“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:5 ESV)
Vacation Bible School is upon us once again. With this statement, I realize that there is some excitement, and there are some “uuuggghhhs”. I’m hoping that each of you see VBS as a great opportunity for your church to reach your surrounding community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The key verse is one which should be our motivation for VBS. As leaders, we are sharing God’s Word with our Kindergarten through 6th grade children to know Jesus. As always, these are important ages to train our children in the way they should go. We must remember that God’s Word never, ever comes back void or empty. It accomplishes His purpose whether it’s now or later in the life of our children.
I saved these thoughts from an article I read in January about VBS. Here are 4 reasons why VBS is critical to the mission of our churches:
- VBS is about Jesus.
89 % of those who attended VBS say that it was a positive influence on their spiritual growth. 95% of parents say that VBS was a very positive influence on the spiritual growth of their children. WHY? VBS has the dual purpose of “introducing children to Jesus Christ and providing valuable spiritual growth of more than kids than ever”.
- VBS attracts all types of children.
It’s amazing to note that VBS crosses cultural and religious barriers. “More than 69% of American parents say they would encourage their child to attend VBS at a church they don’t attend if their child was personally invited by a friend.”(Lifeway) In other words, parents that are Christian, unchurched, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic or all socioeconomic statuses would send their child to VBS. Get your church kids to invite their unsaved friends!!
- VBS energizes the local church and the community.
Why do I say this…because VBS gets the church out of their seats and into their community. VBS creates energy in the local church in order to show everyone the truth of God’s Word in a wholesome and new way that they may have never seen before.
- VBS mobilizes a local church to reach its community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It takes the church of all ages to participate together to touch the lives of those who live in and around the local church. VBS is not just for children. It is for teens, college-aged students, singles, newlyweds, married couples, both young and older, those with or without children, empty-nesters, and senior adults.
As VBS is being promoted in your church, be a participant. Find your place and see what God can do through you at VBS.
Until Next Month,
Bro. Lyle