Jamie the Go Fish Guy

The Definition Of Going Crazy...

...is doing the same thing over and over expecting to get different results.

If the primary purpose of your vacation Bible school is to share the gospel and teach kids about the Bible, then let me ask you a few questions.  I want you to answer honestly as you reflect on previous VBS experiences.

Do your teachers actively use a Bible during VBS?

Do your kids actively use a Bible during VBS?

Do you present the gospel of Jesus Christ at VBS?  By this I mean a biblical presentation of the gospel that includes the law, judgment, sin, the cross, resurrection, forgiveness, repentance, and a total surrender to the will of God as taught in the Bible.

Is there a possibility that someone outside of the church could be offended by what you're teaching at VBS?  While this isn't our goal, it is a biblical truth that the gospel by it's very nature is offensive to many.  If you've sacrificed hard truths to make the gospel "easier to swallow" for those in the community, you're not following the example of Jesus.

Do your VBS kids know that following Jesus will not be easy?

Do your VBS kids know that Jesus Christ is the only way to God?  (there's that offensive thing again!)

If you answered no to any of these questions then I think you need to choose differently when picking a curriculum this year.  If these items haven't been a priority to your curriculum publisher in the past, chances are they won't be in the future.  Kids need the Truth.  Kids need the Bible.  Kids need Jesus.  There's a war going on for the souls of our kids and it's time for churches to stop playing it safe and enter the battlefield. It's time to put the Bible back into vacation Bible school!

Lazy Evangelism

I used to subscribe to the idea that if I had a "look of peace and happiness" about me unbelievers would come knocking on my door because they "wanted what I had".  Looking back, I am aware that this was just an excuse for me to avoid being bold when it came to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I recently heard the following Chinese proverb that described my results perfectly:

"Man who waits for roast duck to fly into mouth must wait very long time."

Family Dies For Their Faith

We've been telling kids all summer the following truth at our concerts:

Being a Christian won't solve all your problems.  It doesn't mean bad things won't happen to you.  As a matter of fact, Jesus made it clear that His followers would be persecuted.  Things will be harder for you if you are a Christian.  You will be made fun of and put down if you are truly following Him.  However, knowing that you are forgiven and that your eternity is secure is the best thing you can do.  The only way to do that is by surrendering your life to Jesus Christ.

I thought of this today when I read this article about a family who was burned to death for being Christians in Pakistan.  If we tell people that all they need to do is believe in Jesus and everything will be great, we are seriously doing damage to those who "try Jesus out" only to be disappointed or let down later in life.  The gospel is not about getting our "best life now" (as some tv preachers would suggest), it's about getting it later.  It's about surrendering this life to Christ instead of living for yourself. 

This family made the right choice and there is no doubt where they are today and WHO they're still praising!