Teaching the Children Bible Stories From the Liturgy

LSBHo-ly, ho-ly, ho-ly Lord God of Sab-a-oth;

heav’n and earth are full of Thy glo-ry.

Ho-san-na, ho-san-na, ho-san-na in the high-est. Bless-ed is He,

bless-ed is He, bless-ed is He that com-eth in the name of the Lord.

Ho-san-na, ho-san-na, ho-san-na in the high-est.

My parents were deaf and during the time of my childhood the Pastor for the deaf would come from Detroit once a month on a Friday night for Church. My Great Aunt Edna faithfully brought my younger brother and me to Church and Sunday School. I don’t remember being read to, but I remember the Bible Stories in Sunday School! I remember asking if these stories were really true. My faithful Lutheran Sunday School teacher assured me that they were because God wrote the Bible and He always tells the truth.

When I learned to read, I loved reading along in the liturgy, especially ‘God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God,…’ It was so easy to read and I was learning to read new big words too! The only times God was mentioned at home was our prayer before meals. Those precious 2 hours Sunday mornings, week after week throughout my childhood, were the most influential times in preparing me for the rest of my life and for my children. That is the Words of eternal life!

The liturgy is one of those keepsakes from my childhood that I love to share with my children and grandchildren, as well my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful that the liturgy is not like an old yearbook or scrapbook tucked away in a cupboard. The liturgy does not embarrass me like pictures of old fads like polyester suits and bell bottoms or songs like ‘Yummy, Yummy, I Got Love in My Tummy’! The liturgy teaches and comforts throughout all generations. The liturgy is nothing new and yet it renews!

Palm Sunday reminds me how precious our liturgy is as a teaching tool for us all and especially, for our children. The liturgy is one Bible Story after another, reminding us how God is faithful and keeps His promises. The liturgy is a wonderful curriculum for parents to teach their children God’s love for them.

Baptism of Christ.

The Creation of the world.

Jesus heals and forgives.

The Angels tell the shepherds that Jesus is born!

Pastor reads about Jesus. Let’s read them again at home this week.

Christ ask His Disciples Who do they say Jesus is.

David prays for the Holy Spirit to strengthen him and keep him faithful to God.

The healing of the 10 lepers.

Isaiah ‘s unclean lips.

Jesus coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Jesus teaches us how to pray.

Jesus gives us the Lord’s Supper.

Good Friday

Jesus appears to His Disciples after the Resurrectiion.

John announces that Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

Simeon sees baby Jesus.

Aaron’s Blessing.

Of course, there are plenty more Bible stories that can teach why we say, chant and sing the liturgy Sunday after Sunday. Teaching Bible stories and connecting them to the liturgy will teach children an appreciation and love for the liturgy. Singing parts of the liturgy, saying the Lord’s Prayer, and Creed at home will help the children to participate more and more during the Divine Service.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and up hold me with Thy free spirit. Amen.

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