How to Use My BibleLesson 2: Exploring God’s Word

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Disciple TargeTsIn this lesson, your children will...

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Lesson 2—Exploring God’s Word

Unit SummaryFor children, the Bible can be a very intimidating book—simply due to its size. This unit will erase kids’ impressions of the Bible as a giant, overwhelming volume that will take years to wade through. Instead, they will view the Scriptures as a collection of smaller books written personally for them. You will introduce children to exciting tools that will help them delve more deeply into the Bible. Watch their confidence grow as kids gain a broader understand-ing of how the Bible is organized and how to navigate its pages! Students will be motivated to practice applying biblical principles to their daily lives. The Bible is not just a book to be studied—but God’s Book that can change their world!

Lesson SummaryThis lesson will help children feel comfortable navigating through their Bibles. They will gain a basic understanding of how the Bible is organized, how to find verses, and how to use some reference tools commonly found in Bibles. You will encourage your kids to make the Bible a trusted tool that they can use—making a real difference in their lives today and in the years ahead. Help them start now to master this amazing Book written by God!

Paul’s Power Principle: Reading the Bible can change your life!

Lesson OutlineSpark Interest

Welcome! (p. 2)Let’s Worship! (p. 3)Puppet Intro (p. 3)Let’s Play! (p. 3)Connect with Your Kids (p. 4)DiscipleTown Visitor (p. 4)

Explore ScriptureLet’s Search!—Bible Dash (p. 5)Paul’s Power Principle (p. 5)Let’s Learn! (p. 5)Dee’s Disciple Tip (p. 6)KeyVerse (p. 7)

Inspire ActionDramatize the Point (p. 8)Object Talks (p. 8)Let’s Talk! (Small Groups) (p. 9)Super Citizen (p. 9)Let’s Pray! (p. 9)

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How to Use My Bible

KnowThe books of the Bible are organized, making it easy to get around

FeelConfident in finding Bible books and locating references

DoLook up Bible verses without using the table of contents

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sUpplies

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SPARK INTERESTChoose from the following activities and ideas to engage kids and grab their attention.

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Welcome!—Bible ConfiscationAs kids arrive for children’s church today, take away their Bibles! Do not give any explanation, just confiscate their Bibles, using sticky notes to put their names on the covers. Let the children wonder why and talk among themselves about it. If they ask you “why,” simply answer, “Just following orders.” Stack the Bibles on a table up front. After all the children are seated, their curiosity will be piqued when they see the Bible stacks. Ask what would happen if their Bibles were taken away—for good? What if it became illegal to have a Bible? How much of the Bible would they remember, know, or understand? What if what they know NOW is all they would ever have? Carefully explain that some Christians around the world are not allowed to have Bibles. They secretly hide and share portions of the Word of God with each other. Emphasize how blessed we are to have so many Bibles—many of us have multiple copies! We ought to cherish our Bibles and study them—realizing that every day we have a Bible is a day we are blessed to have God’s very Word.

Let’s Meet-n-Greet!Invite the children to greet kids around them. Tell them to ask each other how many Bibles they would lose if Bibles were banned. (How many Bibles do they own?) Have them keep a running total of how many Bibles the kids around them have. Later you will see who got the highest number. Leaders, meanwhile, should take the previously collected Bibles and call out kids’ names and return them. When the child grasps his or her Bible, maintain your grip a moment longer, look him or her in the eye and say, “Cherish this, okay?” Your personal contact while holding the Bible together will make an impact! Afterward, acknowledge visitors and birthdays if you’d like. (See the How to Use DiscipleTown guide for quick and easy ways to acknowledge visitors and birthdays.)

PowerPoint PresentationAs you plan your lesson, select PowerPoint slides that correspond to the lesson elements you choose. In the “Slide Sorter” View, you can rear-range and/or delete the slides as necessary. For descriptions of the included slides and tips on their use, see the notes accompanying each slide.

General Supplies Bibles, puppets, video projection (optional) Pencils, pens, paper

Spark Interest WELCOME!: none LET’S PLAY!: none CONNECT WITH YOUR KIDS: personal Bible

Explore Scripture LET’S LEARN: 2” x 4” board, power saw, saw-

horses, safety goggles KEYVERSE: none

Inspire Action DRAMATIZE THE POINT: secret agent costume

Bonus Items SNACK: licorice GROUP ACTIVITY: multicolored ribbons

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gLet’s Worship!Again, as you plan the worship time, look for songs that talk about the Bible or quote the Bible. Between songs, make brief references to the source of the song. This will help keep the kids focused on the theme as you worship. Uses phrases such as, “As we study How to Use My Bible this month. …”

Recommended Song: The B-I-B-L-E

Puppet IntroLeader & puppet introduce today’s lesson. You will find a scripted version of this intro at the end of the lesson. Supplies: puppet

