Bring the Bible to Life for Children

Creative Ways to Bring the Bible to Life for Children

Bring the Bible to life for children

When I first started reading the Bible, I couldn’t wait to look up photos of the places that I had read about in Scripture.

For instance, when a Bible passage mentioned the name of a town, like Jericho, I would look for a map and all of the pictures I could find. I used the same method for looking up important rivers and other Biblical landmarks.

The Bible really came alive for me after that – confirming that everything the Bible says is true and the inspired Word of God.

The Nile River

The Nile River

Using pictures as well as audio commentaries along the way – I was able to read through the entire Bible in a year. Every morning, I looked forward to my “quiet time.”

Parents who assign a “family time” for reading Bible stories together with their kids are, in my humble opinion, to be admired.

It’s also encouraging that there are many creative ways to bring the Bible to life for children.

Bring the Bible to Life for Children

Recently, I was reading through the most recent issue of Focus on the Family.

I love this little magazine and highly recommend it for helping families to grow together in their faith.

There are some great tips in there, including creative Bible lessons that might work for your family as well.

For instance, why not take a field trip?

Kids love going to the zoo!

Creative Bible lesson at the Zoo

As you see all of the amazing animals, that’s the perfect time to talk about Noah and the Ark.

19 And of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to keep them alive with you; they shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds according to their kind, and of the animals according to their kind, of every crawling thing of the ground according to its kind, two of every kind will come to you to keep them alive. – Genesis 6:19-20, (NASB).

Here are a couple more great ideas mentioned in the magazine.

“Don’t be afraid to take your Bible time on the go. A botanical garden might work for a story about the Garden of Eden. A seaside read could help your kids better understand the reality of Jesus calming a stormy sea.”from Focus on the Family.

These creative ideas not only help children remember Bible stories, but can also help them foster a deeper connection to their faith.

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Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Author Jenny Nanninga quotation, Oct/Nov 2024 Newsletter, “Let’s Read a Bible Story”, Courtesy of Focus on the Family , n.d. para. 14. Web. Accessed 18 October, 2024.

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New Year New Plans

New Year’s Resolutions

Welcome 2019, and welcome to all of you who have found this blog!

Do you have any special plans or resolutions?

I’m guessing a “new diet” is in there somewhere.

Trust me, I completely understand.

Christmas cookies

Colorful Christmas cookies and homemade pies are “oh so tempting” around the holidays, and very hard to resist.

So, I didn’t!

Starting The New Year Off Right

Bible reading plans

From a Christian perspective, the new year is just the encouragement you need to you to start a new Bible reading plan.

There are so many good ones out there, like this one.

If you’d like another option for a reading plan, I wanted to share this additional resource with you that you may not have seen yet.

If you click here, it will take you to Bible Gateway. At the top, click on the word “Study.” There you will find a series of reading plans to choose from.

Even further, you can also sign up for their devotionals. I found two great ones that I enjoy reading though every day. They are so encouraging!!

New Year, New Plans

There are countless searches online asking the question, “Why should I read the Bible?”

If you haven’t taken the time to read through Scripture, please consider this.

The year 2019 starts a new chapter in your life,

and a renewed time to delight in God.

Why not start the new year off right by reading daily the inspired Word from Almighty God – the One Who created you out of nothing?

No doubt, this new year will bring its share of challenges, as well as victories.

Are you ready?

“The remedy for discouragement is the Word of God. When you feed your heart and mind with its truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength.” – Warren Wiersbe, International Bible teacher and author.

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* Warren Wiersbe quotation, as quoted from Christian quotes.info

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Putting on the Armor of God

Gearing Up for Spiritual Battle

In the Bible, we’re instructed to put on the armor of God. The Enemy is on our doorstep, and it’s time to start getting prepared … if you aren’t already.

putting on the armor of GodEphesians 6:13-17, NASB, says:

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

– New American Standard Bible (NASB)Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

That’s a straightforward, pulling-no-punches, command from God. Our strength is in God and in His Word. Ultimately, we are fighting against the devil’s schemes.

No one said it was going to be easy, but no battle worth fighting ever is.

We must pray, read His word, and commit scripture verses to memory so we can be prepared to answer for our faith in the tough days ahead.

attacks on ChristianityNever in my life have I seen so many attacks on Christianity, babies in the womb, racial relations, and God’s design for marriage. As the political arena heats up prior to the 2016 elections, I can only imagine this hatred towards Christians will only get worse.

Blatant irreverence and rebellion towards God.

The News Media Bias is Disturbing

It’s getting real difficult for me to watch or even read the news anymore … continued attacks on pro-life supporters and God’s design for marriage between a man and a woman.

God’s will has now been vilified by the mainstream media as well as the mantra “anything goes” in our society. In fact, there are some segments of our society that want to do away with any descriptions of gender at all. Have you seen what’s happening with California restrooms and what almost happened in a Tennessee school, “he” and “she” were almost done away with.

C’mon, this is nonsense.

As Christians, we need to wake up and get our heads out of the sand.

Parents, please stay involved and watchful.

Those moms and/or dads who have their children enrolled in public schools better be prepared to de-program their kids when they get home. Not doing so is a recipe for disaster. Eventually, the culture war will come to your school and your family will either stand up for your faith in God or you’ll choose to stay silent, hoping it will all just go away.

It won’t.

We are to speak up for our faith when we have an opportunity, exhibiting the reverence we have for our Heavenly Father.

We need to spread the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ alone as quickly as we can against this growing tide of persecution. Have you heard what is happening in the Middle East?

How could anyone stay silent against persecution, even that which has come to America? I do believe we are the terminal generation.

The desecration of a national and historical place in June (I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. I refuse to share a picture) was a disturbing assault on our God-given values of family and faith in our nation’s history. I knelt and cried when I saw it.

Our Nation Needs Prayer

Today, our nation needs prayer. I still hold out hope for America to be a praying nation again, but only God knows the timing of every event to come.

There are Christians in the public eye taking brave stands. That encourages me. Evangelist and best-selling author, Ray Comfort, is one whom I have tremendous respect for.

His heart and compassion for people has led him to witness to many people across the globe. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Ray has reached countless souls for Christ.

He and his team at Living Waters have also produced some wonderful films which discuss the Christian response to some of the disheartening topics of the day.

Gods design for marriageI also highly recommend the movie, “Audacity.” I’ve seen it twice now and will put the link to it below. The movie is free and just over 55 minutes long. It centers on God’s design for marriage and how to lovingly witness to homosexuals. I repeat,  “lovingly.”

Now, of course, there are those people out there who hate Ray Comfort and anything having to do with Christianity. As vicious as their attacks are, we must pray for them.

Audacity is worth the watch, less than an hour out of your day

We are all sinners and in need of a Savior. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, from a different ethnic group, sexual community, old or young – none of that is the point.

“Audacity” will help you see this controversial issue with new perspective.

Here’s the link to the free Audacity movie:

God bless you all. Stay strong, my brothers and sisters in Christ!

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