Crown of Victory

Introduction

We have gone to great lengths to make sure that the music, motions, and lyrics are God-centered and kid-friendly. We don’t want children to leave singing about a theme. We want them singing about God!

The theme throughout Shine is that God is the only one who deserves our glory and praise. One of the ways we can give God glory is by worshipping Him. We’ve done our best to provide you with the tools you need to effectively lead children as we glorify our great God together.

Along with the worship songs, we have also included the song Superhero. Not only has this song proven to be a big hit with children at our live events, but it works perfectly as the transition into the superhero skit each day.

The Opening & Closing sessions give you the flexibility to be as involved as you’d like to be. Smaller churches can play the video and let us lead the singing for you. Larger churches can add children on stage, props, and additional elements (hazer, lights, etc.) to make this a huge production. Either way will work and we look forward to hearing about how you decide to implement our music and videos into your event!

Opening & Closing Overview

Each day VBS will begin and end with a time of corporate worship. Our intent is that everyone can share in these times including leaders and preschoolers. Music is a great way to give God glory and help children remember what they’ve learned!

We have put more resources into this area of the curriculum than any other in order to make this an incredible time of corporate worship for your children and leaders. Our hope is that you will trust us in following our recommendations for this most important time. As children are walking in, we recommend having fun, energetic music already playing in the background to set the tone for a great day!

To start the Opening Session:

Start with a greeting, prayer, and announcements by the Shine VBS Director, pastor, or Shine Worship Leader. The Opening Sessions will begin with a ten second countdown. Make sure to leave the house lights on during the announcements and countdown. The Opening Session will have more impact and stand apart as the official start if you save the stage lights for when the music begins. Have the choreography leaders run onto the stage AFTER the 10 second countdown. They can run off after the final song is done and before the skit begins.

After the announcements, start that day’s Opening Session by playing the day’s Opening Session video (from your video download).

Each “Opening Session” contains a 10 second countdown, 4 music videos, and a daily greeting by Go Fish.

For seamless transitions simply play the day’s Opening Session video and all videos will play in the correct order. There is no need to start each song individually! This makes for sloppy transitions which ALWAYS causes distractions for your children.

We have taken great care to put the songs in an order that has been proven to be most effective.

After the Go Fish greeting the skit will begin with either live actors or puppets followed by final announcements from the Shine VBS Director.

You also have the option of playing the individual songs and greetings if you decide to do songs other than the ones we selected each day. This is also a great option if you decide that you want your Opening & Closing sessions to be longer or shorter. However, utilizing this option is a lot riskier and lends itself to technical and manual errors. We HIGHLY recommend that you stick to our song order as it has been tested for timing, audience attention spans, and transitions.

Please note: the song order is the same for all 5 days. The speaking videos and the skits vary each day. Again, we did this intentionally because children like knowing which songs are coming next and the transitional order worked extremely well for this curriculum. This also makes it possible for VBS to run smoothly by keeping a consistent schedule and allowing children to sing all their favorites each day.

The Day 4 Closing Session has a special time of prayer included at the end. Children will have learned on this day that the Crown of Glory is given to humble, servant leaders. Instead of playing the optional ending video, we recommend inviting your pastoral staff and/or elders to the VBS stage. Ask 2-3 children beforehand if they would be willing to come up and pray for your leaders and thank them for being glory givers!

Sheet music, guitar chords, and lyric sheets for all Shine songs are in your curriculum download.

Choreography

We have included choreography for all of the videos. You can find the choreography teaching videos in your video download (a “Choreography teaching video” for each song).

We highly recommend using these to teach a small group of 6-8 children and/or leaders the actions for these songs. It’s very important that your dancers on stage are prepared so that the children can look to them to learn the moves.

This also adds a lot of energy to your worship times. With your lighting, our videos, and dancers on stage it will truly feel like a big event! We have found that utilizing Jr. & Sr. High students for this role works wonderfully. When the younger children see their older peers getting into it, they tend to follow!

Are we directionally challenged? Sometimes! But we intentionally went left on the videos when we say to go right so that what the children see on the screen matches where they’re going. We thought it would be a good idea to clarify that before you send us letters explaining the difference between left and right!

