Reading Directionally Discussion

Week 6

Week 6

by Audrey Morris -
Number of replies: 2

This list of "Do nots" blew away my assumptions of how people are reading the Bible. I was familiar with the tendency to dismiss the Old Testament in favor of the New Testament. I had no idea that people could create so many avenues for misinterpreting the Bible. I think I've watched this video multiple times just trying to grasp how people can reach their conclusions about what is included/excluded from their given interpretations of Scripture. 

For Kids, most of them just don't seem to recognize that the Bible is a cohesive story - that the OT & NT are all part of the same Bible and part of God's greater story. They seem to not even realize that they both exist and live in concert. So not to ignore your question, but I think they've created a 5th Do Not which relates to the other videos topic of cherry picking the Bible. This is why I've loved the walk through of the Bible series we've done so much. They hear each story (Creation, The Fall, Abraham, Jesus' Birth, etc.) as individual stories. They aren't so much dismissing it, but there also seems to be a lack of curiosity about the Bible. They are content with their few stories and don't go any further. At least that's been my observation over the past few years of Kids Ministry. 

Personally, I was introduced to that perspective as a young person through an awesome AWANA leader, so this isn't unfamiliar to me & it was presented at a time that shaped how I've read the Bible since. Now, I'm trying to understand how to share that same information along to the Kids Team and to our kiddos. 

In reply to Audrey Morris

Re: Week 6

by Jorden Gemuend -
Audrey!! I am really enjoying reading how you take these topics and directly apply them to kids ministry. The ironic thing is that as I read your explanations of some of the ways that our kids are misinterpreting the Bible, such as how they don't read the Bible as one big story but as disparate, disconnected events, and I can't help but wonder how many adults do the same things. This is probably something our adult teaching pastors should think through as well. Perhaps we could even do an adult series walking through the interconnectivity of the old and new testaments? I absolutely agree with you that our recent walk through the Bible chronologically and emphasis on God's Big Story in our Orange curriculum has been a breath of fresh air and a win for biblical literacy.
In reply to Audrey Morris

Re: Week 6

by Ashley Duval -
Audrey, your point to the fact of how children do not realize the Bible is a cohesive story. I'd agree, especially as so many curriculums pull out specific stories and are isolated, rather than being able to walk through the Bible as a whole. (Your point pricked my heart as a parent and how we are teaching and leading with our own children). I'm thankful for the perspective you consistently bring in regards to children's ministry and these topics.