The Beauty of VBS

In 1st Corinthians 3, we read about the framework that God uses in order to spread His Word and see
people grow:
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

Jesus referred to God's Word as a seed in the parable of the sower.  There were seeds that were unproductive, seeds that did not grow because of various factors, and seeds that bore varying degrees of fruit.  We each play a part in living and sharing God's Word:  some of us will plant seed, and others will reap the harvest - God produces the fruit, He just calls on us to be faithful.  We can be encouraged that the Word of God, the seed planted in hearts, will not return void, as Isaiah says.

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In Isaiah 55, we can read about the power and the pervasiveness of God's Word:
10 "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

We are now toward the end of the second week of June, and a number of area churches, based on the information in the Faith Radio Vacation Bible School schedule at our website, are holding VBS activities this week.   Still others will be conducting VBS in the weeks to come.

Vacation Bible School is an opportunity for churches to reach out to the children in their communities and to share the life-changing message of Christ.  And, it continues to be quite popular.

The Baptist Press website reports on a new LifeWay Research study about Vacation Bible School and its impact.

60% of Americans attended Vacation Bible School growing up.  The article breaks that down:

Twenty-two percent say they went every summer growing up, while 14 percent said they went most summers. Another 13 percent went occasionally. Five percent went more than once. But 40 percent never went.

The most notable memories, according to respondents are: spending time with kids their own age, learning Bible stories, singing songs, creating crafts, and playing games. 17 percent of those surveyed remember "making a spiritual commitment at VBS."

88 percent said that Vacation Bible School "helped them better understand the Bible."

47 percent of parents with children under the age of 19 say their children have been to VBS. And, 95% of parents report it to be a positive experience.

Jana Macgruder of LifeWay Kids is quoted as saying: "Two-thirds of American parents...are eager to send their children to a church activity where they will have fun experiences centered on what churches care about most: Bible stories, the Gospel and worship." Scott McConnell of LifeWay Research stated, "People still believe Vacation Bible School is good for kids," adding, "Even parents who don't go to church want their kids to go to VBS."

The popularity of Vacation Bible School cannot be denied - the article points out that it was a simple act by two Sunday School teachers in the 1890s: D.T. Miles of Hopedale, Illionis and Virginia Hawes of New York City -- both had the same idea.  Since school was out for summer, they thought it would be good to invite the children to study the Bible and have fun.  The rest...is history.

This really brings to mind one of the takeaways from this information: Sometimes the simplest ideas can be the most impactful.  There will be places for intricacies and high-level planning, but God will work through minimalist endeavors, as well - we just have to be open to the move of His Spirit. Through the years, VBS has become more and more successful, which of course involves more use of church resources, volunteer participation, and quite a bit of organization.  But, the idea is really, really simple, and really inspired!

This survey data paints a picture of a truth from the book of Isaiah: God's Word will not return void.  Summer after summer, for over a century, seeds have been planted and people have fond memories of what they experienced in VBS.  Who knows what our society would be like if this incredible program was not being carried out?  

So, to everyone who participates as a parent and/or volunteer, the message is clear: VBS matters.  It is an effort by the Church to reach children in the community; and perhaps, if you reach the children, you can reach the adults as well.   VBS has been a significant contributor to the spiritual fabric of our culture; it is needed and it is effective.