How to organize Vacation Bible School (VBS) / Bible Camps / Children's Retreat?

ORGANIZING VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (VBS) / CHILDREN'S RETREAT

In this post I would like to share some ideas for conducting VBS for the benefit of those who are new in children's ministry.

DURATION / TIMING:

The VBS is usually conducted for 6 - 7 days. Regular VBS Classes is conducted on the first five or six days and the last day reserved for VBS retreat. Depending on the availability of holidays for students and teachers and resources, VBS could be conducted anywhere between 5 - 10 days. Any month when long leave is available (Summer break, Quarterly break, Christmas break etc.) depending on the country and also when the children have least academic burden is ideal for conducting VBS, so that they can fully benefit from it.  

Conducting VBS sessions for 3 - 4 hours in the morning is better, if time, space and adequate transport facilities are available, so that all the events could be conducted without rushing through. However in countries where morning session is not feasible, VBS could be conducted successfully in the evening also. VBS enrollment forms could be distributed ahead to make advance preparations. VBS is the best opportunity to invite unchurched children to the Church.

VBS THEME / THEME VERSE / THEME SONG

The VBS theme could be selected by the Church leaders based on the vision of the Church, yearly promise verse or as led by the Holy Spirit. After the main VBS theme is finalized, sub-themes for each of the days should be selected. This would help in preparing the meditation sessions and daily lessons for the VBS. A verse from the Bible that best explains the main VBS theme is selected as the theme verse for the VBS and is prominently displayed. 

EXAMPLE

THEME:  BE DISCIPLES - MAKE DISCIPLES

THEME VERSE: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). 

THEME SONG: There were twelve disciples Jesus called to help him................

DAILY THEMES

DAY -1: Jesus Calls His Disciples

            Lesson for Primary class (6 - 7 years): Jesus calls Simon Peter

          Memory Verse: Matthew 4: 19  

          Lesson for Super-senior class (16 - 17 years): Nicodemus visits Jesus

          Memory Verse: I John 3:9 

DAY -2: Disciples Obey Jesus' Teachings 

             Lesson for Primary Class (6 - 7 Years): The Wise and the Foolish Builders

             Memory Verse: John 8:31

             Lesson for Super-senior class (16 - 17 years): The Parable of the Rich Fool

            Memory Verse: I Timothy 6:17 -19

DAY -3: Disciples Imitate Christ

            Lesson for Primary Class (6 - 7 Years): Paul and Silas in Prison

            Memory Verse: John 14:12a

            Lesson for Super-senior class (16 - 17 years): Stephen Forgives His Persecutors

            Memory Verse: I Peter 2:12

DAY -4: Disciples bear the fruit of the Spirit

            Lesson for Primary Class (6 - 7 Years): What is the Fruit of the Spirit?

            Memory Verse: John 15:8

            Lesson for Super-senior class (16 - 17 years): The Fruit of the Spirit - The Nine Visible Attributes of a Christian Life

            Memory Verse: John 15:16

DAY -5: The Disciples share their Faith

            Lesson for Primary Class (6 - 7 Years): Philip and the Minister of Candace

            Memory Verse: Psalm 119:46

            Lesson for Super-senior class (16 - 17 years): Apostle Peter & Cornelius - Good News for the Gentiles

            Memory Verse: Acts 15:8,9

Note: Similar lessons are prepared for all the age groups Kinder (4 -5 years), Primary ( 6 -7 years), Sub-junior (8 -9 years), Junior (10 -11 years), Intermediate (12 -13 years), Senior (14 -15 years), Superseniors (16 - 17 years). 

THEME SONG

A song that best explains the theme could be made into a theme song. There is no need to create or write new songs for VBS, already existing songs that are related to the theme could be very well used. It is a recent trend to specially compose VBS songs using catchy phrases and trendy words. But these songs are rarely used after VBS days. So it would be a waste of time and energy to forcefully compose songs for a theme, if these songs are not birthed under the influence of the Holy Spirit. 

VBS WORKBOOKS / MATERIALS 

VBS workbooks could be prepared with the following information

• VBS Theme / Theme verse / Theme song
• VBS dates / Year
• List 15 - 20 songs related to the theme for the song session
• Theme for the day with lessons, memory verse and space to attach their crafts if possible (Eg: Day 1: Theme for the Day, Lesson, Memory Verse, Craft; then Day 2 and so on...)
• Few empty sheets for taking notes
• Name of the Church / Organisation conducting VBS with contact details

If resources are not available for preparing workbooks, VBS could be conducted smoothly with printed worksheets also, but these should be planned and prepared in advance.

