 “If we want our kids to stand firm in a culture that suppresses the truth of Christianity, we need to give them a grand view of God that overwhelms their hearts and fills them with wonder. Our children’s resolve is only as strong as the God they believe in, and if the God they believe in is presented to them as nothing more than a small deity, their loyalty will follow suit.”
How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams In Aesop’s fables, we encounter a collection of stories with memorable characters designed to deliver a moral lesson. In The Boy Who Cried Wolf, we learn not to lie. In The Tortoise and the Hare, we see that good things come to those who are patient and consistent. We come away from each story with a simple slogan meant to help us do better. Unfortunately, when we teach our children or teens, we can unintentionally create the impression that the Bible is not much different from Aesop’s fables. The Good Samaritan becomes a lesson about being kind to others. The narrative of Jonah and the whale turns into a reminder that we should obey when we are told to do something. These approaches reduce Bible passages to little more than character lessons, rather than revealing who God is and what he has done. When we treat Scripture this way, we forget that any time we teach the Bible we are teaching theology. The real question is not whether we are theologians, but whether we are good ones. Reading this book pushed me to examine my own habits when teaching. As I was reading the examples of how parents and leaders can miss the mark when teaching Scripture, I cringed many times. I have used almost every one of those techniques or explanations when talking with my own children or teaching at church. It was eye-opening to see how cute stories, analogies, and moral takeaways can minimize the true purpose of a biblical passage. Sometimes it can be daunting to talk to children or teens about who God is and what he has done. We need to use vocabulary and concepts that they can understand, but without minimizing the deep truths that Scripture presents. This book reminds us that we can be transparent and admit when something is hard to understand. We can tell children and teens that we will have to study more and return to the subject another time. I appreciated that the book introduces basic principles for studying Scripture. The authors encourage us to take time to read the passages we are teaching, understand them, and look for gospel implications. These are invaluable steps to take before attempting to teach. Luce and Williams also give excellent principles for preparing for lessons, and choosing appropriate curriculum. In addition, they provide practical tips for designing engaging, gospel-centered lessons. So who would benefit the most from reading this book? The book is written for people who teach children and teens — including parents and grandparents. But I also recommend this resource for new believers who want to understand how to study Scripture. There are also many ideas that are also helpful for adult small group leaders. In short, if you are a believer, it is well worth adding to your reading list. See also: Next Generation
1 Comment
 Welcome to my “book buffet”—a sampling of reads that have encouraged and challenged me in different ways. Each one offers something unique, from rich storytelling to practical biblical wisdom. Here’s a taste of four books I’ve enjoyed recently. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi This book surprised me. Although it isn’t marketed as Christian fiction, it carries a redemptive thread throughout. It blends all the ingredients of a savory read—drama, romance, mystery, and even touches of humor. The story weaves together the lives of the people in the town of Golden, centering on a stranger who quietly leaves a lasting impact. Most of the time, when I read fiction, I move steadily from page to page without stopping to admire the “scenery,” so to speak. But with this book, I found myself pausing—sometimes rereading entire paragraphs—just to savor the beauty of the author’s language and imagery. Impossible Christianity by Kevin DeYoung This book comes with quite the subtitle: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time. The subtitle may be long, but the book itself is a quick read. Don’t let its size fool you—it offers plenty of substance to digest. With equal measures of encouragement and biblical conviction, DeYoung serves up a helpful perspective on pursuing godly living in a balanced and practical way. As we grow in spiritual disciplines, he reminds us that we don’t have to carry the burden of perfection. Time Out: The Gift of God of Youth Sport by John Perritt This book takes a thoughtful look at sports and stewardship. How can we use involvement in sports to wisely steward our time, resources, character, and bodies? How should parents evaluate their children’s participation in these activities? Perritt gives parents, coaches, and teens plenty to chew on as he serves up a balanced plate of both the redemptive aspects and the potential dangers of sports and physical activities. He brings an honest and nuanced perspective to this topic—something I found especially refreshing. The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce Longenecker This is one I had to keep reminding myself was fiction. Longenecker skillfully blends historical and archaeological detail with imagined correspondence between two New Testament figures. As we read fragments of letters written by Luke and Antipas, we gain insight into the culture and structure of the Roman Empire in the first century. It’s a rich and immersive read that kept me engaged from beginning to end, even as I anticipated the bittersweet outcome. If you sample one of these “book buffet” selections, I’d love to hear what you think!
