2 Timothy 3:15

 
When Paul wrote to Timothy he said "You, however, remain in the things which you have learned and in which you have put your trust, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from infancy you have known the Temple writings, which were able to make you wise unto salvation [deliverance] through believing that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:14-15 WTJ*

Our young children can learn the good news about Jesus Christ. When looking at the foolish things a toddler does, it is easy to think, "He just tried to eat dirt, I'll wait till he's older to teach him the gospel," But right now we can start laying the foundation for our young children to some day believe unto salvation.

While our young children are just starting to grasp little pieces of the gospel, it is an exciting journey to walk through the day looking for ways to tell them about God and His son Jesus Christ. If you are looking for some ideas on how to do this, check out the teaching ideas on the Toddlers Page. 

*Working Translation: A Journey Through Acts and Epistles, Copyright © 2006 by Walter J. Cummins. All rights reserved.

"All Things Bright And Beautiful" 3 Books and 1 Song - Resource Recommendation

"All Things Bright and Beautiful" is a wonderful hymn to praise God for what He made. Recently, I found a number of picture books that illustrate the song beautifully.

I cherish the sweet moments I have had with my girls as we learn this song.  We sit outside and read the book. Then we listen to the song on You Tube. Sometimes we look around us as Spring unfolds in our backyard, and talk about what God made that was beautiful, wise, and wonderful.

Throughout the day I hear my daughters sing a few lines of the song while playing. "All things wise and wonderful, all creatures great and small..."

5 Objects To Use When Teaching The Bible - Toddler Tuesday

When teaching the Bible, I have found that I usually have a toddler's attention for a longer time when they are holding an object to touch and explore. Objects from around your house and toys that you may already have can be used to teach the Bible. Taking a few minutes to sit with your toddler exploring the object and talking about the Bible can be a sweet and simple part of daily life.

Babies in the Bible: Part 1 Baby Jesus

Clip art from Gospelgifs.com

Toddlers have a really sweet interest in babies (even though they aren't far from being babies themselves!) This a chance to teach your toddler from the Bible.

Praying With Your Toddler - Toddler Tuesday

Teaching your toddler to pray is a part of teaching them to acknowledge God in their life. As a toddler starts to talk he or she can pray to God.  This is such a beautiful thing we can teach our children. As I compiled this list, I was encouraged with ways my own family could grow in praying more throughout the day.

1. Learn to Sit: When your toddler is around another person that is praying, teach your child how to sit quietly.  He or she can learn to keep hands and feet quiet while someone is praying.   

5 Things to Remember When Singing With Toddlers - Toddler Tuesday

1. Sing short songs with motions. Short catchy songs with motions are great for toddlers.  Songs like this include "The B-I-B-L-E", "It's Bubbling", "God Is Good To Me", "We've Got A Great Big Wonderful God". Motions are a great way to engage a toddler, even if they can't sing all the words to a song. You can also shorten a song, such as the chorus to "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms".  Your toddlers can sit in your lap as you lean together. 

God's Word Is For Toddlers- Toddler Tuesday

Toddler's can start to have an awe and reverence for God's Word.  God uses some great tangible examples (honey, light, flowers) to explain how wonderful His Word is.  Here are 5 simple and short teachings for toddlers to learn about the Bible.  From the "God's Word is..." teaching series I took one activity and a Bible verse for each point.  Since toddlers learn best from lots of repetition, each one of these activities could be done for multiple days. 

Day 1:  The Bible is God's Word
Parent Preparation: 1 Peter 1:20-21
Supplies: a Bible

• Where is the Bible? (have your child point to the Bible)
• The Bible is God's Word.
• Men wrote down words as God told them what to write down. 
• Tell me a word and I will write it down.  I wrote (child’s name) words.  When men wrote down what God said they wrote down God’s words.  The Bible is God’s Word.  God spoke them and men wrote them down.

4 Things To Remember When Reading A Children's Bible - Toddler Tuesday

This is the first "Toddler Tuesday".  Once a month on a Tuesday I will post ideas relating to teaching toddlers the Bible.

