Tag Archives: Peter Enns

Teaching Your Children the Bible

Telling Gods Story

Telling God's Story

First, let me apologize for the lack of involvement on the part of myself with the blogosphere. Life has been very, very busy. I am still alive, and I hope to write more often now that things seem to have simmered down.

As you may have read, I had been reviewing and practicing Olive Branch Books’ Telling God’s Story: Teaching Your Children the Bible shaped by scholar Peter Enns. My wife and I spent time by going through seven of the lessons (one lesson per week, as designed) with my three year old daughter. I read the Parent’s Guide, and we have done multiple activities surrounding the seven lessons. I am convinced that this curriculum is the best I’ve encountered for a number of reasons, not least, the ones listed below. I highly recommend that you pick up all three parts of the curriculum and begin walking through the Bible with your children. Let’s start with the negative then move to the positive–

What I Didn’t Like:

  1. Materials: for some of the crafts, the materials aren’t things I have at home. I don’t have mustard seeds so I either had to skip the mustard mashed potatoes craft or go buy some. I chose to buy some. I don’t mind buying some of the items, but, for a curriculum designed to be used for the home, it wasn’t always easy pulling off the crafts.
  2. Coloring pages: The pictures on the pages are great. The verse reference is at the bottom, but that doesn’t help me remember the “point” of the story. If the story is about when Jesus calmed the storm, and if the point is “Jesus has God’s power to control creation,” then perhaps it would be better to put the “point” at the bottom, instead of, the verse reference.
  3. For young children only: at this point, the curriculum has been developed for 1-5 graders. If you want something for your middle schooler, you may have to go elsewhere. However, you never know. A middle schooler could enjoy this.

What I Loved:

  1. It starts with Jesus. I know this sounds like an obvious statement, but most Bible curricula begin with the Old Testament (e.g., Adam and Eve naked in the Garden of Eden talking to snake) and move to the New Testament over time. The problem with this method is, first, the NT authors read the OT in light of Jesus so starting with the OT stands outside of this tradition. Second, the stories of the OT become perceived as “childish”–a snake talking? We know snakes don’t talk, Dad. A flood and a boat–that’s cute. A shepherd boy kills a giant–reminds me of Jack and the Beanstalk. Third, some of the stories in the OT are not “Mom-approved,” in that, Mom probably doesn’t want little Johnny to be learning about Judah and Tamar. There will be a time for that, but not before bedtime.
  2. The activities were fun and multi-dimensional. During my time with the books, my daughter has colored pictures, made mustard mashed potatoes (i.e., faith like a mustard seed), learned the first five books of the NT, and made numerous crafts. The activities aren’t all crafts or all coloring pages, but they are multi-dimensional, which should suit many different learning styles.
  3. You don’t need to be a scholar to teach from the lesson. The books are written in such a way that the average lay person can communicate the material. Also, each lesson starts with a word to the parents, which provides the parent with a brief understanding of the point of the stories.
  4. You don’t need a flannelgraph. ‘Nuff said. Talk about things you don’t have at home.
  5. It sets up children with the proper tools to begin to study Scripture. I know this sounds strange, but, from what I gather, our children learn cute stories about the Bible, learn a few verses, grow up and go to high school and college, and are rather ill-equipped for serious Bible study. I’ve dealt with this on a number of occasions when a student goes to State school, takes a Bible as Literature course, and are blown away when they read the Epic of Gilgamesh. However, the plan for this curriculum is to develop over the years to provide children and their parents with resources to give them the proper tools for study as they mature.
  6. It can be used at home and church: I personally believe that it is my wife and my responsibility to teach our children about Jesus. However, we are often stuck on where to begin. This curriculum provides us with great resources and fun activities. Also, it’s partially the responsibility of the church to teach my children the way of Jesus so to have a curriculum that can be used at church on Sunday and then home throughout the week is worth its weight in gold (so to speak).

I don’t like to say, “Parents, go out and buy this,” but go out and buy this curriculum. It’s a great place to start. It offers excellent resources. The interpretations, for one, aren’t simplistic–understandable, yes; simplistic, no. Olive Branch Books should be proud of this resource, and I, personally, will be continuing to use this with my children.

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!

What’s Cookin’? 02.23.09

“Peter Gibbons: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday, and you’re not feelin’ real well, does anyone ever say to you, ‘Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays’?
Lawrence: No. No, man. [Crap], no, man. I believe you’d get your [butt] kicked sayin’ something like that, man.”

–Office Space (1999)

It’s Monday! I have a paper to write so I’ll be quick.

