Archive: September 2010
Introducing DVD 4!
The waiting is over! If you’ve been following the WHAT’S IN THE BIBLE? series, you’ll be thrilled to know that DVD #4, Battle for the Promised Land!, has been released!!
I admit it. I have a pretty cool job! I got to preview the new DVD this week in order to write about it. What fun!! But what started out as me sitting alone at my laptop with my ear buds; turned into the three of us, sitting on my bed, watching the entire episode, and cracking up the whole time– OH, and learning a bunch!! Take my word for it; it’s good–really good.
When we last left Phil and our lovable Jelly Telly cast of characters, they had taken us on a fun, and factual journey through the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch.
We were taught that man, through his own choice, allowed sin to enter into the world, which brought with it death and a separation between God and his most beloved creation. But we also learned that God loved man so much that He had a RESCUE PLAN to redeem His people! This rescue plan began with Abraham, and you will see it continue to unfold throughout the next DVD!
DVD #4 begins our next journey into the next 12 Books of the Bible, also known as the Historical Books. These books give us an actual historical look at the Nation of Israel, covering almost 1000 years. This DVD covers Joshua, Judges and Ruth.
We start in the Book of Joshua, where the second part of God’s rescue plan begins to unfold. That is, His promise that His people, the descendants of Abraham, will have a land of their own. But this doesn’t happen without some “tricky bits” occurring along the way. Namely, bloodshed and the actual taking of the land, which God promised them, from the people who were already living there! Tricky, indeed!! To a child, perhaps even unfair. How can that be?
Have you ever encountered a person who loves to point out that a God of love and forgiveness would never initiate war and ultimately death to numerous people?? I have! It’s a tough question! Phil and the gang answer it beautifully, and in a way that kids will come away with a better understanding and a new respect of how big our God truly is!
The second half of DVD #4 starts with the Book of Judges. It covers a period of time when Israel seemed to continuously abandon their beliefs in God, as well as His Law. During this time, God chose several “leaders” (or Judges) who would help Israel through numerous times of tribulation–that is until the people abandoned their faith in God, again– and again– and again. Kind of a reoccurring theme in this Book!
Here is a glimpse at the section on Judges:
The last section of DVD #4 takes us through the Book of Ruth. Many of us know this book as a sweet love story; even a story of great loyalty displayed by Ruth towards her mother-in-law Naomi. But the lesson goes much deeper in explaining WHY the Book of Ruth is important, historically! How it sets the stage for the coming of our own Redeemer, because not only is Ruth a story of personal redemption and hope, it also lays the foundation– quite genetically–about (David) the coming King of Israel’s lineage. It also just happens to be the same lineage to which the King of Kings can be traced back! Important stuff!!
The kids will now begin to appreciate that our Bible is more than a book of metaphors, poems and virtues. It is, in fact, a historical document. One that can be verified and validated against other historical documents! In it we learn about people who really lived, and who really impacted not just ONE small Nation– but ultimately the entire world! We continue to learn of God’s great love for man, and His desire to bless their lives even though they continue to fall short of what He desires; to be put FIRST in their lives. All of this is possible, because through His love, He has that flawless rescue plan!
Encouraging Biblical Literacy in Children’s Ministry
“A new survey of Americans’ knowledge of religion found that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.
The survey released Tuesday by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life aimed to test a broad range of religious knowledge, including understanding of the Bible, core teachings of different faiths and major figures in religious history. The U.S. is one of the most religious countries in the developed world, especially compared to largely secular Western Europe, but faith leaders and educators have long lamented that Americans still know relatively little about religion.” According to Rachel Zoll of the Associated Press
As children’s ministry leaders, how can we train our children to be biblically literate, not just for the sake of knowing religious things, but for true spiritual transformation?
The What’s in the Bible? Curriculum was developed with the belief that when children know how the Bible was written, and how the biblical stories came together to form one bigger story, they can see themselves in God’s story. And, when this learning is led by a teacher who demonstrates a life of faith, children are transformed by God’s love and grace.
You might notice in the WITB curriculum that it’s been written with small group activities that include a whole bunch of questions asking children how the Bible was written and remembering questions about the biblical stories. You might be wondering how asking kids a bunch of questions is going to spiritually transform their lives? Good question! The questions alone may or may not spiritually impact a child’s heart. But, the questions combined with an experienced teacher or loving shepherd who will ask the questions and listen carefully for the answers may impact a child for a lifetime.
