Vacation Bible School (Book 2)

Book 2 Theme “The
Ten Commandments” in a Series of Five Themes. These ideas are available for any
Church group to utilize for their own programs.

 

 

 

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

 

By

Esther and Richard Provencher

 

COPYRIGHT:

 

© 2016 by Esther and
Richard Provencher

Dester Publications.
All rights reserved.

 

These ideas are
available for any Church group to utilize for their own programs. There are
four themes, one per book, and each one designed to apply to the 3 appropriate
age groups which run concurrently, each day.

 

DEDICATION;

 

For all children who attended and graduated from God’s
plan for a fun filled, Christian learning experience at Abundant Life
Fellowship Church, in Bible Hill, Nova Scotia.  

 

THEME: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

 

One main Bible Theme
for each Day Program, Monday to Friday, 9-12 noon.

 

Day Programs run
concurrently for all Levels: (ages 3-5); (ages 6-8; (ages 9-12).

 

AGE LEVELS: ( Ages 3-5) Tykes; (Ages 6-8) 
Learners; (Ages 9-12) Teachers

 

5 LESSONS:    (Monday – Friday)

 

BLESSINGS:   (2 Commandments per day)

 

QUESTIONS:   (For everyone to think
about)

 

BIBLE SOURCES:

Living Faith, The
Bible Reader’s Companion,

The Jerusalem Bible
and The Learning Bible.

 

BIBLE SOURCES
FOR “TEN COMMANDMENTS” FROM EXODUS 20

 

ONE

I am the Lord your
God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. Do not worship any other Gods
besides me.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

No other Gods.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

I am Yahweh your God
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You
shall have no Gods except me.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

I am the Lord your
God, the one who brought you out of Egypt where you were slaves.

(The Learning Bible)

 

TWO

Do not make idols of
any kind, whether in the shape of birds, or animals or fish.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not
make…an idol.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

You shall not make
yourself a carved image…you shall not bow down to them…for I, Yahweh your God,
am a jealous God…but I show kindness to those who love me and keep my
commandments.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

Do not worship any
God except me. Do not make idols that look like anything in the sky or on earth
or in the ocean under the earth.

(The Learning Bible)

 

THREE

Do not misuse the
name of the Lord your God.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not misuse
the name of the Lord.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

You shall not utter
the name of Yahweh your God to misuse it.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

Do not misuse my
name.

(The Learning Bible)

 

FOUR

Remember to observe
the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

Remember the Sabbath
Day by keeping it holy.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

Remember the sabbath
day and keep it holy.

(The Jerusalem Bible)

 

Remember that the
Sabbath Day belongs to me.

(The Learning Bible)

 

FIVE

Honor your father
and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God
will give you.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

Honor your father
and your mother.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

Honour your father
and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that Yahweh your
God has given to you.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

Respect your father
and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.

(The Learning Bible)

 

SIX

Do not murder.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not
murder.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

You shall not kill.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

Do not murder.

(The Learning Bible)

 

SEVEN

Do not commit
adultery.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not commit
adultery.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

You shall not commit
adultery.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

Be faithful in
marriage.

(The Learning Bible)

 

EIGHT

Do not steal.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not steal.

(The Bible Reader’s Companion)

 

You shall not steal.

(The Jerusalem Bible)

 

Do not steal.

(The Learning Bible)

 

NINE

Do not testify
falsely against your neighbor.

(Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not give
false testimony against your neighbor.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

You shall not bear
false witness against your neighbour.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

Do not tell lies
about others.

(The Learning Bible)

 

TEN

Do not covet your
neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox
or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns. (Living Faith Bible)

 

You shall not covet.

(The Bible Reader’s
Companion)

 

You shall not covet
your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his
servant, man or woman, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is his.

(The Jerusalem
Bible)

 

Do not want anything
that belongs to someone else. Don’t want anyone’s house, wife or husband,
slaves, oxen, donkeys or anything else.

