for all Christians?
Answer: To share Jesus with others.
Apply It!

Day 5 Student Guides, 1 per child
Adventure Journals, 1 per child
Stamp for Adventure Journals
Optional: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made bookmarks, 1 per child
Optional: Exploring God’s Word Bible studies, 1 per child
Day 5 Memory Verse Poster
Memory Verse Music and player

 In the remaining time, complete one or more of the following ideas in class.  
Put a stamp in the Adventure Journals, or group guides can do so as the kids first arrive at VBS. Pass out the Exploring God’s Word Bible studies and the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made bookmarks, or have group guides do so at the end of the day. 
Part 1: Fair Dinkum Verse
Pre-prep: Hang the Day 5 Memory Verse Poster and cue the memory verse song.
Today’s Verse: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
Practice the verse several times by playing the appropriate memory verse song and using the Day 5 Memory Verse poster as a reference. Then try the Challenge.
Challenge: Check Your Balance—Say the verse while standing with both feet on the ground. Next, say it while balancing on just one foot, then while balancing on the other foot. Now try saying it while balancing on one foot and closing your eyes. Can you make it the whole way through before losing your balance?
Part 2: Go and Do 
Pray and ask God to use you now and as you grow up for his glory (glory = making much of God). Use 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Ephesians 2:10 to guide your prayer.
Who can you say hello to today that seems sad or lonely? That’s just one little example of how God can use you! Be on the lookout!
Do you have a particular interest or interests? Brainstorm how you might be able to use those now to honor God and help others. Remember—the one main job we all have is to point others to our amazing God. 
Ask your parent or guardian to share a time when someone helped them in a special way.
Check AnswersVBSanswersvbs.com/zrkids for more fun information!
Ask yourself this question: What good works might God have for me to do?