It was very hard in the beginning. Norah fought me with words like, "I don't want to read the Bible, I don't want to pray." Her heart was very hard to the whole process.
One day I took out some M&Ms and told her that spending time with God is the sweetest thing that anyone can ever experience...that it was like eating M&Ms. (Norah loves chocolate!)
I'm not suggesting that everyone should eat candy with their children right after breakfast, but God gave us so much grace and changed Norah's heart.
I am posting this because I pray that it might encourage you to start or continue with a time that is devoted to sharing Jesus with your child(ren).
This is how I structure our time together.
1. PRAY
Before you read your Bible with your children pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in your heart and your child’s hearts.
2. CRAFT
I'm not sure why it works for us, but I usually get them outside right after we pray...using God's Creation...leaves, wind, soil, people. We collect things or ideas and bring them inside to do a planned craft.
3. STORY/BIBLE
Here is a rhyme and song from Connie Dever* that you can chant or sing together before you read.
Bible Chant
"My heart can know and love God, He made everything I see.
Big, tall mountains, galloping horses, Every bird and bee.
God gave me the Bible to read, And hear of His mighty deeds!
But best of all, best of all, He sent Jesus, His Son, to save me!
The Bible, The Bible! How I love the Bible. It’s God’s Word! Yay"
Song
"Let’s gather together to worship God, Let’s gather together to worship God, Let’s gather together to worship God, Come gather here with me!" (Tune of "Mulberry Bush)
The Bible that our family uses.
We have been using "The Jesus Storybook Bible", written by Sally Lloyd-Jone and Illustrated by Jago
The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby, the Child upon whom everything would depend. From Noah to Moses to King David, every story whispers his name. Jesus is like the missing piece in a puzzle-the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. "The Jesus Storybook Bible" invites children to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation-and at the center of their story, to
4. SONG/VIDEO
I use songs to reinforce our lesson. I find them singing the song throughout the week. Music is a wonderful gift for getting God's Word to stick in our little ones' hearts and minds.
I occasionally will use a Youtube video to reinforce the lesson. (i.e. Norah and I watched clips on Youtube of "The Prince of Egypt" (God parting the Red Sea, Israelites being delivered and the plagues)
5. CLOSING PRAYER
*Connie Dever
The Praise Factory family of curriculum is the creation of Connie Dever, wife of Mark Dever, senior pastor ofCapitol Hill Baptist Church ,Washington
Before you read your Bible with your children pray for the Holy Spirit to be at work in your heart and your child’s hearts.
2. CRAFT
I'm not sure why it works for us, but I usually get them outside right after we pray...using God's Creation...leaves, wind, soil, people. We collect things or ideas and bring them inside to do a planned craft.
3. STORY/BIBLE
Here is a rhyme and song from Connie Dever* that you can chant or sing together before you read.
Bible Chant
"My heart can know and love God, He made everything I see.
Big, tall mountains, galloping horses, Every bird and bee.
God gave me the Bible to read, And hear of His mighty deeds!
But best of all, best of all, He sent Jesus, His Son, to save me!
The Bible, The Bible! How I love the Bible. It’s God’s Word! Yay"
Song
"Let’s gather together to worship God, Let’s gather together to worship God, Let’s gather together to worship God, Come gather here with me!" (Tune of "Mulberry Bush)
The Bible that our family uses.
We have been using "The Jesus Storybook Bible", written by Sally Lloyd-Jone and Illustrated by Jago
The Jesus Storybook Bible tells the Story beneath all the stories in the Bible. It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby, the Child upon whom everything would depend. From Noah to Moses to King David, every story whispers his name. Jesus is like the missing piece in a puzzle-the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. "The Jesus Storybook Bible" invites children to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation-and at the center of their story, to
4. SONG/VIDEO
I use songs to reinforce our lesson. I find them singing the song throughout the week. Music is a wonderful gift for getting God's Word to stick in our little ones' hearts and minds.
I occasionally will use a Youtube video to reinforce the lesson. (i.e. Norah and I watched clips on Youtube of "The Prince of Egypt" (God parting the Red Sea, Israelites being delivered and the plagues)
5. CLOSING PRAYER
*Connie Dever
The Praise Factory family of curriculum is the creation of Connie Dever, wife of Mark Dever, senior pastor of
Mrs. Dever has been teaching children and developing curriculum for use in churches in the United States
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| Norah took this picture of me before our Bible Time with Uncle Noah and Auntie Lindsey in Washington D.C. this past June. |
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