VBS 2017 - Rome - Group Publishing - I'm Giving a Digital USB Flash Drive Away!

One of the four VBS resources Group Publishing releases each year is one with a Bible-times setting - this year the resource is, Rome - Paul and the Underground Church! 

With this resource you get to take children and families from your church and community back to Bible times where they may "experience" life in ancient Rome, as they discover what happened with the start of the church, and discover what life was like in the first century Rome.

Rome - Paul and the Underground Church

Group Publishing

https://www.group.com/category/ministry-resources/childrens-ministry/vbs/rome.do

1. God's love is a gift - Romans 6:23
2. God's love changes us - Romans 12:2
3. God's love is always with us - Romans 8:38
4. God's love saves us - Romans 5:8
5. God's love is worth sharing - Romans 1:16

Setting – Ancient Rome

Message – "From Opening to Closing and everything in between, children are transported to ancient Rome where they’ll meet Bible-times heroes, visit the Roman marketplace and spend time exploring firsthand the unique culture of Paul’s world." 

Focus – Evangelism, Application, Content

Strengths –

• My favorite part of this VBS is the “Tribe Time"– particularly at the close. I really love the activities which engage everyone to help them focus all they did on the point and God’s Word! Solid, memorable Bible learning!
• I love the focus on trusting God!
• I'm very happy to see the Bible lesson portion was significantly more engaging this year - great ideas children and parents will enjoy and remember! Excellent!
• I am really happy to see Group included "Huddle & Prayer" time again this year for the leaders before they begin the activities with their small groups. It is powerful for children and families to see their leaders pray for them before they begin!
• As I would expect, Rome - Paul and the Underground Church from Group has a strong emphasis on intentionally engaging the entire family in creative ways and focusing them on how they can trust God!
• I found the options for crafts to be unique, interesting and fun
• I especially like the "Read the Passage with This in Mind" info for volunteers each day - excellent!
• I found the "Historical Background" for the Shopkeepers to be informative and interesting
• Preschool-friendly Options throughout to help teachers better engage the little ones!
• I'm very happy to see Group including "God Sightings" in Rome - Paul and the Underground Church

Would like to see –

• Ideas to help kids serve in their own communities.
• I was hoping I'd see teachers and children reading from the Bible during the Bible lessons and would love to see this next year
• There are far, far, far too many gadgets and items in this VBS which were made in China. I have significant concerns about child/slave labor for anything made in China and would like to see Group source these items from other places.

Group says, "Explore a crowded Roman marketplace, tiptoe past watchful Roman guards, encourage first-century Christians who meet in a dark cave, race chariots, and visit Paul for daily discoveries about God’s love."  

Group did a great job with Rome - Paul and the Underground Church; it is definitely worth taking a good look at it to see how it might "fit" your children's ministry as it provides a unique learning opportunity for entire families – or for just children and will challenge them to trust God! Great for VBS, a summer family event, mid-week ministry or for a special event during the year, but if you plan to use it after the summer, be sure to order enough of the student/family items – especially for Tribe Time – so you have them when you need them.

I'm very happy to say, since the kit I received for review included the Digital resource, I'm going to give the Digital USB Flash Drive with all the curriculum on it for you to use in your ministry - USA only! If you live in the USA, are over the age of 18 and would like to be in the drawing for this Rome VBS USB Flash Drive, which will be on January 30, 2017, please comment below to let me know what you think is one of the most amazing discoveries about God's love - for me it has to be how big it is! He loves more more than anyone, His love never ends and I can trust Him and His love.

In addition, you will receive additional entries if you have followed on Google+, Google Friend Connect, followed by liking on facebook with the tab at this link (not just liking the post) and/or have followed About the Children's Department by email. For each of these which you have done you will receive one entry. In addition, if you "share" this post, you'll receive an additional 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 Rome VBS USB Flash Drive and it gives you several ways to enter this giveaway!