A few ideas for training your small group teachers and shepherds to lead beyond the questions:
- Ask follow up wondering questions after a child responds with the answer to a question. Questions like: What surprised you about this part of the story? What does this part of the Bible mean to you? What does this make you think about God?
- Watch for verbal and non-verbal cues as children are answering questions. If a child shows excitement, continue asking open-ended questions about the topic. If a child shows sadness, follow up privately afterwards asking what caused the sadness.
- While the questions provided in the curriculum do have correct answers, encourage a small group setting in which children can ask deeper thinking questions, and are challenged to have multiple answers to wondering questions. A child’s faith will grow as he feels safe to explore further thoughts in church.
What do you think? How can biblical literacy be encouraged so that a child’s faith is formed?
Katy Perry, Elmo, and the Tough Decisions Parents Face with Media
One of the most talked about things in last week’s entertainment news was the Katy Perry and Elmo spot that was ultimately pulled from Sesame Street’s 41st season’s line up. The biggest reason given for pulling the spot was the fact that Katy Perry’s outfit was deemed “inappropriate” for the young viewers of Sesame Street by many parents who caught a leaked version of the skit on You Tube.
Before I ever saw the video, I had my own opinions, based mostly on just the type of music Ms. Perry sings and the image she portrays. While she is immensely talented, her choice of lyrics combined with her rather shocking music videos make me very uncomfortable, as a parent, seeing her guest spot on any pre-school show.
Would a different wardrobe selection have pre-empted the controversy? I’m not sure.
Let’s face it: in the entertainment industry, image is something that is masterfully created to sell an individual within certain market and then, like it or not, that image (even in all its fakeness) follows that entertainer throughout their career. Sometimes that means an entertainer can’t jump as easily from one end of the audience spectrum to the other. Ms. Perry, in my opinion, happens to fall into that category. Talented, yes. But probably never appropriate, even fully clothed, for the tots. Goodness, not even appropriate for tweens or young teens, in my opinion!!
Coming from the background of Christian media, you might think that I surround my children with only Dove-approved, Christian-based children shows. Perhaps only shows that are written and produced with a worldview common to my own. At the very least, shows with a redemptive message, right?
Well, in all honesty, I let my kids watch some cartoons and listen to some music that would be considered totally secular. Some things on Nickelodeon or The Disney Channel are downright cute. For example, I really like The Fairly Odd Parents, Phineas and Ferb, The Penguins of Madagascar and SpongeBob. Other shows, like Nickelodeon’s Degrassi and ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager, definitely cross our line of appropriateness, and my kids aren’t allowed to view those shows.
One of the areas that I feel necessary to expand on in my own tween’s viewing experience is that of using critical thinking. He’s been spoon-fed what my husband and I want him to know about ethics, morality, virtues and our faith. I like to challenge him a little, nowadays. While allowing him to watch movies and TV shows that are geared to a more mature tween audience, I enjoy engaging him in conversations like, “Why isn’t that the way YOU would choose to behave?” Because in my opinion, if kids know WHY they believe what they have been taught, those lessons become fruitful in their own lives.
On the other end of the entertainment viewing spectrum, I have really good friends who choose not to have cable, at all, because they feel there is so little value to be found in most TV shows. They use their DVD player to show their kids a very limited amount of pre-approved programming. That’s great, and it works for them. I’m one who respects each parent’s personal decision on things like this. It’s really difficult to be a good parent in the 21st century!
The challenge for us is to figure out what we will allow our kids to experience on TV, the internet, or even as downloaded music and videos.
Gone are the days of only 13 channels and limited access to entertainment. It’s a big business, and it surrounds us in a multi-media, 24/7 schedule. It’s overt and overwhelming, and it can easily take over a child’s life. The messages out there can effectively blur the boundaries which we have so diligently tried to set.
How do you choose what media is appropriate for your kids, tweens and teens? It’s a very personal decision and one where we should show respect to each other. But, given the plethora of children’s entertainment options, I’d love to hear what you consider to be ok, moderately questionable, or absolutely forbidden, and why.
Let’s talk about it…
Teaching the simple truths that shape our faith
My main goal on the days I blog here is build relationship through dialogue. Agree or disagree…let’s talk! I’d love to hear your opinions on the subjects about which I write. Do they touch you? Anger you? Bless you? Do you agree with a hearty AMEN!–Or desire to discuss why I’m way off base? Look for my blog posts every Tuesday and every other Thursday. It’ll hopefully be a little diversion from the usual…
Organic. It’s my new favorite word. It even sounds clean and simple. Plus, I think I’m at a place in my life where simplicity totally trumps extravagance! I grew up in the fat 80’s, so take my word on this!