VBS PROGRAMME SCHEDULE:

• Starting Prayer
• 30 minutes - Common Song Session for all the children together (first 15 minutes action songs concentrating on junior classes and below; last 15 minutes worship songs concentrating on senior classes; the theme song is taught on the first day and every day the song session could start with the theme song)
• 30 minutes - Meditation on the Theme for the day. During this session the children are divided into two groups: First group - Junior and below (11 years and below); Second group - Intermediate and above (12 years and above). The theme of the day is introduced to the children during this session, with a small meditation session conducted separately for these two groups. For the younger children puppet shows and other visual aides could be used to explain the theme for the day. For older children this could be an interactive session with worksheets and questionnaires.
• 40 minutes - Classes For VBS classes the children are divided into different classes based on their age and pre-prepared lessons are taught. This session could include a lesson based on a Bible story according to the theme of the day, memory verse and crafts. If the number of children exceeded 8 then the class was split into two. 
• Last 20 minutes - Missionary Story This is usually conducted as a serial story, where the life history of a missionary is split and shared for the entire length of VBS days. The story could be told orally with the help of charts and pictures or it could be videos also.

(Depending on the time available, the sessions could be made longer. Puppet shows, balloon craft, Bible quiz and fun games etc. could also be conducted every day; The transition between each event will also be smooth and not in a hurry)

VBS RETREAT:

VBS retreat is normally conducted on the last day of the VBS. Special programmes including Puppet shows, Fun  games and Bible quiz are conducted on that day. Children could be taken for outings on this day and programmes could be conducted there. Sufficient parent volunteers or other volunteers from the Church should be available if children are taken outside the Church premises for retreat.

CRAFT-WORKS & HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES:

For craft, worksheets pictures and coloring pages that are already available on the internet could be used. The craft time would be smooth, if the basic work is done ahead with the help of volunteers, so that the children just have to do the assembling work. The children can be encouraged to bring their own art and craft supplies, the teachers may have few extra supplies for children who are unable to bring.

VBS TEACHERS:

For teaching VBS classes, instead of using regular Sunday School teachers, brothers and sisters from the Church who are interested in teaching children and who are otherwise unable to be a part of Sunday School could be used. This elicits the interest of children, so that they don't view the VBS as another routine Sunday School Class. The individuals chosen to teach VBS should be given training on how to conduct these classes. It would be better if there is an additional teacher in all the junior classes to help with the crafts work.

GIFTS /PRIZES:

Sunday Schools and VBS would be better off without exams and memory verse test. The model of Secular schools should not be followed in Sunday schools. Conducting exams and giving prizes to few children would defeat the purpose of VBS to include and encourage "all" the children. Not getting first mark or not getting prizes in VBS should not discourage a child from the Kingdom of God. So every effort by the children to learn the word of God and attend the VBS could be encouraged with certificates or gifts. It is better to get families from the Church to sponsor the gifts. Christian books are great gifts for children, even if other gifts are given it is always advisable to add a book along with it. 

SNACKS:

Healthy take away snacks usually preferred by children could be given. Prior information should be obtained about any food allergy in the VBS enrolment form.

VBS TRANSPORT

If transport is arranged from the Church, only reliable and responsible individuals should be used. Children should be sent only with parental consent. 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a seed that has inherent life and power in it and it is not limited by our limitations.

Sunday School Guidelines (Part 2) - Effective teaching Methods for Sunday School from Kindergarten to Senior Classes

SUNDAY SCHOOL GUIDELINES - PART 2

EFFECTIVE TEACHING METHODS FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL FROM KINDER TO SENIOR CLASSES

Click this link to get Sunday School Guidelines (Part - 1) - Division of Sunday School Classes

Click this link to learn how to help kids memorize Bible Verses

Teaching Very Young Classes (4 years to 7 years)

The children of this age range are still in the early stages of language learning. Hence, most of the conceptual words in the lessons may be difficult for them to understand. Hence interactive storytelling techniques using visual aids, creative activities and models should be used a lot for the children of this age range. However, teachers should make sure that the classes don't become disorganized or chaotic when play methods are used in teaching. Play methods are effective and beneficial in learning only when they are done in a structured and controlled way with specific teaching and learning objective in mind. Various interactive storytelling techniques and methods are listed below in this article.

