Tag: Bible literacy
Curriculum: Teaching with Context
Enjoy reading this fantastic post from Amy Dolan’s blog, Lemon Lime Kids. Amy serves as the strategic consultant for the What’s in the Bible? Curriculum. In this post, she explains why teaching the Bible contextually is so important for kids.
where are we? {teaching with context}
we’re smack dab in the middle of writing what’s in the bible? curriculum volume 8 which includes the books of job, psalms, proverbs, and song of solomon. i probably say this every time, but especially this time (!), writing and thinking about these lessons has challenged my everyday thinking of the bible. the more i reflect on the words of the bible, the more i want to give my life fully and freely to following jesus.
in setting up the content for this particular volume, phil does an amazing job helping kids understand where they are in the bible. early on in the videos he explains to kids that upon leaving the historical books they are about to enter the poetry and wisdom books. he encourages children to not forget where they are while reading these books: poetry teaches through word pictures, wisdom does not always include historical accounts, and proverbs offers principles not promises. offering kids context and classification of the books matter. oh the places you will go when you remember where you are!
when we teach the bible to children without context, we tell children an incomplete story. context can mean a lot of things: understanding the author’s background, the audience’s demographic, the culture and location of the story, and the historical time period. all of these are important and should be integrated into our regular biblical teaching to children. but for today, i’m specifically referring to offering children a context for the type or classification of the book from which the bible lesson comes from.
for example: when sharing biblical poetry from the book of psalms, we should mention to children that poetry is not usually taken literally. if my husband writes me a love poem and says that i make his heart melt, hopefully i don’t actually make his heart melt. biblical poetry provides visual cues and imaginative thinking for us. that’s a whole-heck-of-a-different-thing than teaching a story from genesis-a historical book- in which we view stories as historical accounts. understanding where are during a bible story matters.
this sunday, as you share a bible lesson with children, consider asking “where are we?” when you first begin the lesson, encourage children to open to the table of contents to determine what type of book the lesson comes from (helpful chart). during the story, say how are you thinking or imagining these words of poetry? by asking children “where are we?” we’ll give a full and grand picture of the bible. three cheers for context!
Buck’s Bible Roundup: October 27, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
Today’s Roundup:
1. B is for Bible Coloring Page (Ministry-to-Children)
Download this free coloring page.
2. Bible Ideas for Children (Almost Unschoolers)
A homeschooling mom explains a handful of resources she uses to teach her children the Bible.
3. In My Heart – Matthew 12:34 (Totally Tots)
Free downloads to help your child learn Matthew 12:34.
4. Lady of Wisdom (Home With The Boys)
A look at what the Bible says about being a lady of Wisdom.
5. Watch Your Tongue (B’Twixt and B’Tween)
Thoughts on how what we say can impact our daughters.
6. A is for Almighty – Coloring Page (Ministry-to-Children)
Download this free coloring page.
Thanks for reading!
Buck’s Bible Roundup: October 20, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
Today’s Roundup:
1. Teaching Them Scripture (A Wise Woman Builds Her Home)
Ideas for teaching your children the Bible each day.
2. Gratitude Journal (Money Saving Mom)
Use this free, printable journal to record what you’re grateful for.
3. Bible Alphabet Coloring Page: Help Decide (Ministry-to-Children)
Ministry-to-Children is creating a Bible coloring page for every letter of the alphabet. Help them decide what each letter should represent.
4. Instilling a Love for the Word (Joyful Heart)
A list of resources to help encourage your children to love spending time in the Word.
5. The Well Watered Mama (Raising Homemakers)
A mother looks at Scripture for wisdom as she thinks about the question, “How do I make biblical matrimony and motherhood irresistible to my daughters, even when I am tired and overwhelmed?”
6. Seven Things the Bible Says About Evil (Desiring God)
A look at how we can began to reconcile all the evil things happening in the world.
Buck’s Bible Roundup: October 6, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
Today’s Roundup:
1. Teaching Our Children To Study Scripture (The Better Mom)
How one mom is helping her children learn Scripture each day.
Source: thebettermom.com via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
2. “Covered By Christ” Coloring Pages (Ministry-to-Children)
A free coloring page download that uses Scripture to remind children who they are in Christ.
Source: ministry-to-children.com via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
3. Lifegiver (Home With The Boys)
A look at how God created women to be a lifegiver.
Source: homewiththeboys.net via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
4. Reading the Bible With Your Children (Simple Things)
Three recommended children’s Bibles and devotions to use during Bible time with children.
Source: herdofsteph.blogspot.com via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
5. Run the Race (The Better Mom)
Applying Hebrews 12:1 to the journey of homeschooling.
