VBS 2015 Adult VBS Extras Conference

Transcription

1 VBS 2015 Adult VBS Extras Conference Purpose Statement This 45-minute plan is designed to engage or connect with adults using LifeWay s Journey Off the Map Adult VBS Curriculum and Extras. Resources to Collect, Prepare, & Copy Resources to Collect Adult VBS 2015 Starter Kit, Adult Learner Guide Pencil or pen for leaders who need one Tear sheets & Markers VBS 2015 Explorer Bible or your own Bible. Mark Galatians 6:9 to read during Step 4a. Resources to Prepare Put all Adult VBS 2015 Extras located on the Adult VBS 2015 Enhanced CD in a 3-ring binder. Display on a table near the focal wall. Place copies of Item 1-Have Your Journeyed Off the Map in each chair. Hide Item 2-Alternative Ways to Use Adult VBS Curriculum and Extras under chairs before leaders arrive. Resources to Copy Adult VBS 2015 Enhanced CD Items Item 1-Have You Journeyed Off the Map [one per adult attending] Item 2-Alternative Ways to Use Adult VBS Curriculum and Extras [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.] Focal Wall Description Use the same focal wall as the Adult VBS 2015 Base Conference OPTIONAL-Add an extra table to display the Adult VBS Crafts, Recreation, Snacks and Parenting Workshop Extras Room Setup Description Work within the parameters dictated by your conference room, but allow room for a focal wall and easy movement of adults around the room. Set chairs in semi-circle around the focal wall and display tables. 1

2 Decoration Suggestions Use the same decorations prepared for the Adult VBS 2015 Base Conference Audio Visual Needs CD Player with speakers or electronic device to play soft background music OPTIONAL: Computer, projector and screen Teaching Steps 1. Welcome (5 minutes) a. Welcome everyone as they enter the room. Encourage adults 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 Adult VBS Say: This Adult VBS Extra conference will help you understand how to use the Adult VBS curriculum and extras to engage and connect adults of all ages with your church. d. Comment that the individuals who signed their handout will help guide us as we explore new ways to use Adult VBS. 2. Alternative Ways to Use Adult VBS Curriculum and Extras [20 minutes] a. Give a short review of the Adult VBS Curriculum and Extras, where they are located, and how they are traditionally used during Adult VBS. b. Explain that many believe Adult VBS was created for adults whose children attend VBS or church adults who are not helping during VBS, but many churches are beginning to use the material in new and unique ways to minister to and engage the unchurched or strengthen leaders prior to VBS. c. Challenge leaders to steer their adult VBS in a new direction with the Item 2- Alternative Ways to Use Adult VBS ideas hidden under their chairs. d. As leaders locate the ideas, lead a discussion on how each could be used to promote the engagement and connection of new or unchurched adults 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 adults 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 leaders 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 leaders to record tips they would like to try during VBS 2015 on the back side of the Item 1 handout. 4. Closing [5 minutes] a. Read the Session 4 Adult VBS Bonus verse from the VBS 2015 Explorer Bible, So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don t give up. Galatians 6:9 b. Challenge leaders not to grow weary but to look for new ways to engage and connect adults to church with VBS during

3 c. Pray for the leaders and the new ideas they have discovered. Pray this summer s VBS journey will cause a great harvest of new adult believers in each of their communities. 3

4 Item 1-Have You Journeyed Off the Map? Have You Journeyed Off the Map? Instructions: Use this handout to meet the other Adult VBS Leaders in the room. Use the statements in each square to discover if anyone has Journeyed Off the Map using the Adult VBS Curriculum or Extras! Get their autograph [and maybe even their church contact information] on the provided space. Discover someone who has used Adult VBS Crafts, Worship, Refreshment, or Recreation Ideas in the past. Discover someone who has used Adult VBS in a retreat setting. Discover someone who knows what a Biblical Illustrator article is and why some are located in Adult VBS curriculum. Discover someone who has used Adult VBS to train all VBS leaders. Discover someone who knows about the Parenting Workshop located in the Adult VBS Curriculum. Discover someone who has never used the Adult VBS Curriculum. Discover someone who has used the Adult VBS Curriculum during their regularly scheduled VBS. Discover someone who knows an adult who was saved during Adult VBS. Discover someone who used the Adult VBS Extras to promote Adult VBS. 4

5 Item 2-Alternative Ways to Use Adult VBS Curriculum and Extras Use as a resource for starting a new weekly home group Use the curriculum for the first five Sundays after VBS with a new Connection Group of adults whose children attended VBS Use the parenting workshop to connect with unchurched parents 5

6 Use as a resource for a young adult or college retreat Offer an intergenerational experience during Adult Bible Study prior to VBS Use to prepare volunteers to teach VBS to children 6

7 Use as a sermon series prior to VBS to immerse your congregation in the theme Use Adult VBS Extras or Bible Study at a women s or men s retreat Use at an apartment complex or at a senior adult center 7

8 Item 3-Tangled Branch Tips Tips for promoting and encouraging adults to attend - especially the parents of unchurched kids attending VBS 8

9 Tips for increasing Adult VBS attendance 9

10 Tips for including crafts, rec, worship during Adult VBS schedule 10

11 Tips for engaging adults - especially first time guests - in class activities 11

12 Tips for connecting adults with the Gospel and with the church following VBS 12