The Pentateuch Song (From DVD 3!)

Incorporating Music in the What’s in the Bible? Curriculum

October 3, 2011Comment

Do you know what’s in the Bible? Is it true – is it reliable? Absolutely verifiable? Let’s all take a look in the Biable!

It only takes one time listening to the What’s in the Bible? theme song for it to get stuck in my head for an entire day! Before I know it, I’m humming away in a meeting, singing at my dinner table, and asking my friends during a casual coffee conversation “Do you know what’s in the Bi-able?” Can you relate?

In creating the What’s in the Bible? Sunday morning curriculum, we imagined that music would be incorporated in a variety of ways. After all, music is a great way for children to experience the day’s lesson and offer their praise to God! This Sunday, consider using the What’s in the Bible? songs and music videos to sing along to in between video and small group activities. It’s a great time for children to stand up, and sing to God! I love incorporating music into a Sunday morning children’s program by adding walk-in music. When a child walks into his/her classroom for the first time, the music can really help set the tone. Play upbeat, fun music to signal a high-energy time of learning. Choose a slow, quiet song if you wish for children to walk into a reflective time of prayer. Music can help signal the day’s expectations.

Also, consider using an iPad during the small group activity to add even more music to your program. Apps that act like instruments allow children to create their own music are a great way to encourage response after a lesson. You can also view the What’s in the Bible? music videos on the iPad and encourage children to listen for key words from the day’s main lesson. And, if you have an iPod you can download songs and help children create instruments in order to play along!

Incorporating music into your Sunday morning children’s program is a great way to connect the lesson and encourage genuine praise!

Even if you’re not using the What’s in the Bible? curriculum, you pick up our new CD – What’s in the Bible? THE SONGS! on iTunes or in our store to incorporate into your Sunday morning routine.

How do you incorporate music on Sunday morning?

Buck’s Bible Roundup: September 29, 2011

September 29, 20113 Comments

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. The Rizers – New Album (Rambles of a SAHM)
A new children’s album releasing in October with 10 verses turned into songs for easy memorization.

2. Prayer Journal (Clubhouse)
Help your children make their own prayer journals.

3. I’m Sorry (Raising Homemakers)
Parenting thoughts about teaching children what the Bible says about sin.

4. “Jesus is the Good Shepherd” Coloring Page (Ministry-to-Children)
Download a free coloring page & activity based on John 10:7-16.

5. Paper Airplane Object Lesson (Ministry-to-Children)
An idea for teaching Genesis 1:27 using paper airplanes.

Thanks for reading!

Buck’s Bible Roundup: May 19, 2011

May 19, 20111 Comment

It’s Thursday, which means it’s time for Buck’s Bible Roundup. Just a reminder, you can look to Buck’s Bible Roundup to find 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:

Seeds Family Worship – New Songs Premiering on Blogs (Home With the Boys)
Seeds Family Worship is releasing their latest CD which contains more great songs to help children memorize Scripture. They are currently premiering a song each day on a variety of great blogs.

Ministry of Motherhood – Scripture Reading Book Club (Good Morning Girls)
This summer you can join a group of other mothers reading through Scripture together using the S.O.A.P. method.

Why Johnny Can’t Read the Bible (Christianity Today)
An insightful article about Bible literacy today and how it can impact you and your children.

Pin Wheel Craft For Teaching About the Holy Spirit (Ministry-to-Children)
A fun craft for your children based on John 3:8.

Teaching Children to Pray: Guiding Principles (Gospel Coalition)
A very helpful guide in teaching your children the importance of prayer.

Big Picture Bible Mural Art Project (Ministry-to-Children)
This is a great project to do with your children over several weeks and helps to show them the context of the entire Bible.

Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve (Money Saving Mom)
Information about a great resource that helps your children learn the alphabet while also learning Bible verses and ways to serve others.

Top 10 Devotional Blogs for Kidmin (Ministry-to-Children)
A list of 10 great blogs you can use as a daily devotional.

That’s all for today. If you write or read an article we should consider for next week, please email the link to susan@whatsinthebible.com or alert us on Twitter using this hashtag: #BucksRoundup. Thanks!

Some Thoughts About Exodus and Moving Across the Country

March 1, 20113 Comments

I’ve been reading and thinking a lot about the Exodus lately. What must the Israelites have been feeling as they left behind the bondage of slavery, which was all they knew for a freedom they knew nothing about? — A freedom which was desperately desired, divinely promised, diligently prayed for and finally attained.

Celebration, elation, exuberance!!

I just wonder if there were any feelings of ambiguity in the hearts of the Israelites even during this time of deliverance? In the midst of the celebration, could they have been feeling torn, scared, and even a little angry at the change happening all around them?

Last week my family moved across the country from Orange County, CA to Nashville, TN. I’m not comparing my move to that of the Israelites {not exactly, anyway}. I don’t want my California friends thinking I’m comparing Goshen to the OC, because I’m not. I’m merely looking at the hugeness of picking up a family from all that they are familiar with {good, bad or indifferent} and following what appears to be a directive from God.

