Full Disclosure: I’ve never used Group’s VBS themes in my church. But every year I am more impressed with their packaging and content. I’ve even bought the outdated music DVD to use for our children’s church worship time.
My first look at the Power Lab VBS Theme left me wanting to find out more. Again, Group has put together an engaging and innovative Vacation Bible School program. This post offers my first impressions of Group 2008 Power Lab Vacation Bible School. All opinions are based off their promotional website. I’ll write a more in depth review once I see the real materials this winter. If Power Lab VBS is not your style you can seen the dozens of 2008 Bible School themes on my VBS preview page.
What I Like About Group Power Lab VBS 2008
- The Power Lab VBS website delivers the WOW factor. The introduction page was cool, even though it took me a minute to figure out. I loved the video clips from their “field test” of the curriculum. Group is ahead of the curve on innovations.
- The DVD led music is a winner for “wired” kids. The DVDs give you lyrics, virtual song leaders and instant atmosphere. This is a major benefit for smaller churches.
- The cartoon characters are the kind of graphics that will relate will with your Cartoon Network kids.
- Their VBS 2008 forum is already very active. This kind of peer support is what makes Group standout.
- An online registration package is included. If you don’t do web based registration you are working too hard.
- I like the focus on Jesus’ power rather than our moral abilities. As most of my readers will know I can’t stand the typical Children’s ministry message, “Be a good boy so God will love you.” Group avoids this and focuses on Jesus as the power to live right.
- The music is a mix of contemporary praise songs, classic hymns and original VBS music. This means your kids will learn songs that will be around for years to come. The full track list is not available yet. But the sample videos look like they’ve picked a great mix of songs.
What I Didn’t Like About Group Power Lab VBS 2008
- What’s wrong with the Old Testament? I may sound like a broken record but the whole Bible is God’s Word – even for children. The Power Lab VBS has only one 1 of 5 memory verses from OT. And none of the stories are from OT. This is not acceptable. If we end up buying this curriculum I will have to substitute at least one story from the Old Testament. Note To Group Publishing: There is plenty of Jesus’ power in the Old Testament too.
- The only day that seems to focus on the Gospel is Thursday. I think this is a mistake. Even church kids need to hear the Gospel more than that. I would be afraid that unbelievers would not have enough exposure to the Gospel in only one session. I’ll wait to see more on this. But if Power Lab goes light on the Gospel then they’ve missed the “power of God for salvation.” (Romans 1:16)
- The “WOW, ZAP, BAM, POW, ZING” stuff is a little weird. It would be a mistake to go overboard with it. I can just imagine my boys going into Batman mode.
- The theme song will sound like the an Oldies radio station to the children. The lead song may please your church volunteers but I can’t imagine the typical kid in my church getting excited about the 50’s sound. The good news is that the other songs seem to be better. I would like to see more VBS programs exploring modern rock or hip hop sounds.
More Details About Group Power Lab VBS 2008
- Starter Kit: 129.99
- Day 1 – Bible Point: Jesus gives us the power to be thankful.
Bible Story: WOW! Jesus heals 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19).
Power Verse: “Always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). - Day 2 -Bible Point: Jesus gives us the power to help others.
Bible Story: Jesus gives sight to a blind man (John 9:1-41).
Power Verse: “When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them” (Romans 12:13). - Day 3 – Bible Point: Jesus gives us the power to be brave.
Bible Story: Jesus gives Peter courage to walk on water (Matthew 14:22-33).
Power Verse: I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4). - Day 4 – Bible Point: Jesus gives us the power to live forever.
Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life (Luke 23:26-24:53).
Power Verse: “Since I live, you also will live” (John 14:19). - Day 5 – Bible Point: Jesus gives us the power to tell others about God.
Bible Story: The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47).
Power Verse: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15)
I hope this short preview was helpful to you. If so, you might like all my 2008 Vacation Bible School reviews. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think.
Even More Children's Ministry Ideas
My Preview Of LifeWay Outrigger Island VBS 2008
The official 2008 LifeWay VBS website is still a few weeks away, but they are already leaking some information on their new Vacation Bible School themes. Tonight, I spent a few min. . .
