There was a day when
Saturday morning cartoons were a reality for some of us. One of the staple commercials you could count
on was that silly rabbit trying to get a bowl of Trix, which always ended with
the children chiding the rabbit and saying, “Silly Rabbit, Trix are for
kids.” I fear that when it comes to
thinking about Vacation Bible School, many in the church have that same
feeling. We hear about ministry
opportunities and say to ourselves, “VBS is for kids.” And, while it may be true that much of the
energy is directed to serving children, I’m hoping to show today that VBS isn’t
just for kids. There’s much benefit to
be had by the church at large through VBS.
Here’s some reasons:
1) VBS helps bring people
together in service. Most of us know
that the law can be summed up as loving our neighbor as ourselves. We know that we are to, through love, serve
one another. And, VBS is a great
opportunity to come together with other like-minded believers and serve. This, in turn, helps build the unity of our
congregation. When you are “in the
trenches” with another believer seeking to serve, you will begin to be drawn
close to that individual. This is what
makes the church strong.
2) VBS builds consistency
in your relationships with others. VBS
is a week-long event. So, rather than
just bumping into others in our church on a Sunday, you get the opportunity to
fellowship with others day after day.
Each night will present its own opportunities to glorify God and your
consistent involvement in this will encourage you spiritually.
3) VBS looks
outward. Much of our difficulty in the
church comes when we are inward focused.
We can become so intent on what we want and we would like to see happen,
that our joy becomes tied to whether or not our desires are happening. Each year, however, VBS is a call to remind
you that church life doesn’t revolve around you. There are others who need served. Specifically, we get the opportunity to serve
children.
4) VBS communicates love
for our neighbors who are younger than us.
When you think about church life, you probably devote most of your
energy to things that don’t involve children (unless you’re a parent of a child
and/or involved in an ongoing ministry to them). What I love about VBS is that it gives adults
and teenagers the opportunity to show children how dearly loved they are. We rightly feel this in our hearts. But, VBS puts feet to those feelings, showing
children that we are excited to make known eternal truths to them. VBS allows us to tangibly love not just in
words but in actions and truth.
Finally, 5) VBS allows
you to practice a spiritual gift. Most
of us know the importance of exercise or at least moving around so that atrophy
doesn’t occur. God has uniquely gifted
every believer in the church to serve.
How often do you use those gifts?
Are you looking for an opportunity to use a gift you don’t use as often
as another? VBS is a great way to jump
in and serve, employing your spiritual gift for the good of others.
So, those are a few
reasons why I would encourage you to be involved in our VBS, June 10-14. There is more info on it in other parts of
the Edifier. VBS isn’t just for kids,
it’s for people like you and me who want to be a part of something that
glorifies and enjoys God, forever.
