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New Believer starting Bible Study w/ages 6, 5, 2
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Hi, We are starting school in a few months and I was thinking of using module 1 to start our Bible study. I thought we could lightly incorporate some other aspects of module 1 if appropriate with current ages. Does anyone have any suggestions for a Bible study for young ones? I like that module 1 is straight from the source vs. all the gadgets some other younger studies seem to offer. I am newer to finding Christ so I thought I’d ask for input from those with experience. My concern is keeping their attention reading straight from the Bible – sounds horrible but they are pretty active so I’m nervous OT may be dry. Also, I see that CM recommended reading NT as well. How do you include that with your Bible study? Thanks for your time.
Welcome mresmccardell!
One thought that came to my mind is using the ESV Seek and Find Bible. It is a ‘real’ Bible which includes the full text of the ESV translation AND an illustrated Bible storybook all in one. Each of the ‘major’ Bible stories has a lovely illustration and a shorter “Bible Story book” type story with memory verse suggestions, questions, and additional related references. We use this Bible with our kids – ages 6, 3.5, and 2. We read one of the illustrated Bible stories from the OT in the morning, and are reading small segments from the book of Luke (directly from the Bible text) in the evening. You could also use this with the schedule suggested in SCM Module 1 or any of the Modules, if you wanted to. We personally have chosen to start by doing simply an overview of the Bible, and paln to start the SCM Modules for more in-depth study when my oldest is in 3rd grade.
Another idea would be to read through a Bible story book first to give your kids “the big picture” since this is all new to you, and then go back and start reading through the actual Bible text in more depth. My two favorite children’s story Bibles are The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos (also recommended in the SCM Modules for younger children) and The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones (excellent audio CDs to accompany this one too.)
I haven’t used this, but recently came across this Bible reading plan for which also gives a year-long overview of the Bible, designed for children or for new believers. I may use it with our kids next year. http://www.redeemedreader.com/category/2012biblechallenge/
Hope that gives you some ideas!
Jen
I can’t imagine anyone finding the OT dry! There are so many wonderful stories of faith and so many role models to look up to! I agree reading NT is great, too. I haven’t tried the SCM GOAL study yet, but I have been considering it for next year.
Were you planning on starting Mod 1 in the fall? If so, I recommend finding a good story Bible to read aloud to your kids, spend time taking to them about How God made them, God loves them, God wants to know them and wants them to know him and that Jesus is their forever friend. It will be a while before your 2 year old is able to grasp more than that, but your older 2 will learn quickly, especially as you read to them from a beautifully illustrated Children’s Story Bible. It will also give them a reference point when you start learning about Bible history when you start Mod 1. You might like to find a good Bible Story colouring book or down load colouring pages from the internet to help keep their attention if they tend to wiggle a lot. If your kids like to dress up and play, you might consider keeping a box of Bible times type dress up clothes around. Encourage them to act out the stories with you from time to time.
For yourself, I would look for something more indept that will help you in your initial steps with Christ. There are many, many books you could read. You might want something like The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus by John R. Cross, which is a simple book study that outlines the Bible, tying it all together in a clear and logical way so that you can see how God has been unfolding His plans for the world since the beginning of creation. I would also look into finding a reading plan. There are many different ways to do it, but you can search for Bible Reading plans on line and find something that works for you. You might like to look at a reading plan that has daily OT and NT readings. Try to keep a journal where you can write down your insights and prayers (I find it too difficult to keep seperate, but I also find my prayer life more consistant when I keep a prayer journal.)
I recommend you listen to today’s program on Revive Our Hearts.
http://www.reviveourhearts.com/radio/revive-our-hearts/can-young-children-understand-bible/
I think you will find it helpful.
Pollysoup — thanks for that link! That was a great program. I’ll have to make a point of listening tomorrow!
Just Listened! Thanks Pollysoup! I am starting Module 1 this year and wasn’t sure whether I should add extra stuff for Bible. That was very encouraging!!!
Mrsmccardell- Was just thinking that you could shorten the ammount that you read each day if you don’t feel that your dc can handle the longer passages.
mrsmcardell – welcome. Just wanted to say that the Module readings are chosen fairly carefully to present the history and the stories. Sonya didn’t include all the specific laws, for example, when reading about Moses. It keeps the history moving forward and to the point… hope this helps. Also, one of the things that Sonya has mentioned she does to help her autistic child to focus is have a visual. A picture or flannel board figure can give a child something to look at while listening to the story. This works with LOTS of children. 😉
Hey! I don’t use abeka Homeschool cirriculum, but was looking at there flash-a-cards, thinking about Bible visuals. I noticed a new product that they will be coming out with. It is smaller flash-a-card sets in flip book form. They have them listed for $6.95. Of Course, they don’t have as many different pics as the bigger sets, but it seems that they will cover many of the major stories.
Also, We have been to Sight & Sound Theatre in Lancaster, PA several times. They have DVD’s of several of their productions. I have seen Ruth, Joseph and Miracle of Christmas, all were wonderful! My dd’s favorite is Ruth!!! I am thinking about getting Joseph on DVD to watch during Module 1 since it will be set in Ancient Egypt. Thought this might be a fun addition!
Thanks for your input. I listened to the program from Pollysoup and that was very encouraging. I also ordered Mod 1 so I can take a look at it before making any decisions. I think I was feeling discouraged that it will be over their heads, what’s appropriate to skip at this age (violence, sex, etc), and just hoping they “get it”. But like I heard on the program mentioned above, it’s in God’s hands! I can offer the feast! I have a child with special needs and I’m terribly nervous about her interest in everything (simple tasks to complex). That’s a different post though…coming soon I’m sure. Bless you.
I am also doing Mod 1 next year with my dd6 and ds2. I will either read from the actual Bible or the Catherine Vos story bible. She does a great job of speaking to the children in the way she tells the stories but keeps in soooo much more detail that most story bibles leave out.
About sitting still… I would try it first to see how it goes. They may surprise you! If you are excited to read God’s Word, it can rub off on them alot. If you still feel they need something, perhaps a coloring sheet about the bible story you are reading for them to color while you read to them?
We have been doing CBS (community Bible study) and it has been great for us.
Ours as a homeschool group.
They are a little bit everywhere. Maybe you could look if there is one in your area.
There is also Hurlbut’s Story of the Bible… it has short chapters for read aloud.
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