Using Your Child’s Toys to Teach the Bible

Using Your Child's Toys to Teach the Bible - Parenting Like Hannah
Tower of Babel

This summer the children in our Church are having a blast creating their own Bible Museum. For thirty minutes every Wednesday night, they are divided into groups of  three or four children. We give each group a Bible and place the world’s largest stack of donated and yard sale “building” blocks, tiny plastic animals, fabric and tiny figurines in front of them.

Their mission is to take the Bible story assigned to them and make it come to life. They are told to refer back constantly to the Bible to make sure their re-creation is as accurate as possible. As you can see from some of these pictures, their creativity is amazing!

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Teaching Kids What Happened Between the Old and New Testaments

Teaching Kids What Happened Between the Old and New Testaments - Parenting Like Hannah
The World of Jesus by Dr. William H. Marty

Have you ever wondered what happened during those 400 years between the Old and New Testament?  Do you wonder why the Pharisees seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere? Did you ever want to know the rest of the story of all of those rulers named Herod? Have you ever gotten the Pharisees, Sadducees, Priests, Scribes and Zealots confused?

I have struggled for years to understand what happened in those 400 “missing” years and how the world of the Old Testament had obviously changed so much by the time Jesus was born. I have finally found a book that helps put the pieces in place.

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Teaching Kids to Live More Like Jesus Month Six Challenge

Teaching Kids to Live More Like Jesus Month Six Challenge - Parenting Like Hannah
Photo by Alexander Lyubavin

If you have been working with your children on our year long challenge to teach them to live more like Jesus, they are hopefully developing some great new habits. You may be wondering about this month’s challenge though. Why is it important for our children to know how to ask meaningful questions and listen to the answers with love?

Jesus set a wonderful example by reaching out to the marginalized people of his day. No real religious leader at the time would want to have been seen with tax collectors and prostitutes. Yet, Jesus knew their hearts and spent time with them. He didn’t just meet their physical needs though. He spent time in their houses (Luke 19:5).

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Fun Craft For Scripture Memory

Fun Craft for Scripture Memory - Parenting Like HannahParents love children to come home from school and church with crafts. It gives them a tangible idea of what was discussed. The problem is that most crafts are on paper and end up in the trash. Whenever possible, it is great to send children home with a craft that not only reminds them of the lesson, but will stay around their home for months to come.

Yesterday, the children learned about some of the tools God gives them to help them live a Christian life. We discussed in particular the Fruit of the Spirit and the Armor of God. After the lesson, the children colored and stuffed pillows they could put in their bedrooms. One child was getting ready to go on a trip and was planning on taking his as his airplane pillow!

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Devotionals for Sandwich Moms

Devotionals for Sandwich Moms - Parenting Like Hannah
Strength for the Moment by Lori Hogan

Some days I almost forget we are now helping care for my husband’s two elderly parents. We are living our more accustomed life of raising and caring for our daughter, my husband’s job, volunteer commitments and regular chores. And then the phone rings.

Suddenly in the middle of the night, we will have Hospice on one line telling us one thing and the facility on the line telling us something entirely different. Both lines are demanding a decision which we feel totally unprepared to make. Or we are running back and forth all over town because one in-law is in the hospital, the other in their apartment and our daughter has to be somewhere. (And we are the blessed ones because my in-laws can afford to be in a place that gives us both the autonomy and the extra help we all need.)

Meanwhile, our daughter needs our love, attention and help with her life. My husband’s company expects him to carry his weight. And we all know that laundry, dishes, meals and yards don’t take care of themselves. There are some days where all you can do is pray and cry.

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