This year children at the Valley View Church Vacation Bible School in East Wenatchee, Wash., explored and learned about the Sanctuary. “Exploring the Sanctuary 2009” shared what God’s people were looking forward to when Jesus came the first time.
To make it as real for the children as possible, a small-scale Sanctuary, with furniture and accessories like those found in the biblical Tabernacle, was recreated. The children were encouraged to explore and touch as part of the learning process. Lessons, snacks, crafts and outdoor games filled the evenings Monday through Thursday. The snacks introduced “a taste” of the Sanctuary with manna, unleavened bread, bitter and sweet foods along with an explanation of why these foods were significant.
On Thursday, a pet chicken held the attention of the children. The chicken represented the sacrifice of the poor. The child who owned the chicken shared how she might have felt if her chicken had to be sacrificed because of her sin or her family’s sin. All were relieved they no longer needed to do this. It gave a new meaning to the importance of obedience and Jesus death.
Friday evening, parents were invited to come and Jim Anderson, pastor, summarized the week. Sabbath morning there was a special all-child Sabbath School focusing on the Sanctuary.
The most surprising thing about this VBS was how interested the children were to learn about the details of the Sanctuary.
