1. VBS helps to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16).

Most of us probably think in terms of teaching adults when we consider Jesus’ taking the gospel into the world. But aren’t children a major part of our world’s population? Did you know that statistically, 95% of people in America who become Christians do so before age 25? It seems that our greatest opportunity to effectively evangelize is among the young.

2. VBS emphasizes the importance of teaching our children to seek God while they are young, which is exactly where God‘s word leads us:

Rejoice young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood… Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”…Ecclesiastes 11:9a & 12:1

3. VBS compels Christians to study God’s word in preparation for teaching:

…but whoever keeps and teaches them (commandments of God), he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19b

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:12

4. VBS compels Christians to serve in various ways in support of the teaching.

As the apostle Paul was finishing his letter to the church in Rome, he asked them to receive and support one sister in particular, specifically because of the value of her service to others including Paul himself. Her name was Phoebe:

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well. Romans 16:1-2

5. VBS is an opportunity for us to receive Jesus into our midst:

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me… Matthew 18:1-5

So, is Vacation Bible School biblical? I’m going to go with ‘yes’!

Marty Kessler