Vacation Bible School

What Vacation Bible School is

Vacation Bible School is a special week of Bible teaching, singing, games, and crafts for children. It is not a substitute for the Lord’s Day, Sunday School, or the home. It is a concentrated time when the church gathers children and points them to Jesus Christ.

The aim is simple. We want every child who comes to hear that God is holy, that sin separates us from Him, and that Jesus Christ died and rose again so sinners can be saved. We want them to learn Bible stories that are true, to memorize Scripture they can carry with them, and to see that the church is a place where they are welcome.

• “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” — Mark 10:14

Why the church ministers to children

Cathedral believes children are part of the Lord’s charge to the church, not an afterthought. Jesus did not turn children away. He received them, blessed them, and warned those who would cause them to stumble.

• “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 19:14
• “And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” — Matthew 18:5

Parents are given the first duty to teach their children. The church comes alongside that work. We do not replace the home. We strengthen it.

• “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” — Deuteronomy 6:6–7
• “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4

Children are a heritage from the Lord. Ministering to them is part of loving the families of Jonesboro and of obeying the Great Commission, which includes teaching.

• “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” — Psalm 127:3
• “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:19–20

Learning to tell others

Vacation Bible School is also a place where children begin to learn that the gospel is not only for them. Believing children can tell a friend, a cousin, or a neighbor what they have heard. The church’s mission includes the young.

• “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” — Mark 16:15
• “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me.” — Acts 1:8

We teach them that a witness simply tells what is true. A child who has heard that Jesus saves can say so. That is part of making disciples, not only of being entertained for a week.

What the Bible shows in faithful young people

Scripture does not treat childhood as empty time. It records young people who feared God and stood when others did not.

• Samuel ministered before the Lord while he was still a child, and the Lord called him by name. “And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli.” — 1 Samuel 3:1
• Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, “and he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord.” — 2 Kings 22:1–2
• Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself, even as a young man carried into a foreign court. — Daniel 1:8
• David was the youngest of his brothers when he was anointed, and he met Goliath with confidence in the Lord, not in his own size. — 1 Samuel 16:11–13; 17:45–47
• The Lord Jesus Himself grew as a child in favor with God and man. “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” — Luke 2:52
• Paul told a young minister not to wait until he was older to be useful. “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” — 1 Timothy 4:12

These accounts are not a promise that every child will believe. They are a pattern. God has often begun His work early, and He commands His people to teach the young while the heart is still open.

• “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not.” — Ecclesiastes 12:1
• “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

Why a biblical foundation matters now

Children today are not short on voices. Television, videos, games, and social media press on them earlier every year. Much of what they see treats sin as normal, mocks what is holy, and offers pleasure with no fear of God. The pressure is not smaller because a child is young. It is often greater.

• “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” — Proverbs 1:10
• “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” — 1 John 2:15
• “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2

A child needs something stronger than a warning to “be careful online.” He needs the truth. The Word of God is the foundation that holds when other voices are loud.

• “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” — Psalm 119:9, 11
• “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105

Jesus said the wise man is the one who hears His sayings and does them. That house stands when the rain falls. The foolish man hears and does not do them, and the fall is great. — Matthew 7:24–27

Vacation Bible School is one way Cathedral lays that foundation in public, with the church family, while parents are still able to shape what their children love. We would rather a child know John 3:16 and Psalm 23 before the world has filled the week with something else.

• “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” — Isaiah 54:13
• “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” — 3 John 4

An invitation

Parents, grandparents, and neighbors are welcome to send their children. Workers from Cathedral give the week to teaching, games, and care. If your child does not usually attend here, they are still invited. Come hear what we teach. Ask questions. We would be glad to have them.

• “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done… That the generation to come might know them… and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” — Psalm 78:4, 6–7