Bible "curriculum" for kids

I often have friends who aren't homeschoolers who want to teach their children the Bible at home, since they aren't getting it at school.  That is so awesome. They have asked me what I would recommend for teaching the kids.  Here are some of my suggestions:

Let's Chat About the Bible by Karen Whiting

You can read through each chapter in one or two days to complete one chapter per week. It's full of discussion questions and even a "drawing" that you can do (which my artsy daughter loved)

I usually read this with my Kindergarten aged kids - as well as any older children (so I filter through it about every 3 years).

Ages 5-9 For you to read and discuss with them. 

 

Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schooland

Ages 6-9 For you to read to them. 

Some kids who have been in Sunday school all their lives might feel like they know all this information, however its a great tool to make sure they know the important stories of the Bible.

A good resource for First and Second Grade

(available at the Jeffco Public Library)

 

The Little Kids Adventure Bible (not the same as the Adventure Bible)

This Bible is a paraphrase Bible for kids.  It includes the entire Bible, however not every single word.  This is a great Bible when you no longer want "Bible Storybooks" that include the entire old testament and Jesus, but don't include the minor prophets or anything that happened after the resurrection.

A good starter book for Kids to read to themselves Age 5-7 depending on reading level.  

Answers for Kids Bible Curriculum by Stacia McKeever & Dan Lietha

This is a thorough Curriculum that discusses the foundations of Christianity (Creation, Corruption, Catastrophe, Confusion, Christ, the Cross, and Consummation) as well as many other questions kids and adults have about Christianity (Dinosaurs, Racial differences, even aliens).  There is a music CD, coloring pages, worksheets & even a mini-slideshow presentation  with each lesson.

This is geared for grades 3-7, however the younger ages can tag along and listen (I recommend them do the coloring pages during the lesson).  Usually we break each lesson into 2-3 mini lessons to complete one lesson per week.

There is an even more comprehensive curriculum for different age groups at answersingenesis.org

 

Kids of Character by Marilyn Boyer

This is a Character Book.  There are flash cards that the kids can memorize what each Character Quality is as well as a Bible Verse.  The kids look up scriptures and then there are "What Ifs" that the kids act out to help them to practice the right character quality (the best part). To help the learning, practicing the flash cards and adding in your own "ifs" can help.

Geared towards Grade school children, the older elementary kids can easily do one lesson in a sitting, but with the younger ones you need to break it up.

Other age groups available at 

www.thelearningparent.com

 


 

 

 Beginners Bible - Good to read to Preschoolers and good for 5-6 year olds to read to themselves.

 

Devotionals for age 2-5, 6-9, and 10-12 are great for them to work on themselves (except the 2-5 year olds)

 NIRV Discoverer's Bible for Early Readers is the perfect FIRST REAL Bible for kids.  It's a full version of the Bible (not a paraphrase) in an easy to read version.  Plus, it's the only large print Bible for kids and has some pictures.  For beginning readers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hero Tales I, II, III, & IV) by Dave & Neta Jackson

This is a book about Christian Heroes.  There are discussion questions after each "chapter".  There are 4 "chapters" per Hero.  You can also have your kids write something small about it later to help retain the information (we did a lap book).  This is great to help Kids get out of themselves and start thinking of others.

A great book for you to read to them starting at age 5 or 6.

(some are available at the Jeffco Public Library)

 Family Time Training -

Fun, intentional, spiritual lessons in the home. Family Time lessons are used to teach specific Christian values, character qualities and spiritual beliefs.

"I'm too busy," is the number one reason why most families do not offer their children spiritual training in the home. We encourage families to do a lesson once a week. And, most Family Time lessons take less than 20 minutes. Yes, we are busy, but most families would agree that we can take 20 minutes week to provide home-based spiritual training for our children.

"Devotions are boring," is a second reason why parents don't provide spiritual training in the home. Family Time lessons use the language of children activities and object lessons to make spiritual lessons fun, effective and memorable.

Bible Bee -

For the Bible Bee Kids 7 - 18 study all summer long and compete in a bee at the end of the summer.  They learn 2 verses a week, plus study the Bible 5 days a week and grow in their understandings of scriptures.  Even if they don't compete, or can't keep up with the curriculum, you can do it all year.  Plus the whole family does it together (although everyone has their own book). 

