Children attending the weeklong Vacation Bible School that commence on January 6, 2014 at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church Signal Fellowship. (Photo Courtesy/Aden Jamir)
Dimapur, January 6: The weeklong “Pandamania: where God is wild about you (Psalm 139)” Vacation Bible School commenced at Dimapur Ao Baptist Church Signal Fellowship on January 6, drawing more than 150 children for the six days of outreach, learning and fun.
The fellowship teacher incharge is coordinating the event with a team of 18 teachers and 18 volunteers. The children, who ranged from pre-kindergarten to 10th class age, have a range of activities available to them throughout the week. This includes snack, craft making, Bible stories, games and singing.
The activities are centered on Bible story for that day, each session is for about 30 minutes, the students are constantly doing something new, and different that kept them engaged.
The focus points of the VBS are to teach children the Bible lessons, educate them concerning the Church, the Bible and missions. It is expected that the education, which students receive during these periods would make them knowledgeable about God’s word and Christianity. Teach in such a way that the students are made to think about what they are taught. VBS is a time for devotion that leads to a religious experience. On chosen theme, messages are developed. The messages are given to help students to have a personal experience with Christ and accept Him as their Saviour and Lord, on Christian growth, worship, witnessing and missions, Second Coming of the Lord, challenging the students to live a life of witness, expecting His glorious return.
VBS may be termed as an extracurricular activity. Time and opportunity is given to the students for self-expression and creative activities. They are encouraged to keep the VBS premises clean and beautiful. In the afternoon, they are asked to make models that go with their lessons. If possible, both students and teachers can come in the afternoon to their classes, to work on the models or it can be done at home.
Activities such as Activities such as “Care and share day”, “Dignity of labour day” and “combine lunch” are included to promote the teaching of love, the challenge of work, earn and give to the cause of missions.
On the final day (Saturday), each class will give short presentation of what they have learnt in VBS classes. They get their workbooks, certificates and other awards to take home.
With this type of a holistic Christian education programme, VBS ministries held students with education, experience and expression, give them knowledge of the Bible, help them to discover God’s love and God-given talents. Opportunities are given to use their creative talents, to help the neighbours and the cause of missions.
