VBS 2014 - Gangway to Galilee from Concordia Publishing

Today we're looking at Gangway to Galilee from Concordia Publishing House! Concordia combined a sailing setting with a journey to key places on and around the Sea of Galilee where children will learn about God's amazing Grace!

Gangway to Galilee

Concordia Publishing House

http://vbs.cph.org/2014/index.asp

1. Jesus calls me - Jesus calls His disciples - Matthew 4:18-25
2. Jesus teaches me - Jesus teaches from the boat - Luke 5:1-11
3. Jesus keeps me safe - Jesus calms the storm - Mark 4:35-41
4. Jesus saves me - Jesus walks on the water - Matthew 14:22-23
5. Jesus provides all I need - Jesus appears to seven disciples - John 21:1-14

Setting – Sites on and around the Sea of Galilee

Message – Children will discover how Jesus saves them now and eternally through His amazing Grace!

Strengths –

• Gangway to Galilee has a strong evangelistic emphasis
• Excellent, creative and engaging lessons which do a tremendous job of getting children to open their Bibles and read during the lessons!
• I especially love the second part of each Bible lesson where children talk in groups about the lesson, what it means and how they live it - excellent!
• I LOVE the "Big Catch Bible Challenge" station – LOVE how children focus on God's saving Word, learning it, understanding it and living it in their everyday lives!
• Strong focus on the Bible and getting the kids into it!
• Director’s book is easy to understand and covers almost everything you need to know as you plan, prepare and present your VBS
• Love the "Daily Encouragement" ideas which connect with each day's point . . . you can use these with your volunteers during VBS!
• Excellent and complete safety info - all publishers should include the info Concordia does!
• I am glad the student CD also includes a DVD of the songs - I'd still like to see more children of different races on the DVD and NO teens.

Would like to see –

• More enthusiasm in the open/closing – object lessons, science projects, stunts – something to capture the kid’s attention and get them thinking!
• More craft ideas - especially inexpensive ideas which do not require craft kits.
• Activities to involve the children in serving their communities
• While there are some activities to help kids take what they learned out of the church and live it in their everyday lives, every day, Concordia did a better job with these last year.
• Information on how to involve special needs kids in the VBS - last year these ideas were spread throughout the curriculum and I am not seeing them this year. I'd like to see them added back in next year.

Concordia says, “Children learn about Jesus' amazing grace every day and in every way at Gangway to Galilee. God's Word and Good News, His gracious gift of the Savior, is at the center of every lesson. That's VBS with Purpose - where REAL fun is both engaging and enriching!” If you are looking for a VBS with a strong evangelistic focus and a theme which is thoroughly woven through each part of the day, take a good look at Gangway to Galilee!