Scuba Vacation Bible School (VBS) 2024 is making waves with an ocean-themed adventure that’s all about diving deep into faith. At the heart of this program are the beloved “Bible Buddies” — characters that help children connect with the stories of the Bible through fun, friendship, and faith-building activities. Whether you’re a volunteer, a parent, or simply curious, here’s everything you need to know about the incredible impact and excitement that Bible Buddies bring to Scuba VBS 2024.
What Are Bible Buddies?
Bible Buddies are the friendly, animated animal guides that lead kids through each day’s lesson at VBS. Each Buddy is themed to match the underwater adventure vibe of Scuba VBS 2024, with characters inspired by various sea creatures such as dolphins, sea turtles, and starfish. These buddies make learning about the Bible more engaging by embodying different virtues or lessons tied to each day’s theme. For example, a dolphin Buddy might represent joy, while a sea turtle Buddy could represent patience.
Each Bible Buddy is carefully chosen to resonate with the day’s key message and Bible verse, allowing children to see and feel the messages of faith in a way that’s tangible, relatable, and memorable. They’re colorful, approachable, and embody the traits that VBS leaders hope to inspire in the children.
The Impact of Bible Buddies on Children
Scuba VBS Bible Buddies offer more than just visual appeal — they help children remember the teachings long after VBS is over. Studies show that children retain lessons better when they’re presented in a fun and interactive way, and Bible Buddies make the teachings of faith come alive. For example,
instead of merely hearing a Bible story, children see that story through the eyes of a buddy character, making it more relatable and easier to understand. When kids see their Buddy character representing kindness or forgiveness, they remember those values as part of their personal faith journey.
Bible Buddies also provide children with role models of faith. When a Bible Buddy demonstrates the value of courage or honesty, children see these traits in action and understand how they can embody these values in their daily lives. The result is a deeper connection to the Bible and its teachings, as well as greater enthusiasm for learning more about their faith.
Who Are the 2024 Bible Buddies?
Scuba VBS 2024 has a fantastic lineup of Bible Buddies designed to inspire and connect with children in unique ways. Here are some of the stars of this year’s underwater VBS adventure:
- Dory the Dolphin – Representing Joy
Dory is a playful dolphin who loves to jump, spin, and splash, reminding kids that joy is a gift from God. She teaches children the importance of finding joy in both big and small moments, and how to share that joy with others. Her Bible verse is Psalm 100:2, “Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” - Toby the Turtle – Embodying Patience
Toby the Turtle moves a bit slower but teaches that patience is essential to a faithful life. Through Toby, children learn to be patient in prayer and trust God’s timing. Toby’s Bible verse is Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” - Sammy the Starfish – Showing Kindness
With her many arms, Sammy symbolizes kindness, reaching out to help others wherever possible. She teaches children to look out for friends and show kindness every day. Sammy’s Bible verse is Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Finn the Fish – Bringing Faith
Finn is the enthusiastic fish who represents faith. Finn helps kids understand that faith means trusting in what we can’t always see. His Bible verse is Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” - Shelly the Seahorse – Representing Courage
Shelly may be small, but she is brave! Shelly reminds children that courage comes from trusting in God. She teaches that with faith, they can face any challenges ahead. Her verse is Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Each Buddy is uniquely crafted to resonate with children and make the Bible story more accessible, while helping to create a warm and inclusive VBS environment.
Interactive Learning and Activities with Bible Buddies
Scuba VBS is packed with activities that involve the Bible Buddies, helping children learn through interactive and hands-on experiences. These activities include:
- Buddy Time: Each day starts with a meet-and-greet session with the Bible Buddy for the day, where kids learn about the buddy’s unique personality and the lesson it represents.
- Buddy Challenges: Children participate in challenges inspired by the day’s Bible Buddy, such as team-building exercises, crafts, or mini-games that reinforce the lesson.
- Buddy Keepsakes: Kids receive small keepsakes, such as stickers or cards with their Buddy and Bible verse, which they can take home to remember what they’ve learned.
These activities not only deepen the children’s understanding of the Bible stories but also create a sense of connection and excitement around faith learning.
Bringing Bible Buddies Home
Bible Buddies extend beyond VBS week by providing resources that families can use at home. Parents receive booklets or links to online resources that feature Buddy-related activities, prayers, and discussion prompts. This helps parents reinforce the lessons and virtues taught at VBS throughout the year.
These take-home materials often include ideas for family prayers, Bible study questions, and even fun games that incorporate the Buddies. In addition, many VBS programs offer digital Buddy characters for children to watch or interact with online,
creating an exciting way for kids to continue learning long after VBS has ended. These digital resources are designed to encourage children to revisit the Bible stories and lessons they learned, making Bible Buddies a year-round part of their lives.
Why Bible Buddies Matter
Bible Buddies are so much more than cute characters; they serve as the foundation of the VBS learning experience. By combining engaging visuals with memorable stories and meaningful messages, these characters allow children to grasp the importance of faith in a fun, relatable way.
Scuba VBS 2024 Bible Buddies remind us that learning about faith can be both fun and profound, showing children that the Bible is a source of joy, wisdom, and guidance in their lives.
Ultimately, the impact of these buddies goes beyond VBS. They help to lay a foundation of faith in young hearts, instilling core values that will carry them through life. The memorable characters, fun activities, and daily lessons from Bible Buddies make Scuba VBS a place where faith comes to life — one dive at a time.