Puppet comes out wearing a headband, shorts, and a tank top and carrying some weights. He is obviously exhausted and panting from exercising. (Make a prop of styrofoam weights.) When asked why he is huffing and puffing, puppet answers that he got the People Manual called the Bible, and it is a huge book—he can hardly pick it up. So he’s been working out to get strong enough to carry it to church! When asked what type of Bible he got, puppet answers the Authorized Extended Super Duper Inductive Interlinear Expositor’s Commentary Study Bible in Bonded Leather Red Letter Lite Version—except it’s not very light. Leader laughs and says, “You could have bought a smaller one, you know.” Puppet says, “Yeah, but if it’s such an important book, I wanted the best, and the Bible Bookstore sales dude said this was the one a scholarly gentleman like myself would want. How could I say ‘No’?” Leader smiles and says, “Well, you are scholarly.” Puppet then despairs, “Let’s be serious. I can’t master that book! It’s just too big! It’s hopeless! I’ll never understand it. Even if I did buy a smaller one, it still has the same number of words—zillions!” Leader softens his voice and says, “I have good news. The Bible can be an intimidating book. It is a big book, no matter what size you buy. But today we are going to break it down into manageable chunks and help you understand it better and explain how to find your way around. It’s really not that hard. Okay?” Puppet feels better and says, “Okay, if you say so, I’m all ears. But what does inductive mean?”

Let’s Play!—66 Seconds or LessSupplies: stopwatch or watch with second hand

You’ve heard of “60 Minutes,” well this game takes less than 66 seconds! Two teams can compete, or the entire group can just try to beat their best score. (This is a great game for those extra minutes at the end of a program!) In this simple game, the children are attempting to recite all the Bible books as quickly as possible as a group, with each child saying only one book at a time. The first child says “Genesis” and the next “Exodus” and so on until “Revela-tion” is reached. Use the stopwatch to time how long it takes each team, or the entire group, and write the time on the board. If a child does not know the next book, he or she needs only to tap the knee of the next child to “pass.” There is no penalty other than the time it takes for them to pass. Reward the winning team or the entire group whenever they break the record. Children really enjoy this, and it reinforces in their memory the order of the Bible books!

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gConnect with Your KidsThis object lesson primes the kids to think about value. Supplies: your personal Bible

Show your current Bible. Talk about it. How long have you had it? When did you get it? Where did you buy it? Have you marked it up or written notes in it? Show some examples. Where do you keep it? What helpful tools does it have? (Show them, but say, “We’ll talk more about those next week.”) When do you read it? How has it impacted your life? Be genuine; be specific; be real.

DiscipleTown VisitorFind a script version of this segment at the end of this lesson.

Professor Bibliosmartz*: Just as the leader finishes talking about his Bible and how much he loves God’s Word, Professor Bibliosmartz walks down the street, sees the leader, and calls out, “Why hello there, [leader’s name], I see you have a [very precise name of leader’s Bible]!” Leader is surprised, opens cover and looks at the title page. Somewhat startled, leader says, “Why, yes, I suppose it is. I never even knew that.” Professor laughs and says, “Well, they don’t call me Professor Bibliosmartz for nothing. Now where was I?” Leader says, “Uh, well, you weren’t anywhere—you just told me what kind of Bible I have.” Professor laughs, “Ah yes. I did, didn’t I?” Leader asks, “Well, maybe you can take a few minutes and help me explain to the children about the Bible—how it is structured, organized, etc.” Professor looks distant and lost in thought and then lights up, “Ah, yes, yes! Of course! I’d love to. And where are these children?” The leader just looks at the kids and raises his eyebrows and points. The professor laughs, “Oh, those children. They look like little scholars to me!” Leader smiles, “Well, they are quite smart.” Professor interrupts, “And they have a fine teacher!” Leader is embarrassed. “Why thank you—but can you give them a quick overview of the Bible?” Professor continues, “Well, I’d love to, but I only had two minutes and twenty-three seconds, and I used most of that chitter-chatting away with you. Now I only have forty-seven seconds left to impart my vast knowledge upon these young fertile brains…” Leader, speaking very fast says, “Then by all means, start imparting!” Professor turns to the children, speaking slowly, “Greetings…young brain owners.” Leader interrupts, “Speak faster!” Professor gives leader a painfully long look, takes a deep breath, and then turns back to kids and says the following very fast: “The Bible is made up of sixty-six smaller books ranging from very short to very long that are divided into two major sections known as the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains 39 books of History, Poetry, and Prophecy covering everything from creation to the formation of Israel as a nation almost up to the Roman Empire and finally what is referred to as the “400 silent years.” The New Testament contains 27 books of History, Letters, and Prophecy covering the life of Jesus, Church history, and the writings of the Apostles in letters to churches, to indi-viduals, and John’s Revelation about the end times. The Bible was penned by men who wrote under the direction of God, so we consider God to be the ultimate Author, or as Scripture calls it, God-breathed—useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness…. Did I miss anything?” Leader, looking dazed says, “Um, that’ll do it, I think! Forty-seven seconds on the dot! Thanks!”

