Taste and See: VBS 2026

How many of you still remember a song from Vacation Bible School?

Maybe you remember the motions. Maybe you remember a memory verse. Maybe you remember the cookies, the crafts, or the awkward skits.

But for many people, VBS became much more than a childhood memory.

For some, it was the first time they heard the Gospel clearly. For some, it was the first time they felt loved by a church. For some, it was where a seed of faith was planted that later changed their eternity.

Research shows that most adults who attended VBS remember it positively, and many trace important spiritual moments back to those experiences. Some even had their “come to Jesus” moment during VBS.

And every year, churches all across the country do something extraordinary: They transform classrooms into jungles, kitchens, oceans, farms, castles, and outer space. Volunteers take time off work. Teachers study lessons. Decorators stay late. People cook meals. Teenagers help wrangle kids. Grandparents listen to verses. And all of it happens for one reason:

So children can taste and see that the Lord is good.

This year’s theme is “What’s Cookin’?” and throughout the week our kids will learn spiritual truths through the imagery of cooking and recipes.

They’ll discover things like: • God always makes time for us. • God gave us gifts to make a difference. • God makes us stronger together. • We make God known when we share our story.

But this morning, I want us as adults to remember something important:

VBS is not babysitting.

It is not just crafts and snacks.

It is Gospel work.

And sometimes God uses one small invitation, one memory verse, one volunteer, one conversation, or one week to change a life forever.

God Uses Simple Things to Reveal Himself

Psalm 34:8 NIV

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

Notice the invitation: Taste and see.

Faith is not merely information. God wants people to experience Him.

That is exactly what VBS does.

Children may not understand systematic theology yet. I see some of you are ? They may not grasp every doctrine.

But they can begin experiencing: • the love of God, • the kindness of Christians, • the truth of Scripture, • the joy of worship, • and the reality that Jesus cares about them.

Throughout Scripture, God often used ordinary things to reveal extraordinary truth.

He used: • bread and wine, • stones and altars, • shepherd staffs, • fishing boats, • mustard seeds, • loaves and fish.

And now He uses things like: • crafts, • songs, • snacks, • games, • and memory verses.

To adults, these things may seem small. But God specializes in using small things.

Never underestimate what God can do through one simple week.

Some of you are sitting in this church today because somebody once invited you to VBS.

Seeds Are Being Planted Even When We Cannot See It

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

That is VBS ministry in one sentence.

Sometimes we want instant results. We want every child to walk the aisle. We want dramatic stories immediately.

But often God works slowly.

A memory verse learned at age 7 may return to someone’s mind at age 27. A song sung in a classroom may come back during a hospital stay years later. A teacher’s kindness may become someone’s picture of the love of Christ.

You may never fully know what your service accomplishes this side of heaven.

The volunteer handing out goldfish crackers matters. The person decorating matters. The registration worker matters. The small group leader matters. The prayer team matters.

Because every person becomes part of what God is preparing.

This year’s VBS theme talks about ingredients coming together to create something meaningful.

That is a picture of the church itself.

Some teach. Some organize. Some clean. Some sing. Some encourage. Some pray.

And God uses all of it together.

Galatians 6:9 CSB

9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Church, VBS is worth it.

The Church Is Called to Pass Faith to the Next Generation

Deuteronomy 6 tells parents and God’s people to teach His truth diligently to children.

Psalm 78 says we tell the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.

Jesus welcomed children when the disciples tried to push them away.

The church must never treat children’s ministry as secondary ministry.

It is frontline ministry.

VBS is one of the few times during the year when entire churches mobilize together to reach children and families with the Gospel.

And here is something powerful: Research has shown that many parents who would never normally send their child to church will still send them to VBS if invited by a friend.

That means one invitation can open a door to an entire family.

One invitation. One conversation. One ride to church. One volunteer saying yes.

And suddenly a child hears: “Jesus loves you.” Maybe for the very first time.

That matters eternally.

Volunteers Are Doing Holy Work

To every volunteer serving this week: What you are doing matters.

You may feel tired by the end of the week. You may wonder if the kids were even listening. You may feel like all you did was keep order and hand out supplies.

But Jesus notices every act of service done in His name.

You are not just managing children. You are serving souls.

You are helping children “taste and see” that the Lord is good.

And remember: Sometimes the biggest impact comes through simple faithfulness.

A smile. A hug. A prayer. Learning a child’s name. Listening carefully. Showing patience.

Those things preach louder than we realize.

Some children coming to VBS this week may come from: • broken homes, • angry homes, • lonely homes, • distracted homes, • or homes where Jesus is never mentioned.

For some kids, this may be the safest, happiest, most hope-filled week of their summer.

So serve joyfully. Serve prayerfully. Serve expectantly.

Because God often does eternal work through ordinary people willing to say yes.

Next Steps

This week our church will laugh together. Sing together. Teach together. Pray together. Serve together.

But more importantly, we will sow Gospel seeds together.

And years from now, somebody may look back and say: “That was the week I understood God loved me.” “That was the week my life started changing.” “That was the week I met Jesus.”

Church, that is why VBS matters.

Psalm 34:8 CSB

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!

Psalm 34:8 says: “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”

This week, that is exactly what we are praying children will do.

