Six Ways to Build Relationships through VBS

Vacation Bible School is right around the corner for many of our churches. This article by Mary Carlisle gets some great pointers on maximizing our opportunity to reach children and their families.

(And, BTW, these tips are great for EVERY leader!)

VBS is an unbelievable opportunity for adult leaders to build discipleship relationships. There may be kids who come to VBS that you have never had in your church group before, and building relationships with those kids is of utmost importance so that they feel comfortable and want to come back and continue learning about God long after VBS.

As you train your teachers and helpers, communicate the importance of connecting with kids by giving them these 6 ways to begin building relationships:

Find common interests. Ask kids what they are interested in and build a relationship around the things you have in common. Ask kids what they love about those interests, what is hardest, or what has been their biggest success.

Ask kids about their family and their home life. You will be amazed how much you can learn simply by asking kids what they like to do when they are at home or what their families are like. Use these as jumping off points to develop relationships that will point kids to Jesus.

Talk with them as you walk to and from rotation sites. Every moment is a teachable moment and a moment that can be used to point kids to Jesus.

Make connections to the Bible content and applications to life with each activity, game, snack, and craft. Discuss with kids how the content applies to their lives specifically. Ask questions and be flexible and discerning as kids may lead the conversation somewhere you hadn’t planned to go, but that they need to hear. Asking questions instead of simply stating the connection helps kids process the application and helps you begin a discipleship relationship with them as they realize that you really care and want to help them understand.

Be available. Tell kids frequently that they can talk to you and ask questions. Explain that you can answer questions to and from rotations or another time during the week. Make sure that you train helpers and teachers to always be in sight of another helper or teacher when talking one-on-one with a child. Invest in kids by going out of your way to answer questions and get to know them.

Connect with their parents. Learn more about each child that you are coming in contact with during VBS by touching base with their parent. It’s always a good idea to ask what the child gets most excited about so that you have a great jumping off point the next day!

THINGS YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN ….

FOR BIBLE STUDY MINISTRY: Explore the Bible Preview Events:  Bring your leaders to learn about the coming enhancements with the Adult material and expansion to Kids and Students at one of these locations –

-          On May 15^th, 7:00-8:30pm = Sugar Hill Church, 5091 Nelson Brogdon Blvd., Sugar Hill, GA - https://custom.cvent.com/5B75F4B8DABA4F78B2B22496D92FA25F/files/da38e3e34dc74433bdcb136cdf34606a.pdf

-          On May 29^th, 7:00-8:30pm = Tabernacle Baptist Church, 112 E. Church St., Cartersville, GA - https://custom.cvent.com/5B75F4B8DABA4F78B2B22496D92FA25F/files/092508d7276d49cabbf502a269b75bae.pdf

FOR CHURCH WIDE MINISTRY: “Son of God” small group Bible study resource - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Son-of-God

FOR CHURCH WIDE MINISTRY: Movie “Mom’s Night Out” - http://www.momsnightoutmovie.com/

FOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT: Ministry Grid - http://www.ministrygrid.com/?emid=PD-BSI-MinistryGrid-20131008

FOR KIDS MINISTRY:  VBS ‘Takin’ It Home’ CD packs = take a CD home each day that contains summary of the day’s study and music - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2014-takin-it-home-cd-pkg-of-10-P005640003

FOR KIDS MINISTRY: ZIP for Kids - http://www.zipforkids.com/

FOR STUDENT MINISTRY:  Essential Connection app for iPhone - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/essential-connection-devotions/id681995966?mt=8

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Children of the Day by Beth Moore - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Children-of-the-Day?emid=PD-Product-BSI-ChildrenoftheDayhero-20140424

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY: Priscilla Shirer Live at Warner Robins, GA, August 22-23 - http://www.lifeway.com/Event/Womens-Event-Priscilla-Shirer-Live-2014-Warner-Robins-GA?intcmp=PriscillaShirerLive-MTX-Button-WarnerRobins-20130731

FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY:  Living Proof Live Simulcast with Beth Moore, September 13th, host it or attend - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/Living-Proof-Live-Simulcast?type=events&intcmp=LivingProofLiveSearch-MTX-Button-Simulcast-20130204

FOR MEN’S MINISTRY: Main Event 2014, August 1-2, 2014 featuring former President George W. Bush, - http://www.lifeway.com/n/Product-Family/The-Main-Event?type=events&intcmp=MensEvents-MTX-Text-TheMainEvent-20130815

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Recovering Redemption by Matt Chandler - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/recovering-redemption-leader-kit-P005644109

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: TGP-God in Our Relationships by Rey De Armas – a study of the Ten Commandments - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-gospel-project-god-in-our-relationships-P005688370

FOR DISCIPLESHIP: TGP-God First by Matt Chandler & Trevin Wax – a study of how we are to relate to God - http://www.lifeway.com/Product/the-gospel-project-god-in-our-relationships-P005688370