File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
1
VBS 2015 Student Extras
Purpose Statement
This 45-minute plan is designed to engage and connect with teenagers using LifeWay’s Journey Off the Map Student VBS curriculum.
Resources to Collect, Prepare, & Copy
Resources to Collect
• VBS 2015 Student Starter Kit • Pencil or pen for leaders who need one • Tear sheets & Markers • Bible with Galatians 6:9 marked to read during Step 4a.
Resources to Prepare
• Place copies of Item 1 - Have Your Journeyed Off the Map in each chair. • Hide Item 2 - Alternative Ways to Use Student VBS Curriculum under chairs
before leaders arrive.
Resources to Copy
• VBS 2015 Student Starter Kit CD-ROM Items • Item 1 - Have You Journeyed Off the Map [one per conferee] • Item 2 - Alternative Ways to Use Student VBS Curriculum [copy one set on
cardstock to use during step 2c.] • Item 3 - Tangled Branch Tips [copy one set on cardstock to use during step 3.]
Audio Visual Needs
• CD Player with speakers or electronic device to play soft background music • OPTIONAL: Computer, projector and screen
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
2
Teaching Steps
1. Welcome (5 minutes) a. Welcome everyone as they enter the room. Encourage conferees to find
a seat and meet other leaders using Item 1 - Have You Journeyed Off the Map?
b. Cheer leaders on as they search for signatures. c. After 4 minutes, ask leaders to find their seat. Report that handout Item 1
has just a few ideas for Journeying Off the Map with Students. Say: This Student VBS Extra conference will help you understand how to use the Student VBS curriculum to engage and connect students with the Gospel and your church.
d. Comment that the individuals who signed their handout will help guide us as we explore new ways to use Student VBS.
2. Alternative Ways to Use Student VBS Curriculum [20 minutes] a. Give a short review of the Students VBS Curriculum, where they are
located, and how they are traditionally used during Student VBS. b. Explain that many believe students will not respond to a VBS-type event,
but there are many unique ways to use the resources to minister to and engage students not only during the summer but throughout the year.
c. Challenge conferees to steer their Student VBS in a new direction with the Item 2 - Alternative Ways to Use Student VBS ideas hidden under their chairs.
d. As conferees locate the ideas, lead a discussion on how each could be used to promote the engagement and connection of new or unchurched students to the local church.
3. Tangled Branch Tips [15 minutes] a. Ask leaders to stand, find a partner, and travel to the nearest Tangled
Branch Tip tear sheet located around the room. Explain that conferees will record their best tips related to the tear sheet question. Once they have recorded a tip, they should travel to the next tear sheet and record another tip.
b. Play VBS theme music and allow time for partners to travel to all tear sheets.
c. Ask conferees to gallery walk the tear sheets, note the ideas shared on each sheet and then take a seat. Debrief activity by reviewing the tips and adding additional ideas from personal experience.
d. Encourage conferees to record tips they would like to try during VBS 2015 on the back of the Item 1 handout.
4. Closing [5 minutes] a. Read Galatians 6:9 “So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will
reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” b. Challenge conferees not to grow weary but to look for new ways to
engage and connect students to church with VBS during 2015. c. Pray for the conferees and the new ideas they have discovered. Pray this
summer’s VBS journey will cause a great harvest of new student believers in each of their communities.
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
3
Item 1-Have You Journeyed Off the Map?
Have You Journeyed Off the Map?
Instructions: Use this handout to meet the other Student VBS Leaders in the room. Use the statements in each square to discover if anyone has Journeyed Off the Map using the Student VBS Curriculum! Get their autograph [and maybe even their church contact information] on the provided space.
Discover someone who has used Crafts in Student VBS.
Discover someone who has used Student VBS in a
retreat setting.
Discover someone who made his or her profession
of faith during VBS.
Discover someone who has used Student VBS to train students to work with kids
on a mission trip.
Discover someone who has conducted a Student VBS
during Spring or Fall break.
Discover someone who has never used LifeWay’s
Student VBS Curriculum.
Discover someone who has incorporated a daily trip or
adventure in his VBS schedule.
Discover someone who knows a student who was
saved during Student VBS.
Discover someone who has conducted Student VBS on consecutive Wednesday or
Sunday nights.
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
4
Item 2-Alternative Ways to Use Student VBS Curriculum
Use as a resource for a camp or day camp
Use as a resource for training students to work with kids in VBS or a mission trip
Use as a resource for a lock-in
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
5
Use as a resource for introducing incoming students to the Student Ministry
Use as a resource for Mid-week programming
Use as a resource for a park or neighborhood outreach
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
6
Use as a resource for a VBS-type event that traveled to or met at a different location each day or night
Use as a resource for a weekend retreat
Use as a resource to begin a new Sunday School class or small group
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
7
Item 3-Tangled Branch Tips
Tips
for p
rom
otin
g an
d en
cour
agin
g
Stu
dent
s to
atte
nd -
espe
cial
ly th
e si
blin
gs
of u
nchu
rche
d ki
ds
atte
ndin
g V
BS
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
8
Tips
for i
ncre
asin
g S
tude
nt
VB
S a
ttend
ance
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
9
Tips
for i
nclu
ding
cra
fts,
rec,
and
wor
ship
dur
ing
S
tude
nt V
BS
sch
edul
e
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
10
Tips
for e
ngag
ing
stud
ents
- es
peci
ally
firs
t tim
e
gues
ts -
in c
lass
ac
tiviti
es
File 17 VBS 2015 Student Extras 45-Minute Session
11
Tips
for c
onne
ctin
g st
uden
ts w
ith th
e G
ospe
l an
d w
ith th
e ch
urch
fo
llow
ing
VB
S