1. Don’t Feel Silly 

When sitting down to read my toddler from a children's Bible I would at times feel silly.  Just 5 minutes earlier my child was doing something really foolish, like playing in the toilet. Now I'm talking to her about God?  Adults have a hard time grappling with these topics, how is she going to understand?  But then I realized that I don’t need to feel silly teaching my toddler about such big issues.  She won't understand everything right now, but she can start to know a loving God.  She will have a lifetime of growing in understanding of God.  That beautiful journey of understanding can start right now at 1 and 2 years old.  Why wait?

"but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:24 ESV 

Homemade Resurrection Eggs - Teaching Ideas

Resurrection eggs are a great tool to help teach about the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. Teaching young children the solemn topic of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection can be difficult to do in an age appropriate way. These eggs are a helpful because it gives the child something concrete to hold and interact with.  My daughters have been excited each day to open the eggs, even when they already know what is inside.  
To assemble the eggs:

• Save an egg carton
• Get a dozen plastic eggs
• Number the eggs
•  Assemble the materials. 1. Donkey (I used a clip art picture) 2. piece of bread (I put a new one in each day) 3. thimble 4. silver coins 5. thorns (I used some from a rose bush) 6. nail 7. toothpick (for spear) 8. piece of cloth 9. rock 10. #3 12. cotton-ball

If you can't find an item, you can print out a clip art picture of it (I had to do this with the donkey). My children aren't allowed to play with the eggs when we are not having our family fellowship.  This helps to keep the eggs special and also keeps the pieces from getting lost.

There are many ways to use these eggs.  Here is teaching ideas for opening them over the course of 7 days.  

Each Day:

1.  Go through the theme verse for the week.   

“God resurrected this Jesus” Acts 2:32a Working Translation*

Have your child repeat the verse and do the sign for “resurrection”. Review with your child that resurrection means “to raise up”.  These resurrection eggs help us to learn about God raising Jesus from the dead.
2.Open the previous eggs and review them. 
3.Open the new egg(s) for that day. 
4. Read Bible record. For younger children you may want to read from a children's picture Bible. 
5. Sing the song for the day.  (if you don't have access to some of the songs, you can repeat previous songs)

Print out of teaching notes

Day 1

Day 1
Item in Egg: #1 a toy donkey or a picture of a donkey
Verses: Matthew 21:1-11
Song: "Hosanna!" Hide 'Em In Your Heart Volume 1 by Steve Green, you can watch here

Day 2

Day 2
Item in Eggs: #2 Bread (use a real piece of bread and let the child eat it while you talk, put a new piece of bread in each day), #3 Cup (can use a thimble or a toy cup)
Verses: Matthew 26:26-30
Song: "ABCEFG Jesus Died For You and Me"
Listen here to learn the tune.  Note, I changed some of the words (as you can see listed here) to focus more on the resurrection.
ABCDEFG
Jesus died for you and me.
HIJKLMN
God raised him, Amen! Amen!
OPQRSTU
Every word of God is true.
V and W
God has promised you
XYZ
a home eternally!

 

Day 3

Day 3
Item in Egg: #4 Silver coins such as dimes, nickles or quarters (I didn't use 30)
Verses: Matthew 26:14-16, 46-54 I try convey the sadness of the betrayal to my children by the tone I use when talking about this.
Song: "God Loved Us" from  Gospel Light Preschool CD #1

Day 4

Day 4
Item in Eggs: #5 Thorns (I use a little piece of my rose bush), #6 Nail #7 Spear (a tooth pick, or a toy spear) I showed my girls how to carefully touch them so that they safely see that they are sharp.
Verses: Matthew 27:27-35 (explaining that to crucify him they had to nail his hands), John 19:32-37
When teaching about Jesus Christ's death I set a tone of solemness.  We talk about how this is a sad time, but how we are then happy that God raised Jesus from the dead. I have found that drawing a sad face and happy face helps with this.
Song: 2 options- "For Us" from "Slugs and Bugs Sing the Bible" by Randall Goodgame, or  "This is How We Know" Hide 'Em In Your Heart Volume 1 and 2, listen here

Day 5

Day 5
Item in Egg: #8 Piece of cloth #9 A rock small enough to fit in the egg
Verses: Matthew 27:57-60
Song: "John 3:16" by George Hackett on "Always Giving Thanks", or "For God So Loved The World" by Steve Green on "Hide the Word"