*CHARACTERS: These are suggested characters and names. Please feel free to change or adjust to suit your kids’ needs and tastes.

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Let’s Search!—Bible DashSupplies: Bibles

Kids with Bibles all participate, or invite volunteers to come to the front. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about what we should do with it. As children hold Bibles closed with hands on covers, leader states the reference twice. Then on the command, “SEARCH!” the students race to locate the verse. Once they have a finger on the verse, they can stand and call out, “FOUND IT!” Have the child read the verse aloud while you project the verse on a screen via PowerPoint. See suggestions for comments on each verse below. Keep comments brief and to the point of the lesson.

2 Timothy 3:16 The Bible is useful for training and teaching.2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to be someone who handles God’s Word correctly.Acts 18:11 The Bible is worth taking time to study.Isaiah 40:8 God’s Word will be around forever!Psalm 119:105 God’s Word shows us how to live.

Paul’s Power Principle: Reading the Bible can change your life! The one thing you want kids to learn today is that reading the Bible can change their lives. It is not just the “good book,” or even a great book—it is God’s Book!

On the surface, children might be bored learning to navigate a giant book. Combat that tendency by being excited about why this book is worth learning, understanding, and reading. Be enthusiastic and passionate every time you mention how this book can change their lives, as it has yours!

Let’s Learn!—Handle the Bible with Care 2 Timothy 2:15Supplies: full-length 2” x 4” board, a power saw, two sawhorses, and safety goggles. Optional: construction hat and other handyman gear—just for effect. (If you are uncomfortable with a power saw, or if you have other safety concerns, use a long dowel rod and hacksaw instead. However, for maximum effect and memory impact, a 2x4 would be best! You can also invite a handyman from the church to do the sawing as you teach.)

Before class time, use a wide black marker to copy the following Greek text on the center of one 2-inch side of the 2x4: τα βιβλια τα άγια. Be sure to keep these words out of the kids’ sight until instructed below.

(“Why use Greek words with kids?” —Children are never too young to advance in their knowledge—especially if you set it up right. Let them know that you are going to teach them something that normally isn’t taught until Bible school—something their parents may not even know! They will be on the edge of their seats. You may instill a curiosity into a child that will one day result in a genuine Bible scholar!)

Show the 2x4 to the children. Use the wide marker and write the word BIBLE on the opposite 2-inch side of the board (not the side where you wrote the Greek words). Compare the giant board to how the Bible is a giant book. If you have a construction helmet, put it on and talk about how to cut this board down to manageable size—just as we need to divide the Bible into smaller pieces.

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EXPLORE SCRIPTURESeize on the children’s interest and direct them into God’s Word.

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gAsk the kids if they know where we got the word “Bible.” After fielding some suggestions from the audience, rotate the board and show the Greek words and help them pronounce them.

Explain that the Bible is actually a collection of sixty-six different books. “Bible” comes from the Greek phrase, ta biblia ta hagia (τα βιβλια τα άγια) “the holy books.” These sixty-six books are organized into two major parts or testaments—the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Use your Bible to show the children how to find where the New Testament begins, mark it with your finger, and then look at the edge of your Bible and get an idea of how much of the Bible is OT and how much is NT. Now use the saw to cut the 2x4 into approximately the same pro-portions (1/3 and 2/3 will be about right). Be careful not to cut up your words “Bible” and “τα βιβλια τα άγια.”

Testament Divisions: Next, explain to the children that the Bible is very well organized. One common way to divide the Bible books is using the Library Model. Divide the Old and New Testament books into six groups. The Old Testament divisions are: History (17 books—Genesis through Esther), Poetry (5 books—Job through Song of Songs), and Prophecy (17 books —Isaiah through Malachi). The New Testament divisions are: History (5 books—Matthew through Acts), Letters of Conduct (21 books—Romans through Jude), and Prophecy (1 book—Revela-tion). As you explain each section, label and cut your board. After you cut each section, choose a child to come up and hold the piece you have cut. In this way, you can display the entire Bible and show the divisions at the same time.

After you have cut all the pieces, have your helpers return to their seats and give their “piece of the Bible” to another child sitting in a different row or in a different grade, etc. (This avoids the tendency to give to a friend—spreading participation around the room.) Have these new children come to the front and reassemble the Bible. Do this several times and repeat at the end of the service if time allows.

Dee’s Disciple Tip: To learn more about the Bible, use the letters of the word L-E-A-R-N. (Talk about each as you reveal them.)

