Why should churches provide vacation Bible school? Churches should be eager to provide vacation Bible school, since it offers a unique approach to Christian education during the summer months. While at VBS, children are presented stories from the Bible, have time to meet new children, get a chance to spend a good time with friends, and experience new and fun activities. At VBS, children learn Bible verses, sing upbeat music, observe skits, create crafts, participate in recreation, take part in a mission project, and have a snack or a meal.

VBS provides an opportunity to teach children about Jesus so that they can learn ways to be like Christ. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Luke 2:52). Children will grow in wisdom as they experience lessons from the Bible, they will grow in divine favor as they learn about God and God’s love for them, and they will grow in human favor as they learn life application skills while interacting with others.

Why else should churches offer VBS? VBS offers the church a fun and creative method of teaching Christ-like values and ways to interact with others. VBS also provides a strong biblical foundation for faith development for the children. VBS is an excellent outreach tool into the community—a way to invite those who do not normally attend church to come into the church, get involved, and build a relationship with others and with Jesus Christ. The entire congregation can get involved in this outreach program, using their God-given talents to share the love of Jesus with their congregation and community. Adults can decorate, teach, shepherd children, prepare food, send invitations, send follow-up cards to visitors, work with publicity, and pray.

By Betsy Parham and Linda Tozer. From It Worked For Us: Best Practices for Ministries to Children with Families  Copyright © 2009 Abingdon Press