Email[ad#ad-1]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 I’ve even bought the outdated music DVD to use for our children’s church worship time.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.
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I am trying to find the 2008 Power Lab or the UnHalloween Out Reach Curriculum that Group came out with after Power Lab I would be very interested in purchasing it from your Church.
I recently changed Churches and I would like to implement this curriculum as part of our Wednesday Education Ministry for children. I had it at my previous church. I have contacted Group Publishing and they do not have any left in stock. My sales rep suggested I see if another Church may be interested in selling theirs.
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
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.
Thanks for all the great feedback about Groups Powerlab VBS. It sounds like it was a great curriculum, they really have earned their reputation.
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.
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!
Group does not ignore the Old Testament! There are years that every story comes from the Old Testament! They tend to rotate each year.
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.
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
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