Today I went to the local Farmer’s Market and picked up a bunch of produce for the coming week. I love knowing that the stuff I feed my family is not sprayed with toxic pesticides or other synthetic chemicals. Fruits and veggies, fresh from the farm. Simple. — And yeah, a little dirt and a few bugs. But that stuff is just all part of the “organic” experience. Ask any organic food user; seeing the dirt, pebbles and tiny bugs wash off the lettuce, strawberries and spinach and then down the drain, is cathartic in some strange way! Washed clean.
It got me to thinking. In my walk of faith, I wonder if I can apply the term “organic” and still be in line with God’s Word. What do you think? Are we called to live an organic faith IN Jesus? What does that even mean?
When I looked up the definition for “organic”, the three words that were used to define it, were: fundamental, systemic and living. Further decoding of these words to get to their meaning, was an amazing revelation:
Fundamental: Our foundation.
Systemic: Affecting the whole body
Living: Referring to life– to exist
Wow! Is it just me, or does that sound exactly like what the Bible and our faith is all about? Even what Jesus’ whole message is about!– and let’s not forget the mystery of our salvation, through grace! Big, yes. HUGE, in fact! But a simple truth.
I’m not saying that following a life of faith is EASY. It’s not even remotely easy. It’s application in our lives can be down-right difficult! The “building character” part of our walk can cause emotional and even physical pain! Unfortunately, simple and clean DO NOT necessarily equal easy and painless.
What about the pesticides? What things can be toxic to my faith-walk? My best, yet condensed answer would be, anything that keeps us from our growing relationship with Jesus. Whether that means the world, self, or even (..and I’m hiding behind my computer desk as I write this…) RELIGIOSITY! Because Organic faith means Christ ALIVE in us!
Perhaps that’s why for many of us parents and ministry leaders, we gravitate so comfortably into the Christian children’s media genre. Speaking for myself, I just love the no-nonsense approach that a product like What’s in the Bible? uses to teach. It is 100% truth…not watered down, but simply-stated. I like that! My very tired mommy-brain likes that, too!
Most of the time I don’t need all the bells and whistles when it comes to learning about or growing in relationship with Christ. I’m done jumping through all the man-made hoops in order to feel worthy of His love, truly forgiven, or saved. He is my gift. I accepted Him fully into my heart, and realize that He now is in charge of my life– even if my human nature / control freak / OCD kicks in throughout the day, and I momentarily forget.
Grace; Clean and simple, but sometimes difficult to totally comprehend.
One of my favorite choices for comparing wording and having a cleaner application to Scripture is, The Message. While most of us know John 3:16 by heart, this is John 3: 16-18 (The Message):
16-18″This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.
Organic, indeed!
What are your thoughts on this? Is this approach too small or simple for something so big??
The What’s in the Bible? Curriculum: Not just for Sundays
We love a curriculum that goes beyond Sunday. One that helps equip and empower parents in the spiritual formation of their kids. Check out what we’ve designed with the What’s in the Bible? Curriculum:
It starts with the Go Home Card. The customizable and flexible Go Home Cards are handed out at the end of class each week. Included on the cards are:
- Great art design that includes a section where you can add your own content
- Lesson review discussion questions for the car ride home from church
- A BIG question that families answer. They visit whatsinthebible.com to discover the answer together.
- Families fill in the answer on their Go Home Card, and return to the teacher the following weekend.
It looks a little something like this:
The all-new What’s in the Bible? website has been designed to provide your kids and families with a spiritually-forming experience they will love, and will be relaunched in the coming weeks. Once at this interactive website, parents and kids can answer the BIG question on the Go Home Card. Together, they can play games, meet the characters and choose coloring sheets that all reinforce the What’s in the Bible? Curriculum lessons.
We hope you enjoy this innovation and look forward to hearing your stories of families learning together!
What’s in the Bible? Episode Plan
Thanks for all the great feedback on What’s in the Bible?! A number of you have been asking for a bit of a roadmap for the rest of the series, so you have a better feel for how we’re moving through the Bible. So here goes…
DVD #4 will be in stores in another week or so, and takes us through the book of Ruth. DVD #5 covers the establishment of the monarchy and the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon (1 & 2 Samuel and half of 1 Kings), and will be released in early 2011.
