Introducing Lifeway’s 2018 VBS
Grab your megaphones, lace up your cleats, and tune up your horn. It’s time to gear up for the big game! It’s go time! Whether you’re the type to root from the stands, march in the band, cheer on the field, or hustle to the line, the time is now—it’s Game On!
Kids are under so much pressure—to perform well, to be the best, to balance schedules that are full to the brim, to excel in every arena. From that vantage point, life’s big game can seem like no fun. But when we step back, we realize that the goal is not competing in our own strength. God has already given us everything we need! He’s given us His complete Word as the ultimate playbook. He’s given us Himself, which gives us a reason to celebrate. He wants us to join His team, to train hard, to celebrate our salvation, to encourage one another, and spur each other on. So what are you waiting for? This is Spirit Week 2018. It’s Game On!
Theme Verse: His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3 (CSB)
Motto: Gear Up! Get Ready! Game On!
Christ Connection: In Jesus, we have everything we need to live a life that honors God. When we trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, He rescues us from sin and death and gives us power to live joyfully for Him.
BIBLICAL CONTENT
For a more detailed look at the biblical content, click here.
DAY 1
Bible Story: The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7)
The Point: Jesus Cares About Me
Bonus Verse: But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Romans 5:8
DAY 2
Bible Story: The Resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:1-44)
The Point: Jesus Gives Me Hope
Bonus Verse: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. John 11:25
DAY 3
Bible Story: Thomas Believed (John 20:19-31)
The Point: Jesus Helps Me Believe
Bonus Verse: Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” John 20:29
DAY 4
Bible Story: John Wrote About Jesus (John 13:1-35; 19:25-27; 20:1-10; 21:1-14)
The Point: Jesus Loves Me
Bonus Verse: See what great love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children—and we are! 1 John 3:1a
DAY 5
Bible Story: Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:23-34)
The Point: Jesus Gives Me Joy
Bonus Verse: Come let us shout joyfully to the LORD, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1
Site Locations
Pep Rally (Worship Rally)
Field House (Bible Study)
Rotations:
- Team Crafts
- Team Music
- Team Missions
- Team Recreation
- Team Snacks
VBS 2018 Preview Events
Registration is now open for VBS 2018 Previews! For the best price register before November 1 and bring a group of 3 or more!
Ridgecrest, NC
Ft. Worth, TX
Houston, TX — NEW!!!
Hendersonville, TN
Will there be any Spanish presentations?
Yes, Game On! will have a full complement of curriculum in Spanish for children and preschoolers. The Spanish title is ¡A Jugar!
Hi!! Are the preview events considered training events? If so, will they have spanish preview in all locations?
Yes! The Preview Events in Ridgecrest, NC; Ft. Worth, TX; and Houston, TX will all offer a Spanish VBS track!
Will you have the VBX guide in spanish?
Not on its own, no. Our Spanish curriculum is broadly-graded, which means it combines Grades 1-6 into one group. The Children’s Spanish Leader Guide combines teaching plans from all three children’s leader guides. So, while the VBX leader guide is not translated directly into its own leader guide, the Children’s Spanish Leader Guide will include some elements from VBX.
Any preview events for Spanish VBS??
Yes! The Preview Events in Ridgecrest, NC; Ft. Worth, TX; and Houston, TX will all offer a Spanish VBS track!
When can we sign up for the Spanish training classes for VBS?
The Houston, TX VBS Preview happening THIS Friday/Saturday features Spanish training. Registration is closed online but we welcome walk-up registrations! Or you may call the host church (Sugar Creek Baptist Church) to register.
PLEASE add a video for the Bible Study teachers to use each day, that coincides with that day’s Bible story! It helps the visual learners!!!!! It could be a short video of the Bible Story, or something that matches the story for that day. Not all little ones can sit 45 minutes and hear a story, then leave with story comprehension. Sometimes, they need a visual clip of the Bible Story for their take-away.
Yes…Please do… Dubbed in Spanish ?
Wooww…this looks exciting!!!! Game On…just in line as it is a world cup year. This must be spiritually discern. I am loving it!
This is so great!!! So easy to decorate!! Even the smallest Church will be able to do this!!! You knocked it out of the park this year LifeWay!!!!!
What is the he price per a person? And what hotels are near.
There is an early bird discount for registering before Nov. 1. The cost is $70 per person ($60 per person with 3 or more group discount). After November 1st the price increases by $10. Hotel information will be added to the website as soon as it is available.
https://www.lifeway.com/n/Kids/vbs?type=events
Can’t wait! Already have some things that will work for the theme.
Looking for dates for preview in Hendersonville.
We will have 3 previews in Hendersonville:
January 25-26, 2018
January 26-27, 2018
January 28, 2018
More info is available here: https://www.lifeway.com/n/Kids/vbs?type=events
will you have Spanish classes set up for the preview in Hendersonville?
