Together We Can: The Superpower of Fellowship

If you were at Woodland Hills this week, you probably noticed some unusual things: kids in masks and capes darting through the halls, adults dressed in ancient robes quoting Scripture, a puppet stage popping up in the auditorium… and a very grumpy crab named Carl making regular appearances and donning a cape and mask.

That’s because it was Vacation Bible School week - four days of singing, storytelling, crafting, and connecting. But behind all the costumes and chaos was something even more powerful: a lesson our kids (and maybe some of us adults) needed to hear.

We’re not meant to follow Jesus alone.

This year’s VBS theme, Together We Can, reminded us that fellowship isn’t just an add-on to faith - it’s a superpower in itself. And with a little help from superheroes, Bible stories, and some puppet wisdom, we saw how God does His best work when His people work together.

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.” Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

Each night we gathered around a powerful Bible story. Each one showed a different way that God uses teamwork, courage, faith, and love to change the world through ordinary people. Here’s what we discovered.

Sunday: Faith in God Welds the Bonds of Fellowship

Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Our journey began in a furnace. Literally.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar’s idol. They didn’t back down from the fire, but more importantly, they didn’t back down alone. Their faith was a shared conviction. And in their unity, they discovered that God was with them, even in the flames.

When the king demanded worship of a golden idol, three faithful men stood tall, not in defiance for defiance’s sake, but in faith that bows only to the one true God.

As Shadrach boldly declared in our skit: “O king Nebuchadnezzar, we will never bow before your idol and false gods.”

And Abednego added: “Even if our God allows us to perish, our God is far superior to you and so we still will not do it, even if we are to die.”

They weren’t acting alone - they made the decision together.

As Meshach said earlier, “Guys, I have a plan... whenever the king gives his command to bow down in front of it, we should all remain standing.”

And with calm conviction, Shadrach replied: “So be it. We will never bow before his gods or this false idol. I’m with you guys.”

The result? The king’s fury. The furnace turned seven times hotter. Guards died (quite dramatically) just throwing them in. But when Nebuchadnezzar looked into the fire, he gasped: “Why do I see four men in the fire? And the fourth person looks like the Son of God.”

God didn’t remove the fire. He entered it with them.

Even Crabby Carl was impressed: “That was intense, but like I always say: a superhero has to be ready for anything.”

And one puppet reminded us: “They chose to do the right thing even when it was difficult, by standing together.”

That’s what our kids learned on Day 1: sometimes faith looks like standing firm while everyone else bows. But when you stand with friends, and when God stands with you, you’re never standing alone.

Fellowship lesson: oftentimes standing for truth means standing side by side with others. And often, God shows up in the fire with us.

Monday: Goodness Grows Fellowship

Ruth 1–4: Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz

Our second day took us on a journey, not into fire this time, but through famine, grief, and unexpected friendship.

When Naomi lost her husband and two sons, she urged her daughters-in-law to return to their own homes. One did. But Ruth? Ruth clung. Not just to Naomi, but to something deeper.

As she boldly said in our skit: “Wherever you go, I will go. Your people will be my people, your God will be my God. And wherever you die I will die there too. May the Lord never let me leave your side.”

Ruth didn’t have a cape. She wasn’t rich or strong or famous. But she was fiercely faithful. That kind of loyalty is what real heroes are made of.

Even Crabby Carl noticed: “Yeah, it was very brave of her to go into a place she was unfamiliar with. It takes a real hero’s courage to do something like that.”

And one of our puppets summed it up best: “Wow. Ruth was very loyal to stay with Naomi.”

That loyalty wasn’t the end of the story - it was just the beginning. Ruth left everything behind and worked hard in the fields to provide for Naomi. Her kindness caught the eye of Boaz, who said: “I know of everything you have done for your mother-in-law… May the Lord God bless you for all that you have done.”

Boaz protected Ruth, provided for her, and eventually redeemed her family through marriage. He became the answer to Naomi’s prayer and to Ruth’s quiet courage.

As another puppet reminded us: “Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi paid off and was rewarded by Boaz. It’s the whole reason they fell in love in the first place.”

Even Crabby Carl came around: “I guess being loyal to friends and family is important after all.”