Answers In Genesis 2008 VBS Creation Theme Bible School
Update: I’ve posted my review for the 2009 Answers VBS titled Operation Space.
I spent a few hours tonight looking over the new Answers In Genesis VBS 2008. I was very please. . .
How To Choose The Right Vacation Bible School Curriculum
Photo by Freeparking
Vacation Bible School curriculum options are getting better every year. With the host of excellent VBS themes comes a problem – which one is right for your c. . .
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Hiya Tony,
I really enjoyed your post. Thanks for giving us a peek at what is on the horizon. I hope you don’t mind if I share a few thoughts from my perspective.
One of the great things about Group is they embrace feedback. Why not contact them with your concerns if you have not already done so? I think you will find them very appreciative.
As for the content issues you raised, I think I see what you are saying. Personally, I haven’t got a problem with a publisher making an editorial decision to use all NT or all OT in a specific VBS, especially given its limited scope. I do know that in the context of their year-round curricula they work through the OT as well as the NT.
I also understand what you are saying about the timing and scope of the gospel presentation. For me, it all boils down to the user’s intended purpose for the VBS. Is it for outreach primarily to unchurched areas? Is it for discipleship primarily to churched kids? Is it some combination of both? In my church, my primary emphasis is outreach. The church kids are welcome to attend, but our focus is those who do not know Christ. Therefore, I either write or purchase materials which will meet that need.
As I am sure you are aware, Group has a philosophy of ministry that is unique in the publishing world. They base it on the R.E.A.L acrostic: Relational, Experiential, Applicable, Learner-based.
I think they do the best job out of any of the publishers of encouraging their learners to apply each teaching-learning point specifically, measureably and realistically, based on each session. While it has been several years since I have used their material due to my team’s preference for Gospel Light (I love Gospel Light, too. However in my consulting ministry I have kept current on Group), I would have no problem enthusiastically recommending it based on their educational philosophy and their commitment to raising biblical literacy in ways that complement a variety of age-appropriate learning styles.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. Again, great job wrestling with the issues.
Blessings,
Glen Woods
Glenn,
Good insights. I get the feeling that Group has really earned all the success they have had by writing great curriculum. Our local Christian bookstore carries Group so I will definitely give it a closer look this winter before deciding.
Tony,
I have been with Group for 3 years now and our church LOVES it! The R.E.A.L. method that Group has REALLY works!!! I would have to say one thing though if you pick Group’s VBS is to do everything that Group says. If you don’t the experiences are lost.
To answer your question about the Old Testament and the New Testament, Group is focusing of Jesus’ MIRACULOUS power and Jesus’ miracles are only in the New Testament. I understand that some churches like a mix of both but in my opinion it really doesn’t matter as long as the kids are learning more about God and applying what they learn to their lives.
As for the Gospel Emphasis on Thursday, Group believes that all kids are at different levels in the walk with Christ so they devote Thursday’s experiences to the Gospel. The activities on Thursday are always powerful and kids are saved from it. If you were a non-Christian and you were focused with the Gospel everyday how would that make you feel? Just something to think about. You can always add Gospel Emphasis if you like. I don’t believe it’s needed.
The different sounds before the Bible Stories don’t mean anything. The ONE Bible Point response for Power Lab is “Aha!”
God Bless,
Josh Trommer
Josh,
Your comments are very helpful. Thanks for sharing. I think my objections have more to do with my philosophy of ministry. I can definitely see the point about Jesus miraculous power.
I’m glad to have your feedback. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing more of Power Lab.
Tony – A note about the OT/NT issue. Group alternates years for focus. This year’s AR was all OT stories, with only 1 NT Treasure Verse (what they call memory verses). Next years stories are from the NT. 2009 will be back to the OT.
I feel like Group is the “trendy” VBS and the one that everybody uses . . . so if your outreach overlaps with that of other churches in your area, it will be “reruns” by the time the kids come to you.
