Links About Vacation Bible School

On my new Children's Ministry website, I've been busy putting together resources and reviews for this summer's Vacation Bible school. I am posting links here too because I want to get the word out about these resources. Too many churches invest hundreds of dollars in bible school curriculum without really checking out the options. I hope my articles about vacation bible school can help.

Vacation Bible School Information

• How To Choose The Right Vacation Bible School Curriculum
• Vacation Bible school Guide
• Answers In Genesis 2008 VBS Creation Theme Bible School
• Group 2008 Power Lab Vacation Bible School - My First Look Preview
• My Preview Of LifeWay Outrigger Island VBS 2008

Vacation Bible School Preview Page

On my new website, I've written an extensive guide to VBS 2008 Themes and Curriculum. I have links to all the major VBS 2008 publishers.

Online Resources For Building a God-Centered Children’s Ministry

Websites:

• Children Desiring God and Bethlehem Baptist Church. Is there anyone doing Children's Ministry better than Bethlehem? They have dozens of excellent articles and helps. Their Children's Ministries Worker Manual is available for download. Children Desiring God offers their leadership conference audio, curriculum and much more.
  
• Free Online Resources for Raising Godly Children a good listing of parenting resorces by Rev. Steve Weaver. Several that deal specifically with childhood coversion from Dr. Jim Elliff.
• Vacation Bible School Curriculum for 2008. Check out the latest themes, material, programs for VBS.

Online Books:

"Come, My Children" A Book for Parents and Teachers on the Christian Training of Children by Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892). This looks promising. I am just beginning it. Any comments are welcome.

FAMILY section at the website Grace Gems offers several full length books by authors such as J.C. Ryle. Very large collection of articles for parents.

Articles:

• Are Children Safe? The Issues Surrounding a Child's Profession of Faith by Bill Shannon. This is the 2003 Shepherd's Conference, A Ministry of Grace Community Church. Bill Shannon is the pastor responsible for Children's Ministries at Grace Community Church, where John MacArthur preaches.
• Suffer the Little Children by Bill Shannon. This is from the 2003 Shepherd's Conference. He describes the Children's Ministry at Grace Community Church. Included are sections on what to teach, who should teach and the atmosphere for teaching.
• Children's Ministries Worker Manual This is a 41 page PDF document from Bethlehem Baptist Church. It contains six sections covering every aspect of their ministry. This is a great introduction to what God-centered Children's Ministry can become.

Vacation Bible School Curriculum for 2008. Check out the latest themes, material, programs for VBS

Curriculum:

• Children Desiring God I have review several lessons and it seams like they are putting their vision into practice.
• Great Commission Publishing writes from a reformed perspective. Show-me-Jesus curriculum. I have heard good testimonies from others.
• Firm Foundations from New Tribes Mission. The description says, "This unique 50-lesson Bible study set systematically follows God's progressive pattern of revealing His character and His plan of redemption within the context of history. The lessons begin in Genesis and progress through the life of Christ, highlighting key themes." The set is designed for older elementary but appears to be adaptable for younger.
• Herin is Love is a Bible Commentay beginninging in Genesis for children. It offers a teaching guide and looks to be a good resource. It is endorsed by Dr. Ted Tripp who wrote Shepherding a Child's Heart.
• Introductions a Sunday School Syllabus for young children by Stephanie Carmichael. This series of 8 lessons (PDF), from Teaching Little Ones, can be used freely for non-commercial, ministry purposes. They are written for children aged between 6 and 8. It follows the Two Ways to Live for Kids Gospel Booklet.
  

My Book Recommendations