ATHENS
Holy Land Adventure VBS 2013

Overview
Escape to Athens with Paul!
Imagine leaving a life of privilege and power to face angry mobs, painful imprisonment, and chain-breaking earthquakes—all to spread the life-changing truth of God’s love. Learn the jaw-dropping story of the Apostle Paul straight from Paul himself! In an ancient “anything goes” culture, Paul will inspire kids to share the truth of God’s immeasurable love today!
Download video to share with your church!
Holy Land Adventure VBS—A Bible-times Event Like No Other...
  • Transform your church into a famous ancient Bible-times city.
  • Kids learn straight from a well-known Bible hero.
  • Use as a kid-only or intergenerational program.
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Daily Bible Content— 
Experiencing God’s Word

At Athens VBS, you’ll reinforce Bible truth in a big way because the daily Bible Point is carefully integrated into each activity. God’s Word comes alive through engaging interaction with Bible history!

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The R.E.A.L Approach to Learning

When it comes to teaching kids about God’s Word, Group knows how to make faith stick! Only Group’s R.E.A.L. approach to learning is guaranteed to help kids remember God’s Word.

R.E.A.L. Learning is:

Relational Experiential Applicable Learner-Based

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Rotation Stations—Keeping Kids Engaged

Through field tested rotation stations, kids and adults "time-travel" back to ancient Athens! In a small group
of up to 10 (called an Oikos) kids meet Paul and learn about his jaw-dropping experiences, go to the Arena
Games for fun Olympic “training,” and visit the busy Athenian Marketplace for snacks and activities.

Station Rotation Chart

Station Rotation Chart

This easy-to-understand Rotation Chart will show you how all the Athens stations fit together.

Station Rotation Chart

A Day at Athens

It’s a sneak peek at Athens in action! During our field test (at a real church) we followed an Oikos around to give you an idea of what the kids at your VBS will experience.

Opening Celebration

Opening Celebration

To start things off on the right foot, everyone gathers at the opening Celebration for an upbeat time of singing and worshiping together!

Oikos Time

Oikos Time

Kids and adults travel in small groups, called an Oikos (Greek for “household”)—each named after one of the early churches visited by Paul. At the end of the day, each Oikos gathers for surprising object lessons that help kids see how the daily Bible verse connects to everyday life.

Paul’s Adventures

Paul’s Adventures

Small groups visit with Paul, who gives a firsthand account of his dangerous journey to share the life-changing truth about God.

Arena Games

Arena Games

Kids and adults play games as they “train” for the Olympics, discovering more about life in ancient Athens.

Marketplace Shops

Marketplace Shops

Each day kids will explore shops full of unique crafts and creative activities based on Bible-times history.

Closing Celebration

Closing Celebration

Just like in the opening Celebration, everyone gathers to sing praises to God! Songs and motions help kids explore worship through music.

Meaningful Missions

Your kids can send God’s Word to India.

There are more children in India than any other country in the world. And every day, millions of them live in active danger of being trafficked, maimed, or sold into slavery. For these kids, life feels hopeless.

We’ve partnered with Biblica with the goal of placing heart-changing Scripture into the hands of India’s children. All it takes is love, prayer…and the specially designed “God’s Love for You” Bible book. Together we can let children of India know that they are loved…that they matter…that God has a purpose for them.

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Decorating—Engaging Your Kids

Take your whole congregation on a trip back-in-time to the beautiful Grecian coast without breaking the
bank! Athens VBS is full of vibrant colors, rugged columns and lush vegetation that can easily be
created with inexpensive, everyday items. Get your Greek on!

Decorating Ideas Headline
Kingdom Rock Main Set
Kingdom Rock King's Throne
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Quality Music Sets The Tone

One of the best parts about Group VBS—award-winning music!
You’ll sing songs that will lift everyone higher!

1. Yes, It’s True (theme song)
2. It Was for Freedom
3. Love Round
4. Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)
5. The Love of God
6. We Will Live Forever (John 3:16)
7. Give All Your Worries to God (1 Peter 5:7)
8. Get Up, Get Up
9. Come, Now Is the Time to Worship
10. Happy Day!
11. Athens Marketplace Soundtrack
DOWNLOAD THE FULL ATHENS VBS THEME SONG NOW!
For personal use only
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Athens VBS Ultimate Starter Kit—Pre-Order Today!

Your Ultimate Starter Kit comes filled with everything you need to plan a truly memorable Athens VBS. The Ultimate Director
Go-To Guide® and leader manuals provide step-by-step instructions. Plus, you’ll get student resource samples, volunteer resources, an Athens catalog packed with program products, and essential
media tools.

  • The Ultimate Director Go-To Guide contains everything you need to plan a successful program, recruit and train volunteers, publicize your program, and follow up with families after the big event.
  • Leader Manuals provide easy instructions for specific roles at your Athens VBS. Each manual includes an overview of each day’s Bible content, historical backgrounds, step-by-step directions for each activity, and guided discussion questions.
  • Helpful DVDs and CDs feature training resources, clip art, and marketing tools that make it easy to inspire and educate your church body. The Decorating Places DVD gives you detailed instructions to create your Athens setting—and the Celebration Music DVD will have your kids in celebration mode all week long.
  • Student resources, including Bible Memory Makers®, Postcards From Paul and Marketplace Crafts, will keep kids talking about Athens throughout their VBS experience and long after they leave your church event.
Athens VBS Ultimate Starter Kit

Looking for an easy way to order your resources?

Download the Easy Order Form (United States or
Canada version) and submit it to your VBS supplier.

  • "So excited about going to Athens! I have already texted the person who portrayed Paul when we went to Rome and have asked him to reprise his role next summer!"

    -Kim

  • "I just love the Holy Land Adventure. Athens, here we come! Our kids are going to love it."

    -Kelley

  • "Wooohoo! i am sooo excited! ATHENS! I can see the decorations now! but first to finish an amazing week at Daniel's house in Babylon!"

    -Amiee

  • "WE cannot wait to go to Athens! It looks fantastic."

    -Mindy

  • "So excited! We just finished Babylon and had a great week. Next destination - Athens!"

    -Jenni

  • "Athens here we come...going up on the bulletin board this weekend!"

    -Tammy

  • "So excited...Athens!"

    -Rebeca

  • "Kingdom Rock looks awesome ! Loveeee the music and its intensity...can't wait to get started !!!"

    -Alicia

  • "Sounds like another set of great songs!!"

    -MaryAnn

  • "Love KR! I always end up planning for next year's before this year's even happens! But now I can be on the lookout for shields, crowns, thrones....ahhhhh!!"

    -Justin