using bible conversation...

Teaching the Bible is more than just telling a story to preschoolers. You can help preschoolers discover what the Bible means and how the Bible relates to them. Use Bible conversation and verses to help preschoolers apply Bible truths to their lives.

You use Bible conversation when you talk with a child about the Bible story. Relate the conversation to the activity the child is doing. For example, as Matthew rocks the doll, you may say: “You are taking care of the doll, Matthew. Hannah took care of the baby Samuel. She loved Samuel. She was happy that she had a baby boy. How do you help your family, Matthew?” Relate the Bible story to Matthew’s actions. Matthew can begin to understand that he can help others, like Hannah helped care for Samuel.

Bible conversation should grow naturally from what the children are doing. You do not need to tell all of the Bible story to teach. You can tell portions of the story all around the room, repeating the story phrases when the opportunity arises. Repetition is an important way preschoolers learn. Hearing portions of the story in different settings will reinforce Bible truths for preschoolers.

You also can use Bible verses in conversation with boys and girls. As children take part in activities, use Bible verses and phrases that relate to their experiences. As Holly builds a church with the blocks, say: “The Bible says, ‘I like to go to church.’ We can have fun at church. We can learn about Jesus.” As Ryan reads a book, say: “Ryan, did you know that the Bible tells us that Jesus read the Bible at church? We read the Bible at church, too.” Take advantage of teaching opportunities that arise throughout the session. As children hear these phrases during their activities, they begin to make them part of their everyday lives.

When you use Bible phrases and verses with young children, use words they can understand. Preschoolers can misinterpret words that have double meaning or that are not clear. For example, phrases such as God’s house or the lamb of God are not terms young children can understand. Children understand words such as church and Jesus much better. These words do not confuse children.

Use the Bible with preschoolers. Open the Bible to a Bible verse and point to it as you read. Place strips of paper in the Bible. As children explore the activities, suggest that they open the Bible to a marker. Read the verse. Open the Bible to a story reference. Show the child the story in the Bible. Say: “Here is the story about Hannah and baby Samuel. Here is Hannah’s name. I’m glad we can come to church and hear Bible stories.”

During the early years, caring teachers need to lay a foundation in the lives of the children they teach. You can help preschoolers develop positive attitudes about the Bible by using Bible conversation and Bible verses. By giving preschoolers concrete experiences with the Bible, you are helping them discover that the Bible is meaningful for their lives. And that is a foundation that a child can build on for a lifetime!

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