June Chimes

VBS 2024

SCUBA: Diving into Friendship with God

Our 2024 VBS is almost here! As preparations are being made for our week of vacation bible school, I have been reflecting on the theme of our curriculum this year: “Diving into Friendship with God”. VBS themes every year are designed to make a splash with the people involved, but beyond the catchy wording, there are deep biblical roots in the notion that God desires friendship with humanity.

In the book of Genesis, the relationships between God and Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and his family are often described in terms of friendships. Abraham and God argue and debate with one another in a manner that, it seems to me, is indicative of a close friendship.

We can also view the life and ministry of Jesus in terms of friendship as well. The incarnation, divinity taking on human form, is the fullest expression of God’s desire to be close to humanity. As Jesus breaks the news of his impending betrayal and arrest to his disciples in the gospel of John, he tells them “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.” (John 15:15). Jesus himself perceives his relationships as friendships. He desires to be with people, to accompany them on the journeys of their lives.

Our hope for this and every year of vacation bible school is that we continue to invite young people into deeper relationships with God in Christ. This year’s theme offers all of us, not only the children, to reflect on how that might happen in our lives.

How do you become aware of God’s presence in your life? What helps you to experience God’s presence as loving and full of compassion?

Take time to consider these questions, and take time to do those things that make God’s presence tangible for you.

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Tim

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