If you grew up in the church, you have probably heard of Vacation Bible School. If you don’t know what this is, it is basically when a bunch of kids participate in a week of fun activities at either their home church or at a church that is in their community. I grew up going to VBS every year and it is definitely an experience. Since I was a very quiet kid, it was hard for me to truly enjoy a week of over-the-top activities where you actually had to interact with other kids. And the VBS at my church tends to have 700+ kids, so yeah, it was terrifying.
But once I got older and was no longer forced to interact with kids my age, I decided to be a table teacher for my church’s VBS. It’s kind of ironic since I really didn’t enjoy VBS when I was younger. But now I look forward to the week where I get to hang out with little kids and teach them about Jesus.
Over the past five years that I have been a table teacher, I have learned that VBS is intense, especially since my church has so many kids attending each year. The week really takes a lot out of you. All of the people that help with VBS pour their heart and soul into making this week a life changing experience for these kids.
My first year as a table teacher, I didn’t think it would be that challenging. I was kind of nervous because I would be in charge of a group of kids that I had never met before, but I didn’t think it would be difficult. Boy was I wrong. From the questions the kids ask you to trying to figure out the actions to the songs that you sing, it’s exhausting. But I keep coming back every summer. These kids absolutely love it when their teacher cares about them and what they are doing and it is such an honor to see them grow throughout the week.
People who haven’t helped with VBS don’t understand the blood, sweat, and tears that go into giving up your week to hang out with a bunch of little kids. But even if it is ridiculously tiring, it is so rewarding. The kids make you laugh until you cry and you create a bond with the kids at your table that you will never forget. And when they are singing the songs and doing all of the actions, it makes you forget about how one of them ran off without you causing you to have a small heart attack. And when one of your kids tells you that you are the “cool teacher,” it makes you smile and remember why you come back every year.
Vacation Bible School is one of those events that you never forget. Whether you went as a kid or helped as an adult, you make lot of memories. But being a table teaching is such a great experience and the kids that you get to hang out with everyday are the best!
(Also, I found this comic last year and it is so true and I love it.)
