Can You Dig It?

Daniel Fritz

With our Vacation Bible School beginning tomorrow, I thought it would be a good idea to say a few words about the week ahead. Our theme for this years VBS is "Can You Dig It?" It encourages us to really dig into what the scriptures are trying to say. We often take Bible passages at face value, but to really profit from many Bible passages we must dig into the text and devour it, really getting to the meaning of the passage. Often familiar stories have greater meaning than are visible when we only scratch the surface. We must dig deeper to find the real meaning of the passage and that is what we plan to do this week. Each night this week we will be unearthing different types of hearts as we dig deep into various stories in the life of Christ. Let me present four reasons why you should make every effort to attend each night of this years VBS.

Classes For All Ages

Contrary to popular belief, which says VBS is just for children, the elders have specifically included classes for the teenagers as well as adults so all may have a chance to dig into the word. Each group, toddler through adult, will be dealing specifically with digging into the scriptures. This year's adult class will be taught by Alex in the auditorium, and he will be digging into the "Sermon On the Mount," from Matthew 5-7. If you would like to study ahead, the first couple of lessons will be dealing with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). This week will be a great opportunity to increase your child's knowledge, and also your own.

We Come To Worship God

We should also attend each night since we will be coming together to worship God. Jesus said in John 4,"23 But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (NASB). We come together first and foremost to worship God. Vacation Bible School's are meant to be a more casual environment when compared to Sunday or Wednesday Bible classes, but we must never forget why we are here. Whenever we come together to study the Word of God we engage in worship, since we show the respect we have for the Lord by showing respect for His word. Each evening we will also be singing songs of praise to God and going before Him in prayer. Clearly each night this week will be an opportunity to worship the God of Heaven.

A Time To Grow

Another reason is because it will be a time to grow. Peter said, "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation" (1 Pet.2:2 NASB). He also said, "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Pet.3:18 NASB). Like a baby insisting on their milk, we are to have a burning desire for the word of God. We should make every effort to be present throughout this week since it will be a great opportunity to grow in our knowledge of God's will for us.

Encourage One Another

A final reason why we should attend each night is we will have the opportunity to encourage one another. Paul said, "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing" (1 Thess.5:11 NASB). By faithfully attending every night of our VBS we can encourage others to be faithful in studying God's word. By our actions we show others where our priorities are and thus where their priorities should be. We not only say to our children that Bible study is important but we show them by our actions that we really do believe it. We must practice what we preach and thus we must demonstrate the same desire for God's word that we are encouraging them to have. The fact is we may never know the kind of impact we have on someone by just being present. Make it a point to come each night during this year's VBS since your presence will be a positive and encouraging influence on all who are in attendance.

I hope you will put forth every effort to be present throughout this year's VBS. Not only will you have the opportunity to worship God, but you will also grow in knowledge from the things taught, and with your presence each night will be an encouragement to all who attend.