In the afternoon groups hold a V.B.S. at the church you'll be serving at for
the week. The children range in age from 3-12. This is a great way to
share the gospel and disciple those who attend. Many time the younger ones will be accompanied by their
moms. Teenagers will often observe from a distance. Your group will do a total of 5 VBS's and one
scaled down VBS without a craft and snack for the Evening Outreach that falls midweek.
Sample V.B.S. Outreach Schedule (Approximate time 2 hrs.)
2:00 - 2:20 - Game time outside with children
2:20 - 2:35 - Song time (3 or so songs upbeat 3 or so slow)
2:35 - 2:45 - Puppet show
2:45 - 2:55 - Two short testimonies geared towards children
2:55 - 3:00 - Drama or skit if you have one
3:00 - 3:30 - Bible Story via video
3:30 - 4:00 - Crafts & snacks
Below is more info on each part of the VBS:
Game time - 20 - 30 min.
Your group will play outside games with the children such as; jump rope, beanbag toss, ball tosses, duck
duck goose, soccer, bubbles, face painting, frisbee games, baseball (with plastic bats and balls, and etc.
You can organize your group into smaller groups who can be in charge of the various games happening.
There won't be large group games where all the children will be involved in, but various, smaller games
happening at the same time. The children usually will rotate and go from one game to the other as they
please. After game time, make sure each group picks up their sports equipment as the children will often
try to take it. This is a time to get to know the children and draw a crowd from the community. We would
ask, if you could, to bring some sports equipment with you for this time.
Song time - 15 min.
Your group will do 5-7 children's Spanish songs. Several of these should be upbeat songs with motions.
Several can be slower songs.
Puppet show - 15 min.
A big highlight of the V.B.S. is the puppet show. We have the puppets and the Spanish scripts. The
scripts are on a Cd and easy to follow. It basically involves voice recognition. Upon arrival, we'll show
those of your group who want to be involved in this area how to do it. The puppet show has verses that
accompany each day's story. After the puppet show we will spend a few minutes teaching the children the
verses. The last day we will hand out simple prizes for those who can say all the verses. If you would
like to bring some prizes you are welcome, or if not, we'll use some from extra crafts that other groups bring.
The theme for the puppet teaching time is as follows:
Day 1 - Romans 3:23 "All have sinned"
Day 2 - Romans 6:23 "The results of sin"
Day 3 - John 3:16 "The love of God in providing a Savior"
Day 4 - Romans 5:8 "The mercy of God"
Day 5 - Romans 10:9 "Trusting Jesus as my Savior"
Each day the children will memorize a verse that corresponds to that day.
If you would like to include the verse some way in your craft, here's the version the puppet show uses:
Romanos 3:23 "Por cuanto todos pecaron y están destituidos de la gloria de Dios."
Romanos 6:23 "Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, más la dádiva de Dios es vida eterna en Cristo
Jesús nuestro Señor."
Juan 3:16 "Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su
hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en el cree, no se pierda más tenga vida eterna."
Romanos 5:8 "Más Dios muestra su amor para con nosotros en que
siendo aun pecadores Cristo murió por nuestros pecados."
Romanos 10:9 "Si confiesas con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor y crees
en tu corazón que Dios lo levantó de entre los muertos serás salvo."
Bible Story - 35 min.
This is usually done via video on a large screen or TV. Because the children are more unruly in Mexico
and harder to control, we find a Bible Story via video works well. We have the movies, big screen or TV
for this part of the V.B.S.
The theme of the Bible Story teaching time is as follows:
Day 1 - Video "Creation"
Day 2 - Video "Noah and the Ark"
Day 3 - Video "Moises and the Ten Commandments"
Day 4 - Video "Life of Jesus Birth and Childhood"
Day 5 - Video "Life of Jesus Crucifixion and Resurrection"
Craft & Snack time - 20 min.
This is an important time where your group's participation is important. The children are divided into
groups of ten with one or two people from your group attending them. You will need to bring crafts and
snacks for at least 100 children (we will notify you if you'll need to bring more). Package the crafts in bags
of ten in non-see through bags. Package the snacks, as well, in bags of ten in non-see through bags. Put
both the bags of crafts and bags of snacks in one non-see through bag. Each large bag should contain
one sack with ten crafts and one sack of ten snacks. We have found that by forming groups of ten, and
having them seat themselves on the floor, works best for crowd control. Each sack is for each group of
ten. Try to avoid candy and sweets for snacks.
Summery of what you need to be prepared to do and bring:
1. Bring game things to play with children during the play time
2. Be prepared to sing some children's songs (If you need help let us
know). For help with children's VBS songs click here
3. Bring crafts and snacks for five VBS's with enough for 100 in each VBS
4. Prizes for those who memorize VBS verses (optional)
5. Come prepared to share 12 testimonies geared for children.
Here are some craft ideas:
Coloring books - You can photo-copy pages, or purchase a Bible coloring book (preferably in Spanish) and
have the children color them. Crayons needed.
Puppets - Use paper lunch sacks and provide pieces for their mouths, ears, and etc. Crayons needed for
this craft.
Paper plate half-masks - Beforehand, cut paper plates in half, punch holes by ears, and cut eye-holes and
a slot for the nose. Let the kids color them and put rubber bands through the holes. They can wear the
masks by putting the rubber bands around their ears.
Paper plate visors - Beforehand, cut paper plates in half and punch a hole near each corner. Have the
kids decorate them and tie a piece of pre-cut elastic through the holes to make a visor.
Crowns - Trace a simple outline of the front of a crown onto tag board or other stiff paper. Cut them out
and punch a hole at each end. Let the kids decorate them and put a piece of pre-cut yarn or elastic
through each hole. To put the crown on, place on head and tie strings in back.
Here are some snack ideas:
Single serving of canned fruit/applesauce, pudding (don't forget spoons.
Single serving bags of chips.
Single serving bags of peanuts.
Single serving boxes of raisins.
Single serving cookies, or animal crackers.
Granola bars
Individually wrapped Hostess/or similar treats.
Graham crackers.
Handi-Snacks (crackers and peanut butter, etc.)
It definitely works best if the snacks are individually wrapped and easily transported. It is often
possible to get stores in your area to donate these types of items.