Studying the Bible with a 7 yo?

[OTMomma]

x-post in homeschooling.

I am currently homeschooling my 7 yo dd and it has occurred to me that I want her to have knowledge of the Bible as part of being well educated. We currently attend a UU church, so she's not getting a lot of Bible there, though I am very happy with them. I was raised Catholic, and went to Sunday School and Mass every Sunday until I was an adult, and I have nothing against the Catholic view of the world, except that I don't want to teach dd catholicism, just the Bible- so that rules out most of the Catholic resources I have come across. I am especially concerned about dd learning the Gospel (she's been exposed to a lot of the old Testament stories)- recently we had a discussion about Jesus- and she basically knew he was born in a "barn" and he died on the cross. I told her that actually neither of those were the most important part about him- the important part is what happened between those 2 things- all the lessons he taught.

Anyway- does anyone have any suggestions for how to study the Bible with a child? I'm open to about any kind of resource. I'm hoping to add this in about once a week for now. I really want some kind of guide or something, as just reading the Bible cover to cover seems like too much for a child.

TIA,

[bcblondie]

I think it's great that you want to give her some Bible study. I think if you start out with some of the stories and parables, and just see what she understands and learns from them, that would be a great first step. They are interesting and easy to follow. I remember that's what I studied the most, myself, as a young child

[cappuccinosmom]

I wouldn't expect a 7 yo to read the Bible from cover to cover, but I've found that reading it aloud to them (straight from the Bible, not from a picture book or something) works very well. I read usually just a chapter. Right now we're in the epistles and have had some amazing discussions (my 6 yo totally "got" what the book of James conveys about the tongue being a "deadly weapon" and we had a very deep conversation about how that small piece of anatomy can cause so much destruction in people's lives). Reading consecutively it's kind of neat that they've recognized a little theme going on: love, love, love, be patient and kind, love some more, be gentle, love, love, be peaceful, love, love, love....

There is a set of books that covers the major events of Jesus life and his teachings (as well as the major OT stories). They are "Read-aloud Bible Stories" by Ella K. Lindvall. They were my first introduction to the Bible as a kid, and now my children love them, although, in our family they'd be on the academic level of a 2 yo--very simple langugage, lots of repetetive stuff.

You might also find a combined/composite Gospel useful. The story is the same, but the details vary depending on the perspective of each of the writers. Even without a "guide", a composite would be a shorter read and give a good overview of what went on in Jesus' life.

[Adele_Mommy]

Attending UU church your dd may well get some Bible education there eventually that will probably be taught in a way that is compatible with your beliefs and values as a UU. My dd is 9 and her RE class is doing Bibleodeon right now. She is loving it and learning a lot. If your church does not offer this curriculum to any age group maybe you could suggest it.

In the meantime, The Pilgrim Book of Bible Stories includes the well-known stories and has references to the verses in the Bible the stories are based on, so you could read a story with your child and then read the story from the Bible itself.

For teaching about the importance of what Jesus did between his birth and death (I totally agree with you on this point and love how you put it by the way!) you could try Meet Jesus: The Life and Lessons of a Beloved Teacher

If you truly want to homeschool about the Bible you could get a UU curriculum such as Timeless Themes, which is right for your dd's age group.

Good luck and have fun!

[OTMomma]

Adele- Thank you so much! Those books look great- the one on Jesus's life is exactly what I was looking for. I do think dd's RE class will eventually study the Bible- and it is great to hear that your dd is enjoying doing that in her RE class.

From the responses here and the ones on the homeschool board- I have realized I don't actually need a "Bible Study" per se, but that I would like to read a Bible story with dd once a week and talk about it. Dd has a children's Bible, but it is VERY watered down- so I'm going to buy a better copy, like one mentioned above.

Thank you all!