VBS—What’s It All About?

Posted August 27, 2024

By Kerry Dowdy, East Butler Church

Why do we do Vacation Bible School—known as VBS? It’s expensive and it’s only for a few days. And what do the kids get out of it? Do they even remember what they did or learned? 

Well, this was my third year as VBS director for East Butler Presbyterian Church and these kids do remember the Bible stories! The majority of the kids that attended VBS the past few years have been children from the community. In those few days we spend with the kids, they not only hear the Bible stories, but they participate in the stories. 

Our first Bible story this year was Jonah and the Big Fish. The kids acted out being in the ship and then thrown into the water only for a big fish (which was a tent covered in black plastic with eyes) to swallow them. They enjoyed hanging out in the tent as we talked about what Jonah would do for three days and nights in the belly of that fish. 

Another story they really enjoyed was Jesus Calms a Storm. This time they piled into an inflatable boat and acted out the stormy scene while Jesus lay sleeping in the boat. They yelled loud enough to not only wake Jesus up—but the entire borough of East Butler! They also learned about Jesus’ death and resurrection from Mary Magdalene as they went to the tomb and peered in. On their last day, Lydia visited to tell us about how she learned about Jesus. The kids walked to the river to pray and talked about how Paul told Lydia and the others at the river about Jesus and how we can tell others about Jesus. 

They also played fun, fishy games and put together themed crafts as well as tasty treats. Jonah visited us to play “The Choice is Right, Jonah.” We had a whale of a time with that! 

Now all these games and crafts are fun, and the kids really enjoy them, but what about the Bible lessons? This particular VBS curriculum we used encourages the kids to learn the Bible points: God is a friend who loves, God is a friend who trusts, God is a friend forever , and God is a friend to everyone. Every time they heard the Bible point, they would yell out “Thanks, God!” We also asked questions during crafts, games, snack, and closing prayer about what they learned in Bible Adventure. They remember the stories not only because it was fun, but because they were a part of the story—acting it out! 

So, to answer the question, why do we do VBS? To create a fun learning environment that helps build the Biblical foundation for these children. They also make friends with each other and fellowship in a community just like adults do in church. God is a relational God and having VBS brings God closer in relationship with not only the kids, but the adult staff and parents that join us is an awesome God! It’s all about God!