About this resource

What's Cookin'?: 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 What's Cookin'?: a 4-Day Teaching Series for Children's Ministry TOPIC: Spiritual Gifts SCRIPTURE: Old Testament DECORATING THEME: Cooking AGE GROUP: Preschool & Elementary Cooking is more than just mixing stuff together-it takes time, creativity, care, and knowing what each ingredient brings to the table. The same is true when it comes to growing our faith! In this 4-day series, kids get to put on their aprons and discover how to practice spiritual habits that bring them closer to God. Through Old Testament stories like those of Jacob, Moses, and Deborah, our young chefs will realize that God always makes time for us, God gave us gifts that make a difference, God makes us stronger together, and we make God known when we share our story. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES God always makes time for us. (Jacob's Dream at Bethel: Genesis 28:10-22) God gave us gifts to make a difference. (Moses is Rescued: Exodus 2:1-10) God makes us stronger together. (Jethro Visits Moses: Exodus 18) We make God known when we share our story. (The Song of Deborah: Judges 5) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: On Day 1, kids discover how God met Jacob in a dream and promised to always be with him. Even the best recipes need time to simmer-rushing it can ruin the flavor! Today, we'll learn how God met Jacob right in the middle of his journey and showed that when God makes time for us, we can slow down and make space too. Even when life feels busy or messy, God always makes time for us. On Day 2, kids explore how God used Moses' mom, sister, and Pharaoh's daughter to rescue Moses.The best dishes come together when everyone brings something to the table. Today, we'll see how Moses' mom, sister, and Pharaoh's daughter each used what they had to protect him, showing us that God can use anyone to do amazing things. When we use our talents to help others, we remember that God gave us gifts to make a difference. On Day 3, kids hear how Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and learned that God gives us help through others. Even top chefs need a team-no one can stir every pot alone! Today, we'll discover how Moses learned that leading alone is exhausting, but with help from others, he could do so much more. When we work together and lean on each other, we discover that God makes us stronger together. On Day 4, kids discover how Deborah celebrated God's victory with a song that told everyone what God had done. A great recipe deserves to be shared, and so does a great story! Today, we hear Deborah's song of victory and praise, showing how powerful it is when we tell others what God has done in our lives. When we speak up about our faith, we make God known when we share our story. MEMORY VERSE: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." - Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

What’s included