STAYCATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Some area churches have redefined a summertime staple to reach children during the COVID-19 pandemic
A young girl attempted to toss a ring over a plastic cup with a picture of the Apostle Peter on it. Then, she tried to get a paper clip to float to the surface of a bowl of water in a fun experiment.
The outdoor activities — based on Philippians 4:13 — were held at the home of Dana and Daniel Sorrells as part of Edmond Church of Christ's Backyard Bible School.
The Bible schools are the church's new twist on Vacation Bible school this summer.
Instead of hosting traditional Vacation Bible school activities at the church, 801 S Bryant, children's ministry leaders decided to host them at residential homes like the Sorrells'. The leaders chose to host the outdoor activities in small-group settings to alleviate concerns about spreading COVID-19.
Dana Sorrells, children's ministry director's assistant, said the church planned to host Backyard Bible School activities at different homes throughout the month of July. Ministry leaders invited people from their neighborhood to visit their homes instead of traveling to the church for Bible school activities.
“The goal is to invite your neighbors,” Sorrells said.
“We're looking at this as a season that God's reminding us that our callings to `Go and tell' instead of `Come and see.'”
On a recent Saturday morning, she and her husband Daniel and their children Darci and Dylan presented one of the Bible school sessions on their front lawn and back yard. Everyone wore masks as they sang songs, made chalk drawings
and participated in other Bible school activities.
The Sorrells chose to highlight the Scripture theme in several ways. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
“We're in a summer and a season where kids are told all the things that they can't do. We're focusing on the things they can do,” Dana Sorrells said.
Several activities focused on New Testament Scripture which chronicles a scene where Jesus climbs out of a boat during a storm and walks on water. He encourages the Apostle Peter to do the same and Peter attempts to do so. While he is initially successful as he walks toward Jesus, he begins to sink when he turns his focus on the storm instead of Jesus.
“We're talking about faith, how faith can help us float whereas doubt causes us to sink,” Dana Sorrells said.
Youths were given blue Jello to take home to represent water and remind them to stay focused on the Lord.
“We want them to focus on the things they can do through Christ,” she added.