Limitless Creativity

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).

Let’s take a look at VBS by the numbers from 2017, according to “LifeWay VBS Report Forms.”

21,376 churches reported a VBS

2,494,059 people enrolled in VBS

65,301 salvation decisions from VBS

835 decisions made for vocational ministry at VBS

160,926 prospects discovered through VBS

$7,012,010 given to missions during VBS

INTRODUCTION

God’s creativity is limitless!

His power and creative design are on display throughout our world and beyond. From the smallest particle of DNA to the largest nebula in our galaxy, God’s infinite creativity is used to bring glory to Himself and make Himself known.

Scripture also gives evidence of God’s purposeful design. We see this demonstrated in the fact that Jesus fulfilled prophecy after prophecy from the Old Testament.

Psalm 139:13 CSB

For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Psalm 139:13 even points to God’s creativity as He knit us together from the very beginning of our lives. The way God infused people with a creative spark is a tiny reflection of His own ability to create with purpose and imagination.

It is clear that God gives gifts and talents to His people, all the while giving them a burden to fulfill their purpose in their relationship with Him. Our ultimate purpose is found in relationship with Jesus Christ. It is only through the power of Jesus that we get to tap into what we were created for.

This year at VBS we will consider what it means to be the Creative Designer’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Music, arts, and creativity can all be avenues for bringing God glory.

GOD IS THE CREATIVE CREATOR

• God is the only One who can truly create. In the beginning God created the word there in the Hebrew is only used of God. God created everything! He didn’t just imagine our world, but EVERYTHING that exists! He engineered existence when nothing existed. He’s the only One who has the power to do this.

Psalm 33:6–9 CSB

The heavens were made by the word of the Lord, and all the stars, by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the water of the sea into a heap; he puts the depths into storehouses. Let the whole earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spoke, and it came into being; he commanded, and it came into existence.

• In addition to the creation account in Genesis 1, God’s creative power is described in more intricate detail in Job 38–39. We also see the powerful magnitude of His ability to create in Psalm 33:6-9. By God’s word the heavens were made, and by His very breath the stars were formed! Thanks to advances in space exploration, we know that stars and galaxies are intricately designed and have amazing beauty! It’s reassuring to know that His creation serves His purpose, and we find our true purpose only in Him.

GOD CREATED WITH PURPOSE

• In His creative design, God has clearly defined a plan and purpose which will last through all generations (See Psalm 33:11.). One of God’s major purposes is to make Himself known (Habakkuk 2:14), and so His creation is to reveal Himself. (See Romans 1:20, Psalm 19:1-4.) His plan was revealed through the prophets of the Old Testament, then realized through His Son, Jesus, in the New Testament.

John 14:6 CSB

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• God designed a plan for mankind to be in relationship with Him, which only happens through Jesus. Jesus stated in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

• Jesus is the center of God’s design and plan. A creative illustration of this is found in DaVinci’s Last Supper. He designed this piece so that the focal point of the entire painting is Jesus’ face. The perspective is drawn in such a way that all lines in the painting converge on Jesus’ forehead so that Jesus is the focal point, or where the viewer’s eye keeps returning. Jesus is literally the center of the painting. This is no accident. This was the artist’s design and intention. This is how God has designed life to be fully enjoyed—with Jesus at the center.

WE FULFILL OUR PURPOSE ONLY IN JESUS

• It is humbling to think that even though God is infinitely powerful and creative, He knows us very intimately. (See Psalms 33:15; 139:13-14.) He knows your name. He knows your heart, and He loves you. Only through Jesus can we discover God’s love and purpose for our lives.

• Finding our God-given purpose starts with surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ and following Him. We do this by repenting of our sin and trusting in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. This is biblical salvation.

2 Timothy 1:9 CSB

He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

• Second Timothy 1:9 says, “He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.”

• As a Christ-follower, no matter what talent or gift God has given you, it was given so that you can make God known and bring Him glory.

Next Steps

God has been using His creativity since the beginning of time to reveal Himself to all people. He has graciously and lovingly called us to join Him in a relationship through Jesus and discover how incredible life was designed to be.

If you want to experience all that God has planned for this life, then use your gifts and talents for God’s purpose. Bring Him glory—it’s what you were designed to do!

Introduce

Introduce the VBS leaders. Ask the leaders to come forward as you read their names.

Barbara Barker - Recreation

Heather Payne - Missions

Cheryl Crow & Summer Kruse - Music

Kim Walter - Crafts

Bible Study Teachers

Theresa Buster - Preschool

Margaret Vyskocil - K - 1st

Audrey Stearns - 2nd-3rd

Christina Mills - 4th-5th

Lenee Seed - Van Driver

Rudy Ortiz - Parent Greeter

Cheri Gupta - Registration

Rod Bennett- Sound and video

Victoria Conely - Safety

Billy Garoulis - Dinner

Anna Lutes - Pictures

Pastor Ryan - Opening and Closing ceremonies

Wendy Morrow - Director

Pray

Ask the congregation to make a verbal commitment to pray for each leader and all those who will be involved in

VBS. Lead the congregation in responding to the following questions:

– Will you commit to pray for VBS?

– Will you commit to pray for those who are unchurched in our community to join our church for VBS?

– Will you commit to pray for each one of these workers?

– Will you commit to pray for each child who attends VBS this week?

• Invite the congregation to take a “Prayer Card,” “Prayerwalk Brochure,” or “Spark Studios™ Prayer Calendar” as they

are dismissed.

Bibliography

Larry Hyche is a graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv). Larry also serves as Director of Men’s Spiritual Development at the Alabama State Board of Missions.

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