A SUCCESSFUL VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Victor M. Eskew

 

          The word “success” is defined as:  “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals” (dictionary.com).  There are times when success can be easily seen.  A good outcome following a surgery, our team wins the Super Bowl, or a good investment, can all be seen to be success stories.  There are other times, however, when we know success has eluded us.  We fail to get a promotion.  An athlete does not make the All-Star Team.  Our company does not end with a profit during the year. 

            Success can also be hidden in some instances.  This often happens in the spiritual realm.  We conduct a Vacation Bible School.  The attendance figures are not where we desire them to be.  We conclude the effort was unsuccessful.  However, success just might be hidden from view in some instances.  We believe this is true of our Vacation Bible School this year.  No, we did not have a huge crowd.  The building was not filled with energized kids and caring parents.  However, there were several areas of success that should not be overlooked.

            One of the biggest areas of success involved the efforts that were put forth by the teachers and staff of our Vacation Bible School.  Every puppet skit, every class, every craft, every activity, and the refreshment center were carried out with professionalism and precision.  This is exactly how God wants us to conduct the affairs of the church.  Solomon writes:  “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” (Eccl. 9:10).  Paul gives a similar command in Colossians 3:23-24.  “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the Lord Christ.”  God was aware of our labors.  He knows the amount of time, energy, and sacrifice that was put into our VBS.  Nothing that we did last month went unnoticed by our Father in heaven.  One day, He will reward everyone who put their nose the grindstone.

            A second aspect of our success is the fact that we were engaged in a good work.  Good works of all sorts are God ordained.  Paul put it well in Ephesians 2:10.  “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Paul told Titus that one of the reasons Jesus give Himself for us was to “purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Tit. 2:14).  Is it good to try to teach children the gospel of Christ?  Yes!  Does it take work to make certain those children are taught?  Yes.  Since the answer to both question is in the affirmative, we know that VBS is a good work. 

            A third success of VBS is the fact that the Word of God was taught.  Four nights during the month of June, the Word of God was taught to children, teens, and adults.  Had there been no VBS, this teaching would not have transpired.  Jesus reveals the essential nature of teaching in John 6:45. He states:  “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God.  Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”  If the hearts of those who were in attendance were honest and good, their faith would have been strengthened because “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). 

            A fourth element of our success is found in the glorification of the Almighty God.  Songs were sung in praise to our Creator and Redeemer.  Prayers were lifted heavenward to our loving heavenly Father.  God’s holy Word was taught in simplicity and in truth.  One of the main lessons that was stressed during our VBS was “God is a powerful God.”  God caused the sun and moon to stand still in the days of Joshua.  God enabled Gideon to conquer an army numbering  130,000 with a force of only 300 men.  God empowered Elisha to raise the son of the Shunammite woman.  And, Jesus healed the withered hand of a man in the synagogue on the sabbath day.  God’s power was manifested through different avenues.  We were reminded that God is sovereign, that is, He is Lord over all things.  Dear readers, this kind of teaching causes God to be lifted up and revered by men.  Yes, our VBS did what Jesus exhorts us to do in Matthew 5:16.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 

            A fifth part of our success stemmed from the use of our talents.  Sometimes, members of the church look at themselves as one-talent individuals.  However, when VBS rolls around, these individuals manifest the fact that they are multi-talented.  Lesson, crafts, bulletin boards, wall displays, door displays, games, singing, puppet shows, and ability to work in sometimes stressful situations manifested the talents of many of our members.  God rewards those who willingly put their talents to use.  In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells of two servants who doubled their talents while their lord was on a journey.  When he returned, they brought their increase to him.  His words to both were identical.  “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21, 23).   Dear brethren, if we increased our talents during VBS and that leads to our heavenly reward, our efforts were not in vain at all.

            This year, we conducted our VBS with a new format.  We had a puppet show each night to introduce the lesson.  We shortened our actual class time to 20 minutes.  The young people then went to four different stations:  1) Questions and Answers, 2) Crafts, 3) Activity, and 4) Refreshments.  Five times each night every student was reminded of the Bible story, its characters, and the main element of the story, that is, the power of God.  The first night saw many anxious teachers.  They were nervous about the new program.  However, after that first night, everything calmed down and everyone seemed to enjoy how the nights went. 

            We want to thank everyone who played a part in this year’s Vacation Bible School.  Without the unified efforts of numerous members of the OceanSide congregation, we could not have had a successful VBS.  Yes, it was successful.  There was diligent effort displayed.  It was a good work.  The precious Word of God was taught.  God was glorified.  And, many talents were manifested by a host of members.  It is hoped that we are all looking forward to another VBS next year.  Hopefully, we can make it even more successful!