{Michael and me at the Fox Theatre!}

A few weeks ago, I got a direct-message on Twitter from my friend, Michael from World Vision. He’s the guy that led us on our blogging trip to the Dominican Republic. He normally leads big-time artists on trips and he’s super well-connected in the Christian Music industry. So, when his direct-message asked if I wanted to go to the Dove Awards with him I was pumped! (OK, giddy might be a better word!) My best friend Staci and I have crashed the Dove Awards twice and we’ve always been Christian Music fans.

So, Staci and I got dolled up, drove to downtown Atlanta and met Michael. He led us to our seats on Row F (!!!) and we settled in as he explained why he was such a VIP at the Doves. World Vision and Zondervan partnered to produce this fabulous CD and tour called, The Story. Have you heard it? It’s all written by Nichole Nordeman (my fave!) and each song tells a different story from the Bible.

{the story of Joshua performed by Blanca and Michael Tait}

Michael produced three songs from the tour at the Dove Awards. People like Michael Tait, Todd Smith from Selah and Natalie Grant sang songs that told the story of Joshua, Jesus and Mary Magdelene. It was so incredibly powerful I have tears in my eyes just writing this! When the three songs (and accompanying video segments) were done I turned to Michael and said, “I forgot where I was.” I was not in the Fox Theatre watching the Dove Awards, I was in the middle of the Bible. It was chill-worthy.

Which is pretty amazing as Staci and I were pretty star-struck the whole night, especially since we were sitting right in the middle of the artists and industry-type folks. We felt kinda famous.

Fast-forward a few days and I’m off to the Orange Conference. One of the vendors was Zondervan and The Story. This time it wasn’t the CDs or the tour, but the accompanying curriculum for churches. I was so excited I talked the poor PR guys’ ears off at the table about the tour. They in turn, let me take home The Story curriculum and books to preview and share with you!

It’s really a fabulous idea. Preschool, elementary, teens and adults all have their own age-appropriate chronological Bible story-books. The books follow the same stories and then the churches teach on those lessons. It’s a fabulous idea to keep families on the same page at church and talking about it during the week.

I’ve just been reading the Children’s version to Lydia each night before bed. And honestly, before we started I thought, “She’s gonna get bored with this.” The stories are only about 2-3 pages long and the stories are straight-forward (not story-ish like The Jesus Storybook Bible) but I was wrong. She loves it! She can’t wait to read it every night.

Plus, we’ve had some very interesting conversations about the Bible because of it. For example, have you ever talked to your kids about the Ark of the Covenant? Trying to explain how it’s not an idol but still a place for God’s Spirit? Really weird. But still. Good conversation about how the Holy Spirit isn’t far away from us–but really in our lives and working in our hearts every day.

I haven’t read the other versions of the book or looked through the curriculum yet. But I am thinking about doing something fun with it this summer (they even have trading cards!). So, I’ll let you know what I think of it. If you’re looking for a Bible storybook for your elementary kiddos, I really do like this one. And yes, the CD. You must get the CD!!

OK. And one more Dove Awards picture for you. This is Staci and me as we freak out that we’re in Row F. I think the magical blue glow is from our phones! Giddy, right?

Have you read or heard The Story? What do you think of it?

***Impress Your Kids has some new digs at ohAmanda.com! Come visit us there for all the Impress Your Kids archives and all our new posts–including our Easter newsblast with fabulous tips for celebrating a meaningful Easter with your kids!***

I love reading to my kids. Buying books for them is my one vice. I so want them to love to read and to turn to books for entertainment before anything else! As trite as it sounds the book I want them to love the most is the Bible. As a child the Bible can be a daunting and overwhelming book. I want to introduce the Bible to them early so they will always love it!

Here’s a few of my Bible-reading-and-loving tips for kids:

1. Start them early

The church I interned at in college did a lesson in the BABY class at church. It consisted of songs like The B-I-B-L-E while passing a Bible around to let the kids slobber on it. They encouraged the kids to hug the Bible. It sounds weird but it was showing the kids that the Bible is a special book worthy of our love!

{See more about this here: Teach Your Children To Love The Bible and Baby Bedtime Routine}

2. Use Storybooks

I usually dislike Bible storybooks. They never tell the whole story, they have terrible illustrations and gloss over important themes. But when your kids are super little, you just can’t read them the full account of Joseph from Genesis! It’s confusing and honestly, a little boring! You need storybooks! You just need to make sure they are books that teach the Bible and not just tell a story. Here are some of my favorites:

The Jesus Storybook Bible is by far THE best storybook for kids. If you don’t own this book, you really need to buy it.  I have written about it many many times (and even interviewed the author, Sally Lloyd Jones!) because it has really helped me grow in my understanding of the Lord! It’s full of great illustrations and even better–stories that lift up Jesus’ name and glory.

The Beginning Reader’s Bible is actually text taken from the International Children’s Bible. It’s just a few verses spliced together (so to speak) to tell the whole story but in a shortened version. My kids love this book and it’s got some really fantastic full color pictures, too.

I’m also really interested in The Story for Little Ones and The Story for Children. Anyone read them yet? Finally got ‘em! Here’s my review (and story) of The Story for Children!

3. Get them a Real Bible

My daughter is in kindergarten and her Christmas present this year is going to be a “real” Bible. The full blown version with her name printed on it! We have a few other Bibles around the house she considers her own  (The Adventure Bibleand a Backpack Bible) and she loves to hold them, pretend to read them and have me read from them. I want her to know the real words and see the sheer volume of God’s Words to us.