Highlights of the Week:
1.    Giselle has been walking behind a “walking-assist thing” (yes, that’s the technical term). She’ll be “off to the races” soon, I’m sure.
2.    Amanda and I spent much of yesterday watching The Office season 2. It was just nice to relax for awhile together.

Books I’m Reading:
I finished Christopher Wright’s Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament. I really enjoyed it. It was an easy read in the sense that I didn’t want to blow my brains out because I felt like the guy was redundant (which is how I felt with Goldsworthy last week). Wright does well to establish the connection between Jesus and the Old Testament. Jesus is the fulfillment of all of the OT, not just the prophecies/predictions.

Put It on Repeat (what I’ve been listening to):
1.    Podcasts – Mars Hills Podcast
2.    Lykke Li’s Youth Novels (Special Edition), Sufjan Stevens’ Illionise, Dan in Real Life soundtrack, Franz Ferdinand’s Tonight:Franz Ferdinand, and The Devil Wears Prada’s (not the movie!) Plagues.

Job update: nothing much here.

Seminary update: Still in class with Peter Enns. He’s a really down-to-earth professor, but he’s also really intellectual. I also enjoyed how open he is to ideas that aren’t Reformed (which Enns leans towards).

iPhone app I’m happy about: I’ve been trying to watch what I eat so the “Lose It” application has been really helpful. You put in your height and weight, setup a weight-goal for yourself, how much you want to lose each week, and it tells you how many calories you may have each day. Then, you type in a food, when you ate it, and it will display how many calories it is, etc. As with all apps I buy, it was free.

Looking forward to:
1.    The church season of Lent. Amanda and I are trying to figure out what we’ll do for Lent, but, right now, we are planning on attending a special service on Thursday at The Well and doing some type of fast.
2.    Giselle to start walking
3.    Amanda and I to spend some time alone together; however we deem this to be possible, I don’t care. I would just like some time with her this week.
4.    Actually blogging some more.
5.    Spring and baseball!

What’s Cookin’? 02.19.09

This week I waited until Thursday

Highlights of the Week:

1.    Taking Giselle to the aquarium was definitely a highlight. She loved it! She loves my father-in-law’s fish tank so we figured we take her to a fish tank on a larger scale…the NJ State Aquarium in Camden. I’ve never seen her so excited. Amanda and I love thinking back to it and laughing about how she was cracking up and waving her hands in the air in front of some of the exhibits. I took her to the “Touch a Shark” area. She reached down to put her hands in the water, but, when the shark came up, she quickly pulled back and made a fearful murmur. She instead proceeded to put her hand (that had just been in the shark water) in her mouth. Amanda wasn’t happy.
2.    New class with Peter Enns. I’m really enjoying it.
3.    I had another job interview this week. It was at a temp agency. I fear that wherever they put me I will be known as “the temp” like Ryan in The Office, but, if I get promoted to an executive position, I won’t get cocky.

Books I’m Reading:
I finished Goldsworthy’s Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture, which I thought was OK, but it seemed somewhat “old school” and a little naïve in some areas. I’m now reading Christopher Wright’s Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament. I like it so far.

Put It on Repeat (what I’ve been listening to):
1.    Coldplay’s success at the Grammy’s has spurred me to listen to Viva la Vida again.
2.    Recently purchased, Lykke Li’s Youth Novels
3.    Podcasts: Mars Hill Bible Church – I’m a few weeks behind. APM’s Speaking of Faith “Obama’s Theologian” about Reinhold Neibuhr’s influene on Obama.

Job update: like I said, I had an interview with a temp agency. I had to go into the city for the interview, which is pretty legit. They are talking about sending me to Chester, which isn’t very legit, but I need a job so…whatever. I would only be a few months. Also, I talked to the pastor of the youth pastor job I’ve been interviewing for. It seems like they are getting closer to doing second interviews, etc.

Seminary update: Just began a class with Peter Enns, and I’m loving it.

Had a good laugh at:
In seminary class:
•    Peter Enns: What was wrong with the Sadducees?
•    Jay: They were sad-you-see…
•    Class: [laughter]
•    Jay: That was the answer you were looking for, wasn’t it?
•    Peter Enns: No, I was looking for an adult answer.
•    Class: [even more laughter]

Looking forward to:
1.    Going to Toronto for The Evolving Church Conference in March with Tim. Stanley Hauerwas is going to be there, which is awesome! Derek Webb’s doing music there, too.
2.    Getting some type of full time position somewhere.