(The Learning Bible)

 

Lessons 1-5 (Monday-Friday)

 

The Ten Commandments are Blessings for Guidance:

 

I am the Lord your God

 Do not worship any God except
Me.

 

Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.

 

Respect your father and your mother.

You shall not murder.

 

Be faithful in marriage.

You shall not steal.

 

Do not tell lies about others.

Do not want anything that belongs to someone else.

 

TYKES (ages 3-5)

 

Lesson 1

 

I am your God.

Only worship me.

 

God smiles when

He wakes up in the morning

because He loves you.

Do you know He created

everything you see around you?

That’s why He also

wants you to love Him.

 

Think about…

Why God thinks you are special.

Is He is watching over you right now?

How do you praise God?

 

Lesson 2

 

Do not misuse His name.

Remember His Day.

 

You might hear a few people

 say nasty words, but.

God wants you to use your

mouth to praise Him.

And He wants you to have

a week full of fun.

 But visit Him at least one
day. 

 

Think about…

Some of the good words you hear.

What do you do to have fun?

What are some kind names we can say?

God likes you to visit Him? Why?

How do we visit God?

 

Lesson 3

 

Respect those who look after you.

You shall not hurt people.

 

God sent special people

to look after you.

He does this for you to grow

up healthy and strong.

In the same way other children

need you to be kind.

To share and to be helpful.

 

Think about…

Who looks after you each day?

Do most of your friends like you? Why?

How do you share things?

 

Lesson 4

 

Be true to your special friend.

You shall not steal.

 

There are people who really

want to be your friend.

And God’s wish is to be kind

to them, like He is to you.

You should take nothing that is

not yours, without asking

permission to use it.

 

Think about…

Who is your best friend? Why?

How is God your friend?

Do you ever lend someone your toys?

Should you ask before you

take something? Why?

 

Lesson 5

 

It is not nice to tell lies.

Do not be jealous of others.

 

Telling an untrue story about

a friend is not very nice.

It could make them so sad

they might want to move away.

If other children have toys

you do not have, then

be happy for them.

 

Think about…

It is good to tell the truth. Why?

Who are your good friends?

Do you have toys friends don’t have?

What could you do if you

want something and don’t have it?

 

LEARNERS (ages 6-9)

 

Lesson 1

 

I am the Lord your God.

Do not worship anyone else.

 

God in Heaven watches over us

and is pleased at the good things we do.

When we need help, He is the

one we should go to.

Many years ago people worshipped

idols such as cats and the sun.

Today it may be money, music or

fancy cars, toys and sports.

 

Think about…

Why does God love us so much?

When should you go to God for help?

What is meant by an idol today?

 

Lesson 2

 

Do not misuse the name of the Lord.

Remember the Sabbath Day.

 

God wants you to use His name

when you pray, or when you want to

have a special talk with Him.

And he is really pleased when you visit

Him at church along with your

 family or friends because

we are all part of one family.

 

Think about…

    Why it sounds terrible to
misuse God’s name.

What do you say and do when you are angry?

What is good about going to God’s house?

 

Lesson 3

 

Respect your parents.

You shall not take someone’s life.

 

Adults who take care of you on earth are

placed there by God to look after

you and to help you grow up properly.

And prepare you for when you are a parent.

Each person on this earth is

precious in the eyes of God and do not

take the law into your own hands.

 

Think about…

Why parents are so patient with you?

Why parents want to know your friends?

Is it important to get along with others? Why?

 

Lesson 4

 

Be faithful in marriage.

You shall not steal.

 

If you get married, God wants you to love

and respect your wife & husband, protect 

and care for each other with your whole heart.

then you will have a good family.

You might see your friends take things

that do not belong to them.

God wants you NOT to copy them.

 

Think about…

Do you know what a best friend is?

 

Lesson 5

 

Do not tell lies about others.

Do not want what belongs to someone else.

 

It is important not to tell untrue stories

about others. It could get you into trouble

and cause much harm.

