VBS 2015 - Top Ten - SonSpark Labs - Gospel Light

I love VBS resources with science stations, so a VBS with a setting and focus which engages children in science projects definitely has my attention!  Today let's take a look at SonSpark Labs from Gospel Light!


SonSpark Labs

Gospel Light

http://www.gospellightvbs.com/sonspark/

1. God's Plan: 2 Make Us! - The Creation Formulation - Genesis 1:1-2:2
2. God's Plan: 2 Be With Us! - The Sin Separation - Genesis 2:8,9, 15-17; 3:1-24
3. God's Plan: 4 Us 2 Know Him! - The Personification Revelation - John 1:1, 2, 14; 5:1-9; 6:16-21; 11:57; 14:1-7
4. God's Plan: 2 Save Us! - The Salvation Solution - Luke 22-24:35
5. God's Plan: 2 Love Us 4-Ever! - The Infinite Implementation - Mark 16:15; Acts 1:1-11; 2:4, 41-47; 4:32-35

Setting – a wacky science lab!

Message – "Children will explore God's life-changing plan for them as they find out the answers to life's most important questions. They will discover God loves them and through Jesus they can be members of God's family and personally experience God's plan for each of us - God's Plan 4 U + Jesus!"

Focus – Evangelism, Bible content and Application

Strengths –

• I LOVE the Missions station info and the Service project ideas – most certainly make this a station for your VBS so children have the opportunity to learn how to live what they believe by serving others!
• Solid Bible teaching with a strong evangelism focus – all lessons focus on God's plan for us and how Jesus saves us.
• Gospel Light made everything - student papers, music, lessons . . . EVERYTHING reproducible! This will save you a significant amount of money!
• Last year I said, "Last year Gospel Light put a “stunt” in the beginning of each day’s Assembly opening - I LOVED them and miss seeing them again this year." I'm VERY happy to say Gospel Light put it back and this year the stunts are excellent!
• The "Assemblies" ideas in the director's book sound like a great way to add to the fun!
• Fun setting – easy to decorate for science lab theme
• I LOVE the idea for an "Add-on Prayer Journal"!
• I like the ideas for “Fun Days”, “Caught in the Act”, “Field Trips” and “Events at church” like last year
• Last year I said I'd like to see, "Music videos with preschool and elementary age children – NOT teens." I'm happy to see only two songs with teens and it looks like the rest have children singing the songs - from what I can see on the preview video.
• I like the "Parent Pocket Guide" 
• "Theme Center" is excellent - be sure to use this somewhere!

Would like to see –

• While I really love the ideas in the third and fourth grade book to involve the children in the teaching of the Bible lesson, I'd like to see the children be engaged more.
• A stronger and more intentional focus on specific things for kids to go and “do” before they return the next day to live what they learned.
• Information to help churches engage and involve Special Needs Kids in their VBS
• Information to help churches select and stay focused on a goal for their VBS

Gospel Light says, "This summer, children will excitedly explore the amazing
SonSpark Labs. They will trace God’s life-changing plan as it’s revealed from Creation to the present and on into the future. They’ll find answers to life’s most important questions. They will discover God loves them and through Jesus they can be members of God’s family and personally experience God’s plan for each of us."  

Overall, SonSpark Labs is a great option for a VBS with a strong focus on evangelism and serving. If you are looking for a resource to engage kids in these things, SonSpark Labs is well worth taking a serious look at to see if it is a good “fit” for your ministry. You could use this also during a week-long missions conference or for a month of missions focus – match the projects you have the kids work on to fit with your missions emphasis/missionaries.