The leaders on stage can leave as soon as the last video is finished and before the skit begins. If you have the capabilities, we’d suggest turning the stage lights on when they’re actively involved and off when the focus should be on the speaking videos only.

Leaders on stage can sing along, clap, and encourage children to stay actively involved with the music whenever there aren’t any choreographed moves. Having the right children and/or leaders on stage can really add a lot to the Opening and Closing worship experience. Make sure everyone is smiling and having fun up there!

The Skits

The Shine skits feature the following characters who will be a part of your Opening Sessions every day during the Shine VBS experience.

• The Glory Giver: A superhero who gives glory to God
• The Glory Getter: A superhero wannabe who wants as much glory as possible for himself
• Muriel: A TV reporter
• The Theme Song Guy: The Glory Getter’s sidekick
• Katie: A young girl

Throughout the five days, the Glory Giver and the Glory Getter will do their best to solve the mystery of the stolen crowns.

House lights up during announcements and countdown, then house lights down

Crowns of Heaven — Part 1

Written by John Cosper

LeaderPrint the “Skit script: The Crowns of Heaven, Part 1” from your curriculum download.

Start with a greeting, announcements, and prayer by the VBS Director. After the announcements, start that day’s Opening Session by playing the Day 1 Opening Session video (from your video download) and start shining!

Included when you buyDay 1 Opening Session video

Have choreography leaders/dancers run onto the stage as the countdown ends so they’re ready to lead!

The “Day 1 Opening Session” consists of:

After the Superhero video, dancers run off stage. During the Go Fish greeting, the actors or puppets can prepare to begin part 1 of “The Crowns of Heaven” skit.

Teachers: Here are some additional passages of Scripture to read beforehand as you pray and prepare to teach from God’s Word.

• We are rescued from sin to live for God: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• Do everything for the glory of God: 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Each person will stand before God: Romans 14:11-12
• Jesus gives us our reward: Revelation 22:12
• We will cast our reward at His feet: Revelation 4:9-11

LeaderPrint the “Activity Sheet: Maze” from your curriculum download.

Please also use the preschool Bible Study lessons as an additional resource for modifications to this study. Coloring Sheets may also be used as an alternative to the Activity Sheets.

Open with a word of prayer and then start by playing the Day 1 Bible Study video (from your video download).

Included when you buyDay 1 Bible Study video

LeaderHold up the wrapped present.

I know I do! When you see a gift with your name on it, the first question that probably comes to mind is...what’s inside? (Shake the gift.) However, there is another question that is more important and that is...WHO is this gift from?

LeaderPoint to the tag.

You usually receive gifts from others because they love you. They most likely spent some time thinking about what you might need or want. They also probably spent their own money to buy it. That’s why when you receive several gifts at once, maybe on your birthday or Christmas, your parents won’t let you move on from one present to another without stopping to thank the person who gave it to you. They might even keep a list to make sure every person who gives a gift gets a thank you note later.

God is! He knows what you need more than anyone else and continues to bless you and me with many gifts. Family, friends, church, a nice summer day — all of these things are gifts from the Lord. He delights in giving us good gifts because He loves us.

LeaderAllow children to share.

How about the Bible? God has provided you with His Holy Word, are you reading it? It takes some discipline to set aside part of your day to read your Bible. It might mean giving up some of your video game time or maybe waking up earlier in the morning. It’s not going to be easy but flex those muscles athlete! You are working for the Crown of Victory! God’s Word will provide you with wisdom to make choices that honor Him and give Him glory.

We are going to read about a group of people who didn’t want to listen to God’s Word. Not only did they disobey Him, but they wanted some glory for themselves.

Did you know it was the very first thing God told Adam and Eve after He created them? In Genesis chapter 1 God said to them,

God wanted Adam and Eve to follow His ways so that they could enjoy the earth He created and be with Him. However, we know that this did not happen. In fact, there were so many people disobeying God that He flooded the entire earth. Only Noah’s family was saved and what do you think God told them before they even stepped off of the ark?

It sounds pretty clear what God wanted His people to do. It must have been very important to Him if it was the very first thing He said to both families. Let’s open our Bibles to Genesis chapter 11 to see if the people just a few chapters later were listening to God.