Day 6

Day 6
Item in Egg: #10 A number 3 (for 3 days and 3 nights) #11 nothing (literally nothing, to show the empty tomb!)
Verses: Matthew 12:40, Matthew 28:1-10
Song: "Jesus is Alive" from Gospel Light Preschool CD #1

Day 7

Day 7
Item in Egg: #12 cotton ball (for a cloud)
Verses: Acts 1:1-11
Song: "Happy Hope", or "Waiting for My Lord's Return" from "All Filled" by Scriptural Study Groups


Related Post:
"Jesus Christ Obeyed God" Teaching Ideas
 "3 Days and 3 Nights" Teaching Ideas
"Why Do We Need A Savior?" 
"Jesus Christ Our Savior" Teaching Series Overview 


Working Translation: A Journey Through Acts and Epistles, Copyright © 2006 by Walter J. Cummins. All rights reserved.
 © Brigette Hill, 2014-2015

A Song and A Bible Verse: 4 Simple Bible Lessons

  

Are you about to travel?  Is your family going to be out of  your typical routine? Picking a children's song and a related Bible verse may help you continue to teach your child the Bible during this busy time.
 
Sometimes in my family we need to keep things simple.  Simple may look like this: sing one song, read a Bible verse and then pray together. Doing the same song and Bible verse all week gives my girls a chance to really learn it.  This doesn't take much preparation, and our day is so much richer than if we had just skipped it.   During busy times, such as a holiday and traveling, speaking about God can fall by the wayside.  Choosing a song and a Bible verse at the beginning of the trip or holiday time and continuing to teach it daily can be a great help. 
 

1. He's Able

Lyrics:
Chorus
He's able, He's able,
I know that He is able,
I know my Lord is able 
To carry me through. 
(Repeat)

He heals the brokenhearted
He sets the captive free, 
He makes the lame to walk again
And causes the blind to see. (Chorus)

Bible Verse: Ephesians 3:20
Teaching Ideas:

• What does the song say our Lord God is able to do?
• As you read Ephesians 3:20 put one open palm on top of the other hand.  Raise the top hand a step higher with each word: exceedingly, abundantly, above.  (refer to the sign language for "above")
• God is able to do above what we ask or think! 

2. The B-I-B-L-E

Lyrics:
The BIBLE
Yes that's the book for me.
I stand upon the Word of God.
The BIBLE.  Bible!

Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:1
Teaching Ideas:

• The Bible is made up of God's Words.
• The "gospel" is the good news about Jesus Christ.
• Do we stand on the Bible?  No.  It means to live our life doing what the Bible says to do.  How have you been standing on God's Word?

3. This Little Light of Mine

Lyrics:
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine (x3)

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine

Hide it under a bushel, No! I'm gonna let it shine (x3)

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine

Shine all over (city), I'm gonna let it shine (x3)

Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine

 

Bible Verses: Matthew 5:14-16

Teaching Ideas: 

• Jesus Christ was teaching his disciple on a mountain. (then read Matthew 5:14-16)
• A "bushel" is a basket.  Does the light help anyone if it is hidden.
• As we shine our light, we can glorify God. 

4. It's Bubbling

Lyrics:
It's bubbling, it's bubbling

It's bubbling in my soul.

There's singing and laughing,

Since Jesus made me whole.

Folks don't understand it.

I can not keep it quiet.

It's bubbling, bubbling, bubbling.  

Bubbling day and night. 

Bible Verse: Philippians 4:4

Teaching Ideas: 

• We can rejoice in our Lord Jesus Christ.
• When we are born again we are made whole.  We have body, soul, and spirit. 

Maracas and homemade shakers.

Maracas:

• Each of these songs can also be sung with a child's maraca or shaker.  You can make a homemade shaker by putting beans, lentils or rice in a plastic container.
• He's Able -  Sing the song doing the motions with the maraca.  Example: walking the maraca along your arm. 
• BIBLE - Sing the song holding one or 2 maracas.  Instead of putting up a finger for each letter when spelling, do a shake for each letter.
• This Little Light of Mine - Pretend like the maraca is your "light" while you sing.
• It's Bubbling - Hold one or 2 maracas while you do the hand motions.  It really adds to the sound of the "bubbling"! 

Related Post:

11 Simple Ways to Teach Your Child in 5 Minutes Or Less 

The Really Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages - Resource Recommendation

When I need a coloring page, or a visual for a teaching "The Really Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages" by Gospel Light is the first place I look.  I've used the coloring pages to help teach the Bible to my daughters at home and also to children in the local Church. 

