Jesse Joyner, PhD

Children’s Pastors are Bible Translators

Kids love to play. So let's speak that language when we teach them about the Bible.
Kids love to play. So let’s speak that language when we teach them about the Bible.

I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the people of organizations like Wycliffe or New Tribes Mission who spend decades with an indigenous group of people. learn their culture and language, and then translate the Bible into that language.

I believe that those who teach the Bible to kids (in any language or culture) are doing something similar. You see, kids have a special language. It’s called “play.” And those of us who teach the Bible to kids are faced with a challenge of translating a very large (and often times scary and confusing) text into something that kids can understand and learn.

How can we do that? Through play. Through games. Through interesting and exciting tools that help communicate the Bible in the language of children. This doesn’t mean the message gets watered down in any way. I believe we can maintain the solid depth of the Scripture and have fun the with the learning process at the same time. The fun things we do along the way are just tools. They are not the ends in and of themselves. The end goal is connecting with God.

But that doesn’t have to be a boring process. God wired kids as fun and playful. So let’s speak that language when we teach them about Him.

 

Search

Popular Posts

  • “Holy Fools”: Exploring the Journey of Calling for Christian Variety Performers

    I am happy to announce that my PhD dissertation has been published to ProQuest, an academic database for published research. I have made the dissertation open source, which means anyone anywhere can access the full content free of charge. Here is the full dissertation: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/holy-fools-exploring-journey-calling-christian/docview/2622316783/se-2 Please share far and wide. I am very much excited…

  • The Easiest Large Group Game Ever
    The Easiest Large Group Game Ever

    This is probably the easiest large group game ever invented.  If you can think of an easier one, please let me know in the comments. Heads or Tails! This game of heads or tails involves EVERYONE in your large group.  It is actually better the larger the group gets.  There is an elimination factor to…

  • When God Calls Kids

    On September 26th, I will be facilitating a breakout session at the KidzMatter Conference in Evansville, IN called “When God Calls Kids: Helping Kids Discern and Grow in Their Callings.” If you’re going, come find me on Thursday at 4:30pm in Locust D at the conference! Check out my free resources from my talk right…

  • Out of the Mouths of Children

    “Out of the Mouths of Children” Sermon from Sunday, April 21, 2024 Dr. Jesse Joyner *Scripture passages are from the NIV unless otherwise noted. Matthew 21:6 “…and they said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and…

  • Not a Single Bone Shall Be Broken

    Today is Good Friday on the Christian calendar. I would like to share a Good Friday reflection with you. Thank you for reading… When I speak at children’s events, I tell the story of Jesus and his ministry on earth. I point out that Jesus was the only human in history who lived a perfect…