When buying a “real” Bible, consider two things:

First, decide on the version. Translations of the Bible are (sadly) highly-controversial. But my main goal is to get my kids to know, love, memorize and understand the Bible. So, I like the NIRV because it’s on a 3rd grade reading level, as opposed to the NIV which is a 7th grade reading level or the NASB which is on an 11th grade reading level! (See more reading levels.)

Second, consider the layout. Kids Bibles love to add all sorts of fun and exciting charts, pictures and sidebars. But as beginning readers, especially, books need to be laid out simply. Don’t buy a Bible with columns (which MOST Bibles are!) which can be confusing to read. Instead find one that fills the whole page, just like a real book.

Once you get a Bible, whether it be a huggable one, a storybook or one with all 66 books, the most important thing to do is read it! Keep them within reach–by the bed, next to the couch or on the kitchen table. Make it easy (and normal) to reach for the Bible and read!

 

 

***Impress Your Kids has some new digs at ohAmanda.com! Come visit us there for all the Impress Your Kids archives and all our new posts–including our Easter newsblast with fabulous tips for celebrating a meaningful Easter with your kids!***

What’s that saying about being a leader? Something about looking behind you and making sure someone is actually following you? I think about that a lot with my kids. Am I someone they can follow?

The only way I’ll be the type of person worthy of following is like Paul, I follow Jesus:

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

My kids are only going to go as far with Christ as I’ve gone. They aren’t going to know to pray, if I don’t pray. They aren’t going to know God’s Word if I don’t know it. So, I have to stay connected to God through His Word.

I find that when I’m out of practice in reading God’s Word, my parenting skills go downhill. But when I stay buried in His Word, I am more in tune with Him and His Spirit. You’ll also find your children wanting to copy you in this discipline!

For me, I always want to read the Bible. It interests me. It’s just that I never know WHAT to read!

So, today I’m going to share some devotionals, some helpful site and other ideas to get you into God’s Word! I am by no means a holy, Bible expert. I’m just a busy mom like you. And these are some of the things that have helped me–resources that are quick, easy and have encouraged me in my walk with the Lord.

1. Treasured: Knowing God by the Things He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy.

I actually got this book as a review for my personal blog a long time ago. And I was so pleasantly surprised when I started reading it. It’s like a love letter from God every time I read it. It’s easy chapters, lots of scripture and some beautiful personal examples. I keep this one with my morning-Bible-study stuff and read it whenever I’m in between books.

2. Savoring Living Water

This is a new ebook by my friends Katie Orr and Lara Williams wrote. I’ve been going through it this week and really like it. It basically teaches you how to have a productive quiet time.

It’s easy to spend time with God and the Bible and then walk away and forget about it the rest of the day. This book leads you into doing exactly what the title says, savoring God’s Living Water!

3.Take Flight!

Robin Jones Gunn is one of my heroes. And this book is such a simple heart-fill-up. It starts off with a story by Robin, then a mini-devotional from Cindy Hannan. And again, this book lives up to it’s name. There are so many times I’ve sat down to read it and my heart has taken flight!

4. Maximize Your Mornings at Inspired To Action

I started getting up before my family every morning almost 2 years ago. I read my Bible, take a shower and sometimes just check twitter and facebook. But the point is I’m up before my kids. And that is really what has enabled me to spend time with God on a regular basis.

Check out the whole Maximize Your Morning ebook and you will be inspired to action!

5. Maximize Your Mornings: The Challenge

To really get you going, you can be a part of of the seasonal Maximize Your Mornings Challenges. You can hook up with a twitter, facebook or email accountability group. It has really been the kick-in-the-pants I need to continue to get up everyday.

6. The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian

I mentioned Stormie’s The Power of a Praying Wife on Day 1 of this series. And I’m telling you, if you got up every morning and read one chapter from each of these books, you would feel empowered! It’s such a great focus as  a wife and mom. Plus they are FULL of scripture. It will encourage you to crack open the Bible and see what other promises God has for you!

7. The Bible in 90 Days

*gulp* I started this in July and did not stick with it. But I am so excited about the next challenge coming up. It is the coolest thing to read about 12 pages a day in order! You read things you’ve never read before, you understand it a little more because you’re reading it in order. I highly recommend it. And hope you are not discouraged by my failure!

8. Sermons

Whenever I’m not sure what to read or study, I like to go back to the sermon my pastor preached the Sunday before. I’ll look up each of the scriptures he used and the passages around them. Then journal about the application given. It’s like meditating on the sermon for the whole week!

9. Topical Non-Devotional Books
I read The Hole in Our Gospelby Richard Stearns last year and it changed something inside of me. Stearns is the President of World Vision and the book tells his story from big-wig CEO of fancy-shmancy companies to sitting in a hut in Rwanda with two orphans. And the heart change that came after.

You can’t take these kind of books as equal to the Bible. But they will encourage you, show you new aspects of scripture and the Christian life you haven’t considered before. You can use these books as sounding boards to your own study!

10. What’s your favorite way to study the Bible?

 

 

linked to Top Ten {Tuesday} at ohAmanda

photo source: Sharon D Pruitt

***Impress Your Kids has some new digs at ohAmanda.com! Come visit us there for all the Impress Your Kids archives and all our new posts–including our Easter newsblast with fabulous tips for celebrating a meaningful Easter with your kids!***