"The Really Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages" has  over 180 coloring pages from records throughout the Bible. It comes with a CD-Rom that you can print the coloring pages from your computer. If this particular coloring book is out of your price point, "The Bible Story Coloring Pages" has 120 similar coloring pages covering the main records in the Bible.  This one doesn't come with the CD-Rom, so you will need access to a copy machine.

What I like about the pictures:

• The pictures follow closely what the Bible says over what tradition says.  In the pictures, the angels don't have wings, since the Bible never mentions them having wings.  When the Magi visit Jesus, the coloring page has him as a toddler, which fits with the Biblical record.
•  Clear drawings.  I like the clean lines of the drawings.  It is easy to see what the focus of the coloring page is.  This also makes it easier for children to color.
• Accessible to all ages.  The coloring book says that it is for ages 5-8, but I have used it for much younger ages.  The pictures are simple enough for young children to become engaged with them.
• The coloring pages show the dress and environment of the Bible times.

How I use these coloring pages:

For Coloring
I use the pictures for coloring activity after learning a Bible record.  My daughters are 2 and 3, so they may only color for a short amount of time.  But they love their pictures and are so proud of them.  As they color the picture I can reinforce names, vocabulary and what they learned.  And later as they look at the pictures they colored, they remember and tell other people what they learned.  The above picture shows a 3 brad folder that we have been putting pictures in after they color them.  This has been an easy way to make a "book" about what they are learning.

Visuals while teaching.  
I started using these pages as visuals when teaching children in the local Church.  I have been so excited to see that with a visual, 1 and 2 year-olds can start to learn the Bible.  I color the page, glue it to a piece of colored card stock, and then laminate it.  Since it is laminated, I can hand it to a one year old to look at closely and it won't get destroyed.  Also it can be used for years to come.  

I know that laminating is beyond what most people need to do.  If you are going to laminate pictures, I recommend I started to color code the background card stock for easier organization.  ( I do Old Testament on green, the Gospels on blue, and the Church on orange). 

Some of the pictures I have numbered, then used to review the sequence of events with the children.  The kids love working on putting them in order.

What are coloring pages or visuals that you like to use when teaching the Bible?

Disclosure: I make recommendations on the basis of products that I personally use and that I think would be of value to the reader. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or links that I mention on this blog.

© 2013, Brigette Hill

"I Can Know God" For Toddlers

Today's post is a series of 5 simple teachings for toddlers to learn about God.  I took short activities, Bible verses, and songs from the "I Can Know God" teaching series.  Each of these activities could be done over and over again.  Toddlers learn best with lots of repetition.

 
Parent Preparation:
Day 1: Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 23:23-24
Day 2:  Jeremiah 32:17
Day 3: Genesis 17:1
Day 4: 1 John 4:8, Ephesians 2:4, John 3:16
Day 5: 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 91:4

Supplies:  Bible.  Print out of teaching notes. Day 3: a heavy object, Day 4 a heart (drawn on paper, or cut out of paper) Day 5: a blanket

Day 1: God is Big 

• (Play a short game of Hide and Seek)
• God tells us "I am with you." Isaiah 41:10
• When we played hide and seek, you could hide from me, and I didn't know where you were.  Can you hide from God?
• No!  God is big.  He fills the heaven and earth.  God is so big that wherever you go He is going to be there with you!

Sing: "Bigger Than Big", by Jay Stocker from the "Whirl and Worship" CD

For further ideas check out "I Can Know God" Part 1: God is Big

Day 2: God is the Creator

• One of God's names is "Creator". God made the heavens and hearth by His great power.  (Read Jeremiah 32:17)
• (Go on a walk together with your child.)
• What do we see that God made?  What did He use His strength to make?  What was He so smart to make? 

Sing: "God is So Good"

For further ideas check out "I Can Know God" Part 2: God is the Creator


Day 3:  God is Almighty

• How strong are you?  What is the heaviest thing you can pick up?  (show your child a heavy object, have him/her try to lift it up)
• Since I am an adult, I am stronger than you.  (show how much easier it is for you to pick up the heavy object)  Do you know Who is stronger than me?  God!  He is stronger than any person.
• God told Abraham one of His names.  He said "I am God Almighty" Genesis 17:1.  Almighty means most powerful.

