Vacation Bible School Curriculum Previews

Are you still looking for the right VBS theme for 2008? If so, then I hope this listing of Bible school publishers will help. Here is a summary of each Vacation Bible School theme, some information on pricing, links to the curriculum publisher’s website.

2008 VBS Themes Overview

Answers In Genesis 2008 VBS Theme: Amazon Expedition Vacation Bible School

Answers In Genesis Vacation Bible School 2008 Amazon Expedition Amazon Expedition VBS 2008 seems to have some great ideas in this curriculum design. Kids take an Amazon Expedition that explores the “7 C’s of History” while teaching them that the Bible is the true history book of the universe. Imagine a follow-up day trip to the Creation museum.

LifeWay 2008 VBS Themes:

LifeWay 2008 VBS Themes Outrigger Island Vacation Bible School 2008“Outrigger Island VBS: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth” is LifeWay’s main line Vacation Bible School theme for 2008. I have posted my review of Outrigger Island VBS here. This program is set in a tropical paradise. The Outrigger Island curriculum is designed for all ages and follows a traditional VBS schedule with three-hour sessions throughout a week long summer program. Churches have dozens of options for curriculum, crafts, decorations, snacks and recreation in this line. LifeWay offers free VBS helps and supporting material on their website. In many ways LifeWay Vacation Bible School remains the flagship of all VBS programs for 2008.

Lifeway VBS 2008 Themes - CLUB VBS 2008 CACTUS CANYON Vacation Bible School“Club VBS 2008: Cactus Canyon” is LifeWay’s alternate Vacation Bible school theme for smaller churches. Kids will saddle up and hit the trail. They will learn all about the good news in John 3:16 - This program teaches children how they can tell family, friends and people around the world about Jesus. Cactus Canyon resources for 2008 include a new starter kit that will provide administrative, worship rally and leader guides for each of three age groups: 3-K, grades 1-3 and grades 4-6. With a shorter two-hour schedule, Club VBS is designed to adapt to multiple settings so it can be used during a traditional summer week, school breaks, mission trips or day camps among other times. This VBS theme will also has generous supporting material on the LifeWay website. More information at LifeWay.com/VBS.

Group Publishing 2008 VBS Theme: Power Lab VBS 2008

Group Publishing VBS 2008 Theme Power Lab Vacation Bible SchoolI’ve posted my initial preview of Group Power Lab VBS 2008 which is the main line Vacation Bible School Curriculum from Group Publishing. “Give your children a new enthusiasm for God’s Word–and for Jesus! As you engage kids with fun, science-themed surprises, you’ll see amazing things happen.” I will provide more information about the Group VBS program as it becomes available. Buy it Now - Power Lab VBS Starter VBS Kit

Group Publishing 2008 VBS Theme: Holy Land Themes

Group will continue to offer their Holy Land VBS kits which currently include two different themes. More information about Galilee By-the-Sea VBS and Jerusalem Marketplace VBS can be found on the Group Publishing website. Just look for the link to Vacation Bible School or VBS.

Standard Publishing 2008 VBS Theme: God’s Big Backyard Vacation Bible School

Standard Publishing VBS 2008 - God's Big Backyard Vacation Bible SchoolGod’s Big Backyard is a VBS program that emphasizes serving Jesus by serving others. The curriculum from Standard Publishing is set to release for the 2008 VBS season.

I will provide more information about the Standard Publisher’s Vacation Bible School program as it becomes available. You can see some early information at the Standard Publishing website.

VBS 2008 Theme From Concordia HouseConcordia VBS 2008 “Friendship Trek”

The new Bible school theme from Concordia House Publishing is titled, “Friendship Trek: Jesus Our Forever Friend.” The Bible verse for this year is John 15:13-14. Concordia features a cast of animated animal characters that discover friendship by learning about Jesus. Quote: “Kids explore five friend-filled Bible stories about Jesus. They run to follow Jesus as He reaches out to a new friend named Matthew. They go along as a centurion’s friends ask Jesus to heal the man’s servant, and He does! They traipse to the temple as Jesus heals a blind friend, then go to Bethany to see Jesus raise His friend Lazarus from the dead. Finally, they scurry to a locked room on Easter eve to witness the ultimate love Jesus showed by giving His life for His friends.”

Regular Baptist Press VBS 2008

Regular Baptist Press VBS 2008: DinoDetectives - Digging for God’s Truth

Your kids might like this dinosaur themed Bible school. Children will learn “about dinosaurs and discover answers to the basic questions of life: Who am I? Why am I here? How did this universe get her? Who set the standards and rules for life? Kids will learn that God created us to love and worship Him. That He made provision for our salvation before the foundation of the world. And that Our Creator has given us His Word, the Bible, to show us Himself and to tell us how we can have a relationship with Him through the death of His Son, Who is the Creator of all.” I am impressed to see the Gospel so central to this theme. Check back for my review later this fall.

Gospel Light VBS 2008 Themes:

I will post more information as soon as I can about the Gospel Light VBS 2008 Curriculum. Here is the limited theme information released so far.VBS 2008 SonWorld Adventure Park Vacation Bible School 2008SonWorld Adventure 2008 Park Vacation Bible School from Gospel Light. This VBS theme is inspired by the way children love amusement parks. The tagline reads, “Get ready for a thrilling ride with Jesus.” I want to see where Gospel Light goes with this idea in their 2008 VBS curriculum.

SonHarvest Country Fair VBS 2008 from Gospel Light Vacation Bible School SonHarvest Country 2008 Fair Vacation Bible School from Gospel Light. This VBS 2008 program is a curriculum designed to teach children about the fruit of the Spirit. The tagline reads, “where kids grow the fruit of the spirit.”

Cokesbury VBS 2008 Theme: Beach Party Vacation Bible School

Cooksbury Vacation Bible School - Beach Party VBS 2008 Vacation Bible SchoolThis Vacation Bible School material draws from the old standard beach theme. Cokesbury’s Beach Party VBS 2008 offers Beach Boys sounding theme music. The Bible verse is 1 John 3:18, “Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” The essentials of the Beach Be-Attitude are:Be Obedient - Call of Gideon - Judges 6:36-7:21 Be Kind - David and Mephibosheth - 2 Samuel 9:1-11 Be Forgiving - The Unforgiving Servant - Matthew 18:21-33 Be Bold - A Woman Healed - Luke 8:40-48 Believe - Jesus and Thomas - John 20:24-29

Some Other Programs For Your Church’s Bible School

This is a list ofvVBS 2008 curriculum programsthat I am not reviewing. With so many great vacation Bible school options available I will not be able to preview them all. I offer this list for your information.

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