PDF Ten Benefits of Family Bible Reading IMHO - Calvin College

In My Humble Opinion

Ten Benefits of Family Bible Reading

IMHO

Family Bible reading

has become one of the

casualties of busy

schedules.

When I was a child growing up, it was common for families to read aloud from the Bible every day after the main meal. Beginning with a story Bible full of pictures, I was gradually exposed to the wide sweep of Scripture--from the pen of Moses to John's visions in the Revelation. There is no substitute for this Story.

Though my husband and I carry on this practice with our own children, we've noticed that family Bible reading has become one of the casualties of busy schedules. I'd like to suggest that reading Scripture after a meal is more than a dry tradition. In fact, I can think of at least 10 benefits of reading the Bible together on a daily basis. 1. It underlines the importance of the

Bible apart from all other books. 2. Hearing Bible stories often allows

them to become a part of us. Internalizing the essential stories about God's dealings with his people grounds us firmly in faith. 3. The shared activity of reading the Bible together builds a bond between all who take part in it. 4. It gives children a greater awareness of history in general and of ways of life that preceded cars and computers. 5. Bible reading naturally leads into a discussion of what we believe and

how we live it out in our daily lives. 6. The Bible contains a rich and unique vocabulary. Parents can explain unfamiliar words so that they become part of a child's own vocabulary. 7. Children will be able to understand the biblical references that occur throughout Western literature. 8. Bible reading exposes children to different cultures and helps them to appreciate the variety represented by various biblical characters. 9. The Bible does not hide real-life problems and issues. Reading it together as a family will help children overcome the stereotype that the Bible is simply "a book of rules" or a fantasy story. 10. Reading Scripture sets a model of literacy at home. Children see that reading is valuable and when fluent enough can be asked to take a turn as well.

During a summer road trip, our family tried audio versions of the Bible and listened to a narrative chunk each day while driving. Using innovative formats of Scripture now and then, including the film The Gospel of John, The Singing Bible CDs, or dramatized audio versions will accomplish most of the same goals as reading, as long as listening to them remains a shared activity.

When the family is pressed for time, I urge you to skip dessert--not Bible reading! n

Harriette Mostert worships at Community Christian Reformed Church in Kitchener, Ontario. She teaches part time and reflects on everyday things on her blog providenceplace-harriette..

8 THE BANNER | November 2014 |

Holy Land Tour I commend Mr. Klompeen on his firsthand observations drawing attention to the hardships experienced by the Palestinian population in Israel ("Lessons of a Holy Land Tour," Sept. 2014). Without minimizing these daily hardships I wish to point out that the plight of the Palestinians has not all been Israel's fault. Much of their misery has been due to the lack of wise leadership and the regular inciting to violence by the surrounding Arab states.

Before the Six Day War of 1967, Palestinians in Israel enjoyed full rights of citizenship in addition to exemption from military service.

Once the Palestinians make a public declaration recognizing the historic rights of the Jewish people to live in their ancestral land and denounce all forms of violence, then perhaps negotiations can lead somewhere.

--Rev. Issa Saliba Oshawa, Ontario

The article "Lessons of a Holy Land Tour" gives a biased and inaccurate view of what is happening in Israel. Instead of saying our representatives in Washington should be informed that we disapprove of the Israeli government's policies toward the Palestinians, he should ask, Why is Washington supporting Hamas, a group dedi-

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