I was born into a family where “vacation,” “Bible” and “school” didn’t go together. Before my parents began a relationship with Jesus, the Bible was a way to ruin our vacation! But once our family learned about God’s plan for moms, dads and kids, summer became a special window of opportunity to grow in faith. It’s a season when signs start popping up on street corners advertising “Vacation Bible School” for kids. If you haven’t been part of a church community for long, you might wonder why VBS should get prime real estate on your summer family calendar.
What’s so great about Vacation Bible School?
A – Action
VBS happens during a season when children are available and eager for activity. Most families have more flexibility and free time as they take time away from the regular school calendar, but kids still need ways to express their energy. Vacation Bible School is traditionally developed around a theme that motivates kids to learn, participate, and engage with new and familiar content and relationships. It’s the perfect opportunity to invite neighbors to join you, helping you to grow your relationships and introducing them to Jesus. VBS funnels all of that summer energy into positive opportunities for activity that is physical, creative, relational, educational, and spiritual!
B – Boost
Families often have big visions for how they can grow in their faith when the school schedule lets up. The truth is, it’s not easy to fulfill our hopes when life is hot and unstructured. VBS provides a boost for spiritual growth, both for kids who participate and for parents who get involved. By providing daily, sequential, thematic opportunities for learning and applying stories and truths from God’s word, everyone experiences the chance for progress in things of the heart. Essential Bible lessons are presented in age appropriate ways, with worship, activities, and service packaged to reach the hearts of kids.
C – Community
Something happens when we spend time together every day, even for a week. Moms and dads feel this, and kids do too. If we want our kids to personally experience a feeling of community in a local church family, being part of Vacation Bible School goes a long way in making that happen. Frequency breeds familiarity, and familiarity leads the way for friendship, and friendship plows the ground for family. Wherever your child may be in their personal–spiritual journey, a week of regular time at your church campus will help them feel at home.
If you see one of those signs on the corner, and you want to try making Vacation Bible School part of your family’s plan, I would suggest these tips for making it meaningful.
5 Ways to Make VBS Valuable
- Participate wholly in one VBS. If you’re part of a church, engage where you worship and serve.
- Meet your child’s leader and know what is asked of the kids (Bring a Bible? Bring an offering?)
- Volunteer! Crafts? Cutting fruit? Security? Teaching? Skits?
- If VBS happens in the morning, be sure everyone gets a good night sleep. If VBS happens in the evening, plan your day accordingly. Don’t show up tired and hungry (kids or grown ups!)
- PRAY. Ask God to help children understand and grow. Pray for your kids and others.
Vacation Bible School might be “free childcare,” but don’t treat it just as “free childcare.” It’s so much more than that. It’s an opportunity for your child to be actively engaged in things of faith. It’s a chance for a boost in their spiritual understanding. It’s a way to help your children feel like part of their church community and to know other kids and caring adults in your fellowship. And it’s even more than that … it can also be a chance for YOU to actively engage in serving, in growing, and in connecting with people in your church.
If you’re out of school and on summer vacation, carve out a week to be part of Vacation Bible School. It might not only change your summer; it might change your lives!
If you’ve been part of a VBS, how did it help you or your kids?
If you’ve been part of a VBS, what was great about it?
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CLICK THIS LINK & CHECK OUT HOW YOU CAN HAVE A CHURCH HOSTED BETTER TOGETHER CONFERENCE
(As we finalize the details, we wanted to give you a peak at how you can have a BETTER TOGETHER Conference at your church!)
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