So let’s pray. Let’s invite. Let’s serve. Let’s encourage. Let’s give. Let’s support. Let’s believe God to work.

Because one week really can impact eternity.

Listener Notes

Taste and See

Psalm 34:8

Theme

God often uses small moments, faithful servants, and simple acts to help people experience His goodness.

Key Truth

Never underestimate what God can do through one week of VBS.

1. God Uses Simple Things to Reveal Himself

Psalm 34:8

"Taste and see that the Lord is good."

God often works through ordinary means.

VBS helps children experience:

God's love

God's truth

God's people

God's joy

Small things can have eternal impact.

Question for Reflection: What simple thing did God use in your life to draw you to Himself?

2. Seeds Are Being Planted Even When We Cannot See It

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

Paul planted.

Apollos watered.

God gave the growth.

Not every seed grows immediately.

Faithfulness matters even when results are unseen.

Question for Reflection: How has God used someone else's faithfulness to shape your spiritual journey?

3. The Church Is Called to Pass Faith to the Next Generation

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Psalm 78:1-7 Mark 10:13-16

God's people are responsible for passing on the faith.

Children's ministry is not secondary ministry.

One invitation can change a life.

One week can influence an entire family.

Question for Reflection: Who is God calling you to invite, encourage, or invest in this week?

4. Volunteers Are Doing Holy Work

Galatians 6:9 Matthew 25:40

Every role matters.

Every volunteer matters.

Every act of service matters.

God often works through ordinary faithfulness.

Question for Reflection: How can you use your gifts this week to help others taste and see that the Lord is good?

Final Challenge

Pray. Invite. Serve. Encourage. Give. Support.

Because one week really can impact eternity.

Bibliography (SBL Style)

The Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.

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

Stuff You Can Use. What's Cookin'? VBS Teaching Series Overview. Grow Curriculum, 2025.

4-Day Bible Study

Taste and See

Day 1: Remembering God's Goodness

Read: Psalm 34:1-10

Key Verse

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." (Psalm 34:8)

Background

David wrote this psalm after experiencing God's deliverance. Rather than merely telling people about God, he invites them to experience God's goodness personally.

Reflection

Many adults can still remember songs, Bible verses, and lessons learned at VBS decades ago. Why? Because those moments became experiences, not merely information.

David's invitation is personal. God wants us to know Him, not merely know about Him.

Questions

What are some early memories that helped shape your faith?

When have you personally experienced God's goodness?

How can you help others experience God's goodness this week?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the people and experiences You used to help me know You. Help me point others toward Your goodness.

Day 2: Planting Seeds

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Key Verse

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6)

Word Study

Planted (φυτεύω, phyteuō) To establish or place something where it can grow and flourish.

Reflection

Much of ministry feels unseen.

Teachers prepare lessons. Volunteers organize supplies. Church members pray.

Often we never know how God uses these acts. Yet Paul reminds us that God is responsible for the growth.

Faithfulness is our responsibility. Results belong to God.

Questions

Why do we often want immediate results?

How does this passage encourage those who serve behind the scenes?

What seeds might God be calling you to plant?

Prayer

Father, help me remain faithful even when I cannot see the results of my labor.

Day 3: Passing Faith to the Next Generation

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Key Verse

"Impress them on your children." (Deuteronomy 6:7)

Word Study

Teach diligently (שָׁנַן, shanan)

Literally means "to sharpen" or "to impress repeatedly."

Reflection

Faith is always one generation away from being forgotten.

God instructed Israel to intentionally pass His truth to their children.

The responsibility belongs not only to parents, but to the entire covenant community.

VBS is one of the ways a church helps fulfill this calling.

Questions

Who helped pass faith to you?

How can the church support families in discipleship?

Why is children's ministry so important?

Prayer

Lord, help our church faithfully pass Your truth to the next generation.

Day 4: Don't Grow Weary

Read: Galatians 6:7-10

Key Verse

"Let us not become weary in doing good." (Galatians 6:9)

Word Study

Weary (ἐγκακέω, enkakeō)

To lose heart, become discouraged, or give up.

Reflection

Serving children can be exhausting.

Ministry often requires long hours, sacrifice, and patience.

Paul reminds believers that there is a harvest coming. We may not always see it immediately, but God sees every act of service.

Every invitation. Every prayer. Every lesson. Every conversation.

None of it is wasted.

Questions

What causes people to become weary in ministry?

How does God's promise encourage perseverance?

What would it look like to serve with eternal perspective?

Prayer

Father, strengthen those serving this week. Help us remain faithful and trust You for the harvest.

YouTube Description

Taste and See | Psalm 34:8

Vacation Bible School is often remembered for the songs, games, crafts, and fun, but for many people VBS was much more than a childhood activity. It was where they first heard the Gospel, memorized Scripture, encountered the love of Christ, or even gave their lives to Jesus.

In this message, we explore Psalm 34:8 and discover how God uses ordinary people, simple acts of service, and faithful ministry to accomplish extraordinary things. As our church begins VBS week, we are reminded that one invitation, one volunteer, one lesson, or one week can have an eternal impact.

📖 Scripture: • Psalm 34:8 • Deuteronomy 6:4-9 • Psalm 78:1-7 • Mark 10:13-16 • 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 • Galatians 6:9

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