VBS 2022 - Group Publishing - Jerusalem Marketplace

Today is the last VBS review for 2022 and I'm happy to look at "Jerusalem Marketplace" from Group Publishing - which lets you take your children to Jerusalem where they will experience what it may have been like in the market the week Jesus died on the cross.

Jerusalem Marketplace
by - Group Publishing
https://www.group.com/childrens-ministry/vbs/jerusalem-marketplace/

Scope and Sequence -

1. Jesus is King - Philippians 2:11 - Jesus Christ is Lord. - Crowds welcome Jesus to Jerusalem - Matthew 21:1-11
2. Jesus showed God's love - John 13:34 - You should love each other. - Jesus shares Passover with the disciples - John 13:1-17
3. Jesus loves us - Romans 8:39 - Nothing . . . will ever be able to separate us from the love of God. - Jesus prays in the garden and is arrested - John 17:1-18:11
4. Jesus died for us - Romans 5:8 - God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us. - Jesus is crucified - Luke 23:1-55
5. Jesus lives - Isaiah 43:1 - Since I live, you also will live. - Jesus rises from the dead - Matthew 28:1-10

Setting - The bustling town of Jerusalem.

Theme - Children will "visit" Jerusalem and "experience" what it may have been like when Jesus was there.
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 following up the Bible lesson this year with extremely creative and engaging activities - they are solidly grounded in God's Word and intentionally designed to engage children. Tremendously well done, Group.
• I love the "God Sightings"
• Fun songs reinforce the points
• Excellent info on decorating - Group will help you transform your church into Jerusalem's marketplace!
• Mission project - Operation Kid2Kid - children will raise money to buy school supplies for Native American children on reservations.
• 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 
• 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 - maybe have them also gather school supplies to help children in their communities?

Group says; "Step back in time to where Jesus walked to the cross. Smell the fresh, warm bread; weave a basket of reeds; make clay pots… Can you hear the music echoing through the Marketplace? Engage all senses as you transport your church to a different time and a fresh experience—and walk with Jesus today!"

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 use which involves the entire families in this summer, be sure to take a serious look at "Jerusalem Marketplace"". 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 "Jerusalem Marketplace"" 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!