On a similar note, I wrote a lesson.

VBS and Bible Class – Godly Training vs. Entertainment

When planning a vacation bible school or children’s bible class curriculum, often we do not do what God expects of us. If you are now smiling and feeling good that you have done a great job with your VBS because you taught bible stories and had a charismatic and exciting speaker to teach the kids that had a great time shouting, clapping, jumping and marching in circles while singing about the wall of Jericho, stop and consider again.

Let us look at God’s Word to see how God wants us to teach children and then compare it to what many congregations do. There are numerous verses but let’s consider these.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

- - When assembling children in the worship area, is entertainment such as plays, dancing, jumping, marching, shouting, screaming out “amen” till their voice is gone, clapping while singing to songs about God that otherwise would we wouldn’t, since clapping in our culture is associated with entertainment? If we are teaching our children to think it is fine to worship and study like this in VBS why should we be surprised to see it become so prevalent in congregations that have moved away from the God’s Word? In Proverbs 22:6, God’s Word, as always, is proven true again in that many of the children that were trained to worship in an entertainment format are now grown up and are leaders in congregations where emotionalism and entertainment has taken priority over God’s pattern. Why should we be surprised by this? - -

Deuteronomy 6:7
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

- - It is a misconception that kids must be screaming and jumping to be happy and learn. Does God mention any of the activities I list above in this verse? Granted, it is meaning that we are to take advantage of every situation to teach about the Lord but notice the situations God chooses. These are the environments when serious learning can take place. - -

Psalm 34:11
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

- - Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary translate “fear” in this verse as follows: yir’âh - yir-aw’

Feminine of H3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally reverence: - X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear (-fullness). - -

- - Is there anything in this verse that makes one believe that children are to not understand that learning God’s Word is serious? I am not saying kids cannot have a great time but the fear in this verse is healthy, Godly, respect, not a circus or comedy.

In our homes, we do not allow our children to scream at our adult guests. Why not? We teach our kids not to do it because it is not respectful. Should we not teach our kids the same about God? Make no mistake, kids see very little difference between their bible study and worship in VBS than when the entire assembly gathers together for Worship. They notice the difference.- -

Psalm 71:17
O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

–As this verse demonstrates and most all people agree, teaching our children is vital because the ways we are taught as a child, influence what the, now adult child, will teach later to others and practice later in life. Keep in mind, I am not saying children cannot have an edifying time together and learn but we all need to realize that we are to be fearfully responsible in handling God’s Word. We need to understand that the way we teach them to worship is the way and teaching they will declare later in life to others.–

Deuteronomy 4:8-10
8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 10 especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’

- - God demands and is worthy of all respect and honor. If the parents and teachers teach entertainment based worship at VBS, then later that Sunday, practice another kind of worship. Is that demonstrating respectful fear or hypocrisy? - -

Proverbs 11:9
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

- - By using the knowledge from God’s Word, it can guide us to make better decisions regarding teaching children and prevent us from teaching wrong and/or committing the sin of hypocrisy. - -

Galatians 2:13
And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

- - If Barnabas could be carried away and influenced by hypocritical brethren, why should we assume our children will not? - -

1 John 3:10
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

- - When we teach one type of worship which is not as God wills and is rooted in fleshly emotionalism, do we really love these children according to how God defines showing love? Many of these children may be visitors and if their parents visit too and see the VBS, they may think this is how we worship God. In many congregations these days, sadly, it is. - -

Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

- - If we truly love what God has lovingly given us in the wonderful gift of His Word and guidance on how to behave and live life, should we not also follow this example in how we teach children? We need to make sure we are giving good gifts to the children, not set a false example. - -

Matthew 18:5
Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

- - Would we receive Jesus at the VBS with marching, screaming, dancing giving a show etc? Do we think He would teach and behave in such ways with the kids when teaching them the Word? Did Jesus, apostle or prophet ever teach anyone in such a way? Be careful to check the context carefully when you attempt to find these answers because all the preaching and teaching was done in reverence and respect, never as entertainment to anyone at any age. - -

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

–Children are going to heaven. Our responsibility is to help them get there, not hinder them with confusing messages and examples.–

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Conclusion:

If children are to obey us as adults and parents, should we not also obey our Father in all things too? Teaching kids entertainment based acts of worship and bible study that are not done in Truth, decency or order is not in line with God’s Word, pattern, style or example.

The true success of any bible class and VBS should never be measured, by the attendance but rather, did the children learn God’s Word, which gives us all we need for life and Godliness in Him. This will not only make them happy for the moment but will equip them toward happiness for eternity and keep us from condemnation.

James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.