Victory in Jesus: Bible Object Lessons About Jesus for Kids by Anne Marie Gosnell

I had the privilege of reviewing the first three lessons in this book.


Here's what I like about it:

• Good Bible Teaching- great ways to tell the events of Jesus life and key people, events, and elements included in the plan.  
• Materials Preparation extras provided. The author thinks like a teacher, and has prepared the 'extras' for you. On her website, you will find a poster for each lesson, maps to show locations, etc.  This is in her How the Book Works section at the start. 
• Author Notes/Tips: The author's note/opening before the lessons- when you are teaching a Bible story- she suggests you not just call it a story- this confuses kids- and is a literature term that they often associate with fiction- or untrue stories.  Use your Bible, have children use their Bibles! (Amen!)
• Geography included: Show the location.  Each lesson gives you the location of the Bible text you will be reading, and she will have maps shared on her website to use with the object lessons. 
• Background Notes provided - I took a little breathe when I read and I give you some notes to help put the story in place- thinking all these added details are going to make this confusing to read, but NO, I was wrong- She is a teacher, and she has pointed, simple statements that are really helpful!! But so simple and direct!  
• Background Notes- connect the Old Testament to this New Testament event, or to the event before this one.  Building the connections from the previous book of the Bible or event.  
• Simple objects- not things that will be hard to provide.
• Teacher Comment box- encouraging YOU to reflect on your delivery of this lesson- and plan to improve- plus a simple tip- like "Try to bring Jesus and Salvation into every lesson you teach."   

We must be kindred teacher friends- Anne Marie Gosnell plans a lesson that I love and would use on my own.  I love that she is succinct, to the point, and it's so simple to follow and the goal is present.

Things to tweak:

• Learning Target in Overview: I wish the goal/objective of the lesson was listed in the initial overview of the lesson.  It's in the opening paragraph, but is easily just read over, and I'm not sure some of our teachers (who are not trained teachers) would think- this is what I repeat over and over throughout the lesson.  And she ends the lesson part with a bold statement for the life application, and part of the goal is also to make clear a characteristic of God, but if it's not present til the end, will we all catch and value that aspect?  
• Object List: a list at the start of the book or on the website- that shares all the objects used in the lessons, so you realize that this book is for you, as those are common household things and easy to own or borrow.  
• Scripture References: In lesson two, the gospel was presented with verses, but those references weren't identified or shared, and if it's important for children to look at the passage where the event comes from, it would also be helpful to see scripture that isn't in 'stories' but is in letters or teaching from important people, come from the Bible.  
• Word Choice/Concept Choice in Life Applications.   As in any material finding the best phrase, descriptive word, etc to convey your point, varies from person to person. In the 2nd lesson, in life application, the author suggests that God wants us to make smart christians in how we read and think about His Word.  For my program and ministry, we have been emphasizing that we need to have a relationship with God that is personal, knowledgeable, and connected to both our head/heart.  So I would alter that sentence when I delivered the concept.  In the same lesson, she talks about Jesus wearing a "costume" since He was God and man.  I like this word choice and description on some levels, but also think that it could confuse children- thinking that it was pretend or something, as that is when kids wear costumes.  This one, I'm still pondering what I think about.  That's why this is my tweak.  

Thankful to partner with Future Flying Saucers and have an opportunity to review the first three lessons of the book before release.  I've already ordered the Old Testament book for this fall's sunday school lessons!