Source: thebettermom.com via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
6. You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have (The Better Mom)
Displaying Christ-like character for your children.
Source: thebettermom.com via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
7. Five Tools That Build Character (B’Twixt and B’Tween)
An overview of a resource to help build character in your daughters and sons.
Source: btwixtandbtweenblog.com via whatsinthebible on Pinterest
If you’re on Pinterest, be sure to follow us for an easy way to re-pin all these great resources. Thanks!
How to Talk to Your Kids about Hell
There are a lot of people in the Church today, starting with many pastoral leaders, who aren’t sure what to believe about Hell. We don’t really hear a lot about Hell in sermon messages these days. Why? Has the topic become too controversial or too confusing for the Church?
And how does this affect our children?
While I don’t condone scare tactics with our kids, I conducted a little impromptu experiment. Today as I was writing this article, my 9-year -old walked into my office. He asked what I was writing about and I looked up and told him, “About Hell.” Wide eyed, he looked at me and reminded me I had just used a bad word. “No” I said. “I’m writing about the place, Hell.”
I asked him what he knew about Hell. “It’s where you go if you’re bad.” His response made me realize I had better take the time to further explain God’s rescue plan of Jesus to MY OWN son!
I stopped writing and began a conversation with him about Jesus; about how none of us were good enough to share an eternity with God, and that the Father sent Jesus down to earth to pay our price (by dying in our place) to get into Heaven so we could have that eternity with Him. It wasn’t based on how good we are.
“Mom” he asked, “Do good people go to Hell?” Taking a deep breath, I tried my best to answer his question, without sounding trite or insincere; because God IS LOVE. He desires no one to go to Hell.
There are lots of mixed messages right now about Hell and it’s important that our children have a firm grasp of what the Scripture says.
John 3: 16-17, 36: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
It’s also important for our children to understand the urgency of the Gospel and that we reflect that urgency in our own daily lives. Because if we truly believe that there is a Hell and that the saving grace from the sacrifice of Jesus is what ensures us a place in Heaven…then we HAVE to take spreading the Gospel message a little more seriously—and urgently.
Whether it’s through fear, complacency or lack of knowledge, many in the Church are only comfortable being with other saved brothers and sisters. Let’s face it; talking to the unsaved about Jesus is difficult. Not because we lack conviction, but because it takes us out of our comfort zone. What if I offend someone? What if I say something Biblically wrong?
Take for instance our Muslim neighbor, who we love having over for coffee, but who we don’t want to offend in matters of faith…how do we start a conversation about Jesus with her? Thought process: Maybe if my actions are simply Jesus-like enough, she’ll ask me some questions about my faith! Nope—total cop-out. Because if I believe that Jesus was the only means that kept my nice neighbor out of Hell, I should have a sense of urgency to share the Good News with her!
If your child asked a question about Hell, how would you answer it? Should the Church have an urgency to talk to people about Hell in order to help save them from going there? Let’s start a dialogue…
Buck’s Bible Roundup: July 21, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
Today’s Roundup:
Family Devotions with a Kid-Friendly Theme (Ministry-to-Children)
A creative idea to engage your children in a family devotion activity.
Mercy Parenting ((in)Courage)
A thoughtful article about how mercy and Psalm 103:8-11 play a role in parenting.
Seeds Family Worship Cookbook (Dad in the Middle)
Seeds Family Worship is creating a cookbook that features ideas, games, activities and lessons that families can use to build Godly character at home. You can submit ideas that work for your family between now and July 31st.
In My Heart – Psalm 148:1-5 (Totally Tots)
Free printables to help your children learn Psalm 148:1-5
The Importance of Prayer (Thriving Family)
Ideas and verses to help your children understand why we pray.
Thanks for reading! If you write or read an article you think we should include in the next edition of Buck’s Bible Roundup, please email it to susan@whatsinthebible.com or alert us on twitter using #BucksRoundup. Thank you.
Buck’s Bible Roundup: June 30, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
This Week’s Roundup:
How To Change the World With Your Children (Inspired to Action)
Thoughts and ideas on how to help teach our children to live out Scripture.
The Bible in 90 Days (Home With Purpose)
Join the challenge to read the Bible in 90 days starting July 11, 2011.
Support Compassion International With One Click (Money Saving Mom)
An incredible opportunity to support Compassion International through this blog and a couple of easy clicks. (Opportunity valid June 30 only.)
In My Heart – 2 Corinthians 2:17 (Totally Tots)
Great printable resources to teach your children 2 Corinthians 2:17.
Connecting Through Prayer (Thriving Family)
Thoughts on how we can connect with our families through prayer.
