The Bible Story Family

  You’ve been asked to tell a Bible story to pre-school children. Or you want to include a familiar Bible story as an illustration in a sermon. Here is a quick guide to preparing your story. WHAT ABOUT? Learn everything possible about the story from the biblical text, correlative texts, history, geography, culture, and commentaries. WHAT IF? Use imagination to fill in details without departing from the story as recorded. Identify the antagonist and the problem to be resolved. WHAT SAY? Add dialogue which may well have been used by the characters in the story. WHAT NEXT? Explore the possible events which resulted from the incident recorded in scripture. SO WHAT? Ask yourself what this story teaches about God and make that the emphasis and climax of the story.

  We used to call it family altar when we were growing up. The next generation called it family devotions, and today it would probably just be called devos. Whatever you call it, Christian families have been gathering for a time of family Bible study and worship for many years. One of the issues often faced is how to keep the experience focused and fresh when your family includes children of various ages. Throughout the years we used storytelling, drama, Bible story books geared for specific ages, music, question and answer times, and even the production of our own radio series to create interest through variety. One tool which is available to help families in this regard is called “The Storyteller’s Bible.” By using this resource your family can gain an understanding of the story of the entire Bible through a series of short readings for four voices. Two parents and two children able to read can make up the four voices. Or, if children are still too young to read, the stories can be r

  It is not Christmas. But plans are already underway in the Moffitt family for another project this coming December. Since 2001, Marc and Jeanne, along with their five children, spouses, and grandchildren have been preparing a family Christmas gift as a missions project. The idea began with a plea from Missionary Ron Brewer who was collecting money to provide underwear for Russian orphan children. The entire family began setting money aside so they could help fund that project as a Christmas gift. Since that time they have assisted a missionary in Bolivia whose husband stranded her on the field. They paid for a wheelchair for a boy in Russia. Projects in both North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the Philippines have been the recipients of their joint endeavor. “We collect money all year,” said one of the grandchildren. “Then after Thanksgiving dinner we throw it all on the floor and count it to see how much we have.” Last year the money from the f