As us ministry leaders inch closer to 2024, we can’t help but anticipate one of the best weeks of the year, Vacation Bible School! Summer will be here before we know it, and kids will soon start counting down the days towards the ever-anticipated VBS.
We know you are beginning to dream about VBS 2024, and at Orange we want to give you all of the details so you can make it the best summer ever! That starts with choosing a great VBS curriculum and there are a variety to choose from. Everything from Orange VBS, Lifeway VBS, Group VBS, and more!
That’s why we wanted to create a place where you could overview all the different themes in one place.
While we are biased toward our favorite VBS curriculum, there are several other exciting options to choose from. And if you are looking for a community of VBS directors and leaders planning for an amazing summer, check out our VBS Facebook Group.
Your 2024 VBS Overview
Orange VBS 2024 Theme Overview
Theme: Start the Party
Tagline: Celebrate the Good News
Theme Verse: “You always show me the path that leads to life. You will fill me with joy when I am with you.” (Acts 2:28 NIrV)
Program Overview: It’s time to celebrate! Jesus gives us the most amazing reason to party. That’s why we believe God’s love and the Gospel of Jesus is the best news ever. Celebrate the good news of Jesus with this complete VBS kit that includes everything you need to host a celebration that will last all summer long. Remind kids of the reason why Jesus is good news.
Daily Overview
DAY 1
Bible Story: Matthew’s Party
Daily Scripture: Luke 5:27-32
Bottom Line: Jesus is a good reason to have a party.
DAY 2
Bible Story: Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Feast
Daily Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14
Bottom Line: Everyone is invited to the party.
DAY 3
Bible Story: Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Son
Daily Scripture: Luke 15:11-32
Bottom Line: Celebrate the Good News.
DAY 4
Bible Story: The Woman at the Well
Daily Scripture: John 4:1-26, 39-42
Bottom Line: Jesus is the life of the party.
DAY 5
Bible Story: You are the light of the world
Daily Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16
Bottom Line: You can be a party starter.
Did you know that if you use Orange Curriculum, the VBS theme is carried through the whole summer making Sunday planning, decorating(only once for the entire summer), and prep easier. If you are not an Orange curriculum user you will find two months of Orange curriculum for your summer included with your VBS Kit.
Link: https://orangevbs.com/
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“EZ VBS” by Group Publishing Theme Overview
Theme: Scuba
Tagline: Diving into friendship with God
Program Overview: Take kids deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. Kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about!
Daily Overview
DAY 1
Bible Story: God shows Himself to Elijah. (1 Kings 18-19)
Key Bible Verse: “We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:69
Bible Point: God is a friend who’s real.
DAY 2
Bible Story: God shows compassion to the people of Nineveh. (Jonah 1-3)
Key Bible Verse: “Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” (John 13:34)
Bible Point: God is a friend who loves.
DAY 3
Bible Story: Jesus calms a storm. (Mark 4:35-41)
Key Bible Verse: “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.” (John 14:27
Bible Point: God is a friend we can trust.
DAY 4
Bible Story: Jesus dies and comes back to life. (John 18-20)
Key Bible Verse: “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. (John 11:25)
Bible Point: God is a friend forever.
DAY 5
Bible Story: Lydia believes in Jesus. (Acts 16:11-15)
Key Bible Verse: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Bible Point: God is a friend for everyone.
Link: https://www.group.com/vbs
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Lifeway VBS 2024 Theme Overview
Theme: Breaker Rock Beach
Tagline: God’s rock solid truth in a world of shifting sands
Theme Verse: Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
Program Overview: Kids will be challenged as they discover that God’s truth never changes, everyone needs Jesus, and learn to speak the truth in love. Adventure awaits each day as kids explore tide pools, spot orcas, fly kites, and watch the mighty waves crash up against the immovable Breaker Rock!
Daily Overview
DAY 1
Bible Story: Satan Tricked Adam and Eve (Genesis 2-3)
Bonus Verse: Psalm 119:160
The Point: Truth comes from God.
DAY 2
Bible Story: Daniel Chose God’s Way (Daniel 1)
Bonus Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6
The Point: God’s plan is best.
DAY 3
Bible Story: The Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-27)
Bonus Verse: Romans 3:23-24
The Point: Everyone needs Jesus.