L = Listen (to your teachers)E = Explore (when you are curious)A = Ask Questions (the only bad question is an unasked question)R = Read (books unlock knowledge!)N = Notes (writing makes it stick)

History (17) Poetry (5) Prophecy (17) History (5) Letters (21) Prophecy (1)

Old Testament New Testament

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gKeyVerseTopic: Delight in God’s WordReference: Psalm 1:1-2

Make three signs that say WALK, STAND, and SIT. Devise a way to handle them on stage so you can move them. (Perhaps attach a clothespin to the back of each sign and clip them to a string across the stage.) After reviewing the verse as a group, put the signs up in this order: STAND, WALK, SIT. Have the children keep their Bibles closed, and ask if that is the correct order from the KeyVerse for this month. You may want to quote the verse, but use those words in the wrong order. As the kids yell “No,” thank them and rearrange the signs, again incor-rectly to: SIT, STAND, WALK. As they continue to yell instructions at you, keep moving them around, pretending to sincerely follow their instructions, but keep getting it wrong. It will drive them nuts. Have some fun with it. Finally, quiet them down and ask one child to come up and correct them. Thank that child and then turn and look at the signs: WALK – STAND – SIT. Ask the children if they notice anything significant about those three words and their order. It is unlikely that they will. Point out the downward progression from walking, to standing, to sitting. At first, the person just “walks” in the counsel of the wicked. He simply walks along, listening to bad advice. Next, the person “stands” around, hangs out, stops in the path with sinners. He is no longer just walking along listening, but now he has stopped. Finally, the person “sits” with mockers. She has not only stopped, but sits down and mocks (makes fun of those who do right). So this person is now fully participating with the sinners, making fun of others. See, kids, sin starts with who you listen to, then if you stop and hang out, finally you’ll be doing what they do. That is why it is important to listen to the Word of God. Review the verse again.

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Dramatize the PointAct this out or read as a story. Supplies: visual projection

Dress up as “Secret Agent B” who explains the “Bible Code.” Wear a trench coat, shades, a fedora hat, and even a badge with the letter “B” on it (for “Bible”). Explain the abbreviations and reference system to the children. Before Agent B enters, have the lights go out and play secret agent music. Use special lighting effects, if they are available. Enter through a side entrance and sneak around the room, walking backwards. Finally end up on the stage and greet the children.

Hello, fellow agents. I am Secret Agent B —B for Bible. My mission is to help kids understand how to find Bible verses. As you know, the Bible has sixty-six books. The first step is getting to know those books and which testament they are in. (He can quiz the kids on the names of the testa-ments.) For now, you can use the Book List Decoder in the front to find the book, AKA the Table of Contents. But it is mission critical that you begin to learn the names of the books and where they are in your Bible. Once you have found the book, you are almost there. Now look at the first number following the name of the book. That number is the chapter you need to turn to in that book. After the chapter number there is a colon followed by the verse or verses in that chapter that you are to read. Turn your attention to the display screen. Project this sample on your screen. A PowerPoint slide has been provided in your PowerPoint template.

BOOK CHAPTER : VERSE

SAMPLE:John 3:16

Book of John, third chapter, sixteenth verse

You may have noticed I walked backwards when I came in here. There was a reason. Just as a mailman reads an address on an envelope backwards, reading the zip code first, then the state, then the city, then the street, then the number, and finally the name, I want you to think of a Bible reference as being backwards, too. Think of John 3:16 as: the sixteenth verse in the third chapter of the Gospel of John. That is what the code reference “John 3:16” means. So, do you think you understand? Let me add one more code. Once in a while, a reference will have an “a” or “b” after it. This can throw you off, because you won’t see this in your Bible. When you see a little “a” in a Bible reference, it means “the first part of the verse,” and if you see a “b” it usually means “the second half of the verse.” Let me give you an example, and let’s see if you can find it. Ready? Let kids get their Bibles out. Okay, the secret coded reference is…2 Timothy 4:6b. Ask a child who finds the verse read it aloud: “…and the time has come for my departure.”

Answer, And so it has. Music starts again, and you exit.

Object Talks—The Sandwich and the GlassSupplies: video projection

The video clip for this lesson features Karl, the Kidologist, doing a short object lesson on the Bible. A conversation between a sandwich and a glass illustrates how the Bible is like a sandwich. Use this short teaching video to show the kids or to train a leader to do the talk “live.” Featured verse: Matthew 4:4

INSPIRE ACTIONEncourage kids to apply the Bible truth to their lives.

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gLet’s Talk!—Small Group DiscussionIf you break into small groups, the following discussion questions will help your group leaders get personal with their students.

1) Do you have a Bible?2) How often do you read it? Share honestly.3) What would make reading the Bible easier for you?

Let’s explore our Bibles. Look through the Bibles in your group. What versions are repre-sented? What reference tools are included in each? Have the students done any underlining or doodling? If so, ask about it. Take some time to practice looking up Bible verses. They can even try making up references and then see if they exist!

DiscipleTown Super CitizenChoose a child who was seen using his or her Bible to look up verses during the lesson. After he or she comes up to get the Super Citizen certificate, briefly talk about how Bibles are not just something we bring to church out of duty, or habit, or to be rewarded—but to use.

