{"id":28087,"date":"2017-12-21T13:19:20","date_gmt":"2017-12-21T21:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sharefaithblog.wpengine.com\/?p=28087"},"modified":"2018-01-29T09:23:10","modified_gmt":"2018-01-29T17:23:10","slug":"how-to-plan-an-amazing-vbs-your-essential-20-step-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sharefaith.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/how-to-plan-an-amazing-vbs-your-essential-20-step-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plan an Amazing VBS – Your Essential 20 Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Vacation Bible School is your church\u2019s premier community outreach opportunity. When done right, VBS brings new families into your church, unifies your volunteer team and inspires your kids to grow in their faith. It\u2019s a big responsibility, but the lasting benefits for your ministry are well worth it! If you\u2019re wondering how to plan an amazing VBS, then you\u2019ve come to the right place. This essential 20 step guide will set your children’s ministry up for VBS success.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Getting Started<\/b><\/h2>\n

We know your excited to dive in to the 20 steps, but here are three things to keep in mind as we get started. These principles will help you maximize your time and effort as we examine how to plan an amazing VBS.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Keep it Simple:<\/b> In the end VBS is all about empowering your team to minister to your children. If the focus becomes all the flashy bells and whistles a VBS can easily drift off course. To make a lasting impact simplify your focus on the things that really matter: relationship building, teaching God\u2019s Word and prayer.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Start Early:<\/b> VBS is a big undertaking, don\u2019t stress your team out by waiting until the last minute! As soon as you know you\u2019ll be hosting a VBS start your planning. It\u2019s never too early to start discussing VBS with kids, families and especially your volunteer team. Sooner is always better than later when considering how to plan an amazing VBS.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Take Notes:<\/b> Make it habit to have a notebook with you at all times during the process of planning your VBS. As you plan this year\u2019s VBS you\u2019ll have ideas about next year: Things you\u2019ll want to improve, adjust or stop doing altogether. Don\u2019t lose these ideas, capture them while they are fresh in your mind! You\u2019ll thank yourself next year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How to Plan an Amazing VBS – Your Essential 20 Step Guide<\/b><\/h2>\n

1. Answer the Purpose Question:<\/b> Start your Vacation Bible School planning by answering this question: Why does VBS matter? Or to put it another way: If VBS was cancelled how would your church miss out? If you can answer the purpose question with passion and clarity your ready to continue!<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Pray Early & Often:<\/b> Any guide on how to plan an amazing VBS must include prayer! The Bible tells us in Psalm 127, \u201cUnless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builder is wasted.\u201d If your VBS is going to be successful you\u2019ll need God\u2019s help every step of the way. Seek God\u2019s guidance in the planning, preparation and presentation of your Vacation Bible School.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Choose Your Leader:<\/b> Because VBS is a big undertaking with many working parts strong leadership is essential. And while success depends on a team of volunteers, someone must keep this team unified, equipped and moving in the right direction. The right leader helps your team cross the VBS finish line victoriously. Or as John Maxwell says \u201ca leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Pick Your Date:<\/b> Your VBS should be the premier event on the week it\u2019s scheduled. Be aware of other events going on in your church and community. And, as much as possible, schedule your VBS so that it\u2019s not in competition with other big events. Check with other churches to see when they’re hosting VBS and do your best to pick the best non-conflicting dates available. <\/span><\/p>\n

5. Assemble Your Leadership Team:<\/b> Picking the right leader is important, but VBS is not a one man or woman show! A good leadership team will help shoulder the weight of VBS by overseeing key areas that include: teachings, games, snacks, decoration, registration, promotion and media. A good leadership team will help communication stay clear and problems get solved. If your considering building a leadership team for your VBS then <\/span>check out this fantastic article<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Review Last Year:<\/b> As examine how to plan an amazing VBS for this year don\u2019t forget to review last year. If possible gather last year\u2019s team for a recap discussion. Welcome open communication and determine with your team the things that you want to stop, start and continue doing. A wise VBS leader will learn from the successes and failures of the previous year.<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Set This Year\u2019s Goals:<\/b> If you don\u2019t know where you\u2019re going how will you ever get there? Setting goals is essential to the success of any event, particularly a marquee event like VBS. Your goals should directly connect to how you answered the purpose question. For example one of your purposes is community outreach, then one of your goals could be to have 20% of your attendance include kids that don\u2019t go to your church. <\/span>Visit this article 10 tips on writing church goals<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

8. Pick Your Theme:<\/b> How could we have a discussion about how to plan an amazing VBS and not talk about the theme? When picking your VBS make sure it\u2019s bold and Biblical! A great VBS theme needs to capture children\u2019s imagination and be centered around the gospel. A great example of this is God of Wonders, the brand new VBS program from Sharefaith Kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

9. Choose Your VBS Curriculum:<\/b> When choosing your VBS curriculum here are some important factors to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n