I also am a hardcore Children Desiring God fan, and so I am more about soaking kids in biblical truth than in doing what’s “trendy” or “in”. This is probably unfair to Group, but I find that I tend to just dismiss them automatically. I’m not someone who has ever wanted to do what “everybody else” is doing . . .
one more thing. I was at a bookstore’s VBS preview for a handful of publishers one year, and the Group rep totally blew away the 30-minute time limit and took easily 45 or more, running the risk of cutting other presenters short. I took this as a sign of a kind of “we’re the biggest” arrogance–kind of a “Wal-mart” thing.
but again, that’s probably just me.
Rain,
I understand what your saying about Group being the “trendy” VBS and Group gets that alot from their customers. Some VBS Directors do pass up Group because many churches use it but VBS Directors also can put a different spin on a VBS. Group published Avalanche Ranch for VBS 2007 and some VBS Directors went more for the Western-style ranch and some stuck with Group’s Montana Ranch theme. For Power Lab, you could have a futuristic science theme with time travel, space, and mad scientists or you could have a regular science lab. No two Group VBS programs are the same.
Many churches use Group because it works! Group makes sure that every piece of the puzzle is put in place for you to have a successful VBS. Group listens to their customers (many publishers fall short of this) and researches what the kids like and puts that in their VBS curriculum.
The Group representative at the Bookstore Preview probably went a little overboard but they have alot in their script to cover. In my opinion, the representatives make or break the business of the publisher. When I went to a Bookstore VBS Preview, the representative for Gospel Light was a mess. No one could hear her because she didn’t have her microphone right and her DVD wasn’t working.
I have been with Group’s VBS for 3 years now (going on 4) and it’s the best VBS that I’ve been involved with. I encourage you to expereience the fun, excitement, and impact it has on your kids’ lives.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer
Great conversation you have going on here, Tony.
Interesting comments about Group’s trendiness. I have heard this alot too. If by trendiness, we mean that Group is setting a standard to which other publishers feel inspired (I prefer the word inspired since it is a much more positive connotation than “compelled”) to attain, then yes, I think Group is a trendsetter. I could argue that some of the other publishers have taken things up a notch in the past few years as well. I think of Standard Publishing with their Treasures of the Nile VBS a few years ago, and Gospel Light’s Sonforce Kids was a hit in my church this year.
Over the years I have had a few Christian parents who are members of other churches from other neighborhoods, and more than a few from my church, berate me about using this or that curriculum on account of what other churches are using. They bemoan the fact that their kids have already been through that curriculum and they want something different. My response is gentle and concise: To the parents from other churches I say thank you for your opinion. We are choosing to use the curriculum we feel will best meet the needs of unchurched kids in our neighborhood, kids whom no church has yet impacted with the Gospel. If this does not meet the needs of your family, then I recommend you go ahead and return to your church. To parents in my church, I say: feel free to take your kids to other church VBS’s, but please remember this is an outreach event for unchurched kids, rather than a discipleship event for our kids.
As for the Group representative who went over the time limit, remember that they aren’t typically Group employees. Often they are local children’s ministry directors who get a stipend for presenting the material at workshops. So maybe a bit of gentle feedback directly to the individual will help them learn from the experience and do better next time. Just a thought!
I have to tell you I got alot of flack for using Group publishing this year. Our small church has always used Gospel Light. But, I weighed and measured and considered all the VBS and being a small church, who includes an adult and teen VBS Group Avalanche Ranch worked out awesome for us. For the price, I felt that we got the most for our money. With a limited staff pool, when my music leaders didn’t show up as director I filled in(God bless the DVD). One of the biggest skeptics is who I answer to on our Christian Ed committee and she was the storyteller and she was just knocked out, by looking at the kids moved by the message she presented. My kids at VBS heard and got the gospel and were moved by it.
Robyn,
Thanks for the good report. It seems like Group is definitely doing some things very well. I’ve heard similar stories from people here in my town.