And that’s what our kids learned on Day 2: real heroes don’t go it alone. They love deeply. They stay when it’s hard. And they trust that God sees faithfulness, even in the small, behind-the-scenes moments. Ruth clung to Naomi not out of obligation, but love. Boaz offered provision not out of duty, but kindness. And their choices, small acts of everyday goodness, grew into something eternal: the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Fellowship lesson: Loyalty is love in action. Fellowship grows when we choose to stay, serve, and show up for one another, even when no one’s watching.

Tuesday: The Spirit Empowers the Bonds of Fellowship

Matthew 28, Luke 24, Acts 1–2: The Great Commission

Day 3 was a whirlwind. Literally.

Jesus’ closest followers had been through everything with Him - healings, teachings, storms, a cross, an empty tomb. But now, Jesus had one final mission to give them… and a mysterious promise to go with it.

As Jesus said in our skit: “You will receive power by the Holy Spirit when He comes to you... Go into all the world making disciples of all nations.”

Peter, James, and John were stunned. How could a handful of fishermen reach the entire world? How would they teach people who spoke different languages? How would they do it… without Jesus right there beside them?

But Jesus assured them: “I will be with you to the end of the age.”

And with that, He ascended into the sky.

Cue Crabby Carl: “Jesus promised the apostles powers before He left? Sounds mysterious and too good to be true.”

But it wasn’t too good to be true. It was exactly what Jesus had planned. While the apostles waited in Jerusalem, something incredible happened. As John said: Shhh! Do you guys hear that?”

A mighty wind rushed into the room. Flames appeared, on their heads!

Peter panicked: “Ahh! Your hair’s on fire!”

But the fire didn’t burn. Instead, it empowered. The Holy Spirit had arrived. And suddenly, the apostles were speaking languages they had never learned. Peter shouted in one tongue, John in another, and they understood each other.

Crabby Carl was confused: “What were they saying? I couldn’t understand them.”

One puppet explained: “They spoke in all kinds of foreign languages so the people would understand." It's not gibberish - God was helping them reach everyone.

A crowd gathered, and Peter stood up with boldness. “Listen to me, everyone! We are not out of our minds. What you’re seeing is the Spirit of God at work, just like the prophet Joel said!”

Then he preached the Good News: “Jesus was sent by God. He died - but God raised Him up! And now, He is Lord and Messiah.”

The people were amazed and convicted. “What should we do?” they asked.

And Peter responded: “"Turn back to God. Say you’re sorry for the wrong things you’ve done and be baptized in Jesus’ name. God will forgive you, and you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!"

That day, over 3,000 people were baptized. And just like that, the church was born.

As one puppet reminded us: “From that day on, they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They prayed together, worshipped together, and broke bread together.”

Another puppet summed it up: “Sounds like church.”

Exactly. It is church.

That’s what our kids learned on Day 3: when God’s Spirit fills us, we’re never alone in the mission. Fellowship isn’t just friendship - it’s shared purpose. Shared courage. Shared worship.

And even Crabby Carl had to admit: “I could never save THAT many people - and I’m a superhero.”

Fellowship lesson: The Holy Spirit gives us the power to work together for something far greater than ourselves. Through His Spirit, we are one body, on one mission.

Wednesday: Overcome Fear to Begin Fellowship

Acts 9: Saul’s Conversion

Some stories start with friendship. Others start with fire. This one starts with fear.

Saul wasn’t a hero, not at first. He was a villain. And not just any villain - he was “heading into a town named Damascus” to hunt Christians, as one of our puppets explained. “He would travel all over the place hunting Christians, persecuting them, and throwing them in prison.”

Saul himself declared: “Today we ride into Damascus and we will capture and imprison any followers of Jesus Christ.” And his guard echoed the sentiment: “Let’s take ’em out!”

But God had a different plan.

Suddenly, a blinding light stopped Saul in his tracks, and a voice from heaven called out: “Saul, Saul? Why are you persecuting me?” Saul, stunned and trembling, cried out: “Who said that? Who is talking to me? How do you know my name?” And the voice replied: “I am Jesus, the one whom you are fighting against.”

Everything changed in that moment.

