This next week our church will begin its annual crusade to win the children of our community. What a great challenge in these days to not just capture a child's attention, but to actually know where to begin in explaining the Gospel message. Vacation Bible School has been a highlight for us as long as I can remember. It is a tremendous amount of work, but usually very rewarding at week's end.
The challenge however is growing. Usually there is a large assortment of kids present. Most have a sordid assortment of religious backgrounds from mainstream denominations to various other groups. But have you noticed the changes over the past few years? I talk with some of these kids and first they have never been to church. This week may be for a few of these kids the first time they have ever stepped into a church building, let alone into an organized event that centers around the Bible and discussion about Christ. Just two weeks ago a family in our church was working with a foster child they have currently. She had no clue what church or the Gospel meant.
Now, VBS comes. Where do you start? Making sure these kids leave with a clear and powerful presentation of the Gospel is now a thought provoking performance. No longer can we count on a framework or a reference point, we need to be certain we are getting it across to this next generation.
Our theme this year is a military theme. We will be having Boot Camp - "Biblical Outlook and Opposition Training." The theme verses are found in 2 Timothy 2:3-4, "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." (NASB)
Pray that we will be able to first enlist new recruits this week. Then pray that these new recruits will be equipped to go out and become the next generation to take the posts and perform the duties suitable to soldiers in the Lord's Army!
I pray that each of us will be living "as a good soldier" for Christ. May we be keeping a Biblical Outlook and being alert that we face constant Opposition.
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NASB)
1 comment:
Thanks for the great opportunity to serve during VBS this past week. Our family had a fun week getting to know the people (and your family) in a better way. Please keep us updated on what God is doing there at Calvary and the fruit of the VBS outreach.
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