Vacation Bible School

[Joyshomeschool]

Hello all, I'm not sure if there is another thread where this topic has been discussed; so I thought I'd post this here.

It is now the season for VBS. It seems to me that many congregations have turned VBS into a carnival. What once used to be an opportunity to have Bible drill time, songs, and a themed series of lessons for various ages, it has in many places been turned into puppet shows, plays, elaborate scenery and props, and grown men and women dressing up in costumes to "make the Bible come alive."

In the first century context, the Greeks and Romans, in general society, certainly were not lacking in the entertainment arena, yet we find none of that used in the context of the church. I think all of us would agree that there is biblical authority for the use of visual aids - our Lord used them - parables, writing in the dirt, etc. However, when the visual aid takes center stage, it seems like the picture is skewed. It ceases to be merely an aid.

I realize that this is an area which is subject to judgment to some degree, but how can we expect our children to have the utmost respect for the Scriptures and to behave in a dignified manner, when adults become clowns?

Okay, I'm done.

[KWorden]

Joy, no doubt some have lost sight of why they are there. Not only VBS but also Youth Rally's and summer camps have a tendancy to go overboard. I know that our youth have been to rally's where they got up and left because of the hand clapping and hoopla. It seems every year we have a discussion about whether the potenial dangers of camp are worth the benefits they will gain from it.

Today was the 1st day of VBS at Rush Springs. I had to work but my wife said they had a good turnout. I guess as a kid I never realized how much effort was put into VBS. I thought those cookies and the punch just magically showed up in the kitchen. It thrills me to see the number of people who contribute to such an effort. I was at the building Saturday morning and several ladies spent several hours working on thier rooms. The week before many had stayed between the morning and afternoon Sunday service to prepare matierial and cut out all the little papers for the kids. Brother Lee's sister and 2 other ladies wrote all the material themselves. Wow! Lee's brother-in-law leads the kids in songs. Several other ladies bake dozens and dozens of cookies. The teenage kids help out as aides to the teachers in the classrooms. Then, someone has to clean up all the mess and get ready for the next day. It just really goes to show that everyone has a function in the Lord's body. Find something you can do and get to work!

[Lee Parish]

Originally Posted by KWorden

Joy, no doubt some have lost sight of why they are there. Not only VBS but also Youth Rally's and summer camps have a tendancy to go overboard. I know that our youth have been to rally's where they got up and left because of the hand clapping and hoopla. It seems every year we have a discussion about whether the potenial dangers of camp are worth the benefits they will gain from it.

Today was the 1st day of VBS at Rush Springs. I had to work but my wife said they had a good turnout. I guess as a kid I never realized how much effort was put into VBS. I thought those cookies and the punch just magically showed up in the kitchen. It thrills me to see the number of people who contribute to such an effort. I was at the building Saturday morning and several ladies spent several hours working on thier rooms. The week before many had stayed between the morning and afternoon Sunday service to prepare matierial and cut out all the little papers for the kids. Brother Lee's sister and 2 other ladies wrote all the material themselves. Wow! Lee's brother-in-law leads the kids in songs. Several other ladies bake dozens and dozens of cookies. The teenage kids help out as aides to the teachers in the classrooms. Then, someone has to clean up all the mess and get ready for the next day. It just really goes to show that everyone has a function in the Lord's body. Find something you can do and get to work!

Gotta pretty good sister, though it took me years to realize it. I think she married pretty well also

[KWorden]

Originally Posted by Lee Parish

Gotta pretty good sister, though it took me years to realize it. I think she married pretty well also

Yes, you've got a good family all around.

Lee's sister is teaching my 3 year old daughter in VBS. My daughter just finished telling me the story of Noah...impressive! It takes a lot of patience to sit in there with nine 2 and 3 year olds for 2 hours.

[mountravlr]

It just might be well to evaluate how materialistic things have become with regard to this topic, as well as to other matters. If the leadership tends to delegate its authority to an office staff, then perhaps this should be discussed. We noticed that a public complaint was made about how young people were much more concerned abut ski events than the evangelistic effort in which they were engaged, and this by a Baptist "pastor"! Are we seeing similarities in churches of Christ, perhaps beginning with VBS? Does VBS constitute an "assembling", which require the NT "pattern"? Or are such activites exempt from the biblical pattern?

[Bill Medart]

Originally Posted by mountravlr

Does VBS constitute an "assembling", which require the NT "pattern"? Or are such activites exempt from the biblical pattern?

I treat VBS like a Wednesday night Bible study except it is longer and usually age restrictive. However, we invite all ages including adults to attend ours. I do not believe that it is treated as an "assembling" of the saints since some that attend are of denominational "pursuation. This is a good time to teach the Bible and leave out denominational doctrine.