Surprise! Stories of Discovering Jesus allows children to be surprised as they discover Jesus, too! Each of the five stories in this Bible-based vacation Bible school kit tells about someone surprised by Jesus. Surprise! invites children from preschool to grade 5 to come along on the journey, to open their eyes, and to see what Jesus has in store!
The stories come from the Gospels and tell of Jesus surprising leaders in the temple with his wisdom as a child, Jesus blessing children much to the surprise of the authorities, Jesus feeding a large crowd with only five loaves and two fish, Nicodemus seeking Jesus’ wisdom at night, and two travelers on the road surprised by Jesus after his death. With each surprise, children will discover more about Jesus.
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 Response, Active Response, and Creative Response.
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.
Adaptations are also available for children in grades 6-8.
Detailed guidelines for planning and adapting your VBS approach this year, with coronavirus social distancing restrictions and concerns. Read the document here.
Engaging games that can be played over Zoom or other video conferencing apps.
If you are planning or considering a virtual VBS experience this year, note that our licenses give you permission to share the download links with all of your leaders so they can prepare from home. You can also share individual electronic files with your participants, although we recommend having families pick up and bring home a bag/box of materials before the VBS begins. You are allowed to stream sing-along videos over video conference or make them available directly to your participants. Color booklets, audio CDs, and MP3 download cards still must be purchased separately for use by individual children/families. Please let us know if you have questions.
DAY ONE
Luke 2:41-52
Jesus’ parents travel home to Nazareth after observing Passover in Jerusalem, and discover that 12-year-old Jesus is not with them. They return to Jerusalem and find Jesus in the temple, asking questions and talking with the teachers.
Faith Focus: We can ask questions and grow in wisdom.
DAY TWO
Mark 10:13-16
People bring their children to Jesus, but the disciples turn them away. Jesus sees this and insists that they let the children come to him. He takes the children in his arms and blesses them.
Faith Focus: We can receive the blessing of Jesus.
DAY THREE
John 6:1-14
Hungry crowds travel to hear Jesus speak. There is no food except a young boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish. Jesus takes the lunch, blesses it, and the food multiplies to feed everyone.
Faith Focus: We can give to others and bless them.
DAY FOUR
John 3:1-21
Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night. He has seen Jesus’ miraculous signs and wants to know more about him. Jesus tells Nicodemus that he must be born from above and that God loves the world and wants to save it.
Faith Focus: We can choose to seek Jesus.
DAY FIVE
Luke 24:13-35
Two men walk on the road to Emmaus, talking about Jesus’ recent death and the empty tomb. Jesus joins them and enters the discussion, but the men do not recognize him. They invite Jesus to stay and eat with them. As he blesses the bread and breaks it, the men recognize him.
Faith Focus: We can recognize Jesus with us.
Offered as a reproducible resource (for all components except student booklets and music CDs).
Both downloadable and physical formats.
Leader guides are provided in both topical and day-by-day formats. Physical leader guides are in a binder with tabs to make them easy to rearrange or duplicate.
Bulk-priced CDs can easily be sent home with every family.
Reflections from Pope Francis for each day.
Music from Oregon Catholic Press featuring Jesse Manibusan and other Catholic musicians.
Daily connections to our experience at Mass.
Service opportunity from Catholic Charities USA.
A great all-around Scripture-based experience perfect for any parish!
You will be humming along with this top-notch kid-friendly music that connects closely with the theme.
Powerpoints and sing-along music videos with hand motions make it easy to lead your group in song.
Features songs written by Jesse Manibusan, Ken Canedo, Matt Maher, Steve Angrisano, Bryan Sirchio, and more.
We provide all the core features you expect in a VBS, without overwhelming complexity.
Our VBS is earth-friendly: fun without plastic trinkets that will litter our common home.
A separate early childhood leader guide makes it easy to include preschoolers.
The program is easy to adapt to your timeframe and preferences.
