Exploring the Word of God
Exploring the Word of God is a Milestone Celebration 3rd Graders and their parents.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105
As children read and study God’s Word, they develop a greater awareness of their own relationship with God and how they can grow into their calling as a faithful disciple.
Check out these how-to-use-your-Bible videos. They go along with the Bible Challenge cards children received at their Milestone Celebration.
Table of Contents | Index | Maps |Bible Translations |Books of the Bible| Commentaries
Gifts for Remembrance
The presentation of a Bible is a worship event to remind us of God’s Word as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Each child also receives a clay faith stone to add to their Treasure Box with the symbol for this Milestone: an open Bible with a cross bookmark reminding us of the faith we have in Jesus Christ that comes through the Word of God. Children are presented with the NRSV Student Bible.
Books for the Home
- The DK Illustrated Family Bible edited by Dr. Claude-Bernard Costecalde
- I Can Make a Difference: A Treasury to Inspire Our Children by Marian Wright Edelman & Barry Moser
- Whoever You Are by Mem Fox
- What Is My Song? By Dennis, Sheila, Matthew Linn
- The Shema in the Mezuzah by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
- Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer by Frank X. Jelenek
- (For Parents) Seamless Faith: Simple Practices for Daily Family Life by Traci Smith
Faith Practices for the Home
Caring Conversations
- Make God a part of your daily conversations with your child.
- Praise God for the little things. This helps your child feel the presence of God in the ordinary.
- Talk about people and stories from the Bible as you encounter situations where their faith can serve as an inspiration for your child.
Daily Devotions
- Read God’s Word together every day and talk about the stories or passages you’ve read.
- Use your child’s take-home sheet from Sunday School to follow up on stories that they have learned.
- Make a prayer list and keep it in a special place. List names of family members, friends, teachers (both school and church) and other spiritual leaders.
- Pray together at the start of each day asking for God’s blessings and guidance.
Family Traditions
- Bring your Bible to church! Make sure each family member has a Bible that they can bring to church to use in Sunday School and worship. Help your child find the passages read in worship so they can read along with the pastor or liturgist.
- Share special Bibles with your child—your personal Bible, an old family Bible. Ask your extended family to share special Bibles as well.
Servant Acts
- Visit someone who cannot attend church because of an illness and read Scripture with them.
- Read Bible stories to young children at a local reading program such as the Martha O’Bryan Center or the Preston Taylor Ministries.
- Consider buying a Bible for a friend who does not have one or as a donation for the next mission trip.
Professing our Faith: Catechism Connections
Presbyterians have historically professed their faith through their creeds, confessions and catechisms. Belonging to God: A First Catechism provides simple language for parents and children as they profess their faith.
Question 32. What is the gospel?
Answer: The gospel is the good news about Jesus. It promises us the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life because of him. Forgiveness and eternal life with God are what we mean by salvation.
Scripture background: Romans 1:16; John 3:15; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:23
Question 36. What comfort does the good news give you?
Answer: That I belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ, who died and rose again for my sake, so that nothing will ever separate me from God’s love.
Scripture background: Romans 8:31-32; Romans 8:38-39
Question 37. How do we know this good news?
Answer: Through reading the Bible and hearing it taught and preached. The Holy Spirit inspired those who wrote the Bible and helps us rely on its promises today.
Scripture background: 2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 6:17; John 14:26; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Faith Development for 6-9 Years Old
Children develop personal friendships at this age. They sense the needs of others and balance self-interest with fairness and sharing. This is also a time when children develop personal competencies and a general sense that they can accomplish tasks by themselves. They seek new information and begin to reason how things relate to one another in cause and effect sequences. Some still have difficulty with cause and effect thinking. Expanded cognitive skills help them follow and remember longer stories. Physical skills improve considerable, and a greater sense of independence and ability is a hallmark of this time of life. From Vibrant Faith Milestones Ministry
