2014 Vacation Bible School Syllabus
“Moses Series”
THE GREAT ESCAPE!
VBS SERIES:
Moses “The Great Escape!” (Freed by God’s Power)
These lessons cover the life of Moses from his birth until the beginning of the wilderness wanderings of Israel after the Exodus from Egypt (see Exodus chapters 1 through 14). As with last year’s “Joseph Series,” these lessons in Moses draw parallels from the life of Jesus Christ (selected passages in the Gospels).
KEY WORDS:
We are suggesting key words for the five days’ lessons:
Promise—Preparation—Problem—Provision—Power.
These words are keys to both the Old Testament and the New Testament portions, the “Moses” stories and the “Jesus” stories.
VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Exodus 14:13a “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today:”
Monday:
Today’s key word—Promise
Today’s verse—I John 2:25 “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”
First Bible Story—The Birth of Moses (Exodus 1:1–2:9)
Second Bible Story—The Birth of Jesus (Matthew 2:1-21; Luke 2:1-20)
The aim (of this series of lessons) is to teach the importance of knowing and believing God’s promises. “When the Israelites became slaves in Egypt, what possible hope of freedom did they have?” The answer is: a great hope! God had promised Jacob that if he went to Egypt, He (God) would be with him there and would bring his family up again (back to Canaan). Joseph repeated this promise to his brothers before he died (Genesis 50:24-25). This promise was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Moses. In the same way, before Jesus was born there were some people who remembered and believed God’s promise that came through the prophets, and who were looking for God’s Anointed One, the “Messiah.” These promises were fulfilled in Christ. (See also the promise to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15, fulfilled in Christ.
Tuesday:
Today’s key word—Preparation
Today’s verse—John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
First Bible Story—The Burning Bush (Exodus 2:10– 4:17)
Second Bible Story—The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3 and John 1:15-39)
Tuesday’s aim is to show how God always prepares anyone whom He sends to do a job for Him. This is so true in the life of Moses! When Moss went out to help the Israelite slaves, and killed the Egyptian, he wasn’t ready to do God’s work, for he was going at it in his way, not God’s way.
Wednesday:
Today’s key word—Problem
Today’s verse—John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
First Bible Story—The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 4:27–10:29)
Second Bible Story—The Wild Man of Gadara (Luke 8:26-39)
Today’s aim is suggested by the question: “If your life is not controlled by the Lord, who is in control?” And this brings up the Problem.
Thursday:
Today’s key word—Provision
Today’s verse—Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
First Bible Story—The Passover in Egypt (Exodus 11:1–12:36)
Second Bible Story—The Last Supper in Jerusalem (Luke 22:1-39; John 13:1-38)
The lesson aim for today calls our attention to Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I (God) have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” We can ask the students, “What takes care of our sin problem?” The obvious answer: “the blood of atonement—or of sacrifice.” We ask again, “Who has provided this?” And we should surely get the right answer: “Jesus Christ.” That is God’s Provision.
Friday:
Today’s key word—Power
Today’s verse—Exodus 15:2a “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation:”
First Bible Story—The Crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 12:37–15:21)
Second Bible Story—Christ’s Death and Resurrection (Matthew 27-28; John 18-20)
Today’s aim is to show that everything depends upon God’s power. God keeps His Word, fulfills His promises, and works out His plan. It was God who took care of Baby Moses and Baby Jesus; it is God who prepares people to work for Him; only God can take care of us through our problems and in our times of trouble; the only way of forgiveness and salvation is the way God has provided; the Red Sea opened up and Christ arose from the dead by the power of God! This summarizes and clinches the teaching of the entire week’s VBS course.
“Moses Series”
THE GREAT ESCAPE!
VBS SERIES:
Moses “The Great Escape!” (Freed by God’s Power)
These lessons cover the life of Moses from his birth until the beginning of the wilderness wanderings of Israel after the Exodus from Egypt (see Exodus chapters 1 through 14). As with last year’s “Joseph Series,” these lessons in Moses draw parallels from the life of Jesus Christ (selected passages in the Gospels).
KEY WORDS:
We are suggesting key words for the five days’ lessons:
Promise—Preparation—Problem—Provision—Power.
These words are keys to both the Old Testament and the New Testament portions, the “Moses” stories and the “Jesus” stories.
VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Exodus 14:13a “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today:”
Monday:
Today’s key word—Promise
Today’s verse—I John 2:25 “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.”
First Bible Story—The Birth of Moses (Exodus 1:1–2:9)
Second Bible Story—The Birth of Jesus (Matthew 2:1-21; Luke 2:1-20)
The aim (of this series of lessons) is to teach the importance of knowing and believing God’s promises. “When the Israelites became slaves in Egypt, what possible hope of freedom did they have?” The answer is: a great hope! God had promised Jacob that if he went to Egypt, He (God) would be with him there and would bring his family up again (back to Canaan). Joseph repeated this promise to his brothers before he died (Genesis 50:24-25). This promise was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Moses. In the same way, before Jesus was born there were some people who remembered and believed God’s promise that came through the prophets, and who were looking for God’s Anointed One, the “Messiah.” These promises were fulfilled in Christ. (See also the promise to Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15, fulfilled in Christ.
Tuesday:
Today’s key word—Preparation
Today’s verse—John 1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
First Bible Story—The Burning Bush (Exodus 2:10– 4:17)
Second Bible Story—The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3 and John 1:15-39)
Tuesday’s aim is to show how God always prepares anyone whom He sends to do a job for Him. This is so true in the life of Moses! When Moss went out to help the Israelite slaves, and killed the Egyptian, he wasn’t ready to do God’s work, for he was going at it in his way, not God’s way.
Wednesday:
Today’s key word—Problem
Today’s verse—John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
First Bible Story—The Plagues of Egypt (Exodus 4:27–10:29)
Second Bible Story—The Wild Man of Gadara (Luke 8:26-39)
Today’s aim is suggested by the question: “If your life is not controlled by the Lord, who is in control?” And this brings up the Problem.
Thursday:
Today’s key word—Provision
Today’s verse—Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
First Bible Story—The Passover in Egypt (Exodus 11:1–12:36)
Second Bible Story—The Last Supper in Jerusalem (Luke 22:1-39; John 13:1-38)
The lesson aim for today calls our attention to Leviticus 17:11 – “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I (God) have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” We can ask the students, “What takes care of our sin problem?” The obvious answer: “the blood of atonement—or of sacrifice.” We ask again, “Who has provided this?” And we should surely get the right answer: “Jesus Christ.” That is God’s Provision.
Friday:
Today’s key word—Power
Today’s verse—Exodus 15:2a “The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation:”
First Bible Story—The Crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 12:37–15:21)
Second Bible Story—Christ’s Death and Resurrection (Matthew 27-28; John 18-20)
Today’s aim is to show that everything depends upon God’s power. God keeps His Word, fulfills His promises, and works out His plan. It was God who took care of Baby Moses and Baby Jesus; it is God who prepares people to work for Him; only God can take care of us through our problems and in our times of trouble; the only way of forgiveness and salvation is the way God has provided; the Red Sea opened up and Christ arose from the dead by the power of God! This summarizes and clinches the teaching of the entire week’s VBS course.