Tag Archives: kids

How Should I Teach the Bible to My Children?

If you’re like me, “How should I teach the Bible to my children?” is a question you’ve more than just mulled over. I’ve tried and have struggled with how to teach my children the Bible. I tried the cover-to-cover approach, but lost their interest somewhere in Exodus. I also tried reading them Psalms and the Gospels. However, it never really “clicked.” I am very cynical of Bible curriculum, since they are usually overly simplistic and are nothing like how people study Scripture. With this being said, I was more than excited to be offered a chance to review Olive Branch Books’ Telling God’s Story curriculum when I heard it was shaped by biblical scholar Dr. Peter Enns (who I am fond of). The curriculum entails three books:

  1. Parents Guide

    Parents Guide: this is the “owner’s manual” for the curriculum. Peter Enns helps provide a framework for how to read the Bible and teach it to children. Enns’ notices that there is a significant gap between how we teach children to read the Bible and how the Bible is studied when they approach college. (Read excerpt here).

  2. Instructor Text & Teaching Guide: Telling God’s Story Year 1: Meeting Jesus is written by Peter Enns for grades 1-4 and starts with the Gospels. It is Enns’ belief that the point of Scripture is Jesus and thus we should start there with our children. There are 52 lessons for 52 weeks of the year. The sections are split up in 8 different parts surrounding the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
  3. Student Guide & Activity Pages: The Instructor Text & Teaching Guide is complemented by this activity book which provides corresponding activities (music, craft, art history, coloring, cooking activities) to each lesson.

My goal in reviewing this is to try 5 lessons on my 3 year old daughter and blog about it here. I will also provide a review of each pieces of the curriculum. My thought is, if a 3 year old can follow the lessons, a first grader will definitely be able to do so. I have recently taken over the children’s ministry at our church, and, if I find the curriculum valuable, I will be implementing it there as well and will encourage you to do so, too. So, keep checking back, or follow me on Twitter for updates.

I want to thank Justin Moore of Olive Branch Books for approaching me and giving me the opportunity to review this curriculum. I am looking forward to it!

My Daughter and Disney

Picture of my daughter

I don’t know what it was, but, perhaps, it was when I sat down in front of one of my daughter’s Disney movies and saw a preview for a “DVD release only” movie about Tinker Bell’s adventures that I thought – “I’m OK with my daughter liking Disney.” Fundamentalists, I know Disney isn’t the most moral of producers. Liberals, I know Disney’s princesses at times have reinforced the traditional gender roles. But you know what? – I’m OK with my daughter watching Disney movies and television shows for a number of reasons, but, most importantly, the importance of imagination is emphasized in Disney products.

My daughter is a fan of a few things Disney. Her favorite TV shows are Handy Manny, My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Little Einsteins. This Halloween she will be dressing up as Snow White. Finally, she is starting to become more interested in the Disney princesses.

We all grow up and are told that there are no such things as fairies, princesses, dragons, mice that talk, carpets that fly, or tigers that can bounce on their tails. No, I don’t believe in fairies (and, according to Peter Pan, that could kill one), but I would rather have a child who believes in fairies, princes, dragons, and toys that talk than the opposite. I’d rather have a daughter who dresses up like Snow White and pretends to be her, wishes for a prince to come, and imagines spending time with dwarfs than the opposite.

Children teach us so much about imagination. They teach us to believe in the impossible, to ask questions, and to run after the intangible. They love the little things in life, enjoy feeding ducks, or snuggling with their mothers. They love to jump into your lap and read a story. All of this because they have imaginations.

Where have our imaginations gone?

Do we not believe in fairies who bring joy behind the scenes? Do we not believe that God can do the impossible? Do I not believe that God can reach into my life and deliver me from evil? Do I not believe that there are dragons in this world who seek to destroy good and justice? Do we not believe in a prince who will rise from his rags and bring us into peace?

I’d rather my daughter believe in those things that Disney creates, and I’d rather her participate with Mickey Mouse and sit and read the adventures of Donald Duck; because when it comes down to believing and imagining in the intangible or dismissing all mystery, I’d rather my daughter watch Disney movies.

Mickey Mouse and friends

Mickey Mouse and friends

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