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Cross-Referencing: Building the Bridge

March 11, 2014 by Shelly Harris

 

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How do you take a passage of Scripture built on metaphors and abstract concepts and teach it to kids—kids who are very, very, very concrete thinkers? Explore the Bible: Kids is tackling this very question by cross-referencing with narrative stories. I like to think of it as building a bridge. On one side is an abstract, deep theological truth. On the other side are concrete thinkers. The narratives of Scripture form the bridge between the two.

Kids are smart. Often they are smarter than we give them credit for, especially when it comes to biblical truths. Kids are capable of understanding God’s Word, but sometimes we have to build the bridge for them to see how things connect (plus the Holy Spirit is at work in their hearts and minds).

So how do we build bridges in Explore the Bible: Kids? Think about the Book of Hebrews. The Book of Hebrews is a great theological gem. It has so much truth for believers and nonbelievers. So how do we help the truths of Hebrews come alive and connect with a concrete thinker? We use the power of narrative to build a bridge.

Narrative stories have a way of lingering and coming alive in the mind of a kid. They can see Noah building the boat, which in turns helps them understand the great faith Noah had in God (Hebrews 11).

Kids can imagine what it was like to be a disciple on a boat in a storm-tossed Sea of Galilee, surrounded by waves up to seven feet high. As they see the power of Jesus over nature, they understand what the author of Hebrews is saying about Jesus being the all-powerful Son of God (Hebrews 1). The narrative demonstrates the truth the author of Hebrews is relating.

Narrative helps kids see the truths of Scripture in action. Abstract concepts suddenly become concrete truths. The bridge has been built. Join us as we dig deep in Scripture, so the Word of God can dwell deeply in kids!

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