Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Lesson 1 Ridin’ Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Lesson 2 Ridin’ Obedient . . . . . . . . . . 15

Lesson 3 Ridin’ Faithful . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Lesson 4 Ridin’ Bold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Lesson 5 Ridin’ Courageous . . . . . . . 33

PrimaRy Teacher

PrimaRy TeacherWritten by

Rhonda Blackerby

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Rhonda was saved at the age of six and baptized into Sweet Home MBC in Prattsville, AR. She has been married to Pastor Doney Blackerby for thirty-five years serving the Lord together in three churches, currently with Center MBC, Rison, AR. The Blackerby’s have three children and six grandchildren, all active in their churches. She began working in VBS at age fourteen leading music for younger children and has worked in all phases of VBS since that time, including VBS director and as a presenter at VBS workshops. She has been a writer of the Bogard Press primary VBS for eight years. Rhonda is active in all phases of church ministry including choir, mid-week Discovery Bible Clubs director and teacher. She is active in the Ladies’ Auxiliary of her church and has served as an officer for Arkansas State and National Women’s Auxiliaries. She is a part-time receptionist and lives to spend time with her family. “I am thankful to be a part of the Cross Canyon Trail VBS team. It is a blessing to realize your own spiritual helplessness and learn to rely on the Lord to meet all your needs. When you ask, He blesses your efforts. My confidence is in the Lord who is all-sufficient. One of my favorite songs is, ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust in Jesus.’ The chorus in the song is, ‘Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him, How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er!’ I can testify over and over that Jesus has been faithful to me.” Email: doney@tds.net

In preparation for Cross Canyon Trail, this question comes to mind, “How many Christians are ridin’ strong or just ridin’ along?” The theme verse, Luke 9:23, shares precious words from Christ: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” That statement does not bring to mind a life of abundance and ease. Instead, it indicates sacrifice, hardship and a firm commitment to Christ. Cross Canyon Trail includes five outstanding Bible characters. Each account features a man or woman who experienced a hardship and made sacrifices. And they stayed true to the Lord as He accomplished His will through their readiness, obedience, faithfulness, boldness and courage. Primary students will benefit by seeing how God worked in the lives of Gideon, Ruth, Nehemiah, Peter and Esther. The accounts of their faithfulness are recorded in the Bible, because they did not merely ride along, they were committed to ride strong with the Lord. They were able to overcome fear, doubt and attack by enemies. And they learned that God would provide when it seemed they were empty-handed and out of ideas or answers to their problems. Christians today will be faced with some of the same adversity as we try to follow God’s trail in life. This series will help the buckaroos (students) hide God’s Word in their hearts, and they will be more prepared to serve, follow, live for, share and stand with their Savior, Jesus Christ. Teachers, you will personally benefit by taking the time to read the books of Ruth, Nehemiah and Esther in their entirety. Nehemiah had a great undertaking: the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall. He made a night inspection of the wall with only a few friends. The privacy of the night allowed him to take a true assessment of the situation without interference or interruption. Nehemiah was willing to work overtime to get the job done and restore honor and glory to the Lord in Jerusalem. He researched, planned, prayed and put much thought into the best way to serve the Lord on the wall project. He organized the people, and they enjoyed success even in the face of opposition and ridicule. Nehemiah also had to deal with unexpected problems. The task of Nehemiah may sound like trying to complete a week of VBS with lively, challenging students. You can be successful in the same way Nehemiah was. Start with prayer, then prepare and perhaps put in a little overtime. Let the Lord handle the things you have no control over. Remember Nehemiah 4:20, “Our God shall fight for us.” Try not to get ahead of Him on the trail, but stay calm and confident in Him. Ride strong!

5Introduction

Primary Teacher for Grades 3 and 4

Theme Ideas Cross Canyon Trail will help to encourage students to follow God’s trail in life by serving, following, living for, sharing and standing with the Savior, Jesus Christ. The theme setting is a cattle trail drive. Listed on page 2 are suggested titles for students and various activities at Cross Canyon Trail. Consult with the VBS director and attend planning meetings to see how the theme will be implemented at your church.

