"Membership in the family of God is neither inconsequential or something to be casually ignored. The church is God's agenda for the world. Jesus said, "I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." The church is indestructable and will exist for eternity. It will outlive this universe, and so will your role in it."
- Rick Warren
Monday, April 19, 2010
Go check this out! What's In The Bible
Do watch his video where Phil explains that what he really wants to do is combat Biblical illiteracy in the church. And so, he is seeking to give kids an A-to-Z instruction. It's not just stories, it's the story. He is trying to give kids the content of the Bible in context and in order, so that they know what's where and why. It looks pretty good.
Here's a review from Dallas Theological Seminary:
I’ve just spent four hours with what I think will be two of the most life-changing titles of the year. Hang onto your seats. They’re children’s DVD’s called What’s In The Bible? They were so good that I watched each one twice.They talk about canonization and theology? For the pre-school set? Wow!
Phil Vischer (creator of VeggieTales) has just released the first two of what will ultimately be a 13-DVD series covering the whole Bible. With puppets, animation and live-action craziness, you get the silly songs, clever jokes and what you might not expect–some great Bible teaching. Along with a good overview of Genesis and Exodus, the first two DVD’s hit some meaty issues as well. Canon, redemption, inspiration and salvation are simply explained by a Sunday School lady with a magic flannelgraph, a piano-playing pastor, a church-history-loving pirate and a lovable cast of characters. How many adults can answer the question of why Catholic and Orthodox Bibles have more books than the Protestant version? My favorite was the Popsicle-stick theater debate on how to depict God (I cheered with the conclusion). Now, I’m trying to figure out how I can get my adult class to watch these.
These DVD’s fill a huge void in presenting an entire overview of the Bible for children. With Biblical literacy at a low, these DVD’s need to be in the hands of every kid in the church. My real hope is that with repeated viewings, their parents will watch them and learn the Bible also.
So what do you think? Has anyone seen these yet? I'm thinking about getting them.
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/5939.
Comments on "Phil Vischer's Latest - What's In The Bible":
2. jen
- 04/19/2010 2:32 pm CDT
I'm intrigued. We've been reading The Jesus Storybook Bible to Jesse and he loves it. What I love is that it's well written and tells the whole story - the Gospel is complete. So many children's bibles gloss over the cross and resurrection.
I'll be interested to see what these DVDs look like and show. Could be a good tool for parents.
3. Shrode
- 04/19/2010 2:45 pm CDT
Hey Jen,
Go to jellytelly.com and click the free trial option and watch an episode.
I think he's taking from those jellytelly episodes to make "what's in the Bible". it looks like some of the same content, style and characters.
Looks like jellytelly is a pay-per-month site, and that he's borrowing some of that content to make these videos.
4. nhe
- 04/19/2010 11:03 pm CDT
I struggle with this a little bit......whereas I agree in principle that our children are not nearly as literate with Bible stories as we were at that age - back in the "felt board" days, the far bigger issue is that our children aren't being discipled.
Let's face it, we the church (and that includes our children) are educated far beyond our obedience to and love for Christ.
5. Bill
- 04/20/2010 6:43 am CDT
Let's face it, we the church (and that includes our children) are educated far beyond our obedience to and love for Christ.
I'm not quite sure where you're going with this, nhe.
I fundamentally disagree, though, with the statement above. There is a lot (a LOT) of Biblical illiteracy in the church.
Of course, of course, just learning about God and the Bible is no substitute for loving and obeying him, but it's an important part of learning to love and obey him. I tell this to the College/Young Singles all the time: we don't study the Bible to be puffed up theologically. We study the Bible to know Jesus more, and in knowing him more, we can become more like him.
Again, yes, agree that just studying and learning is not the end. But it is an important means to an end.
I'm not arguing pro or con these videos (although I think they sound cool) - but I don't see a church today that is over-educated in scripture. And I think that's a problem.
6. nhe
- 04/20/2010 10:32 am CDT
Sorry for not being clear, but I'm missing the point.........as far as I can tell, the evangelical church children's programs are doing just fine from a Bible knowledge standpoint - but the church does not set up to disciple our kids (though neither do most of us as parents) that's what I'm trying to say.
