“Wow God!” – Understanding the Nature of God

As many of you likely know, we are holding our VBS this week and the theme is about understanding the nature of God. Each day an attribute of God is taught in a variety of contexts and creative ways. It’s great to watch the kids engage with it as they start to hide God’s Word in their hearts.  So, each day there is a point such as “God is our creator” and the kids will respond: “Wow God!”  This will go on throughout the day, and the volume seems to increase as the kids get used to it. Honestly, I love it. The more enthusiastic the better. 

The points for each of the five days this week are: God is our creator, God knows everything, God is our safe place, God is love and God is our future. Pretty powerful, huh?  I love this theme since many kids today, and sadly even kids who go to church, see God as mysterious and even made up. He’s just someone they’ve heard about and not someone they know. Screens, social media and influencers (even on very young children) seem easier to believe. This is not just an issue for kids, many of us have the same struggle.  God can seem distant and unknowable.  But when we understand God’s nature, and the attributes above, things begin to change. We can not only survive but thrive. 

Nature means disposition or temperament.  It is the characteristics or essence of someone or something.  We all have a nature.  My disposition is to say, ‘let your light shine’.  God has a nature too.  What is it?  That He is our creator who knows everything about us. He knows every thought and action. Take comfort in this and bring your cares to him.  He is a place of safety. With so much anxiety and fear in society we can rest secure in God’s strong arms, the arms of the creator.  And our future is secure in Him. This is not just for kids; do you know this too? 

When Jesus died on the cross the path to forgiveness of sin and peace with God was paved. When He rose from the grave, death was defeated and the path to Heaven opened as well. Why? Why would he do all that? Because the core of His nature is love. That agape love which is unearned, unmerited and undeserved, that God freely gives. Wow, God. 

The teaching this week is why I love things like VBS. They become powerful tools of not only introducing children to Jesus but helping those who do to grow in him, providing valuable spiritual growth for kids.  This is a tool of outreach and discipleship. 

But does it really make a difference?  I asked that question myself over 15 years ago when I questioned the resources invested in a day camp my previous church ran. How much impact can five mornings really have?  

If you were here on Sunday night I shared the following statistics:

Lifeway Resources, the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, reported this:

Among those surveyed, who say they attended VBS as a child, 89% agree it positively influenced their spiritual growth.  Further, those who have a child who has attended VBS, 95% agree that participating in VBS positively influenced their child's spiritual growth. More powerfully, 71% agree that participating in VBS has directly impacted their child's spiritual growth in positive ways. It has impact. 

When done with intention, passion and driven by vision, something like VBS becomes a KEY tool in the fulfilling of the Great Commission among children (which is part of our new vision, by the way!).  What does the bible say about this?  Proverbs 22:6 says “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”  

I know, I’ve gotten off on a bit of a bunny trail, but how God works, and the mediums He uses, has been on my mind lately.  God desires a relationship with us; it is part of his nature.  He loved the world so much He sent his son, that we might be saved from our sins. THAT is his nature, the one who created us, this world and guarantees our future. But even more, He knows what we’re going through and He cares. He also provides a place of safety. Going through a hard time? Run to the God of creation, He’s got you. 

Wow God.  Isn’t He amazing that He uses such creative ways to help all of his creation grow?  Wow God, indeed.