CAMP 1:
LEAD TO JESUS
Ages: kINDERGARtEN - 2ND GRADE
CAMP 2:
LOVE LIKE JESUS
Ages: 3RD GRADE - 5TH GRADE
CAMP 3:
LIVE BY PURPOSE
Ages: 6TH GRADE - 8TH GRADE
ESTHER
1. God’s Plan for You Doesn’t Surprise Him
Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” A couple of chapters later in 19:21, Proverbs reiterates, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” I have no doubt that Esther’s plans for her life didn’t include her parents’ early deaths, being taken to the live in the king’s palace, and being married to a prideful king. To top that off, Esther never dreamed of a situation where she would have to choose between her own life and standing up for the lives of her people, the Jews. But none of this was a surprise to God. He reminds us in Isaiah 55:9 that His ways and thoughts are higher than our ways and thoughts.
2. The People around You Matter
In reading through Esther again I was struck with the importance of surrounding ourselves with wise, godly people. King Xerxes is the prime example of what happens when you don’t do this. Esther 1:13 states that “it was customary for the king to consult experts in matter of law and justice.” The problem is that the advice that the king received from his “wise” men and his right-hand-man Haman led him to make very poor decisions – decisions deadly for the Jews. Quite the opposite for Esther. From the beginning Esther listened to her Uncle Mordecai’s wisdom. Because he forbid her, Esther didn’t reveal her nationality (2:10). Later in the story, Mordecai pleaded with Esther to set her fears aside and stand up for deliverance of the Jews.
3. God is Sovereign
Esther’s situation looked bleak as did the future of her people. Yet throughout the Old Testament, a promised Messiah was to come from Jewish lineage. Was God wrong? No. Regardless of man’s plans, God has the final say because He is sovereign.
4. God is Always at Work Behind the Scenes
Interestingly, God’s name is never mentioned in Esther. Not. One. Time. Yet God’s fingerprints are on every page. God was with Esther when she lost her parents and she was raised by her wise uncle. It wasn’t by mistake that Esther had “a lovely figure and was beautiful” (2:7). Was it happenstance that Esther was a Jew? Of course not. God was arranging every single detail for His glory.
5. God Has Placed Us Where We are for a Reason
In chapter four, Mordecai encourages Esther to approach the King and beg for mercy and plead for the Jewish people. But believing this would mean certain death and Esther was adamantly against his advice. In defense Mordecai shared with his niece probably the most popular verse from Esther, “Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (4:14). Maybe God had placed Esther as queen so that she could stand up to the king. Such an amazing story! But will you take a moment with me to think about your current situation? Do you feel like Esther?
• Are God’s plans not matching up with yours?
• Are you seeking wisdom from godly people?
• Do you believe no matter what happens you serve a sovereign God?
• Does God seem to be absent?
• Does the grass on the other side look greener?
I would guess that Esther questioned her situation and wondered if God had forgotten her, but think what would have happened if she had given into those fears? God is sovereign and His fingerprints are all over your life. And wherever God has placed you is exactly where He wants you for this moment. Now that’s some pretty amazing Biblical truths for us to all remember.
camp lead to jesus |
|
|
Students will complete the crown page in their booklet and also decorate a crown for themself. Take time to really affirm their royal status.
|
camp love like jesus |
|
paint a crown. Guide students step by step to draw and paint a crown on their canvas. stencils will be available to accommodate learners who need extra support. pair this activity with a memory verse.
click here for drawing video |
camp live by purpose |
|
Paper chair engineering challenge: Can you create a chair that can hold Queen Esther using only paper and tape?
Challenge Rules
|
JOSEPH
USE THE SAME LEARNING OBJECTIVE AND SCRIPTURES FROM ESTHER AND APPLY THEM TO JOSEPH'S STORY. IF YOU NEED HELP DOING THIS OR NEED AN EXPANDED DESCRIPTION OF THIS APPLICATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK SHANTIANA.
1. GOD'S PLAN FOR YOU DOESN'T SURPRISE HIM
Just like in Esther's story, joseph's story appears to have many sad turns, with people doing things that are harmful to him, from being sold, lied on, and jailed. but just like Estehr, what may look like it was for joseph's bad was actually for his good. god was not surprised by all of the hard things that happened to JOseph (especially since he was with joseph the whole way). In the end , he made all those events work together to save, joseph, his family, and the people from famine.
PROVERBS 16:9 SAYS, “THE HEART OF MAN PLANS HIS WAY, BUT THE LORD ESTABLISHES HIS STEPS.” A COUPLE OF CHAPTERS LATER IN 19:21, PROVERBS REITERATES, “MANY ARE THE PLANS IN THE MIND OF A MAN, BUT IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD THAT WILL STAND.” HE REMINDS US IN ISAIAH 55:9 THAT HIS WAYS AND THOUGHTS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS AND THOUGHTS.
2. THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU MATTER
Joseph 's brothers did not like him. It appears that joseph paid the price for his brother's jealousy. He paid through being a slave and a prisoner. But, Joseph learned later that even though his brothers did evil towards him, God showed him how to forgive them and helped him understand that God cares about everyone, even when they are not kind or do bad things. God showed joseph that the people around him, even in their wrong doing, were still important. god used joseph's brothers to teach him how to forgive and how to love.
