Bob Ann Breland

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Between Friends with Bob Ann Breland

As we occasionally reach back in time, we can see lots of changes. Among those are entertaining our children during the summer. What do we provide to keep them happy?

I was about 10 the only time I attended Bible school as a child. The nearby churches in the country did not hold Bible school, so there was little chance for me to be exposed to Bible teaching, except at Sunday school.

This particular summer I was staying at my grandparents’ home in Bogalusa for a week and it coincided with Bible school at Pettitt Memorial Baptist Church. Since they only lived a few blocks from the church, I could walk there each morning. The memory is pretty vague, but I loved it and the children. It was the highlight of my summer.

I was thinking about how much Bible school has changed over the years. By the time my children came along, Vacation Bible School had caught on at the country churches, but on a smaller scale and much simpler than experienced today.

VBS was held in the morning, made possible since most all women were stay at home moms and were available to teach and take care of the children.  The outside activities for children during the summer were very limited, so VBS was always well attended.

Refreshments, served during a mid-morning break, consisted of Kool-Aid and cookies. The teaching materials were simple and decorations were the posters sent with the study materials.

There are sweet memories of lining the children up with the flags and the Bible to march in to begin those wonderful days of Bible study, games and crafts. Adults and children alike were excited about Bible school.

Over the years, VBS has evolved from a morning event to nights in many churches, although some still hold VBS in the morning. This has been brought about mainly because so many mothers joined the work force and are not at home during the day. Many a parent comes home after work to teach Bible school at night or help in other ways.

There is no time for supper at home, which means serving a meal at church so everybody can participate; even dads can help. Gone are the days of just Kool-Aid and cookies.

It has also changed because our children are much more sophisticated and aware of the world around them and used to being entertained. Lessons are planned so that they learn about the Lord and His goodness, as well as enjoy the overall experience of interacting with other children.

Modern VBS decorations are creative, colorful, interesting and designed with kids in mind. The workers are trained and enthusiastic. It doesn’t cost anything except maybe a little change so kids learn to give an offering.

I have certificates brought home by my children, some from over 50 years ago. It was a special time in their lives. While other activities all can help build self-esteem, there is nothing to compare to training our children through the Bible to face an ever increasing evil and complicated world.

VBS has changed with the times, but the Bible has not changed. Camps and other activities may interfere with the attendance, but one thing remains constant: children love Bible school. That has not changed since I was a little girl.