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VBS 2014 Conference Plan for New Directors File No. 3

VBS 2014 New Directors Conference Purpose Statement This 45 minute conference plan is designed to assist new VBS Directors in leading LifeWay’s Agency D3 VBS. Resources to Collect Resources to Collect

• VBS 2014 Administrative Guide for Directors

• VBS 2014 Jump Start Kit

• VBS 2014 Preschool Starter Kit

• VBS 2014 Kids Starter Kit

• VBS 2014 Worship Rally Pack

• VBS 2014 Supersized Backdrop

• VBS 2014 Visual Pack Posters Intro: Welcome Conferees to Agency Training

• Name tags 1. Step #1 ‐ Know Your Purpose, Theme, and Bible Content

• VBS 2014 Administrative Guide

• 1 VBS 2014 Agency D3 Magnifier

• 6 VBS 2014 Shoe Prints

• Shoe Print Steps (Item 1)

• Shoe Print Numbers (Item 2)

• Bible Verse: o VBS 2014 Visual Pack

• Bible Content: o Symbols, Instructions, and Codes (Item 3) o 5 business sized white envelopes o Tape o VBS 2014 Daily Mission Insignia


2. Step #2 – Start Planning

• VBS 2014 Kids Evidence Kit

• VBS 2014 Jump Start Kit

• VBS 2014 Preschool Starter Kit

• VBS 2014 Kids Starter Kit

• VBS 2014 Worship Rally Pack 3. Step #3 ‐ Enlist and Train Your Workers

• No resources needed 4. Step #4 ‐ Promote and Publicize

• No resources needed 5. Step #5 ‐ Register Participants

• No resources needed 6. Step #6 ‐ Continue the Connection

• VBS 2014 Takin’ It Home CD

• VBS 2014 Music for Kids CD

• VBS 2014 Music for Preschoolers CD

• VBS 2014 Agency D3 Family Headquarters

• VBS 2014 Backyard Kids Club 7. Debrief and Dismiss

• No resources needed Resources to Prepare 1. Step #1 ‐ Know Your Purpose, Theme, and Bible Content

• Place a name tag in each chair.

• Cut out each Shoe Print Step (Item 1) and tape each one to a VBS 2014 Shoe Print.

• Cut out each Shoe Print Number (Item 2) and tape each one to the matching Shoe Print.

• Attach the shoe prints to the wall around the room.

• Bible Content: o Cut apart the Symbols, Instructions and Codes. (Item 3) o Tape one symbol onto the outside of each envelope. o Place each code into the matching business sized white envelope. o Scatter the envelopes around the room. o Gather 5 of the VBS 2014 Daily Mission Insignias:

Water


Bread Cross Tomb Question mark

2. Step #2 – Start Planning

• Open up 4 Kids Evidence Kits o Unwrap each Invisible Ink Pen. o Gather the 4 Evidence Logs from the Evidence Kits. o Use the Invisible Ink Pen to write the following on the first page of each

Evidence Log: Jump Start Kit Preschool Starter Kit Kids Starter Kit Worship Rally Pack

o Place the Pens and Evidence Logs back inside each Kids Evidence Kits. 3. Step #3 ‐ Enlist and Train Your Workers

• No preparation needed. 4. Step #4 ‐ Promote and Publicize

• No preparation needed. 5. Step #5 ‐ Register Participants

• No preparation needed. 6. Step #6 ‐ Continue the Connection

• No preparation needed. 7. Debrief and Dismiss

• No preparation needed. Resources to Copy

• Handout (one per conferee) Focal Wall Description

• Place a VBS 2014 Supersized Backdrop on the focal wall.

• Hang the VBS 2014 Visual Pack posters around the room. Room Setup Description

• Arrange the chairs in a semi‐circle.


• Place copies of the handout in each chair.

• Cover display tables with VBS 2014 Tablecloths. Set out elements from the VBS Agency D3 Jump Start Kit, Preschool Starter Kit, and Kids Starter Kit.

Decoration Suggestions

• The conference room should resemble a spy agency.

• Decorate the room using a variety of resources available including Quick Scene Decoration Punch‐outs, Wall Art, and Shoe Prints.

Audio Visual Needs CD Player DVD Player and Monitor/Projector Teaching Steps 1. Step #1 ‐ Know Your Purpose, Theme, and Bible Content (10 minutes)

• Play footage and music from Worship Rally DVD.

• Greet conferees at the door and welcome them to Agency D3. Ask each conferee to find a seat and fill out a nametag.

• Introduce yourself and summarize the purpose of the conference.

• Lead the conferees in prayer, asking God to help you learn how to teach kids to discover, decide, and defend Him through this year’s VBS.

• Say: “Thank you Recruits for your interest in becoming one of the most elite groups of people on the earth‐‐VBS Agency Directors. Welcome to today’s intense and in‐depth training session. Today, you will need to hone your investigative skills and heighten your listening, memory, and observation skills throughout the training to successfully gain the title of an Agency Director.”

• Refer conferees to the Handout. Guide them to fill in the handout as they proceed with the training.

• Invite a conferee to use the Magnifier to find the shoe print with #1 on it and read the first step aloud.