LeaderIf working with older children, choose a volunteer to read the verse. If working with younger children, you will probably want to read the verse and have them follow along. Make sure to read directly from the Bible.

LeaderRead Genesis 11:1-2

Do you know what migrate means? It means to move from one country, or place, to another. These people wouldn’t have been able to take a plane, drive a car, or stop at a restaurant when they got hungry like we do when we travel. They would have been walking the whole way. It seems like this group of people started to do what God wanted, but now they found a nice place to stop. What are they going to do? Let’s keep reading.

LeaderContinue reading verses 3-4

Instead of moving on and spreading out like they were supposed to, they wanted to build a city with a tall tower in Shinar and settle there. Everyone would want to live in the city with the tower that reached the heavens and they wouldn’t have to be scattered all over the earth. They would make a name for themselves because people would look at them as great builders and give them glory for the tall tower they built.

LeaderRemind them of what God told Adam & Eve and Noah.

James 4:17 says that when we know what the right thing to do is and we fail to do it, it’s sin.

Let’s look at verses 5-9 to see what happened.

LeaderRead Genesis 11:5-9

Don’t you love how it says ‘the Lord came down to see the city and tower’? The builders thought they were building up to the heavens. They weren’t even close! The Lord needed to come down to even see it!

Since they wouldn’t do what God asked them to do, He confused their speech. They went from all speaking the same language to everyone speaking a different language! No one could stay in that city because no one could understand each other. God spread them all over the earth, which was exactly what He wanted in the first place. The Tower of Babel was abandoned and fell into ruin.

God’s way is always the best way. It may seem like hard work at the time, but the Lord rewards those who are faithful and remain obedient to Him. Remember, the Crown of Victory is for those who give glory to God, not themselves.

Think of yourself as an Olympic athlete this week training your mind and body to obey God. You might have to flex some muscles when your parents tell you to do one thing and you would rather do something else. You will get stronger by saying ‘no’ to your own desires and ‘yes’ to obedience. When you obey your parents, you obey God and He will reward you. (Your mom and dad might too!) Your obedience will make you shine. It won’t be easy, but the results will last forever!

LeaderEnd in prayer

Did you notice how in our story today it says, ‘let us go down and confuse their language’...

LeaderLook up Proverbs 18:10

There is nothing that man can build that is stronger than the name of the Lord!

LeaderIf time allows, have the children start working on their activity sheets (the “Activity Sheet: Maze” in your curriculum download).

Maze

Missional Focus:

Paul compared our eternal crowns to the temporary ones given to the Olympic athletes. These athletes worked hard for their reward and so should we! Not for our own gain, but because we want to give God glory and shine for Him!

Each lesson of the Shine curriculum focuses on how we can give God glory and shine for Him. Each day, children will create a craft that reinforces these lessons.

We encourage you to keep the craft time God-centered by discussing the Scripture passages and focus verse included in your daily craft instructions.

We have provided craft options that vary in difficulty, expense, and prep time. As is usually the case with any curriculum, we realize you and your leaders may come up with additional ideas or variations of our crafts.

Leaders: Children will be hearing these truths from God’s Word today. Please take some time to read these passages of Scripture beforehand so that you can familiarize yourself with what is being taught. Remember to be in prayer for the children as well.

• We are rescued from sin to live for God: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• Do everything for the glory of God: 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Each person will stand before God: Romans 14:11-12
• Jesus gives us our reward: Revelation 22:12
• We will cast our reward at His feet: Revelation 4:9-11

Children will love making the same bucket drums as featured in the Shine theme song video! They can also use these drums throughout the week as they participate in the Tasty Treats & Funky Beats rotation.

LeaderFor K-1 Groups: Please also review the crafts found in the Shine preschool manual as an additional resource for modifications to the craft rotation.

Earlier we watched the Shine music video by Go Fish.

That’s right…buckets! Today we are going to decorate our own bucket drum. You’ll also be learning some funky beats from the Funky Beat videos. The drums in the video were decorated too, and now it’s your turn! So let’s go!

