Imagine Vacation Bible School being implemented 'simply' through a set of four children's picture storybooks. Or imagine having such a series of books at arms-length for children, something that's part of their environment that could add such luster to the whole VBS experience.
Is it possible that a 'simple' set of picture books could have enough Biblical reference and entertainment value to warrant entire lessons being created from them for Vacation Bible School? That the often tedious preparation of Vacation Bible School could be carried out through a simple set of Bible lessons for kids in an entertaining story format? I know many of you would say, "no" so I'm going to challenge you since you're probably followers of Christ being you're reading this article. I turn you to the Bible, but in particular Daniel 14 where we see the simplicity of God overcoming the big, fancy, prestigious idols of the day in Babylon.
I'd like to think of this little writing as being sponsored by God - a Vacation Bible School for adults. Babylon had an idol named Bel, whom twelve great measures of fine flour, forty sheep and six vessels of wine were set inside each day for his supposed consumption. Daniel proved the utter fraud of this beloved idol to the King of Babylon 'simply' by sifting ashes all around it in the temple and locking the door. That night, like every night, the priests, and their wives and children came in through the secret entrance under a table. They consumed the food leaving their footmarks on the ashes that had been sifted on the floor and it served as their death sentence by the King. We see worldly grandeur overcome by the simplicity of God in this Bible lesson.
Thereafter God defeated a huge dragon idol of the Babylonians through Daniel, having him 'simply' feed it a hairball and watching it choke to death. Also in the book of Daniel we see Daniel outperforming his peers to earn a seat in the King's court by 'simply' consuming vegetables and water rather than the royal food of the King. There are numerous Bible lessons for kids and adults from various books in the Bible reflecting God's 'simplicity' overcoming the world's so-called great and mighty wisdom (ignorance). Consider the great Bible lesson of David defeating the mighty warrior, and giant Goliath with a few stones and slingshot.
And so today it is no different. There is a way to keep it simple and be more effective in Vacation Bible School via a 'simple' series of picture storybooks that provide numerous Bible lessons for kids while entertaining them in the process. Although perfect for Vacation Bible School they've been used by many to casually minister to children in an entertaining fashion. A simple and easy way to gift a child and evangelize at the same time. Don't know if you ever noticed - you can buy kids a roomful of big, fancy toys and eventually you'll see them writing on the pavement with a rock, kicking a ball around, or playing marbles. I'm sure many of you know why that is. Kids naturally possess the 'simplicity' of God until the world gets a hold of them. It's why God tells us adults "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 18:3.
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