How to Start a VBS Program

What Is VBS?

You may be wondering what VBS is. Is it babysitting time? Playtime without a lot of biblical content? Biblical content without a lot of playtime?

Vacation Bible school programs teach biblical truths in a fun way that will grow a child’s understanding of who God is. VBS also shows kids how they can have a relationship with God through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They are shown these truths through Bible lessons, which are continually reinforced through crafts, games, drama, snacks, and music that tie in to what they learned.

What Is the Format?

The most typical VBS week is a five-day program running Monday through Friday at a church or community center. On average, these programs run for three hours per day, either in the morning (around 9 a.m.–12 p.m.) or in the evening (around 6 p.m.–9 p.m.). While this is the most common, most programs are adaptable to work in a variety of circumstances. This could be anything from a three-day program, to a backyard Bible club in a home, to running it at a Christian camp or in a local park. The possibilities are endless!

What Do I Need to Get Started?

Most VBS providers offer Starter Kits. This is a basic pack that includes leader guides and a few samples of the products available for kids. Answers VBS has the option of a Starter Kit or a Super Starter Kit. The Super Starter Kit with Digital Pro is the most popular choice and contains leader guides, music pieces, teaching posters, promotional samples, and lots of extras to kick VBS off right.

Once you have your material, you will need volunteers, including a director, teachers, station leaders, drama actors, and many adult or teen helpers.

Exploring Spy U

As you begin your search for a VBS program, make sure to check out Answers VBS’ Spy U. This theme trains special agents to detect false intel and to know, love, and live for the one and only God. When cadets arrive at Spy University, they’ll uncover counterfeit views of God and recognize the one true God of the Bible, find that God is triune, collect clues to reveal how to become a child of God, crack codes to discover attributes of God, and discover that God created them and wants to be their first love.

Learn more about Answers VBS and Spy U at AnswersVBS.com.