We have always been concerned about the nurturing of our children in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Apart from the Junior Worship, Catechism Classes and Children’s Choir practice on Sundays, the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry (GCM) conducts regular children’s programmes on Saturdays as well. Our church has always taken the spiritual nurture of our children very seriously. We praise God for the leadership of Pr Kelvin Lim and the hard work of the GCM committee members, and all who sincerely and faithfully labour to teach God’s Word to the children in love.
Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS) is an additional year-end effort of the church to glorify our Great Saviour unto our next generation. Like the ancient saints, may we also be always resolved thus: "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments" (Psalm 78:2-7).
Yearly, we conduct DVBS for children with a two-fold purpose: firstly, for reaching children with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and secondly, for equipping believing children with the truths of God’s Word so that they may live a triumphant Christian life.
The theme for this year’s DVBS is "Rooted and Built Up in Christ". The lessons will cater to children’s need to grow in faith, love and obedience to Christ. Let us pray that the participating children will grow up as Christ’s genuine followers, who are full of the knowledge of His Word and Christ-likeness.
For teaching purposes, children will be grouped into three levels: (i) Preschool; (ii) Primary 1-3; and (iii) Primary 4-6. The daily programme of the 3-day DVBS (December 11-13, Wednesday-Friday) will include two Bible lessons, Singspiration time, Art and Craft session, games, etc. Children will be provided with refreshments and lunch. On the final day, the programme will culminate in an outdoor activity.
The GCM committee will be taking care of the organisation matters of the DVBS. If you need any information on the DVBS, please see Pr Kelvin Lim or Sis. Choy Luan Kheng. Please pray for the GCM committee members, teachers, helpers, etc., that the Lord may strengthen them by His Spirit to serve together for the praise of our Saviour.
Bible Witness Media Ministry will be making videos of the DVBS activities, in order to make them available on our websites and social media platforms as ‘On-Demand’ videos and Web-TV (still in the planning stage). We would like parents to take note of the video recording, and advise children to be at their best in conduct.
As this is the first time such an effort will be made in the DVBS, we need the patient cooperation of all who are involved in the DVBS – children and also parents. Please let children come in modest and semi-formal attire.
"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?" (Psalm 34:11-12). This biblical example of urging children to come, hear and be taught of the true religion is the duty of parents and all Christian adults. Ushering children into the fear of the LORD by effectually teaching them the truths of godliness should never be neglected. No child naturally desires to reverence God and live a godly life. Unless they are consistently urged and taught, they would not turn to God. All education that omits consistent spiritual education is most defective. Children who are not taught godliness will be ill-equipped even for this life on earth. Improving intellectual capacities without improving the heart in the fear of the LORD is great folly (E. Cooper).
However, children who learn to fear the LORD will be filled with (i) wisdom to depart from evil (cf. Job 28:28; Proverbs 16:6), (ii) wisdom to choose the paths that please and honour God (cf. Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7), (iii) confidence and courage in the midst of trials of life (cf. Proverbs 14:26); as well as (iv) true "riches, and honour, and life" (Proverbs 22:4). The fear of the LORD in a child’s heart is so valuable that Proverbs 15:16 says, "Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith". Let none of us foolishly neglect the great necessity for our children to be taught the fear of the LORD.
Let us make every effort to bring children to Christ. Let not this opportunity to invest in the future of our children be missed. Let us strive to obey Jesus’ words when "Jesus called (the children) unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God" (Luke 18:16).
An elegantly designed pamphlet is available for you to invite children to DVBS so that they may learn the Gospel of Christ and be nourished up in His Word.