No, we will offer Spanish sessions at Ridgecrest, Ft. Worth, and Houston, but not at Hendersonville.
Will there be any Spanish presentations during the preview events and where?
Yes! We will have Spanish conferences at the Ridgecrest, Ft Worth, and Houston Previews.
So excited for VBS 2018 “Game On”. Already have ideas spinning in my head. Can’t wait to see the curriculum. When will the Jump Start Kits be available to orde?
They should be available for pre-order now, but they will be in stock October 15.
How do we pre-order them?
Here’s a link to purchase: https://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2018-jump-start-kit-P005793042
Do you have a link for the preschool jump start kit?
The Jump Start Kit is not divided into preschool & children … it is an administrative resource that allows directors to get a head start on planning. The Preschool Starter Kit and the Children’s Starter Kit are not yet available for pre-order, but will be this fall.
Looking for preview date in Ridgecrest, NC
January 5-6, 2018
More information can be found here: https://www.lifeway.com/n/Kids/vbs?type=events
The same time the Jump Start kit is in stock in October, is the music rotation leaders guide & or other music things available to get?
Everything will be available on Dec. 1st.
Wow! This looks awesome! I’m already to start shopping and painting decorations!
On the snack rotation cards, could ‘number servings’ be added? It would help in purchasing food and preparing.
Great suggestion!
Will you have videos for beginning or ending assemblies to show rather than act out?
Yes, we will continue to offer a 5-part drama video as an option for Worship Rally.
Will they have a Spanish soundtrack. Missions cds don’t…
What all comes in the file? Do you have all songs im dvd’s? Or do you guys give out a USB with all of the files and lessons?
The Bible study curriculum is closely graded for preschoolers and children and presented in leader guides, leader packs with CDs, and learner (take home) pieces. Rotation materials include books and CDs/DVDs as needed. Worship Rally materials include a printed guide, DVD Set, and CD Set. Bible study guides, music, and videos are also available as digital downloads.
VBS 2018 Sounds exciting!
Are the preschoolers learning the same stories each day as the Grade School kiddos?
Yes! The Bible stories will be the same, but delivered on a preschooler’s level and with age-appropriate applications.
Thank you for all of the hard work and creativity that goes into Lifeway’s VBS. Can’t wait for this Game on theme, I know all of the material will be so awesome. Congratulations Melita on your new position. Looking forward to seeing you again at the preview. Our 2017 VBS was out of this world (no pun intended).
Will you have material for older students?
Yes! Game On! will include curriculum for infants through 6th graders, teenagers, and adults.
Will you be able to provide lessons for special needs students?
Yes! Our curriculum is called “Special Friends” and it includes two separate teaching tracks–one for children with special needs and one for students/adults with special needs. The track you choose depends on the specific needs of the individuals in your group.
What is the date for Houston, Texas preview?
CMcBeth
January 19-20, 2018 at Sugar Creek Baptist Church, Houston TX.
what are the times for the preview and is there a link?
Here is the information that is currently available: https://www.lifeway.com/n/Kids/vbs?type=events Check-in usually opens around 11:30am on the first day with the opening session beginning at 1:00pm. The closing session is usually just before noon on the second day. To register, simply click on the link below the event location you are interested in attending.
I do believe I still have many sports things from a few years back. I have been out of teaching for several years due to my husband being in critical health. He is better at this time and prayerfully he will be able to be by himself for me to go back to teaching this next year. I have missed it something awful. There is nothing better than teaching children about God and helping them come to Christ. Please put him in your prayers and myself also. It has been a very rough road but our blessed Heavenly Father gave us a true miracle when all of the doctors gave up and said he was not going to make it. His name is Joe Shelton. Well, they should know about our God shouldn’t they. Anyway, thank you so much
In Christ,
Brenda Shelton
hi, i know its super early but i was wondering when will yall be providing a link of the breakout session details for the ft. worth event? the same info that we get on our booklets when we arrive at the church. they have all the details like the teachers name & topics and times of sessions etc… and could you guide me to where its found please. they told us last year that we could print it way before we arrive.
It is not available yet, but we will post it on our events page later this year (fall).
I loved teaching the missions rotation this year about the church planters in Denver and in London! We dressed the kids up and videoed them pretending to do the various activities church planters do. What cities will be highlighted in the 2018 curriculum?
What a great idea! The missionaries featured in VBS 2018 serve in Poland and Baltimore, MD.
I may have missed it but, will you have videos for the Bible Studies?
Bible study does not have a video component. However, Worship Rally, missions, and music all have video components.
Hi, I’m the decorating director in our church, I am so excited about next years vbs! I have so many ideas going in my head.
