Should I Teach VBS?

The other day I was asked whether I would teach the youth girls at VBS. I did the past two years and thoroughly enjoyed it. And the organizers know it, hence the requests.

However, I am hesitating to commit myself to doing it. While I love teaching I am not sure I should this year. My reason? I do not feel the inspiration in my spirit. The opportunity is there to do it, the girls need the LORD and I love to share the WORD with any attentive student. I know if this is what the LORD is calling me to do, He will give me the grace, the inspiration to write my lessons.

Incidently, the idea to teach is not new - I have been thinking a long time about it and the subject that comes up deals with either the life of Jesus or Jesus' teachings, in particular the Sermon on the Mount. But the subject is so vast: how can one teach this in five lessons and do justice to it all?

I am praying about it and all I hear at the moment is silence except that I know the opportunity is here for me to do it. Given my nature I am usually willing to jump in and do what needs to be done. But I am maturing, wondering whether this is always wise.

Another stressful thing that occupies me at the moment is that my brother is going through a divorce/difficult time and I spend a lot of time on the phone with him. I feel stretched, but then, do I limit God?

Any body have an insight into this dilemma?

Thanks!

Just a few thoughts for what they are worth. My pastor used to say, 'pray about it and come back and tell me you will do it.' He was kidding and at the same time he was serious. What he meant was, we need to make ourselves available for the Lord's work, even when we don't necessarily want to or feel inspired. There is a balance in it all, but I think it is good advice. Secondly, I have found that inspiration does not always come in advance, but in the moment. God moves differently at different times to stretch us (so to speak). There have been times that I had a message prepared to go, but did not know for sure what God wanted me to speak until I stepped up into the pulpit. Finney used to say we need to be full of the subject and pray. I think it is good advice. Finally, you don't have to expound the whole of the sermon on the mount in 5 lessons. My approach is to lean on Christ in such a way that I am totally dependent on Him. I minister with a view to the people having a face to face with God though the word of God. I'm not trying to make them TH.D's or anything like that. My goal is edification and that means the Spirit has to be back of the words. If someone is built up through just a few things said- if they reach out to God in faith as He quickens some truth to their heart- it is well worth it all. We may not know this side of eternity the effects, but we can rest knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Just some thoughts. I trust that you will do well!

1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessings to you sister in whatever you finally decide!

One of the greatest problems with this effort is that so many will try to pack too much into what you agree is a very short period of time. Why? The flesh maybe? Not believing God will plant and cultivate a small field even before the seed does sprout. I love when you say the Lord will give me the grace and inspiration to write my own lessons. Do you realize how few depend upon the Lord to provide in this area. Why? Either they were never called and gifted by God for this position which places ones trust upon the Lord to provide or ..................well I honestly can't think of another reason. To teach from the Spirit we must depend upon the Spirit. I know there will be many who will not agree with this but any teacher worth their salt who does so will verify it. That is if it truly comes from the Spirit. Then who gets the praise for providing? How could anyone hold to anything but this?

My answer, if you are a teacher by God's gifting and not someone who just feels obligated, is to do what God has gifted you for. A teacher receives as much if not more than the student. I believe this because there is so much trust being placed upon the Lord to provide. Now I am repeating myself so I guess you have my take. Obviously the Lord is the better counsel

great heart ginnyrose! My mom was divorced 4 times. No need to tell you how much God hates it.

I am guessing you get the opportunity to make your own teaching plan for the 5 sessions. If this is the cast I would highly recommend focus your attention directly to the Beattitudes, to me it embodies the entire sermon and from it you can point to and draw from other parts of the Sermon on the Mount. I love the Sermon on the Mount and believe it is a wonderful teaching of everything Christ is and everything we are suppose to be. If only more people took the time to understand it and place it into practice.

Robert said:
Finney used to say we need to be full of the subject and pray. If someone is built up through just a few things said- if they reach out to God in faith as He quickens some truth to their heart- it is well worth it all. We may not know this side of eternity the effects, but we can rest knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

I understand

Lyle wrote:
A teacher receives as much if not more than the student. I believe this because there is so much trust being placed upon the Lord to provide.

Perhaps this is the reason I enjoy teaching: I learn so much myself.

Matthew wrote:
If this is the cast I would highly recommend focus your attention directly to the Beattitudes, to me it embodies the entire sermon and from it you can point to and draw from other parts of the Sermon on the Mount.

This statement gave me insight in how to proceed...

Banks quoted 1Peter 4:11: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;

I deeply appreciate the insights shared - believe it or not but it helped me tremendously. I posted my question with reluctance but felt compelled to do so and am pleasantly surprised how much you helped.

