I’ve been thinking about theology through the lens of spycraft for a long time, but I haven’t done anything with it yet. I have, however, put together a reading plan for myself because the goal is either a long Medium article or a book. I have not decided yet. It will be what it will be. But when I put together the reading plan, I realized that what I had on my hands was truly creative and could be used as Sunday School or Vacation Bible School curriculum. I’m not going to use it for that, so here’s the idea for free:
Vacation Bible School: “Spycraft in Scripture”
A week‑long immersion in courage, wisdom, and holy mischief
Each day becomes a mission. Each story becomes a case file. Each kid becomes an “agent of wisdom.”
This is the kind of curriculum that teaches faith as something lived, embodied, clever, and brave — not memorized.
DAY 1 — Operation Exodus: Outsmarting Empire
Theme: Courage + righteous deception
Stories:
- The midwives who lied to Pharaoh
- Baby Moses hidden in plain sight
Activities:
- “Decode the Midwives’ Message”
- Build a basket that can float
- Role‑play: How do you protect someone vulnerable
Takeaway: Sometimes doing the right thing means outsmarting the wrong authority.
DAY 2 — Operation Jericho: Rahab’s Safe House
Theme: Loyalty + protecting others
Stories:
- Rahab hides the spies
- Negotiates safety for her family
Activities:
- Create a “safe house” map
- Practice coded signals (colors, symbols, knots)
- Trust‑building games
Takeaway: Courage isn’t loud. Sometimes it’s a quiet act of protection.
DAY 3 — Operation Wilderness: Leadership Under Pressure
Theme: Community + distributed leadership
Stories:
- Moses overwhelmed
- Jethro teaches him to delegate
- The 70 elders
Activities:
- Build a communication network with string and cups
- “Who should lead this mission?” team challenge
- Problem‑solving relay
Takeaway: No one leads alone. Wisdom is shared.
DAY 4 — Operation Galilee: Jesus’ Disappearing Acts
Theme: Discernment + timing
Stories:
- “My time has not yet come”
- Jesus slipping away from hostile crowds
- Parables as coded teaching
Activities:
- “Find the escape route” obstacle course
- Parable puzzles
- “When is the right time?” decision‑making game
Takeaway: Wisdom is knowing when to speak, when to move, and when to wait.
DAY 5 — Operation Underground: The Early Church Network
Theme: Community resilience + hope
Stories:
- House churches
- Women as couriers
- Symbols like the fish
Activities:
- Create your own early‑church symbol
- Build a “secret meeting place”
- Team challenge: deliver a message without being “caught”
Takeaway: Faith grows strongest in community, especially when times are hard.
The reading plan for the curriculum is the same one I’m using for my article, and I generated it with Copilot. These are all my own ideas, and you won’t find them on shelves. Just please use them to the best of your ability. Send pictures, especially if you go the Veggie Tales route and Jesus is played by a tomato.
Stories That Are All True 