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Research shows that around 60% of adults (both churched and unchurched) attended a VBS at some time while growing up. Therefore, it’s likely that you already know that VBS (Vacation Bible School) is a block of time during the summer that presents the gospel to children in fun, age-appropriate activities. It’s also likely that you have positive memories of your own VBS experiences. As an adult, however, you now know that preparing a VBS requires a lot of time, effort, and resources. Also, the world today isn’t the same as when you were a kid. Is VBS still relevant in 2024? Is it still worth the effort?
Most of us would agree that VBS provides an important opportunity to expose unbelieving children to the gospel and encourage believing children in their faith. At a time where 48% of believers are not inviting people to church and 61% have never shared how to become a Christian, VBS helps us step out of our comfort zones to build relationships with our neighbors. However, I would argue that VBS is even more needed today than it ever was before, for one important reason: isolation.
Think about what life is like in 2024. Children and adults alike spend hours on screens, working and playing with little real contact with people. As Jana Magruder, Director of Lifeway Kids, puts it:
“They are photographing their food, their friends, themselves (hello selfies), and posting everything going on in their lives without actually living real-life experiences. They are more concerned about followers and likes than true relationships. They text or Snapchat more than they call on the phone or see each other in person. They watch Netflix or YouTube videos more than they participate in events and experiences, with real people and social relationships.”
And what is the result of the electronic life Magruder describes? Isolation. For children, this is even more heightened during the summer, when they are away from their school friends. This is not what God intends for us, however. He created people to be in relationships, first with Himself and then with others. VBS gives children an opportunity to develop relationships with their peers, with interested and caring adults, and, most importantly, with the Lord Himself.
Children aren’t the only ones that benefit from VBS, though. Adults can step out of their own isolation and band together to provide a meaningful experience for the children who attend. They don’t necessarily have to be “good with kids” to make a difference; they can decorate, prepare snacks and crafts, publicize the event, send follow-up cards, and, most importantly, pray. They might even offer to teach, lead singing, assist with crafts or snacks, or buddy up with a child who needs special attention during the VBS. As adults spend time together serving at VBS, they develop their own relationships within the church family, building a vibrant community that reaches out to all who are isolated with the good news of a mighty Savior.
What about you? Won’t you consider being a part of our VBS this year? It could make a big difference in the life of a child—or in your own.
– Jean Soyke
Sources:
Holmes, Landry. VBS: It’s Worth It. 6 Dec 2018. https://vbs.lifeway.com/2018/12/06/vbs-its-worth-it/
Parham, Betsy. Why Is VBS Important? 2024. https://www.cokesbury.com/why-is-vbs-important#:~:text=VBS%20provides%20an%20opportunity%20to,(Luke%202%3A52).