Buckets

• The buckets used in the videos are the 5 gallon size. However, smaller buckets will work just as well.
• We have found that the frosting buckets used by grocery store bakeries work great. We highly recommend asking your local grocery store baker to start saving buckets for you. This will be a big help to your VBS budget!
• This project is easy, but children will love it! Simply use markers, paint, and duct tape to transform your bucket into a sweet looking drum. Children will be able to use their drum in the Tasty Treats & Funky Beats rotation each day!

This rotation is divided into two sections - Tasty Treats and Funky Beats! Children will eat a Tasty Treat and then learn how to play a Funky Beat on their bucket drum. This 20-25 minute rotation will fly by, so be ready to keep things moving!

The schedule for this rotation is as follows:

• Funky Beats: 8 minutes (in the glow room)
• Changeover: 4-5 minutes
• Tasty Treats: 8 minutes (in the snack area)

The smaller the group, the more manageable each section of this rotation will be. This is especially true for the Funky Beat portion. Ten bucket drums sound better than twenty! Because of this, we suggest splitting each group in half. For example, if you have 20 children in a group, have half learn their Funky Beat while the other half has their Tasty Treat. Halfway through the rotation have them switch.

Optional: Learn the funky beat in a glow room! For instructions on how to create a glow room see the decorating section of the Director’s manual. We recommend having the children eat their Tasty Treat in the designated snack area and NOT in the glow room where it will be difficult to see.

Each day children will learn a Funky Beat from that day’s Funky Beat video. Each video is approximately 3-5 minutes in length and not only teaches children how to play their bucket drums, but reinforces the difference between being a glory giver and a glory getter. We featured the bucket drums in the Shine music video and children will love learning to play just like the drummers in the video!

Items Needed:

Bucket Drums: On the first day of the Shine VBS, children will be decorating their own bucket drum during the craft rotation. Depending on the size of your VBS event, you can either have children leave their buckets in the Funky Beats area for the week or create your own buckets that will remain there throughout your event. We recommend using 5-gallon buckets available at any big box hardware store. Another great option is to ask your local grocery store bakery to save their frosting buckets for you. They work perfectly and are a great low-budget option! Make sure to have one bucket for each child.

Sticks: You will also need a pair of drumsticks for each child. You can find these at your local music store or online music retailer.

Chairs: You will need something for each child to sit on as they drum. Small classroom chairs or extra buckets work great!

Technical Needs

You will need the day’s Funky Beat video (from your video download) along with a TV or projector. When possible, amplify the videos through a PA system. This will make it easier for children to hear the music when playing along with their bucket drums.

Funky Beat Instructions

1. 1Have a pair of drumsticks and a bucket placed in front of each seat. Make sure that the children can see the screen while seated.
2. 2Let the children know that there should be NO PLAYING until the video tells them to pick up their buckets and sticks. Most beats are first taught to the children by having them pat their hands on their laps. This will allow children to learn the beat before making too much noise! (See the note below.)
3. 3Once everyone is seated, quiet and not touching their sticks or bucket, then start the Funky Beat video for that day.
4. 4Once the video starts, make sure volunteers are nearby to assist the children.
5. 5Each day children will learn a beat, review what they learned on previous videos, and then practice their beat with the song Shine.

*After the daily video, if time allows and children would like to keep playing their bucket drums, simply play the Shine music video (also in your video download) and let them practice!*

LeaderNote: Another option would be to hold the drumsticks until they’re needed during the video. At that point pause the video and hand the drumsticks out to the children.

Leaders: Children will be hearing these truths from God’s Word today. Please take some time to read these passages of Scripture beforehand so that you can familiarize yourself with what is being taught. Remember to be in prayer for the children as well.

• We are rescued from sin to live for God: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
• Do everything for the glory of God: 1 Corinthians 10:31
• Each person will stand before God: Romans 14:11-12
• Jesus gives us our reward: Revelation 22:12
• We will cast our reward at His feet: Revelation 4:9-11

LeaderOnce everyone is seated, quiet and not touching their sticks or bucket, start the Day 1 Funky Beat video (from your video download).

Included when you buyDay 1 Funky Beat video

Supplies needed:

1. 1If using fruit roll-ups, cut into pieces and attach to the inside rim of the cone. It helps to lick the end of the fruit roll-up before attaching it.
2. 2Fill the ice cream cones with cheese popcorn and lay fruit roll-up over popcorn to represent the flame.

