VBS 2024 - Navigating the Relationships With God and Others

Nine out of 10 American adults who attended VBS while growing up report having positive memories of those experiences. And, if you did attend VBS, chances are that you went because your immediate family, relatives, neighbors, or friends took you or invited you.

One of the most exciting facts to come from the research is this: 69% of American parents will encourage their child to participate in VBS IF THEY ARE INVITED BY A FRIEND.

Dissect that piece of information. Over TWO-THIRDS of American parents (remember that’s those who attend church and those who don’t, all denominations, believers and unbelievers) will ENCOURAGE (not just say “OK,” but encourage!) their child to participate in a VBS event at a church THEY DON’T ATTEND (this is over and above those who already attend your church) IF INVITED BY ONE OF THEIR FRIENDS (and there is the key—a personal invitation by a friend or family member).

VBS is the one week that mobilizes the entire church to reach the community with the gospel, while simultaneously providing a unique discipleship experience for the individual child and volunteer.

Set Sail

This year for VBS the Theme is all about navigating our relationship with God and with Others.

Isn’t that one of the biggest struggles we have, Child and Youth alike?

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

It’s a good thing that God provides us with the road map in how we are to navigate this world with each other and with him.

He does so with the scriptures.

All Scripture is inspired by God, that is God-breathed by God

This is a compound word found in the Greek which means its made up of two words.

θεόπνευστος - theopneustos - God breathed - inspired

θεός - Theos - God

πνέω - breath

Breathing sounds like inhaling and exhaling and that isn’t what is happening here. This word is sometimes translated as wind or spirit.

Theopheustros is all scripture is God speaking to us. It is through those word he is breathing life into us. Through this word Just like God did in Genesis

Genesis 2:7 CSB

7 Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

This word is breathing life into us

As he is breathing life into us

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

It is good for teaching, it is good for Rebuking, for Correcting, for training in Righteousness

IT is good for showing us what is true - It is good for showing what is right, what is wrong, how to get right.

God Gives Us the Tools we need

As we think about he focus of this years VBS we must think about how God can breath life in our relationships, Relationships with him and with others.

He does this in multiple ways

He teaches us to spend time with him and loves spending time with us.

Psalm 63:1 LEB

1 O God, you are my God; I will seek you diligently. My soul thirsts for you; my flesh longs for you as in a dry and weary land without water.

All relationships need time spent with each other. Time spent alone with to be healthy. Spending time alone with a loved one allows us to get to know one another.

Spending time alone with God allows us to grow closer to God.

Perhaps the best reason for us to spend time alone with God is to follow biblical examples. In the Old Testament, we see God call prophets to come to Him alone. Moses met with God alone at the burning bush and then on Mt. Sinai. David, whose many psalms reflect a confident familiarity with God, communed with Him while on the run from Saul (Psalm 57). God’s presence passed by as Elijah was in the cave. In the New Testament, Jesus spent time alone with God (Matthew 14:13; Mark 1:35; Mark 6:45-46; Mark 14:32-34; Luke 4:42; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18; John 6:15). Jesus actually instructed us to pray to God alone at times: “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen” (Matthew 6:6a). To rely on Jesus as our vine (John 15:1-8), we will need to be directly, intimately connected to Him. Just as a branch is linked directly to the vine and, through the vine, connected to other branches, so we are linked directly to Christ and therefore share in a community. We spend time alone with God and in corporate worship for the best nourishment. Without time alone with God, we will find needs unmet; we will not truly know the abundant life He gives. Spending time alone with God rids our minds of distraction so that we can focus on Him and hear His Word. Abiding in Him, we enjoy the intimacy to which He calls us and come to truly know Him

He gives us the gifts we need to have healthy relationships

Galatians 5:22–23 CSB

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

These fruit that grow because we are connected to the vine that is Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit living in us. Because God has breathed life into us because of faith in Jesus Christ through the scriptures.

They allow us to have healthy relationships. Life giving relationships.

We love because we were first love, showing grace.

We have patience with others because God is patient with us.

We have kindness

Self control

We aren’t Going to go through all of these. but these core fruit grow with in us. and allow us to be healthy with one another.

Rid ourselves of weeds that keep these from Growing

Next Steps

How can you new life in your relationships today.

Spend time with God - Get rid of junk and weeds

Spend time with loved ones

Bibliography

https://www.gotquestions.org/alone-with-God.html#:~:text=When%20we%20desire%20to%20know%20God%20intimately%2C,be%20like%20Mary%2C%20sitting%20at%20Jesus'%20feet

Holmes, Landry; Moore, Russell D. It's Worth It: Uncovering How One Week Can Transform Your Church Lifeway Kids, 2018.

Questions For Further Discussion

What percentage of American parents will encourage their child to participate in VBS if they are invited by a friend?

According to the sermon, what does the compound word 'theopneustos' mean in Greek?

How does spending time alone with God help us in our relationships, according to the sermon?

What biblical examples are given in the sermon to emphasize the importance of spending time alone with God?

How is the concept of being connected to Jesus explained through the vine analogy in the sermon?

How can you apply the concept of spending time with God in order to improve your relationships today?

What are some ways suggested in the sermon to get rid of 'junk and weeds' in your relationships?

What does VBS stand for and why is it significant according to the sermon?

How is the Bible described as a tool for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness in the sermon?

How does spending time alone with God help us grow closer to Him and improve our relationships, as explained in the sermon?

How can you implement the practice of spending time with God in order to strengthen your relationships, according to the sermon?

What are some qualities mentioned in the sermon that can help you have healthier relationships with others?

What does the term 'theopneustos' mean in Greek, as explained in the sermon?

Why is spending time alone with God important for growing closer to Him and developing good relationships, according to the sermon?

In the vine analogy given in the sermon, what does being connected to Jesus symbolize?

How can you practice spending time with God in your daily life to help your relationships with others, as mentioned in the sermon?

What are some examples of qualities mentioned in the sermon that can help you have positive relationships with your friends and family?

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