Program Overview

On the Farm will follow the same structure and approach as our previous VBS materials.

Smyth & Helwys Publishing has also published Celebrate Freedom and Under Construction: A Habitat for Humanity VBS. The format used in these programs won praise from churches. Some of the reasons churches liked these VBS programs were: the ease of enlistment, the ability of teachers to specialize, the flexible schedule options, and the fun of learning which the children expressed.

Our format for Vacation Bible School materials includes an administrative guide, and teachers books for these areas: Bible Activities, Story Time, Crafts, and Snacks and Recreation. Each of the 5 days has a theme which relates to the overall direction of the VBS. All teaching guides include the same bible background for teachers. Teachers are enlisted to teach one area, and the children rotate through the areas according to the schedule chosen. Day and evening schedules are included, along with other options.

A motif is part of each VBS. For example, Under Construction used a construction site motif. Children learned that building God's community requires effort and teamwork, just like a building crew. On the Farm will use a farming motif to help participants consider healthy ways to encourage growth.

There are some VBS programs on the market which offer an interesting motif, but sometimes the Bible study is sacrificed for the motif. We avoid that problem by first selecting the theological direction of the VBS (discipleship, missions, Christian community, etc.). Next, we choose passages from scripture which inform that theological direction. The motif, which adds a "fun" element for the children, is chosen last. It must support the theological direction which is at the core of the VBS. In this way, we are able to provide the theological focus and biblical depth churches want, while also offering the "fun" motif which attracts and keeps the attention of children.

Purpose of On the Farm: Growing with God

The purpose of On the Farm: Growing with God is to create an environment that will provide children an opportunity to experience and exercise qualities important for growth in faith in God.

Program Overview

On the Farm is a Christian education resource in which children learn about Christian growth through a farming theme. The church is transformed into a family farm, in which children assume the role of farm hands and are gathered into groups by age.

Children are formed into groups which remain together during the week. These groups of children, usually assembled by age group, rotate from one area of the farm to another, learning about growing with God.

With each group of farm hands, there is at least one appointed adult who rotates with the children. This person is called a Farmer. Groups should include no more than 20 children.

Children begin each day in a central location for the Roundup. During this community time, the Bible story is presented by a storyteller. From here, children begin rotating between parts of the farm. These Farming areas include:

Bible Activities-Farmers Almanac

Story Time-Shade Tree

Music-Farm Tunes

Recreation and Refreshments-County Fair

Project Arts/Crafts-Barn Raising

On the Farm is structured for a three-hour time period each day. It is suggested that farming areas last 35 minutes each, including a 5-minute transition time during which the groups rotate between areas. You can make On the Farm meet your church's scheduling needs by variating the time spent in each farming area or eliminating certain farming areas.

Each of the teachers uses a teaching guide which includes the Bible study for teachers as well as instuctions for the daily activities in their area. (The Music and Recreation & Refreshments leaders each need a copy of the County Fair teaching guide).The activities are age-graded, as needed, within each book, so teachers can customize their approach for each group as it rotates into their area. Plenty of options are provided for each day's activities.

To help create a farm setting, the VBS leadership is encouraged dress as farm wranglers. The promotion pak also includes patterns which can be used for making t-shirts for the week.

On the Farm makes enlistment of teachers easier. Because children rotate from area to area, Wranglers need to prepare in only one area (Bible activities, music, crafts, etc.).

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