Lovely Links

As I've been writing this blog, and searching for resources, I keep finding them even when I'm not looking...I'm inspired that this topic that I am so passionate about ...sharing God's Word with your kids, in fun, engaging, higher level thinking ways.... really is on many other people's hearts and minds, and just this spring several blogs and books have been published on different facets.  

When You Rise... just a few weeks ago a reflection on reading regular Bibles with your kids... inspiration for me! (and she connected me to a new book and the blog below)

AnEverydayMama...she wrote a BOOK about reading the Bible with your kids that was just published this spring... she answers here can YOUNG kids read and understand the Bible.  I say YES! and am intrigued by this book... on my wishlist! She also blogs here about how she handles some of the more graphic elements of the Bible with her young children.  

Impress Your Kids  I follow this blogger who is a former Children's Ministry director, now Mom, and last fall published a book of ideas to celebrate advent with your young children with great Biblical integration .  She lead me to a new book that intrigued me, and was just published this spring.

I love that our library lets you recommend a book and then they let you read it first!  So I just finished reading it on our way to New York.   It's called Raising Your Kids to Love the Lord and it is a parenting book, so it highlights many dimensions of parenting more than a how to motivate kids to read the Bible, but it was worth your time read in my humble opinion!  I'm waiting to see if they ordered An Everyday Mama's book for me as well!  

I've also just finished reading a book that Moody Publishing sent me to review entitled: Beyond Bathtime by Erin Davis, a book and a blog, to encourage Moms in the ministry and calling of Motherhood.  You can read my amazon review here.  It is more focused on the joy and sacred role mothering is.  Her purpose is that YOU need the Lord's help.  But if you take her advice, she inspires you the Mom, to live the truths of God's Word before you children, and survive/thrive through the Holy Spirit's help, which requires you to be in the Word so it is all connected. 

Holy Bible motivator

I need to get back into regular blogs, but time keeps evaporating... I'm writing lessons to share with you as I can get them 'publishable' and we are testing them this week at Pine Bush Bible Camp on teens/college age students, and elementary age boys (officially the hardest age to reach and motivate!)  But until then, I will share some of my favorite resources...

This is a Holy Bible Coloring Book published originally by Dock Haley Gospel Magic

Their store link:  Gospel Magic Bible

Every group I have ever used it with is in AWE and the point it drills home about people looking at the same book.  Some seeing a blank Bible, some seeing a coloring book uncolored, and others find the Bible is a book with living color illustrations. It's a great tool to build relevancy and make kids/adults think about why we read the Bible!   (and it is simple to learn to use-- you just need to practice it about 10 times the first time, and I had it down!)

Bible Book Lesson/Bible Features Lesson Part 2

Objective: To engage your children in thinking about the Bible as a book (with many types and helps in different Bibles), and guide students to discover what features their Bibles have and what types of Bibles exist, how those features help them understand the Bible, and to decide which Bible features and types that they personally like.

HOOK: Review the last lesson- where you found out what a bible 'feature' is-- review your post its or list.   Then ask the kids to show you the Bibles that they have.  

LOOK:   look at a verse in more than one translation.(discuss translations, what they are, just like languages, we can phrase it differently in  the same language)  It would be best if this verse connects to your recent devotions, Sunday school lesson, or has been used in the kids lives recently. 

If not choose a verse that commands us to be in the Word like John 8: 31-32.  Discuss...

•  ³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (ESV)
• ³¹ So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.³² And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. (AMP)
• ³¹ Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. ³² And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (NLT)
• ³¹ Jesus spoke to the Jews who had believed him. "If you obey my teaching," he said, "you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth. And the truth will set you free."(NIVr)  

Divide into teams (we did an oldest and a youngest child together and made groups of 4-6 children and had an adult/older kid in each group, I gave each of the adults or the oldest child a card with these questions)

In small teams, ask which translation/features each of your kids have? (if they don't know, this is a way to connect and review Bible features, help them find it!)   Which do they like the best?   Why?

A note card I scribbled off 4 copies of last minute to help each group know what to do (with or without an adult)

 We used a post it note for every feature we found, and put them up on the white board to share and categorize as a big group (depends on how much time you have, how much you do with it,)  I have found that when every child talks, writes, and shares ideas in a small group, the actual sharing what EVERY post it says with the whole group is NOT necessary.  Especially if you leave them posted after the lesson.  

