Building Faith: Lessons from VBS Adventures

Devotional

Day 1: Obedience Brings Clarity and Order

Description: The story of the Tower of Babel is a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. When the people attempted to build a tower to heaven to make a name for themselves, God confused their languages and scattered them across the earth. This act of divine intervention highlights the chaos and confusion that ensue when we prioritize our own ambitions over God's instructions. Obedience to God brings clarity and order to our lives, allowing us to live in harmony with His will and purpose. Reflecting on this story, we are reminded that following God's guidance is essential for a life of peace and direction. [36:18]

Genesis 11:4-7 (ESV): "Then they said, 'Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.' And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, 'Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.'"

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you are trying to go your own way instead of following God's instructions? How can you realign your actions with His will today?

Day 2: Recognizing and Using Our God-Given Gifts

Description: Recognizing and using our unique talents and abilities is crucial for spiritual growth and self-esteem. During VBS, the children were encouraged to identify their God-given gifts and use them for His glory. This can be challenging, especially for young minds, but it is essential to remind ourselves and others of the unique abilities God has bestowed upon us. By using our talents in service to God, we not only honor Him but also find fulfillment and purpose in our lives. Encouraging children and adults alike to embrace their gifts can lead to a more vibrant and spiritually enriched community. [01:02:50]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What unique talent or ability has God given you? How can you use this gift to serve others and glorify God this week?

Day 3: The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice

Description: Understanding the significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith. His sacrifice offers forgiveness for our sins and the promise of eternal life. This message of hope and redemption was a central focus during VBS, particularly on Salvation Day, where 34 children accepted Christ into their lives. The power of Jesus' sacrifice is transformative, offering a new beginning and a restored relationship with God. Reflecting on this profound truth can deepen our faith and inspire us to live in gratitude and obedience to Him. [01:07:12]

Hebrews 9:26-28 (ESV): "But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

Reflection: How does the understanding of Jesus' sacrifice impact your daily life? In what ways can you live out this truth in your actions and decisions today?

Day 4: The Promise of Heaven and Restoration

Description: The concept of consummation reminds us that God has a plan to restore everything to its original perfection. The promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there is no pain or suffering is a source of great hope and encouragement. This message was shared with the children during VBS, providing them with a vision of God's ultimate plan for restoration. Understanding this promise can bring comfort and strength, especially during challenging times. It reminds us that no matter what we face, God's plan for a perfect and restored creation will prevail. [01:18:14]

Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV): "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth influence your perspective on current struggles? What steps can you take to hold onto this hope in your daily life?

Day 5: The Importance of Prayer

Description: Teaching children that they can talk to God anytime is vital. Prayer is not limited to specific times or places; it's an ongoing conversation with a loving God who is always listening and ready to help. During VBS, the children learned about the power of prayer and how it can be a source of strength and guidance in their lives. Encouraging a habit of regular prayer can deepen one's relationship with God and provide a sense of peace and assurance. Understanding that God is always accessible through prayer can transform how we approach our daily challenges and decisions. [01:08:44]

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine? What specific concerns or praises can you bring to God in prayer today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This week at Vacation Bible School (VBS) was filled with fun, learning, and spiritual growth. We started with engaging activities like building towers and knocking them down, which led to a discussion about the Tower of Babel. The children learned how God confused the languages and scattered the people because they were trying to build a tower to heaven to make a name for themselves. This story emphasized the importance of following God's instructions to avoid confusion and chaos in our lives.

On day three, we had a monkey dance-off, which was a fun way to engage the kids and remind them of the importance of using their talents for God's glory. We also encouraged the children to recognize their unique gifts and abilities, which can sometimes be challenging for them to identify. It's crucial to remind our kids of their God-given talents and encourage them to use these gifts.

Day four was Salvation Day, where we focused on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The children learned about the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and how it offers forgiveness for our sins. This day was particularly impactful as 34 children accepted Christ into their lives. We also discussed the power of prayer and how we can talk to God anytime, not just during VBS or before bed.

On the final day, we talked about consummation, the idea that God wins in the end and everything will be made right again. The children learned about heaven and the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more pain or suffering. This was a hopeful and encouraging way to end the week, reminding the kids of God's ultimate plan for restoration.

Throughout the week, we had various challenges and memory verses to help the children internalize the lessons. We also had fun activities like pieing the leaders in the face, which kept the energy high and the kids engaged. The week ended with a celebration, including songs and dances that the children had learned.

###

Key Takeaways

1. esteem. [01:02:50]
3. The Power of Jesus' Sacrifice: Understanding the significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith. His sacrifice offers forgiveness for our sins and the promise of eternal life, which is a message of hope and redemption.

4. The Promise of Heaven: The concept of consummation reminds us that God has a plan to restore everything to its original perfection. This promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there is no pain or suffering is a source of great hope and encouragement.

5. The Importance of Prayer: Teaching children that they can talk to God anytime is vital. Prayer is not limited to specific times or places; it's an ongoing conversation with a loving God who is always listening and ready to help.

