2016 VBS Pastor / Evangelism Conference

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Introduction & Welcome (15 minutes) Play VBS music as pastors arrive. Place materials in seats prior to arrival or distribute as they arrive. Welcome pastors, thank them for coming & introduce yourself. Open conference in prayer. Allow pastors to introduce themselves & briefly share a word. Overview of what we will accomplish today:

o The pivotal role of the pastor in VBS.o An overview of Lifeways “Submerged”.o How to effectively share the Gospel with children.o Making lasting connections through VBS.

The Pivotal Role of the Pastor in VBS (20 minutes) If possible, share a brief personal testimony [or enlist someone in advance] about

your involvement as a pastor in VBS. Play video of Pastor Eric Thomas [9:13, available through Lifeway]. If that is not an

option then highlight the following information:o When the pastor is involved VBS is given greater worth.o When the pastor is involved there is greater “buy in” and a willingness to

invest in VBS by the church.o The pastor should lead the church in her evangelistic efforts.o The pastor is viewed in a different, more relaxed setting, particularly by

children.o The pastor’s involvement encourages & inspires the workers.o This is the one event in the life of the church, where the lost and unchurched

“seek” and attend the church. o Great opportunities to connect with the unchurched, unlike any other event

in the life of the church, come as a direct result of VBS.o It crosses generational barriers.o VBS works.o You will have fun!

Allow for input from the pastors regarding a pastor’s involvement in VBS.

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Biblical Overview of the Content (25 minutes) [optional] How did LifeWay do it? (show Kids Consultants clips) If it is possible, the development and use of PowerPoint will greatly enhance the

overview. Distribute [if you did not do this earlier] a white paper plate.

ThemeSubmerged: “Finding Truth Below The Surface”

MottoJesus Sees – Jesus Knows – Jesus Saves

ScripturePsalm 139:23-24

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Christ ConnectionJesus taught people that the Kingdom

of God had come and that salvation is available to all.

Dive into the Biblical Content Familiarize yourself with the Bible story for each day, including the life points.

o We are going to “illustrate the bubble”.o Have pastors take the “bubble” and draw the following (if they are feeling

adventurous have them place it upside down on their head and hold the plate with one hand and draw with the other):

Draw a line for the ground. Draw a tree trunk. Draw the top of the tree. Draw a bucket on the ground on one side of the tree. Draw a moon in the sky. Draw a stick figure of a child on the other side of the tree. Draw eyes and a mouth on the child.

o Explain how each drawing represents each days Bible story

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Tree: Day 1—Jesus Saw Zacchaeus. [Luke 19:1—10]

Bucket: Day 2—Jesus Saw the Woman at the Well. [John 41—42]

Moon: Day 3—Jesus Saw Nicodemus. [John3:1—21]

Eyes: Day 4—Jesus Saw a Blind Man. [John 9]

Child: Day 5—Jesus Saw the Children. [Mark 10:13—42]

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VBS is the leading outreach tool for most churches. It is the single largest evangelistic outreach effort churches are involved in during the year.

2.7 people enrolled in VBS 72,925 decisions to accept Christ as Savior 56,386 enrolled in Sunday School as a result of attending VBS 2,666 people committed their lives to church-related vocations during VBS

2015 VBS Statistics (Attachment A, Alabama VBS Statistics)

Evangelism is most effective among kids. Why? Barna Research: “What you believe at age 13 is pretty much what you’re going to die believing.”

Nearly half of all Americans (43% who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior do so before the age of 13). There is no “simplified” plan of salvation for children, and, neither is there a one-size-fits-all. Everyone, regardless of age, must be convicted of sin by the Holy Spirit. To become a Christian, a person must believe that Jesus’ death paid the penalty for sin and that God raised Jesus from the dead, and, make a lifetime decision to let Jesus control their life.

As kids are submerged in God’s Word, they will discover that Jesus saw people differently. He didn’t just see what was on the outside, he saw people for who they were on the inside … down deep. As kids learn to see themselves and others as Jesus sees them, they can realize that each person is unique and of value to God; and, that everyone needs a Savior – even those who look like they have it all together. They will discover that a relationship with Jesus changes everything!

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How to Effectively Share the Gospel with Children

When sharing the Gospel with children, it should be done delicately - with sensitivity - individually, if possible.

Helpful Habits in Sharing the Gospel with Children1) Children are different and they learn in different ways

Physical – touching and doing Musical – hearing Visual – seeing Logical – thinking Relational – experiencing Verbal – hearing Natural – experiencing nature Reflective – thinking about previous experiences

2) Communicate the Gospel with children in age appropriate, suitable ways.

3) You are leading a child to a decision, not pushing or rushing them.4) Determine the true intent of the child.

Why did the child come forward? Be ready to move into other areas of need.

5) Explore the child’s needs.Four Stages in a Child’s Journey to God

o Discovery (lots of questions, curiosity)o Discerning (they begin to understand and be concerned about

spiritual things)o Determination (based on their questions and concerns, they are

convicted of sin and their need for salvation)o Decision (asking Jesus into their life)

A good question to ask a child when personally counseling: How long have you been thinking about this decision?

Four Things Every Child Needs to Knowo God is love and really loves them for who they are.o You love them.o Sin is real and that everyone is a sinner.o Jesus is real, and will save them if they ask Him into their life.

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6) Follow-upo With the child whether a decision is made or noto With the parents (make sure they understand what has taken

place and make sure they are involved)o Be prepared to disciple the child once a decision for Christ is

made.o Begin building a relationship with the child and family and

connect them with the church.