• Comment: “The first step to becoming an Agency Director is to know your purpose, theme, and Bible content.” (Answer for Handout)

• Purpose o Say: “It is difficult for Special Agents to accomplish a mission if they do not know

the purpose and specific details of it. Likewise, it is difficult for churches to accomplish VBS if they do not know the purpose and details.”

o Say: “The purpose of Vacation Bible School is to reach people of all ages, leading them to know and respond to Jesus Christ as led by the Holy Spirit.”

o Emphasize that it is essential that everyone in a church understands the purpose.


• Theme o Explain: “As many of you know, the theme is a fun and often inviting part of

VBS.” o Use the following points to explain Agency D3:

Kids will put their investigative skills to work as they collect and log evidence about the life of Jesus.

As special agents, kids will examine eyewitness reports, physical proof, and biblical accounts to uncover and defend the truth about who Jesus really is.

Kids will discover, decide, and defend the truth about Jesus. Explain how the theme incorporates both evangelism and apologetics.

• Bible Verse o Comment: “The daily focus is for kids to memorize one verse.” o Point to the verse from the VBS 2014 Visual Pack and invite conferees to say the

verse together with you: “But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15” (HCSB)

o Emphasize how we are instructed to honor God by always being ready to explain why we have hope. Share that being ready is honoring God.

• Bible Content o Comment that each day special agents will receive vital information at

Headquarters or the Worship Rally. The first stop will be Bible Study in the Evidence Vault.

o Ask for 5 volunteers. Give one VBS 2014 Daily Mission Insignia to each volunteer. Guide him to find the envelope with the matching symbol on it in the room. Allow him to return to his seat and decipher the code inside it.

o Ask conferees to write each answer on the Handout. Water ‐ Day 1 ‐ Is Jesus Really God’s Son? Bread ‐ Day 2 ‐ Was Jesus More Than Just a Good Man? Cross ‐ Day 3 ‐ Was Jesus’ Death Real? Tomb ‐ Day 4 ‐ Is Jesus Alive? Thumbprint ‐ Day 5 ‐ What Do I Do with the Evidence About Jesus?

o Conclude that kids will reinforce the evidence examined during Bible study in the vault by visiting the:

Lab for Crafts Communication Hub for Music Training Grounds for Recreation Break Room for Snacks Map Room for Missions

o Guide conferees to look at the Overview on pages 8‐9 in the Administrative Guide to see an overview of the learning for Preschool, Kindergarten, and


Children. 2. Step #2 – Start Planning (10 minutes)

• Invite a conferee to use the Magnifier to find the shoe print with #2 on it and read the second step aloud.

• Say: “The second step for Agency Directors is to plan. (Answer for Handout)

• Show conferees a Kids Evidence Kit. Explain: “One of the new items this year is the take home piece for kids in grades 1‐6. Although it is the same for all six grades, each age group will use it differently and age appropriately.”

o Show the items of a kit: D3 Decoder 5 Daily Evidence Cards Special Agent ID Card Evidence Log Invisible Ink Pen

• Ask 4 volunteers to open the 4 prepared Evidence Kits. Ask the volunteers to use the light on the pen to read the name of one of the new items for churches.

• Allow volunteers to pass around the pen and paper so other conferees can see how the Invisible Ink Pen works.

• Show each item as it is read and explain the contents. o Jump Start Kit

Administrative Guide Decorating Made Easy Posters Catalog Carabineer Glasses Gold Director Badge Evidence Kit Taking It Home CD Share how the briefcase will be used as a prop each day in the Worship

Rally. o Preschool Starter Kit

Babies‐2s Leader Guide and Leader Pack Babies‐2s Kid’s Activity Pak 3s‐Pre‐K Leader Guide and Leader Pack 3s‐Kindergarten Kid’s Activity Pak Kindergarten Leader Guide and Leader Pack 3s‐Kindergarten Kid’s Activity Pak 3s‐Kindergarten Rotation Pack

• Missions


• Music

• Crafts with Craft Pack Samples

• Recreation Preschool Bag of Cool Stuff

o Kids Starter Kit Grades 1‐2 Leader Guide, Leader Pack, and Evidence Kit Grades 3‐4 Leader Guide, Leader Pack, and Evidence Kit Preteen Leader Guide, Leader Pack, and Evidence Kit Rotations

• Missions Rotation Leader Guide

• Crafts Rotation Leader Guide with Craft Pack Samples

• Recreation Rotation Leader Cards

• Snack Rotation Recipe Cards

• Music Rotation Leader Guide Kids Bag of Cool Stuff Explain that churches can order the Starter Kits so they have one set for

each age group. Or, if churches do not need all of the items in a kit, they can still order the individual Leader Guides and Leader Packs they will need to fit their specific needs.

o Worship Rally Pack Worship Rally Guide Worship Rally DVD Set Worship Rally CD Set One Worship Rally Booklet

3. Step #3 ‐ Enlist and Train Your Workers (5 minutes)

• Invite a conferee to use the Magnifier to find the shoe print with #3 on it and read the third step aloud.

