“Galactic Blast”
“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6
This week the church I serve is having Vacation Bible School. Our theme is “Galactic Blast: A Cosmic Adventure Praising God”. The curriculum, produced by Cokesbury, was chosen by our children’s director, Dee Branham. I’m glad Dee chose to go this route because each night the children are learning that there is a connection between Christianity and the environment.
On the very first night the kids learned about how God created the earth and were reminded that it belongs to Him. In the sessions that have followed, the children have learned spiritual truths from God’s Creation. Each night they have also been given “green tips.” They are learning practical things even they can do to be better stewards of the earth.
I grew up going to multiple Vacation Bible Schools every year. I don’t remember ever being taught that caring for the earth is a part of our Christian calling. Thankfully, the children coming to our Vacation Bible School this year are being exposed to this important truth. They are actually learning how to see God in His Creation too.
I don’t know how many churches are using Galactic Blast this year but I hope there are many. It is imperative that our children learn how important it is that we practice Creation Care. They, too, need to be taught to look for God in this beautiful and amazing world He has created.
I do not happen to be a parent but I know the value of recognizing and taking advantage of “teachable moments” with kids. I happen to believe that we have all been presented a teachable moment with the Gulf oil spill. Our children see the news, they know what’s going on. Now would be a great time to share with them God’s concern for the earth and the responsibility we all have to take care of it. Now would be the ideal time to “train a child in the way he should go…”
–Chuck
(The image above was taken at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park.)