DVD #6 will cover the divided kingdom and subsequent falls of both. DVD #7 will cover the exile, return, and restoration, taking us through the book of Esther. DVD #8 will summarize all the Prophets, and #9 will cover the Writings. #10 will deal with the four Gospels, #11 with the “outward movement” of the book of Acts. DVD #12 will touch on each of Paul’s epistles, and then, last but not least, DVD #13 will cover the general epistles and the book of Revelation.
Whoo! Are you tired?!? I’m exhausted just thinking about it!
You know, a few people have pointed out that we’d probably sell more DVDs if we started with Jesus and didn’t spend all this time slogging through the Old Testament. They’re probably right. But God didn’t start his rescue plan with Jesus. God’s rescue plan starts with Abraham, and then slogs its way through the entire history of Israel. Why? Because if we don’t see how impossible it was for Israel to live under the Law, we really don’t understand why the incarnation was so necessary. We can’t please God on our own. Israel tried, and tried, and tried. And failed, and failed, and failed. Man’s inability to live up to God’s standard is the problem. Jesus is the solution. If our kids don’t fully appreciate the problem, should we really be surprised if they fail to fully appreciate the solution?
So… slog away we shall. And we hope you’ll come along for the ride!
Flexibility + Biblical Content + Fun = WITB Curriculum!
We are big fans of curriculum customization. We believe that you are the expert in your children’s ministry. You know the kids best. That’s why we created the curriculum to be super flexible, so that you can make it just right for your kids!
The curriculum contains 45 minutes worth of curriculum divided into 4 segments.
Each segment includes one video and one small group activity:
- The FIRST SEGMENT serves as a welcome and relationship builder for the children
- The SECOND SEGMENT is an introduction to the day’s lesson
- The THIRD SEGMENT contains the main content
- The FOURTH SEGMENT is a review of the day’s lesson.
Because the curriculum is extremely flexible, the videos and small groups activities can be used in a variety of ways. Maybe you would choose to purchase all 4 weeks, add your own worship music and your lesson would be complete. Or maybe you already have a great introductory activity that the kids love; you can add that to the beginning of each week of curriculum. You might even choose to download 1 week of curriculum to fill in between weeks of regular curriculum. And, you can encourage children to sit with their small groups during the video portion, so that when each video segment is complete, children can turn to their small groups for their activity.
That’s why we’ve created each small group lesson in 2 formats: A customizable word document so that you can make the small group just right for you, and a PDF if you like the content the way it is!
And, we’ve included several extra components for the small group segments:
- SHEPHERDING GUIDES allow you to ask children questions about their lives, and record what they say so that you can remember to follow up the following week!
- GAMES & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Every small group includes either a game for the children to play together or discussion questions that encourage them to think deeper about the lesson.
- ARTWORK encourages you to create custom posters, or bulletins, or postcards that are just right for your church. We’re including the What’s in the Bible? logo and Character images with the curriculum!
How will you customize the curriculum? We’re excited to hear your innovative ideas!
Introducing Lisa
I am so excited to be here and to have the chance to talk to all the wonderful fans of What’s in the Bible?! Isn’t this an awesome site? Don’t you just love these DVDs and the way that they teach us (ok, teach our kids…) what’s truly in God’s Word?! Phil Vischer has done an amazing job at bringing all the history, characters and most importantly, God’s intended messages to life for all of us to enjoy. I, for one, am so grateful!
Oh wow! Excuse my manners. Introductions are in order…
My name is Lisa Strnad, and I’m a married WAHM (Work At Home Mom), who home schools my two sons, David Jr.(12) and Joey (8). I’ve worked in some aspect of Christian media for several years doing writing, marketing, PR, and event coordination. My husband of 18 years, Dave, has an even more eclectic background: Army Captain, counter-terrorism instructor for the military, and for the last 23 years, a financial advisor. We live with our two goldfish and assorted caught lizards, caterpillars, and pill bugs (ahhh…boys!) in sunny Southern California.
I’m a writer who truly loves communicating with other Christian parents. I use the word “communicate” because I, along with the rest of the WITB team, are hoping to create an interactive community of parents; ministry professionals; and teachers who can come together and discuss What’s in the Bible?. We want to know how YOU are utilizing this series. I’m positive that, together, we can come up with some amazing ideas! I look forward to getting to know many of you through this blog!!
Let me break the ice and tell you a little bit of how my family is using the DVDs.
