Online Articles
One Week Away
Our Vacation Bible School begins one week from tomorrow! This work has become a special part of our summer and one that was greatly missed in 2020. It is sure to be another week full of creative Bible instruction, spirited singing, and special memories. We hope that our people, both young and old alike, are making their plans to participate in this year’s event.
Vacation Bible School has a place for everyone. It has a place for those who can help prepare materials and decorations in the weeks and months leading up. It has a place for those who can write lessons and teach classes. It has a place for those who can assist the teachers in the classrooms. It has a place for those who can plan activities that will “enrich” the whole experience. VBS has a place for those who can participate in skits that help bring the stories to life. It has a place for those who can come with their children, grandchildren, or even kids from their neighborhoods. It has a place for those who can attend the adult class and give the younger ones someone to look up to and admire. All are essential! All can contribute to the success of the week.
Our VBS puts the emphasis where it should be: on the BIBLE. This is a Vacation BIBLE School. It is not a week of daycare or babysitting or camp. Children are taught 4 one-hour Bible lessons complete with a memory verse for the entire week. This year, the verses are from John 13:34-35 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” And these words will come alive when you hear them out of the mouths of babes.
Before and after Bible class, we will meet in the auditorium for 15 minutes of singing. The passion and enthusiasm our kids have for singing these songs is contagious. They can’t wait to “roll the gospel chariot along” and shine “this little light of mine.” Is it any wonder why Jesus said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:3)? It is the little children who will make us all proud to say, “I’m in the Lord’s army!”
The theme of VBS this year is “Showing God’s Love.” It will focus on the stories of Ruth and Esther from the books that bear their names. Each day will highlight a different aspect of God’s love and the love we should have for one another.
- Monday – Love for family. Ruth 1 introduces us to a family from the tribe of Judah who moved to Moab during a famine. The man and his sons die, leaving his wife, Naomi, and daughter-in-law, Ruth. When Naomi decides to return to Judah, Ruth makes that great statement of love and loyalty - “when you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16-17).
- Tuesday – Love for God’s Word. Boaz wanted to marry Ruth, “a worthy woman” (3:11), but he was not the “nearest kinsman” (Lev. 25:25) that the Law of Moses required for redemption. Rather than being deceitful or just taking what he wanted, he followed the Law and ultimately became Ruth’s redeemer and was placed in the lineage of the Great Redeemer.
- Wednesday – Love for God. The book of Esther was written during the time God’s people were in captivity. But Esther and her uncle, Mordecai, remained faithful and trusted in God to deliver them from Haman’s plot to kill the Jews. Mordecai told Queen Esther as she was about to speak to the king, “Who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)?
- Thursday – Love for one another. Esther exposed Haman to the king who then made a decree to save all the Jews throughout the kingdom of Persia. At the end of the book, they instituted a new “holiday for rejoicing and feasting” (9:19). Indeed, God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and one another.
We look forward to another memorable week of VBS. Like previous years, it is certain to be a labor of faith, hope, and especially love.
