VBS - Vacation Bible School

[Unregistered]

I work in a dc and every year, we take the kids to vbs at a local church, over the past year or two I've heard the other teachers talk about how at the end of the week, they will ask the kids if they've been saved and if they say no, they keep the kids and let them ask Jesus into their hearts while the others attend the party. Usually it involves some if our dc kids as well. Here's my question, if a parent finds out about what's going on and comes back and says my child said x. What do you say?

[Blackcat31]

I work in a dc and every year, we take the kids to vbs at a local church, over the past year or two I've heard the other teachers talk about how at the end of the week, they will ask the kids if they've been saved and if they say no, they keep the kids and let them ask Jesus into their hearts while the others attend the party. Usually it involves some if our dc kids as well. Here's my question, if a parent finds out about what's going on and comes back and says my child said x. What do you say?

...in regards to the child attending VBS or about what VBS is asking the kids?

Either way, I would think you have permission from parents that allows their child to attend this VBS program?

If so, what do the parents think happens or is asked/discussed at vacation BIBLE school?
I would assume that type of convo is appropriate at/during a religious environment.

[Cat Herder]

The kids said the party is withheld unless they claim to have been "saved"? Like training a performing monkey with a treat? :dislike:

I would simply have the parent ask the child about it, out of your presence and let them take the lead they feel is appropriate. Slippery slope stuff. Unless, of course, you heard the adult saying that to the child, then I'd recommend validating what the child is saying to their parent.

[Pestle]

I grew up in this and it's toxic. I'm really opposed to VBS programs, because I'm an extremely religious person and I think this is the wrong way to teach religion--by slapping stickers and midi rock songs all over some no-brainer concepts, and then using bribery and shame to pressure kids into praying the Sinner's Prayer at the end of the program. What if they do go through with it? What did it actually mean to them? Do they have any support in learning real church discipline? Is this just a magic incantation to ensure they get into heaven?

Yeah, I have some childhood trauma.

If the parents have signed on to it and you're also in favor of it, then whatever. But have they actually signed on--do they know that it's a program aimed at conversion?

[Blackcat31]

I grew up in this and it's toxic. I'm really opposed to VBS programs, because I'm an extremely religious person and I think this is the wrong way to teach religion--by slapping stickers and midi rock songs all over some no-brainer concepts, and then using bribery and shame to pressure kids into praying the Sinner's Prayer at the end of the program. What if they do go through with it? What did it actually mean to them? Do they have any support in learning real church discipline? Is this just a magic incantation to ensure they get into heaven?

Yeah, I have some childhood trauma.

If the parents have signed on to it and you're also in favor of it, then whatever. But have they actually signed on--do they know that it's a program aimed at conversion?

That is exactly what I am wondering?

[finsup]

I'm a Christian myself and run a Christian program, the parents that come here would have no issue with VBS. That particular one however, um what?! We plant seeds, help children understand how much Jesus loves them, but requiring them to accept him to get a party?! It doesn't work like that! My son will be going to VBS for the first time this year, and it seemed great. Being new to VBS, I'm really hoping this isn't the norm so to speak.
But if the parents are all aware and on board with this, then let them have the discussion with the kids. They definitely should know ahead of time what the program is and the end goal before you take them though.

[jenboo]

I'm a Christian myself and run a Christian program, the parents that come here would have no issue with VBS. That particular one however, um what?! We plant seeds, help children understand how much Jesus loves them, but requiring them to accept him to get a party?! It doesn't work like that! My son will be going to VBS for the first time this year, and it seemed great. Being new to VBS, I'm really hoping this isn't the norm so to speak.
But if the parents are all aware and on board with this, then let them have the discussion with the kids. They definitely should know ahead of time what the program is and the end goal before you take them though.

I've done vbs for years and never have the children been forced to invite Jesus into their hearts. If they did it on their own, awesome! If they don't, no big deal. Seeds have been planted. That's the goal.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I've never heard of a VBS program run that way. :confused: Could you find another VBS program for your daycare kids to attend...

[hwichlaz]

Our VBS isn't run that way...but the one at the same church that runs the local AWANAs program is....and so is their AWANA's program. I walked in at the end to them giving bibles to children who'd asked to be saved and praying for their family members who were not saved. My child doesn't attend there anymore...I won't have anyone scaring her telling her that my ex is going to hell because he's not saved. She's 7.

[Pestle]

Our VBS isn't run that way...but the one at the same church that runs the local AWANAs program is....and so is their AWANA's program. I walked in at the end to them giving bibles to children who'd asked to be saved and praying for their family members who were not saved. My child doesn't attend there anymore...I won't have anyone scaring her telling her that my ex is going to hell because he's not saved. She's 7.

AWANA. Yep. Did a few tours there, too. :: Committing out-of-context snippets of Scripture to short-term memory, spitting them back at the teacher, getting a peg for the pin on my vest. I don't remember a single verse, but I do remember the songs for Cubbies and Sparks. And, as a non-athletic person, I remember the shame from losing every relay race every Wednesday night for years. The kids on my team would groan and boo me, and the teen volunteers would yell at me to "try harder." Nobody loves you when you're a klutz.

If anybody's looking for a reputable way to educate groups of small children in the faith, check out Godly Play. It's a Montessori catechetical program. (There's a Catholic version called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but since my husband's Catholic and I'm not, we're starting to prep with the more generically Christian version.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvfVf13GhYA

[DaveA]

Never heard of AWANA, but grew up in VBS yearly and helped with a few over the years. Never heard anything like that from one. OYE

[hwichlaz]

Never heard of AWANA, but grew up in VBS yearly and helped with a few over the years. Never heard anything like that from one. OYE

It's like co-ed Jesus-Scouts. They earn badges for memorization.

[Mad_Pistachio]

If anybody's looking for a reputable way to educate groups of small children in the faith, check out Godly Play. It's a Montessori catechetical program. (There's a Catholic version called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but since my husband's Catholic and I'm not, we're starting to prep with the more generically Christian version.)

Our church has been using Godly Play for a few years now for kids 4 and under. My daughter enjoyed it quite a bit.

VBS that bullies kids into repentance needs to lose V out of its acronym. :dislike:

[finsup]

AWANA. Yep. Did a few tours there, too. :: Committing out-of-context snippets of Scripture to short-term memory, spitting them back at the teacher, getting a peg for the pin on my vest. I don't remember a single verse, but I do remember the songs for Cubbies and Sparks. And, as a non-athletic person, I remember the shame from losing every relay race every Wednesday night for years. The kids on my team would groan and boo me, and the teen volunteers would yell at me to "try harder." Nobody loves you when you're a klutz.

If anybody's looking for a reputable way to educate groups of small children in the faith, check out Godly Play. It's a Montessori catechetical program. (There's a Catholic version called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, but since my husband's Catholic and I'm not, we're starting to prep with the more generically Christian version.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvfVf13GhYA

That stinks you didn't have a good experience with Awana, so many I know speak so highly of it. My son loves it, but we do go deeper then just memorizing for the sake of memorizing. I will definitely check out that program though! It sounds great!

[bklsmum]

I would lose my S*** if I saw something like that happening with one of my kids or one of my daycare kids. So not ok!