• How did Elijah obey God? (He went to the brook Cherith)
• What did God promise to do for Elijah? (send Ravens to feed him and the brook for drink)
• Did He keep His promise? (Yes!)
• What has God promised us? (to never leave us, eternal life, He is good, He has given us His Helper, etc.)
• Can we trust He will do what He has promised? (Yes!)

Scripture

Here’s our main scripture for VBS this year:

Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say rejoice!

This verse begins Paul’s talk about worries in Philippians. He’s giving us the answer to worry from the get-go. What should we do when we feel worried? Rejoice in the Lord! Worship Him! When we choose to rejoice and worship Him, our worries fade from focus.

Here’s a song that can help us hide these words in our hearts.

We’re also playing Scripture Bingo during VBS! Each camper has a Bingo card with Scriptures listed on it. Choose a scripture (or a couple!) to work at memorizing this week (see the tips page for ideas to make it fun) then come recite your verses at Supply Pick Up this Saturday. When you recite a verse, you’ll receive a sticker on your bingo card from our helpers at the Basic Training tent. Get three in a row for a Scripture Bingo!

Worship

Don’t forget our VBS playlist found on the “Getting Started” page of our website! It’s full of all kinds of songs to remind us God is in control and we don’t have to worry!

REC

Movement Game – Simon Says Move Like a Bird!

It’s time to get up and move. The whole family can play this one! Play this game by the normal Simon Says rules. But use this document to play using these bird movements! How many more can your family think of?

Grounding Games

Throughout VBS we’re going to learn to become more aware of our worries so we can take our thoughts captive. This includes noticing how our bodies feel when we’re worried. Worries can make us feel tense, tired, cranky, or even make our tummies feel yucky. To get rid of some of these physical feelings, so we can begin to change our thinking, we can learn these simple grounding games. Here’s two more to try.

CAMP ACTIVITIES

Below are some activities to help campers remember that we can trust God will do what He has promised.

Connect with the Story

Let’s make some Ravens to remember how God used these birds to provide for Elijah. Two options have been provided – the first will be more simple for younger campers, but older campers may enjoy the challenge of the second one. In your supply bag, you’ll find what you need to make either one.

Here you’ll see instructions to make the paper bag raven craft our younger campers will enjoy.

And if your older campers would like more of a challenge, try the accordion fold raven. A sheet of instructions are included in each camper bag.

Learn about our Worries

Now find each camper’s sheet titled “What Pushes Your Buttons”. This one can be very eye-opening for family members. ALL people – moms and dads included! – have things that bug us just a little. Have everyone go through the list and check off some things that push their buttons. Share your lists with one another. Now spend some time talking about how you react when your buttons get pushed. When you have times that lots of buttons are pushed you may begin to feel frustrated or even anxious! When we can tell one another “I’ve had too many of my buttons pushed!”, before we blow our tops, we can step aside and take a break! Also discuss between siblings or family members, if there ever comes a time that you push one another’s buttons on purpose! Why are we so tempted to do this?! What can we do next time we’re tempted?

Just for Fun

• Let’s make birdfeeders! For this one, you’ll need to gather some empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls. Or your family might have some pinecones available in your yard. Then locate your family’s bag of birdseed from your supply bag. You’ll want to use the bag that is LESS full for this activity. Roll the cardboard rolls or pinecones in peanut butter, then birdseed. Each camper also has a piece of yarn to use as a hanger for their feeder. Hang these outside and enjoy considering the birds as they stop by for snacks.
• Also included in your family supply bag is a more FULL bag of birdseed and some other bird-themed supplies. Find a shoebox-sized container and make your own bird-themed sensory bin! What other nature items might your campers find to add to the fun?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Snack Ideas

• Here are two bird-themed snack ideas to choose from this week. One is a nest made from pretzel sticks. The other are some cute birdies made from eggs.

Additional Activities

• This bird craft will be for older campers too. They’ll take some skill and patience. But they were just too cool to pass up! Try making these pom-pom birds with your older campers.

YOUTH CHALLENGE

Week 2: We Can Trust God to Do What He Promised

Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? It doesn’t have to be a big promise, it can be small, or by accident. Have you ever broken a promise to someone? Have you ever said, “Sure, I’ll do that,” but then you forgot? The coolest truth in Scripture is that God always keeps His promises. He never forgets about us and He always remembers the Words that He has spoken.

Take a minute and go around your table. Each person should ask the person to their right, if there is ONE thing that they could do this week to help them. Parents might want to help siblings come up with ideas. Write down that ONE thing and do it for them this week. One way to help you keep your word is to set an alarm on your phone. Think of ways to accomplish this task well, modeling the character of God, in your service to that person. Do it joyfully! Send a picture of what you did to Mrs. Annie, for our VBS video!