See also: How to Find Jesus in the Old Testament, Literarily by Kristie Anyabwile  “As you follow the Lord Jesus, may you be one who sets your face to finish the course the Father has set before you. May God bless you in the afternoon of your life and make you a faithful follower of Jesus.” Christopher Ash, Not Old, Not Young, Not Done Here I am, in that lovely stage of life referred to as “perimenopause” which may last from 2 to 67 years. (Yes, I pronounced that as six-seeeven when I typed it -- I am a middle school teacher, after all). Our kids have left the nest, I am counting the days (and seconds) until retirement, and I am trying to age semi-gracefully. So when I spotted Christopher Ash’s book “Not Old, Not Young, Not Done: Following Jesus in Your 50s and 60s”, it only took me 6-7 seconds to decide to add it to my TBR list. After a couple of hot flashes, I quickly decided to upgrade the book from my ever-growing TBR list to the MRN (must read now) list. Within a few chapters, it had me nodding and thinking, this should go on my RAS (read again soon) list. I found myself wishing that this book had been published twenty years ago so that I could have been more prepared when the hormone roller coaster started. The “Menopause” appendix by Sarah Allen was itself worth the price of the book. (And yes, now her book Pause is on my TBR list.) With that said, don’t overlook this book if you are in your 40s, or 30s, or even 20s. It is never too soon to think about how we can follow Jesus faithfully in any stage of life. Ash’s book has a redemptive focus for every aspect of aging. Yes, we are going to lose muscle. Our reaction times will slow (oh good, now I have a legitimate excuse for being clumsy and uncoordinated). Our bodies will deteriorate (spoiler alert) and our minds are not exempt, either. Our frustration over these changes is because these things are not supposed to be normal. The creaky joints and leaky bladders are a reminder of the weight of sin. But as believers we know that this weight is light compared to the weight of glory that is coming (2 Corinthians 4:17). As I dove into this book, I kept thinking of people from our church—walking, talking examples of everything Ash was describing! I met regularly with a woman who, even before retirement was on the horizon, would talk about the plans that she and her husband had for serving after retirement. Ash encourages us to establish Titus 2 relationships — both with older believers who can help us and younger believers that we can mentor. These encouragements challenged me to reexamine how much time I spend filling my TBR list—and how little time I invest in relationships. Our bodies may be sagging and our minds may be lagging, but Ash gently reminds us that we can’t use those as an excuse to slack off in consistent godly habits. Reading our Bible, praying, and serving others can keep our hearts focused on an eternal perspective. Ash also warns us of the temptation to think that aging means we have earned the right to be grumpy or selfish. This made me pause — I can’t use second puberty as an excuse to treat others poorly. It is so easy to be blind to my faults and motives. These are reminders that I need to rely on Christ and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in my life. So, even as I struggle to make it through another day when I am mad at the world or feel like crying for no reason — his strength is evident in my weakness. From this book I learned that there is no retirement from growth in grace and sanctification. I can find ways to intentionally and diligently glorify God and serve others. I can even find joy amidst the rollercoaster of menopause and ever-changing middle school lingo. Because my identity is rooted in Christ, I am not defined by my physical and mental limitations. Because I am anchored by the hope found in his Word, I can do more than just survive —I can thrive. The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. Psalm 92:12-15 (ESV)  “The Bible is a message from God written in epic fashion as a collection of anthologies to chronicles the story of Jesus’ redemption of sinners and His appeal for us to live considering His work on our behalf.” Kristie Anyabwile, Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study Literarily: How Understanding Bible Genres Transforms Bible Study by Kristie Anyabwile
Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together without having the picture to use as a reference? I have. Well, I tried…and my husband helped a little. Our friend gave us a ziploc bag that said “Snow White” on the outside. That was all we had to guide us. The outside wasn’t too hard to put together. But then we had no idea which side was the top. We tried each piece one by one around the outside without much success. And then we tried to group the pieces by colors to make sense of the overall picture — but the odds were not in our favor. Making sense of the Bible can feel like that sometimes. At first, it seems like a random collection of stories and philosophical musings, even though we know it’s ‘the Bible.’ But if we understand the overarching narrative of Scripture and look at each piece in light of that story, the puzzle starts to click—and the picture begins to emerge. Kristie Anyabwile’s book Literarily is a guide that helps us understand each of the BIble’s pieces — the genres that shape its story. In her approachable, thoughtful style, she shows how the Bible’s many genres—law, narrative, poetry, prophecy, letters, wisdom literature, and even apocalyptic writing—fit together into one epic story pointing to Jesus. Anyabwile walks readers gently through each genre, with clear examples and study questions that curiosity, discovery, and reflection. One of my favorite insights is her suggestion to look for “Easter eggs”—recurring themes woven throughout Scripture. Taken together, these threads unify the Bible’s message and consistently point us to Christ. Reading this book reminded me that studying Scripture is never just an intellectual exercise. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to shape our hearts and conform us more into Christ’s likeness. Literarily is a treasure for anyone who has ever felt confused or overwhelmed by certain parts of the Bible. Whether you’re a teen trying to make sense of the Psalms, a parent walking with your kids through the Gospels, a ministry leader shepherding others, or a seasoned reader hoping to see familiar passages in a fresh light, this book equips you to read Scripture thoughtfully, joyfully, and with confidence. After reading Literarily, you’ll be able to piece together the Bible in ways that make sense—but unlike a puzzle, this isn’t just a pastime. It’s a lifelong adventure, one that will shape your heart, your mind, and your walk with God. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 |
RSS Feed