{"id":33551,"date":"2019-11-11T12:05:18","date_gmt":"2019-11-11T19:05:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wwv.group.com\/childrens-ministry\/?p=33551"},"modified":"2019-11-11T16:43:05","modified_gmt":"2019-11-11T23:43:05","slug":"how-rocky-railway-vbs-sets-kids-on-the-right-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwv.group.com\/childrens-ministry\/blog\/vbs\/how-rocky-railway-vbs-sets-kids-on-the-right-track\/","title":{"rendered":"How Rocky Railway VBS Sets Kids on the Right Track!"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Choosing the theme is the easy part.<\/p>\n

Every year our team gathers with children\u2019s pastors, VBS leaders, and volunteers like you to talk VBS themes. We show \u201cPinterest-y\u201d boards of ideas, talk about which themes kids would like best, and tell all the ways to bring a fun setting to life. You buzz and bubble, exploring what a certain theme might look like in each person\u2019s church.<\/p>\n

Decorations, clever word play, thematic buddies\u2026that\u2019s<\/em> a cinch.<\/p>\n

Then we ask, \u201cWhat are your kids facing? What are the kids in your church struggling with? What worries you about this generation?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hearts open. Eyes well up. You share stories, lives, heartbreaking events that have rocked your church and community. This <\/em>is what matters most at VBS. The faith emphasis that kids explore during those five days will have lasting, transforming power long <\/em>after the decorations have come down.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we heard in our conversations with you:<\/p>\n

\u201cKids are overwhelmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kids in my church feel so much pressure to do <\/em>and succeed<\/em> and be<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve had suicidal preteens in our church. They feel inadequate and hopeless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our kids are being fed a big lie these days\u2014one that sounds<\/em> positive and affirming and empowering:<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can do it if you try hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can be good enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of this emphasis on \u201cyou\u201d is having serious side effects. A professor at San Diego State University recently analyzed mental health in young people. Her findings<\/a> pointed to a disturbing trend: Between 2005 and 2017, young people reported a significant rise in psychological distress, major depression, and suicide. This confirms findings in similar studies by the American Psychological Association and the American College Health Association.<\/p>\n

Kids can\u2019t <\/em>be and do and succeed and achieve everything on their own<\/u>.<\/p>\n

They need Jesus.<\/p>\n

In some of Jesus\u2019 last words to his closest friends, he encouraged them with this:<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing\u201d (John 15:5).<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul understood his need for Jesus\u2019 power, when Christ told him:<\/p>\n

\u201c \u2018My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.\u2019 So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me\u201d (2 Corinthians 12:9).<\/p>\n

Jesus knew the challenges and hardships his friends would face. He understood the pressure and the temptation to give up when things seemed overwhelming. And so he assured them that it was his <\/em>power that would produce fruit. The pressure wasn\u2019t on them <\/em>to do it all\u2026but on Jesus\u2019 power in <\/em>them.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s why Rocky Railway VBS<\/a> focuses on Jesus\u2019 <\/em>power in our lives. Connected to Jesus, we can<\/em> tackle life\u2019s hardships and hurts. With Jesus\u2019 power, we can<\/em> find hope and healing, friendship and fulfillment.<\/p>\n

Our prayer is that your kids find renewed joy, peace, and true <\/em>empowerment as they realize their need for Jesus\u2019 <\/em>power to accomplish all that life holds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”33384″ img_size=”medium”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Pre-order your Rocky Railway VBS Ultimate Starter Kit <\/a>and get a FREE 16-piece Rocky Railway Express Train kit!<\/strong>\u00a0Hurry, supplies are limited.<\/p>\n

Rocky Railway VBS Ultimate Starter Kit<\/strong><\/a>
\nStarting at $193.99<\/strong>
\nIn Canada $259.99[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Choosing the theme is the easy part. Every year our team gathers with children\u2019s pastors, VBS leaders, and volunteers like you to talk VBS themes. We show \u201c-y\u201d boards of ideas, talk about which themes kids would like best, and tell all the ways to bring a fun setting to life. You buzz and bubble, exploring what a certain theme […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":33555,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[93,743,85,14],"class_list":["post-33551","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vbs","tag-easy-vbs","tag-rocky-railway-vbs","tag-vacation-bible-school","tag-vbs"],"yoast_head":"\nHow Rocky Railway VBS Sets Kids on the Right Track! - Group Children's Ministry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Choosing the theme is the easy part. 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