VBS students will be introduced to a cast of characters on the lesson videos. Your VBS director and staff will need to choose the best way to implement the lesson videos. You will need to be familiar with these characters:

Kids: Tommy and Annie Chuck Wagon Cook: Cookie Trail Boss: Mr. Wade Foreman: Dusty Wrangler: Red Cowboy: Josie Lady: Aunt Maetta

Bulletin BoardBegin by cutting all the

paper to fit your bulletin board or the wall space you desire to cover. As shown in the illustration, use the tan paper for the mountain and hill on the

horizon. The following bulletin board visuals are found in the Primary Visuals: horse and rider, lettering, theme verse and lesson titles, the cactus and cowboy hat patterns are in the Primary Visuals Instruction Booklet. Cut visuals out and place them as shown. Use beige paper to make the trail for the rider. Add any western items available to you. Consider doing silhouettes of your students. Place colorful paper or poster board on the wall. Have each student stand in front of a projector so that his shadow will fit onto the paper. Use a pencil or chalk to trace his profile. Cut and place around the room. Tip: in keeping with the theme, place a cowboy hat on each student so that he has a true buckaroo profile. A special cactus can be made by your students. Make a green cactus. Use a stamp pad or finger paint and have students use their fingerprints to make the spines or stickers on the cactus. Add other cactus or prairie plants as desired. Place a table underneath the bulletin board. There is a clothespin (legless) horse pattern in the Primary Visuals

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• Yellow, tan, beige and brown paper

• Bulletin Board Visuals (Primary Visuals)

• Table

Materials Needed

Instruction Booklet. Cut out a horse for each student from cardstock and use clothespins for the legs. Add the students’ names on the horses and arrange on the table. Add a primary placard to the table. This will be a good space for supplies you will use during the VBS. The horses can also be used as name tags or place cards for seating students.

Theme Ideas The Cross Canyon Trail catalog and Director’s Plan Book will have other ideas for your classroom. You may want to bring cowboy hats, boots, spurs, saddle, horseshoes, reins, lasso, guitar, cowhide, cowbells, a leather vest or any items associated with a cattle trail drive. A metal bucket full of peanuts, trail mix or beef jerky might be fun if you have the space and time to enjoy them.

discipline of the trail At times discipline problems can interrupt precious class time and cause frustration for the teacher or other students. Have some fun theme ideas ready so that the teacher is setting the tone of the room, not the buckaroos. There are numerous cowboy creeds or rules. Find one for your room and refer to it if necessary. Here are a couple of cowboy slogans that might be helpful: 1. Wipe your chin. This phrase was used in the Old West by cowboys who wanted to tell someone to be quiet. Tell boys and girls this phrase will be the Cross Canyon Trail signal to settle down and get quiet. 2. Buck up. When a cowboy used this phrase he was trying to cheer up someone or encourage him to keep on trying hard to get a job done. Use this with students who become distracted or just need a little encouragement to do the right thing.

Talk with your director or pastor if you need more help with your group.

bible-time Line The five Bible characters included in the Cross Canyon Trail lived at different times of history. It might be helpful if you have a Bible-time line on display. You can show students that Gideon and Ruth lived before the time of the kings. Ruth was a grandmother of King David. Nehemiah and Esther lived after the kings but before the birth of Christ. Peter is the only New Testament character. They were all saved by faith. Peter was an eyewitness of the gospel. The others lived by faith in the promises of God and believed the promised Messiah, Savior, would come to Israel.

VBS Catalog You will find many resources to help you prepare for Cross Canyon Trail. Check with your director for reproducible pages, artwork, transparencies, classroom scenes, daily icons, music and more. You do not need everything. Choose the visuals and ideas with which you will be comfortable. Trying to use too many ideas could be overwhelming.

