Bible Resources

I have had several parents ask me lately what Bible to get to read with their children. And I wish that I could say that you could just get any children's Bible to use. But, from what I have found, not all of them are biblically accurate.

So, here is a list of some that I feel would do a wonderful job teaching your children about Jesus and giving them a better look at the story of God.

The Beginner's Bible

We use this one at our house. The stories are great, the characters are fun to follow. And the story is accurate!

The Jesus Storybook Bible

I have not used this one, but have heard wonderful recommendations for it.

You can learn more about this book at: www.jesusstorybookbible.com

The ABC Bible Verse Book

Learn God's Word and the alphabet, too! This fun book presents a Bible verse for each letter of the alphabet with delightful illustrations that encourage children in their faith and learning! Recommended for ages 6 and under

Five Minute Devotions

(I know this isn't a Bible, but it is worth sharing)

Our boys love this wonderful book. Each devotion focuses on a different animal. From each of these animals your children will learn characteristics and attributes that God desires for us to have. Filled with animal facts and Bible verses, this devotional is great!

WHAT DO YOU USE AT YOUR HOUSE? Let me know!

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity Part 2

Into the second week of PBYC.

This weeks talk was about the Stock Family Syndrome. And that God isn't holding up a perfect picture; He's writing a bigger story.

The chapter starts by asking the question, Is your family the picture you had in mind?

This chapter thens describes that we have tried for so long to set our family up against the picture of the stock family. Picture Perfect. There doesn't seem to be any flaws in the stock family. They seem perfect. And we begin to measure our success, our parenting, our marriage, our everything against this stock family.

The problem is that there is not a family that can measure up against that family. Every family is broken. Every family has problems. And so when we measure up against that, we are then discouraged because we can never be that.

We even try to look to the Bible to try to find that Picture Perfect family, but as you turn pages, and look through books, you will fail to find it. The Bible is riddled with families who are far from perfect and are broken.

"God is not trying to paint a picture of an ideal family....He's writing a story." (page 43)

"It seems like God is more interested in using broken people than He is in creating a better picture...it's as if God is saying, I'm going to use churches and families both composed of broken people, as platforms to demonstrate to the world that I am a God of restoration and redemption." (page 44)

The book challenges us to not focus on our picture, but on the bigger story God desires to illustrate through you.

When we become preoccupied with the Stock family, it is easy to fall into a trap where....

- you feel like you never measure up.

- you lose credibility with other parents who recognize the difference in what you are and what you claim to be.

- you discourage other parents with a standard they can never achieve. (page 46)

The book gives us two different approaches to family.

BETTER PICTURE APPROACH: we try to conform every family to our picture of what family should be.

BIGGER STORY APPROACH: we learn to see every family as a potential platform for God to demonstrate His story of redemption and restoration.

God is more interested in using YOU as a broken person, than YOU trying to be picture perfect. God is more interested in using YOU and all of your pieces to tell His story, than He is with you trying to tell your own story through your perfection.

God has be using families for centuries and throughout history to put His glory on display.

Questions for your to ponder on:

You might not feel like your family is ideal, but what does God feel about the imperfections of your family?

Based on the way God feels about your family, how will that impact the way you view and lead your family?

How might the way you see your family change if you started to have the perspective of God's bigger story, redeeming and restoring your family for His purpose?

Keep the conversation going...what do you think about this?

First Look - March

Hey Parents! I can't even believe that it is already March. I wanted to fill you in on what your children will be learning this month as we go through the month of March.

The Basic Truth: Jesus wants to be my friend forever.

Key Question: Who will help you?

Bottom Line: Jesus will help me

Memory Verse: "He cares for you." 1 Peter 5.7

Preschoolers will be learning through their senses this month! We will be learning how Jesus healed the blind man (sight), Jesus healing the lame man who couldn't walk (touch and ability to walk), and then Jesus healing the deaf man (hearing).

(we won't be meeting on March 13th, due to Spring Break. There will be one family service at 11:05 that day)

Make sure you pick up your Small Talk cards at your child's classroom or at the main welcome desk, or they will be located on www.calvarytuscaloosa.org/ministries/preschool. This tool will help you take the stories, that your child is learning, home. You will also find some great activities to do with your child to help them begin to live out what they are learning. And it just might help you too.

Thank you for partnering with us!