Before the Olympic games begin, they light a torch with fire in Greece, the place where the first Olympics were held. Runners and athletes are chosen to carry the torch with the flame in a relay from Greece to wherever the games are. It is a very special job to carry the flame. The torch has been carried all over the world. It’s been on a boat, an airplane, even a camel! The flame is not put out until after all the games and celebrations are over.

Our snack today is an Olympic Torch. The cone is the torch and the cheese popcorn is the fire or flame. Our snack reminds us that we have been chosen by God to do a very important job too. That job is to SHINE God’s light to the world by doing good works for Him! Even though the Olympic flame goes out, God’s glory will never stop shining. The Bible says that one day we will no longer need the sun or moon to shine because the glory of God will be all the light we need.

These games from the Shine Games Manual tie into the week’s themes. Every game works on any day, so mix and match as you like.

Items Needed:

Objective:

To be the first team to successfully complete the relay race.

Instructions:

Have the children line up in equal teams with the first person from each team standing behind the starting line. Give the first person from each team an “olympic torch” — a plunger. On the signal to begin, they’ll run to the cone and back. They will hand the torch to the next person in line who will also run to the cone and back. Continue this process until all team members have had a turn.

For older children you can add an item (an orange ball, roll of toilet paper, etc.) that will represent the torch flame. Children will have to balance this on top of the plunger. If it falls off they go back to the beginning and start again.

Items Needed:

Objective:

To throw the javelin the farthest distance.

Instructions:

Have the first 5 children stand behind the line and throw their “javelins” (pool noodles) one person at a time. You may want to assign a leader to make sure nobody steps over the line. Children may throw their javelins any way they wish. Have the next 5 children take a turn and continue until everybody has had a chance to throw. You can give prizes for the farthest throw, most creative throw, or the highest throw!

For K-1 groups please also see the preschool manual for additional games/activities.

Children will be introduced to the crowns we can one day receive from Jesus and hear how the Crown of Victory is given to those who finish strong in the Lord.

The children will know that there is nothing more important than loving and obeying God and making His name great!

Free play with your preschool children until your group has all arrived and is ready to go to the Opening Session along with the elementary age children. We suggest designating an area specifically for free play with toys set out in advance.

Supplies Needed:

LeaderDepending on the number of children, you may want to create more than one race track. This is something you can use as an additional station idea all week long!

Directions:

1. 1Cut pool noodle in half with serrated knife.
2. 2Use toothpicks to secure noodle halves together.
3. 3Cut side of shoebox out with scissors to make way for noodles.
4. 4Attach ‘Finish’ line at the end of the noodles with toothpicks and construction paper.

Suggested questions to ask while they are racing the marbles:

Optional Supplies

Decoration

LeaderNote: You will be using the ‘FINISH’ sign for Day 5 as well so make sure to keep it after today.

Optional Volunteers

Adults to represent the athletes — swimmer, runner, skier, boxer, tennis player. Each can wear or hold appropriate sports gear (i.e. goggles, headband, poles, gloves, racquet) so that the children know which sport they participate in.

LeaderMake sure you have your Bible marked at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Genesis 11:3-9.

Raise your hand if your marble won a race. If you have ever watched a race before, you probably know that the winner receives a prize. A prize is given out because the winner had to work very hard to cross the finish line first. We don’t have prizes for all you winners of the marble race, but did you know that the Bible talks about prizes that God has for us one day? They are called crowns (place a crown on your head). This week we are going to talk about five different crowns we can earn if we work hard for God.

A man in the Bible named Paul worked very hard for God and he compared the crowns we can get to Olympic medals. Have you ever watched the Olympics with your family? It’s where the best athletes from all over the world come together to compete. (Have the volunteers appear wearing the sports gear as you read their sport.)

The fastest runner, fastest swimmer, fastest skier, best boxer, best tennis player… I think you get the idea! The winners get to stand on a tall podium and they receive a gold medal for all their hard work. (Have volunteers stand on milk crates and place medals around their neck.)

