Neighborhood Bible Club - learning from others part 2

While I gleaned a boatload of information from CEF, I still needed more. Now that I knew the questions to ask and had an idea of what a club could look like, I wanted to seek out the best way to do a backyard Bible club.


Through a bit of networking I heard about a nearby church that has used Neighborhood Bible Clubs exclusively in place of the traditional VBS for many years now.

I had to learn more.

Fortunately, our eight year old was willing to play along and he was subsequently dragged to multiple clubs and meetings with the program coordinator.

More information, more learning, more second-hand experience.

What we learned (and relearned) along this second ride:

• Connect with area Christians. Partner with your church, find other believers from other churches in your neighborhood. The more people on your team, the more kids in your immediate circle of contacts.

• Attendance will grow over the years. Have a long range vision. I talked to a woman who started with a good sized club of 25 kids about 15 years ago. Now they host 300 kids!!! Of course, God has brought a few families alongside them and they get a permit from the city to block of the whole street for a couple hours each morning that week. 

• Train the hosts and let them assemble and train their teams. I love this! I had been so stressed trying to coordinate everything myself and suddenly - light bulb! - I didn't need to. The hosts are completely capable of taking all the tools and running their own club. Game changer right there.

•  Involve teen helpers. But, choose their roles wisely. They are great game leaders, small group guides, support volunteers, snack distributors, craft helpers, etc. Choose adults to lead large group time and teaching time. Don't short change safety and the ever imprortant gospel message.

•  It feels like a birthday party. Parents dropping off kids for a couple hours of organized fun, music, and stories. Really felt like the casual, but fired up atmosphere you would find at a party.

•  Communicate with parents. Collect email addresses or cell numbers to send a summary of the day. Memory verse, story hits, and some conversation starter questions do use over dinner at home that night.

•  The church (or other organizer) provides the tools. The host might find their team and train them, but someone else should be supporting all the hosts and helping them have all they need for a successful club: water jugs, craft supplies, game supplies, curriculum, signs, newsletter samples, various paperwork templates, etc.

 I am unbelievably thankful for the people who have gone before me and paved the way and shared their wealth of knowledge that erupts from decades of experience. The vision is catching on and I can't wait to see where God takes it.

But, we haven't even gotten to the part of the process where I actually host a club! More to come . . .