VBS for Backyards

A simple, adaptable, theologically progressive Vacation Bible School for in-person, online, and hybrid experiences.

When you sign up, you get instant access to:

  • 5 lessons in regular and large print pdf's and mobile friendly
  • Outline of all lessons for sermon (and children's sermon!) prep
  • Craft List with family-friendly craft supplies commonly found around homes
  • Sticker Chart to track each participant's progress
  • Themed Worship videos to play or post
  • Song List for your musicians
  • Logos to customize and use for advertising

And by Ash Wednesday, two Bonuses will be added to your access page!

BONUS #1: A complete outline for a large group opening and closing to kick off and/or close your VBS experience with the whole congregation

BONUS #2: Tips for Easily Building Faith-full Relationships online with all ages

Choose Your Theme

Each theme comes with the option to download and use everything on your own, or have us help with strategy and tech, such as online registration, emailing lessons, and updating a Facebook page.

Old Testament Favorites

Lessons include:

  • Creation
  • Noah
  • Joseph
  • Miriam
  • Firey Furnace
PURCHASE OLD TESTAMENT FAVORITES

Christmas in July

Lessons include:

  • Angels
  • Friends (Mary and Elizabeth)
  • Jesus
  • Shepherds
  • Follow the Star
PURCHASE CHRISTMAS IN JULY

She Believes: Female Bible Friends

Lessons Include:

  • Naomi and Ruth
  • Queen Esther
  • Mary and Martha
  • Women at the Tomb
  • Holy Spirit
PURCHASE FEMALE BIBLE FRIENDS

Every lesson includes everything for you to customize your experience.

STORY TIME

We'll tell you where to find it in the Spark Story Bible, the full Bible, as a short cartoon, and also give you a pdf printout.

REFLECTION SECTION

Every lesson has theologically appropriate questions for adults, young disciples, and even younger disciples, making this perfect for ages 3-103.

IMAGINATION STATION

Choose between a coloring page, a digital photo scavenger hunt, or a traditional VBS craft project.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Vacation Bible School is about being outside! Every lesson has suggestions for all ages to engage with the natural world, no matter where you live.

MISSION MOMENT

We've got options for families, individuals, and everyone in between to share part of what they learned with those around them.

And we all know half the fun of VBS is the music.

Each week includes a short, high-quality worship that includes:

  • Invocation
  • Prayer
  • Teaching
  • Benediction
  • At least 3 songs like the ones in this video


We also include a songlist for the musicians at your church if you'd like to lead some of the music live.

Here's what others have said

"

"The VBS for Backyards lessons were fun. I liked how there were 4-5 different 'stations' each week and you could choose if you didn't want to do them all (or didn't have time that week) and how in depth you wanted to go with different parts. It was easy to use getting an email each week with all the links you needed."

—

Gracia Johnson, Youth & Children's Ministry Coordinator, Bismarck, ND

"

“Worshiping online is going to be a part of our future. We’re ok at it. But ok isn’t good enough. We want to do it with excellence. But we don’t know what we don’t know. This is all new to us. When trying to figure out online worship, I would think to myself “I wonder what Dawn would do?” Finally I just decided to call her and find out. Dawn brings a unique blend of gifts and skills. She “gets” the church world. She understands good production values. And she is committed to helping us be better.”

—

Todd Buegler, Pastor, Owatonna, MN

Have Questions? We Have Answers.

I don't have any tech skills. Can I still use this?

Absolutely! Sign up for the option where we'll talk you through everything on a one-on-one Zoom, and even take care of a few things for you, like creating a registration page, emailing lessons, and overseeing a Facebook page.

I am a former member of the AV Club. Will this be too simple?

The curriculum is designed as a framework to build from. With the lessons taken care of, you can add in human interest stories, dedicated online worship experiences, TikToc videos, whatever you create.

How progressive is progressive theology?

The curriculum was written by a team of ELCA Lutherans with an eye toward other denominations. If you've ever had to rewrite a Thursday VBS curriculum to take out the altar call, you'll probably resonate with what's here.

I have more questions. Can I contact you?

YES! Email us at Hello@BigPictureBigPurpose.com and we'll either answer over email or set up a quick video chat. We're a small, nimble team of real people ready to work with you and the needs of your congregation.

Meet Dawn.

Dawn Trautman has lead more than 50 weeks of Vacation Bible School at rural, suburban and urban congregations throughout the United States, including an online VBS that started in 2019 (yes, pre-pandemic.) She also served for many years as co-leader of the MainStage team at the ELCA Youth & Children's Ministry Extravaganza, and was instrumental in moving the event online in 2021, reaching over 2000 participants. 

She is a national board certified life coach and holds two Masters degrees in youth and family ministry (Luther Seminary) and organizational psychology (NYU). She also volunteers regularly at her church in New York City, both by streaming Sunday worship and at the church's food pantry, which serves up to 24,000 meals a week.

Meet Kelly.

Kelly Benz (Curriculum Writer for Young Disciples) is the Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry at Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington, Iowa. As the mother of four children 12 and under, she has the ultimate test market and quality control managers right there in her own backyard.

Meet Mallory.

Mallory Topel (Tech Wizard and Organizational Guru) attended the VBS at her local Lutheran church as a child, and insisted that her family join the church. She is a pandemic graduate of Viterbo University in LaCrosse Wisconsin, earning a degree in Stage Management. She is still involved in VBS at her church, where her mother is now in charge of it.

Meet Nate.

Nathan Maxwell-Doherty (Worships and Sing-alongs) draws on years of experience as Camp Director at Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences (LRCC) in Southern California. He creates the graphics, altar design, and other parts of the visual experience for the Main Stage at the annual ELCA Children Youth and Family Ministry Extravaganza.

TOGETHER, WE HAVE WORKED WITH HUNDREDS OF LEADERS IN THESE AND OTHER DENOMINATIONS

Dive into hybrid VBS without losing your mind.

Choose your theme below. On the order page you can choose whether you'd like to download the curriculum to adapt and use on your own, or have us involved in strategy, teaching, and tech.

We look forward to working with you!

PURCHASE OLD TESTAMENT FAVORITES
PURCHASE CHRISTMAS IN JULY
PURCHASE FEMALE BIBLE FRIENDS