Teaching Intermediate Classes (8 years to 11 years)

The children in this age group are increasingly becoming social making friends in various settings like their home neighbourhood, playgrounds, school and Church. So importance should be given to teaching practical life lessons like love, unity, kindness, friendship, patience, forgiveness etc through the Bible stories. These children are also active, adventerous, curious and interested in exploring. Hence, interactive and creative activities and models could be used to help the children better engage in the Sunday School lessons. However, activities involving too much of colour and moving around should not cause distraction, disturbance or sensory overload for other children. Teachers should maintain a healthy balance between using creative materials and actual teaching of the concepts from the lessons. 

Teaching Senior Classes (12 years to 15 years)

This is the entry stage when children begin their transition into teenhood physically, emotionally and mentally. Hence, it is very important to motivate the children to develop a personal relationship with God, and to create a thirst for the Word of God, which would provide strong spiritual foundation for their entire life. Unlike young children who need a lot of visual aids to help them understand the stories, for senior children the use of visual aids like pictures and videos are used to provide additional explanation for the subject and evidence for the lessons only. 

Asking thought-provoking questions related to the lesson taught should be encouraged. Irrelevant, unrelated or sarcastic questions that sidetrack or disturb the class should be discouraged through negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcements like appreciation encourage the behaviour, while negative reinforcement like neglecting the unwanted question discourage the behaviour. Clearing doubts, finding cross-references from the Bible wherever applicable should be given preference while teaching senior Sunday School classes. All the Senior children should be introduced to Basic Christian apologetics.

The relevance of the Holy Bible to the modern life should be insisted upon. The teachers should help the children understand how each of the events mentioned in the Holy Bible played a role in God's eternal salvation plan. Children also should be taught to view the current world happenings, political ideologies and environmental situations in the light of God's word and prophecies. Rote-learning and memorising of charts, specific details etc. should be completely avoided and children should not be forced to learn the lessons with the aim of passing the exam like a secular school setting. All the children who have eagerly attended the Sunday school classes and engaged in the Sunday School lessons should be equally appreciated and motivated.

Basic Qualifications for Sunday School Teachers

Teachers with exemplary spiritual life, who are comfortable, cheerful and playful in the company of children, with a quest for learning the word of God and who can dedicate adequate time for preparation of lessons should be involved in teaching Sunday school. Sunday school teachers especially those who are teaching senior children should be able to follow world events and able to interpret and translate it to the understanding level of the children and help them to view it with a Christian perspective. All these qualities will be embodied in an individual who is called by God and equipped for Sunday school ministry. 

Examples of Interactive Storytelling using Props, Visual Aids & Multi-sensory Activities 

As insisted in this article, visual aids and multi-sensory activities are more relevant for younger children. Dramas, Role plays and videos could be used as additional teaching material for senior children. But they should never be a substitute for solid scriptural teaching.

Using Picture Cards / Flash cards 

Using Bible story Sequencing Activities

Using Children's Bible/  Picture Books / Interactive Books

Using Bible Quiet Books / Felt Books

Using Flannelgraph / Flannel Boards

Modelling the Story with Objects

Using Fun Snacks

Colouring Activities

Crafting the Bible Stories

Object Lessons

Dressing up

Dramas/ Skits

Fun Bible Games

Lego Blocks

Bible Quiz / Worksheets

Activity Sheets

Puppet Shows

Actions / Action Songs

Videos 

Use of Multi-sensory / Multi-modality teaching in Sunday School

It is common knowledge that any class without colourful visual prompts or interesting activities is boring for children. Hence, use of multi-sensory, multi-modality is very much advocated in modern secular schools. Multi-modality teaching like visual aids, videos, drama and enactment help the children to understand many concepts in an easier way in a secular school setting. Unlike secular schools, in a Sunday-school we are teaching spiritual concepts with the aim of leading the children towards salvation and transformation. We use stories and themes from the Bible towards that end. 

Recently jargons like postmodern children, child-friendly worship etc are very often used in the pretence of reforming Sunday schools and Church services. Church leaders and Sunday school teachers should be thoroughly aware and well-equipped to handle the pressure these concepts bring. The concept of modernity exists only in the physical world and not in the spiritual world. The evils we see in the spiritual world have their origin in the Garden of Eden. The spiritual disciplines, needs and spiritual desires that God gave man during creation have not evolved or changed. Since Sunday school works on the spiritual life of children, it should be conducted in a disciplined and organized manner. 