Let’s Pray!Prayer: Have the children place their Bibles in their laps and hold their hands on top of their Bibles for the closing prayer this morning. Have them repeat the following after you. Be sure to pause at the breaks (marked by *) to allow them to repeat.

Dear God, * Thank You for my Bible * and the opportunity to be here today. * The Bible is a big book, * but I’ve learned * that it is made up * of many small parts * that I can handle. * Help me make the time * to read my Bible. * Help me understand * what I read * so it can change my life. * I love You, God * and I want to live for You. * I know that * Your Word * is a big part of how You’ll teach me * how to live for You. * Help me obey You * every day * in every way * even when it’s hard. * Thank You again for my Bible. * What an awesome gift You have given to me. * In Jesus’ Name, * amen. *

Cy’s Challenge: Practice finding books of the Bible every day this week without using the Table of Contents! Make a list of the books, cut them out, draw one, and then race to find it—all on your own. You can even time yourself!

Option: Provide a “Books of the Bible” bookmark for the children. Suggest that they choose one book at random—closing their eyes, putting a finger down, and trying to find that book. If your group is small, consider giving each child an envelope with sixty-six slips of paper with the name of each Bible book on one.

Let’s Review!If you have extra time, use these review questions to keep the kids focused on the lesson until time to dismiss. A handful of candy will help you keep their attention. After each question, take a minute to reiterate the lesson point related to the question.

1) Why were your Bibles taken away today?2) What was the professor’s last name?3) How many books are in the OT? NT?4) True or False: The Bible has four Testaments.5) How many of Dee’s L-E-A-R-N tips can you name?

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gFor the HomeDiscipleTown Table Talker: Give each child a copy of this week’s DiscipleTown Table Talker. Be sure to show them how to put it together and encourage the kids to ask their parents to lead family devotions three times this week.

Parent E-mail: Copy and send the e-mail below to help your parents connect with their kids during the week. Send them early in the week, but not on Sunday. As a courtesy, be sure parents have opted to receive these e-mails. Review and edit as necessary to reflect the lesson elements you have used. You can also find this e-mail as a Microsoft Word document in your download bundle.

Dear Mom and Dad,

This past week in DiscipleTown, your child continued the series on How to Use My Bible. We even learned a little Greek! That is, we learned that the word “Bible” comes from a Greek phrase: ta biblia ta hagia which means “the holy books”—since the Bible is actually made up of sixty-six smaller books. (Just a heads-up, in case your child tries to stump ya!) We also learned about the overall structure of the Bible, the two major testaments, old and new, and how to look up verses using the references. If this was new to your child, help reinforce this at home during the week. If it is new to you, “John 3:16” simply identifies the book name, followed by the chapter number, and then the verse number.

Be sure to take time after a family meal to enjoy the DiscipleTown Table Talker. There is NO PREP TIME, and it will provide a wonderful family time together playing, talking, thinking, and drawing close as you interact with God’s Word, the Bible. Don’t underestimate the impact these few minutes together around the dinner table and God’s Word can have on your family!

Thank you for the opportunity each week to minister to your children! It is a joy and a privilege that we don’t take for granted. Next week we will teach your child about some Cool Bible Tools that can be used to learn more about the Bible. If you have a Bible dictionary, atlas, or concordance, consider dusting them off and letting your child take a look at them. Their curiosity about these resources could spark a deeper interest in the Word of God. In the long run, a closer walk with God equals a life better lived with less heartache for parents. The time you invest now in your child’s spiritual develop-ment will pay dividends for decades to come!

Making Disciples for Jesus,

[Your Name]

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Chip’s Snack Time!Supplies: licorice

Give the children licorice sticks and have them repeat the exercise you did with the 2x4 board. Divide the licorice first into two testaments and then into the three sections each, naming them as they eat. Kids can have fun quizzing each other as they enjoy the yummy treat.

Group ActivityHave kids cut five to seven multicolored ribbons a few inches longer than their Bibles. Glue the ribbons to a slip of cardstock that fits into the Bible binding. This enables children to have more ribbons for marking verses. You may want to color-code ribbons for the Wordless Book so kids can mark key verses for sharing the Gospel: Black = Romans 3:23; Red = Romans 5:8-9; White = Isaiah 1:18; Green = 2 Peter 3:18; Gold = Revelation 21:21

Additional IdeasBible Sticky-Note Promises Distribute six sticky notes to each child. Have the children label both sides (opposite the sticky end) with the words: O.T. History, Poetry, O.T. Prophecy, N.T History, Letters, N.T. Prophecy. After reviewing these divisions with your students, have them discuss and determine where to place the sticky notes in their Bibles. Encourage the kids to determine these answers on their own. Bible Book Hints These Bible book hints will help your kids when they get stumped reciting the books of the Bible. Rather than simply providing the answer, these hints require students to think and come up with answers themselves. This means that they are learning, not just repeating what you say. The first time you use each hint, you may need to explain why or how the motion represents the book. In the future, children will usually remember what book you are hinting at. Have the kids try to come up with their own. Save yours for back-up if they can’t think of one.