• Say: “The third step for Agency Directors is to enlist and train workers. (Answer for Handout) Enlisting involves prayer, planning, sharing goals, asking, training, and appreciation.”

• Show conferees a Leader Guide. Comment: “This year, the Leader Guides for teachers are easier to use. They are each divided into 6 unique steps as well.”

o Prepare Your Heart o Get the Basic Facts from Your VBS Director o Plan o Gather and Prepare o Teach o Continue the Connection

4. Step #4 ‐ Promote and Publicize (5 minutes)


• Invite a conferee to use the Magnifier to find the shoe print with #4 on it and read the fourth step aloud.

• Share: “The fourth step for Agency Directors is to promote and publicize. (Answer for Handout) It is our job to reach out to as many people as we can and invite them to become Special Agents at Agency D3. Think of your job as being an Agent Recruiter. We want kids, teenagers, and adults to join the agency and to discover, decide, and defend the truth of Jesus for themselves.”

• Share how the LifeWay VBS website has an opportunity for churches to promote and publicize their specific VBS for free:

o lifeway.com/vbs o Events o List a VBS

• Comment that many people go on the website to find a VBS in their town. Churches should use the opportunity for the free publicity.

• Highlight additional ways to promote throughout the year: o Decorate your trunk at Halloween for Trunk or Treat with the next year’s VBS

theme. o Send out Save the Date VBS Invitation Valentines in February using the “I (Heart)

VBS” logo. o Invite kids to wear their old VBS t‐shirts on the last day of school and hand out

invitations to their friends for the upcoming VBS. o Set a scavenger hunt around your church for kids to find clues regarding Agency

D3 or add a clue each week prior to the start of VBS. 5. Step #5 ‐ Register Participants (5 minutes)

• Invite a conferee to use the Magnifier to find the shoe print with #5 on it and read the fifth step aloud.

• Comment: “The fifth step is Registration. (Answer for Handout)

• Say: “KidEvent Pro helps churches manage departments, class rolls, rotation schedules, and personal information for each one of your volunteers and learners. Information is store year to year.”

• Share information about KidEvent Pro: o KidEvent Pro costs $29.99 for an annual subscription. o It can be accessed at: lifeway.com/kideventpro o KidEvent Pro allows access to data anywhere there is an Internet connection. It

does work with Mac computers. o Volunteers and learners will be able to register online through your church’s

customized site. o The site will store volunteer and learner information from the previous year so

you don’t have to worry about re‐entering anything. o The data collected on your website through your registration forms is protected


by a secured socket layer. 6. Step #6 ‐ Continue the Connection (5 minutes)

• Invite a conferee to use the Magnifier to find the shoe print with #6 on it and read the sixth step aloud.

• Say: “After VBS we want to continue to connect with kids, families, and the community. The sixth step is Continue the Connection.” (Answer for Handout)

• Show the resources available to help make the family connection: o VBS 2014 Takin’ It Home CD

Audio CD for families to encourage them to share a time of discovery and fun while engaging in spiritual conversations.

The CD is included in the VBS Jump Start Kit. It is available to duplicate and make as many copies as you need.

Play the first segment from the CD. Churches can give each family their own copy as they leave and

encourage them to play it as soon as they get into their cars. Duplication Options:

• Download the master CD to your computer and burn the files to the number of CDs needed.

• Visit www.lifeway.com/vbs to order the number of Cds needed, or have CDs customized with your church’s information.

• Search online sites for duplication services

• Check with your local office supply stores to see if they provide duplication services.

7. Debrief and Dismiss (5 minutes)

• Say: “Now that you know the steps, you are all officially confirmed Agency Directors for Agency D3. Congratulations!”

• Say: “I hope you have enjoyed your training at Agency D3 and you have learned some new things about how to make your own VBS a success this year.”

• Thank the Agency Directors for attending. Close the conference in prayer.

http://www.lifeway.com/vbs


Promote and Publicize Register Participants Continue the Connection

Shoe Print Steps (Item 1)

Enlist and Train Your Workers

Start Planning

Know Your Purpose, Theme, and Bible Content

Instructions: Cut out each step and tape each one onto a VBS 2014 Shoe Prints. A volunteer will use a magnifying glass to discover the steps.


Instructions: Cut out the numbers and tape them to the matching VBS 2014 Shoe Prints with the appropriate step.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6

Shoe Print Numbers (Item 2)


I J S S E L Y O S O

S E U R A L G D S N?

Instructions: • For each symbol, cut it out and tape it on the front of a white

business sized envelope.

• Cut out the code and place it inside the envelope.

• Help conferees read the code: The message is broken up with one letter above the line and the next letter below the line. For example, the first answer is: Is Jesus really God’s Son?

W S E U O E H N U T G O M N A J S S M R T A J S A O D A ? Symbols, Instructions, and Codes (Item 3)


W S E U D A H E L A J S S E T R A ?

I J S S L V ? S E U A I E

Symbols, Instructions, and Codes (Item 3)


W A D I O I H H E I E C A O T E U H T O D W T T E V D N E B U J S S?

Symbols, Instructions, and Codes (Item 3)


STEP #1

STEP #2

STEP #3

STEP #4

STEP #5

STEP #6

New Directors Handout

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