As I stated I’m a WAHM, home-schooling mom. My youngest son, Joey, has (non-medicated) ADHD and auditory processing issues. In plain English that means that everyday is a challenge for me to effectively teach him–anything. He just loses interest in the typical way subjects are taught. The modality I teach is just as important as the curriculum I choose. As Christian parents, it was important for Dave and I to include a Bible component to Joe’s core curriculum.
Assuming that some of you may also home school and/or are conscientious about teaching your children about the Bible, you know the available Bible curriculum for a second -third graders. While most are inclusive in their approach, having Bible stories; memory verses; history lessons; and maybe even an art activity, they lack one important element. They aren’t really enjoyable for the kids. In fairness, maybe your kiddos enjoy them–and that’s great! Mine either fall asleep, dread Bible class altogether, or perhaps (if I’m really lucky) get the rote memorization done without connecting to the message of the story.
Ineffective learning brought on by an ineffective teaching modality. At least ineffective for our needs. Maybe you have a similar situation?
Many months ago, when I saw the What’s in the Bible? DVD#1, I made a prayerful decision to use this series as my Bible curriculum. Being a huge Muppets fan, I knew that Joey would LOVE the Jelly Telly Puppets, the fun music and the sheer wackiness of the program that contained such a valuable message!
This was long before there was talk about having any curriculum associated with the DVDs. So, you can imagine my joyful enthusiasm when I found out there was going to be such a curriculum available for each DVD!
I’m totally looking forward to the launch of the curriculum packages! Until that happens I am piecing together a weekly 30 minute video lesson (which for my needs, I intermittently pause and check to make sure he is understanding what we are learning). We have a weekly memory verse, and some sort of art project, which I pull off of the internet! It’s been very effective, so far!
Now that you know a little about me, I am anxious to know about you! How have you decided to use the WITB series? Perhaps as entertainment? –Or mostly entertainment with a fun teaching component? –Or maybe you’re in children’s ministry (or a homeschooler, like me) and are actually already utilizing WITB as a teaching resource?
Tell us.
Between you and me, I’ve heard there are a lot of fun things planned for this web site! Stay tuned! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what we have up our sleeves!
DVD 4 is coming, but first a SALE on 1-3
DVD 4: Battle for the Promised Land! will be here before you know it … the beginning of October! We’re less than a month away from Buck Denver, Sunday School Lady and the rest of the crazy crew teaching you all about Joshua, Judges and Ruth.
Here’s a sneak peek at the DVD: The Popsicle Stick Theatre with Chester Whigget tells the story of Ruth:
Before DVD 4 appears, though, we wanted to offer you the opportunity to get the first 3 DVDs at a discount! Watch them if you haven’t, or share them with friends. Early Christmas shopping, perhaps? Whatever your reason, you can get DVDS 1-3 FOR JUST $30!
Click hereto buy them now.
4 weeks in November? What do I do with that?
Last week, we announced that the first 4 weeks of What’s in the Bible? curriculum will be released November 15. Your first reaction may have been, “YAY! Sounds great! Can’t wait.” And your second reaction may have been, “Huh? What the heck do I do with only 4 weeks of curriculum in the middle of November?!”
If these were your reactions, a couple of ideas:
- Use the 4 weeks as a January series for K-Grade 5 on Sunday mornings. It’s fresh, and fun, and contains great Biblical literacy content that follows the Christmas season nicely. DVDs 2-4 release at the end of January, so if you like what happened in your children’s ministry in January, you can carry on with the What’s in the Bible? curriculum for an additional 12 weeks (4 weeks / 3 DVDs).
A Sample Schedule:
JANUARY 9, 16, 23, 30: In the Beginning (DVD 1)
FEBRUARY 6, 13, 20, 27: Let My People Go (DVD 2)
MARCH 6, 13, 20, 27: Wanderin’ In The Desert (DVD 3)
APRIL: EASTER SERIES (Easter is April 24, 2011)
MAY 1, 8, 15, 22: Battle for the Promised Land (DVD 4)
- Use the 4 weeks as a perfect midweek series. Following a similar schedule as above, the curriculum is perfect for Wednesday night programs. Instead of taking a break for Easter, you’ll have 16 weeks that will encourage children at church, and families at home!
- If you already have your curriculum planned from now until summer 2011, first: congratulations! And second: consider using the 4 weeks during “in between weeks.” You know, those tricky weeks between Christmas and New Years, or the week after Easter, or Memorial Day weekend. Since the focus of the curriculum is Biblical literacy, it’s relevant any time of year, and can be used 1 week at a time.
What else? How are you planning to use the first 4 weeks released in November?