OLD TESTAMENT Start by saying: “On your mark, get set (they say) GENESIS!”EXODUS: wave “goodbye” as though you are exiting LEVITICUS: hold arms straight out to sides like you are levitating NUMBERS: count on your fingers DEUTERONOMY: act like you are singing a duet—holding both hands as if they are micro-phonesJOSHUA: put up your fists and mimic a boxer, because Joshua fought for the Lord JUDGES: straighten your body and pound with an imaginary gavel as if you are a judge RUTH: comb you hair, as Ruth was a beautiful woman 1 & 2 SAMUEL: hold up one finger and then two fingers and then tilt head, close eyes, and snore loudly—because God woke Samuel from sleep 1 & 2 KINGS: Hold up one finger and then two fingers and then form a crown over your head with your fingers 1 & 2 CHRONICLES: Hold up one finger and then two fingers and then point to your watch, (“Chron” means “time”)

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BONUS MATERIALSUse these options to extend your time or as substitutes for the ideas above.

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gEZRA: jog in place as Ezra returned to Jerusalem NEHEMIAH: point to your knee (“knee-high-my-a”) ESTHER: pretend to tip-toe as Esther cautiously approached the king to address him about Haman’s evil plot to kill all the JewsJOB: pretend to dig with a shovel as if working at a “job” PSALMS: look up to heaven and open mouth as if praising GodPROVERBS: point to your temple to symbolize wisdom/knowledge ECCLESIASTES: point to watch or wall clock, then gesture all around as Ecclesiastes assures that there is a “time for everything” SONG of SONGS: draw a heart in the air with both index fingers, as this book is about love ISAIAH: point to one eye and then move fingers like a mouth (“I-say-ah”)JEREMIAH: draw a letter “J” with your finger and then point to yourself (J and the word “my”) LAMENTATIONS: rub one eye with fist as if crying and pout with lower lip (this book was written by a sad prophet who lamented the sins of God’s people)EZEKIEL: wave hand forward and make a face as if saying, “that’s easy” (“E-Z-key-el”) DANIEL: hold hands together as if praying, look up (to God) and then to side (to lions) HOSEA: pretend to squirt a hose at the kids (“hose-say-ah”)JOEL: stand and salute like a soldier (G.I. Joel)AMOS: form an “A” with hands straight and fingers touching with thumbs extended (“A-mos”)OBADIAH: draw a large “O” in the air and then pretend to drop dead (“O-bad-die-uh”) JONAH: hold up one finger with left hand (representing Jonah); by opening and closing right hand, have “the fish” swallow JonahMICAH: hold thumb and pointer finger close together, indicating something tiny, or micro-scopic NAHUM: hum a tune for the childHABAKKUK: turn your back to the child (“hab-back-kuk”)ZEPHANIAH: draw a “Z” in the air and then use your hand to fan yourself (“Z-fan-i-ah”) HAGGAI: use arms to hug yourself, then point to your eye (“Hug-eye”)ZECHARIAH: point to a chair and say, “Zat chair alright?” MALACHI: gesture as if turning a key, then put it into an envelope (“Mail-a-key”)

NEW TESTAMENT MATTHEW: point to a boy named “Matthew.” Or, extend arms straight in front and move them apart, forming a “flat mat” in the airMARK: point to a boy named “Mark.” Or, draw a “check mark” in the air LUKE: point to a boy named “Luke.” Or, form binoculars with your hands and “Look” at the kidsJOHN: point to a boy named “John.” Or, draw a “J” in the air, then put hands to cheeks with mouth open as if saying “Oh” (since the book starts with a “J” that is followed by “oh”)ACTS: make a chopping motion as if using an axROMANS: pretend to be rowing a boat 1 & 2 CORINTHIANS: hold up one finger and then two and then draw a “C” in the air GALATIANS: pretend to mold clay and then point to your shins (“Clay-shins”) EPHESIANS: draw an “E” in the air and then point to your shins (“E-shins”)PHILIPPIANS: point to a boy named “Philip.” Or, pretend to pour water from a pitcher into a cup (“filling-up”)COLOSSIANS: cup hands over mouth as if calling out to someone, then point to your shins (“Call-shins”) 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS: hold up one finger and then two and then hug yourself (“this-alone-ians”) 1 & 2 TIMOTHY: hold up one finger and then two and then point to a boy named “Timothy.” Or, point to your watch and pretend to sip tea (“time-o-tea”)

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gTITUS: form a capital “T” in the air by placing one arm horizontally over the other that is held vertically; then point to everyone (“T-us”)PHILEMON: wave arms as though flying (“Fly-mon”) HEBREWS: pretend to be stirring a cup of liquid (“He-brews”) JAMES: point to a boy named “James.” Or, pretend to play guitar, as though you are jamming 1 & 2 PETER: hold up one finger and then two and then point to a boy named “Peter.” Or, pretend to pet an animal1, 2, & 3 JOHN: hold up one finger and then two and then three and then point to a boy named “John.” Or, draw a “J” in the air, then put hands to cheeks with mouth open as if saying ‘Oh’JUDE: hold your thumbs up like you are saying, “Hey, Dude!” REVELATION: spin around as you are making revolutions

Dee-Cy-Paul Application ScriptAt the end of this lesson, you will find a special puppet script relating to worship and featuring Dee, Cy, and Paul. Dee, Cy, and Paul puppets are available at DiscipleLand.com

How to Use My Bible—Lesson 2 © 2009, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for volunteers.

