Kiddy Catechism

Years ago my oldest learned the children's catechism. If you're not familiar with the children's catechism, it's a series of questions and answers about the truths of God. Kind of like theology for kids! Now, for those who did not grow up in a traditional church setting or who get a little freaked out by the word "catechism," it really is just a simple way to learn about who God is, who Jesus is, who we are in relation to him, and the basics of the Christian faith. It's not weird, I promise.

Now, just like we were on top of so many other things in raising our first-born, we've been sort of flying by the seat of our pants ever since, and as all experienced parents know, it all kind of goes downhill from there. I mean, you just don't do things the same way with your younger children. You know what I mean.

I've realized for a few years that my middle child learned about half of the kiddy catechism and that my youngest has mastered only about three or four questions. Maybe.

So, this fall we're dusting off our little question and answer booklets, we're adding in the catechism to our handwriting assignments, and we're singing it, as well.

SINGING?

I've been convinced for a long time that the more information you put to a tune the more you can remember. At least that's how my brain work.

So when I found the Ask Me WhoOo series by Diana Beach Batarseh, I was thrilled! These are sweet, catchy tunes for each of the questions and answers in the children's catechism...PLUS wonderful scripture verses to go along with each one. It's all lovely--especially the sweet owl graphics to boot!

This is a three-volume series. We have the first in the series, and we'll see how much we like singing it before we buy the other volumes.

There's a lot to like about her music, but besides the corresponding Bible verses after each set of question and answers, I also love to hear the children's voices sing along with Diana as well as read the scripture. Super sweet.

So...What are you waiting for? Or rather, WhoOo are you waiting for? Check it out now!

Just Right!

This spring at a homeschool curriculum fair I searched high and low for just the right Bible curriculum. In years past, I've sort of gone the devotional route with our Bible time in school, and of course we've had plenty of verses to memorize for our weekly Awana Club. But I wanted to find a curriculum that did an overview of each book of the Bible while connecting them as one grand story.

So I searched and searched and searched....and I felt a bit like the Berenstain Bears in Old Hat, New Hat.

I found some that were too long. Too weak. Too out-dated. Too much. Too little. Too moralistic. Too fragmented. Too boring!

Then I came home, and as I was cleaning out an old desk and throwing out old curriculum catalogs, I happened to glance at one. Suddenly I spotted it: A Bible course for children that is a historical, chronological study of the Bible for kids. It's called God's Great Covenant, and it's published by Classical Academic Press.
I think I found it--one that is just right!

Here's what their website says about the course:

"Teaching the Bible to young children can be a large task, and is often divided up into many small stories. However, if you would like to teach your students the truly big picture of the Bible, and show them how God has been at work in his people since before creation, you will find God’s Great Covenant to be a unique, surprising, and excellent Bible curriculum. The Bible, taught chronologically, by means of simple and direct stories, chants, and meditation on God’s character define God’s Great Covenant. Even many adults find themselves learning new facts, making surprising connections, and being blessed by reminder of God’s faithfulness, and how he always keeps his promises. Taught from a covenantal and reformed theological perspective, and rooted in Scripture, you will find this series to be a blessing to your classroom or family."

I'm really excited to use this with my youngest two this fall. There's even an audio file that you can purchase to listen to on the go. Nice!

I'm thankful to have discovered this series. I know it's not perfect, as no curriculum is, but it's what I had in mind all along.

Remembering Truth

Sometimes it takes my kids to remind me of truth. At least this morning I had a good reminder while doing a new Bible study with my boys. We haven't always done well in this subject. I've just kind of randomly started the day with a verse or prayer or short devotion...or more often we've just jumped into math while I've breathed a silent prayer that God would order our day. But lately I've felt convicted that I'd like to spend more time actually opening up the Bible with my kiddos. So this January we have started a new inductive Bible study just for children. It's a study on the book of James, and it's entitled "Boy, Have I Got Problems!" I thought this would be a great first formal study to do with the kids because, well, we've got lots of our own problems--so we can relate. It also has cute cartoons, fun applications, and most importantly life-giving truth from God's word, so I was hoping they would enjoy it. So far, after Day 3, they have.

Today, they learned about cross-referencing. As we read from Isaiah 14:24, I was once again reminded of how God has a meaning for everything in our lives. As someone wise once said, "Nothing is wasted." God takes everything and redeems it for His plans and purposes. NOTHING is wasted.

Isaiah 14: 24 reads, "I have planned so it has happened, and just as I have purposed so it will stand."

How comforting to be reminded once again that God created everything, is in control of everything, and has purpose for EVERYTHING that happens in my life and in your life. How often I forget this and faithlessly wonder what went wrong when I can't imagine that this part of my life could really be God's plan for me. But it's not only a plan, it is also a purpose, which give all of my life experiences meaning and value.

So today, I will "consider it all joy" again as I remember the truth of God's word. Thanks, kids!

Gospel Kids

Have you ever noticed that there are so few truly Gospel-centered resources for kids these days? My latest trip to the local Christian bookstore left me more than disappointed. When I come across a great find, though, I just want to go and tell it on the mountain...like when I discovered the Jesus Storybook Bible.

Here's my latest find in the music department. Check out Seeds Family Worship or The Rizers.

What great ways to hide God's word in our hearts?! What resources are you using with your children that you love?

My Favorite Things

This Christmas I attended a party where each guest brought 5 of her favorite things. We had a little show and tell, gathered our items on the table, then drew numbers for picking 5 items to take home. It was great fun to see what little treasures or guilty pleasures everyone brought. I brought Trader Joe's mulling spices, peppermint tea, a striped kitchen towel, a peppermint chocolate bar, and a $5 gift card for Auntie Annie's pretzels. Yum!

We also shared what favorite "big" gift we would give everyone if we had all the money in the world. Lots of personal chefs, maids, vacations, new cars were gifted that night--if only in our dreams!

Honestly, though, if I could a gift to all little people in the world , I think I would give the Jesus Storybook Bible. It is the best, and it even comes in a deluxe edition with a narrated CD. It presents the Gospel so clearly and draws in even the young at heart.