The Bible For Normal People Episode 7: Pete Enns and Jared Byas - Teaching the Bible to Your Children
May 1, 2017
Teaching the Bible to children can be quite a challenge. The hosts explore the tension between children's simple comprehension and complex theological ideas using Noah's story as a prime example. They advocate for a curriculum that centers on Jesus and promote the idea of children enjoying stories without the pressure of literal interpretations. Honest dialogue about tough questions fosters curiosity, while teaching context and nuance helps avoid a fear-based understanding. Finally, they emphasize the importance of self-awareness in parents as children navigate their own faith journeys.
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Allow Imaginative Reading First
- Let children enter biblical stories imaginatively without immediately demanding literal or historical judgments.
- Protect their space to experience the story's meaning before dissecting historicity.
Multiple Truths In Scripture
- The Bible contains different kinds of truth: moral or theological truth can coexist with non-videotaped historical storytelling.
- Multiple biblical accounts can be "true" for different purposes without matching every historical detail.
Welcome Kids' Tough Questions
- Encourage children's honest questions about texts rather than shutting them down; treat curiosity as a learning moment.
- Reframe difficult elements as opportunities to ask what the story is trying to teach rather than only whether it "happened."