Joshua’s House

Have you ever noticed all those texts listed either on the side or middle of the pages in your Bible?  Those texts make up what is called your Bible’s marginal reference or cross references.  The margin helps you to see how a Bible verse connects to other Bible verses.  Sometimes the margin also explains words better.

Pick a small section from the chapter(s) you read in the Bible and have a Bible treasure hunt. The margins will tell you where to look.  Think about how the verses in the margin connect with your section.

Look up at least five passages from the margin.

Pick a small section from the chapter(s) you read in the Bible and have a Bible treasure hunt. The margins will tell you where to look.  Think about how the verses in the margin connect with your section.

They say a picture says 1,000 words.  What about eight pictures?

For this activity you will need a pencil and colored pencils,
markers or crayons.

Look through the chapter(s) you read in the Bible, and write down the 8 most important parts of the story in order.

Draw the eight scenes one by one in the storyboard boxes on the template you can find here.

Remember to include a short description of the pictures you draw under each box.

Modifications

Want something easier for younger children?

Use this page to have your child draw pictures of what happened first, second, and last.

It is important that we grow in every area of life: spiritually, mentally, physically . . . you get the idea      Here is a challenge that will give your physical, mental and spiritual health a jump start.

Pull out a jump rope and get hopping.  Every time you jump, say the next word in your memory verse.  Once you’ve got the hang of it, time yourself to see how fast you can get through the whole verse without messing up.

Written by: Wendy Lawton

Many of us are familiar with the passage found in Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Blind Mary Bunyan, daughter of the famed author of Pilgrim’s Progress, clings to this verse as she faces the trial of having her father hauled away to jail, caring for an ill stepmother and scraping along to feed her family.  As she faces the many hardships she continues to repeat to herself, “I can do all things . . . I can do all things,” completely forgetting the most important part of the passage, “through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Throughout her journey, Mary learns that too much Independence can lead to a host of problems.  She discovers that others are there to help her and that she can lean on them from time to time.  Most importantly, she learns to lean on her Lord, Jesus Christ who is always there to help her no matter what troubles she may face.

This is  a great read as it encourages the reader to reflect upon what it really means to trust God.  The author does a wonderful job at using language that is authentic to the time period while explaining uncommon words so that children can understand.  I was also happy to see a section at the end of the book where she explains what parts of the story came from actual life and factual records, and what was added and “could” have happened.

Overall I’d say this is a fantastic book and would highly recommend it.

Recommended Ages: 9-12
Great For: Independent Reading
Reading Together

Click here to get the book.

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be someone from the Bible.  I think of people like Peter, Timothy, Joseph, Esther and many more.

Find or make some stationary and pretend you are a person from the passages you read this week.  Write a letter to a friend or family member.  Tell the recipient what is happening.  What have you seen? What have you heard?  What do you think of it all?  Don’t leave out any details.

If you are reading one of the New Testament epistles, you can write a letter back to Paul (or the author of the letter).  What do you think of what you are being told?  What questions do you have?

Modifications

Want something easier for younger children?

You may want to help your child write a letter to the character from the story.  What questions does your child want to ask?  To make things really fun, you could write up your own response, and send it in the mail to the child as if it’s from the character.