About this resource

On The Case: a VBS Event Guide for Children's Ministry EVENT CATEGORY: VBS SPIRITUAL HABIT: Spend Time with God, Spend Time with Others, Use Your Gifts, Share Your Story AGE GROUP: Preschool & Elementary For a well-rounded and holistic approach to your ministry events, there are 10 different kinds of events we recommend including in your annual event strategy. The category for this event is VBS. This type of event is a week-long summer "vacation Bible school" experience for kids. Through fun Bible stories, skits, crafts, activities, and more, kids will practice all four spiritual habits! There is something special about a VBS (Vacation Bible School) experience in children's ministry. A week spent at VBS is an opportunity to impact kids' faith and relationships in bigger and more lasting ways than you could anywhere else. When done well, a strategic VBS experience can be the perfect way to end or kick off a school year. It could be the catalyst that brings a kid to trust Jesus for the first time, or an opportunity for kids to renew their trust in Jesus all over again. Whether you've organized VBS at your church for years or it's your very first time, this Event Guide is designed to give you just about everything you need to make it happen - and make it happen fast! All our events are built to be flexible! You can customize this event to your ministry's needs, but here's how we recommend using this one: Use this event as a fun outreach and spiritual growth event for kids. You can do this at your church or in your community. The event includes crafts, games, activities, teaching, and more! This event includes On The Case: a 4-Day Teaching Series for Children's Ministry TOPIC: Spiritual Growth SCRIPTURE: Gospels DECORATING THEME: Mystery AGE GROUP: Preschool & Elementary Every mystery is full of unexpected twists and disconnected clues... even the best detectives can get tangled in a web of questions, theories, and red string. But growing spiritually doesn't have to be an unsolved mystery! Get your kids On the Case in this 4-day VBS as they dig into a few of Jesus' parables to uncover ways to grow their faith and how to care for, serve, and love others. They'll discover that the answers have been there all along: spend time with God, spend time with others, use your gifts, and share your story. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Spending time with God is how we grow. (The Parable of the Sower: Luke 8:4-15) Using our gifts is how we serve. (The Parable of the Bags of Gold: Matthew 25:14-29) Spending time with others is how we care. (The Parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37) Sharing our story is how we love. (The Parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son: Luke 15:1-32) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: On Day 1, kids investigate the Parable of the Sower and find out how we can grow in our relationship with God. Today, detectives will examine the Parable of the Sower and uncover the secret to growing a strong relationship with God. Just like good soil helps seeds grow deep roots, we grow when we stay close to God by reading the Bible, praying, and listening to His voice. Spending time with God is how we grow. On Day 2, kids investigate the Parable of the Bags of Gold to find out more about how to serve God and others. In today's investigation, we'll look at the Parable of the Bags of Gold to discover how God wants us to use what we've been given. Like the servants who were trusted with treasure, we're all given gifts-time, talents, and abilities-to help others and honor God. Using our gifts is how we serve. On Day 3, kids investigate the Parable of the Good Samaritan and find out how we can better care for one another. Today's case will investigate the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We'll discover that truly caring for others means more than just noticing someone's needs-it means taking time to stop, help, and show love. When we slow down and spend time with the people around us, we show them they matter. Spending time with others is how we care. On Day 4, kids investigate the Parables of the Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son to find out what they can teach us about how to love. Grab your notebook and magnifying glass because today's investigation involves three parables-about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. The big discovery? God's love never gives up. And when we tell others about how God has loved us, they can experience that same joy. Sharing our story is how we love. MEMORY VERSE: "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ." - Ephesians 3:4 (NIV)

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