Well . . . we have almost made it through my Top Ten VBS for 2012 reviews and today I'm happy to announce my third place VBS for 2012 . . . Amazing Wonders Aviation from LifeWay! They did a great job with the content and substance of this VBS resource and their setting is great fun . . . it is the Runner-up for Top Setting for VBS 2012! Take a look and consider if Amazing Wonders Aviation is a good "fit" for your children's ministry!Amazing Wonders Aviation
LifeWay
1. Amazing! God's Power Over Nature - the River Stood Still - Joshua 3-4 - I can recognize God has power over all things!
2. Amazing! God's Power Over Circumstances - the Lion's mouths were shut - Daniel 6:1-23 - I can trust God is in control no matter what happens!
3. Amazing! God's Power over Sin - God sent Jesus - Luke 2:21-38; I Cor. 15:3,4 - I can believe God sent Jesus and accept God's gift of forgiveness!
4. Amazing! God's Power over Death - Jesus is Alive! - John 19:31-20:20 - I can celebrate Jesus is alive!
5. Amazing! God's Power over My Life - the Apostles took action - Acts 5:12-42 - I can rely on God's power to do what He wants me to do!
Setting – trip around the world to see some of the world’s greatest natural wonders
Message – children will learn God’s power is amazing and we can trust Him! LifeWay takes your kids on a “trip” around the world to see some of the most amazing things and places – as they do they will learn God’s power is amazing and they can trust Him!
Focus – Evangelism, Content and Application
Strengths –
- This is my Runner up for VBS Setting for 2012! I love the way LifeWay takes kids “around the world” and helps them “see” some of the Amazing places God created, such as the Grand Canyon, Paricutin volcano in Mexico, Victoria Falls in Africa, the Great Barrier Reef, the Matterhorn and the Northern Lights! Great fun!
- As I would expect, Amazing Wonders Aviation has a strong evangelistic emphasis, excellent mission project and solid Bible teaching
- I especially am happy to find excellent information on how to reach VBS families after VBS is over!
- I’m very happy to see teachers and children reading from the Bible during the Bible lessons!
- I particularly love the daily “Wonder Challenge” portion of each lesson. Focus is given each day for Evangelism and Application for kids who are already Christians. There is a definite focus on application this year, the activities connect well and do a good job of reinforcing the daily point!
- I found the options for crafts to be creative, varied, affordable and fun!
- I really love the “follow up in one hour” plan – great way to involve everyone in VBS in having a part with the follow up!
- Music is excellent. . . although I would really rather see the kids “front and center” on the DVD as Jeff is distracting. However, I’m very happy to see elementary age kids, boys and children of different races on the DVD this year!
- Love the Missions station!
- Love the “Pray It” portion of each lesson and how it involves kids in praying!
Would like to see –
- ideas to help kids serve in their own communities – possibly add this as a component in the missions station
- resources for churches which do not use the classroom model – Bible lessons in a book for a Bible lesson station and a station with object lessons/science projects/activities – this would provide more options and make the materials easier for churches to use
- While most of the lessons provide ideas to engage the children in the teaching of the Bible lesson, I’d really like to see this more developed with more involvement of the kids and less “lecture” by the teachers.
- More excitement in the opening and closing – this is a great place for object lessons/science projects and give you a big way to once again make your point before kids leave for the day.
LifeWay says, "Watch amazing things happen as kids encounter God like never before—all against the backdrop of some of the world's most marvelous natural wonders. As kids explore Psalm 147:5, they’ll recognize God’s power over all things, trust that God is always in control, accept God’s gift of forgiveness, celebrate that Jesus is alive, and rely on God’s power." Trusting God seems to be a popular focus for 2012 VBS resources and I’m glad this is so! Each lesson emphasizes how Amazing our God is and challenges kids to trust God! In this day and age we all need to hear this message! The setting of traveling around the world is interesting and fun – I love it! If my church used this we would have to add more engagement to the Bible lessons, a local service project and “boost” the opening and close, but overall, Amazing Wonders Aviation is a great option for a VBS with a strong evangelism focus, solid Bible content and as a mission trip resource!
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