Hi Everyone,
Just a note. I have been involved with the leadership team for VBS at our church for 10 years now. We have used Group for 9 of those years. Before that our church tried a lot of other things. We love Group because of the flexibility – the well supplied kit with very clear instructions that even first time staff members can understand and use well.
As the Bible Lady, I appreciate the way they make the events of the Bible real for kids in a way that they never forget. Years later, a good number of our kids still remember some of the Bible events and are now involved as leaders themselves because they want to share the excitement.
We have seen the very non-believing community around our church touched in a huge way just because Group has done their research putting together their program. Every VBS program has it’s quirks. Go through the material and make the slight changes in wording to fit with the way you wish to present Jesus in your church but all in all, the message is fantastic – and the kids get it … for years afterwards. AWESOME!!
-Darlene
I worked as a children’s coordinator at my last church for 4 years. In those 4 years, we have used several different publishers, all needing re-vamping of the curriculum before it was satisfactory to all involved. I tended to be the creative end of VBS, while someone else tended to be concerned about the lesson content of the curriculum. I found that if the publisher tended to be great on lesson content, they had little to no creative help (game & craft ideas, skit and opening ideas, decorating ideas and clip art, etc) and visa versa. I had always had my eye on the Group Holyland Adventure series and could never get my suggestions noticed until this last year. One concern of those helping to select the VBS curriculum was that they didn’t like the story illustrations (was the modern, big head cartoon drawings). This past year, illustrations were much more well drawn, and come to find out that this was because of many comments Group had received.
We used the Bethlehem Village curriculum and I was thrilled. We began preparing for VBS back in November. I loved the director’s book – it was packed full of ideas and all I kept thinking was “This is in the Director’s Manual. I won’t have to create that document or list, etc.” I feel that Group really tries to excel in both the creative and content areas. I loved all the neat ideas that Group comes up with to make each year special for the kids (ie, each Tribe has nametags and bandanas just for thier tribe that is different from all the other tribes). Not to mention this specific curriculum (Holyland Adventure) is great if you are interested in a rotation for VBS. This way you get a “same but different” feel every year. Decorations, costumes, certain purchased items can be used year to year to allow more budget to be used elsewhere. While the idea of the Holyland stays the same, the locale changes, the characters change and activities change so your kids stay engaged.
Group is certainly not for every church, but on the whole they go above and beyond in developing user-friendly, time and budget saving ideas to help you put on as big or as little of a VBS as you want. I have found that with this curriculum that the standard Bible lesson time is missing. There is a story – everyday it is presented as a drama, as if it is happening right around the kids. It is presented at a sporadic time each day. Our church was not able to do this – primarily because we did not have a space that was central to all the events that were going on and could not present the drama to the entire group of kids. So a Bible lesson time was put in the schedule and kids were taught the lesson in a traditonal manner and it worked out just fine.
I have also found that Group is very friendly and very welcoming of suggestions. They have also been very helpful in locating hard to get items and resolving any issues.
Just to let everyone know, Emily is talking about Group’s Holy Land Adventure Series and not Group’s “Easy” VBS. For VBS 2008, Group has Jerusalem Marketplace.
Thank you for this site. Group has so little on their website so far and it was nice to know the Bible Points and hear some of the music. I was a little nervous about using Power Lab as I couldn’t quite envision the “theme” however, your site has convinced me to go ahead. I love the theme song and I believe our kids will as well. They like anything that is high energy. We did a variation of Standard’s “Take the Plunge” for a Sunday School six-week arc last year and the kids loved the boogie woogie theme song and we had a closing beach party complete with beach music and a limbo contest which the children wouldn’t quit doing!
I think Group does a good mix of song styles. This year, the children’s favorite song was Awesome God which was not as upbeat as some of the others.
Also, Merry is right, Group alternates between OT and NT each year.
As for Group being just the “trendy” VBS, I have a different opinion on that. Group incorporates Bible verses and stories in a way that the children will remember them. Also, the churches have to take on some responsibility for carrying on the work after VBS is done. The Sunday before VBS started, our minister based his sermon on the Treasure Verses and explained how Group shortened them for easy memorization and then he went on to give the entire verse and explain the “story” behind it.
