Live It Out: Introducing Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2025

Actions speak louder than words.

We’ve all heard the saying before, but what does it really mean for us? For our kids? For the families in our community?

Well, for starters, it’s about more than just learning Bible stories – it’s about taking what we learn and living it out in our lives everyday. .

And this year, we’re focusing on one powerful action: loving like Jesus. Orange VBS (Very Best Summer) or some of you may know it as Vacation Bible School brings you a summer where kids feel empowered to adventure beyond simply talking about their faith and learn to live out their faith. 

Imagine a week where kids not only hear about Jesus’ love but also learn to express that love through their actions. By the end of your VBS, they’ll walk away with tangible ways to love like Jesus and live like Jesus, by praying, loving, serving, forgiving and showing simple acts of kindness.  

Join us in VBS 2025 as we learn to live it out and show others that our actions truly do speak louder than words!

Discover How to Love Like Jesus with Live It Out VBS!

Live It Out VBS (Very Best Summer) is not just a theme; it’s a call to action. 

It encourages children to actively live out their faith through their words and interactions with others. 

This year, we’re taking the spirit of camp – the camaraderie, the daily activities, the immersive nature – and applying it to our theme. Live It Out VBS combines the fun and adventure of camp life with meaningful Bible stories, fun worship songs, and engaging small group activities that teach kids how to love like Jesus.

What does it look like to Live It Out?

In John 13, we see Jesus give a command to His disciples. He knew His time with them was coming to a close, and He would soon be sentenced to death on a cross. While spending their last moments together, He left His followers with one thing: “I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you. If you love one another, everyone will know you are my disciples.” He said, “Everyone will know…” They were with Jesus, and Jesus was with them because of their love for one another. Jesus showed His disciples how to love, and in turn, the way we love and treat one another speaks volumes about who we follow.

Amidst a world where people are hurting and divided, we have the opportunity to remind this generation what it looks like to Live It Out. This summer, we invite you on a journey to discover how to love like Jesus, not just through words, but in action too. Jesus displayed how we are to be kind to one another, forgive one another, pray for one another, serve one another, and more. We can’t wait to go on this journey with you as we make this summer one you won’t soon forget!

As we teach kids about what it means to follow Jesus, kids will receive hands-on, fun, and engaging content that helps them continue to grow in their faith. We’ve tailored this curriculum to cater to your entire children’s ministry, ensuring that every child, from preschoolers to preteens, can truly Live It Out and discover how to love like Jesus. 

Memory Verse

“I give you a new command. Love one another. You must love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 13:34 NIrV

Day 1

Bible Story: John 13:1-17 – Jesus washes His disciples’ feet.
Bottom Line: Love one another.

On the first day, we’ll be discussing the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet which is a beautiful example of humility and service. Understanding and practicing love for others at a young age will teach kids how to develop empathy and compassion for one another for the rest of their lives.

Day 2

Bible Story: Mark 10:13-16 – Little children are brought to Jesus.
Bottom Line: Be kind to one another.

Day two will focus on the story of the little children being brought to Jesus. We’ll be exploring the theme of kindness and ask the question, “When has someone been kind to you?” Kids will learn to be kind to others because Jesus was kind to others too.

Day 3

Bible Story: 1 John 4:9-12 – God’s love for us.
Bottom Line: Forgive one another.

Day three is all about forgiveness. God loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son for us and to forgive us of our sins. Kids will walk away from day three knowing that in order to live like Jesus, we need to forgive others – just as He did.

Day 4

Bible Story: Matthew 6:9-13 – The Lord’s Prayer
Bottom Line: Pray for one another.

Knowing when and how to pray for others is such a valuable skill for a kid to have, and that is exactly what we’ll be talking about on day four. We’ll be asking, “What do you pray about?” We will support this big idea with 1 Timothy 2:1 NIV. 

Day 5

Bible Story: Acts 2:42-47 – The believers share their lives together.
Bottom Line: Serve one another.

On the final day, we’ll be exploring the theme of service, discussing the story of the believers sharing their lives together. It’s vital for kids to learn to serve one another early in life, so we’ll be asking, “What are ways we can serve one another?”

These questions, stories, and big ideas will help kids in your VBS program internalize God’s truths and how they can apply Jesus’ command to Live It Out in their daily lives.

Decoration

How Can I Decorate for Live It Out VBS?
Decoration plays a crucial role in creating a successful VBS (vacation bible school) and we want to help you transform your space. No matter the size or location – into an environment where kids can Live It Out!

For small churches, consider focusing on creating a few key focal points to bring the theme to life. One example is a lake scene with a paddle, canoes, fishing poles, and life vests for a fun photo op. You could also create mini campfires with tissue paper where kids can gather around for small group discussions. Ordinary items that you may already own, such as string lights, pennant flags, and Christmas trees, can be a cost-friendly way to spruce up your space.

For larger churches, you can take these ideas and expand them. Create different “camp” zones throughout your space – A mess hall for snacks, a “cabin” area for story time, or even a “lake” for water games. The possibilities are endless!

And remember, your VBS doesn’t have to look like a traditional summer camp. You might choose to theme your VBS as a sports camp with different sports activities tied into the daily lessons. Or maybe, a science camp is more your style, and you can incorporate fun experiments that illustrate the theme of the day. Whatever path you decide to take, the goal is to create a space that excites and inspires your kids to Live It Out.

Get creative and have fun! If you want “s’more” ideas, check out our Pinterest board for decor inspiration!

You can also join the VBS Facebook group, where people share ideas and wins!

Why use Orange’s Vacation Bible School?

Imagine the sun is shining, and the birds are chirping. It’s summertime, and you’re feeling the pressure to put on an incredible Vacation Bible School. We want your decorations to scream, “Money is no object!” When, in reality, you’re actually ballin’ on a budget. You want your volunteers prepped, poured into, and – most importantly – present, You want kids to walk away from the week knowing that God loves them and that they should love others the same way. You want parents to be able to not only participate in but also actively lead conversations at home, and you want it all, and it’s a lot to juggle… How can you accomplish all of this in only five days? 

That’s where our team at Orange comes in. We had a team of counselors, pastors, writers, researchers, parents, and teachers working around the clock to create a VBS kit that is: 

• V: Versatile
  • Crafted to adapt seamlessly to any church setting and ensure engaging experiences for children in groups of any size or budget.
• B: Biblical
  • Centered around biblical truths tailored to meet developmental needs, making Scripture both accessible and impactful for kids in preschool – elementary school.
• S: Strategic
  • Equipped with all the essential tools and resources to align influence between volunteers and parents, ensuring a memorable VBS experience.

On top of those features, when you pair Orange VBS (vacation bible school) with Orange Curriculum, you expand the experience to a whole summer strategy. The VBS theme and content are strategically aligned with the June and July curriculum to give you and your kids a comprehensive learning experience. You can make Summer 2025 an unforgettable adventure for everyone involved.

Put Faith Into Action
Start preparing now for an unforgettable summer that’s not just about fun. It also needs to be about living out the love of Jesus. With the Live It Out VBS Kit, you’ll have everything you need to create an experience. An experience an event that will leave a lasting impact on every child at your VBS.

Preorder the Live It Out VBS Kit today and make Summer 2025 your Very Best Summer yet!