While Ryan is out on vacation , we will have guest bloggers writing here at JustOneMore.info. This week’s guest blogger is CrossPoint’s Minister to Children, Beth Howe.
When Ryan asked me to blog for him this week, I was extremely puzzled as to what I have to share. He felt confident that God has begun a work in our children’s ministry that should be cast out to all. The children have been strongly encouraged to learn all 66 books of the Bible, in order, over the course of 2009.
In our children’s worship (WWAM 4.12), we have been studying through and looking into each individual book of the Bible this year. We just completed the 39 Books of the Old Testament three weeks ago. And if you are wondering why, Scripture says that we must hide God’s Word in our hearts. And the heart of a child is so precious and pure, that this is the perfect time to teach them the importance of the Bible, Scripture, and all the history within each page. Plus, I was alarmed by how many children do not open their Bible outside of Sundays, know that there is information for their lives within the pages, and even more alarmed that they are not inspired to read the Scriptures and memorize them.
“When you first flip open the pages of the Bible, it can be a thrilling experience. Inside you find incredible stories that capture your imagination, amazing characters that touch your heart, powerful truths that challenge and inspire you, words that seem to come alive and leap right off the page! But getting into the Bible can also be confusing, overwhelming, and even intimidating. After all, it was written in a very different time, in a very different place, in a culture completely foreign to our own. If you don’t grow up in a home where you were taught all the finer points of biblical theology—and even if you did—you may find there are huge gaps in your knowledge base, gaps that make it difficult for you to truly grasp what you’re reading yourself, let along explain it to your children or grandchildren, your Sunday School class, or children’s church group. Yet it’s crucial that we try…and try…and try again. Because for one thing, the Bible is the most influential and widely-read book in the history of the world. Being familiar with its contents is part of being a well-educated, well-rounded, well-read individual. More importantly, the Bible’s truths are timeless-and still tremendously relevant to us today. Reading the Bible is how we come to know the God of the universe, our Creator. The Bible tells us who He is and what He’s like, why He created us and what He expects of us. It reveals to us the sinfulness of our own hearts—the pride, the selfishness, the rebellion—and introduces us to the Savior who can deliver us and help us be all that we were meant to be.” (Christian Ditchfield in “A Family Guide to the Bible”)
After reading this excerpt, I dedicated myself to challenge the children and leaders in our Children’s Ministry to learn about the Bible, the Books of the Bible, and Scripture.
I firmly believe that our Preschool Ministry does an amazing job of teaching basic Bible stories to children. Then, as they move into grade school years and our Children’s Ministry, our job is to teach them how these stories apply to their lives and the importance for memorization.
However, when you see that the average Bible has over 1,550 pages, the possibility of teaching all the stories and their application in 5 years, while at the maximum of seeing each child 3 hours a week, is impossible. I, the Children’s Minister, cannot teach a child everything they need to know spiritually in that little bit of time. That is why they are blessed to promote into our Student Ministry that once again teaches through the Bible on a deeper theological level.
Our goal, as age level ministers, is that if you commit your children to attending church (Bible Study and Worship) from 0 to 18, 940 weekends, we will work along side families to empower and equip children spiritually. The key is working with families. So let’s see how much we all remember from the preschool years.
The above excerpt was taken from a book that also list stories from the Old and New Testament that everyone should know. See how many you remember in great detail and if not, look it up!