Sing: "My God is So Great"

For further ideas check out "I Can Know God" Part 3: God is Almighty

Day 4: God is Love

• (show your child a paper heart) What shape is this?  What does this heart make you think of?
• "God is love" 1 John 4:8.  When you see a heart you can remind yourself that God loves you.
• God loves you with a "great love".  He doesn't just love with a little bit of love.  He loves you with a great love!
• God showed His love for you by sending His Son Jesus Christ.

Sing: "God Loved Us" from Gospel Light Preschool Curriculum CD#1

For further ideas check out "I Can Know God" Part 4: God is Love

Day 5:  He Cares For You
"Under the Wings" activity:

1. Take a blanket and spread it across your arms and pretend that it is your wings.
2. Have your child pretend to be a baby bird looking for food.
3. Pretend that you see a fox.  Call for your "baby bird" to come under your wings.  (repeat pretending there is rain, and a hawk)

• God doesn't have wings, He isn't a bird.  A bird cares for it's babies, and God cares for you.  "He cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7b 

Sing: "Under - Psalm 17:8" from "Songs for Saplings ABC"  (this is fun to do while "under the wings")

For further ideas check out "I Can Know God" Part 5: He Cares For Me 


Related Blog Post:
11 Simple Ways to Teach Your Child the Bible in 5 Minutes or Less

© Brigette Hill 2013 

Resource Review: "Baby's First Bible"

I have enjoyed so many sweet moments with one of my daughters curled up on my lap reading "Baby's First Bible" by Colin and Moira MacLean. We have used this Bible since our first daughter was a baby.  Our first copy was from a consignment sale. It became so "well loved" (aka: falling a part) that we are now on our second copy!  When deciding on a board book Bible my husband and I wanted it to mention a part of the gospel, including the resurrection.  We have been happy with how this book has provided moments to start teaching about Who God is and about His son Jesus Christ.

The Pictures

One thing I love about this book is how it engaged my little one's attention through the pictures.  The illustrations are brightly colored with round faces that babies are drawn to.  Once it had my daughter's attention then I could have moments to start to teach her about God.  On every page there are lots of animals.  I find this amusing, because I don't think there were quite so many frolicking foxes, dogs, birds and cats during the actual events!  But the animals in the pictures helped to initially engage my daughter to look and listen.  From there, she started to take in some of the content on the page.

The Words

The book has simple text that often rhymes.  The content starts to expose the child to the Bible record. For example "God raised Jesus from the dead. "My Lord's alive!" Mary said."  Each page is concise enough that when my daughter had a short attention span we could just do a page or two and still be profitable.

 This Bible touches on Adam and Eve, Noah, baby Moses, David as a shepherd, Daniel with the lions, baby Jesus, Jesus at 12 years old, Zacchaeus, Jesus calming the storm, and the resurrection.  It illustrates Deuteronomy 6:5, Psalms 47:1, and Mark 10:14.

With any resource I am always looking to see if the resource says what the Bible says.  For the angels talking to the shepherds it has "angels sang praises" when in the Bible they "said" praises.  I find this easy enough to change the wording when reading to my child.

Using This Book

Sometimes my daughter's attention span would last for a page or two, and other times we would read the whole book from front to back.  Often when reading this book we end up singing songs related to the page such as My God is So Great, Noah's Ark, Daniel Was a Man of Prayer, Zacchaeus, and He Arose chorus.  We even made up our own tune with clapping for Psalm 47:1.  

We also played "pointing" games.  I would ask my daughter to point to David, point to the sheep, etc.  Then other times my daughter would love to point to different things on the page for me to name what they where.  These where wonderful chances for her to start to build vocabulary related to the Bible.  Having the vocabulary, she now has been ready as she starts to become old enough to understand parts of Biblical records.

This board book Bible has engaging pictures, simple but accurate words, and is a wonderful starting point for teaching your child the Bible.  It is a great book for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.  You can look at a preview of the pages at Amazon and Christianbook.

Related Posts:

4 Things To Remember When Reading a Children's Bible
NIrV Read With Me Bible

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Disclosure: I make recommendations on the basis of products that I personally use and that I think would be of value to the reader. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or links that I mention on this blog.

© 2013, Brigette Hill