Also, we are a small town of only 3 churches. This year, the Nazarine church did a Western theme but different supplier and some of our children went to both and didn’t complain one bit – they got something out of each one.
Although we do use our VBS as an outreach, we primarily use it as one more tool to teach youth already associated with our church. However, each year, it seems like we gain more students in our Sunday School program because of the fun of VBS (these are children who don’t regularly attend Sunday School but always attend VBS). Obviously, the more they are exposed to God’s word and Jesus wonderful gift to us, the more they begin to understand and comprehend but we have also found if the format and curriculum is boring, we lose kids.
Hope you find these comments beneficial.
This has been a helpful conversation for me. I really appreciate all the feedback you are providing on Groups VBS. I think our local bookseller will have the items in the store by January.
Tony,
Christian Bookstores usually have VBS supplies for sale starting in March.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer
Group has shown a superior plan!
Serengetti Trek was inspiring, and went off beautifully in 2005… the next year, we tried another publisher’s offering and found the ‘pieces of the program just “didn’t fit together” until we rewrote it the 3rd day’, so 2007 we were back to Group (and a fantastic program) with Avalanche Ranch; no doubt we’ll use Power Lab for 2008!
The superior testing and feedback input of Group is evident; the response from kids and leaders is not worth jeopardizing by trying another publisher again.
Clay – thanks for your input
I read taht local churches are not legally allowed to make copies of the Power Lab Songs CD. Our church purchases CCLI Autorization. Can we copy this CD if we have CCLI autorization?
Dan
Dan,
You can’t copy Group’s VBS songs because Group doesn’t own the copyright to the songs. I don’t think you can copy any of Group’s music legally.
God Bless,
Josh Trommer
A bit late off the presses, but I have a comment about GROUP’s “trendiness” issue. In our community, between 60 and 80 percent of the local churches are doing the current GROUP VBS. I have directed 4 years of VBS using GROUP and have actually found that overlap to be beneficial at times. Churches holding VBS at different times have shared props and decorations, and children who may otherwise not know any Bible songs have made the circuit of VBS programs and are excited to share something they know! We live in a very poor community, and many parents see VBS as a free daycare program. Because GROUP’s crafts are expensive, most churches develop some of their own crafts, so the kids get to try new crafts. And it certainly doesn’t hurt for them to hear the same Bible stories over and over again all summer!
Thank you for hosting this dicsussion,
Kristen Chamberlain, Idaho
As a new crew leader, it will be a joy to help children come closser to God through Power Lab. This will be a VBS kids wont forget.
Group does not ignore the Old Testament! There are years that every story comes from the Old Testament! They tend to rotate each year.
Our church has been using Group for a few years know and this year I know that 7 other churches within a ten mile radius are using the same VBS (powerlab) While I agree that it gets hard to make ours unique enough to keep the kids into it we know that it is working b/c every year the same thing happens and every year we get a larger group of kids. This will be my first year as a leader(teen group at that) so I CAN’T WAIT!
This was our first year to use Group’s VBS. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! We are considered a small church in comparison to many of the churches within a 15 mile radius. We had an average attendance (kids) of 75. As director this was easy -once I got the hang of how to break the children up into crews (1-6) together. Who would of thought that would work. We had no trouble out of the older children – They had a blast. Because of time we were not able to have games at night. We incorporated them into our Saturday kick-off. The children never missed it. They were fascinated by the openning and clossing skits. We packed out our little sanctuary on Sunday night to have commencement. The parents were thrilled at what they saw. What a worship time.
Thanks for all the great feedback about Groups Powerlab VBS. It sounds like it was a great curriculum, they really have earned their reputation.
I would like to find out how I can get the VBS 2008 CD or DVD? my daughters love it, usually we get copies this year we didn’t. Any help is thankful.
Does ANYONE have the BETHLEHEM VILLAGE Memory Makers? We will buy up to 50 sets. Let us know how many sets you have and your fair price. THANKS!
Charlotte vbs4kids@hotmail.com