Mystery Island is the VBS from Answers in Genesis this year, so today we will take a close look at to see if it is a good "fit" for your ministry.Mystery Island
Answers in Genesis
- GOD IS GREAT! - Paul in a City of Idols - Acts 17:16–34 - God is GREAT! He is the one and only God who is the awe-inspiring Creator.
GOD IS ALMIGHTY! - Jonah, Book of Jonah, Psalm 139 - God is ALMIGHTY! He is all knowing, all powerful, and all present.
GOD IS RULER! - Isaiah’s Vision - Isaiah 6:1–3, Psalm 8 - God is RULER! He is the majestic king who is holy and perfect.
GOD IS EMMANUEL! - God Came to Earth (Gospel Presentation) Select Scriptures - God is EMMANUEL! He is the loving, good Savior who came to earth.
GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY! - David Trusts God - 1 Samuel 17 - God is TRUSTWORTHY! He is our rock. We should praise, thank, worship, adore, and live for him
Setting –
Message – At Mystery Island, we’ll uncover the truth about our Creator God!
Focus – Evangelism, Content
Price - Basic Starter Kit - $99 - with digital pro - $248; Super Starter Kit - $189 - with digital pro - $288.
Strengths –
Price - Basic Starter Kit - $99 - with digital pro - $248; Super Starter Kit - $189 - with digital pro - $288.
Strengths –
- As I would expect, Mystery Island has a strong emphasis on teaching how God is real and trustworthy, the infallibility of the Bible and salvation through Jesus!
- LOVE the focus and emphasis put upon finding a Prayer Coordinator for the VBS - excellent!
- I'm very happy to see children opening and reading the Bible during the Bible event.
- I'm also very happy to see AIG use the terminology, "Bible account" instead of, "Bible story"
- I LOVE the Apologetics Focus in each day's lesson - children need to know what and why we believe. Apologetics absolutely MUST become part of every Bible adventure we teach at home and at church as we have to teach children why they are able to believe God is real and they are able to trust His Word with confidence. This is something I'd like to see every publisher add to all their curriculum resources.
- 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 would use one from each day in the closing for extra engagement of the children.
- I love the Top Ten Tips for a VBS Prayer Ministry! Excellent!
- Love the idea for “Praying for you postcards”!
- I really like the part of each day's closing this year where they learn about the unique animal for the day and all the ways they show God is real and He created them - and us. Excellent and interesting.
- 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!
- I'm happy to see more engagement of the children in the lessons!
Would like to see –
- Ideas to help children serve in their own communities.
- 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 Junior Teacher's Book for the lessons and activities for all ages.
- Not a huge fan of the Puppet option in the Primary age level.
Answers in Genesis says; “Is there just one God? . . . Who is God? . . . What is God like? . . . Does God love me? . . . Can I know God? Our kids grapple with questions like these every day. At Mystery Island, we’ll uncover the truth about our Creator God! There’s a sea of confusion about who God is and what He’s like, so we’ll track down the one true God and learn how amazing He is through the pages of Scripture. Mystery Island VBS is packed with teaching which connects the Bible to the real world and gives kids a better understanding of our awe-inspiring Creator and the salvation He offers through Jesus Christ. Each day, kids will learn more about one of God’s amazing attributes (great, almighty, ruler, Emmanuel, trustworthy) and how this applies to their lives."
Mystery Island is an excellent and very effective resource for VBS - one which will impact and reach children and families for Jesus; and help them understand the truth about God and His Word. You may also want to look at Mystery Island as a resource you could use for mid-week ministry . . . Answers in Genesis offers their materials past the end of the summer, so you will still be able to find the components you need.
Mystery Island is an excellent and very effective resource for VBS - one which will impact and reach children and families for Jesus; and help them understand the truth about God and His Word. You may also want to look at Mystery Island as a resource you could use for mid-week ministry . . . Answers in Genesis offers their materials past the end of the summer, so you will still be able to find the components you need.
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