And it would make God unhappy.

No matter what you have, someone has

something else you don’t own.

Maybe you can share what you have.

 

Think about…

How an untruth can really hurt someone.

Did that ever happen to you?

Should you be satisfied with what you have?

 

TEACHERS (ages 9-12)

 

Lesson 1         

 

I am the Lord your God

Do not worship any God except me.

 

Many people, young and older seek

help from friends, books and Social Workers.

God is always there to love and guide you.

In this modern world it is also easy to

desire the latest high tech toys or gadgets.

Be careful they do not become idols

keeping you from God’s instructions for your life.

 

Think about…

That magnificent brain God gave you. Why?

When was the last time you received help from God?

Are idols in the past different from those now?

 

Lesson 2

 

Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.

 

As Christians we have the privilege of

serving a mighty God, who wants us to share

the good news of His Kingdom and

to use His name in reverence.

For six days God worked to make heaven,

sea and land, animals and all things.

And He rested on the seventh. Why don’t we?

 

Think about…

It sounds awful to hear God’s name in vain. Why?

Are you able to lead friends to Jesus?

Must some people always work on Sunday?

 

Lesson 3

 

Respect your father and your mother.

 You shall not murder.

 

Your parents brought you into the world

through love and they hope for you

to grow up to have a happy life.

Love them back, do your best in school.

God gave each of us life, to fulfill a

plan for us in this world so we may use those

special gifts to help ourselves and others.

 

Think about…  

What memory you carry about your parents.

Do you have a vision for your life?

Is it important to think about others? Why?

 

Lesson 4

 

Be faithful in marriage.

You shall not steal.

 

When you marry you should love

your spouse and not another

who might break up the happy marriage.

Your spouse is same as a best friend.

Taking something from someone else without

their permission is not only stealing,

but mean and selfish.

 

Think about…

Spouse means the same as husband or wife.

Did you ever lose a best friend? How?

How would you feel if someone stole from you?

 

Lesson 5

 

Do not tell lies about others.

Do not want anything that belongs to someone else.

 

Lying not only destroys someone’s

reputation, but their work and friends too.

God did not create us to bring sadness to others.

Sometimes it is hard to understand why

some people have so much, fancy car, nice house

and other things. But God does not want us to

place our eyes only on things of this earth.

 

Think about…

What do people mean about a little white lie?

Does anyone tell lies about you? Why?

Will it upset you not to get everything you want?

 

NOTES:

 

This Summer program opened
up with prayer, words of welcome and a brief introduction of 3 Program leaders
for each of the age groups. They were responsible to stay with their age group
and to participate with them as they went to each of the four locations below
where other volunteers waited:

 

Bible Study based on
Biblical Theme;

Art & Table Fun;
 

Outdoor Games; and

Treat Time.

 

Prizes and
certificates of accomplishment were handed out at the end of the week.
Sing-songs and gifts for special achievement were given, and all received a
small bag of treats. Many volunteers donated holidays and spare time for this
exciting program of activities. We averaged around 50 children each of the five
mornings.

 

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

Esther and Richard
Provencher are President and Vice-President, respectively, of Dester Publications.
They are a husband and wife team, married 41 years, as of March 27, 2016 and
they presently live in Truro, Nova Scotia.

 

They have four grown
children, have been foster and adopting parents and helped establish, along
with four other families, Abundant Life Victory Church almost 30 years ago, in
Bible Hill, Nova Scotia. They have been very involved in community youth work,
and church outreach, including visiting nursing home residents, and providing
meals to those less fortunate, with another church.

 

Esther and Richard
co-authored many books for all ages, especially to help Richard focus on
something challenging after his aneurysm-stroke. He continues to progress very
well. Esther has been a volunteer Bookkeeper, the past 20 years at Abundant
Life, an inter-denominational church, and Richard is the Bulletin Editor these
past two years. Both authors are “born-again” Christians.