My lesson strategy, I think, will be to take a beatitude and then use a Bible story that will illustrate that point. And then I will have to write out questions that will stimulate discussion. Now this is beginning to sound exciting!

I am also considering sharing the story of "Pilgrims Progress" via flannel board. I have the figures and the story that was popular back in the 1950s. It ranks among my most prized possessions! But will see about this...

Now I can hardly wait to compile the lessons...God bless you all for sharing. And if the Holy Spirit prompts you, pray for these girls. Most come from single parent homes, very few have a resident dad.

If you want some suggestions what to pray for here are a few:
1. Attentiveness.
2. Have teachable spirit.
3. Boldness on my part - so I can teach as the oracles of God...
4. Or, whatever the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray.

The VBS starts June 6 and goes to the 10th.

God bless all of you for sharing...

Amen sister! Your teaching will have eternal results!

Good for you Ginny! Jesus said send the little children to me!
I always felt that if you are hanging out with the children, Jesus is close at hand.

I work with children and never want to stop!They are so free and open to Jesus.

Ruf

I work with children and never want to stop!They are so free and open to Jesus.

Now, ain't that the truth! I love to work with children for the reasons you mentioned. But then after teaching teens I say I love that, too. The challenges are so much greater but not insurmountable. One really learns how dependent you are on the LORD to carry out this task. But that is OK. A body learns how frail, incapable you are without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

I am beginning to experience the joy of the LORD in preparing for this task!

Blessings.

I think I agree with RobertW. We do not need to seek God as to whether to teach His word to others. Now if God told you specifically NOT to teach that particular class at that particular time, then you must know that God had a reason for it and obey, but default mode would be "yes". Recall Paul assaying to go to Bethinia and etc. but the Lord forbade him to do so. Paul's default was "yes, lets go".

We do not need to seek God as to whether to teach His word to others. Now if God told you specifically NOT to teach that particular class at that particular time, then you must know that God had a reason for it and obey, but default mode would be "yes". Recall Paul assaying to go to Bethinia and etc. but the Lord forbade him to do so. Paul's default was "yes, lets go"

This is an issue I wrestled with.

Just like to share how I got rid of a stumbling block, an issue that I really did not know was working as one.

I felt compelled to call our SIL to see whether our granddaughter would be coming to help with VBS. I so want her to come but also knew I would not have the time to spend with her as I would like. Here I was between a rock and a hard place. Anyhow, after discussing this with our SIL he shared the concern that Carmen had about her lack of time to be with me, her grandmother, that she is opting to not come at this time.

Would you know that once I knew this, a burden lifted from my heart? Amazing. Then I felt the freedom to pursue it.

Love y'alls insights - it is so encouraging.

My thoughts on this are that, sure, five lessons isn't much time, but if these teens can see that you love and honor Jesus that can make a bigger impact than anything you can say. Your witness is perhaps more important than having perfect lessons, no? Such an oportunity, I hope you'll take it find joy in it.

As of the moment, I am planning on discussing the Beatitudes. In studying for this I became aware of the progression of these beatitudes - how each will lead up to the next one. Like #4 cannot be true without the previous three being operational in the life of the individual. AND how they so factor in bringing one to the LORD. Never noticed this before...

Anyhow...

I have over an hour with these girls so in addition to the Bible study I would like to do something else and am at a loss what to do. I considered several options but there are several problems.
1. There will be only four classes.
2. Age difference - what I may consider fun or interesting, they will think otherwise, SO what do young girls enjoy? Consider - some of them barely know how to use a scissors least of all a needle.
3. And it cannot be too expensive.
4. Attendance may be sporadic.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thank you for pointing this out about the beatitudes, I didn't see this before either. Looks to me as if the first four pertain to salvation and the last four(five)to
Christian living.
Here's the thing that came to my mind for the lessons: Why not let each girl create four scrapbook pages, one for every lesson. They can contain the scripture(2 verses per lesson?), insights, goals for living the verses. They could write short poems or prayers to go with it if there's enough time.
I figured out a way for myself to remember the order of the beatitudes (It starts at the head and progresses down to your feet) and you could take pictures of them individually and as a group doing these actions: Poor in spirit=hands on head, mourning=rub eyes, meek=point to speaking mouth, hunger=clutch throat, mercy=extend hands, heart=hands on heart, peacemakers=peace sign on belt buckle(it's a stretch, I know, perhaps a bended knee instead?), persecuted=feet in runners(might have to escape)
They cold add the pictures to the pages and take them home. If they turn out nice they may end up on their walls and help them never to forget what they learned. If you ask, some ladies may have lots of scrap papers, ribbons, etc. to donate for this. You could prepare printed text for them to cut down on time. Just an idea, not sure what age group you'll have but I'm pretty sure they can hold the scissors long enough to cut some paper strips. :)