Our desire is to help your family move closer to God and closer to one another as you learn, live out, and celebrate His Word. Learn how we equip and encourage a lifestyle of investing in and living out your relationship with Christ.

 Teaching Children about Christ

Kids need to know Jesus.  They live in a harsh world and we all need Jesus.  Christ died for us all, which is the most important thing Kids need to know.  After that, kids just need to know Jesus - personally.  Church is important, but kids are so black and white minded that sometimes they only think of Church as being something they "have" to do.  We need to teach our kids how to have that personal relationship with Jesus.

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How To Teach Children About Jesus
by Charles Stanley
One of the most important responsibilities Christian parents have is to teach their children about Jesus Christ. Yet countless children grow up knowing Christ only through what they learn from second-hand sources. The sketchy images these encounters with God imprint on their minds can range anywhere from a drill sergeant to . . . well, the Easter bunny.
In order for children to digest the authentic Easter message, Christ’s sacrificial death on a cross, they must have a context in which to put the person of Jesus Christ. When the Gospel is glossed over by lighthearted scenarios that don’t mirror real life, children can be led into thinking Christianity amounts only to an untainted notion of perfectionism. The real story–a story about tarnished and degenerate souls who were saved by Christ’s unconditional love, redeemed by the miracle of His death, and blessed with a living hope for all eternity–is as relevant to children today as it always has been. The story never changes, but, in a modern context, the way we tell it does.
You can provide that context for your children by simply talking about Jesus on a regular basis, by living the principles of your faith, and by praying with your children.
Talk to your children about Jesus.

"You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates" (Deuteronomy 6:7-9).
Children glean an enormous amount of wisdom from listening to their parents talk. References to the Lord and your beliefs should permeate your daily conversations. Give thanks to the Lord not only at meal time but when your prayers are answered. Be specific in thanking Him for His provision and care. Give Him the glory when things work out better than you’d hoped they would, and ask Him for guidance when you face big decisions.
Reading from the Scriptures on a regular basis is a direct and effective way to bring about discussions concerning Christ. Bibles for children and even toddlers are available for parents who wish to begin early. By reading through the Scriptures, you can address personally any questions your children may have about biblical events and monitor their spiritual growth. Taking every opportunity to teach them object lessons about Jesus can provide your children with a framework in which to understand the story of His miraculous life and death.
Live the principles of your faith every day.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
It is important for Christian parents to walk their talk. When you make claims about the Scriptures and God’s righteousness, your children will watch to see how you live out those lessons. The closest earthly equivalent to our Father in heaven is our father at home. Christ-like parents are the best witnesses a child can have.
By treating others and your children the way Christ would treat them, your love and respect for Jesus will be an obvious and understood priority. If your children see Christ’s love modeled in their home, they will have a relevant perspective from which to view His love on Calvary.
Part of understanding Christ’s love for humanity is understanding His authority. By making Jesus the boss of your home, you can show your children how God can love them and demand their utmost at the same time. How many times do your children ask why they must do what you ask them to do? It’s easy to answer that question by saying, "Because I said so and I’m your parent." This response may leave children wondering if their parents must obey anyone. But by submitting yourself to the Scriptures and explaining that obedience to your children, you can give them a sense of accountability that will follow them long after they leave home.
Pray with your children.
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Teaching your children to pray is arguably one of the best ways to teach them about Christ. Many adults today learned to pray by kneeling and reciting scripted prayers. While this can be meaningful, children can develop a more personal relationship with God by praying from their hearts instead of the written page.
Prayer is our direct line to God.
Relationships are deepened when two people open their hearts and tell each other their innermost secrets. Prayer can be enriched by the same candid transparency. Teach your children to share their hearts with the Lord at an early age. Teach them to confide everything in Him. If your child can share everything about himself or herself with God without being ashamed or afraid, you will have gone a long way toward building an essential component in his or her relationship with the Lord–trust. In order to understand and believe the Easter message, we have to trust the One who gave it to us.
The Easter story of Christ’s death on a cross can be a complex, mysterious, and even painful message to understand. However, children who learn a gospel in which poignancy is substituted with germinal customs get shortchanged. Parents need not rely on mechanisms to teach biblical truth. By talking to your children about Jesus, living the principles of the Christian faith, and praying with your children, you can prepare them to hear and understand the most profound truth they will ever encounter.



 The four spiritual laws for children

 Holy Spirit Discovery for Kids

 Teaching Kids how to Fast
 
 

 

 

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