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Game On! Giveaway

It's time for a giveaway here on the VBS blog! And what better to give away this close to VBS season than some things to help make decorating a cinch! The winner of this giveaway will receive …

  • One VBS 2018 Super Duper Sized Backdrop, which is a set of six 3' x 6' panels (18’ x 6’ when put together) that come packaged without folds, rolled in a tube. Simply hang this HUGE backdrop directly on the wall to transform any space into an indoor practice arena.
  • One VBS 2018 Decorating Made Easy book with DVD-ROM. This book is filled with tons of decorating ideas designed for every room in your church. Also includes a DVD-ROM with TONS of clip art, projectable (traceable) images, and high res layered art files to meet every decorating need.
  • One VBS 2018 Whistle, perfect for any teacher or director. This is the must-have Game On! accessory of the summer!

To enter, simply complete the "LifeWay VBS Giveaway" form by 11:59pm, Saturday, May 19, 2018 for an opportunity to win. (NOTE: Make sure to enter using the FORM, which asks for email address and first name then click "submit." Commenting on this blog post does not enter you to win.)

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Stretch Your VBS Budget by Buying SMART

Now that's it's "go time" for VBS, the temptation is great to blow through the budget on all the "cute stuff." It can be really hard to stay within budget once teacher requests come rolling in and supplies and decorations must actually be purchased. As a teacher, I want to stretch each and every dollar as far as I possibly can. So I'm always on the look out for things that are multipurpose. I want decorations that don't just sit there, but can actually be used as teaching tools or in games. That's what I call buying smart.

There are some great items available from lifeway.com that are perfect for both the theme and my budget because they are practical beyond just a tabletop or focal wall display. Check out these ideas & see what you think.

There are tons of other great ideas for buying smart. What other uses do you see in these products? What's your strategy for getting the most out of your VBS budget?

For more information on budgeting for success in VBS, click HERE.

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VBS Teacher Appreciation

Personally, I subscribe to the philosophy that everyone who works with children at VBS is a teacher … there's no such thing as just "helpers" or "workers." Because children are such wonderful sponges, they're always learning. So everything we say (or don't say) and do (or don't do) is teaching something. The question we have to ask ourselves is WHAT are we teaching? (Anybody else just get convicted?) That means we have to take our jobs seriously. … EVERY job seriously. We're not just there to have fun, to serve snacks, or to wear kids out on the playground so that they can sit still during Bible study. We're all teachers … in everything we say and do. And what are we teaching? The gospel!

VBS is unique in that every aspect is intentionally designed to provide opportunities for age-appropriate evangelism. Every activity, every rotation, every song is specially crafted to fit the point of the day, making it possible for every person the child encounters throughout their VBS day to “live out” the gospel in front of them. That makes every job important. Each point of engagement becomes an opportunity to talk to a child about what the Bible teaches and about what the Holy Spirit might be saying to him or her.

It's important to say thank you to those who are committed to this important work. In the spirit of Teacher Appreciation Week, how will you show appreciation to all of the VBS teachers who will live out the gospel in front of kids this summer? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

  • Provide childcare 20 minutes before and after VBS. This will allow leaders to spend an extra few minutes on last-minute preparations, prayer, and cleanup.
  • Set up a Concession Stand with lots of game-day snacks for volunteers to enjoy during the week. Ask a different Sunday School class to host the stand each day. The class can provide all the snacks and supplies for the day.
  • Commission VBS leaders for their task during a Sunday morning worship service. Invite workers to stand before the church while the pastor or other appropriate person leads in prayer for their stamina, abilities, and love of children. Print a sample service from the Pastor’s Helps section on the Administrative Guide CD-ROM.
  • Shoot video clips of boys and girls telling what they like about their teachers. Put the clips together with music from VBS. Show the resulting video during your VBS Celebration or during the worship service the Sunday following VBS.
  • Purchase a VBS 2018 Jersey Backpack or an I Heart VBS Apron for each leader to show your appreciation.

  • Present each leader with a handwritten thank-you note on a VBS 2018 Note Card during your VBS Celebration.

  • Honor VBS workers by making a donation in their name to the Cooperative Program or mission organization of your choice.
  • Create a special kit for each leader. Consider placing a VBS 2018 Whistle Key Chain or a VBS 2018 Notepad in each kit.

  • Take a picture of each leader with her class and place the photo in a VBS 2018 Picture Frame before giving it to her.

  • Recognize each leader at your VBS Celebration or in the Sunday Morning Worship Service following VBS, and thank each leader for being part of the team at Game On!™
  • Send a personal thank-you note a week or two after VBS. You might include the number of kids/ families served and the number of salvation decisions that were made during VBS. Explain how their time made a difference for the Kingdom.

What teacher appreciation ideas do you have? Share them in the comments section below!

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