DIRECTOR’S NOTESThe words in italics are notes for you and your puppeteers; they are not to be read aloud.

You will need headband, shorts, and tank top for puppet, plus fake weights.

[Puppet* is panting from strenuous exercise.]

Leader: Hey, [puppet name], why are you huffing and puff-ing?

Puppet: Well...I got a...copy of the...People Manual...y’know, the Bible...and it is a huge book...I can...hardly...pick it up.

Leader: Yeah, you’re breathing kind of heavy there.

Puppet: I’ve been...working out so I can...get strong enough to...carry it to church!

Leader: That’s wonderful that you got yourself a Bible. What type of Bible did you buy?

Puppet: [Puffs with pride.] I got the Authorized Extended Super Duper Inductive Interlinear Expositor’s Commentary Study Bible in Bonded Leather Red Letter Lite Version.

Leader: Wow!

Puppet: Yeah, except it’s not really light.

Leader: [Laughs.] You know, you could have bought a smaller edition.

Puppet: Yeah, but if it’s such an important book, I wanted the best, and the Bible Bookstore sales dude said this was the one a scholarly gentleman like myself would want. How could I say “No”?

Leader: Well, you are scholarly.

Puppet: [Despairing.] Let’s be serious. I can’t master that book! It’s just too big! It’s hopeless! I’ll never understand it. Even if I did buy a smaller one, it still has the same number of words—zillions!

Leader: I have good news.

Puppet: You do?

Leader: The Bible can be an intimidating book. It is a big book, no matter what size you buy.

Puppet: That’s good news?

Leader: Let me finish. Today we are going to break it down into manageable chunks and help you understand it better and explain how to find your way around. It’s re-ally not that hard. Okay?

Puppet: Okay, if you say so, I’m all ears. But what does “in-ductive” mean?

*PUPPET: Develop a puppet character to use regularly. The children will get to know the personality and enjoy these regular visits. Dee, Cy, and Paul puppets are available at DiscipleLand.com

Puppet Intro—A BIG Book

DiscipleTown Visitor Script

How to Use My Bible—Lesson 2 © 2009, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for volunteers.

Leader: [Speaking quickly.] Then by all means, start im-parting!

Bibliosmartz: Greetings…young brain owners—

Leader: Speak faster!

Bibliosmartz: [Gives leader a pained look, draws a very deep breath, then speaks as quickly as possible.] The Bible is made up of sixty-six smaller books ranging from very short to very long that are divided into two major sections known as the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains 39 books of History, Poetry, and Prophecy covering everything from creation to the forma-tion of Israel as a nation almost up to the Roman Empire and finally what is referred to as the “400 silent years.” The New Testament contains 27 books of History, Letters, and Prophecy covering the life of Jesus, Church history, and the writings of the Apostles in letters to churches, to in-dividuals, and John’s Revelation about the end times. The Bible was penned by men who wrote under the direction of God, so we consider God to be the ultimate Author, or as Scripture calls it, God-breathed—useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness…. Did I miss anything?

Leader: [Looking dazed and checking watch.] Um, that’ll do it, I think! Forty-seven seconds on the dot! Thanks!

*CHARACTERS: These are suggested characters and names. Please feel free to change or adjust to suit your kids’ needs and tastes.

DIRECTOR’S NOTESThe words in italics are notes for you and your volunteers; they are not to be read aloud.

You will need the Bible from Connect with Your Kids.

[As the leader finishes talking about his or her Bible, Professor Bibliosmartz* crosses the stage, as if strolling through town.]

Bibliosmartz: [Noticing the Bible from a way off.] Why hello there, [leader name], I see you have a [very precise name of the leader’s Bible]!

Leader: [Looks at title page of Bible.] Why, yes, I suppose it is. I never even knew that.

Bibliosmartz: Well, they don’t call me Professor Bibli-osmartz for nothing. Now where was I?

Leader: Uh, well, you weren’t anywhere—you just told me what kind of Bible I have.

Bibliosmartz: Ah yes. I did, didn’t I?

Leader: Well, maybe you can take a few minutes and help me explain to the children about the Bible—how it is structured, organized, etc.

Bibliosmartz: Ah, yes, yes! Of course! I’d love to. And where are these children?

[Leader looks at kids, raises eyebrows, and points.]

Bibliosmartz: Oh, those children. They look like little scholars to me!