Then we set off to examine what types of Bibles we had brought with us. (if I had really thought this through, it should have been a separate lesson because of time! But we learn  by doing.) 

Task 2-- a second project.... 

Ask what types of features are in each of the Bible books that your kids brought.... Are all of the books Bibles there? if not is it a Bible or a Bible Storybook or a devotional or a picture Bible? What is it?  Why? Who is it appropriate for?  Who does it appeal to? 

TOOK:  As we finished the Bible sort, (more pics another day) We looked at how different all the groups had sorted their Bible type books, and discussed it. We paused and thanked God for His Word, and one of our leaders showed his iPhone- with his Bible app, and reminded the kids that they could have God's Word with them ALL THE TIME! 

There are so many ways to break up these concepts/lessons. I just think the key is whether one on one with your child, in a small group or a 25 person class- we need to be sure we equip kids to USE the Bibles they own or have around them!   Too often we just expect them to use them and we forget this is a new genre and some clear directions about how to use a Bible would be very appropriate, even for adults!

My addiction...do I need an intervention?

I confess- I'm addicted to Bible storybooks and Bibles!   I have known for some time that I'm not quite the same as other people. I could be described as eccentric or I'm a little OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) especially when I'm passionate about something.  I have to admit my passion as I've had my own children has become christian resources, Bibles, and Bible storybooks...

My mom has asked a few polite questions over the past ten years and I have reflected on them, and tried to justify? or explain? my addiction (you'll have to judge!)--  at a yard sale where new books are 25cents, do you really need more books for YOUR home? (resolved when she found out I give away books all the time)   More recently:   you do know you are working hard to make your kids readers?  (and memorizers of God's Word.)  I said- Yes I know I'm working hard at this, but Mom, I'm a teacher and I know the benefit of building habits early on, and I want to use my expertise to coach my kids....  I want to instill habits early on, I don't want them to have to grow up and figure out how to include these disciplines in their lives... especially when it comes to making a child a Bible reader who finds joy in God's Word on a regular basis... I told her later, I make it a point to only collect christian books, Bibles, Bible storybooks...

I was asked for a picture of my children's Bibles for a friends blog for a link up later this summer... and here are many of our children's Bibles and Bible Storybooks, but it is not ALL of them.... (cause there are always some on the floor in rooms, my 2 year old needs a bunch reachable for everyday reading, some are at our chapel for Sunday School,  and of course there are ALWAYS some books in our car!)  If it makes you feel better, I committed to stop buying classic children's books and instead borrow those from the two wonderful public libraries we have. I've also learned our public library has children's Bible storybooks as well! 

My oldest- who begs to have a Bible in the care to read when he has down time!

But as an educators, we train real readers, to read ALL the time, anywhere, and to ALWAYS have a book with them, so as believers, I want to change that motto to ALWAYS have a Bible with us, so that we can sneak time in the Word throughout our day!  And I know that there are many translations, types or genres of Bibles for kids.... and they need to find the ones that they enjoy! So I'll continue to order brand new Bibles and Bible storybooks, pick them up at resale shops and garage sales (even the ones I already own to share with a friend), and my collection will expand... at least for this season in my life where I have regular readers in the home.

So how many Bible books, Bibles, for kids do you have? Which is your favorite one?  Where is your favorite place to purchase them? 

Bedtime Blessings

As a good teacher, I've always read to my kids at bedtime...  I soon came to realize that this was another time where I could choose wonderful children's literature or I could take advantage of another chance to impress God's truth into my children's young hearts! 

This book is a favorite read Hush Little One-and we have read it so much I have it memorized and often just sing it with that last snuggle of the evening (okay and sometimes at naptime). I like the phrasing of the 2002 version better than the 2005 reprint.  I keep some around for a gift for new babes or their toddler sibling.

I put my kid's name in it instead of One... and they have each called it 'their song' at the right age/stage. 

Some of the words are:
Hush little one, it's time for bed, now it's time to climb into bed and lay down your sleepy head...
Of the darkness have no fear, Jesus your Savior is always near, He who died and rose again, now forgives your every sin.... 

My boys like Goodnight Warrior because the cover glows in the dark.  I like the truths and simple words presented with the short devotional that follows.   (I did order Sweetdreams Princess but my daughter is too young to appreciate it yet, but we have been listening to her audio set when we play in her room)

How do remind kids of who God is at bedtime?  what stories or scripture do you share with them?  

