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Resource: Marketplace 29 AD Programs:
Antioch 49 Apostle Paul's Early Journeys
Produced
by:
B. J. Goetz Publisher Co. 1994,
Stevensville, Michigan.
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Is this a "permanent" resource (i.e. you buy it once and you can reuse it over many years) or a "dated" resource (i.e. it is produced for just one summer, with a new one coming out each year)?
This is a permanent resource that could be used again. It is not dated and can be used at any time of the year. Due to the popularity of the program, new marketplace resources are published each year. - What
are the main goals or aims of this VBS resource?
The main goals of this resource are to provide "hands on" learning opportunities which provide personal experience as the participants become actively involved in the learning process. The objectives of Antioch AD 49 are to assist children to: Explore the life and experiences of Apostle Paul. Understand Apostle Paul's early missionary ministry and some of the people places and events of Acts 13-18. Experience the marketplace and culture of a Gentile city. Grow in faith to experience God's salvation and love in their lives. Understand that God has acted directly in the lives of persons and the church in the past. Today he wants to live, influence and act in the lives of people of all ages. Respond to God's call to minister and share His love with others. - What
is the content (i.e. particular Bible stories, a theological theme,
questions, etc.)?
The content or subject matter is the life of Apostle Paul and his contributions to the development of the early Christian Church, teaching the importance of good leaders in the mission of the church and how children can be leaders in supporting the worldwide mission of God's church. - For
what ages is it intended, and how are they grouped?
This program is intended for children who are approximately 6 -12 years old or who have completed Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. The children will be mixed by ages in a City Citizen Group with six to eight children per adult or fourteen to sixteen children per two adults. - What
is the structure of a week, a day, and/or class session in this VBS
program? What kinds of activities do learners engage in?
The program is structured over a 3-5 day period. The Daily Schedule includes: Total Group Open Time at the beginning of the scheduled time together. Visit to The Marketplace which includes participation in activities such as: Dramas - children see and hear Bibletimes Characters. Marketplace Inn - sample food and beverages. Music - sing and learn new songs. Recreation and Games - participate and learn about athletics in the Roman Empire. Storytelling - Share stories each day about the life of Paul and learn new Bible words that relate to the daily Bible story. Synagogue- learn about the role religion played in the life of a Jewish child. Total Group Closing to share the days events and anticipate the next day's activity plans. - What
kind of teachers would you need if you were using this VBS program?
Creativity, commitment, desire to research and learn, good organizational and interpersonal relationship skills, flexibility and lots of energy will be necessary for the teachers who works with this program. They will be given the title "City Citizen Group Leaders" and will be required to decorate their city's meeting place, guide their group to various key areas of activities and the Marketplace, build rapport and maintain discipline, lead discussions about the background of their city and Roman culture and life, help children in daily scripture understanding, application and memorization, become a friend and encourager to the children. There will also be a need for specialty persons who will be assigned to the Marketplace as shopkeepers and other specialty persons who will lead in drama, the marketplace inn, music, recreation and games, storytelling, synagogue school, and preschool (if needed). - What
space, resources, additional staffing, and other resources would you need to
use this VBS appropriately?
This program can be held on the inside or outside, or a combination of both depending on the space available and weather conditions. Class rooms or other common areas inside the church or a playground area can be used to set up the Marketplace and different City Citizen Group areas. Additional staff will be needed to plan, direct and lead the overall program, specialty and city citizen groups and overall promotions of the entire program. A treasurer will also be needed to keep good records of the budget and handle the finances. - What
view of children, their development, their faith, and their ways of learning
are implicit in this VBS material?
Children (and others) learn best by doing and this resource creates a learning opportunity where they can personally experience and be actively involved in the learning process. Children will be encouraged to make discoveries at their own rate and will become involved in personal questioning, exploring, feeling, evaluating, and applying insights and truths to their own lives. - As
this VBS resource treats it, what IS the Bible, how is it interpreted, and
how is it used in the VBS?
This resource uses the Bible stories and Biblical events in a way to assist in the journey back into time and culture and helps us to understand Paul and the world in which he lived and shared the message of Jesus Christ. - What
theological concepts or themes are central in this VBS?
The central theme is the history of the early Christian Church as recorded in Acts and Apostle Paul's teaching and proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles. - How
does the promotional material (advertising or marketing pieces) relate to
the substantive content of the VBS (in other words, does it have slick
packaging, and does the packaging really have anything to do with the
content of the VBS program)?
The promotional materials that we reviewed in the library were pretty simple and ordinary compared to the content and excitement that was discovered as we began to answer the questions. There is a web site www.marketplace29ad.com that can be accessed to discover more about the program. - What is
the cost of this resource? If a small church with 25 people attending
VBS wanted to use this material, how much would they have to spend? If
a large church with 100 people attending VBS wanted to use this material,
how much would they spend?
The cost of the program kit is $ 172.00 with additional costs if the Roman salvation Bracelets kits are ordered (72 bracelets for $ 36.00), tote bags ($15.00 each). The basic kit contains materials for 16 city citizen groups (6-8 children per adult) and provides for 25 to 300 persons. All of the other resources needed to set up the marketplace and specialty areas, food and beverages would have to be budgeted and planned for by your planning committee. - Over
all, what do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of this VBS resource?
The strengths of the resource are obvious. A learning environment that allows you to use all five senses and encourages individual as well as community participation will encourage fun while bringing together all generations while you have to prepare, plan and implement this event. The positive results could be felt for years afterwards with a community of believers becoming more cohesive thereby attracting those outside the body of Christ. A church with few resources (people, time, talents, and others) may find the program requirements a burden and may challenge even the most dedicated and enthusiastic group.