What are some of the best techniques that you have seen or used during a VBS evangelistic invitation?

What are some of the worst techniques that you have seen or used during a VBS evangelistic invitation?

Dos Don’tsMake it age appropriate Group all ages togetherKeep it brief Go to longPlan ahead Fly by the seat of your pantsRespect the work of the Holy Spirit Use high pressure techniquesPresent love and forgiveness Press the “hell” buttonUse a child friendly translation Omit the use of scriptureUse response cards Use a “if you love Jesus” invitationTrain counselors Assume people know how to share the Gospel

with childrenProvide resources Let counselors use “whatever”Have enough counselors Have multi-child counselors Ask open ended questions Ask “yes or no” questionsAvoid symbolic language Use a lot of “churchy” wordsHave a follow-up plan Overlook or neglect the child’s family

Be sensitive, but don’t miss a single opportunity to share the gospel.Provide Sharing the Gospel with Kids Handout (Administrative Guide, pg 10)

Dive Tips: Sharing the Gospel with Kids (Attachment B)

ResourcesLeading A Child to Christ DVD Pack, ABCs of Becoming a Christian Tract,Takin’ It Home Kids Gospel Guide, Takin’ It Home Parent Guide, ABC Wristband,Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Booklet, VBS Devotional Bible for Kids

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Making Lasting Connections (Follow-Up) Through VBS: VBS is about people

Vacation Bible School is a wonderful experience - an outreach event. It must not end when we dismiss the last session of VBS.

VBS provides us with a natural bridge to connect with unchurched families.

Each year we discover 1,050,000 unchurched prospects! In a survey conducted by LifeWay’s VBS Team, 97% of the 3,000 participants

said the greatest weakness of their Bible Schools is connecting with the unchurched families discovered during the week.

Each year approximately 10% of everyone attending VBS acknowledge being unchurched.

What does connected mean to you? Does it mean you want to see the families and kids who joined you for VBS in the pews/chairs on Sunday morning, or does it mean you want to see them involved in the work and ministry of your church? Making that connection is what VBS is all about. VBS has the potential to bring people into the church who would not consider attending a regular worship service or Sunday School class. Plan ahead and begin to think about how you can help kids and families connect and get plugged into your church every week of the year, not just the week of VBS.

How do we reach unchurched parents/families? Recruit and form a Connection Team. This team needs to be just as

prepared before VBS as any other VBS team. Growing a garden takes preparing the soil and planting the seeds in

order to produce a harvest. Follow-up is the cultivation step that follows the Preparing and Planting done during VBS.

Use Pipe-Cleaner Activity

Describe your church in 10 words or less. Identify and describe the typical family that currently attends your church. Identify and describe the typical family that has visited your church recently. List the things your church currently offers families. Evaluate who you are as a church.

Use “Reaching Families Through VBS” Activity

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Three Areas of Preparation for VBS Connection

Before VBS Create a strategy with your pastor and church leadership to help you

continue the connections made during VBS. Make the congregation aware of the significance on continuing to connect

with those who will be attending VBS. Make Connection/Follow-up a matter of prayer.

During VBS Begin working your strategy on Day One when a child registers. Get accurate information and maintain your records. Begin immediately building the bridge of connection (talking to a child,

spending time with a child, complimenting a child, showing love to a child). Provide a VBS resource for each child to take home that connects with

families. Make personal contact (door step visit, text, email, social media, phone call,

card, etc.). Continue prayer efforts for Connection/Follow-up.

After VBS Prepare a flyer, brochure, or other communication tool to send home about

your church and its ministries. Host a celebration or family event. Make Connection/Follow-up assignments and maintain accurate records of

each connection. Send a “thank you for coming” card or letter to all VBS attendees. Make personal contact (door step visit, text, email, social media, phone call,

card, etc.). Provide and deliver an information packet and gift from your church. Continue prayer efforts for Connection/Follow-up. Keep your congregation aware of your Connection/Follow-up efforts. Conduct a VBS or BYBC out in the neighborhoods. This takes your church out

to the people who might otherwise not participate. Look for and don’t miss opportunities to share the gospel. (See I Peter 3:15) Continue the strategy until a contact has been made with every home and

every parent has been met.

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Resources: I Am a Christian Now! Leader Guide; I Am a Christian Now! Younger Kids Learner Guide; I Am a Christian Now! Older Kids Learner Guide; I’m a Christian, Now What?; I’m a Christian, Now What? Volume 2: The Life of Jesus; 90 Day Devotional Journal for Kids, Takin’ It Home CD, Devotions Below the Surface: A 52 Week Devotional Journey.

Prayer is Essential

We need to be prayed up before, during, and after VBS. Prayer is the Christian’s most glorious privilege, most enlarging opportunity,

and most essential obligation. –Billy Graham People who are mighty in prayer can do anything for prayer can do anything

God can do, and God can do anything. Prayer is the under-estimated premium and under-valued component of

evangelism.

National Day of Prayer for VBS - May 15, 2016

What did your churches do to encourage prayer last year? Prayer Calendar (Attachment C) Hand out Bookmarks

Closing Thoughts

VBS takes time, effort, and dollars. Our time, effort, and dollars are best utilized when Evangelism is the focus.

Evangelism is reaping those who are ready, not the convincing of those who are not. It is harvesting those whom God has already prepared and it is helping those who are unprepared towards belief by providing them more information.

Ultimately making lasting connections with children and families is not about copying what another church does. It is about looking closely at where you are as a church and who God has placed in your path. Pray and be open to the one thing God nudges your heart to do.

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