Immodest dressing, indecent dancing, singing secular songs, exaggerated dramas and skits displayed on stage in the pretext of keeping postmodern children engaged should not be permitted. Keeping the Sunday School lessons and activities true to the Holy Bible and its doctrines is very important. Use of traditional or modern materials and activities have limited role to play in the influence or transformation of the child. Sunday school teachers should have unwavering faith in the transformative power of God's word through the work of the Holy Spirit. When a child's spiritual life is touched and transformed by God's word taught in Sunday School, it will help the child to overcome the ill-influence the modern or the post-modern world brings. 

Visual aids like colouring, crafts and skits can help the younger children to understand Bible stories like Moses parts the Red Sea or David defeats Goliath but not the spiritual lessons from these stories like faith, obedience, courage etc which have to be learned in a real-life setting. Hence there should be a careful balance between teaching and fun activities while using these materials. Overuse of colourful, loud or running around activities can distract the children of other classes and can cause sensory overload to some children. 

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is an engaged learning process whereby students “learn by doing”. In Sunday School experiential learning is beneficial to teach younger children to help them understand the Bible stories. We can only make the children experience the Bible stories and their characters but not the actual spiritual concepts they are teaching, which must be learned in a real-life setup. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, spiritual concepts like faith, love, hope, obedience, salvation etc. are abstract concepts that are quite difficult to "learn by doing" in Sunday School. Hence experiential learning has limited application in Sunday School, especially for teaching older children. The scriptural instructions and teachings we give in the Sunday School are intended to help the child overcome the trials and difficulties they face in their real life. Hence solid scriptural teaching without much distraction is very much needed for all children, especially senior children. Since, unlike secular lessons, God’s word is a living seed which has life in it. It is planted inside a child’s heart through teaching and when the right conditions come, it will sprout, grow and bear fruit in the child's life. 

Jacob's Ladder Sunday School Lessons

The Jacob's Ladder Scripture lessons incorporate important incidents and spiritual concepts from the Holy Bible. These structured lessons have been designed to help the children grow in Biblical knowledge and provide spiritual nourishment. Each of these lessons are explained in such a way that, they could be easily understood by children of each of these age groups. The Bible Portion from which these stories are taken is mentioned for the teacher’s reference. Book references and citations are also given wherever applicable. The memory verses are also given at the end of each lesson. Although, parts of Bible verses are given as memory verse, teachers can encourage children to by heart the entire verse depending on the ability of the child. Colouring and fun activities have also been added for each lesson for junior classes. Activities to motivate the children to search and read the Holy Bible are given for senior classes. Each lesson is meant for one session. You are also encouraged to incorporate creative ideas and activities to ensure maximum participation of every child, so that the incorruptible seed of God's word is planted in the heart of each child.   

Sunday School Guidelines (Part 1) - Class Division

SUNDAY SCHOOL GUIDELINES - PART 1

CLASS / GRADE DIVISIONS IN SUNDAY SCHOOL

Click this link to get Sunday School Guidelines (Part - 2) - Effective & Creative Teaching methods for Sunday School

Click this link to learn how to help kids memorize Bible Verses

One of the essential aspects to be considered while conducting a Sunday School is the correct division of classes. Normally Sunday Schools are conducted in two parts.

·       Common session

·       Class-wise session                                                        

In the initial Common session, song sessions/ worship, announcements, Bible quiz/ Games etc. are conducted. 

Common session

In the Class-wise sessions children are divided according to their age and the Sunday School lessons are taught. 

Class-wise session

Both Common sessions and Class-wise sessions are essential for a well-balanced and effective Sunday School. 

One of the essential aspects to be considered while conducting a Sunday School is the correct division of classes. Some of the factors that need to be considered while dividing classes are.

·       Size of the Sunday School / Number of Children - If there are more number of children in the Sunday School, then it is possible to have more divisions. In such instances, children of the same age can be grouped together to form a class. If the number of children or teachers is less, then children of different age groups have to be combined to form a single class.

·       Homogenous / Heterogenous Class: A Sunday school Class is considered homogenous when the children in the class are of similar age group. A Sunday school class is considered heterogenous when children of different age are brought together in the same class.

·       It is ideal to have a homogenous group or children of the same age in the same class, since their physical, intellectual and emotional maturity will be similar.

·       Most of the time, Sunday schools must be conducted in less-than-ideal situations. During those instances, it would be beneficial to keep the following aspects in mind while dividing classes.