Bible Book/Reading Lesson for Kids Part 1

I shared in my seminar parts of a lesson I delivered with kids.   I thought I should write it down here so that others could adapt and replicate it with their own children or in a teaching session. I was surprised that in all my online searches, I could not find lessons using strategies that reading teachers implement combined with the Word of God. 

 Bible Features Lesson

Objective: To engage your children in thinking about the Bible as a book (with many types and helps in different Bibles), and guide students to discover what features their Bibles have and what types of Bibles exist, how those features help them understand the Bible, and to decide which Bible features and types that they personally like.

Hook/Anticipatory Set:  a KWL chart
Ask students what they KNOW about the Bible and make a list.   Then ask students what they want to KNOW about the Bible.  (at the end of the lesson, ask students what they learned TODAY about the Bible)

List these answers on a whiteboard or on chart paper.  (if this lesson is revisited another day or week, start to seek answers to what they want to know about the Bible and share at the start of subsequent lessons).

Some hints to help generate the lists:
Know: the Bible has 66 books, 39 Old Testament, 27 New Testamant, many authors, many translations, many languages, is the most read book worldwide, is a guide for daily living, is a living active book, sharper than any 2 edge sword...


Want to know: anything goes-- but you can prompt with -- what is the longest book of the Bible, what is the shortest verse, my kids asked about how many women were in the Bible, how many wars, etc.... 


LOOK Input/Modeling:  Show some children's Bibles. Tag features in them and talk about them.  The first time we did this in a group setting, we used 15 copies of the same Bible so that we could ALL see the same features. If you have a document camera, you could show any Bible that is large enough, or preselect Bibles that all have at least one feature in common (like a concordance or topical list).  After your kids understand what a feature is (like a caption, vocabulary word, cross reference, footnote), put them in small groups and give them some post it notes, to list ALL the features they can find in a collection of Bibles.  (In a Sunday School Setting this was a second lesson the next week with all the kids bringing a Bible or two from home). 

Hint: line up your kids by age-- by birthdays- and then pull an oldest student and pair with a youngest student to make the small groups so readers/writers of all levels end up in mixed groups! 

Post the notes on the wall, and talk about all the different features found-- then ask your small groups to decide which features are most IMPORTANT, FUN, HELPFUL to them.  (We want our kids to not just know features exist, but to push their thinking to critical thinking (analyze, synthesize, evaluate) where real memory and application is accessed.) 

BOOK:  Talk about a scripture about how believers are to use the Bible in a meaningful way.  Colossians 3:16 or Hebrews 4:12 or Psalm 119 would be great places to start.  Even assign or select a verse to memorize this week!

TOOK:   Assign homework-- ask your parents, teachers and friends- what Bible features they like to use and why!   Fill in your KWL chart with what I learned or was reminded of  today about God's Word!

Whispering the Word ISI 2012

Motivating Kids to read, understand and enjoy the Word of God! 
I will present this Whispering the Word livebinder and a lesson plan for motivating kids to read and understand the Bible at ISI, a conference at Emmaus Bible College for church leaders.  Here is a list of important concepts from my takeaway handout-- what would you add to it? 

Techniques/Strategies:

·        Live it (let kids see you read, question, think, and process this living Book!) 

·        Talk about it (book club, at dinner, in normal conversation)

·        Read it (in many formats)

o   and as a good reader (asking ?, visualizing, connecting, clarifying, summarizing)

o   at your reading level (Bibles at 2^nd grade reading levels-adult)

o   at your interest level (pictures, comics, with notes, as a novel)

o   as a storybook (with excerpts, pictures, questions)

o   in devotionals

o   on blogs

·        Study it (must be taught how!)

o   With tools (bible.org, concordance, maps, word study)

o   With methods (SOAP, inductive, ?)

o   By book, by chapter, by verse, by topic

o   Alone, with a partner, with a group, online

·        Think about it (critical thinking essential: evaluate, analyze, synthesize for meaning)

·        Pray through it and before/during/after reading.

·        Meditate on it.

·        Sing about it. 

·        Listen to it (in music, sermons, recitations)

·        Act it out (skits, charades, storytelling, drama, movies)

·        See it (pictures, movies)

·        Live it… (and remind that it is alive in me, my choices, my decisions)