7Introduction

bible background God’s judgment against sin is certain. The book of Judges gives several accounts of how the Israelites would compromise their convictions and disobey God. As a result, God allowed the nation to suffer oppression by surrounding enemies and invaders. God’s punishment forced the Israelites to see the wickedness of their sinful actions. Whether it is individual sin or corporate sin, God stands ready to forgive a repentant heart or any nation willing to humble itself, pray and call upon Him for healing. God would then raise up a leader or judge and make a powerful demonstration of deliverance, love and mercy toward His people. The account of the life of Gideon is another example of God’s mercy as He delivers His people over and over again. After forty years of rest and peace following the victory of Deborah and Barak, the Israelites drifted away from God in another downward cycle toward idol worship and all the evil practices associated with it. They had neglected to honor God with their tithes and offerings, so the Lord sent raiders from Midian who impoverished the countryside. Israelite families were forced to hide in caves and mountain clefts with what little food and clothing they could bring with them. They were a hopeless people. The Midianite families and their camels left devastation at harvesttime when they could steal the largest bounties away from them. The Israelites cried out to God and He heard their prayers. God sent an unnamed prophet to instruct them and make them ready for deliverance. God raised up a deliverer, Gideon. The angel of the Lord first confronted Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a winepress. Being in a winepress indicated a very small harvest and Gideon’s fear of being discovered by the Midianites. Gideon might have been a very strong and capable man of valor, but the Midianite oppression had buried him alive in obscurity and left him hopeless and faithless. In the solitude of a winepress God spoke to him as his hands were busy and his heart was meditating on the plight of Israel. God had a greater plan for him, a greater work to do.

Character Quality: Readiness

Activity: Scouting

Lesson Icon: Boot with Spur

Bible Account: Gideon Is Ready To Serve, Judges 6:1-16, 36-40

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:15, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Lesson Purpose: Students will always be ready to serve the Lord.

Video Character: Josie

9Lesson 1 - Ridin’ Ready

Primary Teacher for Grades 3 and 4

The Lord called Gideon to rise up and fight. Gideon had some heart work to do first. Gideon was full of doubt and questions. He felt inadequate, so the Lord promised Gideon that His power and presence would be with him. Gideon was ready to do something about the plight of Israel, but his faith was still weak, and he asked the Lord for a sign, for reassurance. Gideon prepared an offering for the Lord, then returned and laid it on a rock as instructed by the Lord. The Lord consumed the offering in a sudden flame of fire, then the angel of the Lord disappeared. Gideon knew he had seen the Lord. This helped him to overcome his fear and be courageous. God was preparing Gideon for the task He had called him to do. Gideon also passed another test of obedience. God commanded Gideon to destroy the Baal altar and cut down the wooden idol on the property of his father. He did it at night with the help of some servants. The next day Gideon faced much hostility from the community, but his father wisely appealed to the people by asking them, “Will ye plead for Baal?” “If he be a god, let him plead for himself,” Judges 6:31. Gideon’s test of obedience meant taking a stand that jeopardized his relationship with his own father. God blessed Gideon’s obedience and the hearts of his father and countless others experienced revival and they turned toward God under Gideon’s leadership. This should be an encouragement to all youth who are not in situations where the leaders of their families are living godly lives. God will bless the spiritual examples of young people who have hearts to serve Him. “The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet,” the trumpet of war. The reality of His call from God caused Gideon to ask for another sign of the Lord’s blessing on this battle effort. We cannot be sure if this request for another sign was a lack of faith, or Gideon’s way of being absolutely certain he was in God’s will. Hebrews 11:32, 33 includes Gideon with the heroes of faith who “through faith subdued kingdoms.” His faith became stronger as God worked His miracles in the signs of the fleece. First Gideon placed a fleece (some type of wool covering) on the evening ground and asked God to drop dew on the fleece only and the ground to remain dry. The next morning Gideon was able to wring a bowl full of water out of the fleece! Gideon made a second request of God: on the next morning he wished to find the fleece dry and dew on the ground. This was no problem for the Creator and Sustainer of all things. A very large army had answered the battle cry of Israel, 32,000. According to Judges 8:10 there were 135,000 Midianites. Surprisingly, God told Gideon that his army of 32,000 was too many! God wanted everyone to know the defeat of the Midianites would be a God victory, not by man. God told Gideon to send home anyone who was fearful or afraid. This reduced the number by 22,000 to 10,000. God said that was still too many. God administered a water drinking test. Those who lapped the water like a dog were chosen to be in Gideon’s army: only 300. God knew Gideon still had his doubts, so he allowed Gideon to eavesdrop on some Midianites in their own camp. Their conversation revealed their own fears of God and their belief that Gideon would be used by God to defeat them. God had put everything in place and in His time to have His servant, Gideon, ready to serve. With only trumpets, pitchers and torches, three hundred men obeyed the instructions from God as He gave them to Gideon, and victory came to Israel. Three companies of men executed God’s battle plan and continued to shout, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon” (Judges 7:20). Everyone knew it was God who gave the victory. Just as God promised Gideon that He would be with him in this battle effort, we can be thankful for His signs and promises to us today. God’s Word contains all the signs that Christians need to be ready to serve Him. Matthew 28:20, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

