When Maddy turned 3, Tim and I realized that Maddy was ready for a little more in depth Children's Bible. We did a little research and at Christmas time, got her the "Jesus Storybook Bible".
It is just a tad above her reading level and takes a little effort on our part to keep her sitting still for a full story (we also have a very active child). But sitting still quietly for longer periods of time is something we are working with her on, so I guess we are hitting two birds with one stone.
I'm happy to see that she is intrigued by the stories and the pictures(although she wishes there were more :). She really gets into it and asks so many good questions! Tim and I really like that the constant theme points towards Jesus Christ. It's kid friendly and interesting and still maintains the facts of the scriptural stories. That's a hard thing to find in a children's Bible book! I think it's something that we will continue to re-read with her for many years to come, gleaning new and deeper truths as she grows in her understanding and, Lord willing, faith. I would recommend it to anyone with children!
Missionary friends of ours in London (David and Annalisa Wilson) wrote a blog post on the book recently including this great article written by the author of the book, called "Teach Children the Bible is not About Them". It's a quick and excellent read -such good reminder as a parent. Her main point is that we don't need to "pull a moral" out of each and every story in the Bible to teach children how THEY must act. The story of the Bible is bigger than that. It's about Christ and His work on the cross!
This quote from the article says it best, "When we drill a Bible story down into a moral lesson, we make it all about us. But the Bible isn't mainly about us, and what we are supposed to be doing---it's about God, and what he has done!"
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bible. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Holy Week
In celebration of Holy Week and preparation for Good Friday (celebration of Christ's death for our sins) and Resurrection Sunday (Celebration of Christ's victory over sin, death, and the grave 3 days later) my friend Kelly and I decided to read the book of Luke. We decided a little late though (Two days ago to be exact) so we have been reading several chapters a day, just so we can be reading Luke's telling of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ over the Easter weekend.
I have been excited about his challenge because to be honest, I have just been struggling to get into the word lately. And I know that once I do, I will "Taste and See that the Lord is good" and find my JOY in Him again. This exercise so far as proved to do just that. Reading through the book more quickly has been so refreshing, giving me a great overview of Christ's life. I mean think about it. Sunday I read about Christ's birth; yesterday I read about his childhood; today I read about some of his many miracles and His temptation in the wilderness. In two days I will read about how he was betrayed by a close friend, nailed to a cross, pierced with a sword, and then on Sunday about how he was raised from the dead! What way to celebrate Holy Week?!
How have you and your family been preparing and how do you celebrate Easter week/weekend? I am really wanting Easter to become as big (if not bigger) of a celebration in our family as Christmas is. Any ideas for me?
I wanted to include and expert from Luke 6 that was water for my dry soul today.
Luke 6:20-26
"And he (Jesus) lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said:
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven, for so their fathers did to the prophets.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you, when all people speak well of you for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."
I have been excited about his challenge because to be honest, I have just been struggling to get into the word lately. And I know that once I do, I will "Taste and See that the Lord is good" and find my JOY in Him again. This exercise so far as proved to do just that. Reading through the book more quickly has been so refreshing, giving me a great overview of Christ's life. I mean think about it. Sunday I read about Christ's birth; yesterday I read about his childhood; today I read about some of his many miracles and His temptation in the wilderness. In two days I will read about how he was betrayed by a close friend, nailed to a cross, pierced with a sword, and then on Sunday about how he was raised from the dead! What way to celebrate Holy Week?!
How have you and your family been preparing and how do you celebrate Easter week/weekend? I am really wanting Easter to become as big (if not bigger) of a celebration in our family as Christmas is. Any ideas for me?
I wanted to include and expert from Luke 6 that was water for my dry soul today.
Luke 6:20-26
"And he (Jesus) lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said:
Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold your reward is great in heaven, for so their fathers did to the prophets.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you, when all people speak well of you for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."
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