Exodus is a huge, historical account. It teaches us about liberation, journey and establishing the Covenant. Here’s Chuck Waggin’ singing about it in DVD 2.

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Exodus also outlines how the Israelites, even after witnessing MANY miracles at the hand of God, had issues with faith. They doubted they would be delivered from bondage (14:10-12); Once delivered, they continually complained as they journeyed from the Red Sea to Mt. Sinai (15:22-27; 16:1-3; 17:1-7); Then at Mt. Sinai, against God’s specific commands against idolatry, they forged the golden calf and worshiped it (32:1-8).

The question of course is why would God’s chosen people, who had lived through His deliverance of their nation, have faith issues? Not being a Bible teacher, my only rational answer is that they, like us, were imperfect and fallen.

Do you ever wonder why God puts up with us when we act the way we do? We say we trust Him, yet many times find it difficult to follow His will in our daily walk. At least I do.

Exodus teaches us a couple of other things, too. First, God was always faithful to His people! He continually showed them {undeserved} mercy. This book also foreshadows Christ’s own sacrificial act of redemption for His people. The slaughtered Passover lamb’s blood being used on the door post being the one thing that would spare the household from death.

Reading about God’s plan, while knowing how the story comes to fruition through Jesus, is amazing!

I know that my eight year old has had issues with the move. His perceived lack of control in “losing” all things he’s familiar with {even though he has ALREADY been blessed with new friends and better surroundings} has caused him to ramp up some rather unflattering behaviors. But I get it… I’m his mom. I know him. It will take time for him to trust his dad and I in this huge, life-changing event that has just occurred.

Yes, I bet there was a bit of ambiguity in the hearts of those newly delivered Israelites. Trust is hard. But God, the loving Father that He is, knew them. He showed them abundant grace, because He loved them. Thankfully God knows us that well, too!

His plan IS perfect!

Do you have stories about moving, that you’d like to share? Maybe your kids also had trouble adjusting at first, too? What did you do to help them?

You can follow Lisa on twitter @lisastrnad and she blogs regularly at talkinglikeagirl.

Do you know the judges from the Book of Judges?

October 11, 20107 Comments

We received this encouraging testimony from a friend of ours at Tyndale House Publishers (who distribute the DVDs). This 6th-grade girl wowed her Sunday School teacher by naming all of the judges from the book of Judges … could you do that?

At our church, each year, our sixth graders are taught a Sunday School class for the entire year that is an overview of the Bible. We have the same passion that Phil Vischer does - for our kids to really get a grasp of what they believe. The teacher is a college professor of Old Testament and it is a great class. I am “helping” with the class but really I am there to learn because I don’t feel like I got this teaching growing up in the church. Yesterday, they were studying Judges and Ruth. The teacher often asks them questions about details in the Bible as a quiz and then hands out little awards for correct answers and if the kids collect enough of these then they can trade them in for pieces of candy. Yesterday he asked if anyone could name ONE of the Judges and my daughter raised her hand. He said OK – which one do you know and she said “I know them all”. He was surprised and said OK – let’s see if you do. She promptly rattled them all off in order and then she looked back at me and smiled. ( He told her she automatically got candy for knowing that.) Then he asked, do you know the left handed Judge? And, of course she knew “Ehud.” She looked back at me and smiled again and whispered “What’s in the Bible.”

My husband and I were blown away and put the DVD in when we got home and sure enough there was the Bentley Brother’s song about Judges – she has seen it a few times and it stuck with her!

Here is the clip from DVD 4: Battle for the Promised Land. You can pick up the DVD here.

Do you know the judges from the Book of Judges?

October 11, 20101 Comment

At our church, each year, our sixth graders are taught a Sunday School class for the entire year that is an overview of the Bible. We have the same passion that Phil Vischer does – for our kids to really get a grasp of what they believe. The teacher is a college professor of Old Testament and it is a great class. I am “helping” with the class but really I am there to learn because I don’t feel like I got this teaching growing up in the church. Yesterday, they were studying Judges and Ruth. The teacher often asks them questions about details in the Bible as a quiz and then hands out little awards for correct answers and if the kids collect enough of these then they can trade them in for pieces of candy. Yesterday he asked if anyone could name ONE of the Judges and my daughter raised her hand. He said OK – which one do you know and she said “I know them all”. He was surprised and said OK – let’s see if you do. She promptly rattled them all off in order and then she looked back at me and smiled. ( He told her she automatically got candy for knowing that.) Then he asked, do you know the left handed Judge? And, of course she knew “Ehud.” She looked back at me and smiled again and whispered “What’s in the Bible.”

My husband and I were blown away and put the DVD in when we got home and sure enough there was the Bentley Brother’s song about Judges – she has seen it a few times and it stuck with her!

Here is the clip from DVD 4: Battle for the Promised Land. You can pick up the DVD here.