I see zero need for more of this kind of stuff for kids, the market is glutted. Let's ground our kids in the gospel and not worry whether or not they know "the whole Bible" before they're 10.
8. Shrode
- 04/20/2010 2:32 pm CDT
nhe,
I don't know about the market, but in my experience churches are not teaching children the Bible. They are teaching moral lessons via Bible stories. There's a difference. The kids learn about David, Daniel etc..., but they don't see how it all goes together for the purpose of sending Jesus and redeeming mankind.
Books like "The Jesus Storybook bible" and "The big-picture story Bible" do what churches and parents have NOT been doing. Showing kids how it all goes together and why.
Even Veggie Tales has kind of failed in that regard, though it's great for what it is, having all these stories doesn't necessarily give kids the big picture.
I've not seen any video series do what "What's in the Bible" seems to be attempting. I think it's the first of it's kind.
Teaching kids the whole Bible from beginning to end, so they can see "The Story" is the Gospel.
Then he said to them, "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?" Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him. Luke 24:25-27 The Message
In my view, this sort of systematic approach to the Bible is grounding them in the Gospel.
On the other hand, you and I probably agree about a lot related to this. But I don't think we are doing a good job of teaching our church members the Bible...of any age. Maybe your church is, and that's awesome!
When you say "ground our kids in the gospel" are you talking about teaching them the concept of salvation by grace? or is there more that you have in mind?
9. Christy Wong
- 04/20/2010 3:07 pm CDT
Hi Philip,
I'm the publicist for the "What's In the Bible?" DVD series and it's great to see the discussion you have going on in the comments here! Would you be interested in receiving an advance viewer copy of the first two DVDs (though both are already in Christian book stores now)? It would be great if you could review the DVDs for yourself on this site. Even Phil Vischer thinks of his new series this way: "If VeggieTales is the appetizer, What's In the Bible? is the main course."
Blessings,
Christy Wong
Publicist
Tyndale House Publishers
10. nhe
- 04/20/2010 7:06 pm CDT
Bill - I'm talking about my kids understanding a little bit more about the Christology in the stories of Isaac and Jonah (which is easy to show) and a little less about the names and order of all the books of the Bible..........I don't care if they know who Cain and Abel were before they're 12, but I do care that they know that the whole book is about Jesus, and it's really, really cool.
You're right, we probably do agree on most of this. I just don't think we need more cool stuff. Rather, we need to take what we've got and make it cool, and about Jesus (even if it's the story of David and Goliath - we need to talk about how that's about Jesus, and how it's not just a moral lesson - a point you made).
12. Shrode
- 04/21/2010 10:35 am CDT
Christy,
Yes! I would be happy and honored to review those videos here at thinklings (and maybe on my own church website as well.)
What's the best and safest way to exchange contact info?
You can email me at: philip&fbcbulverde
Just put an @ sign instead of the & and a .org at the end.
13. Shrode
- 04/21/2010 10:43 am CDT
nhe,
I hear what you are saying, but I think there's a lot to be said for working familiarity with the Bible. I think that people are more likely to go to it when they are older, if it is "less scary". And what makes it "less scary" is familiarity. They also need to know what's where.
As far as a rush for them to know it before 12, I think I hear your concern there too, and you are right that it's not about pouring their heads full before they are teenagers, but if we are supposed to teach our children the Bible, why not do it well? They won't retain everything...but they will retain a lot...
But I like your "the bible is really cool" approach too. ;-)
14. t.smith
- 04/26/2010 10:19 pm CDT
I'm a little late to this discussion, but YEEHAW, flannelgraph is making a comeback in the videos!! Actually, this is perfect timing for my granddaughter! She will love this! It was flannelgraph, plus the great story-telling ability of Mrs. Crabtree, that hooked me and burned into my imagination the Bible stories. Then the Sword Drills helped with scripture memory.They were cool and fun! These kind of things are the first steps in discipling children I think. It gives them a concrete handle to the Bible when they're little. As they mature, that's built upon with more knowledge and experience. Can't wait to get these dvds!
Leave a Comment:
Good to see such a positive review! I recently won a coupon for a free copy of the first DVD in this series but haven't found a bookstore nearby that has them yet.