VBS PREP

Matthew 18:6 KJV 1900

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

VBS is an incredible church ministry.

Six out of 10 American adults have attended VBS.

Nine out of 10 have positive memories of VBS.

Perhaps most exciting: Eight of 10 said it was a childhood highlight.

Every year at VBS

2.5 million kids attend VBS.

Over 70,000 kids get saved at VBS

Almost 1,400 surrender to the ministry.

15 hours of discipleship in a single week.

$6.5 million given to missions.

It’s not just free childcare.

On 12% of parents view VBS as childcare.

Even if they do…they still came.

Is VBS a waste if it’s just “our kids?”

NO! Our kids are worth the investment.

This is an opportunity to show our children how much we value them at this church.

Don’t let up this year just because the numbers wont be as high.

Don’t come to me down in the mouth about the different VBS this year.

This is an opportunity we must take advantage of.

Deeper explanations

More questions

Less distractions

Meaningful interactions

Even if the majority of the kids that will attend this year are saved, this is an opportunity to disciple.

88% of Americans who attended VBS growing up said that ‘Participating in Vacation Bible School as a child helped me better understand the Bible.’

“With biblical literacy at an all-time low, Vacation Bible School provides an opportunity like no other time on the church calendar to help kids learn about God and grow in His Word,”

For some, this will be the first year to do VBS with us.

Use this opportunity to train new leaders for the future.

With the comfort of smaller class sizes, give new people opportunities that they may not normally get.

This is an opportunity the adults in our church to grow spiritually.

Get experience sharing the gospel with someone.

Deepen your connections with the other members of our church.

Thoughts for a successful VBS

Let your speech be seasoned with grace. (Col 4:6)

6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Treat the kids better than they deserve.

Even the “church” kids that will be here need to be shown love.

You do not know what is going on in their home.

Be graceful.

Let your speech be characterized by truth and love. (Eph 4:15)

15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

This is not a license to say mean things and then qualify it as “love.”

There is a right way to correct and a wrong way to correct.

There will be those that need correction.

Our next verse reminds us of what we must balance correction with.

We must be patient. (1 Thess 5:14)

14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

“All men” includes the 3rd grader that is tap dancing on your last nerve on Thursday at 11:30.

If you find yourself at all needing a break this week, you come to me or Bro. Matt.

If you’re on the verge of losing your patience at all, come to me or Bro. Matt.

Whatever it takes, maintain patience with all men.

I’ve seen our workers, though, and I don’t anticipate that being a problem.

This week, we are doing Jesus’ work in the lives of these kids. Mark 10:13-16

13  And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

We must strive every day to be a blessing to these kids.

Our goal is that every day, they go home excited about what they learned about God and His word.

Make a big deal about the right things.

3x the Bible tells us.

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

(Matt 24:35; MAr 13:31; Luk 21:33)

Crafts, Games, Skits, and Prizes are fun.

Keep the focus of God and His word this week.

Finally, stay prayed up.

If Jesus needed to pray before He ministered, so do you.

Please, spend time praying before each day starts.

Pray throughout the day.

If you’re not here, take this sheet and use it as a reminder to pray for us this week.

Energy

Safety

Health

Holy Spirit to be at work.

I am excited that this may be one of our very best VBS’s.