3. GOD IS SOVEREIGN
No matter what was happening in Joseph's life, The Lord was with him. Even though it looked liked joseph was in a bad position, God made even the bad thing become good, not just for Joseph, but his entire family and all of the people's lives to be saved. God used jealously, slavery, false accusation, prison, wisdom and innovation, a special gift to know the meaning of dreams, a famiine, a Pharoah, and Joseph's leadership to rescue his people. GOd is in control. even through jospeh's dreams, God told him he was special. and was he wrong, no? just as he dreamed, jospeh was put in a place of leadership over his brothers. and god used him to do his works.
4. GOD IS ALWAYS AT WORK BEHIND THE SCENES
on the outside looking in, without god telling you, it would be hard to see jospeh's end in his beginning. but you know who did already know it? that's right, god did! many things happened that were menat to kill and destroy joseph, but god used those same things to take jospeh from the pit and position him in the palace.
5. GOD HAS PLACED US WHERE WE ARE FOR A REASON
it's amazing how each piece of joseph's story is connected to the next. where he was in one season led him to the gate of his next one. god being sovereign, has the inside scoop. he knows what we do and do not need. even our trials, we should count them all joy (james 1:2). even when its hard we must REMEMBER the promises of god and that he is not a man and can not lie. he said that we are vistorious, so no matter how the road looks our end is already determined and the hills and valleys along the way are only part of our path.
camp lead to jesus |
|
|
create a a rainbow of food coloring in cups. (representative of a unique time for each child when someone hurt their feelings)
in another cup have bleach (representing forgiveness) have each child put bleach in their colored cup to make it back clean. |
camp love like jesus |
|
Using colorful pipe cleaners, create a sculpture that models forgiveness. Have a teacher to create a description card for your sculpture.
|
camp live by purpose |
|
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
STEAM CONCEPTS LEARNED:
|
DAVID & GOLIATH
1. GOD SPECIALIZES IN THE IMPOSSIBLE
Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” GENESIS 18:15
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” MATTHEW 19:26
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. PHILLIPIANS 4:13
GOD CAN DO ANYTHING. GOD CAN DO ANYTHING! SOMETIMES HE DOES THEM BY HIS HAND, BY THE HANDS OF JESUS, OR EVEN THOUGH US! THERE IS NO LIMIT TO WHAT GOD CAN DO.
2. WE DON'T HAVE TO FEAR BECAUSE GOD IS WITH US
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed: I will strengthen you, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
3. GOD USES CHILDREN TO DO BIG THINGS
I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. MAFK 10:15-16
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” JEREMIAH 1:5
4. By faith, we can do incredible things that will ultimately bring glory to God.
David was a small boy compared to his brothers, but he did big things like protect his sheep from wild animals and save his people by slaying Goliath. Share with your child that no matter how limited they feel by their age or abilities, they can do amazing things through faith and for the glory of God. If they do not understand what glory means, explain that bringing glory to God means we point others to him and show through our own lives that he is a powerful God.
camp lead to jesus |
|
|
students will create the page in their book and then do a ball toss for vbs cash.
|
camp lead to jesus |
|
we will be making a bag of stones that reprint ways that we can kill our giants. after you discuss the different ways(and tape them to the bag as shown) then the students can throw the pom moms at the cardboard giant.
|
camp lead to jesus |
|
As a team, students will design a catapult. The challenge is to create the catapult that will toss David's stone the furthest.
handouts and resources will be be emailed to the teaching team. |
2 FISH & 5 LOAVES
1. specializing IN THE IMPOSSIBLE
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do."
this miracle (the only miracle to RERECORDED in all four gospels), was an opportunity for man to witness god's unmeasurable power. jesus, being rabbi = teacher, knew wehn he saw the people gathering that he would use this moment to teach his people. after multiplying the 2 fish and 5 loaves, the people k new the he was who he said he was. son of god, able to do the impossible.
2. WE DON'T HAVE TO FEAR BECAUSE GOD IS WITH US
ifthis was just any old place and they were just any old people, it would make since that they would be anxious about trying to feed thousands of people. but indeed this was not just any old place and they were not just any old people. this was a place where jesus was and they were a blessed people because they were with. They were gathered in the presence of the Messiah, And that changes everything. Apart from God we can do nothing but through God we can do all things!
3. GOD USES CHILDREN TO DO BIG THINGS
IIn John 6:1-14 Jesus wanted the disciples to feed a large crowd. They said it would be impossible. But, a boy with them had five small loaves of bread and two small fish. Jesus takes this gift, thanks God for it, and uses it to feed over 5,000 people, with leftovers to spare! god can use what you have. just because you are a child dosent mean that you or what you have ISN'T enough. god makes us enough. him + us = great things! God uses this young boy remind us that children are SIGNIFICANT to his kingdom and to his plan, and that god can use them as solutions or answers to a problem.
4. BY FAITH, WE CAN DO INCREDIBLE THINGS THAT WILL ULTIMATELY BRING GLORY TO GOD.
When we look at our problems and not to our God we become distracted. We start to make decisions or inferences on what we see instead of what we know. We have to stay grounded in our faith remembering who God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are and what they all can do. When we move according to our faith mountains are moved and the attention is put back on the mountain mover.
camp lead to jesus |
|
|
students will complete the last page in their book and then do some fishing!
|
camp love like jesus |
|
Science in making bread in a bag
-As if turning a variety of ingredients, liquid and powdered, into a solid block of bread wasn’t amazing enough, children are fascinated by the active yeast. When I explained to them that it was ‘alive’ they struggled to believe me, but when they saw how it caused the zip lock bag to expand and create bubbles in the bread mixture they were amazed. You see, yeast just needs warmth (from the warm water) and sugar to become active and alive. Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
|
camp lead to jesus |
|
come up with a Tic Tok challenge that teaches people about the miracle
|