STORIES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden: Genesis 2-3
Cain and Abel: Genesis 4:1-16
Noah and the Great Flood: Genesis 6-8
The Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1-9
God Calls Abraham: Genesis 12:1-5
Abraham and Sarah: Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7
Abraham Offers Isaac Back to God: Genesis 22:1-19
Jacob and Esau: Genesis 25:19-34, 27-28
Jacob’s Ladder: Genesis 28:10-22
Jacob Marries Rachel and Leah: Genesis 29:1-30
Jacob Wrestles with an Angel: Genesis 32:22-32
Joseph and His Brothers: Genesis 31; 39-50
Moses in the Bullrushes: Exodus 2:1-10
Moses and the Burning Bush: Exodus 3:1-4:17
The Plagues: Exodus 7-12
Moses Parts the Red Sea: Exodus 14
The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-21
The Golden Calf: Exodus 32
The Twelve Spies in the Promised Land: Numbers 13-14
Joshua and the Battle of Jericho: Joshua 6:1-26
Deborah Rides into Battle: Judges 4-5
Gideon and the Fleece: Judges 6:33-7:24
Samson and Delilah: Judges 16:4-31
Ruth Follows Naomi: Ruth 1:1-22
Samuel Hears God’s Voice: 1 Samuel 3
God chooses David to Be Kin: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
David and Goliath: 1 Samuel 17
The Wisdom of Solomon: 1 Kings 3:5-15; 4:29-34
Elijah Routs the Prophets of Baal: 1 Kings 18
Elijah and the Chariot of Fire: 2 Kings 2:1-11
Elisha and the Invisible Army: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Wall: Nehemiah 2-6
Queen Esther Saves Her People: Esther 2-9
God Tests Job: Job 1-42
Isaiah Sees the Lord: Isaiah 6:1-8
Jeremiah at the Potter’s House: Jeremiah 18:1-10
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: Daniel 3:1-30
Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Daniel 6:1-28
Jonah and the Great Fish: Jonah 1-3
STORIES FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW
The Birth of John the Baptist: Luke 1
The Birth of Jesus: Matthew 1-2, Luke 1:26-2:40
John Baptizes Jesus: Matthew 3:1-17
Jesus is Tempted in the Wilderness: Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus Turns Water into Wine: John 2:1-11
Jesus Calls the Twelve Disciples: Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16
Jesus Feeds the 5,000: Matthew 14:13-21
Jesus Casts Demons in to a Herd of Pigs: Matthew 8:28-34
Jesus Calms the Storm: Matthew 8:23-27
Jesus Walks on Water: Matthew 14:22-32
Jesus Goes to Zacchaeus’s House: Luke 19:1-10
Jesus Talks with Nicodemus: John 3:1-21
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: John 4:1-30
Jesus and the Adulterous Woman: John 8:1-11
Jesus Raises Lazarus from the Dead: John 11:1-44
The Transfiguration: Matthew 17:1-13
Jesus Enters Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1-11
Jesus Clears the Temple: Mark 11:15-18
The Last Supper: Mark 14:12-42
Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane: Mark 14:32-42
Judas Betrays Jesus: John 18:15-27
Peter Denies Jesus: John 18:15-27
Jesus Is Crucified: John 18-19
Jesus Is Raised from the Dead: John 20
Jesus Ascends into Heaven: Acts 1:1-11
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost: Acts 2
Peter and John Heal a Crippled Beggar: Acts 3:1-4:4
Ananias and Sapphira: Acts 5:1-11
The Stoning of Stephen: Acts 6:8-7:60
Philip and the Ethiopian: Acts 8:26-40
Saul Becomes Paul: Acts 9:1-31
Peter’s Vision: Acts 10
Peter Escapes from Prison: Acts 12:1-19
Paul and Silas in Prison: Acts 16:16-40
Paul’s Shipwreck: Acts 27:1-44
John Receives a Revelation: Revelation 1:9-19, 22:8-10
Well, there you go Elizabeth. That is why I have asked you to post blogs this week. Once again, you impress me with your passion and competency. That is why I wanted you on our team.
I trust those reading this week’s blogs appreciate Beth’s skill and knowledge. I know I do.
Beth – Growing up we believed in GOD, said Grace and bedtime prayers, but that was about the extent of it. I am ashamed to say that 2008 was the first time I had read the BIBLE and I can’t help but be somewhat shocked & proud that I am keeping up with my second year of reading through the BIBLE (Thanks for the encouragement, Ryan).
When I first glanced at the list of “STORIES _____ THAT EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW”, I thought Uh-Oh I’m in trouble. But as I actually read the list, I was surprised at how many of those stories I DO KNOW now!
What you do is an undertaking that requires a special calling … Thank you for listening & responding when GOD called on you.
Peace & Blessings, Vickie
The response to local and national disasters is awesome but it’s a damn shame that so many people take advantage of the negative situations.
I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill – there’s always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers.
This is in response to reading that 4 of Oprah Winfreys “angels” got busted ripping off the system. Shame on them!
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/19/crimesider/entry5251471.shtml