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activity: scouting The head of the cattle drive was called a trail boss. The cowboys in the back had a difficult job because they were constantly covered in dust; they were called the drag riders. The most active cowboys were the swing riders who worked the sides of the herd keeping them together and not leaving strays behind. The scout went ahead of the herd to look for danger. The scout had to be sure the conditions were right to move the herd down the trail. All the cowboys were ready when the scout confirmed the trail was safe and clear. The scout was a trusted comrade and was willing to take the lead putting his own safety at risk and displaying the character quality of readiness.

attention getter: sound the TRUMPETThe shofar or ram’s-horn trumpet was one of the first instruments played by

the Israelites. They were made from the long horns of the goat and were very loud. The Lord directed the use of the trumpet in many ways for His people of Israel. The trumpet was used for signals that established order in their camps. Other times the trumpet was a signal of victory in warfare and for celebrations of God’s blessing. It was also used to give warnings to the people. If you have access to an authentic animal horn, bring it to show the students. Give a demonstration if possible. (You will need to practice!) A cow horn would be

a great theme item to display in your Cross Canyon classroom.

Read Judges 6:34 to the students: “The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet.” This was a signal to Israel that Gideon was ready to lead and the people should get ready to follow. Remind students that when Jesus returns there will be a trumpet at the rapture. Students should be ready to serve by being ready to meet the Lord in death or in the rapture.

Bible accountGideon Is Ready To ServeJudges 6:1-16, 36-40 Gideon’s experience in leading Israel to victory over the Midianites includes several important factors from his hiding in the winepress to the victory in the battlefield. This lesson focuses on the promise God made to Gideon in Judges 6:16, “And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.” The promise is made more real to Gideon by God granting his request for the signs of the fleece. The lesson should be presented with an open Bible. If time permits, have students follow along with their Bibles. The Bible account is also given on the first page of the Primary Activity Pages. Choose to teach the lesson from page 1 of the Primary Activity Pages or guide students with open Bibles through the lesson text. Make one large flash card and six slightly smaller ones. Print on the large card: Rea___. On the smaller ones print the letters: p, ch, d, dy, l, son. Choose one student to hold the large card that reads: Rea__. For each step another student will bring the card that completes the word you will be relating to the lesson. Discuss each one.

• Trumpet

Materials Needed

11Lesson 1 - Ridin’ Ready

• Bible Account Poster (Primary Visuals)

• Poster board• Marker• Scissors

Materials Needed

Primary Teacher for Grades 3 and 4

Below are steps to teach or review the lesson in a more interactive way.

1. Reap. The Israelites had forgotten the laws and statutes of the Lord. The Lord allowed the Midianites to invade the Israelites and raid their fields and homes. When we disobey God we may have to reap the consequences.

2. Reach. The Lord is willing to forgive our sins if we confess and repent. He will reach out to draw all men to Him. “The children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites” (Judges 6:7). We need to reach out to the Lord and seek His forgiveness.

