2014 VBS - International Spy Academy by Answers in Genesis & Super Kit Give-Away!

Today we are looking at International Spy Academy from Answers in Genesis which has a strong and solid emphasis on, "challenging children to "graduate" as members of the Truth Force - believers who are ready to tell others about the one true God, and His one true Son, Jesus!" International Spy Academy is a resource well worth taking a close look at to see if it is a good "fit" for your ministry!

International Spy Academy

Answers in Genesis

http://answersvbs.com/2014/

1. Uncovering Counterfeits - Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - I Kings 18:20-39
2. Finding Fingerprints - Baptism of Jesus - Matthew 3:13-27
3. Cracking Codes - Moses and the Burning Bush - Exodus 3
4. Collecting Clues - Gospel Presentation Genesis 1-3; Gospels 
5. Hot on the Trail - The Greatest Commandment - Mark 12:28-34

Setting – International Spy Academy Headquarters!

Message – "With International Spy Academy, your mission is to instill in your children an understanding of the one true God and His Son, Jesus. They'll uncover the clues which lead to the one true God - the Creator of all - Who calls people from every tribe and nation to come to know the one true way of salvation and to share it with those around them."

Focus – Evangelism, Content – the Bible is always true and we believe it
Strengths –

• As I would expect, International Spy Academy has a strong emphasis on teaching truth, the infallibility of the Bible and salvation through Jesus! On the fourth day it has a very strong and clear salvation lesson.
• I love the “Go and Do” portion of each lesson where children have specific things to go and do to live what they learned!
• The director’s info is very complete and full of extra information, tips and trivia - love the 20 Tips for the VBS Director!
• I LOVE the science projects included in the craft time - children will love these!
• I love the Top Ten Tips for a VBS Prayer Ministry! Excellent!
• Love the idea for “Praying for you postcards”!
• I found the options for crafts to be varied, affordable and fun!
• The Contest portion of the closing is fun – sure to generate enthusiasm!
• Music is available again this year with a Contemporary or Traditional sound giving churches options
• The "Terrific Trivia Tidbits" are great fun!
• I'm very happy to see two kit options so churches on a limited budget are able to make this work for them, too!
• Last year I said I'd like to see, "More of a focus on intentionally engaging the kids in the teaching of the Bible lesson – less teaching 'at' them and more engaging the kids in discovering what God’s Word says with dramas or other ways they could participate more beyond just answering questions." This year I'm happy to see more engagement of the children in the lessons!
• Last year I said I'd like to see, "More engagement in the opening and closing – perhaps an object lesson/science project – I like the contest in the closing, but an object lesson to once again present the point in a way which leaves the kids saying “wow” would be a great addition" This year there is much more engagement - a science project at the end would still be a great idea, but I am really delighted to see so much improvement in the openings and closings!

Would like to see –

• Ideas to help kids serve in their own communities.
• More children of different races in the music video and get rid of the teens - some songs had children and children of different races, but most had white teens.
• A Bible lesson book for multi-ages – this would make things easier for churches where they do not use a classroom teaching model for the Bible lessons. If you use a learning station format, I'd use the Primary Teacher's Book for the lessons and activities.
• More teaching the Bible lesson from the Bible. There is a little of this in the Primary level, but I'd like to see more of the Bible being opened and children learning from their Bibles

As Answers in Genesis says, “This exciting new Vacation Bible School program is filled with fun mysteries your kids will love and the Bible-based apologetics you trust to teach them truths they won’t forget! With International Spy Academy, your mission is to instill in your children an understanding of the one true God of the Bible they can carry with them for the rest of their lives and share with those around them. They’ll uncover the clues which lead to the one true God who is the Creator of all and who calls people from every tribe and nation to have fellowship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Synchronize your watches and join us at the International Spy Academy, where your special agents will learn to know, love, and live for the one true God!" You may also want to look at this kit as a resource you could use for mid-week ministry . . . Answers in Genesis offers their materials past the end of the summer so you would still be able to find the components you need.

I am happy to say, Answers in Genesis is making available one International Spy Academy Super Starter Kit for me to give away (USA only)! If you are over the age of 18 and would like to be included in the drawing for the Super Starter Kit - which will be on January 28, 2014, please comment below to let me know how it changes your life to know, love and live for the one true God! For me, it gives me great peace to know I can trust God because He is the one true God and incredible joy to know He wants to know me so I can know and love Him back!

In addition if you have followed on Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab in the "Find us on Facebook" box ON THE BLOG or at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed About the Children's Department by email you will receive one entry for each of these which you have done. Plus, if you "share" this post, you'll receive another entry (please let me know if you share). This will help me be able to draw names from among people who would like to win the International Spy Academy Super Starter Kit and it gives you several ways to enter the give-away! Thank you for reading About the Children's Department and for sharing it with the people you know!