The "16"

I know that this post will more than likely bring about the command by some that I be openly stoned in public, however, there is an issue that needs to be brought to the surface concerning Vacation Bible School in many Southern Baptist Churches.

Growing up I was always taken to Bible school and I must admit that I did have a great time. The flannel graphs, the cookies, the Kool-Aid...... ahhhh, those were the days. But wait a minute, aren't those days still here?

Do we not do the same and MORE in our VBS' of today? I will answer this with an adamant YES, we do MUCH MORE.

Instead of relying on the "School" part of VBS and simply teaching children the truths about the Bible and its message, many local churches have turned VBS into children's crusades in which we can often see our weak view of God's power and grace.

Just last night while going door to door I came upon a young woman who adamantly proclaimed that she was the VBS director of her local church. I greeted her in the faith and she began to tell me that 16 children were saved during their VBS.

Now - without trying to be pessimistic, I have my doubts concerning 16 biblical conversions at this one particular VBS for several reasons:

1. Many children in our area "hop" from VBS to VBS throughout the summer. This is a great thing for our children to be under biblical teaching but the problem is this..... some of those 16 will be part of someone else's 16 next week and the week after that and then the week after that. That is to say that some of these children, having no concept of sin and Christ's work will make a profession a week for nearly the entire summer.
2. At some VBS' children are being herded to the "altar" and manipulated into saying "the sinner's prayer" (by the way, where is that thing in the Bible???). An example of this: Adult: "Who wants to go to heaven when they die, raise your hand?" Children all raise their hands. Adult: "Say this prayer after me....Dear Jesus............". Children repeat. Adult: "Ok, now you are saved and you need to get baptized. We will be baptizing you on Friday night so bring your swim suit's!". Children: "We get to go swimming now!!!!!!"

I know that this is somewhat of a play on what actually happens, but this is my point. The gospel is a life and death situation and is the truth concerning a persons salvation something that we can really afford to take lightly and play with? Of course it will always be said that they take salvation seriously but here in lies the issue...... you take it seriously, BUT DOES THE CHILD?

At first days will go by, then weeks and eventually years and many of these "16" will grow to be teens and adults who engage in drugs, alcohol, pre-marital sex, pornography, fights, dishonoring their parents, bullying, cursing and revalry. Yet despite these acts that are the exact opposite of a regenerate heart the "16" will claim to be the children of God..........and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him (Romans 8:17).

Is this what children of God are? Are these the heirs? Abusive, partying, dishonoring liars? Or is the Bible true when God says, And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).

I pray that we would "School" our children and proclaim to them the truths of God and the gospel of Christ so that when He calls, they answer.

Lord - I pray for each child in our community as we prepare for our own VBS. You alone have set our work into motion and may it not be about ourselves and may it not be about the "16". May You receive the full glory of Your worth as You alone save lost souls, including those of our children. Let us not be fooled by our own professions but let us be changed by Your work of regeneration.