·       Younger children at least till 8 years of age have rapid exponential growth in physical, language, intellectual and emotional abilities. Hence there will be drastic differences between each of these age groups. The sitting behaviour and concentration level will also be very different. A 5-year-old child will be very much different in his/her understanding and language abilities than a 3-year-old child. Hence when different age-group children are combined in younger classes, the teacher has to modify and teach the same lesson in different ways to suit each of these age groups. It will take more effort and time.

·       In older children above 12 years, physical, language, intellectual and emotional abilities will at least be comparable, if not the same. Hence it would be possible to combine these different age groups and teach them.

·       Number of dedicated teachers available - This is also another important factor to be considered. Sometimes when there are more children, Sunday schools are forced to take in individuals who don't have sufficient skills or spiritual maturity to be a teacher. But it should never be done. Only teachers who are spiritually strong and have the necessary skills to be a teacher should be selected. 

·       Availability of space, resources - Too many classes should not be crowded in the same room.  There should be enough space between classes, so that they are not disturbed. Safe outdoor spaces with less distraction could also be used to conduct classes.

The following are some of the other ways to divide the Sunday School classes!

METHOD - 1

Pre - Kinder - 3 years & below (Preschool / Nursery)

Kinder - 4 & 5 years (LKG & UKG)

Primary - 6 & 7 years (I & II Standard / Grade)

Sub-junior - 8 & 9 years (III & IV Standard / Grade)

Junior - 10 & 11 years (V & VI Standard / Grade)

Intermediate - 12 & 13 years (VII & VIII Standard / Grade)

Senior - 14 & 15 years (IX & X Standard / Grade)

Super-seniors - 16 & 17 years (XI & XII Standard / Grade)

 

METHOD - 2

Pre-Kinder - 3 years & below (Preschool / Nursery)

Kinder - 4 & 5 years (LKG & UKG)

Primary - 6 & 7 years (I & II Standard / Grade)

Junior - 8, 9 & 10years (III, IV & V Standard / Grade)

Intermediate - 11, 12 & 13 years (VI, VII & VIII Standard / Grade)

Seniors- 14, 15, 16 & 17 years (IX, X, XI & XII Standard / Grade) 

Dividing classes as suggested in methods 1 & 2 could be done when there are sufficient children and teachers.  

The ideal number of children per class would be 5 - 7. 

In classes for younger children, a volunteer / helper to assist the teacher could be assigned to help with activities and crafts.

                                           METHOD - 3

Kinder - 3, 4 & 5 years (Preschool, LKG & UKG)

Primary - 6 & 7 years (I & II Standard / Grade)

Junior - 8, 9 & 10years (III, IV & V Standard / Grade)

Intermediate - 11, 12 & 13 years (VI, VII & VIII Standard / Grade)

Seniors- 14, 15, 16 & 17 years (IX, X, XI & XII Standard / Grade) 

METHOD - 4

Primary - 4, 5 & 6 years (LKG, UKG & I)

Junior - 7, 8 & 9 years (II, III & IV Standard / Grade)

Intermediate - 10, 11 & 12 & 13 (V, VI, VII & VIII Standard / Grade)

Seniors- 14, 15, 16 & 17 years (IX, X, XI & XII Standard / Grade) 

Dividing classes as suggested in methods 3 & 4 is more advisable when the number of Sunday school children and teachers are less.

When the number of children or teachers are less, it is more beneficial to combine children of higher classes as much as possible than the lower classes, since the understanding level will be much more varied in lower classes. 

Special Classes 

It is advisable to create special classes for children with severe learning issues especially in the senior classes, so that the lessons could be taught at their pace. Senior children who newly enroll in Sunday School without basic Biblical knowledge should be taught basic Biblical lessons for one or two years and only then should be integrated with regular senior classes based on their progress. 

Ideal Number of children

The number of children in each class should be maintained such that there are enough number of children in each class to interact, observe and learn from and at the same time it should be manageable for the class teacher also.The ideal number of children in each class 

Younger classes less than 12 years - 5 to 7 children

Senior Classes above 12 years - 7 to 8 (not exceeding 10 children)

Ideal Duration:

Younger children (less than 12 Years) - 30 minutes (This includes 20 minutes of teaching & 10 minutes of arts / crafts).

Older children (Above 12 Years) - 45 minutes – 1 hour (This includes 30 -40 minutes of teaching, 10 -15 minutes discussion, worksheet activities etc).