VBS 2015 - Hometown Nazareth by Group Publishing

Today I'm happy to look at "Hometown Nazareth" from Group Publishing - which lets you take your children to Jesus' hometown, Nazareth, where they will experience village life as Jesus might have lived it when He was a boy!

Hometown Nazareth
by - Group Publishing
http://www.group.com/vbs/hometown-nazareth

Scope and Sequence -

1. Jesus had a Family - We do, Too! - Luke 1:26-38 - Mary is chosen to be Jesus' mother!
2. Jesus had a Name - We do, Too! - Luke 2:1-40 - Jesus is born and gets His name!
3. Jesus had a Home - We do, Too! - Matthew 2:13, 14, 19-23 - Jesus' Family Escapes to Egypt!
4. Jesus went to Church - We do, Too! - Luke 2:41-52 - Jesus went to the Temple!
5. Jesus served Others - We do, Too! - John 2:1-12 - Jesus does a Miracle in Cana!

Setting - Nazareth - the village with shops, homes and more

Theme - Children will "visit" Jesus' boyhood town and hear "Mary" tell about His boyhood and how they can stand up for their faith even when others doubt Jesus really is God's Son!
Focus – Evangelism, Application and Content 
Strengths - 

• Solid Bible Lessons - strong salvation emphasis and application for children who already know Jesus! 
• I'm very happy to see a specific station for the Bible lesson this year with extremely creative and engaging lessons - they are solidly grounded in God's Word and intentionally designed to engage children in the teaching of the lessons! Tremendously well done, Group!
• I love the "God Sightings"
• I love the "Notes from Nazareth" and the Historical Background - very interesting and useful!
• Fun songs reinforce the points - good mix of boys, girls and children of different races on the dvd - I'd like to see more elementary age children on the dvd, but since "Hometown Nazareth" is for the entire family I do like to see all ages - and adults on this dvd. Hear a sample of the music here.
• I love the "i-Grow Chart" - this is a unique, fun and engaging resource for the family . . . I'd like the price point to be lower, but one per family it isn't too bad!
• I love the "Bringing it Home" family faith builders!
• Excellent info on decorating - Group will help you transform your church into a Bible-times village!
• Mission project - Operation Kid2Kid - Kits for Kids - children will raise money to buy Bibles for children in Thailand.
• Mostly complete director's information 
• All stations reinforce and teach the daily Bible points

Would Like to See - 

• I'd like to see more information in the Director's book about how to screen volunteers, and develop a goal for your VBS
• I'd like a basic kit option for churches on a very tight budget
• Activities for children to involve them in serving their own communities

Group says; "Everyone knows what it’s like to hear your mom tell stories from your childhood. Can you imagine the kinds of stories Mary could tell? Take your kids back to Hometown Nazareth, where they’ll stand up for their faith among people who doubt the carpenter’s son is really God’s son. At Hometown Nazareth VBS, you’ll reinforce Bible truth in a big way because the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into each activity. God’s Word comes alive through engaging interaction with Bible history!"

The last time Group offered Hometown Nazareth, it came in second place in my Top Ten VBS resources. It is just as excellent this year, but I did not have the information I needed to run my review in time for the Top Ten. I really love this VBS resource . . .  the lessons are engaging and the focus is clearly on intentionally helping children and families understand how to live what they learn by giving them opportunity to do so! If your primary goal for VBS is to help children and families understand God's Word can be understood and lived or if you are looking for a resource you can involve entire families in this summer, be sure to take a serious look at "Hometown Nazareth". If you do not select this for your VBS, look for another opportunity to utilize it as your families will not be the same after experiencing "Hometown Nazareth" together - they will absolutely be strengthened through this experience! Since the setting is a Bible times village, this VBS should be easy to set up in an outdoor venue!