Leader: Well, they are quite smart.

Bibliosmartz: And they have a fine teacher!

Leader: Why thank you—but can you give them a quick overview of the Bible?

Bibliosmartz: Well, I’d love to, but I only had two minutes and twenty-three seconds, and I used most of that chitter-chatting away with you. Now I only have forty-seven sec-onds left to impart my vast knowledge upon these young fertile brains…

How to Use My Bible—Lesson 2 © 2009, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for volunteers.

Dee-Cy-Paul Script—Accents

Dee: There was so much food that I got full even before dessert.

Paul: What was your favorite?

Dee: That’s question five. The ten-layer chocolate cake that my Great Aunt Katharine made tasted best.

Cy: Ten layers? Wow! It must have been a foot tall!

Paul: I wish I had some now. Yum! Question six: How long was your drive?

Dee: I don’t know exactly, but we were in the car for hours.

Cy: Then that question doesn’t count, because you couldn’t answer. Question seven: Did anything surprise you?

Dee: One thing did. I was surprised at how some people talked. I could hardly understand them.

Paul: Did they speak a foreign language?

Dee: One of my uncles lives in Canada. He spoke some French, but everyone else spoke English.

Cy: They were speaking English, and you couldn’t under-stand them? What was the problem?

Dee: That’s two questions. The answers are yes, and Dad said it was because people came from different parts of the country. We were all saying the same words, but they sounded different.

Cy: [Scratches his head.] Were they using different ac-cents?

Dee: Ten. Yeah, that’s what my Dad called it. Accents. Southerners spoke one way; Northerners, another; Mid-westerners another; and so on.

Paul: That’s kind of like the different English versions of the Bible.

Dee: What do you mean? [Pets Chip.]

Cy: I know. The Bible has been translated into different English versions so that all English-speaking people like us can understand God’s Word.

Dee: I get it. It’s like writing the Bible in the same language but with different accents. The words mean the same thing, but they are said in different ways.

Cy: That way everyone can find a translation that will help them understand God’s Word. I’ve never looked to see what version I have. Let’s go to my house and see.

DIRECTOR’S NOTESThe words in italics are notes for you and your puppeteers; they are not to be read aloud.

You will need a small backpack.

INTRODUCTIONCy: Have you ever had trouble understanding someone?

[Allow time for audience response.]

Dee: It’s hard to believe, but I had a hard time understand-ing some of my own relatives.

Cy: And they were speaking English.

Paul: It’s an interesting story.

Dee: Let’s tell the kids about it.

[Dee, Cy, and Paul exit.]

SCRIPT[Dee enters with a backpack on.]

Dee: Thanks for a great trip, Mom and Dad. It was a long drive, but I enjoyed it.

[Cy, Paul, and Chip enter. Chip acts excited to see Dee.]

Dee: Hi, Chip! [Petting him.] I’ve missed you so much! Were you good for Paul?

[Chip barks.]

Cy: Welcome home, Dee.

Dee: Thanks. And thanks for taking care of Chip, Paul.

[Chip licks her, almost knocking her over. She laughs. Through the whole conversation Chip should cavort around Dee.]

Paul: I was happy to do it. He was no trouble at all. How was your weekend? Where did you go again?

Dee: I won’t tell, but you can ask me twenty questions to find out. That’s a new car game I learned on this trip.

Paul: Question one: Did you meet lots of new cousins?

Dee: I sure did. I met first, second, and third cousins, and some that are such distant relatives that we couldn’t fig-ure out what number cousins they are.

Cy: Question two: Were they all kids?

Dee: Some were grownups, and some were kids.

Paul: Question three: Did you meet only cousins?

Dee: No. I met a lot of different relatives.

Cy: Now for the important stuff. How was the food?

How to Use My Bible—Lesson 2 © 2009, DiscipleLand. Permission granted to reproduce for volunteers.

Dee-Cy-Paul Script—Accents page 2

Dee: What about the game?

Paul: I know where you were. That many relatives and food could only mean a family reunion.

Dee: You guessed it. Since we’re already at my house, let’s see what version I have. Then we can check Cy’s.

Paul: I want to check mine, too. [Chip jumps up and licks Dee’s face.] You know, I think you’re Chip’s favorite version of a human being, Dee!

[Chip barks excitedly as they all exit.]

APPLICATIONDee: Even though people from different parts of the coun-try all speak English, their words sound different because of their accents.

Paul: God had people make different translations of the Bible in English. It’s a little like English Bibles with different accents.

Cy: Some people understand one version better, and oth-er people understand another version better.

Dee: The different English translations make it possible for English-speaking people everywhere to understand God’s Word.

Cy: We’re glad that we can understand the Bible. Aren’t you, kids?

[Wait for audience to respond.]

Dee: No matter our accent, God’s Word is for everyone. Let’s all read it every day!

Paul: See you next time!

[Dee, Cy, and Paul wave and exit. Curtain.]