3. Read. Gideon was able to read the signs God gave him in the wet fleece and then in the dry fleece. Today we learn how to be ready to serve the Lord when we read the Bible.

4. Ready. God’s promises to Gideon made him ready to serve. God has also promised to be with us today.

5. Real. The signs God gave Gideon made His presence more real in Gideon’s heart. God gave the Israelites a real victory and restored them to their homes.

6. Reason. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). God caused Gideon to understand the best way to serve Him. Students should take the time to understand what God wants them to do with their lives. Primary-age students are ready to reason or understand that salvation is the first step in being ready to serve the Lord.

lesson purpose:Ridin’ ready because God keeps His promises Review the poster with the students touching briefly on the highlights of each instance in which God kept His promises. God told Noah there would be a flood and the only way he would be safe was to build an ark and get

inside. God promised Moses He would help him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and back home to the Promised Land. God led Samuel to anoint young David, passing over his older brothers, to be the next king of Israel. Through the prophets, God promised to send a Savior, the Messiah, to take away the sins of the world. God promised Gideon that they would defeat the Midianites. God is still keeping promises today. He has promised to save anyone who calls upon Him in true repentance. Knowing God keeps His promises encourages students to always be ready to serve the Lord.

• Ridin’ Ready Poster (Primary Visuals)

Materials Needed

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Memory Verse Activity:Stop Hanging Around, Get Ready Use the craft paper to wrap the hangers as shown. Use the marker to write the Memory Verse in eight phrases as suggested below and add the Scripture reference to the ninth hanger.

“Be ready / always / to give an answer / to every man / that asketh you a reason / of the hope / that is in you / with meekness and fear,” /1 Peter 3:15.

Use the string and pushpins to make a “clothesline” along the wall. Place the hangers on the clothesline out of order. Give each student a few seconds to place the hangers back on the line in the proper order. Another variation: pass the hangers to the students. When

you say, “Get ready, go,” students will have only a few seconds to put the hangers on the line in order. Do a practice first so that you will have an idea of about how long they will need with your particular classroom setting.

Primary activity pages

Page 1

This page includes the Bible account for students to read aloud or take home for lesson review.

Page 2

Students are to place each picture in order by writing 1 through 6 in the boot. Correct sequence:

1. Middle right: God allowed Midianite raiders in Israel because of the people’s idol worship.

2. Lower left: Israelite families hid from the Midianites in caves. 3. Upper left: Gideon was hiding to thresh wheat.4. Lower right: Gideon’s fleece was full of water, and the ground was dry.5. Upper right: Gideon’s fleece was dry, and the ground was wet.6. Middle left: God gave Gideon the victory.

Page 3

Students will find the words to the Memory Verse in the artwork of the caves. They will complete the Memory Verse, “Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”

Have one of the students read aloud the lower portion of the page and discuss salvation. Read Romans 10:9-13 with the students.

• 9 clothes hangers• Craft paper• Tape• Marker• Pushpins• String

Materials Needed

13Lesson 1 - Ridin’ Ready

• Primary Activity Pages

Materials Needed

Primary Teacher for Grades 3 and 4

Page 4

Use this discussion page to make it clear to students that God does not always speak directly in an audible voice or give miraculous signs we might ask for. We have all the assurance of His presence we need in the four ways illustrated on this page. Discuss the Scriptures given with students.

1. When we view the beauty of creation and the creatures within, it causes our hearts to know there is a God.

2. God’s Word, the Bible, has survived the test of time. Many people have been saved by reading it. His Word is alive to thousands of believers who cherish it.

3. We have the testimony of Bible characters who listened to Jesus’ teachings and saw Him after He rose from the dead.

4. The third chapter of John contains the words of Jesus when Jesus explained to Nicodemus about being born of the Spirit. We cannot see it, but we can feel the effects of it. Believers know He is real because they can feel Him in their hearts and minds.

These signs are all we need to place our faith in the one and only true and living God.

Students will check yes or no in the boxes next to the review questions.

craft time Refer to the Cross Canyon Trail Craft Book.

game time Refer to the Cross Canyon Trail Game Book.

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