A fun and effective way to help children learn about and experience Jesus and the kerygma.
Includes Scripture, prayer, drama, music, games, crafts, and activities, all nicely integrated to teach children meet and follow Jesus!
Bible stories with a good balance of men and women role models.
Thoughtful take-home pages will bring parents into the process and coach them on how to talk to their children about what they learned.
Extra resources included to help you market and manage your VBS.
Optional gestures/motions are provided for prayers, memory verses, and songs.
Overview of the VBS and guidelines for orchestrating the process. Includes a planning chart, sample schedules, tips for working with staff/volunteers, forms, Bible backgrounds, snack ideas, a book list, a letter to parents, guidelines for inviting children to faith, and more.
PreviewFull guide for all aspects of VBS for younger children (ages 4-5). Makes suggestions for full daily schedules, including snack ideas, Bible sessions, activities, crafts, books, song/motion suggestions, and more.
PreviewFull guide for leading Worship & Drama sessions for each day, including gathering (introducing theme, opening prayer, etc.), worshiping (prayer, song, Bible verse, drama), responding (offering project), and sending (schedule review, blessing, and song)
PreviewFull guide for leading interactive activities & games each day, including advance preparation, session plan, material list, step-by-step instructions, and debrief.
PreviewFull guide for leading Bible Response sessions for each day, including Biblical background information, materials list, advance preparation, session plan, and suggestions for teaching Bible memory verses.
PreviewFull guide for leading craft sessions for each day, including Biblical background, materials list, advance preparation, snack ideas, and debrief.
PreviewFull-color 16-page activity booklet for grades K-5, including puzzles and other interactive activities.
PreviewFull-color 16-page activity booklet for ages 4-5, including a retelling of the Bible story for each day, puzzles, and other interactive activities. Send this booklet home so parents can follow up with their children!
PreviewCustomize and post around your parish or around town.
Make it easy for kids to learn the verses day-by-day.
Engaging letters to keep parents in the loop and coach them on how to follow up with their children each day.
Customize and print to invite parishioners, school families, etc.
• Logo artwork (use to create your own t-shirts or documents)
• Music components (see below)
• …and much more!
A great collection of easy-to-sing songs that fit perfectly into the VBS theme.
Catholic composer, singer/songwriter, storyteller, humorist, catechist, evangelizer and encourager Jesse Manibusan leads our music and has written two new songs just for Surprise!
Written by Ken Canedo, Marc Cavallero, Dan Brennan, Kevin Roth. Performed by Jesse Manibusan & Ken Canedo.
Written & performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written by Jesse Manibusan & Jayme Manibusan. Performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written & performed by Steve Angrisano.
Written & performed by Matt Maher.
Written & performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written & performed by Jesse Manibusan.
Written & performed by Bryan Sirchio.
The downloadable VBS starter kit includes the following components for use within the VBS sessions (all downloadable):
• MP3 audio files of all songs
• Songbook with lead sheets (melody line scores, lyrics, and chords)
• Hand/body motions for all songs
• Simple sing-along videos, showing the motions
• Simple sing-along lyric presentations (in Powerpoint and Keynote formats)
• Lead sheets with scores for select songs
The physical starter kit includes:
• All of the downloadable files on a data DVD
• Audio CD
• Simple sing-along lyric video DVD
• Printed songbook
In addition, purchase inexpensive bulk audio CDs to send home with families, so they can continue to sing the VBS songs!
Pam Richter
St. Anne’s Catholic Church
Berryville, AR
Reproducible files delivered electronically
Music for use in VBS delivered electronically
Online access to
sing-along videos
Reproducible posters & promotional materials
Electronic preview
of child booklets
Handy tabbed binder + CD-ROM + download access
Audio CD & printed music + download access
Sing-along video DVD + online access
Two copies of each poster + download access
Printed sample of
each child booklet
Growing Up Catholic
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Pastoral ministers helping pastoral ministers