Jeff Haney, writer of the Teen VBS Lessons

May 1, 1776, Adam Weishaupt along with four other friends formed a secret society of free- thinkers, financiers and the brightest intelligentsia of the time which came to be known as The Illuminati. Mixed with some fact and fiction, the myth, mystery and magnetism of this movement has captured the thoughts and imaginations of conspiracy theorists for generations. There are some who insist that this mystifying legend is indeed a fact and serves as a shadow government to world affairs. In medieval times, a phrase was coined that captured the essence of this belief. Those who counseled the king were often viewed as controlling the king, and, therefore, the counselors were truly considered the power behind the throne. For centuries, people and societies have never quite shaken the belief that there is more to world affairs than meets the eye. Whether it’s Freemasons, the United Nations, the Counsel on Foreign Relations or the Boy Scouts of America, many men have come to believe that there is a power behind the thrones of the world, governing the governments, ruling the rulers and helping along the happenings of the affairs of our lives. This is only a small list of the alleged powers that be.

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While we shouldn’t be conspiracy sensationalists, such beliefs have brought to light legitimate questions. Does anyone rule the rulers? Is there anybody governing the governments? Who leads the leaders? While these are questions worth asking, the answers given by the world at large are lacking and imaginary. This doesn’t mean there aren’t legitimate answers. We can answer these questions with great confidence and a resounding yes; there is, in fact, someone governing governments and ruling rulers. However, He isn’t the power behind the throne, He is the power beyond the throne. He isn’t merely a counselor to kings. The reality is that He is King of kings. He presides over presidents and monitors the monarchs. He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. It is no mystery at all that He oversees what men see, overrules where men rule, and has a keen interest in the affairs of our lives. The Bible states in Psalm 29:10, “The Lord sitteth King for ever.” Psalm 47:7 states, “For God is the King of all the earth.” The Bible relates in Daniel 2:21 it is the Lord that “removeth kings, and setteth up kings.”

There are two primary objectives throughout the lessons in this book. The first is to learn about the Mighty God, and the second is to understand His concern and involvement in the lives of every man, woman, boy and girl on planet Earth. We are living in a time when the public debate and social sentiment seem to have shifted focus in the everyday discussion concerning God. In the past, Satan and unbelieving men tried to put out the light of God’s existence. Their poisonous plan now is to throw dirt on His goodness. One thing better than knowing God lives is knowing that God loves. If the devil can’t convince men of one, he will try to convince them of the other. The entire theme of this study is

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essentially an exposition on the character of God, not the reality of God. It is not about the fact that God is. It is about the fact that God is good which is a necessary element of biblical faith. Hebrews 11:6 gives us the essence of true life-changing belief, “For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” When it comes to faith in God, it isn’t enough to merely believe that God is. One must also believe that God is good. It is factual that God is, God is good, and God is good to me. Every teen needs to see this through the lessons on the life of Moses.

Vacation Bible School 2013, The Mighty God, God Leads Moses and Me teen class is an effort to demonstrate to the teachers and students that God is living, loving, moving and working in their lives for their good and His glory. The fundamental facts that undergird our lessons are found in Jeremiah 32:17, 18, “Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: . . . the Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts.” May God bless you as you prepare to teach the young men and women whom God has put under your care.

Teen Student

(This article was taken from the Teen Teacher Manual.)

Click here for more information about VBS 2013, The Mighty God – God Leads Moses and Me.

Welcome to Vacation Bible School 2012, and congratulations on having the opportunity to teach teens. It is a sacred privilege and serious honor to be placed in the position of teaching people. This year’s Vacation Bible School stands in my estimation as one of the most profound themes of study that we could present to this generation of young people. If I could only instill in an individual five important truths, I would have to choose these five.

Jesus Saves, Jesus Leads, Jesus Cares, Jesus Leads, Jesus Returns.

I find nothing in life of greater importance, higher value or eminent usefulness than the subjects covered in the week’s lessons. Each lesson is a truth one cannot live without. These are not merely ornaments of truth that we decorate our spiritual minds with, these are the lessons that constitute the necessities not only of a life well-lived, but of a life lived, period. Teens are certainly at the age in which they are more than able to comprehend what each of these lessons will mean.  
It is my prayer that these lessons will enrich your life as teacher, Christian and fellow servant of the Lord Jesus. Vacation Bible School may be the only opportunity that you have to touch the lives of some of these students. Do it well. Give yourself to the Lord first, the task second and, no doubt, God will do the things only God can do.

(Jeff Haney, writer of the Teen VBS material for VBS 2012, Sunlight Express)