Coming Late 2024
Passport to Peace
'Round the world or just down the street, make peace with everyone you meet!
Welcome to Passport to Peace, an interactive Vacation Bible School curriculum designed to help children make peace a way of life. Peacemaking skills are essential for those who want to follow Jesus’ way of peace. The five Bible stories in this curriculum encourage children to listen to and learn from people who are different, care for people who are sick or suffering, creatively work to keep everyone safe, and refuse to respond to conflict with violence.
Through worship and drama, Bible study, art projects and active games, children learn that there are many opportunities and ways to live as peacemakers. Passport to Peace invites children to see every person as part of God’s family, and every interaction as an opportunity for peacemaking.
In a world that is too often divided by race, class, ethnicity, and country of origin, Passport to Peace is a reminder that the love of God and the way of peace transcend all borders and divisions. All are welcome in the family of God. Led by God’s Spirit, we can all participate in creating a more peaceful world.
Children in grades K–5 will see Bible stories come to life in the dramas during worship time, and will reflect on them during three response times: Bible Beach (Bible Study), Move-It Mountain (Physical Games), and Creator's Canyon (Art/Science).
Preschoolers ages 4–5 may participate in worship with the older children or have their own worship time. They too will share in the Bible story and engage in crafts, games, and other activities.
Daily Schedule
This theme provides content for five flexible sessions, from as short as one hour to over three hours each day. Scroll right to see all five days.
| DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Can We Talk? |
Do You See What I See? |
I Have an Idea! |
Trouble in the Neighborhood |
The Road Less Traveled |
|
| Path to Peace | Peacemakers listen to and learn from people who are different. | Peacemakers notice the needs of others and seek to help. | Peacemakers act creatively to keep everyone safe. | Peacemakers respond to conflict without using violence. | Peacemakers take action when people have been hurt. |
| Scripture | Acts 8:26–40 | Matthew 25:31–46 | 1 Samuel 25:1–35 | Genesis 26:12–33 | Luke 10:25–37 |
| Story Summary | Two men from different countries, races, social class, and religious backgrounds meet on the Jerusalem-Gaza road. Philip was sent there by an angel, while the Ethiopian official was traveling from Jerusalem back to his home country of Ethiopia. Philip and the official discuss the scriptures. Philip explains the good news about Jesus to him. The official asks to be baptized and Philip baptizes him. | Jesus tells a parable of separating people like sheep and goats for judgment. The sheep are welcomed into the kingdom because they have cared for Jesus when he was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, and in prison. The sheep wonder when they have seen this. Jesus answers that whenever they care for the least of his brothers and sisters, they care for him. The goats are told that when they fail to care for others, they fail to care for Jesus. | David and his men are hiding near the fields of Nabal, a rich and selfish man. David’s soldiers help protect Nabal’s flocks. Nabal insults David’s soldiers by excluding them from a feast. David calls for war. But Nabal’s wife, Abigail, quickly makes a plan. She loads food on her donkeys and goes out to speak to David. She apologizes for Nabal’s behavior. David accepts Abigail’s gifts and calls off the fighting. | Isaac digs wells in a dry land. His crops and flocks prosper, but the neighbors grow jealous and fill up the wells. So Isaac moves away and digs new wells. The new neighbors also quarrel over the water, so Isaac moves again. God promises to be with Isaac and his family, and Isaac worships God. King Abimelech realizes God is with Isaac, and they feast together and promise not to hurt each other. | A lawyer asks Jesus how to receive life with God. Jesus asks what the law says. The lawyer says to love God and one’s neighbor and then asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells a story about a robbed, wounded traveler. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping. But a Samaritan stops, takes the man to an inn to recover, and pays his bill. Jesus tells his listeners to go and do the same. |
Features
- Available in download-only or physical + download kits.
- Reproducible (with exception of student booklets and family music CDs/MP3s).
- Physical leader guides are in a binder with tabs to make them easy to rearrange or duplicate.
- Bulk-priced music can easily be sent home with every family.
- Reflections from Pope Francis and other Catholic role models for peace.
- Music from Oregon Catholic Press featuring Jesse Manibusan and other Catholic musicians.
- A great all-around Scripture-based experience perfect for any parish!
- Hummable, top-notch, kid-friendly music that connects closely with the theme.
- Easy to lead, with Powerpoints, sing-along music videos, and hand motions.
- Songs by Jesse Manibusan and Steve Angrisano.
- All the core features you expect in a VBS, without overwhelming complexity.
- Earth-friendly, without plastic trinkets that will litter our common home.
- Early childhood leader guide makes it easy to include preschoolers.
- Easy to adapt to your timeframe and preferences.
- A message for this time of conflict and violence, both nearby and across the world.
- A fun and effective way to help children experience Jesus and his message of peace.
- Includes Scripture, prayer, drama, music, games, crafts, and activities, all nicely integrated.
- Thoughtful take-home pages (in English and Spanish) to bring parents into the process and coach them on how to talk to their children.
- Extra resources included to help you market and manage your VBS.
Preview Leader Guides (Coming Soon)
Music Video Previews (Coming Soon)
Catholic composer, singer/songwriter, storyteller, humorist, catechist, evangelizer and encourager Jesse Manibusan leads our music and offers many songs for this theme.
Music Components
The eResource (downloadable) starter kit includes:
- MP3 audio files of all songs
- Songbook with lead sheets melody line scores, lyrics, and chords (lyrics only for "Eucharistic People")
- Hand/body motions for all songs
- Simple sing-along videos, showing the motions (stream or download)
- Simple sing-along lyric presentations (Powerpoint)
The physical starter kit includes:
- Full access to the eResource (downloadable) starter kit
- USB drive with all download files, including videos
- Printed songbook
In addition, purchase inexpensive bulk MP3 downloads/audio CDs to send home with families, so they can continue to sing the VBS songs!
Pricing & Purchase (Coming Soon)
Starter Kits |
Downloadable Starter Kit | Physical Starter Kit + Downloadable |
|---|---|---|
$99 |
$149 |
|
| All leader guides with permission to reproduce | Online access | Physical binder & on USB drive |
| Child booklets (preschool & elementary) | Online preview* | Physical sample copies* |
| Posters | Online access | 1 copy each & on USB drive |
| Music audio | Online access (MP3s)** | on USB drive** |
| Music sing-along videos | Online access | on USB drive |
| Music files (lead sheets, motions, lyrics) | Online access | In physical binder & on USB drive |
*Child booklets are not reproducible. If you choose to use these recommended components, please buy one copy for each child (see below).
**Music from starter kits may not be reproduced and distributed to participants and their families. If you wish to do so, please buy the very affordable bulk-priced audio CDs or MP3 download cards from us (see below).
This program is a collaboration between The Pastoral Center and MennoMedia. Adapted and reprinted with permission from Passport to Pece. © 2022 Shine Curriculum, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. All rights reserved.