What do you remember most about Vacation Bible School? Is it the snacks, the Bible story, the friends you made, the music? Most of us still remember VBS; it has a lasting nature. It is fun, it is memorable, and it is a special time for the church to serve together.

As leaders and volunteers, our greatest desire is to see children and families encounter Christ, walk in His freedom, and pursue Him faithfully. We want the resources, talents, and time God has provided our church used for His glory. We want the most memorable experience of VBS to be the gospel.

So as we create lasting memories during our VBS week, how do we also use it to cultivate continued gospel impact in families?

How can Vacation Bible School cultivate a continued gospel impact for families?

MAKE IT LAST

To help the impact of VBS carry on, we must commit to disciple the spiritual fruit that develops during the week. In John 15:16, Jesus says to his disciples:

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (NIV).

We want the fruit that begins at VBS to last.

VBS provides a unique and rich environment to help plant the seeds of lasting fruit. It offers a chance to directly disciple and reach our congregations and communities with the gospel. It is also a special opportunity for families to witness what it means to be God’s people as church members across all generations serve together, demonstrating what lives bearing God’s fruit look like.

The church’s responsibility is to then help that fruit which began growing during VBS flourish. When we build our VBS with the intention of cultivating what God plants during the week, we have the potential to create a long-term impact—fruit that lasts.

“As the church, let’s prepare now to disciple and encourage the fruit we see develop through VBS. ”

With intentional interactions during VBS and continued discipleship after the week is over, the effects of VBS can lead to enduring growth in families. Here are four ways to help set a lasting course for your VBS.

1. The Vision

Leverage your VBS to accomplish your church’s vision. Ensuring that the vision of your VBS aligns with your church’s vision helps incorporate VBS into the greater mission of your church. When VBS connects with the vision of your church, its potential impact increases as its work continues through the church, even when VBS is over.

A healthy vision should be focused on the gospel and discipleship during VBS and beyond. Discern how your church’s regular programs and discipleship efforts (i.e. small groups, Sunday programs, upcoming events) could help families who attend VBS continue bearing fruit throughout the year.

2. The Message

As you decorate classrooms and prepare crafts, make everything in your VBS about Christ, His truth, and the goodness of His gospel. Every rotation, every activity, and every volunteer should repeat and refer back to the lesson and the gospel. This is the message that will make a lasting impact on the children and families.

Remember, children are still concrete learners, so connecting gospel truths to the church and their community helps them grasp what they are learning. Help them see how it applies to their lives and how they can practice it daily. For example, as you teach the missions lessons, find ways to introduce your class to any missionaries your church supports, mission trips your church takes, or missions opportunities in your community.

You know your church and community the best. Connect the lesson to concepts children can relate to in order to help the message stick and the impact last.

3. The Volunteers

Encourage your volunteers with the gravity of their work’s lasting effect. Motivate them with the vision you set for VBS to cultivate lasting fruit in the lives of families. They want their gospel investment to have enduring impact. Let that be an anchor in their preparation and purpose for VBS week.

“Intentionally set a time to train all your volunteers to share the gospel.”

Remind volunteers that they get to demonstrate the fruit of Christ in their own lives, displaying the character of God’s people to these families. Remind them that every lesson, conversation, and connection they make can help develop fruit that lasts in the lives of children and families.

Intentionally set a time to train all your volunteers to share the gospel. Consider using tools such as the original 3 Circles, the kids’ 3 Circles, or The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me. From the welcome center to the first aid station, each volunteer will likely encounter an opportunity to have a gospel conversation. Let this be an exciting possibility!

4. The Connections

One of the greatest opportunities at VBS is the chance for connections and long-lasting relationships. Senior adults connect with young parents, long-time members connect with new families or unchurched families, and children hear the gospel from other adults who love and follow Christ. VBS brings the church and community together in a unique way, and every single connection is an opportunity for lasting impact.

Some ways to encourage intentional connections include:

Identify the strengths of your volunteers, and use those with the gift of hospitality to greet and find opportunities for conversation.
Find ways to make staff available for interaction and connection with families.
Train leaders at every station to share their testimony. Connections between volunteers and parents can develop over the week and present wonderful moments to share the hope of Christ. Try using the 15-second testimony method or 3 Circles mentioned above.
Invite families to intentional follow-up events and church programs where they can learn about the church and engage in continued discipleship.

Through these connections, our purpose is to encourage and nurture the fruit God is growing in families. We desire, like John 15:16, that the fruit of the gospel be lasting. These conversations seek to connect families with the body of Christ and with continuing, deepening discipleship.

Many of us are already preparing for our Vacation Bible School this summer. We are anticipating the fun, laughter, and memories. We are also growing excited about the connections we can make and gospel seeds that will be planted.

As the church, let’s prepare now to disciple and encourage the fruit we see develop through VBS. Let’s make our VBS last by helping cultivate lasting spiritual fruit in families.

Rachel Woodard works in editing and serves alongside her husband, Ben, who is pastor to children and young families at their church in Georgia. She grew up on the mission field and holds a Master’s in Intercultural Studies. Rachel loves using writing to encourage the church and discuss missions.

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