Preparing for VBS - 7 Things You Should Do

We’re right in the middle of VBS season, and things are starting to get real. Here are some basic things you need to have in place to run a smooth Vacation Bible School:

1. Pray

Above all, this is the Lord’s work. Our goal should be to use this opportunity to help young souls know the Lord. Before we do anything, let’s pray and talk to Him about His mission. 

2. Decide when, where, and how long.

Are you going to have a 1-day VBS, 3-day, or all week? Will you be using your church building or some other venue? What time of day will it start and end?

3. Who is going to help?

If you have a very limited number of volunteers, this is going to change what and how you can do things. Communicate with the congregation about the plan. If there aren’t many volunteers, ask if changing the date or time would help.

Don’t just wait for people to sign up. It’s ok to approach people directly who you want involved. Ask if they’d be interested in specific jobs? There are so many talents in the church, and sometimes people can’t even see their own potential unless someone points it out.

4. Curriculum

Before you go running to every webpage you know, ask yourself the question, “What do the children in our congregation and neighbors need to know about God?” It might be that there has been a specific struggle in your church that the children have seen or been a part of. It might be that your community has been challenged by certain things lately that affect children as well as adults. 

Meditate on what the children need to learn and spend some time in prayer about it before you decide to buy a curriculum. 

5. Advertise

Getting the word out can be fun and challenging. There are a lot of ways to communicate to our church families as well as our communities. Flyers, newspaper articles, Facebook groups, Facebook ads, yard signs, etc. 

6. Pre-Registration

It’s always useful to get a count ahead of time. I recommend using Google Forms. They’re easy to set up and easy to customize. 

Here is a sample form: https://forms.gle/P3cKbjSpAq2iCJvi8

7. Pray

Throughout the whole process, pray. When a student signs up, pray. This is the Lord’s work. We are merely the workers. 

What other things do you do to prepare for VBS? Share in the comments below.