VBS MOTTO: God’s Truth Never Changes!
THEME VERSE: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
Bible Story: Daniel Chose God’s Way (Daniel 1)
Today’s Point: God’s plan is best.
Some People Say: Do what makes you happy.
God Says: My plan for you is even better.
Items Needed:
- Bible
- Memory Verse Poster
- 2 Sand Buckets
- Seashells (hidden around the room)
- Paint
- Paintbrushes
- Plates (to paint shells on)
- Water cups and paper towels (to clean paint brushes)
- Googly Eyes
- Hot Glue Gun (Teachers Only)
- Large piece of butcher paper
Leader Devotion
Daniel. What words come to mind when you hear that name? Good food? Dreams? Lions? I imagine those might be among the words children would shout out when asked that question. But there’s so much more. As a teacher, wouldn’t you love to hear boys and girls shout out words like brave, obedient, and faithful? From the beginning of his book, Daniel declares his confidence in the sovereignty of God. Daniel acknowledges that God, Himself, handed Jerusalem over to King Nebuchadnezzar and therefore allowed Daniel and his friends to be captured. It is estimated that Daniel and his friends were around 15 years old when they were taken captive. Yet even as this young age, Daniel was unwavering in his obedience and faithfulness to God.
In what ways has God been faithful to you? In what ways have you been faithful to God?
The king wanted Daniel and the other captives to learn the Chaldean language, the literature, and the wisdom of his wisest men. He commanded them to eat the royal food and to drink his wine. He changed their names from those that honored God to names that instead honored the gods of Babylon. He wanted to indoctrinate them. He wanted them to forget who they were and become what he wanted them to be. Sound familiar? The world today is trying to do the same to us and to our children, but not by marching in and taking us captive. No, the enemy is taking a more subtle approach now. His lies are so enticing: “Follow your heart.” “You be you.” “You believe what you want – I’ll believe what I want.” “There is no right or wrong.” “Personal happiness is all that is important.” Instead of falling for these lies, listen to God. Follow His heart. Be who He designed you to be. Believe His truth. His plan is always best for us.
Pause to Reflect: How has following God’s plan brought you true happiness?
Because Satan’s lies are so enticing, we may be tempted to listen to and embrace them. Daniel was ready to stand firm against temptation. As a descendant of Judah, he likely was taught from an early age to honor God and His commands. Daniel was reminded again and again about the faithfulness of God. Because of knowing and believing God’s truth, Daniel was able to be steadfast in the small things – like choosing to obey God even in what he ate. His unwavering faith grew so that ultimately, he could stand strong even in the face of death. Like Daniel, are we ready and equipped to stand firm against today’s cultural lies? The good news is that God is STILL faithful. He provided His Word – His truth – to guide us through these shifting sands and swirling tides. Time after time, we read about God’s faithfulness in helping His people. As we read in Scripture about God’s faithfulness in helping His people, we can know that, indeed, His truth never changes. He will deliver us just as He has always delivered His people.
Pause to Reflect: Faithful. Steadfast. Constant. Enduring. Tried. True. Unchanging. Unwavering. Words that describe God. Words that describe Daniel. Do they describe you?
6:30-7:00 Bible Story, Bible Verse Game, & Song
“Hey kids! Welcome to Adventure Week VBS! My name is _. Today we’re going to hear a true story from the Bible about a man named Daniel and his friends who chose to obey God! Today’s point is God’s Plan is Best. Can you say that with me?”
PDF: SMALL GROUP BIBLE STORY LESSON
BIBLE STORY GAME: SHELL SCAVENGER HUNT
Before class, hide seashells around the room. One per kid. Divide into groups of 1-2 crews. Give each group a bucket. Tell them that they are going on a hunt to find seashells! Play a song and challenge kids to walk around the room and pick up a shell. Once they have found one, they can come to the center of the room and sit while the song finishes.
Ask kids how many of them have ever collected shells at the beach. One at a time, invite each kid to place his shell in their group bucket and share something good he did for someone else that day (or that week). As each child answers, ask him to be seated again.
Continue until everyone has had a chance. Once everyone is seated, shake your bucket gently and comment about how many good things are represented by the shells.
SAY: “These shells represent a lot of good things. What if all these were done by one person? Would that be enough good things for that person to get to heaven?” (No!) It is not about the good things we have done, but it is about what God did for us when he sent Jesus. And because we know how much Jesus loves us and that God’s Plan is Best!, we want to do things God’s way. The best way!
In today’s Bible story, Daniel and his friends chose to follow God’s plan. If they had a bucket of shells for all the vegetables they ate, I bet it would be a lot like our bucket. Can everyone say Today’s Point with me? “God’s Plan is Best!” We’re going to do something with our shells in just a minute, but first let’s practice our memory verse!”
WORSHIP SONG
MEMORY VERSE GAME: BEACH BALL
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. -Proverbs 3:5
Say the verse together with the kids. Use the following motions:
- Trust (clasp hands in front of them)
- Lord (point up to the sky)
- Heart (cross arms over heart)
- Understanding (point to head)
Explain that boys and girls will get to practice saying the verse together as they play a game. Give one preschooler a beach ball and tell him that when the music starts, he will pass it to the person next to him. Explain that they will keep passing the ball until the music stops. Whoever is holding the ball when the music stops will get to go point to the words on the “Memory Verse Poster” while everyone says the verse together.” Play until preschoolers have repeated the verse several times.
7:00-7:15 Craft: Pet Sea Shell
Lay out a piece of butcher paper in the middle of the table. Pass out a shell to each kid. Instruct kids to paint their seashells, and once they are finished, paint waves or sand on the paper underneath! Teachers can glue googly eyes onto the painted shells so kids can take them home as “Pet Shells” to remind them of the story and that God’s plan is best.
Briefly talk about today’s Bible story, noting that Daniel and his friends chose to follow God’s plan, even when they ate! Mention that God has a plan for everything He created—even the seashells on the beach. Remind kids that God loves people more than everything else He created. He has a plan for each one of us, and His plan is always best!
Allow kids to take their seashells home to remind them of the main point: “God’s Plan is Best!”
7:15-7:45 Games
Game 1: Temptation Hot Potato
The “hot potato” represents temptation (wanting to do the wrong thing). Kids quickly pass it because we don’t want to hold onto temptation. When music stops, discuss how Daniel didn’t hold onto the king’s tempting food – he chose God’s way instead.
“Just like we don’t want to hold the hot potato, Daniel didn’t want to hold onto the wrong choice!”
Game 2: Obstacle Course
TBD
7:45-8:00 Snack & Daily Wrap Up
“Today we learned about Daniel and his friends. How did they choose to follow God’s plan?” (Answers
will vary)
Examples of questions you could ask:
- Who did we learn about in today’s true story from the Bible? (Hint: it starts with a “D”) (A: Daniel)
- What did Daniel ask the chief officer? (To let them only eat vegetables instead of the king’s food.)
- After they ate only vegetables and only drank water for 10 days, were Daniel and his friends stronger or
weaker? (Stronger, Healthier) - Daniel trusted that whose plan is best? (God’s)
Remind boys and girls that in today’s Bible story, Daniel and his friends chose to follow God’s plan for them.
Ask kids to say today’s point with you: God’s Plan is Best.
Pray. Thank God for having a plan for everyone and ask Him to help us follow His plan because it is best.