Page 13 - Lessons and Activities on the Bible

EXPLORING THE BIBLE
e children will become familiar with the parts of their Bible, discovering features that help them read and understand it.
Catechist Notes
e books of the Bible were rst written on scrolls of papyrus made from the pith of reeds. ese were replaced by parchment scrolls made from animal skins. Eventually pieces were bound together to form a codex like our modern books. e printing press made it easier to produce Bibles, but God’s word was still inaccessible to the many people who were illiterate. Today when most people can read, Bibles are not only easily obtained, but they in- clude aids for reading them. Having the children examine their Bibles will make them aware of ev- erything that their versions o er. ey won’t be like the teacher who discovered the reproducible sheets at the back of her manual at the end of the school year!
Beforehand, choose questions in #2 or add ques- tions that correspond to the version of the Bible your children are using.
Materials
□ Bibles
□ A locked cash box or jewelry box □ Treasure inside the box, perhaps a dollar □ The key to the box
□ Crayons or markers
□ Scissors
□ Hole punch
□ Thin ribbon, yarn, or raffia
□ Clear contact paper (optional)
□ Copies of Activity Sheet 3 on sturdy paper
Activity
1 Keeping the key to a locked box hidden, ask for a volunteer to open the box. When the child isn’t
3
Objective
able to, ask what is needed. (the key) Produce the key and hand it to the child. Comment:
▪ e word of God is like a treasure, but
to enjoy its riches, to understand it, we need the right keys. Today you will search your Bible to nd the keys it o ers.
2 From the following questions, ask those that pertain to your children’s Bibles.
▪ Is there a prayer at the front of your Bible, asking for God’s help in reading it?
▪ Does your Bible have an introduction to the whole Bible?
▪ Are there introductions to each book throughout the Bible?
▪ What page is the table of contents on? ▪ Does your Bible tell you the
abbreviations of its books?
▪ Does your Bible have pictures? Maps? ▪ Does your Bible have footnotes
that explain verses?
▪ For certain verses, does your Bible
direct you to related verses?
▪ At the top of a page do you nd book
and chapter that are on that page? ▪ Is there an index in your Bible? ▪ Does your Bible have a glossary? ▪ What other helps does your Bible have?
Pass out the copies of Activity Sheet 3 and have the children follow the directions for making book- marks for their Bibles. ey might cover the book- marks with contact paper.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, as I learn to make my way around the Bible, may it bring me to better know and follow your Way.
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