Michael L. Parks

We are halfway through our Vacation Bible School at our church. It’s a lot of craziness and hard work, but it is great to see the smiles on the faces of those kids. I love seeing how excited they are about Jesus and the Bible.

Yet, I can’t help but wonder how much of a lasting impact is being made on these children. Will they remember what they learned and experienced ten years from now? a year from now? six months from now? a month from now? a week from now?

I have to be honest, I don’t have a lot of memories of VBS as a child. I remember petting a python at a VBS in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, though I do not have a clue what the snake had to do with what we learned. And that is pretty much all I have as far as VBS memories. Hopefully you are different than I am. Perhaps I am the exception, and the rest of you have many fond memories which have helped guide you all these years.

So tell me: what is your favorite memory of Vacation Bible School? It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate or life-changing (remember, my memory is of a reptile). Just tell me what your favorite memory is, as well as if and how it has helped you in your spiritual formation.

It’s that time of year again! Our church’s VBS starts this Sunday. I am curious as to what other churches do for VBS. Do you do it during the day or at night? Does it run for several days, or is it just a one-day event? Let me know by voting in the poll below.

Ours runs Sunday night through Wednesday night. In the past I have done VBS during the day and as a one-day event. Feel free to discuss any unique ideas your church incorporates into their VBS. Next week I plan on writing another post on the legitimacy of VBS, so be sure to check back later for that!