What’s Cookin’? 02.10.09

I’m not sure why I’ve been taking until Tuesday (or Wednesday) to do what I mean to do on Monday, but here you go –

Highlights of the Week:
1.    Giselle has “dada” and “mama” down to know that it’s Dad and Mom, but it isn’t on demand. What I mean is, I can’t say, “Who that?” to Amanda, and Elle will respond, “Mama.” We just aren’t there yet.
2.    I was able to sub at Calvary twice within the past week, and I really like it. I actually remembered Algebra well enough to help a few students. Mainly subbing is just sitting there, but I had a chance to make a difference there (haha!).
3.    Sunday at The Well was awesome! I’m pretty sure that we’re all damned because for my whole time at The Well on Sunday we had – people wearing jeans, non-KJV translation used, screens, guitars, a woman preacher, a clip from Ellen (a show hosted by a lesbian?), talk about the role of “tradition” (are we Catholic?), and the word a** was used (in reference to “donkey,” but we all know that even in that context you’re destined for hell). Yes, we’re all damned. (Please understand that I’m totally joking, but I’m poking fun at people who would really think this).
4.    Amanda and I had a wonderful two days to celebrate her birthday. Thursday – we had a family dinner with her family and mine. Friday – the two of us went to PF Chang’s and to the movie New in Town. If you have a young child, you know how rare this can be to have hours to yourselves. Happy Birthday, Mand!

Books I’m Reading:
1.    Finished Coffehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life by Ed Cyzewski. You can check out what I think here, here, and here.
2.    Finished another book from NavPress called The One True Thing by Howard Baker. The book got progressively better from beginning to end. Overall, I enjoyed it. I will review it later.
3.    Now reading for class, Goldsworthy’s Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture and Christopher Wright’s Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament

Blogs I’ve Been Enjoying:
1.    Tim writes about Pete Rollins’ “denial” of the resurrection. I think Tim’s on to something. We should be paying attention to Pete’s point, not wondering if he actually believes the resurrection happened (which for some reason I think he does).
2.    Tony Jones has been reviewing the doctrine of original sin. I’m not sure I’m on board, but it’s worthwhile to take a look at it. Here‘s the most recent.
3.    Scot McKnight’s calling of pro-life, pro-Obama-ers to call out about Obama’s pro-choice decisions. We aren’t paying loyalties to any leader besides Jesus.

Put It on Repeat (what I’ve been listening to)
1.    Sufjan Stevens Illinoise – I always come back to this album to listen to it again
2.    The Almost Southern Weather
3.    Lykke Li’s one song “I’m Good, I’m Gone” on Youth Novels
4.    Panic at the Disco’s one song “Nine in the Afternoon” on Pretty. Odd. – because I enjoy playing it on Rock Band 2

Job update: I didn’t get the job at McCafferty Hyundai because they couldn’t work around my school schedule. So, oh well. I have people looking out for me, and I think God is asking me to have patience. I don’t like it, but I think that’s what he’s asking me to do.

Seminary update: Just began a class with Peter Enns (who I’ve blogged about here, here, here, here, and here) called “Preaching Christ from the Old Testament.” It’s helping many of us work through the apostles’ “butchering” of Old Testament passages.

Had a good laugh at:
“I love Jesus, but I drink a little” from Ellen was the clip we watched at church. It’s pretty funny.

Looking forward to: Happy Valentine’s Day!

What’s Cookin’? 02.04.09

Highlights of the week:


  1. The Super Bowl was absolutely exciting. Big Ben – great pass! Holmes – even better catch! Although, I think the most important play was Harrison’s pick-6 at the end of the first half. We’ve had two awesome Super Bowls in a row. The only difference this year is that I wasn’t cheering another team to lose as much as I was last year when the Patriots were in it.
  2. Giselle has been learning like crazy. She can now say (in this order too) – “da-da,” “no,” and “ma-ma.” She’s also been making us laugh non-stop with all of her antics. We love her so much.
  3. Amanda and I have been rocking out to Rock Band 2. I never thought I’d ever play video games with my wife, but we have a lot of fun doing it.

Books I’m reading: I’ve really been enjoying Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life by Ed Cyzewski. I’m almost done, and I will be blogging about it some more later. I already placed a quote on the site.

Disappointed by: Scot McKnight (not him, keep reading) mentioned that he was disappointed that supportive evangelicals didn’t state that they were upset with Obama’s decision to overturn some pro-life policies. So…here it is- I am upset with Obama’s decision to overturn specific pro-life policies and support for pro-choice policies.