Blinded. Humbled. Afraid. Saul was led by the hand into Damascus. As one puppet put it, “Jesus confronted Saul and blinded him. That’s hardcore.”

But the point wasn’t punishment. As one puppet reminded us, “God was not done with Saul just yet. He blinded Saul to humble him and teach him a lesson, not for revenge.”

And here’s where fear meets fellowship.

Enter Ananias. A follower of Jesus, and, understandably, not thrilled about helping the man who had been hunting his fellow believers. When Jesus told him to go find Saul and heal him, Ananias protested: “Lord, I have heard of this man and all the evil things he has done. He’s a bad dude.”

But Jesus replied: “Go to him, for I have chosen him to be a disciple of mine and to share my Gospel with the Gentiles, with kings, and with all the children of Israel.”

Ananias obeyed. He faced his fear. And with compassion, he laid hands on Saul and said: “The Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road has sent me to you so that you may be healed of your blindness and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

And Saul was healed. His vision returned. His mission began.

From there, the road didn’t get easier. The crowd didn’t trust him. The apostles didn’t believe him. “Wait a minute,” one of them said, “that’s Saul of Tarsus! He’s been persecuting Christians and imprisoning them.” Another added: “He’s probably here to arrest us now.”

But Barnabas stepped in with the courage of fellowship and the hope of transformation: “Jesus stopped him on the road to Damascus and struck him blind. But Ananias healed him and now all he wants to do is preach about Jesus.”

Eventually, the apostles welcomed him, and a new chapter began, not just for Saul, but for the church. Crabby Carl summed it up best: “Wow. Saul was very brave to preach publicly about Jesus after all that he did before.” And the puppets reminded us: “His identity was now founded in Jesus.”

That’s what our kids learned on Day 3: that no one is beyond God’s grace, and that fellowship often begins when we overcome our fear - of people, of change, of trusting again.

Even when others doubt us. Even when we doubt ourselves. Jesus calls us forward, into community. True fellowship doesn’t wait until everything feels safe - it begins when someone takes the first step, even if it’s scary. Because when we believe in Jesus, we believe in transformation. And when we trust each other, even after mistakes, we show the world what grace really looks like.

Fellowship lesson: Sometimes the biggest barrier to fellowship is fear, but when we trust God’s call, new friendships begin. Inclusion starts with invitation. Even villains can become vessels for Christ when the Church chooses grace over fear.

What Makes a Hero?

Throughout the week, the kids explored what makes someone a hero. Is it power? Boldness? Bravery?

In every story, they learned the same surprising truth: The real superpower isn’t being the strongest, it’s being part of something bigger than yourself.

• Daniel’s friends didn’t back down because they had each other.

• Ruth and Boaz weren’t alone in their struggles - they stepped into each other’s lives.

• The apostles didn’t spread the gospel through solo missions - they teamed up.

• Paul didn’t grow in faith without the help of Ananias, Barnabas, and others.

As the puppets put it: “We can all be heroes for Christ if we work together and put our trust in Him.”

Living the Lesson: Fellowship Isn’t Fluff

VBS wasn’t just about fun (though it was very fun). It was about planting seeds of fellowship in the hearts of our kids. It was a reminder for all of us, kids and grown-ups alike, that fellowship isn’t fluff - it’s the framework of God’s plan.

In a divided, distracted, and distant world, we need each other more than ever. Jesus knew that. That’s why He prayed not just for our holiness - but for our unity.

“That they may all be one… so that the world may believe.” (John 17:21)

Final Challenge: Don’t Be a Lone Hero

So here’s your mission:

• Find your people.

• Stand in truth.

• Grow in goodness.

• Go together.

• Overcome fear with grace.

Because that’s how the world will believe.

And because together… we really can.

Until the journey is complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim

P.S. A special thanks to Matthew Mitchell for his sermon that helped set the tone for this year’s VBS, and to Jacob Smith and our amazing script committee for writing the skits that brought these stories to life with humor, heart, and a whole lot of creativity. Much of the content in this post was inspired by their work.

You can listen to Matt’s pre-VBS sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tZ2gJS4dxlk?si=TU4OqW6bn874ou1F