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VBS 2009 - Crocodile Dock Recap
More than just a good time!
July 20-24 @5:45-8:30p
One of the things that we believe strongly in at LPC is whole family ministry. The most effective way to connect your kiddos with the reality of God's glory, grace and love for us is to engage with them in conversation, fun and learning centered around God's word outside of the time they spend at church too!
Use this guide to follow along and discover ways to engage in conversation with your child after they leave VBS each night! You can also find some great pictures to see what's going on each night!
Each day we learn a bible point, a bible verse and hear a bible story! We engage in fun games, crafts and worship! We learn to look for God in the little things and to recognize His love for us!
Jump straight to a day
Day 1 - July 20
Tonight's Bible Memory Buddy Flash the lightening bug helped us to remember that God is with us! (Fear not!!)
The verse we learned was Exodus 3:12 - "God answered, 'I will be with you.'"
The bible story we looked at was where God spoke to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:1 - 4:17)
Sometimes God takes drastic measures to get our attention...and God sure got Moses' attention with a burning bush that didn't burn up! While Moses' sheep grazed, he investigated...and heard God speak from inside the bush. God had heard his people's cries from Egypt and was ready to send the leader he had prepared to rescue them: Moses. Unfortunately, Moses wasn't so sure. Leading the Israelites would be a hard job with limitless risks. Besides, who would listen to, believe, or even follow a shepherd with a somewhat shady past?
But God knew that Moses was the one he wanted to use to free his people. God met Moses' objections with a simple statement: "I will be with you." God also gave a reminder of who God is -- "I am" -- the God of Moses' forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Moses realized that hi God had chosen him, he was willing to obey. And when he obeyed in faith, God used him mightily.
If God spoke to your kids, what might he ask them to do? God might encourage a child to pray before lunch at school. Or maybe God would ask a child to befriend someone who is unpopular. To a kid, either task might sem just as tough as leading a caravan of countless Israelites! Remind your kids that God is there when friends turn their backs, when things don't go their way or when no one else seems to care. Remind them that God is by their side no matter what!
Check out some pictures from Day 1!
Day 2 - July 21
Tonight's Bible Memory Buddy Jacques le Croc helped us to remember that God is powerful! (Fear not!!)
The verse we learned was Exodus 7:17 - "I will show you that I am the Lord."
The bible story we looked at was where God sent plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7:1 - 10:29)
If you think smog, traffic, and global warming are bad, just read through this passage of scripture! Imagine an enormous river of blood and dead fish, frogs covering the land, or swarms of gnats and flies invading your city. Pharaoh's hardheartedness led to havoc, death and destruction for his own people and land. Yet the plagues were more than a means to free the Israelites. The plagues demonstrated God's power over gods worshiped in Egypt such as Hopi, Hepet, Hut, Ra, and Osiris. These supernatural acts not only revealed God to be more powerful than any fake deity but God also protected his people from much of the mayhem. While the world seemed to be coming apart for the Egyptians, God kept his people safe.
It may be hard for children to see that God is powerful. After all, Christians aren't exempt from hardships or disaster. Your kids may have friends and loved ones who have been hurt, sick or even died. But God's power means more than a physical covering for us. God provides a powerful spiritual refuge for those who love and follow him. Engage with your kids to help them understand that when the world seems to be falling apart, God protects them by giving them his hope, his strength and his amazing, unfailing love.
Check out some pictures from Day 2!
Day 3 - July 22
Tonight's Bible Memory Buddy Belle the spoonbill helped us to remember that God does what he says he'll do! (Fear not!!)
The verse we learned was Exodus 12:42 - "The Lord kept his promise."
The bible story we looked at was when God spared the Israelites at Passover (Exodus 11:1 - 12:42)
Egypt was still reeling from the first nine plagues when God dealt the lat and most convincing blow all--the death of every firstborn son. From the poorest Egyptian slave to Pharaoh himself, no household would be spared. Except those of the Israelites.
God instructed the Israelites to carefully prepare for this event and to never forget what was to happen. Each household selected a lamb without blemish and sacrificed it to the Lord. The perfect lamb died in place of the firstborn child. This sacrifice became a symbol that the Israelites understood. An innocent life had to be taken to spare them from death. That night, "the Lord kept his promise." Death and grief filled every Egyptian house...but gratitude and renewed faith overflowed each Israelite home. Although they didn't understand it at the time, that sacrifice looked forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lam of God, who shed his blood and died so that all who believe in him might be saved from spiritual death and eternity apart from God.
Face it; we adults can be pretty lousy at keeping our promises. Things come up, we get busy, or we just plain forget promises we've made to even our own kids. We may not be providing the best model of faithfulness...but God still is! As kids grow in their relationship with Jesus, help them to understand that God will do what he says he'll do. Though people fail us, God will never fail to follow through on his word. Engage with them over this gripping, powerful reminder that we can always rely on God.