Job update: slow! or at least slower than I’d like. I’ve gone on multiple interviews but no offers. *sigh*

Seminary update: I had off of class last night, but my next class is with Peter Enns, and I’m extremely excited about it. I’ve mentioned Peter Enns on this site numerous times so you can see how much he’s influenced me.

Looking forward to: Amanda’s birthday is tomorrow. She keeps saying she doesn’t want to do anything so I’m making sure we do. She deserves it.

What’s Cookin’? 01.29.09

  • Highlight(s) of the week:
  1. The inauguration of President Obama was exciting, as expected. I look forward to the next four years with great anticipation.
  2. I had a few job interviews lined up so it’s nice to know someone is interested in me.
  3. I had a good conversation with someone about the emerging church. Basically explained that it’s not perfect, but much of what’s going on within it are good things.
  4. Had a snow day yesterday, which allowed me to catch-up on some much needed sleep (which I’m losing some more of tonight).
  • Disappointed by: (1) the reason I am up at 4 AM this morning typing this is because Giselle won’t sleep so…yeah. I think (I hope!) she’s teething. (2) Amanda and I are sick. Amanda more than me. (3) All the “hate” I’ve been hearing from people about Obama, the emerging church, and differing theological views. It’s just wearing on me.
  • Books I’m reading:
  1. The New Christians: Dispatches from the Emergent Frontier by Tony Jones – on hold for…
  2. Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life by Ed Cyzewski
  • Job update: had/have a few interviews. I hope to get a job full time, but two part-time is acceptable right now.
  • Seminary update: finished the class on preaching. I have to hand-in a short essay, and then it will be complete. Next class is with Peter Enns, who I’ve quoted numerous times on this site, so I look forward to it.
  • Looking forward to: (1) the next 4 years. Just interested more than thinking “Obama’s the messiah” type of thing. (2) Giselle to fall asleep. Is it bad to set up a pack-and-play in the basement and let your child “cry it out” there? I just may do it. Haha! but seriously. (3) Getting better. (4) Finding a job. I feel like it’s right around the corner.

More Quotes from Peter Enns

I meant to add these awhile ago

  • On the OT Law:

“…there seems to be a situational dimension to law, just as we saw with wisdom literature…Few Christians would have any argument against the sixth commandment, but believing it in principle is very different from action upon it. Is capital punishment murder? What about abortion? What about war? When we put flesh on the bare bones of the Ten Commandments, we see that there is a ‘wisdom dimension’ to any attempt to keep the law. To say this is not to dismiss the law but to recognize the inevitable, that keeping the law is not a mechanical, legalistic process” (p. 88).

  • On diversity of the OT:

“…the Old Testament is not a flat book where all parts agree on a superficial level” (p. 96).

  • On the incarnation in light of the first two Commandments:

“…it should cause no difficulty for us if we remember that God always speaks in ways that the people understand, not simply to leave them there but to bring them along to deeper knowledge of himself. And that process does not come to completion until God reveals himself in a very material way–not in an idol made of stone and wood, but in flesh and blood. There is no image by which God is to be worshiped other than the image he himself fashioned–his own incarnation” (p. 102).

  • On incarnation in light of God “changing his mind”:

“In keeping with the incarnational analogy, we can appreciate that the entire Bible, through and through, has that human dimension. So, for the Old Testament to speak of God as changing his mind means that this is his choice for how he wants us to know him. He speaks about himself in ways that reflect our ability to understand. I might add at this juncture that Christian prayer, which is often expressed as pleading before God, operates on the assumption that our words will have some effect on God. But do they really? That is for God to know, not us. But many of us have seen enough examples of answers to prayer in the face of a life-threatening illness and dire financial problems to admit that there is a ring of truth to this” (pp. 106-7).

  • Misc.:

“‘All scripture is…profitable’ (2 Tim. 3:16 RSV)–even parts that don’t fit easily into our molds” (p. 107).

Enns, P. (2005). Inspiration and incarnation: evangelicals and the problem of the Old Testament. Baker: Grand Rapids.

What’s Cookin’? 01.05.09

Highlight(s) of the week:

  1. We spent New Year’s Eve with a few friends of ours, playing Rock Band and discussing schooling for children (I know, it was late). We had a nice time. It was nice hanging out with people within the same age range.
  2. We went skiing at Bear Creek with my family. One injury. Not too bad. I didn’t fall at all, but then again, I’m not necessarily hitting up the black diamond hills. Giselle didn’t go on the hills, but she hung out with my mom in the lodge.
  3. My in-laws bought Wii Fit. So, Amanda and I have been bonding over that. I had recently lost some weight, and I thought I was doing awesome. But Wii Fit told me I was “obese “(!). Talk about a killjoy! In fairness to me, I did just eat and had two beers so I think was a little full. I did it the next day, and I was “overweight.” After being told I was obese, I can live with being overweight.
  4. E-A-G-L-E-S, Eagles! First victim – the Vikings. Next opponent, the Giants (notice, I didn’t say “victim” because I’m not that cocky).
  5. Overall, Advent and Christmas seasons were beneficial times for me and my family. Amanda and I had some really wonderful times together, so I’m going to miss have all that time to spend together.