### [62:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[36:18] - Tower of Babel Story
[37:12] - Monkey Dance-Off
[38:00] - Recognizing Our Gifts
[39:00] - Day Three Bible Verse
[39:52] - Salvation Day
[40:55] - Jesus' Sacrifice
[41:36] - Power of Prayer
[42:34] - Small Group Discussions
[43:28] - 34 Children Accept Christ
[44:13] - Day Four Animal: Rose the Dolphin
[45:18] - Day Five: Consummation
[46:05] - Heaven and New Earth
[47:09] - Day Five Animal: Bliss the Butterfly
[48:17] - Carnival and Pieing Leaders
[49:24] - Encouraging Godly Behavior
[50:12] - Closing Songs and Celebration

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the main reason God confused the languages and scattered the people in the story of the Tower of Babel? ([58:01])
How did the children at VBS use their talents during the monkey dance-off? ([01:01:02])
What significant event happened on Salvation Day at VBS, and how many children accepted Christ? ([01:08:44])
What is the promise of heaven as discussed on the final day of VBS? ([01:18:14])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to follow God's instructions, as illustrated by the story of the Tower of Babel? How does this apply to our daily lives? ([58:01])
How can recognizing and using our unique gifts for God's glory impact our spiritual growth and self-esteem? ([01:02:50])
What does Jesus' sacrifice mean for us, and how does it offer hope and redemption? ([01:07:12])
How does the promise of a new heaven and a new earth provide hope and encouragement in times of suffering? ([01:18:14])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you tried to go your own way instead of following God's instructions. What was the outcome, and how could obedience to God have changed the situation? ([58:01])
Identify a unique talent or ability you have. How can you use this gift to serve God and others in your community? ([01:02:50])
Think about the significance of Jesus' sacrifice in your life. How does understanding His sacrifice change the way you live and interact with others? ([01:07:12])
How can you incorporate prayer into your daily routine beyond just specific times or places? Share a specific plan to make prayer a more integral part of your life. ([01:08:44])
When you face challenges or suffering, how can the promise of heaven and God's ultimate plan for restoration provide you with hope and encouragement? ([01:18:14])
How can you help children or others around you recognize and use their God-given talents? Share a practical way to encourage someone this week. ([01:02:50])
Reflect on the impact of VBS on the children who attended. How can you support or get involved in similar programs to help spread the message of Christ and nurture spiritual growth in others? ([01:08:44])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We talked about how Jesus is holy and sinless and perfect, how he did miracles and had all the power. He has all the power and everything that he made and is making and continues to do is always good and always perfect. He has the power over nature. He has power over sickness. He has power over death. He has power to forgive sins and all the things that we do wrong, right?" [01:07:12] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We always ask the kids, what do they think that means? Like Jesus dying on the cross. And one little one answered and he said, because he's he's, because he's holy, because he's holy God, and we should always pray to him, which is a great answer. And so teaching them how to understand what Jesus, like why he died on the cross, right? Why we do things wrong, and he died so that there is forgiveness, and he can take those things away from us, and we could go to him anytime." [01:07:12] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We talked about heaven and what it looks like when we don't live on earth anymore, and we die, and we go to heaven with Jesus when we have asked him to come and live inside of our heart and our life, and how there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and how everything will go back to being perfect, and everything is made, right, again, there won't be any more bad stuff. There will be no pain, right, just like the scripture, no crying, no more mourning. All of that stuff goes away, and everything goes back to good." [01:18:14] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The challenge was to talk and thank God for sending his one and only son to save us, to have a grateful heart for what God has done for us, and to be able then go and share with their friends or their family members about Jesus and what happened today, or on Thursday, and what Jesus did for them." [01:13:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We encourage them throughout the week that it doesn't have to be done at VBS. You can do it at any time. You can talk to Jesus about that at any time, and he's always listening, and he's always there, and he's waiting for you to come so that he can, um, uh, live in your life and make everything right for you." [01:18:14] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "And so, sometimes God can speak to the kids, or he, no, not sometimes, God does, Holy Spirit does speak to our kids, and sometimes they don't recognize the feeling that they might be feeling in that moment. And I went over and sat with these two boys, and I said, so, do you understand what we're talking about? And he went, I do everything wrong. The first thing out of his mouth was, I do everything wrong. And I went, that's okay. That's why we're talking, about this today." [01:10:15] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so, in that moment, I was able to just talk with him, and share with him, and pray with these two boys, for God to come and forgive them, and for them to know that Jesus died, and accept. So, those moments are so precious. And when you guys pray up to these events, and pray for the leaders, and the families, and the children, it's for those moments that you're able to engage like that, and have them understand the value, their value, and how much they're loved." [01:10:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So, on that day, out of all of our children, they all heard the gospel, and there was 34 kids that actually received Christ that day. And they are now part of the kingdom of God, and that's so awesome. Our leaders walked them through it effortlessly, and a lot of the children had questions. There's a couple of boys, actually, that can be a little bit of a challenge, but they're kind of distant when they're not understanding what's happening in their space." [01:08:44] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "One of the things I think is so important is that we remind our kids what they're really great at. Yeah, like being yourselves and helping them learn also the giftings that God has given them, right? It's so important to encourage our little ones in those things." [01:02:50] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We talked about how um god divided the groups up so they do you remember the story of babel and what happened what did god do with the people confuse the languages of all the people he so he confused the languages of the people and then what happened where did he put them he scattered them all over the earth yep taking candy he scattered them all over the earth and then he put them all over the earth and then he put them all over the earth do we know why god had to confuse them who remembers isabella do you remember why god confused them what what were they doing because they were trying to build a tower up to heaven to get to heaven that's right they were all living in the same land speaking the same language and they were getting pretty smart thinking that they could build and or outbuild um god right and build their tower all the way to the heaven you and so they wanted to make a name for themselves they wanted to be known and they wanted them" [59:24] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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