For several years I have planned all-ages Bible nights to follow Bible presentation Sunday. These evenings have included dinner and activity stations. Adults and children of all ages have enjoyed getting to know the Bible and one another. This year, though, we will have the activities right after worship, during coffee hour. Everyone has been asked to bring their Bible. There are four self-paced activities:
- Customizing your Bible with index tabs, tape flags and highlighters.
- Found in the Vibrant Faith intergenerational lessons.
- People Bingo (see picture at right)
- Discussion starters for each table (see below)
My hope is that the children who receive their Bibles will experience the excitement of opening their own Bibles and see adults who have treasured their Bibles for years. If the past is any indication, there will be valuable relationships formed and meaningful stories shared.
Discussion Starters (for around a table):
Remember: Begin by going around the circle and having each person share the story of their Bible. When did you get it? Who gave it to you? What is special about it?
Discover: Compare your Bible with someone else’s at the table. What is different? What is the same? Some Bibles have maps, red letters, study notes, etc.
Take note: Do you write or mark in your Bible? Why or why not? What kinds of things do you write? If you have taken notes, share a few things that you have written.
Share: What Bible verses or stories have special meaning for you? Why? Tell about part of the Bible that helped you through a hard time. What questions do you have about the Bible? Make a list of questions to explore together or individually.
Please see these past posts of resources appropriate for Bible day or night:
- Three Things About the Bible is a post on our church website that describes how we, as United Methodists, read and interpret the Bible seriously, but not literally.
- Hack Your Bible invites people of all ages to use colorful office supplies to make their Bibles more user friendly.
- customize-your-bible-by-cvhides is a new handout with a list of important passages to mark in your Bibles.
- Breaking in Your Bible is list of 6 ways parents can help their families learn to use the Bible.
- The Duct Tape Pencil Holder craft I created continues to be the most popular post on this website.
- The chatterbox activity I created with my own teen has the important questions to ask about any Bible passage.
Christine V Hides 