Tell Me the Story

We just completed our VBS this week and averaged about 80 children per night--many were visitors. They were excited and enthusiastic from 1 year olds to 18 year olds. We didn't offer them musical productions, dance dramas, hot dogs or ice cream--we simply offered them exciting stories from the Bible about real kings who had real problems to overcome and the kids came back night after night.

God's word is still as powerful today as it was when it was written and can still move us and motivate us just as it always has. Our Lord and Savior used "visual aids" when He taught the people to make His points come to life, i.e., fig trees, fish, fishing nets, the seeds in the ground sheep, barns and even the stars in the sky. We too have used a number of "visual aids": pictures, posters, an artificial tree, a wooden cross made from boxes, and a throne from wooden crates and gold wrapping paper, but we haven't altered, in anyway, God's word or message. We have simply used these to help the children visualize the lessons taught in His word.

As a result, we know the kids came for the Bible lessons, not for food and entertainment. All around our town, this time of year, there are churches offering all types of "gimmicks" to get kids to come to their VBS, like snacks, fiestas, pizza parties, etc. I see very little, if any, advertising of the Bible lessons they will be teaching. They are selling the Gospel for food and fun and it is so unnecessary. Children love God and they love God's word--they don't have to be bought off with gimmicks. How often we underestimate the spirituality of our children.

Tol and I will be going in a few weeks to a tiny Caribbean island, to a small village of 400-500 people and help the fledgling church there with a VBS. The congregation only numbers about 25-30 and yet we are expecting any where from 50-60 children to attend the VBS. There will be no music, no snacks, no pizza parties, no movies and, in fact, the only visual aids will be a few posters we can take with us on the air-plane and yet, the children will come and come and come. Each year when we end for the week, we always have some of the children ask if we can go for another week. They are so eager to learn about Jesus and His word.

Jesus said we need to become like little children because of such is the kingdom of Heaven. What a great example children are to us--they love the pure milk of the word of God.
"Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word,
"Tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard."

Dana Burk