• Vacation Bible School Do's and Don'ts
  The hope in all of the hours of preparation and execution is for children to hear the gospel and come to faith in Christ. No one can make even one child a believer since it is God alone who makes Christians, but there are a few VBS "do's" and "don'ts" that are vital for us to heed if we truly desire to drive children to, not away from, the Savior.
  
  
• Vacation Bible School and the Doctrine of Hell
  The meeting was progressing well until a "pillar" in the church suggested that we "avoid speaking about hell and judgment and those types of things and instead focus on the love of God." This is a common sentiment and desire in the church these days, which is only heightened when the audience is primarily children. "We don't want to frighten the children with such a scary subject as hell, do we?" Actually, yes, we do. I'm not suggesting that you turn your VBS into a haunted house. I am pleading with you, though, not to shy away from teaching children the whole counsel of God, including the Bible's teaching on sin and eternal condemnation.
  
  
• Reading Our Children: Is There Somebody Alive in There?
  "A child who is unregenerate, for instance, one who has attended church, memorizes verses of Scripture, participates in his Sunday class, and knows his Christian music, is just as spiritually dead as Saddam Hussein. In fact, he is as dead as a corpse."
  
  
• An Argument for Learning
  "Christians ought to be the world's brightest thinkers. We should be best, not because we have the degrees ("Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth." 1 Cor. 1:26), but because we start at the right place. "
  
  
• Closing With Christ
  "The more biblical way of “closing with Christ” is to focus on the gospel itself, without props. Whereas the altar call method can be tacked on to just about anything, no matter how absent the gospel, the biblical method demands the hearing of the Word."
  
  
• Guidelines for Children
  Outline to use with children that details what is included in respectful and obedient behavior.
  
  
• Seriousness In Children and Teens
  "Please don’t make the criteria for judging the success of a church’s efforts at reaching children and teens the fun-value of the meetings. God did not command the church to provide entertainment for your kids."
  
  
• Childhood Conversion - "Leaders and parents must consider the benefits of returning to a better method of dealing with the souls of our children. To give assurance on the basis of praying a prayer or some other outward, immediate sign is sealing many in deception and makes them harder to reach in their adult years."
  
  
• A Really Funny Gospel for Kids - "My friend touted the act as "soooooo funny." It was. I mean that he was so funny that I could not help but laugh. What should we think about this approach?"
  
  
• Why Read a Good Book?
  "Never let the reading of books replace the reading of the Bible. Instead of one or the other, do both."
  
  

More articles from www.BulletinInsert.org

• Motives for a Holy and Careful Education of Children - "Richard Baxter recognized the fact that conversion is God's work, not man's. He also recognized that children sometimes reject even the best biblical instruction and training. My hope in providing this piece is that Baxter's words will prompt those who have remaining opportunity with their children to use the time wisely, and to encourage others to do the same."
  Read this article online or click here to download or here to download in A4
  
  
• Children, Obey Your Parents - "Children have become experts these days at stretching and re-interpreting the words of Ephesians 6:1. The result has been to redefine various forms of rebellion as obedience. Even worse, parents have all too often allowed it to happen."
  Read this article online - Download (USA) - A4 download
  
  
• What to Ask Myself Before I Teach the Bible - "The results of our teaching are entirely God's business. But it is our business to be as prepared as possible."
  Click here to read more, or click here to download (USA) or in A4.
  
  
• I Wish You Hadn't Said That Guidelines for Speaking Correctly in Small Groups - "Despite our best intentions, prayer request time and open discussion in a small group setting can be like an obstacle course. We want everyone to grow close and to talk freely about genuine issues in their lives, but while doing so, the group has to conquer hurdles of gossip, criticism and indiscreet speech"
  Read this article online - Download (USA) - A4 Download