I also design the flyers and advertising, so just want to know if there is a specific sport the decorations are based on? And I need a background for flyers.
Thanks! Jan
Glad you’re excited, Jan! We are too! Art files for flyers and ads will be available on the DVD-ROM included in the Decorating Made Easy book. It’s part of the Jump Start Kit, so it will be available on Oct. 15th. We are including ALL sports, as well as fans, cheerleaders, and marching bands in the curriculum, so there is not “one” sport to focus on. Hope that helps!
Will the drama be presented at the preview in Nashville, tn?
We’re in the process of planning for our Preview events, so as of yet nothing has been set in stone. I can guarantee though that it will be a great time with plenty of interactivity and creativity in every session. Hope to see you there!
The choreohraphy has progressively gotten more and more intense. I only have 15 minutes each evening for music. I would love to see it settle back to how it was a few years back. The motions made sense and were less “dancy”. The children caught on quickly.
Thanks for the feedback, Christy! We will definitely take your comments under advisement as we develop choreography in the future.
Yes please! More sign language. I have kids from years ago who still know most of the signing we did with the songs. Gives them more meaning than choreography that doesn’t always go with the words.
Been leading the Missions rotation at our church for a few years now (3rd and 4th grades) – is there a specific theme for the Missions room decor? Or is it all just an overall sports theme?
Missions Rotation for Game On! is called “Team Missions.” You can decorate it with a generic sports, marching band, or fan focus … or you could really highlight the “missionary team” aspect and use pictures of the featured missionaries and things from their country/area.
Hi, my 9-year-old son wants to recommend having a video game theme for Lifeway’s 2019 VBS. Would that be possible? Could you pass on the idea for him?
Thanks for passing along your son’s suggestion! We always love hearing from kids who love VBS, too. I’ll be sure to share his idea with the VBS team.
Will we be able to get our supplies and books at these meetings? How do we get a discount on our packets? I am a new director for VBS and would like to know about discounts or ways to save money.
Yes, there will be a bookstore at each VBS Preview location. You’ll be able to shop for everything you’ll need and take it home with you. Previews are also the only place you’ll be able to get VBS t-shirts at a discount!
I like the comment about less intense worship rally. We too are limited on time.
Thanks for the feedback! The Worship Rally Guide is written to be flexible to suit your preferences, time, and space. Feel free to pick and choose only those elements that work in your schedule!
What are the dates for the Ridgecrest NC preview events? Also for the Kid Event pro have they thought of a way that workers can access to do role and see their class without the director giving them the logon/password that would give them access to the whole website? Also, has Lifeway thought of doing some labels with the theme on it that directors can put on gifts for the workers after VBS is over? Something that would say something cute ?
Is there video like in Galactic Starvayors?
Yes, there will be a 5-part video on the Worship Rally DVD Set.
Our teachers and children LOVED the kits from this year’s VBS theme!! Will there be kits for 2018?
Are you referring to the Starveyor Kits with daily activity cards? I’m glad your teachers and kids loved them! We will have Playbooks next summer … same premise. I think you’ll love them, too!
Hey there! What about a movie making/ hollywood theme for vbs next year! 🙂
I thought that maybe this theme may be a great idea?
God is our director! God directs our life. 😉 he has a plan for all of us!
Does this VBS have a DVD with music videos showing the motions to the songs?
Thanks!
Yes! Instructional, practice, and performance videos to all of the songs can be found on either the Music Rotation DVD or the Worship Rally DVD.
What all comes in the start up kit? Does.it have the music
Here are links where you can see everything that is in each starter kit. And yes, Starter Kits have the appropriate music for each age group included.
Kids Starter Kit: https://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2018-kids-starter-kit-grades-1-6-P005795690
Preschool Starter Kit: https://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2018-preschool-starter-kit-babies-kindergarten-P005795699
Jump Start Kit: https://www.lifeway.com/Product/vbs-2018-jump-start-kit-p005793042
Hey will there be a skit that our volunteers can preform in front of the youth in addition to the short daily movie?
Yes, there are skits for both an opening and a closing rally each day in the Worship Rally Guide.
How do i find out about the previews? I can’t click on them. Interested in the one for Houston.
We’d LOVE for you to join us in Houston! Here’s a link for more information or to register: https://tinyurl.com/yck9wbjx
Hope to see you there!
Where can I find sound bytes of the music? That is a big determining factor for our team.
You can preview all of the Game On! music here: https://vbs.lifeway.com/music/
which booklet is the skit in?
The Worship Rally Leader Guide has skits for opening and closing worship rallies each day.
ME GUSTARÍA SABER SI LA HISTORIAS DE MISIONES ESTA DOBLADO AL ESPAÑOL
Sí, las historias de misiones son parte de la rotación de misiones en la EBV español.