Back in Bible times, they gave them a crown of leaves instead of medals (hold up crown of leaves). They only looked good for a few days and then they would dry out and fall apart. The crowns that Jesus has for us will never wear out! I want you to listen closely as I read our verse from the Bible and I want you to raise your hand every time you hear the word ‘prize’ or ‘crown’.

LeaderRead 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 directly from your Bible. Hold up the crown of leaves when reading about the crown that will last forever.

Paul says in this verse that if we live a life for Jesus, He will reward us with a crown that will last forever! The crown is called the Crown of Victory (choose a preschooler to wear the crown and hang the poster on the wall). It’s given to those who finish strong in the Lord (point to ‘FINISH’ sign). When you are running in a race, your focus is getting to the finish line. When we follow Jesus, our focus is loving and obeying Him.

Our Bible story today is about a group of people who didn’t want to obey God. He wanted them to spread out all over the earth so that everyone, everywhere, could know about God. It was a very important job. However, this group of people got tired of moving and they wanted to do something else.

Instead of moving on and spreading out like they were supposed to, this group of people wanted to build a city with a tall tower and stay there. Everyone would want to live in the city with the tower that reached the heavens and they wouldn’t have to be scattered all over the earth. They would make a name for themselves because people would look at them as great builders and give them credit for the tall tower they built.

The Bible says that when we know what the right thing to do is and we don’t do it, it’s called sin. (James 4:17)

Since they wouldn’t do what God asked them to do, He confused their speech. They went from all speaking the same language to everyone speaking a different language! No one could stay in that city because no one could understand each other. God spread them all over the earth, which was exactly what He wanted in the first place. No one got to live by the tall tower and it eventually fell apart.

This story reminds us that God’s way is always the best way! I want you to stand up right now and show me your muscles. (You might have to model how to flex your muscles.) Whoa, look at how strong you all are! Now the next time your mom or dad asks you to do something that you don’t want to do, I want you to flex your muscles and remember that you are working to finish (point to ‘FINISH’ sign again) strong (flex your muscles) in the Lord. When you obey your parents, you obey God too and He will reward you. Your mom and dad might too! Your obedience will make you SHINE for Jesus!

Supplies needed:

1. 1If using fruit roll-ups, cut into pieces and attach to the inside rim of the cone. It helps to lick the end of the fruit roll-up before attaching it.
2. 2Fill the ice cream cones with cheese popcorn and lay fruit roll-up over popcorn to represent the flame.

Before the Olympic games begin, they light a torch with fire in Greece, the place where the first Olympics were held. Runners and athletes are chosen to carry the torch with the flame in a relay from Greece to wherever the games are. It is a very special job to carry the flame. The torch has been carried all over the world. It’s been on a boat, an airplane, even a camel! The flame is not put out until after all the games and celebrations are over.

Our snack today is an Olympic Torch. The cone is the torch and the cheese popcorn is the fire or flame. Our snack reminds us that we have been chosen by God to do a very special job too. That job is to SHINE God’s light to the world by doing good works for Him! Even though the Olympic flame goes out, God’s glory will never stop shining. The Bible says that one day we will no longer need the sun or moon to shine because the glory of God will be all the light we need!

Let’s pray and thank God for our snack and for being the Light of the world!

Memory Verses: Psalm 67:1-3 ESV

Supplies needed:

Included when you buyPreschool memory verse video

This station will repeat for all five days so that preschoolers can work together memorizing Scripture. Remind the children that God shines on us so that others will know about Him and follow His ways.

Bible Memory Actions - Psalm 67:1-3:

• May God be gracious to us (1. Point up to the sky with pointer finger 2. Roll hands with open fingers together)
• and bless us (1. Hold fists up to mouth touching thumbs together right next to your lips 2. Start to push hands down to your side, spreading out fingers as you go down)
• and make his face (Make a circle with pointer finger around the face)
• to shine upon us, (1. Make a fist with the left hand while fingers of right hand are spread out 2. Touch middle finger of right hand to fist and bounce off fist quickly)
• that your way (With hands open and palms facing each other, pretend to make a squiggly path)
• may be known on earth, (With pointer fingers start at top and come down like you are drawing a circle)
• your saving power (Hold fists near chest then lift them up a bit like you are “putting up your dukes”)
• among all nations. (With open hands, palm down and next to chest, move from one side of the room to the other)
• Let the people praise you, O God; (Start with pointer finger by mouth, move it down as you start to clap)
• let all the peoples praise you! (Repeat move again ending with pointer finger pointing up in the sky)

Shining in the Dark

While children are in the glow room, volunteers can help set up the stations. Preschoolers can either do the same activity the elementary students are doing for the day or you can choose a different one.

