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 minutes listening to their music and previewing their Bible lessons. If LifeWay is not your style - you might be interested in my comprehensive guide to 2008 VBS themes.
The Bottom Line on LifeWay Outrigger Island VBS
LifeWay Outrigger Island Vacation Bible School is a well designed, fully featured theme. However, the music seems a little dated for reaching today’s children. I have serious concerns about their biblical content. If your church chooses this curriculum you will probably need to add a second teaching block to reinforce and properly teach the Gospel in context. Keep reading for my full review.
About LifeWay Outrigger Island VBS
LifeWay Outrigger Island VBS: Living God’s Unshakeable Truth is a major new Vacation Bible School for 2008. This theme takes kids to 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.
Vacation Bible School Scripture:
Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth.
Psalm 86:11 Holman CSB
Vacation Bible School Motto:
Know the Truth!
Speak the Truth!
Live the Truth!
Outrigger Island Daily Overview
- Day 1 - God is Real
Story: God spoke to Moses (Exodus)
Application: I know God is real. I can believe there is no other God. - Day 2 - Jesus Is God’s Son
Jesus is God’s Son (Luke 2)
Application: I know Jesus is God’s Son. I can celebrate who He is. - Day 3 - Truth:Jesus Is The Only Way
Jesus’ Death, Burial, and Resurrection (Mark 15, 16)
Application: I know that Jesus is the only way. I can confess Him as my Savior. - Day 4 - Truth: The Bible Is God’s Word
Jeremiah and Baruch (Jeremiah 36)
Application: I know the Bible is God’s Word. I can explore its truth. - Day 5 - Truth: My Actions Show What I Believe.
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10)
Application: I know my actions show what I believe. I can stand for truth.
My First Look Review of LifeWay VBS 2008 Outrigger Island
What LifeWay Does Well
The packaging seems very well done. When it comes to the “WOW factor,” LifeWay has become a leading publisher. The supporting materials from Outrigger Island will not disappoint.
I am pleased that LifeWay didn’t omit the Old Testament this year. 2 of 5 key stories are based in the Old Testament. This is a major improvement from last years Vacation Bible School curriculum.
The Outrigger Island Theme Song is catchy and should be well received by a large portion of children. However, the island pop genre will be a hard sell for reaching unchurched boys.
Where LifeWay VBS 2008 Falls Short
Weak Applications: This is a common problem in Children’s ministry curriculum. Consider the statement from the first day, “I know God is real. I can believe there is no other God.” The wording of this phrase is very subjective and it leave no concrete application. Why not say, “God is real and there is no other God. I will worship and obey Him.” I think this is what they were trying to say. As it is their application merely gives information about the person speaking. It does not make any real propositions about God. And it leave the children with no real application. Attention LifeWay: Always begin your applications with a big God statement!
Minimal Gospel: This is perhaps my biggest concern. Aside from day three, where is the Gospel? Where is repentance and faith? Will any child actually learn why they need a savior? This is a serious flaw in most Vacation Bible School programs. The writers assume that children need only one brief exposure to the Gospel. I believe this failure is fatal to evangelism.
LifeWay VBS 2008 Price
- Super Sampler Price: $189.99
- Basic Sampler Price: $59.99
- Available at from LifeWay Christian Stores
I hope this short review 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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22 comments ↓
Good thoughts. Thanks for the review.
We just completed our 2007 VBS. It is amazing that we already need to start planning for next year!
Peace.
Good job Tony. This is the sort of thing that helps decision makers choose the right material for them.
Blessings,
Glen Woods
it is impossible for me to view the page on 2008 vbs reviews. I get an error message from Internet Explorer indicating it is unable to access you page…
Thanks for your review. I really need to know if the Bible is the major focus of a theme. I also think that music is an essential to any VBS, I need to know what the music sounds like and how it will be viewed. Thanks for your input, I am going to put you in my favorites. Keep up the good work.
Blessings
you’ve got some good stuff here. thanks for your desire to equip the church in this vital ministry to children and parents.
if interested, go to my blog for a short video of our vision for children’s ministry. http://life2gether.wordpress.com
how can you “review” the curriculum and make comments on the life application when the curriculum hasn’t even been released yet? seems like you need to see more than just the outline of the days to be able to make a sound judgment.
Kate,
Good point. I can’t wait to see more. I am making assumptions based on the “application” statements they have posted on their marketing materials.
