They should teach us

No wiggle room. No different way of interpretation. Psalm 22:6 is clear. “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it (NIV).”

Church congregations get the tremendous importance of VBS (Vacation Bible School). No one anywhere near any VBS has ever said, “Eh, we have time with this Christian Education. We can wait a while. There’s always next year to start something.”

Instead, those near Christian Education are ALL in.

When children are taught the liberating, powerful, connecting and life-sustaining Word of God, wow, there is excitement! There is joy!

Those behind VBS are so intent on teaching. The commitment level is so high, and this is so beautiful to see.

Of course, there can be some missteps; some well-intended programs may not go as planned; but overall, VBS programs across congregations can be fantastic. The energy is right. The pacing is right. The conviction is right. The lessons are right. The team approach is right.

And the Word of God? Yes, this is always right!

By the end of the VBS week, the kids, who may likely start the program quietly, are bonded and celebratory. The songs played are met with a volume and conviction that wasn’t so obvious by the end of the first day. In other words, the joy, joy, joy, joy down in their hearts may have been a little too far down in their hearts. There are always the rowdy ones right at the start. These true cheerleaders bring to the word pep new meaning. Most children however, especially those new to VBS, aren’t quite dancing in the aisles on day one.

But there is day two. There’s day three. There’s day four. And maybe day five.

In this time, and I’ve seen this firsthand as an adult, something happens—especially to the ones who are shy, quiet, reserved or not sure. The something is so great. The something is so awesome, energizing, complete and fun.

Kids are singing. Kids are cheering. Kids are experiencing the extraordinary, tremendous, incredible power of God through Bible stories and the games relatable to the stories. A craft also brings the lessons into a three-dimensional experience. And yes, there are the songs that inform and pump and invite children into who God is and how God is.

All of this is communal. All of this is team building. All of this is shareable, bonding, and fun.

With this much authentic, self-propelling, completely energizing, Spirit guided joy, joy, joy, I wonder. Maybe it’s the children who should teach us adults.

As Jesus was known to turn everyone’s attention with just a phrase, maybe we should take the lead from the kids we charge so that worship itself reflects even more of this joy, joy, joy, joy.

Yes, it’s important Christian Educators teach the Word of God in lessons, songs, and corporate worship. While it is important kids connect to each other through what is natural to them, and connections with interactive games is both easy and best for kids, maybe it is the kids should teach adults a thing or two about the joy of the Lord.

We have all been present at a worship service where an upbeat and well-paced hymn fills us with the Spirit of the Lord (hopefully). Let’s see how the children of VBS 2024 programs fill us, too. Let’s meet their energy, hear their thoughts, and catch what they have, which is a passion for and understanding of who Jesus is.

Now this is dangerous, according to some. It’s okay for kids to have a go at it. It’s okay that these uppity whippersnappers have a taste of what inclusive, innovative, and exciting worship should be, but it should be regulated to one week per year, and it should never be too wild or too crazy. After all, we have our seniors who are used to quiet Sunday morning worship.

But all the seniors I know do know that worship is not always quiet. There are quiet moments in worship, yes. Worship isn’t a full-on pep rally in some high school gym, rah, rah, rah, but worship shouldn’t be hushed, turned down, or void of the joy of the Lord.

Let VBS continue in worship all year, every year. Let the kids teach us. Let the kids infuse us. Let the kids ignite us so that together, the mature and the young, the seasoned and the fresh starts, should dance—yes, dance—in the aisles.