Next summer, kids will roll up their sleeves and grab excavation gear as they head to archaeological sites of present-day Israel with “Destination Dig,” the 2021 Vacation Bible School (VBS) theme from LifeWay Christian Resources.
In “Destination Dig,” kids will take the role of junior archaeologists as they embark on an adventure to study pieces of the past to learn the truth about who Jesus is and why He came. Along the way, they’ll discover the truth of Jeremiah 29:13, that God reveals Himself to people when they seek and search for Him with all their hearts.
“Time and time again, archaeologists’ discoveries affirm the veracity of scripture,” said Melita Thomas, VBS and kids ministry specialist for LifeWay. “By rooting Bible stories in tangible, historical finds, kids will discover for themselves that the Bible is true and that every page of scripture helps present the absolute and unwavering truth of the gospel.”
Famous artifacts and historical finds, including pottery jars holding the Qumran scrolls, the Pool of Siloam, Caiaphas’ steps and a first century, rolling gravestone, will help children get a visualization of biblical events such as Jesus’ birth, miracles, betrayal, death, resurrection and the spread of the early church.
Each day of the week is framed around a different, overarching truth, including:
- Jesus came as God promised.
- Jesus demonstrated God’s power.
- Jesus was betrayed and rejected.
- Jesus died and rose again.
- The Bible is true.
“Archaeology is, at its core, a search for truth,” Thomas said. “And God has promised that people will find Him when they wholeheartedly search for truth.”
Throughout the VBS experience, kids will explore different rotation sites and activities including a Worship Rally Dig Site, Bible Study Tent, Artifact Crafts, Mess Tent Snacks, Recreations Ruins, Missions Market and Desert Cave Music. “Destination Dig” employs the motto, “Seek Truth! Find Jesus!”
VBS remains one of the most popular church programs in the U.S., LifeWay Research shows. Six in 10 Americans say they went to VBS growing up, and 95% of parents with a child who attended VBS say it provided a positive experience.
VBS also continues to be a leading outreach event for churches.
“Last summer, more than 58,000 people made professions of faith as a direct result of VBS,” Thomas said.
“Destination Dig” was revealed through a Facebook Live event June 30.
More information can be found at lifeway.com/vbs.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – Aaron Wilson is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.)