My opinions on all these reviews are based on my limited “preview” information. To write an all encompassing review I would need to actually use each theme in my church.
Thanks for your feedback.
You made some very good thoughts on evangelism.Thanks for the review!
I haven’t looked at Lifeway this year….but in the past they have always stressed a gospel presentation in the material through a the ABC’s of salvation. Teachers are given this info along with printed/copied tracks for children and are instructed to present it each day. I have always found it to be highly evangelistic.
Family Night and follow-up materials also include the presentaion of the gospel.
No matter what curriculum, churches should always be looking for ways to share the good news–supplementing the curriculum.
[...] Preview the Outrigger Island Vacation Bible School Curriculum [...]
Why was the name Outrigger Island chosen and please explain so that a child can understand.
An outrigger is used on boats, canoes, etc. to stabilize a seemingly unstable hull. Much of how I think Lifeway is trying to show children that they need a strong support in their life and their outrigger needs to be God. We’re going to use this theme at church; and I’m very excited about the material after reviewing it.
Magan - Thanks for the info and the recommendation. We’re not using LifeWay this year, but will likely use them next year. I’ve always been pleased with their curriculum.
One thing I can say - the theme song for Outrigger Island is stuck in my mind, even though I haven’t heard it since I wrote this review last Summer! Their music is always very catchy and I can remember most of the songs we’ve done by them for many years back.
We are doing Outriggers Island this year and I think the MUSIC is FANTASTIC!!! It’s very catchy and has great solid Christian messages. You won’t be disappointed if you choose Outriggers Island for your VBS this year. It’s cute, fun and I know the kids are going to love it this year.
VBS is only as good as you make it, with excited workers who love kids and want them to know Christ.
Thanks Lifeway for all your work!
Thanks for the review. Very helpful!
Rev.s last blog post..Franklin Graham, Evangelism and Persecution
Sarah,
Thanks for your thoughts on Outrigger Island - I always wish we could do several VBS themes over the summer.
You are very right about the music, Jeff Slaughter always does a great job creating original music for VBS.
My 8 year old daughter finishes up Outrigger Island tomorrow night and has had a BLAST! She sings the songs constantly and tells us about every Bible lesson she has learned this week. I read a comment earlier about unchurched boys not taking to this theme. I have observed much this week and find that this not true at our church! EVERYONE has LOVED Outrigger Island!!!
We just finished VBS this Friday and I am so sad to see it end. We did Outrigger Island and was very pleased with the music and lessons. The boys were just as involved as the girls. Thank you Lifeway for a fun learning week we had. See Ya next year…..
Our Church; finished Outrigger Island last friday night. My 9 year old son invited a friend to go with him all week. They are both still singing the songs and talking about the plays and the bible lessons - from Moses to Jerimiah to Miss Lovey; a tourist on the Island!
My husband and I played small parts behind the scenes and in the plays presented — the adults had just as much fun last week as the kids did! On family night, I found a lot of the parents — some not members of the church, others brought in on the church bus just to see their kids “perform”– singing along with the songs.
I think VBS was a huge hit this year… and yes, I know it reached at least one “unchurched boy”; with the invitation of a friend, willing parents that let him go and a ride there and home…
My son just finished VBS Outriggers Island. He is 10 and on day 4 he received the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour. I know from his own words and tears, he understood he NEEDED the Saviour, he also realizes what Jesus has done for him as best as a 10 year old can. I realize that the GRACE message could be stronger in this curriculum but that is true ANYWHERE YOU TURN in America. Unfortunately LAW prevails in most teachings even though the LAW is supposed to just lead us to the Saviour, from there GRACE takes over. As mature believers, we need to encourage each other to rely on the Grace of Jesus to teach us and not LAW. (Titus 2:11-12) I am thankful that through this experience my son has become born again. God is faithful!!!
I am looking for ideas for games associated with Outrigger Island. Help!!
We just completed our Vaction Bible School. We went with the Cosmic City Theme. The children loved the music & movements. Even the teachers were excited about the material. I wanted to pick something different so that children from other churches wouldn’t be board with the same theme. I will pay closer attention next year to see what LifeWay has to offer so that I can continue to select the opposite of most churches in my area. If you ever get a chance to experience cosmic city…search for it on line…it is always cheaper.
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