Some ideas include:

• Glow-in-the-dark play dough
• Chalk
• Hula hoops
• Bucket drums
• Lacing cards
• Sensory rice bin
• Bowling
• Balloon toss

For details on how to create your glow room, refer to the decorating section of the Shine Director’s Manual.

LeaderSet up as many of these stations as you desire. Plan for the children to go through them in groups of 3-5 children, along with one adult leader or youth helper for each station. Children should stay at each station for about 10 minutes. It often works well to set a timer for the entire class, and have the groups rotate all at the same time. You might also want to explain each station to the whole group prior to starting the rotations.

Supplies Needed:

Directions:

Have the preschoolers re-enact the Bible story by building a tall tower. Encourage them to see how many blocks they can stack on top of each other.

Idea for discussion:

Talk about how silly it was that the people thought they could build something up to heaven. Remind them that the Bible says ‘the Lord came down to see the city and tower’. The builders thought they were building up to the heavens but the Lord needed to come down to even see it! Reinforce that God’s ways are always the best ways.

Supplies needed:

Idea for Discussion:

LeaderReinforce that God is the one who provides us with all of these gifts so He is the one who should get the credit and thanks. Giving God the credit is what it means to give Him glory.

LeaderMake sure to hold up the wrapped present.

I know I do! When you see a gift with your name on it, the first question that you probably ask is...what’s inside? (Shake the gift) However, there is another question that is more important and that is...who is this gift from? (Read the tag)

You usually receive gifts from others because they love you. They most likely spent some time thinking about what you might need or want. They also probably spent their own money to buy it.

He knows what you need more than anyone else and He blesses you and me with many gifts. Family, friends, church, a nice summer day — all of these things are gifts from the Lord. He delights in giving us good gifts because He loves us. What are some other examples? (Allow children to share.)

I brought some other examples that I am going to hide in this gift box. When it’s your turn, I will place the blindfold over your eyes so you can’t peek at what the item is. You can carefully reach inside and make a guess as to what it is!

Supplies needed:

LeaderPrint the “Coloring sheet: Go Fish band” from your curriculum download.

Equipment needed:

Preschoolers line up in two teams with the first person from each team standing behind the starting line. Give these two children a “torch” — a plunger. On the signal to begin, the two children will run to the cone and run back. They will hand the torch to the next preschooler in line who will then run to the cone and back. This will continue as above until all team members have had a turn. See snack for description of the Olympic Torch.

Equipment needed:

The first five preschoolers stand behind the line and throw their “Javelins” (pool noodles) one person at a time. Preschoolers may throw their javelins any way they wish. Have the next five preschoolers continue as described above until all have a turn.

Equipment needed:

Preschoolers line up in two teams with the first person from each team standing inside the starting line. Give these two children a tennis racquet and a tennis ball. The tennis ball should be placed on the strings of the racquet and on the signal to begin, the first person runs down and around the cone. When he/she returns to the line, they will give it to the next person who will do the same thing. If the ball is dropped, the preschooler must stop and place the ball back on top before continuing.

Equipment needed:

Have preschoolers work together to make the Tower of Babel with the blocks/tissue boxes. Divide the group into small teams giving each team a few bean bags or soft balls. Designate an area the team must stay behind, with all teams facing the Tower. Each member of the team takes a bean bag and tries to knock down the tower. (All throws must be an underhand toss!) The first team to knock it down wins!

As children are coming in, start the Day 1 Closing Session video (from your video download) right away to get them engaged immediately!

Included when you buyDay 1 Closing Session video

The “Day 1 Closing Session” consists of:

LeaderIf you don’t want to do the optional song Shine at the end, simply stop the video after the I’ll Fly Away video.