DAY 4
Bible Story: John Wrote About Jesus (John 14:1-6, 18-20; Acts 1:9-12
Bonus Verse: Acts 4:12
The Point: Jesus is the only way. (Preschool: The Bible is true!)
DAY 5
Bible Story: Paul Encouraged the Ephesians (Acts 9:1-6; 19:1-10, 21-31; 20:1; Ephesians 3:14-4:16
Bonus Verse: Ephesians 4:15
The Point: Speak the truth in love.
Link: https://vbs.lifeway.com/
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Answers in Genesis VBS 2024 Theme Overview
Theme: The Great Jungle Journey
Tagline: An Epic Cruise from Genesis to Revelation
Program Overview: Set off on an epic adventure from Genesis to Revelation. Children will sail along on a fun jungle cruise, stopping at the 7 “C’s” of history: Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, Cross, and Consummation. Kids will discover how these events shape our world, and they will learn to reconnect to the Bible to their everyday life.
Daily Overview
DAY 1
Bible Passages: Genesis 1
Lesson Focus: We cruise to our first C of history – Creation – and head back to the beginning of the universe.
Memory Verse: Genesis 1:1
Apologetics Focus: Examining how it all began – man’s ideas or God’s Word?
DAY 2
Bible Passages: Genesis 3; Genesis 6-9
Lesson Focus: Next comes Corruption and Catastrophe as sin enters the world and affects everyone.
Memory Verse: Psalm 14:3
Apologetics Focus: Examining the reality of a global flood.
DAY 3
Bible Passages: Genesis 11
Lesson Focus: The fourth C – Confusion – checks out the world-altering events that began at the tower of Babel.
Memory Verse: Genesis 11:9
Apologetics Focus: Examining where the people groups came from.
DAY 4
Bible Passages: Various scriptures
Lesson Focus: Christ and the Cross are the next stops. The gospel is shared today.
Memory Verse: John 1:12
Apologetics Focus: Examining a need for a Savior.
DAY 5
Bible Passages: Revelation 21-22
Lesson Focus: The last C – Consummation – shows that God wins, and all goes back to very good again.
Memory Verse: Revelation 21:4
Apologetics Focus: Examining how it turns out in the end.
Link: https://answersingenesis.org/vbs/
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Cokesbury VBS 2024 Theme Overview
Theme: Camp Firelight
Tagline: A Summer Adventure Camp with God
Theme Verse: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
Program Overview: Join first-time camp counselor Sam and Lu (short for Lumen), the lightning bug puppet and learn to face your fears while trusting in God. Kids will learn ways they can connect with and put their trust in God whenever they are afraid, challenged, or called to do God’s work in the world.
Daily Overview
DAY 1
Bible Story: God Goes with Jacob (Genesis 28:10-22)
Firelight Focus: Trust God to Go with Us!
Camp Callout: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
DAY 2
Bible Story: Ruth Chooses to Go (Ruth 1)
Firelight Focus: Trust God to Lead the Way!
Camp Callout: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
DAY 3
Bible Story: Young Jesus Shares Wisdom (Luke 2:41-52)
Firelight Focus: Trust God to Share Wisdom!
Camp Callout: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
DAY 4
Bible Story: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Firelight Focus: Trust God to Give Us Peace!
Camp Callout: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
DAY 5
Bible Story: The Good News Sparks Joy (Acts 8:26-40)
Firelight Focus: Trust God to Spark Joy!
Camp Callout: “Whenever I’m afraid, I put my trust in you.” (Psalm 56:3)
Link: https://www.cokesburyvbs.com/theme/
Start Planning Today!
This summer, we can’t wait to see the ways God moves in your kids’ hearts! Through songs, games, and solid messages, our prayer is that kids will learn to know and follow Jesus. To get inspiration and ideas from other ministry leaders across the globe who are starting the party with Orange Start The Party VBS this summer, join our VBS Facebook Group. This Facebook community is all about sharing ideas and wins of the best summer ever! We can’t wait to see what creativity your team brings to the table.
Whatever curriculum you choose, we hope you have a summer filled with fun and the children in your church community experience the love of God and grow in their everyday faith! Here’s to an awesome VBS 2024!