Crossing the Jordan River Coloring Page (Ministry-to-Children)
A coloring page to help teach Joshua 4:23-24.
Jesus Gives Freedom From Sin (Ministry-to-Children)
A lesson plan to teach John 8:32.
Thanks for reading! If you write or read an article you think we should include in the next edition of Buck’s Bible Roundup, please email it to susan@whatsinthebible.com or alert us on twitter using #BucksRoundup. Thank you.
Buck’s Bible Roundup: June 23, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
This Week’s Roundup:
Free Bible Curriculum for Children (Awana)
Free Bible memorization resources for children of all ages.
Family Mealtime Devotions (Focus on the Family)
Ideas for making the most out of mealtimes with your family.
Maybe The Most Important Thing to Do for Your Faith (A Holy Experience)
A thoughtful look at what we can learn from the older generations when it comes to memorizing Scripture.
Compromise vs. Promise ((in)Courage)
Lysa TerKeurst (Made to Crave) looks at what God’s Word says about our physical struggles with things like food.
Jonah and the Whale Coloring Pages (Ministry-to-Children)
Free coloring pages that help you teach the story of Jonah.
Thanks for reading! If you write or read an article you think we should include in the next edition of Buck’s Bible Roundup, please email it to susan@whatsinthebible.com or alert us on twitter using #BucksRoundup. Thank you.
Buck’s Bible Roundup: June 16, 2011
Look to Buck’s Bible Roundup for the best blogs, articles, and resources from the week to help you effectively teach the Word of God in your homes and in your ministry.
This Week’s Roundup:
Use The Word in Your Parenting (Gospel Coalition)
An article about how Scripture applies to parenting.
Praying Around the Clock (Growing Kids Ministry)
A fun idea to use pictures and a clock to remember your friends and family in prayer each day.
Free Audio Dramatization of the New Testament (ESV) (Money Saving Mom)
A free download of an audio dramatization of the New Testament.
I Am Unalarmed (Challies)
A thoughtful article discussing the statistics about children leaving their faith after high school and how to prepare your children for adulthood.
Collect for Kenya (Clubhouse Jr.)
Join Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. summer service challenge.
Free Adventures in the Holy Bible Series (Faithful Provisions)
Free Bible lessons and quizzes.
Bible Verse Games (KidBuilder.net)
A children’s site full of games designed to help learn Bible verses.
Thanks for reading! If you write or read an article you think we should include in the next edition of Buck’s Bible Roundup, please email it to susan@whatsinthebible.com or alert us on twitter using #BucksRoundup. Thank you.
Pentecost and Talking to Our Kids about the Holy Spirit
This past Sunday we celebrated Pentecost. Most people only know Pentecost as a Christian holiday, where we commemorate the day when the Holy Spirit fell on the Apostles of Christ as they gathered together in the upper room, after the Ascension of Jesus. Scripture (Acts 2) actually tells us that Jews from many different nations were in Jerusalem that day. They were there celebrating the Jewish Feast of Pentecost.
It’s true; Pentecost is originally a Jewish holiday. It’s one of the three great feasts, along with Passover and Tabernacles, on the Jewish calendar. It has a historical significance, as it commemorates God giving the Torah to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It also commemorates the time when the first fruits of the wheat harvest were brought to the Temple in the form of leavened bread (Lev 23:17).
So we may ask ourselves why did Jesus choose to pour out His spirit on His Church during this very Jewish holiday?
The idea that people had gathered together to celebrate a harvest ties in perfectly with the fact that a great “harvest” for the Lord was experienced! The New Covenant was put into effect with full force. This day truly was the beginning of the Church…our “birthday”, if you will. That very day 3000 people came to Christ and were baptized after hearing Peter’s teaching! (Acts 2:37-39) Pentecost really was the FIRST great revival!
Do you remember learning about the Holy Spirit as a kid? The Trinity can be a tricky thing to grasp, much less teach to kids. When talking to your kids about Pentecost and the significance it has in our lives, remind them that as Jesus was preparing to go to Heaven, He made a promise. He told His Disciples that even though He would be leaving them and wouldn’t be here on Earth as a man, He would NOT be leaving them all alone. He promised to send something else: The Holy Spirit.
If a child doesn’t exactly understand what the Holy Spirit is, maybe tell them that it’s something that we feel inside that helps us know and understand God’s love and a way which we feel God’s actual presence in our lives. In fact here we are, over 2000 years later, still feeling God’s love and presence exactly like they did on that day of Pentecost!
Here’s a video from DVD 5 explaining the trinity:
God loves us so much that He sent us His Son Jesus and then His Spirit to teach us about that perfect love!
How do you talk to your kids about The Holy Spirit and Pentecost?
