By Marissa Postell Sullivan, writer for Lifeway Christian Resources
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) — God is beyond our complete understanding, yet we can know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. He keeps the world turning yet is never too busy for us. He created massive galaxies, yet still gave even the tiniest creature incredible detail. How can all these things be true?
Next summer, kids will explore the vastness of God’s character through the details of Scripture with Lifeway Christian Resources’ 2025 Vacation Bible School (VBS) theme: “Magnified! Discovering the Bigness of God in the Smallest of Things.”
“When we stop and notice tiny things – the detail in a butterfly wing, the range of colors in a black bird’s feather, the refracted light in a single drop of dew – we begin to understand how amazingly creative God is,” said Melita Thomas, VBS and kids ministry specialist for Lifeway. “And our only response to seeing God’s greatness reflected in these intricate details is to praise Him. Or in other words, to magnify Him.”
Zooming in on the tiniest details of creation, “Magnified!” VBS will encourage kids to look closely at the details of God’s amazing world to proclaim, or magnify, the greatness of God.
“Churches are going to love decorating for this theme – giant flowers, enormous acorns, towering blades of grass, oversized critters,” Thomas said. “It’s going to feel fresh, colorful and fun – just like a perfect kids-eye perspective of summertime.”
“Magnified!” is an intentionally “unplugged” VBS, said Thomas, envisioning a time for kids to put down devices and get outside to explore the vastness of God’s creation in their own backyards – a time to simply play and be kids.
“Similarly, the biblical content has a bit of a ‘back to the basics’ feel that is super appealing (and critically needed) for this generation of kids,” Thomas said. “‘Magnified!’ will help kids expand their view and understanding of God and see Him for who He truly is. He is so much bigger, stronger, greater and more magnificent than we often take the time to reflect on.”
“Magnified!” features the theme verse, Psalm 34:3: “Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together” (CSB). The motto is: “Made to magnify God!”
“Magnified!” includes the following daily focus points and Bible stories:
- Day 1: God sees me. Bible story: Jesus and the children.
- Day 2: God cares about me. Bible story: Jesus calmed the storm.
- Day 3: God loves me. Bible story: The woman at the well.
- Day 4: God forgives me. Bible story: Jesus and Nicodemus.
- Day 5: God keeps His promises. Bible story: Jesus taught about worry.
“This theme taps into some of the felt needs of Gen Alpha and Gen Z. Kids want to feel seen, known and loved,” Thomas said. “Identity and belonging are huge issues for both of these emerging generations. And VBS gives churches the chance to address these needs as they intentionally pour into kids for a week that’s tailor-made for them.”
Through “Magnified!” VBS, kids will learn that God is not only the creator of all things but that He also cares about His creation, down to the tiniest detail. The Bible says people are the most significant part of that creation, Thomas said. So next summer’s VBS positions churches to address kids’ core needs, affirming God cares about everything that happens to them.
“It’s our hope that every child who comes to a ‘Magnified!’ VBS next summer will come away knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God who loves them tremendously – so much so that He sent His Son to die for them,” Thomas said.
According to Lifeway Research, 6 in 10 Americans say they went to VBS growing up. Today, 7 in 10 parents (69 percent) say they would encourage their child to attend VBS at a church they don’t attend if a friend invited them. Most American adults who attended VBS as children say they have positive memories of VBS and that it helped them understand the Bible better and positively influenced their spiritual growth.
More information about “Magnified!” can be found at vbs.lifeway.com.