The B-I-B-L-E / Yes, that that’s the book for me / I stand alone on the Word of God / the B-I-B-L-E! /
If you sang those lyrics instead of reading them, there is a strong chance you spent some time in children’s worship or Vacation Bible School (VBS). And if you participated in either, you might even be familiar with a few hand motions accompanying the song.
Every summer, as I drive by churches decked out in different themes ranging from far-out expeditions to outer space decorations, I’m taken back to the hot Mississippi summers when my brother, sister, and I used to load up and go to every Bible school our small town had to offer. We loved every part of it – the snacks, fellowship, and even the mesmerizing sing-a-longs we learned each day.
But alas, the popular days of VBS are gone.
After the Covid crisis, many churches could not continue hosting it as they had traditionally done. Yet, each time I see a bright flyer hanging up in a local grocery store, I am happy to know that some children are still getting to experience the joys of the summertime event.
Why?
Because those children will receive a foundation that will forever impact their walk with Christ. Regardless of their ages, they are hearing and seeing – some for the first time – the truth of the Gospels.
I don’t know about you, but I firmly believe you don’t forget those first few times you hear and understand the teachings of the Bible.
For the rest of their lives, those little ones will have an opportunity to look back and know they heard the truth of God’s Word. From that point, they will have the opportunity to grow deeper in those truths or run from them – but they will never be able to say they did not hear them.
If you doubt this, ask the grown adults who either had no spiritual influence or ignored the truths learned at a young age until late in life. Many will respond by saying their “only regret was waiting so late to trust Him!”
Simply put, a good foundation can make or break a relationship with the Lord.
In Matthew 7, Jesus tells the story of two builders. One built his house on the rock, while the other foolishly built his house on the sand. The second builder’s result was vastly different.
The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall (v. 27).
Yet, when our children’s foundation is built on the Rock, it will stand against anything.
So, to you mamas, daddies, Sunday School teachers, youth group volunteers, and even VBS workers, you are in the Kingdom-making business this summer. Handing out popsicles or pizza might not seem like holy work, but your small investment could inspire tomorrow’s Billy Grahams.
Don’t grow weary in doing good. Eternity is hanging in the balance.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).
