On weeknights after supper, we strive to have a family devotional time. This has involved things such as reading children’s devotional books or missionary biographies, discussing character traits we seek to display in our lives and studying a particular Bible passage or person.
My husband suggested that we take some time to cover basic Bible concepts with our daughters. From an article that he found online, we came up with this list of topics.
- Memorize the books of the Old Testament and New Testament in order, including how they are categorized (the gospels, Paul’s epistles, etc.)
- Discuss and memorize the ten commandments.
- Learn the three points of the gospel from I Corinthians 15: 1-6. (Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day.)
- Study the three points of evangelism from Matthew 28:19-20 (evangelism, baptism, discipleship).
- Talk about the storyline of the major events in the Bible, i.e. Creation, the Flood, Moses and the Exodus, etc. We’ll also work on remembering in which book of the Bible these major events occurred.
- Consider the three persons of the Triune God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Examine and memorize salvation verses such as the Romans Road and John 3:16.
Having grown up attending Sunday School and weekly church services, our children are familiar with most of what we are teaching them, but we want to reinforce those ideas at home. Reviewing the material with a game at the end of our devotional time (for example, name a book of the Bible and see who can most quickly tell you the name of the book that comes before/after) makes it fun as well as instructional. Helping our children become grounded in God’s Word is an important part of their spiritual training.
How do you teach your children about the Bible? I’d enjoy hearing your ideas including any resources you have found to be beneficial.
Katie says
April 22, 2010 at 12:30 pmWhat great ideas! About a year-and-a-half ago, I taught my son and my SS class the books of the Bible in order to a song ~ the learned it so quickly! We also would play a game where one person would shout out a Book of the Bible and as soon as another person knew if it was from the OT or the NT, they would raise their hand. The person who said the Book would call on whoever they wanted that raised their hand ~ if they got OT/NT right…then they shouted out a Book of the Bible and then called on someone who raised their hand, etc…and it just keeps on going. (Kinda like Hot Potato only they're just saying stuff.)
Also, I don't know if you have heard of the 'Wordless Book' ~ uses colors (Black/Red/White/Green/Gold) to teach the simple Gospel Message.
Black = Sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23)
Red = Blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7,Romans 5:8, John 3:16)
White = Righteousness/Sins washed away (Isaiah 1:18, John 1:29)
Green = Grow as a Christian (2 Peter 3:18)
Gold = Promise of salvation in Heaven (Rev 21:21)
There are several versions of the Wordless Book, but those are the verses we use. You can make bead bracelets with these colors or other crafts too.
One last thing is I've made God's Word "Treasure Hunts" quizzes where they have to fill in blanks and compete to do it the fastest for a variety of prizes.
We also like these websites:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/kids
http://www.christiananswers.net/kids/menu-act.html
So, there's just a few ideas….what a great post! I love sharing ideas like this and gaining other ones from others!
Tracey says
April 22, 2010 at 12:55 pmKatie,
Wow – great ideas!! I'm always thrilled to get suggestions for games and other review options that make it fun for the children. Like you, I can use them at home as well as with the children's groups I work with at church. I'll have to visit the websites you listed.
Stephanie4Him says
April 22, 2010 at 2:01 pmThank you for visiting our blog. You have a beautiful family! What a wonderful thing are doing. We also read our scriptures each evening together after dinner. Home is where the training happens not at a church building. We have been entrusted to train the hearts and minds of our little blessings and all too often this most important G-d given commanded is left to others. May you be richly blessed for training your children in the way they should go!
Christina says
April 23, 2010 at 1:56 pmI enjoyed the tips! In our old church our kids always participated in "Pastors Pals". They would memorize scripture & then if they memorized so much they got to go to a pizza party with our pastor. Great fun!
I've also seen a huge jump in their knowledge due to the AWANA program at our church.
Sherry says
April 23, 2010 at 2:00 pmWhat great ideas! I know my children learn a lot through their curriculum and teachers on DVD. They've learned the books of the Bible and a plethora of Bible passages. Need to make a more concerted effort on our part as a family though. Thank you for the encouragement!! 😀
Have a great weekend!
Sherry