I know I’ve said it numerous times before, and often in jest; but VBS is truly about
Vacation, Bible, and School. Let’s discuss what that means to the Christian. (2 Cor. 5:14-15, 2
Tim. 1:6-7, Heb. 10:24-25, 2 Peter 1:12-15, 2 Peter 3:1-2):
VACATION: We need time away from the world. We are not “of the world” (Jn. 15:18-
19; 1 John 2:15-17), but God and Jesus don’t want us to be “taken out of the world” (Jn. 17:14-
16); otherwise, who would “preach The Word?” (2 Tim. 4:1-2) When we “go on vacation” we slip
away from the business and distractions that “so easily beset us” in our everyday walk of life.
(Heb. 12:1-2, James 1:21-22) We do this in order to renew and refresh our body, mind, and spirit
to be able to return to our secular jobs and (hopefully) do them better. But what good is our secular
job, if we lose our soul? (Mt. 16:26, Mk. 8:36-37, Lk. 12:16-21) When we have a gospel meeting,
a Bible camp, or a VBS, we are taking time away “from the world” so that we might “stir up the
gift of God” (2 Tim. 1:6-7) and “stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24-25), so that we might
“receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21-22)
These are all designed to renew and refresh our body, mind, and spirit to be able to continue the
spiritual job that remains for us every day. To be good, faithful, obedient Christians; we need time
away from the world (i.e. a vacation). But, what should be our focus during this time away?
BIBLE: The Word of God is vitally needed. So many today fail to understand that whether
they believe it or not, The Truth is always true. We know that “the entirety of Your Word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” (Psalms 119:160; see also John
17:17-19) Because of this, especially as Christians, we should be spending our time learning,
thinking about, and sharing The Truth with the world, but also with each other! It is hard to share
something you don’t know and knowing something takes study, work, and diligence! (2 Timothy
2:15) As students of The Word, we should understand it and allow it to fulfill it’s purpose:
“piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12). When we desire to study, learn, share, and
grow; the best way to do so is in “school” with those who wish to do the same!
SCHOOL: Those who wish to study, learn, share, and grow, can know that they have open
access to The Truth that is able to accomplish all of those desires: “All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
(2 Timothy 3:16-17) We can learn the doctrine with it. We can reprove it again and again. We can
make corrections to ourselves and others with it. We can share it with (instruct) others by using it.
In doing all those things, we can accomplish every good work and grow into maturity. When we
“attend the school of God’s Word,” we can study, learn, share, and grow into maturity, perfection
and the “measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Shouldn’t we all be working toward that
goal?
So, what will you do? We should never stop learning! We daily attend the school of life,
but as Christians we should take a “vacation” from the world, and regularly attend Bible school
…When Paul was in Athens (Acts 17:16-17) daily living “in the school of life,” “his spirit was
provoked within him” and “he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile
worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.”…Is your “spirit
provoked within” you as you see our society “given over to idols” in the school of life?
Shouldn’t we be reasoning and discussing The Truth with the people we happen to be with? If
you’re not as prepared as you should be, it seems like you should involve yourself with VBS,
and take a “vacation” to study The “Bible” in “school!” May God bless our VBS with more
“Defenders” of The Faith; so that we all might be a part of the “Hope of Eternal Life Manifested
Everywhere Today” (H.E.L.M.E.T)
– by Chris Floyd