I Took My Kids To Vacation Bible School, But They Didn't Get To Ride The Go-Carts

This summer I took my children to Vacation Bible School at the Pruett & Lobit church in Baytown. The children had a good learning experience, but after it was over it dawned on me that something was missing – they didn't get to ride the go-carts. It wasn't that they just missed their turn, there were no go-carts at all. And now that I think about it, there wasn't a clown, pony-rides, face-painting, balloons, games, cake, nor even so much as a cookie and Kool-Aid. What kind of vacation Bible School were these folks running?

We have certainly come to expect all these things and more because of the way VBS has been run by the denominations and many churches of Christ. Where did I even get the idea that go-carts should be a part of VBS? I got it because I've seen the track set up in the parking lot and the admonition “Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Engines - VBS” on the marquee of the Southwest Church of Christ in Amarillo. (See accompanying pictures.)

When we decide to sweeten the gospel to appeal to worldly minds, there is no end to it. I wonder what would happen if we decided to try to widen the gospel appeal to all auto enthusiasts? We could have the kids “rev up” for VBS. The young adults could “start their engines.” The young married could have a seminar on “putting the pedal to the metal.” An adult retreat called the “Pit Stop” could be arranged. Finally we could close with a senior luncheon on the theme “taking the victory lap.” Would you object to such appeals aimed at adults? Then why craft such appeals to children?

What will our children grow up expecting from the church if we appeal to their flesh when they are young? If we have to “wow 'em and feed 'em” when they are young, how much more will we have to do when they are older?

If my kids didn't do fun and games at Vacation Bible School, then what did they do? They learned about Jesus with age appropriate lessons, they prayed and they sang. Yes, they were children's songs, but Bible songs all. What more do they need to train their spirits? Is VBS for the soul or the flesh?

If we really think that they need these entertainments so much that we would use time and money dedicated to Lord to provide them, then wouldn't I, as a father, have a duty to provide them already? If the “church be not charged or burdened” with caring for needy widows if they had family to do it (1 Tim. 5:16), how much more would this principle apply to amusing the kids? Indeed, I read of the duty to raise the children “in the discipline and admonition of the Lord,” not in the “amusements, diversions, recreation and enjoyment of the world.”

Were my children deprived and depressed at simply having the Bible taught at VBS? NO! They couldn't wait to go back. As we were preparing to go on the second morning, I asked one of the children if she was ready to go to Bible School. She was a bit confused because normally we spoke of “Bible Class,” not “Bible School.” So she said, “What's that?” I explained that its where we study the Bible and sing. She excitedly said she was ready to go, then added, “Do you know what we call our other Bible School?” This time I was the one confused, until she said, “Church.” She could see that the Vacation Bible School was the same thing that we did at church in Bible Class. The church is God's school for the Bible all year long. Brethren, that's the way it should be, and even a child can see it.

Southwest Church of Christ

Amarillo Texas July 12, 2000

Go-Cart Track Set Up In The Parking Lot