Book(s) I’m reading:

Disappointed by: The Colts. If you didn’t know, the Colts are like my “second team.” Growing up as an Eagles fan, you try to find someone to cheer for during playoff season since, while I was growing up, the Eagles (to put it nicely) just sucked. So, I chose the Indianapolis Colts since my uncle Danny moved out there. Jim Harbaugh and Marshall Faulk helped me survive. Now, the Colts one year went 3-13 and the Eagles also went 3-13 so my friends made fun of me relentlessly. So, this begs the question, why didn’t I choose the Patriots? Good question. Anyway, I wasn’t disappointed by Peyton Manning necessarily, but I think it was a team effort this time that brought the loss (actually, Peyton wasn’t that bad). How do you let the Chargers with no L.T. destroy you in the running game? Wow.

Couch-potato: (1) Watched Iron Man yesterday. I really enjoyed it. Not as good as The Dark Knight, but still good. (2) Watched the new Indiana Jones, and I…still don’t get it. Aliens? Seriously? I won’t ruin the ending for you, but let’s just say (3) I also watched Baby Mama with Tina Fey and preferred that (actually, Baby Mama is actually pretty funny so nevermind). (4) Started a Be-a-Pro season in FIFA 2009. Love it! (5) And, of course, Wii Fit, but it’s difficult to be a “couch potato” in the traditional sense with this.

Job update: not much of anything

Seminary update: Starts up again tomorrow night. Haven’t seen the syllabus yet. I do have the books, though.

Looking forward to: (1) Amanda and my 2nd anniversary is this Wednesday (woot! woot!). I can’t believe it. How could someone live with me for 2 years and not go crazy? (Well, we do have today and Tuesday to see if that happens). I love you, babe. (2) My birthday is coming up on Saturday. Not sure what’s going to happen with that. (3) Eagles-Giants showdown on Sunday. Go Eagles!

My Top Theology Books read in 2008

Other people have done this. I read a lot of books, so why not me?

Sadly, I don’t have too good of a memory, but I suppose the books I remember I read are the ones that are some of my favorites.

My rankings are just as subjective as the BCS, and, so, without further ado, my top theological books that I read in 2008 (in particular order) are as follows:

5 – The Torah Story: an Apprenticeship on the Pentateuch by Gary E. Schnittjer

This was a seminary reading by one of our professors (Gary Schnittjer, duh). Gary engages with the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures (i.e., Genesis-Deuteronomy) in a very accessible way for even the average church-goer.

4 – Inspiration and Incarnation: Evangelicals and the Problem of the Old Testament by Peter Enns

Probably, the most controversial theological book within evangelical, Old Testament scholarship within the past few years. Enns explains that the Bible should be understood as fully-God and fully-human in the same way that Jesus Christ is understood as such.

3 – The Great Emergence: How Christianity Is Changing and Why by Phyllis Tickle

Phyllis Tickle explains, basically, that about every 500 years, the church cleans house, and the result is a purer church. We live in such a time now. I have explained to some that, if one asks how they could better understand me theologically, I would give them this book.

2 – Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church by N.T. Wright

If you’re like me, you’re tired of hearing how the purpose of being a Christian is simply “to go to heaven when you die,” and you wonder if there is anything more to the believing in Christ’s death and resurrection. N.T. Wright thoroughly explains how our view on heaven and the resurrection directly influences what we, as the church, see as our mission. This book is an excellent summary of much of Bishop Wright’s teachings elsewhere, and he elaborates on these topics in a very accessible way.

1 – Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

No other book has assisted me so much throughout a political season than this one by Claiborne and Haw. Even if I read this book in 2009, it would still be number 1 or 2 on my list. Shane and Chris show how from cover-to-cover Scripture explains that our allegiance must be with God and his mission, and our loyalty should not be shared with the powers of this world. From explaining how we need to be creative in how we handle conflict to suggestions for subversive living like making your own clothes to the complementary, beautiful artwork throughout, Jesus for President ranks at the top of my list.

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