Top Five Vacation Bible School Countdown for 2011 . . . Monday, January 10th - "Gold Rush" by Answers in Genesis!

Welcome to the sixth day of my Top Ten Countdown for Vacation Bible School 2011 - this week marks the beginning of the Top Five of my VBS Countdown for 2011! I'll announce my Top Pick for VBS 2011 on January 14th, but today we are looking at "Gold Rush!" from Answers in Genesis! This year AIG invites you to take your children to a mining town in the the Old West where they will mine for true gold and will learn how to discern lies from the truth of Who Jesus Is!

Scope and Sequence -

1. Don't be fooled by counterfeits! - Meet Jesus! Discover His bold claims - John 4:1-26 - Only Jesus can rightly claim to be God!
2. Treat Him like a King! - Treasure Jesus! Discover His miraculous birth - Luke 1 & 2 - Only Jesus fulfills many prophecies!
3. Let Him be your Guide! - Follow Jesus! Discover His radical life - Luke 4 - 8 - Only Jesus has such radical power and teaching!
4. Claim the name Christian! - Believe Jesus! Discover His unique death and resurrection - Matthew 26-28 - Only Jesus offers an empty tomb and eternal life apart from works!
5. Spread the good news like wildfire! - Share Jesus! Discover His live-changing power - NT Scriptures - Only Jesus has the power to transform lives!

Theme - Children will learn how to discern lies from the truth of Who Jesus Is - He is the Way, the Truth and the Life and salvation in found in Him alone! Children will learn Jesus is our Creator and Redeemer and be challenged to follow Him!

Strong Points -

1. Solid Bible Lessons - strong salvation emphasis in each lesson as well as solid and much needed teaching about the truth of Who Jesus Is!
2. I'm very happy with the creative and engaging lessons - they are solidly grounded in God's Word with intentional portions designed to engage the children in the teaching of the lessons - I'd use the Primary lessons in the Bible Lesson station if children rotate among stations!
3. I love the "Go & Do" live-it activities for each day!
4. Love the "Top 20 Tips" for VBS director and for working with children
5. Excellent info on decorating - AIG will help you transform your church into a mining town from the Old West!
6. Mission project - Creation Museum and/or local outreach - the children in your VBS will raise money for the museum or participate in local outreach opportunities.
7. Complete director's information - AIG does an excellent job covering the important topics of screening volunteers and being sure your VBS is safe - inside and out.
8. I'm glad to see some information to help you determine the goal for your VBS - it would be nice to see this developed further next year
9. Excellent information on how to lead a child to Christ and a complete training session for volunteers
10. Love the "Nifty Nuggets of Information" on gold and Jesus and the "Top 10 Tips for a VBS Prayer Ministry"
11. I love the options for application without having to use the student pages
12. Nice option for churches being able to choose from Contemporary or Traditional Music - hear a sample of their music here.

Would Like to See - 

1. While I like the "Nugget of Truth" and "Cool Contests", I'd like to see more activity and excitement in the opening and close - maybe use a science project or some other active object lesson
2. I'd like to see information in the Director's book about how to involve and engage special needs children
3. I'd like to see more ideas and options for crafts

I appreciate the commitment to God's Word that is shown in every part of this VBS! If your primary goal for your VBS is evangelism, be sure to take a serious look at "Gold Rush!". Since the setting is an Old West mining town, this VBS should work well at an outdoor venue and be fun for youth groups if they are looking for materials to use on a mission trip. Answers in Genesis VBS utilizes NKJV Bible. If you do not select this VBS for your summer outreach ministry, give it some serious consideration for using in your mid-week ministry during the year. In this day and age our children are practically "bombarded" with false religions. In my own extended family I've seen the results of not being able to discern the truth from lies and choosing to believe in eastern religions and "mother earth". Answers in Genesis has provided sound Biblical teaching and presented it in an engaging way so children can learn how to discern the difference between the lies they hear in the world around them and the truth of Who Jesus Is and how they can really know and walk with Him! I'm strongly encouraging my church to use "Gold Rush" in their mid-week ministry in 2011~ Tremendously well done, Answers in Genesis - thank-you for sending "Gold Rush!" for my review.



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