在19世紀後期，許多地區的人都在相同的時間開始了相似的事工。首先是加拿大的蒙特婁在1877年開展了一項事工。在1898年，美國的紐約市也推行類似的事工。到了1922年，估計每年夏天約有五千個這類的事工於北美各處進行。

這就是假期聖經學校（Vacation Bible School，簡稱VBS）早年的發展歷程，而這些先驅者之所以會熱情投入，是因為他們衷心期盼兒童和青少年能明白聖經。

保羅對他的年輕門生提摩太也有相似的熱切期盼，他指出「聖經都是上帝所默示的」，並裝備我們「行各樣的善事」（提摩太後書3章16-17節）。但保羅不只是告訴我們閱讀聖經是一件好事而已，他在先前就已經提出警告：「末世必有危險的日子來到」（1節），會有讓人「終久不能明白真道」（7節）的假教師。所以我們要用聖經裝備自己，這是至關重要的，因聖經能使我們對這位救主有正確的認識，讓我們「因信基督耶穌有得救的智慧」（15節）。

研讀聖經並不僅限於孩子，也是大人該做的事；研讀聖經也不僅是假日的活動，而是每天當做的事。保羅說提摩太「是從小明白聖經」（15節），但研讀聖經，什麼時候開始都不晚。無論我們處於哪個人生階段，聖經的智慧都能使我們與耶穌緊密連結，這是上帝為我們設的假期聖經學校課程。

In the late 1800s, people in different places developed similar ministry resources at the same time. The first was in Montreal, Canada, in 1877. In 1898, another concept was launched in New York City. By 1922, some five thousand of these programs were active in North America each summer.

Thus began the early history of Vacation Bible School. The passion that fueled those VBS pioneers was a desire for young people to know the Bible.

Paul had a similar passion for his young protégé Timothy, writing that “Scripture is God-breathed” and equips us “for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). But this wasn’t just the benign suggestion that “it’s good to read your Bible.” Paul’s admonition follows the dire warning that “there will be terrible times in the last days” (v. 1), with false teachers who are “never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (v. 7). It’s essential we protect ourselves with Scripture, for it immerses us in the knowledge of our Savior, making us “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (v. 15).

Studying the Bible isn’t just for kids; it’s for adults too. And it isn’t just for summer; it’s for every day. Paul wrote to Timothy, “from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures” (v. 15), but it’s never too late to begin. Whatever stage of life we’re in, the wisdom of the Bible connects us to Jesus. This is God’s VBS lesson to us all.