September 11, 2008
Changing it up
Hey there to the entire elementary team! Brittni has started writing the blog for the Jr. Crew, so I now have the opportunity to cover all of elementary. I have a few reminders for everyone, but first I thought I would share with you a little bit more about the goal behind our most recent series Case Closed.
When we wrote and produced Case Closed we were looking for a way to get kids motivated and excited about reading their Bibles. The truth is that while some translations may be confusing for young readers, there are tools available to make the Bible both accessible and applicable to every believer - no matter the age. Case Closed, while cloaked in a film noir mystery, is actually an Inductive Bible Study. During these four weeks we will challenge our elementary students to open their Bibles, look for clues, think about what they've read, and then act on the truth they've found.
What does this mean for the rest of us? A basic Inductive Study leads off with the hope that you are indeed OPENING your Bible and not just hoping to sense things from the book on your shelf! Observation, Interpretation, and Application - three concepts simplified when we look, think, and act. Why is this important?
After doing some research on the Internet, I discovered the following:
The lack of biblical literacy in America is at epidemic levels, says Ron Rhodes, President of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries. And when he talks about the lack of Bible reading among Americans, he is not talking about the population in general - he is talking about people who call themselves born-again Christians.
In an interview with Assist News Service Rhodes quotes a recent poll, which indicates that 35% of born-again Christians do not read the Bible at all. In addition, Rhodes indicates that among those who say they read the Bible, the vast majority only read it during the one hour they attend church each Sunday morning.
Recent studies by The Barna Group and the Gallup Organization conclude that any reasonable understanding of biblical facts and truths is seriously lacking among Americans. Today, basic Christian truths are virtually unknown to a majority in this nation.
“American Christians are biblically illiterate. Although most of them contend that the Bible contains truth and is worth knowing, and most of them argue that they know all of the relevant truths and principles, our research shows otherwise. And the trend line is frightening: the younger a person is, the less they understand about the Christian faith.” —Barna
“Bibles everywhere don’t seem to be making much of a difference. About the same number of people who attend church weekly read the Bible during the week (45%).” —Barna
The Bible is a GIFT to each of us. As we encourage our kids to see God's Word in a new and exciting light, I want to challenge each of us to journey with them. Read Philippians chapter one this week and then dialogue with the kids in your room about what you read. You won't ever regret time spent knowing God in a deeper and more intimate way. A wise friend once told me that it is always better to be ANYTHING deprived rather than God deprived.
See you this weekend as we continue to help Justin Case solve this mystery! - Ginger
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 17 at 7:00pm - Next Christmas Musical Rehearsal
Wednesday, September 24 at 7:00pm - CM Rehearsal AND Prayer Service
Weekends, September 13/14 and 20/21- IMPACT weekends
When we wrote and produced Case Closed we were looking for a way to get kids motivated and excited about reading their Bibles. The truth is that while some translations may be confusing for young readers, there are tools available to make the Bible both accessible and applicable to every believer - no matter the age. Case Closed, while cloaked in a film noir mystery, is actually an Inductive Bible Study. During these four weeks we will challenge our elementary students to open their Bibles, look for clues, think about what they've read, and then act on the truth they've found.
What does this mean for the rest of us? A basic Inductive Study leads off with the hope that you are indeed OPENING your Bible and not just hoping to sense things from the book on your shelf! Observation, Interpretation, and Application - three concepts simplified when we look, think, and act. Why is this important?
After doing some research on the Internet, I discovered the following:
The lack of biblical literacy in America is at epidemic levels, says Ron Rhodes, President of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries. And when he talks about the lack of Bible reading among Americans, he is not talking about the population in general - he is talking about people who call themselves born-again Christians.
In an interview with Assist News Service Rhodes quotes a recent poll, which indicates that 35% of born-again Christians do not read the Bible at all. In addition, Rhodes indicates that among those who say they read the Bible, the vast majority only read it during the one hour they attend church each Sunday morning.
Recent studies by The Barna Group and the Gallup Organization conclude that any reasonable understanding of biblical facts and truths is seriously lacking among Americans. Today, basic Christian truths are virtually unknown to a majority in this nation.
“American Christians are biblically illiterate. Although most of them contend that the Bible contains truth and is worth knowing, and most of them argue that they know all of the relevant truths and principles, our research shows otherwise. And the trend line is frightening: the younger a person is, the less they understand about the Christian faith.” —Barna
“Bibles everywhere don’t seem to be making much of a difference. About the same number of people who attend church weekly read the Bible during the week (45%).” —Barna
The Bible is a GIFT to each of us. As we encourage our kids to see God's Word in a new and exciting light, I want to challenge each of us to journey with them. Read Philippians chapter one this week and then dialogue with the kids in your room about what you read. You won't ever regret time spent knowing God in a deeper and more intimate way. A wise friend once told me that it is always better to be ANYTHING deprived rather than God deprived.
See you this weekend as we continue to help Justin Case solve this mystery! - Ginger
Important Dates
Wednesday, September 17 at 7:00pm - Next Christmas Musical Rehearsal
Wednesday, September 24 at 7:00pm - CM Rehearsal AND Prayer Service
Weekends, September 13/14 and 20/21- IMPACT weekends
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